by Lawna Mackie
“This is for you, Jazira. You’re larger than any dog, but I’ve made it as big as I can. You wear this and then I attach you to the sled. You pull and I’ll push with my feet. Do you think you can try?”
“Yes, let’s try.”
Samuel put her in the harness and she shook. It wasn’t the most comfortable thing in the world, but she’d do it for her new family and Quinn.
He attached her to the lead lines and readied himself. “Are you ready, Jazira?
She didn’t respond, just jolted forward running in the direction Quinn disappeared.
The weight of the sleigh was nothing. Her shoulder hurt from the exertion, but she continued to run using her nose to guide them.
Eventually, Samuel’s voice asked her to halt. “Why are we stopping?” she asked, looking over her shoulder.
He approached her and undid the lead. “You need to drink and rest a bit.” Samuel pulled out a cantina of water and put some in a bowl for her to drink. She did so gladly. Also from the pack he opened some jerky and shared a piece with her.
“Where do you think they are?”
Samuel chewed the jerky. “Probably just about to hit the switch backs. Jazira, when we get close I’m going to set you loose and I’ll catch them on foot. Perhaps you could cause a diversion?”
She nodded her head. “I’m ready to go again.”
He hooked her up and off they went.
How much time went by Jazira didn’t know. Her thoughts were on Quinn and Amanda, hoping they’d be okay.
Stopping for the last time, Samuel removed the harness. “Okay, let’s go. Jazira, be careful. They will shoot you again.”
“I understand,” she said and bolted down the path ahead of him.
It took her no time at all to catch them. She circled around the party with enough distance to not alert the horses. They were half way through the steep terrain.
She circled back toward Samuel who ran silently down the path.
“They’re just ahead,” she whispered to him.
He nodded and took a drink.
“Jazira, do you think you could distract them from up ahead while I sneak in behind them?”
“Yes, I think I can.” She trotted away from him.
Making a large sweep around the group, Jazira came down the path toward them. They wouldn’t see her until they stumbled upon her.
She crouched on the hill behind the trees and spied them. George came first with Amanda on his horse, followed by Quinn and one man. The last rider was alone.
Jazira sprang from the trees with a growl then darted back over the hill. The horses spooked, and Amanda fell from the horse to the ground.
“What the hell?” George yelled, trying to gain control of the horse.
She snuck up behind the last man, snapping and jumping at the horse’s feet. The frightened animal reared and bucked. The actions had the desired effect. The horses went crazy and finally Quinn also landed on the ground.
Silently, she watched Samuel slip in behind the last man. In seconds the villain dropped to the ground.
Amanda ran for Quinn who lay on the ground. “I’m okay,” Jazira heard him say.
“Damn wolf,” George yelled. “I thought I’d killed you. I won’t miss this time.”
He tried to get his gun, but the horse reared and fought with him. Samuel appeared from the forest and leapt at the second man. He fell. They struggled on the ground, and Jazira could see George raise his rifle at Samuel. Quinn screamed and ran forward toward the fighting men.
The gun aimed. “No,” Jazira screamed and jumped through the air as the shot sounded.
She heard the horse’s frenzied whinny and George’s scream. She floated through the air toward the ground, and watched the horse and George go over the steep edge and crash through the trees and boulders.
Jazira hit the ground with a thud. It was hard to breathe. She’d been hit again, but this time she knew it was different…worse.
She struggled for air and sneezed. Blood ran from her nose.
Quinn ran for her. “Jazira. No! No! No! You have to be okay.”
She felt him bury his face in her fur. “You’re…okay,” she wheezed.
“Mom. Samuel. Do something,” he begged through the tears. “She lived before. She can live again,” he cried.
Gently, she licked his face. “I’ll always be with you, Quinn.”
Samuel bent over her. “Please take me to Lost Lake, Samuel,” she asked him weakly.
“I love you, Jazira. You can’t leave me,” Quinn screamed.
“I love you too, Quinn.” Her long lashes slowly closed.
∗ ∗ ∗
Chapter Fifteen
Amanda pulled Quinn away as he cried.
