Heart of the Wild

by Rita Hestand

  John was frowning. "I thought...hoped, it doesn't matter. I just want you to be happy."

  "I'm happy," she insisted, knowing it wasn't the truth. She'd never be happy again, because she'd been such a fool and lost the only thing in her life that mattered.

  "I'm just sorry I can't spend more time with you. I'll see that you're settled back home, make sure your boss understands the circumstances, and then I'm afraid, I'll have to return to work."

  Kasie's heart fell to her stomach. Not only was Chay Amory out of her life, but she had been with her father one day, and he was already talking about leaving her again. She was losing everything that was important to her, and she wasn't sure she could stand it.

  "I see, you're just going to drop me off in Texas and be gone again." Her voice became choked and harsh. "After turning my life totally upside down."

  John eyed her for a long quiet moment, then put her hand to his lips. "Unless you'd consider coming home with us for a while. We could be a real family. It would give you time to really get to know Margaret. I can tell she's smitten with you. We'd love to have you. The only reason I didn't suggest it first was that you were so insistent on getting back to that job of yours."

  A chance to live with her father again. This was what she had wanted for years. But she was a grown woman now, on her own. Could she drop everything and go with her father?

  "I don't suppose you could spare me a day or two to make up my mind?"

  John nodded slowly. "I suppose I could take off a day or two. It would be worth it, if you'd come home with us."

  "Great, besides, I'd kinda of like to find out how Margaret feels about it first."

  "She'd be elated, I can assure you."

  They walked hand in hand back inside and joined Margaret.

  "Well, that didn't take long," Margaret smiled her relief.

  John was beaming. "Kasie is considering coming to stay with us for a while. I told her I'd give her a couple of days to decide. Then we'll leave. That means we'll be here for Thanksgiving."

  "Oh," Margaret said, as her eyes lit up, and she glanced from one to the other. "How wonderful! We could have such fun, Kasie. I confess, I get a little lonely from time to time with your father gone so much of the time on business. It would be so nice having you with me. We could cook up a storm, and shop, of course, and I've wanted to fix up that middle room for so long. Oh, and Kasie, you'd love it; we live right on the beach. We bought a house on the beach, right near the Oregon, California state line. It is so beautiful in the summer. I know you'd love it."

  "Sounds great, but I'll have to do something about my job. I've worked there for the past three years. I do have some vacation time saved up, but after this ..."

  "Sounds like Kasie has become pretty independent. It's hard to change something like that overnight," Rosie added

  "I'm not pushing her, Rosie," John said, trying to stifle a frown, "just trying to persuade her, is all."

  At least he would give her time to decide.

  * * *

  On Thanksgiving morning John sent Kasie a dozen pink roses to her room. He lavished Margaret with red roses and exotic perfume. He sent Rosie a big box of candy that she promptly called to thank him for.

  Kasie realized that this was her last day here, and that she had to make a decision soon. Her father was being very attentive and trying every way to persuade her.

  The Inn was decorated with all its Thanksgiving finery, and the restaurant was equipped with a huge pumpkin. Holiday songs echoed from the bar downstairs, and there was hustle and bustle all around.

  Thanksgiving started out strangely. The snow had begun to thaw a little, and the sun appeared from nowhere. It was a welcome sight to everyone. There were rumors of floods, but so far, they were only rumors.

  Kasie jumped out of bed with a start. And even though Chay Amory was on her mind almost constantly since she left the cabin, she was determined not to dwell on him today. No, today was Thanksgiving, it would be a special day she wouldn't forget with her father, Margaret and Rosie.

  Rosie was so full of life, she reminded Kasie of Julia.

  Kasie managed a quick shower, donned a pair of faded jeans and bright pink shirt then dashed downstairs. She paused long enough to marvel at the oil paintings of some of the captains on the wall lining the hallways. Their weathered faces seem to come right out of the oils. There was a huge, ballroom-like restaurant that hosted a solid oak bar, and a spectacular picture window that covered half a wall looking out to sea. The place was a shrine.

  Rosie was inside the big kitchen, tapping her foot to some lively music and humming. When she spotted Kasie, she invited her in. "Come on in, darlin'."

  "My, do you cook here, too?"

  "Nearly everyone cooks here, from one time to another. But on Thanksgiving and Christmas, we all do."

  "Can I help?"

  "Of course you can. Grab an apron from the last cabinet on the bottom there, and wash those giblets and set them on the fire for me," Rosie suggested, as though used to giving instructions..

  "This is all so wonderful, Rosie. I wish mother and I could have done things like this together."

  "And why couldn't you?" Rosie asked, surprised by her remark. Obviously, Rosie didn't know her mother.

  "You don't know my mother. She isn't the type to 'slave in a kitchen' all day. My mother is an actress."

  "Ah yes, I've seen her on screen. And a very good one, too," Rosie added, with a twinkle in her eyes. "I met her once, only briefly. She's a beautiful woman."

