Above the Bridge Read Online Free

take this in.  “I don’t know about statistics and that kind of stuff, but I’ve gone into town during the summer months and there’s sure not much room to walk down the sidewalks.  I try to stay out here as much as I can.  That’s one good thing; you don’t have to get far out of town to find a little peace and quiet.”
    Dan looked around appreciatively at the open fields around him before continuing.
    “Well, if you decide you need a little more privacy or room to breathe, I’ve got a cabin I rent sometimes.  Not very fancy, but plenty quiet.  Might be good for a writer type such as yourself.”  Dan pushed the table a bit to the side, took a cue from Paige’s silence and waved her over to the door of the barn.  She followed him, both out of politeness and curiosity.
    Outside, Dan pointed across a nondescript field to a small log structure at the edge of his property.  It had a narrow porch, a modest front door, two rustic windows, and a slightly sloping roof with a short chimney on top.  Paige took a look at it, not failing to notice the dramatic mountain backdrop.
    “If you’re gonna be here at least a little while, I rent it by the week.  Only sometimes, and I never advertise it.  Rather have it empty than have some wacko stranger in it.”  Dan sighed and shook his head, undoubtedly remembering at least one undesirable tenant.  “But you seem like a nice lady.  You think about it.  I’ve had writers in there before, they say it’s a good place to think and get the words out, or whatever it is you writers do.  Like I said , you think about it.  Eighty bucks a week, in advance.  Business is slow right now.  Could help me out and help you, too.”
    Paige stood silent for a minute.  She hadn’t intended to take on regular rent.  She wasn’t even sure how long she would stay.  And the people who ran the Sweet Mountain Inn were wonderful and had been very accommodating since she’d arrived.  But they had also warned her that there were a few nights coming up that were already booked solid.  She might be forced to find other lodging if she needed to stay.  In addition, it seemed there was something calling to her in this valley, though she couldn’t pinpoint what it was.  The chance of finding good story, perhaps, or just a needed break from city life.  She hadn’t taken a vacation in years.
    “You know, I might be interested,” Paige said slowly.  “Mind if I take a look at it?”
    “Help yourself.  Door’s open.  Go on in and look around all you want.  It’s not too fancy, being as it was built back in the early 1900’s.  But it’s got running water and electricity now.  You know, electricity didn’t come to this area until 1921,”   Dan added quickly, looking quite proud of himself for knowing this fact.  “It has a small bath and a nice little fireplace.  If you decide you’re interested, I can throw a bed and table in there for you.  Maybe a couple other spare pieces of furniture.  You look around, let me know.”  Dan twisted his neck to the side, making it crack sharply.  He turned and headed back into the barn.
    Paige looked over at the cabin.  It wouldn’t hurt to take a look around, even if just to see the inside of an historic dwelling and get a feeling for the way the early pioneers had lived.  She headed across the field and approached the small, rustic building.
    The porch was narrow, maybe six feet deep, running the width of the building, which Paige approximated to be around fifteen feet across.  A patchy roof slanted out and downward above the porch.  Similar to those inside the barn, rays of light peeked through the slats in the porch roof.  An old, metal tub rested on the floor, just to the right of the door.  A few dried flowers lingered in the tub’s dirt, left over from the warmer summer weather.
    Slowly Paige turned the handle on the door and pushed it open.  It was dark, but enough light entered through the windows to be