Alaska Twilight

by Colleen Coble

  She nodded. “My shrink thought it was time I faced the past. When this job came along, my grandmother convinced me to take it. Augusta can be opinionated and pigheaded at times. She was like a pit bull, and I got tired of fighting her.”

  Libby snapped her fingers. “I just remembered. Your grandmother is Augusta Walsh, isn’t she?

  “You’ve read her books?”

  “Read them! I own every travel book she’s ever written. Her memoirs of her adventures in Africa are masterful. Had you ever visited your parents here?”

  Haley shook her head. “I hadn’t seen them for ten years, and it was almost twenty years ago when I was last here.” A painful, awkward meeting that she’d vowed not to repeat if she could help it.

  “Ten years! You never wanted to visit? Why didn’t they go back to the Lower Forty-eight?”

  “That’s where I last saw them. Tank mentioned another daughter.”

  Libby studied her face. “You say that like you don’t know her.”

  Haley looked away. “I don’t. I had no idea I had a half sister until Tank told me a little while ago. What can you tell me about Joy?”

  Libby sat back in her chair and exhaled. “I hope I don’t offend you, but you have one strange family.”

  “I know. About Joy?”

  Libby shrugged. “She was the light of their lives. I’d met your mom a few times before Joy came. She was always polite, but rather distant and dour. When Joy came, she bloomed. Kind of weird if you ask me. I wouldn’t be blooming if my husband presented me with a love child. But Maggie seemed to dote on Joy. And she is a darling girl.”

  Haley winced. She couldn’t help it. That was a position she’d longed for. And it was the place that had belonged to Chloe. “How old is she?”

  “Twelve, almost thirteen now. They never told you?”

  Not only had they never told her, but not even Augusta had mentioned it. “Where does she live?”

  “In Stalwart with a relation of her mother’s. She wants to finish school and go into archeology like her—er, your parents.”

  “Why wasn’t she sent to my grandmother?” Augusta must have known. She couldn’t imagine her father would keep it a secret from his own mother.

  “You’re going to have to ask your grandmother about that.”

  “I’d like to talk to Joy.”

  “I’m sure she’d love to see you. Your mom had an old album with pictures of the family in it. I never saw it, but Maggie said Joy loved to look at it.”

  “I wonder why she never wrote me?”

  “You’ll have to ask her.”

  “I’ll do that.” She had to learn all she could. Maybe her mother or father talked about her or mentioned Chloe. Maybe she could finally find closure.

  Haley’s grandmother sat at the table with a pile of leaves in front of her. She was pressing them in a book she’d brought for that purpose. She looked up when Haley entered the cabin. “There you are. I was worried when I got back and you were gone.”

  Haley shut the door behind her. “I went to the cabin.”

  “Haley, I told you to wait for me.” Irritation flashed over Augusta’s face. She didn’t like to be disobeyed.

  Haley watched Augusta carefully flatten the leaves in the pages. How should she bring up the subject of Joy? Augusta had to know about this. She wet her lips. “Augusta, I heard about Joy today.”

  Augusta’s fingers stilled, and she looked up. “Joy?”

  “Don’t lie to me, Augusta.” She approached the table and knelt beside Augusta. “Why didn’t you tell me I had a half sister?”

  Augusta put the book down and stared into Haley’s eyes. “I did what I thought was best. I tried several times, but in the end, I couldn’t.”

  “Didn’t you think I’d find out about her when we came?”

  “I thought she was gone from the area, and I didn’t think we’d get to town much. I’d hoped to find the right time to tell you. If I’d dreamed you would discover it within hours of our arrival, I would have prepared you. I’m sorry.”

  “Why didn’t you seek custody when my parents died? Aren’t you curious to meet her?”

  Augusta closed the book. “The attorney told me her mother’s parents were caring for her. I thought there was no need for me to intervene. I intended to check on her, of course, when I was sure you wouldn’t be hurt.” Her grandmother rubbed Haley’s cheek with gentle fingers. “I love you, Haley. I couldn’t let you worry that you would lose my love too. You’re the most important thing in my life.”

