The Sanctuary Cabin

By E. James DuBois

The Sanctuary Cabin is a novel that personifies the reality that sometimes life throws us a curve ball. Unfortunately, in some situations these untimely events are not just a matter of merely an inconvenience. Over time the cabin proves to be a sanctuary for several families, as a matter of life and death.Joshua and Susan Ritter were at the threshold of their golden years. Joshua had retired from a family business and the slightly aging couple was ready to travel and see the world. In a twist in life, Joshua soon finds himself alone and on a cross-country motorcycle journey. In his attempt to be a Good Samaritan, Joshua finds, as a matter of life and death, needing a place to hide.Dawn Wood was living her dream vocation as a cook when a murder changes her status from a cherished employee to that of a slave. Dawn finds herself rescued, yet running for her life.The cabin was built deep in the woods as a sanctuary place. However, the success of the cabin as being a safe place for Joshua Ritter and Dawn Wood also depends on the neighbors and community at large to demonstrate the strength of family.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Mar 16, 2021
• ISBN: 9781098059569

Book preview

Chapter 1

Nathan and Diana Muller were swept up in the expulsion of ethnic Germans from Allied-occupied zones created by the Potsdam Agreement at the end of the Second World War. The agreement called for an orderly and humane transfer of Germans for resettlement among the countries of America, Britain, France, and Soviet-occupied zones. Under the Potsdam Agreement, Nathan and Diana Muller were transferred to the United States of America. However, having been exposed to governmental authoritarianism, the horrors of war, and having been exiled from their native land, Nathan and Diana did not feel entirely safe in this new land of freedom. They looked at a map of the United States and considered the mountains of eastern Washington State to be the most remote and desirable location for a life of seclusion.

The Mullers traveled across country and ended their search for a home at the end of a single-lane path leading to a hunter’s cabin. The hunter’s cabin was, in reality, just a shack. The Mullers made the hunter’s cabin a temporary lodging while they began plans on building their own cabin. The search for an appropriate building site for their new cabin required seclusion, alternate escape routes, and water. Nathan and Diana came upon a site that satisfied their security concerns and provided something they had not planned. The building site had a million-dollar view overlooking a mountain range that was breathtaking. The site even had a source of fresh water from a natural spring. Nathan and Diana staked their claim on the land and began the audacious task of building their cabin.

Nathan and Diana made a number of trips into the small town of Cedar Valley. They befriended the owner of a local lumber company and the owner of a small café. The lumber company was instrumental in providing Nathan with certain building supplies along with advice on how to overcome some building techniques of which Nathan was unfamiliar. During the construction phase of the project, it was very difficult for Diana to do any serious cooking. Therefore, the café became a refreshing place to eat. The local community quickly proved to be supportive of the newcomers and exceptionally protective of their privacy.

Nathan and Diana completed construction of their cabin in one year. They spent the next three years in comfort and safety with the added bonus of the spectacular view of creation. They built a strong relationship with Peter Galucci from the lumber company and Florence Cox from the Valley Café. The local officials knew the Mullers had built a cabin on land they did not own. However, the couple had proven themselves to be good neighbors and very few people even knew where the Mullers’ cabin was located. They had found an empathetic city as well as a sanctuary cabin.

Chapter 2

Nathan and Diana Muller, over time, established themselves as dependable and respected members of the community. As part of their weekly routine, the Mullers’ were eating breakfast at the Valley Café.

Florence, the owner, approached their table.

Florence said, Do you folks mind if I sit and chat for a few minutes?

Please do, answered Diana.

Florence sat down and placed her cup of coffee on the table. She didn’t say anything for a minute and then slowly said, I have a problem, and I was hoping you could help me out.

Nathan quickly answered, Flo, I hope you know we would do anything to help you. What is the problem?

Florence said, I went to the doctor, and he said I need to have an operation.

Diana said, Florence, do you feel comfortable telling us what the problem is?

Florence said, It’s my heart. Apparently, they think I need some kind of a heart surgery.

Nathan said, Flo, how can we help you?

Florence said, I need someone to keep the café up and running. We are approaching hunting season, and I have customers who depend on an early breakfast and a bag lunch. Many of my customers come from miles away. They would have no way to know the café was closed. It would really be a hardship for my faithful customers. I told the doctor I wanted to wait to have the surgery until after the hunting season. He said no. He said if I delayed the surgery the café would probably be closed permanently.

Nathan and Diana looked at each and mutually agreed with a nod.

