Breakfast for Two (Peakview series Book 2) Page 2

  Just then, the door swung open again and in ran Haley and Chase. “Grandma, Grandma, we’re here, and it’s almost Christmas!”

  For the time being, the mysterious Melanie and Sophie were forgotten in Violet’s joy at the arrival of her family. Justin and Sarah soon followed the youngsters through the door.

  “Hey, Mom!” Justin said surrounding her in his big strong arms. “We’re sure glad to get here. The roads are starting to get a little icy.”

  Worry flitted through Violet’s mind for that lone girl driving another 20 miles on unfamiliar mountain roads. She silently said a short prayer for her safety, as Justin released her from his hug.

  “Are you ready to head to the cabin?”

  Yep, all done here. I just need to turn off the coffee pot. You can help me load some food and supplies into the back of my truck, and we’ll be off.”

  Violet had already prepared much of the food for the next few days. She wanted to spend as much time as possible with her kids and grandkids and not waste it all in the kitchen cooking. A few days a year was too precious to not optimize every minute of their time together.

  Violet turned to Chase, “I think you’ve grown since you were here in June.”

  Chase smiled, “I’m not a little kid anymore, Grandma.”

  Violet invited them to sit down, while she ran upstairs to grab her bag of presents and put Lucky in his travel crate for the short trip. She hurriedly grabbed her warm Patagonia down jacket and mittens and rejoined her family. “All set. Everyone follow me into the kitchen and help carry something to the truck and we’ll head out.”

  Violet led the way out of town, with her family following behind in their rented SUV. Her heater barely had time to kick in, since it was only a couple of miles to the cabin. She didn’t have a thermometer, but by the amount of frost on her windshield, she guessed it was below zero. She turned into the cabin’s plowed driveway and smiled to see smoke billowing from the chimney. Howard had obviously been thoughtful enough to start a fire for them in the massive fireplace. Once parked, they all ran the few steps to the front door and were welcomed by a rush of warm, inviting air as Howard opened the door.

  “Welcome to Colorado. I got a fire going for you and made sure it stayed lit until you all arrived. I went ahead and set the tree up, too. I knew you’d want to get it decorated tonight.”

  “Howard, what would I do without you?” Violet gave her friend a quick hug.

  “Just being neighborly.” Howard shrugged. “Now that everyone’s safely here, I’ll head back to my cabin.”

  “You’re welcome to stay for dinner. I brought a pot of chili from the café to heat up.”

  “Thanks, but I don’t want to intrude on your family time, I’ll be on my way.”

  “You’re going to join us for Christmas dinner, aren’t you?”

  “Wouldn’t miss it. I’ll see you then.”

  “Howard,” Violet said as he started out the door. “When I was closing up tonight a young woman stopped by the café looking for you.”

  “Who was it?”

  “I don’t know, hadn’t seen her before. She was blond, thin, thirtyish, had a teenage daughter with her. I asked if she wanted to leave you a message, but she said she didn’t know you. I felt sorry for her. She seemed really alone.”

  “Hmm, doesn’t sound like anyone that I know. Probably someone recommended the garage to her.”

  “Well, I told her you’d be open again after Christmas. Goodnight.”

  The door closed behind Howard. Sarah said with a twinkle in her eye, “He’s such a nice man. Is there more between the two of you than just friendship?”

  “Heavens no! Howard is just being neighborly. You know that he and Stan were best friends. He looks out for me and I appreciate it, that’s all.”

  “Whatever you say, Mom.”

  CHAPTER THREE

  Back on the road, Melanie fought the fatigue that started to set in. The lady at the café said just twenty miles, but on this winding, narrow road, snow-packed in spots, it seemed much further. Darkness set in, causing her to slow down, especially on the curves.

  Melanie glanced over at her daughter singing along with a country station she’d found on the radio. What an amazing kid she had. Sophie never complained and always found fun in the smallest of things. Sophie’s life had not been easy, and Melanie worried that she was to blame for most of that.

