Cedar Hollow (10 page)

It had begun raining by the time they’d gotten back in the truck to head up the mountain. The sky was churning with black clouds and the wind whipped the rain sideways.

“Gonna be a bad one tonight.” Ben observed driving carefully up the dirt road. Water ran in rivulets down the flooded mountain road.

“Does it storm like this often?” Cassidy asked straining to see out the rain drenched windows.

“It happens. We need to get home.” Ben said tightly. He gripped the steering wheel with both hands, driving slowly, eyes locked on the road. Cassidy could feel the tension radiating off of him.

Rain poured down in sheets, making it nearly impossible to see anything beyond the hood
of the truck. Suddenly a horn began blaring behind them and then bright headlights flashed in the rearview mirrors. A black car sped up alongside them on the one-lane road, swerving dangerously and holding down the horn. Ben veered to the right to avoid being side swiped as the black car nearly collided with the truck. They bounced off the dirt road as the car sped past them, close enough to clip the side mirror.

Ben pulled the wheel back to the left trying to correct and get back on the road
as he pumped the brakes. The truck bounced through the uneven rocks, striking small sapling trees. Cassidy gripped the handle bar overhead trying to hold herself in her seat as the truck careened across the jagged off-road terrain. Despite Ben’s attempts to correct the vehicle’s path, it was headed directly for the edge of the cliff and it wasn’t slowing fast enough. It struck the guardrail squealing and grinding against the metal, throwing sparks. Cassidy heard herself scream.

Gradually
the truck came to a halt. The metal guardrail was twisted and bent beneath the axle, the right front tire was precariously dangling over the edge of the mountain, and the rain continued to pour down washing away the dirt beneath the other tires.

“Don’t move.” Ben instructed as the truck teetered over the edge of the cliff. Cassidy still gripped the handle bar, white knuckled, she wasn’t sure
if she could let go even if she wanted to. She couldn’t pull her eyes away from the window and the deathly drop below.

“Do you understand me
, Cassidy?” Ben demanded when she didn’t look at him. “Don’t move a muscle.” She nodded slightly, still unable to pull her eyes away from her pending doom. She could see no ground out her window, no solid earth, only the steep promise of death. She was too terrified to move.

Ben shifted slowly in his seat and the truck wobbled. Cassidy sucked in a frightened breath as she felt the movement, but she didn’t move, she continued to stare out the window. She felt
Ben move again, she heard the sound of his door opening and then the groaning sound of the metal bending beneath the frame. The truck slipped an inch and she let out a terrified squeal before sucking it back in and holding her breath. She was too scared to breathe.

“Cassidy
, look at me.” Ben said, but she couldn’t tear her eyes away from the window. “Look at me.” He demanded.

Slowly she turned her head, careful not to move her body. Ben’s door was open and his legs were extended out
, braced on the ground. He was lying across the bench seat of the truck, the weight of his upper body counteracting the gravity that was trying to pull them over the edge. His arm was extended toward her.

“Unbuckle your seatbelt.” He calmly instructed. She looked at him with pure fear burning in her eyes. “Cassidy
, you have to unbuckle.” He told her. She took a deep breath and pressed the button slowly sliding the strap over her shoulder.

“
Good. Now take my hand.” He said gently.

“I can’t.” She whispered. She was frozen in place.

“You can.” He said softly, she started to glance back toward the window. “No, Cassidy, look at me, only me. Look at my face.” She obeyed, looking into his brilliant green eyes. His eyes stared straight into hers pleading with her to trust him. “Take my hand.” He said again, his voice soft and calm.

Cassidy kept her eyes locked on his as she slowly and mechanically lifted her left arm and extended it toward him. He grasped her hand firmly and she could see the relief in his face.

“Now let go with your other hand.” He told her and she realized she was still gripping the handle bar. She had to consciously command each finger to release as she slowly pulled her right arm down.

