Timberline Trail (3 page)
Authors: Loren Lockner
Tia took another bite of warm oatmeal bread and wiped her mouth with a napkin, “Well don’t keep me waiting,” she
said with mock impatience.
“The most handsome man my sore eyes have seen for the longest time in this little town.”
“Was he a tourist?” asked Tia good-naturedly, well used to Mary’s matchmaking efforts.
“
Nancy told me he’s looking for some property up here for an investment, though I’m sure nothing in this area fits that bill. Apparently he’s tired of the city and needs a place to escape. But let me move on to the good stuff, girl. He’s about six-foot-two, has sandy blonde hair and dark brown eyes, and is enough to make any woman start dreaming about Caribbean vacations.”
“And what do you know about the
Caribbean?” asked Tia mildly. She leaned back in her chair and gazed at her friend affectionately. “And just what line of business is our new dream man in?”
“I’m certain
Nancy mentioned he’s in advertising of some sort and comes from the lower northwest. He’s the best looking thing I’ve seen in town since that documentary film crew arrived a couple of years ago to make the
National Geographic
segment on that big moose near Crane Lake. Anyway, I was thinking that maybe tomorrow you could come into town and stop by the hotel for lunch. We could meet around noon and just
happen
to bump into him.”
“Mary you never give up!
” laughed Tia. “And I can tell you personally that good looks are
highly
overrated. Let me think about it and I’ll ring Nancy on the short-wave if I can make it. It’s not good timing for me since I’m right in the middle of my new book.”
Mary seemed
a little bit put out, but sipped her tea good-naturedly. “You work way too hard. The way you’re headed I’m never going to be a godmother. Maybe I should get rid of my Joe and set my sights on this hunky newcomer myself.” Her face assumed a wicked glow and Tia laughed again.
“You shouldn’t get your hopes up Mary.
You know how it goes in this area. As soon as the winter sets in all the summer tourists leave; not that we even get that many tourists. It wouldn’t surprise me a bit if we’re going to have a really early winter since the squirrels are already topping off their hoards and I saw some Canadian geese flying overhead just this morning. I’m certain we’re destined for snow in the next few days.”
“I’d have to agree.
The sheriff was telling me just the same thing this morning. He was hanging out at Nancy’s for who knows what reason. I swear he’s sweet on her though I can’t see why.”
“Nancy Leukowski is a perfectly nice lady and quite attractive too.”
“If you like that kind,” retorted Mary Whitebird, who’d not a been a big fan of Nancy’s since Joe had discovered Nancy’s teenage son Tory tampering with one of his trucks last spring. “I would say that the behavior of the son has to be a reflection upon the mother.”
“Now
, now, Mary, calm down. You know Tory is just going through some growing pains and at least he’s working part-time at Roy’s station and trying to keep himself busy. I think half the problem is there’s not a lot to do up here and after the movie theatre closed down what are young folks supposed to do in the dead of winter?”
“Well, they’re certainly not supposed to fiddle with my Joe’s truck
,” Mary said irritably, and Tia shrugged. This was a no-win argument and she wisely moved on.
“Seen anything interesting lately Mary, besides the hunk in tow
n? You’ll never guess what I spotted yesterday?”
“What was it?” a
sked Mary, interested.
“I caught a glimpse of two golden eagles south of here hovering over a large Alpine
fir. I trekked to the river and I saw a large stick nest at the very top of the tree. It’s a little late for the breeding season, but maybe they’re preparing themselves for next spring.”
“That’s so great
they’re still here. Joe spotted a huge nest of bald eagles outside of Seward while running a load down there. That reminds me. Apparently a couple professional photographers are in the area preparing a book on the larger game found here. Last I heard they’ve pitched a camp near Bear Lake. Maybe you should drive over there and tell them about the eagles.”
“Maybe,” shrugged Tia.
She wasn’t about to barge in on some nameless strangers. Instead she commented, “I just love living up here Mary. I’m not sure if I could be persuaded to return south.”
“I’m so glad that you’re feeling at home after all that’s happened to you.
I’m just afraid you’re going to feel a little bit too isolated up here. I think this year you should come into town for the winter, now that your father’s gallivanting around and you’re all alone. It would sure keep me company with so many hightailing it out come the first little taste of bad weather. They’re like snow birds flying away for the winter; as if you can consider the weather here really that harsh.”
Tia chuckled to herself.
The only time Mary ever admitted the weather was remotely harsh was after they were totally snowed in with minus forty degrees Fahrenheit temperatures.
“Would you care for some more tea Mary?”
