Timberline Trail Read online

  Latch hook rugs made by her mother during the last days of her life covered the walls, and one cluster of bright sunflowers reminded Tia painfully of her lovely mother, lost too young to ovarian cancer. A single bed, used more like a couch, hugged the wall and Tia would often lay there listening to Enya or REM or even old singers like The Mamas and the Papas. The master bedroom was three times the size of the office and had its own small fireplace and large French doors opening onto the forest. Designed by her father and housing triple panes and a solid cedar frame of nearly two inches thick, no bitter chill could invade the comfort of this cozy room!

  A huge king-sized bed dominated the room and still retained the masculine black and brown comforter her father had personally chosen. His taste has run to the dark rustic colors and trappings, but Tia had softened the room by placing pink silk flowers in a large vase and hanging a colorful reprint of Matisse’s famous bridge over the vanity. A spacious cedar walk-in closet and a very modern en-suite bathroom with a huge shower and tub, warmed by a large water heater hidden behind a tasteful closet, adjoined the oversized bedroom. The lovely bathroom, tiled in pale brown and occasional sea shell squares, reminded Tia of the distant Pacific Ocean. Her father had installed Scandinavian under-floor heating in both bathrooms and it was delightful to soak in the huge tub on a winter’s evening. The entire cabin, powered by a propane generator, had so far weathered the fickle nature of the Alaskan winter without a hitch. While the cabin measured only twelve hundred square feet, Tia could ask for no better place to work and live. On a day like today she felt as if she would never leave.

  The man lowered his binoculars and frowned as he pulled his light-green parka closer and shivered. He already missed the heat and bustle of LA, for the coolness of this early September day was as cold as it ever got in LA, and the stranger understood now why he rarely left the comfort of that addictive Mediterranean climate. The cabin was too remote and too damn lonely for his cultured tastes. He observed the generator located in the small wooden shed to the south of the log cabin. The sun shone brightly upon the front door of the cabin and the girl he’d been observing for several days had disappeared inside after her jog. A movement to the far left of the cabin attracted his attention and he jerked up his head quickly, his dark eyes frowning. A loan loafer wolf slowly circled the sturdily built cabin. It lifted its nose in the air for a moment before breaking into a run, moving effortlessly on long gray legs. The watcher shuddered and pulled his rifle closer. Only yesterday he’d heard a crashing in the bush and whirled about to witness a large grizzly bear ambling away from him, flies buzzing around his matted fur.

  Just about noon and ready to make his move, an old gray pickup truck pulled into the narrow gravel driveway fronting Tia’s cabin. A Native-American woman pushed her heavy frame from the beat-up vehicle and carried two bags of groceries into the cabin. Damn! She appeared ready for a long visit so the house’s observer decided to retreat, determined not to invade as it got close to dark since he was uncertain of the terrain and her welcome. He trudged up the hill toward his 4x4, parked just off the road, feeling disgruntled and put out. Hearing a crackle in the bush to the right of him he whirled, his rifle poised.

  A small wolverine-type creature faced him, its black nose twitching in the wind as it tried to identify his scent. He’d heard about the vicious wolverine of the far north and tensed, not realizing it was simply a marmot, who, while resembling the wolverine, was more akin to the woodchuck and thus inoffensive to humans. The creature crinkled its nose at the disgusting smell of the man and backed off, flinging one last indignant look before disappearing into the underbrush. The man relaxed. He didn’t like dirt or animals and could hardly wait to get home. He scratched absently at a mosquito bite and headed toward the green Kia Sorento. Flinging his rifle off his shoulder and adding his binoculars and backpack to the cluttered passenger seat, he shifted his tall body into the driver’s seat. The 4x4 turned over with scarcely a roar before easing back onto the road as he drove off through the trees, hoping to reach his destination before dusk.

  Unbeknownst to him, another had watched him watching her. The lean man straightened and brushed off the dirt from his cargo pants, his keen eyes missing nothing from the license plate number to the man’s reaction to the marmot. Certain the stalker’s compact Kia had disappeared down the gravel road for the day he backed away, disappearing into a stand of Sitka spruce. He wound his way down a familiar trail he’d forged only a few days previously and wondered just what Tia Heath was hiding. Whatever it was he would find out, no matter how long it took.

