The Alaskan Catch

by Beth Carpenter

  “I know. I asked him not to. I wanted to surprise you.”

  “I’m surprised all right.” He took a few steps closer and crossed his arms over his chest. “But not as surprised as I was when you just disappeared without a word.”

  She looked at her feet and then met his eyes. “I’m sorry. Did you get my note?”

  “The note? Oh, yeah, I got the note.” His mouth tightened. “It explained everything, except why you felt like you had to sneak out without even telling me goodbye. Do you want to tell me why that was?”

  She paused. “You want the truth?”

  “That would be nice.”

  Dana sighed. “I was afraid if I tried to give you a goodbye kiss, it would be too hard to stop at one.”

  Sam shook his head, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. Throwing his own words back in his face. “Touché.”

  Her eyes swept over him, stopping on his elbow. “How’s the arm?”

  “According to my doctor, it healed fine.”

  “That’s good news.” She licked her lip in that nervous gesture he recognized.

  She was here, standing in front of him. How could he stay mad? Sam grinned and opened his arms. “Come here, and we’ll try it out.”

  Dana laughed and ran to him, throwing her arms around his neck to hug him tight. He pulled her close against his chest, and the frozen ball of disappointment he’d been carrying around seemed to melt away, at least for now.

  “Oh, Sam.” There was a hitch in her voice. He put a finger under her chin and tilted back her face. Tears trickled down her cheeks.

  “What? What’s wrong?”

  She shook her head. “Nothing’s wrong. I’m just—” she sniffed “—so glad to be here with you.”

  “Hey, I’m glad you’re here, too. No need for tears.” He grabbed a dish towel from the counter and wiped her cheeks.

  Her smile was like a sunbeam breaking through the clouds. She reached up to stroke her fingers along his face. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to get all weepy.”

  “Don’t be sorry.”

  He should ask her to sit down, offer her something to drink, but he was loath to let her out of his arms. He compromised by easing her over to the couch and settling her beside him. He put an arm around her and she leaned against his shoulder.

  “So, what are you doing here? Not that I’m complaining, but Chris said you took over running your father’s business.”

  “I did. Just long enough to establish better systems and give one of our senior employees some time off to take a couple of workshops in management and human resources. Heather’s taken over as manager, and she’s doing a great job. How is Ursula? And your mother? Have you seen her again?”

  “Ursula is fine. Busy. The inn had a record number of guests this summer, and the local newspaper ran a feature on her. I’ve seen my mom a few times. We’re okay, I think. She’s put herself on a waiting list for a rehab program. As to whether she’ll actually go when she gets to the top of the list is anyone’s guess, but she seems to be trying. And how is your mother?”

  Dana’s face brightened. “She’s much better. She’s seeing a therapist, who’s helping her come to terms with her shopping addiction. Just recently, she started volunteering at the shelter. Spending time with people who have almost nothing has been a real reality check for her. The only problem is the temptation to go buy them all the things they need. But she’s donated a lot of her surplus furniture and clothes, and any size-six women who pass through the shelter will have plenty of nice interview outfits to choose from.”

  “That’s great. So, Chris wouldn’t tell me. Did you get the inheritance and enroll in the college classes you need?”

  “I signed up for classes.” Dana paused. “But I didn’t use the inheritance.”

  “What?” He frowned. “Why not? If anyone deserves that money, it’s you.”

  “Not if it’s not legitimately my money. My father stole Roy’s investment and used it to make his fortune. Most of that fortune is locked into a trust, but as for that hundred thousand, Chris and I agree we can’t accept it.”

  “So what happens to it? Your mother spends it on junk?”

  “We took it and put it aside. It’s in an account, waiting to be returned to Roy Petrov’s family, where it belongs.”

  “No.” Sam was firm. “I don’t need it and I don’t want it.”

  Dana nodded. “Chris said you’d say that. But what about your mother?”

  Sam shook his head. “My mother is an alcoholic. A sudden influx of cash would do her more harm than good.”

  “That may be true now, but if she ever gets it together, it might help give her a fresh start. It’s Roy’s money. I would think he’d want it to benefit his wife.”

  “She was never his wife.”

  “She should have been.”

  “Yes, she should have been.” They were on their way to be married the night he died. Maybe Dana was right. Mom did seem to be getting better. She’d lost that defeated look, especially after he told her about how Chris had come looking for him. She had signed up for a rehab program on her own without any urging. Maybe she was ready to start over.

  “Before you decide, Chris says to tell you if you don’t accept the money, he’s donating his share to the Martin Reynolds reelection campaign. Something about bigger speed bumps.”

  Sam laughed. “You win. I’ll set aside the money for my mother.”

  “I’m so glad.”

  “So, if you didn’t use the inheritance, how’d you find the money for college?”

  “I sold my house and used the equity.”

  “You did what?”

  “I sold my cottage in Kansas.”

  “Instead of using your inheritance, you gave up your job as manager and sold your house to pay for college.” Sam spoke slowly as the magnitude of her deed soaked in.

  “Yes. I’m homeless and jobless.” She grinned. “But I have a plan.”

