Love Another Day

by Regina A Hanel

  "Yeah, at the bottom of Pinebluff Mountain right where you told him to wait. Sad really. His son had to watch him get cuffed and taken away without knowing why. And when he finds out the why he'll probably hate his father for the rest of his life."

  "I'm sure. Too bad the guy lacked forethought or a heart. What about the fur trading--did they pin that on him yet?" Sam attempted a small bite from her sandwich and helped it down with a sip coffee. The warm liquid soothed her insides.

  "No, but there's more to this than you think. You know Felice Lohan?"

  The vision of Felice swooping in on Halie was not one Sam liked recalling but the first that popped to mind. "Of course. What's going on?"

  "Felice was at the park today, off duty. A seasonal trainee at the south entrance didn't recognize her and searched her truck. They uncovered a half-dozen otter pelts and four fur-pelts from red foxes. They found them in a duffle bag in her truck bed."

  "What? There's gotta be a mistake. Felice lives to protect wildlife like the rest of us. She'd never--"

  "I know. It doesn't make any sense. She says she knows nothing about it, but then what else would you expect her to say?"

  As much as Sam disliked the way Felice acted around Halie, she didn't want to believe what she was hearing. Then she remembered the duffle bag Felice had with her when they ran into her at Cottonwood Creek and how defensive she got when Sam asked what she was doing there. "What do you think will happen to her?"

  "I don't know. They're still investigating. I think the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will likely get involved."

  Sam held firm to Halie's hand. "What about Reingold's 'hit men?' Were they arrested? And what about the pelt we saw sticking out of the one guy's suitcase? If they had nothing to do with the furs, what was that all about?"

  "The Sheriff's deputies arrested the men in Wilson. They claim they didn't know anything about the fur trapping and trading, though. They said they'd get together one or two nights a week at the sporting goods store to play poker with Reingold, dressed as if they had a client to attend to, so their wives wouldn't know they were gambling. The one guy said he won the fox pelt from Reingold in a poker game."

  "Sounds lame. Well, whatever the outcome of that investigation, at least some justice will come out of all this," Sam said.

  "Yeah, and a lot of publicity too," the Chief said in a sarcastic yet kidding tone. "I don't know how you and Jake slipped by the cameras and stiffed me with those reporters again, but I'll repay you with interest for that one."

  Sam laughed. "I'm sure you will."

  After a few minutes of awkward silence the Chief added, "Listen, I know this may not be the best time to mention this, but then again, maybe it is. The southern district super's planning on retiring the end of next month. I think you should put in for his position when it opens. There's a lot of good you could do at that level. Plus, it's a nice increase in pay."

  "It's not about the money."

  "I know, but the extra cash wouldn't hurt, and the hours are better. Plus, the job description will call for seventy-five percent administrative duties and twenty-five percent hands on work, which means you could expand your current living options, though you'd still need to live within the park's boundaries."

  Sam figured from what he was hinting at she wouldn't have to live in assigned housing if she didn't want to. She realized why the Chief was mentioning this to her now, but all she could think about was being able to look into Halie's warm brown eyes again, because if she couldn't, then none of that much mattered. "I'll think about it."

  He stood and patted Sam on the shoulder. "You do that. I better get going. I'm surprised they even let me in here. I'll stop by tomorrow."

  "Thanks, Chief," Sam said. Once he'd left, she caressed Halie's arm, watching her breathe. After a few minutes her strokes slowed. Fatigue engulfed her and she drifted to sleep, but not before she grabbed Halie's hand in hers and held it tight.

  SAM WOKE WITH a stiff neck, curled up in the chair, with a blanket covering her, and a pillow tucked under her head. The sun was rising. She untangled herself from her uncomfortable sleeping quarters and stood next to Halie's bed, gazing at her lover. She took Halie's hand and stroked her forehead, hoping Halie would respond in some way, but she didn't. "The sun's up," Sam said. "Looks like it's going to be a beauty. Not a day to be hanging out in a hospital, so whatever you're doing in there, you better get it together and get up. Besides, you don't want to miss another fabulous meal, do you? Think about it. I'm going in your bathroom for a few minutes, but I expect an answer when I come out."

