Chapter Four

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“I woke up next morning to eggs an bacon frying. God how I had missed that smell. Mom had made it all the time I was growing up. The smell of coffee was overwhelming as I started to crawl out of bed when Andy showed up in the door frame with a tray full of food it looked good but Andy looked even better. I smiled and gratefully took the tray. I ate like there was no tomorrow. Andy reappeared and ask if I was going to get up today it was already 1:oo in the afternoon. I must have been exhausted because I didn't even have one of those nightmares that had plague me. 

Being home was good for me and so was Andy. As the day went on nothing unusual  happened. Other than the attorneys of Bubba an Holmes had called me for a meeting tomorrow it was set for next week. they must have  a busy schedule. So I didn't think much more about it. The barn was coming along well and it would be finished in no time. Denver seemed to have taken a liking to me,because every time I turned around he was there. He even came an sat on the porch during his lunch hour just to talk to me. He seemed to be asking a lot of questioned about ma an pa estate, especially about the timber. he didn't think I noticed but I did. He was worth watching, although he did seem harmless. He was a big burly of a man with black hair like a Indian, some women would find him very attractive but my heart was all Andy's. +The days were getting shorter with the fall approaching an a thunderstorm was building. It was dark now and Andy had went to check on his place. He had been staying with me for the last few weeks. I promised him I would be fine. 

Wow that lightning was getting sharp and closer. The TV. had snow on the screen, an the lights just started to flicker. It was time to get out the candles. The generator was stored in the shed by the barn, but I didn't want to risk going out there for it. I figured I would be okay anyway. Andy said he wouldn't be long. Oops there went the lights, my luck again. Well the candles are lit an burning.

 I had time to think about my meeting with Bubba an Holmes. They explained everything to me so I could understand it. It was all cut an dry ma an pa had left everything to me, the farm, the 3 hundred acres and something else I hadn't expected a life insurance policy of 1 million dollars. I would be set for life they both exclaimed. I would have much rather have ma an pa of course. but they made sure I was well taken care of. they also mention pa had some stocks that would draw interest. One thing that puzzled them was that pa had mention the 2 hundreds acres of timber he said there was something special about those woods and it shouldn't be cut for a year. when they ask why he said I would know. But I didn't, and I have racked my brain trying to figure out what pa meant. He also was supposed to bring in some papers that concerned those woods. Maybe that explains why that man had broke in an ransacked the house. Maybe even why ma and pa had been killed. Oh pa what are you trying to tell me?

The lights flickered again, but still weren't strong enough to come off full force. I went to get a cup of coffee it was still warm enough to enjoy. I was looking out the window at the barn when the lightning lit up the sky and I saw him. Someone was out there by the barn. I saw a cigarette light up as he was smoking. He was watching me and this house. I ran to make sure the doors were locked and I got pa ole shot gun down of the fireplace mantle. He kept it loaded. I was told many a time to never touch it as a child, but now I'm a grown woman in fear for my life, and I could do as I damn well please. I know that's the fear talking, pa would scold me good if he were alive. I went back to the window to take a look. He wasn't there, where did he go. Now my mind was racing. He could be anywhere out there. I know I saw him I know it. Now I sound like I'm trying to convince myself. 

All that time in therapy had helped me except my parents death but I never question what was real and I'm not about to start now. I just sat in the dark and watched out the window for what seem hours when it had only been 15 minutes, time has away of playing tricks on you if you let it. 

Then there were headlights coming down the road it must be Andy. I went to the door to take a look an it wasn't Andy at all. It was Gary Red from the lumber yard he was drunk and yelling. I know your in there Amy Pickens he slurred.

“Come on out here we need to talk about them there woods you just inherited. Your pa and me had an agreement.” 

I wasn't about to go out there, there's no telling what he was capable of. I went to the phone to call the sheriff, but the phone was dead. This was just like one of those old scary movies. Then more headlights were coming down the drive, I must be popular tonight. It was Andy and he had a deputy with him. 

He pulled up fast and yelled Amy are you alright? 

I had never been so happy to here someones voice as Andy's right now. I yelled back yes. I'm okay, tell the deputy to get him out of here. That's exactly what they did. The deputy locked ole Red up for DUI. The deputy said miss Amy you won't half to worry no more tonight. I also told him about the man at the barn. Andy said he would have been back sooner but, someone cut my tire and the spare. We were both being watched and threatened. It was already after midnight when everything settled down. I was glad when I was in Andy arms again. he held me till I fell asleep. The morning came faster than I had wanted it to, but I had things in town that I needed to do. I had canceled my hair appointment with Carla months ago now I really needed to get my hair done it had grown so long, that I was ready to cut some of it, maybe some color would help. 

Anyway that was first on today's agenda. Lucky she wasn't to busy, as I sat there listening to the local ladies gossip I had overheard, that Molly sanders had gotten in a huge argument with her boyfriend J.T. They said they weren't sure what it was all about but they figured it was about another man. Molly could never live that reputation of hers down. Also Gary Red had been locked up for DUI and was found with no shirt on in his truck with some woman. Well they got the DUI part right, they talked to me about how glad they were I was back an they were sorry about my ma and pa, and would I be staying here in Gavens for good? And of course my red hair was a topic they always talked about, how pretty an how long it had gotten. I was just thankful hair grew slow so I didn't have to endure this all the time. Carla must love her job. 

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