Whispers In The Wind~The Calling

By Patrick Timm

It is early autumn in the Pacific Northwest and Jack Bellard, an independent copywriter in Portland, Oregon was looking for a break from his busy life. He ventures out for a day hike on Mount Hood and stumbles upon an unknowing pathway back in time. Sharing his adventure with Lisa Willows, a production coordinator with a large corporation, they encounter two worlds over a century apart. Jack discovers that he once lived in that past and was good friends with a native Indian tribe and in love with a beautiful Indian maiden. As his feelings grow for Lisa, memories return of his love for the Indian maiden. Throughout a twist of seeking the whispers in the wind, Jack must ultimately make the most important decision of his life. One man, now in a world of his own, drawn there by a world he left behind.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Patrick Timm
• Release date: Oct 12, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301595952

Patrick Timm

HI there! my name is Patrick Timm but my friends call me Pat. I am a freelance writer, author and columnist. I have written a weather column for The Columbian in Vancouver, Washington for over 22 years. I have also written articles for Sunset, Oregon Coast and Weatherwise magazines and was a columnist for two years at the South Whidbey Record newspaper on Whidbey Island, WashingtonAn editor and feature editor on my high school newspaper for three years at Benson Polytechnic High School in Portland, Oregon where I majored in Graphic Arts and Journalism. I studied journalism at Portland State University and received the Eric W. Allen award for journalism from the University of Oregon. Memberships include the Willamette Writers Association, Oregon Colony of Writers, Whidbey Island Writers Association and the Oregon Chapter of the American Meteorology Society. My latest endeavor is the first novel of a trilogy, Whispers in the Wind~The Calling. While not writing I enjoy walking and meditating on the beach, hiking, playing with my two little Yorkies, daydreaming and of course weather. I was born and raised in Portland Oregon and now reside in Vancouver USA.

Book preview

Whispers In The Wind Trilogy

Book One: The Calling

By Patrick Timm

Published by Patrick Timm

http://www.patricktimm.com

Copyediting by F. Thompson & Associates

Cover Design by Zak Erving/Sparkpunk Media

Copyright 2013 by Patrick Timm

Smashwords Edition

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidences are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, business establishments or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Dedication

For Mary who tolerated my absence writing this first book of the trilogy

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

A Note to the Reader

Chapter One

"Listen to all the teachers in the woods. Watch the trees, the animals and all living things—you'll learn more from them than from books." Joe Coyhis, Stockbridge-Munsee

The waters were swift, the riverbank was still. Deep ran the current, shallow was the soil. Uninhabited, the land beckoned a visitor to wander the ghastly shore. Footsteps from times gone by lay deep beneath the ancient ground. A cry from within reached out to the wind spreading like fairies through the blue September skies. Tree branches hung low sweeping the earth with leaves of red, yellow and orange. Dressed like warriors, they guard the kingdom.

Jack was on the other side seeking a pathway to cross. A log, rocks, a breach of some kind may guide his way. Why cross he asked himself? To place his feet upon the foreign soil— pamper his desires or conquer his fears? The wind swirled around Jack's face leading him downstream. Dark shadows fed thick green moss upon the rocks. Water from the river bathed their bristly hairs and allowed his feet to slip with each step.

Guarded by instinct, he moved with the wind against his back. Jack came to a bend with rocks towering ever so high. A tattered and torn gray log with dangling green ferns dancing in the breeze just above the choppy waters lay across the frigid boundary. Here, he whispered to himself to cross. He gazed upward to the azure skies, no clouds, no birds, nothing. Jack slithered somewhat reluctantly across the gnarled tree. The rushing water below tarried his being, he raised his eyes and stared at the other side. Closer he moved.

Once across the log he tumbled downward through a deep layer of salal and came to rest upon a bed of ferns. Jack shook his head and gazed upwards through the tangled branches of the forest shrubbery with only glimpses of daylight. He looked at his pocket watch and it was a few minutes after twelve noon. With a deep breath, he began to make his way through the dense undergrowth and out into a thick canopy of tall trees.

A narrow and dusty trail could be seen winding through the deep dark forest towering overhead. Jack shifted his backpack over his shoulders, brushed himself off and began his inward journey. It was so dry twigs snapped and echoed through the air, dust settled upon the brush.

