Timberline Trail by Loren Lockner Page B

say it’s too hard to spell and say ptarmigan.”
    “It looks like you’ve been mighty busy. So how much longer do you plan to stay up here?” The question sounded idle but Jon narrowed his eyes at Steve before answering.
    “I’m hoping to remain in the area for another couple weeks or so before the snow flies, but may have to cut it short. I’m actually hoping this is a premature storm so Ben can make it up here and take a look at some of the shots I’ve set up. I’ve constructed a hide near the lake where I can watch moose, fox, and deer come to drink, and will allow him to acclimate himself to the region. Ben is amazing with words and has that uncanny ability of enabling you to feel you’re in the wild right alongside the animals. After that, we’re hoping to head further north and photograph some of the lemmings and other tundra creatures near the Brooks Range. Anyway, I’ll see what happens. We’ve really got no firm plans. And you?” he asked, as Steve set the photos back down upon the table, and Jon carefully replaced them inside the large envelopes.
    “I’ll probably be heading south real soon myself. I was hoping to get a piece of land before I left, but I’m not sure if I’m going to be able to find what I want now that the bad weather’s settled in. Hopefully this is just a short-term storm and I’ll be able to move out of here tomorrow.”
    “Then maybe we can leave together,” stated Jon quietly , and Tia instantly recognized the aggressive undertone to his voice. Steve raised his eyebrows and the two men gazed fiercely at one another. Where this unwarranted animosity had come from, Tia had no idea, but she suddenly felt frightened and vulnerable.
    Seeking to diffuse the situation she said, “You can count yourselves lucky gentlemen, the couch over there pulls out into a bed and I have a cot in my back closet that I use when my uncle c omes up to visit while my dad is staying here. Let’s get them ready so you both have a place to sleep. You should be warm enough in here and with the wolf locked away in the entry hall you’ll be safe.” Tia said the latter with a half-smile and Steve grinned back.
    “That will be fine,” answered Jon, nodding stiffly. “Once again I have to thank you for your hospitality. I’m sorry to have barged in on you like this but I didn’t see any other choice regarding the wolf.”
    No problem,” said Tia and returned to her bedroom, removing the cot from the large cedar closet. Before she lugged it out to the front room she opened the side drawer of her nightstand revealing the revolver her Uncle Jeffery had left for added security, having always felt uneasy about her decision to stay in Alaska alone after her father had gone. Tia closed the drawer and wondered why she felt so unsettled and anxious. She had little doubt Jon was indeed a photographer and it seemed highly plausible Steve was really in advertising, but Tia decided that for her own peace of mind she needed to pursue the blonde’s background a little further. She returned with the cot, a couple of flat sheets and blankets, and a pillow under her arm. Steve rapidly moved to her side and picked up the cumbersome cot.
    “Here, here let me help you with that. I think I’ll set it over here near the exercise equipment and if I get restless at night I’ll do a little working out,” he joked.
    “Nice set-up you have here,” said Jon , fingering one of the barbells.
    “During the winter I find my exercise equipment affords me about all the exercise I can get. I try to do an hour workout each day using the bike, treadmill, and stair step. The snow is usually too deep for jogging by mid-October though it might be earlier this year, so the mini-gym helps control any symptoms of cabin fever. During the spring and summer I mostly jog or hike.”
    “Aren’t you afraid of those bears you mentioned?” asked Steve.
    “I wear those bear bells Jon mentioned,” said Tia, “and pray if the grizzlies