“Now this is very important
, Cassidy, are you listening to me?” Ben asked intently, his voice barely above a whisper. She nodded, unable to speak. “We are going to have to move very fast.” Her eyes widened in terror. “You can do this, just give me your right hand and I’m going to pull you from the truck.” She didn’t move for a moment. “Trust me.” He begged, his intense green eyes boring into hers.

She twisted her body slowly, reaching her right arm toward him, and the subtle movement caused the truck to teeter dangerously. She started to pull away from Ben, to reach for the handle bar that had seemed like her only lifeline.

“No, Cassidy!” He yelled and it startled her. “Take my hand! Now!” She obeyed throwing her weight toward him as he pulled her with him. They both tumbled from the truck to the wet muddy ground. She landed on top of him, his strong arms like a cage around her securing her to his chest. She heard the sound of the metal guardrail giving way and the truck plummeting over the edge. She buried her face against his neck and cried as the rain poured down on them.

He ran his hand over her back in soothing circles. “You’re okay.” He whispered. “We’re okay.”
He soothed as he allowed her to cry.

Finally s
he stopped crying and lifted her head to look down at his face, only inches from her own. Rain water ran down the sides of her face as she hovered over him shielding his face from the falling rain, she was completely drenched and so was he. He still held her tightly to his chest with one arm wrapped protectively around her. With the other hand he reached up and caressed the side of her face. She began to shiver, partly from her rain soaked clothes, partly from shock, and partly from his proximity and what it was doing to her.

“We should find some cover.” He said as he held her, still trembling in his arms.
He sat up, adjusting her away from him as he did so. She felt ridiculously bereft. Logically she recognized that they were lying on the leaf-covered forest floor, in a torrential downpour and they needed to find cover. Illogically she didn’t want to move, but she allowed him to help her to her feet and followed him as he led the way through the woods.

He found a copse of trees dense enough to shield them from the
storm, he deposited her under the thicket and then searched for fallen branches to add an additional barricade to their make-shift shelter. Finally he crawled under the branches with her to wait out the storm.

“Are you cold?” He asked as he settled in beside her.

“A little.” She admitted as she rubbed her arms. He scooted closer wrapping his arm around her and pulling her against his side. She willingly molded against him and leaned her head on his shoulder. He rubbed her arm vigorously trying to warm her, but gradually his touch became more of a caress, gliding the tips of his fingers against her skin. She turned her face toward his neck smelling his scent and feeling his body heat. Her lips brushed the skin of his neck as she leaned in toward him. He cocked his head to look down at her and she stared back up at him open and inviting. Their lips hovered mere centimeters apart, each of them breathing erratically.

Cassidy felt like an innocent young girl waiting for her first kiss, she leaned in slightly parting her lips. Ben pulled away. He turned from her, still holding her under his arm, but now it felt almost like he was holding her at bay.

“The storm should be passing soon.” Ben said looking away from her and out into the forest. Cassidy felt deflated and confused. She tried to regain her composure.

“How far are we from the house?” She asked, clearing her throat and pulling out from under his arm
, he let her slip away dropping his arm back to his side.

“Not far.” He said, still not looking at her. “We can walk as soon as the rain lets up.”

Cassidy pulled her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them, Ben continued to stare out at the waning storm. The silence dragged between them giving Cassidy a chance to think about what had just happened. Someone had run them off the road. She began considering each attempt against her, analyzing them, trying to occupy her mind with thoughts about anything other than why Ben hadn’t kissed her.

“Did you make the lunch you brought to me?” She asked eventually breaking the silence. His head whipped around to face her, he looked shocked and hurt.

“Yeah, and I was driving the car that ran us off the road too.” He said sarcastically, anger clearly burning in his eyes.

“Ben
, that’s not what I meant.” Cassidy said calmly. “Who made the food?” She asked again.

“Lucy did
.” Ben said obviously frustrated.

“Did she hand it to you?” Cassidy pressed.

“What do you mean?” He asked annoyed.

“Did she actually hand you the tray of food?” Cassidy reiterated.

“No.” Ben hesitated. “I had asked her to fix something for you then went to take a shower and the food was waiting on the table when I came back down.” He answered more calmly as if finally understanding her line of questioning.

