Rocky Mountain Rescue (Kristi Cameron Book 3) Read online

  ROCKY MOUNTAIN RESCUE

  CYNTHIA S. GRIFFITH

  COVER ART BY SARAH LOWE

  Copyright © 2000 by Cynthia S. Griffith

  All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or other—except for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without prior written permission of the author.

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  Chapter One: Teepees and Teddy Bears

  Chapter Two: Chipmunks and Gray Jays and Elk, Oh My!

  Chapter Three: Albert and His Squirrels

  Chapter Four: Snowballs in September

  Chapter Five: The Golden Steps

  Chapter Six: Lost!

  Chapter Seven: Beware the Bear!

  Chapter Eight: The Angel Gabriel

  Chapter Nine: Rocky Mountain Fireworks

  Chapter Ten: Rescue and Reunion

  Chapter Eleven: Miracles

  _________

  CHAPTER ONE

  _________

  Teepees and Teddy Bears

  Kristi pressed her nose to the window of her father’s small plane and looked out through the clouds. She could see the tops and ridges of the Rocky Mountains stretching out below her as far as the eye could see. The mountaintops were dusted with snow, but here and there; below the tree line there were large patches of deep green and brilliant gold. The aspen trees had already changed color and looked like blankets of fire among the pines.

  “Look!” she said as she nudged her friend Anna who was seated across the aisle from her in the small plane. Anna leaned over and looked out Kristi’s porthole, and then peered through her own. “Wow! I never realized the Rocky Mountains were so huge!” she exclaimed. “I mean, I knew they were the tallest mountains in the country, but I didn’t realize they went so far north and south, and east and west.”

  “Actually, the Rocky Mountains even extend into Canada, as well.” Kristi and Anna turned to look at Pete, who had overheard them from his seat behind them. “From north to south they are about 2000 miles long,” he continued, “and there are more than fifty mountains in the Rockies that are over 14,000 feet tall.”

  “Wow, Pete!” Anna said, her dark eyes shining. “How do you always know so much about everything?”

  Pete shrugged. “I don’t know. I just like to read, I guess. And I try to study up on the places I’m going when I get a chance to travel.”

  Kristi looked at Anna and Pete thoughtfully. She was beginning to suspect that they had a little crush on one another, but of course, they were both so shy they would probably never admit it.

  “Hey, what are you all talking about?” Robyn’s blonde head popped up behind Pete’s seat. “You’re not having fun without me, are you?” Her blue eyes twinkled mischievously as she pretended to pout.

  “Well, if you think talking about geography is fun…” Kristi laughed.

  “Eww—no way! Geography is not my best subject!” Robyn disappeared behind Pete’s seat but then popped up again a moment later. “Hey, Kristi,” she called above the drone of the plane’s engine, “How much longer until we get to Denver?”

  “Actually, Robyn,” Kristi’s older brother Dan spoke up, “if you watch out your window another five minutes or so, you’ll see Denver coming up on the horizon. Just beyond the city to the northeast is the airport. You can’t miss it—it looks like a village of giant Indian teepees!”

  “What? You’re kidding! Teepees?” Robyn exclaimed.

  “Yep. Some architect’s idea of making Denver’s airport unique. Actually it’s pretty neat. You’ll see.” Dan was a flying fanatic like his father, and that included planes, helicopters, airports—anything that involved taking off into the wild blue yonder.

  A freckle-faced red head popped up behind Dan. “Teepees? Indians? Did I hear you say there are Indians in the Denver airport? Wow!” Kristi’s younger brother Skeeter grinned from ear to ear.

  Robyn giggled. “I’ll bet they’d like a red-haired scalp like yours, Skeeter!”

  “Yikes! Where’s my hat?” Skeeter disappeared behind Dan’s seat, clutching his head. Kristi rolled her eyes while Robyn burst into giggles again.

