Wilderness Challenge - Chapter 11

Chapter 11

         The morning came more quickly than she expected.  The sun shone in the cabin when she opened her eyes, which she felt she had just closed.

         After her morning Bible study she called the ranger station.  “CM Alpha One, to RS Tango Five, come in, over.”  Candi only waited a moment before she heard Ranger Morrison answer her call.

         “RS Tango Five, come in CM Alpha One.  How can we help you Miss Martin?  Over.”

         “I was wondering how soon I can get a garden started.  Over.”

         “You’ll need to start the garden right away.  The summer growing season is half over.  But not to worry, you can still get a good garden growing by end of summer.”

         “What can I grow with the time left?”

         “You can plant any vegetable with a continuous harvest.  Do you know how to keep the natural pests away?”

         “What do I need to do?”

         “In order to have a successful garden you need to--”  Stan outlined the strategy she would need to follow in order to bring about the desired results.

         Candi listened, and wrote everything down.  “Thank you Ranger Morrison.  Over.”

         “Please call me Stan.  I’m glad I could be of help.  Over.”

         “Thank you Stan, and please call me Candi.  CM Alpha One signing off.”

         She gathered her seeds, headed out the back door and soon found and prepared her garden.  As she placed each seed in the ground she imagined the ripened vegetable it would be, whether it were tomatoes, beans, onions, lettuce, squash, carrots, broccoli, or corn.  She also planted some cantaloupe to add to the fruit she would have when the berries ripened, and some herbs to bring out the flavor of her food, and keep the pests away as Stan directed.  Visions of beans cooking on her stove, brought saliva to her mouth.  Tomato sandwiches on fresh baked bread.  Vegetables made in a stew with bear meat, venison, freshly caught fish.  Her stomach rumbled at the thoughts, and she realized it was past noon.

         She finished her work and gave them a good drink of water.  With everything finished she lifted her eyes to heaven.  “Lord God I planted a garden.  I sowed seed.  I’m asking in the name of your dear Son, Jesus, to keep what I planted, until the time of harvest is fully come.  Your Word says You are the multiplier of seed.  I know it’s late so I’m asking that You multiply the seed I planted to see me safely through the coming winter months.  Remember Lord God that you promised you would keep me and what I do in your tender care, because I give into your kingdom.  Rebuke the devourer for my sake and bring to fruition what my hands have planted, that you have provided for me.  In Jesus name I pray, amen.”

         Candi went back to her work.  It was hard to believe Mr. Mills paid for all she did.  She could work when she wanted, plant a garden, swim, and defend herself.  She would also go hunting soon, and add more meat to the hut.  Mr. Hampstadt would arrive at the end of the week.  She should also send a letter to her parents, and let them know she was all right.  She would also send a special letter to Mr. Leonard, and let him know about her first experience with the bear, and thank him for the training he had given her.

         She set aside her work and decided to go for a walk.  The cabin was too close at midday.  A revitalizing swim would be just the thing to rejuvenate her.  As she walked she thought it would be nice to have some chickens along with a cow or goat for milk.  It would be good to have those as part of her diet again.  The large meadow behind her house was the perfect place to build a chicken coop and shed for the cow or goat.  It was also far enough from the house for her safety and sanitation.  She had already planted her garden immediately behind the house.  She would fence off the larger area just beyond and build a chicken coop and shed for the livestock.

         The thought excited her as she returned to the house and began to design both the chicken coop and shed.  She made a list of the supplies she would need.  She had the tools necessary to, she would just need wood for a corral and the shelters for the chicken coop and shed.  She would need lots of nails.  That would have to be her number one priority, along with the wood.

         She had watched Logan construct the hut to smoke the meat, but she needed refrigeration to cure it before she smoked it.  She didn’t want to rely on the ranger station, so there had to be a way she could cure the meat right there.  The coldest thing around was the river, but she couldn’t cure the meat in the river.  She would talk to Mr. Hampstadt and see what he had to say about it, but then again, he probably might not know unless he hunted.  It was worth a shot.  She was not going to let lack of refrigeration stop her cold in her tracks.

