The Alaskan Rescue Read online

  “New York, you ready to get out of here?” Cole came into her room with a wheelchair. He was wearing fitted charcoal pants with a pale gray sweater, and his flaxen hair was still damp from a shower.

  Sashi swallowed hard as she took in the sight of this amazing man. She didn’t know what was going to happen between the two of them. They lived such different lives, had such different dreams.

  Yet they had a powerful bond. Both had lost a loved one and both felt responsible for the loss. Both were now in therapy helping each other get over their respective guilt. When it came to daily interaction, Cole acted as if she was an acquaintance. Someone he was merely friends with. She was learning, too, to cope with his change of moods; one day he would act as if he adored her, and the next he’d act like merely a friend. And if they were going to be only friends, she knew it was good he was distancing himself.

  Her problem was telling her heart that she had to get over him, which was near to impossible with him around all the time. Hopefully, now that she was no longer in the hospital, she wouldn’t see him as much and maybe that would help. “I’m ready as I’ll ever be!”

  * * *

  COLE SURVEYED THE HOSPITAL room he’d come to think of as his second home, then turned his gaze to Sashi. She was coming back to life. She had color in her cheeks, a tad more weight on her bones and she smiled more. Her hair shone, and a green sweater dress set off her beautiful face and hugged her body, showing off her lithe dancer’s figure. He gulped in reaction, wondering how he was going to leave her alone. He looked back at her face and her lovely eyes, eyes that sparkled like emeralds.

  He could feel his body tighten in response, but he knew she needed a friend now, not a lover.

  “You look beautiful,” he said. Way to go, Stevens. Way to keep it friendly.

  She looked startled. “Thanks. Mary got me this dress and a few other clothes since most of my clothes were only fit for Marshall’s Resort.”

  “Mary’s amazing.”

  “Yeah.”

  “So shall we get you out of here and settled into your new place?”

  Cole watched her stand up with the aid of the walker and hop over to the wheelchair he held for her. He had to hide the disappointment he felt at not being required to pick her up and put her in the wheelchair. But for her sake he was thrilled she was becoming independent.

  * * *

  SASHI FELT SELF-CONSCIOUS being wheeled through the hospital by Cole. She could hear doctors and mostly nurses all saying “Hi” to Cole. Who could blame them? He was a catch and the lucky woman who won his heart... She would have to stop thinking about that.

  They made a quick stop at the hospital pharmacy to pick up her meds.

  “Do I really need all of this?” Sashi was shocked at the size of the bag.

  “For now, yes.”

  “All right.” She hated being so dependent on Cole. Surely it was a burden for him. But then, after what she’d learned from his past, she knew the reason he’d taken the Hippocratic oath to the extreme. He felt a connection to her and wanted to make sure she was safe and protected until she could return home. Until then, he was one of the only people she knew out here in Alaska.

  She was grateful for his help as a doctor, and hopefully she would heal soon so both she and Cole could get back to their lives.

  After waiting to be discharged and get her medicine, she and Cole walked out into a dark, foggy night. Sashi hadn’t realized how late it had gotten. “I love that pungent smell of pine,” she said. “I’ve missed being outside.”

  “But it’s such a cold, foggy night.” Cole sounded surprised.

  She looked up at his striking profile. “I know it sounds shocking. A city girl like me falling in love with the wonders of Alaska. It’s almost unheard of.” Sashi looked away quickly so he wouldn’t think he was one of the wonders.

  “All right, Miss Alaska. Let’s get you out of the cold and into my car. It’s just over here.”

  She could see where they were headed. He owned a sleek, black Range Rover. The car definitely suited him. He seemed to be one of those people who fit in wherever he went. It was that magnetic personality—he drew people to him. He went ahead and started the car, then came to get her, always Mr. Thoughtful.

  Cole opened the passenger door for her. Before she could grab her walker or crutches, he picked her up in his arms. It caused a flurry of sensations she tried to tamp down. “Will you put your arm around my neck while I get you settled in the car?” he said. “I don’t want to drop you.”

  When she did as he asked, her head turned and her cheek brushed against his. She felt a jolt of electricity and sensed he felt it, too. But maybe it was just her imagination.

  “Thanks for all your help,” she said coolly. “You’ve gone beyond the call of duty to help a patient.” The moment was broken, but she knew she was right. The sooner she started acting like a patient and not a potential lover, the sooner she would get over Cole.

  He set her into the plush leather passenger seat. The glance he gave her caused her belly to fill with butterflies. She immediately forced her gaze in front of her and pretended she hadn’t noticed. Cole closed the door and proceeded to load her belongings into the trunk.

  * * *

  COLE WAS RATTLED. HAD SASHI really fallen in love with Alaska? She wasn’t a woman to mince words. How could she have anything but terrible memories of this state after what had happened to her and Kendra?

  He’d been so consumed with helping Sashi get better so she could live her dream of opening her own dance studio. Unfortunately he’d never once stopped to ask her what else was going on in her mind. He’d made assumptions—but perhaps the wrong assumptions. This was something he needed to discuss with Daniel.

