Chapter Fifty

Jenny grew silent as Henry turned his vehicle and drove slowly down the lane to his cedar log home. Ginger and Coco had already greeted him and were nipping each other as they escorted the SUV past the red barn and down into the valley. Two horses in the pasture looked up briefly and then hung their heads and resumed eating the green summer grass.

What a difference in estates, thought Jenny, between the Hamilton Greystone Manor and entrance to Henry’s farm. She felt instantly as relaxed as the two horses she just saw grazing in the field under the warm sun. Every now and then she saw glimpses of the valley between the huge fir trees that lined the road. No wonder the entrance read: Sudden Valley Ranch. One didn’t expect to see a valley dropping off so suddenly from the flat prairies.

“This is beautiful, Henry,” Jenny said, as the truck turned the bend in the lane at the bottom of the hill, exposing the home and the valley all around. Jenny was spellbound by the view and remained speechless.

Henry pressed the garage door opener. “I’ll close the garage door behind us to keep the dogs out, otherwise they’ll lick you to death. We’ll meet them later when we go down into the valley.”

“Yes, they’re such beautiful dogs, I want to meet them.”

Henry led Jenny through the mud/laundry room and then into the large foyer which led in three directions: a stairway leading to the upper level, the living room to the left and the kitchen straight ahead.

Jenny made her way to a wall and touched its smooth surface. “Henry, I just love the cedar log interior, it feels so warm and looks so inviting.”

“Yeah, I like it too. Come on, I’ll show you where I usually hang out in the sun room.”

Henry walked into the kitchen and then detoured through the dining room and into the sun room. He turned, but Jenny was still in the kitchen area looking everything over. “Just go slowly, Henry, I want to take everything in.”

Henry walked back. “Oh, I’m sorry Jenny; I just take it all for granted.”

“What a beautiful kitchen and I love how it overlooks the sun room and the valley beyond. Julean must have been in heaven living here.”

“Well, she grew into it. She was a city girl and so adjusting to the life style of an acreage was a bit of a challenge for her. But she soon grew to love it as much as the children did.”

Jenny gasped when she walked into the dining room, which opened up to the living room. She instantly loved the mahogany antique dining room set. She ran her fingers across the surface, cutting through the slight layer of dust. And the grandfather clock in the corner immediately caught her attention. “This is all so beautiful, Henry!” Jenny exclaimed as she walked further into the room. The north wall was all glass overlooking the valley. The adjacent wall was covered with natural stone picked from the fields in the area with a huge wood-burning fireplace in the centre. Comfortable chairs and sofas were formed into a conversational setting. And against the far back wall of the living room was an upright piano, with two antique arm chairs on either side. Jenny was in awe as she walked around the room and took it all in.

“What on earth did you see in my house when you have such an incredible log home?”

“It is quite a contrast, but that is what appealed to me and especially all your antique furniture. It puts my small collection to shame. But then, most of all, I think I loved your home because I felt your presence… it was like coming home, Jenny.”

Henry drew near to his beloved and embraced her. “I’m glad you like it. I love you so much, Jenny.”

“And I love you so much, too.”

With his arm over Jenny’s shoulder they made their way into the sun room. Jenny stopped in her tracks. There must have been at least fifty plants in the room if not more. For someone who loves plants it was like Henry had brought the outdoors inside. The room was filled with Jenny’s best friend; nature.

Jenny was silent as her eyes took it all in. Gradually, she noticed another theme emerge; hidden behind or interspersed amongst all the plants, she realized that most of the furniture and wall hangings were Native artifacts or related to the outdoors in some way. The table between the rocker and the reading chair had legs carved with an elephant head at the top of each corner, with its foot at the bottom of each leg. The standing lamp beside the arm chair grew out of an elegant water bird. An original bow and arrow set enclosed in a glass framed case hung on the wall, along with tomahawks, horse sculptures, wood carvings of bears and Native Indian faces.

As she walked further into the room, she noted a portrait of a Native Indian chief painted on the gut of a bison’s stomach, hanging on the wall. It was stretched between a frame made of sturdy branches and the way it was nestled between a spider plant and huge fern was breathtaking. Hidden behind the large fern, up high towards the ceiling, she was startled to see a realistic looking hawk sculpture growing out of the high wall, as if to spring on her at any moment. As she followed the gaze of the bird, she noted the prey it was really after: a fish as if diving out of the water, growing out of the wall a few feet below the hawk. Would that be its last glimpse of the world outside its habitat?

