Hello and welcome to number seven. I must apologize for the length of time it's taken. I tried to get someone to proofread, but I have waited three weeks plus for him to respond after sending him the episode, I've given up waiting, so here it is.
This is Episode seven, so I recommend you go to Episode 1 to get the whole story.
Thank you for all the positive feedback and the constructive criticism. One of these episodes takes around two hundred hours to create and edit, so for people to enjoy my work makes it all worthwhile.
As always, please leave feedback, and before you comment, I still need an editor. I am trying my best.
Okay, when we last saw Michael, he enjoyed Thanksgiving at the Ranch with everyone important in his life.
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It's the day after Thanksgiving, and I wake early with Emma asleep on my chest. I lay there thinking of how lucky I am and how much I love this beautiful woman that is fast asleep on me.
We had flown up in the company jet a couple of days before and had an incredible thanksgiving. The entire valley turned out to show Buck the way to his new home. That night he hosted the Thanksgiving ball. Emma and I danced together most of the night, having a great time with Kim, Ron, Susan, and Terri. Paps was in his usual sit and watch mood, but he got to slow dance with Terri and Susan.
Emma stirs on my chest and lifts her head. She sees me awake, "morning, baby. How long have you been awake?"
"Not long," I answer. "Did you sleep okay?"
"Yeah, last night was the best Thanksgiving dinner I've ever been to."
"I can't believe the number of people that turned out to show Buck the way."
"Seeing you come up the hill in that wagon with all the torches behind you was incredible. Dad got some fantastic pictures."
"Yeah? Maybe we should get one blown up and mounted for Buck as a housewarming gift."
"Good Idea."
There's a knock at the door. "Come on in," Emma says while pulling the covers entirely over us and resting her head back down on my chest.
"Good morning, you two. I thought I heard voices," Susan says.
"Good morning Susan, morning Terri," I say.
"Morning Mac," Terri says, looking a little sheepish. They come over and sit at the end of the bed.
"Mac, I have to say that yesterday must be the best Thanksgiving I've ever attended. Terri and I came in to thank you for including us this year."
"Ladies, for what you two have done for me over the years. There's no need to thank me, it was and always will be my pleasure." Both ladies smile at my words.
Then a realization dawns on Terri. "Hang on, are you both naked?"
I lift the covers and look down, "yep, as the day I was born."
The look on Terri's face is fantastic. "I think we best leave these two to get dressed. Violet is cooking breakfast and wants to know if you're still going to the cabin." She says before making her way to the door.
"How did she like her first night in her new home?"
"If the smile on her face is anything to go by, I think she's one very happy lady. I also think Buck showed her his appreciation last night." Susan says as she gets up.
The two friends disappear out of the door.
"We better get a move on, Em."
Emma lifts her head, "Cabin?"
"I thought it would be nice for us to ride out to the cabin and spend the night."
"Sounds romantic, and a bit of alone time will be nice. This holiday just keeps getting better and better." The smile on Emma's face is perfect.
We get up and make our way downstairs. The dining room is busy with Buck and his kids and my guests. Everyone is talking or eating breakfast Violet and her new helper, Susan, are preparing breakfast. Emma disappears into the kitchen to lend a hand, and I sit down next to Buck.
"So Buck, your new accommodation come up to scratch?"
"It'll do," he replies with a smile. "The cabin is all ready, and I got one of the boys to run over there and light a fire, so it will be plenty warm enough when you get there. The stable around the back has new bedding, and there is some food in the fridge."
"Thanks, Buck, that sounds perfect."
I look across to Ron. "Ron, what do you have planned for tonight?"
"Olivia and her husband have invited us over."
"That's great. Has anyone gone through how you book one of the cars out?"
"Yep, and apparently, I am covered on the company policy."
"That's right but try to keep it on the road. If you get lost, press the button on the left side of the steering wheel and ask the onboard computer for directions."
It's about a forty-five-minute ride from the house to the cabin. My ancestors built the cabin many years ago, and I have stayed there many summers growing up. It's the only cabin that doesn't get rented and has many beautiful memories for me.
Emma and I are on horseback riding through the open grassland down towards the lake. The cabin is across the river and up on the other side of the valley. It's part of the national park but still owned by my family. It's the only place on that side of the valley and is a protected building within the national park.
The cabin is out of the public areas, so it is very isolated. I couldn't have picked a better day to do this. The morning is cold and crisp, and the sun is still out, but it doesn't have much effect on the temperature since it's the end of November.
There is no rush as we trek through some of the most beautiful scenery. Being on horseback, you see things you would miss or scare off in a truck.
As we turn a corner, two deer raise their heads but ignore us and carry-on eating. They come down from the more isolated places when the general public disappears for the winter.
We walk past a no-access sign and up the track towards the cabin. As the tree thin, the entire valley comes into view.
I hear Emma gasp, "it's so beautiful up here." We stop and sit on the horses taking in the splendour. "Why didn't we come up here before?"
"Because it was being renovated by my Mother when she passed. It was the first thing I wanted to finish when Grammy passed." Emma stretches across and caresses my arm to tell me she understands. "Come on, Farrow, let's get you settled."
Farrow knows where he's going and walks calmly around the back. He stops outside the stable to allow me to get off and remove our bags and his saddle. Emma does the same, and we put the horses away for the time being.
I let us in through the back door, and the warmth surrounds us as we walk in.
As Emma looks around, there's a knock at the front door. "Hello, can I help you?"
A young female park warden is stood at the door. "Hello," she says. "Sorry to bother you, but this is the first time I've seen smoke coming from the cabin, and I thought I would check it out."
"Oh right," I say. "Everything is fine; my girlfriend and I will be here overnight."
"And you are?"
"Michael Carter," I say, waiting for her to panic.
She doesn't bat an eyelid and calmly picks her radio up. "Patrol three zero to base."
"Yes, Kate?"
"I'm up on the eastern side at the old cabin. I have a gentleman who says he's a Mr. Michael Carter. Can you verify that he's supposed to be here?"