The Alaskan Rescue Read Online Free Page A

disappeared back into one of the toilet cubicles.
    “How are you guys going to meet again?” Kendra asked.
    “He’s a bush doctor, and he’ll fly out here and take us to
Ketchikan early on the day we’re supposed to fly home. Then he’s going to take
us to lunch. He says he can get us to the airport fast, too.”
    “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.”
    * * *
    T HE 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