Alaskan Summer

by Marilou Flinkman

  Laurette started her day trying to contact a pharmacy or doctor for a passenger who had dropped his bottle of heart pills overboard. “I had the nitro in my shirt pocket when I leaned over the rail,” the man apologized.

  “It’s a good thing losing the pills didn’t make him have a heart attack and need them,” his wife fretted.

  “I’m sure the medical team on board had more, and your husband would have been fine. Would you spell the name of the doctor for me, please?”

  She and Ryan kept busy, so it was afternoon before they were both in the office at the same time. He was hanging up the phone when she walked in, and he looked frazzled.

  “Problems?” she asked, filling a coffee mug.

  “That was the cruise director of that special tour ship due in Friday. He got word the entertainer who was due to join the ship in Sitka has canceled. He expects me to find a replacement overnight.”

  “You could change your career and play the piano aboard ships for a while,” she quipped.

  He scowled. “I don’t know the first thing about finding an entertainer.”

  “You want me to go with you? You play and I’ll sing. But I don’t think we would make it through the first number before my singing had the audience walking out.”

  “You are not helping,” he growled, the smirk on his face contradicting him.

  “Can’t you call a booking agency in Seattle and have them fly someone up here?”

  Ryan sighed. “I thought of that, but this cruise director wants a native Alaskan.”

  “Why?”

  He shook his head. “Who knows? I’ve never dealt with this cruise line before. It’s small, and they do special study type programs. The captain wants to expose his passengers to native entertainment.”

  “Anything in particular?”

  “He wants a native who will sing the songs of his people.”

  “I could call the Pioneer Home and see if anyone there could sing. Better yet, let’s call the Sitka Community House. They have Tlingit storytellers and dancers.”

  “Go for it. I’ve got to get a pilot on board a ship since Mike’s got his tug busy hauling freight.”

  “That gives me another idea. Ruth has talked about Mike’s brother doing background music for television ads. Think she said his name was Paul. I’ll call her and find out where he is.”

  Ryan looked dubious. “You think she’ll be able to remember?”

  “Won’t know ’til I try.”

  “I’ve got to pick up the pilot at the dock. See you later.” Ryan grabbed his jacket and ran down the stairs.

  Laurette dialed Ruth’s number. “I need your help.”

  She could hear the pleasure in her friend’s voice. “What could I possibly do for you?”

  “Didn’t you tell me Esther had a son who became a musician?”

  “You mean Paul? He used to live in Seattle but moved back to Sitka when he retired.”

  “How old is he?” Laurette asked, wondering why the man was retired.

  “Oh, he did real well in television, but he didn’t like that life and came back here. Sometimes he fishes with John. He and my son are the same age.”

  Laurette explained the captain’s request, then asked, “Do you think your nephew could help us?”

  “Why don’t you call Emmy? She would know how to contact Paul.”

  “Thank you, thank you, Ruth. You just may have solved a huge problem.”

  By the time Ryan got back a couple of hours later, Laurette had contacted Paul Littlefield. “He’s willing to talk about this, but he says he is out of the entertainment business,” she told Ryan with a chuckle. “Sounds like he didn’t like playing backup to some of the prima donnas in show business.”

  “We’d better go meet him and see what kind of guy he is. Where is Paul now?”

  “He’s at Mike and Emmy’s house.”

  “Hold the fort, Debbie, while we go hire a singer.”

  ❧

  Paul Littlefield turned out to be a personable man. Emmy had tapes of some of his work. “He even has songs he has written himself,” she told Ryan.

  Laurette thought Paul looked like his cousin John. His dark hair had a few strands of gray. He smiled easily, showing white teeth in a tanned face. He’d be good with an audience. She looked at Ryan, who nodded imperceptibly.

  “There’s one catch,” Ryan told the man. “The cruise director wants you to wear a tux.”

  “No way.” Paul’s deep laugh rippled through the room. “Can you see me in a tux singing folk songs?”

  “Not really,” Ryan agreed.

