Wilderness Challenge - Chapter 23

Chapter 23

         Bart picked her up at seven sharp, just as he promised, and promptly at eight she walked through Mr. Mills’ office.  Everyone was surprised to see her walk through the doors of the office that morning.  Even Marsha wasn’t certain when she would be back.  She had given her friend a big hug when they met by her desk.  It was odd to sit at her desk, and start up her computer as if she had never left it.

         She faced Mr. Mills across his desk.  “How was your visit with your parents?”

         “Not disappointing.  They want me to stay on.  I told them ‘no’ in no uncertain terms.”

         “I’m sure you did.  Bart told me about the storage house you added down by the river.  He says it’s as cold as a refrigerator and doubles as a curing hut.”

         “It does, better than the other one I constructed.  I needed a way to keep the milk cold and also keep it from spoiling, the eggs too.  Logan came up with the idea, and helped me construct it.”

         “How have you been lately?”

         “I’m fine.  I had a run in with some lynx, but they got the short end of the deal.”

         “You’re all right?”

         “I’ve got some new scars, but yes, I’m fine.”

         “Bart didn’t tell me.”

         “He doesn’t know.  I didn’t want to worry him.”

         “We are worried about you though, up there all alone.  I know it’s not an easy life for a man, it’s got to be even harder for you, a woman, alone up there.”

         “I’m not as alone as I would like it with the ranger station close by, but they have been an asset, and Logan, Doctor Carmichael, has been a great help.”

         “You like this ranger, Doctor Carmichael?”

         “He’s okay.”

         “I see.  Well now, what can you tell me about this manuscript?”

         “What kind of appraisals have you gotten already?”

         “Everything from not favorable, to slight interest.  That’s why I thought I’d give it to you, see what you have to say about it.”

         “I like it.  She’s got a good command of the language.  She can use some help in a couple areas, but that’s what I do best.  The story line is excellent.  She keeps the story going from the first page to the last.  It’s certainly not dull.  If we work it right, we could have a best seller on our hands.  Her topic is good, and in places controversial.  She’s not afraid to write about hot topics.  She’s well read, pays attention to what’s happening around the world and has woven a story of intrigue that sounds like a walk in the park.  It’s believable.”

         “So in other words, you like it.”

         “Very much.  If she keeps writing like this, she’ll be at the top of the best seller lists in no time.  Did she say if she’s working on another book?”

         “I haven’t talked to her.  I was waiting for your evaluation.”

         “I suggest you send her a contract.  We don’t want to lose her to another publisher.”

         “How’s your own journal coming?”

         “Fine.  I’ll need to pick up a couple more empty journals, before I go back.”

         “I might be interested in reading that on a cold winter night.”

         Candi laughed at the notion.  “It would put you right to sleep.”

         He stood to his feet, the meeting ended.  “Maybe, maybe not.”

********

         “So tell me all about it?  Are you lonely?  What do you do all day?  I’ve really missed you.  I’m glad you're back.”  Marsha paused for breath before she asked another question.

         “Well which question do you want answered first?”

         “All of them.”

         “Well most of all I like the freedom I feel out there.  I have my own time schedule.  I don’t have to punch a clock.  I don’t have to take a break at a specific time.  I’ve got a lot to keep me busy, like hunting, fishing, chopping firewood, and reading.  I’ve spent every afternoon learning everything I can about the wildlife in the area, and the plants and trees as well.  I planted a garden, and I just started harvesting the vegetables a couple weeks ago.  I swim every morning.  The river is frigid.  It takes my breath away, but after the first few seconds it’s great.  I bathe while I swim, and Rascal, my dog, joins me also and we can have a regular good time of it.”

         “What about people?  Don’t you get lonely out there all alone?”

         “There’s a ranger station close by.  If I need anything I just give them a holler.”

         “I bet you don’t though.  If I remember correctly you went there to get away from people, not enjoy their company.”

