Denali Dreams (39 page)

Deanna laughed, her head spinning from the roll. “That was awesome.” The gun felt awkward in her hands. “What do you want me to do with this?”

Deline wiped her face. “Just hold on to it in case he comes to.” She lifted her leg and shoved at Graham’s limp body again. “I’d like to punch him again, but I think I might’ve broken some bones the first time.” She flexed her fingers.

“You okay?”

“I think so. It was harder to produce tears than I thought, but I’m thankful for PMS.”

Deanna smiled with her friend. “For the tears or the slug?” She found a luggage strap on the floor and tied it around Graham’s hands.

“Both. I’m gonna land on the Kahiltna. There’s backup waiting to take our little friend into custody.”

“So this was the plan all along?”

“We didn’t know, but we were prepared just in case.” Deline shrugged. “This little weasel showed up wanting to rent a plane and a pilot. Something about him didn’t sit right. He just
seemed
suspicious, so I got his fingerprints on a piece of paper and sent them over to Williams. Don’t you dare tell Logan I volunteered for this, okay?”

“Okay.” She smiled. The depth of what just happened hit Deanna square in the face. So many people had risked their lives. For her.

Josh groaned next to her again. “She won’t tell, but I will.”

“Josh!” Deanna threw her arms around him. “Don’t move. You look pretty bad.”

Deline laughed. “Don’t you dare tattle on me, Josh Richards. I’ve got too much on you, too, and you know it.”

Graham’s hands shot out and grabbed Deline’s arm. She yanked the yoke again, but he held tight. She bit him, and he slapped her hard. The plane dropped.

Josh whispered to Deanna. “Give me the gun.”

She handed it over.

He held it between his bound hands and slammed the butt into Graham’s head. The wiry man crumpled. Anger welled up. She wanted to strangle him with her bare hands.

But God had taken it out of her control. Deanna squelched the anger. God provided a way of escape. He’d given her strong friends, people who cared about the
real
her. As they rounded back to the north, Deanna spotted Denali ahead. She definitely had lots of guardian angels, didn’t she? The mountain was one of them.

Deline landed on the glacier with deft movements and brought the plane to a halt. She picked up an FRS radio and called, “Come and get ‘im.”

The ground around them moved as white-clothed mounds turned into men with guns.

Deanna wanted to cheer. The cavalry had arrived.

Graham shot daggers with his eyes to everyone around him. Blood dripped from where Deline’s ring had sliced his cheek when she decked him. Two officers hauled him to his feet.

Handcuffs weren’t enough to hold this guy. Deanna’s stomach roiled. What were they missing? She scanned the glacier and the area around them. Two medics worked on Josh, while Deline and Logan talked with Agent Williams. The glacier swarmed with people.

Could he have set a trap? If so, those restraints weren’t enough. She knew it. Deep down. And as their eyes met, Deanna shrank back. What was he up to?

An explosion ripped through the air. Deline’s plane blew twenty feet into the air and landed with a sickening thud. In a split second, Graham head-butted a state trooper and yanked the gun from him.

Three shots rang out around her.

The stalker fell, blood pooling in the pure white snow. The gun in his grip still trained on Deanna.

Two more troopers and one of the FBI guys kept their weapons raised. But it was over. They’d taken him down.

People scurried everywhere.

Deanna sank to her knees.

Josh’s arms came around her from behind. “It’s over.”

“Are you okay?” She turned in his arms and looked at his bandaged and bruised face.

“I’m fine.”

“Is it really over?” she whispered. The trembling began in her legs and moved up her body. Emotions from the past fifteen years flooded her body.

“Yeah, it’s really over.” He gripped tighter around her waist.

Comfort. Pure comfort.

She closed her eyes and wept.

T
he porch was slick with snow and ice. Her breath puffed in front of her.

Sunrise. Her favorite time of day.

But today held new meaning. It was the first day without
him.
Fifteen years she’d run and hidden. Lived in fear. Fifteen years she’d attempted to control what she couldn’t. Fifteen years, she’d kept God at arm’s length like everyone else in her life.

Well, today would be different. Trials and heartache would be in this world no matter what. But she could definitely handle it better.
Lord, I’m sorry. I professed to have faith in You and yet I kept yanking back control. I didn’t trust You enough. I’m so sorry. Thank You for saving me, for taking care of me.

Footsteps approached from the south.

Josh.

Thank You for Josh, Lord.

He reached out a hand to her. She’d never tire of holding it.

