Stranded at Romson's Lodge

by J. L. Callison

  CHAPTER 82

  When Dan Hixon walked into the hangar, he found several men already there, waiting for instructions. Charles had arrived first and was rigging the crane overhead so they could remove the floats. He had obviously changed floats for skis before, so Dan left him alone until James walked in about fifteen minutes later. When Dan saw James, he called Charles over so he could talk with them together.

  “When I told the parts guy at Wipaire what we were doing and what the rush was, he said he wouldn’t send the stuff overnight. He is loading it on one of their Beavers and is going to fly it down here first thing in the morning on his own time! He just asked if you would cover his fuel. He’s really hoping you get your kids back.”

  James couldn’t help it. After all the stress, the hopes, the dashed hopes, the time spent praying prayers that didn’t seem to be heard, he broke down in tears.

  All of these people were here on their own time when they could have been with their families, and now this news put him over the tipping point. Charles, also overwhelmed, embraced James, and the two of them shed tears together. With all the extra help and the seats coming so quickly, it looked like they would be able to leave the day after Christmas if, that is, they thought the ice would be strong enough.

  Dan put a couple of the plant maintenance men who were adept with tools in charge of non-maintenance workers who were willing but not as knowledgeable. Then he assigned them the task of finishing the rigging and lifting of the plane. Once the plane was off the floor, they would remove the floats. Setting up a ladder to give him access to the plane cabin, Dan climbed in and began putting the control panel back together. Fortunately, he had not yet disconnected any of the gauges or controls themselves.

  James and Charles both climbed into the cabin by way of the ladder and asked what they should do.

  “Probably the best thing for you two would be to start with a couple of shop vacs, cleaning the marijuana residue out. The DEA cleaned it pretty well, but I can still smell some of it on board, and I’d be more comfortable with all residue gone. Dating a detective wouldn’t keep me out of jail if the wrong person wanted to inspect. They couldn’t keep me, but there is no point in spending any time in a local jail until you can bail me out.”

  He stuck his head out of the cockpit window. “Hey, Sarah!”

  When Sarah looked up to see what he needed, Dan beckoned her over to the aircraft. “Could you climb up here and assist James and Charles with cleaning out any residue? I don’t want to go to jail while I’m waiting for you to bail me out.”

  “Be right up. Let me grab us some gloves first.” Sarah jogged out to her squad car and retrieved some latex gloves for the three of them and then jogged back in to oversee and certify the cleanup.

  By nine o’clock everything had been cleaned, the control panel reassembled, and the floats removed. Dan inspected the work done and approved it all, amazed so much had been done so quickly. It was a tired but satisfied crew who left the hangar, knowing they had done well.

  As they were leaving, Dan stopped James.

  “Look, boss, Sarah has sweat bullets on this case. There is one seat open since we aren’t taking any freight. Would it be okay if I asked her if she wanted to go along? It might be a wild goose chase, but I have a feeling it’s those kids. What do you say?”

  “It’s all right by me, but it is going to be a long flight up there and back.”

  “Thanks, boss. Means a lot to me. I’m pretty sure she wants to go but didn’t feel she could ask.”

  CHAPTER 83

  Jed woke up the morning of Christmas Eve to see snow falling quietly but steadily. There was no wind, and the view across the lake was almost ethereal.

  As he often did, he made acorn coffee, but instead of getting ready to go out, he sat at the table and waited for Lizzie to wake up. When he heard her stirring, he poured her a cup and put honey in it.

  Lizzie gave Jed a bright smile for so early in the morning. “Thanks. I didn’t expect to see you still here.”

  “I decided not to go out today. There’s really nothing I have to do except bring in a little wood. What would you like to do today?”

  That earned Jed a wide smile. “I really get you all to myself all day?” Lizzie let out a happy sigh and reached across the table to squeeze Jed’s hand. “Could we just have a quiet day where we don’t have to do anything? Maybe shell some nuts, sing some Christmas songs, and play some games?”

