by Bonnie Leon
“Cabbages. Who needs cabbages?” Carl pulled a cigar out of his pocket and went to light it.
“No smoking.” Kate gripped the stick more tightly and waited.
Without a word he returned the cigar to his pocket, and Kate blew out a relieved breath. She didn’t want to spar with him.
The valley sprawled beneath the plane. It was beautiful. Kate wondered if her parents might consider moving to the valley. She’d have to ask them.
“Why’d they come up here?” Norman asked.
“Who?”
“The colonists,” he said, his voice dripping with disdain. “The drought decimated their farms, so the government moved two hundred families here to give them a new start. The plan is that they’ll produce food for Alaskans.” Kate was thankful she’d been listening when Albert told her about the colonists. It made her sound knowledgeable about the territory.
She followed the broad river, which was banded by several small tributaries. Gray water fed by the Matanuska Glacier cut through dirtied snow.
Leaving the valley behind, she used the river as a guide. The Talkeetna Mountains pressed in from the north and the Chugach from the south. Green spruce stuck up above woodlands of alder and birch. The river wound through the dense forests, sometimes narrowing and growing deep and then expanding and drifting into small streams.
“How far we got?” Norman asked. “I gotta use the john.”
“Nearly there. If you can’t wait, I keep a can stowed under the backseat.” Kate felt a flush heat her cheeks. She kept her eyes forward.
“I can wait.”
When Kate caught her first glimpse of the glacier, relief swept through her. She was nearly there. Now all she needed was to find the landing site.
The glacier looked like a giant frozen river winding out of the Chugach Mountains. She’d never seen anything like it.
“What’s that?” Ralph asked.
“The Matanuska Glacier.”
She flew closer to get a better look. The river of ice didn’t meander. It was an undulating frozen flow, cutting its way through the mountains. Blue and white ribbons pushed up, forming jagged peaks that fell into small chasms. The amazing sight took Kate’s breath away.
Reluctantly she swung back to her original course. She finally saw Sheep Rock with its distinctive dark jagged peaks jutting up from the forested landscape. She searched for the landing site.
“You said it wasn’t far. I gotta go.”
“It’s right down there.” Kate nodded toward a sandbar. She’d made it. Decreasing the power and holding slight back pressure on the elevator, she descended and made a pass over the landing strip. It was made up of small rocks and looked fairly level. There were remnants of snow from the rogue storm that had pushed through, but it looked good for landing. Kate’s confidence grew. The Bellanca ought to do fine. She made a wide sweep and set up for the approach.
The plane touched down with little difficulty, bouncing only once when the wheels touched the crude runway. Kate rolled to a stop. Norman pushed open the door and hurried to a nearby bush to relieve himself.
While the hunters had a look around, Kate unloaded the supplies. She piled their provisions far enough away from the plane so they wouldn’t be an obstacle when she took off.
“I’ll be back in a week,” she called. No response. “Be ready when I get here.”
Carl gave her a half wave.
“Fine,” Kate groused and returned to the plane. Revolted by the men, she watched them cross the sandbar and hoped their kind weren’t what she could expect for passengers. Carl pointed at something on the ridge and made gestures Kate guessed had something to do with hunting strategies. She started the engine, thinking the hunters ought to be setting up camp. It would be dark soon. Deciding their problems weren’t hers to worry about, she left them and headed back to Anchorage.
The week passed quickly. When it was time to return to the Matanuska to pick up the New York hunters, Kate set off with trepidation. She didn’t like the Brown brothers, and she’d be glad to have the trip behind her. Climbing into the plane, she told herself that if she was going to be a bush pilot, she couldn’t be picky about who flew with her. She’d have to toughen up.
Fresh snow had fallen during the night, leaving a layer of white on the trees and ground. Kate headed up the Mata-nuska and soon spotted tracks leading away from the river toward the mountains. She was ahead of schedule so decided to have a look at what had left the markings. They most likely belonged to wolves.
