Love's Embers (Canon City Series) (2 page)

Chapter Two

Charlie sat down on his sleeping bag and watched the flames dance in the fireplace. He’d collected some wood from a stack in the back of the house and felt grateful it was dry enough to burn. The house was cold, dark and smelled as though a family of field mice, at some time in the past, made a home somewhere in the walls or basement. He’d have a lot to clean out.

When he’d first opened the front door and stood in the entrance, he’d used the flashlight to look around. Breaker charged past him, but stopped and turned. The wolf whined and looked back at Charlie.

“It’s okay, boy. Go snoop around,” he said and turned the flashlight to the left and then to the right. The left used to be the dining room. His family never ate any meals there, but he remembered his father sat at the table with his post office buddies, drinking beer and playing poker. He could still smell the cigar smoke and hear the men laugh and tell nasty jokes.

Straight ahead, down the hallway was the living room and when he looked at the fireplace he almost threw up. He could hear the voices scream all around him and he wanted to back out of the house. Something deep in the pit of his heart said
you need to do this. Just get it over with
.

When he looked into the dining room again, he could see his mother bent over backwards on the table. His father leaned over her with his hands around her neck. He screamed at her incoherently, as she struggled against him.

He saw his fifteen-year-old self run up to his father, trying to get him to stop. He pulled at his father’s arm and tried to stop him from choking his mother. Finally he ran into the living room and picked up the poker next to the fireplace. He walked up to the older man, swung the poker and hit him on the back.

His father let go of his wife’s neck and straightened up. He turned, sneered at his son and swore he’d kill Charlie. He’d had it with this brat’s bullshit. As the older man moved toward him, the poker swung up again and hit his father on the side of the head. He went down hard and then Charlie dialed 9-1-1. The police came and...

He started to cough and couldn’t catch his breath. His chest felt tight and he thought it would be just great if he was struck with a heart attack on his first night home. It took a few moments to shake the memory from his mind. He’d gone from room to room and found memories around every corner. He’d gone upstairs and found his old room. Looking out the window in his bedroom, he saw the Metcalfe’s house next door and smiled. There were better memories over there.

After he unloaded his duffle bag, sleeping gear and Breaker’s bowls into the house, they’d traipsed next door and found Gran ready for them. She’d even set out a bowl of water and bits of people food out for Breaker.

They’d sat in her warm kitchen and got reacquainted. She told him things that happened in Canon City in the last ten years or so. There was nothing too earth-shattering to report. After three cups of hot chocolate, two grilled ham and cheese sandwiches on rye and potato salad, she tempted him with a piece of apple pie.

“Gran, I don’t think I could eat another bite.” He sat back and rubbed his stomach.

“Well, I’ll send a piece with you. It’s cold enough in that house you shouldn’t have to worry about it going bad.” She asked if he wanted another cup of cocoa, but he said no. She sat at the table and smiled at him. “So, Charlie Stone, where have you been all these years?”

“Lord, everywhere, pretty much. I was trained to drive a truck in detention and drove for a couple of different companies for a few years. After I saved enough money, I got my own truck. Then the money got better and I didn’t have to share it with the bosses. I have a pretty good reputation on the road and I’m considered reliable.” He folded his hands on the table and stared at them. “A few years ago, I got a laptop computer. It took me about six months to figure out how to use the stupid thing and after I got bored playing Solitaire all the time, I learned about this wireless business and started taking on-line college courses. I actually got my degree a year ago and started to send out applications for colleges with veterinary schools. I wanted to go to Washington State University in Pullman. They have one of the top schools in the country, but they turned my application down. I was accepted at Fort Collins and since it’s not that far down the road, I figured it might be a good time to come back home.”

“Do you have plans to stay in the area in your play book?” Gran asked and arched an eyebrow.

“For a while. The school takes four years and then there’s an externship for a couple of months. I really want to study hard for this. I’m tired of being on the road all the time. It’s not really fun anymore.”

“It’s a good thing, Charlie. I know you always wanted to work with animals. I remember you and Lark bringing home some poor injured creature...” she stopped when she saw the look on his face change. She put her hand over his. “Charlie, I never understood what happened between you and Lark, but I will say for a long time she missed you, very much.”

“That was a long time ago, Gran. I’m sure she’s gotten over it.”

“It wasn’t so long ago and I think you might be surprised. She still snarls at me if I mention your name. The first couple of years she had terrible nightmares and woke up crying. You were her best friend.” Gran shook her head and put her hand by her mouth. “A couple of months ago, something happened to her. She won’t talk about it, but she’s been in a foul temper every since.” She sat up straight. “I’m just giving you advance warning, if she snarls at you.”

