Chapter 1

The snap of fall was in the air. In the Smoky Mountains of Eastern Kentucky the leaves were a riot of reds, oranges, and yellows with a few browns starting to sneak in among the brighter colors. The days were still warm and the evenings were getting colder. From her back deck overlooking the mountain peak Christina Markum was enjoying one of her last fall evenings here, in the dream house she had built with her ex-husband, Jonathon. In just a matter of days the movers were coming to pack all her possessions into a truck and move them half-way across the country. To the home she used to know. And so very far away from the home and life she had since created for herself. Placing her coffee cup in the sink, the phone interrupted her plaintive train of thought.

“hello?”

“Chrise, hey, its, Cynthia, just calling to check how things are going.”

“Fine, I’m, well, the packing is coming along. “ Christina replied as she looked around at a kitchen that had yet to even think of seeing a box. “What’s up in the city?”

“Well, I’ve changed plans and will be driving instead of flying. If I leave tonight I’ll be there by tomorrow afternoon.”

“You realize that it really isn’t necessary for you to come at all? I have moved before.” Christina was just a little irritated. She was hoping to be able to handle this move in her own way at her own pace. Leaving this life behind was more than a little traumatic for her.

“Hey, this is my last chance to have a real home dinner at Edna’s. Do you honestly think I would miss that opportunity? Plus, it’ll be fun. With you all the way out in Kansas how often will we get to see each other?”

“Fine. Call me when you hit the foothills and we’ll make out a game plan for the remainder of the day. Anyway, I really need to go. I’ve have some things I’d really like to work on before it gets too late. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

“Bye hon, and remember, tomorrow? I’ll be there before dinner time.”

“Bye.”

Christina looked around her kitchen. Everything was exactly as she had wanted it. Some items even special ordered in order for her to have her dream home. Getting special items was difficult when you lived on the mountain top. She walked over to the bar and fixed herself a drink. Even the bar was custom. She made a mental note to have all the liquor packed away long before Cynthia arrived tomorrow. She didn’t want to get into that bag of worms now.

Christina had just turned 30 this last year. Her divorce from Jonathon had only been final for 2 months. She still loved him. However, she also knew that the divorce was the best for him, even if he didn’t see it now. They had both so wanted to start a family. Their own children and a legacy to leave behind. They had tried too, for years. However, Christina miscarried 6 times. She was unable to have a child. Jonathon would argue and even brought home information on adoption for them to study. However, Christina thought of that as settling for him. He was from a very large family and had wanted to same. Christina filed for divorce in order to give him the opportunity to find someone who could provide him the family he had always wanted, with his own children. Now she was alone.

Christina was also a very well published author. Cynthia was her editor and best friend. She had seven novels in the market as well as 5 children’s books. She had started her career while she was in college, putting out a couple of children’s books. After graduated from PSU she had moved to Boston to be closer to the action of the publishing world. That was where she had met, Jonathon. They had a whirlwind courtship and married after only 7 months. At 23 she had been at the top of her game. 3 novels on the best sellers list and a new husband. For reasons she couldn’t begin to put her finger on now they had decided to leave Boston and found real estate in Carter Hill, a modest town in Kentucky. They hired contractors, builders, and an architect. Christina had her finger on every movement in the building of her dream home, down to the placement of wall outlets. Everything had to be perfect. A perfect career, perfect marriage, perfect home.

It took a while for the resident’s of Carter to accept them. Jonathon was outgoing and spent time in town meeting and greeting the local community. Before too long the community had accepted the two of them as family. Most of the locals worked in the mines and lived a very different lifestyle, very different than Christina and Jonathon. Jonathon liked the slow placed lifestyle. Christina liked the solitude and privacy. Soon, she was great friends with Edna, who ran the local emporium and a great diner. Life was looking so wonderful, until the miscarriages, which threw a major wrench into the perfect world Christina had created for herself. She filed the papers and withdrawing from the world had started drinking. The divorce was final and she began to drink more. Cynthia stepped in and did all she could to help and still, Christina drank. She had not written anything since before the divorce and the publishing house was threatening to cancel her contract. She submitted a few things for Cynthia to look over and then pass on to the publishers but even Cynthia had to admit that Christina’s work was lacking. There was nothing worth submitting on.

Then, PSU called. They wanted to offer her a lecture position in their College of Communications. She was a very esteemed and respected alumni and they believed she had a lot to offer the university. With much encouragement from Cynthia she accepted the position. In two days she would begin her travel west in order to begin her newest career move. Starting a new chapter to her life, by revisiting the chapters of her past.

Christina snapped herself out of her reverie and finished her drink. Mixing another one she set about the task of packing up, moving off to the living room, where the items weren’t exactly necessary to daily living. She had a lot to accomplish before Cynthia arrived tomorrow and the adventure began.