Heart of the Wild

by Rita Hestand

  Amory sat up straight and glanced directly at Kasie. "All of you?"

  "Of course," John added.

  "Sorry about that, it was quite unintentional. But there was no real danger, except for the weather and locating the plane itself. Now even the weather has cleared, which was a real break coming into Eugene. Of course, Tanka here is our real hero. He was the first one to spot the plane, and I dare say he's probably in a lot of pain from his fresh wound."

  John shot Tanka a concerned look. "Yes, Kasie told us about that bear hunt, and all the crazy, would-be hunters. It must have been a little hairy during that ordeal?"

  Amory purposely sought Kasie out, a slow smile spreading over his tired, but happy face. They were sharing a silent moment, and she knew it; a moment with Ole Blue.

  Kasie flushed bright pink, wondering if he was on the verge of telling them about Ole Blue. Instead, he kept silent.

  Memories of her time with Amory, the bear, and her own adventure filled her mind, all at once. Her first encounter with Amory on the beach, her first kiss in the hotel, the bear, the blisters, and now--the heartache. Tears welled, making it painful to breathe without spilling them. But she couldn't let everyone see her cry. She swallowed hard, and refused any further temptation to look directly at Amory.

  Some day she would let it all come out. When she was home alone. When she gave herself time to think, to feel.

  "Well now, Chay," John announced, clearing his throat effectively, "Kasie has been rather quiet about her time on the mountain. I thought she'd be full of stories to tell us. Maybe you can fill us in."

  Again she could feel Amory's eyes on her, burning into her, demanding she look his way. But she steadfastly refused to look at him again, pretending a sudden interest in her food.

  "What can I say, John?" Amory said, no longer looking at her. "She was a rather reluctant guest. Probably the most reluctant guest I've ever had. Oh, hey, excuse me, but the Gordon's sent a couple of pies with us, and I've forgotten to bring them in."

  "Bless her, I'll bet it's mincemeat. She always sends mincemeat," Rosie cried. "I wish they'd have come. Is young Kyle doing better?"

  "I checked on them on the way down, and Kyle is much better. In fact, after graduation he's going to work with the rangers. He said two or three of them had stopped by to check on his condition and tell him all about the bear hunt."

  "How wonderful!"

  "Tanka," John called, turning to him suddenly. "Can you shed a little more light on the subject for us about Kasie's time on the mountain?"

  John was being deliberately inquisitive. Kasie felt the unease growing, despite the fact that Amory had left the table. But she realized Tanka would paint a better picture, and encouraged him to talk. "Go ahead, tell him."

  Tanka winked at her, then glanced around the table, a slow smile spreading across his face. "She was great, John. Just great. A real trooper, if I saw one. I mean, this little gal could be of pioneer stock. Why, she handled Ole Blue by herself, without a gun, which was more than most men up there had been doing lately. And she cooked and cleaned and never once complained, except that she wanted to go home, of course. She even chopped wood. She's as good as any mountain woman I've seen."

  "And you've seen a lot?" Gina prodded, with a gentle laugh.

  "My share," he said with a laugh, and the entire room laughed with him.

  "My daughter chopped wood?" John seemed amazed. Confusion lit his face, as well as curiosity. "How modest of you, Kasie. You haven't said a word about it."

  Kasie glanced at her new found friends and smiled. "There's nothing very interesting about chopping wood, Dad. I learned that real fast."

  A round of laughter lightened the mood.

  She got a roomful of approval on that one.

  "No, but I am impressed! It seems I have a lot to learn about my daughter. I'm very pleased and proud."

  "You should be, John! She's quite a lady," Amory added as he placed the food on the table and joined them again. He didn't look directly at Kasie, but rather her father.

  "Enough about me, I think Gina should have some recognition, here. After all, she played nursemaid to both Kyle and Tanka!" Kasie took the attention away from herself deliberately. Everyone turned to look at Gina. Everyone, that is, except Amory.

  John shook his head. "It sounds like the women have been doing most of the work up there lately."

  Gina's face flushed at her sudden audience. "Maybe. But you'll be proud to know these boys are now in the middle of putting a bathroom in, John."

  "About time," Margaret said, and shot them both a quick wink. "I don't know how we girls put up with such things."

  Amory had been right about one thing; Margaret was a lovely woman, in all respects. Kasie was quickly falling in love with her and Rosie. She realized, too, that Margaret would be good for her father. It was obvious that Margaret had a great sense of humor, a factor her father was short on most of the time. As far back as she could remember, John Douglas had never had a loving relationship with a woman. Ava and John had fought most of their married life. They were so different, and yet so alike.

  Kasie suddenly felt as though she had become a small pat of butter, melting into the crowd. She was forgotten for the moment, and she liked it that way. For the first time, being ignored had its advantages. The way her father kept insisting on bringing her up caused Kasie to want to hide. She had never liked the spotlight, least of all now.

