A Place For Wild Hearts To Heal

Sashi Hansen came to Prince of Wales Island, Alaska, to work herself closer to her dream: her own ballet studio. Instead, a wild bear has landed her in a nightmare. Her leg is broken, and she may never dance again. Her heart is broken with the loss of her best friend. And her mind…well, she’s confused. Her savior, Dr. Cole Stevens, is sending mixed signals. She’s never received such loving care—but it seems the healer needs healing, too, from his own private pain and loss.

Sashi’s ready and willing, but can’t get close. With everything that Alaska throws at him, why can’t this courageous doctor handle his own heart?

Don’t lose your focus, Stevens.

He had to make sure she was hemodynamic for transportation to a hospital. Amazing that she’d survived the night. How many times had they found people out here in the bush who hadn’t survived?

“I need you to tell me where you hurt the most.” Cole began looking in her ears, mouth, nose, and then he pressed on her stomach to check for internal bleeding. She seemed okay. “Where else do you hurt, Sashi? Can you move your fingers for me?”

She looked at him with serious eyes. “What if I can never dance again?”

“Sashi, never stop believing in miracles. You are alive, miracle number one.”

Dear Reader,

Cole’s story is one that I have longed to tell since he appeared into the novella “A Daughter’s Discovery” from A Mother’s Wedding Day (American Romance #1302). I imagined his character as an incredibly sexy doctor with a tortured past he couldn’t seem to outrun.

Writing this story was an amazing adventure. I wanted Cole to find true love, but his path to Sashi Hansen is one full of pain and soul searching. In order for him to help Sashi overcome a horrific attack from a bear, he has to deal with the loss of his brother as he fights for her love.

I hope you enjoy this book. It’s been a personal journey for not just my hero and heroine, but for me as well.

Ciao,

Dominique

The Alaskan Rescue

Dominique Burton

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

As a young girl with three brothers and a writer for a mother, Dominique Burton lived in the imaginary world of books such as Anne of Green Gables and movies starring Indiana Jones. Much of the time, she would write and act out her own stories with Harrison Ford as the hero. Not too shabby for a seven-year-old! Dominique loves Europe, and at the age of twenty, got the wild notion to buy an around-the-world, one-way plane ticket. For six months, she circled the globe alone, studying Italian, learning about other cultures, scuba diving and having a blast. She graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelor’s degree in history. She now lives in South Jordan, Utah, with her husband, two children and three step-children, all of whom she dearly loves. If she’s not writing or reading, she’s out running. A few years ago, Dominique had the privilege of running the Boston Marathon. To learn more, go to www.dominiqueburton.com.

The Alaskan Rescue was a challenging book to write. The heroine’s bear attack and the hero’s past guilt of losing a loved one developed into an intricate story line. Internet research alone didn’t have all the answers.

First of all I want to thank my editor, Kathleen Scheibling, for giving me the chance to write a book that explored these topics.

I want to thank Ben Walker, a real ranger of the Tongass National Forest. He helped me to understand black bears, from their size to their natural aptitudes.

My love and appreciation goes to Dr. Stephanie C. Gardner, M.D., a dear old friend who explained the ABCs of Emergency Medicine. (Love you!) My thanks goes out to my buddy, Dr. Ben Curtis, M.D., who took time out of his schedule to explain orthopedic injuries and how physical therapy helps treat them.

One of the main themes of the story is overcoming survivor’s guilt. Plunging into this was more difficult than I had anticipated. This book could never have been as dramatic if Dr. Michael A. Kalm, M.D.—a man who has been one of the greatest influences in my life—hadn’t shared his wisdom.

I know there have been many more people who have influenced this story. I want the reader to know that I take full responsibility for any errors or inconsistencies. My hope is that all who read this book will take away a little of the genius of the above individuals who made such a valuable contribution to my book.

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Preview

Chapter One

Dr. Cole Stevens looked out the window of his pontoon Cessna, trying to get a better look at Marshall’s Fishing Lodge and Resort. The large upscale property, nestled in a cove on the Inside Passage of southeast Alaska, was set against the emerald rain forest of the gentle hills of Prince of Wales Island.

Because he was a nature lover at heart, Cole did his best never to take the splendor of the world he lived in for granted. As a bush doctor he felt blessed to have a job he loved. He didn’t always know where his day would take him. Sometimes he would be at the hospital. Other times he’d be helping with search-and-rescue out in the middle of nowhere.

On this late August day he was here to find out what type of illness had struck a group of fishermen from Kansas who were staying at Marshall’s. As Cole expertly set his Cessna down on the choppy water and steered it toward the dock, he thought about Frank Marshall and his family’s shabby treatment of employees and the people who lived on the island.

A local, Cole was well aware that the Marshall family had a hard time keeping employees, even though the pay was excellent. It took a tough person to handle the brutal hours and the family’s habit of treating staff like indentured servants. But if you needed the money, he guessed it was worth it.

This got him thinking about the conversation he’d had earlier in the day with his best friend—Jake Powell, the chief ranger of the Tongass National Forest. Jake had been visiting Ketchikan where Cole lived, and had taken him out to lunch, something that rarely happened these days. Normally if Cole wanted to see his buddy, he had to fly from Prince of Wales Island to the small town of Craig, Alaska, to visit him and his family.

“I’ve got about fifteen minutes for lunch,” he told Jake.

“Since when?” Jake took a swallow of beer and scowled at Cole. “Come on. We’ve had this lunch planned for weeks.”

“Nature of my job.” Cole hurriedly ate his sandwich. “I’ve got to fly up to Marshall’s and take care of some sick people.”

“Why don’t you tell Frank Marshall to take a long hike on a short dock?” Jake said. “The Marshalls have ruined the sport of fishing with that new technology, and you know it!”

“Not really. I’m a terrible fisherman.” Cole took a sip of his soda. “And all the technology in the world wouldn’t make me a better one.”

Jake set his beer down and grinned at his friend. “Yes, you are a terrible fisherman. Remind me again why we’re friends.”

“Beats me. Yet you’re here paying for lunch.”

Jake straightened. “Now why is that? You’re the rich doctor. You should be paying.”

Cole shook his head. “Nope. You lost your bet. That last rescue we did—I said it would take three days to get out, and you said two, but I was right. Three horrible days.”

“I need another beer.” Jake swallowed the remains of the first, then called out to the waitress. “I hated that rescue. That guy—” he shook his head in disgust “—total jerk.”

Cole agreed. “Almost worse than Frank Marshall. What was his name? Brek?”

“Brekker. Brekker Harris from Colorado.” Jake imitated the man’s voice.

Cole burst out laughing. “The guy still thought he was some mountain man even though we had to carry him out of the bush on foot.”

“I don’t know how you handle dealing with Old Man Marshall as much as you do.”

“This trip has nothing to do with him. It’s about the lodge guests who are sick at his place.” Cole studied his friend. “Tell me—has Freddy been up to his old tricks lately?”

“Hey, are you asking me for info after you’ve only given me a few minutes of your precious time?” Jake’s face broke into a grin again. “I’m not talking. It’s part of my job.”

Cole finished his sandwich with one last bite. “Come on.”

Jake shook his head. “My lips are sealed.”

“Come on—” Cole threw his hands in the air and leaned back, cocking his head at Jake. “Did Freddy bring girls up from the lower forty-eight? He’s done it before.”

“You’re killing me, Cole. Okay. But this stays between you and me.”

Cole ran a hand through his short sandy hair. “Oh yeah, because I’m gonna gossip like a school girl. You know me better than that, Jake.” He leaned forward. “I’m waiting.”

Jake sighed. “Well, I just happened to do a random check on some of the Marshall boats while Freddy was out fishing. Every boat had fish catches over the limit. I issued a lot of citations that day.”

“That’s nothing new. Go on. What else?”

