Another Unwelcome Surprise
Balto finally arrived home, feeling worried and confused. Kiska had showed little surprise that wolves had initiated an attack. That meant that tension between the wolves and humans had grown so great that violence didn't surprise even the most pacifist of wolves. This is all so mixed up. Humans on one side, wolves on the other with me in the middle, being drawn deeper and deeper all the time. And then or course there's Kemo, who won't even look at me as his brother. At least I can have some peace in my own home…A loud crash brought him back to reality. Someday, that is.
"Not again, Aleu!" Rush exclaimed.
"It wasn't my fault!" Aleu countered. "Jenner pushed me!"
"Did not!"
"Did too!"
"Not!"
"Too!"
"Stop fighting," Kala interrupted.
"Yeah," Kodi said. "That's what got us in trouble the last time."
"You going to make us?" Jenner countered.
Dingo entered the argument. "There's four of us and two of you."
"Come on, you all," Rush said. "Let's just hope Papa's not home yet."
Balto strolled into the room. "And why's tha…OUCH!" He leapt back.
The pups turned around slowly. "Uh oh…"
Balto looked down. A potted plant had been knocked over and was lying in the doorway, obviously what made the noise and whose thorns had pricked his paw. "Where is your mother when I need her?" he asked rhetorically.
"She went over to Aunt Tricksy's with Aurora and Chipper," Aleu offered helpfully.
Balto was about to say something else when he heard a knock at the door and Rosie call out from another room, "I'll get it!"
Balto cocked his head toward the hallway. I wonder who that could be. There's no way that Ramsey could have gotten here so quick, even if we'd left at the same time.
"Hi Rosie. Remember me?"
Balto closed his eyes. He didn't need to see man's face or hear Rosie's squeals of delight to know that the caller was none other than Russell Lupus. I really don't need this today either.
Hearing Rosie's excitement, the pups started to make a dash for the door only to be stopped by their father. "Slow down, pups. You guys go to the kitchen and stay there. And be more careful."
"But Papa!" Aleu protested. "We want to see who's here. Who is he?"
Balto looked toward the hall. "An old acquaintance. Go on, now. Do as I told you and stay there."
Aleu shrugged dismissively. "Sure," she said, a bit to readily.
"And stay there," he emphasized sternly. "I'll be back in a few minutes."
When Balto entered the hall, he saw Russell Lupus standing in the foyer and holding Rosie. Her parents entered as Balto watched.
"Well I'll be! Russell Lupus!" Rosie's father strode forward to shake his hand. "It's certainly been a while since you were in these parts."
Russ smiled and clasped the proffered hand. "Yes sir. Far too long, if you ask me. Unfortunately I've been tied up in Ontario for two years finishing my doctorate."
Rosie's father raised his eyebrows good-naturedly. "Doctor Lupus, is it?"
The young biologist laughed. "Just Russ, Sir. Titles and honorifics make my skin crawl. Besides, I like to think of you all as family."
Rosie tugged on his coat sleeve. "Are you here about wolves again?"
"I sure am," he said with a smile.
Rosie grew even more excited. "Can I come with you again? Please Mr. Lupus? I had so much fun the last time you took me out to see the wolves!"
"Now, Rosie, I don't think this is quite the time to be pestering Russell with all the questions," her mother admonished. "I'm sure he's quite exhausted."
Russell held the girl out in front of him. "Not Mr. Lupus, just Russ. Your mother is right about the exhausted part, but just between the two of us, I don't see why not. With your parents permission of course. But that's something to talk about when I'm better company." He set her down again and nodded at her parents. "If you'll excuse me, I've got to find out if Mr. Johansson can board my sled team again, and after that I've got to check into Mrs. O'Harney's Bed and Breakfast."
"Nonsense, my boy! You'll stay right here with us," Rosie's father said.
Russ shook his head. "I really couldn't impose on you again. I just wanted to let you know that I was back in town."
"It's no bother at all," Rosie's mom replied, siding with her husband.
Russell looked reluctantly at them. "If you're sure I won't be a burden..."
"Of course you won't, Mr. Lupus," Rosie piped up.
"If that's the case, I suppose I have no choice but to accept your gracious hospitality." Russell Lupus smiled and executed a gentlemanly bow. "However, I certainly won't saddle you with taking care of my team, so I'll return shortly from Mr. Johansson's shop."
"Very well," Rosie's father agreed. "We have another man presently staying here with us, and he will probably have returned by the time you get back. He seems to be quite an intellectual. I'm sure you two could find something in common to talk about."
The implication of what just happened hit Balto like an avalanche. The tension between Ramsey and Lupus had been made quite clear back at the camp, and the wolf-dog's eyes widened at the realization of the storm heading his way. Something in common! If only he knew how close to the mark he hit!
True to his usual timing, James Ramsey arrived ten minutes after Russell Lupus left the house. Dash had given him an odd look, but made no mention of his strange behavior at the camp. As the man sat chatting with Rosie's parents, Balto could do nothing but wait for the
explosion that was going to hit when Russ returned. It was early evening, and Rosie's parents had just finished telling him about their other guest. He was definitely intrigued. "So you say that this fellow is an intellectual?" Ramsey asked.
"He's definitely an independent thinker," Rosie's mother said.
Her husband nodded. "In fact, several of his theories run contrary to popular beliefs."
"Might I inquire as to what those theories are?"
And so it begins, Balto thought grimly. To his relief, a knock at the door interrupted the conversation. It was short-lived, however, as he realized that person at the door was likely Russell Lupus.
"If you'll wait one moment, I'm sure he'll enlighten you himself." Rosie's father said as he rose to answer the door. "Ah, there you are, my boy. Our other guest has arrived as well."
"I'm looking forward to meeting him," Russ said, taking off his parka and gloves. He followed Rosie's father into the livingroom.
Rosie's father addressed a man who was facing away from the doorway. "This is the young man I was talking about. Just got his PhD at the University of Ontario."
Russ strode forward to shake hands with the man who was just turning to face him. Both hesitated in disbelief as their eyes locked. They remained frozen when they recognized each other. Balto closed his eyes in anticipation. Three, two, one…
"YOU!" they exclaimed at the same instant.
