All he knew was violence.
“How’s the mining going? I bet it’s beautiful up there.” That’s just like Piper, always wanting everyone to feel comfortable.
“It’s okay. Been raining, so it makes life harder.” Davis should do a better job at trying to make his sister not worry. “I like the peace out here, even with the rain. The other day, we had a sow and her two cubs wander into camp.”
“No.” Piper gasped and bounced the babies when they startled at her outburst.
“Yep.”
“What did you do?”
“I was walking from my tent to the cabin for breakfast. I heard a whistle just as I cleared the bushes, and my head snapped up to the bears sniffing around the fire pit. Justin watched from his cabin door. They didn’t even realize we were there until the mama started gnawing on the tires of the 4-wheeler, and Justin hollered at her to knock it off.” Davis laughed, and it felt good. “Those bears took off so fast they looked like cartoon characters.”
Piper smiled, her teary eyes hard to miss even through the screen. “It’s so good to hear you laugh again.”
He swallowed, hoping to dislodge the thickness in his throat. It didn’t, so he whispered, “Yeah.”
A loud fart blasted through the speakers, followed quickly by another. Piper lifted the babies away from her body, revealing two nasty spots on her shirt. Davis hadn’t missed that part of being around his nephews.
“They poop in unison?” He chuckled as Piper gagged.
“Oh, gross.” She gagged again. “Rafe!”
“Listen, it’s been good talking.” Davis couldn’t hold in his laughter. “I’ll call in a week or so if the weather cooperates.”
“You better. Three weeks is too long.” Piper glanced at the computer but snapped her attention back to Rex when he started climbing up her arm, leaving a trail. “Ew, sorry. I have to go.”
“Love you, Pipster.”
“Love you, too.”
He clicked off just as she hollered louder for Rafe. An engine pulling up drew his attention from the image of his sister’s disgusted face. He made it to the door of the cabin as Justin killed the engine with a punch. His face stormed and movements jerked. Looked like the conversation with the neighbors hadn’t gone well.
An exploratory mining company had been on Justin for weeks, badgering him to sell out. His grandpa’s will had passed the family claim down to Justin the year before. He had a lot of memories of summers spent here working the mine, and he’d told Davis there was no way he would sell now.
“So?” Davis leaned on the doorjamb.
“They’ve gone from a friendly offer to downright threats.” Justin pushed past Davis and threw his hat on his bed.
“Do we need to contact the authorities?” Davis came up to the Alaskan wilderness to get away from trouble. Was it his lot in life to be filled with it?
“No. Not yet.”
Justin paced the tiny open space in the twelve-by-twelve cabin, reminding Davis why he had set up the wall tent three-hundred feet away in a clearing in the bushes. This cabin was just too small for the both of them. Davis took a deep breath to calm the heating anger at his friend’s news.
“I’m going back there tomorrow to tell them again that I’m not interested in any offer they have for me. They think I’m some podunk, back hills nobody.” Justin huffed a humorless laugh. “If they knew all the things I’ve been through in the Special Forces, they’d know their threats won’t do squat.”
Justin was one of the best soldiers Davis knew. Serving with Justin had helped Davis see what loyalty and strength really were. It was why he agreed to come up here in the first place.
“Want me to come with you?” He’d go, though he couldn’t guarantee he’d keep his cool like Justin would.
“Nah. No need. These big mining companies from China are used to people bending over for a stack of cash. There’s nothing they can do if I refuse.” Justin snatched his hat from the bed. “Might as well get some dirt moved while the weather is good.”
Davis nodded and led the way to the mining area. It was probably better that he didn’t go. The way his irritation tightened his shoulders, he’d end up doing something stupid and throw fuel on to the embers, flaring up the situation.