         “Only if it’s necessary.  Like the time Rascal got chewed up pretty bad.  I thought I was going to lose him.  One of the ranger’s is a doctor, as well as a veterinarian.  He patched up Rascal and he was his old self in no time.”  She refrained from any mention about herself.

         “What about you?  I’m sure you’ve come up against some pretty nasty animals?”

         “I have some new scars, but I’m fine.”

         “Do you see much of the rangers?”

         “More than I want sometimes.  I went there to be alone, get away from the suffocating presence of people in general.”

         “How many are there?”

         “There are four rangers.  Stan Morrison and his wife, Sandra, who is also a ranger; and Dr. Logan Carmichael, and two others I haven’t met.”

         “By the way that’s five rangers counting that one guy’s wife.”

         “Yeah, I never think of her as a ranger.  She’s a nurse.  She helps Dr. Carmichael on occasion.”

           “He’s not married I take it.  Is he attached?  Is he handsome?”

         “No he’s not attached.  He’s tall, my guess is around six feet four or five.  There was a guy in college who kept pursuing me, he was six four.  Logan’s easily as tall as he was.  He has dark wavy hair that curls up at his nape and across his forehead, and he has a pair of very deep brown eyes.”

         “Mm, dreamy.”

         “Enough about me, what about you?  When did you start going with Paul?”

         “It was about a month after you left.  I joined the singles group at church.  We went on several outings together as a group.  Bowling, canoeing, things like that.  One day he just asked me for a date, and things took off from there.  He’s a really great guy.  He’s going for his master’s in engineering.  He’s so smart, he almost makes me feel ignorant, but he won’t let me.  He says I’m pretty smart myself.  He says he couldn’t do what I do.  He asked me to marry him the day before I wrote that letter to you.  I couldn’t wait to tell you, and I wanted you to be my maid of honor.  After all if it hadn’t been for you, I would never have met Paul.  I love him so much.”

         “I know Paul.  He’s a nice guy.  You two should be very happy together.  So when do we go shopping?”

         “I have a fitting set for right after work.  We can pick a dress that will look fabulous on you.  You’ve tanned up quite a bit, and you’re still slim.  You must have muscles like rocks though with all the hunting and chopping firewood you do.”

         “I’m all hard muscle, that’s for sure.  I get a lot of exercise.  Some of the game I kill isn’t light.  I have to get it home, so I have to be able to get it over the back of my saddle.”

         “You have a horse?”

         Candi smiled at her excitement and the envy she detected in her voice.  “And a cow and chickens too.  I may ask Mr. Mills for another cow and a bull, before I leave to go back.  She should be allowed to freshen every so often.”

         Marsha looked at her watch.  “We’d better get back to work.  We’ve talked so much, that I don’t want to get in trouble for being late back to my desk.  We can talk more during the fitting.”

         Between work and fittings, Candi was very busy, but not busy enough that at night before she crawled into bed, she longed for her life in the cabin.

         Her disposition which was usually bright and cheerful had waned in her first week back in the office.  This had not gone unnoticed by Mr. Mills.

         He talked to her in his office on Friday afternoon.  “You know, you remind me of a classic story.”

         “Oh?  Which one?”

         “Heidi.  She went to live with her grandfather in the mountains, and when she was taken away from there she got terribly homesick.”

         “I miss my home.  Don’t get me wrong.  I enjoy being back.”

         “I know.  I can see it in your eyes.  They’re very expressive, you know.  I can tell what you’re thinking just looking at them.”

         Embarrassed, she hid her eyes from his view, and looked down into her lap.  “I’ve been told that before.  It makes hiding the truth from anyone very hard.”

         “Why would you want to hide the truth?”

         “I just like to think I’m my own person.  I can handle anything, but I can’t.  I’ve had to ask for help, and it makes me feel incompetent at what I’m supposed to be doing.”

         “That must infuriate that ranger friend of yours, Dr. Carmichael.  It’s not a sign of weakness to ask for help my dear.  It’s a sign of strength.  God doesn’t expect any of us to do anything by ourselves.  That’s why he put other people in our path.  I found Dr. Carmichael a very interesting young man, and very concerned about you.”

