Hazy Shade of Winter

 Sharron pulls up the hill parking her car on the back side of the old grist mill hidden from the street. She shuts off the engine and waits. Being here had an odd and unpleasant familiarity taking her back to the last time she met her here so many years ago. She'd hoped never to have to meet or speak to her again but, with Chase being home things were changing and changing fast she needed to get a rein on it before it all got out of control. That meant she would need some kind of strategy if her family were to survive. It was all she'd thought about all night waiting for this morning. She knew that Alex was going to try and get her to get Chase to leave town that seemed to be her resolution to everything get rid of it, throw money at it or both. But, this time there would be no leaving on her family's part.  Chase was not going to give up his dream and she wasn't going to let anyone force him to.
"Not this time!" She says aloud cementing her resolve. This time it was going to be different. She wasn't some scared kid anymore. Everything she and her family had been through had made her stronger and this time she was holding most of the cards. Only Alex didn't know it but she'd soon find out. She'd saved them just incase she ever needed to secure her childrens futures and had been tempted to play them many times. Now, she was glad she'd saved them because now was the time to play them. If Alex thought she was going to be the one to dance to her tune she had another think coming. This time Alex was going to play this her way. Granted, she didn't want their little secret to come out either but Alex had a lot more to lose than she did if and when it did and she was going to realize that fact today.
 Sharron gets out the car and walks around the side of the building then into it's cooling shadow catching a whiff of tobacco as she does and slows her pace.
"Right on time. One thing I have to say about you, you are punctual." Alex says coming out of the shadows and crushing the cigarette under her foot. Sharron jumps startled by her sudden appearance.
"I ...I didn't see your car." She says walking towards her turning her head toward the parking lot then back waving the cloud of smoke away as she draws closer.
"I walked in from the other side I didn't want to take a chance of anyone spotting us together." She says walking towards the window and looking out not that anyone came here anymore especially not in the middle of the week that's why she chose it.
"What do you want Alex?" She says a little more sharply than she had intended. Alex smiles slyly.
"Well looks like the kitten has grown some claws!" Sharron's jaw tightens her voice becoming terse.
"Yeah, I'm not that scared little girl you blackmailed all those years ago." Alex chuckles.
"Blackmail is such an ugly word that was nothing more than a simple business transaction. We made a deal back then we've both stuck by it for the most part. I don't see the point in rehashing old history. Besides that's not why I called you." Sharron glares back at her arms folded over the chest.
"Then why did you call me?" Alex sighs then sits down on the small bench patting the spot next to her.
"Sit down, " Sharron hesitates a moment then sits.
"That's better. We've had a tentative truce over the past few years since Chase has been gone. So, how much is it going to take to get your son and nephew to stop this foolhardy venture?" Sharron chuckles and shakes her head. The woman was nothing if not predictable.
"Honey, there isn't enough money in the world that would make me steal their dream from them." Alex stares at her eyes wide with shock.
"Don't tell me you're going to go along with this little foley?" Sharron smiles knowingly.
"Please, if you thought his venture was "foley" as you say we wouldn't be here. From where I'm sitting you're scared. In fact you are absolutely petrified!" She says leaning in and taking a closer look at Alex's face. A smug smile playing on her lips as Alex draws back. Her arrogance making it more and more difficult for Alex to contain her anger.
"Of course I'm scared! And you should be too! Do you really think Jay is going to let your son waltz in here willy-nilly and just take over?"  She scoffs. Sharron laughs again.
"My, you people are so paranoid! My son isn't trying to take over all he's doing is trying to build a life for himself and his family. Bring some much needed jobs to the people of this town!" Alex mouth twist into a mocking smile.
"Do you really think Jay see's it that way?" Sharron stands quickly her eyes like ice as she stares down at her.
"I don't give a dam what Jay thinks!" Alex rises meeting her cold stare with one of her own.
"Well you'd better care. With Jay he doesn't see him trying to build a life as you say he sees him as a threat to not just his business but to his family! Especially now that Clay's moved! And, you know what happens when Jay feels threatened"
"Yes I do, you come running to play interference!" A mocking smile playing on Sharron's lips.
"As far as Clay's moving out that had nothing to do with me or Chase. Besides he's a grown man and a way better man than his father ever was or will be." She scoffs making Alex's patients wear thin.
"It has everything to do with it!" She screams then moves back toward the window and looks out. Sharron follows behind her talking as she walks.
"Again your son moving out has nothing to do with my family and what the hell do you expect me to do about it?" Alex turns back to face her eyes pleading.
"Couldn't you convince Chase to build his company someplace else anyplace but here? If it's money..." Sharron spine stiffens her offer leaving her frozen for a moment. She stares at her in incredulous.
"You're actually serious? Unbelievable!" She throws her hands up letting them slap down at her sides. She walks a few steps away from her shaking her head then spins back to face her.
"You expect me to convince my son to leave town just to appease Jay Stockton? You want us to run again or Big Bad Jay Stockton is going to blow our house down? NO! Not again! I'm not sacrificing my son or our happiness for your family ever again!" She shouts back then laughs bitterly. Alex stares at her a moment then reaches in her purse for a cigarette and lights it.
"You all didn't do so badly for yourselves the last time. From what I see you've gotten along quite nicely" She says coolly blowing a ferrule of smoke up at her.
"That job I arranged for him in Scotland worked out very well for you and your family for quite sometime until your husband got it in his head to come back here." She says taking another draw from her cigarette.
"You're a real piece of work lady! We came back here to help his father! But Jay couldn't even let him have that! When he couldn't get Hank he had to destroy his father!" Alex takes another drag from her cigarette letting out a long cloud of smoke.
"There you go you go! What makes you think it will be any different this time around?" Her smile placating as if she were scolding some petulant child then crushes out the cigarette beneath her foot. Sharron's eyes narrow to slits her lips drawn tight.  
"Because this time around you're going to play the game my way!" A satisfied grin playing on her lips. Alex looks at her her own heart pounding. She was too smug too confident she was up to something her instinct told her.
"What do mean?" She says tentatively watching Sharron closely looking for the chink in the armor she wore. Sharron watches a quick look of panic pass over Alex's face reassuring her and boosting her confidence.
"This time you're going to get control of your husband!" Sharron demands.
"Or what?" Alex laugh sounding more fearful than amused to Sharron. Telling her she was definitely on the right path making her feel more bold by the moment.
"Lets just put it this way, this time around you have a lot more to lose than I do. What do you think Jay will do when he finds out you've kept this secret all theses years? Through everything you never opened your mouth once, not once. How do you think he'll react to that one? My instincts tell me none too kindly! So we are going to play this my way you understand?" Sharron finishes Alex looks at her her stare unwavering.
"I really don't think You grasp the severity of this situation!" Sharron flashes a sardonic smile enjoying her moment.
"Oh, I understand exactly what's at stake and I'm telling you I'm not sacrificing my family and especially not my son or his happiness ever again! So, if that's what you had in mind you can forget it." She laughs bitterly. Alex looks on calmly trying not to betray the racing of her heart as Sharron continues to speak.
"You are going to give me the information I need so that my son and nephew can keep one step ahead of Jay." Alex squares her shoulders and calms her racing heart keeping her voice even.
"And if I don't? What are you going to do? You're just as guilty as I am! If this comes out it will destroy your family too!" Sharron laugh's then hardens her voice as she plays her trump card. She walks a few paces away then turns back to face her smiling sweetly.
"You know what the difference between you and me is?"
"No, but I'm sure you're going to tell me." She says with a roll of her eyes Sharron smiles knowingly ignoring her sarcasm.
"I don't have any secrets from my husband. Never have, he has always known the truth and chose to walk the path with me. So, if and when this all comes out I will have my husband standing right there by my side every step of the way. Are you sure you can say that about Jay?" She states flately enjoying the look of utter shock.
"So you are going to do whatever you have to do but, you will get me any information that I need to protect my son from Jay. You are going to tell me exactly what Jay is up to." Alex stands her face filled with rage.
"Or you'll what you arrogant bitch?" Sharron sighs then smiles knowing she had her exactly where she wanted her.
 "If you don't I'll take every bit of evidence I have against you. Including the tape I have of our first meeting. You remember that conversation?" Sharron smiles at the quick intake of air from Alex as her face goes white visibly shaken.
"Then give it all to Jay wrapped up in a pretty pink ribbon with all my love." Alex stares at her shocked and bewildered. Sharron watches the emotion run the gambit across her face till the look of complete surrender etches its mask upon it.