  “We’ll just tell the cruise director that Paul will wear a native costume,” Laurette said.

  “And what’s that?” Ryan asked.

  She grinned. “Jeans, a plaid shirt, and red suspenders. This guy is good, and the audience won’t care how he’s dressed.”

  Paul shook Ryan’s hand. “I like it. I’ll do it.” He turned to Laurette. “You’re as smart as Aunt Ruth says. John sings your praises every time I fish with him. I agree with both of them.” He took her hand in both of his. “Thanks for thinking of me. I’ll do a good job for you.”

  ❧

  On the way back to the office, Laurette told Ryan about the call from her parents.

  “You really think they’ll come to Sitka?”

  “I hope so,” she said excitedly. “They’ve never taken a vacation before.” She looked out the window toward the harbor. “I want them to see Sitka.”

  I’m not sure I want them to meet me, Ryan thought. It was late when he left the office that night. Driving home, he mulled over Laurette’s news. What if her parents came to take her home? How likely was that? Her parents couldn’t make their twenty-three-year-old daughter do anything. But he knew she loved them and would probably do what they asked.

  Unless she loves me more. What if they didn’t like him? What could he offer their daughter? A broken-down old trailer house?

  Ryan sighed deeply and turned on the stereo as he headed for the kitchen. He opened a can of chili and dumped it in a pan. He picked up his Bible to read while his dinner heated.

  He turned to the bookmark and read, paused, then reread Psalm 84:12. “O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man who trusts in You!”

  That’s the answer. I have to learn to put my trust in Jesus. Completely, no holding back.

  Ryan continued to flip through the book of Psalms, reading bits and pieces until he smelled his supper burning.

  He put the Bible down while he ate his scorched chili out of the pan. He smiled, remembering Laurette taking on the job of finding an entertainer for the cruise director. “We make a good pair,” he muttered, putting the pan in the sink to soak. That man even bought the native costume idea. He shook his head and chuckled.

  He plopped in his chair and picked up the Bible. Trust and faith. I keep hearing those words. Will Jesus tell me if I should try fishing to make a living? He sighed. I just wish I had become a marine pilot. They make a good living, and there’s always work for them. He opened the Bible to Psalm 84 again. I’ll use the computer in the office to look up the requirements to be a pilot. He looked around his trailer. “It’s not too bad,” he muttered. “If Rette would be willing to live here while I get my marine pilot’s license, it might work out.”

  He read the psalm again. “I’m willing to try it, Lord. I will put my trust in You. Now I just have to learn how to hear Your answer.”

  SEVENTEEN

  Ruth glowed in the praise Laurette heaped on her. “I’m so glad you sent us to Paul. He’s perfect to entertain on the cruise ship.”

  “I’m sure he’ll do a good job. He was Esther’s most artistic child. She felt bad when he moved south, but she had her other children here.” Ruth chuckled. “There are lots of Littlefields in Sitka.”

  Later, Laurette read to Ruth. They talked a little bit about the Scriptures before Ruth started to nod and her eyelids began to droop. Things had gone well for several weeks. Ruth loved the
attention of the phone calls and having her nieces and nephews coming to visit. She seemed content to stay at home and not wander off.

  After her friend went to bed, Laurette sat on the window seat enjoying the view. She realized the days were getting shorter as she watched the streaks of color from the approaching sunset.

  And I still haven’t decided what I’m going to do when my job ends.

  What about Ryan? Again she thought about the difference in their faith. No, he definitely had faith. They’d prayed together. He’d even been the one to suggest prayer on several occasions.

  Laurette had often prayed that the Lord would not let her fall in love with a non-practicing Christian, an unequally yoked relationship. And she knew she wouldn’t consciously pursue someone who didn’t follow Jesus. She trusted the Lord to show her if a relationship with Ryan would be unequally yoked, but she was still responsible for her own choices. Lord Jesus, please show me what to do.

  With a sigh, she left her seat by the window and prepared for tomorrow. Work kept her busy, and she knew she would miss the excitement and challenge when it ended.

