Home Sweet Alaska

by Beth Carpenter

  “Aren’t you dating someone in Salt Lake?” Volta asked, a little more sharply than she’d intended.

  Stacy shrugged. “Nobody’s made any commitments. I wouldn’t mind spending an evening or two with a cowboy.”

  “I doubt he’d have time. He’s only in town for a little while and he has a job to do,” Volta said.

  “The riding instructor isn’t from here?” Hannah asked.

  “He’s not a professional riding instructor,” Volta admitted. “He’s a doctor with DEMA. I’ve been assisting him on a study he’s doing, and when he heard Emma’s riding lessons had been canceled, he volunteered to fill in until her regular instructor gets back.”

  Stacy raised her eyebrows. “Oh, so this is the doctor Emma mentioned. The one who came to her birthday party.”

  “Uh-huh.” Volta pulled out her phone. “I’ll try to get some video of Emma riding.” She walked farther along the fence line.

  Unfortunately, Stacy followed her. “Are you sure you’re not dating this guy?”

  “I think I’d know.” Volta turned her back and pointed her phone toward Emma.

  “But would you tell?” Volta could hear the smirk in her voice.

  Volta ignored her and started the video. The horse was so tall and Emma so small, but she seemed to be completely in control of the big animal. As Volta watched, Emma gave some signal and the horse switched to a different gait, less bouncy and more like a slow run. Emma’s grin almost reached her ears. Wow, look at her.

  “I can see why you’d keep it a secret,” Stacy went on. “Especially from your mother-in-law. She might not be so thrilled with the idea of Emma’s mom having a boyfriend.”

  What Stacy meant was that she didn’t like the idea of anyone taking her brother’s place. And even though Scott was not her boyfriend, Volta couldn’t help feeling annoyed. Wade had been dead for almost nine years. If Volta did decide she wanted to date, what business was it of Stacy’s?

  “If I were dating someone, I’m sure Hannah and Jim wouldn’t object,” Volta said. “In fact, they tried to fix me up once with the new school superintendent down in Homer.”

  “When?” Stacy demanded. “And why?”

  Volta shrugged. “They got to know him when they rented him their RV for a month until he could find a permanent place to live. I took Emma down to visit last summer, and they invited him to dinner.”

  “That doesn’t mean they were setting you up. Maybe they had extra food.”

  “Maybe.” Volta wasn’t going to waste a lot of energy trying to convince her. Stacy believed whatever she wanted to believe anyway. But it was definitely a setup. Hannah and Jim had even volunteered to babysit Emma if Volta and—what was his name?—Garrett wanted to go out after dinner for a drink. Which she didn’t.

  Volta had figured the last thing she needed in her life was a guy who lived a five-hour drive away. Besides, while he seemed like a perfectly nice person, there was no spark. No little flutter of attraction. Volta had made some excuse, and the four of them had spent the evening playing Chinese checkers instead.

  Volta turned her attention to Emma, who was riding along and then, at Scott’s instruction, pulling back on the reins and bringing the horse to a quick stop without losing her balance in the least. Scott beamed proudly at her. Speaking of a flutter of attraction.

  Whoa. Volta reined in her heart as firmly as Emma had reined in the horse. So Scott was attractive. Volta could acknowledge that fact without acting on it.

  “I visited them in Homer last summer,” Stacy complained. “Why didn’t they invite the school superintendent over to meet me?”

  Volta laughed. “You do live in Salt Lake.”

  “For now. But if I found the right guy...”

  “Why don’t you ask them to introduce you?”

  “Maybe I will.” Stacy paused. “Or maybe not. What’s wrong with him?”

  “Nothing. What do you mean?”

  “You said they tried to fix you up. But you didn’t take the bait. So what’s wrong with him?” she repeated.

  “He’s fine. I just wasn’t interested.”

  “Mmm-hmm. Like you’re not interested in this Dr. Scott.”

  “Right,” Volta lied smoothly.

  “So you wouldn’t mind if I offer to show him around a little?”

  “Who?” Volta sincerely hoped she meant the school superintendent in Homer.

  “The hot doctor, of course.”

  “I told you, he’s only here temporarily.”

  “No problem. So am I.”

