Page 20 of Five Alarm Love
“No reason why you can’t.You and your dad are part of the Koyukon village.”Not Hunter’s mom.Aunt Patty had left for the lower forty-eight years ago.No one ever mentioned her, and Lou wasn’t about to step into that topic.“You can spend time learning more about traditions.”
“Still wouldn’t be enough for Dad.”A hard muscle popped in his jaw.
“I’m sorry?”She vaguely remembered his parents divorcing back in grade school.Uncle Keith lived nearby, but she rarely saw him.
“Never mind.”He flicked a piece of grass off the blanket.“Yes, you’re right.I should talk with the elders.Actually, Dad is thinking about putting his name in as an elder when there’s an opening.”
Lou knew changing the subject when she saw it.She also knew that Uncle Keith, while a decent guy, was not a good candidate for local leadership.“Um, that’s great that he wants to be more involved in the tribe,” she managed to say.
“Something like that.”
“Pardon?”
“Just grumbling.”Hunter made a face.“He’s tough to be around.”
“Don’t you live with him?”Maybe it was a difficult situation, the two of them under one roof.
“Temporarily.I’m saving up to get a place outside of town before winter.”
No need to pry.She didn’t need to know about his family drama.Lou had her own fish to fry.“That’ll be nice.”
Inhaling and leaning back on her arms, she lifted her face to the sun and took in the beauty of the world in front of her.Mountains reached high in the distance and lower hills rose closer to the banks.The Yukon River rushed past.A light scent of damp soil and fresh water mixed with the aroma of spruce from the trees behind them.
She struggled to find an easy topic.“Salmon Festival will be in a week.”
“Yeah.Coho’s starting to run.I’m surprised we haven’t gotten more than a few fish so far.”He pointed toward the sealed cooler.
“The coho run hasn’t peaked yet.It’s downstream.Galena is seeing the peak right now.”
“So, we’re early.”Hunter stared at her again.“The Salmon Festival will be fun.I haven’t been in years.”He paused, then said dramatically, “I wantallthe pickled salmon.”
“I prefer smoked.”
“You’re too funny, Louise.”
She pulled her head back.Her comment wasn’t hilarious at all.It was only a comment.He was trying too hard and laughing too loudly.Why?
“Will your dad be at the Salmon Festival?”he asked.
“He and Mom wouldn’t miss the fresh food and catching up with friends.”
“I can catch up with him as well.”He paused.“Sounds like you’ll be there too.”
“Wouldn’t miss it!”
Regardless of her internal crisis, Lou could depend on comfort food and the warmth of community, even if she was shy.If there was one thing that Yukon Valley did well, it was throwing a food-laden gathering.Her mouth watered, eager to taste Auntie Ruth’s salmon patties.Technically, she wasn’t an aunt.Ruth Sampson was Tuli’s grandma, but most younger people called the older women in the villageauntie.No shade on Lou’s parents, but Auntie Ruth cooked the best food in the village.
Hunter tapped her arm with a finger.“You’re a million miles away.Am I boring you?”His confident, swaggering, star-quarterback expression wavered for a split second.He secured the fishing rod in the stand and reclined back on the picnic blanket.
“Er, no.Thinking about the fall events.”Including Calvin and Deirdre’s wedding.
A knot caught in her chest, and she rubbed her sternum while she clamped her mouth shut.
“Being here with me makes you think of festivals?”Well, that statement packed a lot of presumption into it.
Casting around for a safe way to skirt her thoughts, she said, “I think of all the festivals we attended as kids.How many free samples of food we got.”How much fun those festivals were to attend with other people.Another person.A particular person.
Tuli.
