Page 8 of Aspen Heat
"Why did you change your mind?"
"I missed home. Yes, I saw the world and had some adventures. Some scarier than others, but my home and family were calling to me."
"Does your family live here in Black Timber Peak?"
"My grandparents do. When I told them about my work in the fire department and how wonderful it was living with such a close-knit community, they followed me here. The rest of my family lives in another mountain town called Hunter's Peak in Colorado."
"Oh wow."
"What about you? Where was home before coming to the Black Timber Peak Mountains?"
She goes silent and a shuttered look crosses her features. Shit, I touched a nerve without meaning to. In my defense, this woman seems all nerves since I met her.
"I don't have a happy family story to tell."
"I'm sorry, Mel. We've only just met, but I was hoping to get to know you better."
I don't know why those words come out from my mouth, but they do. Do I want to find out more about this woman that has caused me nothing but trouble? My eyes roam over her curvy figure and that fiery red hair that matches her temper. Maybe I do want to know her better.
"My previous life was a nightmare. My husband, ex-husband now, was abusive and I literally had to run away from home to start a new life after I finally got him to sign the divorce papers. I changed my name and everything."
"Your name is not Melissa?"
"It is. I just changed my last name, because my first name reminds me of my mother who had the same name."
"How long were you married?"
"The longest five years in the existence of mankind."
Her lips curve a little as if giving a small smile, but it's quickly replaced again by a thin-lipped mouth that shows me how bitter she is about her past relationship.
"I'm glad you got out."
"This town, this mountain, means more to me than you can imagine. For the first time I've been able to be myself and be free. I don't want to lose all the things that I've worked so hard for."
"I understand."
The truth is, part of me understands, but I could never know what it's like to be abused by the person that's supposed to love you above all others. I'm suddenly outraged on Melissa's behalf and vow to help her keep living that life of freedom she has worked so hard for.
We finally get to the first house on our list. It's a large cabin and it's supposed to house a couple with three children. As soon as we get out of the car there are little faces glued to the window waving to us.
I knock on the door and a thirty something woman opens the door. I tell her we're from the fire department and that we want to make sure they are organized and ready to leave if it comes to it because of the fires coming down the mountain.
She invites us inside and offers refreshments. We go through the same routine at every single house we stop at during the afternoon. I can't help but notice that Mel is enchanted by children. At every stop she pays attention to them and helps them be at ease, telling them about evacuation procedures –-a talk we had while driving toward the houses-– in a simple, no-nonsense way to get the children on board.
When we are finished and on our way to Ms. Vivian's house I decide to ask her about her job at the school.
"What do you teach?"
She seems surprised at the question and sort of shrugs awkwardly.
"I teach Spanish. Arts and crafts when there's no one to teach it. But it's mostly eight- to ten-year-olds."
"You have the magic touch with children. I saw it today as we visited all the homes. You were amazing."
Her cheeks turn pink and she lowers her eyes as if embarrassed.
"I might get a group of teenagers next year. I just have to finish my master's online."