  “So what do you think of these mountains?”

  “They’re cool. I hope we get the chance to walk around in the snow. Are we almost to the motel? You said only a few minutes more.”

  “I know, honey, its taking longer than I anticipated. I need to drive slowly to be safe on these mountain roads. I’m sure we’re almost there.”

  Melanie turned her eyes back to the road. She rounded the next curve, and the headlights illuminated two creatures standing at the edge of a clearing.

  “Look Sophie! Deer. You don’t see that in the city.” Melanie slowed to a little more than a crawl as she passed the graceful creatures.

  “I like it here Mom, it feels so peaceful. Do we have to go back to Ohio?”

  Melanie smiled. She felt the same way.

  A couple of minutes later, Melanie spotted a cluster of lights in the distance that must be Aspen Ridge. She slowed even more entering the small town. It didn’t look much larger than Peakview. Right on the main street, she spotted a red, neon flashing arrow and vacancy sign that signaled the EverOpen Motel. Melanie pulled into the parking lot in front of the dilapidated office building and let out a sigh of relief as she turned off the engine. No more driving for today. The small office appeared to be deserted, but Sophie hit the bell on the counter, and a woman emerged from behind a shut door.

  “Welcome to the EverOpen. Do you need a room?”

  “Yes, please.” Melanie said.

  “How many nights?”

  “I’m not really sure yet. At least tonight.”

  “You’re in luck, we’re never full this time of year. Just let me know by check-out time tomorrow if you’ll be staying another night.” The lady took her credit card and handed her the paperwork to sign. “What brings you to Aspen Ridge? You have family in the area that you’re visiting for Christmas?”

  “No, just passing through. Is there anywhere nearby we can get a bite to eat?”

  “The diner’s across the street. I recommend it for breakfast, but they may already have shut down for the night. The Apple Creek Saloon is about a block on into town. They serve decent food and are open until midnight. Might even be some live music tonight.”

  “Thanks we’ll check it out.”

  They enjoyed a pleasant meal at the saloon, filled with local color. These small Colorado town folks were all very friendly. Not what she’d become used to in big cities where she has spent most of her life. After eating until they were stuffed, Melanie grabbed her daughter’s hand and they strolled through the frigid night back to the motel. There were so many stars visible up here in the mountains. Sophie was right, she could get used to the peacefulness here.

  A while later, Melanie lay next to her slumbering daughter on the lumpy mattress and stared at a crack in the ceiling. How had she gotten to this point? Her life had not been easy. As a child, she constantly moved around with her mom, who jumped from job to job and town to town. She remembered longing to go to the same school for more than a few months at a time, but it never happened. Her mom, successful in getting waitress jobs because of her good looks, was less successful in keeping them. Once her drug and alcohol problems were discovered, she’d get fired and move on to somewhere else. Sometimes Melanie believed that her mom really loved her the way she so much wanted, but most of the time, it felt as if her mother only kept her around to pick up food stamps and an occasional welfare check. By age five, she learned to take care of whatever rundown home they lived in and frequently, her mother too. Melanie had grown up too quickly, and by the time she was a teenager, all she wanted was a way out.

&n
bsp; Melanie had never met her father. If she’d bumped into him on the street, she wouldn’t have known him. She’d never even seen a picture. All she knew of the man who helped to create her, was her mother’s description. Your Father didn’t give a damn about either one of us, he left before you were even born, followed by a string of cuss words. As Melanie grew and matured she stopped asking questions, since the answer was always the same.

  Still, through the years, her mysterious missing parent became alive in her fantasies. When she was a small child, she imagined him as a comforter, a kindly man who’d pick her up and dry her tears if she’d fallen. During her grade school years, he became a fun dad, someone who’d play ball with her and take her to the park and the zoo. Her imaginary dad never tired of her as her mother often did, especially when she drank. In Junior High, when she discovered boys and her mom and her didn’t agree on anything, her mind saw him as her defender, someone always on her side. And in high school, he was one of those parents who always came to her sporting events and activities. Four years of track and her mom never came to a meet.

