At the River's Edge (A Mountain Mystery) by Shoultz D.R

Author:Shoultz, D.R.
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-08-15T00:00:00+00:00

- 30 -

TOM APPEARED PREOCCUPIED during their date Saturday evening. Karen noticed his hand tapping the armrest throughout the movie.

When she asked if he was okay, he replied, “I’m fine. It was a tough week at work.”

After a cup of coffee and scoop of ice cream following the movie, Tom drove Karen home, kissed her on the cheek, and asked if he could come by the following afternoon.

“The colors on the Parkway are near peak. Maybe we could take a ride up there for a picnic,” he suggested.

Karen agreed, assuming James would be spending the day with Emily. Her expectations were confirmed when she received James’ text early Sunday morning:

Going hiking with Emily to unwind. Will be gone

all day. I’ll meet you at the store Monday morning.

IT WAS A SUNNY but cool morning. Karen took advantage of the good weather to rake leaves and ready her garden for winter. She finished her yardwork in plenty of time to prepare for Tom’s arrival.

Karen greeted Tom at her front door.

“I hope you’re hungry. I asked Beverly to make us a picnic lunch, and she outdid herself.”

“Sounds great. I worked up an appetite this morning.”

“I also brought along a bottle of your favorite cabernet.”

It was a pleasant twenty-minute drive to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Tom was more relaxed than the prior evening, and their conversation flowed naturally.

Reaching the historic highway, Tom turned southwest toward Asheville. The late October leaves put on a brilliant display with red, orange and golden colors burning brightly in the early afternoon sun.

“There’s a place around the next curve with a fifty-mile view,” Tom said, “and if my memory serves me, there’s a secluded spot perfect for a picnic.”

Tom pulled to the side of the road after rounding the curve and parked off the shoulder.

“Yeah. This is the place,” he said, stepping from the car and gathering the picnic basket from the backseat.

“What a spectacular setting. I hate to ask, but how did you know it was here?”

“You don’t remember? It’s been nearly six years, but we stopped here on the way back from shopping in Blowing Rock.”

“Oh, yeah. You became a little frisky, and I insisted we head home.”

Tom laughed. “I promise to behave today.”

He spread a large blanket on a grassy area and placed the basket in the middle. Tom removed the wine bottle, uncorking it as Karen held the wineglasses for him to fill.

“Here’s to a fresh start,” Tom toasted.

Karen smiled, hesitating briefly before tapping his glass and taking a sip.

“This is nice, Tom. I hope we really can begin again.”

The picnic was pleasant for them both. They managed to keep their discussions light, focusing on hobbies and happenings in Sunset Peak.

The view, wine, and seclusion dulled Karen’s inhibitions. Sipping what remained in her second glass of wine, she leaned with her back against Tom, looking out over fifty miles of rolling mountain ridges.

“James seems happier these days,” Tom said.

“Yeah. I guess so. Emily’s been good for him.”

“You think they’ll get married some day?”

“Hard to tell,

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