Off the Beaten Path Page 3

  Kristin caught her breath when Jack called her car by the same name as she did. She knew that offering Jack money for helping her would be an insult to his good nature. She reached into the back seat grabbed another bottle of water and handed to him.

  “For your trouble” she said

  “No trouble.” He replied, and took the water.

  He looked down at her license plates and asked, Washington huh?

  “Yep,” was all she said.

  Jack asked “coming from or going back to?”

  “From L.A.” She said.

  “L.A. to Seattle through Montana, that's the long way home.”

  Kristin nodded and leaned against the fender of her car. She took a long drink of her water without saying a word.

  "Where were you headed up here?" He asked.

  "Nowhere," was all she said.

  "Congratulations, you've arrived. You are smack dab in the middle of nowhere." He said with a sideways smile.

  "I don't know, this looks like the most amazing nowhere I have ever seen." She said.

  It was Jack's turn to say nothing, he just smiled and looked around the valley as if he was taking in every spectacular inch of the view around them. After a moment or two he said more as a suggestion than a demand, "You might want to get that tire fixed as soon as possible."

  Then he added, "The closest tire shop is back in Missoula."

  "I should be able to make it back there without any trouble." She said.

  “Well, it’s about forty miles back to town. It’s too late tonight to find a tire shop open but tomorrow is Saturday and there should be a tire shop open for at least half a day that can fix your tire. If you like I can follow you back down the canyon. It’s starting to get late and I would hate for you to drive back down the canyon without a spare, no telling what might happen. You might have picked up another nail in one of these other tires.”

  That’s a lot of trouble; I think I will be okay. She said. She could see the look of concern on his face, then she asked,

  “Is there a restaurant close by where I could buy you a cup of coffee that bottle of water just doesn’t seem like enough thanks for changing my tire?

  “Hell, you did most of the work, but a cup of coffee would taste pretty good right about now.”

  “There is a little roadside cafe not too far from where you turned off the main road.”

  Kristin asked suspiciously, almost as an afterthought,

  “Your wife won’t mind, will she?”

  Jack dropped his head just the slightest bit but kept his eyes fixed on her, in an almost inaudible voice.

  “My wife passed away three years ago”

  Kristin put her hand to her chest and gasped, “Oh God, I’m so sorry”

  There was an uncomfortable silence that hung between them.

  Kristin started to ask, “Do you mind telling me…

  Jack interrupted like he knew the question was coming and simply said, “Cancer.”

  After a long moment Jack pushed the ball cap up on his head and smiled,

  “Now, how about that cup of coffee?” he said.

  Kristin could see the pain behind his blue eyes, “sounds good.” was all she said.

  Kristin turned and opened her car door as Sam immediately jumped in crossed over the console and made herself to home in the passenger seat of the car.

  Jack snapped, “Sam, get out of there you know better than that.”

  Sam barked at Jack. It sounded a lot like, not a chance buddy, I’m staying right here.

  Kristin laughed, “Its okay we will follow you.”

  “No you better go first you don’t want to be eating my dust all the way back to the main road.” He continued,

  “When you get back to the main road turn right and go about half a mile, it will be on the right hand side of the road you can’t miss it, Ruby's.”

  As she climbed back into her car she noticed her wedding ring had fallen onto the floorboard during her almost catastrophe, she picked it up and dropped it in the bottom of her purse.

  Chapter Eight

  When the three of them walked into the Ruby’s cafe there were a handful of people at the tables and a couple of men sitting at the counter. Jack knew everyone in the place and they all knew him. Most of the patrons were older and they took turns saying hello and making Kristin feel as welcome as an old friend. The women had a quiet reassuring look about them and all of the men had the same genuine feel that you saw in people that weren't always trying to impress somebody. The ladies patted her hand when they shook it with both of their hands and refereed to her as, Sweetie, and Honey. The men all stood and shook her hand warmly and tried their best to embarrass Jack. A couple of them succeeded.

  Jack and Kristin sat down across from each other at a corner table and Sam flopped down at Kristin’s feet.

  Ruby asked from behind the counter, “Jack, do you need a couple of menus?”

  “Nope, just coffee thanks.” He answered.

  Ruby asked, “Cream and sugar,”

  They both answered at the same time, “Black.”

  They laughed at the coincidence, and a couple of the regulars smiled at each other. One older gentleman squeezed his wife's hand and winked.

  They sat and talked for almost two hours before Kristin glanced at her watch. The sun had set and it was time to for her to start thinking about heading back down the canyon. Most of the regulars had left the restaurant, but not before they stopped by their table shook Kristin’s hand again and told her what a pleasure it was to meet her.

  When Jack asked Ruby for the bill she smiled and told them it was on the house tonight. Ruby came over and gave Kristin a big hug and said it was her pleasure not to have to look at the same bunch of ugly mugs she had to look at every other night.

