“Thank you, Mr. Whitzel. You’ve been very under-standing and more than fair,” Irene gave a relieved sigh. “I had no idea it was your dog.”
“If your sons knew what I got into when I was their age, they’d think I have some nerve,” he laughed. “By the way, as long as we have a gentleman’s agreement, why not call me Jason.” he chuckled because Greatheart walked up to him, sat and gave him a paw. He shook her paw and she leaned against his leg. “See. She’s thankful that her young masters are going to be okay.”
He leaned over to pet Greatheart. “May I see your fine boy, little mother?” He slowly leaned over and picked up the male who immediately gave him puppy kisses and wriggled so hard it was difficult to hold him. “Oh, yes, this will work out fine. Thank you for letting me see the dogs,” he said as he carefully placed the little fellow beside his mother.
“I’m ashamed that you had to visit for this reason and thank you again for being so kind.” Herb shook hands with Jason and walked him to the door.
“Please come any time.”
The next evening Herb called the family together. “We are being forced to make decisions. Time is getting short. Boys, I’m still upset with you for acting without thinking. I hope you’ll honor your agreement with Mr. Whitzel and leave here with good thoughts about you. I want to know who else was involved.”
“I’ll tell you if you promise not to say anything to the others or their parents. It was my plan and they just helped as friends,” Tim answered.
“I won’t say anything if you promise to talk to them and explain where you committed a crime and inform them of the outcome.”
“We promise, Dad,” Tom spoke. “Now can we discuss our plans for Greatheart and her babies?”
Anna spoke first. “We’ve decided that we love Greatheart for herself as well as being Galena’s daughter. We love her enough to let her go. She was born here and is acclimated to this climate. Too, she would have a rough time being accepted in Virginia. City living would be stressful for her. Our final decision is where she should go.”
Irene raised a hand. “Your dad and I have talked about where she should go. I must admit I talked to several people and everyone was willing to take her. However, we think you’ll agree that the Eskise family know her and helped with her training. She knows them and they love her, therefore they are the best choice.”
“That’s who we have chosen,” Tom was jubilant.
“What a relief. Now about the babies,” Irene said.
“We’ve decided on that, too,” Tom answered. “Mr. Whitzel is taking the male as soon as they are weaned. Sam wants one female and Daniel wants the other.”
“That leaves one girl,” Herb reminded them.
The three children looked at each other. “We were hoping you could make arrangements for us to take her. That way we’ll keep a part of Galena and Greatheart,” Anna explained.
“Yes, we’ve named her Hope,” Tom spoke hurriedly.
Herb and Irene looked at each other in the way people do who have been married a long time and know each other. “We thought you might want one,” Herb smiled. “We didn’t know you’d named her though. I like the name. Hope. It says a lot for her future and for ours.
As soon as the babies are weaned and taken care of, we need to take Greatheart to the Eskise home so she’ll know it’s hers before we leave. She’ll feel more at home and won’t feel abandoned.” Tom hung his head and walked out of the room. Tim and Anna followed in silence as they each went to their rooms.
Happiness in going back to Virginia and sadness in leaving Alaska caused many mixed feelings that changed daily. At the end of the week, Anna was almost dancing as she came gleefully in with the mail. “Look! I’ve been accepted to enroll in James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. I was accepted in a couple of other colleges, but my heart has been set on Madison, and I’m going there,” she sang it out as she danced around.
“Yea! Good for you. We’ll be in the eleventh grade in Fairfax High,” Tom proudly stuck his chest out.
“We all have something to rejoice about. I sent enough stories to my publisher and they’ll be in three separate books because he’s accepted them all,” Irene sang out. “Anna, your illustrations were wonderful and your name is given as the illustrator.”
“Wow! Great, Mom,” Tim ran to hug her.
“Oh, Mom. I’m so proud of you and I don’t care whether I get credit as illustrator or not. I’m just happy for you.” Anna cheered.
“Group hug,” Tom yelled and pulled everyone together.
The next day the babies went to their new homes. The twins dragged their feet as they walked Greatheart to the Eskise home, “We’ll bring her things later. We wanted her to get used to her new home before we leave,” Tom knelt to hug Greatheart and hid his red face and tear-filled eyes in her thick fur.
“You are the best friends,” Ben grinned, “I’d have been crushed if you hadn’t left her with me. I love her as much as you do and she’s known me all her life. I’ll write and tell you how she’s doing.”
The twins walked home in silence. They gathered Greatheart’s food, her dishes, toys, harness and everything she would need. “Don’t forget her sleeping pad.” Tim wiped his eyes. They took all the supplies to Ben and gave Greatheart a last hug. They ran out hearing Greatheart whining and struggling to follow them. Tears were streaming down their faces as they burst into the house and ran to their room.
The twins asked so many questions worrying about their future that Anna finally lost patience. With hands on her hip she glared at them after had asked a list of questions. “Not knowing definitely, I cannot state with any degree of accuracy for fear of deviating from the chosen paths of aptitude, and not wishing to make a prevaricator of myself, I shall refrain from comment.” With that she turned and left the room.