         She contacted the station with her request for supplies, and began work on the shelters with what she had on hand.

         Kept busy by the prospect of an expanded food supply, the week sped by as if on wings.  Candi almost missed the drone of the plane until it was ready to land on the river.  She rushed down to the river along with Rascal to welcome Bart Hampstadt.  Her excitement was barely contained as he came to a stop and stepped off the plane.  “Did you bring everything?”

         “What am I now, a delivery man for a lumber project?  What are you planning on?”

         She hugged him a smile on her face and twinkle in her eyes.  “As if you don’t know.  You did bring the chickens and the cow didn’t you?”

         “Well now with a welcome like that I should come more often.  Yes.  I have them.  I take it all this lumber is for their quarters?”

         “Yes.  I have a chicken coop almost finished.  I’ll have to finish it today in order to keep them collected in one location.”

         Bart unloaded the cow and her calf along with the chickens and started to unload the lumber.  Rascal inspected the chickens and the cow, who in turn looked him over.  “I see you still have your dog.”

         “He got into a fight with a pack of coyotes a while back, but as you can see he came through it in good shape.”

         “What about you?”

         “Me.  I’m fine.  The attack of the bear brought home just why I took all those survival and marksmanship lessons.  I also have Ranger Carmichael to thank for helping me through that situation.  I have my first scar from that encounter.”

         “Scar.  You weren’t hurt, were you?”

         “Not bad enough to worry about.  The bear fell on top of me and swiped my shoulder with his paw when I killed him.  I’m fine.”

         “You’re fine.  I have to give Mr. Mills a report when I get back, and you say you’re fine.”

         “Look at me.  I’m fine.  I’ve got a garden started, which will be ready in a month or so.  I should be able to harvest by the end of the summer.  So I will be able to offer you fresh vegetables along with whatever I’ve killed for meat.  Speaking of which how would you like something to eat before you finish unloading all that lumber?”

         “Sounds like a good idea.  What are you offering these days?”

         “You’ll be surprised.  I have bear meat sandwiches, on fresh baked bread.”

         “With what I’m seeing around me, I’m surprised you have any work ready for me to take back.”

         “I have it all completed.  I hope you brought me a fresh supply of work.”

         “I have that along with your mail.”

         “Speaking of which I have a couple letters for you to take back, one to my parents, and the other to my instructor, Mr. Leonard.”  They entered the cabin and Candi poured him a cup of coffee, and set out the plate of bread and bear meat for him.  Rascal followed them in and went to his bowl for a bite to eat, and a drink of water.

         “You shot that bear?”  Bart looked at her and the bearskin rug that sat in front of her fireplace.  “And you chopped all the wood for the fireplace?”

         “I did.  The bear showed up one day and thought I’d make a nice lunch.  Instead he’s made a good one for me.  I’m going hunting as soon as I have the corral built for the cow, and the coop for the chickens is completed.  Now that you brought me the lumber and necessary tools to complete the job, I’ll be able to have it completed by the end of the week.”

         “I must say you’ve done quite a job here for yourself.”

         “I’ve had some help.  Ranger Carmichael and Sandra Morrison helped with the hut to smoke the meat.  It’s because of their help that I was able to do what I’ve done.  Speaking of which, would you know how I can refrigerate the game when I bring it home.  The ranger station cured it for me the last time, but aside from having them cure all my meat, I don’t know how I’m going to refrigerate anything here.”

         “I’m not the one to ask.  I’ve done my share of hunting, but I always took my game to a professional to get it cured and smoked.  I never did it myself.”

         Some of her excitement died.  “It was worth a shot.  I’ll think of something.”

         “I’m sure you will with all you have started here.”