Nathan said, Okay, Florence. We will do our best, but you need to train us.

Florence took a table napkin and wiped a tear from her cheek. She said, I can’t believe you agreed to help me without even asking how much I would pay you.

Nathan said, Flo, we are not doing this for any amount of money. When do we start?

Florence got up from the table and embraced both Nathan and Diana together in a group hug.

She said, The doctor reluctantly scheduled my surgery for next week. Can you come in tomorrow for some training?

Nathan said, Sure. What time?

Florence said, 6:00 a.m.

Nathan said, No problem. We’ll be here.

Nathan and Diana started their training at the Valley Café at 6:00 a.m. on a Tuesday. The following Tuesday, Florence was in surgery and the Mullers were opening the Valley Café on their own at 6:00 a.m. The café only served breakfast and lunch. Therefore, the Mullers closed the Valley Café at the scheduled time of 2:00 p.m.

Nathan was just locking the door and placing the Closed sign in the window when a car pulled into the parking lot. A woman and a young man got out of the car and approached the front door.

Nathan opened the door and said, I am sorry, we are closed.

The woman had obviously been crying.

The young man said, We need to talk to you about Aunt Florence.

Nathan said, Come in. How is Florence? Are you family?

The young man said, Yes. This is Angelina, Florence’s sister. I am Neil, Florence’s nephew. We just came from the hospital. Aunt Florence did not make it through her surgery.

Nathan offered Angelina a chair. I’m so sorry.

Diana appeared from the kitchen.

Nathan said, Diana, you need to meet Florence’s family. They come with sad news. Florence did not survive her surgery.

Oh my, said Diana. I’m so sorry.

Nathan said, Diana, this is Angelina, Florence’s sister. This is Neil, Florence’s nephew.

Diana sat next to Angelina and took her hand. She didn’t say anything.

Angelina quietly said, Florence was a fighter. The doctor said they tried their best and Florence fought her hardest, but the odds were against her. Florence told me how you two were willing to help her in a time of need.

Nathan said, Angelina, your sister Florence did a lot to help us in our time of need.

Angelina said to Neil, Well, son, I guess we now need to make a visit to the undertaker.

Nathan, said, Please let us know if we can do anything to help you through this tragedy.

Neil said, Thank you, Mr. Muller.

Angelina and Neil returned to the car and drove away.

Nathan and Diana sat in the quiet of the café for a while.

Nathan said, What do we do with the café?

Diana said, I think we should open the café tomorrow. After that, I just don’t know. Maybe someone from the family will take it over. Let’s just give them a little time to figure things out.

Nathan nodded in agreement.

Chapter 3

Nathan and Diana opened the Valley Café as usual until the scheduled day of Florence Cox’s funeral. Appropriate notice of the closing was posted in the café window. The notice also stated, The future of the Valley Café will be determined by the family of the late Florence Cox.

The residents of Cedar Valley, along with politicians and hunters, traveled long distances to be in attendance at Florence Cox’s funeral. By all measures, this was the largest gathering of folks for any event ever in Cedar Valley. Following the funeral service, everyone was invited to the church fellowship hall for a luncheon provided by the ladies of the church.

As the luncheon was coming to an end, a well-dressed man in a very nice dark suit approached Nathan and Diana. He said, Do you mind if I speak with you for a moment?

Nathan said, My name is Nathan Muller, and this is my wife, Diana. Please have a seat.

Taking a seat across from the Mullers, he said, Thank you. My name is Kyle Baily. I am an attorney representing the estate of Florence Cox. I would like to address a matter of Florence Cox’s addendum to her will.

Nathan said, I am not sure I understand. Why do you need to speak with us?

Kyle Baily said, It would appear that Florence Cox made a last-minute decision to include you in her will.

Nathan said, What do you mean by a last-minute decision?

Kyle Baily said, Apparently, Florence had some kind of last minute premonition or concern about her surgery. While she was alert and not under any presurgical medications, she was asked to sign the hospital documents for consent to proceed with the surgery. She made it known to her doctor and her sister, Angelina, should she not survive the surgery, she wished to leave the Valley Café to you. Florence wrote her wishes on the hospital documents and had her notations witnessed by the doctor and her sister before she signed the consent forms. As a lawyer, from my perspective everything seems legal. The entire transaction of your receiving ownership of the Valley Café will need to go through the probate procedures. However, for all practical purposes, it appears that you are now the new proprietors of the Valley Café.