  “Kids! Take a look out the windows on the right and you’ll see the city of Denver. We’ll be at Denver International Airport in a few minutes. Skeeter! Robyn! Buckle your seatbelts!” Steve Cameron called from the cockpit. Steve was actually Captain Cameron, a senior pilot with one of the nation’s largest airlines. The family often traveled around the country in his little plane, and enjoyed taking their friends with them whenever they could.

  Kristi leaned over to look through Anna’s window. “I’m excited!” she confessed to her friend. “Who would have expected we’d be able to squeeze another vacation in before school gets into full swing again? One week of school, and then the teachers go on strike! I can’t believe we’re going to be in the Rocky Mountains in the fall!”

  Anna nodded. “My mamí told me that September in the Rockies is beautiful. She’s says it’s going to be chilly, though, camping out at night.”

  “Aah, but just think of a warm campfire at night…” Kristi started.

  “And roasting hot dogs, toasting marshmallows, making s’mores, popping popcorn…” Skeeter interrupted.

  “Mom! Skeeter’s hungry again!” Kristi laughed.

  Rachel Cameron turned around in her seat. “So what else is new?” Kristi’s mother replied with a twinkle in her eye. “Skeeter! Get that seatbelt on! We’ll grab a bite to eat at the airport.”

  “There it is!” Dan said, pointing out his window. “See! From here it looks like a bunch of teepees!”

  “That’s an airport?” Kristi said in disbelief. “Weird!”

  “No, it’s cool!” Dan said. “At least, I think so!”

  “I do, too,” Robyn piped up.

  Kristi just laughed and shook her head. While she suspected her friend Anna had a crush on Pete, she knew Robyn had had her eye on Dan for months. It wasn’t surprising, really. Although Dan was her brother, she had to admit he was a pretty great guy—and good-looking, as well. With his blonde hair, attractive face, and athletic build, he was a younger version of her father—and Kristi thought her dad was just about the most handsome man in the world. Dan’s character was a lot like his dad’s, also—kind, generous, loyal, and firm in his Christian convictions. His best friend Pete was the same way, and the two of them had a big influence in their school. Pete wasn’t quite as tall as Dan, or as strong, but he was smart—the smartest guy Kristi knew. She looked up to both of them and was glad when they were around her and her friends.

  She glanced at Anna, sitting across the aisle from her. Anna’s family was from South America and her lustrous dark hair, brown eyes and pretty Latin features were proof of her heritage. She was quiet, and a little shy, but Kristi couldn’t ask for a better friend. When it came to loyalty and support, Anna was always there in her own quiet way to be an encouragement and help.

  Robyn, on the other hand—well, Robyn could never be called quiet! Underneath that mass of blonde curls were blue eyes and the pretty face of a girly girl, but Robyn was anything but that! There was mischief in those bright blue eyes and the heart of a tomboy beating in her chest. It was funny—although Robyn had a crush on Dan, she and Skeeter, Kristi’s younger brother were actually two of a kind and often together in their fun and silliness.

  Skeeter popped up out of his seat once more. “Mom, how…” he began.

  “Skeeter! Get that seatbelt on!” his parents said in unison.

  “Sorry!” he ca
lled back, as he disappeared behind the rows of seats again. Skeeter had the freckles and carrot-top of a true redhead, unlike Kristi and their mother who both had auburn hair. He was fun-loving and a tease, but a good kid, Kristi thought, even if he was her brother. And like Dan, he would do anything for his sister.

  “I’m blessed,” Kristi thought to herself. “God gave me a wonderful family and friends.” She looked at her mother sitting in the cockpit next to her dad. Rachel was a successful mystery writer, and yet you would never know she was a famous celebrity. She could be just as silly and down-to-earth as her children, and was often drawn into their projects and adventures. She wasn’t afraid to work hard or get dirty if someone needed help, either. Rachel and her husband were committed Christians, and had raised their children to love and trust the Lord, too. Rachel looked back just then and winked at her daughter.

