Deep in the Alaskan Woods

by Karen Harper

  “Sweetheart, as much as I want you, I don’t want to push. I can only guess what you’ve been through before—with him—so this needs to be your choice. I want to carry you to bed, love you. I want you and need you, but I can wait until you’re ready.”

  They stared into each other’s eyes. He frowned in concentration, in barely leashed control. His hands on her were shaking.

  Her voice came out breathless, not quite her own. “It has been fast, but I trust you. Want you, too. I’m not afraid, not with you—not of you. Quinn, I—”

  So much for building a fire here. He got off the couch, picked her up and headed for his bedroom, only stopping to be sure the front door was locked and bolted.

  Spenser stayed put for once, daring another yawn as she glanced back at him before Quinn closed his bedroom door behind them.

  And then, everything just exploded in her head and heart. No qualms, no hesitation. This man was her present, maybe her future—cold water showers or not, Alaskan frontier or not, big winter snows or not—and she only wanted to fan the flames that might as well have been a deep woods wildfire.

  Crazy kisses, discarded clothes, hands and mouths. He was both tender and tense, and she was in over her head. Swimming together, skinny-dippy in his bed in the waves of sheets, the white-water swirl of need and love.

  “I want you, love you,” he whispered in her ear. “So fast I know, it happened so fast for me.”

  “Me, too. Yes, I love you, need you.”

  “And I want you to stay,” he said, breathing fast. “We can get a house in town. More room, hot water—very hot...”

  He was kissing her again. Delicious drowning, trying to stay afloat but going under. She held to him, kissed him back. Did he mean he wanted to marry her? Now, that was scary but so was all of this...

  It was as if this was her first time, her first love. She felt cherished, and in charge, too, equal with Quinn in desire and trust. If this man lived in a forest cave, she would love him. Huge waves swamped her again, lifting and swirling.

  Somehow, the old world ended and a new one had begun.

  * * *

  They lay together cuddled in the chaos of sheets. They barely moved until Alex got up to let Spenser into the room when he whined and scratched on the door.

  “I told him to do that so I could get a good look at you,” Quinn said when she darted back into bed naked. It might be August but it was August in Alaska and, as hot as she’d felt, the room was cold. Yes, hot water and a heating system needed. And Quinn.

  Spenser did not ask to be lifted up, but, as if he were wise to all that what was going on, settled on the quilt that had slipped off the bed. Quinn lifted the covers back onto her and she settled in against him again.

  He sighed. “Let’s see, where were we when we had some semblance of sanity? What you told me about Josh makes him a person of interest, too, as is Mary. But I know them. Again, I just can’t believe it was either of them. But we can’t have you holding back evidence. Why don’t you let me tell Trooper Kurtz instead of you in case Josh asks who saw him throw the paw?”

  They fell silent again. He tugged her even closer, her back against his chest almost as they had lain in the forest by the lake, but this was so different. Had it been love at first sight? It was fast, fascinating, but frightening, too.

  “Quinn, there’s more I want to tell you, to explain, especially since you’ve been brave enough to share your childhood tragedy with me. I told you about my lost twin sister before, but I need to explain more.”

  Her voice caught. He gave her a little hug and kissed her shoulder. “Tell me,” he whispered.

  “I think one thing that draws you and me together is that we have both suffered from regret and guilt that’s not our fault. You partly blame yourself for darting away as a kid and leading your dad and dog to look for you where a bear attacked them. I blame myself for surviving and taking all the space in our mother’s womb and sustenance when my twin disappeared. Like you, I felt guilty, though it wasn’t my fault. With Mary’s problems—Chip’s, too—I realize my lost twin still haunts me, but not in a scary way—in...an inspirational I’m with you, I love you always way. Does that make any sense?”

  “It does. I sometimes think that about my dad, that he’s with me. He would be cheering me on as much as he loved the wilderness—even wildlife, including bears. He would have loved what I’m doing with my life, my career, sharing it with friends who are almost like family. So, I agree that you and I have more in common than we think.”

