Dangerous Getaway

By Eden Monroe

Birch Shadow is a sumptuous mountain getaway, an idyllic cottage with way too many secrets to keep, like its owner, business tycoon and philanthropist, Shaw Garland. No one knows his dark side like the guests who visit Birch Shadow, including Rhone Alexander who sought the spectacular retreat for some much-needed R&R following the end of a difficult marriage. Worse waited.

 

Grace Upton is an up and coming interior decorator unwittingly drawn into the treacherous Birch Shadow game.

 

Will anyone survive Birch Shadow long enough to make their dangerous getaway?

• Language: English
• Publisher: BWL Publishing Inc.
• Release date: Mar 30, 2022
• ISBN: 9780228621454

Book preview

Chapter Two

Mr. Garland kindly offered to drive Grace to Birch Shadow for her first visit there and in the interests of time she’d agreed. She was watching for him when the sleek black sedan pulled up to the curb of her apartment building in Riverview. She was not surprised to see the luxury vehicle, after all he was a highly successful businessman, and one of the province’s wealthiest residents. Known for his philanthropy, she’d seen his picture in the newspaper countless times along with positive coverage about his significant financial contribution to any number of worthwhile causes. Giving back was obviously important to him and his unwavering support of others was legendary in terms of helping the less fortunate; creating a better future for those who had been marginalized by society.

In a story she’d read recently, it was reported his generosity also extended to those in need beyond Canada’s borders, most often to third world countries where his deep pockets helped build schools and hospitals, drill wells to provide clean drinking water and establish academic programs for underprivileged youngsters. Whatever his motivation, a lot of people could take a lesson from Shaw Garland.

He was standing beside his car waiting for her as she hurried toward him, and she was immediately disappointed that her initial impression of him was not more favourable. Considering the glowing portrait she’d been mentally reviewing over the past few seconds, the contrast of seeing him in person struck her with an impact. Shaw Garland would never be accused of being handsome, but there was, despite his size, a wolfishness about him. It was in his expression, but it had to be her imagination. Wasn’t that what was wrong with the world today? Being too concerned with the superficial; the packaging, and missing the sterling qualities within she scolded herself, dismissing what her gut was trying to tell her.

He opened the door for her, she slid into the passenger seat and once he was in as well, she smiled at him politely. Mr. Garland, it was very generous of you to give me a drive up to the property you want me to see. I really appreciate it.

He returned her smile warmly, which helped to relieve her initial misgivings. "Not at all, my dear. It is you who is doing me the favour. You come very highly recommended by good friends of my family. Astrid was thrilled with what you did with her loft. She said you were professional and creative. Those are qualities I look for in anyone I do business with, so I checked your company out online and I liked what I saw. Very flattering likeness of you too, I must say. I knew immediately you were the person to take care of what I have in mind. As far as me providing transportation to the job site, don’t give it a second thought. I set aside plenty of time for this today. I know everyone is busy, especially perhaps those running their own business. I have experienced that firsthand of course and opportunities to get away on holiday are precious few, that’s why I’m grateful you agreed to squeeze this consultation in just as you were about to leave on vacation. That was very accommodating of you and means a great deal to me, so the very least I could do is drive you there. Besides, it’s a very remote location so you may have had trouble finding it. This just makes sense all way around."

I believe you said it was a rental property.

He glanced at her before returning his eyes to the road. Yes, it is. It’s a very exclusive getaway for those who want to spend quality alone time, off the grid. It’s very ... captivating, as you’ll see. I know you’ll immediately be taken with it.

She nodded, excited about the project, despite her initial hesitation. It was sounding more interesting by the moment. And you were saying you have an upgrade in mind?

More like a sprucing up; new draperies, paint, fixtures, the works. I don’t want it to lose its quaint charm of course, but it does need to be freshened up a bit. He kept his eyes on the road, save for brief glances in her direction. Once you get there I’m guessing it’s going to be hard for you to leave.

Judging by how you’re describing it, I’m sure I’m going to fall in love with it. What size did you say it was?

Very spacious, about twenty-four-hundred square feet or so including the basement. Lots of room to get lost in.

His choice of metaphors was beginning to make her a little uncomfortable, but she tamped down her unease. She did have a tendency to be a Nervous Nellie; altogether too timid sometimes. This was business mogul Shaw Garland, not Jack the Ripper. Still, in reality, she was heading into the wilds with a virtual stranger, although this job did sound like a real plumb. Colours and fabric choices were already beginning to dance through her mind and oh how she was going to enjoy putting her ideas into motion once she’d had a chance to see the place and get a feel for it. She hadn’t expected it to be quite that large, but no matter, it was a wonderful opportunity to showcase her talents and continue to establish herself as a decorator. It was a highly competitive field and she had to seize any opportunity to stand out. It was still a pinch me moment that Shaw Garland was actually hiring her to work on one of his properties; completely unexpected and most welcome.

