For a smile as wide as a country sunrise
Hi everyone! Well, today’s Saturday Stories will take us back a few years to a time my dad and I owned some property near, but not bordering, a river east of here. We had 162.5 acres of beautiful land. I walked all over that property and had plans to make some walking trails all over. Anyway, while building a cottage I did have a small cabin to stay in as well, a little safer than sleeping in a tent, especially since we knew there were a number of bears in the area.
The local garbage dump was only about one km away in a straight line from our place, though about 5 km to drive there. So, bears would often walk through our property at night heading over to their favorite “restaurant” for a good meal, then in the early morning they would head back to where they lived. It was a good thing to always keep in mind when staying out there.

Always nice to see new growth in the spring.
Especially since some of those bears were rather large. Anyway, I often stayed out there to enjoy the solitude and all the wonderful birds and other wildlife. I even saw a cougar out there a couple of times. They are beautiful animals. So, one time while staying out there I was out watering the flowers I had planted in containers. But I got that certain feeling that I get at times.
It’s a feeling like I am being watched. The area around the cabin was somewhat open, though there were pine trees all around. I had cleared the lower branches off the trees so I could see a good distance away. It looked nice, sort of park like, and it also made me feel better, a little safer since I could see farther away in case a bear decided to show up. I looked all around in every direction, but saw nothing. I moved to the next side of the cabin and continued to water flowers.

This is not the bear of my story, this one is a 2 year old and was on my deck one morning.
That feeling did not want to go away. I walked right around the cabin and looked off through the trees, but saw nothing. Still, I just could not shake that feeling. I kept looking around, even looking around the cabin frequently, but nothing ever showed up. Obviously nothing was around, it was just a false ‘feeling’. I thought. I finished up watering the flowers, looked around again, saw nothing and went inside and sat down beside one of the windows.
I had just sat down when a big female bear walked right past the window. She was one of those brown variations, I had seen her before. She also had a cub with her. The window was exactly 3 feet off the ground, the top of her back was just above the bottom of the window. That makes for a big black bear. I measured her foot prints the next morning, and the approximate length of her body.

Here he is again going after one of my hanging bird feeders, which he finally broke.
She would have been between 600 and 700 pounds. That is a big bear. She did look well fed too. Her and that cub were out there watching me while I was watering those flowers and obviously were not far away. Another day I was up and ready for a nice morning walk. It was 6am and I looked out each window and was unable to see anything, so I opened my door and went out and started heading for my walking trail.
My car was parked right close by and a bear came around from the other side of the car where I could not see it. He immediately stood up on his hind legs, sniffing. I started to back up slowly to my cabin. He dropped down, started moving his head menacingly and pounded the ground a couple of times and I was constantly walking backward to my cabin.

