The Alaskan Rescue (9 page)

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 blonde
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.”

A big bellowing laugh erupted and a huge man who looked like he
must be the parent of the Powell boys came and gave Natasha a hug. “You’re
definitely a Powell now.”

“No doubt about that.” An older, dark-haired woman chimed in.
“Hello, Sashi. We’re Doug and Doris Powell. We love Cole and consider him our
third son. We’re so happy you’re able to be out of the hospital, dear. I told
Cole you could come and stay with us. But he’s stubborn and insisted he was the
only one who could take care of you.” She paused, then added, “We’re so sorry
for your loss.”

Tears smarted Sashi’s eyes. None of these people knew her, but
they came out to welcome her. It made her homesick for her parents. Yet it also
made her yearn for this life with Cole. What would it be like to be pregnant
with his baby and be part of this amazing loving community?

“Thank you, everyone, for coming here to welcome me. Especially
those of you who don’t know me. It has lifted my spirits more than you’ll ever
know.”

“Oh, we’re thrilled to meet you,” Doris said warmly. “We’ve
never had Cole call us up and invite us over to his house for a woman’s sake.
Believe me, it’s
our
treat.”

Sashi blushed before looking at Cole. She whispered her
thanks.

“Just wait,” he whispered back. “Mary has a surprise for you.”
He resumed his normal tone. “For now, are you hungry? Can I get you something to
eat or drink?”

She nodded. “I’m starving for normal food. Can you get me
anything that’s not too much like the hospital’s?”

Cole nodded and rose. Natasha came over and sat beside her.
“Sashi, you look stunning in that dress.”

“Well, you look stunning pregnant. Your husband helped saved my
life. He’s a hero.”

Natasha gazed lovingly at CJ. “I have to agree. He’ll always be
my heroic fireman.” Cole was back, and she got up to be with her husband.

Sashi watched as CJ rubbed Natasha’s baby bump, then whispered
something in her ear. The pair walked off then.

Cole put a tray of food in front of her. “Here are some treats.
Chicken wings, pizza, chips and salsa, as well as chips and cheese dip. All
recommended by the American Heart Association.” His face was deadpan.

Sashi grinned. “This is definitely a treat. I haven’t had this
much food for so long I can’t even remember.”

“Dig in. I know I’m going to.”

The party was great. Everyone ate and talked and made sure they
met Sashi and engaged her in conversation. Toward the end, Mary stood up and
announced, “In Tlingit culture, we have a special welcome dance. My daughter,
Abigail, myself and my father, Joe, will dance in celebration. We’ll play our
ceremonial drums and wear our robes known as Chilkat blankets. I hope you will
enjoy this, Sashi.”

The drums began, followed by the rhythmic chanting of the
singers who swayed. Their regal dancing of such an ancient culture was beautiful
for Sashi to behold. She watched their movements, so free and graceful, and was
mesmerized by the intricate footwork and the to-and-fro movement of their
hands.

Tears stung her eyes, she was so moved. When the dance was
done, she clapped enthusiastically while the other onlookers cheered and
whistled. She could see the pride in Joe, Mary and Abigail. They had a tradition
of something beautiful and sacred.

She realized that she, too, had learned a tradition of dance
passed down from the past. The tradition of ballet! It was something she could
do—and pass on to future dancers.

She couldn’t wait to heal completely and then strive for her
dream: to teach children the art of ballet at her own studio. Her heart filled
with gratitude to Mary who’d danced tonight to help Sashi remember who she
was.

At last the party drew to a close. Sashi thanked people for
their kindness in coming. Knowing she had no family or friends here, they’d come
out on a dark foggy night to cheer her up and celebrate her discharge from the
hospital. She would be forever grateful to them for that. Many of them promised
to visit her soon. Cole saw everyone out as she rested on the couch,
exhausted.

* * *

C
OLE
WAS
OUTSIDE
WITH
the departees.
“Thanks for your help, guys.” He knew Jake and CJ would be flying most of the
guests home to Prince of Wales Island tonight. Everyone had really gone out of
their way to help him.

“She’s a wonderful girl, Cole,” Doris said. “And a real beauty.
How all you men manage to find such good-looking women is beyond me.”

