Home Sweet Alaska

by Beth Carpenter

  Volta allowed her daughter to drag her into the living room and sat down on the couch beside her mom and dad. “Hi.”

  “How was the trip?” Dad asked as he manipulated the television remote.

  “Good. Scott got the information he needed. We’re scheduled for another one on Wednesday. Does that still work for you?”

  “Sure,” Mom said. “We had meat loaf for dinner. Can I fix you a plate?”

  “I’d love that, but first I want to see this riding video.”

  While her dad got the video queued up, Emma explained all about the lesson. “My horse is named Butternut. She’s seven years old and she has black legs and a white star on her forehead, and really long eyelashes.”

  “She sounds great. Will you always be on the same horse?”

  “Yes. Cait says—Cait is my teacher—she says it’s better ’cause Butternut and me get to know each other that way.”

  “And is she gentle? The horse, I mean.”

  “She’s really nice, and she likes carrots. She took the carrot right off my hand and didn’t bite or anything. Cait’s nice, too, and she says they’re going to have a horse show in four weeks and that I can be in the beginner class if I work hard.”

  “Four weeks? That doesn’t seem long.”

  “Cait was very complimentary,” Mom told Volta. “She said Emma has good natural abilities.”

  “Here, I’ve got it ready to go.” Dad pushed the remote button, and Volta watched Emma buckle on a helmet and approach a horse whose coat was the yellow-brown color of a baby moose. Emma gathered up the reins in her hand, slid her foot into a stirrup and swung onto the horse’s back as if she’d been riding for years.

  “Wow, look at you,” Volta said. Emma beamed with pride.

  A young woman with a red ponytail came into the picture, and a moment later the horse walked forward with Emma riding. In the background, other horses and riders seemed to be practicing in the same arena. One of them jumped over a bar. Volta wasn’t too sure she wanted Emma jumping any fences, but maybe these were advanced riders.

  They continued to watch for another ten minutes until the video ended. “That’s when my battery died. I forgot to charge it,” Dad said sheepishly.

  “That’s amazing, though. When is your next lesson?”

  “They said they have an opening tomorrow,” Mom said.

  “Good, then I’ll get to take you.” Volta hugged Emma. “Did you thank your grandmother and granddad for the lessons?”

  “Oh, several times,” Mom assured her. “Now, how about some supper?”

  “I’d love some.” Volta followed her mother into the kitchen. Emma and Dad stayed in the living room to watch the video once again.

  Mom pulled a plate piled with meat loaf and roasted vegetables from the refrigerator and set it in the microwave. Volta knew what her mom called meat loaf was a token amount of ground turkey mixed with mushrooms and lentils, but she was hungry enough to eat it and enjoy it.

  Volta wrapped her arms around her mom and hugged her. “Thank you.”

  “For what?” Mom returned the hug but looked mystified.

  “For giving Emma the riding lessons. That was an incredibly thoughtful gift. Especially since you’ll probably end up taking her for many of her lessons.”

  Mom smiled. “We were happy to do it. She was so excited about riding horses with Ryan a few weeks ago, and your dad and I thought this would be good for her.”

  “I confess, I had my doubts about the whole business, but seeing her on that horse...” Volta smiled. “She didn’t look scared at all. Just happy, like a cowgirl who grew up on a ranch, instead of in Anchorage.”

  Mom started a kettle of water heating. “Your doctor friend sounds like he might have grown up on a ranch.”

  “Scott? Oh, you mean because of the Texas accent?” Volta shook her head. “No, he grew up in one of the suburbs near Houston. He did ride horses, but not on a ranch. His father is a surgeon.”

  “Ah, so he followed in his father’s footsteps.” Mom selected a package of herbal tea, removed a tea bag and set it in a cup.

  “Not really. His father specializes in sports injuries. He’s well-known in the field, and quite wealthy, I gather. Scott works for DEMA and travels all over the world, taking care of people who can’t pay.”

  “You seem to know a lot about him. How long have you known this doctor?” The microwave dinged. Mom pulled out the plate and set it on the table.

