Page 9 of Whispers of the Elderoak

“Actually, while you’re out here. Could you help me with something really quick?”

“Umm… Sure.”

Ava tried to calm her nerves at the request as a strange sudden desire to be close to him washed over her. It was like she wouldn’t have been able to say no even if she wanted to.

He walked with her, headed toward the broken railing on the porch. “Could you hold these still while I hammer? It’ll go much quicker with the two of us.”

“Alright,” she said as she grabbed one of the balusters and held tight.

Henry pulled the hammer from his tool belt and placed a nail. As he worked, he asked, “How are you liking it out here?”

“It’s peaceful. I used to visit when I was a kid and it’s nice to be back,” she answered as her arms vibrated, trying to keep the railing still. “How long have you lived here?”

“A few years,” he replied.

“And do you like it?”

He nodded. “Yep.”

They spent the next twenty minutes making their way to each loose railing piece, silent save for random comments about the weather or the upcoming holidays. Though she was still nervous, it was easy being in his company. He had a way about him that somehow drew her in. Made her curious.

Moving to the remaining baluster, she inquired, “So, you knew my grandpa, huh?”

Placing the last nail into the wood, he tapped the hammer against it as he answered. “Kind of. Not well. He was a man of few words. Usually, just handed me a list and that was that.”

She sighed. “Yeah. Sounds like him. He was a little strange.”

“You don’t say,” he teased as he smiled up at her. Finishedwith the porch, he stood up and regarded her. “I finished your list.”

“Already?” She was shocked, but as she glanced around the property, she noticed the tree was down and all the wood was in the preferred location. “Wow, you’re fast.”

“Maybe. But I’m thorough.” He gave her a wink.

She blushed. “Well, thanks for your help today,” she said as she dusted her hands on her jeans.

“I can come back tomorrow if you have anything else that needs to be done,” he said, voice hopeful.

She couldn’t think of anything else off the top of her head, but decided she would find something for him to do because, admittedly, she wanted him to come back. “Sure. Same time?”

“Sounds like a plan,” he said as he walked toward his truck. “See you tomorrow, Ava,” he added as he got in and drove away, a subtle smile on his face.

As she watched the truck disappear down the gravel road, she realized she was excited to see him again. Wanted to know more about him and be in his presence. Turning around, she made her way to the flower field to finish the last bit of weeding, trying to put those twinkling blue eyes out of her mind.

After about an hourof work and a pile of dead plants beside her, she stood up and wiped the sweat from her brow. As she prepared to gather the discarded flowers, a strange sound interrupted her from the edge of the forest. Immediately she was brought back to last night’s dream as she turned toward the direction of the noise.

It was a faint cry of fear and pain, like an injured animal or a scared child. Comforted by the presence of daylight, she grabbed a shovel and searched the tree line. The cry sounded again. It was much closerthis time.

Then, she saw it.

Just at the woods’ edge, was what appeared to be a bobcat, though different than the ones she had studied. As she neared, she saw superficial claw marks along its side and it whimpered as it lay still.

“Oh!” she cried out, dropping the shovel and rushing over. “Oh my gosh, you poor thing,” she said as she approached it with caution, hands trembling.

As a child, she and her mother often helped injured animals. Creatures never balked at their presence but always remained calm, especially around Ava. It was as if she had the magic touch, able to communicate with them in some silent language.

And now, just like in childhood, the bobcat didn’t appear fearful as she knelt to assess its wounds but instead seemed to relax, as if it knew she was there to help. She tentatively reached out, stroking the cat’s head and whispering to it, noticing it was now calm.

“I’m going to help you, sweet baby,” she whispered.

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