  “Tell me this plan.”

  “I’ve been accepted to the University of Alaska Anchorage. It will take two semesters to bring my teaching credentials up-to-date. They tell me the Anchorage School District is always looking for math teachers.”

  “Here?” He felt like a kid who just got a pony for his birthday. “You’re going to college here in Anchorage?”

  “Yes. I already have a part-time job on campus.”

  “That’s fantastic, Dana. You’ll be a great teacher.”

  “Thanks. Classes start next week. I also signed up for a wilderness safety class so, you know, I won’t be such a hazard.” She smiled at him and then looked away, as though suddenly shy. “I was hoping between hitches to Siberia, we could spend some time together. If you want to.”

  “I want all the time you can give me.” A brilliant idea occurred to him. “In fact, you should live here. We have an extra bedroom.” And he’d be able to see her every morning, her bright eyes shining, whenever he was home, and when he came back from his rotation—No. He’d forgotten all about the new job. “Actually, I’m not working Siberia anymore. I got a promotion.”

  “That’s great. In the Anchorage office?”

  “No.” He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “Based in London.”

  “Oh.” Her face fell, but then she managed a brave smile. “Congratulations.”

  “Thanks.” He paused. “I’ll be taking vacations in Alaska, of course. And maybe sometimes I’d work on projects here. We could see each other then.”

  “Yeah. That would be great.” Her enthusiasm seemed forced.

  He didn’t want her dropping out of his life again. “We can call and video chat. And you, you could visit me. Have you ever been to the UK?”

  “No, I’ve never been out of the country.”

&nbs
p; “We’ll plan a trip for you next summer when you’re off school.”

  She looked a little happier. “I’d like that.”

  “I have two weeks left before I have to go back to work. There’s still time for some summer fun together.” He stood and reached for her hand. “In fact, I have something to show you.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Remember the loons we saw?”

  “Of course. I’ll never forget that cry of theirs.”

  “Well, the eggs in the nest hatched and now they’re all grown up. Want to see if they’re still at the lake?”

  That sparkle he loved so much shone from her eyes. “I do.”

  “Come on.” He pulled her up from the couch. “Let’s go.”

  * * *

  SAM WAS AFRAID the loons might not be there when they arrived, but before he and Dana had even reached the dock, all five birds swooped over the trees and landed in the lake right in front of them. The grayish coloring distinguished the youngsters from the crisp black and white of their parents, although they were almost the same size.

  Dana ran forward, dragging him along. “Look how big they are. They’re flying now.”

  “They’ll be migrating soon.”

  “But they’ll be back. And I’ll be here to greet them next spring.” She swept her gaze across the lake. “The leaves are already turning. It’s gorgeous.”

  Sam put an arm around her shoulders and she leaned into him. They watched until the sun was gone and they could no longer see the loons on the water. He led Dana toward the parking lot, guiding her around a low spot. “Careful. There’s a puddle. Don’t step in the mud.”

  “Mud?” Dana snorted. “I’m an Alaskan girl now. Mud doesn’t scare me.”

  He stopped walking and turned toward her. “It doesn’t, huh?”

  “Nope. I like mud. It means there’s an adventure coming.”

  “And you like adventure?”

  “I love adventure. I just never knew that until I met you.”

  Sam faced her. The last traces of sunset painted her cheeks pink and reflected in her bright eyes. He pulled her close, and with deliberation and care, he kissed her. A gentle brush of his lips against hers, once, twice, and then a tender kiss that deepened as her arms tightened around his neck.

  The sound of a child laughing in the distance reminded him they were in a public place. He stepped back, catching both her hands in his and smiling at her. “Come on. Let’s go home.”

  * * *

  DANA SCRIBBLED NOTES as the instructor described the assignment. She was slightly nervous to be in a classroom again after so many years, but it was all coming back: syllabi, lesson plans, group projects. She could do this.

  After class, she collected her notebook and walked toward the parking lot. Her transportation budget was limited to the money she’d raised from selling her car and furniture in Kansas, but Sam insisted she needed four-wheel drive, so while she was busy with classes and her new job in the dean’s office, he made it his mission to locate a reliable SUV she could afford. She clicked her key fob and unlocked the door of the sporty blue jeep he’d found for her.

  “Hey.” A girl she recognized from class waved at her and walked closer. “A bunch of us are going for coffee at Kaladi’s. Want to come?”

  Dana was torn. She’d love to get to know her fellow students better, especially since they would be doing several group projects, but she wanted to spend as much time as possible with Sam while she still could. She smiled at the girl. “I’d love to, but I have plans tonight. Sorry.”

  “No worries. Next time.”

  Dana waved and climbed into the jeep. She was enjoying being back in an academic setting. Things were going well in general. During their daily phone call that morning, Mom had given her encouraging news about a new preschool program at the shelter. She was volunteering daily now and seemed happier than she’d ever been before.

  So was Dana. She liked her campus job and her instructors, but it was her time with Sam that made life perfect. Her heart beat faster as she drove home, knowing Sam would be there, waiting for her. They’d spent every available moment together the past two weeks.

