by Rita Hestand
She already loved the dog, she noted, and the people she had met so far were very interesting.
The people here were helpful and friendly, which would make her stay more enjoyable. Stay? This wasn't a stay, this was her new home, her new life, she re-enforced.
She watched as SeeMe put his head on the skin and seemed to whine. She stared into his beautiful brown eyes. "You fit right in here, no wonder Mr. Tucker decided to leave you. You'd probably be lost anywhere else, well, I'm happy to have you. I seem to need a little company." She reached to scratch behind SeeMe's ears. He whined a minute then laid his head down on top her hand, she giggled. "I can see you are going to be spoiled."
Even though, SeeMe had made her feel secure and snug, she worried about her father and her mother. She knew how much it was taking out of them to sell the ranch. That's why she couldn't watch. She couldn't help but wonder what her grandpa would think about it, or of her moving here of all places. Still, her father was the owner, and he was sick, there was little choice. Just imagining him living in town was painful for Sammie Jo. Cancer didn't come cheap. And her father being a realist meant he wouldn't be hesitating to do whatever he had to do. She knew it would be torture for him to sell out. But to leave any unpaid bills would bother him more. Besides, they had struggled to stay in the black for years now and that alone had taken its toll on her father's health, even though he enjoyed every minute of working his land.
At least he had Clint, and Jake close by to help and Rusty would come in a flash if needed.
Clint and Abby had their place, Hannah and Rusty had theirs. Uncle Jake had taken a different route in life and there was no way he'd want to run the home place and his church. That left her; she didn't have the capital, or enough know-how to run an entire ranch on her own, not even her younger siblings knew enough about it to run it. She'd silently hoped her cousin Clay would stick around and help her out, but he had other plans, and she couldn't blame him for wanting a good education. Selling the place was not an option for practical people. It was a reality, the painful reality!
"Wow SeeMe, before long the 4 Bar None won't exist, anymore. I never thought it would come to this, but Dad's health is more important than having the ranch, even I can understand that. It's just so sad…I had such plans, and now…But I have you, and this place so I shouldn't feel so bad about it all. Because I love this place."
She scratched behind his ears and he whined a bit, and then closed his eyes.
She couldn't stop the feeling that once her Papa Cal died, everything became complicated. But she guessed the last straw was when her cousin Clay, whom she'd thought of as a brother, rather than a cousin, left for college. He'd gotten a football scholarship and his destiny was already laid out for him at Texas Tech. She sorely missed him and knew that her growing up years were over quite suddenly. Now she had to make a life for herself.
Everyone in the family had been shocked when she told them she was moving to Alaska, at first thinking it was a joke. But when she bought her plane ticket there was little doubt it was reality. She could see the hurt in her mother's eyes and the sadness in her father's. There was an apology unspoken between them. Her father's life was on the line, and although Sammie Jo thought herself brave, she couldn't quite face it. Not with her grandpa's funeral still fresh in her mind. She couldn't bear seeing him sick every day.
"I'm too close to them," she murmured to SeeMe as though he understood every word. "And I wish I could make them understand. I'd be crying every day. Lotta help I would be. Mom needed someone strong to lean on." Her younger brother Clint was the strongest in the family; he could handle anything, without tears, without showing much emotion. It wasn't that he was cold; he just had a better way of keeping his feelings to himself. She knew that because at the age of ten, he went out and shot his own dog which had been bitten by a rabid squirrel. He did it without tears or remorse, strong like his father, because he knew it had to be done. It was the law of nature. Although he was young, he'd be his mother's right arm and Sammie Jo knew it. Knowing it was a comfort to Sammie Jo. Right now, she was so vulnerable and she didn't like the feeling. Papa Cal had made her an independent thinker, and her moving to Alaska proved that to her family, if nothing else.
"Home is where you make it," her Papa used to say she repeated aloud.
"Well, SeeMe, I've made it here." She smiled and turned to put out the kerosene lamp and several candles. "So from now on, Alaska is our home."
***
The next morning she took SeeMe for a walk and this was her chance to see the sites in Bear Creek and become familiar with the other buildings along the main street.
The General Mercantile was directly across from her place, she made a point of stopping by. She met Loretta Weems and her husband who ran it. The couple was probably in their fifties and as at home with each other as Sammie Jo was with her own family. Mr. Weems was bald headed, and Mrs. Weems had blondish gray hair tucked under a knitted cap as though she'd been out in the weather. They were very friendly and offered to help her in any way they could. She explained that she wasn't running just a bar, but a place to relax and enjoy the camaraderie of friends and hoped they would join her.
Mrs. Weems assured her they would be good steady customers.
Glancing about, Sammie Jo was awe struck.
The store contained everything, it was like a mini Sears catalogue. However, thinking on it, it had to be. What would folks do without all the comforts of home?
Loretta nudged her husband in the ribs and smiled at her.
"You folks lived here long?" she asked innocently.
Loretta glanced about the place, and then laughed, "We have been here all our lives. We were both born just a ways out of town not more than twenty miles from here. Moved to town after the avalanche on Sour Creek."
"Avalanche?" Sammie Jo questioned.