His intense footsteps destined to a point far away beyond the canopy of evergreens, toward a respite of a lush green meadow and sounds of a waterfall. Sweat dripped onto his brow, settling upon his eyelids. Blinking his blue eyes one at a time he did not miss a step.

Like a drone he labored being controlled from afar. The shadows gave way to rays of light as he neared the forest edge. The scent of wildflowers and a hint of moisture in the air drew him ever faster to the brightness. Soon, he emerged into another land and his stride relaxed. A slight mist replaced the dust laden air and massaged his nostrils. Ever slower he walked lowering his arms to his side with a sense of wellbeing in his soul. The sun shone bright here but was not hot. The earth was green and flowers competed with the blades of grass. A pristine waterfall in the distance sent millions of soft water droplets throughout the air.

A huge log brought him to rest releasing his energy—he sat upon the once giant tree. His boots dropped from his feet to the ground and shedding his backpack and shirt exposed him to the wild expanse. Jack ran his hands through his wavy brown hair and reached for his water bottle to quench his thirst while gazing at the aqua hue of the waterfall. He pondered the solace of his surroundings and reached out toward the tranquility of the moment. One man, now in a world of his own, drawn here by a world he left behind.

Jack thought for a moment hiking through the dense rain forest that left him on edge at each turn of the trail. The placement of tall evergreen trees, their dense canopy overhead played games with his mind dwarfing his six foot height. He envisioned prehistoric raptors running through the dark green ferns drooling mouths wide open set to pounce upon him. It was a quite a journey along the cascading river through the forest to the open expanse of the green meadows.

Rocks, large and small and storm laden logs strewn hither and yon made for a challenging hike. Solitude yes, boredom no—he could barely hear the haunting cries of ancient warriors trekking the river bank and the deep woods.

This day bright and sunny, offered faint echoes from the forest edge. He had a strange feeling of abandonment. Was he not alone this day? Was he escorted by ancient spirits that walk the lands across the river?

Random thoughts continued to race through his mind. Why did the sun appear so high in the sky after hiking a great distance? It would be pitch dark by the time he returned to the trailhead and his vehicle. And another thing, he forgot with all the beauty and lushness of his current surroundings, the fall foliage on the river edge. After all, it was late September. But here in front of him was soft emerald green grass and thousands of summer wildflowers. Exhaustion overtook his thoughts. He relaxed atop the giant log and drifted peacefully off to sleep.

Two weeks earlier Jack had planned an escape from his busy schedule in the middle of the week to avoid crowds and to be alone for a while. Residing in Portland, Oregon an easy drive through the Columbia River Gorge offered a myriad of hiking opportunities. Southward from Hood River onto the slopes of Mount Hood, a dormant volcano would be a nice outing. He knew just the place as he enjoyed cross country skiing near there in the winter months.

Jack was a freelance copy writer and worked for several clients. With it came deadline after deadline. He worked from his home office but visited his clients often. It was one of those visits that led him to plan a hike.

The manuscript is coming along but the lack of information and details I have with me is slowing it, exclaimed Jack in a somewhat frustrating tone. The voice on the other end of the phone was Lisa, a production technician who was Jack's main interface with this company. She had worked with Jack on several projects and could sense uneasiness.

Well, I can only give you what I can gather up at one time. I know there could be more material and substance. I was hoping you could fill in with your great wisdom and creativity, said Lisa.

A long pause, she squeezed her coffee mug ever so tight resting on her black skirt. Jack uttered inaudible words and took a deep sigh, Okay but your manager must know deadlines are deadlines and. . . .

Don't worry, I'll talk with my manager and see if we can get an extension. Besides I want to see the document have good substance and sustainability. We should meet and go over things. The coffee mug now on her desk, she twirled her fingers in her long blonde hair while staring out the window.

Jack placed his fist against his forehead, lowered his brow, removed his eyes from the computer and looked up to the ceiling. Maybe that’s a good idea. What did you have in mind?

How’s lunch tomorrow and we both can take a deep breath and try to refresh the document.

Sounds good, let's meet around 11:30 at McNulty's, said Jack.

