Finding Home
Published by Ali Spooner at Smashwords
Copyright 2011 Ali Spooner
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AUTHOR’S NOTE: The following is a complete work of fiction. All people, places and events are products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual people, places or events is entirely coincidental.
PART ONE
Nat rode through the pouring rain toward the cave that she had been using for shelter for the past few weeks. The rain drops slid down the brim of her hat only to bounce off the leather of her saddle. Hardy, her buckskin stallion exhaled sharply and shook his body violently to free his body of the soaking raindrops. Each day he and his master grew more intolerant of the dreary weather, yearning for a less miserable clime.
Nat and Hardy reached the clearing that opened to a large cave, one she, Hardy and Quincy her pack mule had called home for several weeks and she was welcomed by the smoke of her smoldering campfire. Quincy, who was tethered at the rear of the cave, welcomed them home with a loud grunt. Hardy shook his body one last time in an attempt to rid his body of the cold rain before stepping under the protective lip of the caves entrance.
Nat dismounted and hung her full length range coat on an oak limb that had conveniently grown into the mouth of the cave. She hung the pelts she had recovered that day beside her coat and began removing the saddle and tack from Hardy. Fully grown now at four years old, Hardy had grown into quite a loyal companion who had served Nat well. Stretching the tack out on the rocks near the fire pit to dry, Nat picked up an old blanket and wiped the soaking wetness from Hardy’s body.
Gyp, Nat’s faithful blue coated companion trotted up to her master and licked her face as she bent down to dry Hardy’s legs. “Hello Gyp,” she said to the dog that provided protection for Quincy and Nat’s belongings while she was out during the day. Nat buried her hands in the deep blue fur of the animal as Gyp continued to lick her face.
Nat hung up the blanket to allow it to dry and then attached feed sacks to Hardy and Quincy. “Ready for some left over stew,” Nat asked Gyp? Gyp’s ears perked as she sat and watched with loving eyes as her master added dry wood to the fire. Nat settled the stew pot on the spit above the flames and sat back beside Gyp as they waited for their dinner to warm.
Nat reached inside a saddle bag and pulled out a chunk of dried jerky, tearing off a piece for Gyp and tossing it to the patiently waiting dog. “Good catch girl,” Nat praised her canine companion and then she tore a piece of the dried meat off with her teeth. Nat chewed slowly allowing the saliva to mix with the meat to soften it enough for her to chew the spicy meat.
Nat removed her hat and let her shoulder length black hair tumble down her neck. She laid her head back against her bed roll as she watched the flames dance to life in the fire pit. Shadows licked the walls of the cave as Nat slowly surveyed the culmination of her last month’s efforts. Mounds of pelts were stored near the rear of the cave to remain dry and to remain secluded from anyone who might wander into the cave with thoughts of looting her bounty. It certainly wouldn’t be the first time a fellow trapper took advantage of another to profit from their hard work.
After another day to obtain a final days trapping and to retrieve traps, Nat would break camp to head to Seattle to sell her pelts, restock her supplies and to choose her next destination. This site had been very profitable, but Nat grew weary of the endless rainy days and cool temperatures.
Nat smiled to herself. Some time spent closer to the ocean would do her and her companions good she thought, as she watched the contents of her stew pot start to boil. Nat scooped up a portion each for her and Gyp who waited patiently for her meal to cool. Nat slowly stirred the thick stew allowing it to cool as her mind wandered.
Nat, born eighteen years ago in British Columbia as Nathalie St. Croix was the sole child of Nathan St. Croix a Canadian trapper and his wife, Nanya a full blooded Mohican woman. The family traveled the Canadian/US border together trapping, hunting and trading until Nanya died six years earlier during an outbreak of influenza. Motherless at twelve years old, Nat clung more tightly to the father she adored as he struggled to teach her the ways of the world. Trapping, hunting and fishing came as easy as breathing to Nat, but teaching Nat to be a woman was an impossible task for Nathan. He had always treated Nat as a son, her slim, six foot tall frame with androgynous features allowed her to pass as a young man in most settings which proved a benefit to Nat during most of her young life.
For five more years after her mother’s death Nat and her father trapped the Northern US and Lower Canada. Nathan taught her everything he knew about fur trading and Nat was an adept student, learning quickly the skills she would need to survive her rapidly changing world.
War had broken out in the eastern half of the country so Nathan decided they would push further west away from the brewing turmoil that caused many families to head further west as well. Many times in their travels Nat and her father had come upon a solitary wagon of “Green Horns” who had fled west to escape only to find themselves lost, starving or besieged by illness. Other travelers had ravaged the supplies and possessions of the deceased leaving little evidence of those who had perished.
Nat’s emotions grew hard in the vigorous environment she was raised, but she could not hold back the tears which flowed freely down her cheeks after she and her father discovered a small group of wagons that had been razed. There were several burnt skeletons, mostly of adults, but also several small children. Nat and her father buried the remains to prevent further devastation by predators.
Nat sat on a rock next to Nathan as they rested after covering the bodies and listened to the whispering of the wind as a cool breeze picked up. A weak sound made it to Nat’s ears and she struggled to make out the sound. She stood and moved slowly back through the debris changing direction with each new sound emitted. Nat discovered that the sounds she heard were the whimpering of a small animal and she followed the source until it became stronger.
