“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