“Rumor has it that Freddy, who’s been attending college in Washington, D.C., brought four women there to work this summer at the resort.”

“And?” Cole began to drum his fingers on the table.

Jake leaned in closer. “All the women thought Freddy was in love with them. Apparently they each thought he’d brought her home to meet Daddy and propose. It’s been a really nasty summer.”

“Instead, he brought them home to work like slaves for his father,” Cole said flatly.

“You got it.”

“Typical Freddy.” Cole finished his soda. “Okay, pal, gotta go.”

It had been good to see Jake. While Cole was still remembering their conversation, the door of his plane was opened before he had completely shut the engine down. It brought Cole back to the present in a hurry.

“Good to see you, Doc.”

“You, too, Randy. I didn’t know you were working here now.”

“Had to. The cannery let me go. Now Shirley is pregnant with our third and ain’t feelin’ well. Fred Marshall made me an offer I couldn’t refuse.”

“What’s the catch?” Cole knew there had to be one. Randy looked exhausted.

“I get a day off every other week.”

“How many hours a day are you working?”

“Eighteen. But this talk is between you and me, right? Doctor patient confidentiality and all.”

Aghast at Randy’s working conditions, Cole reached into the rear of the plane to grab his bag and a few supplies in case he needed to administer meds. When he turned back, he was calm enough to talk to Randy and stay out of his business. “Yes, Randy. What you say to me is confidential. You’re a good man and father. Just...take care of yourself.”

“I will.”

With that Cole climbed out of the plane, knowing Randy would keep an eye on things. He always found it difficult to come to such a stunning place where the rich and famous played, and see firsthand how much the staff, hired for the wealthy guests’ care and comfort, suffered. Now he needed to find Frank.

Cole walked into the main lodge. A large wooden structure, it had lacquered beams that reached at least thirty feet high. The lobby was centered by a rock fireplace rising to the roof. It took your breath away.

Today it was ablaze, creating a cozy atmosphere. For the visitors’ convenience, leather couches, with throws of various animal furs, were placed here and there, while the walls were covered with stuffed trophy fish, animal heads and incredible photographs of Alaska.

In the back of each alcove, where either a concierge or bellhop was stationed, was a mounted bear or mountain goat. A true fisherman’s and hunter’s paradise. Cole’s mind, however, was on the sick people. He went to the front desk, behind which stood a tall brunette. She smiled at him.

“Welcome to Marshall’s,” she said. “I’m Kendra. How may I assist you?”

“I’m Dr. Cole Stevens. Frank Marshall called me earlier to fly out and check on some guests who are ill.”

She nodded. “We’ve been waiting for you. Mr. Marshall has been very worried. If you’ll follow me, I’ll take you to him.”

* * *

IT WAS OVER AN HOUR LATER when Frank Marshall finally caught up with Cole.

“How did it go with the patients?”

Cole eyed the man who’d fed a lie to him before paying him to fly out here. Frank was a tall, handsome, charismatic man in his mid-sixties. Yet Cole knew he could turn into a viper if things didn’t go the way he wanted. His son, Freddy, was just as bad. “Luckily for you things are all right.”

“That’s great,” Frank said. “So nothing to worry about.”

“Don’t ever lie to me again. I don’t appreciate walking into a room full of vacationers from another country who could all have had a serious flu virus. You told me they were from Kansas! Fortunately what they had was strep throat and a bad case of sea sickness.”

“I don’t like your tone.”

“And I don’t like not knowing what type of situation I’m walking into. I’ve started them on antibiotics. Keep them away from the other guests for a day or so, and everything should be fine. If something changes, take them to the clinic in Craig to be assessed.”

“All right, Cole. Listen. I have a bungalow on the water. It’s unoccupied. Why don’t you spend the night here on me? It’s eight o’clock and dark outside. Dinner’s over, but Bubba’s still in the kitchen. I’ll have him bring you something to eat at the bar. Everything will be on the house.”

“I’ll be sending a bill for the services rendered,” Cole reminded him.

“And I’ll pay it.”

“All right. I am rather tired and hungry.”

“So you’ll keep this outbreak of strep between you and me?” Frank seemed worried.

“I have to. No laws were broken. The guests have the right to get sick. I want you to know I checked their visas, Frank. They have to be out of the country by Sunday. Make sure they are.” Cole looked at him coldly. “If you need me, I’ll be in the bar.”

“I’ll have one of the girls bring you the key to your bungalow.”

Cole left Frank and followed the beautifully lit path surrounded by ancient pines and ferns to the bar. He took a deep breath of the invigorating air, the clean smell of wet earth and pine. The night sky was glorious, brimming with stars.

He was grateful he didn’t have to fly back home on such a magnificent night. He’d pulled an all-nighter at the hospital the night before and was beat.

The bar looked like a saloon from the gold-mining days at the turn of the twentieth century. He walked inside and could see people sitting at tables and the bar laughing and talking, while a handful of others danced to the music blaring from a jukebox.

* * *

SASHI HANSEN WAS EXHAUSTED as she headed to the bar. Her job was to give a key to a VIP at the resort. Who wasn’t an important guest here? Then she smiled. Everyone considered themselves important, she supposed.

She lifted a hand to her nose. It smelled of soap. She often worried she’d grown so used to the smell of fish on her skin that she couldn’t smell it anymore. Sashi had been in Alaska only a week when she’d overheard how much money could be made working down in the cannery. It paid three times what other jobs paid, but you really had to work hard. Fourteen-hour days on your feet cleaning, filleting and packing fish ready to be sent to places all over the world. So she resigned from her original job as a hotel maid and went to work in the packing plant.

Today Sashi had packed fish all day and the smell had been dreadful. When wasn’t it dreadful? She was convinced she was slowly turning into a fish, not realizing how vain she was. The boss had ordered her to wait tables for two more hours. She needed to concentrate on that and then she could hit her bunk bed.

As long as Sashi kept her vision in mind, the long days weren’t that bad. She could scarcely believe she was so close to attaining her dream. After working incredibly hard this summer, she’d earned enough money for a down payment on her own dance studio back home in Alexandria, Virginia, and would now be eligible to apply for a business loan. Soon she would be able to open it.

The long hours were draining, but she’d spent worse days getting ready for performances at the Joffrey Ballet School in New York. Not to mention there were only three more days left at this place and then she and her best friend, Kendra, would be flying home. She couldn’t wait!

Sashi walked into the bar, ducked behind the counter and found an apron to tie around her waist. Reaching into her jeans, she grabbed a rubber band and pulled her strawberry-blond hair into a ponytail. It reached halfway down her back.

With that accomplished, she inhaled deeply. Just think about tips.

First she needed to find a Dr. Stevens. Mac, the bartender, would know him. The middle-aged Tlingit knew everyone who flew in and out of here for whatever reason. “Yo, Mac,” she called. “I need some help over here.” Over the past three months she’d picked up the easy local banter.

“How can I help you, New York?” he responded.

Sashi had grown accustomed to every employee calling her “New York.” After living in the Big Apple for the past ten years, she’d picked up the accent, and here it had earned her the nickname.

“I need to find a Dr. Stevens,” she said.

“Really? Did you get lined up for a date?” Mac’s brown eyes twinkled.

She blushed. “No. Mr. Marshall told me to give him the key to his bungalow.”

“Not anything else?”

Sashi hated all the attention men gave her, even in a teasing manner. “You’re shameless.” She put her hands on her hips and tried her best to make a hundred pounds look tough.

“I know. But you still love me.” Then he gave her a hug. Sashi found if she held herself stiffly, most men let her go pretty fast. And he did.

“Just show me where the doctor is.”

Mac brought his face close to hers. He reeked of alcohol, causing her to shudder. “He’s the blond guy in the sweater and jeans staring at you.” He pointed.

