“We didn’t exactly have a choice, sir,” Jaz cried.
Their rescue had been swift. An unconscious Gunther had been placed on a stretcher and sent to Yellowknife for emergency medical care. Luka had also been taken to Yellowknife, where he had been reunited with his mother. Jaz, Colly and George had returned to Norman Wells. Now she and Colly were seated at a camp table, facing a very stern Sergeant Sugar.
“I understand that, up to a point. Colly, you took a terrible risk going with Gunther up the mountain. And you, Jaz…I hardly know where to begin.”
“But…”
“No buts, Jaz. Beyond what did happen, and what might have happened, you should not have set off alone on foot. I know you’ve only been with the unit for a few months, but you should know we put you in pairs for a reason.”
“So that we learn to get along?” Jaz asked hopefully. She turned and high-fived Colly, who high-fived her back.
“No, though I’m glad to see you’ve worked on that. Colly, would you like to tell Jaz why I’m so upset with you both?”
“Because we split up,” he said, head down.
Jaz opened her mouth to protest, but she was interrupted by a commotion outside the door.
“I told you that I don’t care. If you can’t keep her safe…”
“Mom!” Jaz cried and raced to the tent flap just as it opened and her mother and father rushed in. They were immediately followed by Colly’s uncle.
Hugs, and tears from her mother, were over quickly as Sergeant Sugar cleared his throat. “Folks, I know we have a lot to talk about, but if you wouldn’t mind waiting just a bit, we have an awards ceremony to see to.”
A tiny ember of hope burned in her belly. “Did we win the derby, Sergeant Sugar? We were way ahead of everyone else!”
“No, Jaz.”
“You didn’t win, but every patrol in this derby dropped everything to search for you. Don’t you want to show your appreciation?”
“But if they dropped everything, how do you know who won?”
“We’ve worked out every team’s time up until we stopped the race.”
She knew it was wrong to be disappointed, but she couldn’t help it. She’d wanted so badly to win. Instead of making her mom and dad proud, she’d landed herself in a dangerous situation. Again.
As they grouped into their patrols on the snow-covered parade grounds by the shore of the Mackenzie River, Colly bumped up beside her. “Your mom sounded pretty mad.”
“Yeah, she’s always mad lately, mostly at my dad.”
“Why?”
She sighed. “She wants me to go live with her in Edmonton.”
“Do you want to?”
“It’s not that I don’t want to.” She frowned. “Actually, no, I don’t want to. I like it in Destiny. I only wish I could see her more.”
“Why don’t you just tell her?”
A whistle blast told the patrols to stand at attention. As Jaz moved into place, Colly added, “For what it’s worth, I’d like you to stay in Destiny too, Jaz.” He jabbed her with his elbow. “But sheesh, you could start listening to people who outrank you.”
Seeing his smirk, she grinned and jabbed him back. “I will when they start listening to me!”
Tweet! Tweet!
Sergeant Sugar was standing directly in front of them. “Colly, Jaz, if you are ready, we’d like to begin the awards.”
“Ready, Sergeant Sugar!” Colly said, snapping to attention.
“Jaz?”
“Did we win after all?”
“Jaz!”
“Okay, just kidding.”
The cheers were deafening as Major Chris announced each winner. First place went to a team from Fort Resolution Patrol. Second went to a pair from Tuktoyaktuk. As third place was announced, Jaz cheered loudest of all. It was Shelby and George!
As the winning teams stood tall and received their medals, Major Chris stepped back up to the microphone. “You are all a credit to the jcrs, and I am very proud of each of you. The Northwest Territories Junior Canadian Rangers will be well represented during the Canada Day celebrations in Ottawa!”
He waited while the crowd erupted into wild cheering. He held up his hand, and the crowd hushed. “We’re not quite finished yet. As you know, we had some unexpected excitement during our race.”
Jaz could feel everyone turn and look at her and Colly.
“On occasion, it is our great privilege to honor jcrs who have shown extreme courage in difficult situations. jcr Jaz and Master Corporal Colly from Destiny Patrol—will you come forward, please?”
