Cotton Grass Lodge by DeNise Woodbury Page A

to shop between here and there they would.” Carl slumped against the truck looking tired. “They can drive to Anchorage. You can fly. At least we don’t have to box all this stuff and haul it to the post office and mail it.”
    “Oh, please.” Duncan rolled his eyes in disbelief.
    Carl sobered. “You aren’t in Kansas anymore, Dorothy. In Alaska, lots of folks get their groceries by mail.”
    “You’re serious? Really.” Duncan checked his watch again to confirm the time. Daylight had dimmed but not gone away, and his head thought it should be dark. It was just after ten o’clock.
    “Yes,” Carl’s optimism rebounded. “Now, one more stop and my sweet wife has the guest room turned down and dinner waiting. Tomorrow is another day on your journey.”

Chapter 6
    Early the next morning they drove Carl’s heavily loaded truck to the airport at Lake Hood and parked in front of the gate at Charlie’s. From there they could watch the early morning bee hive of activity on the gravel strip. Beyond it, the now open water of Lake Hood’s sea plane base bustled.
    “This is crazy-busy compared to Cotton Grass,” Duncan said.
    “Just wait. It’s early in the season.” Carl yawned and stretched. “You’ll be surprised before long.”
    The truck idled quietly keeping the defroster at work on the damp windshield. “Do you think Hanna will be here today?” Duncan asked as they sat watching another plane take off.
    Carl waited for the noise to abate as the plane passed overhead. “Doubt it, but you never know.” Carl grinned in Duncan’s direction. “Doesn’t sound like idle curiosity.”
    “Of course it is; she’s an interesting woman. I like keeping up with the neighbors.” Duncan was glad Carl couldn’t read minds. Hanna was a very interesting neighbor. “Oh good, there’s Charlie now.” He poked his thumb toward the rear as a faded pick-up turned into the lot and pulled up beside Carl’s truck.
    Charlie acknowledged the two with a nod, got out of the truck, and went to the office door. He let the old husky out before he returned to open the chain link gate into the area in front of the hanger doors.
    Carl drove through the gate. He waited as Charlie rolled a plane out of the hanger then carefully backed as close to the plane as he could.
    Duncan was favoring his bad leg this morning so he felt a kinship with the dog as she ambled in a three-legged shuffle through the still open gate. She greeted each man as they stepped around her. “Git outa the way, damn Dog.” Charlie admonished the animal. He bent down and gently pointed her away from where they walked and she circled back. The men continued stepping over and around the dog as they carried packages, bags, and plastic totes to the plane.
    Duncan bit down on being annoyed. Did all the dogs in his life have to be underfoot? Dog looked up at him with foggy old eyes, and he ran a hand over her head.
    “Now, you’re in trouble,” Charlie said. “She’s in love.” Dog leaned heavily into Duncan’s leg.
    When they finished loading the plane, Charlie’s gravel voice was low and somber, he held his hand out toward Duncan. “Take your nail clippers outta your pocket.”
    “Nail clippers? I—I don’t have any.” Confused, Duncan looked from Carl back to Charlie.
    “Good,” Charlie said. “We might get off the ground. There’s no doubt we’re over gross weight.”
    Carl laughed. “He’s a fast learner, Charlie. Give him a break.”
    “I don’t give anybody a break. You’re both fools.” Charlie squinted up into the gray sky. “Let’s get outta here. Soon as I get back, I got a date.”
    Carl shook hands with both men, and his embrace for Duncan was warm. “Stick to the plan. It’ll be fine.” He then got in his truck and splashed through the pocked parking lot.
    After Duncan and Charlie got into the Cessna 185, Charlie revved the engine up, watching the instruments, and then taxied out onto the gravel strip and took off for