Page 6 of Into the Mist (Into the Mist 1)

CHAPTER

2

THE SCENIC TURNOUT was really not much more than a gravel parking lot and two wooden benches positioned in the middle of a well-tended grassy area. But it was surrounded by huge, old pines framing a breathtaking drop-off that allowed viewers a gorgeous vantage point to gaze southwest. From the scenic perch on the side of Mount Hood, travelers could look out on a view so spectacular that they could see almost to the coast.

Mercury bypassed the benches and went to the edge of the grass. She stretched and then rubbed her sweater-swathed arms in a failed attempt to warm them while she drank in gulps of cold mountain air enriched with birdsong, and stared. She loved Tulsa. Oklahoma’s red dirt was in her soul, and she only felt truly at peace in her hometown, but Mercury appreciated the magnificence of the land before her. It seemed she stood on a magic mountain as the view unfolded in turquoise, cerulean, and shades of emerald that were many layered and brilliant.

“It’s something, isn’t it?” Stella said around a yawn as she joined her.

“I never get tired of all the green. I think I could live here, or at least down there”—she jerked her chin in the direction of Portland—“where it’s not so cold.”

Stella snorted. “Leave Tulsa? You? Girl, you bleed red dirt.”

“Well, someday when I’m rich I’ll buy a second house here,” Mercury said wistfully.

Stella raised a perfectly plucked brow. “So, you changing jobs?”

“Nope. Winning the lottery. I have it all planned.” Mercury smoothed her loose knit sweater over her generous curves and cleared her throat like she was preparing to lecture her AP biology class.

Stella tossed back her thick hair. “Ooh, I like this game. Will you buy me a car? Something red and sporty with a ragtop?”

“Absolutely. You have my word on it. And I’ll take you on a spa vacay with me to somewhere warm and beachy.” Mercury spoke without moving her gaze from the view.

“Did someone say beach vacay?” Jenny hurried up to them, with Amelia waddling in tow.

“If we’re going to a beach vacay, could we please wait until I’m unpregnant?”

Mercury grinned, but kept her focus on the horizon. “Absolutely. I’m not even going to make any clichéd beached-whale jokes.”

Amelia rubbed her protruding belly and sighed. “As the sole representative of our English Department, I thank you for that.”

Coach Davis straightened his school sweatshirt as he emerged from the trees to their right. “Whew, had to see a man about a horse! Ready for our selfie?”

“What does that even mean?” Mercury asked Stella.

“Manspeak for peeing,” whispered Amelia.

“Well, I know that, but why?” said Mercury.

“Come on, ladies!” The coach’s enthusiasm was contagious. “This is a great spot.” He took in the view and pointed to the northwest. “That’s Portland over there. And you can even see Salem.” Davis gestured to the south. “Wow! It’s just amazing.”

“I forget you grew up in Oregon,” Jenny said.

“Yep! Born in Bend, which isn’t very far south of Timberline. OSU recruited me to play college football and, well, after that I just stayed.”

“Oklahoma grew on you.” Jenny grinned.

“Seems like it,” Coach Davis agreed, then he looked over his shoulder at the second of the two benches where Karen Gay was seated as she snapped several pictures with her phone. “Karen—Mr. Hale, join us!” Coach Davis gestured magnanimously.

Mrs. Gay stood and buttoned the top of her thick cardigan. “It really is a lovely view,” she said as she joined the group.

Everyone looked expectantly at their principal.

Richard Hale waved dismissively from his bench. “No, you go ahead. I’ll just take in the scenery.”

Mercury walked quickly to him. “While you do that, how about helping us out?” She handed him her phone. “It’d be great if you took the picture. That way we can be sure we’ll all be in it.”

“Yeah, unlike last year when someone’s head got cut off,” called Stella as she pointed to herself.