The Alaskan Rescue (8 page)

“Night was coming, but I didn’t care. I just kept praying that
the helicopters passing over would stop and help. Then a storm set in. I made it
back to where Luke was. He’d been dead for how long I don’t know. I dug us a
snow cave and prayed all night that God would bring my brother back.

“The next day rescuers found us. Even though I knew Luke was
gone, I still hoped they could save him somehow. This is where you come in,
Sashi. When I heard you talking in the cave and saw your face, I related to you
on a level I never had with anyone before.”

* * *

S
ASHI
WAS
STUNNED
BY
what she’d heard.
She couldn’t believe the man who’d rescued her and was now a doctor had
undergone something so tragic.

She shook her head. “How did you find the strength to go on
living? You’re like a superhero. To think you’re a doctor who goes out in a bush
plane and rescues people...” Knowing this about Cole made her do some
self-checking. She realized that dreams don’t have to be discarded.

He’d lost a brother and had turned it into something noble.
She’d been told she could dance again, so there was no reason to think she
wouldn’t be able to open her studio.

“Cole,” Dr. Samuelson said, “do you find that you push yourself
harder and harder to fight depression and anxiety? Do you think you picked the
field of medicine you did to prove to your brother over and over again that you
didn’t mean to let him die on the mountain?”

Cole looked at the doctor and finally nodded. “Every time I’m
out there on a rescue, I try to prove that I beat the odds and can make it right
this time. The day Luke died, I gave up ski racing and focused on school. With
my injury, I couldn’t ski anyway, and I found out I was actually pretty smart. I
used my brains to get into medical school and then to service.”

Sashi looked at him. “Have you forgiven yourself yet? To me it
sounds like you did everything you could to save your brother. And over the
years you’ve done so much to help others, your brother would be proud.”

His eyes watered. “I don’t think I’ll ever forgive myself. I
think you know the feeling.”

Tears filled her eyes, too, and she nodded. “I know it all
right. But your brother died twenty years ago. At some point you
have
to forgive yourself. You did nothing wrong.”

“Neither did you,” Cole responded.

At that, she brushed her tears away, and the gesture made him
reach for her. He lifted her out of the wheelchair—she was so small, it was easy
to sweep her up in one swift movement—and wrapped his arms around her. Here was
one person who truly understood his suffering.

Sashi’s sweet body and her kindness released his emotions. It
felt so right to have her in his arms while he let go of twenty years of
sorrow.

“Cole,” Daniel interjected, “Sashi’s right, you know. Over the
next sessions we’re going to learn how to forgive ourselves and move on. We
understand it’s okay to be sad for the loss of our loved one, but we can’t blame
ourselves for that loss. It was just a freak accident.”

“Daniel, I hear what you’re saying.” Cole had been playing with
Sashi’s incredible hair, inhaling her sweet fragrance. “But how do I forgive
myself when I know my parents haven’t truly forgiven me?”

“Put Sashi back in the chair—or at least look at me.”

Cole didn’t want to let her go. Instead, he tucked her into his
neck. Cole had had no idea how weak he was until this moment. He hadn’t been
ready to talk about any of this. But now he was willing to do it for this
redheaded beauty he’d fallen in love with.

“Are you sure they haven’t forgiven you?” Daniel said. “Or are
you walking around with extra guilt you’ve put on yourself.”

Cole met Daniel’s gaze. “That’s a very good question.”

Daniel glanced at his watch. “Our session is over for today.
Sashi, next time it’s going to be your turn to share your story.”

She pulled away to look up at Cole, and knew she could do it
now that she had Cole by her side. For the first time since the cave, Sashi saw
more than friendship in his eyes. She was confused, but so happy to be safe and
secure in his arms.

Cole smiled. “It’ll be okay. I’ll be here.” Then he pulled her
close again, letting her know that he meant what he’d said.

Chapter Six

It was late afternoon.

Sashi sat nervously on her bed waiting for Cole to help finish
getting her discharged. She knew this day had to come where she would be leaving
the comforts of the hospital and living on her own until she was going to fly
home. Admittedly she’d been assured the small apartment was close to Cole’s
house and her new physical therapist, but the knowledge didn’t allay her
fear.

The thought of being alone at night terrified her. The
nightmares and panic attacks hadn’t abated with therapy. She’d been seeing Dr.
Samuelson privately for the past week. He was going to send her home with
various prescriptions to help with those problems. She was going to take the
pills for a little while to see if they helped, but her goal was to get off them
as soon as possible.

Now she was going to be on her own, alone in a foreign place,
using crutches or a walker to get around. If she fell, she would get up just as
she’d been taught in physical therapy. A fierce dancer, she’d fallen countless
times. She wasn’t going to stop moving or let fear stop her. First, at her
therapist’s suggestion, she would always wear clothes with pockets so she could
carry a cell phone with her at all times. Second, she would refuse to cry or
feel sorry for herself.

Hard to believe it had been over three weeks since she’d been
admitted to the hospital. With the help of Joe’s daughter, Mary Brown, a truly
gifted physical therapist, she was able to rely on a walking cast and without a
wheelchair. It comforted her to know that both Cole and Mary didn’t live far
away.

“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!”

* * *

C
OLE
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.

* * *

S
ASHI
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.

* * *

C
OLE
WAS
RATTLED
. H
AD
S
ASHI
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 years 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.”

* * *

S
ASHI
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.