  Volta tried to come up with a valid reason Stacy shouldn’t go out with Scott. Or an invalid reason. Any excuse, really. Because she didn’t want Stacy anywhere near Scott. For any number of reasons.

  Emma was climbing down from the horse now, and she and Scott headed toward the barn. Volta watched them walking side by side, the man she’d once loved, and the girl she loved more than anyone else in the world. It was like a colliding of worlds, and yet they seemed so natural together beside that horse.

  Judging by the “mmm-mmm” noise she was making, Stacy appreciated the view as well, although probably not for the same reasons. Volta knew it would take about ten minutes for Emma to unsaddle and brush her horse. She pocketed her phone and walked over to Jim and Hannah. Stacy followed.

  “So that’s it for the lesson,” Volta told them, hoping they’d take the hint and head out. “Emma still has to take care of her horse, so she’ll be a little while. Do you want to meet up for dinner? I could order pizza.”

  “Why don’t we wait for Emma and we can all go out for pizza together?” Hannah suggested. “We could go to that place with the games she likes so much.”

  “Good idea,” Jim said. “Emma owes me a rematch on Skee-Ball.”

  Okay, that didn’t work. But maybe she could still save the situation. “Emma will love that. But you should go on ahead and save us a table,” Volta said.

  “That’s not necessary. We shouldn’t have any trouble getting a table on a Wednesday,” Jim said. “Besides, I want to meet this doctor and thank him for working with Emma. He’s obviously a good teacher.”

  Looked like they weren’t going anywhere. Volta glanced at Stacy, trying to think of how to lure her away, but Stacy’s feet were planted solidly on the ground, her eyes glued to the barn door. No doubt planning her strategy on how to charm Scott.

  Hannah nudged Jim. “Look at that girl on the black horse. Do you suppose our Emma will be jumping over fences like that one day?”

  “I’d bet on it,” Jim declared. “Knowing our granddaughter, it will be sooner rather than later.”

  Volta wasn’t too sure she wanted Emma flying over obstacles from astride large animals, but Jim was right. Once Emma set her mind to something, it wasn’t easy to stop her. Emma didn’t seem to know the meaning of fear. She was like her dad in that way. It fell to Volta to encourage her to try new things while keeping her safe, a constant balancing act. Volta tried hard not to use what happened to Wade as an excuse to swaddle Emma in bubble wrap, but it wasn’t always easy.

  Soon Emma darted out the barn door and over to her grandparents. “Did you see me ride?”

  “We did!” Hannah and Jim piled on the praise. Stacy joined in as well, but she kept one eye toward the barn, and as soon as Scott appeared, she smoothed her shirt and pushed back her shoulders.

  He walked over to their group. “Hello. You must be Grammy Hannah and Grandpa Jim. Emma pointed you out to me.” Scott smiled. “She’s doing amazingly well for only four lessons. If she continues to practice, she’ll easily be ready for the show at the end of the month.”

  “That’s great,” Jim said. “Volta told us how you’d offered to help Emma after her instructor canceled. That’s very generous of you.”

  “Not at all. I enjoy being around horses and riders, especially when they’re
as enthusiastic as Emma.”

  Stacy apparently got tired of waiting for Scott to notice her. She circled her parents and leaned against the fence. “Hi, I’m Emma’s aunt.”

  Scott nodded. “Hello.”

  “Is that a Texas accent I hear?”

  “Yes.”

  Stacy’s gaze fell to the worn leather boots on his feet. “Emma’s lucky to get a real Texas cowboy for a riding instructor. I’ll bet you grew up punching cattle or whatever.”

  Scott chuckled. “Afraid not. I grew up in a suburb of Houston. I learned to ride by taking lessons, just like Emma.”

  “Oh.” Stacy blinked, but wasn’t discouraged. “Well, anyway, Volta tells me you’re only in Anchorage for a short while. I’d be happy to show you around. I lived here most of my life. I could take you to my favorite restaurant this evening. I’m Stacy Morgan, by the way.”

  His eyes sought Volta’s for a moment before they returned to Stacy. “Scott Willingham. Thanks, but I have a lot of notes to transcribe and organize while they’re still fresh in my mind.”