Nathan was stunned. I don’t know what to say. He then continued, Mr. Baily, what if my wife and I are not interested in running the Valley Café?

Kyle Baily said, It’s yours to do what you want. If you don’t want to run it, sell it. He stood and offered his hand to Nathan and Diana. He said, I will be in touch with you at the appropriate time for the signing of the necessary documents for a transfer of ownership.

Nathan and Diana did a lot of thinking, with little talking, as they left the church and headed back to their cabin. That evening Nathan and Diana were sitting on the porch of their cabin looking at the sun setting over the crest of the mountains. Darkness rolled across the valley, and Diana wrapped a sweater over her shoulders.

Diana spoke softly. Sweetheart, I have enjoyed living here in our sanctuary cabin. I have become less concerned with our security concerns. I enjoy working with the staff and interaction with the customers at the café. Our involvement with the café has given me a renewed interest in being involved in our community. Speaking for myself, I would like to seriously consider our running the café.

Nathan said, I believe we have been successful in seclusion for the past four years. I think we have been successful in establishing ourselves in our new country. I have also enjoyed being involved with the staff and customers at the café. If we were to try to open the café on our own, it would require that we move into Florence’s apartment above the café. There is no way we could continue to live here in the cabin.

Diana said, I know. However, I am ready to move on. In fact, maybe someday down the road this cabin could serve as a sanctuary for someone else.

Nathan replied, Yes. I never thought of that possibility.

Chapter 4

Nathan and Diana were welcomed as the new owners of the Valley Café. When the appropriate documents were signed, the Mullers held a grand opening of the Valley Café under new management. Among the customers on the grand opening day were Angelina and her son, Kyle.

Nathan greeted Angelina and Kyle and offered them the only empty table.

Angelina said, It looks like business is booming!

Nathan said, Yes, we have been extremely busy.

Angelina said, Nathan, I want you to know that our family is glad you decided to keep the café open. The community is happy that you and Diana have chosen to be an active part of Cedar Valley. I have also been told by many that the food is pretty good!

Nathan said, Angelina, I am pleased to be your server today. May I suggest today’s special of a three-egg omelet with tomato, basil, pepper, mushrooms, and cheese. The order comes with hash browns, toast, orange juice and coffee—all for $3.

Angelina laughed and said, Two specials, but please hold the mushrooms.

It did not take long for Nathan and Diana to become highly respected leaders in the community of Cedar Valley. The café became a welcome center for community activities and a place where residents communicated and upheld their respect for each other’s individual privacy. Nathan and Diana eventually moved into the apartment above the café and discreetly granted access to their cabin to individuals in need. The residents of Cedar Valley came to accept the Mullers’ cabin as a sanctuary and aggressively supported the privacy of those given access.

Chapter 5

Karl and Lisa York were newly married and mutually embarking on a career in teaching. Lisa was excited about teaching a fourth-grade class in South Side Elementary School in Vineland, New Jersey. Karl was happy to have landed a position of teaching some advance math classes in the Vineland High School. Karl was a math wizard and would not have been satisfied with teaching general or remedial math class.

Karl, with Lisa’s support, would continue his education in the pursuit of a graduate degree. Karl enrolled in a specialized advanced degree program for teachers offered during the summer months. Karl’s ultimate goal was to teach math on the college level.

In one challenging class, Karl was working on an assignment with fellow student Timothy Casey. During a particularly long and difficult section of the assignment, Timothy suggested they take a break.

Timothy said, I need to take a break. Let’s go for a walk and find a decent cup of coffee.

Karl agreed simply by closing his books and standing, with a long stretching of his legs and twisting of the stiffness in his back.

The two began walking toward the college cafeteria. However, as they approached the Harris Auditorium they saw a sign inviting students to an open house with free refreshments.

Timothy said, Let’s check out the open house and see what kind of refreshments they are offering.

Karl said, Absolutely. Free food. Why not?

To enter the open house, Karl and Timothy had to register with a receptionist. They were directed to the refreshment tables and stations set up to promote a group advocating for a worldview embracing socialism and communism. Timothy and Karl found the refreshments to be just what they needed. However, they found the literature and presenters at the various stations as obnoxious and beyond any shared worldview by Timothy or Karl. The two had satisfied their desire for some food but were now anxious to get back to their class assignment. Little did they know by merely registering at this open house, representatives of a hostile foreign government would later contact them.

Chapter 6

The new customer at the Valley Café caught the attention of Nathan Muller. The man was alone and seemed to be anxious about something.