Janet stood very still and bug-eyed. How could this be? It was the first fall. How was it possible for an avalanche to hit the valley that quickly? There wasn't even enough snow yet!
Eddie ran a hand over his bristled jaw, a gesture Janet learned was a sign of frustration or impatience. "So what now? What does this mean?" he was asking Ikey.
Ikey stuck his lower lip out in a pout and shrugged, "Beats me. They're working on it right now but the pass is blocked. It was more a landslide than an avalanche. But we did get a good amount of snow last night so people are just calling it an avalanche."
"Wait a minute," Janet said holding up her hand, "It's a landslide? That's totally different! Landslides are an even bigger mess than avalanches," she said dropping helplessly into a chair and throwing her hands up in exasperation.
Eddie frowned, "How do you figure that? Mud can't solidify in the cold. Ice can. That makes snow tougher to deal with especially in temperatures that are dropping." He turned to Ikey, "Do they need more men on it? The crew can help out if they have to."
Ikey held up a hand, "Already thought of it. I spoke to Buck Wilson. He said he's got twenty five men working on it as of 9 am this morning. Said he'll inform you if they need more hands on deck."
Eddie glanced over his shoulder at Janet, "Well make sure he does that. We want the situation over and done with as soon as possible. Miss Meadows has to be getting home to her life in Portland."
A sharp enough jab, and Janet felt it right at her centre. She tried to ignore the derisive tone Eddie took. What was his problem anyway? She thought she'd be doing him a favour by letting him off the hook for that kiss. If he had second thoughts about last night, he sure didn't let a trace of it show this morning.
"What? You're leaving?" Ikey leaned over to one side to look at Janet. His eyes looked like those of a puppy swatted on the nose with a rolled up newspaper.
"Uh, yeah. I think it's time I get back to Portland. I mean I've already been here for weeks."
"But you can't leave!"
"I know that now."
"No I mean you can't leave because tonight's the first night of the Navajo Night Chant Festival. Didn't Eddie tell you?" He ask pointing at Eddie.
"No," Janet slowly shook her head.
"Oh," realisation dawned on Ikey, "That's because he tries to get away from it every year. Last year he went up to Great Blue Hill to get away from it," Ikey smirked at his friend's predictability, "Where are you going this year?"
"Nowhere," Eddie grunted and slammed the cabin door to keep the icy draft out.
It was on the tip of her tongue to mention his plans to go to Cooper's Pond but Janet refrained. She was in the doghouse with him as it was.
"So you see? You gotta stay Janet. That's the only way he'll be forced to come. And his buddy Roundtree is the chief of the Navajo tribe up here."
"Eddie doesn't have to do anything if he doesn't want to," Janet said slicing a glance at Eddie.
"Nor will he," Eddie chimed in looking out the window.
Ikey looked from Janet to Eddie, "Aw c'mon! Don't tell me you two had a fight. You're not even dating yet!"
Despite the cold, Janet's cheeks flushed and she couldn't tell much of Eddie's reaction other than the awkward shuffle of his feet, "Ikey, you've been the bearer of bad news since you got here. If you're done, we should head out. The guys have probably started prepping Big Red already."
"Big Red?" Janet asked despite herself.
"It's this redwood Eddie's had his eye on for a while. We were sure we'd need every man on it when it was ready and today's the day we take her down," Ikey explained while Eddie skirted around him to grab his windbreaker from the hook.
"Oh I see," Janet said quietly. She hated how she and Eddie were about to leave things. And if Ikey hadn't been standing right there she'd probably suggest sorting it out before he left. But Eddie, stubborn as an ox, wouldn't so much as look in her direction. Janet raised a brow. Fine. If that's the way he wanted to play it, so be it. "Hey Ikey, I'd be keen to go to the festival tonight… if you don't mind," she smiled at him.
"Really? That's great!" Ikey said and ignored the dirty look he got from Eddie. "It gets pretty cold in spite of the bonfires so I'd bundle up nice and tight if I were you. I'll come pick you up after work. I'll shower and be here by 6:30. Sound good?"
"Great," she plastered a smile on her face, "Sounds perfect."
The drumming could be heard a good half mile away from the festivities as Ikey, Eddie and Janet marched toward the sounds. True to his word, Ikey was at the cabin at 6:30 sharp. Eddie came back earlier so he could shower.
The cabin was quiet when he got home but a cacophony of delicious aromas assaulted his senses. He followed them to the kitchen and found the juiciest pot roast on the stove along with ham mac n cheese and roasted potatoes with chives. His mouth watered despite his current situation with his house guest. But man, the woman could cook! When Janet came back into the cabin her face was flushed from the cold outside and she pulled off her glove with her teeth. She looked at him expectantly. He glanced at the pot roast and then mumbled a thank you for getting dinner on the table.