“Do you realize what that means?” Cassidy ask
ed. “It means whoever is trying to hurt me was in the house.”

“They must
have been following us today. Did you get a look at that car?” Ben asked.

“I only saw that it was black.” Cassidy said regretfully.

“Me too.” Ben looked frustrated and deep in thought. “Come on. The rain is letting up, we need to get back to the house.”

It took over an hour to walk back to the house along the muddy mountain road in the steady rain. When they finally arrived Cassidy was soaked, freezing and exhausted. The only thing she could think of was a hot bath and warm bed. Until she saw the black sedan parked in the driveway. She clutched Ben’s arm in terror and stopped dead in her tracks staring at the black car.

“I see it.” He said grimly staring at the car along with her. “Follow me.” He led her around to the detached garage on the left side of the house. Cassidy was grateful for the momentary reprieve from the rain as they ducke
d inside, but she was startled to find another black car parked inside the garage.

“
That’s just Lucy’s car.” Ben explained taking her hand and leading her to a desk. He opened a safe and removed a small revolver. “Just in case.” He assured her as he loaded the gun then tucked it into the waistband beneath his shirt.

Cassidy followed him to the house shivering almost violently. He didn’t lead her to the front door but instead they walked around the back to the kitchen door. Something caught Cassidy’s eye as they crept around the side of the house. She lo
oked up at the large arched window on the third floor and thought she saw movement within, as if someone was watching them.

“Stay behind me.” Ben instructed as they reached the door. Cassidy nodded and stepped behind him, peering around his shoulder. He rested one hand against the gun at his waist and opened the door letting it swing wide before they both stepped through in unison.

“Ben!” Mrs. Owens exclaimed in shock immediately rising from the table. “My goodness, what happened to you?” She asked rushing over to him full of concern. Ben instantly relaxed allowing his hand to fall from the hidden weapon. Cassidy glanced over at the table and was surprised to see Mr. Woodard sitting there with a cup of coffee in his hand. He looked just as surprised as she felt, holding his coffee suspended a few inches from his lips in an awkward frozen pose.

“You two look absolutely dreadful!” Mrs. Owens cried, ushering them both to the table. “Let me get some towels.” She rushed from the room leaving Ben and Cassidy with a slightly more composed Mr. Woodard. He’d placed his coffee cup back on the table, but was still staring at them with open shock.

“What brings you here, Mr. Woodard?” Ben broke the tense silence.

“I
had just stopped by to check on Cassidy. I heard that she’d been in the hospital.” Mr. Woodard explained quickly.

Mrs. Owens returned with an armful of towels. “Now what on earth happened to you t
wo?” She demanded.

Cassidy allowed Ben to explain as she wrapped a towel around her shoulders and used another to dry her hair. She tried to hide her surprise when Ben blamed their accident on the weather and left out the part about the other car running them off the road.

“Your truck went off the mountain?” Mrs. Owens blanched. “You could have been killed.” Tears instantly welled in her eyes. Mr. Woodard shifted anxiously in his seat.

“Luckily we’re fine, just a little shaken and cold. I do need to call the sheriff and file an accident report.” Ben said.

“I should be going.” Mr. Woodard said standing abruptly. “Ben, Cassidy, I am so relieved that you survived your harrowing ordeal. It must have been awful. You obviously have some things to attend to so I will get out of your way. Lucy, thank you for the coffee.” Mr. Woodard quickly excused himself and headed for the front door. Mrs. Owens walked him out.

“Why did you lie about what happened?” Cassidy whispered once they were alone.

“The fewer people that know, the better.” Ben explained quietly.

“Is there anything I can get you?” Mrs. Owens asked as she came back into the kitchen.

“I think what we both need right now is a hot shower.” Ben said standing. For just a moment, in her half-delirious exhausted state Cassidy pictured the two of them in the shower together.

“You definitely need to get out of those wet clothes before you catch a fever
; Cassidy is already looking flushed.” Mrs. Owens worried. Cassidy suppressed a hysterical giggle, knowing full well what was causing her blush.