  This was a wonderful day, full of surprises, and yet so very painful, because today she knew she was saying goodbye to everyone and to everything here. She was still an outsider, despite the fact that she chopped wood, cooked and maintained her sanity; this was not her home. She had made friends here, too, but would they write or call or even come see her? She doubted it.

  She'd see her dad occasionally. There would be visits, and maybe better communication from now on. And perhaps he'd take more time for her. But Tanka and Gina and Rosie and especially Amory were practically history. It was like waking up out of a dream, and wondering if she should have woken up at all.

  "I'd like to apologize publicly to my daughter and to Chay for the obvious strain I must have put them through. I only hope you both survived it without too many scars."

  Scars? That was the word for it.

  Amory nodded, his brow knitting, "Thank you for that, John." He hesitated, as he sought Kasie out once more. "We survived. And I'm sure Kasie is relieved to know I'm not a real kidnapper. Now she can get back to her life. And I apologize here and now, in front of all these witnesses for keeping her from it."

  Kasie responded with a mere nod to him.

  "That said, let's have a bit of music," Rosie chimed into the conversation. She was perhaps the only one with the perception to change the subject. However, when she glanced at Kasie, Kasie realized Rosie knew everything. How she knew was unimportant. She knew.

  Somewhere in the background a soft, sea-faring melody echoed. Couples got out of their chairs and onto the wood and sawdust dance floor. A short, thin little man, with a mustache bigger than his face came over to Rosie and held out his hand to her. Rosie beamed and took his hand.

  "Corky, you ole rascal, how are you doing?" Amory slapped him on the back just as he was headed for the dance floor. The old man grunted and took Rosie into his arms.

  "Later, Chayton, right now I want to dance a slow jig with me girl." He drawled in what Kasie could only describe as a Popeye kind of voice.

  "Good for you."

  Kasie had never seen Amory in such good humor. He was like a new man. His ruggedly handsome face was transformed by his beguiling smile. He was all clean and fresh shaven, and wearing new clothes. His jeans were black and dressy, and his shirt was a beautiful rainbow of muted blues and grays.

  Suddenly his fleeting gaze landed on her, like a camera zooming in for a closer shot. Most everyone had moved onto the dance floor, when he walked around the table, slowly and stood provocatively in front of her.

  "Will you dance
with me, Kasie?" His voice was low and husky, his eyes searching hers.

  Kasie swallowed hard, then managed in a thin voice, "But I thought you said you couldn't dance?"

  "I can't, but indulge me, will you?"

  Several eyes were on them, and she didn't want to cause a scene. She followed him onto the dance floor and waited until he took her into his arms. He pulled her close. And they fit perfectly.

  He moved stiffly at first, but when he finally relaxed, his movements smoothed out.

  Her hips joined his, and her palms began to sweat.

  "Don't worry, I'm not a very good dancer, myself," she murmured as he whirled her about.

  "Oh, I don't know; we certainly seem to fit just right. I've never danced with a partner tall enough to lay her head on my shoulder. Maybe that's why I never cared much for dancing. At least with you I don't have to stoop over."

  They passed John and Margaret, and her father winked at her.

  Kasie wondered what he thought of them dancing together. Or if he thought anything at all about it. Would he fit the puzzle together?

  "So, how was meeting your father again?"

  She lifted her head from his shoulder, unaware of how relaxed she had become. "It was—" what word could she use? "--nice."

  "Really? I didn't know if you two would be fighting or hugging. But I voted for the latter."

  She kept silent. She didn't want to talk. Chayton Amory was holding her, dancing with her, and the last thing she wanted to talk about was her father.

  "I like that dress. It matches your eyes. Where did it come from?"

  "Margaret and I went shopping earlier." She felt giddy from his compliment. She was aware that the neckline was a little lower than she was used to wearing, but why complain? He wasn't. In fact, he hadn't taken his eyes off her most of the evening.

  "And the perfume?"

  "Margaret's. She insisted I wear some of hers. It's imported."

  He seemed to notice the way all the resentment was gone from her voice when she spoke of Margaret, and he smiled and twirled her across the floor as though she were light as a feather.

  His hands went lazily to her hair that was half up and half down. He seemed impressed with everything she had done for this occasion. Nothing like a man appreciating the efforts.

  "Your hair—"

  "You don't like it?" she questioned, reaching to touch it, their hands colliding in mid air.

  "How could I not like your hair? It's beautiful, you're beautiful, Kasie. And what makes you even more so, is that you don't know it."

  That took her by surprise. She almost stopped dancing. But she couldn't. She was floating on air.

  "You're not mad at me anymore, are you, Kasie?"

  "N--no, of course not. I never was--" she felt as though she were stumbling over her words. He smiled, and she practically melted into his embrace.

  His cheek brushed hers slightly, and he pulled her tighter into his arms. His big hands felt warm, caressing. The softness of his corduroy jacket brushed against her arms, stimulating her nerve ends. Could this day go on forever, she thought dreamily? "And have you forgiven me, too?"

