Wild Fire

by Linda I. Shands

  After dinner, they helped Anne clean up the kitchen. Anne stored the leftover coleslaw in the fridge, then turned to Tia. “Wakara said you did well in your history class.”

  Tia rinsed the last of the glasses and set them in the dishwasher. “Yeah, I used to hate history, but there’s some real cool stuff. We even studied about some of the Indian tribes, like back in the 1800s, you know?”

  Anne smiled. “You are interested in the history of the People. Wakara has a book you might like to read. I have many others.”

  The generator went off at seven o’clock. By nine it was too dark to see, and Kara lit the lantern in her room. She picked up the book that Anne had given her while Tia set her things on the shelves.

  “Rats. I forgot to bring a book. Where’s that one Anne was talking about?”

  “You mean the one her father wrote? It’s right here.” Kara turned the book around so Tia could see the cover.

  Tia read the title out loud. “Yana History and Folklore. Anne’s father must be pretty smart.”

  “I guess he was. She said he died a year or so ago. I don’t know much about him.” Suddenly she wished she knew more. “Anne thinks I’m part Yana instead of Nez Perce. She says Wakara is a Yana name.”

  “Wow. What did your dad say?”

  Kara shrugged. “He said he wouldn’t be surprised. There were always questions about Great-grandpa Harley’s story. Dad didn’t seem to care. Neither do Ryan and Greg. I guess it’s all right for them. Their heritage doesn’t show.”

  Tia scooted onto Kara’s bed. “But you care, don’t you?”

  Kara nodded. “It’s like I don’t know who I am anymore. Since Mom died everything’s turned upside-down. Dad says it’s who I am on the inside that matters, not whether my great-grandmother was Yana or Nez Perce.”

  Tia sighed. “He’s right, you know. You’re still Wakara Windsong Sheridan, the shortest and youngest junior at Lariat High.”

  Kara laughed with her friend. “And you’re still Tia Sanchez, the nuttiest nut case in town.”

  “THIS IS SO COOL, ANNE. How did your father learn all this stuff?” Tia had brought the book with her to breakfast. Now she sat at the table in the kitchen reading while Kara and Anne took a final inventory of supplies.

  Anne raised her head and smiled. “The People pass down their heritage in songs and stories. My father did much research. He taught classes on Native American History. Later he rewrote his notes into books.”

  “Look, Kara, this says the Yana people went up and down the cliffs on ropes they made out of some weed. Ugh, no thanks. That sounds worse than flying in your dad’s plane.”

  Anne leaned against the stove. “Many people lived in valleys like this one. They did not have airplanes to come and go. Many did not have horses either.”

  “So, they got in and out by ropes and vines,” Kara said, pulling out a chair and sitting next to Tia. “They must have used the rocks for hand and foot holds. Like a mountain climber.”

  Anne nodded. “Yes. In some cases they had to carve the steps themselves.”

  “Like the Anasazi Indians in Mesa Verde. They built whole cities on the sides of the cliffs.”

  “I see you have studied well, Tia.”

  Tia grinned. “Pops took us to Colorado two summers ago.”

  Kara took a deep breath. Dad thought his grandmother’s people were from the Blue Mountains. Now was a good time to see what Anne really knew. “What about in this area? Weren’t there native people here too?”

  “Yes. Several tribes inhabited this valley. There is evidence that they lived by the river and traveled in and out of the valley by a secret path at a place called Tunnel Falls.”

  Kara frowned. “I thought Pine Creek was the only trail in and out of here.”

  Anne sat down across from them. “I do not know. I have not seen this path. It is said to be well hidden. A precaution against invasion by an enemy.”

  “Well, there are lots of caves, but they aren’t exactly hidden.”

  “The legend says, ‘Where the mountains kiss, and the river drops off the edge of the world, there is a door; a pathway to the sky.’”

  “That is so cool! Hey, Kara, maybe we could find it.”

  “Yeah, like when we have a free year or two. There’s a lot more to this valley than we’ll ever see. Dad hasn’t even been over all of it in the Cessna.”

  Tia stood and stretched. “Well, I don’t know about you, but all this talk about cliffs is making me dizzy. I’m going to change. Colin said we might have time to ride this afternoon.”

