North Country Mom

by Lois Richer

  “I know,” she said very softly. Then she smiled. It was like seeing the sunshine after days of dreary dark clouds. “Let’s eat.”

  Hoping to lift her mood, Jack asked questions about the day’s events.

  “First there will be a pull contest.” She chuckled at his quizzical look. “It’s a contest to see who can pull the heaviest load. In the old days there were very few horses that made it to Churchill. You were wealthy if you had sled dogs to pull your supplies in the winter. If you didn’t, you did it yourself.”

  “How?” Jack thought he could watch her face forever. It was like a big screen, expressing her inner thoughts with its ever-changing mobility.

  “Well, you could’ve made a kind of sled and fit it with a harness that you then put on and pulled your supplies home.” She chewed a French fry for a moment. “That’s kind of what they do for the adults. It’s loaded with flour or something. There’s a prize for the one who pulls the most weight. The kids participate, too.”

  “They pull flour, too?”

  “No, silly.” She laughed at him and, to Jack’s amazement, he didn’t mind a bit. “They pull quads. Some people call them four-wheelers or all-terrain vehicles,” she clarified. “Smaller ones for the little kids.”

  “And after that?” This was going to be a Canada Day very different from those he’d spent in Vancouver.

  “Lots of races for kids and adults. And, of course, the kite flying.” She winked at him.

  “You had to say it, didn’t you? I’d almost forgotten.” He sighed.

  “I’ll cheer you and Giselle on,” Alicia promised, flashing another of those teasing grins.

  “That’s it?” He wanted to spend more of the day with her. Probably not the best idea given that he didn’t want to get involved, but Jack didn’t stop to reason that out.

  “There’s a sand castle building contest on the beach. Some people go swimming.” She nodded when he shivered. “The Bay never really gets warm, I’m afraid. The rest of the day is mostly visiting, walking around, touring the museum—just enjoying the community.”

  “And your bannock,” he added. “But I heard there’d be a bonfire.” His skin reacted with a tingle when he thought about sharing an evening bonfire with Alicia. Even with the town gathered, Jack felt certain it would seem more intimate than those they’d shared at Lives with the boys.

  “There is a bonfire. It gets started around nine but most people show up closer to eleven, because the sun stays up so long these days.” Alicia leaned her arms behind her, tipped her head back and lifted her face to the sunshine. “Some people roast wieners or marshmallows, but you have to bring your own supplies. And a warm jacket. It can be cool.”

  “I see.” Jack couldn’t take his eyes off her.

  “Do you?” She twisted to look directly at him. “It’s nothing fancy, Jack. It’s just the way this community, with family and friends, celebrates the freedom we have in our country.”

  “I think it’s great,” he said, and he meant it. He spared a moment to think about the past and the times he’d left Simone and Giselle to celebrate alone while he focused on work. If he’d learned nothing else from Simone’s death, he’d learned that family was everything. That’s why he’d moved to Churchill.

  They talked about a lot of things—the sod house, Alicia’s schedule for it, her plans for the future. Then she turned the tables. Jack skirted around her questions about finding Giselle’s birth mother because he didn’t want to dampen their time together with his problems. He wanted to enjoy his time with Alicia this afternoon. He wanted that a lot.

  When he was finally alone tonight, Jack knew he was going to have to examine that want more deeply. Liking Alicia was one thing. Getting romantically involved with her? That couldn’t happen, especially now because he realized just how bereft his world would be without Alicia in it. He was getting too close.

  He kept her company during the kids’ races on the main drag, surprised that she’d helped the Lives’ boys organize and enter a team. The two of them stood on the sidelines, shouting their encouragement, giddy with laughter when their group edged out the competition by a fraction.

  Alicia was thrilled at the boys’ prize of three hundred dollars. She was so excited Jack struggled to keep his balance when she threw her arms around him. Just as quickly she pulled away, her face flushed, her eyes avoiding his. To spare her, he pretended nothing was amiss but was secretly delighted that she was able to lose herself with him.

