AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’m Amanda Anderson,” she replied, shaking his hand. “I received this letter.” She pulled the pink envelope from her bag. “I was told to bring it to you.”
Doc’s eyes widened with surprise as he took the envelope from her. “Well, I’ll be. I was wondering when another one would show up.”
“Another one?” Amanda asked.
Doc nodded. “Yes, Bea Bennett had a habit of sending those to folks she thought could benefit from coming to Aspen Cove. So, what brings you to our little town?”
Amanda hesitated before explaining her situation and the unexpected gift from Bea. Doc listened, nodding in understanding.
“Well, you’ve been given a wonderful opportunity.” Doc smiled. “I can give you directions. It’s up in the mountains, a lovely spot.” He drew her a rudimentary map, on a napkin, that would get her there.
As Amanda started to leave, Doc, with a grandfatherly concern, raised an important question. “Now, Miss Anderson, have you arranged the utilities at the property? Power, water, and such?”
There was a proud glint in her eyes. “Yes, I took care of all that before I left Chicago. I didn’t want to arrive and find myself in the dark, especially in an unfamiliar place.”
Doc nodded approvingly. “That’s very wise of you. It’s always good to be prepared.”
Amanda blushed at his comments. “Well, I try my best to plan.”
Doc patted her on the arm. “That’s the spirit, young lady. It’ll serve you well here in Aspen Cove. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need help or have any questions. We’re a close-knit group and take care of our own.”
“Thank you so much.” Amanda’s eyes filled with emotion. She turned to leave, but not before giving Jackson a polite nod and a warm smile that made his heart skip a beat.
As she left the bar, Doc looked to Jackson, his voice serious. “I’d like you to check up on her tomorrow if you don’t mind. I know for a fact that no one has been up to that property in years. It might need some work.”
Jackson raised an eyebrow, curious about Doc’s request. “Why me?”
Doc chuckled. “Well, you’re our newest resident, and it’s a bit of an Aspen Cove tradition to welcome newcomers and lend a helping hand. Besides, you never know what kind of connection you might form.”
"Listen to you. Stick to your day job and leave matchmaker to the grannies in the next town over,” Jackson said.
Each day, Doc visited for his ritualistic tic-tac-toe match, staking his daily beer on the outcome. Jackson, aware of the game's inevitable result, preemptively filled a frosted mug for Doc. The older man never lost, ensuring his daily brew was well-earned.
“But as a neighborly gesture, you’ll check on her, right?” Doc lifted the mug and took a deep drink.
How could he say no when Aspen Cove had welcomed him so warmly? He nodded. “Alright, Doc. I’ll look in on her tomorrow.”
Doc licked the foam from his mustache. “Good man. I have a feeling you two will get along fine.”
CHAPTERTHREE
Amanda steered her car down the winding mountain road toward her new home, the excitement bubbling inside her like champagne. The trees were dusted with fresh snow, their branches glistening, giving the landscape an ethereal glow. She could almost taste the peacefulness that awaited her.
As she rounded the final bend, Amanda's heart leaped as the cabin came into view. But the sight that greeted her was far from the picture-perfect scene she had expected. The cabin's once-sturdy wooden exterior was weathered and gray, the windows dusty and cracked, and the yard was overgrown with weeds and wildflowers. The porch sagged under the weight of neglect, and the roof looked like it had seen better days.
She blinked, trying to reconcile the reality before her with the images she had built in her mind. She had known the property might need some work, but she hadn't anticipated the extent of the disrepair. Her heart sank, and she experienced a flicker of doubt; had she made the right decision in moving to Aspen Cove?
Despite her shock, determination coursed through her veins like a mighty river. She had come to the small town for a fresh start, and she wouldn't let the state of the cabin deter her. With renewed resolve, she parked her car in the gravel driveway.
Catsby opened one eye as he lifted his head from the pillow in the passenger seat. He blinked at his surroundings. His tail twitched and curled around his body like a barrier against the outside world.
"I know it's not much now, but we can make it something," she said, her voice filled with optimism.
As if he understood her, he tucked himself into a tight ball and closed his eyes again.
"Suit yourself." She stepped out of the car and into the mountain air, shutting the door and breathing in the scent of pine. A peaceful stillness encircled her—a quietness she could never experience in the city. Leaves rustled in a soft breeze, and birds chirped, providing a soothing soundtrack to her new life.
She took in the detailed woodwork on the porch railings as she neared the cabin. Carved brambles and butterflies were proof to the care that had once gone into the home. Even in its current state, it had a certain charm, a sense of history and love embedded in its structure. Amanda sensed a connection to the place. They were both run down and left behind.
