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

“No. In awe. Although I hope to hell the next one doesn’t hit a tree, or us.”


“It won’t. It’s already moving away.” A roll of thunder farther off than the first one, seemed to prove Ansel right. “Where’s Orion? I figured he’d be out here playing in the rain.”


“He’s terrified of thunder. If we had a bed, he’d be hiding under it. As it is,” Hugh turned to look,“he’s taken cover under the table.”


“Poor dog.” Ansel went to kneel beside Orion. “It’s okay, pup. I won’t let it get you.” Orion shivered in response, only calming some when Ansel stroked his head. “You must hate fireworks,” Anselsaid to him.


Chapter 23