Tracing the sound to a pile of discarded clothing, Nat crept closer to the sound and raised a partially burned shirt to find a tiny bundle of blue fur. In this harsh environment, the mother must have abandoned this pup as the runt of the litter, left to perish on its own while increasing the chance of survival for its stronger siblings.
The pup’s eyes barely open peered up at Nat pleading for her help. Nat bent down, cradling the small creature in one of her large hands as her fingers stroked the soft fur. She walked back to her father to show him her discovery.
Nathan looked at the small pup in his daughters hand and knew its chances for survival was very slim, but the glow in his daughter’s eyes told him she would do everything in her power to see the pup survived.
“Looks like we have another mouth to feed, he said with a smile. Bundle her up and let’s see if we can teach her to eat, he added. ”
Nathan set up camp away from the burnt out wagons and started a fire. Nat warmed up some of the stew she and her father had eaten the night before and dipped her fingers in the rich gravy. Holding the pup in one hand, she smeared the gravy across the pup’s lips and spoke softly to the tiny animal encouraging it to eat. Slowly the pup began to lick its lips, tasting human food for the first time in its short life and Nat felt that the pup would survive. Nathan, more of a pessimist than his daughter, worried that the pup would die, helped his daughter by dipping a small rag in cool water and pressing it to the pup’s mouth. The puppy instinctively chewed on the rag, forcing out the water as her small knobbed tail wagged in Nat’s hand.
Nathan finished setting up camp that night while he watched his daughter nurse the young pup. As he toiled, he offered a silent prayer for the pup to survive and become a much needed companion for his daughter.
After their meal, Nathan watched as Nat and her small friend curled up next to the fire and drifted off to sleep.
The next morning Nat awoke to a soft warm tongue lapping at her chin and shiny brown eyes gazing up to her. She warmed up more gravy and a small chunk of otter meat which she mashed into tiny fragments that she finger fed to the small pup.
After breaking camp, they mounted their horses and headed north to a cabin tucked away in the dense woods. During the ride, the pup snuggled under Nat’s coat reveling in her warmth and protection.
Near nightfall, they reached the cabin and cautiously entered the abode. Many a stray traveler or vagrant animal had been known to take up residence in trappers cabins, so the first entry was always deemed dangerous.
Nat and Nathan were fortunate to find that the last human inhabitant had left dry wood on the hearth and Nat quickly had a fire burning to light and warm the cabin. Nathan found several small lanterns and filled them with oil they had obtained from the creatures they trapped and soon the cabin was ablaze with light.
Comfortable that the cabin was secure and safe, Nathan returned outside to begin to unload the packs and tend to the animals while Nat set up shop inside the cabin. She stored the pelts in a small room off the kitchen and unpacked their food and cooking supplies.
Nat portioned out flour and patted out biscuits to accompany the last of their trail stew. Tomorrow they would hunt and with good fortune they would have fresh meat for dinner. Nat hummed with excitement as she prepared their meal, the puppy bouncing along behind her every step.
Nathan brought in fresh water and watched as Nat cleaned up the sleeping areas and prepared the rustic cots for slumber. Nat returned to the hearth and found the biscuits browning nicely. She dipped out a small bowl of gravy and another small chunk of the meat and prepared it for the puppy.
Nathan dished up stew for he and his daughter and added biscuits to each of their plates as Nat placed the bowl down in front of the puppy. Nat then sat down with her father to begin her meal.
“Have you given thought to a name he asked?”
“I was thinking Gyp, short for Gypsy,” Nat replied.
“Well we are a group of nomads, he said so Gyp would fit right in,” he concluded.
“Do you really think she is going to make it Dad,” Nat asked?
“From the way she is attacking that food bowl I would say yes. I think I may have finally found someone who appreciates my cooking,” he added with a grin.
Gyp growled her appreciation of the meal and then drank fresh water from the bowl Nathan had placed by her food.
“Instinct is kicking in,” he said as he watched the puppy lap at the water.
Nat watched with pride as Gyp finished her meal and she broke off a portion of biscuit and dipped it into the gravy on her plate before dropping it in the pups bowl.
“I want you to go hunting for some fresh meat in the morning Nat while I start setting the traps, her father requested. I don’t know about you but I am sick of otter stew he said with a grin. ”
“I could devour a thick T-bone myself,” Nat replied.
“When we head in to trade next month, I promise you will have the biggest steak you can eat,” Nathan said.
“Something to look forward to, Nat said as she cleared the dishes and walked Gyp to the door. We will check on the animals and be right back,” she said as she opened the door and walked out.
Nathan smiled to himself and thought how lucky he was to have such a strong young woman for a daughter. Sure he had always longed for a son when he was younger, but now he doubted that he could be as proud of anyone as he was with Nat. He waited for Nat and Gyp to return and then he doused the lights and they both retired for the evening to rest up for the big day ahead.
Nat awoke first and put fresh wood on the fire before taking Gyp outside. She watched the puppy pounce on leaves that blew on the ground in front of her, Nat’s laughter breaking the silence of the deep woods. The seasons were beginning to change, the brilliant color of the leaves that were rapidly falling from the trees and the brisk chill in the air would soon give way to snowflakes and long winter nights. Nat would be glad to make it through the passes to Seattle ahead of the winter storms and take shelter somewhere less desolate. For the past few years she and her father had spent the winter in a small rented out cabin just south of Seattle where they had planned for the coming year and caught up with fellow trappers sharing trends in the trading market and news of the bloody war.
