shadowy slopes that reminded Caroline of pictures she’d seen of Germany’s brooding Black Forest.
“Are we there yet?” Danny asked in a bored voice.
“Almost.” She sent him a reassuring smile that faked the confidence she didn’t feel.
“I’m tired.”
“Me, too.” She’d turned off the main highway hours ago and had no idea how close she was to the Wainwright lodge. Only vaulting wooded cliffs rose on each side, making a tunnel-like passage for the twisting mountain road. Signs of habitation were scarce and the pencil map Stella had drawn was of little help. She’d made an X to show where the lodge stood at one end of a small, private lake—but where was the lake?
Caroline’s hands were tense on the steering wheel as she maneuvered a series of hairpin curves. Then, suddenly, without warning, there was a break in the view ahead and a startling vista opened up before her eyes. Nestled in the circle of the encroaching mountains was a meadow, a small lake and an access road posted with a wooden sign, Shadow Mountain Lodge.
“We’re here,” she said with a sigh of relief.
Danny peered over the front seat as best he could, straining against his seatbelt. “Where? I don’t see nothing.”
“Anything,” she automatically corrected him. “See that building across the lake? That’s where we’re going.”
He stuck out his lower lip the way he did when things weren’t going his way. When they got closer, he said, “I hate it. It’s ugly.”
Caroline wasn’t about to argue. Built of austere, dark wood, the mountain lodge was set in the depths of towering trees that hugged its square, unrelieved lines. A late-afternoon sun failed to lighten the blankness of recessed dormer windows crouched under a sharply slanted roof.
She remembered Stella had told her that her brother-in-law was a widower and had a six-year-old daughter named Cassie. Caroline hoped that Danny and the little girl got along. Her son was easygoing most of the time but when Danny set his mind against some thing or someone, a team of horses couldn’t budge him.
She followed the road that bordered the lake and then rose sharply to the lodge set against the steep back-drop of a mountain. She continued past the lodge and parked in an open area which looked as if it might lead to some other smaller buildings like stables and bunk-houses set back in the trees.
Once released from his seat, Danny bounded out of the car like a young animal freed from a cage.
“Stay close,” she ordered as she took out an overnight bag and decided to leave the rest of the luggage until later. The place looked deserted, but she could hear the neighing of a horse and spied a corral set back in the trees.
With Danny at her side, they walked around to the front of the lodge and climbed a flight of wooden stairs to a heavy, planked front door. A brass lion’s head with its mouth open made a loud clanging sound as she dropped the knocker several times.
As they waited, she rested her hand reassuringly on Danny’s shoulder but already the enveloping isolation was getting to her. Her mouth went dry.
What on earth am I doing here?
The massive door suddenly opened and Stella stood there, smiling at them. “Oh, good, I was hoping you’d get here before dark. Sometimes these mountain roads can be a little tricky at night.”
Caroline silently added, And in daylight. It was some kind of miracle she’d found the place at all.
“Please come in. I’ll send Shane to bring in the rest of your luggage.”
They followed her inside and the interior of the lodge seemed just as dark and intimidating as the exterior. Beyond a shadowy vestibule, they entered a large room with a high ceiling and a monstrous chandelier made of elk horns suspended from a high rafter. Several tall windows allowed muted sunlight to slightly relieve the shadows of high ceilings and dark-panelled walls. A massive stone fireplace dominated the far wall and a variety of furniture, mostly leather and dark walnut, was scattered about. An area rug of faded green covered a small section of a wide-planked floor. Some framed black-and-white photographs hung on the wall. They were group pictures as far as Caroline could tell. She wondered if this was one of the rooms Stella wanted redecorated. If so, simply introducing some color would be a step in the right direction.
“I’ll show you to your rooms first,” Stella said motioning toward a massive staircase mounting a far wall. “You’ll probably want to freshen up before meeting Wes. He was set to leave yesterday when one of his good friends, Dexter Tate, showed up unexpectedly. They’re out target-shooting but should be back anytime. Wes’s daughter, Cassie, is upstairs with her nanny, Felicia.” She glanced at her watch. “I’d better see that some refreshment is ready.”
As they mounted the steps to the second floor and walked a short distance down the hall, Stella said in a practiced hostess manner, “I hope you’ll be comfortable here. There’s a small sitting room, a bedroom with twin beds and a connecting bath. I’ve set up a workroom just down the hall. If there’s anything I’ve missed, just let me know.”
She opened the door and motioned them inside. They had just walked into the sitting room when Danny suddenly cowered beside her, hugging her leg.
“What is it?” She followed his frightened gaze to the walls of the room. Her breath caught. “Good heavens!”
Mounted on the walls were heads of wild animals—a fierce black bear, a threatening mountain lion and a snarling wildcat. She could tell from the raw fear in Danny’s expression that he thought they were alive and about to jump down on him.
“It’s all right, honey,” Caroline said quickly. “They won’t hurt you.”
“They’re dead?”
“Yes. Somebody killed them.”
“Why?” he demanded with childish bluntness.
“They’re like trophies,” Stella answered quickly before Caroline could. “Big men shoot them and then hang them on the walls to show how brave they are. I’m afraid you’ll find them all over the lodge.” Then she brightened. “But your mother and I are going to make some nice changes.”
Caroline didn’t say anything, but she wondered how easy that was going to be. Changing anything that had become a male tradition might be an uphill battle. If she were a gambler, she’d bet the mounted animals stayed despite Stella’s best efforts.
Fortunately the small bedroom was spared any hunting decor. Several scenic pictures hung on the walls. One window had simple green draperies hanging from a brass rod. Caroline was delighted with the hand-crafted aspen bedroom furniture. She immediately visualized how a little color and fresh wallpaper would add a pleasant warmth to the room.
“If there’s anything you need, just let me know,” Stella said, preparing to leave them. “Please come downstairs when you’re ready. There’s a small social room just past the main stairs and down the hall. I know Wes will be pleased to meet you both. He has a little girl about your age, Danny. Her name is Cassie. I know you’ll have fun playing with her while your mother and I are busy.”
Danny’s scowl plainly showed his reaction to the idea. Girls weren’t his thing.
Caroline
