Goldilocks (6 page)

“I…I’m…well I was looking for E
agle’s Point,” Paul stammered, his heart hammering in his chest as his gaze darted nervously to the birds that had all returned to their perch. “Uh…I was told that I could find Jennings up here,” he added when the man said nothing, pointing to the strange tilted structure built high up in the trees behind him.

“You shouldn’t have come here,” the man shook his head, stalking past Paul without a second glance. “Leave!” he bellowed, his hand thrown up in a dismissive wave.

“Wait!” Paul called out, starting after him at a safe distance. “I’m the new mine inspector, Paul Adler. I just had a few questions about…”

“The mine isn’t safe!” the man snapped, spinning around so fast that Paul
stopped immediately in his tracks. “Now leave.”

“But I was told that you could tell me exactly why the mine isn’t safe. That’s what I’m trying to get to the bottom of,” Paul explained weakly, shrinking back when the man rose to his full height.

“All you city folk coming around here just asking for trouble. I learned my lesson the hard way, and before you have to learn yours I suggest you go. It isn’t worth losing the town over!”

“That’s the second person that said that today. Rone…uh…Rone Bear, he’s one of my men,” Paul started, but snapped his mouth shut at the piercing gaze that locked with his.

“Well if Rone said that, then you don’t need to hear it again from me...”

“So you are Jennings then…?” Paul pressed, aggravated that this was turning out to be yet another dead end.

“Eagle Jennings,” the man confirmed with an uncertain nod, his thick brows knitting together at the look Paul threw back at him.

“You
r first name is Eagle, and you live at Eagle’s Point, up here with all these…well…uh…eagles,” Paul stated the obvious, immediately wishing he hadn’t. “Just a little ironic,” he explained with a slight shake of his head, taking a step back when Jennings mouth drew into a hard line.

“You should go,”
Jennings murmured, his gaze falling on something over Paul’s left shoulder.

Paul turned to look with him, but saw nothing but the trees and the birds filling
them, watching them both.

“Look I just wanted to know…”

“The mine stole my son away from me alright!” Jennings snapped. “He was never found, and there’s nothing you or anyone else can do to stop it from happening over and over again. You want some answers, well there it is. Close the mine! Now get off my property!” he roared, his stale breath washing over Paul’s face as their noses almost touched this time.

Paul stumbled back in confusion, watching as the man turned and stormed away, into the trees on the other side of the clearing. The hairs on the back of his neck prickled when he realized that he was once again alone with over a hundred birds watching, their calls starting up again the second Jennings disappeared. Paul didn’t need a warning this time, he ran at a full sprint, scooping up his discarded loafer just before dashing into the safety of the woods.

He could hear them overhead, screeching and calling to each other as he began his descent back down to where he’d parked ‘Big Red’. This was turning out to be the day from hell. No wonder his salary had been doubled, and his living expenses taken care of. This town had more secrets than he cared to imagine, and it all had something to do with the mine, but no one was talking. He had to get to the bottom of this fast. Mike was expecting his first report by the end of the week.

**********

Rone watched from the edge of the woods as the new mine inspector scrambled to get to safety. The thrown loafer had made him chuckle, but seeing his new boss run with one shoe on, one shoe off, a look of pure terror on his face had been priceless. It had almost doused the irritated mood he’d been in since storming off from the mine, but not quite.

It had been too long since he’d come to see his old friend, and he hated to admit that it was because he was spying on him, but he didn’
t have to tell Jennings that. Rone approached the clearing at an easy walk, his head lifting to the sky for the approach he knew would come. Massive wings blocked the sun’s light for a moment as the bird circled, talons bared as he glided and then landed with a skidding slide, unearthing chunks of rich green moss and dirt in his wake.

Why now?
Jennings pushed the thought forward, putting blocks up around the pain that he didn’t want his friend to see.

I can’
t check on you?
Rone asked innocently enough, but knew that the small talk wouldn’t get him far.

You send him up here?
Jennings’s tone was accusing in Rone’s head, his beady eyes narrowing as he met his friends honest stare.

No!
Rone shook his head once, a dull roar deep in his chest to warn Jennings that he knew better than to ask something like that.

I’m not coming back, if that’s why you’re here…

It’s not…
Rone interrupted the thought.
I just wanted to make sure that you didn’t…tell him anything…

Of course not! You wouldn’t think that I…

Your boy…
Rone stopped the defensive tone in Jennings’s voice, immediately crushed by the weight of his friend’s pain that slipped through the chink in his barrier.
We’ve all made sacrifices… I just don’t want you to think that by helping that inspector, you’d be helping your son…He’s gone, and I’m more sorry than you’ll ever know, but remember the covenant…

How could I ever forget?!
Jennings snapped, a single tear slipping down onto his beak.

