by Bonnie Leon
“You and I both know that to run this outfit you have to stay put most of the time. So you don’t count.” Kate looked at her father and he gave her a nod of encouragement. “I’m a good pilot. And you need me.”
Jack puffed on the cigar. He watched the smoke rise, then his gaze settled on Kate. “Okay. But it’s not a fifty-fifty split anymore. You get thirty percent, that’s it.”
Kate folded her arms over her chest. “No deal. Either I get fifty percent or I go and find another outfit.”
“Forty.”
Kate shook her head, no. She wasn’t about to let him have the upper hand. It would only make him feel more powerful.
Jack glared at her. “All right. Fifty percent. But you’ll fly where I want and when I want. And you owe me for the repairs.” He didn’t wait for a response, but turned and stormed back to the shop.
Kate barely managed to contain a whoop of joy. She hugged her father. “Well, I guess I’m back in business.” Although she sounded confident, fear that she might mess up niggled at her. What if something went wrong right off the bat?
— 27 —
Paul swung his axe and brought it down on a round of spruce. The wood popped and split into two pieces. He tossed them into a pile and set up another chunk. A chill November wind caught the smoke from his chimney and carried it toward the ground where it swirled around him. He liked the aroma of burning wood. And the assurance that an abundant supply would keep him warm through the winter, which was fast approaching. It was only a few weeks until Thanksgiving.
The holiday season always hit him with a bout of loneliness. He’d be glad when the New Year arrived and the celebrations were behind him.
His family would gather for merrymaking. They’d discuss him and wonder why he remained so distant. He wasn’t really. His mind and heart would be there with them. When he’d first come to Alaska, he was thankful to put space between him and the memories, the accusations. If only he’d insisted Susan be admitted to the hospital.
It was so long ago. And now the idea of time with family seemed to invite him. He should go and see his mother. There was no telling how long before she left this earth. She wasn’t young. It would be nice to see his family. Next year, he promised himself.
His mind wandered to Kate. Maybe he should write to her.
He hoped she was happy. Normally, she would be caught up in preparations for the upcoming holiday, but it had only been a couple of months since Mike’s death. He doubted she was yet able to relinquish the grief, which would undoubtedly intrude on the holiday cheer. He wondered if she’d managed to get back in the air.
He hoped so. He wanted Kate safe, but the idea of her not flying didn’t seem right. She’d never be fully content. To cut that out of her life seemed tragic.
He wanted her back. The idea of going after her flickered through his mind. No. It wasn’t right. He knew better. She was grieving. And even if she weren’t, she wouldn’t want him, not after what he’d done to her.
He set up another chunk of wood and glanced at the gray sky, wondering if snow would be on the ground before the day was out. In spite of the cold air, he was overheated, so he stripped off his coat and laid it over a stack of wood.
After wiping his brow, he swung his axe up and brought it down on the large piece of spruce, splitting it into two sections. He tossed the smaller piece in the pile, cut the other in two, and chucked them onto the pile.
“Looks like you’re working hard,” Lily said.
He looked over his shoulder at her. She stood with the baby in her arms.
“Hi. I didn’t see you.” Paul put the axe head on the ground and leaned on the handle. “How are you and Theodore doing?”
“We’re fine.”
Paul moved toward them. “Glad you came by. I can use a distraction.” He patted the little boy on the belly. “How you doing, champ?”
In answer, the infant offered him a toothless smile.
Lily held out the baby. “You want to hold him?”
“Sure.” Paul took the youngster and held him up in front of him. “Hey there.” Theodore gazed at him, his brown eyes crossing. Paul chuckled. “I’ll bet he’ll be glad when he stops seeing two of everything.” The baby chortled and his plump red cheeks rounded. “So, you think I’m funny looking, huh?” Paul hefted him up and then down. “Feels like you’re eating good.”
Lily laughed. “He’s always hungry. He’s getting fat, but Mama says that’s good.” Her eyes glowed with love as she gazed at her little boy. “I never get tired of looking at him.”
