Spring Love Blossoms

At

The House of Four Seasons

By Atonia Walpole

I find myself reading poetry sometimes, a little book left by Jack Aubrey. It must have been given to him for it was way past his era. “It is enough to feel his love blow by like music over me” (Sara Teasdale). John left this morning.

Spring arrives tomorrow. I’m lying across his bed. I shall sleep here tonight as it will bring me closer, I think. We’ve only had one season together and I am looking forward to this one. It takes a couple of seasons to really get to know a person. Three months is not a long time…not long at all…never long enough…ever.

 

 

Part 1:

He had a different feeling this time when he drove up to the house. This time he knew where he was going and what awaited him. He’d missed her from the time he found himself on the drive; where he’d been prior to that he didn’t know. He guessed in his other dimension, his other non-life of a movie. But this, this was something, a chance to actually live a life of his own...and he had Toni.

He was thinking of the last time he saw her when Terry disappeared and they had all come to the house to be with her. It had been a learning experience for him, meeting the other seasons. They were all right guys in his book. Loving Toni was what they had in common, but he liked them and trusted them to take care of her when he wasn’t around, even Terry, who he really wanted to take outside, but it seemed Max had taken care of that. Terry turned out to be okay, bit of a risk taker maybe, but he loved her and that’s what counted.

It would be dawn soon. He wondered if he should just go on in or wait until she might be awake and knock on the door. It was raining, not hard, but if a guy got out and walked around he’d be wet by the time the sun came up. He parked the car by the garage and made a dash for the front porch. Maybe if the door was unlocked he might just go in and wait for her.

As his hand touched the knob the door opened on its own and a warm welcoming rush came around him, ushering him into the house. He felt it take him to the foot of the stairs and with a little encouragement from the house, he climbed the stairs and walked down the hall to his room.  He was thinking he might change clothes, get out of this ‘50’s wardrobe, but when he entered his room and found her in his bed he sat down in the chair, smiling, and watched her sleep. She was so gentle, like a little kitten, soft and sweet. He took a breath and looked toward the window. Wouldn’t be long now that sun would be up and then he might wake her.

Toni was dreaming in color, green moss, fern leafs, fresh air, clean laundry blowing in the breeze, cardamom. She turned over on her back and found herself coming awake, blinking her eyes. It was just becoming light enough to see in the room. She turned her head and smiled.

“Bud, good morning.”

“Morning, kitten. Did you sleep good?”

“I think I was dreaming of you…come to bed.”

Bud smiled, “I think I will.”

“How’ve you been?”

“Good. I’m glad you’re here.”

“Is something wrong?”

“No, not a thing. I’m glad to see you.” She ran her hand over his shoulder, loving the feel of his skin.

“I’m happy to see you, too.”

“Are you? You haven’t even kissed me yet.”

He smiled, “But I’m gonna.” He took her in his strong arms and kissed her sweetly, running his hand over her hair, then met her eyes for a moment.

Toni saw them deepen and took his face in her hands and kissed him soundly. He moaned a little as the kiss became more urgent, his hands moving over her body until he moved on top of her and claimed his season.

Bud and Toni took a walk later in the day, ending up where the Christmas trees were growing.

“I’ve counted three stumps, so does that mean you’ve spent three season’s here?” he asked.

“Yes, three.”

“Oh, there are no new trees coming up. What happens when they’re all gone?”

Toni stopped, something cold in her chest. “How many trees are there? I’ve never counted. Oh, no…I..." She ran ahead, looking down the rows of trees.

“Toni?” Bud called out and ran after her.

Toni turned to him with a frightened expression on her face. “I don’t know what happens! Bud, help me count…please.”

“Hey, Toni, calm down. Come here.” He took her hand and pulled her to him. “Nothing is going to happen. I know what you’re thinking…that when the trees are gone it all ends. That’s crazy, Toni. We can plant more trees. There are, heck, I don’t know, twenty, thirty or more.”

“We have to plant, Bud! It's spring, it’s time for planting. We could find a nursery and buy some seedlings.”

“We can do that, Kitten. What’s got you so upset all of a sudden?”

“I just…live with this fear because it’s all so perfect here, I’m so happy…I’m afraid something will happen one day and it will end.  I don’t think I could bear it, Bud.”

“You told me this magic here was ancient; it was forever. There's no need for you to worry about it. We’ll buy some trees and every time John cuts one down I’ll plant another. They’re just trees, Kitten. There will always be four seasons in a year, magic or no magic, that’s a fact. Nothing is going to change or go away unless you want it to.”

