The House by the Covered Bridge

Chapter 2

As the plane landed I'm shooken awake by a pair of strong hands. Blinking and pulling out my earbuds I just stared. "Hey sleeping beauty we are taxing in" He said with a chuckle. "Yea, thanks" I mumbled under my breath. "You do know that the real story of sleeping beauty is not the Disney version right?" I asked lifting my brow in question. "It's actually quite terrifying what happens to her." He just looked at me like I was something out of a dream. "OK, it's time for us to go Prince Charming." I growled. Ok were did this anger come from, I thought, oh right not a morning person and someone I don't really know just woke me up. He just stood and smirked. " Ok, you can stop staring your making me feel like I have something on my face, Brian." With that he chuckled letting me out of the row, " After you princess." He chuckled. With a flip of my pony tail I stormed off the plan into the crowded Baltimore Airport down to grab my luggage. I just couldn't wait to get in Mom's car and get home even if it was a few hours drive home. That man was unnerving.

Taking my luggage from the carousel I sprinted to the door just to slam into someone. The smell of forest and spice filled my nose. "Oh sorry just trying to go meet my Mom." I said. "Chris, it was nice to meet you. Here, it's my card if you ever need anything just call." He said rubbing his hand threw his hair. He's a business man why is he nervous about giving me his card. Why is he giving me his card? I thought."Oh ok thanks gotta run, Bye now" I rushed saying as I went threw the door. I was crossing the street seeing Mom's Red 90's Lumina as he came out the door looking around. "Hi Mom miss me?" I said giving her a hug. "Of corse dear, now hurry up we have a long way home. I want to hear about all your adventures. Any new friends?" She said as she got in the driver seat. Rolling my eyes as I got in this time capsule of a car she lovingly called Baby. "No mom, no boyfriends, so don't start marrying me off yet. Jen is doing good but wishing she was coming home." I chuckled watching the city pass by. At least I wasn't tired. I knew if I feel asleep Mom would take a wrong exit and we would end up in the wrong side of town. It's been like that since I was a kid. Turning on music Mom and I continued to talk as we went down the road.

I watched as Chris stormed off towards the doors. Well at least she got my card. Sighing I went outside to find my ride. Looking around I see Chris get in an old Lumina, hmm now that's interesting. Just then Jack waves me down. "Hey how was the meeting?" He asked opening the rear door. " Not bad but would rather discuss it at the office. The plan ride was interesting." I said chuckling. " Any news on the old victorian and Mrs. Zarbuck's estate?" Looking in the mirror he raised his eyes slightly. "Well they are waiting on the reading of the will till one Christiana Wolfgang comes back from college, which should be today." He reported.: So we will know who the new care taker of the bridge will be soon. I wounder how much knowledge that person will have. " I guess only time will tell. Not many knew the reason for that bridge. For us it was a right of passage to go threw it. It introduced us to the human world when we came of age. Sometimes a human would wonder threw and if the vail opened that person was welcomed into our world. If it didn't the person was just wandering the forest till they went back. Now that the caretaker was gone a new one would be picked, I wounder whom it will be. I thought as I opened my laptop to work on my office work. Chris kept coming to my mind. Something about her reminded me of Mrs. Zarbuck. I'd have to talk with Dad when I got back to the pack house. Officially distracted I decided I needed to look over the interviews for the forest management position we opened up recently. One name caught my attention Christiana Wolfgang. Hmm interesting I thought as I opened her resume. Something stirred inside me as the thought of honeysuckle and strawberry came to mind reading about her internship in the Ozarks. Could Christiana be Chris, my nymph? If so could she be the one to inherite Mrs. Zarbuck's land? That means she would find our about me and what I am. As we came off the interstate I asked Jeff to let me off as we entered pack lands I needed to run. My wolf growled in agreement knowing were we were going to run.

" Chris, You know you don't have to look for a job right away right. You had a long year take a break, love." Mom implored as we drove threw town. "Mom, I've been over this with you. Mountain Management has a once in a lifetime position and I won't be far from you once I get a house." I said esaperated, " Besides I will be in our house at least a year before I can save enough for my own place." I knew she was just worried about me becoming a workaholic like my Dad. In reality it was a possibility, I really didn't have anything else to do. As we pulled in our drive I looked into the woods. All I wanted to do was go on a hike. The woods called to me. To bad I not only had to unpack but needed to get ready for my interview on Tuesday. "Hey, Mom I'd like to go see Oma tomorrow. It's been awhile since I heard from her." Mom took a mournful breath "Honey, go get unpacked and we will talk while I bake cookies." Not good, talking and baking ment something I wouldn't like. "Ok,Mom." was all I said as we walked into our brick rancher.