Touching the Clouds (22 page)

Kate nodded. “I guess the name makes sense, then.” She patted the dog. “So, these are sled dogs?”

“Uh-huh. I have one more. She’s in the house.”

“Oh.” Kate looked at the window where she could see a dog that resembled Buck, staring out. “Can I meet her?”

“I . . . guess.”

Paul’s tone sounded as if he’d rather she not go inside, but Kate didn’t know how to graciously change her mind without embarrassing herself or Paul. He walked toward the porch and she followed.

“She had pups six weeks ago. I’ve been keeping her and the litter indoors, but the puppies are getting too rambunctious, so it’s about time for them to move outdoors.” He walked up steps cleared of snow and opened the door. Nita bounded out, giving a warning growl to Kate. “Nita! No!” The dog sat, but kept a wary eye on Kate. “This is a friend of ours,” Paul said, holding the dog by her collar. “She’s extra protective because of the pups.”

“I don’t blame her.” Kate wasn’t sure if it was safe to move. “Maybe she doesn’t want me to see them.”

“She’ll be fine.”

“She’s a good-looking dog. Is she malamute too?”

“No. Husky.”

“She looks like Buck.”

“Huskies and malamutes are similar. The malamutes are usually bigger and built broad and heavy. They’re all good sled dogs. Buck’s the strongest, but this one’s the smartest.” Holding Nita firmly, he took a step toward Kate and allowed the dog to sniff her. “She’s okay now.”

Tentatively, Kate put out her hand and stroked Nita’s head.

“You want to see the puppies?”

Warily, Kate stepped inside. Her first look at Paul’s cabin surprised her. It was neat and clean with touches that made it feel homey. She hadn’t expected that from a bachelor living in the bush.

A quilt made of squares cut from red, gold, and blue fabric was draped over the back of a small sofa and crocheted doilies protected both arms. A cabinet packed with books stood next to the sofa. An overstuffed chair rested against the wall opposite the front window, and a table with a lamp sat beside it. The room was crowded but comfortable. The kitchen had more than ample shelving, and a rustic table with four chairs divided it from the living area.

“This is nice. Did you build it yourself?”

“Yeah, with Patrick’s help.”

She moved toward the bookcase and picked out a book,
Moby Dick
. “So, you like to read.”

“I do. That one was a little dry for me, though. Have you read it?”

“No.” Kate put it back on the shelf.

“Out here, especially during the winter, there’s lots of time for reading.”

A door Kate guessed led to a bedroom was at the far end of the living area. She noticed a sewing machine in the front corner of the room and remembered her meeting with Paul at the store and her surprise when she discovered that he sewed. The memory made her smile.

Whimpering and yipping sounds drew her attention to a wooden crate in the corner of the kitchen. With a glance at Nita, she walked slowly toward the box. Nita was attentive, but didn’t seem hostile.

“She had nine pups in all.” Paul moved to the crate. “They’re getting fat. I’ve already got homes for most of them.”

“How did you do that?”

“Last time I went into Susitna Station I asked around. People are always looking for good dogs. I’ll be making another trip next week and plan to take the pups with me.”

Enraptured, Kate watched the plump puppies walk over one another; some growled and tussled, while others tried to climb the sides of the box. “May I hold one?”

“Sure.”

Kate studied them a moment, and then her eyes landed on the smallest of the litter. She picked it up. With its tail acting like a propeller, it wiggled and whimpered. Kate held her up in front of her to have a better look. She had a sweet, masked face. Kate’s heart warmed.

“She’s the runt, but she’s smart. And brave. She can scrap with the best of them.” He smiled. “She’d be just right for you.”

“Me?” Kate looked at the puppy. “She’s sweet, but I can’t . . . I’m gone too much.”

“Take her along with you. It’d be good to have a dog . . . for protection and company.”

The idea appealed to Kate. She pressed her cheek against the pup’s downy fur. “She’s adorable.” Kate captured it against her chest. “I wonder how the Towns would feel about me having a dog? It’s a small apartment.”

“I doubt they’d mind. In fact, they’d probably feel better, knowing she’s with you. When she’s full grown, she ought to be a good watchdog.” He paused. “I know I’d feel better.” His tone sounded almost tender.

Kate looked at him. A question had been pestering her and she needed to ask it. She took a breath. “Paul, are you mad at me?”

“Mad? Why would you think that?”

