The Snow Child Part 18

CHAPTER 42.

Garrettas nights were haunted by the girl. The day she led him out of the snowstorm, he returned home exhausted but found he could not sleep, and he did not sleep well for weeks. He lay in his bed and thought of her blue eyes and the delicate features of her face, but they were always veiled by falling snow or covered in the fall of her blond hair, and he could not re-create them clearly in his mind. He tried to remember the shape of her lips. He wondered what it would be like to touch them. And more than anything, he wanted to remember her scent, vague and so familiar.

He returned again and again to the foothills to find her trails skimming across the snow. He told everyone, perhaps even himself, that he was trapping, and yet for days he did not put out a single set and sometimes even forgot to bring his bait and snares. He no longer thought of wolverine, but only of her, and his eyes grew weary from watching for any flash of a blue coat or white-blond hair. He suspected that she kept herself hidden, but still he went back.

Just as the girl predicted, the snow in the mountains was soon too deep for his horse, so he snowshoed. Sometimes he siwashed, sleeping beneath a canvas tarp and cooking on an open campfire. Those nights were the worst, because sleep never came. He stared into the cold blackness and listened for a whisper of movement. He was sure the girl was just outside, watching him from the trees, and sometimes he found her footprints the next morning. But still she did not reveal herself to him. Not until the day he stood desperate and exhilarated beside her fresh trail and called out her name.

Faina! Faina! I just want to talk with you. Wonat you let me?

The trees were silent. The sky was overcast and dense with snow yet to come.

Faina! I know youare there. Wonat you come out?

Iam here, she said, and she stepped from behind a snow-heavy spruce branch. What do you want with me?

I donat know, and Garrett was surprised at his own honesty. He was reckless and emboldened. I donat know, he repeated.

She narrowed her sharp blue eyes but did not retreat.

Have you seen any more wolverine? he asked, only because he could think of nothing better to say. The girl shook her head.

And you? Have you found your wolverine?

No. Never, actually. Iave never caught a wolverine.

Oh.

Iave always wanted to.

Is that why youare here?

No, it isnat.

Why then?

You. I think.

The girl s.h.i.+fted, wary now, but she stood her ground.

Iam sorry about your fox. I shouldnat have shot ita. Wait. Donat leave. Wonat you talk with me? Iave never met anyone like you before.

She shrugged. A peculiar expression pa.s.sed over her face, and he thought she smiled.

Do you want to see something? she asked.

All right.

She darted around the spruce tree and was gone. Afraid to lose sight of her, he ran as well as he could in the snowshoes. He followed her through the trees, up through aspens and alpine blueberry bushes. They made their way above the tree line, where the snowy slopes rose over their heads into rocky mountaintops. Although he was damp with sweat and his lungs ached, the girl seemed tireless. She waited on a wind-blown rock until he managed, huffing, to climb to her.

Faina had taken off her mittens, and she put a finger to her lips, shus.h.i.+ng him. Then she pointed across the slope to one side. Garrett saw nothing but white. It was humiliating. He always had keen eyes for game, but this time he had to shake his head no, he did not see.

She smiled, not unkindly, and knelt beside the rock. From her coat pocket she removed a handful of rounded and smooth stones, all of similar size, as if carefully chosen. She picked one, stood, and threw it. Garrett heard a stifled squawk and saw a white flapping. The girl chose another rock, threw again, and another bird was. .h.i.t. Without looking back at him, she sprinted across the slope toward her prey. A flock of pure-white ptarmigan burst to life from around her feet in a noisy flutter. Hundredsa"more ptarmigan than Garrett had ever seen at oncea"filled the sky and dispersed in all directions, some landing just a few hundred yards away and disappearing white into the white, others clumsily flying over the next ridge.

The girl ran to him, smiling and holding two dead ptarmigan by their feathered toes. Annoyed, he sat with arms crossed. He had tried such a trick before. After hurling dozens of rocks, he had poorly wounded one and had to shoot it with his shotgun after all.

