“I hope you weren’t thinking about trying to get to that truck of yours because it’s buried under a mountain of snow. What possessed you to park right under that outcrop of rocks? That was a mistake.” Hank wagged his shaggy head. “You’d have gone all that way for nothing. Good thing ol’ Hank showed up when he did, eh, pumpkin?” He smiled and reached to pat Zoe’s head, but she recoiled farther into Audra’s lap.
“She thinks you’re Bigfoot and that you’re going to eat her,” Edward said.
Hank cast a grin at Zoe. “Me, Bigfoot? No way. I’m not Bigfoot. But I have a cousin who looks like Sasquatch. Boy, is she ugly.” He laughed.
Hank turned toward the kitchen and rummaged through supplies. “Whatcha got in here to satisfy a man’s empty belly? I could eat a whole wildebeest carcass right about now and fight off a pride of lions to do it.” He grabbed an MRE off the shelf and tried to rip the package open with his teeth. “Either these packages have gotten stronger or my teeth are giving out.”
Edward stepped up and handed Hank his pocketknife.
“Thanks, buddy.” Hank opened the package and dug into it with the knife. “Mm-mmm-mmm.” As he shoveled the food into his mouth his beard became a catchall for food that failed to hit the target. He held the bag out and cocked his head sideways to read the bag. “Lasagna, my favorite.”
Hank licked both sides of the knife, wiped it on his pants, folded it up and handed it back to Edward. A huge, unrestrained burp bellowed out of him, then, with the back of his sleeve, he wiped his mouth. His huge paws patted his stomach. “That hit the spot.”
Ignoring everyone, Hank went to the fireplace and stretched out next to Cricket on the braided rug. He rolled onto his back, pounded his chest with his fist, let out another loud belch, then turned onto his side and closed his eyes.
Edward tossed his knife in the sink and turned toward the girls who were wide-eyed at the spectacle they’d just witnessed. He had to laugh. This was exactly how most people reacted to Hank the first time they met him. “I told you he was different.”
* * * *
Edward dumped the hot water into the tub and tested it with his hand. Nice and warm.
The girls stared at Hank. They’d regained their composure, but neither of them had said a word for several minutes. Edward touched Audra’s arm.
She flinched and sucked a quick breath.
“Didn’t mean to startle you. Your bath is ready. Zoe, go get your clothes, and Audra’s too. I’m sure you’ll both feel a little better if you’re in your own stuff once you’re cleaned up.”
He grabbed a plastic cup off of the kitchen shelf as they passed by and handed it to Audra. “Here, you can use this to scoop the water over your hair. It might make washing it a little easier.”
“Good idea. Thank you.” She looked past him to where Hank lay by the fire. Her breaths came a little faster.
“Don’t worry. Hank’s a good guy.”
“I’m sure he is. It’s just that—”
“I know.” He removed Audra’s splint. “Try not to bang that arm around. Let Zoe help you get in and out of the tub. There are a couple of towels over there.” He nodded toward a shelf. “And soap and shampoo. Don’t drain the water when you’re done. We’re recycling it. I get first dibs on the tub when you guys are finished. Maybe we can convince Hank to take a dip when he wakes up as well.”
* * * *
Girly voices, melodious and cheerful, drifted through the bathroom door. Edward couldn’t make out their words, but their laughter told him that they were happy. After what they’d just witnessed, it was a wonder they could laugh at all. Most people lived their whole life without having an intruder barge into their home or seeing a man draw a gun on another human being. In a few short seconds, the girls had seen both.
“You like them, don’t you?” Hank lay on the floor with his head propped up on the dog’s back, hands folded behind his head.
“Yeah, so? What’s not to like?”
“Not a thing. Just making an observation.”
“You scared them, Hank. They’ve been through a lot, so take it easy on them. You made an assumption about Audra and me, and I think it embarrassed her. Don’t do it again. You got that?”
“Sorry bro. I’ll be charming from now on, I promise.” Hank got up and sat at the kitchen table. “Now, for the real reason I came here today.”
Edward sat across from him. “Finally.”