         “Ranger Morrison told me how to protect my garden from predators.  That is a really big plus.  I was thinking about all those vegetables when I planted them this week.”

         “Planting a little late aren’t you?”

         “Ranger Morrison said there was still time to harvest most things, so I just planted everything and will rely on God to take care of it.”

         “Well I can see you’ve done very well for yourself.”

         “Thank you, it’s been a lot of hard work, but I love every moment of it.  Please tell Mr. Mills thank you for giving me the opportunity to do all this.”

         “I’ll certainly do that.  Well I had better finish unloading all that lumber, and then be on my way.  Thank you for the wonderful meal, and your gracious hospitality.  I quite enjoyed it.”

         “My pleasure.”  Together they unloaded the plane and he was soon on his way again.

         Candi completed the chicken coop.  She had a makeshift corral for the cow and her calf.  They would be all right until she could finish the corral and build a shed for them.  Rascal inspected the new occupants, and satisfied went to lay down on the porch, contented to watch for the time being.

         She had the chicken coop ready by the end of the day and the chickens installed in their new home.  With her work done for the day she headed for the house and supper.

         She saw the mail Bart left in the middle of the table, and went through it.  Some she set aside to go through later, but the letter from her mother she opened and read right away.  ‘Dear Candi; I hope you are well.  You are constantly in our prayers.  We don’t understand why you would want to go away for an entire year away from your family who loves you.  We hope you will see the sense of coming home, and taking up your job again.  I know that you said you still have your job with McHenry and Taylor, and the fact that Mr. Hampstadt is taking this letter to you is proof of that, but I’m talking about being able to go to the company and being with other people with whom you can talk to, and socialize with.  We only hope though, if you still insist on this venture, that you are happy with what you are doing.  We love you, and hope to hear from you soon.  Love Mom and Dad.’

         She hadn’t told her parents about the attack by the bear, or the visit by the coyotes.  Though she had told them there were rangers nearby if she needed them, and had succeeded in starting a garden.  She also told them she was very happy, and that for the first time she felt fulfilled as a person.

         She set the letter aside and looked at the work Bart brought her.  Her job with the publishing firm was to proof and edit stories, which came to the company.  If the story was beyond merit, she simply sent out the standard rejection letter.  Mostly what she proofed was material from already published authors.  The one she held in her hands was one of those.  She handled all of that person’s work personally.  She would enjoy reading and proofing the one before her.  Just one glance told her the story line was a good one.

         Candi set it aside for the moment and picked up the book she had been studying, which pertained to the animal’s common to where she lived along with their habits and paw prints.  She had become quite familiar with them, and felt she could move on to plant and trees found in the region.  She would need to pay careful attention to everything the book contained if she was to have a productive garden.

         She made a journal entry in her diary, just as she promised Mr. Mills, and reread what she had written since she had come to Idaho.  There she read that not only had she gained strength, but confidence as well.  It was with a great sense of satisfaction and a measure of pride that she blew out the lamp and closed her eyes in sleep later that night.

         With the arrival of the livestock Candi soon not only had the chicken coop completed but the shed for the cows as well.  The corral took more time.  She had it half-constructed when Logan and Sandra Morrison made a surprise visit to see how the new livestock fared.

         “This is a surprise.  I hadn’t expected to see you.”  Candi met them as they trotted up to the front of the cabin.  Rascal pranced around the newcomers, barking his own welcome.

         “At least someone is happy to see me.”  Logan gave her one of his lopsided grins.

         “You’re welcome.  I’ve got some fresh coffee on the stove.”

         “Do you mind if I have a look around, while you get more acquainted with Sandra.”

         “I’ve been worried about you since we were here last.  How have you been?”  Sandra said.

         “I’m fine.  Just like I told the pilot that brought the livestock a week ago.  Rascal and I are both well healed of our little adventure.”

         “I’ll have a look around and see the new construction you’ve been up to.  I’ve seen bits of it taking shape from the ranger station.”

