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  Outside That Door

  by Jennifer Robins

  Published by Astraea Press

  www.astraeapress.com

  This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters, and events are fictitious in every regard. Any similarities to actual events and persons, living or dead, are purely coincidental. Any trademarks, service marks, product names, or named features are assumed to be the property of their respective owners, and are used only for reference. There is no implied endorsement if any of these terms are used. Except for review purposes, the reproduction of this book in whole or part, electronically or mechanically, constitutes a copyright violation.

  OUTSIDE THAT DOOR

  Copyright © 2012 JENNIFER ROBINS

  ISBN 978-1-62135-011-8

  Cover Art Designed by Elaina Lee

  Edited by Laura Heritage

  To all the heroes who set us free and keep us that way, those gallant soldiers who fight for us and have died for us, thank you.

  A special dedication to my grandson Michael, who was honored with two Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star after being deployed to Iraq several times. I love you, Mickey.

  “Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.”

  ~Thomas Paine: The American Crisis, No. 4, 1777

  PROLOGUE

  Fort Stanwix, a colonial outpost on the site of Rome, New York, controlled a principal route from the Hudson River to Lake Ontario, a French trading center built by an English general in 1758. The fort fell into despair until early in the American Revolution, when it was rebuilt by the patriots and called Fort Schuyler in 1777. The fort held against British and Tory forces until reinforcements came to help the siege. Fort Stanwix is a national monument and marks a battle won by the Continental Army.

  Those who fought to keep the freedom they came to this new land to find followed directions given mostly through means of the drum.

  The drum controlled a soldier’s day. The drummer in each regiment played different beats to tell the soldiers where they should be and what they should be doing.

  “Reveille” was beat at sun-up. It meant it was time for the soldiers to get up and get ready for the day. Sometimes “The General” was beat instead of “Reveille.” That meant soldiers needed to take down their tents and be ready to march from the camp.

  Troops were summoned at eight in the morning during the summer and at nine in the winter, with the sound of the drumbeat calling them to gather or assemble so the officer could call the roll and inspect the men.

  “Retreat” played at sunset. The roll was called again, and orders were given for the work to be done the next day. The soldiers would then have dinner and time to clean their equipment or to mend their clothing. They played games, cards, and dice, and they pitched pennies. Gambling was not allowed, but…

  “Battle” beat was an unlucky day. The soldiers might fight in a battle, so the drum signaled the army where to march, which way to face and when to fire. The drum was used because it could be heard over human voices and the noise of battle.

  Benedict Arnold lied to the British about the size of the American army: The Battle of Oriskany August 6, 1777.

  CHAPTER ONE

  Still buzzing with phone calls and paperwork, Beth hurried to finish for the day so she could enjoy the weekend. When the phone on her desk rang, she almost didn’t answer it. “Hi, Carl. I’m getting ready to leave. What’s going on?”

  “Thought we could go up to the mountain this weekend before winter sets in. I’ve already packed a few things. How about it?”

  The last thing on her mind was a weekend trip to their little summer retreat on a chilly fall Friday. It meant leaving the office early, which her boss frowned on, but it was the only way she could get home to get ready for the trip before dark. “I guess we could. It is the last chance we have to go up there, so I’ll be home soon to help get things together. Make sure we have enough soda and include some treats. I’m gonna chill out with a good book.”

  She looked forward to getting out of her tight skirt, white blouse, and those nasty clinging panty hose that already had a run in them. A quick slip of the hand, and the unfinished file on her desk went hidden in the top drawer. She knew only too well it would be added to the stack of work she’d have to face on Monday morning.

  A few minutes past four, Beth was on her way out the door, heading for the elevator, purse in hand with an eye out for anyone who might catch her early departure. Once she pressed the down button, she glanced in the mirror on the wall at a bright wide smile. Her long auburn hair swung back away from her face as she shook her head to the side to send it away from her bright hazel eyes. She leaned her trim body up against the side wall of the elevator while she rode down to the first floor. The thought of a wonderful weekend in the mountains had her feeling pretty good even though she hadn’t planned on it.

  The ride home had her thinking of their great little cottage they’d bought up in the Catskill Mountains campgrounds. Afternoon sunshine promised a great day to drive up there.

  She pulled into the drive of the apartment building to see the minivan out front with its hatchback up. Carl was busy loading things in the van. He even had Tabitha’s carrier lined with a soft cushion in the back seat, ready for her to accompany them on their adventure—it was a common thing for their three-year-old cat to go along with them whenever they took off for a little R and R. Like the child they didn’t have, this furry orange tabby fuzz ball filled the void for them.

  Beth gazed at her husband—a great specimen of tall masculine muscle, busy at the task of getting ready for the trip. Carl worked out at the gym three nights a week, and it showed.

  Offering him a quick wave on her way past, Beth hurried inside. He rolled his brown eyes at her and brushed his dark wavy hair away from his forehead as he held an open hand in the air and waved back.

