In Full Bloom: Sequel to 'The Crying Rose': The Trilogy of the Rose (Volume 2) (21 page)

“You’re right,” he said, turning to Grandma Jo. “I’d better call Stacy and postpone her arrival today. I don’t want to take the responsibility of anyone driving under this condition.”

“I’ll start breakfast while you call,” she said, walking back to the kitchen.

As Mark entered the hall on the way to his room to get the cell phone, Sami emerged from her bedroom. Seeing her puffy, sleep-filled face, he chirped a cheery “Hello.” The glare he received in return left no doubt that she was not a morning person. “Coffee is that way,” he pointed as he veered around the broken arm.

Once inside his room, he located his phone and turned it on. He was a little surprised by the strength of the signal for until now it hadn’t occurred to him that it might not work up here.
Technology is amazing
, he thought as he dialed the number.

Returning to the kitchen after speaking with Stacy’s daughter, he refilled his empty coffee mug. Leaning back against the counter, he announced to both women that were watching him from the table, “I was too late. They are on their way here.”

Grandma Jo nodded in response at the same time Sami asked him, “Who?”

“Bill and Stacy Clark,” he answered.

“Who did you say? What, where and how?” Sami fired at him.

“You heard me,” he said as he walked to the table. Sitting down next to her, he provided Sami with the answers to all her questions starting with the return address on the package to the conversation he had just had with the Clark’s daughter.

Sami remained silent during Mark’s explanation, but her face told another story. Confusion, apprehension, and yet an understanding played across her features. By the end of his tale, however, Sami’s expression was peaceful. Not knowing how she would take this news, Mark waited for her to speak.

“It will be nice to see them again,” she spoke quietly.

Somehow, Mark had expected her to say more, but watching her take a sip of coffee and reach for a roll, he knew that the subject was closed. Frustrated, he stared out the window behind her wondering just how the visit would go. Grabbing a roll, he listened to the women discuss the weather and the day’s menu as he began to doubt his judgment in contacting the Clarks.

After breakfast, he carried his plate and utensils to the kitchen, where he noticed Molly standing next to the outside door. “Oh great,” he said. Putting his things into the kitchen sink, he grabbed his jacket and opened the door, thinking he needed to clear his thoughts anyhow. The landing was now deep in snow and Molly hesitated, eyeing him. Putting on his jacket, Mark laughed at her reluctance. Stepping in front of her, he walked out into the snow pushing it off the landing as he went. Molly followed in his wake as he cleared the snow from the steps. At the bottom, he stopped and motioned her to continue. She held back and whimpered softly. Mark shook his head. “Do I have to show you this also?” he asked her.

What the heck
, he thought as he viewed the smooth layer of almost knee-deep snow. He began to trudge through the snow, and after several yards, turned back to see Molly still on the steps. She looked at him and then back to his footprints in the snow. He knew it would take her a minute or two to adjust to the idea, but he also knew that the curiosity would bring her to him.

Mark scanned the area and noted that the depth of the snow was considerably less under the trees than where he stood, so he walked in that direction. He was halfway to the trees when he heard the tinkle of her tags behind him. She was trying with all her might to get to him. When he reached the base of the tree, he turned and saw her following the path that he had cut in the snow as a guide.

The wind now carried the sound of laughter and he spotted Sami standing on the front porch with the afghan around her shoulders.

“Sure, go ahead and laugh,” he called out to her. “I’m freezing.”

“I’ll bet she adjusts to it better than you,” she called back.

Mark eyed Molly, who was finding it better in the area under the tree, and by now was growing accustomed to the snow. At her mistress’ voice, she charged through the snow in Sami’s direction. This time, he followed her path back to the house.

By the time he reached the top of the front steps, he heard an engine behind him. Turning in that direction, he saw a large truck, equipped with a removable snowplow, coming around the bend into the clearing.
The Clarks
, Mark surmised, waving in their direction as the plow cut a path up to the house. Even before the truck had come to a complete stop, the passenger door flew open and a rather large, stocky woman hopped down into the deep snow. Under her white stocking cap, her cherub face glowed with pure happiness.

Mark walked back down the snow-covered steps, and watched this woman expertly maneuver through the deep snow. She didn’t stop when she reached him, but at least called out her name in greeting as she mounted the steps and went directly into the outstretched arm of Sami on the porch. Mark watched as the women embraced with neither of them speaking, while Molly did doughnut circles around them, barking excitedly.

“Bill Clark.”

Mark jumped at the sound of the deep voice coming from behind him. Turning quickly, Mark lost his footing and was caught by the arm before he landed in the snow. Glancing up, he viewed a giant of a man. Reaching out his hand, Mark returned the greeting. “Mark Stevens.”

Bill caught Mark’s hand and pumped it hard several times. “Nice to meet you,” Bill piped back. “Couldn’t let the little lady come all this way by herself,” he continued, explaining his appearance.

“No, of course not,” Mark answered releasing his hand, and quickly turning, looked at the two still embraced on the porch. The sight thrilled him. Stacy was the first person Sami had openly accepted into her arms.

“Poor little thing,” Mark heard Bill comment. “We feel plumb bad about causing her any heartache.”