         “I’m sure you have.”

         Logan went off to inspect the chicken coop and cowshed.  “Come on inside.  I have fresh coffee like I said.  I can really use the break.  I’ve been working on the corral all morning, trying to get it completed so I don’t have to worry about the cow or her calf.”

         “And you still find time to do your work for the company you work for?”

         “Yes.  I do that right after breakfast in the morning, in the afternoon I study the books on wildlife and plant life.  What I haven’t had any time for yet is any hunting.  I’ll have to do that soon.  The bear meat is about half gone.”

         Sandra noticed the bear skin rug in front of the fireplace.  “You must have been very frightened, my dear.”

         Candi saw the direction of her gaze.  “I was.  I don’t remember any time in my life when I can honestly say I was more frightened.”

         Sandra looked around her at the improvements she’d made in the past month.  “You’ve built a nice place for yourself.  What are you planning to do when you leave here?”

         “I really haven’t given much thought to leaving.  I really like it here.  I was thinking of adding to the garden next year.”

         “Your boss would allow you to go on another year?”

         “I hadn’t thought about it, but perhaps not, though if I have to leave here I know I’ll miss it terribly.”

         Logan entered the cabin after his inspection, eyes ablaze as he approached her.  “When was the last time you milked your cow.  She’s bawling pretty loud, and she looks like she’s in pain, which is what happens when they go too long without milking.”

         Candi saw the anger in his eyes and knew fear like she had not known for a long time.  “I milked her this morning.  Why?  What’s the matter?”

         “Do you know how to milk the cow?”

         “I’ve been doing all right.  I’ve had the cow for a week now, and I don’t find any complaints with my technique.”

         “Then you haven’t paid any attention to her bawling.  You need to milk cows completely twice a day.  You don’t just take what you need and leave her till the next time.  Come with me, I’ll show you the proper technique for milking the cow.”  Logan hauled her out of her chair and led her out the door, and down to the shed.

         Candi was just as startled by his action as Sandra was who sat in stunned amazement at his treatment of her.  “Let me go!”

         “I believe it’s you that said you were out to prove you can make it here alone.  Until now I’ve left you alone, but that cow needs to be taken care of.”

         “It won’t die will it?”  Candi was suddenly afraid she might have destroyed a good animal.

         “No, no thanks to you.  It’s a good thing I came by when I did.  Who knows how long the cow would live without proper attention.”

         Candi was in tears as they neared the shed.  She heard the bawling of the cow long before he opened the door.  Her heart went out to her as she took the pail near the door and the stool she used to milk her.  She positioned the stool and the pail and grabbed an udder, and had to get out of the way as the cow kicked out at her as soon as she took hold of it.

         “Let me do that.  The cow is in obvious pain.  It’s going to take some time to get her milked with her in this condition.  Just watch how I milk her.  When she isn’t in the pain she is now I’ll let you take over.”

         Candi was in tears as she watched as he carefully milked the cow.  He was very gentle with her, and soon the cow calmed down enough for her to take over.  “Now you do it, and do just as I did.”

         Candi followed his close instructions and soon the cow munched on her feed in contentment.  There were also several containers of milk.

         “You’ll need to store this.”

         “I don’t have enough containers to keep it.  How am I going to keep it fresh and cold?”  Candi looked at all the milk and wondered where she would find all the necessary containers to keep the milk from spoiling.

         “Your boss didn’t send along a milk can with the cow?  I’ll go over to the station and see what I can find.  You can store it in the lake.  It’s cold enough to keep it fresh.”

         “It is cold.”  Her daily swim and wash in the lake confirmed that.  “Probably colder than a regular refrigerator.”

         “Easily, and it’ll get colder in winter.  The lake should freeze over then, and you can chop chunks of ice and keep it in the cabin.”

         “If I last that long.  You criticize everything I do.  You don’t care how you shame me do you?  I can’t imagine what Sandra thinks of me now, thanks to you.”

