Destiny's Wheel
Destiny’s Wheel
Spring 1886
"Hi. Jim Tate. Welcome to the Barton River Mill."
The hand extended in friendly greeting met with a firm grip from the quiet newcomer.
"Ed Donnelly."
"Nice to know you, Ed Donnelly. This your first time working in a logging camp?"
"Yup."
"Well I been here almost a year now so I can show you the ropes. We’ll take a quick look around and then stow your gear in the cabin if you got any."
"Just this," Ed said holding up a small satchel.
"It’s good you travel light. They’ll supply you with everything you need here anyway."
"Hmm."
"You don’t talk much, do ya?" Jim laughed. "Don’t worry. I’m told I talk enough for at least two men. Come on. I‘ll show you around."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"God Jim, I swear, I never…"
"I know. Me neither. Don’t worry. It’s all right, it’s all right."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"Hey, that mail you got there, Ed?"
"Uh…yeah."
"Well what’s it say?"
"Says my time here is up. Wedding’s been moved up to September and we’ll be moving to California. Margaret’s uncle got me a job with the railroad."
Jim’s voice dropped a notch as he took Ed’s elbow and led him away from the main house.
"But…what about…?"
Ed shook his head. “I gotta go Jim.”
"So this is it."
"Yeah."
With a sigh of regret, Jim said sadly as he turned away, "Have a nice life Ed."
* * * * * * * *
Summer 1963
"Jack Twist."
"Ennis."
"Your folks just stop at Ennis?"
"Del Mar."
"Nice to know you, Ennis Del Mar."
A world of possibility flashed in a dreamer’s blues eyes and hopeful grin.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"This is a one shot thing we got going here."
"It’s nobody’s business but ours."
"I told you it ain’t gonna to be like that."
"I wish I knew how to quit you."
"Jack, I swear."
* * * * * * * *
Fall 2009
"Hey there. You must be the new ranger."
"Must be."
"I’m Josh Taylor. We’ll be working together. How long you been with the forest service?"
"Not long. Just started in May, then got transferred up here."
"Me too. I finished training in February, been here since then. You got a name?"
"Sorry. Eric. Eric Dalton."
"Nice to know you, Eric Dalton."
"Nice to know you too, Josh."
And so destiny spins her wheel again, providing a new path for them to navigate, opening another door. Because she is a persistent guardian who won’t rest until every soul finds its way home.
* * * * * * * *