Sashi turned and met the most unusual pair of eyes she’d ever seen—golden like honey, in a face that looked like it belonged in a magazine. Tanned, with an aquiline nose and chiseled features, even a cleft chin. Damn. For the first time since she’d been here, she felt her stomach tighten up over a good-looking man. Embarrassed because of the way she was reacting to him, she looked down at the floor.

“New York,” Mac said. “Doc Stevens is right there!” He gave her a little shove.

Sashi was sure she was bright red by now. The curse of pale skin.

Stop it, Sashi. Go give the doctor his key!

His table wasn’t far from the bar. She pulled herself together and crossed to him. In an effort to appear in control, she focused on a spot behind his broad shoulders and not on his handsome face. Her heart was pounding too hard. This kind of thing didn’t happen to her.

“Welcome to the Watering Hole, Dr. Stevens.” Now she met his gaze. Whew! His eyes were a luminous gold. She reached into her pocket and pulled out the key. “I believe this is for you.” As she handed it to him she said, “Mr. Marshall wanted me to tell you ‘thanks again.’”

As the doctor took the key, his hand brushed hers. She felt a jolt of energy from her fingertips to her midsection.

Sashi had heard of love at first sight, or what she preferred to call lust at first sight, but had never believed in it. She chalked it up to living in New York. Or maybe never having a relationship last. Whatever the reason, it had turned her into a real cynic about romance—until this moment. She’d never felt such attraction. No doubt it was one-sided, but it was shocking nevertheless.

“Thank you, Sashi,” he replied.

“Oh! You’re welcome.” She smiled. “It’s part of the job. Hey—how do you know my name?”

Suddenly the two most adorable creases bracketed his mouth. “It’s on your name tag.”

“Of course.” She felt herself blush again and bit her lip, continuing to look at him as he looked right back at her. Needing to break the silence, she asked, “Can I get you anything to drink?”

“I’ll have whatever you think is the best on tap.”

“Are you a lager kind of guy?”

“Always.”

“Then I’ll be right back.” Sashi started to make an escape and compose her thoughts.

“Wait.”

Her body quickened. This weird attraction was well beyond her comfort zone. She needed to talk to Kendra right now! Unfortunately, Kendra was with Freddy Marshall, a shameless ladies’ man. Sashi detested him, but his father was the boss, so she kept her feelings quiet. What baffled her was how Kendra could be in love with a man who kept breaking her heart.

Sashi had no choice but to turn back to the doctor. “Is there something else I can get you, Dr. Stevens?”

The man leaned back in the chair, his long legs stretched out before him. Was there anything unappealing about him? “First off, call me Cole. Everyone does. Up here we’re a pretty informal bunch.” He smiled warmly.

Sashi’s throat went dry. Maybe this wasn’t just a one-way attraction. “Okay—Cole.”

He looked at her curiously. “Where are you from? East Coast?”

“Originally from Virginia, but I’ve spent the past ten years in New York.”

He sat up to lean closer to her. “That’s why your accent sounds so familiar. A colleague of mine is from New York. He sounds like you.”

“Everyone calls me ‘New York’ up here.”

“What did you do there, if I may ask?”

Sashi wondered if the wheat-colored hair that fell over his forehead was soft to the touch. “Pardon?”

“I asked what you did in New York.”

“Oh. I studied ballet. Um...let me go and get you that drink.”

Sashi headed back to the bar to get his beer, chastising herself for acting like a teenager around him. Get your act together, girl. He’s a customer who wants a beer. That’s all. With that little pep talk, she headed back to his table with the beer.

“Oh, dear,” she muttered to herself. This wasn’t going to be easy. The man was too damned sexy.

Sashi put his drink on the wooden table. “One lager on the house, courtesy of Mr. Marshall. Is there anything else you would like, Doc—I mean Cole?”

He took a swig of his drink, then set it down. “This is good.” He flashed her another warm smile.

“So I’ve been told.” Sashi felt herself smile back.

“You’re not a beer drinker, then?”

Sashi wrinkled her nose. “I’ve never been a fan of beer. Too many calories.”

He studied her. “Like you need to worry. So what do you drink?”

Her heart raced from all his attention. “If I do...a gin and tonic.”

“Cole!” Mac yelled from the bar. “Stop hitting on the staff!”

“Then stop hiring such good-looking women!” Cole fired back.

Sashi could feel her cheeks burning again. She had to get away. She flashed Cole a smile, then moved to other customers and began taking orders. She couldn’t risk jeopardizing her job, not with only three days left. For the past three months she’d spurned every man who’d come on to her, be it an employee or guest.

She needed to ignore this attraction. But it did make her feel better to know she wasn’t completely frozen inside, as the men she’d turned down had told her. She guessed she simply wasn’t attracted to most men. Only to one blond god with tawny eyes.

The rest of the shift passed quickly. When the doctor ordered another lager or asked her a question, Sashi did her best to look unaffected.

* * *

SINCE THAT RED-HAIRED beauty had appeared, Cole sat at the table thunderstruck by what had transpired. Women like that didn’t just walk into saloons up in Alaska every day. Was she one of the girls Freddy had brought up from Washington, D.C., under the pretense of proposing to her?

Even if she was interested in Freddy, there’d been a spark between Cole and her when their eyes had met. Cole needed to catch her alone before he left the bar in order to find out if this attraction was only in his mind.

He waited outside for the place to close down and for Sashi to come out. Such an unusual name. He wondered what it meant. Hell, he had a ton of questions. Most of all he needed to see her again. She looked like a medieval princess with her porcelain skin and shiny, long hair. And her face! It was beautiful.

He heard the door open before he saw silhouettes moving in the semidarkness. Sashi was the first out. Mac followed after locking up the bar.

“Get a good night’s sleep, New York.”

“You, too, Mac.”

Sashi headed in a different direction than Mac. Cole hoped she wouldn’t think he was a stalker. If she screamed and told him to get lost, he would. But if she had felt the same spark he had earlier, she might be happy to see him. No matter. He would keep his distance so she wouldn’t feel scared.

“New York!” Cole called out softly when she was near enough. “You never told me where you studied ballet.”

* * *

SASHI’S HEAD WHIPPED AROUND. There he was, standing on the other side of the bridge she needed to cross to reach her bunkhouse. Was he waiting for her? Her heart leaped at the thought. She hoped he was.

If it had been any other man, she would have been alarmed and called security—all she had to do was reach down to the two-way radio attached to the hem of her jeans and call them. Instead, she was thrilled Cole had wanted to stay and talk to her.

So she leaned against the other side of the arched bridge that ran over one of the various streams on the property. The lights below the bridge cast a romantic aura over the lush forest, making onlookers feel they’d entered the land of Fey. The sky was filled with stars.

“I studied at the Joffrey Ballet School.”

There was enough light for Sashi to see Cole’s tall frame. He must be at least six-two or -three, with the body of an athlete. She started to imagine what it would be like to be held in arms like those.

“I don’t know much about dance,” he said. “Could you tell me more about the school?”

She sighed, then said, “It’s one of the most prestigious ballet schools in the country.”

“You look like a dancer,” he said.

“And you’re an expert on the subject?” Sashi couldn’t keep the sarcasm out of her voice.

Cole took a step closer. “To be honest, speaking from a doctor’s point of view, you look like you’ve been working out for years. Even serving drinks in jeans and a windbreaker, you hold yourself with poise and grace.”

Sashi chuckled. “How many dancers do you know? I think you’re just teasing me.”

A big smile appeared. “So what’s a prima ballerina doing out here at a fisherman’s paradise?” His voice was deep.

Sashi took a few steps onto the bridge so she could lean over and look into the water rushing below. “I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase ‘Those who can, do, and those who can’t, teach.’” She turned to face him.

“I have,” he replied.