  ❧

  Ryan was already gone when she arrived early the next morning. “Can you take this?” Debbie called, holding out the phone.

  Laurette took it and listened to the caller’s request. “Give me the address, and I’ll be right there.” She hung up the phone. “Are all the company vehicles out?” she asked Debbie.

  “Tyler left the truck at the airport, and Ryan’s got the van.”

  “I’m going to use my truck to pick up some freight.”

  She drove to the address the man had given her. She watched as they loaded crates into her little truck. Hope there’s room, she thought. Her cell phone rang.

  “Where are you?” Ryan asked.

  “Picking up rabbit food.”

  “What?”

  “We got a call from the barge operator. They had crates of lettuce for a ship, and their truck broke down.”

  “So what’s this about rabbit food?” Ryan sounded really confused.

  Laurette giggled. “They must have a lot of rabbits on that ship to go through this much lettuce. I’m not sure it will all fit in my truck.”

  “Your truck! You think it can handle all that weight?”

  “I’ll let you know in about forty-five minutes. They’re through loading here, and I’m on my way to the dock where the ship’s crew will pick it up.”

  “Call me as soon as you get there,” Ryan insisted.

  “Yes, Boss.” Laurette disconnected.

  An hour later, she walked into the office. “The rabbits will eat well tonight,” she announced.

  “Rette.” Ryan turned as if to touch her but looked at Debbie and must have changed his mind. “Did you have any problems?”

  “No. My truck did just fine.”

  Ryan shook his head. “That’s because there were no hills.”

  “Diane wants you to call,” Debbie told Laurette, breaking up their conversation.

  “When can you come for lunch?” Diane asked when Laurette phoned her.

  “Looks like I could grab an hour off tomorrow. Will that work for you?”

  ❧

  “Come see my mouse,” David urged when Laurette arrived the next day.

  “Mouse?” Laurette looked at Diane.

  “He’s cute and small—the kind of pet I like. He’s supposed to stay in his cage, but you know kids.”

  “He likes to hide in my hair,” Katie told her.

  After inspecting the small white creature, the women sat down to enjoy a salad and tea. The children had sandwiches in front of the television.

  “We need to plan a camping trip,” Diane announced.

  “Ryan and I have talked about hiking Mt. Edgecumbe.”

  “Good. There’s a cabin on Kruzof Island. We could stay there, and the trail up the mountain is right behind the cabin.”

  “Could all of us go?”

  Diane sighed. “It will take some planning to get Tyler away, but let’s try. I’ll get him to set the date, and then I’ll contact the forest service to rent the cabin for a night. Do you have a sleeping bag?”

  Laurette shook her head. “I don’t have any camping gear.”

  “No problem. We have lots of extras. What will we take for food?”

  “I could make a pot of stew if we have a way to heat it up,” Laurette offered.

  The time flew as the women planned menus. “I’ll sit down with Tyler tonight and get him to name a date.”

  Laurette looked at the kitchen clock. “If I don’t get back, I won’t have a job.” She quickly hugged the kids good-bye. “I’ll come see your mouse again soon,” she promised David.

  “Her name is Francine,” David reminded Laurette.

  “See.” Katie pushed back the hair on her neck, and a small pink nose peeked out.

  Diane shook her head at Laurette. “I’ll call you when I have a date.”

  “Thanks for lunch.” Laurette waved as she left.

  ❧

  “Tyler tells me we’re going camping,” Ryan said the next morning.

  “Do we have a date?”

  “You mean to climb Mt. Edgecumbe?”

  Laurette felt her face burn. “I didn’t mean to—that is, I meant do we have a date. For camping.” She saw the mischief sparkle in his eyes and knew he was teasing her.

  Ryan gave her a quick hug on his way to the coffeepot. “Tyler said Saturday after next. We’ll go out that morning, spend the night at Fred’s Creek, and hike the next day.” He filled his cup. “Tyler, Diane, and the kids will pack up the camp and come back in the company boat. You and I will take my boat over and come back when we get back from climbing.”