  Of course none of these fantasies ever came true. She grew up always wishing, but never hearing from him.

  It was somewhere in her sixteenth year when her happy fantasies turned to darkness. She ran away from her burdened life on the back of Billy’s Harley. Her fairy tale romance ended before she turned twenty, when she awoke one morning to the cry of her one-year-old daughter. Billy was nowhere to be found. Gone were all his meager belongings and his Harley. That was eleven years ago, and like her, her daughter Sophie never heard from her father again. And all Melanie felt was relief that she no longer had to endure his abuse.

  She still had fantasies about her father, but now, she awoke many times covered in sweat from too real dreams where he was mean and abusive. After all, he dated her mother. Surely he also was an alcoholic and drug addict. She began to thank God—if there was a god—that he had never been around to hurt her even more.

  And yet, as much as she feared the unknown, her mother’s death made her feel even more alone in the world.

  She tried hard to make a better life for her daughter. But now, in this shabby motel room, she questioned everything. Had she made a mistake dragging Sophie on this trip which would no doubt be another wild goose chase?

  A lone tear escaped down Melanie’s cheek. She rolled over in the uncomfortable bed and tried to get some sleep. There’d be no Christmas miracles for her this year.

  ***

  Back in his rustic cabin, Howard stirred the fire, grabbed a beer, and sat down in his recliner intending to read the next chapter of his current mystery novel before turning in for the night. He didn’t own a TV, a computer, or a cell phone for that matter. He never felt the need for any of them. His natural surroundings in this beautiful Colorado valley were enough for him. If he needed contact with the outside world, he’d stop by the Café and talk to folks or read the Denver Post. There was always a copy lying around. No, he wasn’t much for modern conveniences that would clutter up his life. He never really felt alone, except at this time of year. He once considered getting a dog for company, but he wasn’t home enough to give one the proper attention. He had to admit that he envied Violet with her family around her at Christmas time. Occasionally on nights like this, he regretted the decision he made years ago to not have a family of his own.

  Frustrated by his mind wandering, Howard put his book back down on the pine footstool/coffee table. He usually enjoyed reading before bed, but tonight he just couldn’t concentrate. He might as well turn in early and get a jump start on tomorrow. He stretched and added several more logs to the wood stove, his only source of heat, and turned out the lights.

  A few hours later, Howard startled and sat upright in bed. Disoriented, he glanced over at his alarm clock, 3:00 a.m., not time to get up even for an early riser like himself. The dream was too real and one he hadn’t experienced in many years. Why tonight? He shook his head to bring himself back to the present. In the dream he was back in his former life in Pennsylvania. Young and gullible. He was in his twenties and learning to be a mechanic in a small garage. The hard work didn’t pay much, but he enjoyed it. Usually after a long day under vehicles, he’d stop at Jim’s Corner Bar for a beer or two before heading home to his small one-bedroom apartment. Having grown up in the small town, he knew all of the regulars at Jim’s.

  The dream continued with that fateful night. He walked in to find that Gertrude, who’d been the only waitress at Jim’s since time began, retired and was replaced by Connie, the cutest young blond that he’d ever seen. He was instantly smitten. When Connie paid more than the usual amount of attention to him, he’d been excited and amazed. He started spending more and more time at Jim’s and drinking too much. Usually Connie caught up quickly after her shift ended.

  Soon he discovered that she had no money, no car, and no one to call family. Having a caretaking personality, he convinced himself that he could fix everything for her. Before he even took the time to think about it, she moved into his small apartment and took over not only it, but his life as well. His sister warned him to slow down, but he was too much in love to pay her any heed. After a few months, their relationship started to crumble. Connie was not only an alcoholic but often mixed her liquor with whatever drugs she could get her hands on. And she was not a nice drunk; yelling and screaming became part of his life. Whatever he tried to do for her, it was never enough. Soon even the mind blowing sex, didn’t make up for the chaos.

