Once Upon an Equinox Read online

  “That’s not the safest way to do it,” the young man scolded in a gentle tone.

  “Well, I’m staying up at The Tilted Plume, and I need to make a call.”

  The stranger cocked his head. “What about Mavis? Won’t she let you use her phone?”

  “She hasn’t offered. In fact, she’s scolded me for wanting to call home during my retreat.” Delaney studied the face of her new acquaintance. “So you two know each other?”

  “Well, Three Rivers is a small place. Everybody knows everybody. And I have done a few odd jobs for her. Handyman stuff, you know.”

  Delaney nodded with reserve. She didn’t want the gentleman to think she was a deranged escapee from the writers’ retreat. “I just want some privacy so I can talk with my husband,” Delaney confessed. “Mavis seems a little jealous.”

  A slow grin spread across the stranger’s clean-shaven face. “Oh, I get it.” He winked at his new acquaintance.

  “I need to sneak into town as well and get some food for me and my baby. I don’t think I can handle another bowl of Miss Beasom’s mystery soup.”

  The young man chuckled. “I’ll tell you what. I just happen to be on my way into town. You want to come along?”

  Delaney was light-headed with hunger. “Are you sure it’s not too much trouble?”

  “There’s a pay phone at the convenience store right where Mineral King Road meets Highway 198. They also serve a mean breakfast burrito.”

  Delaney’s mood soared. “Oh, yes! I’ve stopped there before. The nicest gentleman works at the cash register.” She prayed he would be on duty when they arrived. She knew he would help her.

  “The stranger smiled. “And I’ll even bring you back to The Tilted Plume.

  Delaney had no plans to return to The Tilted Plume, but she wasn't telling her driver. She leaned over to pick up her backpack, but she was too slow. Her helpful friend scooped it up with one of his muscular hands. Then he escorted Delaney with a gentle grasp on her elbow. When they reached his late model pickup, he stowed her belongings inside and helped his rider into the cab.

  Delaney sighed with relief as the Good Samaritan closed the pickup door behind her. So far, her plan to get into town was going as she wished.

  Within moments, the young buck slid into the driver’s seat. When his broad thumb pressed on his key fob, a soft beep sounded. A volley of clicks sounded around the perimeter of the pickup. All of the doors were locked. The driver turned to face his passenger before he started the engine. “I’m sorry, ma’am. I have forgotten my manners. I don’t believe I caught your name.”

  “Oh, I’m Delaney.”

  “Pleased to meet you.” The man extended his hand. “I’m Conin.”

  CHAPTER TEN

  Cold beads of sweat began to line up on Delaney’s pale upper lip like glistening pearls on the edge of a rose petal. She winced inside. How, she wondered, could she have been so stupid? “Conin?” she clarified.

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Interesting … I believe Miss Beasom has a friend named Conin. Are there two of you?”

  The handsome outdoorsman blushed. “No, I’m the one and only.” Conin’s hand was still extended.

  Delaney did her best to present an unruffled countenance. “Pleased to meet you.” She clasped Conin’s hand for a fleeting moment. It felt warm and gentle. Delaney couldn’t imagine how Conin and Mavis happened to be friends.

  Conin fired up the truck’s engine and let his sturdy foot off the brake.

  It was too late for Delaney to bail. Besides, where would she go? Back to Mavis? Some kind of adventuress she was! She had no common sense, and she couldn’t read people worth beans. Maybe Mavis was right when she insinuated that people from Roughneck were empty-headed and coarse.

  The engine hummed as Conin eased his truck off the uneven shoulder and toward the paved lane. He braked momentarily before turning onto Mineral King Road. “I don’t mean to pry, ma’am, but maybe we should drive back to The Tilted Plume before we go. You should let Mavis know we are going into town. Otherwise, she’ll worry.”

  Delaney gasped. She was not so sure Conin’s sudden appearance had been serendipitous. Perhaps Mavis had sent him. That gave Delaney another reason to dread facing her tormentor. “I’m sure Miss Beasom won’t mind that I’m gone.” Delaney countered.

  “You don’t know Mavis. She’s likely to panic.”

