Denali Dreams (10 page)

Zack hiked to her and shook his head. “Now, Miss Granger. What seems to be the problem?” He tried to hide his pleasure in seeing her again.

She laughed even harder, hiccuped, and struggled to catch her breath.

He squatted downhill from her so she could see him.

“Long story short—Lionel’s been unconscious for a couple of hours. Clint and I were hauling him up to High Camp, or so we thought, in the storm, then Clint fell into the crevasse and was unconscious, too. After pulling him out, I felt like Jell-O and had no energy left, but my feet were wedged in that crack, so I’ve been lying here upside down laughing myself silly and then I heard the helicopter and just knew—”

He glanced at her boots. “Wait a minute—I’m sorry to interrupt—but you pulled your brother out of that crevasse? All by yourself?”

She grunted at that one. “Well, me and God. And a little yelling and hollering.”

“But he must weigh—”

“It’s my turn to interrupt, Zack. But all the blood’s rushing to my head and it’s beginning to hurt. Do you think you could get my boots unwedged so I could get up? I’m worried about that big lump that I just dragged up out of that hole.”

Clint groaned. “I heard that.”

Zack helped her sit upright, went to her feet, and kicked her boots out of their shackles.

Karon didn’t miss a beat and shouted back to Clint, “I know you heard that, you lazy bum. I had to haul your sorry self up while you pretended to be unconscious—”

“I wasn’t pretending to be unconscious—”

“Oh good. So in other words, I just saved your life.”

“I don’t know if I’d go that far, but did I hear you threaten me with no more cookies? Not even your special cookies?”

Zack shook his head. His radio crackled. The doctor and another ranger, Dawson, from High Camp were coming to help.

Within the hour, Zack helped set Clint’s broken leg and strap him to a sled, while the doctor attended to Lionel.

The doctor headed over to check out Clint’s splint as Dawson explained to Zack and Karon, “Apparently, good ol’ Lionel has broken his streak of not being sick for over a decade. He has a virus, a sinus infection, and acute bronchitis all at the same time. It’s amazing he lasted this long at this elevation.”

Karon piped in. “But he didn’t even have any symptoms until earlier today.”

“Well, it must have hit him really fast. Poor guy. I wouldn’t want to have that at home, much less up here.” Dawson patted Zack. “Want to introduce us?”

“Karon Granger, I’d like you to meet Ranger Dawson.”

“Nice to meet you, Ranger.” Karon shook the outstretched hand.

“That was quite a piece of work, lady. You pulling your brother up all by yourself.” Dawson nodded.

Karon turned to Zack but spoke to Dawson. “Yeah, well, I had quite a lecture from another ranger about holding on to a rope. And that helped. A lot.”

Karon packed up her gear and her brother’s in the snow while she waited for Zack. He stood quite a ways away with the other ranger and doctor talking on the radio. Her brother would be picked up by helicopter with Lionel and the other injured climbers. There wasn’t room for her, so she assumed she would just trek down the mountain with another group.

She wasn’t sure how she would haul all their gear down herself, but after their adventure, she knew she’d find a way. Somehow.

Zack walked closer to her. A few words of his conversation floated over. “Thank you, sir. I appreciate that.”

He approached and squatted next to her. “So, Karon.”

“Zack.” Her heart fluttered. Good grief, she wasn’t a kid anymore. But this sure was fun.

“I just got clearance from my boss to be your guide the rest of the way.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, you’re only a few hundred yards from High Camp. You can set up your tent there, I can stay with the rangers, and then hopefully the next day, I can take you to the summit.”

She blinked. Did he really just say what she thought he said?

“Karon?”

“Don’t you need to acclimate?”

“I just spent some time on a rescue at higher altitudes, and I’ve been at Kahiltna for over a week. If I hydrate well tonight and tomorrow, I should be okay.”

“Are you sure?”

“The outlook looks good for tomorrow, and if we head straight down, it should be okay.” He reached out for her hand. “Besides, I’d like to be there when you get your wish.”

Her heart thundered. Was it selfish to finish without Clint? Without Lionel? Or was God granting her wish in more ways than one?

“Well? John and all the rangers want you to be able to do this, Karon. Everyone is behind you.”

She smiled up into his goggles, even though he wouldn’t be able to see it through her mask. “Let’s do it.”

T
he sea of clouds below separated Karon from the rest of the mountain. Sultana stood to the southwest, her peak appearing like a lonely island amidst the fluffy white swirls. It wouldn’t be long now before they would stand on the summit.

No time like the present to come clean.

“Zack, I need to tell you something.”

He turned toward her. “But we’re almost there. You want to stop now?”

“Yes, I do. I’m sorry.” She fiddled with the zipper at her neck. At least his face was hidden by all the gear. It’d be easier this way. “I told you I really wanted to go on a date with you.”

“But you turned me down.”

