Denali Dreams (31 page)

Stunned, she stared at him. Wanted to laugh. But … couldn’t. “Then, why …?”

Logan eased in closer, his hand around the back of her neck as he guided her into his arms. “Deline, this whole thing with you—for me, it’s
love
taking flight.”

Ronie Kendig
grew up an Army brat, married a veteran, and they now have four children and a golden retriever. She has a BS in psychology, speaks to various groups, volunteers with the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), and mentors new writers.

To the Talkeetna Rangers. For everything you do, everyone you rescue, and all the crazy authors you put up with on a day-to-day basis (well, okay, so at least
this
crazy author). You’re all amazing.

Missy—this one’s for you.

What a joy it has been to share this journey with you all. I’d like to give a big shout-out to my friend Ronie Kendig. She’s brilliant, and I love her dearly. We’ve had a blast with these stories and characters, and we hope you’ve enjoyed a taste of Alaska, mountaineering, and the incredible rangers.

More than anything, I hope you can walk away with a sense that God is with you at all times and His joy is
always
there for the taking.

Never let go.

In His Abundant JOY,

Kimberley Woodhouse

http://kimberleywoodhouse.com

M
ountaineering ranger Josh Richards grabbed his gear off the helicopter and headed back to the station. This last thirty-day stint on upper mountain rotation had kicked him in the rear. Twenty-seven rescues, two plane crashes, and three acute cases of HACE. Must’ve been a record. With over twelve hundred people climbing Denali during the short summer season this year, it shouldn’t surprise him. But his body protested, clearly saying it would have liked some warning.

A whiff of unsavory odor rose up to meet him. Ugh. He stank. Needed a long, hot shower, a haircut, and a good shave. And then sleep. Real sleep in a real bed.

Kyle greeted him at the door. “Good to have you back, bud.”

Josh nodded. “Feels good to be back. I’m glad I don’t have to look at the side of that mountain again for a while. I’m worn out. Shredded.”

Zack joined them. “Yeah, this season’s been a mess. Just goes to show that even the most experienced climbers aren’t prepared for everything.”

“I’m glad the official climbing season is over.” Josh shook his head. “Can I just say how much I’m looking forward to winter?”

Kyle smacked him on the shoulder. “You and me both.”

The rangers laughed together.

A smile crinkled Zack’s eyes. “You definitely earned your position, Josh. Good to have you with us.” He started to walk away, then turned. “Hey, Karon will kill me if I don’t ask if you brought her book back.”

Josh dropped his duffel. Pulled out a gallon Ziploc with two books inside. “Tell her thanks, here’s the one from David as well. She’s a lifesaver.”

“That’s my girl. She’s becoming the mobile library for the camps.” Zack grinned from ear to ear and left the station.

“You know every time I see him now, he can’t seem to wipe the smile off his face.” Josh laughed.

“Yep.” Kyle walked with him to the conference room.

“And when I first met him, I thought he was the most arrogant grouch I’d ever encountered.”

Kyle nodded. “That’s because he let go of the rope, before Karon entered the picture.”

“Let go of the rope?”

Kyle smacked his shoulder. “That’s a story Zack will have to tell you sometime. It’s a good one….”

Josh’s attention diverted. Deanna Smith walked by talking on the radio. Fellow ranger and heartbeat of the station. She kept everything and everyone moving. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. Wait. Kyle was still talking. Was he supposed to respond? He couldn’t remember. “Uh-huh.”

“Josh?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Josh!”

Oops. “What?” His gaze remained on Deanna as she rounded the corner.

Laughter answered him. “You didn’t hear a word I said, did you?”

Huh? Oh right. He panned back to Kyle. “Uh, no. Sorry.”

“And another one bites the dust.” The other ranger—his senior—mumbled and patted him on the back again. “Turn in your paperwork, then do us all a favor and get some sleep.”

Josh watched him walk away. He’d better focus. He had a job to do.

After he found all his paperwork and took care of his equipment, Josh ran a hand through his scruffy hair and headed toward Deanna’s desk.

The highlight of any day, she’d smile at him and talk to him as though they were best friends. But that was her way. She made everyone feel special, every day. But just once, he wanted it to be different. He wanted to be the one. Would she ever turn that smile his way? For him alone?

He shook his head.
Focus, man!

When he found her, Deanna had her head bent over her desk. Long, auburn hair pulled back with a simple elastic band. She never wore any makeup—didn’t need any, in his opinion—and he’d never seen her in anything other than the green ranger uniform. But she was beautiful.

The same question had plagued him for months: Why did she keep everyone at a distance? Everyone loved her. But it was like she didn’t want any attention drawn to herself. Ever. But she certainly drew
his
attention.

Get a grip, Richards.
He shook his head. He was acting like a hormonal teenager. If he didn’t watch it, he’d start drooling all over her desk. Not a good look for a twenty-six-year-old.

Deanna’s head popped up, those green eyes landing square on him. She put a hand to her chest. “Oh! Sorry, Josh. I didn’t know you were standing there.”

“Didn’t want to interrupt your train of thought.”

“You’re never interrupting.” She smiled. “What do you have for me?”

“Paperwork.” He grimaced. “Your favorite.” Hopefully his sarcasm wasn’t over the top.

