Heart of the Wild (24 page)

"It's wonderful. And who owns this beautiful place now, Rosie?'

Rosie stopped what she was doing, and glanced at her in surprise. "You mean you really don't know?'

"No, why should I?"

"Your father owns it, darlin'. Has for over five years."

"Are you serious?"

"You've a lot of catching up to do, haven't you?"

"Yes, I suppose I do."

In less than an hour Kasie found herself deeply engrossed in an apple pie recipe, flour all over her cheeks. She was too distracted with her work to worry about anything today. And she was having a blast.

Margaret came down an hour or so later and joined in the fun. She was modestly dressed in jeans and sweatshirt and was ready to dig in and help. And that's exactly what it was, too: fun! The three of them told jokes and odd little stories about themselves, and laughed together as though they had been acquainted all their lives.

It was no wonder there was a satisfied look on John Douglas' face when he spotted the three of them knee-deep in flour, and laughing about it.

His face beamed with happiness, and he looked so much younger than his sixty-three years. His glance toward Margaret told Kasie everything she needed to know about their relationship. They were very much in love, and Kasie was happy for her father.

Her eyes flitted to the man with silver hair and shining emerald eyes. There were a lot of things she didn't know about her father, yet. But she was going to learn.

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Chapter Twelve

Rosie was right; a huge congregation of Captains and seamen gathered here for Thanksgiving dinner. People were coming in from miles around with food. Families, big and small, brought food to place on the huge buffet. Some would stop long enough to admire the portraits on the walls of the fathers and ancestors that lined the hallway of the Inn. Others related stories of their latest ocean adventures.

Coats and hats rested on several hall trees by the entrance.

Children laughed and ran about the place as though they owned it, while most of the women joined Rosie and Margaret and Kasie in the kitchen.

Rosie explained that on Thanksgiving the Inn was officially closed except for family and friends, and that included a large scale of seaman and their families.

The men gathered around the huge, plate glass window that overlooked the bay area. Pipes and cigars were lit, while tall tales of the season's fishing were told. Kasie couldn't stop herself from listening to some of them, fascinated by the illustrious way they were told and retold, always adding more detail each time.

The long table was abundantly adorned with all manner of food. Turkeys, hams, brisket, smoked salmon, even lobster and shrimp made up the main courses. There were vegetables of every color, and salads and dips, not to mention the abundance of desserts that lined one long area of the buffet. It was a feast for an army.

The center Captain's table Rosie had held for herself and her special guests, which included John, Margaret and Kasie, and several empty chairs. Rosie had been elected many years ago as the head delegate for this auspicious occasion, and she was in her element, dressed in her red and white dress; she beamed.

"I'm so glad we stayed here, dad," Kasie was saying, as everyone sat down. "After Rosie told me what a festival it was, I had to admit I was excited. There are so many families here, and yet it's a homey place to be for the holidays, don't you think?"

"I most certainly do. I've always enjoyed my holidays here, when I can make it, that is. I just wasn't sure you'd like it. And I'm glad you quit calling me Father and started calling me Dad. I never liked formalities in a family." John winked at Margaret, and reached to hold Kasie's hand. "I'm glad you are here to take part, and that it pleases you."

He studied her hand for a long moment, then winked at Margaret. "A pretty hand, only it needs some jewelry."

"Now, John," Margaret warned.

"I don't think so," Kasie said, with a genuine smile.

Despite everything, she wasn't going to think of Amory today. She wasn't going to wonder whom he'd celebrate with, or whom he'd end up marrying, either. She wasn't going to worry that he might not marry at all, that he might live on that mountain alone for the rest of his life.

"Well now," Rosie said, as she clanged the big ship bell at the end of the table. A hush fell over the room full of people. "First, I think we owe a round of thanks to the Chin's, since most of this feast is, has, and probably always will be prepared by them."

The Chinese family stood up, bowed and smiled broadly at Rosie, who insisted on bragging about them. "Beyond the call of duty, we believe, for any chef. And now I'd like the..."

The big double doors of the Inn burst open suddenly, sending a northerly breeze rushing through the room, and a small crowd of people came through to the tables.

"Sorry, Rosie, are we interrupting?" Chayton Amory asked, bold as daylight itself.

What was he doing here? Kasie's thoughts ran rampant. Could she manage this?

John was on his feet and shaking hands with them. They spoke quietly for several minutes, and then John returned to his place at the table.

Kasie sank down into her seat, but she couldn't stop her eyes from traveling up and down Amory several times. She was hungry for the sight of him. He looked so tired, but he was clean-shaven, and was wearing new clothes. She couldn't stop herself from admiring how well they fit.

"Chayton, me darlin', come here and give Ole Rosie a big bear hug," She chuckled, grabbing him none too gently. He swung her around a few times before he let her go. Rosie's dress swished in the air. "And Tanka, darlin', and Gina, dear. I'm so glad the three of you could make it."

"Gina Reynolds, everyone." Tanka smiled, then held up her hand with a big diamond ring dangling from it. "Soon to be Gina Amory."

"Wonderful! It's about time you devil," someone shouted from the back of the room.

A round of cheers rang out, and glasses clanged. "To the Bride and Groom!"

"And who have we here?" Rosie was looking beyond them to the couple standing shyly in the rear.