  The three of them walked outside in to the cool night air. Jack tried to hide his concern as he repeated his earlier offer of following her down the canyon. Kristin starred down the old highway into the darkness for a full minute. Jack waited patiently while it appeared that she was reconsidering his offer, and then he noticed a curious look flash across her face. It was a look of both decisiveness and certainty.

  Kristin said very slowly and deliberately, “Jack, I trust you.”

  Jack looked puzzled as he responded. “Thank you.”

  “I have an idea that will put us both at ease.” She offered.

  In an instant Kristin's body became rigid and her voice became very businesslike as she asked, “Do you have a guest bedroom”

  Yes, answered Jack with a sense of relieve in his voice. He could see where this was going. Kristin continued,

  “If I can stay with you and Sam tonight, you can follow me down the canyon tomorrow. I can get my tire fixed and be on my way.”

  “Sam and I would be honored if you would be our guest tonight. I might even be persuaded to whip up some of my world famous pancakes for breakfast.”

  Kristin stuck out her hand like she had just closed a million dollar transaction and said, “Deal.”

  Jack gave her hand one good strong single pump, “Deal.” He responded.

  Jack suggested that she put the top up on her car. Kristin reached in and pushed the button that activated the power top. As they snapped the safety latches Jack said “Red is going to get awful dusty on the way back to the house.”

  Kristin reached into her pocket and threw him her keys across the car, “Trade you”

  “You drive my car and I will follow in the pickup.” She suggested.

  Jack handed her his keys like he was handing her a wilted corsage.

  Trying to regain a little composure, Jack offered, “She pulls to the right.”

  As Kristin opened the door to the old pickup Sam jumped up in the front seat.

  Jack laughed “Great, I’ve lost both my truck and my dog in the same night this has the making of a really bad country song.” They both laughed and Sam barked her approval from the front seat of the pickup.

 
Chapter Nine

  Fifteen minutes later they were turning off the gravel road into Jack’s driveway. It was completely dark out but the headlights from the two vehicles cast enough light on the front of his house to reveal a magnificent two story custom log home with a porch that stretched all the way across the front of the house. The second story had dorm roofs that extended out from each of the bedrooms with sliding glass doors that opened onto a second floor porch on the front of the house. She could see a matching log barn off to the right of the house and a smaller building she knew must be a work shop. As the vehicles came to a stop Jack stepped out of her car and made an upward pushing motion with his finger.

  “There is a remote control on the visor, give it a push would you?” He said.

  She found the remote and pressed the button, all of the porch lights and about half of the lights on the first floor inside the house came on. She could tell even from outside the house that the interior was immaculate. .

  “Quite a place you have here, Mr. Evans, she said it as if she was addressing the owner of a Bed and Breakfast Inn.

  Jack found the trunk button and asked her what she needed to bring in for the night.

  The inside of the house was as comfortable and inviting as the outside. It had just the right amount of homemade charm and modern conveniences. There was a handmade Afghan draped over the back of the couch and a contemporary vine rack next to the mantle. Without even thinking twice she kicked off her shoes at the front door and flopped down in the nearest chair. “Is it too late for room service?’ she teased.

  Jack shot back like the good innkeeper he was,

  “The kitchen is always open, what can I get you”

  Why wait until morning, those world famous pancakes sound pretty good.

  “Coming right up”

  As Jack prepared their dinner Kristin wandered around the living room sipping from a glass of wine that Jack had poured her. Her eyes roamed over every detail of the room, looking at the occasion picture or knick·knack and generally getting a sense of the man that lived in this house.

  She had always thought that if you wanted to get to know what someone is really like take a close look at where they call home. There was no other way to describe the feeling she had as she roamed around the house she was as comfortable as she had been in a long time, maybe ever.

  They sat across from each other at the kitchen island eating their pancakes and talking about how lazy Sam was. When they finished their dinner Jack did the dishes while Kristin put her feet up on one of the kitchen bar stools and sipped on the rest of her wine.

  When Jack finished the dishes he said,

  “You must be tired, let me show you to the guest bedroom.”

  He grabbed her bags and headed up the stairs to the second floor. At the top of the stairs he turned left and went to the end of the hall. He turned on the lights in the guest room and set her suitcases down on the bench at the end of the bed. He showed her the private bathroom and some of the extra personal items stored in the cabinet if she needed them. He told her that his room was at the other end of the hall in case she needed anything. He said good night and motioned at Sam to follow him.

  “Come on Sam let’s let Kristin get some rest, she's had a rough day.”

  Sam didn’t budge she laid down on the rug at the end of the bed and looked up at him like she was waiting for him to stay or go, either way was okay with her she wasn't going anywhere.

  Jack chided her, okay, keep it up and I know one canine traitor who won’t be getting any of her favorite bones. That got Sam’s attention, her ears perked up and her tail started wagging but the veiled threat was not enough to move her from the rug. Jack wondered down the hall to his room without his best friend.