“No, I ought to be heading back. Joe’s coming home the day after tomorrow and I promised him I’d have the new Mackenzie order set up for him. He’s taking a truckload of copper wire to Skagway and I’ve gotta make sure the order’s ready in Juneau for him to pick up on his way up north. Anyway Honey, you know how I do love to stop by.”
The heavy-set woman got up
, moving briskly for a woman of her size, her long dark hair swinging heavily in the one long braid centered down her back.
“You think about what I said about having lunch tomorrow.
You’ve gotta get out of here while you can, particularly if the snow’s coming early. You know how hard it is to get to Timberline in the winter since they don’t always plow the road straight away to get back into town. Are you sure you’ve got enough supplies?”
“I’m pretty set though I might make one more trip into town.
I need some more paraffin and I’d like to get another load of propane. My generator’s working pretty well and I’m sure I have enough for standby. Nancy’s supposed to get in some elk steaks and I thought that might be nice for some stews later on in the season. Thanks for asking after me Mary. I know you always try to take care of me since I’m such a city-slicker.”
“Not any more!
You’ve survived a winter here and that practically makes you a native!” Mary smiled and placed a stout arm around the younger woman’s shoulder, giving her a brisk hug. “You know I was always a bit sad I didn’t have a daughter of my own, though those two strapping boys sure make a mama proud. You take care now honey.”
Tia watched Mary maneuver herself into the ba
ttered old pickup and slowly back out of the gravel driveway. Tia waved her hand in farewell, noting the crisp chill in the air. Winter was indeed on its way.
That night a brisk wind swirled through the large pines located right outside her front window and Tia not only started a fire in the fireplace but one in the sturdy cast iron black stove in the corner that helped warm the front room as well.
She placed an extra quilt upon her bed and speculated there would be snow by morning. However, when Tia rose, the day dawned bright and clear and while a definite chill clung to the air not a cloud dotted the sky. Tia smiled to herself as she prepared for her morning jog. Just another false alarm. She seriously considered Mary’s offer about going into town and having lunch at the Timberline Lodge, but decided this was not a good time to interrupt the flow of her writing since things had been going well about the little lost boy down in Glacier Bay. Out of politeness, she short-waved Nancy and got Tory on the static-filled line.
“Tory, could
you just get a message to Mary Whitebird and let her know that I won’t be able to make it for lunch today. I’ll try to come in some time next week.”
“Alright,” said Tory
, his young voice seeming deeper than it did the last time she’d spoken to him. “By the way Tia, we got in some cantaloupes!”
“Thanks Tory. Mary already brought me out a co
uple. Are you expecting anything special next week?”
“My mom mentioned something about strawberries.
If they do, you’d better jump on them fast since they’ll probably be the last of the season. We also got some cool new videos.”
Nancy
ran a small video rental store from the back of her shop.
“Anything good?”
“Lots of Jackie Chan and stuff. Oh, you mean the kind you like?” The last was said with all the disdain of youth.
“That’s right—some girlie flicks.”
“Yeah, she got some of those too, though I don’t know why you watch all that mushy stuff. I just remembered... we got in another
Tomb Raider.
That’s got a girl in it!”
Tia smiled to herself. “I’ll have to check it out.
Talk to you later Tory, and give my regards to your mother.” As Tia signed off she realized she didn’t remotely hold Mary’s low opinion of the young man, recognizing all teenagers go through awkward stages, particularly when isolated in a town like Timberline whose graduating class numbered only eight last June. She hoped the young man would complete his senior year and attend college like his mother hoped.
Tia wrote all morning, finally rousing from her concentrated state at the loud rattling of the cabin’s windows.
She moved to the kitchen and peered out. Ominous black clouds swirled overhead and the paper birch and white spruce trees leaned in the rising wind, causing Tia to realize it hadn’t been a false alarm after all. She securely fastened the kitchen window before returning to her desk, noting a long-tailed weasel scurrying for cover across the graveled drive, its black tail twitching excitedly.
The man in the light green parka lowered his bi
noculars as the young woman approached her kitchen window to peer out. He couldn’t afford to have the sun glint off the lens of his binoculars and alert the girl to her danger. He shivered and suddenly froze. Directly across from him a flicker of blue flashed through the trees and he quickly swung his binoculars to what appeared to be a dark blue jacket. He adjusted the binoculars and choked. A lean man gazed back at him through a high-powered camera lens and he could sense the shudder clicking, memorizing his features forever.