“I don’t want anything to change. Sometimes I think I don’t deserve this. I have everything I want here, everything. It’s not…”
“Normal? Nothing here is normal, Toni. You know that. You deserve all the happiness you can handle. The house understands that.  Hey, quit worrying that pretty little head of yours and enjoy what you have.”

“I’m sorry, I get like this sometimes. I’m sorry, Bud. Silly of me, I guess.”

“No, not silly. Nothing about you is silly. Let’s get out of these trees. You said there was a boat house on the pond now?”

Toni took his hand and squeezed it, smiling up at him. She turned toward the path that led down to the pond. He had a way of making her feel protected from anything and dashing her worries.

“This is okay. Do you think there’s any fish in the pond?”

“Yes, I saw them last summer. Max and I were throwing bread crumbs to them. Do you like to fish?”

“I think I could get to like it. Never had much time for it, you know.”

“You do now. This is your home, Bud. I want you to know anything you want to do here, go ahead and do it. I live here all the time but when you’re here it’s yours, too. Make yourself at home, please.”

“That’s kinda hard to do. I feel more like a visitor or guest in your house.”

“We’ll fix that this year, Bud. It’s yours, too.” She reached up and kissed him softly and he smiled.

“I’ll try and remember that.”

“Let’s look in the shed over there and see if there's any fishing gear. If not we’ll go buy some.”

“Hey, what’s all this?" He bent down and opened a box. "Hockey sticks and nets, tennis rackets? John and Max?”

“Yes, any fishing stuff?”

He stood up and looked around. “Oh, yeah, up here on the racks, all kinds of things.” He took down a tackle  box. “Lures and hooks...it looks like I’m all set. Terry not into sports?”

“He plays tennis and swims. He’s a runner, you know. Runs every morning.”

“How about you?”

“I swim, play tennis. I’d rather walk than run.”

“Yeah, me too.” He closed the shed door. “Do you ever see any animals around here? With all these woods you’d think there would be something.”

“Other than birds, no. You know, I never thought about that. I guess they can’t get in because of the fence or the magic. At least the fish are here.”

“I won’t keep them, just catch and throw back,” he grinned. “Don’t care for cleaning them, you know.”

“How about surf fishing? I remember going out on the beach early in the mornings when I was a child and watching the men with their poles.”

“I have done a little of that. We’ll see.” He gave her a side glance and put the tackle box back on the shelf.  After what happened to Terry he wasn’t too sure about the ocean here. “Do you go out in the ocean in the summer?”

“Yeah, you’ve been down on the beach. It’s a nice place to swim and play.”

“Oh, well, just stay away from the lighthouse.”

“Don’t worry. I’ve had no desire to walk all the way down there again.”

“I wanna make sure you’re here next time I come…home.”

“I’ll be here. I’ll always be here waiting for you.” She smiled and took his arm as they walked back toward the house. Bud seemed to be relaxing a bit. He'd surprised her bringing up her other seasons and casually talking about them. Perhaps meeting them last fall helped him understand and accept how things had to be.

“It’s a little early for dinner, Bud, would you like a drink and a snack?”

“Sounds good. I know where the drinks cabinet is. What would you like?”

“G&T. I’ll find some goodies to go with.” While Bud went off to get their drinks, Toni opened the fridge and found a tray already filled with assorted cheeses, summer sausage and crackers. She only added a few olives. Just the sort of thing she had been thinking about.

“Got any limes or don’t you like it with fruit?”

“I’m sure there’s a lime in the fridge already sectioned,” she smiled as he opened the fridge and brought out a bowl of sliced limes.

“Let’s sit outside. It’s nice out today.” Bud picked up the tray of snacks and Toni took the glasses to the stone terrace.  The terrace was in the shade this time of day and with the breeze from the ocean it was a little cool but it was fresh air and the view was lovely.

“I’ll get you a wrap if you’ll tell me where to find something,” Bud offered.

“Look in the corner behind the glass doors. Just any old thing is fine, Bud.”

“Somebody’s shirt. This okay?” Bud handed her a man’s shirt.

Toni smiled and took the blue shirt, slipped it on, rolling the sleeves up a little. “Thanks, Bud.” It was Jack’s shirt. She wondered how it got on the coat rack. She’d never taken it out of her closet since the day he left three springs ago. She instantly felt warmth around her shoulders and looked out toward the ocean. Perhaps he was thinking about her.

She held up her glass. “To you, Bud. Welcome home.”

 

Part 2:

 

The next day Toni and Bud went to Salem to a nursery she’d found online to look for trees. Bud had cut a little branch off one of their trees so she could make sure she found the same thing to replace the three that had been cut down. This was important to Toni. She didn’t know exactly why or understand, but she knew the trees needed replanting.