  Later he built the fire she needed to cook her bannock on sticks. People gathered around, enjoying the Native food and asking her questions. Alicia was in her element, freely sharing with anyone. Hot and flushed, two hours later he finally persuaded her to take a break to cool off with the soda he brought her. Alicia was thrilled that her efforts had been so appreciated. Jack had never admired anyone so much.

  When darkness fell and the only thing he could see was her face in the flickering firelight, when his shoulder rubbed hers as the group sang “O Canada,” Jack began to wonder if it might be different this time, if it would be worth the risk to love again.

  Dare he embrace these feelings for Alicia that had taken root? Dare he trust God not to let him lose again?

  At first thought, the risk seemed too great. But walking Alicia home after the fire, brushing a kiss against her cheek and squeezing her hand in a gentle touch that she returned—all of these caused a persuasive yearning that left Jack sitting on his back deck far into the night, searching for trust.

  Chapter Ten

  Alicia swiped a hand across her perspiring forehead as she mopped up the last of the water the next day. This was not her plan for Sunday.

  She carried the bucket outside to dump the dingy water on her straggling flowers and nearly yelped to find Jack standing there. Immediately her heart started its rapid rat-a-tat. But Jack didn’t look as he had last time she’d seen him. Now his blue eyes were cloudy and his mouth didn’t stretch in that persuasive smile.

  “Have you been doing this all day?” he asked.

  “It seems like it.” She sighed. “The sink downstairs has a leak. By the time I came from church it had flooded everything. I finally figured out how to shut it off. I’ve been cleaning up all afternoon. This is the last of the water, I hope.”

  The tension around his eyes eased somewhat. “I wondered why you didn’t show.”

  “Show?” She narrowed her eyes, trying to decipher his meaning.

  “We had a meeting.” He frowned. “You forgot? I didn’t think there was anything about that sod house project that you’d forget.”

  “Jack, I don’t recall promising to be at any meeting,” she said.

  “Technically, I guess you didn’t agree. Laurel said she wanted to get us all together to discuss safety after Daniel cut himself with the adze. You weren’t around and Eli was busy with a customer, so I left you a note right beside that reed bowl on the counter.”

  “I haven’t seen any note. Come on in.” Mystified, she led the way back inside, dropping her bucket in the corner before she sifted through the pile of papers she hoped to sort through with Lucy tomorrow morning.

  A letter she’d received from the adoption agency sat on top. Though Alicia tried to cover it, it was clear Jack had seen it.

  “That’s the agency I’m trying to get to unseal Giselle’s documents,” Jack said. “That friend you’re helping—was he or she adopted from there?”

  “Friend?” She blanked for a second. “Oh. Yes,” she said, realizing that he thought her lost child was a former friend.

  “Maybe we could work together, help each other,” Jack offered.

  “It’s very nice of you, but the agency says they have no information for me.” She tucked the letter under the counter. “I don’t see your note.”

  “Here.” He lifted it out of the basket. “Someone must have put it inside by mistake.”

  That “someone” was her. Unable to read the scrawl, Alicia had assumed Eli was using the she
et to work out a tag for an article. She shook her head when Jack flipped it open to show her where he’d penciled her name.

  “Oh, for goodness’ sake. I had no idea.” She lifted her head and smiled into his lovely blue eyes. “You’re right. I wouldn’t have missed the meeting if I’d known. I’m sorry, Jack.”

  “Doesn’t matter. I’m sure you know all about safety.” He shrugged. “Laurel just wanted to remind the boys to be careful around those sharp tools. She thought you’d want to be there. You are our fearless leader, after all.” He grinned.

  She blushed and dipped her head, pleased but a little off balance at the way her heart bumped whenever he flashed that smile at her. She began to wring out the old towels she’d used to mop up the floor.

  “That’s nice of you, though untrue. It’s a group effort.”

  To her surprise Jack pitched in right alongside to help her clean up what was left, even though she tried to dissuade him. It was a bit disconcerting to have him so near. Alicia struggled to keep the conversation flowing.