“You haven’t met the plane for the last six weeks.”

“You’ve been counting?” His smile teased.

Kate compressed her lips, embarrassed. She had been counting. “I . . . always keep track of my runs.” She forced her eyes to remain on his. “So, are you mad?”

“No.” He moved to the kitchen. “You want a cup of coffee?”

“I need to get back to work. I’ve got a couple more stops to make.” The puppy tried to scramble up her neck and licked her chin. “If you’re not mad, why haven’t you been down to get your mail?”

“Been busy.”

“Not that busy.”

Paul turned and faced her. “Okay. I . . . was mad, kind of. When your plane disappeared, I got scared.”

“For me?” The idea warmed Kate’s insides.

“Yeah.” He filled the coffeepot with water. “I don’t understand why you’ve got to fly in the bush. There are lots of other jobs, safer ones.”

Kate was surprised at the intensity of his tone. She didn’t know how to answer.

He turned and looked at her. “Why do you fly?”

She looked at the pup and scratched behind its ears. Paul’s stare was intense. “I have to. I don’t think I could be me without it.”

“Can’t you fly somewhere else, someplace safe?”

“Life can’t always be about staying safe.” Kate suddenly felt angry. She was tired of people telling her how to live. “Is that why you hide out here in this cabin? Are you staying safe?” The words were out and Kate wished she could take them back.

Paul’s expression turned stony. “Why I live here is none of your business.”

Kate felt her face warm from embarrassment. Her anger had gotten the better of her again. “You’re right. It isn’t.” She put the puppy back in the box. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t get so defensive about what I do.”

Silence pervaded the room. Paul set the percolator on the stove. “So, you want the puppy?”

Kate looked at the little girl. “Yes. I do.”

“Okay. I’ll get a box.”

“You mean, take her today?”

“She’s old enough.” Paul didn’t wait for an answer, but strode out of the house.

Kate picked up the pup and followed Paul to the shed.

Inside it smelled musty and damp. Kate held up the puppy. “So, what shall I call you?” She studied her. “You look like a little angel. I’ll call you Angel.”

Paul grinned. “She might not be such an angel. Huskies tend to have a mind of their own.” He picked up a box. “This ought to do.” He dumped out wood chips and then grabbed a rag and laid it inside.

A raven flew into the shed and perched on a shelf where it cawed and stared at Kate. She stared back. “What in the world?”

“That’s Jasper. Found him in one of my traps. He broke his leg and I helped patch him up. He decided to stay.”

Kate wondered what other things she didn’t know about Paul. She hadn’t met a man from the bush who gave a whit about a bird. “You have a regular menagerie here.”

“Guess I do.” He took Angel from Kate and settled her inside the box.

Kate felt a sudden tenderness for this quiet man she barely knew. “Thanks, Paul. I’ll take good care of her.”

“You will or answer to me.” He grinned.

Holding the box in front of her, Kate started down the trail, then stopped and looked back. “Now you’ll have to meet the plane once in a while . . . you’ll want to see how she’s doing.”

“Guess I will at that.”

17

W
ith a grimace, Kate finished off a cup of Sidney’s overly sturdy coffee and then refilled her mug. She glanced at Mike.

“You must be desperate,” he said.

“Can’t seem to wake up. And I’ve got a couple of long days ahead of me. After my mail run, I’m heading to Kotzebue.” Leaning against the wall, she sipped the stout brew, trying to keep the heat of the liquid away from a sore tooth.

“Maybe you should take a thermos of that with you.”

“Don’t think my stomach could tolerate that much of it.” She took one more swig, then set the cup on the counter and grabbed two mail bags, slinging one over each shoulder. “My plane ought to be warmed up by now.” Flashlight in hand, she headed for the door. “I’ll see you in a few days.”

“See ya,” Sidney said, without looking up from the workbench where he sorted through tools.

She nodded at Mike, then stepped into snow flurries and strode toward her plane. She heard the shop door open and close behind her and glanced over her shoulder to see Mike following.

He caught up to her and took one of the canvas sacks.

Kate kept walking, trying to ignore an ache in a right lower molar.

When Mike opened the door, Angel greeted him by planting her big feet on his chest and licking his face. He chuckled and pushed her aside. “Yeah, I love you too. But I already took a bath today.” He gave her a pat and then hefted the mail inside the plane. “She’s getting big.”