“Greco is looking for you. When he kept getting your voicemail, he decided to call me to see if I knew where you were.”
“What does he want?”
“The unit’s been called up. They’re assembling the team, and he wants you to head up a mission.” Hank rubbed his neck and stretched from side to side.
“What kind of mission?”
“He wouldn’t tell me. It’s classified. I’m out. Remember? Anyway, I told him I’d see if I could find you. So, did I find you?” Hank thrummed his fingers on the table. “What I mean is, if you don’t want to be found, well then, I didn’t find you. It’s that simple.”
“I’ll think about that after we get these girls out of here. Right now, I am on a mission.”
* * * *
Audra sat wrapped in a towel as Zoe helped dry her hair and back where she couldn’t reach with one hand. Vanessa would be proud to know how Zoe had risen to the task of caregiver and had done so with such tenderness.
Hank and Edward’s conversation at the table stopped when they stepped into the room.
“Ladies, maybe you’ll allow me a do-over.” Hank stood to his feet. “So, if you wouldn’t mind, let’s start all over, shall we? I’m Hank Fleming, and I apologize if I scared you. Edward has chastised me, and I’ve seen the error of my ways. I’ve been recalibrated. Are we okay then?”
“Yes, of course.” Audra gingerly extended her left hand. Hank’s hand engulfed hers.
“Zoe?” Audra rested her hand on Zoe’s shoulder. “You’ll give Hank a second chance, won’t you?”
Zoe stepped forward, and the big man squatted down with his hand extended.
“Pleased to meet you, Mr. Fleming,” Zoe said in a small voice.
“I’m happy to have made your acquaintance, Zoe. Call me Hank.”
Edward let out a sharp exhalation. “Good. Now, Hank, behave yourself while I take a bath. You’re next. You stink.” Edward went into the bathroom and shut the door.
Audra supported her right arm with her left hand. Next to her, Zoe held the padded stick and strips of cloth.
Hank moved forward and gave a warm smile. “Splint?”
“Yes. Yes, it is. We’re not sure if my arm’s broken, but Edward felt we should immobilize it just in case. The swelling has gone down a lot.”
“May I?” Hank held his hand out.
Zoe handed him the stick and the ties and watched as the huge man gently splinted Audra’s arm and helped put the sling back on.
“Not too tight, is it?” he asked.
“No, that’s perfect. Thank you.”
“What happened to your eye, mister?” Zoe blurted.
“Zoe, that’s not polite. You shouldn’t ask people such things.” Audra turned toward Hank. “I’m so sorry.”
“No, no. Don’t be sorry. See, that’s what I like about kids. They speak their minds. They’ll come out and say what you’ve wanted to say all along, but civility dictated it was wrong to ask. I’ll tell you what happened to my eye.” He pulled out a kitchen chair and sat.
Audra joined him at the table, and Zoe stood nearby.
“When I was a soldier in Afghanistan, an insurgent, a bad guy, that is, fired a grenade at the truck I was driving, and it exploded. I was one of the lucky ones. I survived. Later, the doctors tried to save my eye, but, in the end, I ended up losing it. I can’t hear out of this ear anymore, either.” He tugged his left ear then shook his head. “Ironic, isn’t it? Me, a demolition expert, being discharged because I got blown up.” He
let out a wry laugh.
“Eddie was in the vehicle behind me and saw the whole thing. It was a traumatic experience for him. He and the other guys circled the wagons, so to speak, and provided cover while the medic worked on me.”
He folded his arms on the table. “LT is a good guy, a really good guy. He can be cantankerous, I’ll admit, but I’d put my life on the line for him any day of the week. He’d do the same for me.”
Zoe looked perplexed. “Who’s LT?”
Hank chuckled. “LT means lieutenant. Eddie didn’t tell you he’s a Lieutenant?”
* * * *
Edward came out of the bathroom. “Hank, you’re next. All the towels are wet, but I suppose if you try hard you can shake off like Cricket does.”
“Maybe later.” Hank’s face took on a pensive look. “Right now, let’s see those topographical maps and the other maps, the ones we drew up when we were kids. I’ve got an idea.”