"Harbinger Falls" Copyright 2014

I'm On Your Side

 Clay flips the pages of the clipboard then glares back at the driver slapping the board against his chest.
"You were supposed to be gone twenty minutes ago!""
"I had to change one of my straps."
It's always something with you Jonson!"
"What do you want me to do? Spiral down the mountain and lose my load?"
"I want you you to get your loads to the mill on time! in fact I want you to start getting here on time!"
"You saw the construction on the road up here this morning!"
"Yeah? What about yesterday?"
"You know Clay I don't know what your problem is today but I really don't need you jumping all over me for petty stuff!"
"Maybe I wouldn't be jumping on you if you'd do the job you're paid for" Bill head pops up at the sound of raised voices and jogs over stepping between the two.
"Hey, hey hey! What's going on here?"
"I'm reminding Jonson here that this is a business and if he can't handle the job well..." Bill frowns knowing instantly that Jonson wasn't Clay's real problem just the focus of his anger.
"Clay I need to see you about something in the office it won't take long."
"Can't it wait I'm in the middle of something!" He says glowering at his employee.
"Yeah so I see!" His frown deepening.
"Dave you're already late you better get going." He says taking the clipboard from Jonson signing it and handing back to him.
Okay Bill.!" He glances at Clay then climbs into his rig shifts it into gear and heads towards the gate. Bill watches him a minute then turns to Clay.
"You mind telling me what that was all about?" Clay shrugs his jaw tight staring down at the ground then back to Bill as they walk.
"I'm just tired of Jonson and his slacker ways is all." Walking through the door Bill held open for him.
"Jonson comes from a long line of slackers but this time it's not his fault I told him to change that belt. Now what's really up?" He says closing the door behind him.
"Ah everything! All I want to do is live my life you know? But everyone else has other ideas." He says slamming his hard hat down on the desk. Bill grimaces taking off his hard hat and laying it down beside his as he comes towards him.
"Who's everybody wait, let me guess Jake?" His mouth twisted in disapproval.
"He came over last night!" His voice filled with annoyance.
" Oh man." Bill says shaking his head and leaning back against the desk.
"You should have heard him!"  Clay's mind goes back to last night as he tells Bill the conversation.
"What the hell are you doing Clay?" Jake seths turning to face him as Caly slams the door shut behind him then walks to him his chin tilted defiantly.
"Living my life what the hell are you doing?" Jake sighs he looks up at his brother his eyes pleading.
"Trying to save my brother from making a decision in the heat of the moment and regretting it.
"I don't regret anything I'm happy with what did." Clay smiles as he crosses his arms over his chest his brow furrowed. Jake stares at his his expression shocked and confused.
"Your happy you broke your mother's heart?" Clay grins enjoying his brother manipulative mention of their mother. He walks to the Kitchen and opens the oven door Jake trailing behind him.
"She's a big girl she'll be fine!" He chuckles closing the oven door then turning towards him.
"Look I have to live my life I'm not going to live in that house and be another one of Jay's puppets." Wishing he'd chosen different words from the look on Jake's face and anger in his voice.
"Are you saying I'm Dad's puppet?"
"No, Jake," He sighs making a concerted effort to keep the sting from his tone.
"I'm saying I'm tired of Dad trying to run my life, I'm tired of the constant tension and fighting. I'm tired of feeling like I have to steal my own happiness!" Jake's expression relaxes he understood that feeling the tone of his voice becoming more empathetic.
"Look Clay I get it, and you know I like Felicia and I don't have anything against her but, this definitely not the time for you to do this!" He pleads to a deaf ear as Clays expression becomes closed mimicking his crossed arm body language.
"Whatever date you had in mind its too late I already picked today!" Jake runs his hand through his hair frustrated trying to contain his anger.
"And it couldn't be the worst time! With everything the company is facing we need to show a united front." He pleads his voice raising despite his best efforts.
"It's the perfect time and the challenges you have were created by you! And like I told Dad I don't want any part of it I just want to do my job and live my life."
"So you're abandoning your family when they need you most?" He shouts unable to contain his anger anymore and triggering Clay's.
"I'm not abandoning my family no matter what happens nothing will change the facts of who my family is! And I haven't abandoned the business I'm still on the job!" He shouts over his brother taking the later aback and silencing him as Clay continues.
"I'm just not living in Jay's house. I can't do it anymore and I'm not!" He states with vehement finality.
"This isn't about business or the family! This is about me wanting my freedom and taking it! This is between me and Jay I don't even understand why you're here? Nothing's changed between you and me." Clay glares at him his eyes challenging. Jake stares back at him then laughs bitterly.
"You still don't get it," He shakes his head in disbelief.
"This stunt of yours has him on the war path!" He bellows back as Clay looks on still defiant and unmoved.
"Don't blame me for that! He was on that path long before I moved out!" He shakes his head laughing at the ridiculousness of his brothers accusation.
"Don't try to use that to guilt me into moving back it's not going to happen!" Jake lips become a thin line his eyebrows forming a "V" as he points an accusatory finger at his brother.
"Just remember little brother when the gas hits the fire it will be on your head." Clay shakes his head in the negative refusing to allow his brother to lay that weight on his shoulders.
"No, Jake that fire is all on him and if any gas gets poured on it that will be you and him!" He accuses back watching as the look of confusion flows across his face.
"So you've chosen them over us now?" Clay sighs heavily.
"The only thing I'm choosing is Felicia over everything else and if you don't understand that, then that's your problem!" He walks to the door and opens it.
"Have a good night Jake" Jake storms toward the portal stopping in front of Clay and growls.
"This isn't over Clay and when it all hits the fan it's going to be on you!" Clay smiles grimly and shakes his head.
"As far as I'm concerned and my involvement in anything you have planned it is. Just go Jake." Clay finishes retelling the story to Bill and sighs leaning back against the desk.
"Holy crap!" HE says expelling a low whistle.
"Yeah, I feel like I'm damned if I do and if I don't."
"Whatever happens none of it is on you and you have a right to live your life and pursue happiness. Hell, the constitution grants you that." He says venom edging his voice.
"Then why do I feel so guilty?" Bill's mouth becomes a grim thin line he walks to Clay and places his hand on his shoulder.
"Because you're a good man with a good heart who loves your family. If you didn't feel bad I'd be worried. I think you made the right decision. This fight has been going on since before you were born all you would be doing is keeping this stupid thing going."  Clay nods his head in agreement.
"Thanks Bill" He says still sounding as depressed as before.
"Look why don't you.." Bill starts but then is cut of by the voice of the guard calling to him over the radio.
"Hey Bill you may want to look alive up there Jay Stockton just rolled through the gate." Bill looks at Clay and rolls his eyes as he presses the button.
"Thanks for the Four-one-one George." Clay grabs his hard hat shouting to Bill as he leaves out the back door.
"I'll see you up top!" He says running to his truck and speeding up the back road just as Jay pulls up in front.
"Yeah thanks a lot!" Bill mumbles to his self as he watches Jay exit his car and come into the office.
"Hey Bill! How are you?" He says with the fake friendliness Bill had come to loath.
"Jay." He says flatly walking around to his desk and picking up one of the files on it flipping through it as he talks.
"What brings you here?" Jay looks around the the office noting it was just he and Bill.
"I was hoping to speak with Clay, is he around?" Bill walks to the file cabinet opening the draw and shoving the file in as he talks.
"No, you just missed him he's just went up the mountain. I can have one of the boys take you up if you want."
"No. I'll try and catch up with him later." He says rubbing the back of his neck.
"Okay I'll let him know you stopped by." He says closing the drawer and walking back to his desk.
"That boy is going to be the death of me one of these days" He a laugh Bill smiles then reaches for the computer mouse.
"Clay a good man I wouldn't worry too much he'll be fine." He says wishing Jay would just leave.
" I suppose you're right I just don't want to leave things the way they are. Maybe you could do me a favor?" Bill looks up at him already knowing what his next words would be.
"You and Clay are close maybe you could talk to him? Maybe convince him to move back to the house become more involved with the business?" Bill sighs looks up from the computer his patients gone
"You don't know your son at all do you? Clay's a grown man he knows what he wants and nothing I say is going to change his mind. Maybe you should try listening to the man instead of constantly talking at him!" Jay eyes narrow his lips thin.
"Don't you ever tell me how to deal with my family!" He bellows his voice vibrating against the walls. Bill rises from his desk his voice low.
"Clay is my family, or did you forget? Besides that he's my friend and I'm not going to convince him to do anything he doesn't want to to do just to make the great Jay Stockton happy! You got me?"
"Who the hell do you think you are?" Jay growls Bill stares back at him unmoved by his display.
"I know exactly who I am! I'm the only man in this town who isn't afraid to stand up to you, wait that's wrong I'm one of only two men in this town that isn't afraid of you! Now if you'll excuse me I have work to do" He says snatching up his helmet and heading out the door. Leaving Jay more angry and determined to get his son back than before.
"When I'm done with you Davidson you'll be having nightmares about me!" He mumbles as he slams out the office door.


