‘Oh,’ I say, scooping up a handful of snow and watching it fall through my gloved fingers. Sounds like Steph came from a different world to Mum who, despite her love of animals and nature, was a city girl. Maybe this wild Alaskan life is what my father wanted, needed.

‘That’s how I ended up out here. Jaxon’s mum was her mother’s first cousin, so that’s how I know Jaxon’s dad, Doug, and I’ve known Jaxon since he was little.’

‘What happened with her?’ I ask.

‘It’s complicated. We wanted to have kids.’ He looks at me. ‘She knew all about you, even tried to help me find you.’

‘Oh,’ I say, again. Another punch. What would my life have been like if they had?

‘We tried everything to get pregnant but eventually discovered she was …’ He drops off.

I wait. My fingers are cold now and my toes hurt. I try to wriggle them in my boots, resisting the urge to stomp.

‘She was infertile. And devastated, of course. Guess I didn’t handle it well, all the emotions. I kinda zoned out, went numb. I handled it terribly, actually.’

‘Then what happened?’

‘She packed her bags and left.’

I look at him, the glow of purple galaxy light playing on his face. For a moment, I let go of all my expectations, hopes and disappointments, and see only a person, a human being. And he doesn’t seem so bad after all.

When I wake the next morning, the tent’s empty. I stretch, and venture a foot outside.

The air is freezing and the light low, the sun not up yet. I check my watch—8am. I add layers and walk to the fire pit.

My father’s red jacket is framed by the embers and I can just make out the soaring jagged mountain peaks in the pre-dawn light.

‘Sleep well, Sky? I’ve made tea. Nice and hot.’

Jaxon’s words from last night echo in my head: He’s a good guy. Maybe he is. Jaxon’s lost his mum and now his dad’s a drunk. My mum’s gone too, but my father’s here and he’s trying. Is he a good guy?

I nod and smile, thinking of the wolves, the caribou tracks, the lights and even the gooey chocolate banana. He pours my cup full, steam wafting up.

The steam from the teacup, glow of the fire, and dark white landscape slowly saturate with morning light. It’s like the mountains are glowing from within. I blink to take a mental picture. ‘It’s been awesome.’

He looks at me questioningly.

‘This trip. Thank you.’

He smiles his biggest yet. ‘This is my favourite place in the world. I hoped you’d like it here. Like father like daughter.’