Kodi raced on with his team into the town of Nome towards the steps of the mail-house. The mailman inside went out to greet Kodi and his team, and to get the mail from White Mountain. The mailman, clumsy as always fell on his way inside his shop with the bag of mail in his arms. Kodi’s musher asked, “You okay, sir?” The mailman just replied back, “I’m fine!” Kodi sighed. It’s just the same old thing everyday. He thought.
    Kirby, Dusty, Ralph, and Bounce (a new member of the team) all ate the dog chow they had gotten as a reward from the mailman. Kodi didn’t eat his.
    “Why so down Kodi?” Dusty asked. Kodi looked at her.
     “I’m just bored.” “With what?” She asked back. The others started to listen as they ate. “Just bored with doing the same old thing every day.” “Yeah, but now the plane does half of what we do for us.” “Yeah,” Ralph agreed. “That ‘a-way we don’t have to wore ourselves out.” He finished licking his chops. Kirby finished licking his, when he added, “Besides, getting the mail is what we do.” “Yeah, it’s our job.” Bounce replied flapping his ears. Kodi knew that but he just felt bored. “I know, it’s just well… maybe I should go into town to today, instead of hanging’ around the boiler room. I just feel like I need a little bit of a change. I hope you guys don’t mind?” Kodi asked his pals with his mind made up. Kirby and Ralph nodded understandingly. Dusty just gave a wink and a smile agreeing. Bounce was scratching his ears panting and smiled at Kodi. Kodi smiled back at them all and shook off his gear from the sled for the mail and bounded further into town.
    Kodi looked around. The baker had just placed a large loaf of bread by the window, it smelled great. Kodi kept walking around town, he passed the shoe-shop, the small town-market, the bookshop, and then on his way towards butcher’s he bumped into something soft. Kodi shook his head and blinked. “Well- excuse me.” The voice sounded from what Kodi had bumped into. It was sable colored female husky, with a large blue bandana wrapped around her shoulders like Kodi’s mother Jenna had, except Jenna had a red one that was much thinner. Her chest fur resembled that of a wooly-coated husky, but the rest of her fur was regular husky-like.
    Kodi’s heart pounded a little. “I’m sorry,” He started not knowing what to say. “That’s okay.” The female husky replied quickly. “I’m new around here, so I don’t know much about the town’s daily basis places. But maybe you could…” “Show you around?” He interrupted finishing her question. She smiled at him blinking. She padded beside him. “I think I like what I see so far in this town.” The female husky mentioned to Kodi her tail whisked gently to his. Kodi smiled and led her into town.
   
