Chapter 4
It was two weeks before Scott Lyndon saw the little girl again. Although the food tray he left for her each night was empty the following morning he had not seen her or the bear anywhere near the camp or in the forest. Further internet searches had still turned up nothing. It was looking more and more like their only avenue was the local sheriff.
"Scott?"
The odd tone in his brother’s voice brought Scott Lyndon out of his desk chair instantly. He rushed out onto the porch to see Steve standing in the middle of the yard, his gaze locked on something in the near distance. There, standing at the edge of the underbrush, was the little girl and the bear. Scott eased down off the porch then stepped toward his brother slowly, his gaze never leaving the pair. "When did she show up?" he asked his brother through barely moving lips.
"I came out of the barn and was coming to the office when I heard the bear growl," Steve informed in a voice that was not much louder than his brother's. "When I looked up they were standing there."
Scott examined the little girl's face and even though he saw fear there, he saw something else too. He smiled at her. "Hello." He heard the bear make a low, growling sound and saw the little girl look at the bear then make a higher pitched throaty sound. The bear seemed to sniff with disgust before it dropped to its haunches.
"Did you see that?" Steve asked in a whisper.
"Yeah. I'd swear she gave it an order."
"Me too."
Moments later the little girl took four decisive steps toward them and held out an open hand.
"I wonder what that means."
"I don't know. Maybe she wants something to eat?"
"Maybe," Scott replied. "Let's see if we can find out." He held out his hand. "Food?" To his surprise she shook her head. "Hmm. Guess not." When she took four more steps toward them and held out her hand again, Scott watched her expression. Even though there was trepidation there he could see question too. Scott frowned in thought then took a chance. "Show me," he told her.
The blonde head swiveled and the little girl pointed up toward the top of the north slope then looked at him again and held out her hand.
"I think she wants our help," Scott told his brother.
"Our help with what?"
"If I knew that I wouldn't be guessing." When the little girl took another step forward and held out her hand again Scott’s decision was made. "I have to find out."
"You're not going alone."
Scott smiled at the little girl. "We will go with you." He saw a small tickle of a smile on her lips before she returned to the bear's side.
In the blue pickup the two men steered it toward the north ridge road. When they got to the edge of the yard Scott looked up and saw the little girl standing in the middle of the road about ten yards up the hill. She pointed toward the mountain peaks.
"I don't believe we're doing this," Steve said and maneuvered the truck along the road as he watched the little girl run up the road in front of them. He kept the truck in low gear and at a low speed to stay far enough behind her so they would not frighten her yet would keep her in sight.
"I wonder where the bear went."
"Dunno," Steve glanced to the brush before he focused on the little girl. "Man, that kid can run," he commented as he eased down on the accelerator a little. "I'm going ten and barely keeping up with her."
It was twenty minutes later when the little girl cut off the road and headed west along the slope. The truck followed, swerving around old stumps and downed trees.
"Damned glad we got a four by four," Steve chuckled as they bounced across a small hill. He frowned then stopped the truck. "Where'd she go?"
Scott scanned the hillside then pointed toward the timberline. "There."
"Damn," Steve muttered as he swung the truck further up the hill. "We've never been up this far. This is open government land." Less than two minutes later the little girl stopped beside a large boulder. "I guess we're here," Steve said as he turned the truck sideways ten yards down the hill and set the brake before shutting it off.
Both men exited the truck and started toward the little girl. When they heard a low throaty growl the pair looked over to see the bear standing less than twelve feet away. They stopped.
"Oh boy," Scott said under his breath then looked from the bear to the little girl and back. He saw her turn her gaze to the bear and heard that same high-pitched sound come from her and he heard the bear sniff then watched it drop to its haunches again. If not for the severity of the situation Scott would have laughed. He looked at the little girl to see her extend her open hand again and he began a slow pace toward her. "Show me," he told her gently. When she pointed behind the boulder Scott finished the trek and stopped beside her to see a silver coyote laying on the ground, its paw stuck in a bear trap. The coyote lifted its head and growled at the man, baring sharp fangs. "Oh boy," he said and backed up a step before he looked at his brother who was still standing where he'd left him halfway down the hill. "We've got a coyote caught in a bear trap up here."