Her heart was racing as she stepped to the stage and stood at attention beside Colly.
“Sometimes we find ourselves in extreme situations that no one can predict. In this situation, though your own lives were in danger, you worked together, showing incredible courage. You also saved a man’s life and helped rescue a little boy. That, I know, is reward in itself, but I am very pleased to tell you that you have each been recommended to receive the Medal of Bravery.”
Jaz looked into the cheering crowd and saw her mom and dad beaming at her. With the ceremony finished, she leapt from the stage and into their arms. Major Chris joined them, along with an rcmp officer. “Jaz, congratulations again.”
“Thank you, Major Chris.”
“This is Corporal Johnny Lu from the Yellowknife rcmp Diamond Squad. He’d like to talk to you when you have a moment—you and Colly.”
Worried, she looked up at the rcmp officer. “Have we done something wrong?”
The man laughed. “No, you’re not in trouble, but when you and your parents are ready, I’ll need a statement from you.”
“What’s going to happen to Gunther, sir?”
“Gunther is in trouble, there is no doubt about that. But his cooperation should work in his favor.”
“What if the diamond thieves come after him—or Luka—again?”
“You’ll be happy to hear that the men who kidnapped Luka have been arrested. Beyond that, we will do our best to make sure Gunther’s family is safe.”
After promising to give her statement soon, it was time to face the music. The real music. She turned to her parents. “Mom and Dad, I’m sorry about everything that happened. I guess you’re mad, huh?”
Her mom had tears in her eyes. So did her dad.
“Jaz,” her mom said. “What are we going to do with you?”
She sniffled. “I don’t know, Mom. Things just kind of happen to me.”
“I know they do, sweetheart. I can see that.”
“But, Mom…” She stopped. How could she say what she really needed to say, especially when she knew it would make her mom sad?
No, Colly was right. It was best to be honest, even with the stuff that was hard to say. She just needed to find the right way to say it. “Mom, I love you so much, and I want to see you more. But…”
“What is it, sweetheart?” In spite of the question, it looked like Mom knew. It also looked like she was about to burst into tears.
Taking a deep breath, she tried again. “Mom, I really like living in Destiny, and I love being a jcr. I love ice crystals and northern lights and having caribou practically in my backyard. I even love wolves, even though I don’t ever want to get close to one again.”
Her mom closed her eyes and squeezed Jaz’s hands. Jaz gulped. She had to finish.
“Mom…I’d like you to visit more, but I really want to stay with Dad.”
After a moment, her mother opened her eyes. She wasn’t crying, though her eyes were red around the rims. “Are you sure, Jaz? It’s just that I get so worried about you. And it’s not just me. Your dad worries too.”
Dad nodded.
“I know you worry. I don’t know how to stop that, but I’m learning lots with the Junior Rangers, stuff that will help keep me safe.”
“It’s okay, Jaz,” Dad said. “We’re your parents. We’re supposed to worry. That doesn’t stop no matter where we are, and no matter what you are doing or how old you are.”
“We are also very proud of you, hon,” Mom said, tearful again. “Do you know that?”
Jaz felt her insides begin to glow. “Does that mean you’re okay with me staying in Destiny?”
“Yes, I guess I am. You’re a northern girl, through and through. I can see that now. I’m not. I do like to visit though. Maybe I can visit more often.”
“Does this mean you’ll stop arguing with Dad?”
“Let me take this one,” Dad said. “Jaz, I didn’t even know it bothered you. I’m sorry. I’m sure your mom is too.”
“Yes, I am, sweetheart. We’ll do better, okay?”
Jaz nodded. “Maybe I can visit you more often in Edmonton. Would that help?”
He mother smiled. “Yes, it would. Very much.”
“Dad? What do you say?”
“Well, Jaz, I guess I’d say…” He put his hands on his hips and scowled as if he was angry. Then he laughed and winked. “I just happen to know someone with an airplane.”
“Well, great,” Jaz said, grinning. “That makes it simple, and you know how much I like things nice and simple.”
She hooted with laughter and ducked as something whizzed by her ear. Who knew her mom threw such a mean snowball?