First Three Chapters of Once in a Blue Moon

Chapter 1

Fleytius sailed from the roof of the log cabin to a large tree across the meadow, leaving an emerald and blue phosphorescent trail.

Moondog lifted his head from the porch as he watched the angel settle on the treetop. Light of a new day began painting the eastern sky with ribbons of orange and yellow. Although several hundred yards away, the big dog saw movement under the fir tree.

“Hafoof,” Moon breathed out his subtle alert.

Joseph cranked one eye open as he peered out from his warm sleeping bag. He followed Moon’s gaze, then quietly retrieved the small binoculars from his pack. A wide grin spread across his face as he studied the cow moose with her calf. “Good boy, Moon,” Joseph whispered.

The young man touched his dog’s shoulder. Moon startled, whipping his head around to look at his master.

Joseph closed his eyes and shook his head. “Sorry, Moon buddy, I didn’t mean to scare you,” he whispered again. I’m afraid Moon not being able to hear is going to take some getting used to for both of us.

At the sight of his beloved Joseph, Moondog’s tail began thumping the porch. He yawned, ending with a squeak. Moon lifted his snoot high as his nose began twitching like a big golden rabbit’s.

It wasn’t long before the rest of the crew on the porch caught a whiff of breakfast from inside the cabin. Star-Toes stretched and sat up as Cleo stood and stared at Rocky’s sleeping bag, her tail whirling in a blur.

“Go away,” came the mumbled voice.

“How’d you know she was even looking at you, Rocky?” asked Joseph. “You’re completely covered up.”

“I could feel it,” came the flat response. “She never misses a chance to drive me crazy.”

Aaron stretched and sat up, breathing in the chilly morning air. “How’d you guys sleep?” he asked.

“I slept good,” came Rocky’s reply. “This is the first night in a long time that I didn’t have a million questions running through my mind about how I was going to find someone lost in the mountains. I think my brain and my body really needed the rest.”

“I slept good too,” replied Joseph. “Now that I’ve got my Moondog back, and knowing Michael is no longer lost in these mountains, it was probably the best sleep I’ve had in a week or more. How about you, Aaron?”

Aaron shook his head slightly and tried to force a smile, but Joseph caught a glimpse of the pain in his eyes.

“You know, Joseph,” Aaron said softly, “when I found Moon out here in all this wilderness, I thought I’d found a dog I could keep as my companion up here. I could tell there was something wrong with his hearing, but that didn’t matter to me none. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad you found him, and got your friend back. He belongs to you, that’s obvious to everyone. But I don’t mind telling you that I’m a little bummed about it for my own sake. I could use a buddy like him right now. One that would just be my friend. Someone who I could talk to about my time in combat overseas, and who wouldn’t ask me questions about what happened. In just the little time I got to spend with him, I could tell he’s a wonderful dog.”

Joseph took a deep breath. “I’ve been thinking about that. I don’t pretend to have a clue what you’ve been through in your military service to our country. But I do know what you mean about having someone to talk to. I usually don’t talk much around people, but I’ve told Moondog all sorts of things that I’ve never told anyone else. He’s about the best listener I’ve ever known. And you’re right, he doesn’t ask any tough questions, he just listens and grins or snoozes or whatever.

“I told you how Michael and I found Star-Toes in that cave, all her brothers and sisters dead – from starvation, I guess. I know she’s not Moon, but just maybe Star would make you a fine companion up here in these mountains. She’s sure got the background for it, the mountains I mean. She seems like a fine dog in her own right. But I’m not sure that would be a good idea though. I’ve not tried to tame a coyote myself, but from what I’ve read about it, most of the time, it doesn’t turn out very well.”

“I’ve thought about that too,” replied Aaron as he studied Star. “I wish I knew what was going on in her mind. You’re probably right, it may be best that I don’t even try, especially if it won’t turn out good. And I don’t know if I have it in me right now to try to work with her anyway.”

“Well,” Rocky piped up, “I bet if it was just the right person, and just the right coyote, and in just the right place, things might work out. I know I can’t take her back with me,” Rocky added as he sat up and rubbed his eyes. “She does seem like a fine little dog, but I wouldn’t want to try to keep her in my town. Plus, Cleo is about too much for me to handle as it is. I’d go nuts if I had two of them.”

“I can’t take her with me either, that’s for sure.” stated Joseph. “And since Star has been around Moondog so long, and me and Michael too, if she’s left out here on her own now, I’m afraid she might not last very long. I reckon she’s lost everything familiar to her. Maybe, just maybe, she may well need you right now as much as you need her.”

Aaron looked at Star-Toes. “I haven’t tried to touch her yet; she’s been a bit skittish toward me.” The young military man reached out his hand and gently touched the top of Star’s head.

The little coyote turned and sniffed Aaron’s hand, and then gave it a lick. Everyone heard her thick tail swish up against Aaron’s sleeping bag.

