The Prophecy Series: Pinespoint

IVY

Pinespoint, Texas. A location I couldn’t even find on a map if I tried.

Why I picked this place, I couldn’t tell you. I’d been here a week and still wasn’t convinced it was the right decision. But it was the south and far enough from California for my liking. I was actually quite pleased with myself for choosing the countryside, considering I was a city girl turned island girl after two years in Hawaii. Neither of those lifestyles really suited me, so maybe I was meant to be a country girl.

And boy, did I choose the right place to test that theory.

The drive to the town square took about twenty-five minutes. I’d ventured into the town square after I’d unloaded my truck on my first day here. I’d gone to grab some food and nothing more, wanting to evaluate the cabin before buying more than I really needed. That was three days ago.

Now I was out of food and had a long list of necessities. Top of the list was a contractor or some sort of handyman. The general store was the only place I could think of that might be of any help.

I parked the car on the side of the road and walked into the general store. It was the first week of November and autumn was in full swing. The first snowfall was just around the corner and I needed the cabin ready before that happened.

The air was brisk and chilly. Leaves were scattered around the unpaved streets of the town square, which was roughly a block of buildings. Across the dirt road, opposite the buildings, there was a park and beyond that, the woods.

All I saw were trees, fallen leaves, patches of green grass, gravel, and dirt. I was already looking forward to spring, if I even lasted that long.

The town was as deserted as it had been on my first visit. During that trip, I’d arrived just before closing and was the last one to leave, apart from the store clerk. I wondered if it was always this quiet or if it was just the season. I knew enough to know it was hunting season, though the woods surrounding the cabin I now owned seemed devoid of both hunters and most wildlife.

The cold air made me wrap my arms around myself, pulling my jean jacket tighter in an attempt to warm up. I was always cold, even in Hawaii I was cold. Maybe it was my blood or maybe it was the incident. I wasn’t sure, but I knew I’d never been this cold before the incident. In fact, before my marriage, I was warm-blooded, but he made sure to beat that out of me.

The bell chimed as I entered the store, which smelled faintly old but also clean.

“Howdy there miss,” an older man greeted me from behind the only counter at the front of the store.

“Hi,” I replied as I approached him.

He was dressed in worn blue jeans, boots, and a long-sleeved plaid shirt. He was older—likely in his late thirties. He wore a blue stained apron that read general store in red letters and had a bright smile on his face.

“What can I do you for?” he asked. His accent was thick and southern. It was endearing and brought a smile to my face.

“Uh, I was wondering if you could recommend any repairmen? I bought the cabin on Stuart Drive and I need some work done before the first snow,” I explained.

“Miss, it sounds like you need a miracle!” He laughed and I joined him. “That place has been abandoned for three years, should just tear the damn thing down,” he said.

“Yeah, but I don’t have time to build a cabin before the first snow. I thought I could do some minor repairs just to get me through to spring before doing anything major,” I explained.

He was right, the old poop-stained cabin was barely standing and made a lot of strange noises during the day and even stranger ones at night. I had scrubbed and scrubbed the damn thing and it still looked dirty and smelled like old farts.

“Well, you should consider a plan B. However, I do recommend Ellison Montgomery. He’s built and repaired quite a few houses, if not all, in Pinespoint,” the man explained.

“Okay.” I nodded. He grabbed a scrap of paper from the counter and jotted down a number before handing it to me. “You might actually catch him in the next few minutes. I called him this morning about an order that came in from Dallas,” he said.

“I have some shopping to do so maybe I can catch him,” I told the man before grabbing a cart and walking through the store.

I loaded up the cart with nonperishable food items, unsure of the reliability of the electricity. It had been inconsistent, flickering on and off during the night. I didn’t want to gamble with it, or waste money.

Money wasn’t exactly an issue. My father had made sure I was well-off after the divorce, but I despised using his money. I needed to think about getting a job soon. I loathed using his tainted money.

I ambled toward the front of the store and noticed a tall, muscular man conversing with the cashier. He was dressed in a black t-shirt that hugged his muscles, worn black jeans, and combat boots. His hair was cut in a military-style buzz cut. He was undeniably handsome.

“Miss, this is Ellison Montgomery,” the cashier introduced, gesturing toward the muscular man.

Ellison turned to me with a warm smile. His blue eyes scanned me before he extended his hand for a handshake. I accepted, his large hand engulfing my smaller one with ease.

“How do you do, miss,” he greeted, his voice thick with an accent.

I was still getting used to the local accents, but I was already smitten. Especially when they were spoken by men as attractive as him.

“Good, sir, and yourself?” I responded, withdrawing my hand from his firm grip.

“Well, and please, call me Eli.” He grinned.

“Eli,” I repeated, nodding in acknowledgment.

“And you are?” he inquired.

“Ivy,” I replied, returning his smile.

“Ivy,” he echoed, gracing me with another dazzling smile. God, he was attractive.

However, I had a nagging feeling that he wasn’t interested in me. I couldn’t blame him. It felt like I knew him, or he was family, but I knew neither of those possibilities were true.

“I hear you bought that old cabin on Stuart Drive,” he mentioned, his lips pursed. “That place is barely standing. I’m surprised you bought it.”

“Yeah…” I admitted, shaking my head. “I saw the pictures and the realtor warned me it needed a lot of TLC, but I went for it anyway,” I confessed, smiling.

“A fixer-upper?” he queried.

“Yeah,” I confirmed with a nod.

“Well, I can swing by the house today and assess what needs to be done before the snow hits,” he offered, smiling.

“I would appreciate that,” I responded.

“All right, we can meet tomorrow to go over the details. I can stop by around ten a.m., if that works for you?” he proposed.

“Yes, thank you!” I agreed, excited for our meeting tomorrow.

After he collected his order, he departed and I checked out with the cashier, who I learned was named Buddy.

I made a hasty exit, hoping to dodge another discussion about the cabin that he seemed to think I should just tear down. I loaded my purchases into the truck and decided to make a quick stop at the library, conveniently located next to the general store.