Chapter 2

    Sandy and Kodi laughed as Kodi told Sandy about the time he first went on the mail run and had gotten into Kirby’s gear instead of his own, and they ended up being 20 minutes late towards White Mountain and then 30 minutes late back home, because Dusty and Ralph had gotten their harnesses tangled up together.
    “Way to go wonder-dog on getting the mail on time.” Sandy joked. “After that, I swore never to be late again. Otherwise everybody be teasin’ me.” He finished. Kodi and Sandy chuckled a little. They kept walking and talking until Sandy barked, “Well, this is my stop.” “Old Mr. Grand’s house?” Kodi asked. Sandy nodded. “My new owner is here visiting Old Mr. Grand because they’re cousins.” “What do you mean by ‘new owner’.” Kodi asked suspiciously. Sandy padded a few steps to her left and pattered her right forepaw at a clump of snow. “My original owners couldn’t take care of me anymore.” “How come?” Kodi asked concerned. “They had a new baby, and the baby turned out to be allergic to fur.” “Where did you used to live?” Kodi asked trying to be more cheerful. Sandy smiled and replied. “The Yukon, the part of Yukon down south.” “What’s it like down there?” “Busy with tourists, hunting, wild out-doors, not much of a difference from here, except the tourist attractions are at large down there. Especially the mountains, those are a killer thriller.” Sandy bragged. “Yeah- well, Nome is pretty famous too.” “Yeah? What attraction do you guys have.” Kodi’s eyes gleamed mischievously. “You’ll see.” “When?” Sandy pressed in eagerness. “Tomorrow. If… that’s okay with you?” Kodi nervously asked. Sandy smiled, “Why wouldn’t it be? I’ve got nothing to do tomorrow except watch you return from your daily run from White Mountain. I wanna see how fast you guys go. Maybe that’s your killer attraction?” Sandy guessed. She battered her eyes and before Kodi knew it, she licked him on the cheek. His eyes grew dazzled and he sloped down right into the snow below him. Sandy giggled. He shook the snow off that was on top of his head. Sandy got onto the old creaking front porch of Old Mr. Grand’s house. “Good night, Kodi.” Sandy told him. Kodi got up and stood gazing at her. “Good night Sandy.” He watched her, as she entered the old house through a doggie-flap that led into the house from the right side of the front door.
Kodi kept smiling thinking of Sandy as he made his way toward his home down town. Kodi scratched at the front door like he always did and barked. His owners, Mr. and Mrs. Brooks, greeted him. Josh Brooks, Mr. and Mrs. Brooks’ son was the little boy who had chosen him when it was time for Kodi and his siblings to be adopted. Josh was now 8 years old. He was busy with school, so he didn’t have enough time to spend with Kodi like he used to, and during the summer Josh was busy with his friends and worked daily on his summer project.
Kodi had realized last year, that if he stayed home all the time while Josh was busy with friends, and school, Kodi’s life would just disappear like thin air. This is what motivated him into finding a job. His first job had been to be the news delivery dog, but he felt it wasn’t the right way for him to experience his surroundings. That’s when he thought of being part of the mail-run. He had been lucky, Kirby lead dog of the team had needed a new recruit since Weller had moved out of Nome because of his owner’s new job. Kodi had been delighted when he first began doing his new job, and took it very seriously.
Kodi walked inside the kitchen. Mr. Brooks was playing cards with Josh’s older brother, Zack. Josh’s younger sister, Susie was holding onto Mrs. Brooks’ apron, and with her other hand grasped tightly onto her stuffed animal that was silver husky, that she called, ‘Timbly’; while Mrs. Brooks brewed beef stew.
Kodi sniffed intently at the appetizing smell. Kodi walked towards his food and water bowls, which were settled nicely below the office counter. Kodi’s food dish had stained smudged writing on it that spelled his name on it, that Josh had written two days after he had adopted Kodi. Kodi lapped at his blue and tiny black spotted water bowl and went up the stairs. Kodi went into Josh and Zack’s room, where Josh was writing down information about icicles for his summer project. Kodi’s tail wagged and he nudged Josh’s side. Josh paused for a second away from his project and patted Kodi and praised him saying, “Hi there, boy. Did you run the mail today?” Kodi panted happily to answer a yes. Josh then smiled at Kodi and went back to his project. Kodi panted happily, his tail wagged, and his tongue hung out like dogs do when they’re happy. But he stopped, his ears and tail drooped down, and his tongue went back into his mouth, when he realized that Josh wasn’t going to pay him any more attention. Kodi padded towards Josh’s bed near the window and jumped up on it and watched Josh work. Soon Kodi drifted into sleep.