A blast of wind from the north blew through. Paul cuddled Theodore against his shoulder. “It’s cold.” He glanced at the sky. “And it looks like snow.”
“It’s coming. I can feel it.”
“You want to go inside and warm up? I’ve got coffee.”
“That sounds good.” Lily bundled deeper inside her coat. “I’m cold, but he seems fine.”
“Babies are sturdier than we think.” He rested his cheek against Theodore’s. “He is cold.” Glancing at Lily, he said, “I made some cranberry muffins this morning. They’re not bad, even if I do say so myself.”
“I love muffins. And I’m always hungry—can’t seem to get enough to eat these days. I’m going to get fat right along with Teddy.”
“You’re feeding two people. You’re supposed to eat more.” He headed for the porch.
“In that case, I’ll have two muffins.”
Paul felt lighthearted as he walked up the steps. He opened the cabin door and stood aside while Lily entered.
He handed Theodore off to his mother. “Coffee’s still hot from this morning.” Paul filled two cups with the dark beverage.
Lily sat on one of the chairs at the table and set the baby on her lap. His big brown eyes gazed around the room. Paul wondered what it was like to see the world for the first time—to not know fear or sorrow. He longed for such innocence.
He set a cup in front of Lily along with a can of milk, then took a plate of muffins out of the warming oven above the stove and placed it on the table.
“Those look good.” Lily bounced Teddy on her lap and played pat-a-cake with him. Each time she brought his pudgy hands together, he chortled in delight.
“Strong for his age,” Paul said. “I’d say he’s developing early—even lifting up his head and laughing. He’s bright.” Paul grinned. “It won’t be that long before he wants to go fishing.”
Lily tilted one side of her mouth in a sideways grin. “You men, can’t you think about anything else?”
“Time goes by fast and he’ll want to go. You wait and see. He’s got a lot of people who can teach him. Plus your dad can teach him to hunt and drive the dogsled.”
“And so can I.” Lily lifted her chin and set defiant eyes on Paul. “Just because I’m a mother now doesn’t mean everything has to change. I’m still going to fish, hunt, and drive the dogs.”
“Well, sure. I never meant—”
“I get tired of people assuming that I’ll settle into the role of a little homemaker. I’ve got to do it all—be a father and a mother. He’ll need that.”
“You won’t be on your own all your life, Lily.”
“What man will have me now?” Tears glinted in her eyes. She set the baby in her lap and folded her arms around him. “We’ll be fine . . . just me and Teddy.”
Paul sat across the table from her, coffee cup in hand. He wasn’t sure what to say so settled on, “You’re right. Sorry. I forget sometimes how self-sufficient you are. He looks like he’ll be a strapping young man one day. Probably be able to handle a team of dogs with no trouble.” Paul took a sip of coffee and then made a face. “Been on the stove awhile—kind of bitter.”
“It’s fine.” Lily bit into a muffin. “Mmm. Good.”
“I got the recipe from your mom. And everyone knows she’s the best cook around,” he added with a grin.
Paul took another drink of coffee, his mind on Lily’s determination to be self-suf
ficient and to live on her own. He knew what that was like and he didn’t like it. Neither would she. He understood that most people would judge her harshly. The majority of men wouldn’t give her a thought because of her circumstances. But surely an honorable man would come along who could see what a prize he’d have in the two of them.
“Someone will come along. Don’t worry.”
“I’m not worried.” She kissed the top of Teddy’s head. “I’m just thankful to have him.” He grasped one of her fingers and tried to stick it in his mouth.
Lily looked at Paul. “I’ve been thinking about his father. He might feel different now that Teddy’s here. I was wondering if I should write to him.”
Paul took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Well . . . if it were me, I’d want to know.”
“His father’s nothing like you. I don’t think he’ll care a whit, but it seems right to tell him he has a son. I’m going to send a letter with the next mail plane.”
“Good. I think it’s the right thing to do. Maybe he’ll surprise you.”
