Category: Romance Publisher: ma2books
Pages: 266
Copyright: July 16, 2010
Paranormal Romance
78,000 words
Running away to Alaska and falling in love with Mike, will Ellie discover her gift of healing in time to save him from a vampire?
From Bluewater California to Nome Alaska, Ellie Hightower has made the journey looking for a fresh start.
Her new found gifts of telepathy and healing are frightening her, and driving her to want to find a normal life in the very place her beloved Gran talked about all her life. But the last thing she was expecting was to fall in love with Mike Stone, her new boss and the owner of Fast Eddie's, a Nome institution.
Mike is the town catch and seems to be too good to be true with his dedication to family, friends and community.
Their amazing love story has only just begun when along comes Katrianna, a beautiful vampire who has been asleep since the Russian whaling ships exploited the Bering Sea. Her sexy antics upset the women of Nome, and Ellie most of all, as Katrianna is soon looking to have Mike all to herself and destroy her new found happiness.
Will she have to give up her own life to save his?
Excerpt
Every person above the ordinary has a certain mission that they are called to fulfill. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
PROLOGUE
Pure evil waited, hushed and cold in the perfect darkness. The steady drip, drip on the coffin lid above was soundless next to the crashing waves of the sea. But the creature within was aware and knew what the substance was: life-giving nourishment.
The blood was pooling, seeking a way into any tiny fissure that it could search out. The resurrection was painstaking. Each life-giving drop dripped onto the needy beast which absorbed each molecule like a monstrous sponge as it built up, layer by layer. The vampire waited patiently—certain of its imminent resurrection.
After all, it had already waited centuries, what were a few more hours to recover what had been lost…
CHAPTER ONE
There is no place like Nome! The weathered road sign brought a slight smile to my lips as it was the first sign of human inhabitance I’d seen since I’d driven off the ferry onto Alaskan soil. Nome being home, I like that, corny as it sounds. I’m always sleuthing out signposts of the hand of fate to follow and this one looked good to me.
I cannot tell you how grateful I am that the last leg of my trip is ending. Three thousand kilometers over five days was an exhausting journey I’m happy to leave behind. I asked myself for the umpteenth time if I was doing the right thing. Was running away really going to solve my problems? And now in Nome, Alaska, I could not get any further away so it had to work here.
I pushed the thoughts aside as I caught sight of a sign: Fast Eddie’s. It was spelled out in flashing red neon above the windows of a bar and grill. I cranked the wheel onto the graveled driveway and pulled to a jerky stop—the prerequisite Help Wanted sign tucked in the lower window. I grabbed my purse, locked my dusty battered truck and headed for the entrance.
The song on the jukebox was an old Hank Williams tune, Hey Good Lookin’ that I knew my father had loved. The thought was bittersweet—all that was left of my small family, an older brother, resided thousands of miles to the south. I made a mental note to remember to e-mail Aiden to let him know I’ve arrived safe and sound. I was brought out of my introspection by the deep voice of the man coming towards me; time only to realize that he towered over me before I could answer his question.
“Yes, ah—no, what I’m really looking for is a job.” I felt silly replying in such an awkward way. Keep in the now Ellie Hightower, I chastised myself and touched the locket through my tee shirt that Gran had given me as a child. I always wore it as I swore it brought me good luck. Don’t fail me today, I prayed.
I felt myself blushing as this handsome man gave me the once over, skepticism painting his expression. He would not have looked out of place on a GQ magazine with that dark wavy hair and piercing blue eyes. What was he doing so far off the beaten track?
He inquired in a rich resonating timber of voice. “Have you been a waitress in a bar before?”
Pulling myself upright to my full five feet one and one-half inches, I tried to sound more confident than I felt as I launched into my practiced spiel. “I’ve worked as a waitress before. In Sacramento, California there’s a real nice place called The Stone Lion. I worked there for almost two years. Oh, I have a letter of reference from the owner.” I began to dig in my purse, chastising myself for not having made the letter more accessible.