She took it back—she wished she
could
see his eyes. This was harder than she thought. “Yeah, but it’s because I hadn’t told you something really important.” Deep breath. “I had cancer. I’m in remission, but there’s no guarantee it won’t come back.”

“So you’re afraid I won’t want anything to do with you?”

“I
was
afraid. Afraid you wouldn’t think I was whole. Afraid you wouldn’t want—”

“I already knew, Karon.”

“You did?”

“Yep.”

“And you don’t mind?”

“Nope.”

“And I turned you down!” She placed both gloved hands over her face.

“Well, we can rectify that.” He took both of her hands in his. “Karon, would you like to go out on a date with me?”

“I’d love to.”

“How about now?”

“You’re on.”

The day couldn’t have been more perfect. Clear skies, calm wind—well, for the top of Denali it was calm—and Karon at his side.

The sun beat down on them as he led her to the summit. Her wish granted.

As they stood on the tip of Denali’s peak, Karon took pictures with a tiny digital camera. She turned toward him. “It’s breathtaking.”

“It sure is.”

“Zack?”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you.”

He followed his instincts and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “You’re welcome.”

“Not just for this. But for everything.”

“I don’t know what everything is, but you’re welcome.”

She leaned in to him. He’d been missing out all these years, chasing a thrill that never lasted. He was thankful God had saved him and prepared him for Karon.

“I’ll always remember our first date, Zack.”

He looked down at her. She didn’t have any trouble balancing since her tiny feet found footing just about anywhere. His massive size twelves wobbled next to her. He squeezed her tighter. She wrapped her arm around his middle.

“This is the best date ever.”

Taking in the view around him, Zack agreed. God knew what it would take to bring him around, and then He brought Karon into his life.

Zack turned to face her. “I’m hoping you’ll agree to share a few more dates with me, Karon Granger.”

“Oh really? Like how many?”

“However many we can fit in for the rest of our lives.”

“It’s a deal. But on one condition.” She poked him in the chest.

“You and your conditions. I still haven’t followed through on the last one.”

She poked him again.

“Okay, okay … I’m almost afraid to ask.”

“You have to seal the deal right here, on the top of Denali.”

Zack grinned. “I think I can handle that …” He reached out, took off her goggles and mask, and peeled off his own. Their chapped lips and cheeks met for the first time in the icy, thin air at 20,320 feet. And nothing had ever tasted sweeter. A gust of wind sucked the air off the mountain as Zack pulled back, but he couldn’t contain his grin.

He replaced her gear and his own as they each inhaled the thin air. “I promise I’ll do it right when we’re not risking our lips to frostbite.”

She giggled and took his hand. “But won’t it be a story to tell? I’ll always be able to say, you took my breath away.”

Kimberley Woodhouse
is a wife, mother, author, and musician who lives, writes, and homeschools in Colorado with her husband and two children.

To the Talkeetna mountaineering rangers who risk everything on the High One to protect the mountains and the climbers. Through my research, I gained an incredible respect for you.

E
mbraced by volumes of leather-bound books, collegiate hardbacks, the occasional paperback, and a wealth of loneliness, Jolie Decoteau drew her legs up to her chest on the chaise lounge. She hugged tight the frame that held heartache and bittersweet memories.

Her gaze rose to the cross-and-beam ceiling, aching. Her father’s death had widened the hole that existed after Gael’s death. From the second-story library loft of her father’s home office, she could almost pretend Daddy was still here. Still working. Still on endless phone calls. She could see his wavy silver hair and hear his deep voice booming through the room that gobbled the entire northern wall of the estate.

“I’m going to marry her, Jolie.”

“Seriously? What does she have that you could want?”

“Everything I don’t already have—freedom, perspective, joy, love—”

“Love? Your family loves you!”

His long fingers traced her cheek. “You loved me, Jolie. Dad loved his work, and Mother loved being rich, being provided for. Dad doted on you, but he only knew how to push me.”

“Don’t be crazy.” She swatted away his hand, but when he turned to leave, she caught his arm. “You can’t leave me, Gael.”

But Gael had left. Permanently. He’d been her strength since childhood. Now, her father and her brother, the only people who really understood her, who supported her, were gone. And with that emptiness a massive responsibility surged to the surface of her grief.

Leaning back, Jolie closed her eyes. “Why did you do this, Daddy?” She rubbed the knotted ridge above her eyebrow where a headache threatened. With a shuddering sigh, she slid her gaze beyond the rolled spindle casing to the massive L-shaped desk that hogged the bank of windows. Daddy would often slip out onto the terrace on a phone call, but his voice carried through the air, into the office and back up to Jolie.

If only his voice would come to her now. Give her wisdom. Explain
why
he’d left her in charge of Decoteau Industries. Why would he usurp the power, the expertise of his right hand, from his own friend—Baron Schmidt? It didn’t make sense. And yet, Baron had been nothing but gracious and guiding since her father’s death three months ago.