“I’m going to let you in on a little secret.” She lowered her voice. “I want to open my own dance studio. I love working with children.”

Sashi wondered how many women this doctor had known in his life. He was a natural flirt. Suddenly she decided it didn’t matter. It wouldn’t hurt her to flirt back for once in her life, especially when she knew it could go nowhere.

Cole raked a hand through his thick hair. “I’m still trying to understand how you’re going to teach ballet up here.”

Sashi stood up straight. “I’m not going to teach here. I plan on opening a studio in Virginia. But I need money to get it started.”

“Ah. So you came here to Alaska to earn the big bucks.”

“We call it the gold mine down in the plant. Yet the experience of traveling to the last frontier has been life-changing.” She smiled at him.

“You work in the packaging plant?” Cole’s voice had an edge to it.

She chuckled. “You have a problem with that?”

Cole rubbed his chin. “No... I have great respect for you. Damn. I worked in a cannery one summer and it was tough work.”

“Tough work that pays very well,” Sashi countered. “Now it’s my turn.”

“For what?”

“To ask questions.” Sashi walked closer to him. “How does an Alaskan bush doctor know the term ‘prima ballerina’? Have you even been to a ballet?”

“That’s a little harsh. Not all Alaskans are rednecks. And yes, I’ve gone to ballets.” Cole stood up straight.

“Really. Which one is your favorite?”

Cole reached her in two quick strides. The heat of his body mixed with the tangy spice of his cologne began to break down her walls. He lifted his hand to tilt her face up to him. “My favorite is The Sleeping Beauty.”

Sashi stared into his face and gulped. Those eyes were intoxicating. Their color seemed to change constantly. Out here on the bridge it was like honey. At this point she knew she was in way over her head, but at the moment she didn’t care. His lips were full and his jaw had a five o’clock shadow she longed to touch.

Was this love at first sight? Or just pure lust? She knew she was beyond any coherent thought at the moment. Having had such little experience with men, she wished she knew what was going on. She had to go on instinct alone.

* * *

THIS INTENSE ATTRACTION caught Cole off guard. He’d heard his friends talk of love at first sight and he’d never believed them. But as he reached out and pulled her into his arms, it seemed the most natural thing in the world to do. “Have you ever danced in that particular ballet?”

“Yes,” she answered in a whisper, “but never as the prima ballerina.”

Cole bent his head down until their mouths met. At first their kisses were soft and gentle, and Sashi touched her fingers to his jaw. As passion filled his veins, Cole deepened the kiss and pulled her closer, releasing her magnificent hair.

Sashi’s body trembled as Cole kissed her with a new intensity. Every touch was more erotic as his lips and tongue slanted deeply, seeking a closeness only full sexual union could satisfy. He wanted to take her to his bungalow now and make love to her.

Show some control, Cole, he told himself. You can’t just ravage the woman. He wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his head on hers. He was sure she could hear his heart pounding.

“Sashi,” he said, panting, “I’m a man who is usually in control of himself. But I’m losing the battle. What would you like to do? I’ll respect your decision.”

He looked into her glowing emerald eyes, awaiting her reply.

Chapter Two

“I...I don’t know,” she said. “I’ve never felt this way before.”

Sashi trembled from pure excitement. She tightened her arms around Cole’s neck and kissed him deeply. He seemed to lose the control he’d been trying so hard to keep. He groaned and pinned her body against the bridge railing, returning her kiss.

Over the years Sashi had heard her friends talk about moments like this. She hadn’t believed they’d actually let a man they didn’t know near them. But now she understood. Tonight out here, she couldn’t imagine not letting him touch her. She never wanted to let him go.

They stayed on the bridge, kissing and caressing, unable to get enough of each other, for the next thirty minutes, until at last Sashi gently pushed him away, saying she had a long day tomorrow. As promised, he accepted her decision.

After leaving him, Sashi could hear music blaring from her bunkhouse before she walked into the bare, A-frame cabin. Kendra must have alerted the four other girls she was absent. They shared the same bunk room.

Damn.

They must all be waiting for her. She touched her fingers to her lips. They felt swollen from all the kissing. Her time with Cole had been so intense, she’d lost track of time.

Reaching for the doorknob, she took a deep breath and walked into the room to face the women she’d come to know over the summer.

“Sashi? Where have you been?” Kendra threw a pillow at her. “Do you know how worried I was?”

Sashi easily evaded the pillow, diverting it to Natalie’s bed. “I’m sorry. I lost track of time.”

Sarah, a busty young blonde who, like all the others, was after Freddy, chimed in. “Somebody looks like they’ve been making out!”

The cabin erupted in shrieks, causing Sashi to turn red.

“I’ve got to see this,” Bridgette declared. She got off her bed and moved in on Sashi for a closer inspection.

Bridgette was tall and curvy with long blond hair. Freddy liked all types of women. He’d hurt Kendra when he’d brought her up here letting her think she was the only woman he cared for. Little did Kendra realize she’d be competing with four others!

“Can you guys just leave me alone?” Sashi said.

“No!” Bridgette declared. “You’ve been Little Miss Goody Two-Shoes all summer and this is pretty exciting.”

“Go back to sleep.” Sashi rolled her eyes and headed over to her bed.

“Hold on just a second!” Blake called out.

Sashi groaned. No. Not Blake Carrey, the beast from Boston with the looks of a movie star and blond hair cut to her chin. Kendra knew that Blake’s perfectly tanned body came out of a spray bottle from France and her personality came straight from hell. Blake had made Kendra’s life miserable up here. She was obsessed with Freddy and convinced he was going to propose to her this summer.

“What do you want, Blake?”

“Who’s the guy? What makes him so special? Come on. Tell us.”

Sashi turned around to face the woman. She didn’t care much for Blake, whose constant complaining over the hard work got on everyone’s nerves.

With a smile she said, “He’s none of your business.”

“Don’t tell me you finally got it on with Mac!” Blake stood in front of her in satin pajamas that seemed so out of place up here in Alaska.

Sashi laughed. “Oh, if you only knew the truth.” At that she turned around and began to get things out of her bag. “Why don’t you go back to bed, Blakey? You need your beauty sleep.”

Sashi left for the latrine/shower house with her bag of toiletries. She needed to brush her teeth and wash her face. It was amazing how the guests got indoor plumbing and every modern amenity, while the workers lived back in time. Mr. Marshall had never gotten around to bringing the workers’ cabins into the twentieth century, never mind the twenty-first.

As she walked the short distance to the latrine, she heard laughter. But a loud bang from the door made her turn around to see who’d followed her. “Kendra! You scared me!”

Her tall friend caught up with her in seconds. “Sashi, what the hell? You’ve never done this before. You’ve got to tell me what happened earlier.”

“I’m sorry. But I met the hottest man ever.”

Kendra stopped walking and stared at Sashi in the moonlight. “Are you drunk? Is this the same Sashi I grew up with?”

Sashi didn’t want to stand out in the dark. This was bear country and she knew the rules, so she continued to walk. “Seriously, Kendra, you have to swear not to tell the girls.”

They reached the smelly outbuilding that serviced the employees’ needs. She headed in and Kendra followed. “Sashi, you and I don’t like any of those girls except Natalie. Who would I tell?”

“You’d tell Freddy!”

“Not true. I can keep secrets.”

“Promise?” Sashi’s heart was pounding as she washed her hands.

Kendra sounded exasperated. “Pinkie-promise.”

“Okay.” Sashi started to change clothes. “There was this hot bush doctor who flew up from Ketchikan today. His name is—”

“Dr. Stevens.” Kendra finished the sentence for her.

She felt a wave of jealously sweep through her. When had Kendra met him? Sashi was only half-dressed in her thermal top. “How do you know him?”

Kendra laughed. “Girl, you look so upset! I was working at the reception desk when he arrived and I took him to Mr. Marshall. He was pretty hot.”