She returned to the business at hand. I’m sure I can get the job done for you very quickly once I see exactly what I’m dealing with; work out some colour schemes for you to consider; fabric samples. Will it stand vacant until the work is complete?

He smiled broadly. I won’t be taking any more reservations for a while, after today.

There’s someone there now you mean?

I do have a guest in residence. He should have arrived a short while ago but I’m sure he won’t mind if you take a peek around, make some notes and that sort of thing. I don’t expect it will take very long at all, will it? The purpose of today’s visit is so you can take a quick look and give me your opinion, followed up with a full estimate when you’re back from your holiday.

She hoped he hadn’t noticed her immediate sigh of relief. So, there was somebody staying at Birch Shadow, another he she took it, but then again was that good or bad? Hopefully it was good. She would indeed make her assessment of the place as quickly as she could so as not to inconvenience the guest, likely an older man if he were staying there alone. Possibly retired. She disliked the idea of disturbing him, but it wouldn’t take long to make an assessment. She’d also have to determine which pieces should remain to compliment the updated scheme. Some clients wanted the full sweep; everything replaced, but there were always classic pieces that should be kept and incorporated into the new design. It was not only more economical, but familiarity, even if it was a piece of furniture or work of art, always brought everything together for the client, more pleasing aesthetically; comfortable, like an old friend in a new town.

In any event, today she’d get an overall impression and give it more thought while she was away. She’d just have to take her nose out of a book from time to time, albeit reluctantly, and coming up with ideas for this property would be fun, a good job for the inevitable rainy days that were sure to come, vacation or not. This would be her very first recreational property. To date the majority of the decorating she had been hired to do had been for offices; small functional spaces such as Astrid’s loft where her client had decided to set up her sculpting studio. Astrid and her husband lived in a beautiful heritage property, and as with any multi-storied building, the uppermost floor was often under utilized. Astrid had been very pleased with the results when the loft was finished and knew she’d enjoy having a space like that for herself some day. Wouldn’t that be a wonderful spot to quilt! She’d have an ocean of lighting installed, ample storage cupboards for fabric and other essentials, and of course large cutting tables. Yes, someday she’d have that. And now she was going to work on Birch Shadow, a different direction altogether, and she was excited to begin.

With a fairly heavy foot on the accelerator, Garland wasted no time, and they were soon heading for Elgin, speeding along the secondary road through heavily forested land on both sides, save for the odd modest family property. Then abruptly they took a side road to their left and then a sharp right further along, leaving the pavement behind as they continued to climb ever higher, around twisting turns, dust churning up to envelop them like coffee-coloured sea fog.

It was a good job she did come with him after all because she’d never have found this place on her own in a million years without a map, and despite the fact that she’d been concentrating on how they’d even gotten this far, she’d have a hard time finding her way out. There seemed to be roads everywhere.

I told you it was remote, didn’t I? He chuckled as if reading her thoughts. "I’ve gotten turned around myself a couple of times. You may wonder why I have a cottage in the middle of nowhere. I’ll explain how that came about because I think it’s interesting. I heard about this place in a most peculiar, fortuitous way. I was idly surfing the web one night and low and behold I happened to read about it in an obituary. I was immediately intrigued. The place sounded marvellous to me; a cottage squirreled away in the mountains of Elgin, hidden, and almost impossible to find, according to the write-up. Maybe it’s the mystery lover in me because I do so enjoy that genre of books, but I thought why not have something like that for myself; something almost entirely concealed by the forest, a secret hideaway, and therefore the ultimate mystery?

"So I set my mind right then on acquiring it and I was prepared for the challenge in that regard because information about it at that point was scant. I began to search for details, to find out exactly where it was. I was prepared for the fact that it might only be some old hunting camp, overblown in affectionate description, but I had a good feeling that it was going to be something special. It took me some time to actually locate it and when I did, I was astonished at what I saw.

It turns out it was constructed in the very early nineteen-hundreds and it was of traditional build with wooden shingles, rolled eaves intended to resemble a thatched roof, and even some lattice-style windows. It was mind boggling to say the least at what first met my eyes, a country paradise considering the lavish development and upkeep of the grounds around it. Absolutely charming! And the interior was really quite spectacular too. I was surprised to see that the electrical and plumbing had been completely updated although I suspect it’s been quite a number of years since it’s had any other kind of facelift, which is why I’m hiring you.

