The Replacement. Anne Duquette Marie

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СКАЧАТЬ had nodded, finished filling in the final paperwork with Jack Hunter, checked her pack, straps and skis, and set upon her journey. Now, almost finished with her hot chocolate and trail bar, she would soon meet Keith for the first time.

      She’d resume her acquaintance with the brother and sister who’d almost become her family.

      CHAPTER THREE

      Yosemite, Rangers’ winter cabin

       Same day, late afternoon

      “WHERE IS SHE?” Eric asked impatiently, his breath making more fog on the frosted, double-paned window. “It’s going to be dark soon.”

      “She checked in by radio right on time. Stop worrying. She probably hasn’t skied in a while,” Naomi said calmly. “Better to be cautious and a little late than risk injury like—” Naomi broke off and continued setting the table in the large common room.

      Like Eva. She’s gone. If Lindsey were gone forever… That thought chilled him to the bone. He couldn’t finish it, even to himself. Eric strode away from the window and back to the kitchen area. He picked up the spoon and stirred the stew he’d fixed for their dinner. He suddenly wondered if Lindsey still liked stew. Her mother and sisters were vegetarian, but in primitive conditions such as these, it wasn’t practical to cook separate meals for everyone. Cooking duties were shared, as was rummaging in the huge cabin pantry among cases of canned goods, dried meats and a freezer full of frozen vegetables and butcher cuts purchased in advance and stockpiled to last four people six months.

      Lindsey usually ate what was on the table. Still… Maybe she’d become vegetarian, after all. Quickly he tossed some flour and other ingredients into the breadmaker. Lindsey loved hot, freshly made bread—and it would go well with their meal, Eric told himself.

      Keith emerged from the small bedroom he shared with Eric. They were built deliberately small, with low roofs to make them easier to heat. “If we’re waiting dinner on the replacement, I hope she gets here soon,” Keith said with an appreciative sniff. He moved over to the fire, tending it and then stroking the dejected Ginger lying beside it, her tail tucked around her body. “I’m hungry.”

      “I’ll never understand men,” Naomi said harshly. “You lost Eva, and now you’re waiting for her replacement—how can you eat?”

      “That’s enough,” Eric said quietly to his sister. “What would you have us do? Stop eating like Eva’s dog?”

      “You did when Lindsey left four years ago,” Naomi responded.

      “If so, I didn’t urge others to imitate my example.”

      Eric saw his sister flush guiltily, and immediately felt guilty himself. Ever since Eva’s death, they’d all been on edge. And now the proverbial “blast from the past” in the form of Lindsey Nelson, former lover and fiancée, was about to arrive.

      “I’m sorry, Eric. My apologies, Keith. I’ve been a nervous wreck since Eva—and I’m worried about Lindsey,” Naomi said contritely. “I just wish she’d get here, that’s all.”

      “We all do,” Eric added kindly. “Go ahead and radio her again, if you like.”

      “I—no, that’ll only slow her down more.”

      “Tell you what. I’ll go walk the dog and take a looksee,” Keith offered. “I’ll check the generator on my way back.”

      The schedule of cabin chores was strictly adhered to. Wood must be brought in from the woodpile, supplies inventoried, snow cleared from the roof, the generator checked and refueled. As far as meals went, this week Eric was cooking, Naomi setting the table, and Keith cleared the dishes and washed up.

      “I’d appreciate that,” Naomi said before Eric could reply. “Thanks, Keith.”

      Keith nodded. “I won’t be long…ten minutes. Fifteen at most.”

      All three checked their wristwatches from long habit. You planned your travel, you traveled your plan, and you always registered an itinerary with your partners. Even Eva had followed that rule. Keith hooked Ginger to the leash and after tugging and coaxing finally forced the reluctant dog to her feet and outside.

      The rush of cold air coming in from the double-doored porch sent shivers down Eric’s spine as he peered out the closest window from his spot in the kitchen. His sister noticed. She always noticed.

      “You’re nervous about her coming back,” she said without preamble.

      Eric continued to stir.

      “She’ll eat your cooking, you know. She always did.”

      “That was four years ago. She likes pepper.” Eric added a dash of pepper.

      “You’re still in love with her.” Naomi reached for the sturdy dinner dishes and placed them on the table. “Well, I hope you take every opportunity to get Lindsey back.”

      Eric smiled, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes. “This from the woman who never liked my fiancée.”

      “You’re my twin. I’d resent anyone who replaced me in your life. And yes, I always thought you could do better than some animal lover who put her dog first and her boyfriend second.” Naomi picked up the silverware. “But I’m not the one who fell in love with her. And you haven’t been yourself ever since you let her walk out of here.”

      “She walked away from me.”

      “Wrong. You pushed her away by refusing to reschedule the wedding.” Naomi frowned at a spot on a piece of silverware. She wiped it on her heavy flannel shirt and set it at her usual place. “If I’d died, would you have wanted to get married the next day?”

      Those words got a reaction. “You’re not a damn dog!”

      “Lindsey was as close to that dog of hers as you and I are. They were like us—twins.”

      “You’re dead wrong.”

      “I’m not wrong! You know what I’m thinking most of the time. I know what you’re thinking. We know each other’s actions, movements, likes, dislikes. Each of us knows how the other would react to just about any situation at home or on the job. We’re in sync—we work perfectly together. Same with Lindsey and her dog. You and I love each other, we get along better than anyone else could, yet you’d still choose Lindsey over me, wouldn’t you?”

      “We’ve had this conversation before, Naomi. Drop—”

      Naomi interrupted him. “Just like she would’ve chosen you over her dog, if you’d given her a chance. For heaven’s sake, Eric, she has a real gift with animals! I wouldn’t be surprised to see a grizzly eating out of her hand. She saved more lives with her dog than both of us put together. Because of your hurt pride, you lost a wife. And she lost confidence in her gift.”

      Eric abruptly tossed the stirring spoon in the sink. “What the hell are you talking about?”

      Naomi paused, a stack of silverware still waiting to be set out. “The Park Service practically ordered her back here to work as a canine handler. She didn’t want to leave San Diego. СКАЧАТЬ