"Yes ma'am. Winter of eighty-three I believe it was. Been here ever since." The woman sucked in air and glanced at her husband who was nodding.
"Do you have many…?" Sammie Jo asked.
"Many what?"
"Avalanches?" Sammie Jo's brows knit.
"'Bout every other year, I'd say." Her husband answered, eyeing her with regard. "All the locals are aware of them and no better than to go around the gorge. But there are always tourist that sometimes get trapped, or killed in them."
"You'll have to point the direction of the canyon to me, one day, then." Sammie Jo smiled.
"Most folks know when to stay away. It's always been that way. Least little sound can set it off, especially if it's been a wet year." He scratched his forehead. "And this year has been wet. We'll have one this year, you can count on it."
"Well, thanks for the information. I hope you two will come see me when I open." She smiled as she headed for the door. "And often."
"My Lon likes a cold beer most nights, so we'll be over, you can bet on that." Loretta chuckled. "Personally, I like cider, you got any of that?"
"Well, I'll have to check my stock, but I'm sure if I don't I can order it."
"Good, Ole Man Tucker didn't like ordering it; either that or he'd forget all the time. Be nice to sit in front of that grand fireplace and sip cider on a cold night though. We could talk way into the night. That place of yours has the best fireplace around. People generally gather where there's a big, warm fire."
"I'll keep that in mind. Guess I'll need plenty of firewood." Sammie Jo nodded and left.
"You will, and someone to chop it for you and bring it in. There are plenty of school kids that can do it for you. I'll send someone over tomorrow, will that be alright?"
"That would be wonderful, thank you."
She made a mental note to order apple cider.
"See you got SeeMe. Well, I'm not surprised. I figured Tucker would leave him here."
"Yes, I sort of inherited him."
The couple nodded. "He's a gentle one."
"We're getting along fine. I guess I better be on my way though, I have a lot
to do before I open."
Loretta smiled and nodded.
As she went out, a little bell tinkled and SeeMe was anxious to do his duty, so she paused at the end of the block.
The businesses were few and a little far between she noticed later when she left. Most of the fronts were nothing more than thrown up shacks, except for the bank, church and town hall. They were made of brick.
Wearing the only pair of long boots she owned, she felt a constant need to keep her balance as some of the light snow was nothing more than ice.
After a quick trip around the main road, she turned back. She'd be introducing herself to the banker before long, to set up an account, but first she had to sit down and figure out what she might need for supplies.
Her savings would dwindle fast after a shopping trip, but it couldn't be helped. She had prepared for that. That was another thing that bothered her parents; she had pulled all her money out of the bank. It was necessary though. She couldn't live in Alaska without it.
As she passed the Sheriff's office, she glanced inside the window. The windows were smaller and most were shuttered.
But the kind deputy saw her and came running out after her. Another man followed him.
When she stopped to look at them, they halted just in front of her.
"Uh, Miss Travers, finding your way around okay?"
"Yes, thanks. I am."
"Oh uh, this is John Grimes, another deputy. I'm sure he'll be making a nuisance of himself at your place," Cody chuckled.
"Miss Travers. If there's anything I can do to help, let me know."
Sammie Jo smiled, "Thanks, I will. I'm new to Alaska, so I'm sure I'll need all the help I can get."
John moved toward her with purpose. "Just call on me anytime. You know Cody didn't tell me you were so pretty. Naturally he doesn't like competition, but I'll be around."
"Thanks."
Cody made a face at him but smiled at Sammie Jo.
"Just met the Weems. They seem like very nice people."
"They are. And before long you will meet a lot more, as soon as you get the Night N Gale open for business. When do you want to take that trip into town to get the rest of supplies you are gonna need?"
Sammie Jo shrugged, "I don't know. I'm still working on the list. I mean, Mrs. Weems wants cider; I've got to add that to my list, soft drinks, and supplies for my chili and such. Not to mention the liquor suppliers I need to contact. And then there are all those other things you mentioned. I guess I really should get going and start working on it. Nice meeting you John, don't be a stranger."
"I won't," he smiled.
"I'll stop by later and help you with that list if you like."
"Oh, that would be nice." She smiled over her shoulder. "I certainly don't want to forget anything, as I won't be going into the city that often."
Cody glanced at her boots. "One of the first things you'll need around here are snowshoes so you don't fall down and hurt yourself. If you aren't used to snow, you can be surprised at the falls you can take."
John snickered. "Well, I think I'd be offering to catch her when she fell, not buying her snowshoes." John shot him a smirk.
"And exactly what will Miranda think of that?"
"Miranda?" Sammie Jo smiled.
"His girlfriend of three years."
"Must be pretty serious if it's lasted three years?" Sammie Jo smiled.
"It is on her part, but John is shy of walking down the aisle." Cody laughed.
"If she's the right girl you better claim her." Sammie Jo injected. "Someone else might move in on you."
"Up here, not a chance. Cody and I are about the only two bachelors in the area. Unless you count the tourist."
"You sound very confident of that. But if my cousin Clay were here, I'm sure he'd give you a run for your money."
"Cousin?" They glanced at her.
"Yeah, he's in college," She glanced at them with a smile. "In Texas. He's another man that's got his life all planned out."