The stalker backed up against the back of the p
aper birch behind him and shivered, both from the wind and the sudden knowledge that he wasn’t the only one who staked out the house and its slender occupant. He slipped into the dim shadows of the forest, concentrating on an alternate plan, realizing he immediately needed to inform his boss they were not alone in their pursuit of the woman. He trudged up the steep slope to where his Kia was parked, determined to make a quick getaway. However when he tried to start the engine, nothing happened.
The shivering stranger exasperatedly opened up the front hood and fiddled with the engine for a good five minutes
, to no avail. For the life of him he couldn’t see what the matter was. He fruitlessly checked the oil, looked at the spark plugs, and examined the fan belt, but all seemed intact. This morning the compact 4x4 had run like a dream, but now it appeared he was stuck out here in the middle of nowhere.
The image of
the man in the blue parka was disconcerting and the frustrated watcher wondered what to do about him. Who was he; a local hunter or just a bird watcher? And if he was, why had the man taken a photo of him? He squirmed and scanned the dark forest, slapping at a late-season mosquito. The temperature rapidly dropped and he opened the front door of the Kia to salvage the thermos of coffee from the front seat, pouring the last bit into the silver lid. The bitter liquid helped warm him up as he tried the engine once again. The motor didn’t even cough and only issued a faint clicking noise. He cursed, first at the car and then at himself, chiding himself for not being a better mechanic or at least having a warmer jacket or a blanket in the car.
He jumped
out of the 4x4 once and glanced up at the black clouds closing in overhead and realized the early fall storm he’d been warned about was right on schedule. Now, extremely worried, he returned to the Kia and closed the door securely. At least here he’d be sheltered from the damn wind. Soon, however, his bones began to ache from the cold as he rubbed his hands together, trying vainly to stay warm in the rapidly cooling interior of the vehicle. He hugged himself and ran his numb hands down the length of his legs, wishing desperately the heater worked. He settled himself as best he could, hoping to wait out the storm.
The tall man in the blue parka grinned.
The stalker wouldn’t be going anywhere just yet; not as long as the ignition wires remained disconnected. He’d allow the intruder to cool his heels in the rapidly chilling afternoon before deciding what to do next.
Chapter 2
Tia continued writing all day, oblivious to the a
pproaching storm until she heard the windows rattle once again. The temperature in the cabin had dropped and Tia performed the almost unconscious duties of preparing the cabin for winter as she secured the windows, cranked up the stove, and started fires in both fireplaces.
A pot of hot soup with fresh
-baked oatmeal bread sounded mighty tempting, so Tia strolled into the compact kitchen and began to prepare the dough for her priceless bread maker which had been a present from her father three years earlier. While it kneaded the white batter, she began chopping vegetables, wiping emotionless tears from her eyes as she skinned and diced an onion. An already cooked and de-boned chicken joined the boiling soup mixture and Tia leaned over and tasted the warm concoction, adding some extra seasoning salt to the broth. Within an hour the simmering soup would be ready. She punched in the baking time on the bread maker, almost tasting the delicious-flavored bread she and Mary had polished off yesterday during their tea break.
Tia returned to her computer and sat in front of the humming screen trying to concentrate, but event
ually was distracted by the first flakes of drifting snow. Winter had arrived early this year and Tia allowed herself the pleasure of watching the big soft flakes fall silently to the ground for a full five minutes before returning to work. It snowed steadily over the next two hours and by the time Tia finished her steaming bowl of soup and slice of freshly baked bread slathered with creamy butter she noted the snow already rose half-way up to the window sill. At this rate she’d most likely be snowed in by dark. Thank goodness she hadn’t made that futile trip into Timberline to ogle at some complete stranger! Nearly an hour later, while she mused before her computer in the fading light, a knock sounded at her door, startling her from her preoccupation with the fate of the little Inuit boy.
Tia moved to the small entryway and waited until the knock resounded again.
The brisk, desperate tapping made her cautiously open the heavy outer door to peer into the swirling snow. A large handsome blonde
man in a thin jacket stood hesitantly in the dim light.
He carried a small blue backpack and his cheeks were pinched with cold. He’d raised a hand to once again knock and peered at her in half-embarrassment.
“I’m so sorry to bother you miss,” he said aw
kwardly, “but you see, my 4x4 died up on the road there and when I saw the smoke from your chimney I decided your cabin looked a lot warmer than the cold interior of my car.”
“Come in, come in,” urged Tia, shivering herself at the brisk wind.
She stuck out her hand, which the large man took in a firm grasp though his fingers were ice cold. “My name’s Tia Heath.”