The prints wound through the forest and into a gorge. Although Kate knew better than to wander off her designated flight plan, interest drove her. I’ll follow just a little way. A quick look is all I need.
She stayed low, making it easier to see the trail. Several times it disappeared beneath foliage but would soon reemerge. Finally, Kate was rewarded by the sight of a wolf pack. It had downed something.
The snow was bloodied and they were feasting on a fresh kill. Seemingly unaware of the plane, they ripped flesh from a moose that still steamed in the cold morning air. She circled back and flew over again, this time lower. Some of the wolves stared at the sky and cowered, but weren’t intimidated enough to give up their prize. She looped around and returned for another look. The pack ate, this time barely aware of the plane overhead.
Kate turned back toward the river, thrilled at having witnessed wildlife in their natural, though base, state. Her thoughts remained with the wolves until she realized she’d lost her bearings. Everything looked the same. Alarm stood the hair on her arms on end. Then in the distance she spotted a familiar mountain ridge and blew out a relieved breath.
Life could change in a moment. She should have known better. Just like the day she’d killed Alison, she was being careless and larking about. Kate clenched her teeth. When will I learn?
It was late morning by the time she reached the landing site. She hoped her riders were ready to leave. When she flew over the sandbar, they were waiting with their gear piled beside them.
She put down without mishap. Two sets of magnificent spiraling horns sat on the ground near the men. So they got their rams. Kate’s eyes went to a canvas bag hanging from a nearby tree. She smiled. They’d been listening when Sidney warned them about bears.
Ralph and Norman moved to the tree while Kate climbed out of the plane and headed toward Carl, who stood beside the trophies. He walked toward her, clutching a half-empty liquor bottle in one hand. His gait was unsteady. Kate groaned. He was drunk.
“Where were you?” he demanded. “We expected you early. You said you’d be early.” His words seemed to slam together.
“It’s early enough.” Kate wasn’t about to tell him about her sightseeing trip. She watched as Norman lowered the meat from the tree, then turned her gaze to the pile of gear and back to Carl. “You ready?”
“Been ready.” He took a drink from the bottle.
Kate moved to the supplies. “How about some help?” She didn’t even try to keep the irritation out of her voice.
“What do you think I pay you for?” Carl smirked.
Kate ignored him. Ralph and Norman hauled the bagged meat toward the plane. “Put it behind the seats. Make sure to distribute it evenly. If the weight’s not balanced, the plane won’t maneuver properly. And we can’t have too much weight all in the back.”
Ralph hefted the game into the plane, then helped Kate with the gear.
Carl and Norman lugged the horns. They were still bloody.
“Looks like you had a good hunt,” Kate said.
“We did.” Norman grinned. “You should have seen—”
“Dry up,” Carl ordered. “Let’s go.”
Kate shot him a look of annoyance. “Can you bag those horns? They’ll stink when they warm up.”
“Yeah, we got a bag,” Ralph said, searching through a pack.
Kate double-checked the load, moving some forward so they wouldn’t be too heavy in the tail, then she stood at the open door. “Time to h
ead out.”
After they got in, she climbed down and, pressing a foot against one of the tires, used the hand crank on the flywheel. When the whine reached the right pitch, she removed the crank, climbed into the plane, and closed the door. The compartment stank of booze.
“No drinking in my plane.” She moved toward the cockpit. Carl slapped her bottom as she passed. Kate stopped and glared at him. “Don’t ever do that again.”
His mouth turned up in a lopsided grin. “I’ll do as I like.”
“I’ll put you off the plane.”
“You think so?” He tried to stand, but there wasn’t room to fit his full height. “You gonna make me?”
They stared at each other. Kate wasn’t a small woman, but she knew he had the upper hand. There was no way she could force him to do something he didn’t want to do. She felt powerless.
“Cut it out,” Ralph said. “I want to get home. I’ve had enough of the great outdoors.” He pulled on Carl’s arm and dragged him down to his seat.
