The Owl

I could hear the voices down stairs of guests laughing and having a good time. I really love visiting my uncle and aunt during the new year when snow still lingered on the many acres near their log house. It was a mansion made of logs and every Jan 12th they had a party where everybody who live in their remote town would come.

It was a tradition that I always since I can remember I took part in .

Wearing a long rust off the shoulder dress and my long black hair in a braid I came down the stairs .

Flashing of just a few days ago came vividly in my mind.

I went hiking and I got lost in the woods. The remember the sun was going down and I was getting worried when an owl just appeared on the tree branch over my head. He had an all knowing look and I followed him as he flew away . He actually led me to the edge of the woods where I could see my uncle’s house. Then I saw a good looking. man walking with his dog down the path close to where I was standing .

When he saw me he walked in my direction.

Hello he said.

Hi! I replied.

You must be new around here, he said.

Why do you say that ? I asked.

I’m visiting my uncle but I’m always here.

- [ ] Oh, I just moved here to be close to my grand dad Dr.Mike Long and I thought he introduced me to everyone.

Jane Wilson is my name I said as I reached out my hand to shake.

That would be Ted Wilson the cattle rancher snd you must be his niece. My grand dad had mentioned that your uncle had told him you were coming for his party.

Yes! I answered.

There was an instant attraction between us as our eyes held each other’s.

My grand dad and I will be at the party. He looked around snd looked at me snd said with a concern tone

, It getting dark I think we had best to get home

Yes- nice meeting you I said and waved at him as I rushed home.

That night I hear a noise and went to the window and the same owl was sitting in a tree in the yard.,

Then it flew away.

The wind suddenly became intense. I went down stairs and found the house hold were up due to the wind storm. My aunt had coffee for everyone on the table. The men had gathered to go out to bring in the cattle.

Then the front door opened with some of the ranch helpers bringing in a man who had been hurt. He had a broken arm and a Dr. was with him.

It was the stranger she had meet in the woods. It was obvious he was also a Dr. like his grand father. After bandaging up the ranch helper her her aunt’s encouraged her to took him in the study and brought cake snd coffee for them. We sat by the fireplace snd could hear the wind howling as it blew around the corners of the house.

He had accepted the kind invitation from my aunt to stay over due to the gale outside.

Thank you for the coffee and cake he said .

You’re welcome

I was feeling a little nervous snd feeling this strange snd wonderful sensation I didn’t know what else to say. I got up to leave. He grabbed my hand and when I turned my head snd looked into his eyes I saw something -something I hadn’t seen before. He pulled me to him and he kissed me and I didn’t hesitate and responded with the same eagerness.

My aunt June just happen to come in- we quickly moved away from each other and acted like nothing happened and in front of my aunt said good night.

Something had happened to me and it was hard to sleep as I played our kiss over and over in my mind and finally dozed off to sleep. The next day

even I came down for breakfast he was gone.

Now Coming down the stair my eyes searched for him in the crowd of the party. Then I saw him and he saw me at the same time. We rushed toward each other. He took my hand and lead me outside pass the barbecue pits and around the house with us standing under the old Oak tree. Then he kissed me snd whispered in my ear that he never wanted to ever not have me in his life. He asked me to be his wife ! I said yes.

We were married at that very spot .a year later.

My uncle built us a log cabin on his land. and the first night in our new home I heard the owl. I went outside on the patio and the owl was in the tree snd he was not alone. There was another owl with him. I laughed out loud and that owl with the other owl and their little ones haves lived happily in our backyard since that day.