CASCADES

By T. L. Conn

A story that will take you on a journey of suspense, thrill, adventure, and emotions.

Something terrible is happening in the splendor of the Cascades Mo

• Language: English
• Publisher: Time Voyager Inc
• Release date: Jul 20, 2023
• ISBN: 9781088205631

Book preview

Cascades

by

T. L. Conn

Copyright © 2022 by

T. L. Conn

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NO part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, except as may be expressly permitted in writing from the author.

Printed in the United States of America

ISBN 978-1-0882-0556-3

For my Mother - My Light

For my Father - My Knight

Until tomorrow, God keep you in His care.

Special thanks to the Rangers of the North Cascades National Park.

Table Of Contents

CHAPTER 1      1

CHAPTER 2      15

CHAPTER 3      27

CHAPTER 4      39

CHAPTER 5      52

CHAPTER 6      65

CHAPTER 7      79

CHAPTER 8      93

CHAPTER 9      107

CHAPTER 10      119

CHAPTER 11      132

CHAPTER 12      144

CHAPTER 1

New fallen snow sparkled in the late November sun, blanketing the Northern Cascades Mountain region so heavily that not a branch of her tall pines was left undressed. Its pristine beauty and serenity would have been complete except for the snarling sound of two snowmobiles traversing the meadowland, one ahead of the other.

The second snowmobile moved in erratic stops and turns until finally flipping on its side and ejecting the driver.

The first snowmobile circled back, stopping next to the spitting machine and the man lying in the snow.

Damn it, Mel, you’re gonna kill yourself someday! yelled Ranger Spencer Varner.

Spence turned off his snowmobile, leaned over, and flipped the kill switch on Mel’s machine.

Aw, come on, Spence. You take that ranger job of yours too seriously. Gotta have some fun now and then, retorted Mel Bradford as he stumbled to his feet.

You’ve had one too many at Annie’s again. Hurt anything?

Nah, just my pride.

Mel had become reckless since they laid him off at the mill. Early retirement, they called it. Early death was more like it. He’d spent most of the day drinking at Annie’s Roadhouse.

Annie still had a soft spot in her heart for Mel. They went to school together, even dated now and then until Sarah stole his heart away. She hated to see him in his current state of degradation and called upon Spence to see him home on far too many an occasion.

Spence helped his friend right his snowmobile.

I’m alright, insisted Mel, pushing Spence away. Besides, you know Annie’s hooch is watered down.

Mel mounted his machine and immediately reached into the pocket of the pack strapped to the seat. He grinned back at Spence.

But I’ve got the good stuff.

He pulled out a flask, removed the cap, and tipped his head back as he took a long swig of its contents.

Mel’s eyes wandered across the clearing as he drank. Even in his drunken state, his blurred vision caught sight of a magnificent stag standing motionless at the tree line. He instantly removed the pistol inside his vest pocket, aimed for the deer, and pulled the trigger. The animal winced, kicking up a cloud of snow, then bolted into the forest.

Spence grabbed Mel from behind and stripped the pistol from his hand. Mel didn’t give him much resistance until his flask was taken away.

Damn it, Mel, that’s enough! Spence struggled to control his anger. You know better than to shoot a deer with a pistol. Damn it! Now I’ll have to track him and put him down.

Mel shook his head in embarrassment.

Sorry Spence, guess I messed up. Just don’t tell Sarah, okay? You know how mad she gets if she thinks I’ve been drinking.

I won’t have to tell her; she’ll see it for herself. You’re gonna have to get home on your own now. Spence was furious. His gaze was fixed on where the deer entered the forest. I’ve got a lot of work to do. Go home and sleep it off.

Okay, Spence.

And keep to the trail.

Mel laughed. This old horse knows his way to the barn. Sarah won’t let me in the house.

Mel switched on the snowmobile and slowly pulled away.

Spence watched the snowmobile zigzag until it disappeared over a knoll along the northern ridge and shook his head. His heart was heavy. He knew the wounded deer was in pain, and he knew the search wouldn’t be easy. He put Mel’s pistol in his saddle pack on the snowmobile along with his flask and drove to the tree line.

When he spotted the blood-splattered tracks, he slowed to a stop, turned off the vehicle, and dismounted, pulling his Remington rifle from its holster. It seemed colder now. A brisk wind was blowing up from the west, and the sun had just reached the top of the trees. He secured the scarf around his neck knowing the temperature would fall rapidly. He’d better hurry if he was going to catch that deer before nightfall.

Droplets of the deer’s blood were interspersed with its tracks, and the spaces between were broad, making it difficult to follow. Mel’s pistol hadn’t slowed him down much.

Spence tracked the allusive deer for close to an hour, moving deeper into the forest.

As light began to fade, he realized his search had become futile. He knew he’d never find the animal in the dark. Then, just as he reached the top of the last knoll, he saw a shocking sight and instantly froze in his step! A huge pool of blood covered the ground and a two-foot swath of it led into a gorge 400 feet below.

Spence immediately crouched down, darting his eyes about him as quickly as he could. A chill ran up his spine and a sickening feeling gnawed at the pit of his stomach. He knew the deer had been slaughtered on this spot by a large animal and dragged into the gorge. Was it a mountain lion? No, something bigger. Only a bear could handle a 12-point buck.

He became increasingly concerned about the dwindling daylight. If the bear attacked now, he’d never see it coming. It was time to leave.

He cautiously turned back the way he came, following his own tracks in the snow.

The wind was stronger now, and the trees creaked as they rustled together. A broken limb fell to the ground in front of him just as he heard the scream of an eagle overhead and his adrenalin surged!

Spence tightened his grip on his rifle and broke into a run. With each breath, he thought of the bear. He’d trespassed into its domain and knew the animal would defend it if he got in its way. He assured himself he could reach his snowmobile and safety in 20 minutes if he kept up a steady pace.

He cleared two ridges as swiftly as he could in the failing sunlight. But as he picked up speed on the down slope of the third, his feet became entangled by a jumble of branches in the darkened ravine, sending him into a nose dive. He hit the ground hard, cutting a wound into his cheek from a protruding stone.

Spence took little time to regain his balance and gather his wits. His act of mercy had now become a test of his own survival.

As he started up the next slope, his sixth sense suddenly kicked in. There was a presence behind him. It was following him, and it was getting closer! He heard a deep growling sound and the hair on the back of his neck stood erect. Was it the bear? He would have to confront it.

Spence lifted his rifle and wheeled toward the sound, his heart drumming wildly in his chest. Then, everything turned to slow motion. A huge, dark form approached. He fired three rounds. It wasn’t enough. The form kept moving toward him!

In a rush of panic, he emptied the chamber without knowing he’d even