         “It doesn’t matter what Sandra thinks.  It’s what you are doing here that matters.  How were you planning on feeding these animals?  Is your pilot prepared to keep bringing in feed for both your cows and your chickens?  If you plan on living out here and having these animals then you’re also going to have to provide your own feed for them.”

         “I’m not a farmer!”

         “Then you shouldn’t have cows or chickens.  You’re nothing but a glorified city girl.  You don’t know the first thing about wilderness survival.  Go back to civilization and your pampered lifestyle.  Your previous camping and hiking trips were recreation.  They weren’t a means for survival.  Go home where you belong with all the comforts of home.  Hot showers, utilities, your job.”

         “Pampered lifestyle.  I should have been so fortunate.”  Her laugh was more scorn than mirth.  “You don’t know anything about me.”

         “That may be, but so far I haven’t seen much to recommend you.”

         “Let me just inform you of one thing.  I’m not giving up, and I’m not going back to civilization either.  I can hunt as well as any man and fish too.  I killed that bear without your help.”

         “Got hurt in the process.  Someone always has to come to your rescue.  You’d think all we rangers have to do is look out for you.”

         “I didn’t ask for your interference.”

         “Then next time I might not give it, since you’re not grateful enough to accept it.”

         “I never said I wasn’t grateful.”

         “What would have happened if I hadn’t come along this time like I did?  You would have lost your cow, and you would have sacrificed your calf as well.  A great shame for such a fine animal.”

         “Stop it!”  Candi fell to her knees sobbing.  “I didn’t deliberately set out to hurt the cow.  I’ll do better.  I promise.”  She had tried so hard.  Never in her life would she set out to deliberately hurt another animal or human being for that matter.  In the space of a week she had done just that.  She was grateful she hadn’t caused any serious injury to her cow.  She would take better care of it in the future.

         “You’ll have to do a lot better.  It takes more than building a couple shelters for the animals.  You’re going to have to provide their feed.  That means you’ll have to plow the ground, plant the seed, and harvest it.”

         She looked up at him, her face tear-streaked.  “What do I need for seed?”

         “You’ll need oats, hay, and corn.  Corn for both the cows and the chickens.”  He reached out and lifted her to her feet, and she found his mouth covered hers with an intensity that matched his emotions.

         Candi was both surprised and stupefied by his actions.  How could he yell at her one moment and kiss her the next.  It made no sense.  Neither did the fact she returned his kiss with as much emotion as he displayed.

         He set her from him, and looked down into the bewildered expression on her face.  “I’d better get over to the station and see what I can find to put the milk in and keep it fresh.”

         He turned on his heel and was gone.  She stood there looking at the door amazed by his action.  It didn’t make any sense.  Neither did her reaction.  She wiped the tears from her face, and went back to the cabin.  He found him on his horse, Sandra with him, ready to leave.

         “I’ll be back with the chopper in just a little bit.  Then you can get that milk stored.”

         “How’s the cow?”  Sandra dared to ask, as she looked from one to the other.  Candi couldn’t contain her tears and Logan looked like a storm cloud on a clear day.

         “She’ll be fine as long as Miss Martin milks her correctly.”

         “I can’t be expected to know everything right away.”  Candi wanted to run and hide.  Why did she get herself into those situations?  She was such a klutz.  She never did anything right.  And she had nearly killed her cow.

         “That’s what the transmitter is for.  To ask questions.  I’ll be back shortly.  In the meantime think about what I said.”

         “About going back?”

         “About finding a suitable place to store the milk.”

         “You told her to go back?”  Sandra was amazed.  “I really don’t think that is necessary.  She’s done a good job here so far.”

         “I’ve nearly killed the cow, and I don’t know the first thing about farming, which is something I’m going to have to learn if I’m going to keep a cow and chickens.”

         “I’m an old farm girl from Iowa.  Tell you what I’ll do.  I’ll come over and help you with what you need to know.”