Keeping my fingers crossed, I left out the fact that I had never worked in an actual bar. I have a thing about tokens. It can’t hurt to have all the possible good omens on your side, right? Crossed fingers, rubbing my Gran’s locket for good luck and throwing salt over my shoulder when I spilled something were three of my most important rituals for warding off bad spirits and I swear they work. A hang-up from the old country it had been suggested when I had once been caught red-handed in the act of throwing salt; Ireland being prone to fairies and the like my best friend Sarah had teased. And now Sarah was busy with a husband and new baby and had been too distracted to say much about my trip except to tell me to, “Take care and watch out for wolves—of all kinds!”
As I came up with the letter, my purse fell from my shaking hands and everything I had been carrying around for the past five days spilled out onto the gleaming hardwood floor. Mortified, I bent down and began stuffing the offending items back. Even more embarrassing was, just as the man began to help, I realized that a very embarrassing item, a pink plastic-wrapped tampon was rolling its merry way out of arms reach under the bar! I scrambled to retrieve it, my cheeks full of high color and we bumped heads. Startled, I looked into the most intense blue eyes I’ve ever seen. Eyes wide I apologized, “Oh gosh, I’m so sorry, I’ve never…”
The man raised his eyebrows with what looked like a smile trying to be restrained at the corners of his mouth and cut my apology short. “Okay, I could use more help with the evening shift. When can you start?”
I breathed out a huge sigh of relief, thinking of the shrinking funds in my small nest egg, and added before he could change his mind as he didn’t look all that sure that he was doing the right thing in hiring me, “Today! I can start today. I just need a place to live. Do you know where I can get a room?”
Running his hand through his thick black hair, he considered. “I think we can accommodate you right here if you aren’t looking for anything fancy.”
“That would be great! I have all my stuff in my truck and maybe I could unload it before my shift.”
“Okay, that works for me. By the way I’m Mike, the owner of Fast Eddie’s. Yeah, I know, you’re wondering who Eddie is,” he answered my questioning look. “Eddie moved on a number of years back and sold the business to me. I hope you’re not too disappointed I’m not Eddie.” His warm, very mellow tone of voice was easy on the ears and I knew instinctively that he would be a good boss to work for.
He shook my hand and waited for a response.
“Ellie, I’m Ellie Hightower.”
I found myself wanting to tell this walking ad for the perfect-tall-dark-stranger so much more about my life. His kindness in helping a virtual stranger spoke volumes about him.
“Nice to meet you.” He smiled a warm sexy slow smile that sent chills vibrating down my spine.
I returned the smile, my eyes widening at the quick approval I could see in their deep blue depths. He had such a nice confident way about him. I felt that maybe I would land on my feet here in Nome, Alaska after all.
“Nice to meet you too.” I responded as I took a minute to look around breaking away from the unexpected intensity of the moment. I could only hope that the color would soon die down on my hot face.
I noticed the restaurant and licensed bar were spacious. The front part where we stood had seating room for at least fifty. The dimly lit back area housed a shuffleboard game and small round tables. The place was almost empty, it being the usual quiet time before the evening crowd, I surmised. A waitress wearing black short shorts looked on with curiosity as she filled the glass and metal containers atop the tables. Scribbled over the bust line of her white tee shirt was the name Fast Eddie’s.
She had to be in her late teens and resembled Mike—the same thick black hair pulled up into a high ponytail and piercing blue eyes. Probably his daughter, though he looked young to be a father I thought just before I heard him call out, “Julie, come here and meet our new waitress.”
He turned back to me. “Julie’s my niece and she’s works here most nights.”
The young girl almost skipped over and began gushing in a steady stream of words, “Hi, I’m so glad to meet you. And I’m so glad you are going to be working here. It’s going to be so great to have you around! I’m sooooo needing another female to talk to. I’m sure we are going to get along just fabulous! Where do you come from? Are you alone?”
I was feeling overwhelmed with the warm reception by the young girl and noticed that her uncle was watching the display with a twinkle in his eye.