Chapter 7
Edward spread a couple of maps on the kitchen counter.
Hank flattened a few wrinkles in the paper, hunched over and studied alongside Edward. Hank scratched his scraggly beard. “If we could get in touch with the local search and rescue, maybe they could send a chopper to medevac the girls out of here.”
“That sounds good. This might make for a good LZ. What do you think?” Edward tapped a finger on the map.
“No, not a good landing zone. Too many trees. It looks good on the map, but I’ve been there. We’re not landing anything within a few miles of here.” Hank lowered his voice. “We’re going to have to yank them up on a line. You and I both know that.”
Audra didn’t strike Edward as the adventuresome type. And Zoe? Well, she was just a kid. “They’re not going to be too pleased to hear that.”
“What are you guys talking about over there all hush-hush like?” Audra called to them.
“Just formulating a plan. Chewing the fat and throwing ideas around. Guy stuff,” Hank answered.
Edward tried, but couldn’t display the same relaxed posture as Hank.
“Is something wrong?” Audra shot a questioning look at Edward.
“No, not at all.” No use in upsetting her unnecessarily.
“Zoe looks okay.” Hank lowered his voice again. “But how about Audra? Does she have any injuries besides the possible broken arm and the cut on her head?”
“She’s got a badly bruised hip and buttock. Her door was bashed in during the wreck, and she must have slammed up against it a few times when the car turned over. The biggest concern is that I had to resuscitate her twice when I got her out of the water. She seems okay, but—”
“That settles it. She shouldn’t be left alone.” Hank’s tone was decisive.
Edward couldn’t argue with him.
Hank pulled out his cell phone and turned it on. “Nope, not one bar here, but I already knew that.” He turned the phone off again. “If I leave at first light I can get to this position,” Hank tapped his index finger on the map, “in maybe two hours. I’ll get to the ridge and make the call.”
“The Plumber’s Crack? You want to climb up Plumber’s Crack?”
The girls laughed. Edward turned toward them and tossed his hands up in a shrug. “We gave some of these places names when we were teenagers. The maps we drew are pretty funny, but they’re surprisingly accurate.”
“Anyway,” Hank nudged him with an elbow, “it’s the fastest way up to where I’ll have a phone signal. I came in that way.”
“You came down the Crack?”
“Yup. Why does that surprise you?”
“Didn’t you break your arm once coming down that way?”
Hank grinned. “So? My climbing skills have improved since I was twelve, you know. And, the equipment has improved as well. Everything I need is stashed in the cave at the base of the crack. Besides, over the years I’ve installed a bunch of anchor points up there. It’ll be a piece of cake.”
“Okay then, first light.” Edward pulled the crate over to Audra’s chair and sat. “Tomorrow morning, Hank will hike out of here to call for help.” He handed her a pad and a pen. “Write down phone numbers where we can reach your parents and Zoe’s. Hank will get word to them that you’re okay. That ought to ease your mind and theirs. We have a plan to get you out of here, and Hank’s going to call in the resources we need.”
She took the pen and paper. “Will Hank come back?”
“After he makes the call? Yeah, of course he’ll come back. He’s not leaving you guys either. No way.” He hoped his tone reassured her. “Neither of us will be satisfied until we see you and Zoe hug your moms, or at least until you’re safe in the hands of search and rescue.”
She fumbled with the pen, but couldn’t write because of her arm. “Can you do this for me, please?”
He took the pen and paper. “Okay, shoot.”
“Joe and Josie Lorenzo. They’re my parents.” She related the information to him, and he read it back to her while she looked at the paper upside down. “Yes, you’ve got it all right. Thank you.” She gave the phone numbers of several other family members as well, just in case.
Edward stood and handed Audra’s information to Hank. “Don’t lose it.”
Hank stuck it in his shirt pocket, closed the flap and patted it. “Got it.”
If anyone could be counted on, it was Hank. One way or another, he’d complete the task and make contact with the outside world. He tapped Hank’s arm. “They’re probably hungry. I know I am.”
“All right then, let’s whip up something to eat.”