         “Yes, I know.”

         “You love him, don’t you?”

         “Yes.  I do.”

         “Well I hope you find the happiness you’re looking for.  I suggest that as soon as this wedding is over you get back to the cabin, and your dog.  What’s his name?”

         “Rascal.  Yes, I miss him too.”

         “I never realized what I was doing in offering you a year in that cabin of mine.  I was quite certain you would want to be coming back in a month’s time.  You proved me wrong.  The life agrees with you.  You can stay there indefinitely if you like.  I’ll keep sending you work for as long as you want to work for Taylor & McHenry.  If the day comes when I’m no longer in charge of this company, I’ll see to it that the person who takes over knows about the standing agreement between us.  In fact I’ll see my lawyer and make a contract out to that effect.  If its ever broken by whoever takes over after me you will be able to sue him in any court, and win.”  He made a note to himself to call his lawyer as soon as she had left his office.  “Mr. Hampstadt, or whoever is appointed after him, will continue to bring you your work.  How’s that?”

         Candi sat there stunned.  “Indefinitely?”

         “Until you retire, if you like.  You’re already signed up with the company pension plan, and when you retire, you’ll still continue to reap the rewards of a satisfied life.”

         “That’s very generous of you.  I don’t think another company exists that would allow a person like me to work in the middle of nowhere.”

         “If said company knew the value of their employee as you are to us, I’m sure they would do the same.”

         “There can’t be too many valued employees around then, because I’ve never heard of it before.”

         “There aren’t, and it’s too bad.  People are only out there for the almighty dollar.  And they don’t care whose toes they step on to get the job done, and only up to expectancy, rarely above.”

         Candi stood to her feet.  “I have to meet Marsha in an hour at the dress shop, and I have to finish that manuscript I’m proofing.  It’s almost finished.”

         “You’re doing an excellent job.  I just wish I had more like you.”

         “Thank you.  I just like what I’m doing.”

         The following week was more hectic, if that was possible.  Final fittings were scheduled for Wednesday after work, with the rehearsal and dinner on Friday night.  The wedding was Saturday at ten o’clock.

         Between work and the wedding details, Candi crawled into bed at the end of each day exhausted.  She looked forward to leaving Sunday after church.  Church services were the only thing she missed about her home in the middle of nowhere, but she had plenty of tapes to listen to.

         Saturday morning dawned, a beautiful day.  Candi took her dress of palest green, with long satin sleeves, which billowed from shoulder to cuff, to the church around eight o’clock in the morning.  The dress itself had a high bodice, with a full length skirt that flowed gently to the floor, overlaid with lace.  She wore a silver tiara in her hair, pulled up to accentuate her small heart shaped face.

         Marsha had chosen the same style for her own gown, only in white.  A veil extended from the back of the tiara, to the midpoint of her back.  Her train extended five feet in back of her.  Her naturally curly black hair and blue eyes accentuated the white creaminess of her gown.

         The groom and his best man were dressed in dove gray tuxedoes, with roses in their lapels, each a creamy white.

         Marsha held a bouquet of red and white roses, while Candi’s were all a creamy white.

         The ceremony took an hour, but the pictures afterwards, to Candi, at least, seemed to take a lot longer.

         Marsha sent out invitations to everyone they worked with, her parents, and everyone at church.  The meal started at six o’clock with dancing until midnight.  She danced a lot with her escort, David Hastings, best friend of the groom, and lead guitarist for the church band.

         Candi had a good time, but she was very glad to get back to her hotel room.  She would pack in the morning before church.  Her parents would pick her up for the service, and then afterward Bart would take her back to the cabin.

         At church she said good bye to people she hadn’t seen in over three months as she prepared to leave the confines of civilization.  She even looked forward to those cold swims in the river.  Though she knew she would have to come up with a new plan of action very soon.

