Avalanche (2 page)

“These are ready to go out, Trish, serve the sauce table
side.” Sharon ran the kitchen at Cliffhangers with precision and love. Every
employee, every dish, every spatula had a place and a reason for being there.
She couldn’t afford to waste time, or effort, as she served packed houses each
time she opened the doors.

Wiping her hands on an apron, she checked the oven where
three fresh loaves of her signature bread baked, before moving quickly to the
office.

“Okay, I’ve got three minutes. Show me.”

“Flowers or crystals?” Chelsea, Sharon’s best friend and
business partner, held up two magazines, each with a distinctive picture of a
wedding cake.

“Flowers. There’ll be enough crystals on the table
arrangements, and hanging from the ceiling. No need for your cake to compete,”
Sharon answered decisively.

“Good, you always make this so easy.” Chelsea flipped the
pages of one book quickly. “One more thing, do you like these invitations? Or
do you think it’s too much?”

“Love ‘em, and yes, it’s a bit much. But it’s your wedding,
the only one you’ll ever have. This much I do know, so get whatever you like.
Mac can afford it.” Sharon winked, as Chelsea frowned. She was so predictable,
and much too easy to tease.

“I’m paying for this, thank you very much,” she started to
protest, then saw the grin Sharon didn’t try to hide. “You’re such a witch,
Sharon Simmons. Get back in the kitchen.”

“On my way,” Sharon stopped when she heard the phone ring.
“Be a doll and answer that, would you? If it’s for a reservation, we’re booked
solid for the next three weeks.”

“Got it,” Chelsea smiled as she picked up the receiver.
Hearing that the restaurant was as successful as her B&B never got old.

“Cliffhangers,” she said brightly.

“Chelsea? This is Lila, is Sharon around?”

“Hi, Lila. Sure, but can she call you back? She’s in the
kitchen.”

“Actually, maybe you can help.” Lila’s voice dropped
conspiratorially. “There’s a friend of hers here, in the diner. I think she
needs help.”

“Who?”

“Pamela Rhodes. She hasn’t said anything to me, but she’s
shaking like a leaf, and she’s white as a sheet. I thought maybe Sharon could
come in, see about her. I’ve tried to get her to talk to me, but she just
smiles and says she’s fine. She is most definitely
not
fine!”

“Okay, I’ll see if Sharon can come in. If not, I will.
Sometimes talking to a stranger can help.”

“Whatever you can do, thanks. We’re closing up soon, but
I’ll keep the place open, until one of you gets here.”

“Okay, Lila. Thanks for calling.” Chelsea hung up, frowning.
Sharon was obviously too busy to leave. Maybe she could go and convince Pamela
to come here, or to the B&B to wait. Sharon wouldn’t be finished with the
dinner service for several hours yet.

