Chapter Four
It took Everett andBelle nine days to reach Lake Bennett, which was a day shorter than his estimate.The weather had been good the entire way, and she’d been able to keep up much better than expected.
Once there, he went to a man with a huge unkempt beard and long red hair.He clasped hands with the man as if they had been friends for a long time.“Rusty!”Everett bellowed.“Meet my wife.”Everett looked at Belle.“Belle, this is my friend Rusty.I traded him a boat in exchange for him having one for me here.”
Belle smiled at Rusty.“It’s nice to meet you, Mr.Rusty.”
Rusty threw his head back and guffawed.“No mister involved there, little lady.It’s just Rusty.On account of my red hair and all!”
“I thought that might be where you got your name,” Belle said, eyeing the giant.
Rusty turned back to Everett.“I’ve got your boat ready.I got a good one in trade a few days ago.Been saving it for you.”
“I appreciate it!”Everett said.
After seeing the boat, Belle had to wonder what a “bad boat” would look like.This was nothing more than a two-seat rowboat with a small amount of room for their belongings.She was glad she’d had so little to bring with her.
“Thanks for the loan of Daisy.”
“You have any trouble with her?”Rusty asked, laughing as the donkey nuzzled his ear.
“Not a bit.Though she sure wasn’t as friendly with me as she is with you.”
“Daisy and me have been through a lot together,” Rusty told him.“When are you looking to head out?I got a moose last night and have a hearty stew cooking over the fire in my cabin.Would love the company.”
Looking around her, Belle was surprised that he was looking for company with the sheer amount of men there.“Are all of these men travelers then?”
Rusty nodded.“Yup.They’ll be on their way soon enough.Some have just come from finding gold, and others are looking for it.”
“You don’t look for gold, Mister...I mean Rusty?”
Rusty shook his head.“I don’t want no part of that nonsense.You either don’t find gold, or you do find something, and you have to sleep with one eye open.I’m happy just living here on the lake, hunting, fishing, and reading whatever books I can trade for.I make some boats to sell, but mostly I keep to myself.Unless I’m waiting for someone in particular.Like Rett here.”
“Rett?”Belle asked.
Everett shrugged.“A few of my dearest friends call me Rett.Most call me Everett.You can choose.Or just call me ‘hey you.’”
“As long as she don’t call you late to supper, huh?”Rusty asked.
Everett nodded.“She’s a decent cook with what little supplies I have here.I can’t wait until we’re home and she has real food to cook with.”
“You staying the night or not?”Rusty asked.
Everett shook his head.“No, I need to get back.We’d miss half a day’s time staying here, and I’m sure my lumbermill will fall apart without me.”
“Good point.You’ll still write me letters?”Rusty asked.
“Every week, just like always.”
Rusty nudged Belle with his shoulder.“You could write too.”
Belle could see the loneliness in the man’s face, even as he joked with them.“I’d be happy to.”
“Then I’ll let you go tonight.And I’ll eat enough stew to pretend you were right there with me.”
“I am sorry we don’t have time to stay,” Belle said, surprised that she truly was.This man seemed so different than any she’d met.Upon first seeing him, she would have sworn up and down that he couldn’t possibly know how to read, but it seemed it was his favorite thing to do.“I’ll write as soon as we reach Yeti.”
“You sure will!”Rusty said.“I’ll come up there and find you if I have to!”
