When Madelyn graduated high school she was planning on attending UCLA in the fall. She liked the idea of a progressive college where she'd be able to put some distance between herself and her family's often conservative strictures. But she also liked that it wasn't too far away from her family's home in Thousand Oaks. Like many young people she wanted some independence but not too much of it.
Madelyn's parents had grown up in a remote part of Northern California. Now many people think of California as densely populated but the truth is that much of the state is still far removed from urban and suburban life.
Her parents had moved to the Los Angeles area to pursue their particular dreams and to raise a family of their own. They'd left behind their roots for the bright lights and attractions of city life.
Years later only her father's childhood friend Uriah remained in the rural community her parents had once called home. Unlike the other people who had left the small cluster of homes as one and then another industry collapsed and closed. Uriah at one point remained alone to make a go of it.
As a young man in his early 20's Uriah started making bourbon whiskey. He made small batches and he cared for his barrels of whiskey with the love and devotion of an attentive parent.
As fate would have it a particularly famous actor had decided to kayak down the small river that ran in front of Uriah's home. The actor stopped at Uriah's place and asked to camp out but Uriah invited him to stay in the small one-room guest house on the property. Naturally, a cask of whiskey was opened that evening and the actor imbibed and was deeply impressed. The actor subsequently mentioned Uriah's whiskey at an awards show and Uriah was instantly famous.
In due time Uriah ended up with a kind of cult status among the bourbon drinking elites. The few score cases of whiskey he'd sell every year started to be sold at auctions and for phenomenal prices.
It wasn't too long before Uriah attracted the attention of a woman his age and they married. They had children and the same year that Madelyn started high school Uriah's beloved wife started to fall ill. Coincidentally, the charming wife and mother succumbed to cancer the same day that Madelyn graduated from high school.
Madelyn's family embarked on the journey to Uriah's home a few days later. They'd made the journey before but this time it would be for Annie's funeral.
The trip from Thousand Oaks took an entire day. Madelyn was fascinated as the arid scenery along Interstate Five gave way to the redwood forests of the Pacific coast mountains. It took a full hour to reach Uriah's house from what passed for a main road.
The following day there was a simple funeral service for Annie. Words were spoken. Children mourned the loss of their mother. At the end of it all Uriah stoically took a shovel and helped the gathered men to bury Annie.
All of the families save for Madelyn's said their goodbyes after that and departed. Madelyn's family stayed a few more days to help catch up neglected chores around the house and to make sure Uriah was in good stead with his three daughters.
The night before Madelyn's family was to depart her mother pulled her aside.
"Uriah's got a lot of work to do with his whiskey these next few months and he needs help with the house and the children. You wouldn't mind staying here until it's time for you to go to school, would you? That man can't do it all by himself."
Madelyn looked at her mother and knew this wasn't just a request. It was an expectation. Uriah needed help and her family wanted Madelyn to provide that help.
Madelyn thought of her plans for the summer seeing friends and going to the beach and she knew those plans would have to wait.
Reluctantly she agreed to her mother's request.
The following day Madelyn said goodbye to her parents and her younger siblings and watched as their SUV slowly drove away up the rough road.
Turning to her new responsibilities Madelyn went to work. First she got to know the three girls. The oldest, Joslyn, was thirteen and very earthy. The middle girl, Amber, was eleven and very quiet. The youngest, Bonnie, was five and was sweet as a bowl full of cherries.
Madelyn got dinner going that first night she was in charge. The two older girls helped. While she was cooking the dinner Bonnie came up to her and held on to her leg.
"Are you going to be our new mommy?" asked Bonnie.
Madelyn smiled, "No, sweetheart, I'm just here for the summer and after that I have to go to college."
"Oh." said Bonnie while continuing to cling to Madelyn's leg.
That night at dinner Uriah had Madelyn sit in Annie's place at the other end of the table from him simply saying, "You're the woman of the house now so you may as well sit there."
After dinner Joslyn helped Madelyn get things cleaned up.
Being summer it was hot and somewhat humid in the middle of the redwood forest so when Madelyn got ready to relax with the family for the evening she took her cues from Joslyn and put on a t-shirt and shorts electing to leave her bra on until she went to bed.
It may have been the middle of a very remote forest but Uriah had a satellite receiver and the family had plenty of entertainment to view on their television. They watched some news and then Uriah chose a family movie for the rest of the evening.
Madelyn couldn't help but notice that Uriah wasn't always watching the movie. She tried to tell herself that he was just interested in getting to know her better.
Not long after she went to bed she heard her bedroom door open and felt someone getting on the bed with her. It was Bonnie. No words were spoken as Madelyn put an arm around the little girl and comforted her.
Over the following two weeks Madelyn settled into a daily pattern. She'd get up and make breakfast for the family, help the girls with their schooling and chores, make lunch when Uriah would take a break from his work, clean up after lunch, do some chores, and then make dinner. The family would then gather for the evening and talk or watch a movie.
During this time Madelyn became at ease in the house and became more comfortable with Uriah. The man was always grateful for her help with the children and she didn't mind that he had become just as affectionate with her as he was with his daughters.
Joslyn noticed and simply commented to Madelyn, "Daddy likes you."
In the mornings she started to like that he'd always pat her on the back before he'd sit down for breakfast. One morning he even patted her on the back and gave her a very brief back rub that also felt nice.
That this happened on the same morning she forgot to put on a bra when she got up was a coincidence that Madelyn didn't think about.
Uriah on the other hand had noticed that Madelyn wasn't wearing a bra. Every morning he'd pat her back and feel the clasp of the bra underneath Madelyn's t-shirt. And then that morning it wasn't there and he had to rub her back to make sure it wasn't just wishful thinking. It didn't hurt that she murmured her approval of his touch.
He made pleasant small talk with Madelyn and the girls as Madelyn busied herself serving the breakfast. He was pleased when she'd move a certain way and the t-shirt would pull tight to reveal the perfect curves of her breasts or the perfectly shaped nipples at their peaks.
Visions of Madelyn's breasts would occupy Uriah's mind for the rest of the day.
That night after dinner when the family sat together Uriah chose to sit next to Madelyn. He wasn't so obvious to stare at her during their movie but with her feet propped up on an Ottoman he was treated to an uninterrupted view of her long, trim legs.
There was a tender moment during the movie and all four of the females in the room sighed. Uriah took the opportunity to take Madelyn's hand in his and he didn't let go.
When the movie ended he kissed each of his daughters good night and then came to Madelyn who by this time he would usually hug.
Madelyn was surprised when Uriah took her by the shoulders and gave her a brief kiss on the lips and before saying, "Good night."
The kiss was Madelyn's first kiss. She went to be with this on her mind wondering if she was supposed to react to this new intimacy or was she supposed to object? It was all very confusing to her.
The following morning after breakfast Uriah thanked Madelyn for her efforts and after his daughters left the kitchen he took her by the shoulders and kissed her. The kiss was longer and softer, Madelyn felt his intensity, and she also felt his hands cupping her soft breasts through her t-shirt before he turned and walked away.
