Chapter 7
Written and illustrated
By Elaine Troisi
Caroline looked at Tim’s worried face.
Again, she asked, “Please tell me who they are, or I will call the Mounted Police!”
He grabbed her hand tightly, still watching the man at the barn door. “Caroline, promise me you won’t do that.” His voice was hoarse. “Shh. Now.”
Caroline realized Tim was every bit as frightened as she was.
Everything grew quiet around them.
Seconds ticked by.
The stranger fumbled with the lock.
Suddenly, a moose crashed through the forest, far too close for comfort. Caroline jerked her hand free, prepared to run. The animal was enormous.
“Just stand still, Caroline.” Tim caught her arm and pulled her back beside him. “He’s on his way to the wetlands by the river. I’ve seen him before. He won’t hurt us.”
“If you say so,” she whispered, trying to calm herself.
The moose burst from the trees with surprising speed. The stranger at the barn door spun around. He froze for a second, then bolted back to the car.
In the blink of an eye, they were gone.
Tim and Caroline remained motionless, listening as the sound of the engine faded into the distance.
Gradually, their breathing slowed as the fear released its grip.
Then Tim said lightly, “You know I planned the moose’s arrival in the nick of time, don’t you?”
Caroline laughed despite herself. “If you say so.”
“May I walk you to your door, Madame?”
“More lemonade?” she offered as they crossed the yard.
“I don’t think so. It’s late. I want to check the lock. And you have a busy day tomorrow preparing for your dad’s arrival.”
He paused at the cottage door and opened it for her.
“And I’m looking forward to meeting him. “Sleep well, Caroline.”
She was about to say, “Goodnight to you, too, Tim.”
But he was already gone.
Once again, the old house settled as Caroline climbed into bed. Her mind was not quite ready for sleep. She had questions—lots of questions. Why was Tim avoiding the answers? For some reason, though, she trusted him. Maybe it was because he had stepped in front of her protectively when the moose appeared, almost on cue.
A smile crossed her lips, and she drifted off to sleep.
In the morning, she carried her coffee out to the barn. Tim had indeed replaced the lock. He didn’t appear to be around.
It surprised her that she was disappointed.
“Hmm,” she murmured.
She sat on the patio with her second cup of coffee. It was another warm day, unusual for a Nova Scotia spring. Birdsong filled the air as she enjoyed the morning.
It wouldn’t take long to make dinner since all the prep work was done. She hoped it would stay warm and dry because she had decided they would dine on the patio and enjoy the rack of lamb beneath another full moon.
She was spreading ganache over the hot milk sponge cake, her father’s favorite, when Tim appeared at the door.
“Here,” she said, handing him an apron. “You can prepare the potatoes. Do you know how?”
He laughed. “So now I’m the sous chef? Where is my toque blanche? I can’t be a sous chef without my white hat.”
Caroline smiled broadly, impressed that he knew what a toque blanche was.
“Just a sec,” she said, leaving the kitchen.
When she returned, she handed him a baseball cap.
“This will have to do.”
“If you say so, Chef.”
“The herbs are being refreshed in an ice bath, and so are the potatoes. Everything is ready for the sous chef to arrive.”
She laughed.
“And here you are, just in the nick of time.”
In no time the cake was dressed and in her mother’s cut ware cake stand the potatoes were ready for the oven, perfectly prepared.
“Nice work, Tim.”
She looked at her watch. “He should be here any minute now. Would you like to stay and meet him now?”
As Tim removed apron and cap, he said,” Caroline, I think this is the time for you to catch up with your dad.” He hung the apron and cap on the peg in the pantry. I'll come back at 6:30 to prepare the lamb for the oven. I suggest you put the potatoes in about an hour before.”
“Yes, Chef!” She was about to salute, but Tim was already gone.
Just then, she heard a car pull in the front driveway, next to hers.
Her heart quickened . Was it them?
Then her dad entered the kitchen. Relieved, she ran to him. “Daddy, I missed you!” she exclaimed.
“And I missed you, honey!”
An hour later, they sat in the sun, enjoying iced lemonade with freshly crushed basil.
“Ahh, Caroline, I forgot how good it feels to be here. The beauty and the clean air. Just amazing.” He leaned back in the chair.
They sat in silence for a bit, just enjoying one another and the wilderness surrounding them.
“Are you mad at me for sending you up here on your own. And such a long drive to make all alone.” There was guilt in his voice.
“Don't be silly, daddy. I'm a grown woman, and until I grow wings, I will always choose to drive.” She looked into his eyes. “So rid yourself of the guilt. I could never be angry with you anyway.” She stood and put her arms around his neck and kissed his forehead repeatedly until he burst into laughter.
“Stop already!”
“So you are not too lonely? No high tech. No TV. No malls and museums. And no theater! That’s gotta’ hurt!”