“A shower sounds wonderful.” Cassidy agreed standing from the table and
following Ben out of the kitchen. He walked her to her room.

“Are you ok
ay?” He asked as they stopped in front of her door.

“I think I am.”

They stared into each other’s eyes for an endless moment. All of the unspoken words swirling between them.

“I’m right down the hall if you need me.” Ben said brusquely then turned and left her at her door. She watched him walk down the hall before she went into her room
.

She closed the door and
dragged the desk chair over propping it under the handle. Then she went to the bathroom and turned on the shower, closing and locking that door as well.

Cassidy came downstairs some time later to find Ben sitting at the kitchen table with the sheriff. Mrs. Owens was busy at the stove preparing dinner. Both men turned to face her as she entered the room.

“Miss St. Claire.” The officer nodded. “I understand you’ve been through quite a lot today, but I would like to get your statement of the events as well if you don’t mind.”

“Of course.” Cassidy agreed. She sat at the table and glanced toward Ben, he nodded at her encouragingly. Cassidy recounted the story as the officer took notes. Mrs. Owens continued to fuss over the meal unobtrusively in the background.

“Well I think I have all I need.” The officer said once he’d taken down Cassidy’s statement. “We’ll be in touch.” He said standing. He shook hands with Ben and nodded toward Cassidy before leaving.

“Why didn’t you tell me someone ran you off the road?” Mrs. Owens demanded as soon as they were alone.

“What time did Mr. Woodard get here?” Ben asked, instead of answering her question.

“Only a few minutes before you arrived.” Mrs. Owens answered. “Just long enough to brew a pot of coffee. I’d say you almost gave the poor man a heart attack busting through the back door looking like a couple of drowned rats.”

“So he hadn’t been here long?” Ben pressed.

“Not long.” Mrs. Owens confirmed. “What’s going on Benjamin?” She demanded.

“I don’t know yet.” Ben answered. “But I’m going to find out.”

Mrs. Owens glanced over at Cassidy looking concerned. Cassidy shrugged helplessly, she couldn’t explain any of this even if she wanted to. Frustrated, Mrs. Owens turned back to the stove to finish preparing dinner. A heavy silence descended over the kitchen.

Mrs. Owens
laid out a delicious pasta primavera and homemade French bread, then with one last look of exasperated concern she excused herself to her room leaving Ben and Cassidy to their dinner.

“The farmer’s market is tomorrow.” Ben
finally broke the tense silence. Cassidy glanced up but wasn’t sure how to respond. “I have to go.” Ben added apologetically.

“Of course you do.” Cassidy understood completely,
selling his crops at the farmer’s market was his only income at the moment.

“
I think you should stay here.” He seemed torn as if he was afraid to leave her alone.

“Ok
. If that’s what you want.”

“Promise me you’ll stay in the house?” Ben asked. “I’m going to have to take Lucy’s car into town so that I can borrow a truck to haul the crops. I won’t be back until late afternoon.” He told her.

“I’m a big girl, Ben.” Cassidy smiled reassuringly. “I’ll be fine. I’m sure Mrs. Owens and I can keep ourselves occupied for an afternoon without you.”

Ben didn’t look reassured, but his only other option was to take Cassidy into town with him and apparently he thought that was even more dangerous than leaving her behind.

“Just stay in the house.” He repeated. She was both touched and terrified by his obvious concern. She silently nodded her agreement.

When Cassidy woke the next morning Ben was already gone. She’d known he would be, but she still felt deflated as she sat alone at the kitchen table. Mrs. Owens was buzzing around the kitchen as usual, leaving Cassidy to dwell on her own thoughts.

Unavoidably Cassidy began replaying all of the events since she’d arrived in Cedar Hollow. There was no point in denying the obvious, someone was definitely trying to hurt her and they were getting bolder by the day. Cassidy was sure that the attempts against her must be linked to her family’s tragedies as well. There had to be a reason, a motive, something from the pas
t. Suddenly Cassidy realized that Mrs. Owens must’ve lived in this house when her grandparents died, she had known them, perhaps she might know something that would shed some light on this mystery.