         “I appreciate it, but shouldn’t I learn on my own?”

         “No!”  Logan was more emphatic than he intended to be, as he saw the tears gathering strength again.

         Sandra looked from one to the other.  “It’ll give me something to do.  I’ll teach you everything I know, and then you’ll be able make a decent living from the earth.  I’ll come by tomorrow.”

         “Thanks, I really do appreciate it.”

         “In the meantime I’ll also get a message to that boss of yours and be sure he sends out a milk can and seed for feed.”  Logan turned his horse away from her and headed back to the station.  Candi watched them leave, as tears streamed down her face until they were out of sight, and then went back to her work.

         An hour later Rascal showed up, full of burrs, and matted down, wet from a swim in the river.  She set him beside her on the porch and began to work the burrs out of his coat.  “Where have you been?  You’re a mess.  You missed our visitors.  Good thing.  He really laid into me.  I think he hates me.”

         A short while later he was free of the burrs, his coat shiny and clean again.  She put down the brush, and went back into the cabin, and worked on the file she would need to send out the following week, if she was to keep to her schedule.

         It was then she heard the helicopter and looked up to see the chopper coming toward her from the ranger station.  He was back.

         She watched as the helicopter landed close to the cabin and Logan got out and took several containers from the back and set them on the ground next to him.  “I’ve got all I could find.  It’ll be good when you get a couple milk cans shipped in here.”

         He brought her a couple cans, and set them on the porch.  “Are you going to help me or just sit there?”

         She followed him back to the helicopter and took up several of the containers.  “Why are you so mean?”

         “I’m practical.  In my experience women have rarely been practical.”

         “Why don’t you just go ahead and say it.  There’s no one here now to hear how much you think I’m a stupid fool.  I already know you think I shouldn’t have come out here.”

         “I never said you were a stupid fool.  Fact is I don’t think that at all.  Your fault is that you don’t know how to ask questions or want to ask them.  You want to prove yourself capable so much that you’ve lost all sense of reason.  Now let’s get these containers down to the cow shed and get the milk stored before it spoils.”

         “You weren’t exactly cordial when you found out I had been swimming and doing my laundry.  And you ripped into me about the cow just a little while ago.”

         “It wasn’t very smart, and I did get a little angry with you.”

         “A little?”

         “Okay, more than a little.  Though I was surprised you’re squeamish about a needle.”

         “I don’t like any pain, but deliberate pain like that, well, I hate needles.  What can I say?”

         “I’ll remember that next time.”

         “Hopefully that won’t be too soon.  I have to get out there and start doing my own hunting, so I have food for the winter.”

         “Let’s get the milk stored then I’ll take some coffee and we can talk.  You really need to you know.”

         “There’s nothing to talk about.”

         “There’s plenty to talk about.  You just don’t want to acknowledge it.”

         She was in tears again.  Why did he affect her so much?

         “You don’t need to cry.  You’re doing a fine job here.  You just need to know when to ask for help, and ask questions.”

         For the next hour they worked together in silence to get the milk stored.  Candi sniffed every once in a while and couldn’t wait to be alone again.

         When the milk was properly stored, Logan turned to go up to the cabin.  “I’ll take that coffee now, if you’re still offering.”

         “I know my manners.”

         “I’m glad to hear it.  Let’s go.”

         Tears slid down her cheeks as she followed behind him back to the cabin.

         “You don’t need to cry about it.  The cow will be fine.”  Logan continued ahead of her without a look back at her.

         “How do you know I’m crying?”  Candi sniffed and brushed away the tears that streamed down her cheeks.

         “I know.  You’re sulking.  And I can hear you sniffling behind me.”

         “According to you I can’t do anything right.  Everything turns into a mess.  I’ll never make it here alone.”

