Daire's Resolution by Carmen DeSousa

Author:Carmen DeSousa [DeSousa, Carmen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Written Musings

Although she’d lived in Alaska for eight years, Silvia hadn’t done much but work. When she wasn’t working, she played with Harvey, read, or worked at the shelter with Jean Bedard.

Today, she was letting loose. She gripped her arms tighter around Daire’s waist, loving the feel of the wind as it buffeted her exposed skin. Strands of hair not secured by her helmet whipped at her neck.

Occasionally, whispy tree limbs snagged her shirt but, mostly, Daire was careful where he drove the four-wheeler, taking care to juke left or right to avoid larger limbs. He’d offered that they could take the side-by-side to a busier section by the river. But if she was okay with the four-wheeler, which was a bit bumpier, there was a more private beach accessible by the four-wheeler or horseback. Too far to walk, he’d suggested.

Silvia had opted for the four-wheeler.

They didn’t talk much over the grumbling engine. But that was okay. It allowed her to think about the previous night together—and all she’d confessed. What he’d learned about his past…

She especially appreciated that even though they had wanted to go further once they curled up in bed together, he’d just squeezed her tighter against his chest and whispered encouraging words.

Silvia inhaled the scent of the wooded area. All the snow that had melted gave the Alaska plains a swampy feel. The moist earth, which gave way to newly sprouted leaves, combined to create a rich earthy aroma.

After several miles of riding, the dense foliage opened, offering a fantastic view of the river that ran eighty-five miles from the Talkeetna Mountains to Cook Inlet. And, as always, an unobstructed view of the snow-covered mountain range behind the trees. She never quite got used to the fact that snowcapped mountain ranges always surrounded her no matter where she was in Alaska or what time of the year it was.

Daire parked and shut off the engine a bit back from the river.

Silvia unlatched her helmet. “It’s beautiful.”

Daire reached for the helmet and set it in the utility basket behind her. “Watch your step. It can be a bit mushy in some areas.”

He offered her a hand, then reached for the rifle he’d grabbed from his ready room, swinging the strap over his shoulder, so the gun rested on his back. Next, he reached for the cooler, which held their picnic lunch. He had raced through the kitchen, grabbing snacks, and then made a few peanut butter and grape jelly sandwiches.

“Are there really bears here?” As long as she’d been in Alaska, she’d yet to see one in the wild. Not that she ventured into the wild much, but she’d always expected she might see some in her neighborhood since her street was surrounded on three sides by woods. But she hadn’t yet.

“There’s always a chance. Around here, they’re often referred to as the invisible bears.”

Silvia laughed. “Invisible? Why’s that?”

“Because even though we see all the remnants of them…” He pointed across the river. “See the paths. Most humans don’t go on that side of the river.

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