Page 9 of Shrouded in the Dark
When I opened the door to my room, I laughed. Mom had already packed my clothes that I’d need and they were in three large suitcases next to my bed with a sticky note on the biggest one with a heart on it. I shook my head as I grinned. I didn’t need to pack much now. I’d take my art supplies from school and the suitcases Mom had packed. All I would need to do is grab the resin I’d had shipped here a few days ago and the polymer clay. I was going to work on sculpting this summer, too.
It was only a little after ten when I got into bed. I’d set the app for the lights to dim the ones outside of my room by fifty percent. I turned off the lights in my room with a clap, my phone’s screen was the only light I could see. It was already plugged in so I didn’t have to search for the charger. After placing the phone on the nightstand, using its flashlight app, I turned it off, and settled into bed to sleep.
Chapter 3
Becca
The ride to the cabin had taken almost two hours, but it had been relaxing. The female Lyft driver had been friendly and had been an avid artist as well. We had passed the time talking about our favorite artists, what our favorite era was, and mediums that we used. I’d given her the same amount in tip money as it had cost to get to the cabin.
It was only a little after eleven in the morning as I brought my suitcases inside. The outside was a classic cabin with wood logs while the inside was modern. It was a one story cabin, but it held four bedrooms and three bathrooms. It was more than enough room for all of us. The cabin had a soft spot in all our hearts because it was how Mom and Gary had met.
Gary had been looking to buy land here and Mom was selling the cabin because we’d been drowning in bills thanks to medical bills on both of our sides. She’d taken Gary on a tour, he’d asked her out, and the rest was history.
We’d worked two summers ago on renovating the cabin to bring it modern touches and appliances. Not to mention plumbing. The addition of a heat pump for when it was cold was one of my favorite parts.
Gary owned his own construction company that did well in Colorado, Arizona, and Washington. He was well off when he’d met Mom, and was smart when he saved his money. Mom had worked two jobs for years to support us both, and was too dedicated to ever let someone just take care of us, so she worked as Gary’s assistant now. Mom never let me or the twins become spoiled enough that we didn’t understand hard work for money that was earned.
I ran my hands along the artificial leather couch as I walked through the living room. The side of the cabin that faced the mountain was a wall of windows. Even though we were in warmer months, there was still snow on the tops of the Rockies. There was a sliding door in the middle of the wall of windows that led out to a large deck that held the hot tub, a table set near the barbeque with a built in umbrella that we changed out last year, a firepit, and the built-in outdoor furniture that surrounded the firepit. I’d need to bring out the cushions for the outdoor furniture, but could do that later.
The sliding door slid open as I unlocked it. The security system was already off, so I didn’t have to worry about it until I left again. The air here was clean, free of the pollution of the city, and it made me smile as I tipped my face toward the sun. My hands touched the deck's rails. The grass was green, the trees were bright in color, the sky was a light blue with just specs of clouds. There was a small pond about a quarter of a mile in the backyard. I grinned as I watched some birds fly over it. It was fed by a small stream from higher up the mountain, so any time we went swimming, it was freezing.
Right now, the water reflected the sky and my hands ached to paint the scene, but I knew I’d have plenty of time later to do it. I needed to put away the food from the cooler that was packed, air out my bedroom's bedding, and get the battery hooked up to the old truck in the garage. I know Mom had packed the food so I wouldn’t have to go into Fraser the first night, but I wanted to get a few things after I had dinner at a small café that’d been as much of a constant in my life as the cabin itself. With that thought as motivation, I kicked it into high gear.
It took about twenty minutes to air out the bedding in my room. The room was actually bigger than the one at the house in Englewood. The large bay window was, of course, my favorite part as well as the ceiling window. Gary had managed to hide it from me until after the renovations. The glass was reinforced like those glass bridges and bullet resistant. It was strong enough that the snow wouldn’t make it cave in. Several full grown men had jumped up and down on it for about five minutes to show that it would hold up and satisfy Gary's protective nature.
I couldn’t see the stars at night, but I loved laying there in the mornings or during the day to watch the sky.
The cooler took less time to unload and put the food away. All that was left before I headed into town was to get the battery in the truck.
I grabbed the keys, the portable car battery charger that I’d brought from home that had a full charge to it, my jacket, just in case, and the cooler. I rearmed the security system and went to the garage.
The truck had been my dad’s. It was one of the few things we’d kept when he’d passed away. It was an old Chevy S-10 truck from 1986. It might be a small truck, but my dad had lovingly kept it in perfect shape. It’d been the first truck he’d bought when he’d gotten his license. Mom still had a mechanic out twice a year to make sure it was kept in perfect condition, even if we weren’t here to drive it. The gas in the truck was only six months old, so I shouldn’t have any trouble with it.
The building was only a two car garage, the other side of it held various items in storage. The battery I was looking for was located on a shelf near the truck. There were a lot more things scattered around the floor, a lot of trash. I’d have to tell Mom to talk to the mechanics about picking up before they left. I’d clean it back up when I got back.
I set the cooler in the back of the truck and threw my jacket into the cab. As I popped the hood, I remembered helping Dad change the oil. I’d only been 6 when he’d passed away in a car accident.
The battery was easy enough to get hooked up. It was the battery charger that gave me issues. It didn’t want to connect properly. I finally got fed up, smacked the positive cable against the side of the truck, and tried again. I rolled my eyes as it connected just fine after that. After turning on the battery charger to full, I got into the cab and turned the ignition. The truck turned on in a loud roar before leveling out into a small purr. I whooped in victory and pulled out my phone.
I was surprised to see that I almost had full bars. Last year, I’d barely had one bar when I was outside. Looked like they’d improved cell service out here, which was awesome. I sent a quick text to Mom and Gary, letting them know the truck started right up. I waited a few minutes to give it time to charge before I took off the battery charger, placed it on the passenger side of the floor, just in case, and got into the truck.
The ride into Fraser was quiet. I didn’t bother turning on the old radio. I had the window down and was just enjoying the breeze. Fraser was bigger than Tabernash, but not by much. They had four grocery stores, a few Starbucks, a spattering of banks, a theater that was also the bowling alley, more restaurants or bars you would think would be in a small town, and several ski and snowboarding shops. Otherwise, it was one of those towns you stopped to fill up on essentials and went through.
When I pulled up in front of Rocky Mountain Roastery Café, I locked the truck and walked into the cafe. The smells of freshly baked goods assaulted my senses with coffee and tea mixed in. I was in Heaven. A tall man with long blonde hair and a full beard to match was behind the counter.
“Hey! Welcome! What can I get for you today?”
I ordered a large steamed milk with cherry and a sweet croissant. I chose a table near the windows so I could watch outside. I’d brought my drawing pad and charcoal pencil for some sketching. Just as I bit into the croissant (which was Heaven in my mouth), I got a text from Jasper.
Hey. We finally got here. I hate riding in a car with a bunch of whiny guys. They’re all jerks. Did you get to your place okay?
I smiled before I replied.I did. Got the truck working and now I’m at a café. I love having a snack before I have to go get some groceries.
Ugh. Food shopping. I don’t mind cooking sometimes, but I hate grocery shopping.
I stifled a laugh as I took a sip of my drink. It was perfect.
I don’t like long grocery trips, but I’m a good twenty miles from anything, so it’s better to stock up.