"Harbinger Falls" Copyright 2014

I Missed You

 Chase flies down the road radio blaring enjoying the the warmth of the early spring morning and the sights of home. It had been years since he'd driven through the center of town not much had changed. The Inn in the town square wasn't new but the new owners had done a wonderful job renovating it. They had spared no expense restoring it to it's former elegance. He'd stopped in earlier and made reservation for he and Erin for tonight and he couldn't wait to spring it on her.
 He'd missed her the past two months more so the closer it came to finally seeing her. He thought when she was doing her residency it was bad this was worse. It was as if he'd lost a part of himself. He  missed waking up to her cuddled up next to him her cold feet pressed against his calf, the smell of her ponytail flipped across his face. The smile she always had when she awoke. Even the annoying things like squeezing the toothpaste in the middle or putting the empty container of creamer back in the refrigerator. He just plain missed her.
 He glances over at the huge bouquet of gladiolas he'd bought for her and smiles. He remembered when they'd first asked her to move in with him he'd had them made into a centerpiece for their table and had hung his loft key on them. It had taken her all of fifteen seconds to see it. She'd practically leaped into his arms then snatched up the center piece and head for the exist they hadn't even stayed for dinner.
 He swings into the hospital parking lot following the signs to visitors lot, finds a space not to far from the door and pulls in throwing the car in park. He jumps out of the car jogs toward the entrance tripping the car alarm as he goes. He enters the the elevator pushing the button twice rocking back and forth on his heels watching as the floors click by till it jerks to a stop, waits impatiently for the doors to separate then squeezes out before they can fully open.
 He looks up and down the hall spotting her as she comes from behind the desk and walks towards her at the same moment she spots him and walks quickly to meet him. He opens his arms hugging her tight spinning her in a circle then sets her down kissing her hungerly resisting the overwhelming urge to make love to her right then and there.
"God I missed you!" He smiles down at her then kisses her again.
"I can tell," She giggles. "and I really missed you too." She beams up at him then kisses him this time slower enjoying the taste and feel of him and the completeness she always found in his arms.
"Am I going to have to get you two a room?" Vicky smirks looking from one to the other. Chase pulls away from Erin blushes slightly then gives his cousin a hug.
"Hey Vicky good to see you!" He lets go steps back and gives her a quick look up and down.
"My God! Look at you! You are absolutely beautiful!" Smiling in approval making her blush and smile shyly.
"Good to see you too." Vicky smiles placing the clipboard down on the counter.
"What are you guys up to tonight? If you're not busy why don't you stop by "Rowdy's" later and we can catch up!" She grins looking from one to the other. Chase smiles back shaking his head.
"Maybe tomorrow night tonight we have plans!" He says wrapping his arm around her and nuzzling her neck. Erin looks at him and smiles her eyes twinkling with devilment.
"You made plans? What are these plans?" Chase grins and kisses the top of her head.
"You'll see, come on let's get out of here?" Vicky smiles enjoying watching the two of them happy to have her cousin home again.
"It was really good to see you Chase! And I mean it I want to get together tomorrow night with you guys!" Chase looks at Erin who shrugs and nods her head in agreement.
"I'm off from the hospital for the next couple of days and I don't have office hours so sure." Chase nods in agreement.
"We'll see you there" The two turn and walk towards the elevator
"Bye guys have a good time!" She waves after them as the door of the elevator close. Erin waits for the doors to close fully before turning and kissing him again.
"So what are these plans you have for tonight." She says pulling away arms still wrapped around his neck. Chase smiles down at her.
"I made reservations for us at the Inn." Erin's face lights up with excitement.
"Ooo! It's so beautiful I love that place!" Chase pulls away looking and sounding a little disappointed.
"You've been there already?" Erin smiles running her hand through his hair.
"Not really," She laughs. "Are you kidding? My grandparents would kill me!" They both laugh.
"Then how?" He looks at her confused taking her hand as the elevator doors open and leading her through the lobby.
"The owners little girl is a patient of mine I went over to check on her one afternoon. They are such nice people. She runs the Inn and he is a deputy slash artist and their little girl is absolutely adorable! She reminds me of Lesley when she was little." She laughs immediately regretting mentioning Lesley's name as a pal falls on the mood.
"How is Lesley?" He asks reaching for her car door and opening for her.
"She's okay I saw her last night at the bar. How's Wellington?" She asks as he slides in the car beside her and starts the engine.
"He's doing great, work wise." He says looking over at Erin who stares out the window seemingly lost in thought. He stops the car at the entrance of the parking lot reaching behind the seat and handing her the bouquet grinning from ear to ear.
"These are for you." He say smiling impishly hoping it would lift the mood he'd wrought by asking about Lesley.
"Lets you and I make a deal For the rest of the night I won't mention Wellington and you don't mention Lesley deal?" Erin looks down at the flowers in her lap then back up at him.
"Deal." She leans over kissing his cheek.
"And thank you." Chase smiles back at her then glances down at his ringing phone.
"And no more business after this call." He smiles back clicking his head piece.
"Van Dorn?" Erin smiles to herself for "a" or "b" reason she always laughed when he sounded all official it reminded her when they were kids and played "Star Trek Landing Party". Chase would try to sound all official like Lt. Riker she chuckles turning her head toward the side window. Reminiscing as she watched the countryside flip by. They had all had fun together back in those days Van Dorn, Stockton it didn't matter back then there no grown up stuff to get in the way. Sometimes she missed those days, before they all grew up and learned their parents secrets and some of their own.
 She'd be happy when she no longer had to keep hers and could stop playing cat and mouse with Chase. The lying and sneaking around town to help Lesley through it all took it's toll thank goodness a lot of her absences she could blame on her residency and at least now with Wellington home she had a reason to be jumpy and nervous. Thank God she and Chase would be avoiding that topic for the rest of the night. Maybe she could relax for a change instead of guarding every word she said. She wished she had never made that promise but Lesley hadn't given her a choice and of course she wouldn't let her take it back. She was exhausted that day. She was a first year resident and had only started doing it three days prior to Lesley giving birth she was scared out of her mind.
She'd just come off a ten hours shift in the ER and was hoping to get at least six hours of sleep before she had to go back when Lesley had called her. She'd jumped back in the car driven across town and picked her up then driven her to the hospital. The entire ride there Lesley had been screaming during contractions and alternately yelling at her.
"Promise me whatever happens you won't tell Wellington or anyone else! OH GOD!" She said rubbing her stomach and trying to breath through the contraction. Erin glances at the clock noting the time then flips off the driver honk at her because she hadn't moved as soon as the light changed.
"You have to tell him Lesley he has a right to know!" She says slamming on the break when the the car in front of her makes a sudden stop then turns.
"NO!" Lesley grinds out then rest her head against the headrest and takes a deep breath.
"Promise me you won't tell anyone Erin!" Her head snapping forward her expression etched with fear, determination and pain. Erin steps on the gas as soon as the light changes her mind whirling as she desperately tries to weave her way through traffic and keep track of the time between contraction on the clock.
"Lesley please don't!" Lesley takes a swift intake of breath reaching out and taking a vice like grip hold on Erin's wrist.
"Promise me Lesley you have to promise me!" She groans starting her breathing again as the contraction begins to crescendo. Pain shoots up her wrist as Lesly tightens her grip making Erin wince.
"Okay I promise I won't tell Wellington." Erin moans trying to free her arm as Lesley squeezes harder.
"Or anyone else! Promise me!" She grinds out her nails digging into her flesh making her yelp in pain.
"Okay! Okay or anyone else!" She whines trying to pull her wrist from her iron grasp.
"You swear?" Lesley screams then growls in pain forgetting her breathing completely as she rides out her contraction.
"I Swear! Now let go!" She says pulling her wrist from her grasp as they pull up to the entrance of the hospital.
"Earth to Erin? Come in Erin!" Chase's voice pulls from her ponderings she smiles pushing the past to the back of her mind replacing them with thoughts of an evening of just the two of them at last and her smile broadens.
 "I'm sorry what?"
"Where'd you slip off to?" He says slowing the car to a stop at the light.
" I was just watching the scenery pass and got lost in thought you done?"
"I'm all yours!" He leans in quickly and steals a kiss before shifting the car into gear and turning left into the crowded Inn's parking lot and searches for a spot. Erin glances down at her phone and at the text coming from Lesley who wanted her to stop by her place to talk. Erin quickly types back then shuts off her phone. She loved her to pieces but she'd spent enough time in the past two years at Lesley's beck and call. Not tonight, tonight belonged to her and Chase.

"Harbinger Falls" Copyright 2014

        