  “Oh, awhile.” Volta grabbed a fork from the drawer and sat down at the table. “It looks like Emma was falling in love with that horse. I hope you made it clear we were not going to be taking Butternut home to live in the garage.”

  “Yes, that was part of the lesson.” Mom poured hot water into a teacup and settled into a chair across from Volta. “Cait took her into the stable and showed her how they take proper care of the horses. Tomorrow, Emma is supposed to saddle the horse herself, and brush her after the lesson.”

  “Sounds like they teach responsibility. Did it seem safe? I saw the helmet, but some of the horses were jumping over things in the background.”

  “It seemed safe to me. I don’t know much about horses, but everyone was wearing helmets, and nobody fell off that I saw. Why, are you worried? You never fuss when Leith takes Emma camping and fishing.”

  “I’m a little nervous. I guess it’s because I know about camping and fishing, and I trust Leith to take good care of her. I’ve never even been on a horse. I don’t know what the dangers are with that.”

  “She’ll be fine.” Mom took a sip of her tea. “Has Scott worked in Alaska before?”

  “No.” Volta gave a little laugh. “Why are you so interested?”

  Her mother shrugged. “I was watching you when you talked at the birthday party, and you didn’t look like two people who barely knew each other. If you’ve known him awhile, and he’s never been in Alaska before, where did you meet him?”

  Volta stuffed her mouth full of meat loaf to avoid having to answer that question right away, but her mother watched her until she swallowed. “This is really good. Do I taste rosemary?”

  “You know you do, because you asked that last time. Why don’t you want to tell me where you met this doctor?”

  Volta shrugged. “I knew him in Hawaii.”

  “Really? Was he in some of your classes?” Her mother’s eyes suddenly widened. “Wait a minute. Scott? Oh, Volta, was this the man who caused you to drop out of school?”

  “No one caused me to drop out. That was all on me.”

  “But you were so sad when you came home. He broke your heart.” She stared at Volta’s face as though she could read her thoughts. “It was him, wasn’t it?”

  “Okay, yes. Scott and I were dating in Hawaii. And I thought it was getting serious. But he already had plans to join DEMA once he finished his residency. He broke up with me. It’s not that big of a deal.”

  “You were devastated.”

  “I got over it. I married Wade, and I had Emma. It all worked out for the best.”

  “But now you have to spend a lot of time with this man.”

  “So?”

  “I don’t want you to get hurt again.”

  “Yes, well, I don’t particularly want that, either. That’s why I’m keeping this relationship on a professional level.”

  “But he was at Emma’s birthday party.”

  “That was Emma’s doing, not mine. You know how excited she was about the reindeer farm. She ran into him when he was dropping me off and invited him.”

  “Why was he dropping you off?”

  “I left my keys— It doesn’t matter. The point is, I’m eleven years older now, and I hope wiser. Scott is doing important work with this study and I can contribute. He doesn’t know Alaska, and I do. After I introduced Scott, the people we interviewed yesterday opened
up and gave him valuable information.”

  “Are you sure this is a good idea?”

  “I think I’m mature enough to work alongside a man without falling in love with him. Besides, it’s only for a couple of weeks.” Volta laughed. “What could go wrong?”

  * * *

  WEDNESDAY, SCOTT STEPPED onto the rickety porch outside the general store on the edge of the village of Apun. He paused to stretch and look around. They were on the tundra here, with not a tree in sight.

  The sun was still high overhead even though it was almost six in the evening. He and Volta had put in a full day visiting three different village clinics. One of the health aides, Molly, happened to be pregnant herself, and she’d been able to give them information from both the health provider’s and patient’s point of view.

  They’d just finished a productive interview with Mick, another health aide in Apun. Volta was inside the store now, fetching Mike for their flight home. Just like before, Volta had been a huge help in introducing Scott and vouching for him. Even the aide she hadn’t met before had heard of her and welcomed them. Volta also seemed to have a sixth sense about guiding conversations to relevant topics he wouldn’t have thought to ask about.