Kate remained where she was for a few moments. That way it looked like she’d won the argument. She still had her teeth clenched when she took her place up front and pulled the starter. There was no response. She held back a moan and gave it another try. Still no luck. I can’t be stuck here with these baboons. She turned it again, but it still didn’t respond.
“You got a problem with this crate?” Carl tried to stand but fell back into his seat.
Kate didn’t answer. Instead she climbed out and cranked the flywheel again, then tried the starter one more time, and the engine turned over, roaring to life. Relief whooshed out of Kate’s lungs in a big breath. She revved the engine, then readied for takeoff. When the plane lifted into the air, she turned toward Anchorage, thinking she couldn’t get there soon enough.
Even though Kate had said no drinking, Carl continued. His talk became more belligerent with each swallow. He kept moving from one seat to another.
“Sit down! And stay put!” Kate hollered.
He ignored her and crawled toward the back.
“Hey, leave that alone,” Ralph shouted just as a loud pop and a rush of air reverberated through the cabin.
He’d opened the door! Icy air blasted through the compartment. The sound was so loud it nearly drowned out the engine noise.
“The door’s open!” Ralph shrieked.
Carl grabbed for it. Kate’s stomach tightened. He wasn’t steady enough. He’d fall out. “Carl, sit down! The wind will keep it closed!” Hoping to get him away from the door, Kate banked the plane and he stumbled backward. Carl clambered to his seat.
“Stay put!” she yelled. The door banged from bursts of air.
“What do we do?” Norman asked, his voice quaking.
“Everyone stays away from the door and we fly home. We’ll be okay. Just stay in your seats.” Kate had never flown with a door ajar, but she’d heard it wouldn’t hurt the plane’s lift or maneuverability.
“It’s cold. Isn’t there something we can do?” Norman whined.
“No. There isn’t.” Kate gripped the stick, unable to believe what had happened. She glanced back at Carl. The color had drained from his face.
“I’m not feeling so good,” he said.
“If you upchuck on my plane, you’ll clean up after yourself.” Kate was furious. “There’s a bag under the seat . . . or you can use the can.”
Carl found the bag just in time. Looking limp, he slouched in his seat. He might have passed out. Kate hoped so.
Terror written on their faces, Ralph and Norman eyed the door. It continued to thump.
When Kate reached the airfield, she couldn’t remember ever feeling more relief. She put the plane down without difficulty and was already thinking about what she’d tell Sidney.
Her mind shouted at her, drowning out reasonable thought. I failed. I couldn’t control my passengers. I’ll never be able to do this. Thinking I could be a bush pilot was a cockamamie idea.
Kate wrestled with the mental insurrection. It was just one unruly customer. It could happen to anyone.
She tried to focus on what she’d done right. I managed to get us back on the ground safely. Feeling slightly better, she decided that after this, she’d set rules from the get-go and she’d carry a pistol.
She turned and faced her clients. “I want you out! Get your stuff and get out of my plane!”
Ralph and Norman managed to haul Carl to the truck and then did as Kate had told them. As they gathered their belongings, they looked more humiliated than angry.
Kate wondered how she’d keep the events of the trip to herself. The guys would have a heyday with it. She looked around the field. Thankfully, Mike’s plane was the only one on the ground. He won’t say anything. But Kate wondered about Sidney. This was too good a story to keep to himself. In spite of her frustration, Kate laughed to herself and walked toward the office.
10
Kate leaned over the Plymouth Coupe and scraped ice off the windshield. She didn’t want to go to work. She knew Jack and Kenny would be waiting for her. They’d already razzed her about the nearly disastrous hunting excursion, and she was certain Jack wasn’t done with his taunting.
Even Sidney had made a few digs, although he didn’t neglect to congratulate her on bringing the flight in safely. Mike stood up for her, applauding her levelheadedness. She liked Mike and warmed at the memory of his chivalry.
With the engine running, she walked around to the back and cleared the rear window. Mike had made her a sweet deal on the car, and Kate was grateful for a comfortable ride to work.
