Alaskan Summer (20 page)

The davenport looked so inviting that she sank down onto it. The pillow at the end felt perfect as she curled up and fell into a deep sleep.

TWENTY

Ryan pulled off his boots and hung his mustang suit on the peg next to Rette’s float coat. He opened the door and reached to turn on the stereo. His hand stopped and so did his heart when he saw Rette. She lay curled up on his davenport sound asleep. He tiptoed close to her. The towel around her head had come off, leaving her damp hair loose to fall into ringlets. Her bare feet peeked out of his terrycloth robe. He moved quietly to the spare bedroom and brought back a blanket to spread over the sleeping girl. He watched her breathe and thanked God she had survived.

Finally, he backed away from her and walked softly down the hall. When he went into the bathroom, he stumbled over her stack of wet clothes. He put them in a plastic bag before taking a shower.

He stood in the hot water trying to wash away some of the exhaustion. It had been a long day.

Dressed in jeans and a flannel shirt, Ryan went back to check on Laurette. She stirred in her sleep. The nervous flutter in his stomach was not from hunger.

When Rette opened her eyes, he dropped to his knees beside the davenport. Overwhelming emotion took his voice away. He gently kissed her lips. “How do you feel?” he whispered.

She stretched and sat up, swinging her feet to the floor beside him. “I’m finally warm. How long did I sleep?”

He glanced at his watch. “Little over an hour.”

“I should let Ruth know where I am.”

“The radio has been busy. Everyone who listened during the storm knows we are back safe in Sitka. Mike and John have kept in contact, and I think John is with Ruth now. When you feel up to it, we’ll go see her.”

Laurette looked up at him. He thought he could drown in her light brown eyes. He took her hands. “Rette, I could have lost you. I’ve never prayed so hard in my life.” His voice shook. “I love you. I don’t ever want to lose you.”

He watched a tear run down her cheek.

He pulled her to her feet.
She’s so small and yet so strong,
he thought. He kissed the tear away. “I have nothing to offer you. I don’t even have a steady job, but I want to marry you.”

Laurette put her arms around his neck and laid her head against his chest. “I love you, too.”

He ran his hands through her unruly hair. “Does that mean you’ll marry me?”

She smiled and nodded before his lips came down on hers. An eternity later Ryan stepped back, placing his hands on her shoulders. “Do you think you could live in this place until I can find a better job?”

“I don’t care where I live as long as I’m with you.”

Laurette wiggled her bare feet and looked at the bulky robe tied around her. She giggled. “This is not the romantic setting I dreamed of when I promised to marry the man I love.”

“As long as I’m in that picture, I don’t care how you look.” He took her fluttering hands.

“I’d still like to get dressed.”

He picked up her pack on the floor. “I hope you have dry clothes. I don’t think anything of mine would fit any better than that robe.”

❧

Laurette opened the pack in the bathroom. She pulled out yesterday’s jeans and sweatshirt and tried to shake the sand into the wastebasket instead of on the floor.
Married. I’m going to get married.
The thrill that zinged through her blotted out the fact she was putting on dirty clothes to greet her beloved.
If he loves me like this, he will always love me,
she thought, brushing out her hair.

She carried her hiking boots back to the living room, but she had pulled socks over her bare feet. Ryan stood at the stove in the kitchen. Soft music played on the stereo. “You cook, too?” she asked.

“Soup out of a can. Are you hungry?”

“Yes. I guess it isn’t true that you can live on love alone.”

“If I don’t find a better job, we may have to try.”

She put her face against his flannel-clad back. “I’ve got my summer wages saved.”

He turned to pull her into his embrace. “God will take care of us.”

He sat in his big chair and she curled up on the davenport with their bowls of soup.

“I’ll look for a job, too,” she told him. “I don’t think a biology degree is going to help much, but I can wait on tables.”

“You have a job until October, and mine will last until November.”

“How about a Christmas wedding?”

“We’ll have lots of time for a honeymoon,” he quipped.

“You can play for tips to keep us in food,” she said as she laughed. “We’ll find a way.” She took his bowl and headed for the kitchen sink.

“Leave the dishes. I should get you home before John and Mike come looking for you.”

The storm had moved on, but the rain still fell. Laurette moved as close as she could to Ryan in the little Volkswagen. Her heart sang with joy.
Thank You, thank You, Lord,
she prayed silently.
You’ve sent me a perfect husband.

❧

When they entered the house, Ruth called out, “Is that you, Laurette? We’ve been waiting for you.”

“Sorry, I fell asleep and didn’t come right home.”

Ruth looked puzzled.
Maybe she forgot I went camping,
Rette thought.

“I’m going to go live with Esther.” Her friend’s face was wreathed in smiles.

Laurette looked at John and saw his pained expression. “You’re going to live where Esther used to live, Mother,” he corrected. He motioned Ryan and Rette to a seat on the davenport. “I need to explain,” he said. “I put Mother’s name on the list to get a room at the Pioneer Home after her visit to the Pioneer Bar.”

“When did I ever go to a bar?” Ruth protested.

“Just joking, Mother,” he continued. “A room has become available, and Mother has decided it’s time she went there.” He took his mother’s hand and sat on the arm of her chair. “She knew Aunt Esther was happy living at the Pioneer Home. And she knows many people who live there now.”

Laurette looked at Ryan, who took her hand. “That’s a good idea, John. How soon will you want me to move?”

“Oh, I want you to stay here,” Ruth interjected. “Won’t you live here and take care of my house?”

Confused, Laurette looked from John to Ruth.