  Volta stepped out onto the porch, looking at her phone. She smiled at something, returned her phone to her pocket and looked up at Scott. “Mike will be out in just a minute. He’s about to lose a round of checkers.”

  Scott laughed. “No hurry. Everything okay at home?”

  “Yes. In fact, Emma just got home from her latest lesson.” Volta’s smile broadened. “She’s had three now. I got to take her to the last one. I was amazed. She’s already guiding that horse all over the arena as if she’s been doing it forever. She loves it.”

  “I thought she would.”

  “They were telling me there’s a horse show coming up that she can enter. I couldn’t imagine she’d be ready for a show in a month, but her instructor says there’s a special beginner’s class. Emma’s psyched.”

  “I’ll bet.”

  “Scott.” Volta shifted her weight to the other foot. “You don’t think Emma’s too young for competitive riding like this?”

  She was asking his opinion about her daughter? Up until now, Volta had been all business. Scott felt honored. “I wouldn’t worry. I’m not sure about the setup, but if they have classes for all levels, including beginners, I’d suspect it’s more a place to showcase what they’ve learned than cutthroat competition.”

  “That makes sense. My brother took her to her lesson today, and she’s excited because she’s having dinner with him and his girlfriend, and Sabrina made tacos.”

  “Mmm. Love a good taco.”

  “Who doesn’t?”

  “I’ll beat you next time,” Mike said over his shoulder as he stepped outside. “You two ready to go?”

  “All set,” Scott said.

  A cell phone rang. Not the usual ringtone he’d heard from Volta’s phone but a loud, insistent ring. Volta pulled a large phone in a heavy-duty case from the cargo pocket on her pants. Her work phone. “Volta Morgan.”

  Another loud ring, and Mike pulled out an identical phone and stepped away to answer. They were both hurrying toward the plane while they talked. Scott followed.

  Volta pocketed the phone. “Severe burns. Three patients.”

  “Yellowrock is about ten miles from here,” Mike told him. “No landing strip. They’re bringing them to us on ATVs.”

  Mike and Volta went to work getting their equipment ready for when the patients arrived. Scott lent a hand where he could. Volta’s phone buzzed again, and she checked the message. “Harold Emory is our contact.”

  Mick came from the clinic carrying another equipment pack. “They’re on their way.”

  It seemed to take forever, but eventually they heard the rumble of motors in the distance. A four-wheeler came into view on the faint trail leading toward the horizon. A couple of minutes later, a second one appeared.

  A woman huddled behind the driver of the first ATV, a toddler strapped to her chest. Scott ran to her. “Where are you hurt?”

  She turned toward him, her face blank. Clearly in shock. The driver dismounted and stepped out of the way. Volta gently lifted the baby, who coughed. A quick check revealed only a minor burn on the baby’s arm, the infant seemed fine otherwise.

  Scott examined the woman still sitting on the ATV. He didn’t see any immediate injuries until he’d moved to her other side and realized the hand she hadn’t been using to hold the baby was badly burned. “Sterile water?” he called to Volta.

  “Yes.” She pulled a bottle from her pack and passed it to him.

  Good. He poured it over the woman’s injured hand. Meanwhile, Volta passed the baby to Mick and came to take the woman’s vitals and give her oxygen.

  “Are you Harold?” She asked the ATV driver.

  “No, he’s bringing Lenny.” He pointed toward the other vehicle still approaching which held two men. As it got closer, Scott realized the passenger appeared to be unconscious. The ATV stopped. The man’s chest and arms were covered with second- and third-degree burns. His unconscious state was probably a reaction to the severe pain. A small mercy.

  Volta had hooked up monitors and was giving the vitals over her phone. “Roger. Starting IV.” She looked at Scott. “Oxygen?”

  “I’ll do it.” He administered oxygen while Volta expertly started an IV on the man’s ankle.