Nat returned to the cabin and set the coffee kettle on the fire. She cleaned her rifle and loaded it while she waited for Nathan to stir. He walked into the kitchen just as she was pouring the strong steaming liquid into their mugs. “Morning,” he said.
“Good morning, did you have trouble not sleeping on the ground last night,” Nat teased?
“When you get my age, it takes a while to adjust,” her dad tossed back as he picked up his mug.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Nat said as she continued packing her bag for the mornings hunt.
They made small talk while they drank their coffee and then Nat stood and stretched one last time. “I better get moving if I am going to get any meat today she said. See you when you get back tonight Nat said and then she picked up Gyp. Sorry my friend but today you will have to stay inside, she told the small pup as she placed a warm blanket in the wood bin and placed the pup inside. ”
She kissed her dad on the forehead and picked up her bag and rifle.
“Good luck today Nat,” Nathan said as her watched her out the door.
Nat laced her arms through the straps of her pack and shouldered her rifle. She walked through the woods with a deadly silence as she looked for signs of wildlife. She had walked for nearly half an hour when she heard a buzzing sound echoing through the cool morning air. Her keen ears led her to the trunk of an old tree that was now home to a swarm of honey bees.
Approaching carefully, Nat caught a glimpse of a large comb overflowing with honey. Honey for biscuits would be a pleasant change for both she and her father so Nat propped her rifle next to the tree and lowered her pack. She took out a small strip of worn out cloth and wrapped it around a long stick. She would have to work quickly to harvest the honey without getting stung, but the sweetness was just too promising to pass up. Nat removed a jar from her pack and slowly spun the lid from its lips and took one of her remaining few matches and struck it careful not to waste the precious fire. She lit the rag which burned slowly fueled by the animal fat and oils creating a plume of smoke which Nat placed into the hive. The bees buzzed angrily, but fled the hive just as Nathan had taught her they would.
Nat worked quickly to cut off a large section of comb and slip it into the jar and then dipped the jar into the honey until it was filled to the rim. She wiped the excess from the outer rim of the jar with her finger and then raised it to her lips. The sugary taste locked her jaws momentarily as they adjusted to the taste and she quickly replaced the lid and tucked her prize into her pack.
She extinguished the cloth with damp leaves from the ground and picked up her rifle to move on before the angry bees returned. With a huge smile gracing her face Nat continued into the woods making a mental note of where the honey tree was located for future visits.
Another mile into the forest Nat came across fresh tracks where a deer had crossed earlier and Nat hoped he would be heading down to the small river that was a few minutes’ walk further into the woods. She crept quietly down to the river’s edge and waited in frozen silence for her prey. Nat watched as several rabbits hopped to the river’s edge for a quick drink and then darted back into the undergrowth when they heard a larger animal approach.
Nat watched as a huge buck stepped confidently from the concealment of the forest to the river’s edge. She calmly raised the rifle and had the buck square in her sights. A fine specimen indeed and one that would provide meat for Nat and her father for many days she thought as her finger twitched on the trigger. Nat waited until the buck lowered his head to drink and then squeezed the trigger firmly. The shot rang true striking the buck in the heart and dropping him immediately.
Nat took the rope from her pack and walked to where the buck laid dead. She laid her hand on his neck and she could feel the warmth as it left his body in the cool morning. “Thank you for your sacrifice,” she whispered to the animal, and then she tied the rope around his back hooves. Nat carried the animal to the nearest tree and using the rope hoisted his body upward until his body was off the ground entirely.
Nat despised the next part of the ritual, but took the knife from her belt and slowly drew a line across the buck’s stretched throat to bleed him and then made the deep incision down his belly to disembowel the beast and prepare his carcass for transport. This unpleasant task done, Nat walked to the river bank to wash her knife and hands before making her way back to the cabin where she would bring Quincy back to carry the buck home for her.
She gathered her goods and made her way back to the cabin. She left her pack on the porch and peeked inside the door to find Gyp soundly asleep in the wood bin and she quietly closed the door. Removing the tether from Quincy’s back legs, Nat led the mule back to the river’s edge to retrieve the buck. Quincy allowed Nat to strap the buck across his back and then they walked back to the cabin.
Nat strung the buck up into a tree once again when they reached the cabin and she began the task of skinning the buck with her sharp knife. She carefully placed the hide on the tanning wall on the end of the cabin and then began to carve the buck. She cut a large roast from the hind quarter and carried it into the cabin where she skewered it onto the spit and placed it over the flames for roasting.
Gyp watched her from the wood bin with sleepy eyes and then wagged her whole body when Nat reached down to pick her up and carry her outside. Gyp trotted along beside Nat and sat watching her as Nat carved the rest of the meat and carried it into a small smoke house to prepare for curing. Gyp watched her intently as Nat coated the meat with salt, rubbing it deeply into the tender meat before hanging it from the rafters by string and lighting the fire in the smoke house. The process would take days so Nat scoured the woods surrounding the cabin for firewood to keep the fire stoked.
As the afternoon sun faded, Nat finished her chores and cleaned up at the river’s edge before she walked back into the cabin. She pulled the jar of honey from her pack and placed it on the table. The roast in the fire smelled heavenly as Nat rolled out fresh biscuits and placed them on the hearth. She checked the fire in the smokehouse and was playing outside with Gyp when she heard her father ride up.
“That is the most heavenly smell” Nathan said as he dismounted and walked toward Nat.
“I was lucky this morning and got a nice buck,” Nat said as she walked her dad around to the tanning wall and then led him into the smoke house.