He stared at the flames and still heard the words Gran said. Breaker walked over and sat next to him. Charlie scratched the wolf’s ears and back. Finally, Breaker lay down and put his head on Charlie’s lap. He looked up at his master with sad, dark eyes and woofed.

“It’s all right, boy. This will be our home base for a while. We both have some new things to get used to. I think I better get a couch and some plates,” he said to the wolf.

He looked back at the flames in the fireplace and thought about what he’d learned from Gran. He found out his horse, Fox, was taken by Mr. Bickens, who had a dude ranch up at Royal Gorge. As soon as he made arrangements to sell his semi-truck and got a better means of travel, he’d head over to the ranch and get re-acquainted with Fox. Next to Lark, the horse was once his best friend. Gran said that Lark paid Mr. Bickens the monthly fees to board and care for the horse. She’d go out there at least once a month to ride the trails around the ranch. The rest of the time, Fox was rented out for day or overnight trips.

Then there was Lark. He felt nervous to see her again. They were best friends when they were kids. She’d supported him and helped keep him safe when his dad was on one of his many drunken sprees. They’d spent their summers having adventures in the valley by the river that ran by their homes. They’d fished that river, but never caught much to crow about. She’d helped him with English and he’d gotten her through eighth grade algebra.

They’d shared their first kiss at the age of fifteen on a picnic in the valley and then his world crashed in on him. When he’d gone to juvenile detention in Pueblo, she’d written him tons of letters and they began to make him angry at her. Charlie couldn’t remember why he’d gotten so mad and now, Gran said Lark was engaged to another man and supposed to get married over New Year’s. It was just another sign. Thirteen was an unlucky number and he looked forward to focusing on school.

He looked at Breaker and continued to rub the wolf’s ears. “We better try to get some sleep. At least we’ll have power and water tomorrow.” He glanced out the window and saw it was snowing again. “Great. I hope they get the roads cleared.”

Charlie pushed Breaker off the sleeping bag, removed his boots and scrunched down into the warmth. Breaker stretched out next to him with his head across Charlie’s leg.

Chapter Three

The snow stopped when the red Ford Bronco turned onto Highway 50 headed west to Canon City. The drive usually took about two and a half hours, but today, from Denver, it took six. The weather was dicey, but Lark didn’t want to stay another night away from home. She missed her grandmother. She needed to apologize for her behavior over the last couple of months. She’d been to hell and finally found her way back.

She drove below the speed limit and gripped the steering wheel hard the whole way. She looked forward to a warm bath and good dinner.

Lark and her business partner, Nancy Frye, were in meetings all week with suppliers for Mile High Bread Company. They specialized in mixes from local cooks for breads, soups, pasta and rice dishes and - a favorite - her grandmother’s secret hot chocolate powder. The businesses books were in the black for the year and all seemed to be going well. Most of their sales were online from the website, but the shop they had in Canon City did a good local base. Sales were better in the spring, summer and fall, but this year Thanksgiving and Christmas sales were up, too. It made them feel confident that next year would be prosperous.

The meetings in Denver were a challenge though. It was a long week and they were both exhausted.

“Did you feel anything strange in the air when we met with Frank and that other group?” Nancy asked and broke the silence. She sat up in her seat and stretched as far as she could.

Lark watched her friend run her hands through her short blonde hair, and felt grateful to have someone to share the tension with. “I just thought it was weird that they wouldn’t make more of an effort to restock us. Christmas is only three weeks away,” Lark said, and peered through the front window, watching the road. “This was a long week. We’ll regroup on Monday and see what the damages will be. I think there will be a few things missing and we’ll need to send out a few apology emails.”

“So, any plans this weekend?”

“Not really. Gran wants to get the Christmas tree up and decorated. We’re supposed to see what we can find tomorrow. If I know Gran, though, she’ll want another blue spruce. They are pretty, and make less of a mess. There’s supposed to be a broom ball game at Jay Hager’s rink tomorrow evening, but I’m not sure I’ll make it this time. What about you and the kidlings?”

“Probably the same. Jim wants to head up into the hills and do the cut-our-own tree thing, again. He had a great time doing it last year and the kids loved getting out of the house. We are doing the broom ball game. Jim has it in for Jay and his bud, Frank Donnelly, for the last game.” Lark saw Nancy glance at her out of the corner of her eye. “Are you upset you didn’t get to go do your fitting?”

Lark let out a breath. “Not really. We have too much to get done before Christmas. I can’t really think about the wedding right now.”

