by Rita Hestand
Even in the early fall, the temperature fell to below freezing. He knew she would need plenty of firewood.
Something stirred inside him seeing how hard she was working to pull the place together and her determination to make a new home for herself. Yet there was something very sad about this girl that showed a lot of determination. One thing was for sure, there was very little he didn't like about Sammie Jo Travers.
She was a very curious little lady. Her sadness seeped through that tough exterior she tried to present. Cody was used to reading people. All of them had some kind of story to tell and he had heard most of those stories first hand. He hoped someday she'd tell him about hers because the one thing he knew, was that she had a story and a reason for coming here.
There had to be, no woman in her right mind would come to a small Alaskan village to live with a bunch of strangers. As far as he knew she had no relatives here. No, Sammie Jo was alone, very alone and he was determined he'd take care of her. There was something about her that pulled him. He wasn't sure what it was, but he instinctively knew she was in need of friendship.
As he brought the first load of wood in he stared at her, gone were the blue jeans replaced by a long dress of dark blue, charming. He liked the way her golden hair laid against her shoulders, like an angel, A man could drown in those all so bright blue eyes of hers. The innocence he saw in those eyes attracted him. Sammie Jo was a different breed of girl than he was used to, hardy and yet somehow fragile. She intrigued him. Still, it wasn't her looks that attracted, it was her character and that dimpled smile. She came from good stock, and her very charisma filled the saloon.
Something had brought her here, and he aimed to find out what.
"Where are you staying?" he asked as he placed the firewood in the holder.
"Here, of course."
"But there are no beds here," he glanced about the place.
"I'll buy one, but until I do, I'll manage." She shrugged, glancing at all the firewood.
"Well…that's fine but sleep close to the fireplace until you do. It gets mighty cold up here at night. And I'm sure the windows in the back are quite drafty. You'll need to put plastic over them or caulk them for the winter." He advised.
"Oh, I guess that's a good idea, I hadn't even given it a thought." She snickered. "Do you give everyone that moves here a list of dos and don'ts?"
"Just the cute ones." He chuckled and saw those adorable dimples once more. "You really need to run into Juneau and get some supplies."
"Supplies, what supplies?" she asked.
"Cold weather gear for one thing. Something that will keep you warm, if your car stalls or you have to go outside at night. You can't wear just anything. In another month, it will be freezing all the time. Right now, we got rain and that might last all month. You'll need boots for crossing the roads and things for your car to protect it in the winter. This is exactly how most tourist go broke up here, not wearing and seeing to the weather. You have to worry about yourself, your car, and your business, the weather is not a pleasant adversary. And if you don't, it will remind you in the most precarious of times."
"It gives no quarter?" she laughed.
"That's right."
"I did read up on that. Guess I should have done my shopping before I arrived. But it was hard enough just getting here as I switched planes a couple of times."
"That's okay, you got a month."
"That's good. That's plenty of time. So…where do you recommend I do all this shopping?"
"Now…the Furniture Depot has some beds, if you want to buy one." He suggested. "There are probably some blankets in the pantry in the hallway upstairs. You'll need those every night. Tucker didn't take much when he left. But you don't have to fret about the store; I'll take you to town my first day off and show you what you need. If you plan on staying you need the right equipment, meanwhile you can make a list of things you might need. Being prepared for the weather is the most important thing you can do. Never take it for granted."
"Thanks, I appreciate that. I suppose I need someone to point me in the right direction. I'm not above taking advice from someone who knows."
"That's good. Because most people will want to advise you, I’m sure. We'll need to check that old wood stove in there too. I'll lay you out some wood for it. I'm sure you will have plenty of volunteers to help with that."
"That would be very helpful." Sammie Jo sat on a stool and stared at the deputy.
"I aim to please." he chuckled.
Sammie Jo broke into a grin.
"I haven't seen dimples like that in a long time," he glanced at her as he wiped his hands on his jeans.