The nurseryman took them around, showing them different trees until Bud brought out the branch he’d cut.

“Ah, well,” the nurseryman scratched his head, “didn’t know o’these kind growing around here. I might have to order. Well, wait a minute.” He walked up the hillside and motioned for them to follow him.

“Don’t rightly know where these came from. Let me see that branch. Well, what do you know! How many did you need, three? Looks like that’s what I got. Heh, heh, I’d forgot about these trees. I’ll get ‘em balled up and delivered for ya if you’d like.”

Toni winced. “Any way they could be put in the back of a Jeep Cherokee?”

“Could be done, I reckon. Might mess up your vehicle.”

“I don’t mind. We can put down some plastic or something. I’d really like to take them today if possible.”

“If you come back in a couple of hours I’ll have them ready to load.”

“That okay with you, Toni?” Bud asked.

“Yes, we can go get some lunch while we wait.” She was relieved. No way could they be delivered to the house.

“Bud, you see that little coffee shop on the corner? We could get a sandwich there.” Bud found a place to park along the side street that led down to the wharf.

“This is where it all started, Bud.” Toni told him about meeting Andy here. “He was my guide to the house and explained a lot about it and what to expect. I never knew I was renting a magical house.”

“You weren’t planning to come for a season then?”

“Oh, no, I was looking for a place I could write for a year. That was all. I didn’t know about the magic until I got to the house and Andy began explaining.”

Bud went up the the counter and placed their order then walked over to the table and sat down. “Don’t you wonder how Andy could be here in this place?”

“I do now, yes, now that I know what’s allowed. At that time no one could leave and I didn’t for a year.”

“I guess it’s good magic whatever it is. Being here in this town where the witch trials took place makes you wonder.”

“Terry and I came down here for Halloween. They really go all out. We saw a vampire running up the street, complete with black cape and a red silk lining. He was part of one of the shows they put on. Still, it was kind of eerie.”

“This whole town gives me the creeps. I don’t like the dark houses…something about this place,” he shrugged his shoulders.

“It really doesn’t bother me. I wouldn’t want to live here but it’s part of our history. We were going to the witch museum but the line was so long we gave up. Plus it was raining hard that day.”

“Have you ever tried to find out about the house, when it started or anything?”

“No, how would you know where to look? It’s not found on any map. Terry had a map of the area but our road isn't on it. There’s only the old wooden sign with the arrow and I don’t know if it’s visible to anybody but us.”

“That guy who brought you and John back saw it, didn’t he?”

“No, I did and told him where to turn.”

“I noticed a little book store down the street. Let’s have a look through it before we leave. Might be something there about the area.”

“You’re really interested in the origins of the house, aren’t you?”

“Yeah, something unexplained, you know. I like to try and figure things out.”

Toni smiled and sipped her coffee. She should have known that about him. He was, after all, officer Bud White. He’d wanted to be a detective but had been grossly misused. Their sandwiches arrived and they ate their lunch.  Later they found several volumes in the book store to take back home and read.

The trees were balled and netted and just fit in the back of her Jeep Cherokee. With the hatch open and tied down, they made their way back to the house. Bud parked as close as he could to the planting area and manhandled the trees out of the vehicle. Tomorrow he would plant. Toni’s anxiousness about the trees had spread to him. It was the right thing to do, replace what had been taken from the property.

Bud reparked the jeep in the garage and shut the door. He stood looking at the house and gardens that surrounded it and thought it was  like a sanctuary, a place where nothing bad happened, nothing there to hurt you or bother you like wild animals might do, only birds and fish and insects. No intruders to worry about. It was a safe haven.

He thought about what Toni had told him about coming here in the first place. Maybe she needed that safe haven. Somehow the house knew she needed its protection and its magic. Magic, he smiled…it needed a bit of investigation.

Later that evening they were piled up on the sofa in the living room. Millie joined them, finding a little space to curl up and be close. Bud had the big book on the witch trials and Toni had three others she was skimming trough prior to reading.

“Did you know there were men accused and executed for witchcraft?” Bud asked.

“No, I will admit I haven’t really looked into the trials.” Toni punched a pillow behind her back.

Bud read slowly but ingested what he read. Toni was a fast reader and only picked up certain bits of information.

“I wonder what ever happened to the people who were accused and acquitted?” Toni asked.

“Like Captain John Alden? I dunno, looks like a case of mass hysteria to me.”

“John Alden? Hmm, his name appears in two of these books. He was taken to Boston and escaped.”