Nathan was very impressed with his daughter’s success. “I would say you were very fortunate,” Nathan said as he placed his arm around Nat.
“I have a roast cooking and there is plenty of back strap to make jerky and yes before you asked I saved the heart and liver too,” Nat replied.
Nat knew that Nathan enjoyed making stew from the deer’s heart and if they could find some wild onions or potatoes he would fry the liver as a special treat. Nathan taught Nat well how to use every part of an animal’s body so nothing would go to waste.
Nat helped her father care for his horse and together they walked into the cabin, Gyp bouncing merrily along behind them.
“I swear she has grown since this morning,” Nathan said as he scooped Gyp up in his rough hands.
“She slept most of the morning so she’s been full of herself this afternoon, Nat said as Nathan scratched behind the pup’s ears.
They walked into the house together and Nat started setting the table while Nathan checked the roast on the spit. “This looks fantastic,” Nathan said as he took his knife and sliced off several pieces of the fragrant roasted meat and carried them to the table.
Nathan sat down at the table and spied the jar of honey sitting next to the biscuits. “My, my you did have a good days hunt,” he said as he lifted the jar holding the golden honey, spinning the lid off and pouring a small amount onto his plate.
“I thought we could use a treat,” Nat said, her glowing smile lighting up the room.
“Indeed, you have prepared us a feast,” Nathan said as he returned Nat’s warm smile.
During their meal they discussed plans for spending a couple of weeks in the cabin before moving on toward Seattle to do their trading and settle down for the winter. Both Nathan and his daughter were eager to make the trip and return to civilization if even for a brief respite.
Later that evening, Nat dreamed of soaking in a hot bath and buying a new pair of dungarees and work shirt which would replace her buckskins which could use a good airing out.
****
Nat sat back against the wall of the cave and closed her eyes. Her hand instinctively went to her neck where she located a leather thong and traced it down her neck until she touched the large bear claw nestled under her shirt.
****
The days passed quickly at the cabin and two days before they would pack and hit the trail, her Father went out ahead of her to check traps. Nat saddled Hardy an hour later and followed her father’s trail into the woods. Today’s catch would be the last and they would pack and head out at first light for the long ride into Seattle.
Hardy’s nostrils flared as they rode deeper into the woods and his muscles twitched with every sound. Hardy could smell something in the forest that had his every nerve on edge and his anxiety was slowly transferring to Nat. She patted his neck in an effort to calm him but even her reassuring words could not prevent the lather of sweat breaking out across his body.
A rifle shot rang out in the woods from the direction her father would be trapping and suddenly the relatively calm forest broke out in a riot of sounds. Nat drove her heels into Hardy’s flanks spurring him to a full gallop as she recognized the bellow of a large bear and heard her father shouting at the beast. Nat reached a clearing and could only watch as Nathan got off another rifle shot, striking the bear squarely in the chest as he charged, but not slowing his advance. Nathan fumbled to reload as the bear, a full grown grizzly reared onto his hind legs only three feet away from him.
Nat watched in horror as the bear advanced on her father, sharp claws striking out at him while rabid foam flew through the air as the beast roared his anger which echoed throughout the forest. She raised her rifle to take aim as the bear raked a large paw across Nathan’s face and neck slicing through his skin like a knife through warm butter. Nat squeezed the trigger and her shot hit the bear behind its left ear driving the bullet deep into his brain, but the bear did not fall. She ejected the shell and reloaded preparing for another shot as she saw Nathan fall to the ground. Her next shot struck the bear straight in the heart and the bear finally faltered and fell beside Nathan.
Hardy slid to a stop ten feet away and Nat jumped off his back still carefully eyeing the bear as she rushed to her father’s side. The bear twitched and Nat shot him once again then kneeled down next to her father.
Blood gushed from her father’s face and neck, his jugular severed and the realization struck Nat a crushing blow that there was nothing she could do to prevent her father’s death. Nat sat beside her father on the blood soaked ground and held his hand while she watched his life slip away from his body. “I love you Father,” Nat said then Nathan closed his pain filled eyes and passed into the next world.
Nat sat for hours with her father’s head in her lap in the death filled meadow, until Hardy’s soft lips brushed her neck bringing her out of her stupor. She managed to find her father’s horse and struggled until she managed to drape his lifeless body across his saddle and then mounted Hardy for the ride back to the cabin.
She carried Nathan’s body onto the cabin porch and bathed the drying blood from his body. She searched through their packs until she found a shovel and began preparing a grave for her beloved father. Shock overcame her body and she moved mechanically as she carried Nathan and placed him in the ground, slowly covering his body with the freshly dug earth.
Nat made several trips down to the river’s edge to collect rocks to prepare a mound over her father’s grave and as the sun slowly sank into the horizon she placed the last rock upon her father’s grave. She sat beside the grave and Gyp who had traced her every step crawled up into her lap to provide whatever comfort she could to her mourning master. The chill of the oncoming night forced Nat into the cabin and she sat before the fireplace totally alone for the first time in her life.
Sometime during the night Nat curled up in a ball in front of the hearth and she awoke the next morning with Gyp cuddled up in her arms. She walked outside to where she had buried her father to confirm that she was indeed awake and not living some horrible dream. Reality struck her like a brick as she looked down on the mound of stones that covered the last of her family. Tears slid down her cheek as she wondered what would become of her now. Nathan had prepared her well for trapping and trading, but she never dreamed she would be all alone at such a young age.
