The Alaskan Rescue

by Dominique Burton

  The kitchenette door opened and Dr. Samuelson walked in with a steaming cup of coffee.

  “Do you ever miss New York?” Sashi asked.

  He gave her a big smile and nodded. “Yes, that’s why I fly there as often as I can.”

  “There is something wonderful about the big city, isn’t there? But I’m also learning to love Ketchikan and the beauty of nature out here.”

  “They’re definitely two different worlds. So tell me what’s going on with you. Cole will be here as soon as he can.”

  The door flew open and a flustered Cole in scrubs walked in.

  “It’s good to see you, Cole. We were just about to start,” Dr. Samuelson said in his deep, steady voice. Go ahead, Sashi.”

  “Well...I wanted to discuss my anger. I have a lot of anger built up. I’m finding myself consumed with rage against Freddy Marshall. The Knights have proof that he’s the father. I feel the need to confront him. Tell him how I feel. That if he hadn’t denied that the child was theirs, Kendra wouldn’t have run out into the night. I would have been able to stop her before she went too far and we would never be in this situation.”

  The doctor cocked his head. “I want to tell you two stories of different Holocaust survivors. One is the story of a man called Primo Levi. He survived Auschwitz. Yet the rest of his life he was a ghost of a man, letting the memory of the concentration camps control him. He may have lived a long life, but his death was thought to be a suicide. It’s been said that Primo died in Auschwitz.

  “The other story is about a seventeen-year-old woman named Judith Strick. Once she was freed from Auschwitz, she joined the Russian army, but then requested to move to Israel and there she married and became a housewife. She’d purged herself of all the anger and guilt. Judith was ready to move on.

  “I think it’s very important for both of you to face any anger you feel and combat it in a way that will make you feel better.”

  “That’s what I want to do!” Sashi exclaimed. “After learning what can happen to people if they carry this guilt and anger around and do nothing about it, I know I need to find Freddy.”

  Cole spoke up. “I can see I need to do some work on my own, too. I’ve believed that my parents have always been angry at me for what happened. I’ve feared they thought I could have done more. I need to talk with them and see if this is true. I’ve isolated myself for the past twenty years now. It’s time to move forward.”

  Dr. Samuelson wrote everything down as fast as possible on his yellow pad of paper. When he glanced up, Cole said to him, “How else can Sashi and I let go of this guilt?”

  The doctor nodded. “All right. I’d like both of you to write letters to the loved ones you’ve lost. When you’re ready, I want you to share them with someone in a meaningful place. Let yourself be forgiven. Remember their deaths were the result of circumstances, not your wrongdoing.”

  “Okay,” Sashi said, “but just one more thing. How do I face going back out into the great outdoors?”

  Dr. Samuelson sat forward in his chair and eyed her frankly. “You just go out there and face your fears. It’s just like riding a bike. You’re surrounded by people who care and know the area well. I’m sure you can find someone to take you into the wilderness.”

  “I’ll be happy to take you,” Cole said. “I know a beautiful place this time of year.”

  “It’s settled, then. I’ll see you back next Tuesday. Have a great weekend and good luck with your homework.”

  * * *

  WHILE COLE RETURNED TO the E.R., Sashi headed to the orthopedic doctor’s office. When she used her crutches to step into the examining room, an older man who looked like a mountaineer walked in. Sashi’s adrenaline surged. Here was the man who would tell her if she could have her cast removed. She hoped this part of the healing process was over.

  “Hello, Sashi,” Dr. Meers said. “Let’s get some final X-rays. I think we’ll be taking that cast off today.”

  “That’s wonderful! Finally some good news!”

  “Remember, your leg will be a bit atrophied. But with continued therapy, you’ll be dancing in no time.”

  The rest of the afternoon passed quickly with further X-rays to make sure the bone had healed correctly. The cast came off and as he’d said, her leg and foot looked shriveled and weak. But no matter. She knew how to train. She’d come this far and she would heal. As for the inside of her, only time would tell.

  Cole was stuck in the E.R., so Sashi tagged along with Mary. She loved going with Mary to pick up Abigail from school. That little girl had a million dance questions and Sashi wished she could show her all the moves. One day she hoped to send Abigail a DVD answering those questions. Her time with the little girl crystallized her desire to pursue her dream and open her dance studio for children.

  * * *

  “ARE YOU EXCITED?” COLE flashed Sashi a brilliant smile as he piloted his Cessna toward Humpback Lake in the Misty Fjords National Monument.

  Excited was only part of what Sashi was feeling. She was also very grateful to him for helping her face her fears out in the bush.

  It was such a new feeling to be taken care of so completely. She wondered what he had planned. Before they’d boarded the plane, she saw he’d loaded the rear with some items.

  In khakis and a blue fleece pullover, he looked as though he could be a male model on a cover for a outerwear magazine. He was always full of surprises. Watching him made her heart skip all over the place. She had no idea how she’d leave him once she’d healed physically and mentally. That was something she would have to face when the time came.