  Tia always enjoyed visits from her friend Mary Whitebird, a native Tanaina woman of the Thabaskan-speaking tribes from the interior of Alaska. Mary still lived with her family who’d settled over thirty years ago in this remote region south of the Denali Park, and did quite well with her husband who made his living as a truck driver along the Trans-Canada and Alcan Highways. Joe had grown so successful he now owned three trucks and their two grown sons helped maintain his successful business. The petite Mary made their home in Timberline, using it as the base for their operations, receiving all the company’s orders and requests for shipping via the internet.

  Mary missed Joe, who she referred to as her ‘driving man’ as well as her two boys, Jason and Martin. Because of her loneliness she often visited Tia and the two women had formed a mutual bond of respect and camaraderie. Mary brought in two bags of supplies and set them upon the pine counter of Tia’s immaculate kitchen.

  “I’ll never get over how much I like this place,” commented Mary as she stood in the large front room, noticing the 17” screen of Tia’s computer monitor glowing. “Been busy at work I see. Well you know what they say, all work and no play makes Tia a very boring girl. Which reminds me, I have some juicy news. But before the tasty gossip, I want you to peek into this bag.”

  Tia could tell from the delighted expression on her friend’s face there was something wonderful in the sack.

  “What have you got here Mary?”

  “Nancy only received ten and I bought five. Two of them are for you pumpkin.” With a flourish Mary’s dark hand dipped into the paper bag and produced two large ripe cantaloupes.

  “My goodness!” exclaimed Tia. “I haven’t seen a cantaloupe for at least a month. When did these arrive?”

  “Only this morning and I just couldn’t resist. The blasted things were about three bucks apiece but they’re my gift for you as long as I can have some of your scrumptious iced tea.”

  Tia nodded happily, fingering the ripe melon. “This will be delicious with dinner; or shall we cut one up with your tea now?”

  Mary steadfastly held up a brown hand. “No, I’m limiting myself to half a cantaloupe a day and I’m not about to steal yours, but some of that tea would taste awfully good.” Within minutes Tia poured two frosty glasses of peach iced tea and placed still-warm oatmeal bread upon the golden pine table. The delicious aroma tantalized as butter melted upon the freshly baked loaf, and both women sat down, munching the fragrant bread compatibly together.

  “I can see you’re nearly busting at the seams,” said Tia, looking at her friend shrewdly. “You might as well tell me your news before you break a blood vessel!”

  A conspiratorial grin settled over Mary’s face. “I’d been at the Timberline Lodge dropping off some supplies that Gerald asked for on his last run and guess who I saw there?”

  Tia took another bite of warm oatmeal bread and wiped her mouth with a napkin, “Well don’t keep me waiting,” she said with mock impatience.

  “The most handsome man my sore eyes have seen for the longest time in this little town.”

  “Was he a tourist?” asked Tia good-naturedly, well used to Mary’s matchmaking efforts.

  “Nancy told me he’s looking for some property up here for an investment, though I’m sure nothing in this area fits that bill. Apparently he’s tired of the city and needs a place to escape. But let me move on to the good stuff, girl. He�
�s about six-foot-two, has sandy blonde hair and dark brown eyes, and is enough to make any woman start dreaming about Caribbean vacations.”

  “And what do you know about the Caribbean?” asked Tia mildly. She leaned back in her chair and gazed at her friend affectionately. “And just what line of business is our new dream man in?”

  “I’m certain Nancy mentioned he’s in advertising of some sort and comes from the lower northwest. He’s the best looking thing I’ve seen in town since that documentary film crew arrived a couple of years ago to make the National Geographic segment on that big moose near Crane Lake. Anyway, I was thinking that maybe tomorrow you could come into town and stop by the hotel for lunch. We could meet around noon and just happen to bump into him.”

