Running Into the Past

Chapter 4

Kara felt herself yanked back to the reality of her situation and her mind kept racing. Nervously, Kara looked over at Mark. She felt so vulnerable relying on a stranger. How could she trust her instincts when she was running from someone that she thought she loved? Someone that took everything from her. Someone she prayed to never see again unless it was behind bars.

"So, Mark, what is it that you do?" Kara spoke fumbely.

Mark thought to himself, small talk. That is all this is. Keep it simple.

"Right now, I run my brother's ranch."

"So, do you and your brother live together?" she questioned, hoping the answer was yes and she wouldn't be alone somewhere with this man.

It pained Mark that he had to answer that question. "No, I live in a cabin he built." He kept it simple, no need to explain how much he hurt and that his brother would never be at that ranch again.

Kara immediately flashed to all the horror films she had watched, and fear struck her about going to some cabin in the woods. She realized how panicked she became and told herself to be strong and get over it. This isn't a horror film. Well she hoped it wasn't. She felt like she had been spiraling into one in the last 48 hours.

He could tell she turned a little pale and became tense. If they were in this situation, it was important, she knew like any person should, that he meant no harm and was only being a kind person to help a stranger in need.

"Cabin is a rough word to call it. It isn't like any rundown hunting bungalow." He paused. "My brother was an incredible architect and it is a place of modern meets nature and comfort." Geez, he sounded like a magazine news ad in a builders' digest.

"You said "was"....does he not design or build anymore?" Kara blurted. She tended to pick up on details. It helped her in real estate to remember the little things and tie them in to the sale.

Mark felt a sting in his eyes. Why did I say 'was', he thought to himself? "Um, he passed away a year ago this month."

Kara could tell this must be a soft spot. "Sorry to hear that." She felt she needed to show sympathy. "I understand, I just lost my dad."

There was awkward silence and tension in the jeep for the remainder of the bumpy, dusty ride.

They pulled up to what Kara would describe as a manor in the woods, not a cabin. It was beautifully designed. She was taken away for a moment. She knew houses and she could see the craftsmanship in this home. "It is magnificent!" She said with more enthusiasm than she had intended. Mark chuckled, "well it's home. It is good enough for this country boy." He walked up the stone porch with a slight smile on his face. He hadn't had a woman stay over since he moved in. Not to say he hadn't had a woman . He never felt they were worthy of his brothers' home. Not the kind of women he took pleasure in when needs arose. Kara...she was different. He shook his head to clear his thoughts. This was not a "woman staying", it was a person in need to keep them from being stranded on the road.

Zeus met them at the door. "I hope you aren't scared of dogs". This one might just lick you to death.

Kara gave Zeus a scratch on the head and he seemed to take that as a welcome and slowly walked off to sit on the cool wood floor by the back door.

"He isn't much of a guard dog anymore, but he is pretty good company." He motioned to Kara and said, "let me show you where you can sleep and then if you are hungry, I'll see what I can throw together. You look like you've had a long day."

You have no idea, Kara thought to herself. She worried that trouble could find her here and she wasn't sure if she needed to warn this man who was going out of his way to help a stranger.

"Just down the hall is a bathroom, you can wash up if you like, there are towels in the cabinet and a spare toothbrush in the drawer to the right of the sink" Mark spoke kindly to Kara. She thought to herself how he was full of hospitality. It must be a country thing. "Thank you, that is very kind. I could use a splash of water on my face," Kara had replied.

"Sure thing miss, and down the hall past the bathroom on the left is the spare room. I'm across the hall if you need anything." He then disappeared into the kitchen to give her some space.

Kara strolled down the hallway. She could not get past the small architectural details throughout the home. As she found the bathroom, she found her mind wandering again. The thought of this man and his stunning green eyes right across the hall from her gave her shivers. There was something about him that was for sure. She didn't think she would get any sleep that night.

Mark tossed some ground beef, potatoes, and baggies together for what he called the 'country boys mash'. Kara found her way to the solid oak table and her stomach reminded her she was much hungrier than she realized. She wasn't sure how much time had passed since the diner. The aroma of this dish was pleasant and, surprisingly, it was very tasty. It was much later than she realized and knew if she couldn't sleep, she needed to at least rest so she could get through whatever was ahead of her.

Mark picked up the clues and said, " Well, miss, I am off to shower and bed myself. We can leave-out at first light into town and see about getting you on your way." She looked at him and noticed he was waiting for her to say something. She hesitated about maybe sharing her world of trouble with him, but she decided it was her burden to carry.