Smiling, she added, “No pollution, no traffic exhaust, no city noise, no crowds. I love it here, Daddy. I thought I'd be lonely, but I'm not. Really.”
“Okay then” He paused. “I know I just got here, but it's been especially demanding at work, and, well, if there’s time before dinner, I could use a soak in that big old clawfoot tub and maybe take a short nap, too. Do you mind?”
“Of course, I don't mind.” She noticed for the first time how much older he looked. “Have you given thought to retiring?”
“Me, retire? No, no, no, Caroline!” He held her face in his hands, his big blue eyes bright. “Not while I still love what I do! And not until there are no bad guys left for me to catch. Capiche?”
“Okay, daddy, I get it! But you are denying your only daughter the opportunity of arranging the biggest retirement party ever.” She smiled, “Capiche?”
As he climbed the stairs, Caroline shouted after him, “I'll call you 30 minutes before dinner. Did you bring your tux?”
Ned muttered something, but she couldn't quit hear. But it sounded like,” Tux, my ass!” She uttered a sound. Was it a giggle?
She went out to the patio. Finishing her lemonade. She mused, I think I'm happy.” Then the voice in her head said,”but the day isn't over yet.” Caroline frowned.
Tim returned while she was assembling the salad. Caught her off guard. She jumped, drizzling a bit of dressing on the counter.
“I didn't mean to frighten you, Caroline.” He sounded sincere.
“I'm fine, but you have work to do," she pointed to the rack of lamb, now at room temperature and ready for the seasoning. “The potatoes are out, staying warm on stovetop. And the oven is set for 425. Here is the fresh herb blend with lots of garlic.” She paused and noticed he was smiling.
“You look nice,” she said lightly.
“I was about to say the same to you.” He was still smiling.
He set about the lamb, apron and baseball cap on. Caroline had to smile, though she tried to hold it in.
“I forgot to ask your preference for wine. Well, I did, but …”
“I like Merlot.”
“That’s great because it's already breathing.”
She left him alone in the kitchen while she went upstairs to get her dad. She found dressed for dinner, in a tux, sound asleep. How she hated to wake him.
Just then, he said sleepily,” You admiring my tuxedo?”
She laughed. “You got me there, Daddy.”
“I'll be down in a few.”
I’m n the kitchen, the roasted rack was resting on the counter and Tim was carrying out the the salad. Also on the tray was the cold asparagus with her special dressing.
By the time her dad came outside, Tim was uncorking a bottle of Pinot Grigio. He stopped when he saw Ned in the doorway.
Approaching him, he extended his hand, “Nice to meet you, Sir.”
Ned slapped him on the shoulder with one and shook hands with the other. “Of course I know who you are, Tim McAfee. I hired you to look after the property and make repairs.” He smiled broadly.
Tim was staring at the tuxedo. His smile dimmed, “Sorry, but I left my tux at home, Ned. Is it okay if I call you Ned?”
“The tuxedo is a joke, to make my daughter laugh, that’s all.”
“Okay, gentlemen, may I present our first course. Sweet kale salad with roasted beets and goat cheese.” She paused. “I planned on feta, but the market didn't have it.” There were no disapproving glances. “Next is chilled asparagus with a lime garlic dressing. So, let’s eat!”
“I'm starving,” Tim and her father said simultaneously. Everyone laughed.
They toasted, ate, and exchanged pleasantries.
Then came the savory second course, which Caroline explained was all Tim’s doing. It was exquisite. The lamb was cooked to perfection as were the roasted carrots and potatoes.
“Umm, how interesting that both of you are excellent chefs!” he exclaimed, as he stuffed one last chop. “It's also interesting that you found a deep wood butcher who knows how to French a lamb rack!”
After dinner they sat outside for one last glass of wine. Caroline told a modified version of how while on a hike in the woods, Tim saved her from a dangerous moose. Ned laughed so hard that he nearly rolled out of his chair.
“It's getting a little cool. How about we continue inside over cake and coffee?” she suggested as they cleared the table.
“Sure,” Ned said, “but first Tim and I need to go over some repair estimates.”
Caroline noticed the glance they exchanged.
Curious and a bit suspiciousq, she watched until they entered the barn.
She reached the barn quickly. Fortunately for her, they left the barn door partly open.
At first, she heard only muffled voices.
Then Tim’s voice rose.
“You told me it was safe.”
Her father said something she couldn’t make out.
“I’m telling you, Tim, it was safe.”
“No.” Tim sounded angry now. “It was safe until that car showed up.”
Silence.
Caroline edged closer.
“They found me.”
“You’re not sure of that.”
“The hell I’m not. But, we, saw the men!”
Another pause.
Caroline leaned closer to the opening.
Then Tim spoke again, his voice lower this time.
“If they found me, they’ll find her too.”
Caroline froze.
Her?
Who was “her”?
Was it Caroline? Someone else? A wife? A daughter?
“Keep your voice down,” her father warned.
“You promised me no one would ever find me.”
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