  “Mary you never give up!” laughed Tia. “And I can tell you personally that good looks are highly overrated. Let me think about it and I’ll ring Nancy on the short-wave if I can make it. It’s not good timing for me since I’m right in the middle of my new book.”

  Mary seemed a little bit put out, but sipped her tea good-naturedly. “You work way too hard. The way you’re headed I’m never going to be a godmother. Maybe I should get rid of my Joe and set my sights on this hunky newcomer myself.” Her face assumed a wicked glow and Tia laughed again.

  “You shouldn’t get your hopes up Mary. You know how it goes in this area. As soon as the winter sets in all the summer tourists leave; not that we even get that many tourists. It wouldn’t surprise me a bit if we’re going to have a really early winter since the squirrels are already topping off their hoards and I saw some Canadian geese flying overhead just this morning. I’m certain we’re destined for snow in the next few days.”

  “I’d have to agree. The sheriff was telling me just the same thing this morning. He was hanging out at Nancy’s for who knows what reason. I swear he’s sweet on her though I can’t see why.”

  “Nancy Leukowski is a perfectly nice lady and quite attractive too.”

  “If you like that kind,” retorted Mary Whitebird, who’d not a been a big fan of Nancy’s since Joe had discovered Nancy’s teenage son Tory tampering with one of his trucks last spring. “I would say that the behavior of the son has to be a reflection upon the mother.”

  “Now, now, Mary, calm down. You know Tory is just going through some growing pains and at least he’s working part-time at Roy’s station and trying to keep himself busy. I think half the problem is there’s not a lot to do up here and after the movie theatre closed down what are young folks supposed to do in the dead of winter?”

  “Well, they’re certainly not supposed to fiddle with my Joe’s truck,” Mary said irritably, and Tia shrugged. This was a no-win argument and she wisely moved on.

  “Seen anything interesting lately Mary, besides the hunk in town? You’ll never guess what I spotted yesterday?”

  “What was it?” asked Mary, interested.

  “I caught a glimpse of two golden eagles south of here hovering over a large Alpine fir. I trekked to the river and I saw a large stick nest at the very top of the tree. It’s a little late for the breeding season, but maybe they’re preparing themselves for next spring.”

  “That’s so great they’re still here. Joe spotted a huge nest of bald eagles outside of Seward while running a load down there. That reminds me. Apparently a couple professional photographers are in the area preparing a book on the larger game found here. Last I heard they’ve pitched a camp near Bear Lake. Maybe you should drive over there and tell them about the eagles.”

  “Maybe,” shrugged Tia. She wasn’t about to barge in on some nameless strangers. Instead she commented, “I just love living up here Mary. I’m not sure if I could be persuaded to return south.”

  “I’m so glad that you’re feeling at home after all that’s happened to you. I’m just afraid you’re going to feel a little bit too isolated up here. I think this year you should come into town for the winter, now that your father’s gallivanting around and you’re all alone. It would sure keep me company with so many hightailing it out come the first little taste of bad weather. They’re like snow birds flying away for the winter; as if you can consider the weather here really that harsh.”

  Tia chuckled to herself. The only time Mary ever admitted the weather was remotely harsh was after they were totally snowed in with minus forty degrees Fahrenheit temperatures.

  “Would you care for some more tea Mary?”

  “No, I ought to be heading back. Joe’s coming home the day after tomorrow and I promised him I’d have the new Mackenzie order set up for him. He’s taking a truckload of copper wire to Skagway and I’ve gotta make sure the order’s ready in Juneau for him to pick up on his way up north. Anyway Honey, you know how I do love to stop by.”

  The heavy-set woman got up, moving briskly for a woman of her size, her long dark hair swinging heavily in the one long braid centered down her back.

  “You think about what I said about having lunch tomorrow. You’ve gotta get out of here while you can, particularly if the snow’s coming early. You know how hard it is to get to Timberline in the winter since they don’t always plow the road straight away to get back into town. Are you sure you’ve got enough supplies?”