"I’m glad I left the rifle in the truck last night," Steve said and started back for the truck.
"No, wait." Scott frowned as he watched the little girl go to the coyote. She sat down beside it and began stroking its fur. The little girl was in easy reach of the coyote but it only laid its head down and whined. "I think this coyote's another protector."
"Oh?"
"Do you have any leather gloves in the truck?"
"Yep."
"Bring me a pair."
"You're gonna try to get a wild coyote out of a bear trap? You're nuts!"
"Probably. But this little girl is sitting here petting the coyote and he's not objecting."
"He might not object to her but you can be damned sure he'll object to you."
Scott looked down at the little girl's face and saw pleading there. "Get me the gloves Steve."
"Alright. But I'm going to keep the rifle handy." He pulled the gloves and the rifle out of the truck and started back up the hill. Even before he was halfway to the boulder the black bear let out a fierce growl and rose up on its back paws, its gaze focused on Steve Lyndon.
"Uh, maybe you'd better leave that rifle in the truck."
"Not with a wild coyote up there I won't."
Scott looked from the bear to the little girl and back. "Steve, put the rifle in the truck and bring me the gloves. Then you can go back to the truck and watch from there."
"That coyote will tear you apart."
"Just bring me the damned gloves," Scott snapped coarsely.
Steve sighed disgustedly then went back to the truck and laid the rifle on the seat before he started back up the hill with the gloves in his hand. To his surprise the bear dropped back to all fours and sank to its haunches. He reached his brother and handed him the gloves as he looked down at the coyote and the little girl's upturned face. He saw nothing but pleading there and knew why his brother had insisted on the gloves. Steve did not think anyone would have been able to resist those beautiful blue eyes.
Scott pulled on the thick leather logging gloves and tightened the wrist straps. "Here goes nothing," he said under his breath and moved to the other side of the coyote. When it lifted its head and barred its fangs, emitting a throaty growl, Scott heard the little girl release a higher pitched growl and the coyote closed its mouth and dropped its head back to the ground and whined. He gave his brother a wide eyed glance before crossing mental fingers. Scott recalled that dogs liked to be scratched behind the ears and he touched the coyote's ear and scratched it gently as he said in a soft voice, "It's alright boy." When the coyote whined again Scott lowered his hand and let the animal sniff the glove. When it lowered its head again he glanced at the little girl then laid his fingers in the jaws of the bear trap and forced it apart far enough for the coyote to pull its paw out. "Get me a stick to put in this thing," he told his brother.
Steve grabbed a short piece of a broken limb he found nearby and stuffed it into the t
rap.
Scott pulled his fingers out of the jammed trap then picked the metal object up and dangled it by the chain. "Why don't you put this in the truck." He handed the trap to Steve then looked down at the little girl and the coyote. Its paw was mangled where the trap had latched onto it and most likely where the coyote had been chewing at it to try to get free. When the little girl looked up pleadingly then looked down at the coyote Scott knew what he had to do. He took a deep breath then after giving the coyote another ear scratch, slid his arms under the wild animal and lifted him. Other than a whimpering whine Scott heard nothing from the animal. He looked down at the little girl to see her get to her feet and look up at him questioningly. He smiled and wondered if she would understand. "I'm going to take him down to the camp and bandage his paw." He saw the little girl look at the coyote before she lifted her hand and stroked its fur. Scott thought most of the questioning expression had diminished. He stepped around the boulder then looked back at her and smiled again. "Want to come with me?" A light flickered to life in the blue eyes before she stepped over to him.
Together the pair came down the hill toward the truck.
"What the hell are you doing?"
"Helping a friend," Scott said and looked down at the little girl who was keeping pace with him. "We'll ride in back," he told his brother. He heard Steve's disgusted sigh before the older Lyndon went to the back of the truck and dropped the steel tailgate. "I think you're nuts," he grumbled before he stepped up to the driver's door.