  Kristi suddenly realized the plane was descending quickly towards the runway. She braced herself slightly and smiled reassuringly at Anna. Anna had not flown much before, and was still a bit nervous about it. The little Cessna touched down with a gentle bump and rolled down the tarmac before finally coming to a stop.

  “Rocky Mountains, here we come!” Skeeter cheered.

  Once they were inside the terminal, Rachel suggested they get a quick lunch before they picked up their luggage at the baggage carousel. “It’s getting late and maybe this will save a few minutes, rather than looking for a place to stop on the way up to the park. We have a lot to do in order to set up camp before dark tonight and I’m concerned that we’re going to run out of time.”

  “I have a better idea,” her husband said. “Rachel, you take the kids and get something to eat while I go get the luggage and the rental van. I can have that all done by the time you’re ready. Just don’t forget to bring me something to eat on the way. I think I’m almost as hungry as Skeeter!”

  “Wait, Dad! Do you want Pete and me to come along and help you with all that luggage? That’s a lot to handle all by yourself,” Dan said.

  “Well, that might be a good idea, Dan. Thanks for offering. Is that okay with you, Pete? Rachel, make that food to go for three hungry men!” Steve and his two helpers set off in one direction, while Rachel and the other teens headed off the other way to look for the food court.

  It didn’t take long to find several fast food booths and place their order. The girls found a large table while Rachel and Skeeter went up to the counter. Robyn was in her usual exuberant mood, and even Anna chattered and giggled while they waited.

  Kristi laughed with them and smiled at their enthusiasm, but she couldn’t help noticing a family sitting at a table a few feet away. There was nothing unusual about the young couple, but their little girl caught Kristi’s eye. She appeared to be about three or four years old and was as cute as a button with her little pony tail and big brown eyes. She was wearing a pretty dress and clutched a teddy bear to her chest. A tear rolled down her cheek but she sat silently in her seat while her mother tried to coax her to eat a chicken nugget.

  “Come on, Patti-Cake,” the young mother said softly. “Please take a bite for Mommy, okay? You haven’t eaten anything all day.” The tot looked up at her mommy with those big eyes but didn’t open her mouth either to eat or speak.

  Kristi could see that something wasn’t quite right with the little girl. She was very pretty, and looked normal, but the way she moved and responded to her mother allowed Kristi to see that something was wrong. “Poor little thing,” Kristi thought. “I wonder what her problem is. She sure is a little sweetie, though.”

  Rachel and Skeeter came back to the table just then with overflowing trays. “Let’s eat quickly, kids,” Rachel said. “We don’t want to keep the guys waiting. Skeeter! Get your hands off those fries until I pass everything out and we thank the Lord for the food. Kristi, what are you looking at?”

  “Hmm? Oh nothing, Mom. Yum—this looks good! I’m hungry, too!” Kristi turned back to her own table, and soon forgot about the little girl at the table nearby. The laughter and conversation died down for a few minutes as they all dug into their burgers and fries.

  By the time they had finished eating, and Rachel had gone back to the counter for food for Steve, Dan and Pete, the young family had left the food court and disappeared into the vast terminal. Kristi and the others gathered their carry-on bags and set off for the car rental area.

  They were hurrying down a walkway between the terminal and the parking garage when Kristi spotted a teddy bear lying forlornly on the floor. She recognized it immediately as the one the little girl had been holding. Kristi ran over to it and picked it up. “Look!” she exclaimed. “This belongs to that little girl that was sitting near us in the food court!” She looked around hastily, trying to see if she could spot the family.

  There were a few business people walking through the corridor, but no sign of the little girl or her parents. “Oh, Mom!” Kristi said. “We have to find them! I just know that little girl will be so upset when she realizes her bear is gone!”

  “What little girl, Kristi?” Rachel asked.

  “That little girl who was sitting near us in the food court. There was something—well, special—about her. You know—different—like maybe she was mentally retarded or something. She was so cute and sweet, though, Mom. We have to find them!”

  “Well, Kristi, the best thing would be to take it to the lost-and-found because that would probably be where they would look first, but we don’t have time to do that, honey. Dad and the boys are waiting for us,” her mother said.