Kodi awoke as he heard Mrs. Brooks hitting a can of wet-dog-food with an old wooden stirring spoon as she called Kodi’s name. “Kodi! Come down boy! Chow time!” Kodi yawned and smiled. As he jumped off the bed he stretched. Then he raced eagerly down the stairs. Kodi jumped up a little as Mrs. Brooks held his food bowl that smelled deliciously of wet-dog-food. “Alright Kodiak, here you go.” Mrs. Brooks told him gently and placed down his food bowl for him. Kodiak quickly ate his breakfast and gulped down his water. He shook his head. “Oh gosh! Sandy! I completely forgot!” He rushed to the door and scrapped at it. Mrs. Brooks opened the door for him puzzled. “Alright Kodiak you can go outside, but the mail run isn’t until 8:00, and it’s only 7:30.” Kodi raced down to Old Mr. Grand’s house. He skidded to a halt as he almost collided into Sandy who was headed his way. “Are we always going to meet like this?” She asked with a smile. Kodi embarrassed chuckled a little. “I was headed over to your house.” She told him. “How did you know where it was?” Kodi asked puzzled. “Your scent is still in the snow, duh.” Kodi felt even more embarrassed. “Well I was headed down to your house, so… do you want to meet my friends before I go?” Kodi asked. Sandy nodded as a yes to Kodi’s question. They walked and talked together while on their way to the boiler room near the docks, instead of the boiler room near the hospital.
Dusty, Ralph, Kirby, and Bounce were all there talking by the boiler inside the boiler room. Kodi came in, Sandy a little shy by his side. “Hey everybody, there’s somebody I’d like you to meet,” Kodi started a moved a little to the side for others to see Sandy. “This is my new friend, Sandy.” He introduced. Everybody gave their hellos, especially Kirby who seemed to have a crush on her like Kodi did.
Sandy soon got comfy laying on an old potato sack that was filled up with fluff and cotton balls from Ralph and Dusty’s stuffed toys, while Kodi lay next to her. Dusty sat across from her, closer to the boiler. Glancing a little bit at Kodi, she then looked up at Sandy and asked curiously, “So, where do you come from?”
“The Yukon, southern part of Yukon.” Sandy answered smiling.
“Must be pretty cold over there.” Dusty replied. Sandy dipped her head, still smiling and answered kindly,
“Yes, but not much of a difference from here.”
“Where in the Yukon did you live?” Dusty then paused and continued, “I mean what community?” She explained more thoroughly. Sandy smiled again and answered,
“Well… I first lived in Whitehorse down south, and then moved up to Old Crow, then now to Nome.”
“So you’re really from up north.” Dusty added on suspiciously. Sandy looked down guiltily at the ground.
“Well, yes, but I lived in Whitehorse longer, so I just keep thinking that I moved from Whitehorse to here.” Sandy explained now more happily, Dusty nodded now understandingly. Bounce suddenly rushed to the door of the boiler room, his upper ear cocked to the side upward listening. Then he panted happily, his tongue hanging low.
“Hey guys, that was Mel just calling us. The mail sled is all set!” He barked. All the mail dogs and Sandy got up. The mail dogs all went outside, except for Kodi who stood waiting for Sandy.
“Sandy you coming to come and watch us leave?” He asked. Sandy smiled at him, but then her smile faded, as she stared at the wall in front of her beside Kodi. Kodi puzzled, asked Sandy, “Sandy? Sandy you okay?” He asked again, now he padded beside her, staring at the wall. He became even more puzzled. “Sandy? What you staring at?” He asked. Sandy shook her head.
“Huh?” She asked still shaking her head.
“I was wondering if you were going to come or not?” Kodi responded. Sandy smiled at him again. “Why were you standing at the wall anyway?” Kodi asked again.
“I was just thinking about… old memories.” Sandy’s voice was steady but yet trailed off at the end of her sentence.
Kodi gave her a mischievous smile as he nudged her with his paw playfully. “C’mon. You’ll get to see how fast I am.” Sandy smiled at him thoughtfully, because she knew he was trying to cheer her off. They bounded out the room together racing towards the entrance of town, where the other mail dogs were, getting ready for their daily run to White Mountain and back.