  “Diane and I started planning menus. I don’t have any camping gear, but she has a sleeping bag I can use.”

  “I’ll give you a waterproof bag to pack your clothes in.” He looked at her feet. “Those boots will be fine to hike in.” He gave her a silly grin. “I’ll even loan you a bear bell.”

  “Okay, what’s the joke? I can see it in your eyes.”

  “If you use a bear bell and register the color, the authorities will know which bear ate you by the color of the bell in their scat.”

  “You’re not funny.” Then she thought for a moment. “Seriously, should I carry mace?”

  “If you want to make a bear mad, that would be the way to do it. First you get close enough to spray him, and then you try to run faster than he does.”

  “I’ll leave you in charge of bear protection. I’ll stick to cooking supper for the group.”

  ❧

  The Saturday of the trip dawned clear. The group met at the dock and packed the two boats. The company boat was bigger, so most of the gear went in it. Ryan and Laurette took only their own packs.

  “I brought you a float coat,” Diane said as she handed Laurette a red jacket.

  “What’s that for? I took warm clothes and rain gear.”

  “It’s a float coat. If you go in the water, you pull this little tab. The gas cartridge fills the coat with air and keeps you floating.”

  “Thanks. I’ll put it up front with the other life jackets.”

  Tyler and Diane loaded the kids into the boat and took off. They waved as Ryan started to back his boat down the ramp. “See you there,” Tyler shouted.

  Ryan and Laurette were soon out of the harbor. “You ordered up good weather again,” Ryan said as they stood together, looking over the windshield.

  Laurette looked at the boat speeding across Sitka Sound ahead of them. “They’ll get there first.”

  “We’ll be there right after them to help haul stuff to the cabin.”

  They seemed to head right to Mt. Edgecumbe, but as they neared the island, Laurette looked from the shore to Ryan. “How do you know where to land?”

  “When we get a little closer, you’ll see a stream coming in. Just to the left of it is a sandy beach we can pull onto. I’ll moor the boat out after we get u
nloaded.”

  “Oh, I see the cabin.” Laurette pointed to the weather-beaten A-frame set back against the tree line.

  By the time Ryan edged his boat onto the beach, David and Katie were racing up and down shouting a welcome. Laurette had brought short rubber boots to wear in the boat. She jumped out to help pull the boat up on the sand.

  It didn’t take long for the adults to carry all the necessary gear to the cabin. Laurette looked at the rustic building.

  “We’ll keep the camp stove out here,” Diane said, putting a metal case on a stump.

  “Takes a lot of stuff for overnight,” Laurette marveled, seeing the boxes and coolers on the cabin floor. “What can I do to help?” she asked Diane.

  “Get Ryan to hand you the sleeping bags; we can spread them out later.” She pointed to a ladder on the wall. “There are mats to go under them. Not exactly a feather bed, but better than sleeping on the hard floor.”

  It didn’t take the women long to get the cabin settled. Diane told Laurette the men would moor the boats on lines that would let them float as the tide came in but not get loose.

  “Daddy, Daddy, David says he saw a bear!” Katie came racing into the cabin.

  “Daddy’s down by the water. Where’s your brother now?”

  “He’s gone to hunt the bear.” Katie’s voice quivered with fear.

  Diane shook her head. “Your brother is such a tease!” She knelt and took Katie in her arms. “Katie, the bears won’t hurt you. Just stay in the open. Play on the beach, and they won’t come out of the woods.”

  The little girl sniffed.

  “I’ll come with you, Katie,” Laurette offered. “Did you see any paw prints in the sand?”

  The little girl shook her head.

  “Did you find any pretty shells on the beach?”

  “I didn’t look,” came the weak answer.

  “Then let’s go see what we can find.”

  As they started down the beach, the men came back toward the cabin. “Have you seen David? Katie’s worried about him.” Laurette said.

  “He’s over there with a shovel.” Tyler pointed over his shoulder. “Why?”

  “He told Katie he was going to hunt bears,” Laurette explained.