Echoes In The Well

 Jay walks into the dinning room looking around at the empty setting then spots Alex sitting in her usual place sipping on her usual glass of whine.
"Is it just you and me?" He says taking his place at the opposite end. Alex looks over the brim of her glass takes a sip then sets it methodically down on the table and smiles at him.
"You act as if your were expecting someone else besides me to be here." Jay scowls at her as he reaches for his napkin.
"Don't start please, it's been a very long day and for a change I'd like a quiet dinner." He gripes reaching for his fork and stabbing at his steak. Alex looks around the table and chuckles.
"Well you got your wish!" Jay glares at her a moment the look of consternation on his face causing her to smothers another laugh.
"Where's Lesley? She left work earlier without a word to anyone.You heard from her?" Alex reaches for her glass then leans back in her chair.
"She went to New York. She said she needed a couple of days to clear her head" Jay's head snaps up stopping in mid chew.
"What happened?" Alex shrugs.
"Oh I don't know, Wellington Swift moved back to town, her brother moved out. She needed some time to herself."
"Good maybe it will help get her mind back in the game. We have a meeting coming up and I need her on her "A" game."  He grumbles continuing to shovel food in his mouth.
"Of course we wouldn't want anything to get in the way of that." She smirks saluting him with her glass sips it then continues.
"Jake and Toni are working late. At least that's what they said. Personally I think just like Clay they don't want to be here either" Jay scowls at her tossing his fork down on the plate his eyes narrowed.
"Clay left out of here cause he thinks with his cock!"  Alex snorts placing her glass back on the table.
"Maybe if you tell yourself that often enough even you might believe it." She reaches for the bottle of wine talking as she fills her glass.
"Do you ever hear a thing anyone says to you or do you only hear yourself?" She picks up her glass and sips it then sits back in her chair.
"Your son told you again for the last time that he can't stand your meddling and he's been saying it since he was twelve years old!" Jay curls his lip into a disgusted grin then snorts.
"About the same time he took up with that VanDorn witch!" Alex looks at him and laughs.
"That's when you first noticed her! If you had been paying attention you'd know your son has been in love with that girl since his first day of the forth grade. Maybe if you treated us like people instead of show pieces you'd know that."
Jay just glares at her biting back his response deciding it was better to let her just go on her drunken tirade and get it over with.
"What the hell happened to you Jay? I mean you were always a shark when it came to business and I always accepted that about you.Funny, it used to be one of the things I admired about you." A reminiscent smile on her lips as she leans her head against the back of the chair.
"But, when you came home you were about your family. You'd come through the door one of the kids would scream "Daddies home!" and they'd coming running from wherever they were. Jumping all over you. It used to be my favorite time of the day. She swirls the glass her voice sounding distant as she spoke as she recalled the moments over the past.
"It was slow at first a ball game here a recital there then you stopped caring altogether." She looks over at Jay his lips taunt his face red with suppressed fury.
"I cared! I still do!  Everything I do Is for all of you!" He snaps his voice full of venom his eyes boring into hers. She glares back at him he eyes unflinching.
"Oh, excuse me," She holds up her glass and bows her head.
"You do care, you just care more about how we all look to outsiders and what that outward appearance can get you but then that's all you really ever cared about isn't it? How you look to other people and having Henry back in town with his family, happy successful people taking a walk down memory lane again made you feel like a real fool. It just ate at you didn't it?"
"I think the wine is blurring your memory" Jay growls pushing his chair back and walking to the server.
"You may have a point I forgot to mention it was about the same time the Van Dorns came back to town" Alex watches as Jay's back stiffens knowing she had him right where she wanted him.
"Yeah, Henry had some big contract with some company in Japan with dreams of saving his father's mill and you went on a mission to crush it. What was that really about Jay? Were you still angry that you ran back to your whore the night before our wedding and she rejected you! I would have loved to see the look on your face when you found out you and your best friend were fucking the same slut and she chose him?" She laughs uproariously. Jay wields back towards her his eyes wide with shock.
"Jay," She sighs clucking her tongue and shaking her head.
"Don't look so shocked darling. I've known about you and her since the day you picked her up in front of the high school you remember? You drove her home then spent the summer chasing her. Then the night before we our wedding you told your father you weren't going through with the wedding you ran off to I assume profess your undying love run off into the sunset? Well I was outside the study. I heard you so I followed you. Surprisingly it wasn't hard at all to hear you all shouting through the open window."
"You knew all of that and you still..."  His voice trails off as he stares at her his expression incredulous his eyes wide.
"Of course I knew! The entire town knew!" She shrieks.
"You sure as hell didn't care how you looked then did you?" Her voice a low growl as she pushes out of the chair sending it clattering to the floor.
"And you still went through with it? Why?" His voice a hoarse whisper he stares at her confused.
"It should be obvious but you have never been good with the obvious." Jay's phone rings breaking the moment between them. He reaches in his pocket pulls it out quickly checking the number Joe Jordan from the capital hopefully with good news.
"I have to take this" He throws his hand up his eyes pleading.
"It will only take me a second."
"Of course you do." She chokes out holding back her unshed tears. She drains the remaining wine from her glass and storms from the room. Jay watches her a moment vacillating between taking the call as the phone rings again, then once more or going after her. Alex leans against the post at the bottom of the staircase her emotions raw, hoping. Her heart breaking as his voice bellows into the phone tears stream down her cheeks as she runs up the steps to their room slamming the door behind her.

"Harbinger Falls" Copyright 2014
    

"You Get What You Need"

 Preston walks through the kitchen door smiles at the sight of his grandfather sitting at the kitchen table reading the newspaper. The smell of dinner cooking on the stove the smell of bread heating in the oven this was always his favorite time of the day. He closes the door behind him placing his briefcase in the corner.
"Hey! There he is! How are you Grandson!" Ben folds the the paper placing it on the table as he rises from his chair and comes towards him arms outstretched.
"Hey Grandpop! I'm good!" He says grasping his grandfather to him and patting him back on the back.
"How are you?" He says taking a step back and taking a look at him. He'd adged a little more his hair a little less and what was left was a little grayer but he was still the strong spry man he'd remembered.
