Where Trains Collide by Amber Stokes

Author:Amber Stokes [Stokes, Amber]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Seasons of a Story
Published: 2018-06-02T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter 6

Trisha had caught a glance of Heceta Head Lighthouse in the distance on their way up Highway 101. But as she now stood with Paul in the sea-level parking lot, the lighthouse remained hidden among the trees. They were supposed to meet Samantha and Derrick at the bed-and-breakfast that sat on the hillside along the trail up to the lighthouse.

Taking in a deep breath of the incoming tide flavoring the air, Trisha led the way past the afternoon beachgoers and the restrooms to the path winding uphill through coastal forest. Paul followed, hands in coat pockets, seeming lost in thought as he glanced around at the undergrowth. The shade of the trees made Trisha shiver, and she burrowed deeper into her jacket.

After a few minutes of contemplative silence, they emerged into a clearing, where the B and B stood serenely beyond fence and lawn. Trisha admired the long front porch and numerous windows reflecting the gathering clouds above them.

Then Samantha appeared, stepping out onto the porch and waving excitedly. Derrick followed behind, and Trisha felt her eyes burn with a sharp mix of emotions. She lifted her own hand in greeting and ran around the outside of the fence, following the dirt path to the gate. Samantha and Derrick reached it first, swinging the gate wide for Trisha to pass through and fall into their arms.

Home. The word came to mind again as Trisha alternately hugged her brother and his girlfriend close. “It’s so good to see you,” she told them both, embarrassed that tears leaked from her eyes. She hurriedly brushed them away, but not before Derrick saw and gave her a look of brotherly concern.

His gaze became questioning as he looked beyond her. Trisha turned to see Paul hesitating just beyond the gate.

“You must be Paul,” Samantha said, stepping toward him to open the gate again and offer a smile.

“That’s me.” Paul’s smile was small but genuine as he joined the group and shook hands with Samantha and Derrick.

Samantha continued, “It was so kind of you to bring Trisha out here. And it’s great to meet you.” Her warmth encompassed the little group and seemed to melt a bit of Paul’s unease and Derrick’s concern. She shuffled closer to Derrick, nudging him in the shoulder. Trisha couldn’t help but grin as she sniffed back the remnant of tears.

Derrick placed his hand on Samantha’s lower back and looked to Paul. “Trisha will be staying in Samantha’s room, and you’re welcome to stay in mine. I mean, it would be a bummer for you to come out here and have to head back right away.”

Paul stuffed his hands in his pockets, an internal debate evident in the silence. Trisha could imagine him weighing the awkwardness against the convenience and his pride against the experience of staying at the B and B. Paul had met Derrick before, of course. They had been on the same team for game nights at home, and Derrick had even initiated a brother-to-man talk with him once upon a time.

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