“What Mother means is she wants to be able to come home.” He put his hand up. “Not to stay but to visit. This has been her home for fifty years, and,” he added, smiling, “this is the only way she’s willing to leave it.”

Laurette gulped and looked at Ryan. “I don’t have a job after October.”

John nodded. “I know. We’ll just have to work things out. The important thing now is to get Mother moved and settled in her new home.”

“Maybe we can rent it from you, John. I’m looking for a better job.” He looked at Rette and saw her nod. “We’re planning to be married.”

“Congratulations!” John jumped up to shake Ryan’s hand and give Laurette a hug. “Did you hear, Mother? Laurette and Ryan are going to get married.”

Ruth beamed. “Oh, a wedding to plan. How exciting. I hope I can come.”

“There won’t be a wedding without you,” Laurette said, kneeling by her friend’s chair and taking her hands. “I have to have my special grandmother at my wedding.” She stood, and Ryan put his arm around her waist.

“And I love talking with you about the Bible,” he told Ruth.

“Do you read the Psalms like I told you?”

He smiled. “Yes, ma’am, I do.”

The couple chatted with Ruth until she announced she felt tired. After she had gone to her room, John asked Ryan about the trip across from Fred’s Creek.

While they talked, Laurette put her wet clothes in the washing machine. John rose when she came back. “Time I got home.”

“How soon will Ruth move?” Laurette asked.

“She’ll want to decide what she needs in her new home. There isn’t any rush, but I’d like to get her settled by the first of the month.”

“I’ll help.”

Ryan put his hand on her shoulder. “John and I have talked terms. He’ll make it easy for us to buy Ruth’s house.”

She smiled and looked around the living room. “There’s room for a piano.”

“All we need is work.”

“You can fish with me any time you want,” John offered.

“Thanks. I’m sure the Lord will show us what He has in store for us,” Ryan replied.

After John left, Ryan stifled a yawn. “You didn’t get a nap,” Laurette said, snuggling close to him on the davenport.

“It’s been a long day. Did you realize it’s after ten? We’ve been up since five.”

“And it’s been an amazing day.” She put her head on his shoulder. “You saved my life.”

“Is that why you’re willing to marry me?” he teased.

“That and because I love you.” She sat up straight. “I want to talk about so much with you, but I think we should both get some sleep.”

“Why don’t you sleep in tomorrow? Come to work late. Besides, Ruth will be excited to start packing to move.”

“I want to call my mother.”

“I wonder what my mother will say when I tell her I’m getting married,” Ryan said.

“To someone she has never met.” Then she added, “My parents haven’t met you, either. This could be interesting.”

“We’ve got a few wrinkles to iron out, but we’ll do it together.” He pulled her close and kissed her good night.

❧

“Mom?”

“Hello, dear. Good to hear your voice,” Laurette’s mother said. “Dad’s out in the field.”

“I wanted to talk to you.”

“Is there a problem? Why are you calling in the morning?”

“No problems. I wanted to tell you first.” She gulped and blurted out, “I’m getting married.”

“When? This is so quick. Is it the boy you’ve written about?” The concern in her mother’s voice sent a shiver through Laurette.

“Yes, it’s Ryan. And I’ve known him since the first day I got to Sitka. I know you’ll like him.”

“If he makes you happy, your dad and I will welcome him to the family. Now tell me all about it. When did you decide, and what plans have you made?”

“He just asked me yesterday, so we don’t have many plans yet. But”—she hesitated—“I would like to be married in Sitka.”

“Well, if it’s what you want, we can work it out. Do you have a date?”

“No. I don’t even have a job after October.” She decided not to tell her mother Ryan’s job ended in November. “I did think a Christmas wedding would be fun.”

Her mother laughed. “At least we know your father won’t be busy in the fields then.”

“I wanted to talk to you alone, but I’ll call tonight and tell Daddy.”

“Do you want me to keep it a secret until then?”

“No, I want you to soften Daddy up so he doesn’t demand I come home tomorrow.” Laurette laughed.

“Now you know your father would never do anything like that. We trust you to pick out a good man to take care of you.” Laurette heard the sigh. “Dad may not think he’s good enough for you, but dads are that way about their little girls.”

“Oh, Mom, I am so happy. I wish you were here.”

“I’d like to be there to give you a big hug. Now you sit down and write me all that’s going on. We can plan this wedding by e-mail. My little girl has grown up.” Laurette heard the catch in her mother’s voice.

“I love you, Mom. I’ve thought a lot about living so far away, but we’ll visit often.”

Her mom sighed across the phone lines. “Yes, we will.”

“Keep Daddy in the house. I’ll call back at eight your time tonight.”

“We’ll wait for your call. Love you.”

Laurette went to work at noon.

Ryan came in soon after she reported for work. He kissed her forehead. “Did you get rested?”

“Yes, and I called my mother.”

“Is the wedding off?”

She smiled up at him. “No, but we still have to tell my father.”

“We? Does this mean you want me with you?”

“Would you, please?”

“It’s proper that I ask for your hand in marriage. When do we do this?” Ryan asked.

“Tonight. I’ll even cook supper for you.”

He took her hand, sending tingles up her arm.

“Am I going to get any work out of the lovebirds anymore?” Tyler quipped.

Laurette felt her face grow hot. “You told everyone?” she accused Ryan.

“Just Tyler.”

“And I came to work late.” She apologized to Tyler.

“Congratulations on the engagement. As for coming in late, after yesterday I’m thankful you came in at all. Do you have any bad effects?” her boss asked.

She grinned. “The backs of my legs are stiff from the run back down Mt. Edgecumbe.”

“Now that she’s here, may I take her to lunch?” Ryan asked.