AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Just. The guy was close to death by the time we came across his body. Hypothermia had set in, leaving him disoriented and going in circles. Dehydration had weakened his body, so the poor son of a bitch had given up. But frostbite got him the worst. He’ll lose a few toes and his hands are a mess. Doc says he’ll make it though it was touch and go for a while.”
“I’m so glad. Any sane person can live with those kinds of problems as long as they want to get better. Who found him?”
“He surely does… want to get better.” Glen turned away, his expression looking like someone choking on a bone. “Ahh… we all did. Everyone was in on the search. He was a lucky man because when the temperature dropped, a few of the guys had to bail. Their machines weren’t working well in so much snow.”
Glen took the cup of coffee and plate of biscuits Demi held out and sat in his place at the table. Then he kicked her chair out to make it easier for her to sit.
“I’m just thankful that big old snowmobile of Johnny’s, the one Duffy let me use, is such a miracle machine. It’s why Johnny chose that model, so he could get back and forth when the weather was at its worst. It’s a gas guzzler but it’s still got more power than most.”
Demi smiled at him. “I’m glad too. Duffy told me to come and pick it up anytime we needed the convenience, and it looks like we’ll be needing it for the rest of the winter.” She pointed at the fridge. “Are you wanting breakfast, or did you eat in town?”
“Just biscuits and jam are fine. Now quit stalling and tell me what happened to Blue.” He bent down when a soft body arched itself by his foot. Picking up the furry puss, he first kissed it’s small head and then held her in his lap, feeding her tiny bits of his food. Pretending to be concentrating on the pet, he watched Demi from under his brows and saw her looking down, guilt written as plain as day over her face.
“I hit the ditch.” She glanced up and when she saw him watching her, she looked down again to smear another knife-full of jam on her biscuit. Knowing she never used that much normally, he reached over and put his hand on hers. “It’s okay. You’re alive. That’s the only thing that really matters here. Whatever happened, tell me. I’ll understand.”
“I just don’t want you to think I can’t handle myself. Because I… well last night I… well I couldn’t. If the little bastard hadn’t come along, I’d still be lying in a ditch. But he did. I’d pretty much given up, but he wouldn’t let me die. Bloody wolf growled at me, pulled at my clothes, even pushed me until I kept going. Eventually, I got to that rope you had set up and it got me to the porch.”
“Thank God I took the time. If W – my conscience hadn’t reminded me, I might have put it off.”
“I don’t believe it. You’ve been on top of all the safety measures we needed to take. I don’t know what I’d have done without you.” She shrugged. “As much as I think I know what I’m doing, last night especially made me aware that I don’t. Truth be told, most times, I don’t have a freaking clue.”
Glen couldn’t look her in the face. How could he take the credit for the things that Whit had urged him to do? That man knew the pitfalls one could get into living in this land. Glen… he’d just floated along in a drunken fog for years and been fortunate to have come out alive.
Changing the subject, he asked, “Is that why the dog was here inside the house with you?”
“Yeah. He came in with me last night, and when I felt strong enough to get more wood for the fire, he left. But then he returned, barked to be let in. Don’t know if he still will when you’re here, but it’s up to him now I guess.”
Glen grinned. “I’m thinking you’ll have to come up with a new name for him now. Little bastard won’t work anymore, will it?”
“I know. It’s something I’ve fretted over since I woke up. Any suggestions? And don’t say Rover or Prince or anything dumb like that.”
“How about Tutanka? It means big beast.”
“Not sure that fits. How does one say friend in your language?”
“Johnny used to say Nitotem to his closest squirrel. I thinks that’s Cree for friend. You could shorten it to Nito.”
“I like that. I’ll try it.”
Glen got up to get his parka. “Just so I know for sure… you’re saying I’m safe to go and get that generator working again. That I won’t get attacked?”
Demi laughed. “There’s no guarantee. He’s still his own boss. But on the good side, I did feed him already.”
“And that’s supposed to make me feel safe?”
“Want me to come with you?”
Glen had seen the way she’d patted her face from time to time and knew the cold had bitten into her skin, leaving a bit of discoloration. It must feel like she’d been scalded. Rather than pointing it out, he went to the cabinet and got the special cream Whit had left for just such a purpose.
He put it on the table in front of her and pretended to stand tall like a warrior. “This will help soothe your skin. You stay indoors today woman; I’ll take care of the outside chores… and the little bastard.”
He heard her laughing as he left the cabin.
Once he’d finished his chores, Glen helped Demi make supper, and they passed the evening playing cards. She filled him in on the latest chapters of her book, and with mounting hero worship, he dreamed one day of having a talent like hers. Eventually, he went to his room.
Before he allowed himself to crawl into the bed, he opened the iPad and wrote a message to Whit, telling him a little about the rescue, a bit about the snowstorm, and nothing about Demi’s close encounter with death. Then, because he couldn’t help himself, he thanked Whit for giving him so many instructions on keeping them and the cabin safe.
When he read over a note he hadn’t noticed, one that must have come in over the last twenty-four hours, he added another line. I’ll git the plow from yor grage. We’ll ned it for shure. Thks for thinkin of it. I coldn’t do this without you, Whit. Com hom soon.