So, is that what you wanted to show me? he asked.

No. You are rested now?

Instead of leading him higher up the mountain, as he expected, she began to traverse the slope. Where her feet touched, tiny s...o...b..a.l.l.s formed and rolled down the hill, leaving dotted trails. Covering the steep ground in snowshoes was difficult, but Garrett knew if he removed them he would sink well past his waist in the snow, so he slogged on. Soon they descended into a steep-sided ravine thick with alder bushes.

At the base of a small knoll, the girl went to one knee and again gestured for him to be quiet. Deep snow covered the hill, except for a spot no bigger than a manas head. Come closer, the girl said with her hands.

It was a gloomy hole in the earth, part of a much larger entrance mostly buried in snow. Recognition sunk in as a cold s.h.i.+ver up his neck and along his scalp. She had led him to a bear den.

Garrett squatted in his snowshoes beside her and leaned into the hole. He thought he could make out roots and black dirt, but it was so dark he couldnat be sure. He expected it to be cavernous and foul, but all he could smell was snow and earth and maybe damp leaves and fur. He could hear nothing but his own breathing.

He pointed and raised his eyebrows at the girl as if to ask, Is it in there? She nodded, her eyes lively and her mittened hand on his shoulder in warning. Even through his heavy winter coat, he could feel the pressure of her hand on his skin, and it left him light-headed. They slowly backed away from the den and walked in silence until they were down in the creek bed.

Is it in there? he whispered. Now?

Yes. I watched it dig the den from up there, and the girl pointed to the slope on the opposite side of the creek.

Brown bear? Garrett asked. She nodded.

A boar?

No. A mama, with two cubs.

No animal in the wilderness more dangerous, Garrett thought. He had watched brown bears on mountainsides, seen their muscles ripple across their humped backs, their fur undulate in waves. Each time he caught even a pa.s.sing glimpse of one, he was awestruck. But never had he been this close. Snow alone had separated him from a sow grizzly, heavy with sleep and power, her cubs nursing at her side, her long claws trailing from her padded feet.

CHAPTER 43.

The boy was at Mabelas door, covered with snow and leading a half-grown puppy on a rope leash, and he came asking after Faina.

aPardon?a aFaina? Is she here?a aWhy, no, Garrett. She isnat. But come on inside.a He paused in the doorway and looked down at the black-and-white, floppy-eared pup.

aI suppose you can bring your new friend in as well,a Mabel said, gesturing them through the door and closing it before too much snow blew in.

The puppy wagged its tail furiously, and when Mabel bent beside it, tried to jump into her lap. She laughed and let it lick her face before she stood again and wiped her hands on her ap.r.o.n.

aSo you got yourself a new puppy?a aNaw. You know Mom and Dad wonat let me have any sled dogs,a he said. He remained near the door, s.h.i.+fting awkwardly in his boots. aNo, actually, well, I brought it for her.a aNot for Faina?a aYou donat think sheall like it?a aOh. Well, yes. I suppose most any child would adore a puppy, but Iam not sureaa aSheas not a child.a His tone was unexpecteda"irritable, even a little defensive.

aNo, I guess she isnat a child anymore, is she?a Mabel had noticed a change in Faina. Her cheeks had thinned so that the bone structure was more striking, and her limbs had gracefully lengthened. She seemed taller, more confident. Close to sixteen or seventeen years old, Mabel guessed.

aAre you expecting her tonight maybe?a aI donat know. We can never be sure when she will come.a The puppy was cavorting around the small cabin and had already managed to leave a puddle of urine in one corner, drag a dish towel to the floor, and begin chewing Jackas slippers beside the woodstove. Mabel grabbed the dish towel and began cleaning up the mess.

