Page 58 of No Man Left Behind

Huh. Elina hadn’t really thought about what a sawmill entailed. “How did the mill work?”

Graham laughed. “Now you’ve done it. Aisling will talk about the mill for hours.”

Elina grinned. “Sounds like fun.”

And it was. Where the wings extended to the sides of the barn, a huge saw blade hung from the ceiling. Aisling explained how the mill worked and showed them several of the projects she was working on.

Graham beamed with pride. “Aisling is upgrading the lodge, and she also takes commissions for restored and handmade furniture.” He pulled out his phone to show them pictures of her work.

“You’re incredibly talented, Aisling. I think I recognize that desk from my room at the B&B.”

Cheeks pink, Aisling smiled. “Carl and Jim love to include both recreations and original pieces in their rooms. Now, let’s have a look through the piles to see what we can find for you to use for now. You can always upgrade later.”

The vast building had enough room for Aisling’s work area and Graham’s mechanic shop, as well as piles and piles of pieces from the past. Windows and doors. Stacks of wood. Workbenches. Tables and chairs. And several desks.

They found a table and a half-dozen chairs for the break room, along with a couple of desks and a few picture frames Elina couldn’t wait to fill.

Marcus hoisted his pack again. “Even Tansy’s hotbox probably doesn’t keep forever. Let’s get going before we all starve to death.”

The dogs, Willow and Spike, were named after characters in another television show Elina needed to add to her watch list. She wished they’d brought Finn to romp with these two. They led the way to a trail that walked through the heart of the woods. The trees burned with reds, oranges, and golds, along with vibrant greens. Marcus smiled at the sight around them. “Believe it or not, the colors will be even better in another week. Not all the trees change at the same time.”

“It’s magical. Hard to believe it’s going to be even brighter. There aren’t many maple trees out west, so I’ve never seen such gorgeous variety.”

When the trail opened up to show a huge lodge in front of a large lake, she was sure she looked like one of her cartoons. Her mouth had to have dropped open. “It’s stunning. And huge.” Was everything here larger than her expectations?

The deck that looked over the lake held several tables, including one large enough for about twenty people. When the group sat around it for lunch, they filled nearly every spot.

It reminded her of the communal meals she’d enjoyed in several of the countries where she’d lived. Marcus nudged her shoulder. “What good thoughts are you thinking?”

She smiled. “I was remembering meals like this in Suraih and other places. That sense of community isn’t everywhere, but it’s certainly here.”

“Do I sense a comic or two emerging from this trek?”

He knew her so well. “You do. This is an inspiring group.”

Josie placed a jug of water on the table. “Coming from you, that’s a huge compliment. I love your work as Paxi.”

Elina’s skin flushed. This was Josie Ellis. Painter. Sketch artist extraordinaire. Sculptor. “I’m a huge fan of yours as well. The dancing statue you created in Sacramento is one of the best things I’ve ever seen, and I’ve only seen it online. You’re so talented. She breathes life and hope.”

Josie’s smile held a sad vibe. “Thank you. She’s one of my favorites.”

“I used her as inspiration for a couple of my comics.”

Josie’s face lit up. “Seriously? Wait. The ones with the swans? I loved them but I never made the connection until now. Thank you. And thank you for spreading peace and love with your art.”

Elina blinked back tears at the kind words from a woman she admired so much.

Love and laughter filled the room as the conversation bounced from the burgeoning tourist groups to the progress on Marcus’s station to an arson case Bella was investigating.

They were cleaning up when Marcus’s phone beeped with an alert at the same moment as Tansy’s. They shared a look, and Elina’s heart thumped hard. Marcus’s face darkened, and she took his hand. “What is it? What’s wrong?”

Marcus showed her his phone. “Tansy’s drone has spotted a car on the road near the woods where we’ve found the cigarette butt and other evidence.”

Tansy nodded. “It’s a black SUV. Graham, can you tell the kind from an aerial view?”

He checked her phone and nodded. “That’s a Nissan Rogue. Two years old. Is there anyone in it? Can you fly the drone lower to get a license plate?”

Marcus stood. “I’ve texted Troy. He’s going to check it out, but I need to leave.”

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