Alexander sat on the back porch of the small house Carl had rented him. It had only been a week ago but, it seemed much longer.
Dusk was just settling in. The glass-like surface of the lake behind the house reflected the many hues of umber, orange, violet and purple that were just beginning to color the sky, now that the sun had passed beyond the mountains to the west.
Only one week and he felt more at home in Red Lodge than he had anywhere else. There was something about the place that simply seemed to fit. This elicited dual responses in Alexander.
On one hand feeling at peace with a place was so different that it was almost uncomfortable. Always in the back of his mind he found himself wondering when things would change. On the other side it was so calming to feel himself finally fit into a place and with those that lived there, that he couldn't help but to simply accept it.
The small sign everyone passed as they entered the town which read "Speed Limit 15 mph. Enforced by Curses and Dirty Looks" summed up the general down to earth nature of all those he had come in contact with. None were a better example of that than Carl Benton.
That first afternoon, after Carl had gotten him settled at the house, he had taken Alexander over to Benton Mining & Milling.
"I don't want to work underground." Alexander looked dubiously at the gaping maw of the mine entrance. While not claustrophobic the idea of spending his days under the earth was unsettling at best.
Carl Benton laughed as he planted a heavy hand on his shoulder.
"Not to worry Alexander, I'm not looking to put you in the ground just yet."
They walked across the yard toward what appeared to be the mine office. The temperature on the site was cool, the shadow of the mountain looming over them ensured it. Gaining his bearings Alexander realized that this close to the jagged peaks there would only be sun 'til midday.
"Brad!" Mr. Benton's voice boomed across the yard as he waved at the driver of a loader.
The machine shut down. Out of the cab dropped a younger version of the man standing at Alexander's side. About 6'2", dark brown hair and brown eyes the man was strongly built with a wide chest and a lean hungry look. His easy smile and wave at the older man eased some of Alexander's tension.
"Dad." Brad said with a smile as he eyed Alexander.
"Brad, I'd like you to meet Alexander Dane. The young man who helped Jenabel and I out of that little spill we took the other day. I've set him up at the Smithson place and he's looking for gainful employment. I was sure we could find something to pique his interest."
Brad's smile faded, replaced with a serious look that traveled from his face through his entire body as he extended his hand to Alexander.
"It's a pleasure Alexander. Thank you for saving Dad and my sister. We are all in your debt for your selflessness."
Alexander noted the pressure of the handshake, it was firm and dry, filled with confidence and just the hint of a challenge in the pressure used. Not so much as to cause pain, but enough to measure the beginnings of a man's tolerance. Alexander returned the pressure in kind which garnered a small smile from Brad as they broke contact.
"I only did what anyone would have. Besides, your father has been kind enough to help me find a place and perhaps a job."
Brad was not surprised by his father's generosity.
"We'd be lucky to have you as a neighbor, be sure to let me know if I can do anything to help you settle in." Brad said to Alexander before turning to his father.
"Looks like we may have some trespassers on the east face. I found a few trees spiked this morning. We'll need to do a survey of parcel fifteen before the cutters move in week after next."
Carl Benton's expression turned hard.
"Spikers again, you would think that these "activists" who are so computer savvy would take the time to review our quarterly reports. Hell we have gotten five star environmental ratings from all of the major environmental groups."
Carl Benton and Benton Industries, which included the mining and milling divisions, had always been a leader on the environmental front. Their love of the land they lived and worked on was almost as deep as that which they felt for their family. Just the idea that they would do anything to permanently harm it always sent him into a rage that was never easy to control.
Brad knew this news would not be well received and tried to deflect his fathers growing anger.
"We have two weeks 'til the crews will get to the parcel. It's more than enough time to get someone out there and get the trees cleared. We'll also increase the security sweeps through the area. It's a problem, but not a major one."
Carl Benton eyed his oldest son warily for a moment before letting the rage slip away.
"You're right Brad, it just...gets under my skin when people don't look at the all facts and go off half cocked."
Brad took a breath, glad that his father had tamed his rage.
Turning to Alexander, Carl had a thoughtful look on his face.
"That might be just the thing to start you off with Alexander." Carl noted the somewhat confused look on his face and laughed. "Sorry, I guess we should explain."
Brad took up the explanation, knowing that his father's anger would undoubtedly become stoked again if he was the one to enlighten Alexander.
"Environmental activists feel that chopping down trees is a sin. Every few years a new group pops up and they target smaller operations such as ours."
"The large, corporate run sites hire full time security, which have little tolerance for their activities, so they pick on smaller operations. What you get are a few of these folks who come out to plots that are about to be cut and hammer large iron spikes into the tree bases. The cutters come through, cut into the wood and the chain saws hit the spikes. It pretty much destroys the saw and nine times out of ten severely injures the cutter."
Carl interjected. "A few years ago we had a man killed because of their foolishness. We cut the smallest amount of trees possible, we plant three for every one we cut, hell we take better care of our mountain than God himself would."
Alexander could see that Carl was amazingly passionate about the land and took great pride in being its steward. Seeing the pleading look on Brad's face, he tried to move the conversation away from the danger that came with these spikers and onto more neutral ground.
"So you need someone to walk around the woods, check the trees, remove any spikes and persuade anyone found placing new ones that it is not the best use of their time or energy if they wish to maintain their health?"
Alexander said this last with a wicked look in his eye, one that Carl noted and truly appreciated.
Taking a deep breath, running his fingers through his hair Carl once again got his anger under control.
"Yes Alexander, that's the gist of it. This would be an excellent place to start you off. It gives you an opportunity to get to know the area, find your way around and see all the different things that we do with the goal of finding you a permanent spot."
Carl placed his hand on Alexander's shoulder and was surprised that he didn't pull away. Such casual physical contact usually produced at least a flinch. It only took him a moment to decide.
"I think that sounds like a good idea."
Smiles bloomed on both Carl's and Brad's faces.
"Excellent! Being Friday most of the operations are closed or run light shifts over the weekend, why don't you meet me here tomorrow morning, I'll take you up to parcel 15, show you around some and you can get started on Monday morning."