  She left the book on the table, and Kara snatched it up. For her all this talk about cliffs was confusing the issue. She might as well come out with it before Anne started on the storeroom.

  “You said Wakara is a Yana name, but it can’t be. Those people lived in northern California. Besides, they were extinct by the time my great-grandmother was born.”

  She saw a quick look of understanding cross Anne’s face.

  “This bothers you then. I thought it might.”

  Kara looked up into the familiar gentle smile.

  “I do not know where your ancestor got her name. You said yourself the couple who raised her did not ask at the reservation. This is very strange. There is much mystery surrounding your heritage. Perhaps someday you will find the answers you are seeking.”

  “How?”

  “It is like that ancient, hidden path. God knows the way, Little Moon, but only those who truly seek can find it.”

  Yeah, right. Like that answers my question. She looked down at the table so Anne couldn’t see her eyes. “I guess I’d better go catch up with Tia. May I be excused?”

  “Of course. The work is almost done. Enjoy your ride.”

  Kara nodded and escaped into the dining room before the tears she felt stinging her eyes could overflow. She swiped them away with the back of her hand and hurried down the hall. Get a grip, Wako. You’re acting like a baby.

  She almost bumped into Colin, who was just closing the door to Dad’s office.

  “Whoa.” He gripped her arms to stop her from stumbling, then lifted her chin. “Hey, you’re crying.” His forehead wrinkled like an old man’s. “What’s wrong? Is there anything I can do?”

  Somehow the compassion she saw in his eyes only made things worse. She shrugged his hands away. “It’s nothing.” He handed her a clean handkerchief. “Thanks.” She blew her nose. “What were you doing in Dad’s office?” Anything to change the subject.

  He plucked his hat off his head, reshaped the brim, then plopped it back on. “Your dad was asking me about the youth camp I went to. He thinks it might be a good place for Greg.”

  “Greg?” She didn’t try to hide her surprise. “Why would he want to go—Oh, you mean the camp you went to when you got in trouble.” She couldn’t believe it. Dad was sending Greg away.

  “But isn’t he a little too old for a place like that?”

  Colin shrugged. “Not really. They take guys up to twenty.” He started playing with his hat again. “I gave your dad the phone number.” The look on his face was like Ryan’s when he wasn’t sure if he was in trouble or not. “We all have to deal with grief, Kara. For some of us the answers just come harder, I guess. That place helped me a lot. I think it would be good for Greg.”

  Before she could think of what to say, he changed the subject.

  “Hey, Tia wants to ride today. I thought we could take the trail downriver, then explore that deer path Greg and I found. Remember?”

  She nodded. It did sound like fun. “When?”

  He looked at his watch. “Half an hour? I’ll round up the horses and get the gear together.”

  “Hey, you two. What’s all the gabbing about?” Dad stuck his head out of the office door.

  Kara jumped.

  He flashed a weak smile. “Sorry, Sugar Bear.”

  Kara forced herself to smile back. Now was not the time to question him about Greg. He looked like he’d been on a three-week c
attle drive.

  “We were just talking about going on a ride.”

  “Good. I forgot to tell you, Colin. I promised Ryan he could ride today. There’s one more group coming in, then the horses go back to Lariat. He won’t have many more chances before school starts.”

  Kara turned her head away and rolled her eyes. Great. What would Tia think about the pest coming along? She decided not to tell her until the last minute.

  She felt a twinge of guilt. They had been excluding Ry a lot since Tia came to the lodge. Her brother didn’t have anyone to play with right now. And riding Star was a treat. Maybe this would make amends.

  Tia stepped out of Kara’s room just as Ryan came charging down the hall. He had on a cowboy hat and riding boots, and was fumbling with a blue-and-white bandanna.

  “Hey, guys, I’m ready to ride.”

  “Whoa, you sure are, partner.” Colin took the bandanna, folded it diagonally, and tied it around Ryan’s neck. “There, now you look just like John Wayne.”

  Ryan grinned, and Tia flashed Kara a look that said, Is he really going?

  Kara sighed. “Okay, you guys. Give me a minute to change.”