“Whoa, Julie, give the girl a chance to catch her breath.”
His niece had the grace to stop talking, but she smiled an engaging smile that I couldn’t help but return. I immediately felt I had found a friend, an unusual feeling on first meeting for me. I’m cautious by nature and had become even more so the last couple of years, but the idea was very welcome at this juncture of my life. And it was good to be calming down after the stress of applying for a new job.
“I’m from Southern California, a little town called Bluewater, population two hundred and sixty five on a good day. And yes, I’m traveling alone. And it’s very nice to meet you too.” I felt fresh hope rising in me.
I realized Mike was speaking. “If you go with Julie she can show you to your room and help you settle in.” I belatedly murmured “thanks” and followed the gregarious girl out of the restaurant, feeling my new boss’s eyes on me. I was relieved to escape the intensity of the past few minutes.
“How was the ferry ride?” The young girl turned back to ask as our shoes crunched on the graveled parking lot. She rightly chose my light blue truck as the one we were headed for—the vast parking lot was almost empty and she probably knew all the regulars, I thought.
“It was pretty smooth today. The captain said we were lucky.”
“Oh, you mean old John McMaster. Yeah, it can be really rough. I like to fly when we leave for our trips down south. It’s faster and I don’t get seasick.”
“Do you fly south very often?”
“Not often enough! Uncle Mike is so worried about running the business that he almost never wants to leave. Is this all you have?” Julie asked as I opened the squeaky passenger door and pulled the lever forward to get at the space behind the seats where I stored my meager belongings.
“Well, I don’t need much…”
“Oh, I didn’t mean to be rude!” She covered her mouth with her hand. “Uncle Mike says I should think before I speak, but I really don’t mean anything by it.”
I reassured her. “Don’t worry about it. I just like to travel light.”
She grabbed the one suitcase and I picked up my knapsack and laptop and we headed back to the doorway of Fast Eddie’s. “Your room is up these stairs. It even has its own bathroom,” she announced with pride in her tone.
I followed her on up. With a flourish, she opened the first door on the right at the top of the stairs and gestured me in. I noticed it was situated over the front of the restaurant.
It was pleasing to see how clean and tidy the simple surroundings were. My Gran had been a stickler for cleanliness. A double bed was pushed up against the window that overlooked the street and a small kitchenette, with another door that must lead to the promised bathroom, filled the rest of the space. It was all painted a nice bright yellow, my favorite color of late. In my mind yellow was the color of hope. I had become big, maybe too big on reading the signs that I felt fate put in front of me.
“This is nice.” I smiled at her as I placed my backpack and laptop on the small couch provided, tastefully decorated with small blue cornflowers on a yellow background. The flowers exactly matched the color of the drapes outlining the windows.
“Thanks, I decorated it myself,” she announced.
Taking in the younger girl’s outfit I had a shocking thought. “Uh, is that what I am supposed to wear for work?”
“Do you like it? I had to fight Uncle Mike to get him to go along with it, but it was sooooo worth it!” She looked down at her outfit with satisfaction, sitting on the bed with her high black-heeled boots crossed at the knee, swinging her foot back and forth. The great expanse between her boot and her short shorts was a wonderful example of womanly flesh, I thought in despair. I could not imagine wearing the getup any time soon.
Not wanting to disappoint the girl, I hesitated giving my opinion, though it was obvious she would fit in just fine with our own Valley girls back in California, at least in her style of dress. “I’m really not used to showing so much leg. Is there another choice?”
“But you’ll look so fabulous! You’re lucky to be slim. It’s just our summer uniform anyway. The winter one is like—sooooo awful.” She looked astonished that anyone could possibly question the obvious fact that I would look great in her choice of gear. She got up and hurried from the room, calling over her shoulder, “Hold on, I’ll get you a new set.”
I looked out the window while I waited for the young girl to return, admiring the view of snow-peaked mountains when I realized something was happening. It appeared someone had hit a dog with a half ton truck right in front of the restaurant! The driver, a young woman in obvious distress, was cradling the animal’s head in her lap. In an instant I turned and rushed for the stairs, taking them two at a time.