  “Sounds good to me, all except me singing.”

  Lizzie laughed and swatted Jed’s hand lightly. “You have a good voice, and you know it.” She lifted his hand and nestled it against her cheek. “I get to have you all day? I like that.”

  Jed had found and cut down a small cedar the day before, and they stood it in the corner opposite the fireplace. Of course, they had no lights for it and no decorations except for some popcorn Lizzie found in the pantry. Together, they popped it, and, with some thread from a sewing kit, they strung it together and draped the popcorn garlands on the tree. It gave an old-timey, Christmassy fragrance and feel to the room.

  CHAPTER 84

  Seven o’clock Christmas Eve morning found James, Charles, and Dan at the hangar, preparing to install the landing struts and wheels. They did not expect as many people there to help since the men all had family responsibilities, but they knew a few would show up at least for a while. The hardest part was done, and the whole thing should be finished by evening.

  Tran walked into the building carrying a couple boxes of doughnuts.

  “Breakfast, guys! I just saw a float plane touch down out there. It might be your parts.”

  Dan hurried out the door as Charles and James each grabbed a doughnut and poured a cup of coffee.

  Under James’s guidance, Charles lowered the plane so they would not have to raise the struts so high in the air to fasten them to the fuselage. When it was to the level of Charles’s satisfaction, he and James struggled to hold the strut up high enough to line the bolt holes as Tran tried to slip the first bolt into place. Once the first bolt was in, it would be easy enough to align the others. At last after several tries the first bolt slipped home. With a sigh of relief, Charles and James released their hold on the strut and stretched their backs.

  The door swung open and Jim Thompson walked into the hangar. “Hey, Mr. Charles, a plane is taxiing to the landing. Mr. Dan is guiding him in.”

  “Great! Why don’t you grab a doughnut and see what you can do to help him unload?”

  Charles lifted the strut one more time, and Tran slipped the remaining bolts into their holes. Charles slipped the washers and nuts on loosely. They would leave them for Dan to tighten down and inspect. The three men moved to the right side and repeated the process. When the second strut was installed, Charles raised the crane once more and mounted the wheels on the struts.

  Dan walked in the door with the visiting pilot. Charles and James both walked over and shook his hand wordlessly. Words would not come at the moment. The pilot, seeing their grief-stricken faces, understood and nodded at each. Three men from the plant walked in the door just then, and the three of them and Jim, working quickly, were able to unload the parts from the plane and release the pilot to return home to his family.

  Charles and James both walked out to the plane and embraced the pilot, again wordlessly. Their gratitude was more than evident.

  James handed him a check. “I think that will cover your fuel. Do something nice for your family with any leftovers.”

  “This isn’t necessary.”

  “I didn’t do it because it was necessary. I did it because it was right. I appreciate this more than you know.”

  “Thanks! You be sure to get those kids back. Merry Christmas!”

  “It will be now, thanks to you! A Merry Christmas to you and your family as well.” James shook the pilot’s hand once more before the pilot turned and climbed into the plane, taxied out to clear water, and took off. As he flew back over, he wagged the wings in goodby
e as James and Charles waved in return.

  CHAPTER 85

  Christmas morning dawned bright, clear, and sunny. Jed was in no hurry to do anything. He was struggling not to be depressed over being stranded on Christmas. He walked outside and carried wood into the lodge and filled the wood boxes while acorn coffee brewed. Lizzie, still not much of a morning person, wandered from her room and poured each of them a mug and added honey.

  When Jed finished filling the wood boxes, he shrugged off his parka and gladly accepted the coffee. “It’s cold out there!”

  When they sat down for breakfast, they each pulled out their Bibles. Jed read the Christmas story from Luke and then also read Matthew’s account. When they finished reading, Lizzie said, “Wait right there and close your eyes. I have something for you, but I didn’t have any way to wrap it.” She jumped from the table and scurried to her room. “No peeking!”