         “Bart?”  Candi turned her attention to him as they started away from the river, leaving her parents, Mr. Mills, and Minneapolis behind.

         “What’s on your mind?  I can see the wheels already turning, and we haven’t even left the skyline of Minneapolis behind.”

         “You know those old fashioned bathtubs, the ones like the ones the pioneers used?”  She looked at him for confirmation that he knew what she was talking about.

         “Yes.  You mean those tin things that look like cow troughs, only fancier.”  A smile twitched his lips.

         “Yes.  That’s the one.  Do you think you could haul one in this plane?”

         “Maybe not this one, but a larger one, like the one we brought all your belongings in.  When was that, last century?”

         “It does seem like I’ve been out here all my life.  Could you find me one?  I’m going to need another way to bathe very soon.”

         “I’ll do some looking.  There’s bound to be a catalogue somewhere that sells them.”

         “Or check the internet.  They sell everything imaginable on the internet.”

         “I’ll do that.  I’ll check with Mr. Mills also, he may even know where we can find one.  Do you think you have enough here for winter?”  He looked at all the stuff she had bought for the return trip.

         “I hope so.  What girl doesn’t enjoy shopping given the chance?  I just hope there’s enough room in the cabin for it.”

         “By the looks of it, you’ll have to add on to the cabin before too long.  It might be a good idea to add a bathroom while you’re at it.”

         “I don’t know.  An indoor bath would take the charm away from the cabin.”

         “You wouldn’t have to bathe in the river any more.  You still wouldn’t have hot water.”

         “Hm.  There is that.  It might be easier.  It’s something to think about.  I also invested in a complete sewing kit.  I might as well do some sewing during the winter months.  It’ll be too cold to hunt.  I’ll need something to keep myself busy.  I’m going to make curtains for the windows, and I’ve got some material for new clothes as well.  Besides the work Mr. Mills gave me before we left.”

         “You are a surprise.  I didn’t know you could sew.  Are you any good?”

         “Fair.  I’ve never tackled it without a sewing machine before though, so it could be quite interesting.”

         “I can picture it now.  You sitting in front of the fireplace, in your rocking chair,

working on a dress for a Saturday night.”

         “Kinda homey wouldn’t you say?”  She conjured up the vision his words had described and added the bear skin rug and Rascal lying nearby.

         With all the previous day’s activities the drone of the plane’s engines worked their magic and it wasn’t long before she was asleep.

         A couple hours later Bart gently woke her, as he got ready to land in front of the cabin.  “Looks like you have a welcoming committee.”  He pointed to the horse and rider followed closely by a familiar black dog.

         She smiled ear to ear.  She could hardly wait to disembark the plane.  “Oh do hurry.”

         “Take it easy, we’ll be there soon enough.”  He made his approach down the center of the river and taxied to a stop at her landing.

         Logan stopped at the landing, and waited to help her out of the plane as soon as the door opened.

         Candi showed the same impatience, as Bart finally pushed the door aside, and she was able to step out.  She was in Logan’s arms before she knew what was happening.  His kiss of welcome, was pure ambrosia to her senses.  It told her how much he missed her.

         He looked into her eyes at long last.  “I’ve missed you near as much as your dog there.”

         “My dog missed me more?”  She looked into his face, and saw his laughing eyes, which looked down at her with a love she had never seen before.

         His lips came down on hers again.  “It was a close tie.”

         “Ahem.”  Bart coughed behind them.

         Candi blushed profusely as she stepped away from Logan, who still kept her in the circle of his arms.

         “I’m glad to see she’s got a welcome reception.”

         “Yes, she does, and it’s going to be a long time before I let her out of my sight again.”

         “I can see it’s mutual.  See that everything’s proper.  Promise me that?”

         They headed for the cabin, each carrying something from the plane.  “Anything happen while I was gone?”

         “The forest burned down and grew back prettier than ever, just in time for your arrival.”  He had a mischievous grin on his face, as he turned and looked at her again.

         “She laughed at his light banter, as she stowed the things she brought back with her.