  He reached down to pat her hip. “I’ll ask later more formally,” he went on, “but I hope you will consider staying here in Falls Lake so we can make a life together. But I don’t want you to feel rushed or pushed. If you’ll consider it, I’ll bring a ring back from New York and ask you properly and formally and, of course, get adoption papers for Spenser.”

  She had to laugh at that. Her little rescue dog gave a single bark when he heard his name. Whatever befell them, whatever they decided, she’d been rescued by a man she trusted and adored.

  29

  Before dawn the next morning, after final goodbyes and good-lucks, the tracking students piled into rental cars, one airport limo and a truck. The line of headlights stabbed the darkness, then the bloodred taillights disappeared down the narrow road. Ryker had driven two of the students Josh had planned to take, since Josh was going to stay here as caretaker of the camp while Quinn was in New York.

  Ryker seemed both glum and nervous, which Alex and Quinn understood, though he had not been charged. But they had to admit he was a “person of interest” to both of them, too.

  “At least they beat what may be the onslaught of reporters,” Quinn said, and took her hand as they followed Josh back into the compound through the gate. Using a flashlight, Josh carefully locked it behind them.

  “Thanks, Josh!” Quinn called back as he and Alex headed for his house.

  “Nice you still trust me at all!” Josh shouted.

  “What’s that about?” Alex asked. “Did you ask him about throwing the bear paw away?”

  “Yeah. I’ll explain. I told him I’m still deciding whether or not to tell the troopers what he did. I’ve been putting it off but I’d better let Kurtz know, so he doesn’t think we’re hiding something. Josh took it pretty well, and I gave him the idea I’m the one who saw him, so he’s not ticked at you. But what do you say to my plan once it gets light? We go out the back door and have Josh lock it behind us before the next assault of reporters. We’ll take the back trail to the lodge where you can hole up while I’m in New York.”

  “Geoff should send his private plane for you.”

  “I’ve been on it—a first-class six-seater—but not this time. Ah, the rich if not the famous. I can make good connections, and he’ll pick me up—his driver will, anyway. Brent has a private plane, too, but smaller.”

  “How about you carry Spenser in your backpack, and I’ll take my clothes and things back in mine? Suze thought most of her visitors would clear out today since they’re getting nowhere here and—hopefully—the tragedy is now in the troopers’ hands. And I do feel better after Sam phoned.”

  “Me, too. Hopefully some anti-anxiety meds will help Mary. I guess they have to be careful with what they prescribe and dosages, since she’s pregnant.”

  “And I’m sure you noticed there have been no cries from strange voices in the night since she’s been gone.”

  “Maybe the so-called Falls Lake ghost will go away now. If so, we’ll really think it was her.”

  He only shook his head, then called out, “Hey, Josh!” when the big man lumbered from the darkness toward the dining hall to clean up. “We’re going to grab some breakfast at my house, then hike over to the lodge through the woods to be sure no one spots us. You’ll lock up, after we go out the back way?”

  “Yeah, good idea to still lay low. Bu
t what you gonna do if those TV hosts ask you about the murder during your interview?”

  “Tell them ahead of time I’m only there to talk about the tracking and wilderness experience. Then just say I can’t comment if they try to bring that up.”

  “Wish it was that easy,” Josh muttered. “I’ll be over at the lodge later—drive my truck, if Alex would rather just hide in the back to get over there.”

  “No, thanks,” Alex said. “I’d like a nice, quiet hike this morning before Quinn heads out for the big city.”

  “Fine,” Josh added as he turned away. “Let me know if I can help. Sure like to get our team back together soon!”

  * * *

  “I mean it about bringing back a ring from New York,” Quinn told her after they had scrambled eggs, bacon and toast and fed and walked Spenser. “If you want me to keep it for a while before asking you, I will. If you want to wear it but set the date far off, that’s okay. If you change your mind—not okay, but I would understand. I know this is all fast, but I’ve never been more sure of anything.”

  She lifted Spenser to settle him in Quinn’s backpack as they stood in the bathroom where Spenser had run. The little guy “kissed her” by licking her chin. Quinn laughed. “You sure that dog’s not French instead of Scottish?” he asked. “Looked like an attempt at a French kiss to me.”

