Page 28 of Fire and Rain
Her grandmother chuckled. “I was sixty-five, and I had my children and grandchildren to keep me busy. My time for being married had passed.”
Eden decided to come out with it, knowing her grandmother wouldn’t repeat what she said to anyone. “There’s another Coastie, who’s been helping me since Justin died. He and Justin were best friends. I like spending time with him, and he isverygood-looking. I’m attracted to him, and I think he feels the same way.”
“You know this man well? Is he a good man?”
Eden nodded. “He was like a brother to Justin and spent a lot of time at our house. He went fishing, camping, and hunting with us. He’s been so kind to Maverick and me.”
“Good.” Her grandmother took her hand, her brown eyes warm. “Who can say what is right for another? Life is short, and it does no one good to be lonely. Justin loved you, and I think he would want you to be happy. Honor his memory by living a full and happy life.”
“Being attracted to another man makes me feel guilty, as if I’m betraying Justin.”
Her grandmother patted her arm. “Justin is gone, but you still have life ahead of you. Finding a new man doesn’t mean you’ve forgotten the old. Never turn your back on love, Eden. You’re old enough for a bit of hanky-panky.”
Eden gaped at her grandmother, a devout Russian Orthodox woman.
But her grandmother only chuckled. “I gave birth to nine children. Do you think I don’t know what goes on between men and women?”
Eden laughed. “Of course, you do.”
“Come. It’s getting close to lunch time. We should go.”
“Don’t you want to forage for more greens?”
“You can keep what we found. They’re hard for me to chew.”
They walked slowly back down the trail, Eden savoring every step. She didn’t have much time left with her grandmother, and each moment was precious. They reached Eden’s SUV, and Eden helped her buckle up in the front passenger seat. Then she climbed in and drove to her grandmother’s house.
She shared a bowl of soup with her grandmother, then settled her in her recliner, put a blanket over her, and kissed her cheek. “Rest well, Baba. And thank you.”
Her grandmother squeezed her hand. “I’m proud of you,aa’icagaq.”
“And I’m proud to be your granddaughter.”
By the time Eden reached the front door, her grandmother was asleep.
* * *
June 1
Sean walkedtoward a waiting H-60 with James, Trey, and Zeke Carlson, who’d just transferred in from Air Station Astoria in Warrenton, Oregon.
“That is the helicopter.” Trey was having fun teasing Sean. “It’s a rotary-wing aircraft with a maximum range of four-hundred forty-five nautical miles.”
Sean flipped Trey the bird. “Hey, Trey, what’s this?”
“Listen, man, you’ve been out for a long time. I’m just trying to help in case you’ve forgotten anything.”
James turned to Zeke, a grin on his face. “Don’t listen to Trey. Sean is a top-notch flight mech—one of the best I’ve worked with during my career.”
“Thanks, Spurrier.” Sean chuckled. “I’m blushing.”
“Don’t say that,” Trey teased. “That big head of his will only get bigger.”
They boarded the H-60. Sean put on his helmet and buckled into his seat, which was closest to the door. Pre-flight check. The whir of the rotors. And they lifted off for a training flight to give Zeke the lay of the land.
“What makes flying in Alaska different from anywhere else is the weather,” James told Zeke. “There will be times when you’re flying in zero-zero conditions—total whiteout, no horizon. When the weather’s bad here, it’s the worst kind of bad.”
“Sounds like fun,” Zeke answered.