Here is another bear, bigger than the little guy, climbing my neighbors Black Ash tree.
He then started moving towards me and since I was quite close now to my door, I turned and ran! I just got the door closed and the bear was there, standing against the door, grunting and pushing the door. Fortunately it was a good, solid door. It was only an average size bear of about 300 pounds, but that is still a lot bigger than me.
I watched the bear for a while and he finally walked off, disappearing among the pines. I then went to my car and drove to the nearest town for breakfast. The things that happen sometimes. Well, I do hope you all have a wonderful weekend and God bless!
Steve and Muffin.
©2024 Steve McLeod.
Knowing that Mike was coming soon, I decided to send Hope back home, since Mike knows her very well and that would be a real problem for us. It might be a problem anyway if Mike is able to piece things together and realize that we are The Investigators, and not Steve’s Wildcats. Meanwhile, back at Raymundo’s nightclub.
“Here,” said Diego to another man, “Raymundo wants this man liquidated.” The other man did not ask questions, just shot the man twice in the heart, and he slumped over dead. “You traitor!” yelled Diego to that man, and he then shot him dead. Two other guards came rushing in, but too late to save their prisoner. Felipe then came in and Diego told him what happened, but he was unable to stop the traitor.
“Get rid of this man in the trash,” said Felipe, “actually, both of them.” He then went upstairs and told Raymundo what had happened. Raymundo smiled. “Diego thinks he is a clever man,” said Raymundo, “watch him closely Felipe, he is dangerous to us right now.” “I could get rid of him,” said Felipe, “it would be so easy.” “Yes, but for now we still need him,” said Raymundo, “until we find out what is going on and who might be his new boss.”
Felipe then came into the club. “Ah, Felipe, my good man,” said Mandar, “I have just received some information from my men that will interest Raymundo.” Felipe went to get him and both came out and sat down. “Such a delicious meal Raymundo,” said Mandar, “but now the part that would interest you more. My boys have found out who is looking to take your territory. It is a woman from Canada, named Mike.
She is ruthless, cold and unpredictable. She also has a large organization at her disposal and seems to have good financial backing, much, I imagine, she has stolen. I have not met the woman personally, but I do believe my contact.” “Hmm, that is good information Mandar,” he said, “I will have Dabora check out this woman more thoroughly for me.”
“Oh, this Mike person does have people here already,” added Mandar, “though I do not know how many. But likely they are just scouting the area, and your operation, more closely.” “Yes, I do agree with your assessment Mandar,” said Raymundo, “if you can find more information on names and where they might be staying, I would appreciate it.”
He then got up and left, but nodded at Felipe first and he handed an envelope to Mandar. “Very nice of him,” said Mandar, and he divided it between Ginnifer and Penny. “He just gave all that money to his 2 bodyguards,” said Luis to Raymundo. “I imagine they handle everything for the old man,” said Raymundo. “He certainly picks beauties for bodyguards,” added Luis. “That’s okay Luis,” he said, “I am satisfied with you.” Everyone in the office laughed.
“Dabora, my dear,” he said, “please check on one Mike, a woman from Canada who is the one interested in my territory. I want to know if she really is a problem, or a bug we can step on. I want to know the size of her organization, just everything about her.” “I should have that quickly, my darling,” she said. Meanwhile, when Sky heard that Mike was coming, she did not like that at all.
She sent Crystal to replace Hope, then she sent Cinnamon, Sapphire, Charly and Aletia (our new Spanish nurse) to bolster our numbers a bit. I got the impression that Sky was a bit worried. The new girls arrived in good time and were eager to get going. Or perhaps just eager to wear the new uniforms. After breakfast Beryan was giving me my massage when the front desk clerk called to my room.
“There is a lovely young woman here to see you sir,” he said, “her name is Melanie.” I told him I would be right down. Jennifer, Cynthia and Aasta came along, as did Muffin, Jewel, Midnight and Rascal. “Wow, you have 4 cats,” said Melanie, “are they all as well trained as Jewel?” “Actually, Muffin here is the main trainer of all our cats,” I said.
“Now that is interesting,” she said, “there is a man named Steve, from The Investigators, that also has a gray cat named Muffin.” All the cats ears went straight up when she said that. “Hmm, it is also interesting that your cats, like The Investigators cats, can understand humans.” “You have been doing your homework,” I said, “I guess this information has been given to Mike by now.”
Melanie put her head down, remaining quiet for a bit. Then she looked up at Jennifer and I, with tears rolling down her cheeks. “No,” she said very softly, “Mike knows nothing…(she put her head down again)…please, I want help, would, would you be willing to help me?” “If I should say no, then you would tell Mike,” I said, “is that what happens?” She shook her head ‘no’.
“If you should say no,” she continued, “Mike will not find out anything. Only I know this…and…I will…be dead.” She put her head down again, crying more now. Each of the cats came to me, giving their meow. I looked at Jennifer. She smiled and said, “I told you.” “May I ask why you are turning against your boss?” I enquired. “I never wanted to join her organization,” she said, “but I was in trouble.
She got me out and I ended up in more trouble than ever. I have done a lot…of bad things…and should be in prison. I can help you take down Mike so it will be safer for your girls. And I guess your guys are here somewhere too. I, I could be a maid, or cook, or, or a companion, or whatever, if…if you will please help me.” Jennifer whispered to me.
“How soon do you need your answer?” I asked Melanie. “Now,” she said, “someone will have reported me to Mike by now, since I left without permission. If I walk out that door, I will be dead.” “Then I guess you will not be walking out that door,” I said, smiling at her…
To Be Continued.
©2024 Steve McLeod.