Chapter Four Over the next few days, Caitlin keep herself busy around the cabin. She and Tanya ventured down to the lake shore again for another walk, when she spotted the dark-haired man again, fishing from his canoe. Tanya only watched him for a few seconds before a rustle in the underbrush caught her attention and she scurried off to investigate. Satisfied she wasn't going to be a nuisance to the fisherman, Caitlin followed the dog into the woods. The next day they were forced to stay indoors because of a thunderstorm. Selecting a book from one of the bookcases, she decided to read for a while, but by late afternoon she was tired of reading, and began to wander around the mainroom of the cabin. Opening the wardrobe by the front door, she found one of her father's jackets hanging inside and took it out. Running her hand down one of the sleeves she hesitantly slipped it on and realized it still smelled slightly of his favorite cologne. Crossing her arms, she hugged the jacket against her body, imagining her father wearing it as he worked around the cabin. Walking over to the window, she gazed out and watched the rain. Becoming mesmerized by the constant, hypnotic sound of the rain drops drumming against the cabin, she murmured out loud. "Oh, dad, I miss you so much. I wish I could have said goodbye. To tell you just one more time how much I loved you, and how much it meant to me to have you to lean on after Brad left." A deep feeling of grief swept over her and she moved from the window to slowly herself onto the sofa, unconsciously laying in the fetal position. Resting her head on the arm of the sofa, she wrapped her arms around her waist and watched the rain. Sensing her melancholy mood, Tanya padded over and crawled up to lay in the curve of her legs, laying her head on Caitlin's thigh, as she gently licked her fingertips to soothe her. Accepting the affection and comfort the Husky offered, Caitlin absently stroked the dog's soft fur until her eyelids grew heavy and they both drifted off to sleep. The next morning, she was awaken by the sun shinning in her eyes from the skylight above. Momentarily blinded, she moved too quickly and was instantly sorry. Her neck and legs were stiff and sore from laying in an awkward position all night. Tanya now laying on the floor beside her, rose and lay her head next to Caitlin's. Caitlin softly moaned and groaned as she slowly, painfully rose to her feet. Eager for her morning romp, Tanya started pulling on Caitlin's sleeve, while edging towards the front door. Finally giving in to the dog's nagging, Caitlin limped to the door to let her out and said impatiently. "Okay, okay! Go, go, snoop to your heart's content." Smiling, she watched Tanya scamper down the steps and disappear into the surrounding brush. Stretching slightly, and wincing at her stiffness, she slipped out of her father's jacket, hugged it to herself, then hung it back in the wardrobe. After a hot shower to ease her sore muscles and a warm breakfast to perk up her spirits, she felt the need to get away from the cabin for a while and decided to go shopping for more supplies. Pulling into the parking lot of the combination gas station/general store half an hour later, she managed to dodge the muddy puddles left by the rain as she walked to the entrance. The sound of jingling sleigh bells on a leather strap attached to the front door, greeted her as she opened it to enter. Taking a few minutes to look over the layout of the store, she grabbed one of the shopping carts nearby and started down the aisle. Twenty minutes later she rolled her half-filled cart up to the check-out counter and waited while the tall, thin, middle-aged, male cashier made small-talk and joked familiarly with another man. He apparently was a regular by the familiar way they spoke to each other. Finally the man noticed Caitlin was waiting, gathered his groceries and left. Still laughing quietly from their conversation, the clerk motioned Caitlin to step forward. "Hi, find everything you need ma'am?" He asked, still smiling. "Yes, I did, thanks." Caitlin answered and smiled in return. The man studied her as he rang up the groceries. "This your first trip to our neck of the woods, I don't remember seeing you before? She was startled by his observation. In the city, cashiers seldom bothered to make small talk, or ask questions. Deciding he was just trying to be friendly, Caitlin answered. "Actually, yes it is my first trip. "I knew it. I've been running this place for the last ten years and I know just about everybody who comes in here. The locals and the usual seasonal visitors, anyway. I can always spot a new face." Nodding towards the groceries he was ringing up he added. "Looks like you're planning on staying for a while." "Yes." Caitlin answered, without elaborating. Getting the message that Caitlin wasn't as chatty as his last customer, he dropped his friendly interrogation. "Well, I hope you enjoy your stay. That'll be eighty-five, eighty." Caitlin took out her wallet and handed the man her credit card. He took the card and ran it through the scanner. Looking at the card before laying it on the counter by the cash register, his face suddenly paled. "Do you have any other identification?" He asked abruptly. "Yes, I have my driver's license and two other credit cards." Puzzled by his sudden odd behavior, Caitlin dug them out of her wallet and gave them to him. "Is there something wrong?" Ignoring her question. He carefully looked at her, and then her driver's license photo. When he was finished, he tore off the cash register slip and laid down the copy on the counter for her to sign. "Just sign here." When she signed the slip and handed it back, he scrutinized the signature. Roughly handing the cards back, he dismissed her with a mumbled, "No, everything's fine". Then he rudely turned his back on her and started rearranging the cartons of cigarettes on the shelves behind the counter. Stunned by his sudden odd behavior, Caitlin started loading the 30 lb. bag of dog food and the other groceries she'd purchased into the cart. Looking over his shoulder with irritation, he said in exasperation. "Just a minute, I suppose I could help you put that stuff in the car". "Are you sure, I wouldn't want to tear you away from anything important." Caitlin said, sarcastically. Not waiting for him, Caitlin managed to open the door by herself and pushed the cart towards the Jeep, just as another car pulled in. Duncan MacLeod eased his foot off the brake peddle and switched off the engine. Stepping out, a movement inside the Jeep parked nearby caught his attention. Pausing to look, he spotted a black and white Husky scampering over the front seat, to watch Jack Morrison as he helped a female customer load her groceries in the back. The dog looked like the same one he had seen with the blonde woman by the lake shore. Duncan smiled at the dog, then frowned. He wondered who the woman was and why they were on that side of the lake. Because of the rough terrain and the denseness of the woods, usually the only people he'd seen there over the years were an occasional hiker or a forest ranger. The woman hadn't been dressed like either one. Tapping his fingers lightly against the window, he said to himself. "We've seen each other before haven't we?" The Husky woofed sharply, and tried to sniff his fingers through the glass. Hearing the tailgate slam shut, he saw the woman approaching out of the corner of his eye. Turning, he saw her questioning look and smiled sheepishly, at being caught looking inside her car. "I was just admiring your dog. He's a real beauty." He said, for a lack of a better explanation. Caitlin looked at the smiling, dark-haired man for a moment, thinking there was something familiar about him. "Yes, "she" is, thank you." She said, wincing, knowing her answer came out sharper than she intended because she was still annoyed by store manager's rude behavior. "Oh, "she", right." He said, hearing the irritation in her voice. Caitlin smiled quickly, and said more pleasantly, while making her way to driver's door. "It's okay, it's an honest mistake." Why bite his head off she thought, it wasn't his fault, the store manager is a jerk. Stepping back to let her pass, Duncan watched as she got in the Jeep and headed back in the same direction he had just come from. Watching until she was out of sight, he turned and caught Jack Morrison staring in the same direction. Realizing he had been caught watching, the store manager waved nervously in his direction and headed back towards the store.