  Ryan bolted for the front door. “Come on, Colin. I’ll race you to the barn.”

  “I’d better get down there before he stampedes the entire herd.” Colin tipped his hat and bowed. “Ladies. I’ll see you at the barn.”

  Dad laughed and looked her in the eye. “Have a good time, Sugar Bear. And be careful, okay?”

  She felt a rush of love for him. “We will, Dad. And don’t worry. We’ll be fine.”

  LILY WANTED TO RUN, so Kara eased her into a canter when they hit the meadow and pulled her up just short of the wooden bridge. “Sorry, girl. From here on we walk.” She leaned over and patted the silky neck. No way was she going to give Colin a reason to lecture her.

  They tied the horses in a ring of trees by the abandoned campsite. Ryan grabbed a stick and started poking through the cold, gray ashes in the fire ring.

  “Don’t make a mess, Ry.” Kara opened the saddlebags and pulled out the apples and peanuts they had brought along.

  Tia grabbed two small boxes of juice and carried one over to Colin, who was searching the tree line for the deer trail he and Greg had scouted in June. She handed him the juice. “Here, Col, I thought you might be thirsty. Hey, are you sure there’s a trail here? It looks pretty bushy. Isn’t that, like, poison oak?”

  Kara had an instant picture of Tia covered head to toe in an itchy red rash. She knew she should be ashamed of herself, but the image made her smile. Tia turned calf-eyed every time she was anywhere near Colin. Not that she should care—Tia flirted with all the guys—but for some reason Kara felt betrayed when her best friend acted like that with Colin.

  “Wow!” Ryan dropped to his knees and began digging through the ashes with his hands. “Way cool! Look, Colin, real bullets.”

  Kara grabbed Ryan’s arm, then relaxed when he held out a handful of empty copper-tipped cartridges. “Throw those things back,” she ordered. “They’re filthy. And you’d better put your shirt back on. You’ll get a sunburn.”

  Ryan glared at her then turned away, stuffing the spent bullets into the pocket of his jeans. He snatched something else out of the ashes and ran to stuff it in the leather pouch hanging from Star’s saddle.

  Kara sighed as she watched him carefully tie his long-sleeved shirt around his waist, leaving his back bare. She knew she should make him obey her, but maybe a sunburn would teach him a lesson.

  Tia hollered, “Hey, you guys, let’s get with it. Colin found the trail.” Her face was flushed, and she didn’t look a bit worried about poison oak.

  Colin had been right. It was only a deer track, dusty and so narrow in places that they had to turn sideways to push through the thorny brush.

  They walked single file with Colin in the lead, then Tia and Ryan, with Kara bringing up the rear. Colin stopped with a finger to his lips and pointed out deer feeding on the dry, brown grasses just inside the tree line.

  Kara felt sorry for the animals. They looked skinny and weak. Even the fir trees were turning brown in this heat.

  Tia screamed and the deer scattered.

  Kara pushed past Ryan. “What is it?”

  Colin was already hovering, working something out of Tia’s hair. “It’s just a twig. See? Good thing your hair is short. It pulled right out.”

  Tia flushed. “Sorry. Something grabbed me. I didn’t know what it was.”

  Ryan wiggled between them. “Let me see. Aw, I thought it was a snake or something.” He sounded so disappointed, even Tia had to laugh.

  Colin turned and started down the trail. Kara fell back to her spot behind Ryan. His arms were getting scratched, and his back was already turning red. She should make him put his shirt on, but it wasn’t worth the fight.

  “It must be 95 degrees in here.” Colin took a swig of water from his canteen.

  Kara drank, then handed the canteen to Ryan. “It looks like it opens up ahead.” She pointed to where the trail topped a small rise, then seemed to end in a halo of light.

  Colin followed her gaze. “Man, I hope so. I could use some fresh air.” He looked at his pedometer and let out a low whistle. “I can’t believe it, but we’ve come three miles already.”

  Kara grimaced. She could believe it. Her feet were throbbing inside her hiking boots, her hair felt sticky and heavy on top of her head. Sometimes she wished she had gotten it cut like Tia’s. A hundred yards ahead the trail ended in a small clearing. Boulders the size of a small house shot up in front of them. The forest closed in thickly to the right, and on their left the ground dropped off twenty feet or more into the river below.