         “I’ve never said you can’t do it.  Those shelters should hold against any storm, and I don’t think you’ll have any trouble with coyotes, but I’d keep an eye out for weasels, they’re very cunning animals.  They’ll do whatever it takes to get your chickens and their eggs.  Be sure everything is safely inside the shelters at the end of the day.”

         He opened the door and ushered her in ahead of him.  Though he had complimented her, she still felt terrible over the problem with the cow.  She would just have to try harder.  She handed him his coffee and took her seat without a look in his direction.  “I’ll do that.”

          “Look, you called to find out about the garden.  How is that doing?”

         “Fine.  At least I haven’t ruined that too.”

         “You haven’t ruined anything.  You just have to be more mindful.  I see Rascal has returned.  I don’t recall seeing him after we arrived earlier.  How is he doing?"

         “He was out wandering.  He likes the freedom this cabin gives him, and I don’t worry, as I did back home.”

         “I’m sure he’ll be careful with all the wild animals around, even so, I’d keep a closer watch on him.  You don’t want him mixed-up in another fight with a wild animal.”

         “I’ve never had any cause for alarm while he’s been out roaming.”

         “Why don’t you have a boyfriend?”

         It was such a quick change of subject it took her by surprise.  “No one would want someone like me.  Are you attached?”

         “You won’t talk about yourself will you?  All right.  I’ll tell you what you want to know.  But I expect you to answer my questions as well.”

         “Expect?”

         “Expect.  Now do you really want to know about me?  There’s a price to pay for such knowledge.  You don’t want anyone to know about you.  I know from what you’ve said in the past that you would rather have me walk out of here and never come back again.”

         “We both know that won’t happen.  You’ll find any excuse to come riding back here.  And like a knight in shining armor, you’ll come riding your beautiful black stallion, and you’ll come charging over here to make sure the damsel in distress is all right.”

         “Something like that, but you wanted to know if I am attached.  No.  I’m not attached.”

         “I find it hard to believe that a man with your obvious talents and handsome good looks would be unattached.”

         “The way you want me to stay away I’m surprised you find me so.”

         “Even I can’t deny what my eyes see.  Usually men as handsome as you are attached to an equally attractive woman.”

         “Like yourself?”  She looked away from him into her cup.  “But to answer your question.  I had girlfriend.  I had planned to ask her to marry me, but when she found out I was coming out here in the middle of nowhere, she broke off any relationship we had.  She wasn’t about to spend her time out in the middle of nowhere without all the comforts of home, and that included a trip to the mall on a regular basis.”

         “I’m sorry.”

         “It’s no problem.  I realized long before she broke it off just how shallow she was.  It was a blessing you might say.  This way I have no attachments back there.  That’s how I find most attractive people.  Shallow.”

         “Is that how you see me?  Shallow and stupid?”

         “I don’t see anyone here who is shallow or stupid.”

         “Then it must be that I’m unattractive.”

         “What are you afraid of?”

         “I’m not afraid of anything.”

         “Except needles.”

         “Except that.”  Candi felt very uncomfortable.  She stood to her feet and went to refill her cup.  The memories were back, but then they never really left.  “Want another cup?”

         “Yes, please.”  He watched as she brought the pot over and filled his cup without looking at him.

         She studied her cup as she sat back down at the table, suddenly very much aware of his presence.  “Where’s back there?”

         “Boston.  I grew up in Colorado, but I’ve lived back east for several years while I went through ranger training.”

         “This is the first time I’ve been away from home.”

         “It must have been a big step for you.”

         “I haven’t regretted one moment.  The trouble I’ve faced is working to strengthen me.  I won’t say I’m not scared at times.  That bear nearly paralyzed me.  In fact it probably did, everything except the instinct drilled into me day after day.”

         “And who drilled it into you?”

         “My instructor, Mr. Leonard, taught me survival and marksmanship.  He told me that if I ever decided to I could be an instructor when I returned to civilization.”

         “I’m sure you’ll be more than qualified when you return to Minneapolis.”

         “And what about you?”