  Chapter Ten

  The sun was streaming in through the window and falling on her face. It was the best night’s sleep she had had in a long time. She could hear the sounds of Jack moving around downstairs and the smell of fresh coffee. She was not in a hurry to get up and she took her time in the shower. She pulled her hair back into a pony tail, put on a pair of blue jeans out of her suitcase and threw on an old sweatshirt she found in the closet. As she stepped out of the guest bedroom and walked toward the top of the stairs she could smell breakfast cooking, it smelled like bacon with all the trimmings.

  “Morning,” was all she said as she reached the bottom of the stairs and started across living room and into the kitchen.

  Morning yourself, said Jack. I hope you’re not a vegetarian. Then he added when he noticed that she was wearing one of his old sweatshirts.

  “Nice sweatshirt, it looks better on you than it does on me.”

  “Where is Sam,” she asked, climbing onto one of the high back stools at the breakfast island.

  “Out chasing rabbit’s, it’s her morning ritual.” Jack Said.

  “Care to join me on the porch for a cup of coffee?” he asked.

  “Absolutely, sounds perfect.”

  When they stepped out onto the front porch Kristin took a long look around at what she couldn’t see last night in the darkness. There were two horses in a small pasture next to the barn, a buckskin quarter horse and a mare that looked like it had descended from finer breeding. Just to the north of where the horses were looking over the fence there was a much larger pasture with a small stream that ran through the middle of it. There were a couple hundred head of buffalo grazing in the ankle deep green grass.

  She pointed to the heard of buffalo and asked, “Who owns those?”

  He said simply, “Well I own them but Sam thinks they are for her personal amusement.”

  “Is that what you do for a living, raise buffalo?”

  “That’s one of the things I do,” he said with a sly smile on his face.

  She could tell he was enjoying watching her becoming immersed in his world. They pulled up a couple chairs and drank their coffee as they took in the morning.

  Sam came bounding around the house fresh from her latest attempt at catching one of the local rabbits. She barked at Jack and he reached into a metal box next to his chair and threw her a dog biscuit.

  How come you haven’t asked me about what I do for a living?” asked Kristin.

  I figure you will tell me what you want to tell me when you’re ready, he replied

  What else have you figured out, Doctor Evans?

  “Where do you want me to start?”

  “Your choice,” she responded.

  Okay, let’s start with something simple.

  Like what?

  “How about that place on your finger where a wedding ring used to be?” Jack said

  Kristin didn’t say a word; Jack could tell that he had gone too far. After a minute or two of silence Kristin forced a smile and asked, “What time does this place serve breakfast?”

  “I will get right on that,” Jack Said as he stood up and went inside without saying another word.

  Chapter Eleven

  Kristin sat on the porch gently rocking back in her chair watching the two horses playing in the pasture and listening to her host banging around in the kitchen. She faintly heard what she thought sounded like Jack dropping a frying pan followed by a muffled “Damn it.” She laughed.

  Kristin was totally lost in her thoughts when Jack came out the front door carrying two plates of food complete with cloth napkins and fine silverware. Kristin set the coffee cup down on the table beside her and took the plate of food like she hadn’t eaten in days. She was not bashful about eating, and there was something about her present surroundings made the food taste that much better. She took a break between bites to compliment the cook, “You missed your calling Jack.”

  Kristin drew her legs up under her in the chair with her plate in her lap and asked, “Why Buffalo?”

  Jack took a deep breath gave her the crash course in Buffalo ranching 101.

  “To start with It takes twenty head of cattle to make the same profit as only one buffalo, buffalo bring higher prices than bee
f, they cost less to raise than cattle, they require less care during calving season, buffalo do less damage to the pasture than cattle, buffalo start breeding earlier than and cattle do, in a nutshell, buffalo are more profitable than cattle.

  She laughed and suggested,

  “You have given that speech before, haven’t you?”

  “Only to about twenty or thirty vocational agricultural classes, twelve chambers of commerce, and two annual meetings of the buffalo breeders association.”

  They sat on the porch for another hour after they finished eating breakfast talking and watching the animals graze. They talked about their friends and family without talking too much about themselves. They talked about the places they had lived and what they loved about living there without telling why they had moved there in the first place. They conspicuously avoided discussing their spouses both for the same reason, to painful. Jack’s pain was from loss; Kristin’s pain was not as simple.

  Jack ask casually, “How long has it been since you last modeled?”

  Kristin started to answer him without even thinking and then realized that she had not told him that she had been a fashion model.

  “How do you know that I used to model?’ she asked with a tone of utter fascination.

  Jack responded, “Well first, you still have the look and the poise of a model, second I think there is an old copy of Vogue Magazine lying around here with your picture on the cover.”

  She snarled at him, “that’s cheating.”

  “I know” was all he said in response.

  “So, what do you do now?” He asked.

  “I run a modeling agency.” She responded without going into too much detail.

  “Okay Mr. Wise guy, your turn, what did you do before you moved to this valley.”

  “I was raised in this valley but I did have a short career as a lawyer.” He answered and saw her flinch. She gathered her composure and asked,