  Needing to redirect her thoughts, she looked out the window. The sight took her breath away. They were flying over a sea of mountain peaks covered in pine trees. No wonder people loved the country up here. She’d forgotten how green the Tongass rain forest was.

  Just over the horizon she saw a sea-green body of water shining in the sun. As the Cessna drew closer, it began its descent to the lake, which sat in the valley between enormous forested peaks that rose thousands of feet into the sky.

  Cole made a perfect landing, taxiing to a cabin tucked up against a peak hidden away from the world. The two-story cabin with a porch had a beautiful waterfall only twenty feet behind it. This had to be one of the most beautiful places on earth. Ferns and lichen surrounded the cabin, creating a lush atmosphere that was romantic beyond belief. Too romantic for the man who’d been treating her as a friend, she thought, but definitely a good choice for helping her to not be afraid of going into the backcountry.

  The plane pulled up to the dock. Cole killed the power, then jumped out and tied everything up. “You stay put,” he said. “I’m going to go check the cabin out to make sure it’s safe. I’ll be right back.” He grabbed a couple of bags and his gun from the rear of the plane. “Shouldn’t be longer than five minutes.”

  “Sounds good to me.” Sashi watched as the man she loved trekked to the cabin and disappeared inside. She bit her lip and thought how safe she felt out here with Cole. He was an amazing man. Again she wondered how she would ever be able to walk away from him and the wonderful life here.

  * * *

  COLE ENTERED THE CABIN he and Jake had used a few times when they’d been fishing. He’d always thought it was the kind of getaway a woman would appreciate. Heading to the stove, he got the fire going to make the place toasty.

  What would Sashi think? Would she like this place? He hoped it would help allay some of
her fears.

  She was a sophisticated woman, used to big cities like New York and the warmer climes of Virginia. Would she ever really be happy here? Or would he be willing to leave all this and go southeast to start a new life with her? He knew he was thinking too far ahead. For now they both had to heal. Hopefully they’d do it together.

  He put the picnic basket full of goodies on the table. Time to go get her. When he walked outside, he was hit by the beauty of the state he lived in. He loved Alaska. This land of mountains and sea was in his blood. It brought joy to his heart and made his spirits soar.

  Smiling, he approached the plane. In the passenger seat sat the woman he loved. A beautiful woman inside and out. Today she wore a white fleece jacket and form-fitting jeans with her feet tucked into boots. She’d done her hair in some sort of thick braid with free pieces hanging over her shoulder.

  “You look sensational today,” he said when he reached her.

  Her head went back and she looked at him as if he was crazy. “Thanks,” she said with a small smile.

  “Let’s get you out of here and into the cabin. Then you can move around on crutches.”

  Sashi bit her lip. “Can I ask you a favor?”

  Cole’s brows lifted in curiosity. “Sure.”

  “Could you take me to that waterfall?” She pointed. “It looks unreal.”

  It took some time, but Sashi managed to get to the waterfall with the help of her crutches and Cole’s strong arm.

  She found herself a bit bewildered by the change in Cole out here in the woods. He appeared so relaxed, he melded with the landscape. “I can tell you love it out here,” she said.

  Cole nodded. “You’re absolutely right. There’s nothing in the world like the rain forest up here.”

  “Thank you for bringing me and sharing this beautiful place. I haven’t felt nervous at all.”

  He brought his hand up to touch her cheek. “I’m glad.”

  * * *

  IF LIFE HAD BEEN DIFFERENT and the bear attack hadn’t happened, would she and Cole have found their way to each other? Quite possibly. After all, they’d had a connection before the accident. But the attack had made their relationship take a turn she didn’t fully understand.

  She decided to focus on the sheer beauty of this place, as they wended their way through the ferns and pines. It was almost unreal. The cascading waterfall might have come right out of a fairy tale.

  “It’s pure magic out here,” she said.

  “I couldn’t agree more,” he said.

  Their eyes met. His seemed to darken. “The day isn’t over yet.” With those words he gave her a quick kiss on her lips. The sensation on her mouth made her warm all over, causing her to lose concentration. Then some raindrops struck her face. “How could it be raining?” she cried in surprise. She looked up at the sky, amazed that a storm had rolled in so quickly.

  “I was hoping it might do that.” Cole looked excited. “Let’s get inside before it starts to pour.”

  He scooped her up, crutches and all, and made a beeline for the cabin. Just as they entered, the heavens let loose and the rain came down fiercely, pelting the roof and the windows. Cole put her down at the picnic-style table. Sashi was grateful he’d already started a fire. The warmth from the stove had already put out heat and the cabin felt cozy.

  She looked at him. “Just out of curiosity,” she asked, “why were you hoping it would rain?”

  “I’ll show you in a little while. For now you need to trust me.”

  Sashi trusted him completely. Still, she wondered what he was up to. It wasn’t like him to be coy.

  * * *

  COLE HAD REACHED AN IMPASSE. How was he going to tell her that he’d distanced himself from her because he didn’t want to take advantage of her when she was vulnerable? For the first time in his life he needed to let his guard down with a woman, put his heart on the line and tell her that he loved her. What else could he do?