"Not too bad I can't complain. Sorry I missed you yesterday! If I had known you were  coming Don and could have postponed our trip!" His say clasping him playful on the back of the neck as they walk.
"That's okay Grand pop. How's Uncle Don? How was fishing?" He says walking to the kitchen sink and washing his hands as he talks.
 "Your uncles good and fishing was great!" He chuckles
"Mom told you I'm staying right?" He says shutting off the water and shaking his hands off.
"Yeah! She told me you, Well and Chase are doing something with the old mill making some kind of computer something." Preston laughs reaching for the towel and drying his hands.
"Circuit boards." His grandfather looks at him mildly confused and nods and chuckles.
" I told your mother some day you taking everything in the house apart and "Modifying it" as you called it would pay off!" He laughs.
"Hey, there's my baby!" Emma smiles coming into the kitchen and walking to the stove.
"Desi! come set the table!" She calls back over her shoulder.
"Hey Mom!" Preston leans in kisses her cheek as he hangs up the towel on the hook.
"I got it" Preston walks to the utensil drawer and pulls out the knives and forks as Desiree comes in and clears the table.
"Hey Desi!" He says over his shoulder as he counts out the utensils.
"Hey!" She smiles placing the paper on the stool then spreading the table cloth.
"How was your day?" Emma says lifting the lid off a pot and stirring it then placing the lid back on top.
Preston smiles waiting for Desiree to finish smoothing the table cloth.
"Pretty good we have the cubicles set up tomorrow they deliver the computer and get all of those setup." He says following behind Desiree as she places the plates down. Ben reaches for the glasses handing them to Preston who places one at each setting.
"Sounds like a lot of work."
"Smells good in here" Bill grins rubbing his hands together as he walks in the kitchen.
"Hey baby" He says walking to Emma and kissing her.
"Desi please put the rolls on the table?" She says handing her daughter the bread basket.
"Everybody sit down!" Emma calls as she places the steaming platters on the table walking back to the counter to retrieve another dish sticking the serving spoon in the bowl then places it on the table as she sits.
"It shouldn't be too bad Grandpop Mike's going to be working with us. He stated this morning. So, it's not like I'll be by myself" He says passing him the bowl of spinach to his father.
"Who's "Mike"?" He asks passing the bowl to his granddaughter with one hand and reaching for the bowl of white rice with the other.
"Mike Van Dorn, Chase's brother he's got a masters degree in computer engineering and looking at his resume he did really well too. He'll be a lot of help especially once we get up and running." Bill nods in approval as Desiree's eyes open wide with surprise.
" Huh, and all this time I just thought he was just another rowdy slacker."
 as Desiree's eyes open wide with surprise.
"Wow, He said he'd be working for his brother he never said it would be with computers" She says regretting having said them as soon as they were out.
"Yeah, when did you see Mike?" Preston asks making Desiree's heart race and mind stumble for an for answer.
"Excuse me, Bill say Grace before the food gets cold." Emma smiles placing the meat platter down on the table. Desiree silently breathes a sigh of relief as she bows her head for the brief reprieve. She had to admit he was a lot less shallow than he had been moments ago. Then smiles to herself thinking back to their encounter in the closet as her father prays.
"Are you okay?" She asks as they walk.
"I'm okay I've had worse" He shrugs and smiles then groans in pain.
"Here let me take a look" She stops looking up at him examining his jaw.
"Follow my finger." She says holding up her finger and moving it side to side making him laugh.
"Why?" Desire sighs stopping in mid motion.
"Because I'm a nurse so just do it!" She chides holding up her finger again.
"Fine." He shrugs following her finger as it moves.
"I don't think you have a concussion" Mike mouth twist into a teasing smile as he grasps her hand holding it in his.
"Why Ms. Davidson I didn't think you cared." He smirks loving the expression on her face when she became flustered as she snatches her hand from his grasp.
"Come on!" She huffs turning and walking through kitchen Mike following behind smothering a laugh.
"So what the heck was that all about?" She says over her shoulder as she leads Michael to the maintenance closet. Mike smiles then winces in pain and rubs his jaw.
" You known, hot headed Jake just being hotheaded Jake." He shrugs stepping into the closet behind her.
"I've known my cousin my entire life and he's a hothead but, usually something sets him off first." She says pushing the empty bucket aside and reaching for the broom.
"Well maybe I did shoot my mouth off a little but he deserved it." He laughs reaching for the broom she was handing him and placing it outside the door.
"But in my defense he was talking about my sister. You have a brother you get it." He smiles down at her leaning his shoulder against the door frame his head cocked to the side.
"So you'll forgive me right?" He asks his tone taking on a more flirtatious quality.
Desiree looks up at him and smiles momentarily lost in his gaze as a sudden odd shyness runs through her. She turns away feigning a search for the dust pan as she regains her composure by reminding herself once again that he was a nothing more than rowdy slacker in High School and he hadn't changed much since. Mike cocks his head to the other side thoroughly enjoying her stooped over search for the dust pan.
"Yeah" she says clearing her throat I get it but, let me ask you something?" She says turning back towards him and handing him the pan trying to avoid the teasing, knowing grin on his face.
"Are you going to spend the rest of your life working temp jobs and getting into bar fights?" She says sharply trying to shatter the stupid grin playing on his lips. He steps closer making her step back. She looks past him trying to see away out which didn't involve close contact with him only makes him chuckle harder enjoying the affect he was having on her.
"As a matter of fact no, I have a job starting tomorrow working at my brother new company." Desiree throws her head back and laughs.
"Doing what maintenance? From what my brother's told us it some high tech computer company not a bar!" She laughs again. He laughs with her shaking his head. Michael steps closer leaning so close she could feel the heat coming from and the energy flow between them like lightning through a rod making her feel almost breathless as he whispers.
"I don't think it would matter what I did. You'd still want me if I dug ditches all day and came home covered in mud and you know it." He smiles enjoying the the wide eyed shocked expression on her face. He reaches out and pulls her into his arms and kisses her letting loose all the desire he'd built up thinking about her in that kiss. Desiree body instantly responds even though her mind protested it she had no control on their own her arms wrapped around his neck and pulled him closer as her lips opened to his. His kiss fills her with a sense of longing and urgent need as she yields to his touch. Then he releases her just as abruptly.
"I'll see you later" He smirks picking up the dust pan and broom and walking back to the bar.
"Desi are you okay honey, you look a little flushed?" Her mother's voice pierces through her memory?"
"I'm fine Mom it's just a little warm in here." She says reaching for her glass of water hoping they'd all forgotten what they were discussing before grace and she could avoid the topic of Mike Van Dorn.



