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Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781490715261 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Trafford Publishing |
| Publication date: | 10/10/2013 |
| Sold by: | Barnes & Noble |
| Format: | eBook |
| File size: | 1 MB |
Read an Excerpt
The Legacy
A Collection of Works
By Leigh Clarke
Trafford Publishing
Copyright © 2013 Leigh ClarkeAll rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4907-1525-4
CHAPTER 1
They heard the explosion. Zack quickly rose from his chair and walked to the front porch; he saw black smoke rising in the sky to the northwest. "I bet another car missed the curve, that'll be five in nine years. Benny you stay here with Rex and I'll go down and check things out."
"I want to go this time."
Zack looked at his thirteen year old son, a strong boy with a heavy mop of straw colored hair falling onto his brow. So like Sandy he thought.
"Okay son lets go." They put on their sheepskin coats and boots and Rex, excited by their actions, jumped about in anticipation. The snow lay deep across the landscape; coming earlier than usual, and making it difficult to follow Rex down the mountain trail without their snowshoes. At the first clearing they saw the car in flames below. "Damn," Zack murmured to himself, "That curve has taken more lives."
"Dad, look. There's a body." Benny pointed to what looked like a form lying in the snow about fifteen feet up the incline from the fiery wreck below. What looked like a red jacket or sweater outlined the upper body.
They hurried down the trail; the car smoldered in its finality, only enough left to be identified as a navy blue Mercedes sports coupe. Zack carefully made his way up the opposite hillside, slipping on icy rocks and then finding firmer footing as he approached the small body lying in a snow bank against a large rock; a bruised and battered body motionless and dressed in torn jeans and a red sweater; long brown hair partially covered her pale face, a young lady, probably early twenties, he thought. Kneeling, he gently lifted her hair off her face and felt her neck for a pulse. He yelled to Benny who had lingered below, "She's alive. Go back and get the sled and put in a couple blankets and a neck brace. Hurry, we need to get her to the cabin." He took off his long sheepskin-lined coat, covered her, tucking it under as best he could without moving her body too much.
Benny found the sled and attached the halter to Rex. The dog had pulled the sled many times; with deer carcasses, logs and firewood; the German shepherd exhibited a large amount of grit and determination and yet his warm eyes offered friendship. Benny located the neck brace in the first-aid cabinet, tied a couple quilts into the sled, and headed back to the floor of the canyon.
Zack prepared the guest bedroom and after checking for broken bones, cleaning her wounds and putting cold compresses where needed, he soon had the young lady in a pair of Benny's flannel pajamas and under the covers. She did not respond in any way to his examination and treatment. He smiled to himself hoping this pretty young woman would not be disturbed to have a veterinarian working on her.
The generator furnished the power to keep the cabin warm and the lights burning; otherwise, the large stone fireplace's flickering amber light glowed off the log lined walls. The smell of chicken soup simmering on the stove permeated the air. Zack had gone to the cellar to gather fall vegetables and a jar of chicken he had canned, remembering his mother's edict that chicken soup cured about everything. He reflected how over the past nine years he and Benny had become self-contained in their mountain location. They did not have television or computer, but they had food from the garden, eggs and meat from their chickens, milk, butter and cream from two milk cows and they were able to hunt for other meat.
The next morning, Zack checked on his patient, who slept quietly, and then took a hot shower. Looking in the mirror for his morning shave he saw reflected back at him a tanned face surrounded by a preponderance of brown hair, mixed with gray, at his temples and some deep wrinkles lined his green eyes. Sandy always admired what she called his "strong chin". Was it beginning to droop? He put on a big smile and realized it pulled up the line. "Good god, I'm getting vain," he muttered and quickly finished shaving. In the kitchen he made coffee and called, "Pancakes will be ready soon." In response Rex wagged his long tail with several loud thuds on the pine floor.
They had finished breakfast and started to pick up the dishes when the woman stirred and cried out and just as suddenly became quiet again. Zack hoped that besides her badly bruised body, she didn't have internal injuries; he'd checked her pupils and they didn't indicate concussion, but as soon as he could plow out the snow to the main highway, he would get her to the doctor in town. Another blizzard had come roaring in overnight and heavy snow kept falling in the morning; probably a foot at least, thought Zack.
He went into the bedroom and looked down at the pretty young woman lying so quietly. He again thought of Sandy. He remembered the argument that sent her running to their country place and the terrible accident. "You're always too busy for your family, Zack. Will we ever come first?" She had asked for him to take some time off so they could be together as a family. The time never seemed right for him to get away. Ever since he went out on his own, his veterinarian practice had dominated his life for what seemed every hour of every day of the week.
After Sandy's funeral he couldn't focus. He felt guilt and remorse, but mostly he missed her. The doctors didn't expect Benny to live, but if he did survive he would have lifelong major problems because of his brain injuries. From this time on it was Zack's insistence on saving Benny that made life possible for him. Within months he made arrangements for two other vets to buy his practice, moved full time to their country place in the mountains, planning on rebuilding Benny's capabilities. And now ten years later Benny had surpassed all their expectations and even excelled for his age.
