Chapter 6: Visitors

The signal repeaters required me to climb several trees, for which I was ill-prepared. But with the help of a ratchet strap combined with brute force and ignorance, I was able to place them and their small solar power sources as per instructions—as close to her recommended locations as possible. For the remainder of the week, I trekked around the canyon setting up perimeter alert systems and tiny day/night cameras with parabolic mikes. I also set up my game cameras around the hot spring. Being camouflaged they were easy to hide. Once they were set up and operational, I established my WIFI connection and programmed them for motion activation. I was eager to see the footage they captured.

I also paid a couple of visits to Gil, bringing him several bags of groceries strapped to Travis’ harness. He especially liked the coffee, canned beans, hash, soups and stews. Not being accustomed to dairy, bread, or eggs, he didn’t act as excited about them, even though he accepted it all the same. From then on, I made a point to load Travis up at least once a week and send him down to deliver the goods to his favorite hermit. He offered to trade me ridiculous amounts of gold dust and I flatly refused. I told him he was being taken advantage of by the neighboring landowner but he just shrugged and glibly informed me that he only traded the ‘small’ stuff.

As I was completing my countersurveillance project it began snowing. It was an early snow and not likely to stick around but still a stark message that Winter was coming. Travis was delighted with the falling flakes and ran about the clearing barking like an idiot as he jumped up and caught them. I just stood on the porch of my shanty with a cup of coffee watching his antics. Then he became distracted by something in the woods and trotted off to explore.

It dawned on me that I would eventually need to plow my road. The small blade on my Yanmar could suffice as long as it didn’t get too deep. But I decided to look into a plow attachment for the truck just to be ready for other contingencies. So, I took out my cell phone to research it and quickly found several local shops that sold and installed them. They ranged from simple to extravagant to ... holy crap that Boss XT was awesome! I was thumbing through the specs and salivating when I heard the distant scream.

It was definitely coming from the west canyon, was full of fear and outrage, and most certainly female. And Travis was nowhere to be seen. Oh God! I placed my cup back inside and grabbed my jacket as I headed across the clearing. I hadn’t even zipped it up before the great idiot came bolting through the underbrush and charging into the clearing with another garment in his maw. Covered with snow he almost looked like a super-sized Great Pyrenees.

“What have you done; you fool?” I growled as he pranced around me excitedly. “Give!” He jumped back from me defiantly and I struggled to put authority into my voice: “Now!” With a muffled huff, he dropped it into the snowy dirt and turned from me disdainfully, forcing me to walk over and collect it. It was a lady’s halter top. I heard another scream of rage, much closer this time. “Ah ... fuck!” I grumbled as Travis casually plopped down onto his haunches and sat there panting.

I had cut a small trail that led more directly to the west canyon than going up the road about a mile and branching back. It crossed the river via a massive cedar that had fallen across it long ago and the smaller tributary by several well-placed stones one could step on. It became worn enough by Travis and me that it was quite obvious in the snow. Especially with his bear-sized prints. Very soon I heard the cursing and angry voices approaching so I stepped forward to greet two lovely visions as they stumbled onto the clearing. One girl was older than the other and definitely more developed. Both wore skimpy bikini bottoms with thick towels wrapped around their shoulders and flip-flops on their feet. They were both brunettes though the eldest’s damp hair fell to her shoulder while the youngest’s was cut severely short and was plastered to her head in a pixie style. Both were stunningly gorgeous too. And very pissed.

“Is that your ... pervert dog?” the older one demanded.

I grunted with amusement. “Travis ain’t no pervert,” I said softly, “he just has a discerning eye for lady’s garments.” I held it out for her and she snatched it from my hand. As she did her towel fell away exposing one very, nice breast. She quickly covered herself and turned away. While she maneuvered it through her arms, beneath the towel, the younger girl looked around the clearing.

“Is this your place?” she asked.

“Yep.”

“I didn’t think anyone lived out here.”

“I just moved in.”

The older woman turned back, still glaring at me like I was somehow responsible. They looked miserable standing out in the freezing snow even though it was only an inch deep.

“Would you two like to come in and warm up for a bit?” I offered. “I can drive you over to your vehicle if you want.”

The older girl started to decline and suggested to her friend that they get back before they got stuck. But the younger girl caught her arm and smiled back at me. “Yes, please. That would be great,” she said brightly and pulled her scandalized partner back towards the door of the shelter as I led them inside. Travis made no move to join us.

I took them past the entryway into the kitchen/dining/living area. I indicated both the dining table and the sofa loveseat next to it. “Please make yourselves at home, I’ll get you some coffee.” Before that, I went back to my bedroom and grabbed two of my hoodies. I handed them each a sweater before turning to the coffee pot and grabbing two more cups. “So, you were over at the hot springs?”

They accepted the cups after donning the warm sweaters that fell well below their knees.

“Last Chance.” the pixie cut replied as she sipped her drink.

I looked at her curiously. “I’m sorry?”

“That’s what it’s called,” she replied, “I think it has to do with an old sign that the owner put up a long time ago.”

The older one pitched in, “It said ‘Last Chance’ and was put up by a ‘No Trespassing’ sign on the old gate. Someone tore it down and placed it by the pool. It stayed there a long time and that’s what we call it now. Then the sign disappeared.”

“I’m Jenny,” said the younger girl as she gripped her cup with both hands, “and this is Suzy.”

“Hi, I’m Carter,” I replied.

“Do you know the guy who owns the hot spring?”

I nodded. “Did, he’s the one who sold it to me.”

Both looked back at me with wide eyes. Then Jenny sputtered, “Wait. You mean you own this ... and...”

“I own the entire canyon.”

Both of their mouths dropped open in shock.

“What happened to old man Cassock, Casper, Call ... something-or-other?” asked Suzy.

“Carson,” I replied, “Tommy Carson. He died ... in prison. About a year ago.” I looked down to avoid their incredulous looks. “We were in the same cell block.” I could feel the unease suddenly creep into Suzy while Jenny just leaned forward curiously.

“What? You?” I looked back at her. “You don’t look like a convict.” she declared. Suzy looked over at her with eyes wide open and her mouth gaping.

“Ex,” I corrected, “and what is an ex-con supposed to look like?” I was amused by her innocent curiosity.

“Well ... I dunno. Tat’s I guess,” she twisted her mouth cutely, “all over your neck and hands.”

I laughed aloud and stood, pulling my sleeves up. “No ink on me. Sorry to crush that idea.” I turned and put my coffee cup on the table.