Page 5 of Into the Mist

“Doesn’t that brown sign say ‘scenic turnout’?” Amelia pointed off to the left of highway 26.

The principal sighed and began to slow the SUV. “We’ll stop. But this isn’t a joy ride. Get out. Do your business. Then let’s get going again.”

“Hey, we didn’t take our annual selfie,” said Stella.

“Perfect opportunity!Withan amazing background.” Mercury nodded as Hale guided the SUV into the turn lane and then crossed over to the gravelly scenic turnout spot. As he parked and Amelia lumbered from the passenger seat, the women poured from the SUV.

“Hey! I said we need to get going!” Hale said.

“Oh, come on, Mr. Hale,” Jenny said, dimpling at him. “Let’s all take a picture.”

Coach Davis clapped the principal on the shoulder. “It’s just a picture, and we did leave in plenty of time to make it to the airport.”

Mrs. Gay closed her magazine and sighed. “Mr. Hale, if you wouldn’t mind terribly, I would like to take a picture of the scenery for my classroom. The history of this pass is as rich as it is tragic.”

“See?” Coach Davis said. “It’s unanimous.”

“Okay, I suppose we do have some extra time,” the principal grumbled as he reluctantly followed the teachers. “But let’s make it quick.”

CHAPTER

2

THE SCENIC TURNOUTwas really not much more than a gravel parking lot and two wooden benches positioned in the middle of a well-tended grassy area. But it was surrounded by huge, old pines framing a breathtaking drop-off that allowed viewers a gorgeous vantage point to gaze southwest. From the scenic perch on the side of Mount Hood, travelers could look out on a view so spectacular that they could see almost to the coast.

Mercury bypassed the benches and went to the edge of the grass. She stretched and then rubbed her sweater-swathed arms in a failed attempt to warm them while she drank in gulps of cold mountain air enriched with birdsong, and stared. She loved Tulsa. Oklahoma’s red dirt was in her soul, and she only felt truly at peace in her hometown, but Mercury appreciated the magnificence of the land before her. It seemed she stood on a magic mountain as the view unfolded in turquoise, cerulean, and shades of emerald that were many layered and brilliant.

“It’s something, isn’t it?” Stella said around a yawn as she joined her.

“I never get tired of all the green. I think I could live here, or at least down there”—she jerked her chin in the direction of Portland—“where it’s not so cold.”

Stella snorted. “Leave Tulsa? You? Girl, you bleed red dirt.”

“Well, someday when I’m rich I’ll buy a second house here,” Mercury said wistfully.

Stella raised a perfectly plucked brow. “So, you changing jobs?”

“Nope. Winning the lottery. I have it all planned.” Mercury smoothed her loose knit sweater over her generous curves and cleared her throat like she was preparing to lecture her AP biology class.

Stella tossed back her thick hair. “Ooh, I like this game. Will you buy me a car? Something red and sporty with a ragtop?”

“Absolutely. You have my word on it.AndI’ll take you on a spa vacay with me to somewhere warm and beachy.” Mercury spoke without moving her gaze from the view.

“Did someone say beach vacay?” Jenny hurried up to them, with Amelia waddling in tow.

“If we’re going to a beach vacay, could we please wait until I’m unpregnant?”

Mercury grinned, but kept her focus on the horizon. “Absolutely. I’m not even going to make any clichéd beached-whale jokes.”

Amelia rubbed her protruding belly and sighed. “As the sole representative of our English Department, I thank you for that.”

Coach Davis straightened his school sweatshirt as he emerged from the trees to their right. “Whew, had to see a man about a horse! Ready for our selfie?”

“What does that even mean?” Mercury asked Stella.

“Manspeak for peeing,” whispered Amelia.

“Well, I know that, butwhy?” said Mercury.