Read On Ice for Free Online Page B

whole thing seemed rather cozy, however primitive.
    “Look at this bear skin!” Seth said, dropping to his knees. “It’s so cool!”
    “I don’t suppose the bear thought so.” She dragged the blanket-curtains back to allow more light in this niche. “I guess it will do just fine. Wait a minute! I haven’t seen the---"
    “Bathroom?” Seth asked. “It’s over there.” He pointed to one of two doors along the back wall of the cabin.
    She almost ran to throw open both doors. The one closer to the corner contained all the modern conveniences and had obviously been added on recently. Its walls weren’t made of plastered logs and it appeared to be well insulated. There was a small gas heater set into the wall.
    Relief washed through her. She blew out a deep breath and returned to the warmth of the main room.
    The door in the middle of the back wall led out onto a porch. Rene stepped outside noticing a generous supply of wood was piled on one side of the long covered porch. An out-building stood a short distance from the cabin. Split rail steps descended to the worn path leading to it. Rene gripped the splintery handrail gingerly as she made her way down to the nearest building. She tried the door but it was padlocked. Standing on tiptoe, she peeked in the small window and saw that it contained a potter’s wheel, a large kiln and shelves with other craft materials. A skylight spilled more light over the interior.
    “I wonder who this belongs to?” she asked aloud and then walked to the far side of the cabin. There was a silver tank containing some sort of fuel for heating and cooking, she supposed. Good to know she didn’t have to haul in wood for every purpose.
    Seth poked his head around the edge of the porch. “Mom! Sara’s awake and she wants you.”
    Rene hurried inside.
    Sara’s face was puckered into a tearful pout. “Where were you, Mommy? I thought you were gone!” She began to sob loudly.
    “I would never leave you.” Rene gathered the weeping child in her arms and settled herself onto the prickly sofa. “We’ve just been looking around. Tell her, Seth.”
    “There’s a great place for us, Sara.” He was a master of distraction and once more worked his magic to lure Sara out of her misery.
    “Really, Seffy?” Sara brightened at once. She brushed away her tears with the back of her hands. “Where? Show me.”
    “I don’t know about this,” Rene said, a note of caution in her voice. Both children turned to face her. “I suppose we can look at it.” She set Sara on her feet and pulled herself out of the comfortable cushions.
    “This way, Sara.” Seth clambered quickly up the ladder. Sara and Rene stood at the bottom, looking up. “C’mon, you guys.” He peered down at them.
    Rene half pushed, half carried Sara up the ladder and crawled onto the floor of split logs that were rough on the underside, but had been shellacked on top. Woven rugs and animal skins covered most of the floor and hung on the walls. There was a dormer window cut into the roof facing the front of the house but it had a blanket nailed up to form a floor-to-ceiling curtain.
    “I suppose all this is necessary for insulation in the winter.” Rene gestured to the hanging blankets, rugs and pelts. The double bed had layers of quilts and wool blankets. The small chest under the dormer also held bedding. “We’ll certainly be warm... I hope.”
    “Mommy, I want down!” Sara looked frightened as she gripped Rene’s hand.
    “Me too,” Rene said. They managed to creep down without incident. Seth tossed a couple of soft, old quilts down to Rene, who placed them on the sofa.
    “You can sleep with me, Sara. We’ll consider the loft situation tomorrow.”
    “What about me, Mom? I can sleep up here, can’t I?” He looked hopeful.
    “Seth, do you realize how high the loft is? If you fell out, you could break your neck.”
    “I won’t fall out,” he insisted.
    “You don’t know that.” Rene shook her head