  Haley’s knee was cramping, so she stood, then dropped into the chair beside her grandmother. “I’m not sure what to feel, Augusta. I’m more upset for Chloe than for me. I got used to the rejection long ago. I hear this girl looks like Chloe, and even Mother accepted her in Chloe’s place. I don’t like it.” Augusta was silent for so long, Haley began to think she wouldn’t answer. After all, how could she argue against the truth?

  “If Grady were still alive, I’d take a switch to him,” Augusta said finally. “You can’t let this eat at you, darling. Chloe’s death changed them so.”

  “It changed us all.”

  Augusta nodded. “You most of all. I remember how adventurous you used to be. How curious. You bottled it all up after that. Only your pictures betray you. You hide behind the camera. Someday, you need to step out and be yourself again.”

  Haley heard the rest of the group talking and laughing as they approached the cabin. “Don’t say anything to the rest of them,” she said. She couldn’t handle speculation and pity right now. Maybe never.

  Five

  What a motley-looking crew. Tank wanted to walk away as he surveyed the ragtag assortment of men and women assembled outside the cabin. Kipp had bags under his eyes, and he still reeked of beer, though he was clearly dressed for the camera. The producer’s eyes drooped as he leaned against his backpack. Tank’s gaze found Haley. Dressed sensibly in jeans and boots with layers of shirts, her auburn curls sprang from her head as though they were alive. Her pale complexion glowed with health, but her amber eyes looked shadowed. Augusta’s slim figure was outfitted with as much common sense as Haley’s was, though her clothes were obviously not as new as her granddaughter’s.

  His gaze traveled to the dog that peeked out of the pack on Haley’s back. He frowned. “You’re not taking that dog with you, are you?” He scowled at Oscar.

  “Of course. We’ll be gone too long to leave him behind.”

  “I doubt you’ll see many bears with all the noise he makes,” he said dryly. “We’d better get going if we want to be ready for the afternoon feeding frenzy.” He adjusted the strap on his backpack and took off down the trail. He heard faint grumbling behind him.

  “Hey, aren’t you going to help haul the stuff ?” Kipp called.

  “You shouldn’t be bringing more than one backpack per person. Everyone out here needs to pull their own weight. I suggest you stick your clothes in the middle of your sleeping bag.” He saw Haley cover her mouth with her hand, but it didn’t hide the amusement he saw in her face. Maybe she wasn’t quite as bad as the rest of them, though if bringing that dog was any indication, she didn’t have much more sense. He raked her with his glance. “And you’ve got two bags as well. You’d better be prepared to carry them yourself.”

  Her hand came down, and her gaze was as sharp as Miki’s claws. “I’m used to handling my own equipment.” She lifted her chin.

  He supposed he’d been a little rough on her. Neither of her bags was large. The backpack probably held her photography equipment. “I’ll wait fifteen minutes while you all repack and get it down to what you can handle on your own. We’ve got a two-hour hike, and it isn’t a walk in Central Park. We’ll be climbing rugged terrain and fording streams.” His gaze caught Haley’s again. She was sober this time, looking back at him steadily as if she could read his mind. The back of his neck prickled. He was at it again, judging others. He had no right. God was the judge, not him.

 
“Everyone have on a fresh coat of deet?” he asked, his voice gruff. “The mosquitoes aren’t bad yet, but they’re starting to come out, and they’ll be worse the farther into the bush we go.” They all nodded. “Let’s go then.”

  The group shouldered their packs and fell in line behind him. He noticed Haley’s walking stick with approval. Clouds of insects flew up as they walked through the wet leaves and moist vegetation. Their feet kicked up an aroma Tank never tired of—spruce, ferns, moss, and wildflowers.

  Sorry for his earlier bad humor, he lifted his head and began to sing “North to Alaska” in a deep baritone. He loved the old John Wayne movie, and the song never failed to lift his spirits. Maybe it would do the same for his traveling companions.

  Haley plodded along, already too weary to do more than focus her gaze on the uneven ground. At least her fatigue kept the fear at bay every time a strange sound came to her ears. She hated it here. Hated it. She wanted to be back in her home with the familiar sound of traffic on I-10. She fingered the can of bear spray attached to her waist. Would she even have the courage to use it if needed?