“But they caught him.”

John Alden. Oh that his name should be spoken here again. ( House of Four Seasons)

“Oh, here he is! He was a sea captain, and it says he traded with the Indians and lay with squaws and had many papooses.”

“That’s only hearsay. One of the girls that accused him said that. They took his sword away from him because the girls claimed he tortured them with it.”

Toni looked away, imagining a tall captain, perhaps resembling her captain. “I wonder what he looked like? He probably had all the girls after him, probably turned them down and they went after him, accusing him of witchcraft.”

Bud looked up. "Probably had a peg leg and no teeth.”

Toni grinned, “I don’t believe that. No, I think he was a handsome devil, otherwise they wouldn’t have bothered with him.”

“Witches don’t have to be handsome.”

“But he was acquitted, right, so he wasn’t a witch.”

“I doubt any of them were witches. Like I said, mass hysteria. Probably to cover up a little screwing around. Somebody probably got caught and made up a story and it spread, infecting the whole town.”

But Toni was off. He was already becoming one of her stories, handsome sea captain…John Alden. She was flipping through a book with some old photographs. “Bud, look! I’ve seen this, this view.” She handed him the book.

“Yeah, from the cliff a little farther down from the walk down to the beach. Who took it?”

“Um…Peter Aldridge, 1888. He was here…can’t tell what season. I’ve got to read this one cover to cover.”

Bud, however, was tired of reading and pulled her foot into his lap and began running his hand up her calf. He soon had her attention and the book went to the coffee table. “Are you distracting me?” she asked.

“I hope so,” he replied, his hands now on her thighs, kneading and rubbing. Toni got on her knees and eased herself down on top of him sending, Millie back to the hearthrug.  Bud had her bottom in his hands. “I think we ought to go upstairs,” he said softly.

“I think so, too.” She lowered her lips to his.

The next morning Bud went down to plant the trees. Toni went with him but he assured her he could handle it. And indeed as he began to dig, the roots of the old tree stumps came up easily. It was just a matter of pulling them out of the soil. Soon he had the three trees planted back in the rows where he’d removed the stumps. It would take years for them to reach the height of some of the towering evergreens.

“What do you want to do with the stumps?” he asked Toni.

“Burn them. We’ll have a bonfire this evening on the cliff.”

Back on the terrace with a glass of tea, Toni read the following from the book she had started:

The accusers' knowledge of Alden's involvement with Maine and the Indians was affirmed during the hearing when an accuser cried out, "There stands Alden , a bold fellow with his Hat on before the Judges, he sells Powder and Shot to the Indians and French, and lies with the Indian Squaws, and has Indian Papooses." Thus it was also suspected that Alden's relationship with the Indians extended beyond commercial trade. This was not the first time gossip was given substantial weight during the witchcraft trials.”

“What are you trying to make out of this, Toni?” Bud asked.

“I don’t know, Bud, but he was along this coastline. He might have had a house here, maybe.”

“Here on this spot? I think you’re making things up.”

Toni smiled, “Probably.” But something was tugging at her. “Perhaps his Indian maiden lived here with her papooses.”

“Speculation,” he grinned.

“There is no proof and probably never will be. It could all have been gossip like you said earlier…could have been.” His name having been spoken seemed to hang in the air around her. “I would think he would have needed a safe place now and again, especially if he was trading with the enemy.”

“From what I read he was one of the elite of his time, well known in Boston and New York. I’m not sure he would have had an Indian woman set up in a house out here.  Somebody would know and there would be talk, talk he couldn’t afford to let happen. He had a wife and probably kids in Maine.”

“But this is a magical place. Maximus said the magic started at the beginning of time, it’s ancient and it’s the magic of love. Whatever happened here would go no further. You see what I’m saying?”

Bud smiled and patted her hand. “I understand, Kitten, there’s no proof but if that’s what you want to believe…”

“I think I do.” She winked at him and picked up her tea glass.

 

Part 3:

The weather was perfect for fishing and Bud made use of the boat and the fishing gear he found in the shed. Toni didn’t fish but would bring one of her books down to the edge of the pond and read in the near silence that surrounded the place. It was peaceful and quiet and she liked to watch him casting about. He was enjoying himself and she noticed he was making himself at home. He rearranged the sports shed, as he called it, making it a little easier to get in and out.

“Do you ever ride these bikes in here?” he asked one day.

“I don’t think they’ve ever been out of the shed, Bud. Would you like to ride?”

“Been a long time but I guess you don’t forget how,” he said, pulling the bikes out.

They pushed them up the hill and, once at the house, rode up toward the stables. Toni stopped at the stables.

