Part 10 (1/2)

She looked at me and smiled. ”Touche. I was thinking about my mother. After she died, I had this dream of a faceless person chasing me through the woods. Suddenly, I'd be in the lake with water up to my waist, while someone grabbed my ankles. I couldn't move or scream. My mother stood on the other side of the lake, as if she were waiting for me. The harder I tried to get to her, the deeper I sank. As I was about to go under, I'd wake up.” She looked at me. ”Pretty nutty, huh?”

”No, not at all,” I said.

My mind drifted back to that night four years ago and all the nightmares I'd had since. Through all the horrible nights, I'd wake in a pool of sweat, screaming. Suddenly, I felt my body shake as an anxiety attack started. I took a deep breath and it subsided. I could show Maggie a thing or two about being nutty.

I looked up to see her once again watching me with a curious look. ”Last night, before I woke, I had a similar dream. It was almost like someone was trying to tell me to wake up, but I couldn't, you know?” I said.

She nodded while looking at the woods. ”Well, whoever it was, I'm grateful. I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't come into the room when you did.”

We were both quiet as I tried to dismiss the idea. I didn't want to think what would've happened if I hadn't woken when I did. I looked over at Maggie, noticing the forlorn look on her face. I felt something pull at my heart. I felt bad for this young woman and I only hoped I would be able to help in some way.

”Hey, can't we get some room to open up these horses?”

”If you think you're up to it.”

”Just get me there.”

I said my prayers, hoping I wouldn't fall off the horse. It seemed I was promising a great many things to the Man upstairs lately.

Maggie led us to a clearing and we stopped for a moment to enjoy the breathtaking view. Straight ahead was an open meadow and I could almost feel my horse chomping at the bit to break into a steady gallop.

I hadn't been riding for a while, but I'd spent many a time on horseback over the years, in many different states, getting perfect photos.

Maggie gave me a challenging look then did the ole giddy-up and took off. I watched for a few seconds. She was good. Oh well, here goes nothing. I struggled for a few minutes to get the feeling back. I wanted to make sure I was back in the saddle again, not out of it. My childhood hero, Roy Rogers, would be proud, but I knew my a.r.s.e would be killing me later.

All at once, I felt a little more at ease on the galloping mare. However, my inner thighs were burning, my muscles clenching to stay in control. I was having the time of my life. I cannot remember how far we had gone before Maggie motioned to me to slow down.

”These horses aren't used to going so fast this long. Let's walk them,” she said, a little breathless. We walked in silence for a time before Maggie spoke. ”Okay, I'm impressed. I didn't think you could ride that well.”

”I'm a little surprised myself. It's been a while and I must admit I was holding on for dear life there for a minute.”

”Where did you learn to ride?” she asked.

”I've been on photo a.s.signments all over the country, in such remote places you couldn't reach them by car.” I shrugged. ”Horseback was the only option. I love the untouched beauty of this country. There's so much out there the average person can't get to. I like to think through my photos, I'm giving them the opportunity to see G.o.d's creations before we muck it up with concrete and parking lots.” I suddenly realized how much I had been talking and let out a nervous laugh. ”Am I talking too much? I haven't talked like this in a long while. Sorry.”

It was true. I hadn't talked about my job or anything else with anyone but my editor for quite a while. I realized how pathetic that was. I stole a glance at Maggie. She was easy to talk to. Maybe too easy.

”Why should you be sorry?” Maggie asked. ”It's fascinating. I would love to see some of your work.”

”Well, when all this is over, perhaps you can visit Chicago,” I said.

”I'd like that,” she said. It seemed as if she meant it, and I had to admit the idea appealed to me. Then again, it scared the h.e.l.l out of me.

We walked the horses for a while longer. Enough time for me to think about the intruder again. Something wasn't right and it was nagging at me. What in the world was it and why the h.e.l.l couldn't I think of it? I rubbed my forehead and ran my fingers through my hair in frustration.

”Okay, you're doing that thinking thing and you haven't heard a word I've said. What's bothering you?”

”I don't know. Something about the intruder last night that I can't put my finger on. I know I'm no Wonder Woman, trust me, but if he hadn't hit me in the head, I honestly think I could have subdued him. Something”-I ran my fingers through my hair again.

Then as we walked, a gentle breeze blew and Maggie's perfume wafted over my way. I looked at her and sniffed. I stopped as it dawned on me.

”Perfume! That's it!” I said.

She looked at me. ”What, my perfume? I'm glad you like it.”

”That's it!” I exclaimed triumphantly as I leaned over and stupidly sniffed her neck.

”What in the world?” Her face reddened as her hand instinctively went to her neck.

”What a colossal idiot!” I exclaimed while looking at Maggie, who glared at me. ”Oh, no, no, not you. Me, I'm the idiot. That's what I couldn't remember. The minute I smelled your perfume, it occurred to me-the intruder was wearing perfume as well. Geez, I can't believe I didn't think of that before. My father is rolling over in his grave right now,” I said and shook my head. ”G.o.d, it was a woman.”

”Are you sure?” she asked amazed.

”Positive. Let's get back.”

We saddled up and headed back toward the house. Maggie suddenly pulled her horse to a stop.

”What's the hold up?” I asked.

She said nothing. I eased my horse up next to hers. Maggie was staring into the woods, so naturally, I followed her gaze. I didn't see anything.

”Maggie?” I asked, ignoring my quick s.h.i.+ver. ”What's wrong?”

”I-I thought I saw someone in the woods, over there.” She pointed in the direction we were looking.

”Are you sure, Maggie?” I asked.

”Maybe not. Let's get out of here, though.”

The uneasiness in her voice had me looking once again. Then I saw something move.

Deep in the woods, a woman was standing alone. She was dressed in white that made her stand out against the dark woods. She stood so still, it was unnerving.

She was watching us.

I looked at Maggie, who had obviously seen her now, too. I grabbed her arm to steady her, or to steady me. Maggie leaned into me.

”Do you see?” she whispered.

Is she nuts? ”Yes, I do. Why doesn't she move?” I asked. We were talking in whispers. ”Is she looking at us? Who is she, can you make her out?”

”I can't tell. The trees are in the way. Kate, I'm frightened. We just can't sit here.”

”Okay, let's go introduce ourselves,” I said, not wanting to do any such thing.

I had a feeling Maggie felt the same as I saw the fear flash across her face. She then nodded.

As we started in her direction, the woman abruptly turned and faded into the woods. We stopped and looked at each other.

”Okay, did you see that?” I asked. Maggie nodded quickly and s.h.i.+vered.