The Woodsman
738 Words
Thunder rolled across the valley, and dark clouds slowly rolled in. Bolts of lightening flashed and then the sky opened up. Rain poured out of the sky, causing the dust to rise briefly before settling back into the ground. The Woodsman glanced outside, to where the empty bus sat. He didn't like to meet the girls right away; he learned that it was better to give them time to adjust to being in a safe place. He studied the roster briefly. 10 young girls, ranging in ages. All suffered something terrible. The Woodsman sighed briefly. He ran a rough, calloused hand across the stubble of his weathered face. He briefly scratched the top of his cropped grey head. The coffee pot beeped, signalling that it was ready. The Woodsman walked into the kitchen and poured himself a steaming cup of fuel.
His kind, grey eyes were framed with crows feet, and they swung toward the door as someone knocked. He opened the door and was surprised to see Miss C standing there. She smiled at him, and he invited her in. Water dripped from her hair and clothes and landed on the hard wood floor. "I got caught in the rain on my way over here." She smiled again. The Woodsman went into the hallway and grabbed a towel. In just a few short steps, he was back. He handed it to her, and she reached for it gratefully. Their hands touched briefly, and The Woodsman glanced up sharply. A small shiver erupted at the base of his spine and traveled all the way up. Miss C felt it too, based on the deepening blush of her cheeks and neck. She snatched her hand back, and started blotting the moisture with the towel.
"Would you like some coffee? I just brewed a fresh pot." He asked. "Yes, please." He handed her a steaming cup and said, "I don't have any cream, but there is sugar." She took a tentative sip and said, "No thank you. This is perfect. May I sit down?" She gestured to the small table and chair set that dominated a corner of the brightly lit kitchen. "Of course. Where are my manners?" He said. She pulled a chair out and sat down. She was dripping still, but not quite so much. She wrapped towel around her shoulders and took another sip of the delicious brew. He sat down opposite her, and looked at her curiously.
"I wanted to check on you. I hadn't seen you in a few days. I know it's hard for you to see these girls in such pain when they come to us." She paused. He didn't say anything, only nodded in agreement. The Woodsman didn't like to talk much. He was a quiet man by nature. He felt comfortable with Miss C; they've been working together for a long time now. The attraction he felt earlier wasn't new - he just hadn't acted on it. The Woodsman started to speak, when he heard knocking on his door. Miss C raised a perfectly shaped eyebrow and smiled. He stood up and went to see who it was.
Carter, The Woodsman's right hand, was standing there. He looked anxious, which was unusual for the young man. He was normally serious, reserved. He kept his emotions tight. Carter handed him a report. The Woodsman looked at it briefly and beckoned Carter to the table, where Miss C still sat. The young man hesitated, and The Woodsman nodded. Miss C stood up, preparing to leave. "You can stay." The Woodsman told her. "In fact, we should call Red in to discuss this." He tapped the page sitting on the table. The Woodsman grabbed the phone and dialed her cottage. He hung up, after speaking briefly. He decided what they needed now was more coffee, so he set about the kitchen and put another pot on. He opened a cupboard and pulled out a bottle of Irish Whiskey. They would all need a little when this meeting was over.
With the coffee ready, and the cups set out, The Woodsman walked over to the door and peeked out. The rain had subsided, and the sun was shining through. A rainbow peeked out between the clouds as if telling them it would be okay. It did nothing to cheer him, though. He went back to the table and waited for Red to join the party.
- Writer
