Joy Takes Flight Read online

  “They own a store. You’re a bush doctor and I’m a pilot—it’s not quite the same thing.”

  “True.” Paul leaned against the bench and folded his arms over his chest. “I suppose we’ll figure it out as we go. We can share responsibilities and the baby will have to enjoy flying.”

  Kate closed her eyes. “What about the danger we’d be putting him or her in? Every time I go up, I know something bad can happen, but I choose to take a risk. Is it fair to the baby?”

  Paul’s expression turned pensive. “I’ve been thinking about that. And I don’t have a definite answer.” He blew out a breath. “I take the same risk. And when you were little, you went up with your father.” He scratched at a day’s growth of beard. “Everything in life requires risk. I don’t want you to be unhappy and I don’t want our child to grow up being afraid of adventure. I do think that if you’re making a run you know could be risky, then you’d be wise to leave the baby with me or Sassa or Lily. And if you’re in town you can count on help from Muriel and Helen.”

  Kate was surprised. He’d had such a hard time accepting the dangers of flying.

  “All we can do is take every precaution—”

  “And leave the rest up to God,” Kate interjected, knowing Paul was trying, but it wouldn’t be easy on him.

  “Just living out here is dangerous. I plan to take our son or daughter fishing and hunting. And I’ll teach him or her to drive the sled.” He paused, then added, “I figure nothing in life is safe.”

  Kate thought he sounded like he was trying to convince himself. “We’ll figure it out.”

  Paul picked up one of the traps. “Some of these need replacing. While the weather’s clear, I want to make a trip to Susitna Station and get a few traps. The dogs are ready for a run anyway. It’ll be good for them.”

  “That sounds like fun. I can pack us something to eat and I’ll make coffee to take along.”

  Paul eyed her warily. “I don’t know, Kate. It’s quite a ways and with you being so far along . . .”

  “I’m fine. I’ve been feeling good. And I’ll ride on the sled. What harm is there in that?” She stood. “I’d really like to go.”

  Paul gave her a slow smile. “Okay. But you’ve got to ride the whole time, no trudging through the snow or driving the team.”

  Kate looked down at herself. “Do I look like I’d enjoying running behind a sled, even if I could?” She laughed and headed for the shed door. “I’ll get everything ready. When do you want to leave?”

  “How long until that bread’s done?”

  “It was nearly ready to come out of the oven when I left the house.”

  “Okay then. You take care of that and our lunch and I’ll get the sled and the dogs ready to go.”

  “Do you mind if Angel comes along?”

  “It’s fine as long as she doesn’t try to play with the other dogs.”

  “That’s not a problem. Once the team’s in the harness all they think about is working anyway.” Kate hurried back to the house, excited about having a little adventure.

  When Kate stepped onto the porch, the dogs were harnessed, barking and ready to go. She sat on the sled and Paul made sure she was bundled up beneath blankets and a fur robe.

  “Okay. That’s enough. Pretty soon I won’t be able to breathe,” Kate said with a laugh.

  “When the wind hits you, you’ll be grateful. The temperature’s dropping. It’s down to 18 degrees. And once we get moving it’ll feel even colder.”

  Kate looked up at him and smiled. “Let’s go.”

  Paul bent down and kissed her, then stepped behind the sled and got a good grip on the lines, stood on the boards, and called, “Hike up!” Nita, who was in the lead, charged forward. Buck and Jackpot pulled hard, following close behind her. Paul looked up at the gray skies and felt a twinge of apprehension. With the temperature dropping and the clouds moving in, it could mean a storm. He looked at Kate tucked in and eager. She should probably stay home. But he knew better than to say anything now. There would be no way to convince her to stay.

  Angel ran alongside the dogs, then veered off and happily investigated any and all points of interest as the sled moved across the frozen creek, over the Susitna, and up the bank on the far side. The snow was dry so they made good time as they slushed along the bank above the river. Wanting to keep the dogs’ load light, Paul ran behind as much as possible.

  “You doing all right?” he asked Kate.

  “Fine. I love this!” She pulled the blankets more tightly up under her chin.

  “Let me know if you want to stop.” His lungs burning, Paul stepped onto the boards and rode for a while.

