Chapter Nine Summary

During Alex's "dates" with Bubba she is actually learning the art of mushing. Casey doesn't know this and the idea of Alex being with another man drives him crazy. He tries to drown his pain in liquor and only succeeds in giving himself a hangover. Alex fixes him breakfast and dinner. That night she goes out with Bubba again. Once again Casey is furious when she comes in late. The third night he meets Alex and Bubba at the door when they come in a twelve-fifteen. Alex is glowing from her success at driving the mushing team. They inform Casey they are coming in to drink cocoa and talk about breeding. Casey misinterprets this comment and punches Bubba in the nose, sparking a fistfight. Alex goes for Casey's gun and fires it inside the house, effectively stopping the fight. She sends...