Now as they trudged through the trees Eddie couldn't help but smirk at the turn of events. A festival he managed to dodge for the last five years had suddenly become all he could think about all day as they felled Big Red. The only difference this time was the company. And even then she was being escorted by his best friend. If that don't beat all…
Eddie took the opportunity of silence that passed between them to remind himself that he was only tagging along to meet Roundtree and tell him that he was no closer to finding a wife than he was four weeks ago when he'd last met him.
"So do they have any festivals up in Portland?" Ikey broke the silence and looked at Janet.
"They do, but nothing like this. Portland is city scene oriented. So the best we got are music festivals, food and wine tasting festivals…"
"Food? Sign me up!" Ikey chimed in and Janet giggled. Eddie rolled his eyes.
"Well yeah. Loads of food fests. They're so many you kinda get sick of it after a while. As a chef I was to attend every one, every year for four years."
"That must have been awful," Ikey said.
"Yeah it…" Janet realised he was teasing her and she swatted his arm playfully, "It wasn't that bad. I made loads of contacts and in fact one of them is responsible for securing the job I have waiting for me when I get home."
"You've got a job secured?" Ikey asked in awe, "So you're like Chef Ramsay or something huh?"
Janet chuckled, "Nothing quite that high-profiled I'm afraid. He's leagues better than I am."
"Aw don't be so hard on yourself. You're a great chef!"
Janet frowned smiling, "When have you ever tasted my food?"
"Never. But Eddie's been raving about those eggs all day at work. Bonehead had us all drooling."
Janet stole a glance Eddie's way but he kept his head tucked and refused to interject. "He did, huh?"
"Which reminds me; you promised to cook for us. Can we come by for breakfast from now on?" Ikey went on.
Janet shrugged, "If it's cool with Eddie it's cool with me. I love to cook."
They both looked at Eddie expectantly, "Well?"
Eddie looked up at them for the first time, "Well what?" He looked between them and rolled his eyes, "Whatever. Mi casa es su casa, I guess."
Ikey shot Janet a triumphant look. Whether it was because he got his way, or because he finally got Eddie to talk, surly as he was, Janet wasn't sure. She hated that Eddie was giving her the cold shoulder. And the second she got him alone she'd tell him just that.
"Though I wouldn't get too used to it. Janet's not planning on sticking around very long," Eddie added. He bent down and picked up a slender tree branch. It looked more like a twig in comparison with his size.
Janet ignored his sarcasm, determined to have a good time tonight, "So what'll it be for tomorrow Ikey? Potato Flapjacks? Bacon and eggs? Sausages?"
"Yes. To all of the above," Ikey said matter-of-factly and Janet laughed. She noticed Eddie picking up pace enough to walk a few strides ahead of them.
"I like a man who can eat," Janet commented.
"Yeah?" Ikey asked not noticing Eddie's retreat, "Well you would have loved my Uncle Earle. The man ate so much my Aunt Mae had to strap a feedbag to him for his meals."
Janet laughed and the sound resonated between the trees, "Well maybe not that extreme. But I love to cook. So I'd hate for it to be in a house with poor eaters."
"Well Miss Meadows you don't have to worry about that. You'll be feeding six full-grown lumberjacks. The chance of leftovers will be slim."
"Glad to hear it," Janet said, silently racking her brain to think of something that would inspire Eddie to chime in. Seemed like all he wanted to talk about was her leaving, "Hey listen I wanted to thank you for the job you did on my arm. It was cinched up so well, all the bones are aligned just right."
Eddie cleared his throat just as Ikey shot the back of his head a glance, "Uh, I wish I could take credit for that, but credit where credit is due – Eddie did your arm and I bound your leg to the splint."
Janet looked at Eddie who continued his trek and felt foolish. Why didn't he correct her when she talked about it earlier? "Oh. Well, thanks Eddie. You did an amazing job," she offered.
"Nothing to it," he replied.
"You two still haven't worked out your differences since this morning, huh buddy?" Ikey pried catching up with Eddie.
"Don't know what you're talking about. There's the festival up ahead," Eddie said before Ikey had a chance to clarify.
Janet gasped and chanced a couple of quick strides in that direction, "Look at how colourful everything is! Oh! It's so beautiful," she clasped her hands together and followed the men the last few feet of the way.
"Hey there's Owen! I'm gonna go say hi," Ikey said and jogged off in Owen Rowan's direction, leaving Janet alone with Eddie.
"Everything looks so festive," she offered inanely.
"I guess," Eddie replied and then kicked himself for acting childish, "It's not really my thing so I've never been here before."
"Never? Really?"
"Really," he responded and tucked his frozen fingers into his pockets. He noticed a few of the tribe members pulling tarps over the paper lantern areas and the food stands, "Guess they weren't expecting snow this early," he said gesturing to the tarps.
"No I guess not," she said quietly.
He stole a glance in her direction and found her watching him. His eyes skittered away, "Ahem. I hope Ikey's demands are not too much for you to take on. You're just starting to get better."
"No way. I love it. I love cooking. It's part of me," she replied with a wistful smile, "When I was twelve, my mom would let me cook simple things for dinner and my dad always raved about it and told me that I found my calling early in life. I guess I'll find out soon enough if he was right or not. I just love doing it."
