Vivian Arend: Rocky Mountain Haven

“I’ll have to check into a hotel or motel.” She couldn’t afford it, but… “Do you know which one would be the cheapest for a long-term stay?”

The old codger raised a brow. “Well, you could try the motel, but if you give me a minute, I bet we can do you one better. Since it’s partly my fault you’re in this mess.” He gestured at the U-Haul. “You need a place to dump all that anyway. Won’t fit at a motel, I’m guessing.”

He hauled out a cell phone, and she turned her back to stop the hysterical giggles that wanted to rise up and overtake her. The incongruity of his worn overalls and the shiny new phone was too much to handle when she stood on the verge of a breakdown.

“Mommy. Are we lost?”

She smiled at Nathan, his blond head poking out from the window of the truck. “No, we’re in the right spot, only there’s a mix-up. We’ll get it figured out.”

Lance popped up beside him. “Are we still going to live here? It smells.”

Oh Lord. “Yes, we’re moving here. You’re going to school here. I’m teaching here. Nothing has changed since the last time you asked, twenty minutes ago. And it doesn’t smell any worse than your bedroom before we cleaned it up to get ready to move.”

Nathan laughed at him and Lance stuck out his tongue. Robbie forced his way between his brothers, all three of them hanging precariously from the window. “I have to go pee.”

Beth sighed. She glanced at her erstwhile landlord who was still talking on the phone. He laughed at something then motioned at her, flashing a thumbs-up while he continued to yatter. A 7-Eleven across the street caught her eye, and she motioned for the boys to back up.

“Bathroom break for everyone. I’ll buy you a Slurpee, then I expect you to stay quiet until I get this little issue solved. We’ll hit a park as soon as we can, okay?”

They clambered down, and she pulled them in tight for a hug. Life had been hellishly tough at times lately, but these dirty, smiling faces made it all worthwhile. She waved a hand at Mr. Jordon then pointed across the street. He never broke stride in his discussion, which now seemed to be about feeding tomato plants with fish fertilizer to get the best yield. She really hoped somewhere in the conversation he had managed to find them a temporary home.

They recrossed the street ten minutes later, three contented boys clinging to sweet frosty drinks. Didn’t take much to make her crew happy.

Mr. Jordon grinned, pride filling his face. “I talked to my friend, Mike. He said there were no troubles with you taking possession of Grampa Peter’s homestead for a bit. His oldest sons have been living in it, but there’s plenty of room at home for them temporarily like. You’re even welcome to rent the place with the furniture if you need it. Six months sound good? I’ll promise you space back here at the end of that time since we weren’t ready when we promised.”

“A house?” Hope brightened her weary load. What she wouldn’t give for a house to live in, instead of an apartment. It would be so much better for the boys, but she knew exactly what her expenses were going to be, and the cost for a house was probably out of reach. “How much does he want for rent?”

Mr. Jordon snorted. “He didn’t want a damn thing, but since I figured you’d have issues with that, he said to tell you he’d take what you were going to pay me. No first and last. Just get him the money when you can. Any furniture you want to use, you use. Anything you don’t want, there’s an outbuilding to store things in.” He eyed her leg brace. “Who’s helping you unload the truck?”

“We are.” Lance spoke up. He’d been hanging back politely but marched forward to stand wide-legged in front of her, his fists resting on his hips. Her heart ached at the sight. Only eight, and he was already trying to take care of her. “We’re Mommy’s helpers.”

Mr. Jordon nodded sagely. “And mighty fine ones too, I bet. But you see, I know a few other young men, strapping strong fellows like yourself. Perhaps I can get them to help as well. You know, so you can show them how it’s done.”

Lance’s face lit up and Beth breathed out slowly. It looked as if her insane idea to take her family to a place with a quieter pace of life might work after all.

She smiled at the older man. “I’d like to see the house before I make any commitments, but I really do appreciate your help.”

He laughed, peeling himself off his truck and yanking the door open. “Didn’t do nothing. Tell you what, you follow me. We’ll take a spin out to the Peter’s place. The Colemans are all working right now, so we won’t be disturbing anyone. If you’re happy with the place, we’ll come back and get you put up for the night at the hotel. That’ll give the boys time to clear out their things, and tomorrow I’ll get my grandsons to help your fine moving team get you settled.”

Beth nodded at another of the adults she recognized from the Meet the Teacher night she’d attended a week earlier. Settling into the community had gone far better than she’d expected, with early September the usual whirl of commotion. Lance and Nathan loved their teachers in the small elementary school, and Robbie’s kindergarten class seemed to spend more time outdoors than inside, which was exactly what the active little boy needed.

Nathan tugged at her shirt. “There’s Jimmy. Can I go with him?” He was away before she could confirm or deny his request, tackling his friend, the two of them rolling on the ground like puppies.

The other mom smiled in greeting. “Hi, Beth. They are excited today, aren’t they? I can take your boys with me to the kids’ play area, if you’re okay with that.” Lance bounced on the spot, eager to go as well but unwilling to leave without permission.

Another joy she’d discovered living in the smaller community. Never before had she felt comfortable leaving her boys in someone else’s company. Since she’d always been home, they’d never gone to day care in Calgary. Samuel had discouraged any regular playgroups. She’d never wanted to get too close to anyone and have too many questions asked. Here in Rocky Mountain House people went out of their way to say hello, to get to know the boys and offer help.

She gave her assent, and the older boys roared off like airplanes to the colouring contest and penny carnival areas of the community picnic. Robbie clung to her hand as they walked the fairgrounds, the crowds of families racing past and the clatter of the music making him shier than usual.

“Well, if it isn’t my lovely neighbour and her escort. Hey, Robbie boy, you enjoying yourself?”

Beth smiled at the older man as he adjusted his crutches so he could bend over and ruffle her son’s hair. Her temporary landlord had turned out to be nothing short of an angel. He and his eldest son, Blake, had cleared their things from the Peter’s house and arranged for storage for the household goods she didn’t need.

Now a month later, she was even more grateful as she watched her sons thrive. They needed this. In fact, she needed it too—a chance to see there were good people in the world.

“Mike, it’s good to see you. Is Marion here as well?”

He shook his head. “She’s feeling under the weather. But you need to drop by the house soon and join us for dinner like you promised. Marion thinks you’re avoiding us.”

Beth lifted a brow. “We’d love to come by, but if you remember, a couple days before we were scheduled to drop in you decided to play chicken with a moose.” She pointed to his cast. “How is your leg?”

“It’ll be fine. The boys are taking care of the harvest, so I’m sitting back and being a man of leisure this fall.” He winked. “You and me, we could enter the three-legged race and still be a leg short.”