Chapter 3

Sandy and Kodi panted heavily as they made it to the mail sled. Sandy gave Kodi a nuzzle underneath his chin and told him, “Good luck, wonder dog.”
“Thanks.” Kodi thanked her still panting. He felt special for some reason every time Sandy said or did something with him.
“Just be careful.” Sandy warned. Kodi gave an naïve smile back to her.
“I’ll be fine, besides getting to White Mountain all the way and back is my job.”
“Yeah, but accidents happen every day.” Sandy argued calmly. Kodi depressed a sigh, then he brightened up as he told her,
“Sandy, as a mail dog we have a little saying that goes like this,” Kodi cleared his throat and spoke, “’Neither rain nor sleet nor snow and add nor hail can stop the US mail.’” (Universal quote ©).
Sandy smiled at him. “Fancy words.” She replied smiling at Kodi thoughtfully then they both heard a human sounding whistle.
“Kodi! Come on, or we’re going to be late!” Mr. Simpson the musher of the mail team called to Kodi.
“You better go, you don’t want to be late.” Sandy told Kodi. Kodi then barked goodbye to Sandy.
“See yah, Sandy!” Sandy jumped up barking dog like sounds in excitement to wish him farewell.
“Good boy Kodi, we can’t be late.” Mr. Simpson encouraged him for coming. He patted Kodi’s head as he helped Kodi get into his harness. Kodi stood beside Kirby, who was still thinking about Sandy, love-struck. Ralph then started joking,
“Hey Kodi, did you guys go howling at the moon yet?”
“Huh? What?” Kodi asked back confused.
“You know....” Ralph paused looking around and then continued. “You and Sandy.”
“Sandy and I are just friends.” Kodi defended himself, then he gave a murmur/gasp as he heard Dusty conclude to Ralph’s comment,
“That’s what they all say at the beginning.” Ralph laughed at Dusty’s own comment, and she joined in. Kodi felt red hot in his ears and cheeks with embarrassment. Then he and the others got ready into action as Mr. Simpson shouted,
“Mush!” Kodi and Kirby led the dogs through the snow onward towards White Mountain.

Chapter 4

Kodi kept running as he and the others ran the sled towards White Mountain through the thicket of trees and shrubs covered with snow. He started thinking about Sandy once again, when they reached the entrance of White Mountain. I hope Sandy’s okay. Kodi thought. The dogs on the mail team, still geared up to the sled, waited patiently as Mr. Simpson dropped off the mail from Nome to the White Mountain post office, where the White Mountain postmaster gave Mr. Simpson another load of mail that would go back to Nome.
Mr. Simpson came on out of the post office with a heavy load of mail. “Okay guys, we’re going to be having more loads of mail starting today, because the 4th graders from Nome and White Mountain are starting a pen pals group, every Monday, Wednesday and Tuesday.” Mr. Simpson explained to the dogs as he placed the large bag filled with the new mail upon the sled.
“Yee Ow!” Ralph yowled. “This hurts my back!”
“C’mon Ralph, it’s not that big of a deal.” Dusty told him.
“How do you know?” Ralph asked her angrily.
“Because like you I’m also hooked up to the sled, and I’m right next to you!” She explained. The dogs felt a tug at the sled reins, and Mr. Simpson shouted out to the dogs.
“Okay, now mush!”
“Seems like the argument will have to wait.” Kodi joked, and he and Kirby took the lead once again, and headed back towards Nome.