Jotting Sharon a note, Chelsea gathered up the bridal
magazines and headed into the night.

~~~

“No, thanks, Lila, I think I’ve had enough coffee,” Pamela
covered the cup and tried to smile as she spoke. “I should really get out of
here, you’re closing.”

“Don’t you worry about that, hon. You can sit here as long
as you like. I’ve plenty to keep me busy.” Lila patted Pamela’s shoulder,
looking up when the door opened.

“Why, here’s Chelsea, have you two met yet? She and Sharon
own Cliffhangers and Cliffside. Chelsea here owns and operates that new
B&B, The Cliffs.”

“What? No, I don’t think so…” Pamela’s voice trailed off as
she tried to focus on the new arrival.

“Chelsea, come and meet Pamela. She and Sharon grew up
together.” Lila’s look told Chelsea right off not to let on that she’d called
her for help.

“Hi, Pamela! Sharon mentioned that an old friend of hers was
in town. It’s so nice to meet you!” Chelsea sat in the booth across from
Pamela, without an invitation. She could see how distraught the woman looked,
like she didn’t know which way to turn.

“Coffee?” Lila asked, the pot poised over the cup in front
of Chelsea.

“Please,” Chelsea smiled, not at all interested in caffeine
at this time of night.

“I’ll let you girls get acquainted. There’re two pots
soaking back there with my name all over ‘em.” Lila bustled away, after giving
Chelsea a knowing nod.

“I know it’s none of my business, but you look like you lost
your last friend. Can I help?” Chelsea poured sugar into the coffee she didn’t
intend to drink.

Pamela met Chelsea’s gaze and saw nothing but kindness and
concern reflected there.

“No, I don’t think so. But thanks.” Again, Pamela’s attempt
at a smile appeared more like a grimace.

 Chelsea smiled back, then glanced down at the woman’s hands
as she reached for her drink. Both of her hands were shaking so much, the cup
rattled when she picked it up.

Reaching over, Chelsea covered one of Pamela’s hands with
hers, stilling it for a moment.

“Pamela, I know you don’t know me from Adam, but it’s
obvious that something is really bothering you. Let me at least try and help,
please. If not me, then why not come back to the B&B with me? We’ll wait on
Sharon to finish up at the restaurant.”

Before Pamela could answer, a car driving down Main Street
backfired, causing Chelsea to jump, and Pamela to fall over in the booth,
covering her head as she dove.

Surprised by her over-the-top response, Chelsea was
speechless for several seconds.

“It’s okay, it was just a car. Pamela?” Chelsea watched as
the woman slowly rose from the bench, visibly trembling.

“Oh, my gosh, honey, it’s okay!” Chelsea didn’t hesitate to
go over and sit beside Pamela. Putting one arm around her, she kept a soothing
tone in her voice. “Whatever it is, you’re not alone. I’m here, Lila’s here,
you’re okay.”

“I’m so sorry! I’m such a mess!”

After weeks of holding it together, Pamela finally let go.
In the arms of a kind stranger, she dissolved into a jumble of tears and soft
sobs. It was too much. She’d been so strong, in LA, ignoring Chandler’s scare
tactics, arguing with the police, trying to get their protection, and then
finally uprooting her life and moving to Starsdale.

The past week without any contact from Chandler had been a
balm for her battered soul, giving her false hope that he was out of her life.
The phone call tonight, his menacing message, making her think he was close by,
hit her harder because she wasn’t expecting it. The lull of the past week
helped her breath, but it also let her put her guard down.

Chelsea held on tight, rocking the sobbing woman, while
softly crooning words of comfort. Whatever was wrong, it was obvious that she
was frightened. Chelsea knew a little something about living with fear.

Pamela grew quiet, after a time, and Chelsea let her go.
Handing her a napkin from the table, Chelsea waited while she got herself
together.

“Now then, why don’t we head up to the Cliffs? You can have
more privacy, and we’ll wait for Sharon to come over after work. You don’t have
to tell me what’s going on, but you should really talk to someone.”

“I know that you’re right,” Pamela surprised Chelsea by
giving her a genuine smile. “Sorry about the waterworks, I don’t know why I
broke down like that.”

“Sometimes, enough is enough. Believe me, I’ve been there. Why
don’t you ride with me? We can come back later and get your car. Or, you’re
welcome to stay the night at the B&B. I had a cancellation this afternoon,
so I have a room free. You think about it.” Chelsea stood, waiting for Pamela
to join her.

After a moment’s hesitation, Pamela stood, nodding silently.

“Bye, Lila, we’ll see you tomorrow,” Chelsea called as she
guided Pamela out of the door.

~~~

“How many Queens did you put in this deck?” Red grumbled as
Justin dragged the chips to his bulging pile.

“Only a couple extra,” Justin grinned, surprised that Red
had fallen for his bluff, yet again.

“That’s what I thought.” Red crossed his arms, wishing he
could have another beer, or something stronger. It wouldn’t do for the town
Sheriff to be driving drunk, or even a little inebriated.

“Hey, Red, are you still planning on replacing Bertha?” Mac
asked, trying to divert Red’s focus. It was obvious to everyone at the table
that their friend’s head was not in the game.

“Yeah, as soon as the insurance pays out. I miss her.”

“Not me, man. It’ll be a cold day in hell before I get into
a chopper again,” Robert stated casually, shuffling the deck. “I’m not even
ready to get on an airplane.”

“It’s only been a few weeks, that will pass,” Red assured
him. “I love the freedom that flying gives me, it’s like nothing else.”

“It’s not the flying that I mind, it’s that hard landing we
lived through. I still can’t believe we got out of that alive.” Robert looked
around the table. Everyone nodded their agreement.

“The fact that we’re all sitting here is a testament to
Red’s expert piloting,” Mac added. “That’s why I brought it up. We were talking
about other activities we could offer to tourists during the off-season. Why
not add helicopter rides? Red here could take them to Precipice Falls, do a
sightseeing tour, zip them back and forth to the airport, things like that.
What do you say, Red? Are you interested?”