  At last he climbed into the driver’s seat and turned up the heat. “Aren’t you cold?”

  She shrugged. “I’m okay. I got used to being cold most of the time while I lived in the bunkhouse Marshall’s provided. It was nothing like what the clientele stayed in. And as for the showers and toilets, let’s just say I felt like I was a lumberjack this summer.”

  Cole laughed as he steered the car through the streets of the sleepy town. “I’ve heard stories about the conditions up there at Marshall’s, but never heard them put so...politely.” He toggled through some buttons on the dash. Pretty soon she heard a tune with a great reggae beat.

  Sashi grinned. “You probably heard the conditions are just plain shitty.”

  His laughter again echoed in the car, and it was the kind of laughter she hadn’t heard since the first time she met him. “That’s getting a little bit closer to what I’ve heard. Then you worked in the pit of hell cutting up fish. I hope you made enough money to open your studio.”

  “I did. I couldn’t believe it when I got my check. I wired the money home that very day since Kendra and I were going to be traveling a little. Hopefully it will be enough for me to get my loan,” she said with excitement. “I want to teach children ballet.”

  “That’s wonderful.”

  “Hey,” she said, gesturing to the radio, “this is great music. Who is it? I’ve never heard it before. Sounds like music that belongs in the Caribbean, not up here in Alaska.”

  “You don’t know?” he said. “You make me feel like an old man. How old are you, anyway?”

  “Didn’t you look on my chart? Everyone else asked me my date of birth every other second.”

  “Yes, I looked. I’m a good seven y
ears older than you.”

  Sashi wrinkled her nose. “Why does it matter if friends are seven years apart in age? You’ve been so kind to me. I can’t thank you enough.” In a more serious voice she added, “And as my doctor, you’ve been the best.”

  Kind...doctor...the best. Damn. He’d played his role so well, she really believed he had no romantic interest in her. She believed he’d taken pity on her and was simply taking care of her. If only she knew what was going on in his head!

  This was an impossible situation. He didn’t know what was right or wrong anymore now that she was out of the hospital. She was getting better, but the time still didn’t seem right to let her know how he felt. Sashi was still too vulnerable.

  “You haven’t told me the name of the group we’re listening to,” she reminded him.

  “It’s UB40. I grew up with a lot of their music. Like I said, I’m an old man.”

  “That’s ridiculous. I don’t think of you as old at all. And for the record, I like this music a lot.”

  “Will you tell Jake that?” Cole flashed her a smile to hide what he was really thinking.

  “Sure. Why?”

  “Jake thinks the only good music is eighties rock.”

  “I think you two sound like a pair. I’d like to meet him one day.”

  “That should be easy to arrange.”

  * * *

  SASHI HADN’T REALIZED how fast they’d climbed out of Ketchikan proper until she saw lights popping out of the fog. “Where’s the apartment I’m going to be staying in?”

  “It’s actually right around the corner.” They took a hairpin turn and she could see trees and lush green shrubbery poking through the fog. Also a big wood-sided house came into view. He pushed a button on a remote, and the garage door opened. He pulled into an enormous space—she saw a speed boat on one side along with a Porsche and tons of sporting equipment.

  Perplexed, she asked, “Do I live in this person’s house?”

  “You’ll stay in the mother-in-law apartment. It’s located on the main level.”

  “Do you know the owner of this house?” She wrung her hands. “Are they trustworthy?”

  “I know him and he’s very trustworthy, but you’ll have to make that decision yourself.”

  Sashi was getting annoyed at the game. “Who is he?”

  Cole flashed her a crooked smile. “It’s me. Did you think I’d let you go recuperate anywhere? Joe owns some property up the road. His daughter and son-in-law have built a home on it while he lives in a trailer out back. Mary comes down and helps me keep this place clean and cooks some meals, so I don’t live just on energy bars.”

  “You sound like me. I forget to eat half the time.” She laughed. “It’s also a great way to eat on the cheap.”

  He slipped briefly into doctor mode. “I’m thinking it’s a low-calorie way for a dancer to eat.”

  “Hey, I’m naturally skinny. And living in the Big Apple is pricey, Doc.”

  “I’m watching you, New York.”

  She eyed him seriously. “Go ahead! My parents are amazed at what this body can pound.”

  “Listen, Mary and Joe want you to know you can always stay with them when I can’t be here. Joe adores you. I think if he were younger, he might take you for a wife.”

  “Now you’re teasing me—Joe only likes Tlingit women.” She twisted in the seat to face him. “How could you have kept all these plans a secret from me?”

  She felt hurt that he hadn’t trusted her enough to tell her, and she didn’t know how she was going to get over her feelings for him when she’d be living in such close proximity to him.

  “Come on, Sashi. I couldn’t go around the hospital and announce I’m having you live with me. It wouldn’t sound good. But I have a surprise for you inside the house, so cheer up. You’re out of that hospital now. Let’s go in and celebrate.”