“And mine’s Steve Newcastle,” he responded. “I’m afraid I must be considered a rank city
-slicker who was totally unprepared for inclement weather and got caught without any snow gear. I’m scouting around for some property to purchase and was directed this way by the realtor, Mrs. Carlson. She warned me about an impending storm and when those big storm clouds closed in I knew I was in big trouble. I thought I could sit it out in my rented Kia but the cold didn’t cooperate; so here I stand, frozen and in need of assistance. I’m so sorry to bother you.”
Helping another person in need was second nature to Tia.
“It’s no problem really. Please come inside where it’s warm.”
Steve set his backpack down upon the bench with a thud and followed her into the warm interior of the cabin.
The cold traveler gave a long sigh of relief and rubbed his hands together before hurrying to the crackling fireplace as if it personally beckoned to him. Tia smiled, watching him shiver as he rubbed his arms and legs trying to gain warm relief from the dancing flames. Finally he turned and smiled, his lips appearing less pinched.
“Would you happen to have a
phone? I’m staying at the Timberline Lodge and if I don’t make it back they’ll probably send out a search party.”
“I’m so sorry,” said
Tia. “I don’t have phone service here, but do own a short-wave. I should be able to reach Nancy Leukowski who actually owns the Lodge.”
“I’
d sure be grateful if you could do that madam. How does it work?” He walked over to the short-wave leaning against the far wall, the red light blinking in readiness. Tia picked up the microphone and handed it to him, adjusting the frequency.
She identified herself, “This is Tia, four double nine; is this
Nancy? Over.”
Nancy
’s tinny voice echoed through the line after the first summons. “Glad to hear from you Tia, we’re bracing for quite a storm here. Is everything alright?”
“Everything’s geared up just fine for winter.
I have someone you need to talk to; his name is Steve Newcastle.” Tia handed the microphone to the tall man.
“Hello, I’ve been staying at the Timberline Lodge and I seem to be snowed in.
My car, the Kia Sorento I rented from Roy’s Gas Station, has died and I’m going to need some service. I’m not quite certain my exact location, but was heading toward the lake to scout out some property. Do you think you could send someone out when the snow stops?”
“Of course
, Mr. Newcastle. We were starting to get worried when you didn’t come back. It’s not a problem,” gushed Nancy Leukowski. “It’s coming down pretty hard and fast so we’ll wait until tomorrow and contact you before sending out someone to repair the car. Now that we know you’re safe, we can relax. May I speak to Tia again?”
“Of course.” Steve handed the mike back to Tia.
“Just wanted to let you know he is indeed staying in town. Mr. Newcastle has been checking out some property in the neighborhood for about a week. Rose Carlson directed him to some property near Bear Lake about three miles away from your cabin. We’ll send someone out there tomorrow.”
“No problem,” replied Tia. “I’ll contact you
in the morning. Over and out.” She hung up the handset and turned to Steve with a smile. “Since no one’s now worried about you, I bet you’re feeling better?”
“Your hospitality and the warmth of this cabin have improved my disposition one hundred percent.”
Steve’s cheeks, though still flushed, seemed more relaxed and comfortably warm.
“Are you hungry?
When was the last time you ate?” asked Tia, glancing toward the kitchen.
“At breakfast.
I had three huge flapjacks, a rasher of bacon and two eggs, as well as orange juice. The Timberline Restaurant serves up a hearty breakfast, but I still feel as though I haven’t eaten anything in days.”
“It’s the
cold; it makes you famished. I’ll heat up some chicken soup and oatmeal bread if you’d like.” Steve followed her into the modern kitchen and watched as she opened the golden pine cupboards to remove a soup bowl and plate. The scent of fresh-baked oatmeal bread still hung in the air and he sniffed appreciatively.
“That smells wonderful, what is it?”
“My mother’s secret recipe for homemade bread. I made some just this morning so you’ll be getting it fresh. Please sit down.” Tia pointed to the round wooden table with its bright blue-checkered tablecloth and Steve sat down gingerly, easing his large frame into the leather-backed wooden chair.
“So you’re looking for property around here?
This is a mighty remote place for holiday property; I would think you’d prefer a place closer to Juneau or Anchorage.”
“I admit that sounds like good sense
, except for the simple fact I don’t have enough money to buy outside Juneau so I decided to try further north so I could venture into Denali Park and someday try and climb Mt. McKinley if I ever get my hiking legs back.”
“You better pick your season then,” said Tia. “That mountain can only be accosted in the middle of summer and it’s far t
oo late to start planning an expedition now.”
“Oh no,” Steve raised his hands in protest. “
Next summer is soon enough. Perhaps if I start training now I’ll be prepared.”
