Pathways (9780307822208) by Lisa T. Bergren Read Free Book Online Page A

knew that every three months Eli flew in a new propane tank for him from Talkeetna, removing the old one and taking it to town to refill. In the winter, he had an extra on hand in case Eli couldn’t get into the high mountain valley. And today, like a counterattack against the gray afternoon, three lamps burned brightly.
    The baby bears were in a pen in one corner. The coal-colored creatures were small and their coats thin. “Logging operation must’ve driven the mother away,” Ben explained, picking one up. The cub wrapped his thick arms around Ben’s, and nuzzled toward his chest as if wanting to nurse. “I’m feeding them round the clock.”
    “With bottles?” Peter asked, reaching to pet the thick fur.
    “Yep.”
    “How’re the two that you told us about before?”
    “Macbeth is doing well. She’s established her own territory. Hamlet is still a troublemaker, rummaging for food in the garbage. Birdfeeders are his favorite.”
    “What will happen to him?” Bryn asked.
    “We’re going to capture him next week and move him deeper into the wilderness. Hopefully so far that he won’t find his way out. Want to hold her?”
    “Yes.” She accepted the tiny bear and stroked her black fur. “Ouch! Those claws are sharp!”
    “Here,” Ben said. “Let me get you her bottle. That’ll keep her busy.”
    “What’s her name?” Peter asked.
    “Don’t know yet. Livin’ with them for a while before I christen them. Got to get to know their personalities. What can I get you two nonbear types? Coffee? Tea?”
    They each accepted a cup of tea, and Ben went to the stove to pour steaming water—the pot was always on at his house—into mismatched mugs and added Lipton bags. “Tell me,” he said from the kitchen. “What brings you Californians to Summit this year?”
    “I think the question should be, ‘What takes us away from Summit the other years,’ ” Peter said with a laugh. “But getting my wife up here has been a problem.” His face sobered. Bryn could see that Ben’s easy way was working its magic on her dad. “It seems I can’t talk her up here, no matter how much I try,” Peter continued.
    “This country’s not for everyone. And should only be for those who love her.” He glanced at Bryn and then moved to scoop up the second bear cub. “This little girl isn’t faring as well as her sister.” The baby barely moved in his arms and only reluctantly accepted the bottle of formula. “Sometimes,” he said, settling into a torn leather chair with the cub, “you can give a bear everything it could possibly need, but something still isn’t right. Guess there’s no real substitute for a mother, but a body can try.” He looked up then, again at Bryn.“Heard some hammers swinging down your way,” he said, changing the subject.
    “Yes,” Peter said proudly. “Bryn and I are working on a small front porch. Someplace to escape the rain without having to be inside.”
    “I think we should cover it in mosquito netting,” Bryn said, waving around her head at yet another bloodsucking insect. They were the worst thing about Alaska.
    “That would be nice,” Ben agreed. “I might consider that myself someday. Business good, Peter?”
    “As always.” Peter sighed and Bryn glanced at him. He was one of Orange County’s top businessmen, working in banking, primarily acquiring smaller, local banks for the larger, national ones. “But sometimes I get so tired I think about chucking it all and coming here full time.”
    “What keeps you back?”
    “A kid in college and a wife used to Newport.”
    “Dad, I thought you loved your work.”
    “Sometimes. More and more, no.”
    Bryn’s eyebrows lifted in surprise. “I could get a job, Dad. You know I’ve offered—”
    “No, no. Nell would never hear of it. I won’t hear of it. It’s enough of a job to keep up that grade-point. After you’re done with premed, I’ll let you foot the bill. That’s what I’m waiting for. Then I’ll look