Her smile faded, Cody shook his head, "I knew it, you are pining for some guy in Texas aren't you?"
She stared at him a long time, her face still ashen white, "No…I'm not. I never let any relationship get too serious; I was busy with getting an education and with ranching before. No…actually, my grandpa died…and my dad…is very ill."
Cody couldn't help but come toward her, "Your grandpa?" he asked.
"Yeah…we were very close. It's a long story." She tried to shrug it off.
"I'm very sorry. I'd have never guessed. Sorry, if I seemed to ask too many questions. It's part of my nature and it's my job. It's refreshing to meet a girl who thinks so much of her family."
A tear slipped down her cheek, "I never was good with funerals, but I never expected to see his. I guess I thought he'd live forever. But as far as my family, most of them think I'm running away. Actually, I feel as though I'm moving toward."
She batted the tear away before he could see it roll down her cheek.
Cody couldn't stop himself. But one tear followed many. The girl was in tears. Real tears too and it moved him deeper than she would know.
He came to stand in front of her and pulled her unresisting body against his own. He let her cry on his shoulder for several minutes, aware that the girl was in genuine pain. And he knew she was here to get rid of the pain inside her. Lots of people found the wilds of Alaska the best place to hide and mend her soul. She was running from her own feelings, and until she could confront them and deal with them, she'd keep moving toward her own goals.
"Hey," he finally whispered near her ear, "It's going to be alright. You will see. Time will heal it."
Sammie Jo pulled away abruptly, aware that she weakened in front of him. Obviously embarrassed her face turned scarlet. "I'm sorry. It's not your problem."
He stared into her tear-stained face a moment, "You know, I don't know of many women your age who feel as strongly about family as you do. You weren't kidding when you said you wanted to make this place your home, were you?"
Sammie Jo sniffed and backed away a bit to look at him. "I want to try…"
"Good…and I'll help all I can. You can count on that. But if you miss everyone so much, how can you stay away?"
"I guess staying here is better for me than facing what's back there. Too much happened too fast." She looked at him once more. "Do you think I'm a coward?"
"No way. Cowards don't run off to Alaska!" He chuckled.
She grinned.
"Why?" she asked innocently.
He backed away too, still staring, "I don't know! You got quality, Miss Travers. And I do hope this place works out for you, so you'll stay. We don't have a lot of crime per se, but lots of disputes among kinfolk. Folks up here generally get bored more than not and end up drinking a lot, sometimes too much, then the ruckus start. Oh, most of them will take it home, not bother you with it, but there will be times…And I'll warn you now, when someone has too much, it's best to send them home or send for me."
She slowly smiled again. "Any advice on how to handle someone who's liquored up?"
"Suggest they go home, if not, water their drinks, at that point they'll hardly notice."
"Good idea. You are a keeper," she laughed.
Then he cleared his throat, "Ugh, I didn't ask, it is Miss, isn't it?"
"Yes…it
is…and thanks." She whispered. "I've read about the boredom, the depressions because of the weather, and inability to get out and around. I'm not used to a lot of snow, so I think this country will be very entertaining and enlightening for me."
He twisted his head in question but didn't respond.
"Well now, we better check that stove," he motioned for her to follow.
Cody showed her how to light the stove and turn on the heat, then helped her bring some blankets from the upstairs closet down to make a bed on the floor. He shook his head when she put the blankets on the cold floor.
"It helps insulate if you can put some plastic down there first, then the blankets. And always, always warm up slowly. Less pain that way."
Sammie Jo chuckled as she brought out a calf-skin rug to lay be the fire. "This should help keep me warm."
"Good thinking, it's beautiful." He looked at it. "Hand sewn, isn't it?"
"Yeah…"
"Really soft." He cleared his throat and backed away. Already he liked this lady, but instinctively he knew she hadn't told him the whole story yet, and he sure wanted to hear it. But bringing that rug out had thrown an intimacy into the room he hadn't expected. She was probably worn out from her first day, and he needed to be on his way. Problem was, he enjoyed talking to her.
