Chapter 7
Michaela couldn't help but think that if she'd known what a disturbing task it would be to walk through a literally burnt out area for hours on end she would have considered more carefully her agreement to come. Yet as soon as this thought crossed her mind she dismissed it. Actually, it was good that she hadn't had any idea about what she would encounter; this way she had looked forward to coming instead of dreading it. And who was she kidding anyway? She'd never shied away from any work that had to be done. Sully had explained to her that they needed to look out for bigger spots where the saplings hadn't taken roots because they would need re-planting in fall.
He'd taken her half a mile into the area where the small hills left and right formed something akin a valley that was defined by a narrow trail leading through it. She was to scan the gentle slopes on both sides as far as she could see while he walked along the hilltop on her right, around 400 yards away. He'd given her a pair of binoculars and advised that she was only to leave the trail for some yards when burnt trees didn't allow her a free view to the higher areas.
In a way she was thankful for the distance between them; it gave her space for her to come to terms with her feelings. His light touch had shaken her to the core. When he'd recognized her shock at seeing the damage done to the wood his eyes had shown open concern, and she simply wasn't used to this kind of care because people seemed to take it for granted that she could deal with anything. Of course Sam knew better as did her family. Sometimes it drove her sisters Marjorie, Maureen and Claudette crazy because they knew they'd hurt her but she never showed it. Distancing herself from her emotions had become second nature to her. This way she had survived David's going missing and was able to cope with her father's death. Of course she was paying for that with occasional anxiety attacks and depression but most of the time she was just fine.
Halting in her tracks momentarily Michaela took in a deep breath. She should concentrate on her task. There was no reason to see anything in Sully's concern for her than just kindness. She'd only met him the day before and didn't know the first thing about him. Apart from that he obviously wasn't interested in getting to know her either.
At this last thought she felt herself blush, remembering that she had no right to judge him. After all, she still kept it a secret that she was a physician although being a doctor was what defined her. Shaking her head lightly as if to chase away unwelcome thoughts she eventually resumed her walk. Lifting the binocular to her eyes, she began scanning the ground for saplings again.
Sully was satisfied. Despite the dry winter almost all young trees had taken roots which meant their effort to afforest this area hadn't been in vain. A lot of people had worked very hard to get so far: Cones from ponderosa pine and Douglas fir trees had been collected and it took about two years for them to reach a stage that they could be planted. Not only that; putting the plants into the ground was very time-consuming as well. Fortunately they could still rely on volunteers, but as always after a catastrophe the interest in its aftermath dwindled. Now, nine years later, large areas where the fire had been the hottest, looked still the same: the ground hard and merciless like stone with not one single blade of grass, the trunks dead and not even flies were around.
Sighing, he ran his fingers through his hair. The damage was done; there was no use in dwelling on it. All they could do now was trying to make sure that something like that wouldn't happen again and help the forest to recover.
As he'd done several times before, Sully stopped and turned in order to look where Michaela was. Her red t-shirt was easily to be seen amongst the dull colors around, and like before he instantly spotted her. She was several yards behind him, and he decided to walk faster so he could end his task and join her before she reached West Creek Road which they had to cross.
Yet now that her name had entered his mind his blood began to boil again because he remembered how Daniel had spoken it. It's been as if he'd savored every single letter when he'd used it in their conversation, not to forget the way he'd looked at her…
Determined Sully squared his shoulders; he would make sure that Daniel left her alone. After all, Cloud Dancing had asked him to take care of her so she would feel comfortable, and he would do his brother this favor. He still didn't have a clue why she was here, despite her earlier explanation. Nature was everywhere so she could have easily found it at home. Wanting to be in the mountains sounded like an excuse rather than a good reason. If she really cared about environment pollution she wouldn't take a plane just for fun.
Still having these thoughts on his mind he reached the trail she was using. Changing his plan about going to meet her he chose one of the higher pines growing there and sat down at its foot. Relaxing against the trunk he closed his eyes, trying to get as much rest as he could after a day that had been quite long and demanding for him already.
It didn't take more than fifteen minutes that he heard her approaching. Not moving he watched her turning around the last bend. She hadn't noticed him yet and looked at ease, her thumbs under the straps of her backpack and the binocular lightly swinging around her neck. The weight on her back didn't seem to bother her but he still thought she had brought far too much stuff. However, he didn't want to startle her so he eventually rose to his feet.