“I’m not going to hold my breath. You don’t know him. He thinks only about himself. And he’d probably see a baby as nothing but a bother.”
“I know this is none of my business, but how did you get involved with a man like that?”
Lily gazed out the window. “In the beginning he seemed nice and acted like he really cared for me. I was alone and lonely. And just a foolish girl. He saw me as an easy mark, a naïve country girl he could fool.”
Paul nodded. He’d known men like him. He wished there were something he could do to help. “Well, I’m here, if you need anything.”
“There’s nothing anyone can do now. I wish you’d convinced me to stay here on the creek instead of gallivanting off to Seattle. This is where me and Teddy belong. Our roots are here.”
She rested a penetrating gaze on Paul. “Don’t misunderstand. You’re a good neighbor and friend, but you’re kind of like me. One day you just appeared here, all the way from California, no explanations. I know you left something or someone there. Maybe it’s time you dealt with whatever you ran from.”
Paul pushed to his feet and walked to the window and gazed out at drifting snowflakes. “I’ll know when it’s time to go home. And it’s not now.”
— 28 —
Kate took long strides, swinging her arms at her sides as she headed toward the mercantile. The cold bite of the wind and the light snow falling invigorated her. It was wonderful to be back in Anchorage.
“Hey, slow down,” her father called.
Kate looked back at him and forced herself to a more leisurely pace. “Sorry. Since we left Yakima, I’ve been imagining this reunion. I can barely wait to see Albert and Helen. I hope Muriel’s there.”
Her father smiled and looped an arm through hers. “I’m excited too.”
When they reached the general store, Kate allowed her father to open the door for her. Angel leaped in ahead of them both. She seemed just as excited to be home as Kate. The sound of the ringing bell carried a flood of memories.
“I’ll be right there,” Helen called from the back of the store.
Kate waited, anticipation building. A few moments later, Helen stepped out from between two rows stocked with canned goods. Her eyes fell upon Kate.
“Oh, good Lord!” She pressed her hands to her cheeks. “We didn’t expect you until tomorrow.” She rushed to Kate and pulled her into her arms. “Blessed day!” When she stepped back, she noticed Bill. “How good to see you.” She gave him a friendly hug.
“It’s a real pleasure to be here,” he said. “Sorry about our early arrival, but the weather was turning bad, so we slept less and flew more, hoping to get here ahead of the storm.”
“I’m so glad you’re early. I’ve been having a terrible time waiting.” She bent over and stroked Angel’s heavy coat. “And you look absolutely beautiful.” She wrapped her arms around the dog’s neck and gave her a hug.
“Where’s Albert?” Kate asked.
“He went home to put wood in the fire. With the temperature dropping, we figured the stove would need some extra to keep the house warm. He should be back anytime.”
Helen stood, hands on her hips, and studied Kate. “You look wonderful, dear—tanned and robust.”
Kate glanced at her father. “Mom and Dad spoiled me, plus I spent a lot of time working out in the sun.”
“She was a big help to us.”
“I can imagine.” Helen’s gaze moved to the door. “Oh, here’s Albert.”
The bell rang and Kate turned just in time to see him walk in.
“Why, Kate, what a surprise.” He headed straight to her. “Wish I’d known, I’d have picked up Muriel and the baby on the way.”
Kate wrapped her arms around her dear friend. “It’s so good to see you and to be back. I can’t wait to see Muriel and the baby.”
“A quick call will fix that. She’ll be here in a jiffy.” Albert shook Bill’s hand. “Welcome. And thank you for bringing Kate back to us.”
“This is where she belongs,” Bill said.
“I’ll call Muriel.” Helen headed for the telephone.
Albert gave Angel a pat. “Nice to see you again.” He glanced at Kate. “She looks happy to be home.”
“She is. I’m sure she knew exactly where we were when we landed. She hurried to the door, her tail in high gear.” Kate smiled, her joy feeling as if it would spill over.
“So, you’re going back to work for Jack?” Albert asked.