“I’m glad you’re up. Would you like to go for a walk?” The scent of him surrounded her like a cloak as his arm went around her shoulder.

“I’d love to.”

They settled into a slow, steady pace, watching the sun on the eastern horizon. Josh reached into his coat pocket. “I have something for you.”

Deanna’s heart raced. “Really? For me?” When was the last time anyone had given her anything? They stopped, and she turned to him. “I used to love presents as a kid, and everyone at the station knows how much I love our secret Santa every year.” She bounced on her toes.

“So, you haven’t gotten anything just for you other than secret Santa gifts?”

She shook her head. “Not since I was twelve.”

“Go ahead and get excited, Deanna. I can’t wait to see you open it.” His blue eyes shone bright in the early morning light.

The package was small, the paper delicate. She ripped off the covering and gasped as she opened the tiny box. “It’s beautiful.” The gold ring was embedded with tiny diamonds around the band. Engraved in black script was her name, Deanna. “I love it. Thank you.”

“Let me explain my intentions.” He cupped her face with his right hand. “I’m probably a little old-fashioned, but I’m looking at this like courtship. You’re the only one for me.” He breathed deep. “I love you, Deanna. I want to spend the rest of my life getting to know you. I don’t want you to feel rushed, so feel free to tell me to back off if you need—”

“I love you, too, Josh.”

“You do?”

“I do.” She leaned forward and breathed in the man she loved and kissed his cheek. With a hand on his chest, she pulled back. “And there’s something you need to know.”

“Okay.” His eyebrows lowered. “Is it serious?”

“My name is pronounced Dee-na. Not Dee-ann-a.”

“I think I can handle that.” He sighed and moved closer. “But why didn’t you tell any of us sooner?”

“Because it was part of my cover. And it was easier to allow people to pronounce it that way—my dad named me.

Just wanted to be different.” Tears pricked her eyes as she gazed at the ring.

“It’s beautiful. Just like you.”

As his lips covered hers, she wrapped her arms around his neck. This was definitely home.

T
he café was packed. Voices floated up and down, dishes and glasses clanked. The engagement party for Logan and Deline was a celebration for the entire town.

Josh glanced at Deanna. Her face glowed in the light. Pure happiness etched there.

He looked down the table at David and Jolie—newlyweds. They stole the show wherever they went.

The tables were filled with smiling faces. Faces of family. These rugged and loving people who risked their lives in a little piece of Alaska. The Talkeetna Ranger Station changed his life, and he would be forever grateful. These people had touched his soul, and he would lay down his life for any one of them.

Especially the lady at his side. A glance at Deanna made his heart swell. He leaned in and kissed her cheek. Soon they’d have their own party—because tonight they would make an announcement. He nodded at Zack across the table.

Zack took a knife and banged on his glass. “I’ve got another announcement to make, but first I’d like to give the rookie the floor.”

Josh stood. “I’ll be brief.” He glanced at Deanna then went on, “I’ve asked Deanna to marry me and she said yes.”

Cheers erupted throughout the room.

Deanna added, “And I’ve had six volunteers to walk me down the aisle.” She winked at him.

“Oh boy.”

Karon stood next to Zack and shouted, “And we’re having a double wedding with Deanna and Josh, so we hope you all will reserve December 28th on your calendars!”

Applause poured through the room. Everyone passed around hugs, congratulations, and kisses on the cheeks to the brides-to-be.

After a half hour of chaos, Josh reached for Deanna’s hand and tugged her out into the cold night. He faced her toward Denali, wrapped his arms around her waist, and placed his chin on top of her head. “I love you, you know.”

“I do. And I love you, too.” She leaned against him. “Every dream that’s come true for me has been with the High One in the background. I’m glad we’re having the ceremony on the Kahiltna.”

“Me, too. It will be a day everyone will remember.” He breathed in the citrusy scent of her hair. “I’m sorry your dad won’t be there to walk you down the aisle.”

“Yeah, but I’m hoping he’ll get to watch from heaven.” She turned in his arms. “I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.” Her lips reached his, the warmth seeping through to his bones.

He deepened the kiss and held her tight. “Me, too.”

“Ahem.” A deep voice shattered the quiet moment.

Deanna giggled.

Josh turned and saw Logan, John, David, Zack, and Kyle all with their arms crossed. Now how did they sneak up on them?

John spoke first. “Is he behaving himself, Deanna?”

She winked and pulled Josh close again. “Yes, sir.” She kissed him long and hard in front of all of them. “Gotta love my guardians,” she whispered and kissed him again.

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