  Angel had tired of exploring and now ran alongside the dogs. Occasionally she tried to engage one of them in a game. Jackpot and Buck ignored her, but Nita snarled and snapped at her a couple of times.

  “Angel! No!” Kate hollered more than once. Finally, she lifted her hand and called over her shoulder. “Paul. Stop.”

  “Whoa,” he hollered and the dogs reluctantly pulled up. “You need a break?”

  “No. I was just thinking that maybe I ought to have Angel ride with me. I don’t like her taunting the dogs.”

  “That’ll add sixty-five, seventy pounds to the load. But if you think you can get her to stay put, go ahead.”

  “Come on, Angel,” Kate said and Angel leaped up onto her lap, crowding Kate’s belly. “Lay down.”

  The dog found a spot on top of Kate’s legs. Panting, she rested her head on her front paws and Paul set off again. Angel stayed put for a little while, but she was soon restless and wanted off. When Susitna Station came into view, Paul was grateful. He and the dogs needed a rest and he’d feel better once Kate was indoors warming up. It felt like the temperature was plunging. Angel leaped off Kate’s lap and ran ahead. She knew the town and the general store where Charlie Agnak usually had a treat for her.

  “Whoa!” Paul called as they moved into the village.

  The dogs stopped and stood panting. They watched Paul, waiting for a drink and something to eat. Paul dug under a pile of wool blankets for water bottles he’d filled with hot water before leaving. He poured the water into bowls for the dogs while Kate took dried fish out of a bag and gave a hunk to each dog. Angel trotted back for her share.

  When Paul and Kate stepped inside the store, Charlie was in his usual spot in a chair close to his barrel stove. He looked up in surprise. “Didn’t hear no plane.” He took a bite of jerky.

  Paul stripped off his gloves. “We brought the sled.”

  “In this weather?” He looked at Kate. “In your condition? An Indian lady maybe, but you—not good.”

  “You think the weather’s going to turn bad?” Kate asked.

  “Yep. And real soon too. You warm up, then you get home.” He poured two cups of coffee and handed one to Kate and the other to Paul. Paul didn’t much care for Charlie’s coffee, but he accepted it anyway and took a sip of the bitter brew. “Drink up,” he told Kate. “It’ll warm your insides.” He grinned when she tasted the coffee. “It’s good for you.”

  She lifted an eyebrow just slightly at Paul, then took a real drink. “I’m riding,” she told Charlie. “And Paul’s got me bundled up tight.”

  Charlie nodded, and then turned to Paul. “So, what you need?”

  “Just a few legholds. You have any left?”

  “Yeah. I got some.” Charlie hobbled toward the back wall, hunched over the way he always was. Paul wondered what the old native had done to his back. He’d never asked. Charlie didn’t seem to be in pain and Paul figured if he wanted a doctor’s opinion, Charlie would have asked.

  “These are all I got left,” Charlie said, stopping in front of a half-dozen traps hanging on the wall.

  Paul lifted down four of them. “These’ll do.” He followed Charlie to the front of the store.

  “You need anything else?”

  Paul glanced at Kate, who was standing by the stove still trying to down the coffee.
Something sweet would help clear away the bitterness. “You have any candy?”

  “Sure. Always got candy. It’s right down there.” He nodded at a shelf just behind Paul.

  “Kate, would you like some?” Paul perused the sweets.

  Kate set her cup on a small table near the fire box and joined him. “Sounds good.”

  There were Tootsie Pops, Chick-O-Sticks, Licorice Snaps, Sugar Babies, and Snickers bars. “Not a lot of choice,” Paul said.

  “I love Chick-O-Sticks.” She picked up a box and opened it. She popped one in her mouth and closed up the box. Paul selected two Snickers bars, two boxes of Sugar Babies, and some Licorice Snaps. He winked at Kate. “Doesn’t hurt to stock up.”

  He set the candy on the counter beside the traps and then paid Charlie, who put the money in a box in a drawer.

  “You better head home,” Charlie said. “I’m tellin’ ya. A storm’s coming. I always know.”

  “We’re on our way,” Paul said, wishing Kate had stayed home. He strode toward the door with the legholds draped over one shoulder. “Thanks, Charlie.”