“Huh?” Tim looked after her in confusion.
“Don’t pay any attention to her,” Tom spoke with disgust, “her head’s so big, she thinks she’s the whole parade.”
Anna came back. “My head big! What gave you that idea?”
“You did the illustrations for mom’s books. You have a 4.0 grade point average and will graduate as the Valedictorian and you’ve been accepted in one of the best Universities in the country.”
“You’re impossible,” Anna stomped out.
The next night people gather in the Community Center to watch the documentary together. The film was shown the first week of June. There was enough food for everyone and enough for the Jacksons to take home with them so Irene wouldn’t have to cook and dirty her kitchen.
“Hey, look!” Alan screamed. “There’s Uncle James. Isn’t her neat? He’s a star. “The twins smiled knowing that if their dad had not been such a good sport, James would not have been in the documentary at all.
“That was great.” Ben Gregory jumped up to lead clapping. “We are proud of our state and now the whole world will admire it.”
“And be envious,” Chief Houmay finished. He stood up. “I want to tell everyone how much I value the friendship of the Jackson family. I have to admit that I thought they were irresponsible at first with the wolf dog. But after getting know them, I really like them -- all of them,” he grinned at the twins. He waited for the cheers to subside and then continued. “Truthfully, I’ll miss you boys. You’ve kept all of Nome on its toes. Maybe you’ll come back and visit.”
“You’ll come to Virginia to see us, Chief,” Tom called out.
“What are you going to do with your house?” Jack Jordon asked.
“We’ve left it in the hands of a real estate agent,” Herb answered.
“My cousin and his family will be arriving here in about two weeks and I’m sure they would love to buy it.”
“That’ll be great, Jack.”
“Tell us about your books. When can we read them?” Several people asked Irene urging her to talk.
“They’re about my family, your families, especially the children and what a great time we’ve had here. There are stories about Galena and Greatheart and some of your animals. There are some folk stories and myths of your state. I hope you’ll approve and enjoy them. I’ll send copies to the city library and to the high school.”
“Did you include the race?”
‘Sure did. And about my twins’ adventures with the walrus and Tom’s experience with the dynamite. I also included the battle with the seal killers and the polar bears. Best of all, I’ve included how dear all of you are to us.”
The group cheered and people crowded around to hug them.
Paul Grigsby came to them. “I’ll pick you up at six thirty tomorrow morning. I have your cars sold for you.”
Mr. Eskise told them they had decided to have Greatheart spayed to avoid the possibility of more part wolf cubs. The Jacksons left everyone with tears in their eyes. Three days and they’d be in Virginia.
Paul flew them to Fairbanks where they were to make connections to fly out that afternoon. “I’m glad you’re going to be able to keep your puppy on the plane with you. She won’t be so frightened then.”
“Isn’t it great? Dad had to pay extra, but we’re happy that she doesn’t have to go into quarantine. We have a veterinarian certificate with us to prove she’s healthy and not dangerous.”
“We’re all relieved. Paul, we’ve sincerely appreciated your friendship and your help more than I can express. Do come to see us.” Irene reached to hug him.
“Well look who’s here,” Herb said in pleased surprise. Chief Houmay had come to tell them goodbye and wish them well again. They were even more surprised when he hugged each one.
They took a taxi from the airport into town. “We have almost five hours to fill. Might as well look around and have lunch before we go back to the airport. Stay together. If I have to search for anyone, I might be tempted to leave you behind,” Herb grinned.
“Mom, I’m glad you were able to leave most of the furniture for the family who bought the house. They have two girls our age who can be friends with Ben and Greatheart,” Tim said.
“Sure. Now that we’re moving out, cute girls come in,” Tom moaned.
“There’ll be plenty of cool, cute girls in Fairfax,” Herb reminded him.
“Anna, let’s go down to the ice cream parlor and sandwich shop,” Tom invited.
“I’d love it,” she answered stepping between her tall brothers and taking an arm of each one.
“We might as well join them,” Herb placed an arm around Irene.
Walking behind their children, Irene looked lovingly at them. “I’m glad our children love each other and are friends. Too often siblings don’t get along.”
As they sat down in a large half-circle booth, Anna took Hope from Irene. “Sweet little Hope. You’re going to have such an adventure. Your first plane ride, a different climate and lots of new people to know. It’s a good thing we’re taking her while she’s so little. She won’t miss her mother and Alaska.”
“Yes. We’ll always have Galena and Greatheart in our hearts. This little fuzz ball can’t take their place, but she had made her own place in our hearts. You’ve learned so much about training dogs. Now do a good job on this one and make her into a champion.” Herb looked fondly at Hope and rubbed her back. She struggled to get to him hoping to get a stomach rub.
What adventures will Hope find in Virginia? Will she make a good family pet and a good working dog as her mother and grandmother had done?
Will the twins have as many adventures, especially dangerous ones?