Noah Brown. A collection of Alaskan Bush People Fan Fiction stories

Nyomi. Part 1

There wasn't anything Noah wouldn't do for his daughter Nyomi. He loved the sound of her name and loved that in some languages it meant 'dark cloud'. She was his first born and the only girl. Her hair was ginger red, just like yours and when she ran her curls flew behind her like sparks from a fire. You and Noah had been married eleven years and you had given birth to four more boys before you decided you had had enough. The youngest was six months old and was thoroughly enjoying his role as baby of the family.

"Daddy, I really want to learn to shoot the big rifle." Nyomi's ten-year-old voice was rising and she scrunched her forehead in a way that made her look exactly like you.

"Stop frowning sweetheart." Noah chided and ran his thumb over his daughter's forehead.

He hated to admit that he loved that little frown on both his wife and his daughter. The two of you looked so much alike that when Noah looked at one, it was impossible not to think of the other. Also, you both had the same temper and same impatience when you wanted to get your way.

Noah's mother Ami had expressed her concerns when he had first brought the sweet but fiery tempered young woman home to meet the family. Noah had steepled his fingers and smiled at his mother.
"I figure if I can handle her, I can handle anything." He had smiled at his mother's raised eyebrows.

"But Daddy, I really want to use the big rifle now. The little one is for babies." Nyomi crossed her arms over her narrow chest and her bottom lip stuck out a little.

"You can stop sticking out your lip, too." He gave her bottom lip a little flick with his finger and smiled as she abruptly sucked it back in.

"Daaaa..dee..." She whined and tried to look fierce but she couldn't stop her crafty smile from appearing. "Are you going to show me or do I have to learn from mom?"

Throwing down that challenge caused Noah to lean forward and laugh out load.

"Here is the deal, little one." His daughter frowned at his favorite name for her. He winced internally. He had forgotten she had told him she was too old to be called 'little one' anymore. "I will teach you how to use the big rifle, but you have to promise not to tell your mother. I'll tell her when the time is right."

His daughter's pale blue eyes shone with excitement. "I won't say a word! Can we start now?"

Noah glanced down at his watch and rolled his eyes when he saw it had stopped again. They would have to get more batteries the next time they were in town.

"How about you go help your mother with the new baby for a while and I'll get everything ready and come get you?"
"Promise?" Nyomi peered up at her father.
"I wouldn't have said it if I didn't mean it, sweetheart." He stroked a hand down her red curls.

She stood a moment, so excited she wasn't sure what to do. Then Nyomi flung herself at her father, clutching him tight around the waist.
"Thanks, Daddy!" She gave him a squeeze and before he could wrap his arms around his daughter, she was off and running for the cabin.

Noah couldn't say why he was so concerned about his daughter graduating to the larger rifle. She was an excellent shot and she was as cautious as he was when using it. Maybe he was wrong to be concerned. She was going to have to learn sooner or later, so why not now?

"Nooooo!" The loud yell came from the direction of the cabin he had built for his growing family.

Noah dropped his head and sighed. That wailing could only mean Nyomi had told her mother about the shooting lessons with the big rifle. His daughter was as impulsive as her mother and he should have known she couldn't hold in the secret. As you slammed angrily out of the front door of the cabin, Noah stood up straight, threw back his shoulders and prepared for the onslaught.