When Hugh Mathews decides it's time to get out from under his tyrannical father's thumb and away from the life he's been living, he does it in a big way. Packing what he'll need to survive in the wilderness, and with only his dog, Orion, for companionship, he heads into the mountains. When they find a abandoned cabin, Hugh begins the arduous task of repairing it, as well as hunting for food and everything else they'll need to stay alive.<br><br>Soon after, Ansel Jeffries, a nature photographer, arrives at Hugh's cabin, seeking an abandoned mine he wants to photograph. After talking with him, Ansel sees the potential for a story in what Hugh is doing -- and why.<br><br>Ansel convinces Hugh to let him tell it, meaning he'll be living at the cabin with Hugh. When he moves in, will what becomes friendship between the two men grow into more?

Off the Beaten Path

“So let’s. It’s not like there aren’t a billion pine trees on the other side of the field.”


Hugh got the pot and they began foraging. By the time they finished, it was full to overflowing with golden rod stems and pinecones.


“You pick out the seeds,” Hugh said, after emptying the pot onto the table. “I’ll wash the goldenrod and cut it up for the stew.”


Not much later, they had what they needed for the stew, other than the rabbit meat which was still in theroot cellar. Hugh got it, while Ansel made a fire. Hugh filled the pot halfway with water, put the meat and vegetables into it, then set it on the hook to cook.


“No salt?” Ansel asked as they waited for the stew.


“Nope.” Hugh shot him a look. “You’ll get used to it. And it’s healthier without.”


“Says you,” Ansel muttered. “Getting used to it, I mean.”


As it turned out, Hugh was right. Ansel found stew surprisingly tasty for being salt-free. Even Orion seemed to agree, as he begged for more once his bowl was empty.


Chapter 15