         “So, did you get that gourmet meal you were looking for?”

         “I did, and I found out I liked the food here better.  The gourmet can’t compare with the fare that can be found right here at home.”

         “So I take it you didn’t bring back any food stuffs to add to your diet here.”

         “Not a bite.  I found out I really didn’t miss it at all.  I have everything I could want right here.”  She looked up into his eyes, and watched as his face came down to hers.  His lips had a heady feel to them that made her forget all her troubles.

         Logan looked up to see the interesting expression on Bart’s face.  “How soon do you have to go back Mr. Hampstadt?”

         “I can waste some time here, though I think I’d be an intruder.”

         “How would you like to come to the station for a celebration dinner?”

         Candi looked at him wonderingly.  “What are we celebrating?”

         He pulled a box out of his pocket.  “Our engagement.” 

         He watched as she opened it, and saw the look of wonder at the single solitaire diamond, nestled in a bed of opals.  She was speechless as she looked at the exquisite ring, and then flung her arms around his neck.  “If this is what happens when I go away for two weeks I should go away more often.”

         “Never again.  We go together from now on.”  He kissed her passionately.  “Does this mean you accept?”

         “Yes.  Yes.  The forest did burn down didn’t it?”

         “It was ashes.”  He looked into her eyes and saw the love that sparkled there.

         “I’ll be happy to come to that celebration dinner.”  Bart broke in on them, reminding them of his presence.

         Rascal jumped and barked around her as well as he tried to gain some attention.  She looked down at him, petted him, and scratched him behind the ears, as she accepted a full frontal attack.  “It’s good to see you too, ole boy.”

         “Let’s go then.  Mr. Hampstadt you can ride Lightning Storm, and Candi will ride up with me.”  Logan led the horse out of the shed and saddled him.

         “Please call me Bart.  It’s been a long time since I’ve had been in a saddle.”  He took the reins from Logan and climbed into the saddle.

         Candi watched as Logan saddled her horse and Bart climbed into the saddle.  “I see she isn’t as skittish as she was before I left.”

         “She’s gotten over her fear.  She started going out into the pasture on her own shortly after you left.”

         “I’m glad.  I was beginning to think I’d never be able to ride her again.  Bart, how long has it been since you’ve been in the saddle?”

         “It’s been a while.”

         An hour later they arrived at the ranger station.  Sandra went out to meet them as they dismounted.  “Welcome back.  I didn’t think you’d ever get here.  With the way that man there near drove us both crazy with his pacing, running for the tower for the first sign of your plane, you’d think someone important was arriving.”

         “Stan, Sandra, she accepted my proposal.”  Logan looked down at her with a look of tenderness that heretofore Candi hadn’t witnessed before.

         “Well now, that’s why we done got this celebration all ready.  Here I thought it was just to welcome you back.  Though I can tell you he hasn’t been the same since you left.  I’m mighty glad to see you back too, if for the only reason to get an honest day’s work out of him.”  Stan’s smile was genuine as he also welcomed her back.

         It was far different from the last time she had been there.  Wounds barely healed when she had left.  She looked around the cabin that had been her temporary home for three weeks just over a month ago.  “I don’t recall thanking you for taking care of me the last time I was here.”

         “It was our pleasure.  Logan said you were doing a lot better before you left.  Everything’s ready if you want to come and sit down.”  Sandra led them to the dining room where a table held a regular feast.

         “Stan, Sandra, I’d like you to meet the pilot who brings me all my work.  Bart Hampstadt,” Candi introduced.

         “It’s a pleasure.”  Bart extended his hand to them.

         “She’s a special gal,” Stan said.  “Do you know she can track down a weasel?  I’ve never known anyone who could do that.”

         “She didn’t tell me.”

         “I’m sure there is a lot she hasn’t told you,” Logan said.

         Candi blushed in embarrassment.  “A girl has to have some secrets.”

         “The kind of secrets you’ve kept have cost you dearly, and caused those who know you and are concerned about you a lot of worry,” Logan said.