  “Bye, Charlie,” Kate said, slipping out the door in front of Paul.

  The dogs stood and whined, their tails wagging. Paul stashed their water bowls away, packed the legholds on the sled, and helped tuck Kate beneath the blankets. The air was frigid and a light snow fell. They’d better hurry. Charlie had lived here all his life. If he said a storm was coming, it was.

  Paul stood behind the sled. “Hike up!” he called, and the dogs set off down the trail the way they’d come. Angel trotted alongside. For a while, she seemed content to tag along, but it didn’t take long before she was pestering Nita. The wind picked up and the snow fell harder. Soon Paul and Kate were fighting their way through an angry blizzard. Kate bundled deeper beneath her blankets. Paul pulled his hood closed so that the only part of his face exposed was his eyes. He chastened himself for bringing Kate.

  They were moving along the Susitna when Angel’s persistent nipping set off Nita’s temper. She’d had enough and laid into the younger dog. Angel broke free of Nita’s hold and plunged down the bank. Nita charged after her.

  “Whoa! Whoa!” Paul hollered, but Nita was beyond hearing. The other dogs followed, towing the sled down the slope. It cut across sideways and tipped, throwing Kate, the blankets, and the supplies into the snow. The drag of the sled finally forced the dogs to stop.

  “Kate! Are you all right?” Paul crouched beside her.

  She pushed up on one arm and peered at him through the swirl of white. “I think so.”

  Paul gave her a hand and helped her stand.

  “I’m okay,” she said, brushing snow off the front of her coat and pants. “Darn that Angel. She’s definitely not a mushing dog. From now on she stays home.”

  Paul was already working to right the sled. Kate got down beside him and pushed. Together they tipped it back on its runners. Beginning with Nita, Paul worked his way through the traces, untangling the harnesses and lines. Kate repacked the supplies and blankets.

  “I’ll wait until you get the sled on the trail before I get back on.”

  Paul got the dogs moving and Kate hoofed it up the embankment, alongside him. When they were back on the path, Kate went to climb on the sled, but stopped and sat on the edge for a few moments.

  “What is it?” Paul asked.

  “I don’t know. Pain.” Her expression was concentrated. Finally she straightened and took a deep breath. “It’s gone.” She settled on the sled.

  “When we get home, you’re going straight to bed. This whole thing has been too much for you.”

  Kate nodded and pulled the blankets around her. Paul tucked them snuggly, then leashed Angel and hurried to the back of the sled, feeling an urgency to get Kate home. He yelled at the dogs to hike up, and then he ran behind, one hand gripping Angel’s leash and the other on the sled. He moved his gaze from the trail ahead and then back to Kate. More than once it looked like she clutched her stomach. He prayed she wasn’t having contractions. It was too early.

  When Kate pulled her legs up and rolled to her side, Paul stopped the sled and moved around to her. “Are you all right?”

  “No. I’m still having pains.”

  “Is it a steady pain? Or does it come and go?”

  “It comes and goes.”

  “How often do you think?”

  Kate shrugged. “I don’t know—every few minutes.”

  Paul reached beneath the blankets and Kate’s coat so he could rest his hand on her stomach. He waited a few moments and then he felt the alarming tightening of muscles. Kate blew out a breath and closed her eyes.

  “Is it bad?”

  She nodded.

  “Try to relax. I’ll get you home.” She was almost certainly in labor. If the baby was born now it would die. Not again. Please, not again.

  He hurried the dogs and ran until he could barely suck oxygen into his lungs. If the baby was born out in this storm, there’d be no hope of survival.

  When they approached the junction where the Susitna River and Bear Creek met, Paul felt momentary relief. They’d made it. He let the dogs have their head. They knew the way home. When they pulled into the yard, Paul lifted Kate and carried her into the cabin where he gently laid her on the bed. “How are you feeling?”

  “Not good. The pains are getting worse and closer together.” Kate’s eyes filled with tears, pleading for Paul to help her. “If the baby is born now, will it die?”