Hank went to the kitchen, stood at the counter and reached for an MRE.
Edward grabbed Hank’s hand before he touched the package. “I think another MRE would put them over the edge, and we’d have a full-fledged mutiny on our hands.”
“Picky, are they?” Hank chuckled, took a box of pancake mix off the shelf and backhanded it into Edward’s midsection with a grin.
A cast-iron frying pan clanked onto the woodstove. Hank waded a paper towel and used it to rub some shortening onto the bottom of the pan, and after a minute or so he spat in the pan. His spit sizzled. “Yup, hot enough.” He nodded.
“You’re disgusting, you know that, Hank?” Edward said.
“What? Any germs I had were disintegrated by the heat.”
“Still.” Edward handed him the pancake batter he’d prepared, and Hank poured some of it into the pan.
“I hope you like pancakes,” Hank said over his shoulder to the girls. “Me, I love ’em. Can’t get enough of ’em.”
Edward moved the small kitchen table nearer to the rocking chair, put the wooden crate across from it, and the two chairs on either side.
The meal consisted of pancakes, syrup, and canned peas and carrots. An unlikely match, but no one said a word about it as they dug in and enjoyed the meal.
Zoe ate with delight. “These are yummy pancakes. What did you put in them to make them taste so good?”
“Yeah, Hank, why don’t you tell them about your special ingredient?” Edward smirked.
“Never mind,” Hank said, “I can’t let all of my secrets out of the bag.”
Audra made a bit of a mess eating with her left hand.
“Let me get that for you, little girl.” Edward smiled and cut her pancakes into pieces.
“Thanks.”
Her tantalizing smile set fire to something in his chest and made it hard for him to look away. Every male cell in him wanted to gawk at her sparkling blues and perfect lips. He jerked his attention back to his plate. He’d do better if he could just quit eyeballing her as if she were the first pretty girl he’d ever seen.
He let out an almost inaudible sigh, but it didn’t go unnoticed.
Audra lowered her head as if to cover her small, coy smile.
* * * *
The afternoon faded into evening, and soon darkness fell over the cabin. Edward rocked in the chair and tried to relax.
At the kitchen table, Audra and Zoe played a few games of checkers to pass the time. Zoe’s energy and enthusiasm faded as the night wore on.
Audra stroked Zoe’s hair. “You look tired. Why don’t you and I change into our sleepy clothes?”
Zoe didn’t balk at Audra’s suggestion. Instead, she yawned, nodded, and started toward the bedroom.
They disappeared behind the curtain. Their giggles drifted back into the living room.
How could they be so happy after what they’d been through? It was as if nothing could crush their spirits.
Cricket went to her usual spot beside the fire and lay down.
Hank found a novel on the mantel and wiped it on his pants. He blew dust off the cover, flipped through the yellowing pages, and stopped at one he’d left dog-eared. He lit a kerosene lamp and hung it on a hook beside the fireplace before lying down near Cricket.
A sudden screech from outside the cabin caused Cricket to jump up from her prone position with a start. Audra and Zoe burst through the curtain and stood close to Edward. The shrill screech sounded again.
Zoe wrapped her arms around Audra’s hips. “What was that noise?” Terror filled her voice. “It sounded like a lady screaming.”
Edward stopped rocking. “It wasn’t a lady screaming. It was a fisher. Some people call them fisher cats, but they’re not cats at all. They’re members of the weasel family. Nasty little buggers. Don’t worry, though. It sounded like it was far away. Besides, you’re safe in the cabin. Go to bed. Everything is okay.”
Audra and Zoe went back into the bedroom, but judging by the way Zoe clung to Audra she was still spooked by the sounds of the night.
“Edward.” Audra peeked around the curtain and spoke in a soft voice. “Zoe would like to talk to you.”
“Something wrong?”
“She seems upset and asked if I would come out and get you.”
Edward went in and sat on the bed beside Zoe.
Belly down, face buried deep in her pillow, her small body heaved with sobs.
“Zoe, what’s wrong?” He turned her over. “Are you still afraid of the fisher? Is that what it is?”
A Soldier Finds His Way Page 6