  “Scott Willingham.” His name oozed out of Stacy’s mouth. “That name sounds familiar.”

  Volta decided to take control of the situation before Stacy connected the dots. “Emma, what a day you’re having. First a riding lesson and now your grandparents want to take you for pizza and games. Do you have homework?”

  “Only spelling, and I already did it on the bus,” Emma said. “Grandpa, can we play Skee-Ball?”

  “We sure can,” Jim assured her. “But today, I’m going to beat you.”

  “No way.” Emma grinned.

  While they were distracted, Volta stepped closer to Scott. “Thanks so much for giving her a lesson. This means a lot to Emma.”

  “Anytime. I’ll try to line up those interviews. If I can swing it, we’ll fly out Wednesday. I’ll make the hotel reservations.” He smiled at her, murmured nice-to-meet-yous to everyone, and without a second glance toward Stacy, walked toward the parking lot.

  “Hotel reservations?” Stacy asked Volta, her eyebrows almost at her hairline.

  “For work. We’re doing a three-day sweep visiting several villages.” And sleeping in separate hotel rooms, she almost added, but that would only make Stacy more convinced there was something going on.

  Stacy smirked. “Nice work if you can get it.”

  Volta resisted the urge to answer.

  Surprisingly, Stacy didn’t say much during dinner. Of course, Emma hardly gave her an opportunity, chattering on about horses and then challenging her aunt to a game of Whac-A-Mole. It was while Emma was playing Skee-Ball against both her grandparents that Stacy asked, “What did you say Scott’s last name was?”

  “Willingham.” Volta tried to say it as though it didn’t matter.

  Hannah plopped down in the seat beside them. “Ha ha. Beat them both. They wanted a rematch, but I figure I’ll quit while I’m ahead.” She looked from Stacy to Volta. “What were you girls talking about?”

  “Nothing important,” Volta said. “It’s getting late for a school night. How many tokens does Emma have left?”

  “This is their last game.” Hannah turned to Stacy. “Are you going shopping with Emma and me tomorrow after school? Volta has a dentist appointment, so we can spoil her as much as we like.”

  “Sure. I could use some new shoes.”

  Emma skipped back to the table, with her grandfather following at a more reasonable speed. “I won! Now we get to trade in our tickets.”

  “You can have mine.” Her grandmother handed over the row of tickets she’d earned by winning Skee-Ball. She scooted farther into the booth to make room for her husband. “By the way, we’re heading down to Soldotna this weekend for salmon fishing. Do you want to come and stay with us in the motor home?”

  “Yes I—” Emma’s face suddenly fell. “I can’t. Dr. Scott says he’ll give me riding lessons on Saturday and Sunday.”

  “I’m sure he could reschedule so you can spend time with your grandparents,” Volta said.

  Emma shook her head. “But I need more lessons before I can ride in the show. And Dr. Scott says he’ll be gone for three days, so we need to do it this weekend.”

  “Are you sure?” Jim asked. “I’m taking the drift boat. I know how much you like fishing from the boat.”

  Emma bared her teeth as though the decision was physically painful, but she shook her head again. “No, I need to ride. But thank you,” she added and looked to her mother.

  Volta smiled her approval, proud that Emma had remembered her manners. “I’m sure once school is out, you’ll get more chances to fish with Grammy and Grandpa.”

  “In that case, if the fish are running, we’ll probably stay a few more days down at Soldotna,” Jim said. “There’s a low tide on Friday morning, so maybe we’ll stop off at Clam Beach and gather some nice razor clams for the freezer.”

  “You know, I think I’ll stay with Volta while you fish,” Stacy announced suddenly. “That way Emma and I can spend more time together. You still have a guest room available, don’t you, Volta?”

  “I’m not sure that’s going to work,” Volta said. “I’m working out of town Wednesday through Friday and Emma will be staying with her other grandparents then.”

  “See, that’s perfect. I can babysit Emma while you’re out of town.”

  “I’m not a baby,” Emma protested.

  “Of course not. I’ll supervise, not babysit.”

  “That would be fun! We can eat popcorn and paint our toenails and watch movies.”

  “They’re school nights, not slumber parties,” Volta said. “My parents know Emma’s routine.”