“Hmm.”

Chapter 2

“Well, Ms. Rachel,” Rocky said as he slid his chair back from the table, “that was the finest breakfast I’ve had in a long time. And to think you did all this on a wood-burning cook stove. If Joseph and I have any trouble on the way down the mountain, it won’t be because you sent us away hungry.”

Rachel blushed at the compliment. “Well, it’s not often we get three fine young men to share breakfast with us up here. It was my pleasure. And this was just something I managed to throw together for all of you.”

“I hope if I get to visit you another time, you’ll manage to throw together another breakfast like this,” added Joseph. “This was mighty fine, Ms. Rachel. I won’t ever forget my visit with you folks. And this breakfast with you both in your log cabin surrounded by all this wilderness will just add to the memory.”

Norm beamed at his wife. “Rachel’s about the best cook there is, and the best wife I could hope for. I hope someday you boys might just find a wife half as good to you as she is to me. If you do, you’ll truly have something to be thankful for.”

“Oh, now stop, all of you,” Rachel blushed a second time at the praise. “This breakfast isn’t anything special. And I know I’ve about drove Norm crazy more than once living up here alone like we do. He’d have probably left me a long time ago, except up here, there’s nowhere else to go.”

As they readied their packs, Rocky looked at Aaron. “I know you’ve been through a lot, fighting for our freedom back in the Middle East. I live pretty much at the end of the road, down at the base of these mountains. That way I can go to town if I have to, but I can get out into this country just about as quick as walking out my front door. If and when the time comes for you to get back into society, you’re welcome at my house. I don’t say that to very many people. You can stay as long as it takes. No hassles, no questions asked. Just come down and stay a while. It might be a good way for you to transition back into things.”

Aaron cut his eyes at Rocky, then to the towering mountains surrounding them. “Well, thanks. But I’ll be fine. You don’t owe me anything. I’ll be okay. I just appreciate you two giving me your word that you won’t be telling people about me being up here. I reckon I just need some time to sort things out.

“And if you remember, tell that deputy sheriff Martin that this life of his is a gift. He needs to live each day like it is.”

“I’ll remember.” Rocky pushed a piece of paper into Aaron’s hand. “There’s my name and address. I’d consider it an honor if you’d stop by sometime.”

Aaron looked long at Rocky. Then he stuffed the paper into his shirt pocket. “I appreciate it.”

Rachel gave Rocky and Joseph a big hug, then the two shook hands with Norm and Aaron.

“I just can’t thank all of you enough for helping me get my Moondog back.” Joseph couldn’t hide his huge smile. “Just a few days ago, I was afraid I might never see him again. There was no greater gift you could have given me. I will not forget you.”

Joseph gave Aaron something as well. “I will pray for you,” he said quietly as he slipped him a tiny booklet.

Aaron looked in his hand, then up at Joseph. “You carried this thing all the way up here?”

“I didn’t know at the time why I stuck it in my pack, but I know now. I reckon for you, Aaron,” Joseph said quietly. “If you’ll read that, then just maybe you’ll find the greatest Gift of all.”

Aaron shook Joseph’s hand again. “I like to read, and I didn’t bring much with me. So, I’ll look at this. I give you my word.”

Rocky and Cleo walked down the steps and headed away from the house. Joseph stepped off the porch as Moon fell in obediently at his left side. As they did so, Star-Toes immediately jumped up and began trotting next to Moondog.

Aaron called for Star, but the young dog ignored him.

Joseph stopped, then he and Moon walked back up the steps. This time Joseph got Star to sit next to Aaron. He gave her both a vocal command and a hand signal to stay. “I haven’t been with her very long, Aaron. I don’t know if she even has a clue what I’m telling her.”

Joseph and Moon started back down the steps, and Star jumped up again and began walking next to Moon once more. Joseph and Moon returned to Aaron’s side.

“Do you think I need to put a rope on her, Joseph?” Aaron asked in a quiet voice.

Joseph knew that Star-Toes wanting to be with Moon was natural. The two had been through a lot together. But this had to be rough on Aaron. He had mentioned that he felt he’d never be able to fit into society again, that he’d be rejected. He didn’t need to feel rejected by a dog as well – a dog whose very life he’d helped save.

“Maybe, we’ll see,” answered Joseph. “But let’s give her the chance to make the decision on her own if she will.” Joseph repeated his commands with Star, and then he and Moon began walking down the steps again. As they did so, Star rose up and began stepping toward them.

This time as Star began to follow, the big golden dog took over. Moondog spun around and let loose a loud bark at Star-Toes. Star, along with everyone else, jumped at the sound. Moon then made a strange noise. Not a growl, and in no way aggressive. The sound rolled out of his chest as a long, drawn-out rumble. It contained no malice, but was obviously some type of communication.

Star-Toes sat down next to Aaron and cocked her head to one side. She looked intently at Moon. The big dog let out another deep rumble, then turned back and stood next to Joseph.

