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Bran dropped me off at my Gramps house, and helped me bring in my one bag, at his insistence. After the few hours I had with him on the drive from Troy, I felt confident that this man was no danger to me, not because I didn't believe he could be dangerous, but because he wouldn't be, not if he could help it. Bran felt different than any person I have come in contact with before. After eight years in the Military, I had my pick from a diverse group of people, some more interesting than others. I would still be in the military, but I was injured in an IED explosion, and it was determined I was better off as a civilian. Maybe they were right. My husband died overseas, along with my career, so I guess I gave my fair share to my country. I didn't need to work, because of the life insurance, and my grandfather left me his house. I wasn't sure I wanted to stay here when I found that information out, but now that I was here, it didn't seem right to leave. I wanted to know this part of my Gramps, because he loved it here so much. As we walked into the house, I stopped just inside the doorway. The living room was the first room we entered, and it was huge. The layout of the home was designed to be open, and airy. The ceilings were raised, and drew your attention up, with exposed wooden beams. In the center of the room was a huge natural cut granite fire place that was very well used. On the fireplace mantel there were pictures of my grandmother, myself, and my parents. I walked over to the last picture and placed it face down, which earned me a suspicious look from Bran.
"Your Grandfather mentioned your estrangement from your parents, but he had hoped it could be resolved. Not yet I suppose." He said. "No", I responded, "not yet. Not soon; perhaps never." I said coldly. I know my grandfather didn't understand, I didn't tell him all of my reasons. I didn't want to drive a wedge between my grandfather and my mother, so to ensure that, I had to lie. Well lie by omission. I always suspected that he knew there was more, but he never pushed, and I never offered. I let him think that I was offended by my father's anger issues, and left it that. I let him think less of me. I don't regret that now, in fact; I felt peace that I didn't let him die with hate for my father, or my mother. No one should have hate in their heart when they leave this world. I certainly don't, but the involuntary reaction I get when I think of my father too much, is not something I like to have in public or anywhere. It is just easier to not remember and I do my best to keep it that way. With that thought, I turned to Bran and looked at him. He looked back, and I caught his eyes. There was such power in that look, and I felt my heart skip a beat. "What are you?" I said not looking away. I felt myself take a step towards him, before he blinked and broke the spell. I shook my head a little, the fog clearing. How embarrassing, I thought! I looked at Bran again, but this time I avoided eye contact. I learned a neat trick from basic training, focus on the little spot between the eyebrows and you get the perception of eye contact, but not the aggression from dominate people who feel the need to get offended by it. His expression was concerned, and his eyebrows were furrowed. I reached out to him, with my sixth sense, and felt caution. He was hiding something, and I fought to keep my face neutral. I knew he could feel it when I reached out to him, but until I knew what he was so worried about me finding out, I would rather he thought I was still in the dark. I forced myself to think of something embarrassing and let it leak into my voice when I said, "Sorry, I know that was weird." I looked down at the last, so he wouldn't see the worry in my face. Bran made a funny noise, like a horse forcing air out of their nose and when I looked up, he sniffed. He narrowed his eyes, and then his face went back to the expression I saw when I first met him; the mask face.
"I should leave and let you get your belongings sorted. I am surprised you only have one suit case. Is it not custom for females to carry more?" he said with forced humor. I played along, "Well, eight years in the military will teach you pack what you need." I countered. It wasn't a lie, not completely. I hadn't packed too much, because I didn't think I would want to stay. I packed the bare minimum in an effort to use it as an excuse to leave as fast as I could. Now that I was here, in this incredible house, I didn't know if I could leave. Besides, is there much of a housing market in the middle of the wilds of Montana?
"How long do you expect to be in Aspen Creek, once the funeral is completed?" he asked casually. But I felt it, tension. He really was concerned, but I didn't feel comfortable pushing my luck to find out why, and with as tired as I was, I doubted I could keep my face neutral if I found out. "I don't know, maybe a good while." I gazed out of the wall that was made entirely of picture windows onto vast open land that was swallowed up with the most beautiful mountains I have ever seen. I let the feeling of home this place brought me leak into my voice when I said, "This place, it calls to me as loud as any human I've encountered. But all I hear from the land is peace, and purpose. It's not often I hear that from people." I was honest with him; because I was worried my little ability is what made him so cautious of me. Bran looked at me for a moment, and smiled. "I know the feeling" he said. With that he turned and walked out the door, letting me know he would call me soon, to arrange the funeral service. My grandfather requested he sing at his funeral, and Bran said we would work out which song in the morning. "Oh Danny Boy" I said, "If you're up to it." I was teasing of course, and it earned me a smirk. "I am up to many things, Jessica, as you will learn." With that last statement the door shut, and I was left to ponder its meaning. I couldn't decide if it was meant to be threatening or not. I thought not.