CHAPTER 1
Welcome to Brentville
As Sara drove down Route 3, the sun gently touched the leaves. Soft color filtered through the trees. It was like looking into the kaleidoscope on her coffee table back in Harleysville — a breathtakingly beautiful reminder that fall was upon her. Where has summer gone? she thought. So many things left undone. As soon as I get home, I'll make a list and follow it through.
Now that David, Debbie, and Susan were out on their own, Sara and Jim were enjoying a second honeymoon, a time when they could be alone to rediscover and enjoy each other. Sara still worked outside their home, so her life was very full — sometimes even hectic. Jim, a lawyer, worked at home. This plan had worked well when the children were young and still did, now that they were empty nesters. Jim still prepared most meals, which was a tremendous help to Sara.
Paying attention now to the highway exits, she wished she'd filled the tank earlier, when she'd been near a more populated area. It seemed more rural with every mile, and she decided she'd take the next exit she saw.
Okay, what's this? Looks like an exit coming up. Doesn't seem to be any sign in sight, but it's getting dark. I'll take that little winding road. If I can't find a gas station, maybe I'll at least find a house. I've never thought that Wisconsin was this uninhabited.
After driving for a few minutes, Sara realized she was on a dirt road. Because of all the flying stones and dust, she slowed the car to a crawl.
I'm lucky to have a mobile phone in my car; not many people do yet. Jim wants me to have everything available, to make sure I'm safe. He paid a lot of money to get me this newfangled mobile car phone. I guess I'd better be careful — the signal here is weak. Don't want to be uselessly calling for help.
Panic was setting in as she realized her situation. This road is so narrow, I could never get the car turned around. Complete darkness now.
The pitch-black woods and the tall, thick brush along the road were closing in on her. For the first time in her forty-five years, Sara was really afraid. She stopped the car to call Jim, but it was too late. No reception.
I should have flown to the medical convention.
Sara's fear of airplanes had dissuaded her from flying, and it made driving the miles from Harleysville, Pennsylvania, to Minneapolis, Minnesota, seem like a good idea. She had always wanted to see Minnesota and Wisconsin. With a two-week vacation, she could do so. The drive to Minneapolis had been a breeze. The return trip was turning out to be a little more complicated. Right now, my options are few. I'll keep driving.
After what seemed like many more miles, although the odometer said that it had been only fifteen since she'd left the highway, Sara decided to keep going. At about twenty-five miles, she thought she could see a dim light off in the distance. Maybe it's just my imagination — wishful thinking. No, it's getting brighter.
Sara could tell the road hadn't been used for years. The trees and bushes were getting closer to the edge, making it almost impossible to drive.
God was not someone Sara knew or thought much about. She was pretty self-sufficient; she had always taken care of things herself. But she found herself thinking that if she did have a higher power, this would be a good time to ask for help.
The light ahead was getting brighter. Sara was beginning to feel more relaxed. She could almost see where the narrow dirt road was leading her. It looks like the Florida gated community where we lived for a few years.
The first thing Sara came to was a very high concrete wall. I don't see an entrance. As she drove up to the high wall, an opening appeared, as if by magic. When she drove through the gap, she found the gatehouse just beyond the opening.
That's odd. In Florida, a gatehouse usually comes first, followed by a gate. As soon as she had driven through the opening in the big wall, it closed as magically as it had opened.
Sara was excited to have found some people, some light, and — she hoped — a town or village. Maybe now I'll find some gas, some food, and someone to help me get my phone working.
Stopping at the gatehouse, she rolled down the window of her new, light-blue Mercedes-Benz convertible. A nice-looking young man said hello through the gatehouse window. She could see his badge and "Walter Brent" on his nametag. As he rose to come to her car, she noticed his gun.
"Welcome to Brentville," he said with a warm smile. Sara observed that he was eyeing her brand-new vehicle.
"What are my chances of getting some gas, some food, and maybe even lodging for the night?" she asked. She was feeling somewhat shaky. The thought of a nice bed was definitely appealing.
He seemed delighted she had come.
He probably doesn't have many visitors at this time of night.
"Follow this road for around fifteen miles, and it will take you right into the center of Brentville. Stay on Main Street, and you will find everything you need, ma'am."
After taking her name, he gave her a ticket for the car window and motioned her on. Sara was relieved to see the road was paved. It should be smooth sailing from here on.
Again Sara could see nothing but trees and darkness. However, the guard had said she would find Brentville by staying on the road, so she did.
Funny, the radio station I've been listening to is no longer coming in. She tried looking for another station but could find only one. It was from Brentville and came in loud and clear. Sounds like some kind of swap meet. Oh well, it's better than the silence. She half listened to the young girl explaining why someone might want to buy her used bedroom furniture.
Soon Sara saw the lights of Brentville. What a welcome sight! The lights were warm and inviting — a safe haven away from the woods' darkness.