"This is Bill and Heather Williams, everyone. They are the couple from the plane crash. I'm not sure they are up to this, but they gotta eat, so I brought them here. They've been to the ER and bandaged up.  They had no serious injuries, thank God.We figured this was the best place to come for food, and they are famished," Amory explained, encouraging the couple to join them at the main table. His mind wasn't on the festivities, or the young couple he had helped rescue, but his eyes betrayed him several times as he drank in Kasie once more. She was lovelier than ever, looking beautiful in her green gingham dress, but then, she was beautiful in anything, he thought quietly.

"Welcome." Rosie beamed, shaking his hand and smiling at Heather. "We're so glad you've come, and that you're not hurt."

"It's wonderful to be here. We have a lot to be thankful for." They were a young couple, and they shyly clung to each other.

"I was going to have Thanksgiving at my place, but we were a little tied up this year," Amory remarked as he joined everyone at the table. He chose a chair just in front of Kasie. His eyes met hers briefly, as he sat down. Kasie tingled down to her toes.

Rosie clanged the bell once more. "Now, as I started to say, we'll have a word of thanks and prayer from the Reverend Johnson, as is our custom. As you can see for yourself, folks, we have much to be thankful for."

Kasie was thankful, too. She had seen the most glorious land in the world, and been a part of it for a short time.

The Reverend finished, and everyone chatted merrily as they gathered about the buffet. Napkins flew in the air, forks clanged, children laughed and everyone chatted.

Amory was busy talking with John and Margaret, and it afforded Kasie a little time to reflect, and to enjoy the sight of him without him knowing it.

Just before Rosie sat down, she reminded everyone to enjoy their meal and eat up. "Don't be bashful, there's a mountain of food here, and I'll be asking Chayton and Tanka to do the carving, please. That is, if you're up to it."

Amory and Tanka moved to the buffet, while everyone else lined up with their platters and utensils.

It was a half hour later before Kasie sat down at the table again, her plate half full of a variety of foods.

She wasn't hungry. How could she be hungry with a thousand butterflies churning at her tummy? In fact, food had been the least of her worries since she arrived at the Inn.

Being in the same room with Chayton Amory and her father could become an ordeal, she suddenly realized with trepidation.

She nibbled at her food, stirring it about her plate to make it look as though she were interested, and eating well.

"Aren't you hungry, dear?" Margaret asked.

"I probably sampled too much while we were cooking."

Margaret seemed to understand completely. "I know. I'm not sure I can do my plate real justice."

At least she had a comrade.

"You boys look none the worse for wear," John Douglas was saying, as he sat his plate in front of him, heaped to the limit. Amory and Tanka joined them at the table.

"We had a hard time finding the plane," Amory began, his eyes going quickly around the table and stopping on Kasie just a little longer than the rest. "The snow was no help, of course, and the plane itself nearly burrowed right into the mountain. Hadn't of been for the blizzard they might not have been so lucky. By the time we reached it, only a small part of it was recognizable. Trouble is, we came around to that same spot a couple of times before we realized what we were seeing. It's still hard for me to believe they came out of that thing with as few injuries as scrapes and bruises. Bill's got a busted arm, and Heather has a couple of busted ribs, but all in all, they are in great shape.They'll need a place to rest after dinner Rosie, think you can fix them up?"

"I'm sure of it."

"Totaled?" John surmised quickly.

Tanka leaned forward. "Completely."

Kasie's glance flew to the young couple. "You were very lucky."

"Yes, I'd say it's a good day to give thanks."

Laughter floated around the room.

"We were all so worried," Margaret added solemnly, her eyes straying to the young woman.

Amory sat up straight and glanced directly at Kasie. "All of you?"

"Of course," John added.

"Sorry about that, it was quite unintentional. But there was no real danger, except for the weather and locating the plane itself. Now even the weather has cleared, which was a real break coming into Eugene. From there it was smooth sailing. Of course, Tanka here is our real hero. He was the first one to spot the plane, and I dare say he's probably in a lot of pain from his fresh wound."

John shot Tanka a concerned look. "Yes, Kasie told us about that bear hunt, and all the crazy, would-be hunters. It must have been a little hairy during that ordeal?"

Amory purposely sought Kasie out, a slow smile spreading over his tired, but happy face. They were sharing a silent moment, and she knew it; a moment with Ole Blue.

Kasie flushed bright pink, wondering if he was on the verge of telling them about Ole Blue. Instead, he kept silent.

Memories of her time with Amory, the bear, and her own adventure filled her mind, all at once. Her first encounter with Amory on the beach, her first kiss in the hotel, the bear, the blisters, and now—the heartache. Tears welled, making it painful to breathe without spilling them. But she couldn't let everyone see her cry. She swallowed hard, and refused any further temptation to look directly at Amory.

Some day she would let it all come out. When she was home alone. When she gave herself time to think, to feel.

"Well now, Chay," John announced, clearing his throat effectively, "Kasie has been rather quiet about her time on the mountain. I thought she'd be full of stories to tell us. Maybe you can fill us in."

Again she could feel Amory's eyes on her, burning into her, demanding she look his way. But she steadfastly refused to look at him again, pretending a sudden interest in her food.