Nat saddled Hardy and with Gyp trotting beside her rode to the clearing where the bear lay motionless. Hardy shied away from the smell of fresh blood and remained a distance from the prostate bear refusing to approach further.
She dismounted and began the tedious work of skinning the large bear, removing the large claws and tucking them away in a leather pouch. Grizzly claws were prized trading items as well as the bears pelt, but Nat was certain she would never part with the hide of the animal that killed her father. Nat hated to waste any animal but she would be damned if she would taste the flesh of this beast and once she finished her work she set the carcass ablaze, purifying the ground where her father had died.
Hardy shied away from the bears pelt when Nat approached so she rode back to the cabin to retrieve Quincy and safely harnessed the pelt to his back. Once they returned to the cabin, Nat removed the deer hide that had finished drying and replaced it with the bear’s hide. Nat cut a long strip of the hide and used it to bind the two pieces of wood together that she had fashioned as a cross to mark her father’s grave. She had carved her father’s name into the crosspiece with the year of his death and used a large stone to drive it into the ground at the head of his grave.
Nat spent the next two days packing her supplies and preparing for the journey to Seattle, carefully storing the dried meat and other food supplies for the weeks of travel waiting ahead. She made one more trip to the honey tree to salvage one final jar of honey for her trip and that evening used the last of her flour to make a final batch of biscuits.
Sitting in front of the fire, Nat chose one of the bear claws and using a tiny awl bored a hole through the claw. Using a thin strip of the deer hide, she fashioned a necklace with the bear claw and slipped it over her head to rest just above her heart. In the days and years to come, Nat would caress the bear claw when thinking of her father and take comfort in this token of his life.
The next morning, Nat packed the animals and stood before her father’s grave and with a final goodbye she turned to take the first step to her future.
She rode for three days until she found the large cave she planned to rest in before the final leg into Seattle. They had made the journey through the final mountain pass just as the first snow began to fall and Nat was relieved to once again reach flat ground. After a week’s rest, Nat would ride the final two days into Seattle where she would have to make decisions on what path her life would lead. Nat knew she was close to her destination when she encountered the dreary rains that plagued the area, sometimes for days on end.
The final week passed quickly and soon Nat was facing the final night in the protection of the cave. Nat slept curled around Gyp that night and the following morning she began arranging her packs for the final leg of her journey. Unsure of what she would do once she traded out her pelts, Nat was sure of only one thing. She would stick to the plan that she and her father had made to rent a small cabin to spend the winter months restocking and planning for their next journey.
Nat and her companions spent one last cold and damp night in the woods and by noon the next day she crested one final hill which opened up to the bustling town of Seattle. Nat sat for a moment and watched the bustling of the crowded streets and with a final look over her shoulder back into the forest, she urged Hardy to move forward.
PART TWO
Her first stop was made to the furriers to begin negotiations on her pelts. Smithy, the owner had always dealt fairly with Nat and her father, knowing they would only bring him the highest quality pelts and he rewarded them handsomely for their loyalty. Smithy smiled warmly at Nat, a smile that faded quickly when he realized she was alone.
“Where is Nathan,” he calmly asked, placing an arm around Nat?
“He’s gone Smithy,” Nat said, the threat of tears choking her voice. “He was checking traps and was mauled by a grizzly a few weeks back.”
“I am so sorry to hear that,” Smithy said. “Nathan was a great man,” he added.
“Yes he was,” Nat replied in agreement.
“What will you do now?” Smithy asked.
“I don’t know for sure yet Smithy. After trading I plan on getting a hot meal and bath and then hopefully rent out the old Johnson cabin for the winter before deciding what to do,” Nat said in a weary voice.
“Well why don’t we get you unloaded and you can go get some food while I survey your pelts,” Smithy suggested as he walked outside with Nat.
Smithy noticed the bear pelt on the back of her father’s horse and ran his hand through the course fur. “Is this the one that killed your dad?” he asked.
“Yes it is,” Nat answered. “A big son of a bitch he was too.”
“Are you planning on trading the pelt?” Smithy asked
“No Smithy, that one’s a keeper,” she said.
“Well let me know if you ever change your mind, a pelt that size would carry a large price on the market.”
“You can see what you can get for these,” Nat said as she took the leather pouch which held the bear claws and tossed them to Smithy.
Smithy opened the pouch and looked inside. “A small fortune I would expect,” Smithy said. “Some of these new greenhorns pay dearly for grizzly items and I am sure these will be a prize. Give me a day or two to get the best price for you,” he added with a grin.
“I’ll check into the Stillwater and drop in to see you in the morning,” Nat said as she led the two horses and mule over to the livery.
“See you in the morning then,” Smithy called out to her.
Nat gave instructions for her animals to be cared for and then with Gyp on her heels she headed to the Stillwater to get a room. The clerks smile turned to a scowl as he eyed Gyp, but the look on Nat’s face told him she was a force to be reckoned with and he handed her the room key without comment.
Nat carried her packs up the stairs to her room and then left the room with Gyp to find a nice hot meal. She stopped at the desk to tell the clerk to order up a hot bath for her in her room and then walked into the dining room. She sat at a small table and Gyp sat at her feet.
A young woman approached her table to take her order. Nat took off her hat and her dark hair fell to her shoulders bringing a smile to the woman’s face.
“What can I get for you?” she asked.
