Wicked Good Time by Diana Tremain Braund

Author:Diana Tremain Braund [Braund, Diana Tremain]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, pdf
Tags: ! Yes
ISBN: 9781594930317
Publisher: Bella Books
Published: 2005-04-15T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Miki wanted to ignore the ringing telephone, but it kept pulling her away from a warm and fuzzy dream. She wanted to hold on to the dream, not let it escape. She was groggy when she answered, but sat up in bed when she heard Christina's voice. "Is something wrong?"

"No." Christina's laugh was warm, comforting. Miki frowned; it reminded her of her illusive dream. "I should have realized you'd switch to your cop mode. No, nothing is wrong, and I'm sorry I woke you. I was going to invite you to go cross-country skiing with me. I thought it might be nice to look at the property together. Ski down to the lake. Maybe talk about some ways to resolve this public access dilemma."

Miki agreed, and one hour later she pulled into Christina's driveway. The woman was standing next to the shed, her skis rest¬ing casually against her shoulder.

Miki reached into the bed of the truck and pulled out her skis, swung them over her shoulder and said, "Happy New Year."

"And Happy New Year to you. You're prompt." Christina picked up her knapsack. She started to put her arms through the straps.

"Why don't you let me carry that." Miki reached for the bag.

"I'm puny, Ranger, but not that puny."

Miki blushed. "I didn't mean that." She stopped and scratched her head. "I..."

"And I'm teasing you." Christina's face was open, her eyes mid¬night black in the afternoon sun. "Here, you can carry it."

They strapped on their skis and were companionably quiet as they followed the trail.

"How long have you been with the ranger service?"

"More than a decade. After I graduated from college, I attended classes at the academy in Waterville. When I graduated I was assigned to the Jackman region, and I've been there ever since."

"Do you like being a ranger?"

Miki concentrated on the swishing sound of their skis as she thought about Christina's question. "Most of the time."

"What don't you like?"

"Not winning."

"And you feel you're not winning here?"

"Something like that." Miki slowed down. Christina stopped just ahead of her. "You don't like questions."

"I'm frustrated." Miki said quietly.

"You need to split some wood." Christina teased.

"You're right." Miki grinned. She started moving again, com¬forted by the rhythm of the skis. Christina stayed even with her as they skied down Bang's Hill.

Chandler Lake lay in the distance. Miki looked for ice fisher¬men, but the lake looked deserted. She was glad because she would have been reluctant to intercede if Christina was in a mood to throw people off the lake. She wanted to find a compromise, and forcibly removing someone from the ice would only make the locals more entrenched.

Christina stopped near some birch trees, their limbs bare of leaves, and their tall trunks as white as the snow around them. "I used to come here with my grandfather," she said quietly. "It never changes."

Miki took in the panoramic view. The lake was so large, you couldn't see to the other side. What now was covered with ice was a military blue in the summer.

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