Deanna’s light laughter washed over him as she took the file folder. “Oh joy. Well, someone’s gotta do it.” She flipped through the papers. “Bet you’re glad to be done with your first full season.”

Small talk. He could do that. “Yeah, I am. Looking forward to the work around here this winter.”

She nodded. “Just wait until we need your help with a winter rescue. Those are always fun.”

“And … cold … I bet.” Couldn’t he come up with anything more clever to say? He needed to quit now before he made a bigger fool of himself. Walk away. Out the door, into his Jeep. He could do that. Get some sleep and maybe smack his head against the wall a few times.

But Deanna had the courtesy to laugh. “Yeah, just a little.” Then she pointed a finger in his direction. “But don’t get your hopes up that things will be easy over the winter—there’s always a million things to be done.”

“Okay.” Escape. Run away. Before he stuck his foot in his mouth and couldn’t remove it. “Well … I better get cleaned up.” He took a few steps backward and waved. “Thanks … for taking my paperwork.”
Good one, Richards.
He wanted to roll his eyes at himself. What an idiot.

Those green eyes looked up at him. “You’re welcome. See you soon.”

“Yeah, see ya.” The door couldn’t swallow him up fast enough. Did he really just thank her for taking his paperwork? He needed more than sleep. Maybe he could get a brain transplant before he saw her again.

Deanna watched Josh walk away. For the first time in fifteen years, she found herself interested in a guy. At the age of twelve, Deanna made a vow to never allow herself to be attracted to or fall in love with a man. Her sister’s stalker and murderer could take the credit for that.

Now at the ripe old age of twenty-seven, she couldn’t keep that vow. At least the attraction part. She wasn’t in love. Yet. But her heart had other ideas. Josh Richards pulled her in like a magnet.

She’d watched him with the other rangers. Eager to learn, not overly cocky, though he knew his stuff. Whenever he came around her, he stumbled over his words. She’d never say it aloud, but his nervousness endeared him to her heart. Josh never had trouble speaking to anyone else. Which told her one thing—he liked her. And for some strange and wonderful reason, she wanted him to.

But it could never be. She’d hold the attraction deep in her heart and treasure all the memories she could make with the handsome ranger. And that would be the end of it. No attachments. She nodded to emphasize her point.

For seven years, she’d worked at the Talkeetna Ranger Station. Everyone knew who she was. And yet no one knew who she
really
was.

Depression clawed its way up and threatened to take over. How she longed for a real life. A loving relationship. Friends she could confide in.

But that was just a dream. One that could never be.

John, the head ranger, dropped by her desk. “Hey, Deanna, thanks for all your work on that last project. Your spreadsheet was incredibly helpful. The guys were able to see everything plain as day. I know that took a lot of extra work.”

“You’re welcome.” She gave John her classic I’m-always-happy-to-do-whatever-needs-to-be-done smile.

“You’re a trouper. I don’t know why you enjoy paperwork so much, but the other rangers appreciate it.” John tapped her desk and walked away.

Most of the others would be gone soon. She’d lock up the building and head to her small two-bedroom house, shut the blinds, bolt the door, and eat her dinner. Alone.

When Missy waved good-bye, Deanna sat down at her desk, her thoughts returning to Josh. Memories of her past tumbled in. What would he think if he knew the truth?

She’d arrived in the small Alaska town a fresh graduate from college. Young and eager to learn, she knew how to avoid people prying too much into her history. From their perspective, she was just getting started in her life anyway, right? Everyone thought she was an orphan, loved Alaska and mountaineering. They were correct, in that much at least.

The truth—the real truth, buried under layers of lies and years—was horrific. After her sister’s murder, her parents were stalked by the murderer. During her junior high years, the most insecure time in her life, they changed her last name and sent Deanna away to boarding school in an attempt to hide her from the madman. For a year her parents stayed on the run. The FBI told her it was for her safety. But that wasn’t how it felt to a young girl about to become a teen.

In reality, her parents had been prey. They’d been hunted. Until one day, her father couldn’t take the hiding or running anymore. He drove their car off the highway into a ravine. With himself and her mother inside.

Deanna had been taken into protective custody and placed with an unfeeling police couple to hide her true identity. Her teen years were filled with schooling, but love and laughter weren’t part of the equation. The officers kept their emotional distance.

The killer had never been caught. But every once in a while, the FBI received a note or tip.

And so she’d hidden all these years. From everyone, even God. Never allowing anyone to penetrate her walls.

Every few months her mind took this path and wounded her heart anew. The memories were so vivid, the pain still fresh. The childhood she could never get back.

She slumped over her workspace as the grief tore through her yet again. A few tears escaped her own prescribed barrier and dropped onto the file folder on her desk.

Josh’s file.

Loneliness ripped her protective walls to shreds. In the silence of the moment, her heart ached for what could never be.

S
now was coming. Deanna could feel it in the air.

A slow smile stretched across her face as she finished her five-mile walk around town and the flakes began to fly. The guys would hate her for sure.

It took a good three-hour pity party to put herself to rights last night, but her confidence and shield were back in place. She’d done this a long time. Her will was strong.

By the time she reached her house, a half inch stuck to the ground. Oh, she was good.

An hour later, Deanna walked into the ranger station’s conference room and poured herself a cup of coffee. “Morning, guys!”