A Woman's Touch

mountain slopes that framed it. „Good grazing or farmland on the valley floor, and the full potential of the hillsides was never really exploited during the mining boom. No telling what’s left up there in those hills. There’s a wide creek that runs year-round.“
    „What did Alice Cork do out here all by herself for so many years?“ Rebecca asked wonderingly as she surveyed the verdant scenery. It was the first time she had spoken since leaving the restaurant.
    Kyle glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, trying to assess her mood. Rebecca’s moods had never been difficult to read in the past. Now he found himself struggling to second-guess her. It made him uneasy.
    „Alice farmed for the most part,“ Kyle said. „Ran a few cattle for a while and later some sheep. The stock was all sold off before she died. Guess she knew the end was coming. Alice always had a way of knowing things.“
    „What kind of things?“
    Kyle shrugged. „I don’t know how to explain it. She just seemed to be aware of certain matters. Like when babies were due, for instance. She was a sort of local midwife. Folks living out here can’t always get to the hospital in time, especially if the weather’s bad. Alice would get out of bed in the middle of snow storms and drive that old four-wheel-drive truck of hers to a rancher’s house just in time to deliver a baby.“
    „Really?“ Rebecca’s eyes were suddenly bright with interest.
    „Yeah. Really.“ Kyle gave her a laconic glance, pleased at having finally elicited some genuine attention from her.
    „The interesting part is that, half the time no one had to call her for help. She just showed up at the right moment. As if she knew exactly when things were scheduled to get serious. She was good with animals, too. The local vet used to consult with her on occasion.“ Kyle paused, remembering. „Once she saved a dog of mine.“
    „What happened?“
    „Joker got real sick. The vet said he wouldn’t make it and the best thing to do was put the dog to sleep. Dad said it was my decision but if it was up to him, he’d get a second opinion.“
    „Your dad suggested you take Joker to Alice?“
    Kyle nodded. „And the vet agreed. Said it couldn’t hurt. So I put poor Joker in the back of the truck and Dad and I drove out to see Alice. Dad warned me she might not let us in the driveway. She was known to greet Stockbridges and Ballards with a shotgun. But that day she let us drive right up to the front door. She walked out as if she’d been expecting us and just told Dad to carry Joker inside. Dad did it without saying a word. Alice told us to leave and we did.“
    „What happened to Joker?“
    „We got a phone call from Alice five days later. She just said it was time to come get Joker and then she hung up the phone. Dad and I drove back out to her place and Joker came racing out of the house to greet us, good as new.
    Dad tried to pay Alice but she told him there were some things Stockbridge money couldn’t buy. She kicked us out the door. I went back later to try to thank her for saving Joker’s life but she wouldn’t let me past the front gate.“
    „She sounds fascinating.“
    Kyle wasn’t sure he liked the tone of open admiration. His eyes narrowed as he eased the Porsche onto the deeply grooved road that led to the old Cork house. „She was a stubborn, difficult, mean-tempered witch.“
    „You’re a Stockbridge. Therefore, you’re prejudiced.“
    Kyle shook his head. „Ask anyone.“
    „I’ll make my own judgments. After all, she was my relative, even if I never heard of her.“ Rebecca leaned forward with sudden eagerness. „Is that the house?“
    „That’s it. Not much to look at.“ Alice took better care of the barn and her garden than she did of the house.
    The ramshackle ranch house looked as if it would collapse in a strong wind. The weathered wood was gray with age and lack of paint. The porch roof sagged precariously.
    Rebecca had the Porsche door open before Kyle had even turned off the ignition. Her fascination with Alice Cork and the old house was beginning to get to him. He’d never seen Rebecca act this way.
    He got out of the car and followed her up the steps to the porch, watching as she withdrew a set of keys from her purse. He felt a strange chill of unease as she opened the door and went inside. This was forbidden territory.
    Forbidden, at least, to Stockbridges and Ballards. He felt as if he were trespassing – which was a