Ninety Degrees Out

“Erik, I have to fly up to homestead. Remember, my Twin Otter is the only plane not in mothballs right now. I’ve got Captain Janice’s permission to use fuel and get our people back from homestead. Besides, I’ve got enough seats for all of them at once.” Kanti paced furiously across the dining hall in the lodge.

“I hate having your kids here without one of their parents,” Erik admitted.

“I’m taking Killika and Oisin up with me. Their kids are are going to homestead. We’re taking mine to stay with Das and Uki too. Even Kallik is going and he wanted to stay here to fight the bad guys. I’m going to try to get Chay and Alicia to leave Arimina there too.”

Erik thought about the risks coming their way and had to agree with Kanti’s plans. Having all the youngest children up at Homestead would be a good thing.

“You know what, you can take the Narson’s too. I’ll send some medical supplies with him, and I’ll feel better about those who are working with the horses up there. Breaking wild stock is dangerous work. Having a medic available will be practical. Doc says he’s top notch.”

“Fine, I’ll set up the Otter and put all the seats back in it. I think that’s the best idea you’ve had. Cover’s all our bases.” Kanti whirled toward the door. “Hey Jerry, can you come help me?”

“Yes, ma’am.” Jerry winked at Erik. “She’s got it right. Except for Harry. He’s old enough to be here, and he’s feeling like no one is letting him do anything worth while. He’s proven to be a crack shot with a hunting rifle too. We could use him up on the roof.”

“I’ll let Edward know what’s going down. Let me know when the Otter is ready. I’ll make sure Captain Whipper knows who is going to be where, Sarge too.” Erik followed Kanti and Jerry out the side door, as they ran toward the hanger. He headed across to the hospital tent.

Deborah Goldstein greeted him at the door, and he nodded at her as he went through to the main clinic.

“Mom, is Becky okay to fly out of here?”

Anya Amudson looked up as he spoke. “Yes, what’s up?”

“We’re rearranging things. All the kids are going up to Homestead. Except Harry, who’s old enough to stay. Becky and Edward are going with them, and so are Killika and Oisin. That way we don’t have to worry about them.”

“Whoa, I don’t want Harry down here if he’s going to be in danger,” Edward protested.

“He’s learned so much about shooting, an he’s a crack shot. You know he’s growing up fast, Eddy,” Becky was leaning against her husband as she walked out of the infirmary.

“Too fast. Why am I not staying? You need everyone on deck here,” Edward protested.

“We need a medic on Homestead. They’re breaking wild horses up there. I need someone who can handle the injuries that are going to happen. There’s no way they aren’t going to happen,” Erik told him. “You have Doc’s approval, and mine to do the job. Besides with all the kids up there, you’re going to be need for them too.”

“Give in Eddy.”

Erik watched as Becky squeezed the medic’s hand. Her husband shook his head, not quite wanting to give in.

“You do know, Erik has most of the boys coming back? Some of them are on their way down by horse back. It’s two hard days ride for them, with a stop at Mac’s place to rest. They’re bring back all the extra horses with them.” Deborah said. “I’ll be taking the wagon back to our trail, with Chuck. It’s a major shuffle of people.”

“Kanti will be bring Jake Ingersoll, Chay, Alicia and two lynx kittens. I hope you can get Arimina to stay with the rest of the kids, but she’s taken to those kittens and sticks to them like glue,” Anya added.

Edward scratched his head, and finally nodded. “Okay, let’s go get the kids packed up. It’s the least we can do for these people. They took us in without a single question. We’ll take care of their children. It’s quite an honor to trust us with them.”

Erik reached out to grasp Edward’s forearm in a military grip of respect. “Thanks for seeing it my way, man.”

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

“Mommy, no!” Arimina’s shriek pierced the quiet dawn.

“You’re staying with Das and Uki. They’re your grandparents now too,” Alicia said. She sat down beside her daughter. There was no way she was coming with them. She had to know her sweet baby was safe.

“I’m coming home with you.” Tears formed, and her six year old daughter scrubbed her eyes in fury.

“Ari, I need to know you’re safe. All the kids are going to be here. Even some new ones. There are three girls coming and Alasie and Kallik too.”

“I don’t care. I want to be with you. What if something happens and I never see you again? And who will take care of the kittens. It’s my job.” Arimina’s lower lip pushed out in a determined pout. “I want to be with you and Mr. Chay.”

“No,” Alicia said again, stressing the word.

“Let her go with you,” Uki said.

“I can’t give in,” Alicia said.

“Leave her here with the kittens. Let her feed them before the flight. I need to tell you a few things.” Uki grasped her elbow, steering Alicia toward the kitchen.

“I’ll feed them, and clean them up,’ Ari said, turning her back on Alicia.

“Ari don’t get your hopes up. You’re staying here,” Alicia said as she went with Uki. She knew her daughter. Ari was pissed. It showed in the rigid line of her back.

“Come out on the back porch,” Uki said and opened the screen onto the deck.

“What’s so important?” Alicia asked.

“I promised Ari I wouldn’t tell anyone. She was crying in the living room the day after you got here. You and Chay were working on the coral.” Uki’s round face showed her inner conflict as she spoke.

“Just tell me. If something’s worrying my baby, I need to know.”

“She’s terrified of something happening to you. When you hurt yourself in that fall, she was brave about it for you. But she’s scared silly of losing you. And on top of it, she’s in love with my son. She asked me if I thought it would be okay to call him Daddy.”

Alicia plopped down on the wooden bench by the railing.

“Wow. I thought she was past that. She hasn’t had any nightmares, and she isn’t as clingy as she was for the first while we were staying with Chay.”

“She’s determined to keep it a secret. But she’s fragile right now. You need to take her with you. Make sure she has her rifle with her. She told me she feels better with it close. She’s an Alaskan through and through. Tough, but a softy inside.” Uki said the words quietly. “I don’t want her to hear this. She knows she can come to me. I told her the kittens were her project. Don’t make me a liar.”

Alicia let out a long drawn out sigh.

“I let her think that too.”

“Give in this time, Alicia. I know how tough it is to put your child in a dangerous situation, but living out here, is just that. Ari is a good shot. She can defend herself if she needs to. Just make sure she has her weapon with her. I’ve watched her with it often enough over the last couple of weeks. Her habits are meticulous.”

“I guess I have to tell her she wins this time.”

“You do. It’s best for her mental health. I know it’s hard to think that way about a young child, but you know your daughter is smart too. She doesn’t see the logic in staying here,” Uki said.

“Thanks for telling me. I had no idea how much the earthquake disaster was still bothering her.” Alicia stood up and went back through into the kitchen.

“Ari, you win. You’re coming back to the ranch with us.”

Arimina put the kitten she was wiping down back into their box and turned with a brilliant smile on her face. She threw herself at Alicia.

“Thank you, Mommy.”

Alicia scooped her up into a tight hug. “I’d miss you too, if I left you with Uki and Das.”

“I love them too, but you’re my Mommy,” Ari whispered.

“And you’re my baby girl. My big girl now.” Alicia kissed her forehead. “Let’s get the kittens ready to go.” She set Ari down and went to get a blanket to wrap around the sturdy wooden box the lynx kittens were sleeping in. The bigger question? What was she going to do about making Chay Ari's Daddy?