"You’ve thought that for years.” Scott stopped at the back of the truck then, sitting down on the tailgate, turned and raised to his knees then crawled toward the back of the bed. He looked at the little girl who was standing at the back of the truck watching him and he smiled and nodded at her. "It's ok," he said in the same gentle voice. "You can come too." To Scott's surprise, she climbed into the bed of the truck and came toward him. She sat down beside him and instantly began petting the coyote. "Let's go Steve," he told his brother, his gaze still on the little girl. "And take it easy."
When the truck started up Scott saw the little girl's eyes widen with fear and she leaped to her feet.
"Wait," Scott said gently. To his relief, she stopped and looked at him. He smiled. "It's ok." He kept the smile on his face then breathed a sigh of relief when she sat down at his side again. He smiled as she stroked the coyote's head and Scott saw a tiny bit of a smile touch the corners of her mouth. As the truck eased into the turn that would take them back down the hill, Scott looked up to see the black bear come a few steps then stop. "I think your other friend wants to come with us," he commented and wondered if the girl would understand. When she lifted her gaze and looked at him then looked at the bear he realized she did. When she looked up at him with that questioning blue gaze he smiled. "It's ok," he said gently and nodded. "He can come too." To his surprise the little girl looked at the bear and emitted a gurgling cry that sounded a great deal like a bear cub's call. Instantly the bear lumbered toward them at a trot.
"What was that?" Steve asked through the open back window.
"She was talking to the bear."
"Oh."
All during the trip down the side of the mountainous slope Scott kept moving his gaze from the coyote to the little girl to the bear, the latter keeping a steady pace behind the truck. The coyote was docile and this shocked Scott. He was sure it was because the little girl was there. Whatever bond held these three together was a strong one, and an old one.
As they neared the yard Scott turned his thoughts on how they could help the coyote. "Steve?"
"Yeah?"
"Do we still have that canine medical kit the vet gave us for Shep?"
"Yeah. I saw it in the office closet a few weeks ago."
"When we get back to camp, park the truck over by the garbage drums. I'll stay in the truck with them and you go get that med kit."
"Ok."
Scott smiled at the little girl's questioning eyes. "It's ok. We're going to fix your friend's paw."
The little girl looked at the coyote and gave a little sigh as she continued to stroke its fur.
As the truck eased to a stop in the yard Scott looked at the little girl then told his brother, "Bring me that old blanket we've got in the back room too."
"Ok," Steve called as he turned the truck off and got out.
Scott saw the little girl look around and he looked past her to see the bear come into view and stop twenty feet from the back of the truck. It dropped to its haunches and sat there watching them.
"What the hell?!"
Scott looked up to see Doug Burnett, the shed foreman, come out of the barn. He heard the instant growl from the bear and saw the little girl's face fill with fear as they both looked at the newcomer. "Doug, go back in the barn and stay there."
"You got it boss," came the instant response before the man spun on his heel and disappeared into the large shed the firm used to ready wood for the mills.
"It's ok," Scott told the little girl and saw her expression melt back to one of concern for the coyote. Moments later Steve came out of the office with the blanket and a white box.
"Where do you want them?"
"Lay the blanket in front of me. I'll put the coyote on it then turn him around with the blanket."
Steve approached the side of the truck carefully then reached over and laid the blanket on the bed in front of his brother. "Do you think you should clean that wound out first?"
"Normally yes. But all we have is either water or peroxide, both of which would sting. Besides, he's been licking it so it's rather clean."
Scott laid the coyote down carefully then taking special care not to make any sudden moves he eased the blanket around so he could reach the injured paw easily. He smiled at the little girl's questioning gaze then took the med kit from his brother.
Steve perched his arms on the fender and watched, keeping a sideways eye on the nearby bear.
