Hell and Determination (9 page)

She was pleased with the warm decor, cream, apricot white, and golden fern. Warm terracotta curtains hung from the large expanse of window overlooking the lake.
Crystal chandeliers complimented the ceiling in dining room and lounge; she had gone to town and hoped it would pay her back in the near future.
                       Ben arrived back at the cabin hoping to creep in before Mike was awake, what a shock when the young waitress came fumbling through the door carrying her shoes, her face crimson has she came face to face with Mikes brother. ‘Slept on the settee’, she muttered before placing the shoes on her feet.
Mike was out for the count, and he couldn’t help but smile realizing this was the first time he had ever ventured so far on his own maybe the lad was growing up at last.

 
                                                     CHAPTER TWELVE
Ben drove down the mountain trail Jo beside him recalling the week’s events, the Cabin with its constant flow of guests bustling at the seams conscientious as always striving to achieve the best for her clientele.
He knew she felt edgy this was her first time back to the dwelling where she had spent her childhood days. Her Pa could be seen carrying some furniture to the waiting pick-up,
Betsy waving excitedly as they approached.
Jo glanced towards the river some things never changed there were times when she cursed the rapids for all that seemed bad in her life, welcomed the cool cascade in the heat of summer, prayed she could be a part of the current has it progressed down the mountain trail searching for release has it reached the open sea. Now her Pa was leaving and for some small reason that saddened her.
She laughed has Ben gently dinged her ribs bringing her back to reality ,in jeans and cool cotton check shirt her hair tied back in a rubber band, she approached Betsy whose arms were full of pots and pans.
The couple was excited eager to make their home in town, a small town house just on the outskirts. Has much has Jake Broughton loved the mountain valley he had to admit he was getting no younger and his Betsy made him feel alive again.
His heart sank as he watched Jo, wondering if she shared the same thoughts, if only things could have been different he placed the heavy box on the ground, walked towards his daughter and for the first time since that day back at the hospital tears rolled down his cheeks as he steered her to the side of the river. “We need to talk,” he said his arm resting firmly around her shoulder.
Jo couldn’t speak for emotions ran too high so she listened as her Pa vented out the release of locked up bitter pain, not pain for his Anna but the turmoil he fought within himself for the way he had ruined her sweet childhood days, both knew as they struggled to come to terms with the past that they could not turn back the clock but this was the next best thing.
Jo clung to his shoulders has he started to sing, something she had never heard him do before.” For men may come and men may go but I go on forever, That old man river he just keeps rolling along.”
“I want this place kept in the family,” he declared “I would be pleased if you could turn it into one of your new projects, Betsy will catch no harm and she agrees it’s in a wonderful position, what do you say?
“What about Lydia and Giles? She asked concerned, wouldn’t they want to be part of this project?
“We’ll find out after dinner, have asked for a family meeting.”
Giles wasn’t sure what to say has his Pa talked about the prospects of the new project, he had never dealt with business of this nature and wouldn't know where to start.
“I’ll be the benefactor, have enough at one side to start the business rolling would need a good accountant. That’s where you come in Giles I know your excellent with figures, and would be a great asset to the scope of this venture.”
                               “I remember it was one of your best subjects Giles's but never realized you had achieved so much,” Jo announced delighted with the news.
“I only hope one day I can put it too good use, the logging company didn’t give much scope for figures.” Giles laughed directing his words to Ben.
                               “Then why am I paying the bloody earth for an accountant when we have one in the family,” Ben argued too everyone’s delight.
“I could help with the designs,” Lydia declared delighted at long last the family were united.
Betsy filled the small dining table with pies sausage rolls sandwiches and assortment of small cakes bustling about proud to have a family she could cook for, wondering if there would be a role she could play in this small dynasty, she wasn’t about to give in to pension age just yet, and she had no doubt Jake would keep himself busy if only to advise everyone else.
                      Ben had plans of his own; he watched has Jo absorbed the genuine enthusiasm of family discussion’s waiting for the arrival of Mike before he would announce what he believed to be the most important day of his life. He had already discussed his feelings with Jake and knew he would be delighted but this time it would be Jo’s decision.