When driving right into the middle of the village, Sara noticed a few eating places, a hotel, a grocery store, a church, a fire station, and a gas station. None of those establishments had names she recognized. No McDonald's, no Motel 6, no Weis Supermarket. She guessed there might be around three thousand people in the cute little village. Even though it was 1980, Brentville made Sara feel like she was back in the 1950s. All the cars Sara saw were from the 1950s. As she pulled up to the only stop light in Brentville, she could see a 1950s pick up truck in her rear view mirror.
Where are the malls? All the stores are on Main Street. Parking is the old diagonal parking with parking meters that seem to take nickels and dimes. I don't even keep my nickels and dimes anymore. Oops! My gas gauge says empty. I'd better stop at that gas station.
A gas station and repair shop attendant — Oscar, according to his nametag — ambled over to her car.
"How can I help?" "I need gas."
"Well," he said, "I can help you with that, but first you'll need a converter. We don't have regular gas here. We've figured out a way to drive cars without it. We use natural gas. We have plenty of that here in Brentville."
The whole idea sounded kind of far-fetched to Sara. Sometimes when I am in need of help with my car, repair people try to con me because I'm a woman. However, though I don't understand why, I feel pretty sure I can trust this man.
"Yes, please. Install the converter."
"It'll take about a half hour."
Sara left the car, walked to the little cheese store, and did some window-shopping. Before I leave this community, I'll stop here to buy some cheese for Jim.
When she walked back to the gas station, she found her car ready for her. "How much do I owe you?" Sara asked, handing Oscar her credit card.
"Sorry, miss," he said, "but we only accept cash."
Sara had just enough in her wallet to pay him.
It was seven thirty, and Sara's stomach was growling, a reminder that she hadn't eaten since morning. When pulling up to the quaint hotel, she noticed a menu in the window, with meat loaf and mashed potatoes pictured on the cover. Can't wait!
She hurried up the brick-lined walkway and pulled open the glass door. The bell on the door announced her arrival. A young mom with two children pulling at her apron appeared at the desk. The children seemed to be about four years old.
"May I help you?" asked the distracted young woman.
Sara noticed a name embroidered on her beautifully tailored uniform. Crystal, what a fitting name. Crystal's sparkling eyes were sapphire blue. As her mothering instincts kicked in, Sara was immediately drawn to this young mom. "I'd like to get some dinner, and if you have a room available, I'll take it," Sara said. "I'll be leaving in the morning."
Crystal seemed happy to have some company. "All eight of my rooms are vacant right now."
Sara could see only a few couples in the tea room, and she noted that getting dinner should not be a problem. As Sara pulled her credit card out, she noticed a look of concern on Crystal's face. "I'm sorry, ma'am," Crystal said. "We only accept cash."
By then, the hunger pains were affecting Sara's thinking. All she could think about was that great-looking meatloaf. Pulling herself back to reality, she remembered an envelope she'd tucked away in her suitcase. Traveling with a large amount of cash wasn't the safest thing — she knew that — but she'd missed the banking hours before she left for the trip and hadn't had time to take the cash back home. She'd tucked the $1,000 (all in $100 bills) into an old envelope that she'd found in her purse and slipped it into her suitcase.
"Just a second," replied Sara as she looked for the key to her suitcase. Reaching into her crowded valise, she felt the envelope and pulled out a bill without disrupting any of the contents of her bag. She glanced around, hoping that no one in the tea room had seen her removing the money.
"Thank you," said Crystal, as she handed Sara seventy-five dollars in change. "This will cover you for one night and breakfast, and of course dinner tonight."
Sara smiled and took the table by the window. Even though it was dark, she could still see quite a bit. The streetlights were on. The storefronts were lit up so much it looked like Christmas. She noticed a young couple looking longingly at a beautiful handmade quilt hanging in the window of the hotel. It had a price tag she couldn't quite decipher. As she waited for her meal, the next thing she saw was a beautiful golden retriever. When he reached the door of the hotel, he gave the bell that was hanging on the doorknob a push with his paw.
Crystal's twins, introduced earlier as Joseph and Jenny, came running from the kitchen, shouting, "Sam!" They just about knocked each other down trying to see who could reach the dog first. When the twins returned to the kitchen, Sam was between them. How cute, Sara thought. The Three Musketeers.
When she opened the door of her room, Sara was pleased with the way it smelled and looked — very clean and inviting. It was furnished with furniture from the fifties. She had her own bathroom with a beautiful, old, claw-foot tub.
A rotary phone that looked very old was sitting on the end table by the bed. That reminds me; I need to call Jim. I'll also have to plug in my car phone to get it charged up for tomorrow.