  “Well, I’m going to pass out if I don’t get some food,” Delaney argued.

  “Okay … okay … then we’ll just go …”

  Delaney’s stomach growled. “Why does Mavis have her gate chained shut, anyway? Is there really anyone or anything to fear out here in the sticks?”

  “Bears, I guess.” Conin shrugged his wide shoulders. “But they can come up from the canyon along the back of the property, gate or no gate.”

  “And I bet they can step right through that barbed wire fence.” After all, she had.

  Conin put the vehicle into low gear, then made a beeline toward Three Rivers.

  Delaney was relieved. For the moment, she could suspend her wild fantasies of jumping from the moving vehicle to get away. She knew she wouldn’t, but she prayed Conin was good for his word and they really were going to end up in town. She would just have to keep her own act together until they got to the gas station. Then she might have a fighting chance to escape.

  Conin broke his passenger’s train of thought. “So what kind of stories do you like to write?” he asked.

  “Thrillers.”

  “Are they any good?’

  “Probably not. Mavis screamed her head off this morning after she’d read about five pages of one.”

  Conin clenched his jaw. “Yup, Mavis gets a little too carried away with her critiques sometimes …”

  “She’s done that with her other students?”

  “Oh, I don’t know,” Conin backpedaled. “I know she gets fired up real easy. The thing is, she really does have a loving heart. She just doesn’t know how to show it.”

  Delaney hugged herself. “Well, I have to say, Mavis truly did scare me.”

  “Oh, she’s harmless. To tell you the truth, Delaney, I bet she’s worried sick about you.”

  “Me?”

  “Of course. After breakfast, you might want to consider going back and finishing your course with her.”

  “Go back?” Delaney hadn’t thought a reconciliation was an option.

  “Yes, go back. You can’t give up on your writing just because Mavis makes you uncomfortable. She is a pro, you know? She’s won awards. Two of her books have been made into movies.”

  She might be a good writer, Delaney mused, but Miss Beasom was a lousy teacher.

  “Think about it,” Conin urged. “You owe it to yourself to give Mavis another chance, Delaney.”

  The line at the convenience store pay phone was eight deep.

  “Looks like everyone has the same idea this morning.” Conin rubbed his broad chin. “I’ll tell you what, Delaney. Let’s go a couple miles further into town and get some steak and eggs at the Black Bear Market.” Before she could protest, he spun the steering wheel of his pickup and swerved toward Three Rivers proper. “Besides, the market has a patio out back. We can sit down and eat. Then you can make your call from the phone booth in front of the store.”

  “May we please go back to the other store? I really don’t mind waiting in line for the phone.” Delaney couldn’t get her mind off of the nice gentleman who worked at the cash register there. She was positive he would help her.

  “Trust me on this, Delaney. You need to sit down and eat.”

  With a sinking heart, Delaney complied. But in light of how her day was going so far, she wasn’t expecting much improvement.

  Ten minutes later, they arrived at the Black Bear Market. It was swarming with tourists. They all looked so happy and oblivious to the fact that Delaney was there against her will.

  “How about some coffee, Delaney?” Conin asked.

  �
��No, thanks.”

  “Orange juice?”

  “Okay.”

  Conin opened his wallet and shelled out enough money to pay for both of their breakfasts.

  The lattice-enclosed patio behind the market was simple but adequate. Tourists sat in groups around wooden picnic tables enjoying hot coffee and tasty breakfasts.

  Delaney and Conin found an empty table in a back corner of the enclosure.

  Conin settled onto a bench. “How is Mavis doing with gathering firewood?”

  “Is that what she was doing?” Delaney asked, feigning ignorance. “I thought she was just taking a morning walk.”

  “Yep, we’re having a bonfire tonight.”

  “At The Tilted Plume?”

  “Didn’t Mavis tell you? We’re celebrating the spring equinox.”

  Delaney choked on a bite of her steak.

  "Are you all right?" Conin jumped to Delaney's side and patted her back.

  "I'm okay."

  "Are you sure?"

  Delaney smiled as she took a drink of juice. "Yes, and thank you."

  "You're most welcome."

