Eventide

Chapter 7, Intentions

CHAPTER 7

Intentions

(Possession, by Sarah McLachlan)

     “I can drive myself, Annabel,” I said.  “I know how to get to the Walters Ranch.”

     “Oh, come on.  Don’t leave me alone with all those kids in the truck.”

     I pulled the phone away from my ear and sighed.  She had a point.  With two adults in the vehicle, maybe the kids wouldn’t get so rowdy.

     “Fine, I’ll drive to your house tomorrow morning, then go with you.”

     It would mean I couldn’t go home as soon as the horse rides were done, of course, but I would want another adult with me for the drive if our situations were reversed.

     “Thanks, Leah,” Annabel said.  “Not just for coming with me to pick them all up, but for coming on such short notice.  I owe you one.”

     “Don’t think I’ll forget that,” I threatened.  She laughed.  “Why the short notice?  You usually set these outings up well ahead of time.”

     “Matt had a group of tourists cancel their scheduled day.  He knew I wanted to set something up, so he called to offer their slot to the kids.  I wasn’t about to tell him no.”

     “That was nice of him.”

     “I thought so,” she said.  “Crap, I’ve got to go.  I just heard the kids ask Roy if they could use their paint set.  He’s probably getting it down for them right now.  I‘ve got to get the sheets and easel out before they get started.  What in the world made me think I could pull off white carpet with two kids?”

     “Go, quick!”  I laughed as I closed the call.

     I dialed a rarely used phone number in my call list, the one I had been about to dial just before Annabel called.

     “Hello, Leah.”  His voice had that cracked bells quality I equated to danger.

     “I’m ready for more.”

     “Excellent,” Garrett said.  “I’ll meet you at the clearing in, shall we say, an hour?”

     “I‘ll be there.”  

     I had already been dressed in jeans, sport bra, and tank top before Annabel had called.  Kicking some butt sounded like a good way to spend the day, something to get my mind off my problems.

     It was finally warm enough for me to get away with wearing the black suede jacket Mom had sent me.  Emily’s mom had made it for my mom when I was little and it had always been my favorite.  Turquoise stones and silver inlays patterned the front and ran along the sleeves.  

     It had been Dad’s favorite as well, I remembered, then clamped down on that thought.

     Sometimes, I think too much.  My breaths returned to normal with some effort and I managed to unclench my fists.  

     Enough of this.  It was go time.

     I would rather have worn just my tank top in the open Jeep so I could feel the wind, but that might attract unwanted attention.  It was still below the freezing point outside, but it was definitely warmer than it had been all winter.  The light jacket was my compromise.  I parked my Jeep as close to the clearing as I could manage, then hiked the rest of the way through the dense trees and brush.