  Pulling himself back to the present, Howard climbed from under his massive down comforter to stoke the fire and make sure he was fully awake. He didn’t know if the chill that engulfed him came from the cold or if it came more from the vivid dream of his former life. A life he’d buried when he arrived in Peakview all those years ago.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  The sun had yet to peek over the mountains in the east on Christmas morning when Violet awakened to the excited cries of her grandchildren. “Grandmaaaa, get up, it’s time to open presents!”

  Beside her, Lucky stretched and looked at her in consternation, as if to say it wasn’t morning yet. Violet smiled and quickly jumped out of bed and put on her fuzzy Christmas robe and slippers.

  The children’s excitement was contagious making it impossible not to get caught up in their happiness. The mounds of presents quickly opened became mound s of wrapping paper. The children got busy playing with their various toys. With Sarah’s help, she began preparing the food for Christmas dinner. She felt so blessed. What a wonderful family she had. She couldn’t be happier, unless she let herself think about how Stan should be here with them. Even though eight years passed since his death, he was never far from her thoughts. She had really believed they’d grow old together. How sad that he had not even lived long enough to get to know his beautiful grandchildren. Violet stopped her thoughts—Christmas was no time for sadness. If there was anything she gained from Stan’s untimely death, it was the knowledge that life is short. She wanted to embrace and enjoy every day she, especially those with her family.

  The morning passed in fun and laughter. Around noon there was a knock on the door and there was Howard, standing in the snow, trying to balance an armload of presents. “Merry Christmas everyone,” he shouted above the wind. He hurried into the cabin and pushed the door shut behind him, stomping the snow off of his boots onto the doormat.

  “Let me take your coat,” Violet said wiping her hands on her apron and walking over to the door. “You didn’t need to bring presents.”

  “Not bring presents on Christmas, that wouldn’t be very neighborly, now would it?” Howard laughed as Haley and Chase ran over to check if there were any for them.

  All Howards’ gifts were a huge hit, especially the miniature waders, he bought for Chase to wear next summer when he came out fishing and the certificate for two free horseback riding lessons at Peaktop Guest Ranch, he purchased for Haley.

  “I get to ride a horse?” Haley exclaim
ed in excitement.

  Violet opened her present last. It was a picture Howard took of her holding Lucky when he was just a kitten, which he’d blown up and made to look like a canvas print. “Oh Howard, I love it!” Violet walked over to where he sat and planted a kiss on his cheek. “I feel bad that I didn’t get you anything.”

  “Don’t be silly, you give me the gift of coffee and food every day. Not to mention your friendship and willingness to share your family with me at Christmas time. Speaking of food, it smells amazing in here!”

  Violet once again stuffed a twinge of sadness, this time for Howard and the fact that he had no family of his own to surround him at Christmas. What was wrong with her today? She was definitely getting sentimental in her old age.

  Soon they all sat down at the big pine table and Violet led them in grace, before Justin began carving the large turkey. “Lord, thank you for bringing my entire family here today, including Howard, and please with those who aren’t surrounded by family today. Show them your love and grace. Bless this food. Amen.”

  Everyone was working on their second helpings when they heard another knock at the door. “Now who could that possibly be?” Violet said, rising to answer it. She opened the door and to her surprise and delight, there stood the woman and her daughter from the café.

  “I, I hope we’re not intruding,” Melanie stammered her voice rising. “I found the map you gave me, and Sophie deserved something more than Christmas Day in the EverOpen Motel.

  “Not at all, I invited you. Come in out of the snow. I’m so glad you made it.” Turning to her son, Violet said, “Justin, grab a couple more chairs and plates from the kitchen.”

  Violet took their coats and herded them over to the table where Justin squeezed in two more chairs. “Everyone, I’d like you to meet Melanie and her daughter, Sophie. They came into the café a couple days ago, and I invited them to dinner. This is my son Justin, his wife Sarah, my amazing grandchildren, Chase and Haley, and at the end there is Howard. I believe you were looking for him the other day?”