Rone heard the words, but saw the wheels turning in his friend’s head. The small hope that blasting deeper into the mine would allow him to find his son. He saw the wishful thought of them being reunited, and then nothing just as another block was thrown up.

We’d never be able to stop them…
Rone reminded his friend.
Not all of us can fly away from our problems...
he added, hating the stinging words despite the fact that it hit its mark true enough to bring clarity into Jennings’s head.

He’s bear. Did you know that?
And he has a daughter,
Jennings spat, enjoying the glimmer of hope that popped into Rone’s head and then quickly dissipated when a cold dash of reality swept in.

That was another time
,
Rone shook his head.
Their spirits can’t remember what the body won’t allow.

You don’t know that!

Well I’m not about to
try! Have you lost your mind! This is the way it’s been for centuries…

Have you asked Jake what he wants?
Jennings challenged, his gaze falling to the ground for a moment.
Maybe if I’d given my son a choice… Maybe he would have chosen the human life… Maybe he would have moved away from here and never gone down into that god forsaken…

You can’t think like that!

But you can! Especially when you have a son coming into his eighteenth year. Don’t make the same mistake that I did Rone. How many humans have you met over the last century with bear blood? If he’s bear then his daughter is at least half bear. If you planned it…

Enough! I’m not going to listen to this nonsense,
Rone snapped, his outward roar startling a few of the watching eagles from their perches.

Fine,
Jennings conceded, bowing gracefully to his leader as the bear did the same.
Have it your way.

Chapter 6:

Hannah hurried to get the table set just as she heard ‘Big Red’ rumble to a stop in front of the cabin. After her run, she’d spent two full hours, dusting, mopping and scrubbing the kitchen and living room until everything in it glistened against the rays of
afternoon sunshine pouring in through the now shiny window panes. She had yet to get to either of the bedrooms, but was pleased with the homey touches she’d added to the drab living space, fresh picked flowers from the edge of the woods, now decorating the counter and two window sills available. Her dad had been right about the garden. Upon closer inspection Hannah had discovered fresh spinach, radishes and a few sprigs of parsley growing along with the other vegetables waiting to be gathered. The house smelled liked she’d cooked a feast, when really all she’d done was throw everything in a pot, mixing together a vegetable soup that was mouthwatering. A few slices of whole wheat bread in the oven, and dinner would be ready within a few minutes of her father walking in the door.

Paul Adler tucked in his ruined shirt, smoothing his clothing as best he could before turning his key in the lock. He didn’t want to worry Hannah, and he’d been gone for much longer than he’d promised he would. His trip back to the mine had at least brought him a few more workers, Caleb now part of the
Golden Wonder team along with two drifters that had heard there was work available. The smirks on the miner’s faces when he’d returned in his bedraggled state had almost made him wonder if they’d known that Jennings would never talk to him from the get go. They’d offered no assistance when he’d taken the mile long descent into the fourth level of newly blasted tunnels, Finn his only guide in searching the two latest collapses for clues. It had been a long day, and it was only when he walked in the door and smelled the delicious aroma filling the tiny cabin that he remembered that he’d forgotten to go grocery shopping like he’d planned.

“Honey, I’m so sorry,” Paul apologized the second he spotted his d
aughter at the stove, pulling out a tray of toasted sliced bread.

“What do you think?!” Hannah beamed, ignoring his apology as she g
estured around the living space, her green eyes sparkling with pride.

“Wow!” Paul breathed as he took in the
shiny wood floors, the scuffs and dirt now gone, revealing a beautiful grain of oak under his feet. “I know I said we’d clean, but I didn’t think all this was possible…and the flowers…where did you…?”

“The edge of the woods,” Hannah pointed towards the window looking out over the trail. “After my run I checked out the garden, and saw the flowers and they…I don’t know,” she shrugged with a smile
. “Inspired me, I guess. I mean, it’s not our apartment back home, but I think it’s kind of cozy.”

“It is!” Paul agreed enthusiastically, wandering over
to the pot to sniff its contents. “And something smells amazing!” he praised, picking up the ladle she’d left sitting in a dish on the stove.