  Tia sat down and pulled off her tennis shoes. “Ow! Look at the blisters.” She propped herself against a tree and stretched, peering through one eye at Colin. “I am totally done. Someone will just have to carry me back.”

  In your dreams. Kara bit back the retort and said instead, “I told you to wear hiking boots.”

  Tia shrugged. “They’re too stiff. I’d have blisters all the way up to my ankles.”

  Colin broke into their conversation. “Listen.”

  When they stopped talking, they could hear the sound of water rushing over rocks.

  Colin slipped off his backpack and handed it to Kara. “The river’s too shallow to make that much noise. There must be a waterfall. I’m going to climb over and have a look.”

  Colin was halfway up the pile of boulders when Ryan called out, “Hey, look, you guys. You can see it from here!”

  Kara gasped. He was standing on tiptoes at the edge of the canyon, pointing eagerly to where the water flowed through a huge hole in the rock face. “Ryan Sheridan, come away from there!”

  He scowled at her. “I’m not doin’ nothing, I just want to see.” He took another step, then his arms flailed wildly as the ground crumbled beneath his feet. Before Kara could move, he landed hard on his bottom, then slid with an avalanche of rocks and dirt over the edge.

  Everything seemed to happen in slow motion. Kara could hear Tia’s frantic screams. She heard Colin yell, “Hang on, I’m coming!” Then she was at the spot where her little brother had disappeared.

  She grabbed a low-hanging tree branch, leaned out, and scanned the river below. The water flowed shallow and clear. There was no sign of a body, only rocks. Her eyes darted back up over the face of the cliff.

  Tia was still screaming, “Oh, no! Ryan! Oh, no!”

  Kara’s patience snapped. “Tia, shut up! I have to listen for Ry.”

  The tree branch was slippery in her sweaty hand. She got a better grip and leaned even farther out over the edge.

  Then she spotted him. He sat, hugging his knees to his chest, on a small ledge only a few feet from the top of the cliff. He had scooted back as far as he could under the overhanging rock. She could just see the front of his body.

  “Don’t you move, Ry! Not even a wiggle, do you hear me?”


  He buried his face between his knees.

  She took a deep breath. Stay calm. Think it through. The only rope she had was three miles away, hanging from Lily’s saddle. Anyway, the ledge was too small to lower anyone down. And the lodge was too far away to go for help. He could panic any minute and tumble into the river.

  A whimper from the huddled form spurred her into action. She threw herself on the ground and scooted toward the edge. “Tia. Grab my ankles!”

  “I can’t! Kara, don’t, you’ll fall!”

  “I’ve got you. Go slow.” Kara felt Colin’s strong hands grip her ankles as she eased her way over the ledge.

  Don’t look down. Focus on Ryan. She took a deep breath, then scooted forward. Another few inches and she’d be all the way over, and Colin might not be able to hold her. “Ryan. Look at me.”

  He shuddered, but he didn’t raise his head.

  “Ry, come on, I can’t quite reach. You have to help.”

  Colin spoke from behind her. “Come on, partner. It’s getting late. We gotta get back and feed that horse of yours. You wouldn’t want Star to go hungry, would you?”

  Ryan looked up, and the terror on his face made Kara’s heart pound. She forced herself to smile. “Hi,” she said gently. “Scoot out just a little and lift your arms so I can reach you, okay?”

  He didn’t move.

  Kara took a deep breath. Please, God, make him listen. She tried again. “Ryan, grab my arms. I won’t let you fall, I promise. Colin won’t let either of us fall; he’s going to pull us up, just like in that John Wayne movie. Remember?”

  His arms inched upward. She could touch his hands, but she couldn’t get a grip. He was too far under the overhang. He would have to slide forward and turn around. If she tried to bring him up the way he was, he could break his back.

  She could hear Tia sobbing. Then Colin’s rough voice, “If you can’t help, be quiet or go away!”

  Sweat dripped from her forehead. She wiped her slippery hands on the dusty rocks and tried to ignore the pain in her legs and thighs. “A little farther, Ry. Come on.”