aIam sorry, Garrett. I donat know when weall see her next, and to be honest, Iam not sure itas such a good idea. She might not be able to care for a puppy on her own.a aShe could.a aWell, letas see what Jack thinks. Heall be home in a few hours. Iad offer to keep the puppy here until her next visit, but it would be rather inconvenient.a aCould I stay here, with the puppy? In the barn maybe, until she comes again?a aOh. Well, I suppose. If thatas what youad like to do. It will be cold, though.a aIall be all right. And sheall probably come soon enough, donat you think?a Garrett took the puppy outside to romp in the snow, and Mabel was left to muddle through her thoughts. What an odd turn of events, the boy bringing Faina a puppy. Mabel doubted the girl would even come into the house if she knew Garrett was there. Faina never visited when strangers were around. How long would Garrett stay, waiting to see her?

aGarrettas here?a Jack said when he returned just before nightfall. aSaw his horse is in the barn.a aYes. Heas come with a gift for Faina.a aFaina? What kind of gift?a aA puppy.a aA puppy?a aYes. Garrett said itas a husky, one that could be trained as a sled dog.a aA dog? For Faina, you say?a He seemed puzzled at first. Then he grinned broadly.

aA puppy!a aYou think this is a good idea?a aOf course. She needs a friend.a aBut can she care for it?a aOh, sheall manage fine. Itall be good for her.a aAre you sure?a Jack must have noticed her anxious tone because he looked at her more closely.

aSheas lonesome, Mabel. You must see that. Pulled between here and therea"uneasy in our home, all alone in the woods. Iall bet sheas never even been around a happy-go-lucky pup.a Mabel was tempted to explain her other reservations about Garrett and his peculiar behavior, but she couldnat find the words to express them and knew she would sound fretful and silly.

When Faina knocked at the door later that evening, Jack, Mabel, and Garrett were on the floor with the puppy, tossing a knotted rag around the room. At the sound of the knock, Garrett stumbled to his feet.

Mabel opened the door and wondered if Faina would sprint away when she saw they had company, but the girl stood just inside the door without removing her hat and coat. When she saw Garrett, her eyes widened.

Here, child, Mabel said. Let me take your coat. Has it started snowing again?

Though Faina did not answer, she removed her hat and coat, her stare never leaving Garrett.

You remember Garrett, donat you? Esther and Georgeas son? He was here earlier in the winter. Hea well, he has brought you something.

Garrett had been holding the puppy by its leash, but now he slipped the rope from its neck. The puppy charged toward Faina, tail wagging, tongue flapping. The girl backed away, until she was pressed against the door and the puppy was jumping at her.

Itas all right, child. Itas only a puppy, Mabel said. And Iad say itas already quite fond of you.

He wonat bite. I promise, Garrett said.

He knelt at Fainaas feet and put his hands on the dog to settle it.

See? He only wants to play. Heas young, just a few months old.

Garrett reached up, took Fainaas hand, and brought it down to the dogas head.

There. You can pet him.

The puppy lapped at the girlas fingers, and Faina giggled.

So, you like him? Garrett asked. Faina nodded, smiling, and letting the puppy lick her fingertips.

Because heas for you.

The girl looked at Mabel, then back to Garrett, her brow furrowed.

Thatas right. Heas yours, Garrett said. I know heas not like your fox. I thought about trying to live-trap one for you, but then I thought a pup might be better.

Faina put her palms to the puppyas cheeks, and the puppy leaned into her touch so that it seemed to be grinning.

Youall have to feed it regularly, Jack spoke up for the first time. He stood with an amused expression and his arms folded. Just feed it whatever youare eating, and it will do fine.

And I was thinking maybe you could sleep with him inside your coat, until he gets a little bigger, Garrett added.

Faina was still petting the dog in pure wonderment. Mabel expected her to say thank you or ask a question, but the girl was silent.

You donat have to take the dog if you donat want it.

Even as Mabel said this, she knew it was ridiculous. Faina would not leave without the dog.

Youall have to think of a name, then, if heas going to be yours, she said.

Faina nodded earnestly, like a child prepared to make any promise to keep her pet.