  “We could just leave it here in case they come back looking for it,” Skeeter suggested.

  “No!” Kristi said quickly. “Someone else might pick it up and take it away.”

  “Well, why don’t we take it with us then?” Rachel said. “This corridor leads to the rental car area, so they’re probably headed there, too. Maybe we can catch up with them.”

  “Let’s go!” Kristi said and took off almost on the run. The others hurried to keep up with her and within a few minutes they had arrived at the car rental place.

  They saw Steve and the boys right away. They were loading the last of the luggage into the van. “Perfect timing!” Steve began as they ran up to him. He stopped when he saw the look on Kristi’s face. “What’s wrong?”

  “Quick, Daddy! Have you seen a family with a little girl, about three or four years old?” she blurted out.

  “Why, yes! They were here a few minutes ago.” Steve turned to look around the garage. “There! That’s them, in the white minivan!”

  Kristi whipped around to look and then dropped her backpack. She took off running, waving the teddy bear in the air and yelling. The minivan was just pulling away from its parking spot, and at first Kristi was afraid they wouldn’t see or hear her as she chased them. Finally, though, the vehicle came to an abrupt halt and the driver rolled down his window.

  “Wait!” Kristi called. She ran up to the van and said, “I have your bear!” She looked into the minivan, and there, in the back seat, was the little girl. Although she was silent now, Kristi could see she had been crying.

  “Look, Patti!” the mother exclaimed. “This nice girl found Teddy! Isn’t that wonderful?” Kristi could see that the mother was excited and relieved, but the expression on the little girl’s face never changed. She looked at Kristi solemnly but did not smile or reach for the bear.

  “Thank you so much!” the mother said as she got out of the minivan and came around to the other side. “We just realized that Patti had lost her teddy bear and didn’t know what to do. We didn’t really have time to go back and look for it. She has an appointment at the Children’s Hospital here in Denver in just an hour. You’re the girl at the Food Court, aren’t you? I noticed you and your friends while we were having lunch.”

  “Yes. I noticed your little girl, too, and her bear. That’s why I knew it was hers when I found it in the walkway to the garage.” Kristi paused. “She’s so cute! What a special little
girl!”

  “Yes, she is—special,” the mother said softly. “Well, thank you once again. She can’t say thank you herself, but I know she would if she could. That teddy bear has been her security blanket for as long as she can remember. I’m sorry—we really need to go now, if we’re going to make that appointment in time.”

  “That’s okay,” Kristi said. “I’m just glad I found it and caught up with you in time. Have a good day!” She stepped back and waved as the minivan pulled away.

  Kristi turned back toward the van her father had rented and saw that her family and friends had been standing there watching the exchange between herself and the young mother. They were smiling as she returned.

  “Good work, Kristi!” her mom congratulated her. “I’m so glad you were able to return that teddy bear to its little owner!”

  “I want to hear all about it once we get on the road, Kristi, but for now we’d better get going,” her father said. “We’ve got at least a couple hours before we get to our campsite, and then we have to get the tents set up and a campfire made before it gets dark. Everybody into the van and buckle up! Let’s go!” He stopped and then said, “Is that burgers and fries I smell in that bag, Rachel? Good! The guys and I are starved!”

  A few minutes later they were on their way, with the fellows happily munching on their late lunch. Rachel had bought an extra order of fries for Skeeter, too, because she knew, even though he’d already eaten, he’d be trying to snitch fries from the other guys if he didn’t have some of his own.

  Kristi filled her family and friends in about the special little girl and her parents as they left the garage and made their way to the highway. She looked back at the “teepees” of the Denver airport as she spoke. The September sun was glinting off the peaks of the terminal against the deep blue of the Colorado sky. Finally, when the whole story was told, she leaned her head back and looked ahead at the mountains that were drawing closer with every passing mile. Her thoughts were filled with little “Patti-Cake” and her teddy bear—and she wondered if she would ever see them again.