  Coming to Alaska had been a huge leap of faith. Those negative voices inside her head tried to tell her Sam was an illusion, that once she spent more time with him, she’d find he wasn’t the man she thought he was. Those voices were wrong.

  Sam was everything she admired—strong, kind, loyal and thoughtful—and the more she was with him, the more her feelings grew. These last two weeks together just confirmed what she already knew. She loved him.

  And she was going to lose him. Tomorrow he reported back to work, and the process would start to send him halfway around the world. A cold knot formed inside her chest. By unspoken agreement, they’d avoided talking about the new job since the first day, but they were almost out of time.

  At least with modern technology, they could stay in contact with daily phone calls and video chats. It wouldn’t be enough, but she would never tell him so. Sam worked his tail off to get ahead in the company. He deserved this promotion, and if it meant a long-distance relationship, she could handle that. More than anything, she wanted him happy.

  She parked in the driveway and pasted a smile on her face before she opened the front door. Kimmik ran to greet her. Thankfully, Chris and the dog would be staying, keeping her company. Chris was fishing again, but in another couple of weeks he would be back in Anchorage for the winter, and they’d finally get a chance to make up for the time they’d missed.

  Sam met her at the top of the stairs with open arms and a warm kiss. “Hi. How were your classes?”

  “Good. My Alaska history teacher was telling us all about the sixty-four earthquake. He was there when it happened. It sounds devastating.”

  Sam nodded. “I’ve seen pictures. There was a place downtown where one side of the road dropped several feet below the other side. And speaking of downtown, I made dinner reservations at Orso’s. Hope that’s okay with you.”

  They’d been to the restaurant once before. Dana loved the cozy, old-world atmosphere. “Nice. What’s the occasion?”

  Sam shrugged. “Do we need an occasion?” He smiled at her, but there was a sadness in his eyes. She suspected he was feeling the future bearing down on them, too.

  She kissed him once again. “In that case, I’ll change and we can go.”

  Dana wore a blue dress that was Sam’s favorite. Even though he was waiting, she took a few minutes to add mascara and lip gloss and brush her hair. The appreciative look in his eyes when she walked into the room made her glad she’d made the effort.

  The heavenly scent of roasted garlic greeted them at the door of the restaurant. The hostess led them past a wood-paneled divider to a quiet table near the back.

  They kept conversation easy during dinner, talking about her classes and local news. Someone in Dana’s class had mentioned cross-country ski trails around campus, and Sam gave her advice on where to find ski equipment and lessons once the snow fell.

  It wasn’t until they’d finished eating and were sipping the last of their wine that Dana brought up the subject she’d been dreading. “I guess tomorrow’s the big day.”

  Sam nodded. “Ethan emailed me. I’ll officially apply for the job tomorrow and they’ll set up interviews for me in London.”

  “So the job isn’t a done deal?” A spark of hope flared. Maybe she hadn’t understood the procedure.

  “Not officially, but Ethan says they’ve seen my résumé and they want me, assuming I don’t bomb the interviews.”

  A selfish streak inside her hoped he might, but she knew better. Talking to Sam face-to-face could only make them want him more. “You’ll do great. When do you think you’ll go over?”

  “Probably next week for the inte
rview, and maybe report in a month or two after that, depending on personnel and work visas and such.” He spoke matter-of-factly.

  Dana raised her glass. “To success in your new job. May it bring you all the happiness you deserve.”

  He nodded, but he didn’t smile. She took a drink of wine while Sam watched her, an expression she couldn’t quite decipher on his face. He seemed to be turning something over in his mind. After a long silence, his eyes softened. “Do you know how beautiful you are?” He leaned across the table and ran his finger over her cheek. “Marry me.”

  “What?”

  “Marry me, Dana. Be my wife. Come to London with me.”

  “We can’t get married.”

  “Why not? I need you. You just wished me happiness, but there’s no happiness without you.”

  “But you don’t love me.”

  “Of course I love you.” He laughed aloud. “I love everything about you. I love your smile, and your laugh, and the way your eyes light up when you see something wonderful. Most of all, I love your big, beautiful heart. I loved you almost from the moment I met you.” He winked. “Once you set the gun down.”

  “Oh, Sam.” Her heart fluttered. “I love you, too.”

  “Then let me do this right.” Sam slid off his chair and knelt before her, taking her hands in his. “Dana Raynott, I do love you. You make me smile and fill my life with good things. Please do me the honor of becoming my wife.”

  The normal sounds of conversation and dining suddenly stopped all around them as everyone paused to watch. Dana blinked back a tear. “Is this for real?”

  “Absolutely. It’s a genuine, bona fide offer of marriage.” Sam waited.

  “Yes. I would love to be your wife.” She leaned forward to kiss him, and the restaurant broke into hardy applause. Dana felt her cheeks grow warm, but she couldn’t hide the smile on her face as he returned to his seat without ever letting go of her hands.

  He grinned. “Sorry I don’t have a ring, but I promise we’ll find you a good one.”

  “You already gave me a ring.” Dana slipped the silver feather ring off her right hand and handed it to him.