Kodi reached the entrance of Nome happily, eagerly glancing around for Sandy’s brownish sable colored coat, and tail. Once he got out of his gear, he skipped his reward for doing the mail, which was usually a bowl of warmed up wet-dog food with small amounts of kibble; and to his surprise found Sandy chatting with Kodi’s parents, Balto and Jenna!
He inhaled and exhaled before he went on over to join them.
“Hey Mom, Dad, seems like you’ve met Sandy already.” They all looked at him, now smiling noticing that he had arrived.
“Kodi! You’re back! I was worried sick that something happened to you!” Sandy breathed sounding exhausted with worry, as she bounded up to him.
“I’m fine.” He sounded pleasant and happy that she cared for him that much. Balto and Jenna waited patiently smiling.
“We were just telling Sandy, not to worry.” Jenna spoke softly.
“They were- are, very kind to me, Kodi.” Sandy told him. Balto joined in on the conversation.
“You should’ve seen her earlier, she was running all over the place around the post office. We’re all just glad that you’re okay though.” Balto finished. He and Jenna smiled proudly at Kodi and Sandy.
“Uh… do you guys want to… go on a walk with us?” Kodi asked. Balto was about to answer but was interrupted by Jenna.
“Sorry Kodi, your father and I have our own plans already. About going on a stroll into town.” Jenna spoke a little demandingly at the end of her second sentence, and gave Balto a look. Balto’s expression at first was confused, but then he realized that Jenna was trying to let Kodi and Sandy have a little bit of ‘alone time’ together.
“Oh- yeah, I forgot about that.” Balto replied and then he and Jenna both smiling, barked their goodbyes and left walking side by side.
Kodi and Sandy chuckled with each other. “Your parents really bring the core of the dog bone to this place.” Sandy told him, smiling thoughtfully.
“Thanks.” Kodi replied smiling. He was still tired from the run to White Mountain and back, especially since he didn’t eat his reward. Sandy’s tail raised, whisked her tail to his tail. Kodi felt red hot with embarrassment.
“So what’s the main attraction, you were goanna show me?” Sandy asked curiously, as they walked on. Kodi smiled and answered guiltily,
“Well…. My Dad was the main attraction.” Sandy stopped suddenly, as she asked puzzled.
“You’re dad?” Kodi chuckled. She must’ve heard of my Dad’s legacy. He thought.
“You know, ‘Balto rescue dog of Nome, the all dog luminary’.” Sandy shook her head, telling him that she didn’t follow what he was saying. “You’re kidding, right?” He asked in disbelief. Sandy shook her head again. Kodi gave a sigh and proposed, “Well, then I’ll tell you about it.” Sandy’s eyes and her entire expression upon her face and tail, including her ears, all brightened and piped up.
“I hope I like it.” Sandy told Kodi almost in a flirty tone. Kodi responded happily,
“You’ll love it.” Sandy just closed her eyes softly with a flirtatious mummer. They started walking together towards the end of town, near the wilderness of and beach of Nome, without them evening realizing it as Kodi began the story.

Chapter 5

Kodi and Sandy were walking across the beach, which was covered in snow because it was earlier fall. Snow started falling a little more, so it could get through the fall and get ready for the large storms and blizzards ready for winter. Kodi had now finished the story, and was telling Sandy about the confusion between ‘aurora’ and the ‘northern lights’ as the lights’ name, while they appeared in front of them as nightfall also shown.
“They’re so… beautiful.” Sandy replied breathlessly as she watched the colors twine and shift together, like a bunch of crystals taped together on a projector slides that were moving back and forth.
Sandy sat on the cold snow and they laid down, watching the bright lights, Kodi laid down beside her. Sandy turned toward Kodi. “Oh, Kodi.” She sighed longingly. “When I move to a new place, I’ve always had to face the first few months on my own. And I thought when I moved out of the Yukon, that I’d be an outcast here in Nome. But then you appeared on my third day here, and changed some of my thoughts about this place. I think… what I’m trying to say… is that well…” Sandy paused and inhaled and exhaled before continuing. “I think Kodi, that…I….love you. Even though I’ve just met you, I feel as though you and I have a bond. A bond stronger than just friendship.” Sandy finished and then asked one final question to Kodi, “Kodi… how do you feel about this?” She asked.
Kodi looked stunned and was silent.
“Kodi?” Sandy asked again after a few minutes of silence. Kodi started to smile.
“I’ve been feeling the same.” He began, sounding a little longing also. “I wanted to tell you how I felt about you too. I mean, I want to share that bond with you, the one you mentioned earlier. But… maybe we could have a relationship, like as mates sort of? Is that okay with you?” He asked. He knew when he had spoken he hadn’t sounded or had spoken very clearly, but that was just because his heart beat had been going high with excitement when Sandy had told him how she felt, about them both. Sandy and Kodi both smiled as Sandy answered happily,
“Yes! I would love that!” Then Sandy nuzzled Kodi with her snout along his neck, and then she leaned against his shoulder, as they watched the northern lights together.