         “Right now I intend to stay, but I’ve been here only a week less than you.  I want to give it some more time before I make up my mind about staying here as Stan has done.”

         “I see.”  She stood to her feet and put her empty cup in the sink.  The idea that he would leave someday made her feel unexpectedly depressed, which surprised her, since she knew next to nothing about him.  And anyway she had her own work to do, and there was the project.  “You’ll be here a year though.  Plenty of time to make up your mind about staying or going.”

         “Yes.  Are you concerned?”

         “No.  Why should I be?  I have my work, and this project will be time consuming in itself.  I may yet fail, if I keep having company every other day.”

         He turned his head to the music in the radio disc player she had.  “Even people with faith have to rely on other people in time of need.  Consider that while you want to spend as much time away from people as you can.”

         “The purpose of my being here is to prove that I can survive alone out here.”

         He looked up at her, and stood to his feet.  “But even people alone, can get into trouble, and need help.”

         “I said I would be more careful in the future.”

         Logan put his empty cup on the table, and stood to his feet.  “Well I must be getting back.  I sent out a request for a milk can and seed before I came back here.  Was there anything else you need?”

         “Not at the moment.  I have all I need, thank you.  I gave a list of supplies to Bart when he was here last week.”  She also rose to her feet, and followed him out to the porch.

         “You’re not expected to do everything by yourself.  I’m sure the company you work for is aware of the presence of the ranger station, so is the government agency that endowed the grant for the research study you’re conducting.”

         “I’m sure you’re right.  You’re right about everything else.”

         “Not everything.  You pointed out earlier that I don’t know anything about you.  Don’t be afraid to ask for help.  That’s what we are there for.  Next time either you or your dog may not be so lucky.”

         “Luck is for those people who don’t believe in God.  I have faith in His promises to protect me.”

         “It may take more faith than you realize to live out here.  So far you’ve had it easy.  You’ve only had a bear and a pack of coyotes to deal with.  What will happen when you realize how lonely you really are?”

         “I don’t think it will come to that.  I’ve wanted this all my life.”

         “The opportunity of a lifetime.  I’d look into the book of Proverbs about what your God says about the opportunity of a lifetime.”

         “I’ve read the Bible many times.  I’ve never seen anything, negative or otherwise, about an opportunity of a lifetime.”

         “Then maybe you should read it again.  It’s time I got back.  Thank you for the coffee.  And remember don’t be afraid to use the transmitter in case of any emergency.  Or even if you just want to say hello.  We won’t mind.”

         “I have my work to do.  It keeps me busy.  I’ll need to get in touch with the company I work for to arrange a pickup of the material I’m working on.  I also have to start going out to look for more game to fill the hut, and I have to figure out a way to cure it.  I don’t have a refrigerator.  Winter will be back in a few short months.  And I suppose it will be pretty cold up here.”

         “It can get very cold up here in the mountains.  Well good day, Miss Martin.  Thanks again for the coffee.  We’ll be expecting to hear from you when you want to get in touch with your company.”

         She watched as he got into the helicopter.  “I don’t suppose I could get a horse.”

         “Can you ride?”

         “I've ridden a lot on the various hiking and camping trips I’ve taken in the past.”

         “Do you know how to care for a horse?”

         “It was a requirement of the hiking trips I took.”

         “I’m sure I can find you a gentle mount.”

         “Thank you.”  He started up the engine and the blades began to circle above her head.  “Though it doesn’t have to be gentle.  It could have a little spirit.”  Candi’s voice was low and full of dejection.  She doubted he heard her as he lifted off and headed back to the station.

         She watched him leave, grateful he was gone, and went back to her work.  He had given her precise instructions for the care of the cow.  She needed to milk her twice a day, at the same time every day.  She decided the best time would be before she went to bed at night, and when she got up in the morning, before her swim.

         With that decided on she went back into the cabin and her books determined to do better than she had done.  She was going to prove herself or die trying.