“Are you starting to have second thoughts?” When Lark didn’t answer, Nancy patted her shoulder. “Is that the reason you wouldn’t let me do a bridal shower?”

“Nance, I’ve got a whole lot of crap to think about. I don’t know whether I’m coming or going with Thomas. He’s insisted I move to Denver, but I don’t really want to be that far away from Canon.”

“Is that why you stayed at the inn this week, instead of the condo?”

“He’d just make me crazy and we didn’t have time for that this week.” She smiled and

pulled her Bronco into Nancy’s driveway. “Get some rest and have a good weekend.”

“Thanks. You, too.” Nancy opened her door and stepped out. She grabbed her bag off the back seat. “See you Monday or maybe tomorrow night.” She closed the door.

After Nancy got into her house, Lark backed the Bronco down the drive and headed back toward Main Street.

The weatherman called for another six to eight inches of snow today and she felt relieved they’d gotten back to town before the sun went down and the storm hit. Fortunately, she only had two more miles to go and the main road was cleared.

She turned onto Pine Ridge Road and found it hadn’t been cleared. She drove slow and tried to dodge potholes in the ice and snow. She finally saw her home on the left. As she got ready to turn into the drive she noticed a big, fire-engine red semi truck parked in front of the house next door. There were a few lights on in the house and she could see the path that led to the front door was cleared of snow.

Great, new neighbors, with a monster truck, just great
, she thought. She parked the Bronco next to her Gran’s car and turned hers off.  She slipped out and got her suitcase out of the back. She slammed the car door, then turned to the house and made her way to the front door. As she closed the door behind her, she peeled off her boots and coat.

“Hey Gran. I’m home,” she called and put on the pair of slippers that waited for her by the door.

“Thank the Lord. Hi honey,” Gran said and walked out of the pantry. “I was beginning to worry. It’s been off and on snow all day.” She hugged Lark.

“Something smells heavenly. What’s for dinner?” Lark asked. She believed her grandmother was one of the best cooks in the state of Colorado. When she came home from work every evening, the smells that came from the kitchen made her mouth water.

“I threw together a pot of chili and in a bit I’ll put some of that good old Mile High cornbread into the oven.”

Lark grinned. “I’m going to hire you to do our ad campaign.” They walked into the kitchen arm in arm.

“Do you want some tea or coffee to warm up, sweetie?”

“No, I’m going to take a bath and try to relax. The drive was tough today.” She leaned over the kitchen table and looked out the window toward next door. “Who’s the new neighbor?”

Gran turned to the stove and started to stir the chili. “Charlie’s home.”

Lark stood up straight; she felt sure she hadn’t heard what her grandmother said correctly. “Pardon me?”

“Yep, Charlie’s home.” Gran said and turned to face Lark. “He went with me to get the Christmas tree this morning and we got some groceries for him. I guess it’s pretty hard to take a semi truck grocery shopping.”

Lark looked at her Gran. “We were going to get the tree tomorrow.”

“I know, but now we don’t have to worry about the getting and can start the decorating in the morning.”

“I suppose Charlie will come and help, now that he’s been accepted back into the family again,” she snarled and looked back out the window.

“Lark, it’s been a very long time...”

“Thirteen years, Gran and he turned us away, remember?”

“Sweetheart, I invited him over for dinner tonight. I felt like I owed him a decent meal for all his help getting the tree set up. I want you to remember there comes a time you have to forgive. He’s always been a very nice boy and I think you need to give him a chance.”

Lark stood stock still and stared at the older woman. She couldn’t find words to say. “Gran, he’s twenty-eight years old, just like me. I think he’s past the
boy
stage. Why is he here? Why did he come back?”

“He’s been accepted to the veterinary college in Fort Collins and is going to make this his home base for a few years.”

“Did he explain what happened to him years ago?”

“No, not really. He’s been driving a truck around the country and saved every penny he could to go back to school. Charlie got his bachelor’s degree on the computer. I didn’t know you could do that.”

Lark couldn’t believe what she heard. She kept reminding herself to breathe. “Why did you invite him for dinner tonight? I just got home.”

“Sweetheart, I know you still have unanswered questions for him; I do expect you to be civil tonight. He went through a lot and we’ll just have to be patient.”

“Gran, I’m always civil, but I’m exhausted. It’s been a long week and a really long drive. I think I may have to pass on dinner,” she said and turned to leave the kitchen.

“Larkspur Louise Metcalfe, go upstairs, take a nap or bath and get your head together. Please, stop whining. We’re having company tonight and I don’t want you to act surly.” Gran pursed her lips and raised an eyebrow at her. It was the,
I might become very unhappy with you,
look that Lark knew all too well. “You’ve been angry about something for the last couple of months and I hope you’ll tell me what the problem is or get over it.”