Divorced three years, Cody swore he'd never settle down again, but this little girl had just thawed some of that frozen heart of his and he knew it. In one day! Best not get involved he told himself, and knew his heart wasn't listening.
Donna wasn't anything like Sammie Jo. Donna couldn't take the long lonely nights of him not being home, and called to duty at the most inappropriate times to boot. She was slowly dying of boredom and being a housewife didn't suit her. Used to big cities and lots of shopping, there was no way living in the wilds of Alaska could content her. After a long hard look, Cody realized that she wasn't the right one for him either. He needed a girl with staying power, with guts to work it out.
Why was he comparing them? He'd just met Sammie Jo, so why did it seem like a lifetime of knowing her? He shook himself for a minute. There he went again, reading more into the situation than was there. This girl didn't have men on the brain like most of the women he knew. He found that strangely attractive.
It was definitely time to go. But leaving her was like tearing flue from a what-not.
"So…if you need anything just let us know. The police headquarters is down the street. Just stop off and ask." He nodded to her.
"Thanks, you've taken care of a lot. I appreciate your help. But there is one thing I'd like to ask about. You said it froze at night, how do I prevent the water pipes from bursting. Even in Texas we had a lot of pipes burst during the winter. But here, it freezes so much, how do you prevent it?"
"Oh yeah, that's a good question. Come on, we'll check out what old man Tucker has done for the pipes. I imagine he's put some fiberglass between the walls and the pipe to keep them from freezing."
"Oh is that what you have to do?"
"Well, for now, when it gets colder we have to turn the water off outside and insulate more inside."
"Sounds like a lot of work just to exist here."
"Now there is a true statement if I ever heard one. In the dead of winter, it is, but people who stay get used to it and know what to do. The hard work keeps you busy and prevents loneliness from settling in. It all becomes automatic after a while. People here are never lazy, they can't afford to be. Most don't make it as long as the winter. They come in summer and the minute it snows for a month, they are out of here. The temperature drop is unbelievable. It can be very dangerous if you are out and about. So if I were you, I wouldn't be going out after dark. Best to let someone know when you're going somewhere and when you are expected back. I know that sounds like a hassle, but it prevents problems. Knowing how to stay warm and doing it slowly is the key. Otherwise, you can have serious problems. A person not equipped can freeze to death in no time. When you've been here a while, it will all be automatic for you, but for now, take any advice offered. And always keep in touch with someone. Mainly me, or I might have a search party out after you."
She glanced at his serious face and nodded.
"Yep, Tucker has it insulated well enough for now," He bent to look under the sink in the kitchen. "But as winter comes on us you'll need more. Remind me and I'll come by and help get that taken care of. It's gonna take a lot of work to make this place livable for a woman. You are gonna need some reliable help."
"You been more than nice. I appreciate it, and don't be a stranger…" she offered with a smile that thawed another chunk of his heart.
All the way back to the office Cody fussed at himself. He had no business getting mixed up with this new little misfit, but she had an uncanny charm about her. She'd probably run off the first sign of trouble. But somehow, he didn't really think she would. She looked very determined to him. Determined to run from what really hurt her, and to stay away until she figured out how to handle it.
He tried to concentrate on some paperwork the Sheriff had him file for him, but Cody couldn't get the little blonde bombshell out of his mind.
Gloria, the secretary, had gone home, claiming the washed out bridge would prevent her from getting home if she left too late. A standard excuse for leaving early, Cody decided. Sheriff Willard was over at his mother's house. His mother was ninety-nine years old and needed help fixing her meals so Sheriff Willard left the office early every evening to tend her. No one minded because crime just wasn't abundant in Bear Creek.
Cody sighed, he had to admit, he liked the idea of not working for a high crime area. And in the cities there was a fair share of it. Deputy Grimes was in the inner office, taking some kind of test to get his commercial driver's license.