Joseph shrugged his shoulders at the three people on the porch, then gave them all a wave. He and Rocky turned around and started out again. This time as they did, Star remained on the porch next to Aaron.

“That was pretty cool, Joseph,” Rocky whispered as they strode away from the cabin. “It’s like Moondog knows what you’re thinking before you even tell him what you want him to do. You reckon that little dog will stay put?”

“I have no clue. That Star-Toes is one tough pup, and stubborn too. I noticed that in the short time we were together. We’ll just have to keep going and see.”

The two explorers with their canine companions were almost out of the huge meadow when they heard Aaron holler out Star’s name from behind them. They turned to see the little dog running straight at them as fast as she could.

“Ah nuts,” said Rocky. “I thought you and Moon might have got it through to her.” He looked at his watch and sighed. “I guess we’ll have to hike back with her and tie her up.”

“Maybe,” Joseph responded. “But let’s just wait a minute. We know from the tracks we saw that at least once they were almost killed by that wolfpack. It was inevitable if Carol and Uncle Gary hadn’t cut the pack off with the airplane. No telling what all else they went through. What’s happening right now might be just something of their ways that they have to do. I may never know how often they saved each other’s life out here since Moon went into the river. Especially with Moon not being able to hear. This could be tough on them – for one to see the other walk away like this. They were there for each other when no one else could be, and they came through for each other in spite of everything that was against them. Let’s just give them a minute, and see what happens.”

They watched as Star-Toes closed the gap, Cleo and Moon remaining beside their respective masters. When the panting young coyote arrived, she licked Moon’s snoot, then rolled over on her back beneath his big golden head.

“Star’s showing complete submission to Moondog,” Joseph said quietly to Rocky as he and Cleo looked on.

Moon leaned down and nuzzled Star-Toes’ face and neck, once again the low rumble coming gently from inside him. Moon stepped back, and Star rose to her feet. She and Moon nuzzled each other, and then the young dog took a couple steps away from her companion. From across the big valley, everyone but Moondog heard another call from Aaron.

Star turned and looked back at the cabin, then at Moon. Moon barked again, his golden plume of a tail swaying gently behind him.

Now Star herself let out a loud yip, voicing her farewell to her alpha leader and friend. The little dog then spun around and raced back to the cabin as fast as she could go.

“Well, I’ll be,” stated Rocky as they all watched Star-Toes streaking toward the cabin, the bright sunshine reflecting off her shiny grey coat. “I don’t think I’ve seen anything like that in all my life. You think maybe they were saying goodbye to each other?”

Joseph had spent countless hours with his Moondog, tracking and observing animals. He could often guess which way an animal was looking, or even what it was looking at, when it made a particular track which was a little out of line with the others. The behavior of animals in the wild never ceased to fascinate him, and he never grew tired of learning. Joseph shaded his eyes as he watched Star’s thick coat shimmer in the morning light as she sped back to Aaron. “I really don’t know what else it could be but them saying goodbye.”

Joseph knelt and put his arms around Moon’s neck. Moon didn’t take his eyes off his friend streaking away from him. Joseph wondered what was in his companion’s heart right then. He followed Moon’s gaze, but by now could only see a grey-white form moving away, across the lush green meadow as his vision blurred. He hugged Moondog, turning away from Rocky. He didn’t want the tough mountain man accusing him of getting soft.

Joseph heard Rocky snort. He looked up to see that his friend had turned away as well, and was gazing up into the trees. Rocky took a deep breath, then snorted again.

Joseph blinked a couple of times as he stood up. “Well…” he said as he exaggerated a big wave toward the three people waving back at them from the porch. From where they were standing, Joseph could just barely see Star-Toes, now on the porch as well. Right next to Aaron.

Rocky cleared his throat as he waved back. “Yeah. Well, ah, we’re burning daylight here. Let’s get going.”

Joseph gazed down at Moon, who now studied his master with a grin on his face and his tail swaying. “Right,” Joseph managed to reply as he ruffled Moon’s mane. The two friends with their loyal companions at their sides stepped out of the sunny meadow and into the cool shadows of the deep timber.

Chapter 3

Although the sun shone brightly over Norm’s cabin and on the mountains where Joseph and his companions hiked, an unseen, sinister darkness began to creep into Rocky’s little hometown. And who was flinging wide the door to welcome in the menacing presence? None other than the preacher’s kid himself.

This is the coolest book in the world, chuckled Owen. I’m so glad I got kicked out of school the other day and found this book along the road. It was worth all the grief the old man gave me. I can’t believe all the power that’s available to me right now if I can just learn what to do. No one ever told me about any of this stuff before: Wizards, spells, mind control. This is way beyond cool. I can’t wait to figure it all out. It shouldn’t take me near as long as they say, since I’m as smart as I am. Walker, Brian, and those other fools in class are going to regret messing with me.

This is so cool!