Steve grinned and Tia remembered the description Mary had given her about the blond
e man staying at the Timberline Lodge. She hadn’t been wrong in her assessment. His sandy hair hung long over soft brown eyes and laugh lines originated from his mouth, crinkling the corners of his full lips. Though a large man, Steve carried his weight well. Tia felt a faint pull of attraction but pushed it away. She wasn’t in the mood for starting a relationship with anyone and after he departed tomorrow her writing would once again become top priority.
“So what kind of business
are you in?” asked Tia, spooning several ladles full of soup into a saucepan. She stirred the thick mixture briskly with a wooden spoon after adjusting the flame.
Steve leaned back in the wooden chair and smiled broadly. “My background’s in advertising
. My firm’s in Seattle but I’ve just gone through a nasty divorce that was finalized only three months ago and Cindy got our cabin on Vancouver Island.”
“I’ve been to
Vancouver Island once,” said Tia, wiping her hands on a kitchen towel. “I had a friend who worked in Victoria; it’s such a beautiful place. You can’t find a lovelier spot to have a vacation home.”
“That’s exactly what I thought,” said Steve, “but my wife took the cabin after I’d worked so hard on that baby.
It sat right on the lake and the fishing was amazing. Little did I know Cindy used it as a love nest for her and her boyfriend Jerry. I can’t believe I worked everyday with that bum.” He sighed deeply. “So I figured; it’s time to take care of Steve, so I’m looking for a place with great fishing!” He glanced down; suddenly embarrassed he’d shared such an uncomfortable part of his past with a woman he’d only just met. Tia warmed to the big blonde man immediately and nodded compassionately.
“Believe me I understand.”
“I don’t know why I told you that; maybe it’s because you made me feel welcome even though I’m a complete stranger. Anyway, I thought a place in the pristine wilderness with good fishing was just what I needed; someplace where no one I knew from Seattle or Vancouver lived anywhere close. That’s what I’d call paradise.”
“If you’re trying to get away from things this
is
the right place. And, I’ve heard tell that the fishing is really top-notch. The river and streams are full of trout and grayling and if you venture near the coast you can catch huge salmon during the spring. It’s an amazing sight when they jump upstream over the rocks, battling for the spawning grounds. There’s nothing quite as tasty as fresh salmon.”
“I’d have to agree,” said Steve
, warming to the subject. “I used to catch salmon near Seattle. The realtor says I can get some land here pretty cheap and I’ve convinced a friend in construction to come up and help me build. I thought I might try laying the foundation this fall, and as soon as the snow clears, build the cabin next summer. Sonny has a huge RV and I figured we could live out of it while building. Nancy, the owner of Timberline Hotel, said it’s pretty easy to get building supplies since you have your own local trucker.”
“That would be Mary’s husband, Joe Whitebird.
He and his two sons can bring anything into town you need.”
“I sure like the layout and warm feel of this place,” said Steve
, looking around.
Tia beamed proudly.
“It’s all hewn from lodge pole pine. The process is simple really; they cut the entire tree down and strip off the branches, shedding the bark in the process. My dad used the biggest poles for the basic frame and staggered the log tails to give it a more authentic feel. My uncle and dad chinked the inside walls, that’s why it appears so authentically rustic, and used river rock for the fireplace. They chose golden pine for the cabinets and furniture but the floors are actually cedar. All our windows are dual-paned and with the double entryway doors, though it might be minus forty outside, it still feels snug.”
“So you’ve stayed here during the winter,” said Steve
, surprised. “I’d think it would get too cold and isolated for a woman out here all alone.”
“I like the solitude,” returned Tia shortly
, turning back to the stove and ladling the steaming soup into a bowl. She placed it and two chunks of thick oatmeal bread swimming in melted butter before him. Steve gazed at the offered food hungrily, rubbing his large hands together.
“And I thought the food at Timberline Lodge was good.”
Without further adieu he spooned some hot liquid into his mouth before taking a bite out of the oatmeal bread and giving her a fervent thumbs-up. After a few swallows he slowed down enough to mumble, “This is mighty fine, Madam.”
“Please don’t call me madam,” laughed Tia. “It makes
me feel old and gray. My name’s Tia.”
“Tia it is then.
You know, I don’t think I would have ever gotten my ex, Cindy, to come up to a place like this. She really didn’t like camping and fishing, preferring the hot tub and big deck where she could entertain all her friends.” He glanced around at the beautiful simplicity of the compact cabin and nodded. “You know there is something elemental about being free and on your own again. I could get used to a place like this.”