As I reached the woman she looked up at me with stark pleading in her eyes. “I didn’t see him! Please, I need help!”
I crouched down beside them and carefully laid my hands on the whimpering dog. It looked like a husky, probably a sled dog. He or she was still breathing, but it was labored and loud. I could also see blood on its soft white fur. I found my heart reaching out to the poor creature with its pain-filled, whisky-brown eyes that seemed to beg me to do something. Despite the gut-wrenching plea, I felt helpless, sheer happenstance had brought this poor animal to this end and I had no power to save it from its fate.
Hesitantly, I reached my hands out and laid them on the poor dog’s head and its eyes seemed to tell me that it knew its fate. Tears flowed and the image of the dog blurred. I felt its pain as my own as I closed my eyes in sheer anguish.
Please, I prayed, as tears dripped on its blood smeared fur, let this beautiful creature be okay. Suddenly, something came alive inside me like a dam bursting its banks, and a great tidal wave of energy flowed through me from my very core. It was so strong it made me shake and my legs, cramping in the crouch, almost gave way.
A surge of pure power seemed to drive through my hands into the dog as I concentrated my thoughts on it and then all I could see and feel was hot, white light surrounding me for a few brief incredibly thrilling seconds. The light blinded me, its power as strong as the noonday sun. I was electrified with a sense of pure aliveness. Like I was at the pinnacle of my strength and I could arise up and fill the world with goodness and healing. Then, just as suddenly, the floodgates in my mind closed and the white hot energy retreated back into my hands that began to shake violently with the excess energy.
The sensation left as abruptly as it had come and I fell back exhausted from the effort. The dog whimpered, shook itself and sat up. It looked at the two of us as if nothing had happened, its brown eyes shining and its tail wagging as if it didn’t even remember the last few minutes of its life.
The woman looked at me with such wonder that her eyes were huge in her round face. “How could this be? One minute I thought it was dying, then you came along and now it’s up and fine? It doesn’t make any sense.” The woman shook her head, unwilling to believe her own eyes.
I knew what she meant. Under the sense of complete exhaustion I was now aware of was the feeling that the world had slid sideways and then realigned itself in a new configuration.
I stood up feeling light-headed and stumbled forward from severe vertigo, catching myself from falling just in time.
“I don’t know—I guess it wasn’t—as hurt as you thought—it must have just been stunned.” I tried to put a sensible spin on recent events, my tongue feeling wooden and clumsy in my mouth. My slurred words made me sound drunk or slow I realized from a muddled distance, my voice echoing in my head.
“But didn’t you see the bright light just before the dog got up?” The woman was not to be deterred from her new sense of wonder.
I knew I had to get away, but an overwhelming sense of fatigue was slowing down my reaction time and was it was like being forced to move in deep, heavy water.
“Who are you?” The woman asked, her tone blunted by suspicion now.
“I’m Ellie.” I mumbled as I turned to leave—I had to go lay down. Fortunately the street was deserted and no one else had observed what had just happened, but I knew someone would be coming out soon.
“I have to go.”
I could sense the woman watching, though she didn’t try to stop me as I made my laborious way back to the restaurant door. The staircase loomed above, and it felt like I was going to have to scale Mount Everest.
“Ellie, what’s the matter?” Mike appeared at my side as I tried to navigate the first step.
“I don’t…feel well.” I responded. The next thing I knew he had picked me up in his arms and was climbing the stairs, two at a time.
“It’s okay, I can manage.” I tried to get him to set me down, but he just ignored me and continued.
At the apartment he pushed the unlocked door open and carried me over to the bed and placed me on it—as if I was a delicate china figurine that might break at any moment.
“Thanks,” I mumbled and fell back onto the pillows.
It was a nice to feel safe as I sank into the bed, drained of the last of my energy.
“Are you in any pain?” He asked.
