Crossing Savage Read Online Free PDF

school. They were always hanging out together—and raising hell together. Between drinking and driving way too fast, it was a wonder, Peter thought, that one or both didn’t end up seriously hurt or dead.
    The intervening years melted away as Peter looked Jim over with a critical eye. Jim hadn’t changed much in appearance from Peter’s memory, although the cowboy boots and wide-brimmed hat were new additions. He was not too tall—five feet eight or so, and very muscular. Peter estimated that Jim weighed about 200 pounds, but there didn’t appear to be any fat on his frame.
    Jim had always enjoyed sports, especially football, and with his build and athletic talent he excelled at the game. He still sported a full head of thick black hair and a black mustache, just as he had the last time they saw each other, which gave him a ruggedly handsome appearance. True to his Greek heritage, Jim had a dark complexion and dark brown eyes.
    In contrast, Peter had never really taken to sports, spending more time on the academics. He played some softball in college, and like all kids of the generation prior to the proliferation of electronic games, Peter ran around the neighborhood playing pick-up games of baseball or whatever. Taller than Jim, Peter stood an even six feet. But when standing next to Jim he appeared taller because his build was much slimmer—not a bony frame, just leaner. With his light complexion and brown hair, Peter always felt that he was, at best, average in appearance. He recalled that Jim always managed to get the girls when they were kids.
    Peter invited his friend in. “This is really cool, Peter. Driving up I thought it was all retail here. Then I saw this big brick building and the huge old smoke stacks… and you live in it!” As Jim stepped inside he removed his hat.
    â€œIt used to be a power generating plant. Now it’s a shopping district. REI is in the neighboring building. There are a surprising number of apartments and condominiums on the second and third floors above many of the stores. My company is below us, at the ground level. Several years ago, the city of Bend undertook a comprehensive plan to mix retail and living spaces—their idea of what a modern village should be, I suppose.”
    â€œLooks like it worked out well.”
    Peter nodded. “Here, let me take your bag, and I’ll show you to the guest room and give you a quick tour. We have a dinner reservation at 5:30 and Anthony’s is only a short walk down the street.”
    Jim gave his small duffel bag to Peter and then leaned down to scratch Jess behind the ears. The muscular, black pit-bull mix was well disciplined and looked up at Jim with soft eyes, yet Jim had no doubt that Jess could tear a man’s arm off if provoked.
    Peter led his friend into the large great room. The floor was wide-plank pine with an aged honey patina. All of the walls were brick—floor to ceiling, and the ceiling had to be twenty feet high. There was a large fireplace to the left, centered along the wall. The mantle above the hearth was a single, massive, aged timber. The hearth had to be six feet wide and nearly that tall.
    On the opposite wall stood a bookcase that spanned from corner to corner, floor to ceiling. The bookcase was entirely natural-finish oak with an oak library ladder to provide access to the upper shelves. In the center of the wall, surrounded by the bookcase, was an oversized arched opening that led to the kitchen and dining area.
    But the most dramatic feature of the great room was the deck facing west. With access through two pairs of French doors spaced apart on the wall separating the fireplace from the bookcase, the deck offered breathtaking views of the Cascade Mountains.
    They walked through to the kitchen and then down a hallway that provided access to a couple of bedrooms with a shared full bathroom between them. “Take your pick; the one on the left has a nice view