  “It’s going well, don’t you think? The sod house, I mean.” She turned, surprised to find his face inches from hers. “We should have a special celebration for the kids after our grand opening,” she quickly said to cover the confusion Jack always caused her.

  “Great idea.” Jack carried the basket with the cloths to the washer, threw the towels inside, then leaned one hip against the dryer as he waited for her to start the machine. “Since you’ve been doing drudgery all afternoon, what would you say to a walk?”

  “Yes.” She smiled. Nothing sounded better than more time with Jack. “Just let me change.”

  “There’s nothing wrong with what you’re wearing, Alicia,” he said, casting an eye over her jeans and old red T-shirt. “You look cute, especially with your hair in pigtails.”

  “But my jeans have holes in the knees.” She wished she didn’t always feel so awkward around him.

  “Haven’t you heard?” Jack looped an arm around her shoulders and drew her outside with him. “Holes in the knees are very fashionable lately.”

  Alicia was pretty sure he was joking, but she couldn’t resist his smile or his friendly touch and before she knew it they were strolling down the path to the beach.

  “Oh, the boys are here,” she said, delighted when they ran over to greet her.

  The boys told them Laurel had built a fire for a hot dog cookout.

  “Why don’t you join us? Plenty for all,” Laurel said. But Alicia noticed the woman raised an eyebrow as she glanced at her brother’s arm around Alicia’s shoulders.

  Alicia ducked away, embarrassed to admit how much she enjoyed his touch.

  Giselle, along with Kyle and Sara Loness, Laurel’s employees, were also at the beach. While Sara held their baby, Kyle showed the boys how to get in and out of the dingy he’d brought. Alicia took a turn holding the baby and sharing local gossip with Sara until a pack of hungry boys begged Laurel to start their supper early. Adam flopped down on the rock beside Alicia.

  “My dad says Indians are no good,” he said in a belligerent tone.

  Alicia happened to be looking at Jack and saw the chagrin alter his face. She was embarrassed he’d heard those words, but she would not back down.

  “Does he?” she said. “I think perhaps he doesn’t know us or the history of Canada. Did you know Native Canadians lived in this land for hundreds of years before Europeans arrived?”

  Aware that the other boys had gathered around, she talked of how different tribes hunted and fished, the way they took care of the land so as to leave a legacy for their grandchildren.

  “But the land was taken. The treaties Indians made with white men were broken. Right, Alicia?” Eli said.

  “Yes, the treaties were broken on both sides. Many of the reservations were unlike the land Native Canadians were used to. Animals they’d lived on, like the buffalo, were decimated,” she told them. “Men and boys could no longer roam freely to hunt. They lived in impoverished conditions, often isolated and ill.”

  Alicia paused, glanced around. Jack’s eyes met hers, dark navy and glowing. He smiled and nodded, as if to encourage her.

  “But despite disease and terrible conditions, Native Canadians survived and are now contributing members to society. My people have a rich culture and heritage. There is much we can learn from the old ways, just as we always gain knowledge when we accept other cultures and the people in them.”

  Adam was silent for a long time. Then he looked up and grinned at her.

  “If my dad says it again, I’m going to tell him to try some bannock on a stick with your blueberry preserve. You could sell that for a lot of money.”

  “I already do.” Alicia winked at him and the group burst into laughter.

  The others straggled away to roast another hot dog. Adam lingered then finally bent to look her in the eye.

  “I’m sorry I said that, Alicia. I don’t think my dad even knows any Indians personally. I wish he could meet you. You make knowing about Indians so interesting.”

  “Because we are.” Alicia touched his shoulder. “Just because someone is different from us isn’t a good enough reason to diss them,” she murmured quietly so none of the others would hear.

  “I’ll remember that.” Adam smiled then hurried to join the boys in a game of beach volleyball.

  “Nicely done,” Jack murmured in her ear. He handed her a hot dog covered with relish, onions and mustard. “You’re a born teacher, Alicia.”

  She’d been sailing high until Jack had said “teacher.” Immediately thoughts of Mr. Parcet invaded.