As she picked up the old hotel phone, Sara realized she'd never used a rotary phone. In that old Tracy and Hepburn movie, they dialed 0 for operator. Worth a try. Putting her index finger on the 0, she pulled the dial clockwise until it would go no further. She took her finger out and let it click back to the original position, then listened.
"This is Mabel. May I help you?"
The reply caught Sara off guard. She cleared her throat to start talking to Mabel. "I want to make a call to Harleysville, Pa., can you help me with that?"
"I'm sorry, ma'am," Mabel said, "but this phone service covers only Brentville. Is there anyone in the village who I could connect you with?"
"No, thank you," Sara answered. Her voice was quiet; her disappointment dampened it. Sara was tired, worried, and dirty from her drive on that dirt road. I hate to think what my car must look like! But she was a strong woman. It will take more than this to get me down. As she slipped into her nice warm bath, she relaxed. I'll try the mobile phone as soon as I'm done.
I miss Marshmallow. If I were at home, my little white fluff-ball of a Maltipoo would be sitting by my tub. She never lets me out of her sight.
Wrapped in the pink chenille bathrobe that had been hanging in the bathroom, she curled up on the bed and tried her mobile phone again. Even though it was plugged into the charger, it was dead. Oh, how I miss Jim. He'll be so worried about me.
She was supposed to get home in two days. He would wonder why she hadn't called. But the day had been long, and she knew she'd done all that she could do. By ten, she was sound asleep, her tired body cradled in the ever-so-comfy feather bed.
* * *
Her alarm was a rooster crowing, followed by the smell of bacon then a quiet knock on her door. There stood Jenny and Sam.
"Mama says that breakfast is ready," said Jenny in a soft voice. She kept her arm around Sam's neck, although it didn't look like the dog wanted to go anywhere. Sam and the twins seemed to be close friends; in fact, they seemed inseparable. Sara was attracted to this little family. There didn't appear to be a dad in the picture, and Sara wondered about that.
"Okay, honey," said Sara to Jenny. "Please tell your mom that I will be right down."
The sun was shining in through the ruffled white curtains, and the room looked appealing. Sara decided to go down for breakfast before packing her bag.
The tea room was comfortably furnished, and the smell of roses filled the air. Crystal said she picked something from her flower garden each day to put on the tables. In the winter, she went to the greenhouse for flowers.
Breakfast consisted of eggs, bacon, toasted homemade bread, and some yummy homemade strawberry jam and tea.
Sara usually had a cup of coffee on her way to the hospital in the morning, but Crystal told her she didn't serve coffee. I can't wait to get back on the highway to find a coffee shop. She had been a doctor in the emergency room for the last ten years. She had about a half-hour drive to get from their restored Pennsylvania farmhouse to her job in the Philadelphia area and had come to rely on her morning caffeine fix.
Joseph, Jenny, and Sam were sitting on the floor in the middle of the tea room. The twins were brushing Sam's thick, shiny fur. As Sara took her last sip of hibiscus tea, she started thinking about her day. Once I'm on the highway, I should be back in the Philly area in two days.
After thanking Crystal and waving to the twins, Sara put her suitcase into her dirty convertible. She decided to take a quick drive around the appealing village. Funny, I didn't see a Brentville on the Wisconsin map.
Turning off Main Street onto Park Street, she was pleasantly surprised to see how nice the homes were. Most had porches with rocking chairs on them. Lots of picket fences framed the properties. Everyone had a garden. Most of the homes were the same, but on the outskirts of Brentville towered a mansion. It was huge, and the grounds were enclosed by what looked like an electric fence. She could see a pool. Probably doesn't get much use. Not like my pool, because of our warmer weather in Harleysville.
"Time to get going," Sara said out loud. "Guess I'd better find Main Street and head toward the road on which I came in."
She arrived at the gatehouse expecting to see the guard, but he was nowhere in sight. From that side of the wall, she couldn't tell there was a gateway. In fact, the more she looked, the more she was sure it didn't exist.
How can this be? This is the exact spot where I came in through the gate. I should be able to get out at the same spot, but it isn't going to work. Maybe there's another road that will take me to the exit gate. I did notice yesterday another road that headed toward the high wall. It looked as if it led out of the community.
Sara turned around at the gatehouse and got back on the road. Heading back into Brentville, she could feel some concern and fear bubbling up. There has to be a way out! Be calm. You'll be fine. She turned the radio on. As had happened the day before, she could get only the Brentville station. Now they had some prerecorded stories, fifteen-minute segments of Our Miss Brooks, The Shadow, Sky King, and Jack Benny. Listening to the old-time story, she drove back into Brentville to begin her search for the other paved road she'd seen earlier.
As she drove around the community, trying to find that road, Sara remembered all the times she had given her husband grief because he wouldn't stop to ask for directions. Well, I have a feeling the other road is going to get me back on the highway. If it doesn't, I'll stop to ask for directions.