It was a short trip to the airfield. When Kate spotted Jack’s plane, she figured she was in for it. Stepping out of the coupe, she tried to think of a snappy comeback, but her mind was blank. She could never get ahold of a good answer when she needed it. Later she’d think of something that would put him in his place, but by then it didn’t matter. She wished he’d go to work for another outfit so she wouldn’t have to deal with his horrible moods and cutting remarks.
Kate stepped into the shop, and warm air blasted her. It felt good. Looking around, she was surprised Sidney was the only one there. She relaxed a little.
He smiled and pushed away from his desk. “You’re just the person I’m looking for.”
“Me?”
“Yeah. Jack’s down with a bug.”
“Oh, too bad,” Kate said, unable to keep sarcasm out of her voice.
“Yeah, well, I was hoping you could take a run for him.”
“He’ll hate that.”
“Yep. He will.” Sidney grinned.
Acquiring one of Jack’s assignments felt a little like retribution. “What do you have?”
“There’s a guy with business in Kotzebue. He’s picking up reindeer antlers.”
“Kotzebue?” Kate had never flown that far north. The idea triggered excitement as well as anxiety. “Glad to help Jack out anytime,” she said with a smile.
“I’ll get you a map.” Sidney moved to a wooden cabinet standing against the wall behind the desk. He fingered through files, then pulled out a chart and pushed the drawer closed. “It’s a long flight.” He opened the map and spread it out on his desk. “You might have to make adjustments for weather, and the wind can get bad. You never know when a storm’s brewing out in the Bering Sea.”
Using a pencil he’d tucked behind his ear, he marked a route as he talked. “Your best bet is to head up Cook Inlet to the Skwentna River, then duck in through Rainy Pass. You can follow the Kuskokwim River to McGrath. If you need to, you can rest there. After that, head for Unalakleet.” He circled the village on the map. “It’s a good place to fuel up and stay over. You can make Kotzebue the next day.”
Kate studied the map. Kotzebue was way north. “Will there be enough daylight? Nights are getting longer and more so up north.”
“Shouldn’t be a problem. October’s not bad, even up there. Just no lollygagging. At first light get into the air and set down before dark.” He retu
rned to the map and made additional notations. “If it takes you longer, I’ve marked places you can stay.”
Kate nodded, charting Sidney’s instructions in her mind. “I’ll take extra fuel . . . just in case.”
“Good idea.” Sidney folded the map and handed it to her.
“What about my mail run?”
“I’ll get one of the other fellas to do it. Frank ought to be back tomorrow.”
“Okay. So when do I leave?”
“Right now.”
“Oh.” Unsteadiness rolled over Kate. She wasn’t prepared. “I’ll need to make a trip back to my place to get some gear.”
“No problem. I’ll tell Mr. Brinks to be here in thirty minutes?”
“Okay.” Kate headed for the door, making a mental list of the things she’d need.
“The plane will be ready when you get back,” Sidney said.
At her place, Kate stuffed clothing into a pack, then grabbed a couple of apples, a loaf of bread and peanut butter, a tin of crackers, and two cans of sardines. Mentally, she went over the survival gear she kept stowed in the plane. It ought to be adequate.
She slung the pack over her shoulder and headed into the store. Albert was stocking a shelf of canned goods. “I’ll be gone four or five days. Hope this doesn’t put you in a bind.”
“We’ll be fine.” Albert set a can of carrots on the shelf. “Where’d you say you’re going?”
“Kotzebue.”
He looked at her from beneath raised eyebrows. “Long trip. Likely winter’s already set in up there. Isolated country.”
“It’ll be a first for me, but Sidney wouldn’t ask if he didn’t think I was ready.” The idea swelled inside Kate—she was proving herself to the best in Alaska. “See you in a few days,” she said, taking a step toward the door. She stopped and impulsively planted a kiss on Albert’s cheek. “Don’t worry about me.”
He smiled kindly. “You’ll be in my prayers.”
With the engine warming, Kate stowed her provisions. When Mr. Brinks arrived, Sidney walked the tall, thin man across the field.