Aspen checked the address twice when she finally reached the home located near the top of a low mountain in Northwest Arkansas. The wooden mailbox had the correct address, but the path from the road led to a beautiful multi-level home with large paneled windows in the front, a balcony with a small table and two chairs on the next level, and a double-door entryway. The only evidence that this was the home of someone with a disability was a ramp constructed alongside the wide wooden stair leading to a wrap-around porch. The path wound from side to side as it approached the entryway, and from the edges, Aspen could see the long blue lake about half-way down the far side of the mountain, sparkling in the early morning sun ahead of gathering storm clouds.
Aspen climbed the wide stairs to the entry and pressed the button next to the door. She wondered why there were cameras located at the upper corners of the front porch when the owner was blind. Any burglar who braved the climb up to these premises should be entitled to cart off something, but would probably be too exhausted to take much.
"Hello? Please identify yourself." The voice was deep, warm, and inviting.
"I'm the reader," Aspen said. "At least, I hope to be."
She heard a buzz followed by a snap indicating the door lock had been opened.
"Please come in. I'll be with you in a moment."
Aspen opened the door onto a tiled foyer. The first thing she noticed was the openness of the layout. Nothing would interfere with someone walking through the place. The next surprise was the number of windows, which lit up all the rooms and permitted her a view of the forests on either side of her, the boulders and cliffs interspersed, and the lake far below. The views were spectacular, and probably wasted, she thought.
From her left, she heard footsteps on the stairs from the landing above. A man with a white cane and dark glasses was descending quite confidently. His hair was salt-and-pepper black. He looked to be about six feet tall, and in very good physical condition. A white t-shirt covered his broad shoulders, wide chest and tapered waist, while khaki shorts extended to his knees. When he reached the bottom of the stairs, he smiled a bright, inviting smile.
"Good morning. Aspen? Are you alone or accompanied?"
Aspen cleared her throat, and croaked, "Alone. But I have my cell phone."
He chuckled. "It's good to be on the safe side."
He swept his arm toward a table and chair arrangement alongside one of the large side windows. Aspen walked over from the tiled floor to the wooden floor and took a seat, followed by the man, whose cane did not touch the floor.
"May I get you some coffee or tea?" he asked.
"No, thank you." Her voice was hoarse. She cleared her throat again.
He sat down across from her, his head turned slightly and bowed as if listening to her breathing, or noticing her perfume. He smiled again.
"Thank you for coming. I'm looking to hire someone as a reader for me. Just a few times a week should be sufficient, and only an hour or two at a time."
Aspen twisted nervously in her seat. She was glad he couldn't see her blouse or skirt, picked up just yesterday from Goodwill stores. He was so tan and fit, she felt embarrassed that she was so white and thin.
"Look, I really need a job, but I don't think this is going to work. I'm not used to driving on these mountain goat trails, and my old car won't make it more than once or twice. And, anyhow, why should you pay someone when the county will provide a reader for you for free? Or get some audio books. The readers on those are professional."
"I appreciate your honesty, Aspen, and your reluctance. But you made the trip here one time. You could have just called to cancel, or not shown up at all. So, I'm curious. Why did you come?"
"I need some job. I'm not what you'd call employable, generally. You've checked my references. You know I'm coming out of drug rehab. I'm a junkie, but I'm quitting. With help from a Higher Power, I mean. This place, this gorgeous place, is so remote, so removed from my usual temptations, that I thought I could stay clean here. But just the thought of that drive and climbing the path to your house twice a week makes me nervous and triggers my need. I'm sorry."
Clouds outside made the room grow dim as she spoke. A flash of lightning startled her although the man did not move at all. The crash of thunder shook the windows just as large drops splashed against the panes.
"Oh, great! I'll never get down the mountain on wet roads. This is a sign that this whole thing is a bad idea. I'm sorry to have wasted your time."
The man extended one hand to her. She nervously clasp it, and gave it a parting shake, but he didn't let go. Instead, he placed his other hand over hers. Her first instinct was to pull her hand away, but there was a gentle strength holding her. Aspen had been touched way to often by men not to be a little concerned, but his demeanor was so calm and soothing that she endured the contact. His thumb traced the back of her hand tenderly. Her breathing slowed.
"Your first impression was correct, Aspen. This is a wonderful place to escape and to avoid those temptations that hurt you in the past. It's remote, yes, but safe. I have this whole place pretty much to myself, and I would enjoy a little company."
"Forget it, buster. That's not what I want."
She pulled her hand free and stood up. He didn't move, waiting for her to decide. She stayed put. At the next clap of thunder, she sat back down.
"I don't mean to imply that you will be anything but my guest," he said. "I would enjoy hearing you read to me each day, too, but I won't require it. If you do read, I'll pay you handsomely for your time."
Aspen studied him. He did not appear to be menacing, and there was no one else around. She listened to any sounds above the pattering raindrops. There was nothing — no radio, no television, no music playing. She could see that this beautiful home might be quite a lonely place atop the mountain. It might also be just the solitude that she needed to finally kick free of her bad habits.
"Let me show you the room I have in mind for you. Just see it. If you don't like it, or if you still want to go, that would be fine."
He rose from his chair and approached the stairway again. At the bottom he paused, waiting for the sound of her following steps. Aspen followed him up the stairs to a broad hall way with four room and a large library area. He opened each door for her to allow her to peek in.