“It looks that way. He gave me my old job. I wasn’t sure he would, but he needs another pilot, so I’ll be going in tomorrow.”
“Not even a day to rest and to catch up?” Helen asked.
“I’d love to do that, but I don’t want to give Jack any reason not to keep me. Besides, I don’t have much to do to settle in—just a couple of bags to unpack.”
“And I’ve got to head south,” Bill said. “Need to get back to Washington before the winter weather hits.” He glanced out the front window. “I’m hoping this one blows through in a hurry.”
“I don’t think it’s going to be much. But we’ve had some good snows the last couple of weeks.” Albert ruffed up Angel’s fur. “I figure you’ll be happy to see the snow again.”
“She loves it. Yakima gets snow, but not like here.”
Helen’s blue eyes glowed with some sort of secret pleasure. “Your living arrangements probably aren’t going to be what you expected.” She looked as if she were bursting with a surprise.
“Oh. I thought I was going to stay here, at least for a while. Did you decide to go ahead and renovate right away?”
“We’re not ready yet, and of course you can stay, if you like, but I think you’ll probably want to make a change.”
“This’ll be fine, as long as you don’t need the room.”
Helen’s smile brightened as she walked to the register. Opening a drawer, she took out a bulging envelope. “This came for you a couple of days ago. We would have told you about it, but you’d already left Yakima.” She handed the envelope to Kate.
Opening it, she slid out a document. It was Mike’s will. Tears immediately surfaced. Kate scanned the paper, but couldn’t read it through her tears.
“What is it?” She looked at Albert and Helen.
“Mike’s will and the deed to his house. He left it to you.”
Astonishment welled up inside Kate. Wiping her eyes, she looked back at the papers. “He gave me his house?”
“Uh-huh.” Albert swung an arm over Kate’s shoulders and hugged her from the side. “The attorney handling his affairs was a little slow getting the paperwork done. And I guess there was an argument from Mike’s brothers about the whole thing, but as it turns out, the house is yours.” He took a set of keys from the cabinet drawer and handed them to Kate. “You own it free and clear.”
Kate pressed the papers against her chest. “I can barely believe it.” She closed her eyes and tears leaked on
to her cheeks. The house was supposed to be theirs, not hers.
Bill stayed two extra days to help Kate with her move, then it was time for him to fly south. Kate hated good-byes, and this one felt more permanent than any other. She clung to her father. “I’ll try to get back in the spring to visit. Tell Mom I love her.”
“I will.” He climbed into his plane, and settled into the front.
Kate stepped back and watched him take off. He maneuvered beneath a heavy layer of clouds and Kate prayed for good weather.
Jack gave Kate a week off to settle into her new home. It wasn’t like him. Kate wondered if he was getting soft. She hoped so.
The house had been sitting empty for a couple months and needed some sprucing up. Kate also added a few personal touches—some fresh paint, a carpet in the center of the front room, a lace doily on each end table and the coffee table, and a few pictures here and there.
The previous evening, she’d had the Townses, plus Muriel and her husband and their little boy, over for dinner. It was the first time she’d ever entertained on her own and prepared a meal for company. Everyone seemed to have a good time, and the food wasn’t bad.
Now the house felt empty. It would take time to adjust. She expected to see Mike at any moment. Everywhere she turned, it seemed that he should be there.
She dusted a photo of her parents and set it on a shelf beside a picture of Mike. She picked up the photograph of him standing beside his plane. Her heart ached. Maybe she hadn’t loved him with a romantic love, but he was one of the finest people she’d ever known, and her dearest friend. She’d never stop missing him.
She set the photograph back on the shelf and turned to look about the room. She remembered her first visit here. Mike had made spaghetti and they’d played cards.
The phone jangled, startling her. It was Mike’s phone. No, it was hers now. She picked it up. Jack was on the other end.
“Hey, that you, Kate? I’ve got a job for you. How soon can you be ready?”
“Right now. I’ll come in right away.”
Jack didn’t respond and the phone went dead.