“No, I’m just really…tired. I think if I rest for awhile, I’ll be fine for work.” I managed to respond.
“Don’t be worrying about work. You just have a nap and I’ll check on you later.” He pulled the handmade afghan from the end of the bed over me, concern lining his face.
“Uncle Mike, I was just looking for Ellie to bring her clothes.” Julie’s voice filled the room. “I’ve been all over…”
“Shush, she’s resting.” I watched him chastise his young niece out of the corner of my eye, his finger to his lips. He went over to meet her and propelled her out of the room, closing the door behind them.
I awoke sometime later. What had happened? I remembered the husky and the woman and Mike carrying me to bed…
Work! I needed to get ready for my new job. I jumped from the bed, grabbed the uniform that I spied Julie had left on the table and raced to the bathroom to tidy up. Seven o’clock already!
Good grief, I thought as I struggled to pull the tight spandex up and over my hips. Donning the bright white tee that read Fast Eddie’s in black stenciled lettering across one breast and pulling on the boots, I turned to inspect myself in the full-length mirror that someone had thought to provide on the back of the bathroom door. A stranger looked out of the mirror. I had a sudden memory of a Professor of Psychology once asking his attentive class, “How close to YOU are you?” I knew back then what I stood for but I was really uncertain these last couple of years.
I inspected the outfit; head slanted to the side as I turned half around in the mirror to look at my tush. I could at least get away with the skin tight clothing—I realize I’m really pretty—but my Gran had let me know early on not to put too much stock in just being a pretty face as that would pass, and then what would I have if I haven’t developed better skills? But it was real satisfying never-the-less.
Trying to straighten my wild curls, I gave up and pulled them into a scrunchie I always kept at the ready in my jeans pocket. A few soft tendrils floated down around my face and I wished I had some hairspray to get things under control. But I ignored the problem as a gal on the move has no time for such frivolities and headed off to work.
Rounding the corner into the restaurant I had a moment of feeling exposed in my new outfit before setting my chin. Unbeknownst to me, much like a long history of female adventurers that peppered my family tree had done for centuries just before my boots slipped on the shiny floor. Slipping and sliding while trying to regain my balance, I landed in the arms of my new boss as he rushed forward at record speed catching me just before I would have hit my head on the bar.
Well, this is awkward; I thought as he settled me to rights and grumbled something under his breath about “stupid damn boots”. His arms were well-muscled and made me feel safe and yet exhilarated as electricity charged the air around us. He let me go as fast as he had rescued me and I asked him.
“What would you like me to do?”
“Right, well, yes, I’ll guess I’ll have to give you a quick tour of things.”
My eyes widened at his sharp tone. I had him figured for a calm confident guy who was seldom rattled by anything.
Staying quiet, I surreptitiously observed him. He was definitely as good looking as I had thought on first impression. I took note of his regular features and dark hair that gleamed under the lights. He was taller than average, at least six feet with slim hips and extra wide shoulders and those striking blue eyes so like his niece’s. I had a quick memory of being carried to bed a few hours earlier that made me remember the hard-as-steel strength of those warm arms I had felt against my cheek. I found myself checking out his ring finger now that I knew who Julie was. Not obviously married, though that did not mean anything for sure either way. Besides, the last thing a gal should do is get involved with her new boss.
Now that was a real no-no.
He cleared his throat, “Over here we have the kitchen where our chef Charlie works.”
The next half hour he spent, with a great deal of patience, I might add, showing me and explaining the different parts of the job. I found out that there were two other waitresses on duty in the evenings and he introduced me to each one in turn.
Mavis was a redhead who looked to have a good sense of humor; an ability I prized in a co-worker and also a rather loud, brittle blonde named Lila who gave me quite the sizing up the moment we were introduced. I felt like I should say “Don’t worry, I probably won’t be here long enough to get in your way with Mike”. It was so obvious that she had a thing for him by the way she looked at me as I was introduced.
