I Don't Want to Fall

Chapter 3: Wolf in the Road

The drive home was becoming so wonderful as I listened to my children's excitement and laughter in the backseat. It had been so rare before as we all had to walk on eggshells around Gavin. It made my heart happy to finally get to see them be themselves without fear, and at the same time, heavy that they had had to live that way before.

Gavin controlled everything we did down to how we behaved to the clothes we wore. He had to have a picture perfect family and there were strict rules. I was happy I won on deciding their schooling so they could go to regular school and be normal children with a simple childhood. Gavin wanted them to go to private schools with uniforms. We always had to be formally dressed. Either dresses or a skirt and blouse for Emmeline and I, and slacks with a polo or button-down shirt for Emerson with dress shoes. I always had to have heels. It was tiresome to always have to look and act perfectly even in our own home.

Today, we were all in jeans with tennis shoes, and the kids loved it. They giggled about their friends at school and told me what they had learned. Our life was finally becoming normal.

I had been overly paying attention to them as their happiness was contagious. No one was normally back here on this dirt road anyway. When I looked forward, a huge russet colored wolf was in the middle of the road staring down my jeep. I had to slam on my brakes not to hit him and veered the vehicle.

"s**t!" I said under my breath as Emmie squealed in the backseat frightened.

Once the jeep stopped, I looked around for the wolf, but I couldn't see it anywhere. I stepped out of the vehicle cautiously.

"Stay in the car," I said to the kids, seeing that they were both alright, just a little startled.

I went around to the front dreading what I would find, but letting out a relieved sigh when there was nothing there. I looked around, but the wolf must have run off frightened. I circled the jeep only to find the passenger side front wheel was flat. I must have hit something a bit too hard when swerving.

"s**t!" I said again and kicked the side of the bad tire.

"Momma, that's a bad word." I jumped at Emerson next to me, clutching my chest.

"Didn't I say to stay in the jeep? You just scared the daylights out of me, Emerson." I said, looking at my son next to me, also examining the flat tire.

"I'm sorry, Momma." he said but didn't make a move to get back in the vehicle with his sister. "What are we going to do now?"

"I don't know." I replied, frustrated with the situation now. "I guess we will have to walk up to Mr. Ambrose's house, and ask to use his phone to call for a tow."

Thinking about that, I wasn't sure if the old man would like me bothering him at his home, but I didn't have much choice. I had no cell service out this way. I couldn't drive the jeep like that, and my kids couldn't walk all the way back to our house. The jeep was enough out of the way that anyone else could get around it, though I knew no one else would be traveling this way.

I got Emmie out of the vehicle, and we started our walk up the road. Every now and then, I looked out into the forest to make sure I didn't see the wolf anymore. We would have been sitting ducks if it decided to come back and attack us.

Finally, we made it up to Ambrose's front door. I had to start carrying Emmie halfway through our walk, but Emerson never complained. After setting her down and turning to the door, I suddenly felt nervous. My heart fluttered in my chest.

Emerson looked at me, "Are you going to knock or what mom?"

I shook my head and knocked on the wood door before me. After a minute, it swung open, but I was taken aback by a little girl standing on the other side with blonde curls and bright green eyes. She seemed about five and bleamed at us. I was at a loss for words.

"Papaw, you have visitors!" She hollered through the house.

"Now Cassidy Ann, you can't just go opening -" Ambrose fussed from around the corner but stopped short when he saw me.

"I'm sorry to bother you, Ambrose, but my jeep got a flat up the road, and I don’t have a spare. I didn't know what else to do, but to walk up here and ask to use your phone for a tow." I said ashamed to have to bother him, especially if he had family in.

"No tow trucks will come up this way," He said flatly, and my face dropped. "I'll get my grandson to tow it for you."

"Carson!" he yelled out through the house.

"I think Daddy was outside, Papaw." Cassidy stated.

"Yes?" I jumped out of my skin as suddenly there was a tall man beside me and the kids.

He had to be at least 6' 4" with broad shoulders, tanned skin from working outside, and was very well built. He had dark reddish brown hair. I'd almost describe it as chocolate bronze and beautiful hazel eyes that pierced through me. Suddenly, Ambrose spoke again, and I realized I had been staring a little too intently at the man before me. I felt my cheeks heat up as I turned towards Ambrose instead. I could feel Carson's eyes still on me.

"Oh, there you are, Carson. Miss Ellowyn has gotten a flat down the road and needs a tow. Do you think you can bring my tow truck out of the barn and take it to town to get fixed? What did you say happened, Ellowyn?" Ambrose finished turning to me with his question, but Emerson spoke up instead.

"There was a huge wolf in the road!" he exclaimed, and Cassidy giggled.

"A wolf, you say? ummm..." Ambrose questioned now, staring at Carson for some odd reason.

"Yes, a huge red and brown one." Emerson answered.

"Well, anyways, Ellowyn, would you mind if the twins stayed with Cassidy and I while Carson helps you get everything straightened out?" Ambrose suggested.

I was shocked that he was so genuine to help me, and not only that, but he offered to watch the twins while I got everything fixed. I pretty sure he had never even met them before, and I knew him to be stand-offish to others.

"Um, yes, this is Emerson and Emmeline. That would be so wonderful, Ambrose. I don't know how I could repay you both for the kindness." I answered.

"We're the only ones out this far. We have to stick together." The old man smiled softly at me. I was taken aback by this other side to Ambrose Cunningham. Maybe having family around him was a good thing.

"Come on!" Cassidy said happily, grabbing Emmie's hand and pulling her into the house. She seemed excited to have a new friend. Emerson trailed behind.

Ambrose handed a set of keys to Carson, "That should be what you need, and it's got gas."

He went back inside, leaving us alone. I felt a nervousness being alone with Carson, and I wasn't quite sure why.