“Hey!” Hannah smacked his hand, pushing hi
m towards one of the two chairs she’d found in the storage shed out back. “I cooked you dinner, no dipping from the pot!” she teased, grabbing the two bowls she’d set out. “No meat, I’m afraid, but…”

“I’ll go grocery shopping tomorrow,” Paul promised with a wink. “Not that I expect you to cook it, but after the day I had, I completely forgot about it. I’m sorry,” he apologized again, his brow knitting as Hannah rolled her eyes in his direction.

“You never had to worry about that stuff back home. Don’t be sorry,” she waved his apology away, setting an almost full bowl in front of him. “Thank God Aunt Maggie taught me how to cook, because I can do a lot with all those vegetables out there. Someone took a lot of time to nurture that garden; I’ve never seen anything like it!”

“That’s because you live in the city, and have never had a garden of your own. See! One of the things that makes living out in the country better,” Paul joked with her, already grabbing for a piece of toast from the plate she set in the middle of the table.

“So…” Hannah drawled, finally looking her father over as she sat down opposite him with her own bowl. “Did the mine eat your clothes, or did something happen today?”

The question was innocent enough, but with her bangs pushed back out of her face he saw th
e worry creasing her forehead, her green eyes apprehensive despite her light tone.

“Oh this
,” Paul shook his head, poking a finger through one of the jagged rips along the arm of his shirt. “Just got attacked by a bird that’s all,” he smiled as her brows lifted, her eyes rolling once again.

“Yeah and I tamed that lion we talked about earlier!”
Hannah laughed, dipping her spoon into the steaming bowl of soup.

It was easier for Paul to let his daughter believe that he was jok
ing, but after his visit up to Eagle’s Point he was more than wary about the rumors he’d heard today. It wasn’t just the mine that was causing the uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach, but also Rone’s words about losing the whole town. Whatever he discovered, he didn’t want Hannah hurt in the long run, but he didn’t want to scare her.

“So your run…
?” Paul broached the subject cautiously, his spoon now stirring idly in his own bowl of soup. “You didn’t see anything strange up on that trail, did you? No animals or anything that…?”

“No, of course not dad!” Hannah interrupted him, swallowing before she continued. “You know I would have told you if I had. Nothing but me and the trees, and oh I saw a creek, and some beavers, but that’s about it.”

“Good,” Paul took another bite of this toast, talking around it as it chewed. “I was just thinking that it might be better for you to run on the road when I’m not here. There’s no cell service and I just wouldn’t want anything to happen to you out there.”

“Come on Dad,” Hannah shook her head at his suggestion. “School starts in two weeks, and the road is full o
f rocks and not to mention cars.”

“But it’s not paved so…”

“Yeah, but the trail is perfect for cross country. If I can get my time up running through the woods, then imagine how good that will make me look when school starts in two weeks! I’m nowhere near my time from last year, and I can’t be taking it easy.”

“I wasn’t saying take it easy, I was just saying…”

“What exactly?” Hannah challenged, her eyes narrowing as their gazes met. “Are you not telling me something?” she accused, watching her father as he immediately shook his head and smiled.

“No, just trying to protect my little girl,” he replied, giving her hand a squeeze across the table.

He would let the matter drop for now. She was too much like her mother for him to put up an argument without her seeing straight through to the truth. For now the rumors were just rumors. He’d find time to walk the trail himself, and make sure it was safe. It would put him at ease, and allow her the freedom to train like she wanted.

“So,
tell me about work,” Hannah smiled with a wriggle of her eyebrows, chomping away on what was left of her toast.

There wasn’t much he wanted to say about work, but Paul launched into a recant of his day, leaving out the parts that would just make her worry.
He promised to take her down into the mine once it cleared all the safety inspections, and that launched a whole other conversation -on finding gold- taking them through the rest of dinner.

It was only day two, and just seeing her smile again made it a success.
He couldn’t have asked for more.

**********

Jake Bear helped his mother set the table, watching her as she looked towards the door for what seemed like the hundredth time since night had fallen. The rabbits he’d caught and killed on his way home from his patrol were already cooking in a stew ready to be served the second his father walked in. He wanted to tell her not to worry, but he knew it would be pointless. She always worried when either of them were out in the woods, especially on days when his father forced a tunnel collapse. He was just about to offer to go out and look for him when the door swung inward, Rone’s giant form filling the frame from top to bottom.