After dinner they quickly washed and dried the dishes and retired to the welcoming sitting area in front of the fireplace where Zack liked to read and Benny, when he wasn't studying in the loft, liked to be with Rex. Tonight he sat cross legged on the cow-skin rug with Rex's head in his lap. "I've been wondering why we've become so isolated." Zack slowly lowered the book to look at his son. "I mean, well, I sure would like to go to school in town. I've never had a friend my own age."
Zack sat quietly for a minute as if slow to react to what he heard. "Benny ... I've always thought of what would be best for you. I know you've caught up with your grade—actually surpassed it. He paused again rubbing his hands through his hair and stretching his long legs out in front of him.
"I'm not saying I'm unhappy with just you and Rex. I've a great life here, I'm glad we aren't living in the city and I understand how you've dedicated so much time to me since Mom died. I've been remembering things that happened before the crash and wonder if that is the reason we stay so isolated. Like maybe you feel guilty ... or I mean ... responsible ... or somethin'."
"Benny, you were only three when your mother died, so I doubt you have memories as much as you're remembering things you've heard me talk about."
"No, I remember you and Mom arguing about your work; she put me in the car and then I remember the crash. I can see and hear it, the skid and screeching of brakes before we hit the guard rail and a moment when it seemed we floated in the air and then I don't remember any more. When we found the women yesterday it all came back; we wrecked on the curve below, didn't we?"
Zack looked at his freckled faced son, whose green eyes looked back at him intently. He talked about this terrible day in the voice of a thirteen year old but the demeanor of someone far wiser. "Yes, your Mom was killed when her car missed that same curve. You survived, badly hurt but thankfully, another car saw everything and called emergency services. They airlifted you and Mom to the city. I think you know the rest and how we came here so I could be with you while you recovered. Riding the horse helped you walk again and Rex gave you spirit to work through the pain—and, yes, I feel to blame for making your Mom so unhappy she ran from me and had the accident. I just have to live with that. But I don't what my guilt to hurt you. When you're ready, Benny, I'll let go, I promise."
"I know you will" He stood and leaning over he rested his head on his dad's shoulder and Zack stroked his hair. "Would you like some cookies and milk, Dad?
"Hey, that sounds great," he got up and together they strolled into the open kitchen.
Munching on a cookie, Benny looked towards the guest room and in a whisper, said, "Sometimes I think she hears us talking. Do you think she could?"
"No, I think I would know if she awakes enough to listen to us unless she is a good actor," he said lightly, but his frown lines deceived him, as Benny's remarks about their isolation created feelings of vulnerability for the first time. He would make changes soon, he thought, the outside world could not be kept in abeyance forever; he would do it for Benny, if not for himself. He got up walked through the hall to the guest room. She remained quiet; a small figure under the covers—her angelic face revealing nothing.
* * *
She was listening. At first she thought she had awakened from a dream; then a memory of driving rapidly towards the mountains and losing control on a curve. Now she knew this log-lined house had two occupants and a dog. The first time she remembered the man coming to her bedside, the light of day shown through the curtained window. Keeping her eyes closed, as he touched her head gently, she remained quiet. Had he found her after the wreck and brought her here? Was she safe—how long had she been asleep? All these thoughts were running through her mind. Alone again, she slowly began moving her toes, her legs and upward to her hands, arms, shoulders and neck. The pain she could tolerate; everything worked.
After the man left, she realized her hunger. Oh, how I wanted to respond to the call for breakfast. But I must wait and be careful. I hope my car is somehow hidden from sight, darn, if I had made it across the mountain I could have hidden it and gone on by bus. Her thoughts were quiet for a minute and then continued. I had to do it....
She thought about the past year in residence at the private mental institution. After graduating high school she had experienced a break-down. Under observation the doctors told her parents she needed treatment for her anger and resentment. Her parents quickly committed her to Tangle Briar. She knew she had been disposed of as rapidly as yesterday's newspaper as nothing must tarnish their position of importance in society.
With treatment Ashley became aware of the sexual abuse she suffered from her father; and that her mother had known but did nothing. Over the years she blamed herself and felt dirty and naughty and quietly nursed guilt into anger until every minute of every day was filled with resentment. When she was small her nanny tried to protect her and being unable to, would hold her close when she cried at night. Her father quit her when she turned thirteen and from then on he never touched her again in any way; his avoidance hurt as much as his abuse.
By the time of private boarding school the damage had been done psychologically; she excelled in her studies and musical abilities, but developed a cold core. It seemed every time she reached out for help she felt rejected or others thought her selfish because of her privileged life. Outsiders only knew her parents to have the finest unselfish qualities.
Knowing her parents could keep her confined indefinitely, she decided to escape. After careful planning, one dark night she left her room, making her way down corridors until coming to the stairwell leading to the first floor, where several times she stopped to make sure a nurse wouldn't cross her path; opening the back door with a key she had stolen earlier, she quickly stepped out of the institution of cold walls and deadened souls.