  The kitchen erupted with the fresh aroma of recently brewed coffee. Carl followed her and they went straight to the pot on the counter. “Want a cup?” He poured his and glanced at her. “We better take along warm blankets; it’s getting cold at night. I’m not sure what we have up there,” he told her. “Oh, and by the way, your mother called. I told her we’re going to the cottage this weekend, but you should call her before we leave.” Carl took a dishcloth and wiped the counter where he’d spilled some of his coffee. “I know your dad hasn’t been feeling too good lately. Hope he’s okay.”

  “I will as soon as I get out of these clothes and take a shower.” Beth set her purse on the kitchen counter then removed her suit jacket. “Did Mom say anything about Dad? He was supposed to see the doctor. We’re so busy, I feel guilty we don’t get over to see them as often as we should.”

  “No, she didn’t say. She only wanted to talk to you.” He took the thermos out of the cabinet and set it on the counter. “I made this hot coffee for us to have on the way, but there’s enough for both of us to have a cup now.”

  “I need about a half hour, so don’t get too anxious to go. You called at the last minute to let me know you wanted to go up there. I’m not even ready, so let me have some time.” Laying her coat over her arm, Beth picked up her purse then headed toward the door to the hallway. “I left some unfinished work at the office so I could leave early. I could get in deep doo-doo for that.” She started to leave. “Oh yeah, I’ll have a cup of that coffee after my shower.”

  “Go ahead, but make it snappy so we can get going. I don’t want to drive up there in the dark.” Beth turned around to give him a grin before she went on her way. He waved his hand at her and laughed.

  * * *

  It wasn’t long before they were on the highway. The sun rested lazily on the edge of the western h
orizon, creating shadows of the trees alongside the road that danced across the four lanes.

  “Pour me a cup of coffee. I can smell it through the thermos.” Carl reached for the dial on the radio. “You gonna have some?” he asked.

  “You bet. I love this new brew we bought last time we went shopping. It’s the best I’ve tasted in a long time.” She poured two cups of the pleasant-smelling beverage and handed one to him. “Did you bring enough for the weekend?”

  “I have a whole can of it packed in the cooler. Don’t forget to turn the temp down in the fridge for the perishables when we get there.” He turned the dial on the radio to a music station. “We always forget about it until we’re there awhile.”

  Sunshine brought warmth to the cool October day, but not for long as the huge red ball in the sky descended in the west—an orange glow extending above the horizon. The van was on the road to the park in the Catskill Mountains. Their small cottage awaited them.

  The next exit, the one they would take, was only a few yards ahead. Carl slipped over to the right lane and flipped the lever for his turn signal. From the back seat, Tabitha let out a little meowing sound as though she knew they were getting close. She peered out from the barred door of her carrying cage to look at Beth, who turned around when she heard her.

  “Yeah, baby, we’re almost there.”

  Tabitha replied with another “Meow,” then the sound of her purring could be heard over the music on the radio.

  “She’s happy as long as she can see us,” Carl murmured

  Beth smiled. “She loves coming up here. Did you bring along her litter box and litter? We can’t let her out in the woods; she’d get lost.”

  “Yes, of course I did. It’s in the back with everything else,” he told her. “I wouldn’t forget it.”

  From the looks of things, it seemed like the whole state of New York had decided to drive on this particular weekend. Traffic had been heavy but thinned out a bit as they approached the entrance to the park. “I wonder how many fish I’ll catch with all these people here.” He made the turn to his left on to the road leading back to the open area of land with vacant lots still for sale.

  “They’re not all here just for our area. Most of the traffic is going toward the big year-round housing. You’ll be all right,” Beth told him. “Maybe this time you can catch something.”

  The park association offered small lots to those who wanted to build a condensed version of the larger houses with higher price tags, cottages decked out with furniture, appliances, and a carport on a gravel driveway. This was something many like Carl and Beth could afford. Not too far from the city, close enough to stores and gas stations. The park was an ideal place for camping, a real time-out from the hustle and bustle of the busy city.

  They pulled into the drive of their little getaway home just as the sun disappeared from the sky, leaving only a trace of pink and orange streaks along the western edge of the mountains. Twinkling stars above the colorful display danced across the black back drop of night.

  Carl stepped out of the car onto the gravel driveway and looked around. “They still have several empty lots around here.” He grabbed his jacket off the backseat and swung it over his shoulder. “I don’t think they’ll be building any more until spring.”

  “I like the privacy. It would be great if it stayed this way.” Beth told him. “If we have another bad winter like last year, though, I know we won’t be coming up here in the snow.”

  The cool of the early evening wrapped around them as they went to the door and unlocked it. “I’ll get the carrier and bring Tabitha in,” Beth shouted as Carl came around the other side of the car.

  She went right in, reached for the light switch on the wall then went to the living room where she set the carrier on the floor.

  “Let’s build a fire tonight. They say the temperatures are going to drop into the low fifties. To me that’s cold.” Beth shivered to show him her concern. “Nothing like a nice dancing fire in our wonderful stone fireplace to warm not only the body, but the heart, as well. I love it.”