"So…tell me about the new lady in town, heard you were over there helping out part of the day." John Grimes smiled as he peeked around the door at Cody. "She must be a looker to take so much of your time."
Cody knew he was in for a ribbing, "She bought the old Night N Gale saloon. She plans to open it up and make this her home. She's gonna have chili and chili dogs and drinks."
"Is that all….I'm not a bit interested in that, I want to know what she looks like, if she's married, why she came to this God forsaken country."
Cody chuckled, "Well, she's a looker, all right. Blonde, petite, blue-eyed, and pretty gutsy I'd say."
"Gutsy? But is she married?"
"Don't think so."
"How old?"
"Well now, John, I didn't get around to asking that, or how much she weighed, or how tall she was."
"Don't play innocent with me Cody, you wouldn't have spent the evening helping her out, if you weren't attracted to her, now would you? I heard you offered to clean her flume. That's a nasty job. If I hadn't had this test, I would have been there myself."
"Well, cleaning the flume wasn't that much fun, it was cold up there and Tucker didn't leave it in the best of shapes. But I got it working for her. She's planning on living there too, so I had to do something. She's sleeping on the floor."
"Wow, sorry there. I guess the lady needs a little help in living here, doesn't she?"
"Yeah, I think so. Anything you can do to help, do it. She has no idea how cold it will get or how lonely."
Cody thought about that a minute? If she'd been old and ugly would he have stayed around, offered to clean the fireplace for her? John was right.
"Okay, she's a looker; I think she's available…what more can I say?"
"I think that will do for starters. I'll be checking her out tomorrow. I didn't have the time today. But I'm finally done with that dumb test."
"Finally!"
"Hey, I didn't learn to drive until a couple of years ago. Give me a break, will you?" John protested. "You know that, I drive that danged old dog sled everywhere I need. My folks insist on it. Progress is in the eye of the beholder."
"Yeah, but you might be taken a little more seriously if you'd drive the squad car
every now and then. You look like something out of "Call of the Wild". "
"I guess, but it keeps the folks happy. Well, I'm going home for the night. Need anything or any help before I leave?"
"Nope, I'm about done myself." Cody smiled. "I gotta fill out one more paper and then I'll lock up."
After John left he turned all the lights out, checked all the doors and closed up for the evening. Already the temperature had dropped drastically, it began to rain again and Cody shrugged a shiver away as he glanced about the small community of Bear Creek. He loved it here, he had been born and raised here and he wouldn't let anything hurt his little town.
He wondered why a woman like Sammie Jo ran away from life. She didn't seem the type to run away, but then he didn't know what she was running from…yet. He knew from experience that it took all kinds of people to make up the world.
Although the little lady had guts, he saw some real pain in her face. Maybe if he got to know her, she'd tell him about it.
He admitted he was interested in her. He was determined to get to know her better.
He'd find out everything before he was through, and then he wouldn't be interested, probably just a lover's quarrel, a woman inserting her independence. Still, there was a lot of sadness in that beautiful face of hers and he wanted to wipe it all away for her too. She didn't seem the shallow type. He liked that about her.
"Mind your own business Cody." He scolded himself aloud, not aware of it.
You're just a local, and she probably won't stay long!
Chapter Four
Sammie Jo made her pallet on the floor and curled up in front of the fire for her first night in Bear Creek. She listened to the wilds of the night, thinking how quiet it was. She listened to the fire crackle as she put on her flannel pjs and had popped a big bowl of popcorn which she was nibbling at, so she fed some to SeeMe. The small television she'd inherited from Mr. Tucker didn't get many channels so she probably wouldn't be watching much. But she switched it on after she brought it in the main room. The dog appreciated her handouts and she warmed to the animal immediately. It sounded nice to hear the wood sparking and SeeMe settled down right beside her, as though protecting her. He seemed to really enjoy the cow-skin rug. Funny how dogs didn't mind latching on to people quickly. She guessed he knew how much she loved animals, and that SeeMe had an instinct for loneliness.