Sashi nodded. “Yeah.”

“I’m not going to tell you anything more until you tell me how far you went.”

“We only kissed. I didn’t want to do more. He’s asked to see me again.” Sashi disappeared back into one of the toilet cubicles.

“How are you guys going to meet again?” Kendra asked.

“He’s a bush doctor, and he’ll fly out here and take us to Ketchikan early on the day we’re supposed to fly home. Then he’s going to take us to lunch. He says he can get us to the airport fast, too.”

“Do you believe him?”

“Of course.”

“Well, you’re going to have to call him and change the plans.”

“Why?”

“Because I broke off with Freddy and have booked us a three-day tour of Prince of Wales Island.”

Sashi emerged from the cubicle ready for bed. “Kendra, I can’t afford a trip like that.”

“I know. That’s why it’s my treat. The tour’s all about the Native Americans who lived here on this island. Our guide is an Native chief who knows amazing sites. It’s going to be incredible.”

Sashi went over and hugged her friend. She felt for her. Kendra had been fighting for Freddy’s attention all summer and finally learned from co-workers in the packing plant that he was just a player who brought his women up here to work. Worse, he put all of them in the same cabin!

“I’m proud of you for the way you’re handling this, Kendra,” Sashi said. “I’ll call Cole in the morning and find out if I can see him some other way before we leave Alaska.”

“I’ve never seen you this keen on a guy before,” Kendra said in a soft tone.

“I know it’s crazy. Cole was talking about flying out to Virginia for a vacation to see me. I didn’t know what to say other than I’d love it.”

“Stranger things have happened. I’m happy for you, Sashi. Now I’ve just got to get over Freddy.”

“I’ll help you.”

* * *

THE RAIN WAS COMING DOWN in sheets as Cole drove his Range Rover. If he hadn’t been on this road over a hundred times before, he didn’t think he’d find his house high on the hill overlooking Ketchikan.

At last he pulled into his driveway. With a push of a button, the garage door swung open and he drove inside. The door immediately closed behind him, locking out the storm. He hoped the weatherman had been right and it would clear up fast. He was looking forward to flying out and seeing Sashi and her friend the day after tomorrow.

Cole rested his head against the steering wheel for a second. He’d never fallen for a woman this fast. His body could still feel her in his arms. What was he getting himself into?

Just then his phone buzzed. He didn’t recognize the number. Maybe it was Sashi. His heart raced at the thought of talking to her. “Dr. Stevens,” he said.

“Cole. It’s Sashi.”

Her voice sounded as sexy on the phone as it did in real life. “Hey there, New York. How are you doing?”

“I’m fine. It’s...good to hear your voice.”

“So what’s going on?”

“Well, there’s been a little change in plans.”

Cole felt his stomach knot. “Like what?”

“Nothing bad. Remember how I told you I came up here with my best friend?”

“Uh-huh.”

“She totally surprised me by offering me a free tour of the island with her. It’ll extend my stay for another three days.”

“Wait—your friend bought you a tour?” Cole was incredulous.

“Okay. I’m not putting you on. Kendra has lots of money, and this trip has been horrible for her. Freddy Marshall lied about his intentions when he brought her up here.”

“Oh, I know all about Freddy Marshall and his lies, but I’m still trying to figure out why you’re evading me.”

“No! That’s not it at all. Kendra has her degree in anthropological studies from George Washington University. She’s trying to salvage this trip by turning the last days into something good. That’s why she paid for me to come along with her on this three-day getaway. She wants to forget Freddy and focus on something positive.”

“What does this trip entail?” Cole was trying to keep his voice calm.

“We’re going to be making a small survey of where the Tlingit and Haida Natives lived on Prince of Wales Island. We’ll head south to Hydaburg to see the totem poles and study some ancient sites in the area. Then we’ll head north to the cave El Capitan, where we’ll go spelunking to find ancient petroglyphs.”

“That sounds amazing.” Cole tried to keep the disappointment out of his voice. He was thirty-five, for Pete’s sake, not some schoolboy. “Will you need a flight in from the island, or will the tour end in Ketchikan?”

“The tour ends in Ketchikan. I told the guide I wanted to get in early so we would have a six-hour layover. Do you think you’ll have time to see me and my friend then?”

Cole found his first smile of the day. The E.R. had been a mess because of the storm, and he’d been wondering what would happen with Sashi. Now he knew he’d be able to see her again. “All you have to do is let me know what airport you land at and I’ll be waiting for you.”

“Okay, that sounds great.”

“Look, you’re too special to let go. Have fun, New York. I’ll see you in a couple of days. Promise me you’ll be safe. It’s bear country out there.”

“I know. I’ve been living in it for three months.”

“Take care, anyway.”

“Bye,” Sashi said softly.

“Miss you already, New York.” Then Cole clicked off.

* * *

IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL MORNING to be leaving Marshall’s. The sun had turned the water along the coastline turquoise-blue. Sashi could hear sea lions barking in the distance. The majesty of Alaska was something she would never forget, and the huge paycheck she’d just wired home to her bank really made her stay up here worth it. She felt giddy knowing she’d earned enough to get a business loan to open up her dance studio. She finally had a place in the world where she belonged.

She got busy loading up Kendra’s and her gear into their guide’s plane. He was Joe Running Bear, an older Native chief with black hair peppered with white, whom she found very kind and apparently happy to do this tour.

Kendra was still having a hard time saying goodbye to Freddy even though she claimed she’d broken up with him. Why she continued to spend time with that weasel was beyond Sashi’s comprehension.

Sure he was good-looking, if you liked pretty boy features, calculating blue eyes and a tall wiry frame. But when you got past his looks, he had nothing else. He was a phony, just stringing every girl on. Now Kendra was standing next to him, part of his usual fawning entourage of women and men.

Finally Kendra emerged from the mob. She seemed happy. Obviously something had just happened between Freddy and her friend.

“Why are you all smiles?” Sashi asked directly.

Kendra didn’t look at her. “Joe? Are we ready to go?”

“Yes, we are.”

“Great! Come on, Sashi,” Kendra called out as she climbed into the pontoon plane secured to the dock. “I’ll tell you inside.”

Sashi had a bad feeling. What had Freddy promised Kendra now? What had she gotten herself into?

The door closed and Joe climbed into the pilot’s seat. He told them to put on their seat belts along with headphones so they could talk. He started the engine and soon they were taxiing over the water, then lifting in the air. Both girls stared out the windows, caught up in the splendor of Prince of Wales Island. Sashi found this land, covered in a rain forest of ferns and pines, magical. Bears and bald eagles made their home there, and whales dotted the coastline.

Before they touched down at their first site, Kendra grabbed Sashi’s hand. “We have to talk.”

Sashi didn’t want to stop looking out the window. “So now you feel like talking?”

“I’m going to have Joe fly us up to a lake called Red Bay. Freddy, Bridgette, Natalie, Nick and George are going to fly out for a goodbye party at the cabin located right on the lake. It’s all been arranged.”

Sashi bit her lip. She didn’t really care for Nick or George. They were two local guys from Craig who worked the fishing boats and had big crushes on the two other girls. “Why? I thought you called it off with Freddy.”

“I did, but today he begged me for a second chance. I couldn’t say no.” Kendra’s eyes began to well up with tears.

Sashi could see her friend was still madly in love with him. “Okay, we’ll do it. I’m just glad Blake isn’t coming.”

“Me, too. I think Freddy is finally choosing me over Blake. She’s been my biggest competition all summer.” Kendra reached over and gave Sashi a hug.

Sashi hugged her back. “It’s all going to work out fine,” she said, but doubted it.

* * *

COLE SUTURED A NASTY CUT on his patient’s forehead. “Cid, my friend, you really need to listen. Take it easy and lay off the booze. They have to bring you in here way too often.”