Lisa smiled and swung her chair around to the desk and scribbled on a yellow sticky note. Okay, see you tomorrow, thanks so much and Jack?

He leaned back in his chair, Yes?

If you get there before me, try and get the booth in the back by the window.

Sure, will do, see you then.

Jack arrived at the restaurant walking to the back of the dining section and secured the booth requested by Lisa. He had sat here many times not just with Lisa but with other clients. It was quiet and somewhat secluded from the business lunch crowd. He sipped on a glass of ice water looking out at the busy sidewalk awaiting Lisa's arrival. It was a couple weeks past Labor Day. The kids were back in school. Downtown Portland was bustling with back to work employees on their lunch hour and the usual stream of shoppers.

He was so busy daydreaming out the window he didn't see Lisa when she arrived at the table. Hey there busy man, what's up?

Oh, collecting my thoughts, my brain was in neutral for a moment, he chuckled. How are you?

Just fine, but I need to take my jacket off, it was cold going out the door this morning but the sunshine is warming things.

They looked at each other and both said, Have you . . .?

Ha, great minds think alike eh? I need more fill material in the document and we can go from there, said Jack.

Lisa sipped water while looking at the menu and mentioned she had given the project more thought. I went over a few things this morning and believe we can get this project back on schedule.

Good, said Jack. I’m anxious to look at what you have. But I hate to do any serious work on an empty stomach so what looks good to you? After a brief exchange to satisfy their pallet they gave the order to the waiter. I must be truthful Lisa—I have been so busy this summer. With little time off and the pressure of multiple deadlines, I need to get away for a day or two and mellow out.

Always good to take a break once in a while, what were you thinking? said Lisa.

Jack made a smirk off to the side, glanced out the window and back, I'll go take a hike. You know, get away by myself, get out in nature, hug a tree, and smell the fresh air.

Her arms on the table she smiled at Jack showing her expression—a Monarch butterfly resting upon a brilliant flower. Yes, that might be good.

So you agree?

Absolutely, said Lisa.

I'll take home the material you brought today and shift gears. We can get a draft accomplished by the end of next week. I'll take my trek the following week. How's that sound?

It sounds good as this food set before us, exclaimed Lisa.

After lunch Lisa headed back to the office thinking of Jack and his hike. She enjoyed Jack's company and held special feelings for him deep inside while wondering if Jack had similar thoughts. Next time she would offer they meet for dinner to celebrate the completion of the project. Another yellow sticky would soon appear on her desktop.

The days flew by and Jack continued his work undaunted by any pressures of a deadline knowing he will soon have a day to himself. He called Lisa and told her he had finished and emailed the document over for review and will be in touch after his hike.

Whew, I must have fell asleep, Jack mumbled. He recollected his thoughts and surroundings and pulled out his pocket watch—it was still a few minutes past noon. That's funny, he muttered tapping his old time piece. It must have stopped after he tumbled off the log crossing the river. Regardless, he had to get going. It was a long hike back to his SUV and part of it in darkness. He hadn't meant to spend so much time on top of the log but with the fresh air and everything, it felt good indeed. He readied to begin his return trip wondering about the green meadow, wildflowers and waterfall. He put his backpack on and glanced to the deep woods in the distance. He began his journey home.

At the thick forest canopy, the brightness had turned to darkness. Jack pulled his flashlight out to help guide his way. It seemed to be a somewhat slow hike through the woods to the stream crossing. Daylight had given way to darkness in a blink of the eye.

Jack slid ever so cautious across the weathered old log and set his feet upon the moist riverbank. Traversing the trail in the darkness of night he managed to arrive at the trailhead. After stashing his backpack and changing into dry socks and shoes he started his SUV. With a deep breath he prepared to leave the parking lot while the clock on the dashboard read eleven thirty pm. He forgot his watch had stopped earlier in the day just after noon— he glanced and took a double look, it read eleven thirty.

It had been a long day, so many thoughts, so many mysteries and a two hour drive home. Tomorrow he must collect his thoughts.

Chapter Two

"Certain things catch your eye, but pursue only your heart." Old Indian saying

Lisa was getting ready for work and running