  Paul couldn’t answer her. Instead he said, “We need to stop the labor. You stay down. Whiskey sometimes helps.” He hurried into the kitchen and took a bottle of whiskey from the cupboard and poured a small amount into a glass. Returning to Kate, he handed her the glass. “Drink this down.”

  Kate drank it, grimacing. “Oh, that’s awful.”

  “Yeah, but it may help. Sassa might know a native remedy. Will you be all right while I go and get her?”

  “Yes. I’ll change into my nightgown.” Kate managed a small smile. “Go. I’ll be all right until you get back. But, please hurry.”

  Paul started to leave the room, then stopped and returned to Kate. He took her face in his hands. “Everything is going to be all right. I promise.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead, then hurried out of the house. He ran to the Warrens’.

  Paul didn’t bother knocking on the door. He walked in. “Sassa! Sassa!” He looked about the room. The boys were gathered around a board game on the living room floor and Patrick sat at the kitchen table. “Is Sassa here?”

  Patrick pushed to his feet. “Sure. She’s upstairs. What is it?”

  The boys crowded around Paul.

  “It’s Kate.”

  Sassa hurried down the stairs. “What’s wrong?”

  “Kate. She’s in labor . . .”

  Sassa’s brown eyes widened. “It’s too soon.”

  Lily stood on the stairs behind her mother. “What can we do? Is there anything we can do?”

  Paul looked at Sassa. “Do you know of a remedy that will stop her labor?”

  “Sometimes the root bark from the highbush cranberry can stop labor. It’s good for cramping. I have some.” She grabbed a bottle from the cupboard, then put on her parka. “We have to get her into bed with her feet higher than her head.” She opened the door. “Lily, bring the birthing blanket and some clean washcloths.”

  Lily nodded and watched as Paul and Sassa hurried out.

  When Paul walked into the bedroom, Kate lay on the bed, looking frightened. He crossed the room and sat beside her. “Are the contractions any better?”

  “No. I think they’re worse. Will the baby be all right?”

  He met her eyes. “Sassa’s making an herbal tea for you.”

  “That’s not what I asked.”

  Paul took in a breath and let it out slowly. How was it that he was again so close to losing a child and maybe his wife? Once wasn’t enough? Bitterness hardened his heart, but his words were quiet and gentle. “
We’ll do everything we can.”

  “And we’ll pray,” Sassa said, walking into the room. “I’ve been talking to the Father all the way here.” She smiled. “The tea is brewing.” She took a pillow off the bed and placed it under Kate’s feet. “Do you have more?”

  “There’s one in the closet,” Paul said.

  “Well, get it. And any others you have.”

  Paul took the pillow out of the closet and handed it to Sassa, then he strode into the front room and grabbed a blanket. He rolled it up and placed it on top of the two pillows. Kate handed Sassa the pillow she’d been using for her head, then lay down and put her feet on the stack of pillows and closed her eyes.

  “It is important to keep the feet higher than your head,” Sassa said, then left the room. She returned a few minutes later with a cup of hot liquid. “Here, drink this. It will help.”

  Kate pushed up on one elbow and took the cup. She smelled the brew, then took a sip and grimaced. “It’s bitter. What is it?”

  “A special tea. It might help your baby wait for another day to meet the world.”

  Kate managed to drink the entire cup, then lay back down.

  Paul prayed the remedies would help. All they could do now was wait. But if the baby arrived tonight, could he save it?

  - 16 -

  The baby came—still and silent. She took not a breath nor made a single cry.

  Paul did all he could to stir life into his little girl, but nothing he did helped. She was born meant for heaven.

  The day was cloudy and frigid when Paul walked to the shed to build a coffin. He took great care to make every cut clean. He sanded the wood smooth and matched up each angle perfectly. When it was finished, Kate placed the baby blanket inside that Helen had made. Paul gently laid their swaddled daughter on the blanket and then stepped back and pulled Kate to his side. The new parents gazed at their little girl. She was tiny, but perfect. Paul picked up the lid of the coffin, carefully set it in place, and nailed it shut.

  They chose a place behind the house among a grove of trees for Emily’s resting place. During the summer, it was a quiet glen in the midst of the lush forest. Patrick and Clint had dug a small grave and now Kate stood among friends while Paul placed the tiny coffin in the frozen earth.