"Harbinger Falls" Copyright 2014

Free Falling

 Felicia shuts off the engine of her car smiles happily loving the image of Clay sitting on the porch his hat pulled low on his brow and feet propped up on the rail waiting for her.  She reaches for her bag snapping a picture on her phone before climbing out of the car walking up to the porch.
"Hey gorgeous how was your day?" He smiles broadly coming down the steps.
"Terrific I couldn't wait to get home." She drops the bag in her hand and throws her arms around him kissing  him passionately, content with the fact he was home at last.
""Me either coming home was all I thought about all day. Hey come here!" He grasps her hand pulling her up the steps giving her barely enough time to grab her bag and through the door into the kitchen.
"I made dinner" Felicia's smiles eyes open wide with surprise as he open the oven door showing her the succulent smelling chicken roasting inside,
"Wow!" A girl could really get used to this." She says nodding her head in approval
Why shouldn't you? I mean I can't promise every day but if I get home before you. I will" He says smiling proudly. She leans over and kisses his cheek wrapping her arms around his waist.
"Where'd you learn to cook?" She looks up at him surprised.
"You forgot my Grandparents own a restaurant!" He reaches over and stirs a pot with his other hand then brings the spoon to her lips to taste it.
"Mmm yeah!" She nods in agreement
"You've met my grandmother!" He laughs aloud at the memories. "Me and Preston peeled and washed more potatoes, snapped more green beans and shelled more peas than Green Giant!" They laugh. "You bet I know how to cook! Better than Lesley or Jake" She laugh then wags her finger at him.
"That's because you and Preston spent more time on punishment doing KP duty than everyone else!" They both laugh.
"But it was fun and look how impressed you are! And...." He laughs tugging her arm and pulling her into the bedroom.
"Ta-da! Check it out!" He says pulling open the closet door fists on his hips smiling like a cheshire cat looking from the closet to her proudly.
"Huh?" Showing her his clothes and shoes lined up neatly inside.
"What do you think?" Felicia smiles overwhelmed with happiness.
"It's perfect!" She says leaping into his arms knocking them both back on the bed leaving them both in a giggling heap.
"When did you do all this?" She smiles up at him he smiles back brushing a tendril of hair from her cheek.
 " I parked down the street waited for the two of them to leave then went back, loaded my truck with my stuff and left my key on the front table. Anything I missed Lesley will pick up for me."
"So this is official you're really here for good." She reaches up stroking his cheek.
"Yep, maybe you should be more careful what you wish for huh?" A devilish grin playing on his lips as he begins to tickle her making her laugh till she lose breath.  
 "Stop!" She laughs and shouts at the same time.
"I'm so happy that you're here." Her voice trails office.
"You're just worried about my father aren't you?"
"No," She says sitting up.
"Why would I worry about Jay he'll be fine, he always is. I'm worried about you. All you told me was you left. What happened?"
"I finally got fed up with him trying to control my life." He shrugs.
"But what did he says that finally made you leave?" Her voice tentative not sure she really wanted to hear his response.
"He was insisting I work in the office with him and Jake more. Get more involved with the  The whole business thing I hate!" He says rising from the bed and standing.
"Part time? Full time?" She says swing her legs off the side of the bed.
"Anytime for me would be too much time! I don't want any part of whatever he and Jake are up to and I told him so." Felicia reaches out for Clay's hand and squeezes it.
"I don't blame you infact I'm really proud of you. I know how hard it was for you to do that."
"Believe me it wasn't that hard. Jay made it real easy." His mouth twisting into a scowl at the memory of what Jay had said.
"You were with that Van Dorn girl" He snarls scrutinizing him closely.
"Of course Dad! Clay shouts watching Jay face go white with rage too flustered to speak.
"Don't look so surprised!  I'm a grown man you can't control me!  I don't have to answer to you I can be with whomever I want, do whatever I want and there's not a damm thing you can do about it."
"She's turning you!" Jay sneers. Clays eyes open wide then narrow at the utter ridiculousness of his statement
"She not doing anything! She doesn't care about your feud and neither do I! The only thing she has ever cared about is me! I love her Dad! I've always loved her!" Jay shakes his head his laugh mocking.
"Oh, she cares! You better believe she cares! She's nothing more than the Van Dorns Delilah!"
"I told you leave her out of this! It's between you and me!" His fist clenching and unclenching as Jay bellows back.
"She's in this up to her pretty little neck!" Clay laughs bitterly shaking his head and finally lets go of all his pent up frustrations.
"It has nothing to do with Felicia, Chase or anyone else! I've never wanted this "Business" crap! ! Ever! Get it through your thick skull I don't want any part of your "business!" I'm leaving, I'm not coming back and you had better understand this." He says stepping closer to him filling the space between them his emotions at the break point he growls.
"You go anywhere near Felicia you hurt her in anyway and you won't have to worry about the Van Dorns you're going to deal with me!" He turns and walks toward the door. Jay lets out a bitter laugh calling after him.
"What the hell do you think you can do to me boy?" Clay spins back to face him. His lips curled back into a snarl the cold look in his eyes silencing whatever Jay had been about to say. When he spoke his words were succinct his tone deadly.
"I'm your worst nightmare, because you know deep down I'm not lying and if you keep pushing me or hurt her, I'll be just as much of a cold, cruel, heartless, bastard as you. Felicia is the best thing that ever happened to me and I'm not going to let you or anyone else come between us understand? If I see you anywhere near us or you get it into your head to screw with us with one of your schemes, I'll be coming for you."  
 He'd meant every word and it had felt good when he'd said it and it still did. When he'd walked out that door and drove down the driveway he realized he was finally free! He and Felicia were finally able to live their lives. Clay smiles down at her reaching out and pulling her to her feet.
"You don't have to worry Jay's not going to bother us I promise you." He says holding both of her hands in his. She looks back at him biting her lip worried about his future and the job he loved.
"What about work? I mean you really love what you do. He's not going to fire you now that you moved out? I would never want you to have to choose." Clay reaches out running his finger along the curve of her jaw his smile reassuring.
 "Jay, not going to fire me he won't admit it but he needs me. Who else is going to get the wood from the mountain to the mill?" He laughs.
"He and Jake have no clue what do. Jake never worked the mountain and my father been gone so long he wouldn't know where to start. Besides work is the only contact we'll have so if he fires me he'll have nothing. Ol' Jay would never let that happen so no he won't fire me." He steps closer taking her into his arms and holding her close.
"Baby don't even worry about I'm not. I've never been happier." He say tipping her face up to his and kissing her gently.
"I'm with the woman I love and finally where I want to be." He says kissing her again.
"I love you Felicia Van Dorn and I'm finally home" Kissing her deeply feeling the fire burn through and consume him as soon as their lips touched. He walks her back towards the bed unzipping the back of her dress as they move.
"What about the dinner you made?" She whispers stepping out of her dress as she walks.
"It's just as good cold" He wriggles his eyebrows pushing her back on the bed.
"Good to know." She whispers pulling him to her the yearning she always felt for him intensified by the knowledge he wouldn't be slipping out in the wee hours of the morning. She pulls at the buttons on his shirt and runs her hand along the corded muscles of his back.
"CLAY!" Comes the wailing from the front door followed by pounding on the frame startling them both upright.
"What the hell! Jake" Clay jumps up from the bed buttoning his pants as he walks then punches his arms through the sleeves of his shirt. Felicia stares up at him nodding her head towards the door she grabs for her sweats and tee-shirt sliding them on quickly as Clay opens the bedroom door slamming it closed behind him as he bolts for the front door.
 "CLAY! Open the door I know you're here!" He pounds on the door again his frustration mounting as the door flies open.
"What hell do you want Jake?" He glares at him.
"You and I are going to talk NOW!" He says pushing past him and walking into the cabin. Clay eyes follow him as he walk.
"Well come on in," He says slamming the door behind him.



Harbinger Falls Copyright 2014

"The One Thing We Got"