“Yeah, growing fast and she loves to fly.” Angel liked him. That was a good sign. Dogs knew who they could trust.

“She’s ready to go, all right,” Mike hollered over the engine. Kate handed the second bag to him. “I think she likes flying as much as I do.”

“Not much mail going out today.” Mike kept Angel under control with one hand.

“That means fewer stops, which gives me more daylight to make McGrath.”

Angel tried to squeeze past Mike and out the door. He shoved her back. “Settle down.” He turned to Kate. “Aren’t you pushing yourself a little hard?”

“Yeah, maybe. But don’t we all?”

“Yeah, I suppose so.” His expression turned tender and he rested a hand on her arm.

“I’ll be fine.” Kate stepped up on the ladder and Angel licked her face. “All right, that’s enough or you’re going back to Paul’s.” She grabbed the dog’s collar and wondered if Paul would meet the plane today. She hoped so.

Keeping a hold of Angel, she climbed inside. “You know Paul Anderson? He lives out on Bear Creek.”

“The guy you got Angel from?”

“Uh-huh.”

Mike rested a hand on the door frame and looked up at Kate, his expression slightly annoyed. “Why?”

“Just wondering. He’s kind of mysterious.”

“Mysterious? I’d say more like secretive.” Mike frowned. “There are a lot of fellas like him up here.” He stared at Kate. “You interested in him?”

She could see hurt in Mike’s eyes. She knew he cared for her, though he’d made no declarations. “No,” she said, wishing she’d kept quiet. She didn’t want Mike to think she wasn’t interested in him. She wasn’t sure what she felt yet. “I’m just curious is all.”

He furrowed his brows. “My guess is he’ll tell us about his past when he’s ready. Best to leave him be.”

Angel jumped out of the plane, putting an end to the discussion. Tail wagging, she pressed against Mike. Giving her thick fur a good rub, he glanced at Kate. “She cause you any trouble when you’re in the air?”

“No. She’s great. Once we’re flying she settles right down and sleeps mostly.” She eyed Angel’s crate. “Her favorite place, though, is the front passenger seat, which means I’m constantly cleaning up dog hair so my passengers don’t have to wear it.”

Angel trotted across the field and disappeared into the darkness. Kate wasn’t worried. She’d be back. She never missed a chance to fly.

Kate glanced at the eastern sky, which hinted at sunrise. “Summer will be here soon—more daylight and more flying hours. I’ve got to make hay while the sun shines.” She looked up at drifting snowflakes. “That is, if the sun were shining.” She grinned. “Anyway, I want to buy a place of my own so I’ve got to work while I can. Over the winter my bank account has dwindled.”

“Always does that. I’ll be happy for more hours myself.”

Kate turned her attention to the Chugach Mountains. They looked like hulking gray shadows in the dawn light. She took in a breath and cold air found its way to her inflamed tooth. She winced and put a hand to her cheek.

“You all right?”

“Yeah. Just a bad tooth.”

“I know a good dentist.”

“I’m hoping it’ll just go away.”

“Tooth pain rarely just goes away.” Mike shook his head slightly. “Sorry.”

“When I get back I’ll go in and see the dentist,” Kate conceded. “I better go.” She whistled for Angel and the pup came running, jumped into the plane, and burrowed into her bed. “See you tomorrow or the next,” Kate said, climbing in.

Before she could pull the door closed, Mike leaned in and asked, “Dinner together when you get back? My place? I’ll cook.”

“Okay. I’d like that.”

He grinned and closed the door. Feeling lighthearted, Kate moved to the front of the plane. An evening with Mike would be fun. He was a nice guy . . . and handsome. And he understood how she felt about being a pilot. They were a good match.
Don’t get ahead of yourself. You don’t
know him well enough to be thinking about a long-term
relationship.
Not to mention that Kate couldn’t keep her thoughts from straying to Paul. There was something appealing about him.

Once in the air, Angel trotted to the front and settled into the passenger seat. Kate rested a hand on her head. Paul had been right about her having a dog. Even in the remotest areas, she never felt alone.

Not far out of Anchorage, the snow flurries stopped and morning sunlight splintered scattered clouds. The world almost looked warm. When Kate made her stops, there was a different feel in the air, a promise of spring. People walked with a lighter step and their smiles seemed brighter than usual.

Her last delivery completed, Kate headed north. It had been a good day, all except for the throbbing in her tooth. Mike was right—toothaches never just went away.