"You had no way of knowing,” Mark said, trying to assure the man. “By the way, I tried to call you to postpone your trip down due to the weather, but your daughter said you had already left.”

“There was no way I could have stopped her from coming down today,” Bill began. “Ever since you called, she has talked about nothing else. This little storm was not even considered a stopping point. I had to talk her out of coming last night, telling her to let you all get settled in first.”

Smiling, Mark realized that his instinct was right again. These people were a cut above the rest. Noticing that Molly’s barking had ceased, Mark turned back to the porch. It was now empty. The women had entered the cabin.

Bill picked up that Mark was anxious and offered a suggestion. “Stacy has told me about your plans for Sami’s recovery, and you need to be in there with them. Let me help you out here with this snow. I’ll clear some paths for you and give your car some room, too, if need be.”

Mark turned to see Bill’s smiling face and nodded his appreciation. When he reached the door, Mark turned to see Bill pulling out his snow shovel from the bed of the truck. Guilt filled him at the sight, but he reminded himself that his first priority was Sami.

Swallowing the guilt, he opened the door and entered the cabin. The three women were seated at the table sipping coffee, and talking a mile a minute. They were so caught up in their jabbering, he was sure no one saw him enter. Removing his jacket, Mark headed for the fireplace. Sitting in the rocking chair, he eavesdropped on the ladies’ conversation while petting Molly. Pure pleasure went through his whole body as Sami’s genuine laughter reached him.

Mark knew that with both Stacy and Grandma Jo participating, it would keep Sami from slipping into one particular time frame. Mentally, he patted himself on the back for this whole scene was being performed as he had envisioned and planned with both Stacy and Grandma Jo. The team was keeping her on track. Here, with both the present and the past, they were getting her to openly discuss everything from the honeymoon to her broken arm.

Bill’s timing was perfect as he entered the house just as Sami had brought Stacy up-to-date. Stacy smiled at him, but it faded as she caught the worried expression on his face. “What’s wrong?” she asked, alarmed.

“Another storm’s brewing,” he replied.

Stacy looked quickly over to Mark. Mark was on his feet, grabbing his jacket and moving in the direction of the front door. “How bad?” he asked Bill.

“Can’t rightly tell yet, but I’d rather start home now,” Bill replied hastily.

All five of them stepped out onto the porch to view the pending storm. Within minutes, they were driven back into the cabin by the cold wind.

“Stay here,” Sami offered to Stacy.

“Wish I could, love, but I got kids and a job to think about,” she replied, hugging Sami. “Dr. Stevens has my phone number and address,” she said, releasing Sami and putting on her coat. “You better keep in contact.” She pointed a finger at Sami.

“I promise,” Sami responded, near tears.

“Take care of yourself, little lady,” Bill added as he stepped up to Sami and gave her a bear hug.

Mark grabbed Stacy’s hand and guided her outside onto the porch.

Once outside, Stacy asked. “Did I do any good?”

Mark gathered her into his embrace. “You were wonderful. I can’t thank you enough for everything.” As he released her, Bill exited the cabin.

“Dr. Stevens,” Bill was showing concern. “I’m really worried about you. I’m afraid you will need chains if you intend to get out of here.”

“I have my own truck coming up later this week and I’ll inform David to bring some along. We are well stocked and I have my cell phone. I appreciate your concern and thank you for all you have done.” As they said their goodbyes, Mark promised to keep them informed. Mark stayed on the front porch until they drove out of sight.

SIXTEEN

R
e-entering the cabin, Mark was unprepared for Molly’s quick exit past him. He reversed his course to be with her, only this time, he remained, on the porch as she played in the snow. When Molly finally returned she was covered in snow. Knowing that getting the snow out of her coat was an impossible task, he brushed her off as best he could. He let her into the house thinking he’d put a towel in front of the fireplace and just let the rest melt off.

As he entered the cabin, he spotted Sami sitting in the rocking chair by the fireplace. He found a towel and spread it out indicating to Molly to lie down next to Sami.

“Mark,” he heard Sami call him. He turned in her direction. “Thank you for bringing Stacy here,” she said quietly.

“Sami…” he began.

“No wait,” she interrupted him. “Let me finish. I did a lot of soul searching last night after I went to bed. Going through those photos on the mantel awakened a part of me that I believed was gone for good. Now, with my visit from Stacy, I have a favor to ask of you.”

“Anything, Sami,” he replied.

Getting to her feet, she reached out for his hand. “Help me uncover the truths of my past,” she said leading him down the hall into her bedroom. Mark motioned Grandma Jo to follow them, unsure whether he needed her assistance.

Sami released his hand and she drew aside a quilt that was covering a very old metal locker. She sat on the floor in front of the locker and held out her hand to him with the palm up. He looked at her not knowing what she wanted. 

 “What?” he asked.

“The keys,” she choked. “This is the last chest that I have to open.”

Forgetting that he had them, he searched his jacket pocket and withdrew the requested items. As he handed them to her, he realized now what the chiseled key opened. Watching her insert the key, Mark suddenly wondered how she had opened the cabin yesterday without the key. Surely, she didn’t leave the cabin unlocked. . . the chair, recalling her movements on the porch. It occurred to him that she must have an extra key hidden there. Watching her, as these thoughts raced in his mind, he removed his coat and slowly sat next to her.