 "Morning honey!' Sharon turns and smiles as Chase walks into the kitchen happy to have her son back home at long last. Chase smiles rubbing his eye sleepily and kisses his mother's cheek.
 "Morning Mom." he mumbles walking to the mug rack and pulls one off then walks to the coffee pot and pours some in.
"Are you hungry?" She asks walking to the refrigerator and opening the door. Chase sips his coffee feeling better by the moment.
"Hmm not yet I'll just have some coffee first." He walks to the table  and sits then glances at the newspaper cover.
"Okay," She picks up her cup and walks to the table and sits.
"What are your plans for today?" She asks then sips her cup.
"I have to stop by the office then I have a couple of errands to run this morning then I'm going to the hospital and pick up Erin." Chase grins at the thought making his mother giggle.
"What's so funny?" Sharon giggles again.
"That silly little smile you always get whenever you think of Erin." She says grinning into her cup as she sips. Tickled with the pink blush on the tips of Chase's ears. Sharon laughs as she stands placing her cup on the counter then walks to the refrigerator as Hank comes into the kitchen.
"Good morning!" He says sweeping his wife into his arms and kisses her.
"Well good morning!" She smiles blushing slightly making Chase chuckle.
"Coffee is ready and breakfast will be ready in a minute." Hank take a mug from the tree talking to his son as he fills it.
"Morning son!" He says joining him at the table and reaching for the newspaper.
"Morning Dad! What are you up to today?" Hank smiles looking over to Sharon.
"After months of working day and night I'm taking a well deserved few days off and spending it with my best girl. What about you?" He says sliding back in his seat as Sharon sets a plate in front of him.
"I was just telling Mom I have some work in the office and some errands. Oh and I'm going to show Michael around get him used to his new digs" Sharron's eyes brighten with surprise.
"Michael's going to be working a steady job? Hallelujah!"
"Thank you son you have no idea how happy this make my wallet." He chuckles making Sharron giggle.
"Yeah, I told Preston about him, gave him his resume and he said he could definitely use the help. Especially after we get things up and running." Hank nods his head in approval then asks.
"How's your brother feel about that it?"
"He said he was happy and seemed excited." He shrugs then looks up at the clock.
"Hey Dad did you notice if Mike was up?"
"I heard him in the shower as I was coming down the stairs. You guys were out late last night I'm surprised he's up." Chase stands and walks to the coffee pot and refills his cup.
"We actually had a good time last night after we finished cleaning up the mess we made."
"What mess?" Sharon asks placing her plate on the table and then sits down. Chase sighs and shakes his head.
"We ran into Toni and Jake last night. Mike got in to it with Jake then Ms. Stuart made us clean up." He shrugs walking back to the table and sitting down. Hank frowns a moment as he reaches for his cup.
"So now that you gave us the cliff notes can you tell us how the whole story goes?" Chase shrugs.
"How it usually goes. Jakes a hot head just like his father. He came in shooting his mouth off about Clay moving in with Felicia. Then Mike shot his mouth off. Jake sucker punched Mike and then I popped Jake. Ms. Stuart tossed Jake out and made Mike clean up the mess." Sharron turns toward Chase fork stopped in mid air eye wide.
 "Your brother wasn't hurt was he?"
"No, his pride maybe, but he's fine." He grins at the same moment his phone rings.
"This is Well I've got to take this. I'll tell you the rest in minute."  He says rising up from the table and walks into the living room his father smiling after him.
"I haven't seen him this excited since we bought him that little motorized jeep when he was five remember?" Hank says putting a fork full of egg in his mouth. "And he drove over all your flowers!" He laughs.
"He was so determined even then"
 Sharon laughs at the memory that was just a few weeks before the the Mill shut it's doors for good. She looks down at her plate suddenly no longer hungry as an odd sense of foreboding comes over her again. She pushes the plate away from her and reaches for her cup staring down at the contents half listening to Hank prattling on with pride over his son. As proud as she was she was also frightened.
Jay Stockton wasn't the kind to live and let live and he was coming for her son. She saw it in his eyes yesterday when he was coming out of the Mayors office. She and Hank had been sitting in the square and their eyes had locked. His seemed so dead and cold except for the embers of hate stoked by vengeance that burned behind them. Funny it filled her with an odd feeling of disdain for the vicious, vindictive and hateful thing he'd done to her family. All of it out of it driven by anger for the choice he'd made. Mixed with sadness that the sweet loving man she'd first known had turned into the angry, bitter, hard man in front of her. She could tell by the set of his jaw when he'd looked at Hank sitting beside her he was looking for something. Anything he could use to bring Chase down. Especially since he was coming from Ed's office. Then he'd scowled and walked toward the parking lot.
That's when she'd felt it. A darkness she couldn't shake. It crept upon her like a cold damp draft filtering through the cracks in her memory sweeping the past back to the forefront. Filling her mind with images she'd thought she'd hidden away foreshadowing the future and it frightened her they were headed down a collision course and she couldn't waver off the path same as the night Jay had left her and the days following.
 Her memory lands on the hours following the night Jay had discovered she'd married Hank. She'd opened the door expecting Margie with drapes for their new home.