  “Hey, I’m responsible,” Stacy said. “I’ll make sure she does her homework and gets to bed on time. And take her to her riding lessons. Oh, wait, there won’t be any lessons while you’re gone because the good doctor will be traveling with you.”

  “Are you sure you wouldn’t rather fish?” Volta asked. “Emma will be in school all day.”

  “That’s fine. It gives me more time to see my friends while they’re in town.”

  Unable to come up with another excuse, Volta managed a weak smile. “In that case, mi casa es su casa.”

  “I’ll bring my stuff when I take Emma home from shopping tomorrow night. This will be great. Emma and I have so many things to talk about.”

  Volta had to wonder exactly what those things were.

  CHAPTER NINE

  EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING, Volta tiptoed into her daughter’s room. Emma looked like an angel, her eyelashes brushing her pink cheeks, her lips pursed in a sweet little O. She lay diagonally across her bed, her arm tangled in the ears of Rufus, the stuffed basset hound Leith had given her Christmas before last. Rufus was beginning to look a little threadbare from too much loving.

  Volta brushed her daughter’s hair away from her face. “Emma. Wake up, sweetheart.”

  “Ung?” Emma ask, inelegantly.

  “It’s morning. I have to go to work now, and you need to get up soon and get ready for school.”

  Emma blinked. “Is Aunt Stacy here?”

  “Yes, she’s here. She said something about making pancakes for breakfast.”

  Emma grunted, and Volta smiled. Her daughter was never at her most communicative first thing in the morning. She leaned forward and planted a kiss on Emma’s forehead. “I’ve got to go. You’re awake? You’re not going to fall back asleep, are you?”

  With a groan, Emma sat up. “I’m awake.” She reached out her arms, and Volta gave her a big hug.

  “I’ll call you this afternoon, after school. You have fun with Stacy. I should be back on Friday by bedtime.”

  “Okay.” Emma yawned. Then her eyes brightened. “Chocolate chip pancakes?”

  “I don’t know. You’ll have to ask Stacy. Bye, sweetie. I
love you to infinity.”

  “I love you to infinity plus one.”

  Volta smiled and shut the door. She grabbed her bag from her room, pausing to squirt some scented lotion onto her hands. She’d received a tropical spa set at the company gift exchange last year but hadn’t opened it until last night, when she’d run out of her regular shampoo. One whiff of plumeria-scented shampoo and she was back in Hawaii. As she’d massaged the lather through her hair, the memories flowed. Good memories. She’d packed the bottle for the trip.

  She carried her suitcase down the stairs and stuck her head into the kitchen, where Stacy was pouring herself a cup of coffee. “Emma’s up. My mom’s and dad’s phone numbers are on the bulletin board. They’re only two blocks away, so if you decide to go out or anything, you can drop Emma with them.”

  Stacy nodded as she yawned, looking remarkably like her niece with her hair hanging in her eyes.

  Volta smiled. “Okay, then. My taxi’s here, so you can use the car while I’m gone. Is there anything you need before I go?”

  “No, I’m good. Don’t work too hard.”

  Stacy had put an odd emphasis on the word work, almost as though she thought Volta was using work as an excuse to—what—sneak away to be with Scott? Whatever. Volta answered with a vague smile and headed out the door.

  * * *

  “YOU’LL NEED THE splint for four to six weeks, and you’ll be good as new,” Scott told the teenager in the clinic at Munak. The real Munak this time. “Ice and ibuprofen for pain,” he told her mother.

  “Can I still play basketball?” the girl asked.

  “As long as you’re wearing the splint. If you have any problems, come back and see Delores.” Scott escorted them from the exam room and looked at his watch. Twelve thirty. The clinic was only supposed to be open until noon and the plan was for Delores, the physician’s assistant who ran the clinic, to meet with them for the afternoon.

  When he and Volta had arrived at around eleven, though, the waiting room was full. It turned out the receptionist had called in sick, and Delores was trying to run the place singlehandedly. Volta had immediately offered to fill in. She was wrangling the patients and paperwork while Delores and Scott treated the patients. Luckily he’d secured his locum tenens license before coming to Alaska.