CAN West 04 - When Hope Springs New by Janette Oke Read Free Book Online Page B

“do you know anything about him?”
    “ Who? ”
    “LaMeche. He seems so strange. So ... so ... sullen.” I thought that my choice of word may be a compliment to the man, but I didn’t want to do him an injustice.
    “Louis LaMeche? Not much. His father was French and his mother Indian. His father moved into the area east of here about forty years ago and staked out a claim. He did well as a trapper until an epidemic hit. Both of the parents and all of the children were ill, though LaMeche seemed to make out the best. LeMeche was nine or so at the time. He struck out on his own to find help for his family. He got lost and it took him several days to find his way to a cabin. Even then he stumbled across it accidentally. By the time help got back to his cabin all his family were dead.”
    It was a dreadful story. My original assessment of the man needed altering. No wonder he was withdrawn and—and sullen. What an awful experience for a young boy to endure.
    “What did he do then?” I found myself asking.
    “Some of the local trappers got together and scraped up enough money to send him ‘out.’ Supposedly he had an aunt or someone near Winnipeg. He stayed for a few years, but he didn’t like it, so he ended up coming back. He started the post about ten years ago. Been here ever since.”
    “Who told you all this?” I asked Wynn, wondering if LaMeche himself had shared it.
    “It’s in the files. It’s not marked confidential—still, I don’t think it’s for common knowledge. Just thought that it might help you to understand the man a bit.”
    It certainly did. Now I was ashamed of myself for the way I had felt about Mr. LaMeche.
    Wynn stood to his feet. “We’d better be getting on home,” he stated. “I need to write up the report on Red Fox.”
    I stood too. I didn’t want to return to the village. I disliked even more the thought of returning to the small cabin. I was so thankful that it would soon be spring again and I could enjoy more and more of the outdoors.
    “Thanks for taking me along,” I smiled at Wynn with deep appreciation. “I needed that.”
    Wynn reached out and took my hand.
    “I needed it, too,” he said. “I wish I could include you more often, Elizabeth. You’re great company.”
    “Why, thank you, Sergeant Delaney,” I teased. “Now that spring is here, I’ll see if I can fit you into my crowded calendar again some time.
    Wynn gave me a wink and a smile, and we headed for home.

TEN

    Planting the Seed

    “I think it’s time.”
    I had been waiting for those words from Wynn for ages! When he spoke them now I could hardly refrain from cheering. Instead I smothered my enthusiasm by nearly smothering Wynn.
    He laughed as I hugged him. “If you don’t leave me a little breath!” he gasped, “I won’t be able to help you.”
    Then he hugged me in return before I quickly pulled away and began scurrying around in preparation.
    It was gardening time! That meant the long winter was over. That meant I could again be outside more. That meant our poor diet could be supplemented with fresh vegetables. I could hardly wait!
    “Have you picked a spot?” Wynn asked me.
    “Sort of. It has to be in the open. We have no way to clear trees and, anyway, it seems that it would grow much better out where it could get plenty of sun.”
    Wynn nodded in agreement.
    “There’s that small clearing to the south of the village, but the children use it a lot. Then there is the little meadow to the west. Kip and I go there often. It is pretty, but I’m afraid it might be a little low and wet.”
    Wynn was following every word I spoke.
    “Then there is a large meadow to the east, but the men run their horses in there. The lake has some nice areas around it, but I don’t think the deer and moose would leave it alone.”
    I stopped for a quick breath.
    “So—I have decided that the best spot I’ve seen so far is that little clearing down at the stream. The water forks there and leaves a