Sleep did not come easy for Mark or Kara. Mark could hear Kara crying and yelling in her sleep. He wasn't sure what she was tormented by. He knew torment and knew that whatever it was, she was being tormented by something. After losing Nate, Mark didn't sleep much. Nate and Mark weren't just brothers. They were best friends. Nate was the better brother, Mark always felt. The torment Mark felt and couldn't move past was seeing Nate become so weak and helpless in his battle with cancer and Mark couldn't fix it. Mark was the bigger brother and always looked after Nate. He failed him. He couldn't stop the pain and disease that took Nate away. He could barely see him in the end. He knew Nate felt abandoned. He just couldn't get past his own pride and be there.

When the sun rose, Mark was already up sitting on the back porch. The porch offered a heavenly view of the ranch. Sitting there, he always felt closer to Nate. It was his favorite spot. He heard the floorboards creak and remembered he wasn't alone that morning.

"You couldn't sleep either?" He asked out to the space behind him without turning his head.

"No" Kara replied, "I hope I didn't wake you."

"I don't sleep much anymore these days," Nate replied.

"You okay?" said Mark. "It isn't my place, but it seemed something was troubling you last night."

"You are right, it isn't your place." Kara snapped..."I'm sorry."

Mark paused and said, " No, you are right. It isn't my place. I'll get some breakfast going and then let's get you in to town." He wasn't sure why that stung him so much, he thought to himself. She isn't your problem. Roof over her head for the night and get her to town and hand her off to the next person and be done. I've got things to deal with anyhow here at the ranch.

Even thinking to himself, he felt a little wounded and he wasn't sure why this woman had any effect on him. He didn't like it. He left her on the porch as he prepared some food. In silence, they finished coffee and had toast, eggs, and bacon. Kara felt like she was imposing and not offering the same kindness she was shown. However, she didn't have the right words to make it better. She was always someone who could strikeup a conversation with anyone. This was different. There was something about Mark, she just didn't know why. She managed to whisper, "thanks again for all you are doing." He nodded and said he would do it for anyone in need that came in his path. He said again, "that is just what we do in these parts."

She knew he was probably right, but still she felt he was going out of his way for her. They loaded up the jeep and set out towards town.

After what seemed like hours, even though it took less than one, they arrived in what he called town. It had one stoplight, as far as she could tell, and not much else. Mark was telling her about the local bar and grill and how everyone knew everyone. Kara barely heard him. She was overcome with a sense that someone was watching her. She tried to pass it off and turned her attention back to Mark.

As he promised, he took her to a tow truck company and they were also pulling up to the mechanic's shop. Mark said, " He is the best and only mechanic in town."

"Mr Drake Owen's ma'am, but you can call me Drake. Mr. Owens was my daddy." Kara shook his stained hands and could tell he had worked many days in the shop. He noticed her eyes wondering and spoke, "this here was my dad's and he taught me everything I know." Kara was appreciative. He said he would get her truck into the shop as soon as the tow truck brought it over.

Kara and Mark loaded back in the jeep and headed down the road back to her truck. Kara felt she should be eager to put more miles behind her, but she also had an uneasy feeling she wasn't sure of. When they pulled up to the old Ford she had a strange sense something was off. She walked up to the driver's door and while she was putting the key in the door lock she saw it. It was sitting in the driver's seat as a message. She was sure she hadn't worn it. It was the last gift he had gotten her in a desperate attempt to say he was sorry for his jealous rage. She knew it was a message. The gold bracelet had a single charm with the words "forever mine" engraved on it. He said it was to show her he would never stop loving her. She knew now it was like a brand he tried to burn into her. She began to tremble and everything seemed to grow cold and dark.

When she awoke she was startled and forgot where she was. Immediately she began to fight.

"Easy, easy, it's just me, no one is going to hurt you."

Mark's words brought her back to reality. Her vision began to focus, and she could see the dark hair and piercing green eyes. She sat up quickly. He could tell she was shaken, he just didn't know why.

"You want to tell me what you are running from? Mark said. He knew what it was like to run from life and could sense how she was trying to escape from something.

Kara stammered, "I....I...why do you want to know? Why do you want to help me? Haven't you done enough?" She looked at him with such intensity that he knew it must be bad. He knew when he first saw her at the diner that they were colliding for a reason. This must be it. He didn't respond, he just waited for her to come to the same conclusion.

Kara spoke. He could tell she was trying to piece her words together. "It isn't a quick conversation and not one I really want to have on the side of the road." She was worried he was out there. He was watching them now and that she had just put this man, her rescuer, in danger.

"Okay, hand me the keys. I will put them under the visor and phone the tow truck."

Kara shook her head in reply and handed him the keys. He stepped out of the jeep onto the dusty road. She was confused and felt so much fear and uncertainty. She wasn't sure what to do. She knew she couldn't sit there like a wounded animal on the side of the road. She knew she was safer with Mark, but only if he would have her. She had this overwhelming feeling that the neon diner sign flashing in the sky was a sign for her after all.

Mark looked like he was a man that was used to taking care of things. He jumped back in the jeep and said, " It's taken care of, now lets go eat...and you can tell me what all this is really about."