Michaela couldn't help but smile when she spotted Sully. She quickly sobered though when she saw his neutral expression that didn't give away anything about his thoughts. Yet not discouraged in the least she reported immediately, "I haven't seen bigger patches where the saplings haven't taken roots. There were only a few here and there that didn't look well."
"That's good," Sully said, "thanks for your help." Gesturing for her binocular he continued, "Ya can give me that now."
"Are we already there?" Michaela wondered.
"Nope." Sully couldn't help but grin, thinking she had obviously no sense for distances at all. They hadn't even made half of the way yet.
Michaela could tell that he was laughing at her and her temper rose. "Well, excuse me when I'm wrong, but I thought you said we would have to check the saplings today."
"We just did," he replied. Seeing her eyes darken with annoyance he hurried to clarify, "From now on I only have to take pictures of some places that we watched over the years after the fire. It's for a students' project at Cloud Dancing's university. It's about documenting the development of the forest's recovery."
Michaela frowned. "Shouldn't the students do it themselves?" she wondered, knowing how strict the rules for a scientific study were.
"Ya can't just send people into this area," Sully retorted somewhat indignantly, "it might look like a harmless trip but in fact it's rather dangerous to move between the dead trees. A light breeze could be enough to make the trunks fall so you gotta be real careful."
Seeing her worried expression at this statement he quickly continued, "I know what I'm doin'.Ya just have to stay behind me."
xxx
Michaela had hoped for a conversation now that they were hiking together but soon she was glad that she didn't have to talk. It was rough country and the constant climbing up a hill and down on the other side began to wear her out. Sully's pace wasn't too fast but steady, and she was thankful for every stop when he took photographs. After an hour she was reduced to just watching her feet so she wouldn't stumble. Dusk began to announce itself by hiding the sun behind a thin veil of clouds that hovered over the horizon, and the temperature began to drop. Sully had just vanished over the crest of the hillock before her when she considered pulling out her jacket from the backpack. This brief moment of inattention was enough for her foot to get caught in a root she'd overlooked. Trying to keep her balance her arms thrashed about, but of course she fell.
A sharp pain in her left wrist made her gasp, and defeated she sat on the ground for a moment before she palpated her arm.
Sully had just been finishing with the last pictures when he heard a sound that could only come from Michaela. He paused for a moment, listening. She didn't call for help so he took his time placing the camera into its case before putting it in his backpack. Only then did he turn back in order to look whether she needed his assistance.
It wasn't so that he didn't care whether she was hurt or not but he had the distinct feeling that she would prefer to compose herself before he saw her. Actually, he had to admit that he'd misjudged her. He could tell that she was the talkative kind but she'd still left him alone. She'd never complained or asked him to slow down despite her struggle to keep up with him. He'd glanced back at her occasionally, and every time when he noticed that she'd fallen behind too far he found a reason to wait for her like checking the map or write something in his notepad. He would never tell her but he found her even more attractive with her face flushed from the exertion and some wisps of hair having escaped the braid that hung over her shoulder.
However, as he saw her on the ground, fumbling with a dazzling white bandage he began to run.
When he reached her he went down on his knees, cocking his head in order to look at her face. She avoided his gaze though, embarrassed about her clumsiness.
"It's only strained," she tried to make light of it as she attempted to apply the bandage.
"Here, let me," he offered without thinking twice.
"Thank you, but I don't need you to wait on me," Michaela rejected, determined not to be a burden to him.
Sully, however, couldn't hide his beginning frustration. This woman sure was stubborn. "There's no shame in lettin' people help you," he set her straight, and for the first time she let her guard down.
"I'm sorry," she said sighing dejectedly, "I just wanted to show you that I could do whatever you could."
From somebody else this statement might have sounded arrogant but Sully understood that from her it was an admission. She didn't want to be better than he was, she wanted to be accepted.
"Why don't ya quit tryin' so hard?" he wondered, locking eyes with her as he waited for her answer.
She held his gaze for a moment. Then she looked away, shrugging almost playfully. "Old habits," she conceded as a shy smile crossed her face.
"Give them up," he suggested, the corners of his mouth lifting as well.
Timidly, she eventually handed him the bandage.
"No worries," Sully assured, "I'm trained in first aid. Ya sure there's nothin' broken?"
"Positive," Michaela replied but he asked her to move her fingers anyway, and only when he was satisfied that this was actually just a case of a strain did he begin to wrap her wrist.
Soon they were on their way again and it was as if this short intimate moment between them had never occurred: Sully was in the lead and Michaela did her best to not fall behind.