"He was right. Your dad," Eddie offered without looking at her.
For some reason, she felt her insides warm up though the temperature was close to zero. His compliment pleased her more than she cared to acknowledge and that bothered her.
Seriously, get a grip.
"Thanks," she said just as they spotted a huge man making his way through the crowd headed in their direction. Janet felt Eddie shift from foot to foot before the man stopped in front of them. He donned his costume that looked quite elaborate and he had paint on his face.
"Latekka," the man said in a strong stern voice, but his eyes held a light of fondness in them. The sheer size of the man terrified Janet. She looked like a half-pint standing among these human trees. He wasn't as lean as Eddie was, but was equally tall and strong, she was certain.
"Joe," Eddie nodded towards the man, apparently forgetting that she existed.
"It must be my lucky year. What have we done to deserve the honour of your presence with us tonight?" this man called 'Joe' was saying.
"I needed to talk to you," Eddie replied stuffing his hands in his pockets further.
"Ah, of course," Joe winked, and as if noticing her for the first time he looked at her and smiled, "Who might you be, Miss?"
"This is Janet Meadows," Eddie answered for her, nudging her forward to greet the giant.
"Well. Boozhoo, Janet Meadows," his eyes were kind but Janet thought it be best to maintain a safe distance.
"How" she replied holding up her right hand palm forward. Eddie bit his lip to keep from grinning.
A deep guttural laughter rumbled out of Joe and he held his belly as he did, "I like you. I like her," he looked at Eddie, "I'm Roundtree, but my friends call me Joe."
"How do you do Mr Roundtree? I mean, Joe?" Janet asked timidly.
"Very well. I trust the festivities will begin soon so if you don't mind, I'm going to take Eddie with me to my office before it does." He nodded at Eddie and cast a smile Janet's way.
Janet smiled timidly and Eddie leaned in close enough for his breath to tickle her ear as he spoke, "He likes you. It took me four years to win the rights to call him Joe."
Janet felt that warmth wash over her insides again. And something told her it had nothing to do with her rights to call Joe by his first name.
She searched the crowd and her eyes fell on Nick and Hannah, who now cradled a baby against her. She waved to them and they waved her over.
Eddie walked alongside Joe in silence for a few minutes until Joe broke the silence, "You did well Edward. She's a hoot," he chuckled in remembrance, "Forget I said anything about a mail order bride. You obviously couldn't do much better than her."
Eddie frowned at the insinuation, "You got all that from 'How'? You don't even know her beyond her name."
"Her spirit Latekka. She has a good spirit about her. And dare I say she seems to be smitten with you. Tell me I'm wrong."
"You're wrong, Joe," Eddie said heavy-heartedly. What he wouldn't give to tell Joe he was right about Janet. "That's the woman Ikey and I rescued a few weeks ago. She's only just started to recover. Today's the first day she's been out of the house. Which is why I should get back to her. I needed to tell you that we need to find a way around this marriage clause."
"We've been here before. I already told you. You forfeit the land if you do not marry. It's as simple as that," Joe had an edge of impatience in his voice, "I don't understand why you're fighting this so strongly. Most men want a wife, even children. You don't seem to care if you ever get married."
"It's not that, it's just… well my situation has changed a little," Eddie replied.
"Explain yourself," Roundtree demanded.
"Well I thought… I mean I got the sense that things were headed in one direction with Janet. But it turns out that's a dead end. She has no intention of staying here a day longer once the pass clears."
"So convince her to stay," Joe replied simply.
Did he really think it was that easy? Eddie wondered if Joe knew the first thing when it came to women, but in favour of his better judgement, kept the comment to himself.
"You need to woo her," Joe went on.
"Woo her?" Eddie repeated.
"Yes. Convince her that life with you will be more than any other life she has planned. Romance her if you have to."
"You don't understand. It's not that simple. She has a life up in Maine. She has a career she loves. I can't ask her to give all that up. Especially since I've only known her for four weeks."
"I don't care!" Joe thundered, "We have a deal, Latekka. Either you marry or you start packing up your things and get ready to be out the day after your birthday. By my count, you have eight weeks to make that choice. Woo her, don't woo her, it's all the same to me. Though for your sake I wish you'd make the right choice."
Eddie tucked his head dejectedly, "It's not that I'm not attracted to her. But let's face it, I can't offer her the life the city can. There's more of a draw there than to live in the woods with some mountain man."
"Maybe if you spent more time talking to her about this rather than coming up with excuses for her you wouldn't have this problem," Joe observed.
Just then, the shofar sounded and the site fell silent.
"That's my cue. Bring Janet to my table and eat with me at dinner," were Roundtree's parting words before he made his way up to the bonfire.
Eddie searched the crowd for Janet and spotted her sitting with Ikey, Nick and Hannah and began navigating his way to her.
What if Roundtree was right? What if it was as simple as talking to her about the contract?