  Her head came up when Tank’s rich voice began to sing. She studied the back of Tank’s head. He almost sounded like Johnny Horton himself as his voice bellowed the song to the treetops. At the sound of the singing, Oscar came romping through the vegetation. He sat on his haunches, lifted his muzzle in the air, and howled along with Tank.

  Haley laughed, then looked back to see Kipp roll his eyes. Her grandmother had talked her into watching the film one night, and maybe the old movie was a little hokey, but she was enough of a romantic that she’d sighed over the happy ending. Tank intrigued her even more after his unashamed singing. He looked back and grinned. She looked away. There was something about him that raised the hair on the back of her neck. He epitomized the wilderness, untamed and unknown. It was part and parcel of him. She was just going to do her job and get out of here.

  An hour later he stopped, and she didn’t. She barreled into him, and her stick went flying. His broad back was hard. She rubbed her nose and stepped back. “Sorry,” she muttered, her earlier mood returning. She wanted this shoot over with.

  “Time for a break.” He retrieved her stick, then shrugged off his pack and sat on it. They all collapsed behind him with soft groans. He pulled out a canteen of water and offered it to Haley, but she shook her head.

  “I have my own.” She pulled two plastic bottles of Perrier out of her backpack and offered one to Augusta. Augusta took the water with a tired smile of thanks. “You okay, Augusta?”

  “I’m fine, darling. I’ll be ready for bed tonight, though.”

  Haley swigged some water and glanced at Oscar. “Better get a drink,” she told him.

  The small dog wandered over to Tank and sat at his feet with his tongue hanging out to one side. “I’ve seen you drinking from the mud puddles,” Tank told him. “You can wipe that pleading look off your face.”

  Haley grinned. “I think you like him already.”

  He glanced at her briefly then looked back at the dog. “I never said I didn’t like him. I just didn’t want him to get eaten by a bear.”

  “He won’t.” She chewed on her lower lip. “I have bear spray.”

  “Yeah, I noticed you using it yesterday.”

  She bit her lip harder. “Miki took me by surprise.”

  “That’s generally what bears do. This is a hard, unforgiving land. There is no room for mistakes.”

  “I’ll be on my guard next time.” The back of her neck itched, and she swatted it. Her fingers came away bloody. “If these bloodsuckers are just getting started, what is the summer going to be like? These things are huge.”

  He grinned. “You’ve heard the stories of people needing a blood transfusion when coming from the bush without deet? Believe them. We’re stuck with these bloodsuckers until winter comes. They’ll lessen some in July, but you pretty much have to wear insect repellent all the time out here. I buy it by the gallon.”

  “Lovely,” she said with a sigh. She glanced away, then met his gaze again. “I met your sister and daughter yesterday.”

  “I know. Libby told me. Nice of you to spend some time with her. She gets lonely.”

  His tone was polite, and Haley thought he would like nothing better than to tell her to stay away from his family. “Have I offended you?” she asked softly.

  The silence opened a gulf between them as wide as Alaska. Just when she thought he wouldn’t answer, he glanced back at her.

  “You’re not going to be here long,” he said. “Brooke is vulnerable. She chattered about you all evening. I don’t want her to be hurt when you leave.”

  “I see.” The last thing she wanted to do was to hurt that precious little girl, especially when she’d already suffered the loss of her mother. “I’ll keep my distance.” She dug in her pack. “She loaned me a book. You want it back now?”

  “Finish it first. Brooke will want to know if you like it.” The chasm between them seemed to grow. Haley studied him with a sideways glance. What made a man come out here so far from creature comforts? His wife had died out here too. Did he feel he was to blame? Haley knew all about blame. They had that in common, if nothing else.

  She stood and walked toward a small lake a few feet away. She was careful to keep the others in sight. The thought of being out here alone was enough to make her break out into a cold sweat. Oscar followed her. She found a flat rock and aimed it at a placid pool between two boulders. She flung it and counted as it skipped over the surface. Three times.