“The biggest steak you can find well done with the works,” Nat answered. “A smaller steak well done for my companion too please,” she requested. “You can hold her beans,” Nat teased, “they give her gas,” she added with a chuckle.
The waitress rewarded her with a brilliant smile before heading to the kitchen to place Nat’s order. Nat looked around the dining room at the town folk that had come in for an early dinner and a few stray fellow trappers who like her were still rugged from the trail. A hot bath would do wonders for Nat and she looked forward to it as much as she did a hot meal.
The waitress returned with a steaming plate of fresh rolls and butter. “You look hungry, so I brought these out for you,” she said as she sat the plate on the table.
“Thanks, we’re starving,” Nat said as she buttered a hot roll pinching a bite off for Gyp. “We are both sick of my cooking too,” she added.
“How long have you been out?” the young woman asked.
“What month is this?” Nat asked.
“November,” the woman replied.
“Nine months then,” Nat replied.
“That’s a long time to be in the woods alone,” the young woman commented.
“I was with my father until a few weeks ago,” Nat replied. “He was killed by a grizzly she added numbly.”
“I am so sorry to hear that,” the woman said and blushing turned to go.
“Thanks,” Nat said.
Nat ate a few more of the delicious rolls while she waited on their dinner. When the woman returned carrying two large plates of food Nat’s mouth watered with one look of the steak. She reached for Gyp’s smaller steak to cut it into smaller pieces and the woman said, “You start on your steak and I will cut this one up for your friend.”
“Thanks,” Nat said as the woman sat down at the table to cut Gyp’s steak.
Nat took a bite of the steak and her taste buds exploded with ecstasy, the warm juices and seasoning assaulting her senses. She moaned loudly and the young woman at her side blushed. “This is heavenly,” Nat said. “My compliments to the cook she added.”
“Why thank you ma’am,” the young lady said, “just be sure to save some room for desert, I have fresh pies baked today,” she added as she stood to leave.
Nat sat the plate down in front of Gyp and watched with delight as the young pup devoured the tasty meal, gnawing the bone while Nat returned to her own feast. The young woman brought out another basket of fresh rolls and then left Nat to finish her meal.
Nat cleaned the meat from the T Bone and then placed the bone on Gyp’s plate as she drank from a mug of cool water. Nat looked up to see the young woman approaching again with a tray holding several slices of pie. Nat chose a thick slice of apple which incredibly was still warm.
Nat finished off the fantastic meal and asked the young woman to send her bill to the front desk. Nat left several silver pieces on the table for the young lady and then walked over to the general store to purchase a pair of dungarees and a soft cotton shirt.
When Nat and Gyp returned to the room steam was coming off the tub, and Nat was anxious to strip down and soak in its luxury. Nat had just pulled off her top when the door opened up and the same young woman from the dining room was standing in her doorway with a pot of hot water.
The woman blushed again and quickly stepped inside and closed the door. “I am sorry, I didn’t realize you were in here,” the woman said as she turned away from Nat who was totally naked, except for the bear claw around her neck.
“That’s alright,” Nat said as she walked toward the tub. “I couldn’t wait to get a bath,” she added as she watched the woman pour the steamy water into the tub.
“Since you are here,” Nat said, “could I convince you to wash my back?” she asked.
The woman turned to find Nat standing naked beside her and stammered out her reply, “Yes, I could do that.” Marissa had never seen another woman naked and she felt a strange stirring deep inside as she gazed at Nat’s long sensuous body that had been so cleverly disguised by the buckskins she had worn.
Nat stepped into the tub, moaning loudly once again and soaked a washcloth in the tepid water handing it to the young woman. “My name is Nat,” she said.
“My name is Marissa,” the young embarrassed woman replied as she began lathering the cloth with a bar of soap.
Nat lowered her body under the water and emerged with her black hair plastered to her neck. Marissa stepped forward cautiously and bent down to place the soapy cloth against Nat’s skin. Marissa caressed the tight muscles of Nat’s back and shoulders with the soapy cloth as Nat watched her in the mirror.
“That feels fantastic,” Nat said as she bent forward allowing Marissa access to her entire back.
“How long will you be staying in town?” Marissa asked.
“I hope to rent out the old Johnson place for the winter,” Nat responded.
“Well then, we shall be neighbors if you do,” Marissa said. “I live in the small farmhouse just down the road,” she said.
“I am sure we will be seeing each other again then,” Nat said as she took the cloth from Marissa. “Thanks for washing my back,” she added with a grin.
“You’re welcome,” Marissa said. “I hope to see you again soon,” she added as she slipped quietly out the door.
“You can count on it,” Nat said to a closed door and then sank deeper into the water to soak.
Nat washed her hair and body then soaked until the water turned cool. She slipped on a new night shirt and slid between cool clean sheets for the first time in almost a year. Gyp slept on a rug next to the bed and neither of them moved until the sun came up.
Nat and Gyp went downstairs to the dining room where they were met by Marissa.
“Good morning,” she said while smiling sweetly. “What can I get you this morning she asked?”
“How about some bacon and flap jacks,” Nat requested.
“Would you like honey, or maple syrup?” Marissa asked.
“Maple syrup and lots of butter,” Nat said with a grin.
“Coffee,” Marissa asked?
“Lots of it,” Nat said, “with sweet cream if you have it,” she added.
“We even have sugar cubes here,” Marissa teased.
