26 Ponderosa (1/2)

A light wind picked up as they ate. James shivered slightly and it picked up. Then it changed directions.

'We need to find shelter. A storm is coming,' Lilly said.

She grabbed his hand and pulled him out of the alcove and away from the beach. The wind was stronger outside the alcove and beat their clothes against their bodies. They hurried into a grove of trees, but Lilly kept them moving. Now the wind was a harsh whistle that seemed to come at them from different places.

'Lilly where are we going?!' James asked.

She let go of his hand and moved some foliage. Then she pulled up a hidden door. 'Get in!'

'After you!'

Lilly pulled him closer and forced him in before her. The door was closed and he heard something scrape across the top. Her hand found his and she led him further into the darkness. It was silent down here. The moment the door had closed, James hated it. It was like being blind again. He heard a soft snap and a torch lit the room where they now stood. Several jars of stuff lined the walls. It all looked new.

'Rosae Lilly, is that you?' an old, creaky voice asked.

'It is Ponderosa,' Lilly responded.

'And who have you brought with you?'

'James, my husband.'

'Bad storm, eh?'

'You could say that. Do you have spare clothes, by chance?'

'I do. They're back in the storage room.'

Lilly started for the back room, but James grabbed her sleeve. 'I don't like this place.'

'You're not supposed to. Have a seat; I'll be back in a moment.'

'But..'

'Ponderosa won't bother you.' She moved down a small passageway.

James refused to sit.

'A little paranoid isn't he, Rosae Lilly?'

'Too many new things all at once,' she replied. She found dry clothes that would fit James and brought them back. 'Change; you'll be warmer.'

He just looked at her like she was crazy. She shook her head and moved into a darkened corner. There was some laughing followed by hard coughing. The coughing subsided and a soft conversation began. Still somewhat self-conscious James changed. The cloth was soft, but thick, and warmed him considerably.

'You best make yourself comfortable, James. We're going to be here for a while.'

'Lilly, where are you?'

'Helping Ponderosa. I'll be out in a little bit.'

'Can't we go somewhere else?'

He was answered with a cry of pain, and he couldn't tell if it was Ponderosa or Lilly.

'No James, we can't go somewhere else. We're here until the storm passes.'

'Quite a picky one you caught, Rosae Lilly. Much like your father I'd say.'