"Miranda is a beautiful girl, but I'm not ready to do any asking."
"Why not John, it's been three years, if you don't know her now, you never will." Cody encouraged.
Sammie Jo's raised her brow. John shot her a frown, "I need to move up in my job a bit before I take on a wife. Besides, she doesn't want to work, she wants to be a wife and mother."
"Admirable of her," Sammie Jo replied.
"I'd kind of like her to take on a job, actually. If we both worked, we might be able to get married sooner."
"It is easier that way," she agreed.
They waved at her as she left.
She needed to get to work, not solve the deputy's love life. She didn't know the man, but she had to admit she liked him.
Scrubbing the place down hadn't taken as long as she thought, but working on her supply list proved somewhat daunting.
She was just checking on her food list when she heard a ruckus out back. She hadn't ventured out that much, but the noise was only getting louder by the moment.
When she opened the door though, she backed up. A black bear was juggling the trash with his paw. So far he hadn't succeeded in opening it, but he was pouncing on it with all his weight. Sammie Jo just knew that can would burst any minute.
She froze for a moment, afraid to move or react in any way.
Trying to remember everything Cody had told her about bears, she didn't know whether to arm herself of just close the door and let him have at it. At the moment letting him have at it seemed the best idea.
The way he was pouncing on the trash can, she figured it would be in shambles, and she'd have a mess to clean up, if he ever took his business elsewhere. His roar was mightier than anything she'd ever heard, and pure fear streaked through her. She had done her homework on the bears too, but nothing quite prepared her for the ruckus he was creating. Sammie Jo didn't want to be afraid; she'd been warned about them and should know that Cody hadn't mentioned anyone killed by them around here.
SeeMe came to the door and began barking, making the black bear turn and see them. However, he was utterly indifferent to them standing there doing nothing.
"SeeMe I don't think I'd be challenging him. He doesn't seem to scare easy." Sammie Jo muttered. "And you aren't that good a bluffer."
SeeMe let out a whine and backed up.
She'd never dealt with an animal like this, so wild and free. She knew little about bears and that short-coming kept her still until she could think of what to do.
If she threw something at him, would he run off like a whipped pup, or would he turn and attack? She didn't know. Maybe she ought to get on-line and find out more about the habitats of the black bear. Or all bears. She hadn't so much as opened her laptop since she had moved in though. She didn't know if there was any internet connections here, and that was something she needed to ask about.
Suddenly, Cody appeared out of nowhere down the back alley and slowed as he came around the back. He saw the bear and the destructive handling of the trash can, he also saw Sammie Jo standing in the doorway with SeeMe barking.
"Stay there, and close the door if you can. I'll get something to run him off."
"Oh but…" Sammie Jo started to protest his heroism on her account, but thought better of it as the bear gave her a slight growl over his shoulder.
In seconds, Cody was back with a huge stick, more like a log that he wrestled against the bear from a distance. The bear played with the stick for a moment, and then as though not amused, sauntered off for easier takings.
Sammie Jo watched the bear amble off to another spot in the alleyway through the window.
She silently willed her legs to quit shaking all the while.
SeeMe gave one last bark as the bear began looking for something else to amuse himself with.
Cody slid against the building, and toward the back door of the Night N Gale. "So you've met our prowling Charlie, have you? What on earth did you throw in there that he wanted so badly?"
The way h
e asked that, as though it were her fault the bear was prowling where he didn't belong. Still, she remembered dinner and blinked hard.
Sammie Jo's mouth hung open for a moment, then she blinked and added, "I guess it was the tuna I had for supper."
Cody nodded, "That would do it. Anytime you have fish you need to wrap it up good before you put it in the trash. Preferably a Ziploc tight bag that's been washed good. You'll learn more about this as time goes on. Charlie loves fish. He can sniff it out at a mile."
"Charlie?" Sammie Jo swallowed.
"Charlie, the bear." Cody smiled.
"You give the bear a name?" She chuckled.
"He's a local…" he smiled at her. "All locals around here have names."
"I'll try to remember that," Sammie Jo moved away from the door. "Why would anyone give a bear a name?"
"We had to, he does this kind of thing about once a week, and we get complaints on a regular basis. Although few are really scared of him as he only wants food and once he's satisfied he leaves. He's really a gentle old bear, a little on the lazy side. No, the real bear problems are the females that try to defend their young. Or the big ones, the Kodiak. Charlie's harmless unless of course you set him off. And I certainly don't intend doing that. You see with a bear you have to give them the respect they demand, harmless or not. Any of them can turn on you or go rabid."
"Rabid?"
"Yeah, rabid, it happens since we are in the middle of the wild itself out here."
Sammie Jo stared at him a moment, soaking in the information.
"Alaska takes some getting used to, but if you stick around you will be an old pro by next year, I promise." Cody laughed.
Chapter Five
As they sat side by side at the bar, he lit the fire for her and it flickered, sending an occasional spark to the air. Cody looked over her list. He made a few notations, and she nodded. He also had a few suggestions as he knew most of her soon-to-be customers. That helped with the list and Sammie Jo was grateful.