Marissa disappeared into the kitchen and returned a few minutes later carrying two large plates, one with bacon and flapjacks and another with cut up bits of egg, flapjacks and sausage. “I thought your pal might be hungry too,” Marissa said setting the plate down in front of Gyp.
“Careful, you’re going to spoil us,” Nat said with a grin.
“You two look like you could use a bit of spoiling,” Marissa said a she patted Gyp’s head.
“We could, but won’t your husband get jealous if we start showing up at your place for breakfast every morning,” Nat asked looking at the silver band on Marissa’s ring finger.
Marissa looked a little shocked at Nat’s comment and then stammered out her response. “I am a widow,” Marissa said with a blush as she turned to get the coffee from the kitchen.
Nat felt like a total heel, but there was no way she could have known. It was her turn to blush when Marissa walked back to the table. “I am so sorry for prying,” Nat said when she returned.
“It’s no problem,” Marissa said, “it has been two years now and wearing the ring helps to prevent the men in here from making assumptions,” she added.
Nat didn’t feel any more comfortable with her answer, but the smile in Marissa’s blue eyes seemed to bore right through her warming her to the bone. Nat was relieved when another customer arrived and Marissa left her table to seat him and take his order allowing her to watch Marissa as she finished her meal.
Marissa made several more trips to Nat’s table to refill her coffee before Nat finished her meal and left her few silver coins on the table and sent a smile to Marissa before she left the building.
Nat and Gyp walked over to see Smithy and they received a warm welcome as soon as they stepped inside the door. “I was very impressed with this year’s pelts and I hope you will be pleased with the price,” Smithy belted out. “I lucked up on the bear claws too he crowed. I found one easterner who wanted the whole lot at quite a good price who is just waiting for your approval he added. ”
Smithy led Nat into the office to go over the figures and Nat was impressed with the offer. The pelts and bear claws would net her over two thousand dollars, more money than most of the townspeople would see in years. Nat carefully reviewed the figures and then signed the sheet and handed it back to Smithy.
“This looks very generous,” Nat said.
“Good money for high quality,” Smithy said.
“Thanks for the compliment,” Nat replied.
“Nathan taught you well,” Smithy said with a smile. “So well in fact, if you decide to settle down here instead of heading back into the woods, I would hire you in a minute,” Smithy added.
“I might just have to think on that offer pretty hard,” Nat said as she turned to leave.
“Stop by later today and I will have your money ready,” Smithy said as he walked Nat out into the morning.
PART THREE
Nat walked out into the bright morning and decided to ride out to the old Johnson place to take a look at the cabin before she would go make an offer to rent it out for the winter. She walked into the livery and saddled up Hardy then headed out of town with Gyp on her heels. There was a definite chill in the air and Nat predicted there would be snow flying soon. If the cabin was still in good shape Nat would rent it out and get busy preparing supplies for the coming winter months.
Nat was relieved to find the cabin in good shape and with a small barn and smoke house it served as an ideal place to spend the winter. Curious, she rode a few hundred yards further down the road until she reached a fairly new farmhouse which surely must be Marissa’s home. Nat felt strangely comforted to know that Marissa was close by which left her emotions rather confused.
After Marissa had left her room last night, Nat lay in bed thinking how great it felt to have Marissa’s hands on her body as a rush of pleasant warmth came over her body. The longer she thought of her, the warmer her body became and she felt a dampness growing between her thighs. Nat’s fingers probed the wetness as she thought of Marissa and her body was soon trembling with pleasure. Confused by these new feelings and totally exhausted, Nat slipped into the most restful sleep she had experienced in a long time.
Nat returned to town and once again left Hardy at the livery and walked back to Smithy’s to retrieve her payment. She left the furrier and went directly to the bank to deposit the majority of her funds into the bank for safe keeping. She also met with Mr. Barker who owned the Johnson place and rented out the cabin paying for all three months in advance.
Nat also returned to the general store and ordered up supplies she would need for the winter and requested they be delivered to the Johnson place the following day. Nat had decided she and Gyp would spend one more night at the hotel and would move into the cabin first thing the next morning.
The day slipped by quickly, nightfall setting in as Nat headed back to the hotel. She was disappointed that Marissa was not in the dining room, but ordered up another hearty meal from the hotel owner’s wife. Nat devoured pan fried chops and fresh vegetables sharing the bones and scraps with Gyp who accepted her masters offering with licks from her soft tongue.
Nat took a large mug of spiced apple cider out to the porch where she sat with Gyp and watched as large snowflakes began to spiral down from the sky. Nat laughed as Gyp jumped into the air trying to catch the flakes before they floated to the ground.
“Quite a pup you have there,” Smithy said as he walked up to the porch and sat beside Nat.
“Yes she is,” Nat said. “Dad and I found her at a burnt out wagon site as we worked our way west,” she said. “You would never know from looking at her now that she was abandoned by her mother as the runt of the litter,” Nat added.
“Those usually turn out to be the best of the litter,” Smithy proclaimed.
“Well I know I couldn’t ask for a better companion,” Nat said as Gyp returned to the porch and laid her head in Nat’s lap.
Smithy chuckled and said, “I think that feeling is mutual. I am going to head in to get some dinner, but please don’t be a stranger this winter,” he stated.
“I will stop in whenever I come into town,” Nat promised as the huge man left the porch.
Nat finished her cider and she and Gyp retired for the evening. After a hearty breakfast, she and her traveling companions would move into the Johnson place and she would begin preparing their home for the winter.