“Amanda, stay put for a few minutes.” Samuel collected Roman and galloped up the hill.
“Mom, let me stay by her. Please.”
Tears streamed down her face. “We’ll both stay by her son.”
They sat and petted her fur. When Samuel returned, he pulled the sled. He dismounted and bent to Quinn. “I’m so sorry, Quinn.”
Quinn stopped crying and stared blankly at Jazira.
“I’m going to take her to Lost Lake, like she wanted,” Samuel stated. “Amanda, help me lift her onto the sled.”
Once secured on the sled, Samuel spoke to both of them. “I want you to take the other horse and head back to town. Follow the trail down. I’ll be ahead of you. Go find the Sheriff and tell him everything.” Silence ensued. It seemed she’d lost her ability to think or talk.
“Amanda,” Samuel barked. “Go! Do what I’ve asked!”
She snapped out of it. She collected the horse’s reins and wrapped her arms around Quinn’s shoulders and began walking.
Amanda heard Quinn start to cry again as Samuel galloped off ahead of them, taking Jazira back to the lake.
The two walked in silence down the mountain.
The tears gathering in Samuel’s eyes spilled over. She hadn’t deserved to die, and she wasn’t just a wolf. The ground flattened out and the eerie lake appeared ahead.
He looked for the spot where he thought he’d found her the first time. Now the edges of the lake were frozen. Unhooking the sled, he pulled her by hand out onto the ice. Moonlight shone over the lake and in the centre of the open water a blue and red light shot up from the centre. Samuel’s heart beat rapidly.
Without fear for himself, he continued on the ice. It cracked and he stopped. The open water rippled only four feet away. Silently he bent down and touched Jazira’s head. A tear slid from his cheek and dropped to her black fur.
“It was my pleasure to have met you, young lady.” He said a prayer, then stood and let the lake do what it deemed best…swallow souls.
Back on shore he turned and watched as the light spread and the ice gave way. Jazira’s body and the sled slowly sank into Lost Lake along with a bright mist.
“Damn lake,” he cursed.
Mounting Roman, he urged him back up the mountain.
∗ ∗ ∗
Chapter Sixteen
Amanda and Quinn passed the cemetery and eventually crossed over the bridge into the town of Bandit Creek. The Powder Horn Saloon was on their left and Jack stumbled out.
She halted the horse. He spoke. “Earth to earth. Ashes to ashes. Dust to dust. And water to water.” Why she gave him the time of day surprised her. Quinn opened his eyes.
“Things aren’t always as they seem…never have been,” he slurred.
“What’s that suppose to mean?” she asked annoyed.
He turned and headed back toward the saloon.
Amanda shrugged her shoulders.
“What does he mean, Mom?”
“I don’t know, sweetie. I really have no idea.”
They continued down Main Street heading for the Sheriff’s office. Before she could even dismount, the Sheriff came out the door.
“Mrs. Drake, we’ve been concerned for you.” The words stunned her.
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��You have?”
“Why yes. I’d heard about the wood being tossed through your window and, well, some of the other unsavory comments from folks.”
“Sheriff, my fiancée has a cabin up on Crow Mountain. George Ellis and two of his counterparts kidnapped Quinn and myself. I’m afraid there were some terrible accidents up on that trail. You might want to ride up there.”
“I see. I expected there might be trouble. Are you two okay?”
“We’ll be okay,” she said sadly.
“Quinn, Christmas is two days away. You must be happy about that?” the Sheriff asked, probably trying to make him smile.
“I don’t believe in Christmas,” Quinn responded angrily.
“Quinn, mind your manners,” Amanda scolded.
“Well I don’t. I hate Christmas.”
“Sorry, Sheriff, he’s had a traumatic night and day.”
“I understand. Go home and get some rest. By the way, I believe Mr. Murphy replaced that window of yours.”
She smiled. Of course he would. They continued past the boarding house, turning onto Birch. Amanda dismounted and straightened, helping Quinn off.
“Quinn, do you think you could start the fires, please?”
He walked into the house without answering.
