She sat out on the front porch drinking her coffee, sketching the mountains with a mechanical pencil. The start of fall traffic was slow, most people leaving town before the snow. Helping to ring up several items, her phone rang, she answered while still ringing up items. "Marsh Station, how can I help?" "Is the owner there?" A woman asked on the other side of the line, "This is the owner. What can I help you with?" Avary bagged the items, handing them off to the customer. "Morris Mash is not the owner anymore?" The woman asked. 'Must be an old customer.' Avary thought.
"Morris Marsh is my Grandfather, sorry to inform you he passed away last month.. I'm Avary. Is there something I can help you with?" The line went silent, "Mama? Is there something I can help you with..?" Avary asked again but the line went dead. She shrugged, hanging up, a suv pulled up and a familiar man stepped through the door. "Sheriff Donald," she greeted him, "Avary, I had hoped to ask you some questions. You are the last stop before people leave town. Did you see this man drive through here?" He held up a photo of a dead man.
"Is this about the person found in the lake?" The sheriff looked annoyed, "Just answer my question. Did you see him?" Avary thought back looking at him and shook her head, "No he never stopped here," "Have you noticed anyone suspicious come through? Or cars driving out of town pretty fast?" Avary held back a scoff, "Sheriff nothing suspicious, and there are always reckless kids and tourists flying by my station." She paused thinking 'Must be something suspicious of the man who drowned to be questioning me.' She thought to herself.
"If you recall anything give me a call, also I heard that you saved some tourists from a cougar. You should be more careful. How is the tourist doing?" "He is recovering at the hospital, thankfully I got there in time. Did you need to talk with him?" He shook his head, "I'd just lose my temper, these tourists really get under my skin. Ha! I had a snobby lady come complain to us that you let some truck drivers threaten her." Avary laughed, "That was out of my hands, Mark and his son came through. She was demanding discounts for me, making them wait while I was in town. Danny just put a stop to her." Avary explained.
"Wish I could have been here for that, well not gonna say I was worried about you up here by yourself. Seems like you've got yourself covered." He bought a candy bar and soda before heading out. Avary closed up heading back into town checking into the hospital. Room four was empty, Liddy approached Avary. "Mister Jones was discharged this morning. I gave him your number, and told him to call before leaving town." Avary's smile faded slightly, a little disappointed she didn't get to say goodbye to him.
"He must have his reasons, but it's good he was well enough to leave. Thanks Libby." The nurse smiled simply, "You like the boy, and I believe he likes you. He will call.. If not you can always come join us for a drink and some Karaoke at the Pub Tap." Libby was trying to cheer up Avary. She smiled, "Maybe, thanks Libby." She headed outside looking at the mountain pass. Thinking about the cars she had ignored earlier. Heading back to the station she saw a car parked in front of the station. She had hoped it was Jackson, but as she got out of her truck she saw four college kids.
Jackson drove out of town, knowing he couldn't delay leaving. He passed the gas station, seeing Avary sitting in a chair on the porch drawing, writing maybe? He drove past without slowing down, having a full tank due to siphoning some tourist gas late last night. Arriving at the next town he checked his account seeing the money had been paid for the job. He transferred the money. Taking out the SIM card he tossed the phone into a donation bin. He looked at his bandaged arm knowing it would put him out of work for a bit.
A few days had passed and things seemed to go back to normal. The tourists death was declared an accident, he was some politician out here for vacation, got drunk and fell into the lake. Avary found each day a little easier, and with winter rolling in, the traffic had slowed considerably. Soon there would only be large rigs driving through here. Avary stood outside setting up a backup generator for the winter, a car driving into town slowly pulling into the station. Avary walked over to greet them and froze, Jackson stepped out of the car.
"Hello Avary," he hadn't been able to get her off his mind, and since he wasn't able to work he decided to spend that time exploring these feelings. Avary was stunned seeing him back, she thought he would never come back. "You know when it snows it'll be impossible to leave town?" She asked confused. "Well I can't work with my arm like this.." he closed the car door approaching her. "I was wondering if you'd allow me to rest here.. till spring.. I'll help around as much as I can." Avary blushed, he wanted to stay with her till spring.
Already she could hear her Grandfather yelling in her head saying no, but she felt relieved he came back. Honestly she hadn't stopped thinking about him, those obsidian black eyes.. "Won't that put you deeper in debt to me?" She joked, he smirked "I'm hoping me staying here will help me pay off that debt. What do you say Avary, will you let me stay here with you?" He asked again, Avary sighed trying to hide her happiness. "I can't send you away after all you drove all the way back here.. Park your car in the garage, and then come inside."