Natasza Waters - Legend of Spiralling Cedars

Legend of Spiralling Cedars

Natasza Waters

Sensual Romance

ABOUT THE E-BOOK YOU HAVE PURCHASED: Your non-refundable purchase of this e-book allows you to only own ONE LEGAL COPY for your own personal reading on your own personal computer or device. You do not have resell or distribution rights without the prior written permission of the copyright owner of this book. This book cannot be copied in any format, sold, or otherwise transferred from your computer or device to another through upload to a file sharing peer to peer program, for free or for a fee, or as a prize in any contest. Such action is illegal and in violation of the Canadian and United States Copyright Law. Distribution of this e-book, in whole or in part, online, offline, in print or in any way or any other method currently known or yet to be invented, is forbidden. If you do not want this book anymore, you must delete it from your computer or device.

Legend of Spiralling Cedars

E-book ISBN: 978-0-9952598-4-3

First E-book Publication: November 2018

Cover design by Dawn Dominique

Edited by Write Right Edits

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.

All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

Table of Contents

For Tamara Hoffa. Friend, editor, author, wife, mother and so much more. When I was a fledgling, you kicked my butt out of the literary nest, and your words of encouragement were the wind beneath my wings.

Saying thank you has always been difficult for me because the word doesnt seem enough. To my crit partner, the talented Sheri Fredricks, and my editor Carolyn Shelly Depew: You both turn my garble into something readable. Captain Kimberly and my street team who I can trust with their honest opinions.

Legends of Sprialling Cedars first appeared as a serial for readers of IndTale Magazine.

Finally, to Tamara Hoffa, who passed away October 22 nd 2018. You supported so many authors in the indie world. Your own novels, an example of the happily ever afters we all seek. Now, we go on without you, but Ill always remember your friendship and encouragement.

Legend of Spiralling Cedars

Angry words and the stomp of visitors footsteps alerted everyone inside Spiralling Cedars Provincial Park headquarters seconds before the door burst open.

Rachel raised a brow at her park rangers working behind the counter. Lacy, sitting at the communications desk consisting of a radio, computer, landline phone, whiteboard, and a map of the park hanging on the wall with a multitude of colored pins, swiveled her chair. Samuel, William, and Sarahs heads tipped up from their morning duties in the office before they headed out on patrol.

This should be interesting, Rachel murmured. Theyd almost made it to lunchtime without a query or complaint.

A womans high-pitched voice broke the sound barrier. Arthur! Im telling you, its kids and we need to report this.

The door, darkened with age to a deep caramel color, flew open and Cynthia Meadows stepped into the parks central, one-stop-shopping visitor centre.

Im telling you, its an animal, Cynthias husband, Arnold Meadows, grumbled, rambling into the room behind her with his signature bow-legged gait.

Rachel! Cynthia swung a gaze, boiling with anger in her direction. At sixty-five years and resisting old age with dyed, flaming red locks held back by a green hair band, one of Spiralling Cedars more vocal residents didnt believe in going grey without a fight. Weve had trouble at the cottage. Someone trashed our place!

Cynthia, Arthur. Lets talk in my office.

Rachel led the way down a narrow hall of the hundred-year-old log cabin. Although they kept a tight ship, the aging timbers released a musty smell that lingered in the air.

She elbowed open the door with the name set into a small holder: Rachel Crossing, Senior Park Ranger.

Cynthia followed, but couldnt wait to sit down before speaking. Rachel, if you cant keep park visitorsand more importantly, the young hoodlums who camp hereout of my private property, Ill be forced to contact not only the police, but your manager.

Rachel rounded the pine desk handed down to each Senior Ranger whod held the position in the park, and gestured for Cynthia and Arthur to sit while she settled her coffee mug next to a pile of papers waiting for her signature.

Shed known the Meadows for five years. They were the first neighbors shed met after earning the post located in the heart of the west coasts outdoor playground, famous for its trails and crystal green lakes. The BC parks service had been her first, and probably last, career move since shed graduated from the University of British Columbia with two degrees. One majoring in biology, and the other in natural resource management. Ever since she was seven-years-old and hovered a wiener on a stick over her first campfire, she knew what she wanted to do with her life.

She loved British Columbia. She loved nature. And most of the time, she loved working with the public.

Rachel lifted a pad of lined paper from her top right desk drawer and plucked a pen from her pocket, compliments of the shoe-string budget that came with a hundred and thirty thousand acre park she was expected to operate.

From the start, Cynthia. When did you arrive home?

Arthur jumped in to answer. A lot of folks joked how he was a whipped husband. Truth was, hed mastered the art of marriage versus the art of hiding a body. He had the patience of Job.

Rachel, sorry to bother you. I keep telling Cyn its probably a bear. He swiped his hand through the air with a laissez-faire motion. Weve been in Arizona for the last six months, snow-birding. Just got back this morning.

Rachel nodded as she wrote a few notes. Thousands of retired BCers spent the winter south of the border. As soon as April rolled around on the calendar, they all flocked home to enjoy the lush, green forests, snow-capped mountains and comfortable climate of summer. The small, privately-owned community where Arthur and Cynthia lived nestled itself against the western border of Spiralling Cedars Provincial Park, situated between Squamish and Whistler.

Dealing with critters wasnt out of the ordinary, living west of the Rockies. Grizzlies, racoons, deer and plenty of smaller animals inhabited BCs backcountry. Residents understood that living in the province known for its supernatural beauty required taking precautions because bears loved garbage and cougars loved small domesticated animals as a snack.

How much damage, Arthur?

Cynthia thrust forward in her chair, the beads of her multicolored necklace flopping against her ample chest. Its not an animal. Its kids. Rotten teenagers with little to no respect for private property.

She listened patiently. Okay, lets start with how they got in.

Front door. Cynthia plunked back in her chair and yarded her corded, pink sweater around her shoulders. Broke it right off the hinges.