“I miss my Calla.”

“Who was Calla?”

“My horse. Maximus gave her to me and Cort took her back two years ago. Doesn’t seem that long ago.”

“Why don’t you have her back?”

“I would but…would you ride with me if I asked for her?”

“Oh, now horses I know nothing about, Toni.”

“Would you be willing to learn?”

“Sure. Are you gonna teach me to ride?”

“I might unless someone comes with them. East brought them the first time. He knows horses.”

“It seems a shame for the stables and paddocks to be empty.”

“I haven’t been up here since Cort left. I didn’t think I wanted to come back, but now I think you’re right, Bud. They should be occupied. There should be horses here. I’d like them here in the spring through the fall and let them go in the winter. It’s too cold for them here and you can’t ride for the snow.”

“I’ll bet it’s pretty in the snow around here.”

“It is. You see that green field over there? That’s wheat and that is where Maximus came in the fall, through the wheat field. In the winter John and I rode his snowmobile over it. Are you feeling a little connected to this place now?”

“Yeah, I am. It’s good to know what goes on year round like you were just telling me.” He turned and smiled, “It’s home, Toni. I feel like I live here now.”

They were up in Toni’s room that night, Bud watching a ball game on TV and Toni lying on the sofa beside him, still reading her book.  “Bud, Peter Aldridge was an itinerant photographer. He wrote on the back of this picture in the book, ‘I’ve spent the most wonderful summer in this place.' I’m thinking he had a season here, you know?”

“Yeah, he could have. It’s a wonder the picture survived after he left. Must have been pretty special.”

“I wonder who called him here?”

“Maybe he just showed up?”

“That couldn’t happen. No, I think there was a woman here and she called him.”

Bud kissed the top of her head.

The next morning the horses arrived. Egan brought them along with his dog, who followed them into the stables. He had a cabin on the property and thought he might visit it before he left.

“Egan, if you want to stay awhile in the cabin, we don’t mind, do we, Bud?” She looked up at him.

“No, not at all. In fact I need somebody to teach me to ride.”

“I won’t be a bother.  I stay pretty much to myself, me and dog here. You sure you don’t mind?”

“No, Egan. You’ll take care of the horses, feeding and currying and all?”

“Yes, I can do that. Just let me know when it’s time for me to go, no worries.”

“Thanks, I appreciate your help.” Toni smiled and rubbed Calla’s nose.

 Calla  

“What’s the black one’s name?”

“That’s Dyce. He’s Calla’s mate and the big one is Blondie and easy to ride.”

“Easy to ride, that sounds like me,” Bud said, still not sure about all this.

“Ah, we’ll have you up and riding in no time,” Egan said. “I’m going to let them roam. There’s nowhere they can go for now and I’ll stable them up tonight.”

“Thank you again, Egan,” Toni said, taking Bud’s hand.

“I can’t believe I’m going to ride a horse,” Bud chuckled as they walked back to the house.

“Believe it, darling. It will be fun.”

True to his word, they didn’t see much of Egan. He seemed to know when they were coming to the stables and would be there with the horses. He taught Bud to ride quickly and much to Bud’s surprise he liked it. Blondie was a gentle fellow and Bud was comfortable on his back as they rode the trails over the property.

His season was drawing to a close and he hated for it to end. He really had enjoyed himself, felt a part of it all, and most of all a part of Toni. He’d planted trees, ridden a horse, fished and learned a lot about the area. He still hadn’t solved the mystery of the house, but he had a good start and maybe it wasn’t solvable, maybe it should be left alone.

He watched her as she made sandwiches for their lunch, loving everything about her. Toni looked up from her sandwich making, caught his eye and smiled. He had no idea how sexy he was. What a beautiful man, she thought, so gentle and yet so strong. She stuck a bit of cheese in his mouth. “You are so special. I love you so much,” she said, dropping the knife on the island. He wrapped her in his arms, swallowed his cheese and kissed her soundly.

 

ON TO A YEAR OF SUMMER

BACK TO PART 1 OF WINTER SOLSTICE

BACK TO BONFIRE OF THE HEART 

BACK TO WHITE ROSES IN SUMMER

BACK TO SPRING CAME A CALLING

BACK TO WINTER MAGIC RETURNS

BACK TO FALL OF MY HEART, PART 1

BACK TO A SECOND SPRING, PART 1

BACK TO FALL, PART 1

BACK TO SUMMER, PART 1

BACK TO SPRING, PART 1

BACK TO WINTER

BACK TO BEGINNINGS

BACK TO LIBRISCROWE