Her look of warning in my direction reminded me about staying away from any thoughts of getting to know my new boss or any man for that matter. I don’t need any more complications at this point of my life, I reminded myself.
I pushed everything aside and gave my closest attention to his explanations and made mental notes of how he liked things done. I needed this job and was going to be darn sure to do it as well as I humanly could. I fondly remembered my Gran telling me that any job worth doing was worth doing well. How I had loved that old lady! I had tried hard to live up to her expectations of me. I was never late because that would be disrespectful to others, Gran always said. I couldn’t seem to get Gran out of my head today; it was like her presence was right there with me, encouraging me to have the strength to do what I needed to do.
I was still feeling a little self-conscious in the revealing outfit but I didn’t let that deter me. There was a buzz in Fast Eddie’s that stirred my blood. I hope I’ll be able to keep up while I’m learning the ropes, I thought. The high heels weren’t helping in that regard—I’m more used to flats.
“Now, you have any questions or concerns you ask right away.” His warm tone reassured me as I grabbed a pad and pen and headed over to the first table I was assigned, remembering to put a mental lock on listening in on the customer conversation.
This being able to listen in was definitely the one new ability I would most be willing to give away. Thank goodness I had learned to tune people out in the last couple of months. Turning twenty-one two years ago had let loose a whole bunch of startling changes in my body and abilities and each day seemed to bring a scary new one. I just want to be normal my inner voice screamed, why is this happening to me? My small family back home didn’t have these problems that I had ever been aware of, so why me? I realized that the other waitresses were already hard at it as I got a pointed look from Lila and I rushed to keep up.
“What can I get for you tonight?” I asked as upbeat and pleasantly as I knew how, a broad smile pasted on my face. I knew the first rule of service was smile. That had been drilled into me since I first began working with the public in the family business back home.
“Well darling, you can get us all a round of brewskies.” The man speaking was looking at me with a great deal of appreciation in his expression. The rest of the crew also had my undivided attention as they all nodded at me. I didn’t want their full attention. Though being pretty was an advantage sometimes—it usually helped in getting a job, like today.
“What kind would you like, sir?”
“We’re regulars so Mike knows. Just give him our order and tell him to keep them coming, darling!” The large, rough man spoke with confidence for his group of cronies.
Nodding, I headed off to get their drinks. Mike filled in at the bar on most nights he had told me in earlier. I was grateful for his reassuring look as he popped the tops on the five beers. I noticed his hands were well formed like the rest of him and very sure in their movements.
“You must work long hours if you also cover the bar at night.”
“Well, there’s no other way I know of to be sure the business runs okay. But I’m used to it, been doing it for a number of years now.”
I smiled and headed back to work, the place was more alive with customers than I had every experienced working before.
My head was whirling by the time closing time came round. Everything was so new and there was a lot to learn, but all in all it had gone pretty good I thought with relief. Well, if you didn’t take into account the purse fiasco and almost falling down and the white dog incident which I was pretending didn’t happen. But the crowd had been good tippers—the best I’ve experienced so far. I was also pleasantly surprised at how polite most of them were. I had heard lots of “ma’am” all night and it sure beat the “hey you, I’m next” I tended to get in other places I’ve worked.
The place had a real old west flavor, from the rustic décor to the spirited men and women that drank there. One lonely old gentleman had given me a history lesson on Nome. The gold rush was the thing, to his mind. It had gone downhill since then. His grandfather had mined the area for twenty years till his claim wore thin. “Bah, today all we have are namby mamby tourists who buy up trinkets like it gives them something. In my day…”
These heels would have to go! I couldn’t wait to take them off and put on my favorite old fluffy pink bunny slippers, I thought as I listened as well as I could manage with sore feet.
Finally, every last customer was gone and Mike locked the front door. He came over and remarked. “You did great tonight.” His warm words make my tiredness almost disappear. “I hope everyone treated you well?” He watched for my response, a firm expression giving his face a harder edge.
I reassured him that everyone had been just great.
“I think we need to change your wardrobe.” He announced in a no nonsense tone of voice. I could only nod yes. This was going better than I hoped.