I must also say it was in remarkably good condition in terms of housekeeping, and I hired a local to take care of the inevitable spider webs and dust before I could begin renting it out. But to finish how it came to be mine, the cottage had belonged to quite a well-known painter, at least in his native United States. Rhode Island I think he was from, and I started doing some digging on him too because I’d never heard of him. His name was Lawrence McGallagher Littlejohn. Now that’s quite a handle, isn’t it? Have you heard of him?

She murmured that it was indeed quite an unusual name and no she wasn’t familiar with it.

He chuckled, which he seemed to do often. He didn’t appear to be overly jovial, but laughter came easily to him although he also seemed to be a man of mercurial moods.

He must have used up a fair bit of colour just signing his work, don’t you think?

She smiled. I should think so. What did he paint, landscapes? There must be quite a view up here in these hills. That would likely have been his inspiration.

There is a breathtaking view from Birch Shadow of the surrounding mountains. It reminds me of the Swiss Alps where we spent some time a few years ago. That’s what they’re called out here, mountains, not hills, even though they’re of no great height, and there are quite a number of them. Anyway, to answer your question, it seems the illustrious Mr. Littlejohn painted people. Now that’s another aspect of this story that I find so fascinating. Why would a painter of people hide himself away from ... well ... people? Don’t you think that’s a little odd?

She nodded again. It is a bit of a paradox I guess.

That’s what I thought too, but maybe not so much when you hear the rest of the story. For him I think it was about more than the art. It was perhaps the seclusion that appealed to him the most, maybe it was even his inspiration. It was women who benefited from his ... ahhh ...  talent, and he brought them to stay with him while he worked; they sometimes stayed for years. They would become his muse of the moment shall we say, and I understand he was never without female company for long so it would seem he had other talents as well. But in terms of his paintings, perhaps not surprisingly he preferred to do nudes and I made a point to find some of his work to see if he was as good as he was said to be.

The cup of coffee she’d finished just prior to leaving Riverview began to sour in her stomach. Come on, Grace, she thought sternly; he’s a harmless older man talking about ... well ... nudes. Don’t be such a prude. Still, her skin prickled.

And were they, good I mean? she heard herself ask as she willed herself to relax.

He laughed. No! They were terrible! Abstracts I would say because if I were one of his many models, I’d be very insulted when I looked at what he’d put on canvas. How he saw me. I couldn’t make head nor tail of any of it. I even called my wife, Coralie, in to take a look and she agreed they were indecipherable. Peculiar. The two of us had quite a laugh about the whole thing but his work commanded big bucks. They cost a fortune. Oh no!

What? she asked sharply as he pulled to the side of the road and stopped the car in a dragging crunch of gravel.

There now I’ve done it. I was so engrossed in the telling of the tale that I missed the turnoff. It’s this dust too, so hard to see anything. I wouldn’t want to have to contend with it on a regular basis. Nature’s wonderful but give me blacktop any day.

Grace agreed. Can’t we just back up or something? You can’t have missed it by that much.

No, I can’t back up, not in this heavy dust. This road is not too heavily travelled, but the vehicles that do come through here are usually on the tear. I shouldn’t even be sitting here on the side of the road to get run into, so I think what I’ll do is keep going and make a right just up ahead. That will take us back down into Elgin proper and then we’ll simply start over. That’s probably the easiest way to go about things. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Not at all, but is it very far? It sounds like it might take a while.

No. This is actually a very small area; the whole thing is a few miles at most. I apologize, Miss Upton. I know I’m keeping you longer than you’d probably hoped I would. I know you have those vacation plans.

She thought again of the much-needed influx of cash this job would bring to her company, among the other advantages she’d already considered. So the man had missed the turnoff because he was telling her a story. Big deal. Maybe it was that he was a lot different than she’d imagined. On the phone he’d been brusque, as she had expected from a businessman of his stature, but in person he was really quite laid back, maybe a little too friendly seeing as how this was actually a business meeting per se. She obviously didn’t know him very well and perhaps she was a bit too shy and over-cautious. She liked that he had mentioned his wife. He was letting her know he was to be trusted and again she willed herself to relax.

It’s not a problem, Mr. Garland, I can call and let them know I’ll be delayed a bit.

Your travelling companion?

No, the chalet rental office. They will understand.

So you’re travelling alone.

Yes. I often do.

"I have two daughters and I don’t know that I’d want them travelling alone in this day and age, of course they’re both married with children, so I guess it’s a moot point. I can be very overprotective of the people I love. Anyway, since it’s not a problem if you’re a little behind schedule, can I buy you a cup of coffee? They make exceptionally good coffee here and I’d love a cup. It would also give us a chance to chat about the job, perhaps future