Cat. R C Hilty
a little like him. You still have time to get to the courthouse before it closes. You can get a room at Harper’s Motel. It’s just outside of town. Stop back here at nine in the morning, and I’ll show you the way to the cabin.
“I hope Uncle Jeff was right that this is a great place to live.”
“It is, especially if you like a more laid-back lifestyle.”
“I would sure like to give it a try.”
“I like it.”
*****
The next morning Dave woke up the family. They went to the local diner, ate breakfast, went over to pick up Greg, and headed for their new home. They drove about ten miles out of town and turned off the main road, if one could call it that. They drove up a winding road around five miles, and there, on a flat spot on the ridge, sat the cabin.
“Jeff had a new roof put on about a year before he died,” said Greg.
“Great, looks like it is in good shape,” replied Dave.
“I’d come up here every once in a while, cut the grass around the house, and make sure no critters had moved in.”
“It looks like you have been taking good care of the place.”
“Well, your uncle and I got along pretty good. I’d have hated to see the place go to hell.”
“Thanks.”
“My wife and daughter came up and cleaned it when we found out you were moving here.”
Betty asked, “And just how long ago did he let you know we were moving down here?”
Greg figured it would be in his best interest to let Dave answer that question. It appeared as though Betty wasn’t at all thrilled with move.
Dave said, “The day after we all talked about it.”
Betty replied, “It was probably the day after you lost your job.”
“Now, dear.”
“Don’t ‘now dear’ me!”
Dave knew there was no use arguing. She wouldn’t believe him anyway. He was hoping his family would be able to blend in here. He knew one thing for certain: Cat would be able to.
“Dad,” yelled Cat, “you won’t believe what I saw!”
“What’s that?” asked Dave.
“Three deer and about forty squirrels.”
“Sounds like you will like it here.”
“Oh yeah, I will! This is my dream! When’s squirrel season come in?”
Greg replied, “Squirrel opens in two weeks. Opening day is a holiday in these parts, schools are even closed. The only places open are the diner and gas station.”
Cat’s eyes grew big as saucers when she heard that.
Betty walked into the cabin and started to check out the place. The appliances although older were in good shape. There was a woodstove, plus Uncle Jeff put in a new propane furnace. There wasn’t any air-conditioning. Maybe they would be able to at least get a window unit by next summer. There were some big-shade trees close to the house that should help. The place wasn’t quite as small as Betty thought it would be. He had built an addition this would be hers and Dave’s bedroom. The other two would be divided between Ben and his sisters. Betty, Liz, and Ben knew to complain about moving down here would be useless. Dave liked it, and Cat loved it!
Dave and Greg unloaded the trailer first and started on the pickup. Dave said, “Amazing how those kids can disappear when there is work to do.”
Greg replied, “Yeah, it is.”
As Dave and Greg carried the stuff into the house, Betty said, “Just put the kitchen stuff by that wall. The rest of the boxes, you can pile in that corner by the closet.”
“All right,” said Dave.
While Dave and Greg finished unloading the vehicles, Betty walked through the house trying to figure out where to put what. She walked into the kitchen and opened some of the cupboards while thinking, It looks like it has just been cleaned. That’s good. One less thing I’ll have to do. She walked around, looking it over some more. I guess this won’t be too bad. Still I wonder what I was thinking when I said ‘I do.’ Mom was right when she said ‘Love blinds.’ That has to be the reason I married him.”
*****
Greg, Dave, and Cat went back to town while Betty, Ben, and Liz put the house in order. After they dropped Greg off at the station, Dave and Cat went to the store to buy some food and a few other supplies. Cat wandered over to the sporting goods like she always did. She went straight to the firearms section. A .17 rimfire Magnum rifle caught her eye. Wow! She thought. I could hit a squirrel at one hundred yards with that! She knew her parents couldn’t afford one. She would have to make do with her single-shot .22 long rifle and her .410 shotgun for now.
“Cat,” yelled Dave.
“Over here,” answered Cat.
“Let me guess. A new rifle caught your attention.”
“Yeah, a .17 rimfire Magnum, it’s a beauty!”
“You know I can’t afford anything except what we need.”
“I know. I just like dreaming.”
Dave smiled and laughed a little. “Let’s get this stuff in the truck and get home before your mom sends a search party after us.”
“Or heads back to New York.”
Dave smiled a little. “I doubt she would be that extreme.”
Cat smiled back. “You think the rest of the family will like it here?”
“Ben will probably do okay as long as he can find some way to get on the Internet. Liz will be going to school pretty soon, so she ain’t really gonna care one way or the other.”
“What about Mom?”
“Now, that could be another story.”
Dave pulled up to the house. Cat said, “I hope it doesn’t take Mom long to fix supper.”
“The faster you get these groceries in the house, the faster Mom can get supper ready.”
“We’re home,” yelled Cat as she brought the groceries into the house.
Ben said, “Should have known you would show up when the work was done.”
Cat ignored him.
Betty had the kitchen stuff pretty much put away. Ben and Liz had moved everything to the rooms where they needed to be. Cat put the perishables in the refrigerator. The rest she put on the table.
While Betty fixed supper, Cat went outside to see what was in the area. Dave had inherited forty acres. Cat didn’t know just how much that was. All she knew was that it was the biggest backyard she ever had. Three hundred yards from the house was a nice stream. This was Cat’s dream come true. The area was filled with wild game, squirrels, rabbits, and deer.
“What a place! I can hunt, fish, camp, and trap within walking distance of the house.” She thought she had died and gone to heaven.
“Cat,” yelled Dad, “supper is ready.”
“Coming,” Cat answered as she walked back toward the house, passing the two car garage and a small barn.
“Where have you been?” Betty asked.
“Exploring!”
“Find anything?”
“You bet! There is a stream not too far from the house. I am going to get my fishing pole and catch tomorrow night’s supper. You would not believe the wild game I saw. We won’t go hungry!”