  “I’m not.”

  Lizzie came back to the breakfast table and set the coonskin hat in front of Jed. “Okay, you can open your eyes now. Merry Christmas, Jed. I love you.”

  Jed opened his eyes and saw the hat. He picked it up. Full of wonder, he felt the fur and the softness of the skin. “How did you do this? The skin is so soft!”

  Lizzie glowed with happiness. “I chewed the skin to make it soft like you told me squaws used to do. Did I do it right?”

  “It’s marvelous. Thank you! Now it’s your turn. Close your eyes and don’t peek.” He got up from the table and walked to his bunk and came back with the necklace of bear claws.

  Slipping up behind her, he said, “No peeking now.” He draped the necklace around her neck. Gently gathering her hair, he tied the necklace beneath. “Now you can look.” He knelt on one knee in front of her and said, “I don’t have a diamond, but I love you. Will you marry me when we get home?”

  “Oh, Jed! Yes! I’ll never look at this without knowing you love me. I never doubted it.”

  She flung her arms around his neck, and he embraced her, satisfied. He would always remember this as his best Christmas ever.

  CHAPTER 86

  James and Mary had a quiet Christmas morning. They had agreed to find someone needy to give a gift to rather than to each other and just enjoyed spending the morning together. They, too, read the Christmas story as they had each Christmas of their marriage. The anticipation of the trip to Maine the next morning occupied their minds, but they had determined not to talk about the trip, nor whether it was Jed, today. Today they would spend appreciating the gift of the Savior. In the afternoon they would go over to Sue Jenson’s home to have dinner with Sue, Charles, and Jim.

  CHAPTER 87

  Charles woke up early in the morning and looked out his window to see the sun rising in a clear sky. Hoarfrost on the ground and trees sparkled like diamonds, making him think of the little package he had on the table for Sue. He felt as excited as if he were a little boy. He looked at his clock, willing it to go more quickly, wishing it was nine o’clock instead of only six so he could go to Sue’s.

  Finally, the clock ticked around to eight-twenty-five, and he couldn’t take it any longer. He was afraid he would wear a path in his carpet as he paced back and forth, waiting to go. He would sit down for a couple of minutes and then get up and look at the clock, just knowing it had to be time, only to be disappointed again. He walked into the kitchen where he had Sue and Jim’s gifts on the table to be sure they were where they were supposed to be, not realizing he had done exactly the same thing not five minutes before.

  At eight-thirty, Charles slipped Sue’s little box into his coat pocket and the larger box containing Jim’s rifle under his arm and went out to the garage. He put Jim’s box in the trunk, patted his pocket to be certain Sue’s package was still there, and got into his Oldsmobile. Hitting the garage door remote, he backed out to the street and drove as sedately as he could to Sue’s house.

  When he pulled into the driveway, Charles hesitated for a minute before getting out of his car, but he saw Sue open her door with a smile. Opening the trunk, Charles picked up Jed’s rifle, then patted his pocket one more time to be certain of Sue’s box before he walked to the door.

  Sue gave him a big hug. “Merry Christmas, Charles. I won!”

  “You won?”

  Sue laughed. “I bet Jim you would be early. He said eight-forty-five, but I said eight-thirty-five.” She looked at her watch. “It’s eight-thirty-six.”

  Charles looked at her sheepishly. “I couldn’t wait. I’ve been wearing out my carpet for an hour.”

  Sue giggled. “I’ve been waiting for you, too. I think you’re sweet.”

  Jim bounced down the stairs. “Good morning, Mr. Charles! Merry Christmas!” He winked behind his mother’s back. He hadn’t slipped up.

  Charles placed the box containing Jim’s rifle under the tree but slipped Sue’s box into his pants pocket when he hung up his coat.