“I feel your love for me right here in my heart, Doc.” The tough fisherman pounded his chest with his fist. The blue eyes of the bar-brawler met the no-nonsense of Cole’s rich amber eyes.

“Yeah, Cid. I’m thinking you must have a thing for me by now. Asking for me by name? It’s touching.” Cole shook his head. “Come on, let’s get more personal. I’ll even get you a bed here on the rehab floor.”

At that comment Cid’s fisherman buddies, who’d brought him in, started laughing. “Doc, Cid’s a good fisherman if he could ever stay out of a bar. More importantly, out of a bet!” His captain, Lee Jarvis, always vouched for him.

Cole turned back to his patient. “Cid’s got a drinking problem. I’m worried that one night he might walk off one of your crabbing boats in a drunken stupor straight into the ocean.”

“We all have a drinkin’ problem. Just sew him up,” Lee said, getting testy. “He’s too good of an engineer to lose for the season. I’ll look into his problem after we catch our quota.”

Cole turned around in his chair. “Is that a promise?”

“No. It’s a maybe.”

Cole got up and began to strip off his sterile gloves. “Cid, I truly hope to see you in the spring. It would make my Easter dreams come true.”

Lee jumped in. “We’ll do our best, Doc.”

With that Cole left the room and began the long walk from the patients’ rooms to the hub of the E.R. He stripped his long body of the rest of the protective clothing and turned his smile on one of the new nurses.

“Stacey? The patient in room three needs another round of meds. Take either Heather or Mildred in with you. The boys can be a rough crew.”

Stacey just stared at him.

Cole turned to Mildred, who said, “Come on, Stacey. Let’s get you used to the crabbers.” But she looked back at Cole and shook her head.

“What?” he said.

“You and that amazing smile of yours. If I were twenty years younger, you’d be mine, Cole.”

“I am yours, Mildred,” he said.

“Don’t flirt with me, big boy, even if it still works.”

Cole walked away, chuckling to himself. He was looking forward to tomorrow’s reunion with Sashi.

* * *

“WE’VE ARRIVED, LADIES,” Joe Running Bear exclaimed from the cockpit. Speaking into the enormous headphone, he began discussing landing procedures. The plane circled the lake one time, then made its descent toward the pristine waters of Red Bay. The landing was as smooth and soft as silk.

As the plane taxied the two women stared out the cabin windows. A bald eagle who’d stood proud on a tree took off, its magnificent wings spread in flight. Sashi spotted startled Sitka deer moving back from the shore, robins flying to and from their nests, squirrels scampering into the undergrowth. Ancient trees stood in various states of decay. Cedars and spruce covered in moss and lichen peeked out of the morning mist hovering just above the ground.

The sun poked through the clouds, casting a blanket of diamonds over the water. The diamonds shimmered as the plane drew closer to the dock of the Pan-Abode cabin, one of many prefab cabins dotting the Alaskan bush.

Sashi lifted her eyebrows, trying to decide if she dared ask their pilot-cum-tour guide the question on her mind: Had the trees been planted on purpose to look like a wreath around the lake, or had nature created its own perfection? But where questions about Alaska were concerned, she’d learned to keep her mouth shut in case she sounded too naive.

Over the past three months Sashi had learned Alaska was a land of mystery. It was hard to believe that it was just last March her best friend from childhood had begged her to come up here.

It had all sprung from Kendra’s falling in love with Freddy, which had happened when both she and Frank Marshall’s son had attended school together in Washington, D.C. Freddy had asked Kendra to come up to the resort and spend time with him. She went because she believed she had found the man she was going to marry, and this time with him would make for a perfect summer.

Kendra had asked Sashi to come because she knew her friend needed the money to make her dream become a reality.

Sashi took in Kendra’s silhouette up front. They’d been best friends since they were three years old. Sashi couldn’t believe the past twenty-five years had gone by so quickly. During that time Kendra had become a tall, striking woman, one just as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside. She was one of those rare types of people who would hold some fund-raiser or another for a cause no one had ever heard of just because she cared. Sashi never knew Kendra to be unkind to another soul.

If people thought Kendra was odd, it was only because she was so smart. Kendra had a different way of thinking from most people. Sometimes it made her seem snobby, but nothing could be further from the truth.

“My friends,” Joe said through the headphones in his deep, rich voice. “It appears Mother Nature has looked kindly on us this morning. We had the bald eagle to welcome us and the sun to shine on us. We will be docking momentarily. Since no one has arrived yet, we will prepare for a wet docking and hike to the cabin.”

“Uh, Joe?” said Kendra. “Can you elaborate on what a wet docking is?”

His eyes twinkled as he looked back. “The parks department hasn’t kept up the dock here at the lake. So we have to wade to shore.”

Kendra poked Joe in a friendly manner. “Please tell us you have waders.”

He laughed. “Nothing to worry about, ladies. Joe takes care of everything.”

Kendra and Sashi looked at each other and smiled. On their tour yesterday, Joe had been quite a character, providing them with anecdotes about his ancestors. Then he’d made fun of Kendra’s pronunciations of some Tlingit words and told story after story until their stomachs hurt from laughing so hard.

Sashi loved this man’s company and thought it was a shame they were cutting their tour short, all because of Freddy. But it wasn’t her place to say anything. After all, Kendra was the one paying for this three-day adventure trip with Joe.

For some reason, Sashi feared that this last hurrah in Red Bay would be a disaster. She’d told Kendra that if Freddy Marshall had been serious about her, he would have wanted to be alone with Kendra. But her friend had refused to listen. She had insisted she needed to see Freddy and the group one more time before they left Alaska.

All these thoughts filled Sashi’s mind as she watched Joe exit the plane first and walk up the slope to the split-level cabin. Once he felt the area was safe, he called to them. They put on the fishing waders Joe had given them, then grabbed their night packs.

Kendra got out of the plane ahead of Sashi, visibly bursting with excitement and the knowledge that Sashi, whose waders were two sizes too big for her and whose pack weighed half as much as she did, was going to need help. Sashi watched her friend walk up the moss- and rock-laden hill.

After throwing down her pack, Kendra returned to the shore and stood half in, half out of the water. She grinned as Sashi was planning her next move.

“Sashi, what are you doin’?”

“I’m sitting here thinking of all the predicaments I’ve been in this summer. I have to tell you this is a classic.” Still clinging to the edge of the plane’s opening, Sashi could tell Kendra was trying hard not to laugh. Kendra knew Sashi hated depending on people in any way.

“Would you mind if I go get my camera?” Kendra asked. “We’re lucky that it’s such a nice day for the end of August.”

“I thought you’d never ask,” Sashi said drily. “Go ahead, then maybe you can help me get off this plane.”

In a minute Kendra was back with a camera, took a few shots, then helped Sashi wade to shore. They were both laughing as the waders kept smacking Sashi in the face.

Finally the two of them made it into the cabin. Joe had made a fire and had coffee brewing for the three of them. While Kendra kept a vigil at the window waiting for Freddy’s plane to appear, Joe took Sashi to the back of the cabin.

She eyed her wily comrade. “What’s all this?” He’d been up to something. The old chief possessed the wisdom and the walk of a great tribal leader from the past.

Joe’s voice grew hushed as he placed his hands on her shoulders. “You remind me of a lone wolf pup. It’s in your eyes and in your wild red hair. Just learning about its power and strength is what makes you so strong.”

He picked up a small, rectangular handheld device. “My daughter and her husband gave this to me for my birthday. It’s a personal locater beacon if there’s an emergency. Don’t leave the cabin without it.”

“But, Joe, don’t you need it?”

He pulled another one out of his vest.

“Are they connected?” Sashi asked.