Amanda removed the horse’s saddle and tethered him. She left him with a flake of hay and a bucket of water. It was the best she could do for now.
Quinn started the fires like she asked, and then went to his room and closed the door.
Amanda awoke on the sofa at a knock on the door. She straightened her dress and walked to the entranceway, pulling the door open. Mr. & Mrs. Murphy stood on the porch.
“Oh dear, you are okay? Aren’t you?” Mr. Murphy asked.
She rubbed her neck. “Yes, I’m okay. Please come in.” She held the door open.
“Well, we also brought something for you.”
Mr. Murphy grabbed the tree from the ground. “I noticed you didn’t have one and when I saw you riding into town early this morning, we thought you should have a tree. Christmas being two days away and all.”
“That’s very kind of you.” She held the door open wider while he carried the tree in and placed it by the window.
“I brought you some decorations, Amanda. I didn’t know what you’d have,” Mrs. Murphy added.
“I don’t know how to thank you,” she said.
“Everyone should be kind at Christmas. The Sheriff’s been coming down hard on everyone in town for giving you a rough time,” Mrs. Murphy said.
Amanda moved to the kitchen, preparing a pot of tea.
“George Ellis hasn’t been seen in a few days,” Mr. Murphy added.
“You won’t be seeing him again,” Amanda declared.
The old man chuckled. “Best damn news I’ve heard for a long time. He didn’t deserve kindness.”
Amanda’s knees began to shake and she dropped the teacup. It shattered on the floor at her feet.
Mr. Murphy immediately caught her by the shoulders and helped her to a chair. “I’m sorry, Amanda. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
She wiped her nose on the handkerchief. “I’m just over tired and worried about Quinn and Samuel.”
“Things have a way of working themselves out, even here in Bandit Creek,” Mrs. Murphy stated with a definite nod. “Come on, we’ve imposed enough,” she said, setting the basket down and grabbing her husband’s arm. “You take all the time you need, dear.”
“Thank you both. I don’t know what I would have ever done without you.”
They exited the house after Mr. Murphy offered to take the horse back to the stable for her.
Amanda stared at the tree, but just didn’t have the heart to decorate it. She opened Quinn’s door, curled up beside him and drifted off.
Samuel made his way into town with the Sheriff. He left the horse at Mr. Murphy’s and made his way to Amanda’s. The house looked dark. He opened the unlocked door, and removed his jacket and boots.
He headed to Quinn’s room and found the two fast asleep. He didn’t have the heart to wake them. After stoking the fires, he lay on the sofa and sought sleep himself.
Tomorrow was Christmas Eve, and he had his work cut out for him trying to make Christmas special.
∗ ∗ ∗
CHRISTMAS EVE
Samuel awoke first with the break of day. Both Amanda and Quinn remained asleep. He washed and dressed, brewing coffee when he heard the door creak open.
Her smile lit up his world. She crossed the room to fling herself into his arms. “I’m so glad to see you.” Tears flowed down her cheeks.
“I told you I’d be here.”
She kissed his black eye and bruised cheeks.
“Jazira?” she asked quietly.
“Lost Lake took her back,” he responded sadly.
She choked back a sob. “I don’t think Quinn will be okay.”
He held her tight. “We’ll do our best to help with that.” After fetching her a coffee and a biscuit he said, “I think we should decorate the tree. And there’s a turkey thawing in the sink.”
Together they placed bows and ribbons on the tree. To Amanda’s surprise, Samuel went to the entryway and grabbed some wrapped packages.
“What? When did you get gifts?” she asked.
“I did go back to the cabin, and I did make it to the city…before I got ambushed.” The door opened and Quinn stepped out.
He approached Samuel. “Is she gone?”
He knelt to Quinn’s level. “She’s back with her parents,” he said. “Back where she asked to be.”
Quinn hung his head and stared at the tree. “She didn’t know what Christmas was. She liked the tree.”
The day came and went slowly. Darkness descended and the town folk went caroling. The large tree in Ellis Park stood decorated, while people sang Christmas carols. Quinn asked to stay home despite Amanda’s pleading. She and Samuel went off alone.