  "Yes, she's very good at what she does, I'll admit. But she's not very domesticated, Rosie."

  "What a shame for you."

  "Maybe, but the only one I ever cooked with was Julia, our nanny. Every now and then, when she didn't have a big party to prepare for, she'd let me come in the kitchen and help with things. I loved it. Miss it."

  "It sounds like you were very close to this Julia?"

  "Very."

  Rosie didn't pry any further.

  Kasie glanced at the full table of food, and laughed. "Goodness, someone must have started weeks ago."

  "More like a month, darlin', wait until you see the freezer," Rosie said with a laugh. "We'll have a mountain of food, but don't you worry, the way these men eat around here, there won't be a lot of leftovers, believe me."

  "Do the Captains and their families really come?"

  "All that are in port do. It's a tradition, of sorts. I think it started because the men were out to sea most of the time, and the one holiday they always seemed to come home for was Thanksgiving. And they hadn't seen their neighbors or friends "

  "It's wonderful. And who owns this beautiful place now, Rosie?'

  Rosie stopped what she was doing, and glanced at her in surprise. "You mean you really don't know?'

  "No, why should I?"

  "Your father owns it, darlin'. Has for over five years."

  "Are you serious?"

  "You've a lot of catching up to do, haven't you?"

  "Yes, I suppose I do."

  In less than an hour Kasie found herself deeply engrossed in an apple pie recipe, flour all over her cheeks. She was too distracted with her work to worry about anything today. And she was having a blast.

  Margaret came down an hour or so later and joined in the fun. She was modestly dressed in jeans and sweatshirt and was ready to dig in and help. And that's exactly what it was, too: fun! The three of them told jokes and odd little stories about themselves, and laughed together as though they had been acquainted all their lives.

  It was no wonder there was a satisfied look on John Douglas' face when he spotted the three of them knee-deep in flour, and laughing about it.

  His face beamed with happiness, and he looked so much younger than his sixty-three years. His glance toward Margaret told Kasie everything she needed to know about their relationship. They were very much in love, and Kasie was happy for her father.

  Her eyes flitted to the man with silver hair and shining emer
ald eyes. There were a lot of things she didn't know about her father, yet. But she was going to learn.

  Return to Contents

  * * *

  Chapter Twelve

  Rosie was right; everyone in Eugene turned out for Thanksgiving dinner. People were coming in from miles around with food. Families, big and small, brought food to place on the huge buffet. Some would stop long enough to admire the portraits on the walls of the fathers and ancestors that lined the hallway of the Inn. Others related stories of their latest ocean adventures.

  Coats and hats rested on several hall trees by the entrance.

  Children laughed and ran about the place as though they owned it, while most of the women joined Rosie and Margaret and Kasie in the kitchen.

  The men gathered around the huge, plate glass window that overlooked the bay area. Pipes and cigars were lit, while tall tales of the season's fishing were told. Kasie couldn't stop herself from listening to some of them, fascinated by the illustrious way they were told and retold, always adding more detail each time.

  The long table was abundantly adorned with all manner of food. Turkeys, hams, brisket, smoked salmon, even lobster and shrimp made up the main courses. There were vegetables of every color, and salads and dips, not to mention the abundance of desserts that lined one long area of the buffet. It was a feast for an army.

  The center Captain's table Rosie had held for herself and her special guests, which included John, Margaret and Kasie, and several empty chairs. Rosie had been elected many years ago as the head delegate for this auspicious occasion, and she was in her element, dressed in her red and white dress; she beamed.

  "I'm so glad we stayed here, dad," Kasie was saying, as everyone sat down. "After Rosie told me what a festival it was, I had to admit I was excited. There are so many families here, and yet it's a homey place to be for the holidays, don't you think?"

  "I most certainly do. I've always enjoyed my holidays here, when I can make it, that is. I just wasn't sure you'd like it. And I'm glad you quit calling me Father and started calling me Dad. I never liked formalities in a family." John winked at Margaret, and reached to hold Kasie's hand. "I'm glad you are here to take part, and that it pleases you."

  He studied her hand for a long moment, then winked at Margaret. "A pretty hand, only it needs some jewelry."

  "Now, John," Margaret warned.

  "I don't think so," Kasie said, with a genuine smile.

  Despite everything, she wasn't going to think of Amory today. She wasn't going to wonder whom he'd celebrate with, or whom he'd end up marrying, either. She wasn't going to worry that he might not marry at all, that he might live on that mountain alone for the rest of his life.

  "Well now," Rosie said, as she clanged the big ship bell at the end of the table. A hush fell over the room full of people. "First, I think we owe a round of thanks to the Chin's, since most of this feast is, has, and probably always will be prepared by them."