After opening the kit, Scott displayed the contents of the box to the little girl in hopes of assuring her of what he was going to do then laid it on the bed of the truck and removed a large tube of antiseptic salve. He opened the cap, squeezed a glob of it onto his finger and gently covered the animal's wounds with it. He added more salve to the wounds, taking special care as he lifted the injured paw and adhered salve to the underside. He recapped the tube and put it back in the box then brought out a large roll of gauze and gently wrapped it around and around the paw. He taped the end of the gauze in place then looked down at his handiwork as he returned the roll to the box. He gave the docile coyote an ear scratch then smiled at the little girl who was stroking the animal's head as he closed the med kit and handed it back to his brother. "Why don't you bring me a pan with fresh water in it. We don't know how long this fella has been in that trap and it might be a good idea to offer him some water."
"Ok," Steve said and returned to the office in the same slow pace he had used before. He was back a minute later with a basin of fresh water. "Where do you want it?"
"I think I'll move him over by the garbage drums. She's familiar with that area and might consider it safer than any place else here." He glanced at his brother. "I'll pick him up and you move the blanket."
"Ok."
Scott turned his attention to the little girl and smiled. "I'm going to move your friend where he'll be more comfortable so he can rest for a little while." He was sure she did not understand but hoped she might have understood part of it. Slowly he scooted toward the back of the truck easing the blanket with him before he slid to the ground. He saw the girl's questioning expression as she looked from the coyote to him and he smiled and nodded. "It's ok. Come on." He smiled when she got to her feet and came toward him and he stepped aside instead of offering to help her to the ground. He admired her agility as she simply jumped to the ground, landing on her feet. Gently, Scott eased his hands under the still docile coyote and lifted him. When the animal whined softly Scott said, “Its ok fella. You'll be alright
.” To his brother, “Get the blanket,” as he eased the coyote into his arms. He followed his brother, glancing over his shoulder to make sure the little girl was following him. Behind the large drums, Scott laid the coyote on the blanket, gave him another ear scratch then took the water Steve handed over and laid it on the ground within easy reach of the coyote. To their surprise the animal lifted its head and after sniffing the water, drank from it thirstily.
"I guess you were right.”
Scott looked down at the little girl and gave her a warm smile then watched her sink down beside the coyote and stroke its fur before she wrapped her arms around the animal’s neck and laid her head on its shoulders. The coyote didn't seem to even notice she was there and laid its head down on its good paw and closed its eyes. Scott heard a low growl and looked over to see the bear watching them from a few feet away. "I think we should go in the office so the three of them can be together."
"I'll move the truck later.”
After another smile at the little girl Scott turned and followed his brother toward the cabin. When he got to the porch he looked back and saw the bear lumber over to the pair and drop down on the other side of the little girl. Scott would have given his eye teeth if he'd have had film in his camera and made a mental note to get some next time they were in town. He turned and went into the office leaving the trio alone.
"That was an experience and a half," Steve said when his brother sank into a desk chair.
"Tell me about it." Scott off the leather gloves. "I never thought logging would include fixing coyote paws."
"You did a good job but I still think you were nuts to do that."
"You're probably right. But she needed our help and we took a huge step with her today."
"That we did. I wonder where it'll get us."
It was three hours later when Scott looked out the window toward the garbage drums to see the blanket empty. "I see our company left," he told his brother who was on the phone with a local lumber mill. Scott went outside, checked the area, then walked slowly toward the barrels, keeping his eyes and ears open. He heard nothing unusual and when he reached the drums, he saw nothing unusual. They were gone. He picked up the basin and blanket and returned to the cabin. He dumped out the water then laid the pan under the porch. After shaking out the blanket Scott draped it over the bannister before returning to the office. "You want me to move the truck?"
Steve nodded then turned back to his phone call.
Scott wheeled the four by four into its usual parking spot in an open-doored shed near the barn. After returning the rifle to the office closet Scott looked out over the north slope and wondered where the little blonde haired girl was. He said a prayer for her then went back inside.
Each night for the next three weeks Scott left food for the child and each morning the food was gone. Although he never saw her or her friends he told himself she was eating well and that was all that mattered. Often times, at night, he would awaken to the howl of a coyote and Scott wondered if it was the silver coyote and if the little girl was nearby.