Jo was indeed surprised has Mike arrived smartly dressed, wondering if this new relationship was going to be the making of him for he had certainly matured over the last few weeks.
                      She glanced towards Ben has her Pa nodded in his direction, he seemed nervous fiddling with the collar on his shirt, boy he was a handsome figure his blonde curls resting in the nape of his neck, the breadth of his shoulders the solid expanse of muscle on those arms and thighs all six feet of warm affection.
                    His eyes searched for a little encouragement taking in the beauty of this woman whom he had grown to love over these last few years. “ Jo, I ask before everyone present if you would do me the honour of becoming my wife,”  he fiddled in his pocket for the ring Betsy had helped choose, smiling at Jo with such warmth she found it impossible to say no even if there had been the slightest doubt,  though a little time to adjust would be welcomed.
                    Jo’s heartfelt ready to burst with the pride and joy that consumed her has family admired the ring on her finger, and congratulations echoed around the small living room.
At last her life had taken shape and she was ecstatic at the way everything was turning out.
                  Progress was being made all legal matters attended to building permission had been granted.  She watched has the Cabin had been demolished Pa had kept his distance and she certainly couldn't blame him, they stood in silence watching has each log was dismantled a large portion of their life laid to rest.
The day had seemed long and the night drawing in hung heavy with cloud and drizzle, the drive home seemed endless all she could think of was a warm bath soaking in a mixture of oil and relaxing bath salts. She had just passed Bens cabin and nearing the bend when an almighty thud sent the front wheels careering down the embankment. Jo held on tight to the steering wheel has her foot came down hard on the brake, under the circumstances there was little else she could do, the bonnet of the jeep smashed up in front of the windscreen,
The grinding of metal on rock before the mighty thud that seemed too disintegrate the radiator sending an infusion of vapour and steam from the engine.
Under the circumstances she felt in control has she climbed from the steaming wreck, the slight slope of rocks and ferns rising before her, God how fortunate she had been a little further round the bend it would have been a different story were the rock face declined sharply down the rugged mountain.
She struggled trying to climb as the wrenching pain made her realize her ankle had broken again. What could have caused the mighty thud she thought as the dilemma of the situation started to sink in, she maneuvered her body up the embankment the pain intensifying has she ascended, progress slow, crawling with her leg dragging behind.
                                           Mike strolled the mountain pass his coat collar pulled up against the drizzling rain whistling has he made his way to the Lodge where is girlfriend would be ready to finish her afternoon shift. He stopped short has the yelping of an injured animal caught his attention, at first he didn’t know what to make of the beast lying in the undergrowth. Blood oozing from the gash in his side, he had never seen a dog this size before.
He wasn’t sure what to do, fear could create hostility.
He leaned over towards the suffering donkey ready to stroke the monsters head, when stirring on the other side of the track made him freeze, all that became visible was a pair of grubby hands clinging desperately to the grass.
“Jesus mother and Joseph “Mike called out has her head became visible from the undergrowth. “What in God’s name are you doing down there,” he asked shocked to the core, doing his best to ease her body to an upright position before realizing the extent of her injuries.
“Boy am I glad to see you” Jo remarked relieved that she was safe, “Do you have your phone handy.”
Mike searched his pocket hoping that the darn thing would have a signal; Ben was just about ready to shower when he left. The phone rang crackling in the background has Ben answered, “Hi, just move your butt will you were in trouble on the track.” that’s all he could manage to say has the phone went dead.
Ben didn’t know what to make of the call has he grabbed his jeans hopping and skipping around trying to put them on, with the sweater pulled over his head he left the cabin, the truck was in the drive and started first time.
He hadn’t travelled far when Mike appeared flagging him down he hit the brakes taking in the situation, Jo resting on the side of the banking Mike hovering over something in the ditch.
“What the hell,” Ben murmured leaning over to assess the situation her ankle trebled in size, “I hit a dog of some kind,” Jo muttered pointing to the wounded animal.