Ashley stayed on the stone walk leading around the building towards the front gate and when about half way, tip-toed off the path, crossed to the stone wall and followed it until she came to the space between the wall and the beginning of the high wire fence, which followed the tree line around the back of the property. As she slid her body through the space, the guard at the gate turned his flashlight in her direction. "Who's there?" he called out. She pressed her small body up against the stone post and stood still until he went back to his station. Turning towards the trees she walked deeper in the woods and followed the pine needle path; the full moon reflecting on snow helped guide her way.
When she reached the street, she walked for several blocks to put distance between her and the institution before boarding a bus, using the few coins she kept hidden in a small purse. After changing buses four times, she arrived in walking distance of her neighborhood. The mansions on this boulevard all sat behind tall walls. She knew she would have to be careful to avoid alerting guard dogs that roamed the estate grounds. Since she had grown up on the ten acres surrounding the large stately house she called home, she knew the gardens, woods and paths by heart; an only child, she played and romped here for hours. She had a pony, a dog and parents not at all interested in her wellbeing. Her freedom became her friend.
And finally she was at the back door leading to the maid quarters. She knew the staff had Wednesday night off. On Monday she called her mother to see if she could visit on Wednesday, and was told "Daddy has to be to bed early because of a board meeting Thursday, so don't come too late." It was now the time to follow through with her plan.
Ashley entered through a window in the maid's quarters she knew would not set off the alarm system. The moonlight through the window helped illuminate the sitting room and she quickly turned off the alarm. Closing her eyes she remembered how her nanny and the others always greeted her warmly when she came down for a visit. She liked being here again. But I must hurry, she thought. As a good soldier on a mission she entered the main house and went directly to her father's study where she found the heavy revolver in the left desk lower drawer. With gun in hand she walked softly up the winding stairway to the landing above and down the hall to the master bedroom; finding the door ajar she entered and as her eyes adjusted to the mid-darkness, she raised the gun and pointed it towards the figure of her father and suddenly a loud sharp sound broke the silence. The gun rocked her back on her heals and she stood as if paralyzed, seeing both parents sit up in the bed, her father's cold eyes staring at her. "Ashley, for God's sake, what are you doing?"
She dropped the gun and ran. She ran as if he would catch her and take her to that awful attic room. In the garage she found her mother's car, fished the keys out of their hiding place, backed out and roared around the circular drive, punching the button on the visor that opened the guard gates. She floored the gas pedal and soon merged in with night traffic on the main road to the mountains.
Had she hit him? Was he hurt? Would he live? He knew who shot him. Oh God, why did I do it; what will happen now? Her mother would be on the phone to the police, or, she hoped, their craving for privacy might prevent that. She directed the car towards the mountain road; they knew her fear of that curving, dangerous road that curled around hills like a menacing snake, and felt they would not look for her in that direction.
And before she could remember losing control of the car, she drifted off to sleep.
CHAPTER 2Zack heated up the chicken soup he made the day before and he and Benny busily soaked their thick bread pieces in it. Suddenly the young lady stood in the hallway door. Zack dropped his slice of bread and quickly pushed back his chair and all six foot two of him stood as if facing a ghost.
"A delicious aroma reached me and I'm very hungry." Her voice seemed older than her appearance standing there so tiny in the big flannel pajamas.
"I can't believe you're up and around. How do you feel—do you have much pain? Zack seemed to rattle off questions, not waiting for an answer.
She formed a small smile. "I'm stiff and sore, but don't seem to have any broken places, but could you point me to your bathroom please?"
When she came back, Zack pulled out a chair for her and filled a large bowl full of soup and put out more bread. He found a piece of left-over peach cobbler and filled a large glass of milk. He introduced himself and Benny. "Hi all, and who is the guy staring at me with the long ears?"
Benny responded, his curious eyes never leaving her face, "Oh that's Rex. Say hello boy."
Rex barked and wagged his tail.
She leaned to pet the friendly dog, and said, "My name is Ashley." She sat in the pulled out chair and quickly started eating, not raising her head from her plate until she finished. "Thanks so much—I loved every bite." She went with them to sit in front of the fireplace in the chair left empty since Sandy's death. Benny and Rex sat on the rug. Ashley sat with her legs pulled up under her. Zack couldn't believe her flexibility with only a day passing since he had brought her to the cabin. "I need some help in remembering what happened to me—I heard some of your conversation but it's unclear to me how long I've been here."
(Continues...)
Excerpted from The Legacy by Leigh Clarke. Copyright © 2013 Leigh Clarke. Excerpted by permission of Trafford Publishing.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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Table of Contents
Contents
This and That, 1,Time of Castles: A Search for Ancestors, 97,
Season's Sun, 223,
Part I. Land Above, 225,
Part II. A New Land, 293,
The Life and Adventures of Kate and Alec, 313,
Puzzle of Suspects, 379,