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The house looked the same. A little dusty, but like nothing had moved or was out of its place. Just as it looked the day she left.
Ever ran her hand over the back of the leather couch, the softness of the leather inviting you to sit and stay awhile. She rounded the couch and stopped to look at the sketch above the hearth. She smiled, knowing how much her father loved that sketch and always said it was one of his prized possessions. Picking up a framed photo off the mantle, she grinned. She and her father were on horseback after a trail ride. She was around 12 years old and loved nothing more than their time riding together. Her heart swelled at their happy faces in the picture. It was a simpler time, a time before animosity clouded their relationship. A time when she thought her dad hung the moon.
Suddenly, an overwhelming feeling of trespassing washed over her, and her father’s harsh and hurtful words rang in her ear. If you think this place is not good enough for you, leave! Go and don’t even think of coming back!
Ever could still feel the excruciating burn of his words and see the anger and disappointment on his face. Closing her eyes, she took in a deep breath, letting it escape in a long-pained exhale.
“Are you okay?” Bea asked, a look of concern on her face.
“Yes, sorry.” she replied, shaking her head to wipe the memory from her forethought. “Just a lot of memories.”
Bea gave her a knowing smile and silence filled the room as the pair stood there together in silent reflection. Breaking the silence, Bea asked, “How long do you plan to stay?”
Ever turned to her friend and replied, “My plan is until after the September long weekend. So just over four months.” she answered. “Hopefully by then I will have made a decision about Prairie Sky.”
“I know you will make the right decision.” Bea reassured as the pair made their way back into the entrance and down the hall to the kitchen at the back of the house.
The retro kitchen was bright and spacious, with butcher block countertops and white wooden cabinets with black wrought iron handles. Against the far wall, a navy-blue vintage style gas stove stood with a copper hood vent overhead. To the right of the stove a copper double farmhouse sink, and a navy-blue vintage refrigerator. Lace curtains embroidered with cheerful daisies framed the large kitchen window over the sink and looked out over the farmyard. A large, weathered pine kitchen table with six chairs occupied the remaining open space. Ever smiled, taking in the welcoming country kitchen she had always loved so much.
“I have stocked the fridge, freezer, and cupboards, so you should have everything you need. I also made you a fresh pitcher of sun tea, just how you like it, with lemon and sugar.” Bea explained, flashing her a sweet smile, then continued. “I have spoken to your father’s farmhand who will meet with you tomorrow morning to go over the farm business and give you a lay of the land.”
“Sounds good and thank you.”, she nodded as a yawn escaped with her reply. Bea put her hand on her shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze.
“You must be exhausted after all that driving. Let me leave you to settle in and get a good night’s sleep. The bedding is fresh, and you should sleep well. I hope you don’t mind the quiet city girl!” Bea joked with a sassy sideways smirk.
“I think I can handle it.” Ever laughed tiredly. “Honestly, the quiet seems pretty great right now.”
Ever and Bea made their way back to the front door. “Lunch tomorrow at the Eazy?” Bea asked, her eyebrow raised in question.
“Yes, sounds like a plan,” Ever agreed, bringing her friend in for another hug.
With a bright smile, Bea embraced her, then moved into the hallway, opening the front door. Ever watched as she hopped down the porch steps to her bright blue Toyota truck, exclaiming. “See you tomorrow!”
Starting up her truck, Bea gave Ever a quick two finger wave as she rolled down the driveway towards the road.
Ever closed the door, and breathed deeply, the eerie silence of the house almost deafening. Turning, Ever entered the living room flicked on the lamps, making shadows cast on the walls. Surveying the room once more, she strode down the hall to the already brightly lit kitchen. Opening the fridge, she grabbed the pitcher of sun tea, took a tall glass from the narrow cupboard next to the fridge, exactly where she remembered them to be, and poured herself some tea. Taking a long sip, she savored the sweet and sour taste and sighed at the comfort it gave her. Looking around, she hugged the glass close to her chest and glanced at the kitchen table. So many meals and conversations had been shared there with her father. What she would not give to talk to him again or to hear his deep, bountiful laugh. Making her way back down the hall, she glanced briefly to the left at her father’s office door. Soon, she thought as she opened the front door and stepped out onto the porch. The last of the sunset was fading into the horizon as she watched the stars brighten in the vast country sky.