He shifted immediately
from bear to human as he stepped across the threshold; grabbing the biggest robe they had hanging on the pegs by the door, wrapping it around his body tightly. Jake’s mother breathed a sigh of relief, her eyes widening at the glimpse she’d caught of the angry looking scratches across her husband’s forearms and neck. By morning they would be healed, but it didn’t mean that she wouldn’t fuss in the meantime.

There were no formalities as they all slid into their places at the table in the middle of the den, Jake passing over a bowl of fresh baked biscuits the second his father sat down. Rone didn’t speak until his wi
fe joined them, her large brown eyes wary of what he was about to say.

“Caught two more wolves tonight,” he warned Jake, breaking his bread in two and dipping it in
to the hearty stew before continuing. “The deeper we go, the bigger they get. I told you earlier that the one you saw put up a hell of a fight. We’re getting closer and closer to the bottom. It won’t be long before…”

“Which is why the council should be called,” Jake’s mother murmured softly, her eyes on her husbands as their gazes met across the table.

“Not yet Marigold,” Rone’s warning rumbled deep in his chest, his head shaking at his wife when she turned her worried eyes to their son.

He doesn’t need you scaring him…

He’s my son too and…

“I hate when you do that,” Jake spoke up, his mind shoving against the blocked thoughts his parents were exchanging. “I’m not a child, and I know about the new mine inspector…”

“How could you, weren’t you on patrol all day?” Rone challenged, his massive hands curling into a fist.

“I was, but I saw them at old man Jacobs
’ cabin, and I assumed with all the rumors…”

“Them?” Marigold
’s eyes went from Jake to her husbands, her brows lifting in question.

“He has a daughter. Hannah…
” Jake breathed the girl’s name softly, his eyes lowering as his cheeks flooded with heat.

The block he threw up around his memory of her wasn’t fast enough, his father was
in, his nostrils flaring at Jake’s remembered scent of oranges and vanilla. Alarm dotted his mother’s already worried features as Jake’s memories of the girl were shared between the three of them, disapproval shattering the intimate pieces he’d tried to keep hidden.

“Get out of my head!” Jake snapped, slamming his fi
st down on the thick pine table, his block stronger this time, forcing his parents away from his memories of Hannah and her father.

“She’s h
uman,” Rone stated the obvious, lifting his bowl to his lips for a long slow slurp.

“I saw her, that’s all,” Jake shrugged, pretending indifference to the girl that had been in his thoughts for two days now.

“You can’t get distracted on your patrol. I don’t know how many times I’ve told you to stay away from the pass.”

“It was only that once, and I was tracking!” Jake snapped, his biscuit now crushed to crumbs between his fingers.

It hadn’t been only that one time. Just today -from the base of the mountain- he’d spotted her running up the old mining trail that started at old man Jacobs’ cabin, her long legs carrying her with surprising agility through the twist and turns, over broken limbs and vines that had taken over what had once been a road long ago. He’d hidden in the trees, getting as close as he could when she stopped, bent over and panting from her run. Even from a distance of about fifty yards away he could hear her sharp intakes of breath, smell the mint that mixed in as she exhaled slowly.

He’d been shocke
d to see her in his woods. The only humans he ever saw or expected to see -way out here- were his parents. If only she knew the danger she was putting herself in. He’d heard the lone howl a moment before he’d seen her tense, her long blonde ponytail swishing over her shoulder as she’d jumped up from the creek bank and headed back down the trail. He’d wanted to follow her and make sure that she made it back safely, but he knew the best thing he could do for her was head off the wolf he knew was coming.

“You caught one today too,” Rone stated
rather than asked, ignoring the frustrated breath his wife blew through pursed lips.

“With the new inspector here, there’s no way the mine’s going to close,” Jake said w
hat he knew they were all fearing, ignoring the low growl in his father’s chest. “It’s just the three of us, and you won’t let mom do patrol, so I was thinking that it would be better for me to continue during the day.”

“You’re not missing school
, if that’s what you’re hoping,” Rone stopped his son before he got any further.

Human’s had long since developed knowledge that they were no longer aware of, cutting themselves out from their world entirely was unacceptable. Rone had learned their ways the hard way over the last century, and he didn’t want the same for his son. Be
ing around them would help Jake better understand why Rone was so determined to have him attend school. 
Just like a normal kid would….

“But I’m not normal kid; I’m not a kid at all,” Jake said in defense of his father’s last thought, shoving his half eaten bowl of stew away from him. “
Who’s going to keep watch while you’re at the mine? You can’t catch them all by yourself. I’m sure the other miners are already starting to wonder where you disappear to after each collapse.”