“Let’s get you safely in the truck first,”Ben acknowledged, calling too Mike for assistance, “we’ll put the dog in the back has for the four wheel drive that can wait till morning.”
Boy how lucky she’d been he admitted taking in the scene down the slope of the mountain.
“We’ll go for the regional hospital in Trail,” Ben decided heading back down the mountain pass trying to find Jakes number on his mobile.
Mike laid in the back of the pick-up the dog’s head settled comfortably on his lap, “Wonder where you came from? He asked questioningly, the animal staring back with those dark puppy dogs’ eyes.
It was early morning by the time Jo was allowed to leave, her leg plastered too the knee again, “Well I won’t need to worry about you for a while,” Ben smiled as he helped her into the pickup.” You won’t be going far for a few weeks.”Ah Ah, not funny,” Jo acknowledged trying to make herself comfortable, her shoulder and neck giving her a lot of jip  the top of her arm feeling as though it had been restricted in an elastic band.” I wonder how the hound is doing, she enquired.
“According to Mike he’ll be fine, just a few stitches, and would you believe he’s only a pup no more than nine month the vet reckons and already twenty eight inches to the shoulder, what's puzzling is no one as reported him missing and according to the vet he’s not had a decent meal in weeks.”
“Then what will happen to him, Jo asked feeling sorry for the brute that could have caused a lot more than he intended.
“Well I was thinking he would keep you company, till his owner could be traced, what do you think? He asked playfully.
“I think, I need a few hours kip before I answer that one.”
“Ok, sure.” he answered knowing darn well what the answer would be, and also pretty sure no one was going to come forward and claim him or they would have reported him before now.
                           Ten o'clock the following morning Ben returned from the vets the hound by his side in the pick up his head already touching the roof, enough food and blankets to keep him warm and fed for a month. Jo had slept well after the painkillers he persuaded her to take, feeling much better this morning leaving her too rest on the makeshift bed with a fine view of the lake.
Carlos had offered to cook for the wounded soldier, and Mike’s girl more than happy to fit in with the family. He would spend the night in his own bed tonight convinced she would make a full recovery, the temptation of sharing her bed not an option not for a few weeks.
Jo felt the excitement rise has Ben pulled up on the car park with the hound in tow. Barnaby that’s what she would call him, and pray nobody would come forward to claim him.
               Within days of being with his new owner Barnaby had become part of the family, never leaving her side. Ben had come to walk him twice a day, and at the same time checking on Jo who had appeared to make a remarkable recovery apart from the ankle which would need time to heal. The Jeep was in the garage being repaired miraculously little damage had been caused.
           Cold winter months were almost upon them the grey sky hung heavy with snow.
The lodge still maintained a steady flow of customers, mostly sightseers, and a few weddings, though she had good reason to believe there would be more bookings when the snow covered the mountains. Barnaby strolled behind has Jo made her morning rounds, still hobbling around with a rubber foot on the plaster, He seemed proud of his new owner keeping close has she introduced him to some of the new clients always pleased to give him attention.
That night they settled before the wood burning stove that he had stocked for the night, content with one another's company their stomachs full with the evening meal Carlos had served, the dog happy too spread out in the corner on his fluffy blanket.
Ben awakening the passion she had controlled since the accident ,her distinctive fragrance filling his senses his hands eagerly savouring the gentle curves of her body, the passion in those eyes encouraging his every  move ,the silky feel of her sex beneath the gentle strokes of his fingers ,caressing the very core striving to explore  the depths of her desire.
Jo never failed to be captivated with this man, tonight the intensity of emotion that claimed to send her over the edge tormented her very soul, he wouldn't give in, driving her beyond anything she thought possibly ,such desire an eagerness to be a part of this man to be filled with every inch of his being the intoxication in his eagerness to fill the depth of her core, such hunger has he urged the passion forward filling her with such intense  ecstasy, her emotional cries brought  Barnaby too attention ,but not before Ben shouted out in the thralls of passion.