Nat’s mind whirled with plans as she prioritized the tasks she would need to complete in the next few days. She walked over to the window and peered out to see that the snow had almost completely stopped. Hopeful that the first heavy snows would hold off for a few days Nat curled up on the comfortable bed and drifted off to sleep.
The next morning Nat packed up her goods before heading down for breakfast. She was pleased to see that Marissa had returned to the dining room and deducted that she must work most mornings which Nat felt was a great way for her to start her day.
Marissa approached her table and with a warm smile asked, “What can I get you this morning?”
“Why don’t you surprise us,” Nat replied with a grin as Marissa poured her a cup of coffee.
“Not a problem,” Marissa said as she spun around and headed to the kitchen.
Marissa returned a few moments later carrying a steaming platter of fried eggs, bacon and fried potatoes and a small plate with the same combination for Gyp. She sat the plates down in front of Nat and Gyp and watched as the two devoured the food.
“This is fantastic,” Nat said and Gyp raised her head long enough to lick her lips in agreement.
“I thought you might want something hearty this morning,” Marissa said. “It is really cool outside this morning and this should help to keep you warm,” she added.
“This is exactly what we needed today,” Nat said. “We will be moving into the Johnson place today so we have lots of chores to do.”
“So we will be neighbors then,” Marissa stated.
“Looks that way,” Nat responded with a smile.
“I get off later this afternoon,” Marissa said. “Would you mind if I stopped in to check on you later,” she asked.
“No, not at all, feel free to visit anytime,” Nat told her as she gobbled down another mouthful of the food.
“Okay then, since you will be busy why don’t I stop by with some supper,” Marissa suggested.
“That sounds delicious,” Nat said as she wiped the corner of her mouth. “From the looks of the weather I am a few days behind in preparing for winter so I won’t take time to cook,” she added.
“I will see you later today then,” Marissa said as she turned to walk back to the kitchen.
Nat finished her meal then went to the desk to pay her bill before returning to her room to gather her packs. Marissa was in the dining room when she walked down the stairs and Nat tipped her hat to her as she left the building. Nat walked to the livery and paid her bill there and then saddled Hardy and her father’s mount and packed her bags on Quincy. Nat mounted Hardy and they rode out of town as the sun was rising.
It was a brisk twenty minute walk to the Johnson place that morning and Nat watched as Gyp ran ahead of her chasing different scents, but always returning to where her master was. Nat thought that after all was settled in a few days, she and Gyp would do some hunting so she could begin training the small pup.
Nat tied Hardy and her father’s horse to a porch post and unloaded the packs from Quincy, carrying them into the cabin before taking the animals into the barn. Nat unsaddled them and let the two horses and the mule out into a small pasture to allow them to graze on the remaining few patches of grass. Nat searched the wood bin and found barely enough wood to start a fire in the hearth. That would be her first task, to set in as much firewood as she could before the weather turned miserable. She could work on the inside of the cabin after the sun set and on the dreary days ahead.
Nat took out her axe and walked into the woods behind the cabin. She didn’t have to travel far before she located several fallen trees that were large enough to provide a good start to her stash. She took her coat off and began chopping the trees into three foot sections, trimming the smaller branches and tossing them in a separate pile.
Nat worked for several hours before taking a break. Gathering an armful of the smaller branches, Nat walked back to the cabin and placed them on the edge of the porch. Stepping inside she picked up the water bucket and dipper and went to the well to pump a bucket of fresh cold water. Taking a long drink, Nat sat for a moment on the steps to take in the beauty of the fading morning. Clouds were rolling in and Nat felt sure they would receive more snow tonight. Prompted by the ominous clouds, Nat returned to the woods and began carrying logs back to the cabin.
Two hours later Nat had carried a fairly large amount of wood to the cabin and she was busy splitting logs when Marissa arrived. Nat did not see her approach which allowed her to watch Nat for several minutes. Nat had removed her work shirt while she split the logs and Marissa watched the ripple of muscles on Nat’s back as she expertly chopped the wood into sections small enough to fit into the fireplace. She admired Nat’s handsome features for several minutes until Gyp walked around the edge of the cabin and saw Marissa. A short bark alerted Nat that she had company and she turned to find Marissa standing twenty feet away.
“Sorry, I didn’t hear you come up,” Nat said as she laid her axe down and reached for her work shirt.
“I can be quiet at times,” Marissa answered with a grin as she walked up to Nat holding a picnic basket.
“It’s good to see you again,” Nat said returning her smile.
“Why don’t you continue here and I will go in and get our meal set up and then come get you,” Marissa suggested.
‘You have a deal,” Nat said anxious to get some of the wood in today.
Marissa went into the cabin as Nat stacked a large pile of wood near the front door and then began stacking a pile of the logs at the south end of the cabin, away from the worst of the impending bad weather.
Marissa placed her basket on the table and began arranging a meal of fried chicken, biscuits and cheese. She found plates and cups in the pack Nat had set down near the kitchen so the table was set. She stepped out onto the porch and bent down to pick up the water bucket as Nat stepped onto the porch.
“I’ll get that,” Nat said as she reached for the bucket and for a second, their fingers touched on the handle. Nat felt a bolt of electricity surge through her body and from the startled look on Marissa’s face, Nat was sure she felt it also. Marissa turned and held the door open as Nat carried the bucket in and sat it down on the table.
Surveying the meal Marissa had laid out for them Nat said, “This looks fantastic.”