He shook his head and his eyes danced with laughter. “To satellites, yes. Me, no. I have a good friend who is a doctor named Cole Stevens. Like you he is a wolf, also a loner. He never leaves home without one. He got it for me. Same birthday, I think.”

“I’ve met Dr. Stevens. I’m supposed to meet up with him again tomorrow.”

Joe’s face broke out in a radiant smile. “Ah. He has finally found his mate.”

Sashi’s face reddened. “Oh, that’s a little bit out there, Joe. We just met.”

“No, Joe is usually right.”

“You’ve got to be making this up.” She loved the way he referred to himself in the third person. She tried not to laugh while she held a hot cup of coffee in her hand.

“I laugh about Joe all the time,” he said. “But I never laugh about safety. Never.” He held the device in his hand and showed her how to turn it on. With care he explained how each device was coded by its own transmitter signal.

“Here’s the funny part,” Joe said. “Cole and my daughter are very good friends, but they don’t know Joe has two devices.” By his smile, she knew he enjoyed telling the story. “Since they know I have little faith in modern technology always working, they offer to pay the yearly fee.”

Sashi bit her lip, trying to understand this man. “But if you don’t trust the devices, then why carry them?”

“Now Joe never said he didn’t trust the devices.” His finger shook, but his smile was back. “I like an extra one in this land of the Raven. Because of this old body, it gives me peace of mind in the back country.”

“Where will you be tonight? I don’t want to take your peace of mind.”

Joe shook his head. “You want to take a piece of my mind and keep the device on you.” He tucked it into a pocket on her padded vest. “Now let me give you another piece of my mind.” For the next ten minutes he told Sashi about bear mace and how to survive in bear country.

“Thank you,” she said, then hugged him. “Where are you flying now?”

His eyes lit up. “I’m going back to Ketchikan to be with my daughter, granddaughter and son-in-law.”

“Until tomorrow, then.”

“I will be here early.”

Sashi followed him out of the cabin and down the steep slope. “Can you give me an idea of what time exactly?”

“Depends on the weather.” Joe looked up at the sky, then back to her. “As you know, Mother Earth is going into her rainy season. I’ll be here about nine.” He smiled, waved goodbye and made his way down to the plane. “You worry about me too much, little wolf. I’m the one who’s worried about you out here without a gun. I wish you ladies would take one.”

“Joe, Freddy’s coming and I know he always carries at least two guns. Even so, we know bear safety. Everything will be all right.”

With his long, salt-and-pepper hair and beautiful jewelry that shook as he moved, Joe cut an elegant figure out here in nature. He eyed her. “You talk so tough I almost believe you. Then you turn sideways and I forget you even exist.”

She put her hands on her hips and laughed.

He gave her one last wave, then began to wade to the plane.

Deep down Sashi wondered if Freddy was really going to come or if he was going to let Kendra down like he’d done so many times. Her heart ached for her friend, but when she remembered tomorrow when she’d see Cole again, the emptiness that had filled her life for so long seemed to fade.

* * *

COLE LOOKED AT THE LITTLE GIRL seated on the edge of the hospital bed holding her mom’s hand tightly. Her blond hair and big blue eyes reminded him of Jake’s daughter. His friend was a lucky man. Cole wasn’t a pediatrician, but he’d learned a few tricks to get kids to cooperate.

“So I hear your name is Maggie the Magician.” His expression was kind as he looked at this cutie.

The girl shook her head, but then she smiled.

“Let’s try again. Is your name Maggie the Magnet?”

“No! You’re silly. I’m Maggie Johnson.” Her tiny voice had come out in a whisper.

“Wow. I wish my name was Maggie Johnson. Then I’d be really cool like you.”

“But you can’t because you’re an old man.” Her voice was firmer now.

Her parents started offering apologies, but Cole just laughed. “I like you, Maggie Johnson. Do you want to come and work here?”

“No. I don’t want to leave my mommy.”

“Oh. You have a good mommy?”

“I have the best mommy in the world.” Her eyes got really big. “And my dad is the best, too.” Her face was very serious.

“Well, Maggie, can you tell me how you got hurt?”

“I was throwing horseshoes with my brother.”

“Can you show me where your leg hurts?”

Her eyes began to well with tears. “I don’t like looking at it.”

Cole glanced around the room. “Do you like books?”

“Yes.” She lit up.

Cole rolled his chair over to a magazine rack, and stuffed in the back for occasions like this was a kid’s book. He pulled it out. “I happen to have a Dora the Explorer book. Do you like Dora?”

“I am Dora.”

“Oh, I thought you were Maggie.”

“I’m both!” The little girl giggled.

Cole handed the book to her mom. “Okay then, Maggie and Dora the Explorer. Can you show me where you hurt?”

The little girl lifted up her skirt to her knee, revealing a cut that clearly needed stitches.

“Okay. Let me get my pack full of stuff to fix your ouchie.”

“Will it hurt?”

“Only a tiny bit, I promise.”

As Cole sewed up Maggie’s leg, his mind began to dwell on Sashi. Was she okay? What was she doing? He couldn’t wait to kiss her again.

Chapter Three

Sashi went into the two-story A-frame cabin to join Kendra. She decided their summer’s rigorous work schedule still hadn’t been as hard as working for a real dance company. And the fourteen- to sixteen-hour workdays did mean more money, although Kendra had just about died trying to keep up and had lost ten pounds this summer.

As soon as the reality of their situation had taken hold, Kendra probably would have left if she hadn’t known Sashi needed the money so desperately. It had been fortunate for Sashi that Kendra had decided to follow Freddy up here. Last spring she’d broached the idea with Sashi of coming up to Alaska for fun, friendship, adventure and money.

Stepping over their gear, Sashi made a mental note to put the gear away after she’d had a talk with Kendra. But she couldn’t find her.

“Kendra?” No answer. Her friend must have gone to the outhouse. “Ahh, rustic joys of Alaskan life,” Sashi muttered.

As she started out the door to look for her, Kendra suddenly pushed past her with eyes full of tears. She ran to the window seat. “I don’t think he’s coming.”

Sashi sat beside her friend. Tears gushed down Kendra’s cheeks. Sashi grabbed the bandanna she’d been carrying in her pocket and began to dab at her friend’s face.

“What’s going on, Kendra? Tell me.”

Kendra looked at her before she closed her eyes and breathed deeply. “I just know Freddy isn’t going to come. It’s already three o’clock. If he were going to be here, I think he’d have shown up by now.”

Sashi looked into her friend’s big brown eyes. How could there be so much sadness? “I bet he’s just running late. I’ve never seen a guy who lived as much on the edge as Freddy.”

At that moment they heard the sound of a plane coming in.

Kendra jumped up and ran out of the cabin, Sashi following. “It’s Freddy!” Kendra cried. “He came.” And sure enough, within seconds Freddy’s plane made its descent onto the unspoiled lake.

As the group who had come for the night disembarked from the plane, Sashi saw her friend stop in her tracks.

“What’s going on?” Sashi asked her. “Why did you stop?”

Kendra gestured in the direction of the plane. Sashi looked and instantly knew. Freddy was unloading the plane, yet he hugged Blake every chance he got.

“Is this a joke?” Sashi was taken aback. She stared at her friend.

Kendra’s eyes filled with tears. “Obviously it’s not,” she said. Kendra turned and walked back into the cabin.

There was something different about Kendra today, Sashi thought, something more than her friend just being hurt by Freddy’s actions once again. Sashi couldn’t quite put her finger on it, but it was there.

Over the next hour the group unloaded the plane and had the cabin ready for their big going-away party tonight. It was to be a keg party. Keggers were extremely childish affairs to Sashi, even though she’d been to many as a young college student. She wouldn’t have thought it was the right kind of party to have out in the middle of the Alaskan bush!

Sure it was fun to see Natalie, Bridgette and the boys. But when she saw Freddy with his hands all over Blake, Sashi was appalled. How could someone be so cruel? Why didn’t he just let Kendra go?