  "I might have misunderstood, but I thought Mavis said the spring festival was going to be held in town.”

  Conin shook his head. “No, we’re celebrating on the back forty acres of Miss Beasom’s land. She does have a nice big spread, you know?”

  “So what else are you doing besides making a bonfire?”

  “Some friends are coming over with homemade dishes. Chile beans, salads, and desserts. I’m making hamburgers outside on the grill.” Conin smiled. “And then, of course, we’ll roast marshmallows and make s’mores after the fire dies down. Delaney, I hope you decide to stay. You would really enjoy yourself.”

  Delaney hedged. “I’m going to talk to my husband before I decide.”

  Conin’s healthy complexion seemed to pale ever so slightly. “Of course.” He wadded up his paper napkin.

  “If you’ll excuse me,” Delaney ventured. “I’m going to make that call right now.”

  Conin started to rise from his bench.

  “Oh no, just relax right where you are, Conin. I’ll be right back.” Delaney made her way back through the Black Bear Market and out the front door. She was grateful when she saw no one in line at the pay phone. And unlike the phone at the convenience store, that pay phone at the Black Bear Market was housed in a proper booth. “Here we go,” she whispered as she stepped into the booth and dialed the number to the fishing shack in Lake Cachuma.

  The phone rang on and on and on with no response. Apparently, there was no answering machine, either. At that point, Delaney lost all reason. Regardless of whether her husband was listening, she pleaded into the receiver. “Chad … Chad … I wish you would pick up … my teacher is a witch ... a real witch ... and she has my car blocked so I can’t leave … I want to come home … I love you, sweetheart …”

  With a defeated sigh, Delaney hung up the phone. She glanced about and hoped no one noticed she was crying.

  Conin stood a short distance away. He had been watching her every move through the large plate glass windows that fronted the store.

  Delaney turned away, trying to get her emotions under control.

  Conin exited the convenience store and knocked on the door of Delaney’s phone booth. “Are you ready to head back to The Tilted Plume?” His voice was cheerful and strong. “Did you reach your husband?”

  Delaney stepped out of the booth. “I left a message,” she lied.

  “Too bad,” Conin shrugged is broad shoulders. “I know how much you wanted to talk to him. Look at it this way, Delaney. He and his friend are probably having a great time fishing.”

  “Fishing.” A prickling sensation crawled up the back of Delaney’s neck. “How did you know they were fishing?”

  “You told me, Delaney.” Conin pointed a bossy finger at the young woman. “We need to get you back to The Tilted Plume so you can take a nap. You look exhausted.”

  “Not until I get some groceries.”

  “Okay, I’ll get some gas and check the fluid levels in my pickup while you shop. I think they will have about anything you might need right here.”

  Delaney grimaced. She dreaded seeing the prices at the Black Bear Market.

  Conin chuckled. “No more of Mavis’s mystery soup for you, right? I do have to admit she’s not the best cook in the world. At least you’ll get a hearty meal tonight.”

  “I sure hope so.”

  “Once the fire dies out and the ashes are cool, some of the younger guests are planning to leap over the fire pit.”

  Delaney’s brow creased with concern. “Why would they want to do that?”

  “It’s supposed to increase a person's fertility.” Conin stepped forward – much too close – and touched Delaney’s protruding abdomen. “But I guess you don’t need to worry about that.”

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Delaney’s Mustang was parked just where she left it. Her mentor’s Land Cruiser, however, had been moved back to its usual parking place. The tail end of the black SUV was just visible next the lone woman’s cabin.

  The gate was unlocked.

  Conin parked his tan truck tandem to the closed cattle gate. In fact, his truck was so close that there was barely room for a person to pass between the truck and the gate.

  One way or another, Delaney concluded, Mavis and Conin were going to make sure she didn't escape.

  “Aren’t you driving in?” Delaney questioned. At the very least, she had been counting on Conin to buffer her reunion with Mavis.

  “I’ve got to get back to work, Delaney, but I will see you this evening.” Conin helped carry Delaney’s backpack and groceries to her car.

  “But Mavis is going to yell at me when I get back to the house.”