Thatas a sled dog youave got there, you know, Faina, Jack said. Heall carry a pack or pull a sled. And these dogs love the snow. Heall go everywhere with you. Take him out in the yard, youall see what I mean.

Jack opened the door then, and the dog bounded out into the snow. Faina and Garrett followed, b.u.t.toning their coats as they ran. Jack closed the door after them and went to the window to watch with Mabel. The cabinas lantern light spilled outside, and near the trees she could see Garrett and Faina tossing snow at the puppy and running as it chased after them.

aSo, youare sure this is a good idea?a Mabel asked.

Jack nodded and squeezed her shoulders. She could see, though, that he was thinking of the dog, and she wasnat certain that was what she had meant.

Over the next few weeks, Garrett and Faina and the puppy cavorted through the snow and trees outside their cabin. Often Garrett would come early in the day, usually with some excuse of bringing a jar of his motheras jam or an ax handle he had mended for Jack. Then, inevitably, Faina and the dog would emerge from the forest. The girlas blue eyes were alight with joy, yet Mabel was apprehensive. She tried to enjoy the afternoons when they all came indoors, the young dog sprawled beside the woodstove, Garrett and Faina eating pie at the kitchen table. This, too, had been part of a life she once hoped for herselfa"children dancing outside her window, children safe at her table. She tried, just as she had during harvest when she and Jack had worked together, to take every bit of pleasure from that moment, knowing it might not last.

Garrett soon hatched a plan to train the dog, and Mabel teased that this had been his motivation all along, to have a hand in raising a sled dog. He laughed but said he knew this pup was born for the snow. The next time he came, he brought a small wooden sled he had built and a harness he had fas.h.i.+oned out of rope and leather. Since the dog was far from full grown, he said, it would pull the sled empty. Mabel watched as the puppy charged toward the river, the sled b.u.mping along behind it and Garrett and Faina running after. They were gone for some time, long enough that Mabel began to worry. When Jack came in from the barn, she told him as much.

aTheyare fine, Mabel. Those two children know these woods better than anyone Iave ever met. Did you see that pup run? Heall make Faina a fine dog.a Garrett returned alone just before sunset. aTomorrow weare going to take the dog for a long run, up the river. Weare meeting here in the morning. Can I sleep in the barn for the night?a aSure,a Jack said. aLooks like you found her a good husky.a aYep. Heas a fast learner, and thereas nothing he wants to do more than work.a aTomorrow then? Youare going up the river for the day?a Mabel was wringing her hands like a grandmother, old and fussy.

The next morning, as she gave Garrett a lunch she had packed for the two of them, including a chunk of moose roast for the puppy, she could no longer keep her silence.

aGarrett, promise me something,a she spoke in a near whisper. Jack didnat need to hear what she had to say.

aSure. What?a aPromise me you wonat build a fire?a aA fire?a aYes. When you stop for your lunch or if you catch a chill. Promise me you wonat build a fire, even just a little one of twigs.a aBut why wouldaa aThis is important,a Mabel said, and she had to keep herself from reaching up and shaking the young manas shoulders. aPromise me that you will never let Faina near any kind of fire.a As her voice climbed, Jack glanced up from the paperwork he was reading at the kitchen table, but then, distracted, went back to it. Mabel quieted herself.

aI know it must sound like a strange request, but will you promise?a Garrett looked down at her kindly, and for a moment she wanted to tell him the truth. Maybe she and Garrett could laugh at the improbability of it, and then it might never come to pa.s.s.

aI donat understand, but I promise,a Garrett said earnestly. aAnd I would never let anything happen to Faina. You must know that.a And in his face, she could see that he believed his own words.

CHAPTER 44.

The bear den was a gift Faina had given him deliberately and with some understanding of his heart. It took Garrett time to think of a gift of equal significance, and at first he worried the puppy was a mistake. He hadnat foreseen that she would be frightened of it.