The large cabin easily held the group of eight. When most of the crowd started their partying, Sashi went to look for Kendra. She found her crying on a bench overlooking the lake.

“Kendra, all I have to say is Freddy is an SOB! At least you found out now and not later when you got closer to him.”

“Sashi, you don’t understand all that’s going on here.” Kendra looked at Sashi helplessly.

“Then explain it to me,” Sashi said.

“I can’t. I have to talk to Freddy first. But right now I’m too tired.”

“All right. Why don’t we go take a nap and you can talk to Freddy later. I know you were up at five this morning. And then let’s go explore those limestone caves near the cabin Joe told us about. Apparently some of them have petroglyphs few people have ever seen.”

The two of them headed into the cabin loft and within minutes Kendra was snuggled into her sleeping bag and fast asleep. Sashi crawled into her own sleeping bag, thinking that looking at caves sounded just like the kind of thing her friend needed to do in order to get her mind off Freddy. And a nap might help clear her thoughts and get her back in tune with herself. Soon Sashi drifted off.

When she woke up, the light was dimming. What time was it? She checked her watch. Seven o’clock.

She stretched and looked over at her friend’s bunk. It was empty. Kendra must have got up and gone downstairs. Sashi climbed out of her sleeping bag and quickly threw on a thermal vest. The temperature in the cabin was beginning to drop. Her cross trainers were next to her. She put them on and headed downstairs.

The main room was warm but full of people acting like fools. Sashi walked up to Bridgette. “Do you know where Kendra is?”

With blurry eyes and a silly smile, Bridgette pointed to the back bedroom. “In there.” Bridgette began to sway back and forth to the music of the guitar one of the guys had brought.

Sashi headed back to the bedroom, where she could hear loud voices. She tried to open the door but it was locked. “Kendra? Are you okay?”

In a flash, eyes wide, Kendra flew out of the bedroom, through the main room, then right out the door. She took off at a brisk pace and Sashi struggled to keep up with her.

“Kendra, what’s going on? What were you and Freddy fighting about? Where are you going?”

“I just need to get out of the house! Apparently Freddy proposed to Blake! I can’t take it anymore!”

Now that it was almost September, the days were getting shorter. It would be dark soon, and it was imperative Sashi get them back to the cabin. The later it got, the greater their chances of encountering bears. It was after seven o’clock.

The emerald rain forest had taken on darker hues. Sashi could hear ravens, eagles, larks and other types of wildlife in the bush. The canopy of tall cedars and aspen was dense and she couldn’t see the sky.

Kendra had charged on ahead. To reach her, Sashi had to bat her way through a grouping of hemlocks, then climb a grassy slope to a copse of trees, where there was a jutting of rock concealing limestone caves. Finally she caught up to Kendra again. Sashi tapped her on the shoulder to let her know she was there.

Kendra turned to her, but her face suddenly froze in terror.

“What’s wrong?”

“B-b-b-ear!” She screamed.

Sashi stood still. She realized they’d broken every rule in the guidebooks and she didn’t even have any bear mace on her.

“Kendra, we need to be calm and speak softly,” she whispered. “If that doesn’t work, we need to fight and yell because black bears don’t give up that easily.”

“Okay, Sashi,” Kendra whispered. “But it’s staring at me. It’s going to kill my baby!”

“You’re pregnant? How long have you known?” Sashi asked.

“Two weeks, but tonight Freddy denied it’s his.”

The next few minutes happened fast. Sashi watched in terror as Kendra took off, running down the other side of the hill into a hemlock forest, where she tried to climb a big alder tree. A sow with cubs would chase her and follow her up.

“No, Kendra! No!”

She had to stop the bear, save her friend. Without a second thought she threw herself in its way. The sow barely noticed her. In the next instant, the eight-foot, salmon-fed animal tossed her in the air, bruising her back and slicing open her left upper arm. Upon landing, Sashi’s right foot hit the ground first and twisted as her body fell at an angle.

She could only lift her right arm in a futile attempt to prevent her head from hitting a rock on the ground. Fortunately the rock just grazed her temple. Lying facedown on the dirt, she could barely think. The pain radiating from her lower leg was excruciating.

Sashi knew she had to move and get away from the bear in case it came back. She clawed her way into a nearby cave, dank and cold as a tomb. Too terrified to scream, she curled into a ball on the floor, then craned her neck to see if the bear was there.

No, it wasn’t. It had gone. Where was Kendra? Was she safe?

She prayed.

She realized she needed to start taking care of herself or she was going to die. She counted to three in her mind and then turned herself over. The pain was unbearable.

Her leg was much worse than she’d thought, probably broken, but right now her main concern was her left arm, which was bleeding profusely. She had to stop it. Using her teeth and right hand, she ripped off a piece of her shirt, which she then somehow managed to tie using her bad arm. At last she got a piece big enough to tie around the cut to stem the flow. It took a few tries to get the rough bandage tight, but she fought through silent tears and sweat, and it worked. Then she relaxed her body and calmed her breathing, and soon she fell asleep from exhaustion.

She awoke later with a start. “Oh, God, where am I?” Then she remembered and began to shake. She could hear the howl of a wolf in the distance. Breathe, Sashi. You’ve danced for years. Pain is part of being a dancer.

Where was the group? Maybe Cole would come and find her. He was a bush doctor. Her breathing slowed and she slept again.

When she came to this time, her thoughts were reeling. I’ll be strong for Kendra and her baby and my parents. I’m their only child and they need me. Thirsty, she turned her head and tried to lick the water trickling down the middle of the cave floor. Yes, I will be found.

She tried to move her right foot, but couldn’t. She cried silent tears. I don’t want to die. I’m not going to die. I will dance again. Please God, save me.

She called for her friend. “Kendra? Kendra? Kendra?” Her voice grew hoarse. She refused to think no one could hear her in this cave.

* * *

IN A DREAM, COLE COULD HEAR his name being said over and over again. A knock on the door alerted him that he was needed in the E.R. He jumped out of the makeshift hospital bed that was on hand for the emergency room doctors. He slipped on his Crocs and grabbed his white jacket.

From years of practice he flipped on the light switch, then headed over to the sink to brush his teeth and splash some water on his face. He sure hoped he had time to go home and properly shower before he saw Sashi today. As soon as she called, he would be off duty. Trading schedules with Dr. Reagan, he’d done the all-night shift. It was worth it. He couldn’t wait to see her.

“Paging Dr. Stevens, Dr. Cole Stevens. Please report to the E.R. desk immediately. That’s Dr. Stevens, Dr. Cole Stevens.” He rushed out the door and headed down the hall, hoping it wasn’t a terrible trauma. He didn’t want any distractions on his day off. Once at the emergency desk, he picked up the phone. “This is Dr. Stevens.”

“Cole, this is Chief Hunter with the Alaska State Troopers on Prince of Wales Island.”

“Trace. I know who you are. I’m just trying to figure out why in the hell you’re being so formal with me.” He leaned against the high wraparound desk.

“We’ve got ourselves a bad situation. I think you’re the twentieth person I’ve called today.”

Cole chuckled and turned toward the wall to keep his voice from carrying. “You waited that long to get a doctor on board for whatever problem you’ve gotten yourself into?”

“This isn’t a laughing matter. Two women have gone missing. Joe Running Bear, Freddy Marshall and his friends are very worried about their situation.”

“How is Joe involved in this?” Cole was afraid something might have happened to Joe’s daughter or one of her friends. He rubbed his whiskered jaw in frustration.

“It’s not like that. He’s taken some twenty or so city ladies on one of his Native tours.”

Cole frowned. “I didn’t know Joe got people to go on those anymore. The guy charges a fortune. Last I heard it was two years ago since someone booked.”

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