The Mill Creek cabin was
just as Casey had left it, even though it had been at least two years since
he’d been there. Cabin was probably a misnomer as it had three rooms plus a
full bath, but it was rustic and standing as it did in a large stand of trees
just outside the National forest the exterior melded into the surrounding
scenery.
Duke bayed in excitement
when he was let out of the SUV, bouncing about like the puppy he’d been a good
four years before. Casey watched in amusement before unloading everything he’d
brought with him, toting it into the cabin. The electricity was on, thanks to a
call to the man who checked on the cabin weekly to make certain no vandals had
decided to play games there.
After putting the perishable
food in the refrigerator and the rest on the shelves in the kitchen, Casey went
into the bedroom to unpack. When he’d finished he changed into comfortably worn
jeans and a flannel shirt and then went out to see what mischief Duke was
getting into. Apparently he’d decided to behave for the time being because he
was flopped down on the front porch just watching as a couple of chipmunks
capered around the small grassy area in front of the cabin.
Deciding that a quick lunch
was in order, Casey threw together a couple of sandwiches, munching on one as
he gathered together his fishing gear which was stored in one of the closets in
the main room. He finished part of the second one, went out onto the porch to
toss the rest to Duke, and then gear in hand and the bag slung over his
shoulder he headed down to the creek with Duke capering along beside him.
They walked along the creek
until Casey found the spot he’d been looking for. Depositing his gear on the
edge of the high bank, he readied his pole and cast the line into the
slow-moving water. Then he leaned back against the tree behind him, just
relaxing as he watched the bobber float.
“This is the life, boy,” he
said when Duke settled down, leaning against his thigh. “No problems, no
worries, just you, me and the open air.”
As he leaned over to get a
bottle of water from his bag a shot rang out and pieces of bark flew from the
tree right where his head had been resting seconds before.
“What the fucking hell,” he
cried out, jumping to his feet. “Hey, idiot, watch where you’re shooting. I’m a
human, the brown animal is a dog, and damn it it’s not hunting season!”
Duke bayed loudly, his head
swinging around as he tried to locate the scent of the shooter. Casey grabbed
his collar, ordering him to stay. “I don’t want the fool taking another shot,
thinking your God only knows what.” Duke quieted down and Casey listened to see
if he could hear the shooter. There was a brief rustling in the brush well off
to the east of them and then silence.
“Well that was fun, not,”
Casey muttered as he debated staying or returning to the cabin. “The hell with
it, he’s probably long gone by now,” he told Duke, the decision made. Settling
back down against the tree again he picked up the fallen pole and did his best
to relax and enjoy the rest of the afternoon.
* * * *
“And that was the sum extent
of the excitement,” Casey said in conclusion as he handed Bing a fresh beer.
“Other than that I did nothing but not catch fish and sleep and hike.”
“Sounds like a perfect time to
me, well except for the stupid hunter, or poacher probably, although why he’d
be doing that in broad daylight is a mystery.”
“Probably figured no one was
around, or it was just some kid testing out his new gun.” Casey took a long
pull on his beer. “Guess I should thank my lucky stars I moved when I did.”
Bing nodded in agreement
before asking, “Any word from Kathy?”
“From her lawyer you mean?
Not that I’ve been notified about. The only message I’ve gotten on the legal
front was my lawyer’s telling me my new will was ready to be signed.”
“Writing Kathy out?” Bing
asked, grinning widely.
“You bet.”
“Better be careful,” Bing
told him, chuckling, “that will make the rest of us a lot richer if you were to
die suddenly.”
“Hey, I’m hardly a
billionaire. Alma’s got more money than I do considering who she’s married to.”
“Good point. Hell none of us
is hurting when it comes down to it. We might not be wealthy but we’re not
going to the poorhouse any time soon either.”
Casey nodded in agreement
and yawned prodigiously.
“You, brother, had better
get to bed,” Bing said, finishing off the last of his beer.
“Planning on it, as soon as
I take Duke for his walk. I have to be bright and chipper in the morning for a
meeting with a diamond dealer from out of town.”
“Sounds like your sort of
fun. I’ll stick with what I know best, sporting goods. I should get moving
anyway. Sammy’s probably wondering if I ran off with some twink from the local
bar.”
“As if,” Casey said with a
laugh. “I’ve never seen a more devoted couple than the two of you. Tell him I
said ‘Hi’.”
“Will do.”
As soon as his brother had
left Casey whistled for Duke and they set off on their last walk of the day.
Then he collapsed into bed and fell into a dreamless sleep.
* * * *
Out today - Mélange
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