“Great, just great,” she mumbled, stomped up the stairs and threw her suitcase in her room. Then she went up to her attic office and sat at her desk. She hit the Go button on her computer and waited for it to warm up. She leaned back in her chair and brought her feet up to the edge of the desk. She’d planned to apologize to Gran for her behavior since last June, but she hadn’t said anything yet. She felt guilt wrap around her stomach and stab her.

Lark looked up at the ceiling, and was flooded with memories of times past.

She saw herself as the little girl who’d lost her parents at the age of eight. It was in the spring and she’d explored her grandmother’s back yard by herself. She’d gone down a little incline and then walked toward the river. Lark felt lonely in those days. Gran welcomed her with open arms and she knew she’d stay at her grandmother’s for a long time, but she wasn’t in school yet and didn’t have any friends.

Lark liked to sit by the river and watch the people on rafts float by. She’d stood up on the riverbank and stared at the water when she heard a voice say “Little girls shouldn’t be down here by themselves.”

She’d turned around and saw a boy standing on a tree limb. His hair was dark and he wore torn jeans. She put her hand on her hip and stared at him.

He smiled. “Little girls by themselves could get attacked by a pack of wild dogs or alien invaders,” he said.

Lark bent over and picked up a rock. With precision she threw the rock at the kid and hit him square in the chest. “Little boys in trees should watch out. I throw rocks and never miss,” she said and turned away to continue down to the river’s edge.

“Hey, wait a minute. How’d you do that?” The boy jumped down from the tree and ran up behind her. “That was really cool. Where’d you learn to throw like that?”

She kept walking and ignored the kid. She didn’t have any friends yet and felt a little shy. She’d seen this kid ride his bike around the neighborhood and knew he lived next door to her grandmother. She supposed she would need to make friends with him at some point.

The boy moved in front of her and blocked her way. “I’m Charlie. I live next door to Mrs. Metcalfe. Did you move in with her?” he chattered on.

Lark stopped in her tracks and put her hands on her hips. “I’m better with my slingshot, but my Gran won’t let me have it. She thinks I’ll shoot at birds or break a window.” She walked around him and saw a tree stump. She walked over to it, sat down and retied the laces on her sneakers. “My daddy used to say I had natural aim talent. I’m really good at knocking cans off a fence.”

“That’s really cool. Can you teach me how to do it?”

“Sure.”

“Why did you hit me when I was in the tree?” he asked, flopped down and sat Indian- style on the ground.

“You could have been trouble. I didn’t know you. My daddy said I shouldn’t talk to strangers.”

“What’s your name?”

“Lark.”

“You mean like a bird?”

“No, it’s short for Larkspur. My mom named me after the flower. She always said they were the prettiest flowers that bloomed in the spring.”

“Are your mom and dad going to come and get you sometime?” Charlie retied his sneakers.

Lark didn’t answer him and felt as though she was going to start to cry. She put her head down, closed her eyes and wished the tears away.

“Hey, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you cry,” Charlie said. “Where are they?”

She sniffed and opened her eyes. She looked at the boy and saw he wasn’t all that bad. His dark hair was messed up, but he had pretty blue eyes. “They died in a car crash. It was snowing and icy,” she said quietly.

“Gosh, I’m sorry. Is that why you’re living with Mrs. Metcalfe?”

She nodded and then heard her grandmother call to her. “I have to go in.” She stood up and started back to the incline.

Charlie followed her. “You know, it’s Saturday.”

“So?”

“On Saturday, your grandmother makes cookies and she lets me come over and have some with a big glass of cold milk. It’s really cool. I like your Gran. She’s really nice.” He walked next to Lark up the incline.

She stopped at the top. “Charlie, if I teach you how to throw rocks, can I ride your bike? I saw you from the window riding in the street.”

“Sure, that would be cool. Do you know how to ride a bike?”

“Yeah, I can ride,” she said. “You know, you say ‘cool’ a lot?”

“Yeah, I tried a curse word once and my dad didn’t like it. I got spanked pretty hard for that. Now I just say
cool
all the time
.”

“Lark, wake up.”

Her foot fell off the edge of the desk and hit the floor. She didn’t realize she’d fallen asleep. She opened her eyes and looked up at her Gran.

“Sweetheart, you’ve been up here for over an hour. Our company is downstairs. Comb your hair and come down. Dinner’s ready,” Gran huffed and turned to leave the room.

Lark shook her head and tried to clear out the cobwebs. “Great, just freakin’ great.”