  “All right, we’ll have a fire. I stacked up all the wood last time we were here on the side of the cottage over by the oil tank. We have plenty.” He kissed her on the cheek. “Come on; let’s get unpacked.” Carl went out the door with a joyful step to his stride.

  Beth battled the full blast of the cold wind blowing across the yard, sweeping the colorful leaves up from the ground and into flight across the landscape of the park. Fall was her favorite time of the year, mostly because of the gorgeous colors it offered. She shivered but smiled with delight.

  “It’s not that cold yet. What’ll you do when winter comes?” He lifted the suitcase from the back seat. “What the heck do you have in this? It’s so heavy.”

  Beth followed him in the front door, carrying a plastic bag that held the blankets. The lamp on the end table next to the sofa flooded the room with a friendly glow.

  Carl took the cat carrier to the kitchen and set it on the table so Tabitha could see them. “You stay in there until we get everything in from the car. Don’t need you wandering out the door and getting lost.” He hurried back out to retrieve what was left in the van.

  Beth stood in the kitchen, taking the blankets out of the box when he returned. “You never did tell me what mom said about your dad. Did he see the doctor?” he asked as he poured the last of the coffee from the thermos.

  “Yes. He went to the doctor, and they wanna run tests. He’s going in for them Monday. Mom says he’s not happy about it, but she convinced him to do it. You know how my dad is.”

  She opened the refrigerator door and turned the dial on the side to a lower number. “Put the bottle of wine in to chill for tonight,” she said as she watched him take Tabitha out of her carrier.

  Unpacking the cooler kept her busy putting things away. “I see you packed enough food. Let’s see… Bacon, eggs, hot dogs, two steaks for grilling…and what’s in this white box?”

  “Potato salad.”

  “So you went to the deli?” Carl opened the container, dipped a finger and gave it a taste.

  “Yes, I know how much you like their stuff. I also bought some of the fried chicken from the Chicken Works. It’s in the bag on the counter. I thought we could have that tonight.”

  “I love their chicken, and I’m hungry,” Beth said as she took the bag to the table. “Mmm, smells good.” She opened it and grabbed a chicken wing to munch on.

  He walked over to the cooler, took the cans of cat food out and set them on the counter. “Being a Friday, I thought for sure there’d be more like us wanting to take advantage of probably the last weekend here before the snow flies. Even though there are only a few others who have built here so far, some still come in with their trailers and tents. I guess we’re alone this time.” He looked out the window over the sink. “It sure looks that way.”

  “That’s all right with me. I like the privacy…love the quiet. I want to relax and do nothing this whole weekend but dig into the new romance novel I bought,” she told him as she raised her hands over her head to stretch.

  With the sun gone, she made sure the lights were on in the kitchen and in the living room where Carl knelt by the fireplace, ready to start building the fire.

  “I’m glad we have enough wood in here to get started.” Beside the hearth lay four logs along with a few small kindling. “I can get things going without hauling in more wood right now.”

  “You left those pieces of wood in here when we were here the last time, remember?”

  “Yeah. I’m glad I did.” He set the kindling in the fireplace, then three larger logs on top of them. “This should take off without any trouble. The wood is dry and ready to burn.”

  Once the fire gleefully danced and crackled, Beth took to the kitchen to get the chicken ready for dinner while Carl opened the bottle of wine.

  The howl of the wind outside brought with it a sense of the wilderness that had once existed in the Catskill M
ountains so very long ago. She looked out the window to watch the few colorful leaves sailing down to the waiting earth below. The brisk air, the falling leaves—all signs of fall and the first cold week of October. To her, the winding down of a busy summer, the peaceful feeling of rest and the approaching holidays that she loved so much, was truly the best time of the year.

  The darkness of the evening closed in on the deep forest of trees lining the base of the stately mountains. Sounds of the awakening night life filtered in through the partially open window in the living room. Carl had opened it to air the place out and forgot about it.

  “Better close the window. I can feel the cool air coming in,” she said. “You have a nice fire going, so let’s not spoil it with the cold of the night out there.”

  “All right. I think I’ll get more wood from out back before we go to bed.” He took a sweater down from the hook by the kitchen door. “Did you get enough to eat? There’s still another piece of chicken out here. If you want it, go ahead; otherwise, put it in the fridge.”

  “I had plenty. Just put it away while you’re there.” She turned to face him from her position on the sofa not far from the entrance to the kitchen and held her glass to her mouth to drink the wine. It felt so good to just sit back with nothing to do or to worry about. She’d had a very busy week at work. Never having a minute of peace to herself gave her no time for anything other than work. Both of them enjoyed what little time they spent together, since they had such demanding jobs, so she sat back with every intention to relax for the few days they would stay at the cottage.

  He returned with an arm full of logs and set them down by the hearth. “I bet we see a frost by morning. It’s cold out there.” After putting another log on the fire, he returned to the sofa and picked up his glass of wine. “Come here,” he said as he playfully put his arm around her.