  “You’re not eating your hot dog,” Jack said disapprovingly.

  “I’m not fond of mustard,” she murmured, trying to cover her discomfort. She hadn’t expected he’d tug the hot dog out of her hand. “It’s not a big deal.”

  “Yes, Alicia, it is. Why should you eat something you don’t care for?” Jack held out the hot dog he’d given her. “See, I happen to love mustard.” He took a giant bite. “Why don’t you prepare your own hot dog the way you like it?”

  So she did. Then she joined in a game of tag, let the boys try to teach her the basics of volleyball and flew Giselle’s kite, the one Alicia had repaired after Jack had crashed it on Canada Day. When the bright red-and-white maple leaf was soaring above the bay she handed it over to Jack.

  “But I don’t know what to do,” he protested.

  “That’s the thing, Jack. You don’t do anything.” She rested her hands on his to demonstrate. “Feel that? It’s the wind pulling. Let it. Just gently guide where it goes.”

  “I’m not sure—”

  She eased her hands off his. Not because she didn’t like holding his hands but because she wanted to hold them tighter and she didn’t think he’d like that.

  “Sometimes I think flying a kite gives us perspective on how God works,” she said.

  “Meaning?” Jack chanced a look at her before he returned his scrutiny to the kite.

  “A little nudge here, a poke there, a gust of wind to straighten us out when we get off track.” She encouraged him to let out more string. “It’s only when we, like the kite, try to take control and go our own way that we get into trouble.”

  “Trust in the master kite-flyer, is that what you’re saying?” he said, giving her a droll look.

  “That is what I’m saying,” she said firmly. “Because He’s the one who knows the wind currents and sideswipes life will bring.”

  “I envy you your faith, Alicia.”

  “Why? Don’t you have the same?” she asked, surprised when he handed the kite back to her.

  “No,” he admitted. “But I think maybe it’s time I tried to emulate yours. Could we go back to your place to discuss something? I need your help.”

  Alicia nodded. She reeled in the kite and gave it back to Giselle, who asked her dad’s permission to return to Lives with the boys to play some board games.

  “Sure,” Jack told her. He glanced at h
is sister. “If it’s all right with your aunt.” Laurel nodded. “I’ll pick you up in—”

  “A couple of hours?” Laurel said. She hugged Alicia. “Thanks for not taking offense with Adam and teaching him. I know his words hurt.”

  “I’m glad if I helped him.” Alicia hugged her back, then watched the group drive away.

  “You’re sure you don’t mind listening to my troubles for a while?” Jack asked when they were alone on the beach.

  “What are friends for?” Alicia asked.

  But as they walked up the hill and across the street to her place, she knew she wanted a lot more than friendship from Jack. The thing was, she felt nervous and skittish around him, like a schoolgirl on her first date with the most incredible guy.

  Which, technically, she was.

  Lord? Help!

  *

  “Come on in. Welcome.”

  The first thing that struck Jack as he entered Alicia’s upstairs apartment was that it felt like home. There was nothing showy or chic about it. In fact, the plaid sofa looked well used and comfortable, as did an overstuffed chair with a knitted throw on its back. A table with two chairs sat in front of the worn but spotless kitchen. On the table was a glass bottle with a few wildflowers Jack had seen growing on the bluffs. Everything in the place spoke to him of nature—shades of brown, taupe, yellow, with hints of red blended in a peaceful backdrop for her beauty.

  Her place was plain, ordinary and, yet, he felt welcome here.

  “Would you like some coffee?” she asked, obviously on edge.

  “What I’d really love is a glass of water,” he told her with a smile. “I can still taste all that mustard.”

  After a startled look at him, Alicia laughed, poured the water and handed it to him. She sat down in the big chair. Jack had a hunch she sat there often. Her Bible lay open on a table beside it.

  “Is something wrong?” she asked him.

  “Yes.” Jack drank the water in one gulp. “It’s about Giselle. She’s insistent that she meet her birth mother.”

  Alicia’s eyes widened. “You’ve found her?”