He looked a little embarrassed as he added, “Julie picked out that silly costume and I shouldn’t have gone along with it, but…”
I interrupted him to agree, “That’s completely understandable. She is such a lovely girl. Plus, she’s sooooo into fashion!”
He ran his hand through his thick dark hair, smiling ruefully at me, “I know I’ve indulged Julie since her parents died. You just feel so helpless when a young girl is hurting so badly from losing her parents.”
“When did her parents die?”
“When Julie was twelve—a car crash during a white-out.” The memory of that fateful day obviously still mined a great vein of grief I thought, as I saw raw emotion pass across his chiseled features.
“She was so young at the time and needed a mother but we got by. Folks round here pitched in to help and things got better. It will be eight years this coming November. Alaska is a harsh place in the winter, Ellie. You’ll discover that in three weeks when the first snows hit, that’s if you will be staying on with us?”
“I hope to stay for as long as you’ll have me,” I felt that welcomed new optimism rising. “I just want to settle in somewhere.”
“We’re happy to have you. With Lois up and quitting last week, it’s been difficult to cover all the shifts. You did well tonight considering how you were feeling earlier.”
“Oh, I’m fine now. People were so nice; so much nicer than back at the Stone Lion. The ma’am—it’s sort of refreshing.”
“Yeah, we’re a pretty good group of people. Have to be, the town locks down for almost six months of the year when you can never be sure of being able to move around due to extreme weather. Everyone has to get along.” He cleared his throat.
I yawned, realizing how weary I was. The day had begun with a long drive, ended with work and a ferry ride in between. I didn’t even want to think about what had happened with the dog; that was just too far out there. As much as I liked talking with Mike, what I needed most was sleep.
He noticed, “You go on up. You don’t have to work tomorrow—its Sunday. That’s the one day a week we close the bar. The restaurant will be open, but I’ve got staff to cover. See you in the morning, whenever you’re ready. Breakfast is served all day here, if that’s what you want. It’s plain but hardy.” He stopped talking as if he had gone on too long.
“Good night and thanks for everything,” I added.
“Don’t thank me yet, you haven’t experienced our winter.”
Climbing the steep staircase I unlocked the door to my room, stepped inside and threw my key down on the arborite table. I caught sight of my backpack on the sofa and remembered the journal inside. I was so tired but I still wanted to make note of this momentous day. It was not everyday a gal found herself in Nome, Alaska!
Opening to yesterday’s entry I didn’t take my usual time to reread what I had written the day before but entered the date, August 17th, ah, I thought, the Guardian Angel Day. The number seventeen had represented guardian angels to me for as long as I could remember.
I finally made it, Gran. I’m in Nome, Alaska and it’s been a good beginning. I’ve got a job already. The people are nice and the owner, Mike and his niece Julie have made me feel welcomed. I really hope this will be the place I can fit in and live for awhile...
I was too tired to do the day full justice so I just made note of the highlights—but what to make of the husky? I pondered the strange events of the day. My touching the dog—did that really have anything to do with its fast recovery? Did the white light really happen? Did this cause my exhaustion or was I just worn out from the long trip? The questions swam around in my tired brain and I was no closer to understanding it all that I had been when it had first happened. I closed my journal feeling distressed all over again. I’ll think about it later, I promised myself, when being tired doesn’t color my thinking.
I went to the bathroom and washed my face, slapped on some moisturizer, pulled on an extra large tee and went to bed, and pulled the fresh smelling sheets to my chin. God, it felt good to lie down and to know I was staying put for a while. I wiggled my toes—it felt great to be out of the horrible heels. Maybe Mike would have solved that problem by next shift. I drifted off to sleep, thinking about blue, blue eyes in a real man…
After losing her boyfriend in a accident, Alecia believe she's been seeing him. But that can't possibly be? When Brayden reveals himself, or his soul, he asks her of a favor. But when that favor leads to her revealing feelings for her dead boyfriends