  The Chinese family stood up, bowed and smiled broadly at Rosie, who insisted on bragging about them. "Beyond the call of duty, we believe, for any chef. And now I'd like the..."

  The big double doors of the Inn burst open suddenly, sending a northerly breeze rushing through the room, and a small crowd of people came through to the tables.

  "Sorry, Rosie, are we interrupting?" Chayton Amory asked, bold as daylight itself.

  What was he doing here? Kasie's thoughts ran rampant. Could she manage this?

  John was on his feet and shaking hands with them. They spoke quietly for several minutes, and then John returned to his place at the table.

  Kasie sank down into her seat, but she couldn't stop her eyes from traveling up and down Amory several times. She was hungry for the sight of him. He looked so tired, but he was clean-shaven, and was wearing new clothes. She couldn't stop herself from admiring how well they fit.

  "Chayton, me darlin', come here and give Ole Rosie a big bear hug," She chuckled, grabbing him none too gently. He swung her around a few times before he let her go. Rosie's dress swished in the air. "And Tanka, darlin', and Gina, dear. I'm so glad the three of you could make it."

  "Gina Russo, everyone." Tanka smiled, then held up her hand with a big diamond ring dangling from it. "Soon to be Gina Amory."

  "Wonderful! It's about time you devil," someone shouted from the back of the room.

  A round of cheers rang out, and glasses clanged. "To the Bride and Groom!"

  "And who have we here?" Rosie was looking beyond them to the couple standing shyly in the rear.

  "This is Bill and Heather Williams, everyone. They are the couple from the plane crash. I'm not sure they are up to this, but they gotta eat, so I brought them here. We figured this was the best place to come for food, and they are famished," Amory explained, encouraging the couple to join them at the main table. His mind wasn't on the festivities, or the young couple he had helped rescue, but his eyes betrayed him several times as he drank in Kasie once more. She was lovelier than ever, looking beautiful in her green gingham dress, but then, she was beautiful in anything, he thought quietly.

  "Welcome." Rosie beamed, shaking his hand and smiling at Heather. "We're so glad you've come, and that you're not hurt."

  "It's wonderful to be here. We have a lot to be thankful for." They were a young couple, and they shyly clung to each other.

  "I was going to have Thanksgiving at my place, but we were a little tied up this year," Amory remarked as he joined everyone at the table. He chose a chair just in front of Kasie. His eyes met hers briefly, as he sat down. Kasie tingled down to her toes.

  Rosie clanged the bell once more. "Now, as I started to say, we'll have a word of thanks and prayer from the Reverend Johnson, as is our custom. As you can see for yourself, folks, we have much to be thankful for."

  Kasie was thankful, too. She had seen the most glorious land in the world, and been a part of it for a short time.

  The Reverend finished, and everyone chatted merrily as they gathered about the buffet. Napkins flew in the air, forks clanged, children laughed and everyone chatted.

  Amory was busy talking with John and Margaret, and it afforded Kasie a little time to reflect, and to enjoy the sight of him without him knowing it.

  Just before Rosie sat down, she reminded everyone to enjoy their meal and eat up. "Don't be bashful, there's a mountain of food here, and I'll be asking Chayton and Tanka to do the carving, please. That is, if you're up to it."

  Amory and Tanka moved to the buffet, while everyone else lined up with their platters and utensils.

  It was a half hour later before Kasie sat down at the table again, her plate half full of a variety of foods.

  She wasn't hungry. How could she be hungry with a thousand butterflies churning at her tummy? In fact, food had been the least of her worries since she arrived at the Inn.

  Being in the same room with Chayton Amory and her father could become an ordeal, she suddenly realized with trepidation.

  She nibbled at her food, stirring it about her plate to make it look as though she were interested, and eating well.

  "Aren't you hungry, dear?" Margaret asked.

  "I probably sampled too much while we were cooking."

  Margaret seemed to understand completely. "I know. I'm not sure I can do my plate real justice."

  At least she had a comrade.

  "You boys look none the worse for wear," John Douglas was saying, as he sat his plate in front of him, heaped to the limit. Amory and Tanka joined them at the table.

  "We had a hard time finding the plane," Amory began, his eyes going quickly around the table and stopping on Kasie just a little longer than the rest. "The snow was no help, of course, and the plane itself nearly burrowed right into the mountain. By the time we reached it, only a small part of it was recognizable. Trouble is, we came around to that same spot a couple of times before we realized what we were seeing. It's still hard for me to believe they came out of that thing with as few injuries as scrapes and bruises. Bill's
got a busted arm, and Heather has a couple of busted ribs, but all in all, they are in great shape."

  "Totaled?" John surmised quickly.

  Tanka leaned forward. "Completely."

  Kasie's glance flew to the young couple. "You were very lucky."

  "Yes, I'd say it's a good day to give thanks."

  Laughter floated around the room.

  "We were all so worried," Margaret added solemnly, her eyes straying to the young woman.