  The driver of the second ATV stepped over to Mick. “I’m not sure what caused it, but there was an explosion in their cabin. Fuel can, maybe. Hazel carried the baby out, but we had to go in for Lenny. I know you’re not supposed to move hurt people, but we had to drag him out of there.”

  “You did good,” Mick assured him. “He’s real lucky these people happened to have a plane here.”

  “Scott?” Volta passed him the phone. “Dr. Smyth in Anchorage wants to talk to you.”

  Scott took it. “Dr. Willingham here.”

  “Glad to have a doctor on-site. Fairbanks is forty minutes closer, but we have better burn facilities in Anchorage. What’s your opinion?” the ER doctor asked.

  “Hang on.” He asked Volta, “What are their vitals?”

  Volta checked both patients and quoted the stats. “They seem stable. I’d go with Anchorage.”

  “Agreed.” Scott confirmed with Dr. Smyth that he’d be riding along and returned the phone to Volta. Working together quickly yet efficiently, the four of them loaded up the two adults and the infant. Minutes later, they were airborne, racing toward Anchorage.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  THE FLIGHT WENT SMOOTHLY. With three patients to care for, Volta was glad Scott was there with his calming presence and expertise. She adjusted the oxygen and pressure as needed to compensate for altitude.

  The baby cried out and tried to push the oxygen mask away. His mother reached with her good hand, but she was strapped in on the bed. Scott unbuckled the baby and picked him up.

  “Shh. I know you’re scared,” he whispered. He held the baby against his shoulder and rubbed his back. “I know.” Amazingly, the baby quieted and leaned into him.

  Scott held the baby for the entire ride until Mike instructed them to buckle up. They received priority landing and taxied to the waiting ambulance. “I’ll ride along,” Scott told Volta.

  “I’ll pick you up at the hospital,” she promised.

  The EMTs shut the door and the ambulance headed off. Volta cleaned and restocked the packs before she left for the hospital.

  She found Scott in the waiting room outside the ER. “How did it go?”

  “Fine. They’re admitting them now. Dr. Smyth says they may transfer them to a burn center in Seattle in a couple of days.”

  “And the baby?”

  “They want to observe him overnight, to make sure there’s no
delayed response to the smoke.”

  “Good.”

  Scott looked at her with a proud smile. “So this is what you do for a living?”

  “Awesome, isn’t it?”

  He chuckled. “It is indeed. I believe we’re overdue for refueling. Care to join me for dinner before you drop me off?”

  Volta hesitated. She’d promised her mother, and herself, that she would keep this relationship with Scott strictly professional. On the other hand, if anyone else she worked with had suggested dinner, she wouldn’t give it another thought. It was only dinner.

  “What did you have in mind?” she asked, to gain time.

  He grinned. “Tacos.”

  “All right.” How dangerous could it be to share some tacos? “I know just the place.”

  She drove him to her favorite Mexican restaurant in the center of a downtown neighborhood. Small but popular, with an extensive Tex-Mex menu, El Gato Amarillo was a family favorite. But tonight, it seemed to be everyone’s favorite. The parking lot was packed, with cars lining the street.

  She slowed and shook her head. “We’ll never get in. They only have about a dozen tables. I know another place near the airport. It’s a little more expensive, but it’s good.”

  “Fine with me. Are there a lot of Mexican food places in Anchorage?” Scott asked.

  “You can find almost any kind of food in Anchorage.” She thought about it. “Well, maybe not water buffalo cheese.”

  “That’s okay. Just get me some tacos and I’ll be happy.”

  But when they arrived at the second restaurant, it was just as busy. Volta pulled into a lot next door to find out what was going on. They got out of the car, but a woman passing them warned, “They told me it’s a forty-five-minute wait for a table.”

  “Thanks for letting us know,” Scott told her. He looked at Volta and raised his eyebrows.

  She shook her head. “I’m too hungry to wait that long. I can’t imagine why the restaurants are so full today. It’s Friday, but we’re not into the main tourist season yet.” Then it dawned on her. She slapped her forehead. “Oh, of course. Today is Cinco de Mayo.”