Fly Away
Stuart
When I enter the house, I can tell at once something bad happened. Amy’s in the kitchen looking worried, and Mariska’s nowhere to be seen.
“What’s going on?” I ask, half-heartedly waiting for a response.
I’m headed to the hall leading to our room before my sister even has a chance to answer me. Pushing open the door to our room, I find Mariska’s lying on the bed, her back to the door. She appears to be sleeping.
I call her name softly, and I notice her shoulders stiffen. Going to her, I pull her arm back, forcing her to look at me. She’s not crying, but her eyes are haunted. My stomach tightens, and I feel my body preparing for a fight.
“Are you okay?” I reach for her hand, holding my voice steady. “Did something happen?”
She sits up and lunges forward into my arms, wrapping hers around my neck. “It was the nightmare again.”
We’re quiet for several long moments. I’m waiting for her to say something more, but she never does. I don’t know how to question her on this, since I’ve never really understood how it all works.
“You weren’t asleep.” I’m trying to think. “You had the nightmare when you were awake?”
“Amy wanted me to read her coffee grounds.” Her voice is small, and she’s still holding back, only giving me the barest of information in answer to my questions.
“You saw the nightmare in Amy’s grounds?”
Her head slowly moves back and forth. “I saw it in mine.”
Wrapping my arms around her, I pull her closer against my body. “Were you hurt? Did something happen to you?”
Again she shakes her head. “I don’t think I was hurt, but I was in a hospital.”
I’m about to lose it with having to pull this information out of her bit by bit. Either way it doesn’t matter. Taking hold of her shoulders, I move her back from me. “Look at me. Look in my eyes.”
Her eyes blink rapidly, but she finally moves them to mine. Still, I don’t see tears, only fear.
“Nothing is going to happen to you,” I say firmly. “Nothing. You’re safe on my watch.”
Her expression doesn’t change, but at least she nods. I don’t know how to make her believe me, but I say the words with all the conviction I feel. I defy these dreams trying to hurt my Mariska. Pulling her against my chest again, I smooth my hand up and down her back. “You’re safe with me.”
She eventually relaxes, and I leave her resting on the bed. It’s still drizzling outside, and Bill has returned from town. When he sees me, he walks over, motioning for me to join him at the fireplace.
“I’ve got some business to work out with Evan and Conway tomorrow morning. Think you could ride into town with me?”
Mariska is on my mind, but I nod. She’ll feel better tomorrow. She’s safe here at the house with Mom and Amy, and either way, I won’t be far. “What’s the business?”
“Finalizing those grazing fees and percentage of land use.” He props a boot on the hearth. “I know we’ve pushed back our personal timeline, but it’s good for you to be there. Let them start getting used to hearing your voice.”
Looking into the dark space in front of us, I think of something we haven’t discussed yet. “If we had gone through with the deal, were you thinking of staying on here?”
“Only as long as you needed me.” A twinkle is in his eye. “After that, I figured I might see if any places were available in Chicago.”
I lift my chin then and study his face. Sylvia lives in Chicago. It’s the closest we’ve ever come to him admitting his interest in her. Now I feel almost sorry our plans have changed. Those guys don’t have forever.
“We can talk more in the spring,” is as much as I’ll commit.
He nods and straightens, sliding his thumbs along his waistband. “Let’s head out in the morning around ten.”
“I’ll be there.”
Mariska is in better spirits by dinner. She emerges from the back in a short dress that ties at her neck, revealing her smooth, tanned shoulders. Her eyes are bright, and she seems calmer.