Relishing in the quiet of the moment, she breathed in the crisp clean air and felt the chill of the late April night kiss her face. The wide-open space of the front yard was such a contrast from her home of the past ten years. She grinned in reflection, thinking of her quaint but bustling neighbourhood in the Lower East Side of Toronto. She loved where she lived. The incredible street art, interesting shops, galleries, trendy restaurants, and patios made it not only a fun place to live, but a great place to create and get inspired. She loved her studio apartment in a character home transformed into a six-plex apartment building. The large bright windows brought in natural light, perfect for her to paint by. A true artist's dream. It had been her dream for so long to live in the city and even with her farm girl upbringing; she fit into this stylish unique neighbourhood like a hand fits a leather glove. It was perfect for her. Despite a decade in the big city, Ever had to admit, the quiet of her family farm was a welcome reprieve and exactly what she might need right now.
“Perhaps getting out of the city will be good for you?” Her agent and friend Whitney had suggested. “Perhaps this change in scenery and some fresh air will inspire you to create again.”
It had been three years since Ever’s last gallery showing and it had been almost two years since Ever had picked up her paint brushes. At times, her fingers ached to hold them. Even then, no inspiration came. Thinking of this made an all-consuming fear of failure envelop her, and she sighed. Stepping down the stairs, Ever sat down on the top step, looking towards the expanse of night sky. The darkness had fully descended, and a million stars twinkled brilliantly above her. Memories of sitting here on this step with her father, looking at the stars as he pointed out constellations, enfolded her like a warm blanket.
She had missed this place so much. Sadness and regret consumed her. Despite the bitter last words, they spoke to each other that fateful day, Ever missed her dad more than words could express. Never had she thought she would never have spoken to him again. Never did she imagine he would be gone from this earth. Wiping away a single tear that rolled down her cheek, she swallowed down a sob threatening to escape. Gripping the glass of tea tightly to her chest, she stood, taking one more look at the beautiful stars shining above her. To the moon and back, Daddy. An excruciating tightness in her throat overtook her, she turned, going back up the stairs, onto the porch and through the front door, locking it behind her. The weight of loss, regret, and responsibility, heavy on her heart.
CHAPTER 2
The refreshing morning breeze rustled the curtains in Ever’s childhood bedroom, bringing in the smell of sweet lilacs. Well rested, she sat up, yawned, and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. Swinging her long legs to the side of the bed, she stood up tall, arms above her head in a deep stretch. Glancing in the long mirror hanging from her closet door, she appraised herself. Ever had always been taller and curvier than most of her friends. This being a point of insecurity at times during her youth, she had long embraced her voluptuous body accepting her statuesque figure. Now at 30 it brought her confidence, as well as attention from the opposite sex.
Adjusting her sleep tank and shorts, she grabbed her terry robe, slipping it on, leaving it loose around her. Making her way out of the bedroom, she strode down the hall to the bathroom to take care of her morning needs, then down the staircase destined for the kitchen. The unmistakable smell of coffee enveloped her, and she breathed it in with appreciation.
Grabbing a mug from the cupboard, she filled it, leaving just enough room for a splash of milk, which she retrieved from the fridge. Steaming mug in hand she reached for the back door off the kitchen that led to the back deck. She put the hot mug gingerly to her lips as she looked out over the farmyard. Taking a sip of the warm amber liquid she closed her eyes, letting its soothing bitterness warm her throat.
“Hello.” a deep rich voice sounded.
Startled, Ever jumped and looked around her quickly to be met by an unexpected stranger sitting in her father’s rocking chair, holding a cup of coffee of his own. He had perfectly tousled light brown hair, a full groomed beard and mesmerizing ocean blue eyes that slowly crinkled on the sides. He looked rugged in a plaid, worn work jacket, faded blue jeans and dusty black work boots. Ever scanned him cautiously, only to be greeted with a warm, amused smile. His smile reassuring her, she let her shoulders sag as she breathed out and let out a nervous laugh.
Rising to greet her, he put out his hand in a friendly gesture. “Sorry to startle you, Ms. Wolton. The back door was open, so I made us some coffee. My apologies if I overstepped.”