  “Just take it easy, Delaney,” Conin advised in a soothing voice. “I’m sure Mavis is feeling really bad about raising her voice at you. I’ve been through that with her myself. You two just need to set aside your differences. Try to concentrate on writing some terrific stories.”

  Delaney raised her chin. “I’ve been here for almost twenty-four hours, and I haven’t done a lick of writing. Not one single word. Some writing retreat this has turned out to be!”

  Conin shook a teasing index finger at the sassy young woman. “That’s just the point! If you weren’t out running down Mineral King Road like a madwoman, you would have had plenty of time to write. Now go rest up, and I will see you at the potluck tonight. I’m looking forward to some good eating.” With that, Conin turned and walked back through the slightly open cattle gate. He kept his gaze down as he locked the gate behind him.

  The only thing left for Delaney to do was drive back to the cabin and unload her things once more. Hopefully, the French doors to her bedroom would still be unlocked.

  Delaney’s Mustang fired right up as soon as she turned the key in the ignition. “If only you could fly …” Delaney said wistfully to her sparkling coach. But since that was not the case, she backed down the driveway until she found a wide space. She scowled as she turned around and headed toward the upscale cabin with a reluctant heart.

  All was quiet and still as she approached the house. Mavis was either inside or out in the far reaches of her acreage. Delaney drove around to the back of the cabin and parked her car at the base of the deck stairs. They were the same ones she had used for her attempted escape just hours before. She mounted the wooden steps and tested the door that led into her room. It was still unlocked. She didn’t know whether to thank her heavenly father or not. She wanted the temporary shelter of the room, but didn’t want to be at The Tilted Plume in the least.

  With a great measure of apprehension, Delaney entered the room. Nothing seemed to have changed. The rustic quilted bedspread, the noisy wall heater, and the decrepit typewriter were still there. “What was I thinking when I signed up for this?” she asked herself. Feeling thwarted and broken, she began unloading her belongings and groceries from her car
. Fortunately, the food from the convenience store required neither heating nor refrigerating. She had purchased more protein bars, nuts, apples, bananas, dried fruits, peanut butter, crackers, and bottled drinks. She hoped the stash would last her until the retreat was over the following afternoon.

  Delaney was startled by a soft knock on the hall door.

  “Laney …"

  No one but Mavis had called her Laney except for her husband. Her wavering tone sounded pitiful.

  Delaney opened the door and found Mavis quaking in the hall. Her hands were clasped over her heart.

  “I am so sorry, Laney. I just get too carried away with my students’ manuscripts. I forget that authors are living, breathing people with genuine feelings.” Mavis lowered her bony hands. “May we please start over?”

  Delaney parted her lips, but couldn’t quite figure out what to say. She reached her own soft hand toward her mentor’s and squeezed it. “I’m sorry, too. This pregnancy is making me so emotional. I mean, I wouldn’t trade my baby for anything in the world, but the process does make me lose my mind sometimes.”

  Mavis clasped Delaney’s hands within her own. Her grip was warm and strong. “You look tired, Laney. I think a nap might be in order.”

  “Perhaps in a bit,” Delaney responded. “To be honest, I was a little envious watching you this morning. You looked so content while you wandered around the back acreage doing your chores. Would it be all right if I go for a short walk out there before I lie down?”

  “Why, of course!” Mavis’s gaunt face relaxed. “The best path is along the firebreak. Conin borrowed a tractor from the neighbor to scrape a wide swath with a grader blade, so it’s bare and smooth. It’s a good route for any easy walk.”

  “Thanks, I’ll give it a try.”

  Mavis smiled. “And I’ll be sure and wake you in time for dinner.”

  Delaney changed into clean sweatpants, a T-shirt, hoodie, and walking shoes. She brushed her hair and put on her trusty pink sunglasses. She rarely faced the world without them.

  The air was temperate and pure. Delaney breathed deeply as she stepped along. She avoided the firebreak in favor of some natural paths that had been worn into the soil by rabbits and coyotes. It wasn't long before she spotted a long and mostly straight branch lying on the ground. “A walking stick!" She announced her lucky find to the hidden animals in the surrounding chaparral. “No more falls for me today.”