         “I’ll Amen that,” Bart said.

         There was a knock on the door at that time.  Stan got up to answer it.  “I asked Ken to come for a bite to eat and celebrate with us.  You haven’t met him before.  Our other ranger left a couple months ago for new duty.  We haven’t replaced him yet.”

         “You will though, won’t you?  It must be pretty hard with just the three of you,” Candi said.

         “Soon.”  Stan opened the door and Ken stepped in. “Candi Martin meet Ken Davis.”

         “I’m glad to meet you,” Candi said.

         Ken turned to Logan a smile on his lips.  “The pleasure is all mine.  So this is the woman you’ve kept to yourself since you got here.”

         “This is the woman, and she accepted my proposal,” Logan said.

         “Congratulations,” Ken said.

         “Let’s eat before it spoils.  How was the wedding by the way?  Did you have a good time?”  Sandra wanted the details as they took their seats.

         “It was all right.  I’m glad to be back.  I missed it more than I realized, until I saw the river come in sight.  The wedding was lovely.  Marsha made a beautiful bride.  She and Paul will be very happy together.”

         “And the dress?”

         “It was nice.”  Candi looked at her hopeful expression.  “Okay it was very pale green, with long billowing sleeves.  You’ll have to come over to the cabin.  I brought it back with me.”

         Sandra wanted to know all the details of the wedding.  Stan wanted to know all about her work.  In the end Candi couldn’t remember what it was she ate, but after two weeks in Minneapolis she was certain it was ambrosia.

         Bart stood to his feet when they finished the meal.  “That was very good, Mrs. Morrison.”

         “Please call me Sandra.  Nobody stands on ceremony here.  Thank you.  I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

         “If you don’t mind I really need to be getting back to my plane.  I hate to break up the festivities, but I’ve got to be back in Minneapolis.”

         Candi also stood to her feet.  “Yes, and I have some unpacking to do.”

         “I’ll take you both back in the chopper.  I’ll bring your horse back tomorrow,” Logan said.

         “Thank you for dinner.  It was delicious,” Candi said.

         Sandra followed them out of the cabin, and gave her a hug.  “Congratulations to you both.”

         “Thank you.”  Candi looked up at Logan to see his look of love as he looked at her.  She never felt loved or wanted before.

         “Let’s get you both back to the cabin.”  Logan led the way to the chopper and soon landed at her cabin.

         They watched as Bart took off, and the plane receded into the distance.  Logan walked her back up to the cabin.  “We need to talk.”  He sat down at her table.  “Come here.”  He grabbed one of her hands and pulled her down onto his lap and kissed her passionately.  “I’ve never missed anyone as much as I missed you.  I was half afraid your parents were going to talk you into staying back there.”

         “Never happen.  They tried.  But I knew that everything I wanted and needed was right here.”

         “We must get married as soon as possible.  I’ve already talked to my father.  He’s anxious to meet you, so is mom.  They were both surprised to hear about a woman living alone out here.  I told them you were an amazing woman, and one I found I couldn’t live without.”

         Her mind reeled with happiness.  She had never believed she could be that happy.  “There’s a lot to do to get ready to get married.”

         He kissed the tip of her nose.  “Then let’s not wait a moment longer.  We’ll go into Grangeville tomorrow, and get the license, and the blood work done.”

         “What time?”  She tasted his lips with a provocative kiss.

         “We’ll go early.  Right after my duty is over.  I love you, do you know that?”

         “And I love you.  I realized that as soon as I left here to go to Marsha’s wedding.  Bart and Mr. Mills knew it too.  In fact Bart knew it before I did.”  Candi accepted his kisses, and returned her own.

         “Did you enjoy your trip?”

         “Sort of.  I was wishing you were there to share it with me.”

         “We’ll be sharing everything from now on.”  Logan gave her a kiss that promised a lifetime of love.

         Reluctantly he left her shortly after that, with a promise to pick her up with the chopper the next morning.