by Jake Logan
Slocum was all packed and ready to go. He stood by the Appaloosa, who had put on weight and didn’t seem too interested in what he suspected was in store for him—a long journey with a man on his back.
“I’d like for you to keep the packhorse, Sigrid. I have no use for him now and he’s a stouthearted little beast. He has good legs under him and he likes snow travel. Not like the Appy here.” Slocum gently slapped the big horse’s shoulder and the horse nickered, tossed his head. “Besides, that little horse will get you to the village in quick shape should the need arise.”
“I appreciate that, John. He and I have become close friends. There is something about that little horse that belongs here somehow.”
“I agree.”
They were silent for a few moments, then he said, “Is there anything you might like? From the States, I mean?” He knew better than to mention fashions or fancy foods. She didn’t seem to want or need such things.
She smiled. “No, John. There is nothing I need. I have my books, my dogs . . .”
“Your sauna . . .”
She nodded, “Yes, I have that, too. I am content.”
“You are special, Sigrid. That’s for sure. I will miss your company.”
“And I you, John Slocum. You may visit me from time to time, if you so wish. You will always be welcome here in my home and in my bed. But I would ask that you please do not tell others about me nor bring others by here. I very much like my privacy. Much like my friends, the Cree.”
“I understand, Sigrid. And I’ll respect those wishes. Truth be told, if I thought I could be happy in such a place, I’d be tempted to invite myself to stay on for a bit. But—”
Already she was shaking her head no. “As I said, I like my privacy. And you”—she smiled—“you, John Slocum, like other things too much, and that would be bad for me. Too much of something can be . . .”
“Too much?” he said, smiling back at her.
She nodded. “And besides, you also are a wanderer. You have things to do and places to see that you would always be thinking about. Places that are far from here and you need to find them and learn about them. Maybe one day you will be willing to become rooted, but I doubt it will happen anytime soon.”
He sighed, put a hand on the saddle horn. “I think you may be one of the wisest people I have ever met.”
“No,” she said. “Maybe just observant.”
“And one of the humblest.” He rubbed her arm, squeezed it. “Good-bye, Sigrid. Take care of yourself. You are a wonder.” He kissed her on the cheek and mounted up.
“And you, John Slocum. Be good to yourself. There is much to enjoy in the world. Don’t let the angry ones change you.”
“I’ll do my best.” He touched his hat brim, looked at her pretty face one last time, and rode southeast, down out of the mountains.
Watch for
SLOCUM AND THE WARM RECEPTION
414th novel in the exciting SLOCUM series from Jove
Coming in August!