  "Forgiven you?" she asked blankly, so wrapped up in her feelings, she forgot her conversation. "Oh, you mean for...well yes, of course. I mean, I don't condone it, but under the circumstances, and knowing dad..."

  He laughed aloud, "Kasie, I wish you'd have been here in the springtime. It's really beautiful country in the mountains, during spring." He was saying so softly that only she could hear.

  His lips nuzzled the side of her face as he spoke, and she trembled, fearing her legs would fail to carry her through the entire dance. "I'm sure it's beautiful." She murmured in a half breath.

  The song ended and she started to go back to her table, but he pulled her back into his arms again.

  "And what do you think of Margaret?" He asked, his eyes searching hers for the truth, as he held her close.

  Kasie stared into his eyes. "I think she's wonderful. I think she'll be good for Dad. I can see they are in love."

  "I'm glad you like her. But I'm surprised you used the word love. Maybe you do believe in it after all," he said, his lips brushing her cheek.

  Heat began to rise between them, bathing her face in a pink glow. It felt as though the thermostat had been turned up to eighty degrees.

  A hint of his woodsy cologne tickled her nose. The smooth caress of his cheek against hers burned through her, branding her. Her toes tickled, her mouth went dry and her heart stopped when she heard him say.

  "I love you, Kasie, I always have."

  He said it so softly, so dreamily, she wasn't sure she heard him correctly. And this was important.

  "W--what did you say?" She broke the warm embrace and stared up into his handsome face.

  "I said I'll miss you, Kasie," he smiled gently into her confused face. A light chuckle drifted above her head as he pulled her into his arms. "I'm going to do you one big favor, though. I'm going to let you go. Because the last thing I want to do is control you. You've been fighting that battle a little too long."

  The song ended, and she stood still in the middle of the big room, staring up at him. Everyone else was leaving the floor. But she stood very still. She wanted to jump into his arms, kiss him, but his last words stilled her. He was letting her go? Why? To what? A life of doom? A life without love? His love?

  Almost in slow motion, he walked her back to the table. As she stood numbly by his side, he suddenly excused himself for the evening.

  He was leaving, her mind screamed, but her body stood still. What was wrong with her? Had she lost her mind? She was letting him go, just like that?

  "Hate to be a party pooper, but it's been a long day, folks. A great dinner. The food was outstanding, as usual. So was the company. John, I'm glad you finally made it back, I was worried, I'll admit. I'm not a real kidnapper, Kasie."

  "But son--"

  "Tanka, congrats again to you and Gina. It's about time you made an honest woman of her, you rascal. I just hope she knows what she's getting herself into. Rosie, you're a lovely hostess as always, and Kasie, you are an experience I won't soon forget." He winked at her and turned around and walked off.

  Walked off. Just like that. No more fighting.

  Kasie's mouth was still hanging open. She plopped down in the chair, flabbergasted! He was leaving her, just like that. Everything else between them had been a fight, why not this?

  "Now, why on earth would he leave this early? It's not like Chay at all. I hope he's alright. He wasn't injured from that rescue, was he?" Margaret was fretting.

  Tanka shook his head and smiled as though he knew something everyone else didn't. "No, no injury, at least not physical." He glanced at Kasie and nodded. "I'm surprised he stayed this long. Chay's not a party animal, you all know that. Probably got something on his mind, is all."

  John glanced sharply at his daughter. "Did the two of you have words, Kasie?"

  "Words?"

  "Again?" someone echoed.

  "Words?" she screamed this time. She'd been as charming as she knew how to be. She hadn't uttered one ugly word to anyone, and yet, they all looked at her as though she had brought his departure on. Her fists came down on the table to beat it. Her nervous foot stomping the floor, "No, father, we didn't have words. He simply told me he loved me, and that I could go home now. That's all! Does that make sense to you?"

  "Loves you?"

  Her voice had risen, and the entire room hushed.

  "Now, see here, Kasie. Exactly what did go on in that cabin?" John Douglas demanded to know starting to get to his feet.

  "Go on?" her voice still rose. "Go on? Think the worst of me. But the answer is, nothing, Father. But I'll guarantee you one thing, the next time you see me, you better have a preacher with you!"

  "Kasie!" John Douglas shot to his feet, his face red, but with anger or embarrassment, she didn't know.

  And with that the whole place began to cheer her onward in her que
st.

  Kasie ran out the door, hoping to catch up to Amory, but he was out of sight. The night was clear, and the moon shone like a beacon.

  Without forethought, she marched right back inside, demanded her father's keys, and marched back out. It didn't dawn on her how quickly her father had thrown her the keys to his new jeep. Nor did she notice how his scowl had suddenly turned to a big grin. Not until she was miles up the mountain did she realize her father had already given his approval.

  John had stood up, and turned Kasie to meet his gaze. "Where are you going?" He had demanded.