"So you finally found us!" The smile fading immediately from her face when she'd seen Jay standing on the other side his face filled with rage.
"So it's true?" He seethed pushing past her into the house. Sharron stares at him arms folded across her chest her voice rumbling with suppressed fury.
"What are you doing here Jay"
"YOU married him? Why" Jay looks from one to the other hurt and confused.
"Why not? It wasn't like you were free or even wanted to be with me you chose Alex remember? You told me "I was the most fun in bed you had ever had in your life but I couldn't seriously think it was more than just some fun. I should have known that from the beginning. Sorry for any misunderstandings" I got the message loud and clear." Jay stares at her his face etched in pain.
"So you married my best friend the next day?" Sharron smiles a part of her enjoying him feeling the pain he'd caused her.
"What do you care about the timing or who I marry? You're marrying Alex tomorrow! What? Did you think you'd get one more roll in before the big day?" Jay stares at her his eyes wide with shock
"No! Of course not I came because.." He starts but is cut off by her bitter laugh which stops as soon as it start her eyes narrow her voice tight.
" And did you really think I would still want you after you tried to get me fired from the mill and had me black balled from every place else in town? " She laughs.
"I swear I had nothing to do with that, that was my old man I swear!" Jay pleads. Sharron smiles grimly and shakes her head.
"But you didn't do anything to stop it either! I love Hank and he loves me. You know the best part he didn't hesitate, he didn't run to someone else he knew exactly who and what he wanted!" Jay glares at her a moment
"I came tonight because I wanted..." Sharron shakes her head throws her hand up cutting him off in mid sentence
" I don't care what you want! You made your choice Jay and I've made mine. I'm extremely happy with mine. I wish you and Alex the same. Go home Jay there's nothing here for you." She said holding the door Jay takes a step towards her his mind searching for something to say she shakes her head and takes a step back from him.
"Don't Jay just go and don't come back." Hank comes up from the basement and into the living room walking straight to Sharron and wrapping his arms around her.
"Are you okay?" He whispers to her she nods her head holding tightly to him then turns toward Jay.
"My wife asked you to leave, I'm not asking." Hank growls pushing Sharron behind him and steps up to Jay pulling himself to his full height. Jay steps towards the door stopping in front of Hank.
"You had better sleep with one eye open Van Dorn because if it takes me the rest of my life you are going to pay!" Hank laughed shaking his head.
" Not only are you a pathetic spoiled little boy you're predictable! Don't forget your not the only one with friends in high places and my family has been in this town a lot longer than yours. Now, Get out of my house and don't come back!" He'd said pushing Jay out on the porch slamming the door behind him.
 She wondered how different things would have been if she'd waited. But, she knew the night he'd left just as she knew now, deep down Jay was no good and they would have never worked. You can't build your happiness on someone elses misery. Besides good men don't lie and manipulate to get what they want and they don't cheat on their fiancee's weeks before their wedding. Good women don't sneak around with other women's men either she chided herself but, in her defense he had pursued her relentlessly with claims of love and a life together. Then walked away without so much as a backward glance. Hank had stayed beside her from the second she'd told him. Through it all he never hesitated never wavered. When he'd asked her to marry him it she'd felt at peace and knew where she belonged She and Hank fallen in love and had built a wonderful life together. They had three beautiful children and the only thing Jay had done with his machinations was make her love for Hank and her family stronger and in turn making them stronger as a family. The deal she'd made and the price she'd paid had been well worth it and had kept her family safe.
"They were beautiful little kids" Hank says reminiscently" Then rises placing his plate in the sink.
"Yeah they were." She smiles as she rises and places her plate in the sink then wraps her arms around Hank's waist laying her head against his chest.
"Have I told you lately how much I love you?" He smiles down at her holding her tight and smiles.
"Yes, but I'm never tired of hearing it." He says giving her a quick squeeze and a kiss on her forehead then lets go.
"I have to finish getting ready so we can go!" He turns and heads for the hall. Sharron smiles after him then turns and begins to wash the dishes scrapping the scraps into the disposal then in the dishwasher. She finishes and shuts off the water the kitchen phone rings. She wipes her hand on the towel then reaches for the receiver.
"Hello?" She says her smile fading at the sound of the voice on the other end.
"Good morning sunshine! You and I need to talk." Sharron looks around the kitchen then opens the back door and walks outside to the furthest end of her garden pretending to inspect her rose bush as she talks.
"It can't be today." She hisses into the receiver.
"How about the abandoned grist mill tomorrow at three?" Sharron thinks for a moment she should be able to make it Hank was going over to see Chase at his new plant and it was on the way to Felicia's it was perfect.
"Fine I'll meet you there don't be late." She says between her clenched smile.
"You do the same." The line goes dead thankfully just as Hank gets close.
"Ready to go?" He grins. She smiles back shading the sun from her eyes with her hand.
"Let me put this back on the cradle and grab my purse." Hank watches her tramp back to the house sensing something had changed from a few moments ago.



"Harbinger Falls" Copyright 2014