  She dug in her backpack and got out a powdered-sugar donut. The sweet taste took her away from this place where the sky was too big and the land too terrifying. It reminded her that there was another land out there, home, a place she would soon see. She just had to get this job done, catalog Chloe’s life, and get back to Phoenix. It wasn’t like she had to live here the rest of her life. She could hack it for a little while longer.

  Tank found it difficult to keep his stride slow and deliberate so he didn’t lose the group. To their credit, none of them offered much complaint, and they did a fair job of keeping up with him. To give Haley a break from the little wiener dog’s squirming, he’d put Oscar in his own pack for the afternoon. The dog had his paws on Tank’s shoulder and seemed content there.

  Stepping over bear scat, he began to whistle to let any brown bears in the area know they had visitors. The flattened vegetation showed the imprint of several bears’ passage through the lingonberry patch. “We’re getting close,” Tank said.

  Haley shivered and looked around uneasily. “Are we setting up camp here?” She sounded hopeful.

  Tank shook his head. “Just a little farther. This is a bear trail to the river. You don’t want to be in their direct line of travel. It’s too dangerous.”

  “No, right here.” Kipp dropped his pack. “This is perfect. I want the chance to get close to them, show them I’m their friend and brother.”

  Tank felt his jaw drop, then tried to recover. “You are not their brother. You’re a man. They’re bears. They’ll feel threatened and might attack.” The condescension in Kipp’s smile made Tank realize he wasn’t getting through. He tried again. “They’re wild animals, Kipp, not some family pet like Oscar here. You don’t just walk up to a bear and introduce yourself.” Haley frowned and glanced at Kipp.

  “This is perfect,” Kipp repeated. He unzipped his pack and began to pull out his tent, a high-dollar unit that looked practically new.

  Tank’s jaw tightened. “I’m setting up my tent fifty yards off the trail. Any of you who have an ounce of sense will join me there.” Too angry to say more, he plunged off the trail in the direction of the river. He heard thrashing behind him and turned to see Haley and Augusta hurrying after him. At least the women weren’t as stupid as Kipp.

  “We watched two bears feeding yesterday. We were within just a few feet of them,” Augusta said. “Now you’re saying it’s not safe to be so close. We don�
�t know what to believe.”

  “Bears are wild animals, Augusta. They are unpredictable. There are certain things you can do to minimize the danger. One of those things is to not surprise them. You don’t set up camp on a well-traveled path where they generally don’t find men. I’ll be surprised if their camp lasts the night. I doubt Kipp knows how to cache his food so he doesn’t attract the bears. From what I’ve seen of him, he’s liable to leave it out to feed them.

  He’s just asking to be attacked.”

  “He may order us back,” Haley said. “Denny stayed to try to talk him out of camping there.”

  “He may be a celebrity, but he doesn’t have the right to get you all killed. This is no Sunday picnic,” he said. “It’s serious business. Bears don’t usually attack if you give them space, let them know you’re here, and don’t challenge them. Kipp is doing everything wrong.”

  “I just want to go home.” Haley tossed her backpack to the ground and sat on it. Augusta put her hand on her shoulder.

  He’d picked up on her uneasiness in the bush. There wasn’t much to say to someone who didn’t see the beauty of the wilderness. “This clearing isn’t quite as far away as I’d like, but we need to keep the others in sight. Toss me your tent, and I’ll set it up.”

  “Can we assemble it in the tree?” She smiled, but her tone was half-serious.

  “You’ll be fine. I brought wind chimes to make a racket, and you’ve got Oscar to protect you. They may be curious and check you out, and that’s okay. Kipp wants that to happen so he can video them for the documentary.” He dumped the little dog out of his backpack. Oscar went to Haley and jumped into her lap.

  “I’ll gather some wood,” Augusta said.

  “I brought some protein bars.” Haley rummaged in her pack. “Anyone else want one?”

  “I’ll take one.” Tank knelt to begin assembling the tent.

  Haley stroked the dog’s head while her grandmother began to pick up wood. Haley’s steady gaze never left Tank as he put their tents together. He piled rocks into a firepit.