“Mrs. Owens
, do you remember my grandparents?” Cassidy asked as she picked at her oatmeal. Mrs. Owens paused in her meticulous cleaning, but only momentarily.

“Curtis and L
iz came here with their girls in the late 70’s.” Mrs. Owens answered as she resumed scrubbing the countertops. “Of course the children were half-grown by then.”

“Where had they been?” Cassidy asked, intrigued. She hadn’t realized that the family had ever lived elsewhere.

“From what I understand, they moved away right after they married, I’m not sure where exactly. They didn’t keep in touch.” Mrs. Owen’s tone was clipped.

“What brought them back?” Cassidy was on the edge of her seat, she felt like she was on the verge of discovering something important.

“I was only the housekeeper. No one felt the need to include me in the family’s personal business.” Mrs. Owens seemed very uncomfortable, and Cassidy wasn’t sure if she should press on but she needed answers.

“Do you remember when they died?” Cassidy asked quietly. Mrs. Owens whipped around to look at her, eyes wide with shock.

“We never speak of that.” Mrs. Owens hissed. Cassidy sat back, stunned by the vehemence of her words.

“I’m sorry.” Cassidy whispered. The te
nsion on Mrs. Owens face melted away instantly, as if putting on a mask. Once again she looked calm and serene.

“It was a very difficult time for everyone, dear
. No one likes remembering it.” Mrs. Owens explained softly.

“I’m sorry, I was just curious…”

“Would you mind fetching me some eggs?” Mrs. Owens interrupted before Cassidy could continue.

“Ok.”

“I plan to make a quiche for dinner. Five eggs should be plenty.” Mrs. Owens smiled kindly as she handed Cassidy a basket for collecting the eggs. Cassidy took the basket realizing full well that this was simply a means to end the conversation, it was still morning and there was no reason Mrs. Owens would need the eggs now. However, she was obviously uncomfortable discussing the family’s history so it didn’t seem like she would be the wealth of information that Cassidy had been hoping for.

Cassidy walked through the backyard toward the chicken coup with Ben’s words ringing in her mind;
Promise me you’ll stay in the house.
Nervously she glanced back at the house and movement from above caught her eye. She looked up at the large arched window on the third floor. The curtains moved.

Cassidy hurried to the chicken coup to collect the eggs, reasoning with herself that there could be a draft on the third
floor that rustled the curtains, or perhaps it was some sort of optical illusion due to the angle she was looking and the sunlight. Her justifications weren’t very convincing.

When she returned to the kitchen Mrs. Owens was not at her usual post over the stove. Cassidy
began to wonder if it had been her looking down from the third floor window, but then she returned to the kitchen from a side room carrying a stack of linens.

“Thank you, dear.” Mrs. Owens smiled, eyeing the basket of eggs.

“What’s on the third floor?” Cassidy asked impulsively.

“Just storage.”
Mrs. Owens answered quickly. “Nothing of concern. Why do you ask?”

“Just curious.”

“You know what they say about curiosity and the cat.”
Mrs. Owens teased playfully.

“Good thing I’m not a cat.” Cassidy laughed nervously at the subtle warning.

“Yes, well, all the same.” Mrs. Owens shrugged placing the stack of blankets on the kitchen table. Cassidy felt awkward simply watching Mrs. Owens work, she wished she could take a walk but she’d promised Ben that she would stay in the house and she imagined venturing any farther than the chicken coup would be breaking that promise.

“Is there anything I can help with?” Cassidy asked.

“There actually is quite a lot to do.” Mrs. Owens admitted. “After the holiday our busy season starts, the leaves are already beginning to turn. We need to open up all the guest rooms and air them out, change the linens, dust.”

“I can do that.” Cassidy volunteered eagerly, grateful for something to do to pass the time until Ben returned. She
suddenly realized how much she missed him, how different the house felt without him, and at the same time she realized that Becca had been right. She wouldn’t have stayed if not for him.