  Cole opened her door and carefully picked her up. Sashi put her arms around his neck, savoring the feel of being warm and protected. She couldn’t believe how relieved she was that she was going to be staying with him. No matter what kind of relationship they had, at least he wasn’t leaving her alone in Alaska.

  She rested her head against his neck. All her anxieties were slipping away. In fact, she was beginning to feel sleepy. Cole opened the door with ease as he carried her into the dark house.

  From out of nowhere she heard a whisper, then, “Welcome home, Sashi!” The lights came on and she looked around to see at least twenty people in Cole’s living room. Surprised, she instinctively clung more tightly to Cole.

  He looked down at her. “Welcome home, New York. Since you don’t have your family, I thought I’d invite mine over to welcome you.” The joy on his face was so genuine, it made her heart soar.

  “Thank you,” she whispered in his ear. She then turned her head and surveyed the room. “Joe, Mary, Mac.... I’m afraid I don’t know the rest of you. But I want to thank all of you for coming here to welcome me. It means a lot.” Her eyes began to tear up.

  The room erupted with voices all talking at once. “We’re happy you’re better and home from the hospital,” Joe said.

  Cole jumped in. “Thanks, everyone, for helping make Sashi’s release from the hospital so special. I love you all.” The room erupted in cheers. He carried her over to a plush leather couch with an ottoman and set her down. Then he sat right next to her.

  His house was absolutely beautiful, she thought. It was all one floor except it had a loft with a polished light wood balcony and stairs that led up to it rising from the back of the home.

  His open-concept kitchen was a focal point of the place, with a bark-colored granite slab bar running the length of the room. The whitewashed custom cabinets had intricate wood carvings. Stainless-steel Sub-Zero appliances were the jewels that put the finishing touches on the majestic room.

  Set off to the right was a magnificent dining room with a large window she assumed must look out over the woods surrounding the house. The carved dining room table was a piece of art in itself.

  The living room was square with leather couches surrounding a stunning fireplace. In a space off the living room was a U-shaped couch in black leather facing a theater type screen surrounded by built-in cabinets, and a little farther back, off in a corner, was a pool table. Definitely a bachelor pad. Lacquered wood reached to a pitched roof twenty feet above. Beams spanning each room throughout the house met in the living room, adding elegance. All the floors were done in high-sheen hardwood, accented with various types of small rugs, some bearskins, others intricately woven Native rugs. She wondered where her apartment was.

  A man came over who looked like CJ, the paramedic who’d helped her in the cave. Except he had a certain ruggedness CJ lacked. “I’ve got a surprise for you.” He went to the stereo and put on a song.

  Cole bent down and whispered in her ear, “Jake’s been dying to do this.” Suddenly she realized that Jake and CJ were twins! In a moment the house was booming with Jay-Z’s “Empire State of Mind” featuring Alicia Keys.

  Jake pulled up a chair next to her. “I wanted to play a song for the girl who goes by the nickname New York. I thought it would make you feel more at home.”

  “Oh, I definitely love this song.” Sashi gestured to several cute little girls across the room dancing to the beat. “Who are they?”

  Cole reached for the remote to his stereo and turned the music down a little. Jake nodded in the direction of the girls. “The little blo
nde falling over is my daughter, Christina, and the—”

  “—dark-haired dancer is my beautiful granddaughter, Abigail,” Joe broke in. “She’s a wonderful dancer, just like her mom.” He was sitting on the other side of the couch.

  Mary was play-dancing with her daughter. Sashi called over to her. “I didn’t know you danced. Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “It wasn’t the right time. Soon I’ll tell you many things.”

  Sashi took in a deep breath and turned to Joe. “Do you and your daughter always speak so cryptically?”

  “I can answer that. Yes.” A pleasant-looking man in his late thirties with curly blond hair shook Sashi’s hand before sitting down beside Joe. “I’m Eric Price, Mary’s husband and Joe’s son-in-law.” He wrapped his arm around Joe.

  “See, Sashi?” Joe said. “I raise my daughter in the ways of the Tlingit, and I get a white man for a son. But then he gave me my Abigail and now life is good. She is a daughter of the raven, like her grandma.”

  Sashi smiled at him. “It’s so good to see you, Joe.”

  “Not as good as it is to see you, my little wolf.”

  “Please, no talk of that tonight.”

  Joe shook his head. “Another time.”

  Jake led a small group of people Sashi didn’t recognize over to her. “Sashi, I’d like to introduce you to my wife, Sammi. She’s pregnant with our second. We aren’t waiting like pretty boy CJ and Natasha over there.”

  Sashi laughed. “Are you always that mean about your brother?”

  “Oh, you should see the two of them and Cole when they get going!” Sammi exclaimed. “They’re like naughty boys in the schoolyard.”

  Sashi laughed again, and so did all three men in question. Natasha interjected, “You’ll get used to it. Their warped humor tends to grow on you like the way the smell does after fishing trips.”