  “I’m pretty set though I might make one more trip into town. I need some more paraffin and I’d like to get another load of propane. My generator’s working pretty well and I’m sure I have enough for standby. Nancy’s supposed to get in some elk steaks and I thought that might be nice for some stews later on in the season. Thanks for asking after me Mary. I know you always try to take care of me since I’m such a city-slicker.”

  “Not any more! You’ve survived a winter here and that practically makes you a native!” Mary smiled and placed a stout arm around the younger woman’s shoulder, giving her a brisk hug. “You know I was always a bit sad I didn’t have a daughter of my own, though those two strapping boys sure make a mama proud. You take care now honey.”

  Tia watched Mary maneuver herself into the battered old pickup and slowly back out of the gravel driveway. Tia waved her hand in farewell, noting the crisp chill in the air. Winter was indeed on its way.

  That night a brisk wind swirled through the large pines located right outside her front window and Tia not only started a fire in the fireplace but one in the sturdy cast iron black stove in the corner that helped warm the front room as well. She placed an extra quilt upon her bed and speculated there would be snow by morning. However, when Tia rose, the day dawned bright and clear and while a definite chill clung to the air not a cloud dotted the sky. Tia smiled to herself as she prepared for her morning jog. Just another false alarm. She seriously considered Mary’s offer about going into town and having lunch at the Timberline Lodge, but decided this was not a good time to interrupt the flow of her writing since things had been going well about the little lost boy down in Glacier Bay. Out of politeness, she short-waved Nancy and got Tory on the static-filled line.

  “Tory, could you just get a message to Mary Whitebird and let her know that I won’t be able to make it for lunch today. I’ll try to come in some time next week.”

  “Alright,” said Tory, his young voice seeming deeper than it did the last time she’d spoken to him. “By the way Tia, we got in some cantaloupes!”

  “Thanks Tory. Mary already brought me out a couple. Are you expecting anything special next week?”

  “My mom mentioned something about strawberries. If they do, you’d better jump on them fast since they’ll probably be the last of the season. We also got some cool new videos.”

  Nancy ran a small video rental store from the back of her shop.

  “Anything good?”

  “Lots of Jackie Chan and stuff. Oh, you mean the kind you like?” The last was said with all the disdain of youth.

  “That’s right—some girlie flicks.”

  “Yeah, she got some of those too, though I don’t know why you watch all that mushy stuff. I just remembered... we got in another Tomb Raider. That’
s got a girl in it!”

  Tia smiled to herself. “I’ll have to check it out. Talk to you later Tory, and give my regards to your mother.” As Tia signed off she realized she didn’t remotely hold Mary’s low opinion of the young man, recognizing all teenagers go through awkward stages, particularly when isolated in a town like Timberline whose graduating class numbered only eight last June. She hoped the young man would complete his senior year and attend college like his mother hoped.

  Tia wrote all morning, finally rousing from her concentrated state at the loud rattling of the cabin’s windows. She moved to the kitchen and peered out. Ominous black clouds swirled overhead and the paper birch and white spruce trees leaned in the rising wind, causing Tia to realize it hadn’t been a false alarm after all. She securely fastened the kitchen window before returning to her desk, noting a long-tailed weasel scurrying for cover across the graveled drive, its black tail twitching excitedly.

  The man in the light green parka lowered his binoculars as the young woman approached her kitchen window to peer out. He couldn’t afford to have the sun glint off the lens of his binoculars and alert the girl to her danger. He shivered and suddenly froze. Directly across from him a flicker of blue flashed through the trees and he quickly swung his binoculars to what appeared to be a dark blue jacket. He adjusted the binoculars and choked. A lean man gazed back at him through a high-powered camera lens and he could sense the shudder clicking, memorizing his features forever.

  The stalker backed up against the back of the paper birch behind him and shivered, both from the wind and the sudden knowledge that he wasn’t the only one who staked out the house and its slender occupant. He slipped into the dim shadows of the forest, concentrating on an alternate plan, realizing he immediately needed to inform his boss they were not alone in their pursuit of the woman. He trudged up the steep slope to where his Kia was parked, determined to make a quick getaway. However when he tried to start the engine, nothing happened.