  When Sam exited the bathroom, a middle aged man and woman walked into the room. The man had dark brown eyes the color of Halie's and the mother had her same cheeks and nose. They glanced at Sam but said nothing, heading straight for the bed.

  "Oh, my baby," the woman said. "What have they done to you?" The couple hovered near the bed, expressions sullen.

  "Mr. and Mrs. Walker?" Sam asked as she stepped toward them.

  "Hi. I'm sorry," the man said. "You must be Samantha Tyler. I'm Charles Walker, Halie's dad, and this is my wife Celia. It's nice to meet you," he added, extending his hand.

  Sam shook his hand. "Same here," she said, watching as Halie's mom's eyes evaluated her with a disdainful glare.

  "There's only supposed to be two people in this room at a time, young lady, so if you care anything for my daughter's well being, I think you should leave now," Celia said.

  "Celia! That's uncalled for. My wife didn't mean that, I'm sorry. We had a long flight and came straight from the airport. With the worry and all, it's been tough," Charles said.

  "I understand," Sam said. "It's not a problem. I'll give you both time alone with her. There's been no change since last night. We're still waiting for her to regain consciousness." As Sam walked out the hospital room door, she glanced over her shoulder one more time. Her heart ached. She didn't want to leave Halie, not even for one second, but the look on her mom's face spoke volumes.

  Sam purchased a cup of coffee and a donut in the café in the lobby, but couldn't sit still. She paced back and forth checking her watch far too often as the minutes passed painfully slow. How long would she give them alone? Ten minutes? No. Too short. Half an hour? Maybe. Maybe an hour. Yes, an hour sounded reasonable. What about Jake? Sam finally chose an empty chair near a window and sat, placing her coffee cup on an end table next to the chair. Then she dialed her neighbor, told her what had happened, and asked her to let Jake out and feed him, which she agreed to do. After finishing her donut and pacing some more, she called her mom.

  Sam was thankful her mom was home. She told her everything that happened. "You were right, Mom. Halie does love me and she forgave me." But then Sam broke down sobbing. "I'm sorry. I'm such a softie it's ridiculous."

  "Don't be silly. Under the circumstances I think you're holding up well."

  "I'm trying. It's not easy though. And Halie's mom isn't making it any better. The way she inspected me, and the expression she had on her face, you'd think I had a disease or something."

  "How was her father?"

  "Much better. At least he had the courtesy to look me in the eyes and address me. Plus, he was pleasant. I think we'd get along okay, but her mother is beyond unbelievable. She practically threw me out of the room," Sam said. She was standing again and pacing. "Speaking of which, do you think giving them an hour alone with Halie is okay?"

  "That sounds perfectly fine, and besides, you have a right to be there too. When are you going back in?"

  "As soon as I hang up with you."

  "Don't hang up. Go on back, but I want to talk to Mrs. Walker."

  "What?" Sam said puzzled. "What are you going to say to her? You're not going to tell her what I thought of her, are you?"

  "Oh, no. Don't you worry about it. Just a little mother to mother conversation, that's all."

  WHEN SAM ENTERED Halie's room, the night nurse was just finishing taking Ha
lie's temperature. The Walkers sat by the end of the bed. Sam could almost feel Mrs. Walker's eyes riveted on her.

  "You still here?" the nurse said to Sam. "I thought you might have dashed out for a rest or a shower."

  "I can't go until I know if she's going to be okay."

  "I understand. You sleep okay last night?" she asked.

  "I must have, because I don't remember waking up until this morning. Oh, yeah, and thanks for the blanket and pillow," Sam said. "I'm guessing you gave me those?"

  "Least I could do," she said on her way out.

  Sam walked over to Celia. "Excuse me, Mrs. Walker, but my mom's on the phone. She asked to speak with you." Sam held out her cell.

  Celia glanced at the cell phone and then at her husband, whose expression indicated she should accept the call. She took the phone from Sam and held it to her ear.