Jenny backed away and turned to where she knew straight away must be where Henry read. It was a comfortable looking, slightly reclined arm chair, upholstered in a Navaho print. Right beside was a free-standing fireplace, to keep him warm and heat the room. She could just picture Henry reading during a winter snow storm or rainy day, yet warmed by the fire.

Just as Jenny was going to sit in his chair, she gasped as her eyes suddenly took in what was behind his chair filling the entire corner of the room. There stood a huge eagle sculpture at least four feet off the floor with wings spanning five feet. It appeared to be flying out of a forest of ferns, a variety of different plants and tall dieffenbachia, as if frightened by the towering totem pole just behind…

“Oh, my gosh, Henry, what a scene. I would almost be afraid to sit down in your chair…it looks so real.”

“The sculptor did a nice job on the eagle and the tall base it’s suspended on almost looks like a tree trunk and blends into the plants.”

“Yes, it appears to be in flight…it’s all so unbelievable.”

Jenny had never seen such a room designed so creatively. “Oh this will take days to take in, Henry. Everywhere you look, there is something of interest.”

She twirled around and stopped with her gaze focused through the patio doors leading onto a large deck. Henry slid open the door and led Jenny out. She just shook her head in awe; the view of the valley was breathtaking. But when she turned to the right and looked down into the valley it was as if she had entered paradise. She immediately knew she was looking at Henry’s Poustinia surrounded with wildflowers. The meandering creek opened into a large pond beside the prayer house. It reflected quietly into the still water. It was the perfect picture of peace. She compared the Poustinia to her Angel of Thanksgiving.

Henry drew near to Jenny and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. “That’s the Poustinia, Jenny.”

“Yes, I know, Henry,” Jenny softly replied.

“Father is there. I took him down yesterday. I’m sure glad spring came early this year. Most of the flowers are out and I love when the old dead grass is covered over with fresh green grass. It does turn brown as the summer progresses, unless there is a lot of rain.”

“Yes, look at the green hills and all the wildflowers surrounding the pond! It’s all so beautiful…oh Henry, look at the three deer behind the Poustinia!”

“Yeah, I see them. They always come when Father is there. I’ve even seen him feed the deer by hand. I’m telling you, Jenny, Father is another St. Francis.”

“This is amazing Henry, I just love it all.”

Henry squeezed Jenny. “I’m happy you do. Come on, I’ll show you the family room on the other side of the kitchen and then the studio upstairs.

“There is no end to this place. It’s similar in size to James’ estate but more rustic and so natural with nature all around.”

The hair on the back of Henry’s neck bristled at the mention of Jenny’s former husband’s name, but he decided to pretend not to have noticed.

“It’s comfortable here and even though I have lived alone for many years with just the two kids, I like a large home to ramble in.”

Jenny hoped she would be sharing it with him soon.

After Henry showed Jenny the family room, they made their way up to the bedrooms and to where Henry painted. At the top of the stairs, they turned right and followed the railing around to the studio. Jenny held her breath as they entered.

It was filled with light. Immediately to the left were two stairs that settled into a seating area much like a family room. The walls were completely covered with paintings from floor to ceiling. But to the right was the artist’s easel, accented by a soft north light coming in through three huge picture windows. The walls were lined with a counter and storage shelves and drawers below. In the small wall space area were book shelves that displayed art books on master painters and technical books related to watercolour, acrylic and oil painting.

As Jenny made her way to the easel, she held her breath as she looked outdoors at the panoramic valley view. Wherever she looked there were uninhabited hills and valleys and streams and pockets of water surrounded by trees and flowers.

“What inspiration this must be for you, Henry,” Jenny softly muttered, trying to take it all in. As she passed by the easel, she now saw the canvas that Henry was working on. It was of a young girl balancing on a log that projected out over a turbulent stream in the valley. It was early morning, as a soft mist covered the distant trees. Her arms were extended like wings and her right foot was raised and reaching forward as she dared to go out further over the water below.

“Oh, Henry, that’s beautiful. Is that one of your daughters?” Jenny wanted to know.