“She’s just a friend,” Cole insisted.

The forest service van erupted in laughter. Jake swatted him on
the back. “When you’re willing to talk reasonably, I’ll be happy to give you
some advice.”

“I have no clue what you’re talking about.”

“I think he’s the densest of the three of us, don’t you think,
Pops?” Jake looked at Doug.

“I don’t know, Jakey. You were pretty stubborn with Sammi.”

“We don’t talk about that period,” Jake muttered.

Sammi soothed her husband. “Dad? You know how sensitive he is
about that time. He gets upset at the thought of my time away from him, so it’s
best not to bring it up.”

“I was dense,” Jake said, “but I knew I’d lost the girl I
loved. Cole here won’t even admit he has feelings for this woman.” He faced
Cole. “You’re crazy about her! What is it with this doctor code of yours? She’s
not a patient anymore. What’s holding you back?”

“She needs to get healthy and strong,” Cole said. “I want her
to return to the woman she was before. Once she’s no longer afraid and has
healed, then she can make good decisions.”

Sammi eyed him solemnly. “Just make sure you don’t play it too
safe, Cole. You might push her out of your life. The chemistry between the two
of you is obvious. That’s a very special thing. Don’t let her go.”

“All right. Thank you, guys.”

“Remember this,” CJ said from the back of the van, “Sashi’s
never going to be the woman she was before. She’ll be stronger and she’s getting
better. Make sure you’re part of that process so she doesn’t leave thinking she
was just a duty to you. I’ve spent time with her. She’s very smart. Give love a
chance!”

Cole gave Jake a hug. “See ya soon, and thanks again.”

“No problem, Dr. Love.”

Cole stepped away from the laughter, then waved to them. The
door closed and the van set off for the long journey home. He was a lucky man to
have such good friends. They’d given him a lot to think about, but right now he
needed to sleep on it.

He walked back into the house, grateful for the help with the
cleanup. Everyone knew he wasn’t the best housekeeper. His gaze flicked to the
couch where he found Sashi fast asleep.

A new feeling of peace and contentment seized him knowing that
the person he cared most about was in his home and soon would be settled for the
night. He wanted to take her up to his bedroom in the loft, but that was
definitely not going to happen. And he would definitely be taking a cold shower
tonight.

Time to get her settled.

He went into the garage and grabbed her luggage. It took a
little time to get her stuff put away. When he returned, he studied the woman
sleeping so peacefully on the sofa. Her shimmering hair hung over the edge of
the bolster.

Filled with emotion, he picked up this red-haired angel who’d
come into his life and turned it upside down. What a blessing he’d had this
apartment added on to the house for his parents when they came to visit. Jake
mostly used this place when he couldn’t get all the way home after a rescue. It
had served many purposes, but none as important as this one.

The apartment had a kitchenette, dining room and a TV lounge
area, all fashioned in the same style as the house. A hall led to the bedroom
with a king-size bed. The intricately carved wood head and footboards were done
in a light wood.

There was an en suite bathroom with a jetted tub and a walk-in
shower done in travertine beige tiles. He was sure Sashi would like it. It
should be easy for her to use and get around in.

Cole carried her into the bedroom and pulled the white sheets
back before he set her down. He wasn’t the doctor right now and didn’t feel he
had the right to undress her. He looked for her antibiotic and pain pill. She
needed to take these so she could sleep.

Once he’d gone to the kitchenette for a glass of water, he
returned and sat on the side of the bed, holding her up right in his arms. “It’s
time to take your medicine, Sashi. Can you put your pills in your mouth and
swallow for me?”

He placed them in one hand and put the cup of water in the
other. Obediently she put the pills in her mouth and swallowed. Then she lay
back in his arms. He put the water on the dresser. Now it was time for him to
leave, but all he could do was stare down at her perfect profile, wondering how
to find the strength.

How many times had he imagined her in his bed? Her hair had
splayed all over him and across the pillow. As he gently lowered her to a prone
position, he studied her flawless skin and rosy lips. She didn’t need any
makeup. He’d never forgotten that night all those weeks ago up at Marshall’s
when they’d lost their inhibitions and kissed for hours.