  Sam moved away and returned to Halie's side. She touched her hand. "I'm back. You miss me?"

  From the corner of her eye, Sam saw Celia lower her head and cry, and her husband wrap his arm around her. A few minutes later, she closed the phone. Sam walked over and took it from her. She didn't know what to say. She had no idea what her mom had said. "How long were you planning on staying?" Sam finally asked.

  "As long as it takes," Charles said.

  "Have you found a place to stay yet?"

  "Not yet. We were just going to go out in the lobby and see what we could arrange," he continued.

  "You're probably going to have a hard time. It's peak tourist season. I'm sure everything is booked solid." Sam hesitated for a second and then said, "If you like, you could stay with me for however long you need to. I only have a two bedroom cabin, but it's plenty roomy. It's just me and my dog, Jake, who live there."

  Before Charles could respond, his wife stood up.

  Sam thought for sure Celia was either going to yell at her or slap her in the face. And since Mrs. Walker stepped toward her, the latter became the more probable option. Instead, Celia grabbed Sam's hand and held it in her own. "We'd love to stay with you, at least until we can find something so we're not a bother."

  Sam nearly passed out. "It's no bother," she said.

  "Thank you," Celia said to Sam. Then to her husband she said, "Come on, let's go take a little break and get something to eat. That airline food was atrocious."

  "Yes, dear," her husband said. As he walked behind his wife and past Sam, he tapped Sam on the shoulder. "It'll be okay," he said. "Trust me, fathers know."

  ONCE THE WALKERS had left the room, Sam leaned over and kissed Halie on the cheek. "I don't know if you heard us talking earlier, but I met your mom and dad. You probably already knew your mom didn't like me much, or should I say she didn't like what I stood for since she really didn't know me, but you won't believe what just happened. I think she's had a change of heart. The woman reached out and held my hand." Sam almost expected to see some reaction from Halie, but again none came. She felt completely helpless. "Okay, I have something important to say to you, and you need to listen close. I know I almost lost you once. I don't want to lose you again. I love you. I can't imagine living without you. Hang on for us. Stay with Jake and me. We belong together. In your heart you know we do. Maybe the magazine will let you do freelance work, or maybe you'll start your own photo-gallery in Jackson. Your work's incredible, and the Internet would let you branch out as far as you liked. God willing I'll buy you that house. We'll build a life together. I know we'll be happy."

  Tears trickled from Halie's eyes. Her hand twitched, then tightened around Sam's.

  "What the--"

  Halie's lips moved, but no sound escaped at first. Then she whispered, "Come closer."

  Sam leaned in. Halie slowly raised her hand and placed it on the side of Sam's cheek. She opened her eyes and gazed into Sam's with endearing abandonment. "There you are."

  Shock and joy hit Sam at the same time. "I'm here. I never left you. You don't know how happy I am to see you right now."

  "Yes, I do. I love you too, Samantha Takoda Tyler," Halie whispered. She took a few strained breaths. "You are my dream come true. You and Jake are my family. I can't imagine living without either of you."

  Sam caressed Halie's arm and held her hand tight.

  "I don't know how we're going to work it all out yet, but I figure I can hang around a few more weeks to give us time to talk things through," Halie managed.

  Sam smirked, as if Halie had a choice to leave right away. "Oh, you do, do you?"

  "Yes, I do. Let's see if you can behave that long."

  "I don't think it's me you have to worry about."

  "This is true," Halie said. "By the way, I'm starving. They got any food around here? If not, I hear The Moose has great take-out."

  About the Author

  Regina lives in the mountainous suburbs of Northern New Jersey with her partner of nearly ten years and their dog Scrapper, a sweet pit bull terrier. She's earned Bachelors' degrees majoring in accounting and biology, with a minor in German. She's also a Certified Public Accountant and works for the Federal Government protecting the taxpayer's interests. She loves the outdoors and enjoys hiking, kayaking, reading, watching football, and trying out new vegetarian recipes.

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