Flakes of Christmas snow fluttered to the ground, sparkling in the dim light from the windows of the surrounding homes.
Quinn walked to the tree by the window, staring up at it. He couldn’t believe there were any tears left within him, but one escaped and trickled down his cheek. Then he noticed it. The present he made for Jazira. He bent and picked it up from under the boughs. The dark leather formed a collar that came to a “V”, and at the bottom of the “V” he’d hung the golden nugget. He had stitched all the edges and inscribed her name on it. The back bore the inscription, Merry Christmas.
No star shone from the top of the tree, so Quinn stood on a chair and draped the collar over the top. The gold nugget shone brightly.
He stepped off the chair and put it away before returning to the tree. The fire glowed in the fireplace, and he could hear the Christmas carolers singing softly in the distant park.
Quinn bent in front of the tree, hung his head and said a prayer.
God, please let Jazira be okay. Don’t let her be alone, and tell her that we loved her very much. She stood up for me and was always brave. Tomorrow is Christmas, but I’ve already had my Christmas gift, and that was Jazira. Thank you for that gift. Thank you for Jazira. I wish I could have shared Christmas with her. Please don’t let the evil in Lost Lake take her soul. Amen.
Amanda and Samuel came home and the three enjoyed eggnog and short bread cookies. He even laughed a couple times, but soon it was time for bed. He lay awake for quite some time thinking of Christmases past. He said another prayer for his father and drifted off to sleep.
CHRISTMAS DAY
Quinn had no idea what time it was, but he woke to a strange sound.
He pulled back his covers and walked into the sitting room. It was early, five a.m. to be exact. He listened carefully and waited.
Sure enough the noise came again. He peeked out the window but couldn’t see anything. With hesitation, he moved to the door. His heart thundered in his chest. He could barely breathe. He held his ear to the door and stood quiet.
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When no noise came, he slid down the doorframe and sat. A quiet whine sounded through the wood. Unable to stop himself, he cried and sprang to his feet, yanking the door open.
There stood Jazira in full wolf form. She sprang forward, knocking him inside the doorway, straddling him with her large body. He laughed and hugged her tightly.
The bedroom door flung open. Samuel burst out, followed by Amanda.
“What the…Jazira?” Samuel asked.
She leapt off Quinn and pounced his way, standing up on her hind legs to hug him. “Yes, it’s me. It’s me.” She jumped off Samuel and found Amanda, winding around her legs in a circle. “I’m back!” Jazira said. “I’m back!”
Quinn ran to her and placed his arms around her.
“How many times can you die?” he asked. “No wait. Don’t answer that. Please don’t ever die again.”
“I’ll try not to, I promise.”
It was the best Christmas morning ever. They all gathered around the tree and Quinn asked Samuel to reach the collar. Quinn took it and slowly extended it toward her.
“I made this for you, Jazira.”
She sniffed at it and stuck her nose out. Carefully he placed it around her large neck. The gold nugget brightly shone against her black fur. “It’s beautiful, Quinn. I’ll always wear it. I’ll never take it off.”
Jazira looked at Amanda. Amanda motioned to the tree and Jazira’s tail wagged. She picked up the package with her mouth and handed it to him.
“For me?” he asked.
She nodded. Quinn giggled with laughter and opened his gift. He put his mitts on and proceeded to tickle her and chase her around the small home.
“Okay, you two. You’re going to tear the walls down.” Amanda laughed at their antics.
It was then Samuel handed the small package to his Mom. Quinn and Jazira stopped and watched her open the box to reveal a gold band. “I hope you don’t mind, but we’re getting married today. The minister has been booked.”
Quinn clapped and Jazira jumped up and down.
“Wait!” Jazira said, full of excitement. “I have a gift to share with all of you. There was a large fight in Lost Lake. It’s very evil down there, but there is also a good creature. I don’t know what it is, but it saved me this time, not because I was a child, but because I would give my life for all of you. Because I did that, I was allowed to live and I can do something else.” She ran to Quinn’s bedroom. “Just give me a minute or two, and don’t come in.”
