Against the Wild Read Online Free PDF Page B

flying up here,” Lane said, “we talked about Yeil. The Alaska Native village? In the dream, I was watching some kind of ceremony. That’s probably why I had the dream.”
    â€œProbably,” Dylan said.
    Lane flicked a glance at Caleb, who was digging into a slice of roasted meat as if he hadn’t had a meal in weeks. “Klink-its? That’s how you say it, right?”
    Caleb nodded, finished the bite he had taken. “But it’s spelled T-L-I-N-G-I-T-S. Indians are really into dreams, you know? They think they hold special meaning. So what was it about?”
    â€œYou know how weird dreams can be. This one had something to do with a festival of some kind.”
    â€œWhat makes you think they were Tlingits?” Caleb asked.
    â€œI’m just guessing. They were wearing these funny blankets and odd-looking hats. I saw a picture like that on the wall at the airport. I’m sure that’s part of the reason I dreamed about them.”
    â€œI’m sure it is,” Dylan said, hoping to change the subject. Up here, there was always some Indian myth or legend to deal with. He didn’t need to hear it from Lane, too.
    â€œThose are Chilkat blankets,” Caleb explained. “And the hats are made of roots.”
    â€œThat’s interesting. I’ve never seen a totem pole, but there was one in the dream. It had a raven on top.”
    Caleb’s fork paused halfway to his lips.
    â€œWhen I told you about Yeil,” Dylan said, “I mentioned the word meant raven.”
    â€œYes, I’m sure that’s it.”
    â€œWhat color was the raven?” Caleb asked.
    â€œRed and black. There were animals and different images underneath. They were very stylized. I don’t really know what they were supposed to be.”
    Caleb’s black eyes zeroed in on Dylan. “Did you show her the cemetery?” he asked, and Dylan wanted to kick him.
    â€œNo.”
    â€œWhat cemetery?” Lane asked.
    â€œThe old Indian cemetery up on the hill,” Caleb said. “Maybe you saw it when the plane circled over the lodge.”
    â€œI don’t think so, but I might have. Why? Is that the place I dreamed about?”
    â€œNo,” Dylan said.
    â€œCould be,” said Caleb. “There’s a totem pole up there. The colors are pretty much washed away after so many years, but there’s a raven on the top and I think it was originally painted red and black.”
    Dylan set his fork down beside his plate. “You probably saw it from the plane and didn’t realize you had. It’s just a coincidence.”
    â€œYes, I’m sure you’re right. It’s kind of odd, though.”
    The subject changed, shifted toward the remodel of the lodge, and Dylan finally relaxed. They finished the meal in easy conversation, and everyone stood up from the table.
    â€œAre you sure I can’t help?” Lane asked.
    Winnie just smiled. “I have a job to do and so do you. I’m sure you’ll have plenty to keep you busy without volunteering for extra work.”
    Lane smiled and nodded. It was a little after nine, but the sun still hadn’t set. “Did you get that box of samples I shipped?” she asked as he guided her out of the kitchen.
    â€œThey’re in my office. It’s down the hall from Winnie’s quarters. There’s a computer in there. Satellite feed to the Internet. You won’t be out of touch.”
    â€œThat’s great. I brought my laptop. I use it for my design work, but I wasn’t expecting to be able to connect.”
    â€œI want this place to feel like a home away from home.”
    Lane smiled. “Way away, from what I can see.”
    â€œThat’s why people come to Alaska. They want a wilderness experience. Here at the Eagle Bay Lodge, they’ll get one.”
    She looked up at him with those big green eyes, and Dylan felt the kick. When they paused in front of the