  After eating breakfast, they gathered in the living room and exchanged gifts. Jim was thrilled with his rifle, a Remington Model 700, chambered for a 30.06 cartridge. When all the other gifts had been passed out, Charles reached into his pocket and pulled out Sue’s box. He handed it to her silently, and as she opened it, he dropped to one knee.

  “Sue, you know I love you. You have become very important to me. Will you marry me?”

  “Oh, Charles! It’s beautiful!” Tears welled up in her eyes. “I want to say yes so badly, but I want to be sure your daughter is okay with me first. I don’t want to do anything that would come between you two.”

  “I can assure you she will be more than happy. She has been after me to find someone for the last two years. Why don’t you put it on, and we will see what she says?”

  Jim broke in, “Mom, that’s what Mr. Charles said to me when he asked if I had a problem with him marrying you. He didn’t want to come between us.” Softly, almost in a whisper, he said, “He told me I can call him Dad. I hope you will say yes.”

  CHAPTER 88

  Jed was out early in the morning the day after Christmas. His new hat felt good on his head. Lizzie made it so he could wear it over his ears, where the fur was soft and warm. He was checking his snares, and although he did not expect to see any, he watched for a deer. He wanted some fresh meat since the temperature was cold enough to freeze the meat, and he would not have to smoke or jerk it. Overall, it had not been a very successful trip. Something had tripped several of his snares, but they had been empty. He did have two foxes and three raccoons, though.

  Night came early this time of the year, so he had headed back toward the lodge to be certain he was able to make it before dark when he heard the plane. Walking as rapidly as he could in snowshoes, he broke out into the clearing by the lodge as the plane swept overhead. It was a Beaver, but one he had never seen before. Still, he waved wildly with both arms. The pilot waggled his wings and then flew low and slow over the lake before pulling up and circling over the lodge. Lizzie came out the door, hurriedly pulling on a parka as she came.

  CHAPTER 89

  Dan Hixon saw the figure hurrying out of the trees as the plane approached the lodge. His first thought was of coming into an LZ for an extraction in Vietnam, and he started looking for gunfire from the tree lines before reality caught up to him. He was in a Beaver, not a Huey. He dropped down low and lowered his flaps to fly as slowly as possible over the lake, examining the surface to see if he thought it safe to land. He saw a small area of open water at the far end of the lake. “I’m sorry. I don’t think I can get in there. I might try it close to shore if I was by myself, but I can’t do it with all of you in here with me.” He pulled up and started to circle over the lodge when Lizzie came running out the door.

  “Elizabeth! That’s my Elizabeth!” Charles was pressing his face against the side window, trying to get a better view.

  “I’m sorry, but I can’t land,” Dan said. “It just isn’t safe!” He looked over at Sarah, who was sitting in the right front seat. “Grab that flashlight out of the
storage compartment there, and take out a battery. James, write them a note and tell them we will be back in a couple of days when we can get it in. We’ll go to Caribou, and tomorrow or the next day I’ll come back by myself when it’s safer and pick them up.”

  James started writing the note, disappointment written all over his face.

  Charles interrupted him as James was writing. “Wait a minute, James. What about the meadow about two miles north of the lodge? We’ve got skis on. We don’t need to land on the lake.”

  “I don’t know. Do you think we can get back out again? How much room do you need, Dan?”

  “I can get it out in eleven hundred feet if I have to. I’d like a little more room though for comfort.”

  “Let’s go take a look, James,” said Charles. “Then we can tell Jed what we’re doing.”

  Dan waggled the wings a couple of times and then turned the plane north. Moments later, they overflew the meadow Charles was talking about.

  “It’s long enough, but I want to take a good look to be sure there aren’t any obstructions we can’t see from up here.” Dan lowered the flaps and cut power as low as he could and still stay in the air as he flew the length of the meadow, then turned and flew back the other direction. “Looks okay. Write ‘meadow two miles north’ and put it in the flashlight. Tie this streamer to it, and we’ll drop it to Jed as we fly back over.”