  “Are you hungry?” he asked. “I’ve packed us a delicious meal.”

  Sashi laughed. “You made us a meal?”

  That laugh was music to his soul. It showed how relaxed she was here, how happy she was. He traced an index finger down her cheek. “No. I had it delivered to the plane from a delicatessen in town. They import excellent food.”

  The look of shock on Sashi’s face was priceless. “Why would you do this for me?”

  “Because you’re special and I wanted this day to be unforgettable.”

  Her green eyes turned translucent as they misted over. Cole could tell she was touched. He opened the basket and pulled out a checkered red-and-white tablecloth, which he spread out over the table.

  Then he began to pull out the other items in the basket: a fresh baguette, a variety of cheeses, fresh fruit, a decadent chocolate torte, plates, utensils, champagne and flutes to drink from.

  * * *

  “COLE, THIS IS WONDERFUL!”

  “I hoped it would be. So how are you feeling now? Nervous?”

  “No. Very content.”

  When she looked out the window, she saw the reason Cole had hoped for rain. There were waterfalls cascading down the mountain in every direction she looked, fed by the downpour. And now that the fast-moving storm was passing and the sun was peeking out, multiple rainbows had formed over the falls. She turned to Cole.

  “So this is why you wanted rain,” she whispered in awe. “You wanted me to see this. If there’s a heaven, I imagine this is what it looks like.”

  Cole grasped her hand and helped her to the door, then swung it wide so they could see the stunning views in the open. “It is heaven here,” he said. “I brought you so you could see that nature doesn’t have to be scary. It can be beautiful.”

  So beautiful it took her breath away. She watched the last of the waterfalls cascade over the ledges. She looked up to thank Cole, but stayed silent at the desire she saw blazing in his golden eyes.

  “Sashi,” he said, “when we met up at Marshall’s, that was one of the most special nights of my life.”

  “For me, too,” she breathed.

  “When I found out you were hurt, I—”

  His cell rang, cutting off what he was going to say. “It’s my two-way emergency phone. I have to take it. One moment and we’ll talk some more.” Cole kissed her forehead, then headed farther outside, while she maneuvered herself back to the table.

  He’d looked put out that they’d been interrupted, she thought, but she was just as disappointed. Sashi was dying to know what he’d been about to tell her. She prayed the call was nothing too serious.

  * * *

  AS COLE ANSWERED, HE WAS READY to kill whoever was on the other end of the phone. “Cole Stevens here.

  “Cole, it’s Trace.”

  “Trace, there’d better be a damn good reason you’re calling me.”

  “There is. Jake thinks he’s found Freddy for you.”

  That was a different matter. “When and where do I meet you for rendezvous?”

  “We’re at the Powells’ right now. Get here as soon as you can.”

  * * *

  THE FLIGHT TO CRAIG felt ominous. Sashi’s insides were twisted with tension. The beautiful green mountains they’d passed as they’d flown in to Humpback Lake now had a dusting of snow on the peaks. It changed the view dramatically, just like the feeling inside her. Cold.

  With Freddy at last in their sights and her need to confront him close to being fulfilled, she fear
ed she would lose Cole forever. She needed to begin to separate herself from him because her time in Alaska was coming to a close.

  Now that she was more mobile, she needed to take control of her life. She wasn’t sure what that entailed yet, but she couldn’t handle this back-and-forth thing with Cole any longer. As soon as she faced Freddy, she planned on heading home without Cole’s knowledge. Her heart already ached at the thought of what she knew she needed to do.

  They made a quick pit stop in Ketchikan to refuel and to grab some clothes for a couple of days until Freddy was apprehended.

  She felt so grateful to Cole and all his friends for helping her find the coward who had gone into hiding. This would allow her to share her feelings. Who knew if it would help? But at this point she was desperate to try.

  Today’s experiment of going into the wilderness seemed to have worked to reduce her fear of the outdoors. Next she’d have to try going into the Blue Ridge Mountains back home. She wouldn’t have Cole to lean on, but she’d have her mom and dad.

  Once they were back on the plane headed to Prince of Wales Island, she had mixed feelings. This is where her nightmare had begun, yet as Dr. Samuelson had told her, she couldn’t always think of the island that way. She had to be strong and face her fears. It was important to remember the wonderful memories here, too. The good ones with Kendra and the first time she’d met Cole. Those were the ones she would hold on to for a lifetime.

  “Sashi? You’ve barely said a word since we left the cabin.” Cole glanced over at her. “Do you want to talk about what you’re feeling?”

  “I’m just a little nervous about facing Freddy. I’ve built up meeting with him in my mind many times. Now it’s time to truly tell him what I feel.”

  Cole reached out and rubbed her shoulder. “You’ll be great. You’re the bravest person I know. During this counseling, you’ve given me the strength to face monsters from my past, a strength I didn’t think was possible. I want to thank you for that.”