“It might be hard to find time to shuffle tourists around
while I’m the Sheriff,” Red answered, thoughtfully. “Though it might work, if
we started out small. You’d have to agree, though, the town comes first. If I’m
needed elsewhere, the tourists will have to accept it.”

“I like that idea,” Justin started stacking his chips. “If
it takes off, maybe you can start your own business on the side. Hire another
pilot, for when you’re unavailable. If it really takes off, you could have two
choppers. We can help with that.”

“Yeah, sure we can,” Robert agreed. “There’s no law against
your running a business on the side, in addition to being Sheriff, right? This
could be a good opportunity for you.”

“That’s right, it’s something for you to think about. Even
though you and JB aren’t investors, we’d like to share the opportunities with
you, as well.” Mac nodded.

“Thanks, I’ll give it some thought,” Red answered, his
interest sparked. “Speaking of JB, can you believe he’s missing the game for a
sick puppy? Sounds like an excuse to me, after the spanking we gave him last
week.”

“That’s what I thought,” Justin laughed. “I told him he
could bring the dogs, but he said Sharon wouldn’t let him drive with Cocoa, not
so soon after her surgery.”

“What was wrong with her, did they have her spayed? I
thought they were going to let them make babies.” Robert dealt the next hand.

“They are,” Mac told them. “I’m not sure what was wrong, but
Cocoa’s going to be fine. JB said he’d save his retribution for next week.”

“I look forward to it. But that’s then, this is now. Ante
up, boys.”

~~~

“This is really beautiful,” Pamela managed, as Chelsea led
her through the private entrance of the B&B. She’d been silent on the way
over, and Chelsea hadn’t pushed.

“Thanks, its home. Come on in, how about a glass of wine?”
Flipping on lights as she went, Chelsea brought Pamela to her private sunroom.
“We can relax in here, until Sharon comes.”

“Thanks, I’d love one,” Pamela said gratefully. “I hate to
be such a bother. You’re being very kind.”

“You’d do the same for me, I’m sure. And it’s no bother. Any
friend of Sharon’s, and all that. Red or white?”

“White, please.”

“Have you eaten? I could heat up some leftovers. Sharon
keeps my fridge full.”

“No, but I don’t think I could eat a thing, thanks. How long
have you known Sharon?” It was the first attempt at conversation that Pamela
could muster. She felt terrible that she was such bad company.

“We met in college. I moved here several months ago, after
my mom died. Sharon was my rock, for a while. I don’t know what I would have
done without her.”

“Sorry about your mom, that’s tough.”

“Yes, it is. Do your parents still live here, in Starsdale?”

“No, they both passed several years ago. I kept the house,
though. Mainly because I didn’t have time to get up here and deal with it. Now,
I’m glad to still have it.”

“I’m sorry about your parents. It’s so hard to feel like
you’re on your own. Being an orphan, even as an adult, is a hard thing to cope
with.”

“And it’s not something that everyone gets. Unless you’re
one of us,” Pamela smiled, feeling closer to Chelsea.

“That’s true, it’s a sad club, but what are you going to
do?” Chelsea smiled back. “I’ll get us that wine. Tomorrow, if you stay over,
I’ll give you a tour.”

“I’d like that.” Pamela took in the cheery sunroom while
Chelsea was gone. It was obvious that her home was designed for comfort. The
room invited you to sit, relax, enjoy. It wasn’t a showplace, daring anyone to
touch, like some of the places she’d visited.

“I called Sharon to let her know that you’re here. She said
that she’d be up soon. Between us, I think she was glad to have an excuse to get
out of cleaning up.” Chelsea smiled warmly as she handed Pamela the glass.

“I hate to bother you both…” Pamela began, but Chelsea
stopped her.

“That’s enough of that. You’re no bother, Pamela, really.
That’s what friends are for, right? Even though we just met tonight, something
tells me we’re going to be great friends.”

“Thanks. I could use a few of those.”

“How long have you been away from Starsdale?” Chelsea tried
to keep the conversation going. Pamela seemed calmer since they’d arrived home.

“Over ten years, I guess. I left for college, and never
really came back home, except for holidays. I’ve been living in LA.” She
stopped then, not wanting to get into it yet.