“Yes, that’s Lauren. She is always the one to take chances. I recall one spring a few years back, she tried to come down the rushing waters with a dingy. Fortunately, Justin informed me and no sooner had we got down to the valley bottom that I saw her hurtling down the stream, yelling for dear life. The dingy tipped over not too far from us and down she went. Our angels must have been with us that morning, as I rushed into the turbulent water and saw her come up. Before she went down, I was able to grab her and make it back to the shore.”

“That must have been so scary…”

“It was, but it didn’t seem to deter her from doing other risky things. I guess that’s why I did that painting of her on the log…to capture her spirit.”

“And you did!”

Henry wrapped his arms around Jenny and they made their way to the windows that faced slightly east.

“Look!” Jenny pointed, “There’s Father coming out of the prayer house. Is that a brown robe he’s wearing?”

“Yes, it is a Franciscan habit, I know how much he admires St. Francis and he finds the hood keeps his head warm in the fresh early mornings.”

“Does he know I am coming with you?”

“Yes, he’s expecting us. Perhaps we should stroll down there. He may be waiting for us to join him when he says Mass if he hasn’t already done so.”

Jenny turned to Henry, “Yes, let’s g—”

Jenny couldn’t finish her sentence as Henry’s lips touched hers and they warmly embraced.

Jenny and Henry decided to walk down in into the valley rather than drive down. They didn’t want to disturb Father with the sound of an engine roaring through the valley. Jenny slipped on her sweater and runners and together, hand in hand they began to stroll down the winding hill road leading to the Poustinia and valley below. The dogs settled down after a bit of Henry’s scolding and eventually left their new found friend in peace.

“They’re lovely dogs, but will take some getting used to. James never allowed any animals on the estate or in the house. I think he would have shut out the birds in the sky if he could have,” Jenny chuckled.

“Well, pretty much anything goes out here, Jen. You’re free to do whatever.” Henry left out a loud exhilarating yell, startling Jenny, and waited for the echo to come back. “Oops, I hope that didn’t disturb Father,” Henry said and quickly added, “Well, when he’s not here you can scream all you want.”

As they descended, the air became cooler and fresher. The wildflowers stood out so colourfully against the lush, green trees and shrubs.

A beaver flapped its tail at the sight of the dogs. Coco was the first to dive in, followed by Ginger.

“Oh, that water must be so cold, Henry.”

“Their fur protects them somewhat. Not like that of a beaver for sure… It’s hard to tell as they seem to enjoy the water so much.”

The dog’s movement in the water obliterated the still reflection of the Poustinia that was there before they entered the water.

“I can’t get over how beautiful this is. The view from the top of the hill is wonderful, but from down here it seems as if you are entering a different world.”

“I get that feeling each time I come down here. You get so close to nature, the absence of civilization, the wild animals…you almost become one with the glaciers that passed through here millions of years ago, carving out the valley and creating the foundation of the valley we see now. And it’s still ongoing and changing as the flowing waters continue to carve and reshape the valley floor.”

“Were the wildflowers here all the time, too?”

“Some were, but most of them we planted by hand over the years. It was Allison’s idea. Of all the children, she loved the acreage the most as soon as she saw it. She loved the flowers and also the butterflies. I don’t know if you noticed all the milkweed plants around the log house and they are also interspersed amongst the flowers. The monarchs should be coming soon.”

“I love wildflowers and butterflies, Henry.”

“Yes, I know. I can still recall when you chased after the butterflies when we went for walks during that memorable summer of ‘56!”

“You remember that, do you?”

“I remember everything we did, Jenny. Those were such precious memories and I replayed them in my mind a million times.”

Jenny squeezed Henry’s hand, “I did, too.”

She bent down and picked a white daisy alongside the road. She brought it to her nose and breathed in deeply. “Oh, Henry, we had wildflowers at the estate as well, but to see them grow in the open like this in such a natural setting is incredible. What a feeling of freedom; so exhilarating!”

“Well, you haven’t seen all the flowers that are yet to come. By midsummer it does take your breath away, especially if accompanied by a lot of spring rain.”

Jenny could no longer contain herself. She let go of Henry’s hand and began running towards the prayer house, twirling the daisy in her hand like a magic wand. The valley before Henry was transformed into a picture of beauty as she ran down the winding lane. He was momentarily mesmerized by her golden hair glistening in the sun and flowing freely in the breeze. He fully expected her to fly like an angel at any moment; he started to chase after her just to dispel the surge of love overwhelming his racing heart.