  “You are both bad,” she told him, and stood on her toes to lick Quinn’s chin, then dart a quick kiss on his mouth. “And about the ring... I want to say yes, but we do have some things to be arranged. I’ve told my parents about you, but not everything. As you said, it’s so fast. After I just emerged unscathed from my terrible relationship, they’ll be worried.”

  “Tell you what. We’ll make a trip to visit my mother and your parents as soon as I survive Gab Fest and the advanced class coming in here in a week. Let’s just talk that over as we head out,” he said. “I want to get you safely over to the lodge and come back so I can pack. Geoff said to wear something ‘woodsy.’ This is going to be one quick trip and, after, maybe we can make all our trips together.”

  She glanced in the mirror again as he headed out ahead of her with Spenser on his back. Allie was staring at her from the mirror. She looked a little nervous, but she nodded her okay as Alex turned away and followed him out.

  * * *

  They took a western path Alex had never been on or even seen before. Josh locked the gate behind them. This trail was deep enough in the forest that they could not see the road, but they could hear the occasional vehicle on it and wondered if the reporters were making another, last assault since Suze had said they’d been recalled and had checked out.

  The trail wound around natural obstacles—thick brush, a few boulders that must have come not from the waterfall but from ancient glaciers. They completely skirted the rocky outcrop where Val had died. They sat beside another noisy, crooked stream. It had stepping stones in it, but they didn’t cross yet. Quinn turned to her and spoke over the sound of the stream.

  “I phoned Trooper Kurtz about Josh heaving that bear claw away—and that I phoned Sam and they don’t have her necklace. Of course, Mary’s very upset, so those anxiety meds better kick in soon. Again, I got the feeling the troopers are considering Ryker as the killer, so we’ll have to be wary of him. I’ll consider replacing him, though I’d hate to break up the team. Nor do I want to cut him adrift when he’s been through so much.”

  “What did Josh say when you told him you knew he tossed the bear paw?”

  “He claims it’s an old one he had since high school, and can’t remember where he got it. He found it recently in a drawer. After someone killed Val, spur of the moment decision to get rid of it, he said. To protect you, I implied I’d glanced up and saw him heave it.”

  “So he didn’t seem upset at all—like he’d been caught doing something that could get him in trouble—but he still knew to get rid of it?”

  “Sam and I decided to trust Josh long ago. He’s protective, not harmful, when he could have been bitter over losing Mary to Sam. Unless Josh has just buried that pain so it wouldn’t explode. But let’s talk about us. Have a seat on this log by the stream and let me clear the air on something.”

  They sat and she petted Spenser’s head before they settled, shoulder to shoulder. The constant current of the stream burbled around its stepping stones.

  “Alex, about last night. I know I said we’d be somewhere safe before our first time making love. Lately, the compound and surrounding area is not safe, but it just seemed the right time—the necessary time.”

  “I feel safe with you. I did then.”

  He reached for her hand and held it on her knee. “If you’ll marry me, we’ll get a place in town, use that compound house for a hideaway—and, of course, stay there the nights we have students. With the advanced classes, which are so different from what you saw, I go out in the wilds with them for three nights. The thing is, I didn’t want to push you, to take over, because I don’t want to remind you of the idiot you ran from. I don’t ever want you to run from me.”

  “Run after you, more like, Q-Man,” she said, bouncing their hands once. “And you gave me the choice last night, so I’d say we’re equal partners in this.”

  He nodded. Spenser yawned. Quinn kissed her.

  “Let’s keep on keeping on, partner,” he said with a touch of western drawl. The man had tears in his eyes. When they stood, she got on her tiptoes and kissed him again.

  “Onward,” he said after a long embrace. “Together. Just the three of us.”

  Stepping from stone to stone to keep their feet dry, they forded the shallow stream together. She smiled and blinked back tears, too. She had never felt so happy or so safe.

  * * *

  Chip spotted them the moment they approached the lodge property from the woods. He was sitting in the middle of the backyard with a pair of big binoculars.

  “Hi, guys!” he called out, and ran toward them. “Mom and Aunt Suze said you were coming!”

  “Looking for wild animals?” Quinn asked, and ruffled the boy’s hair.

  “That’s what I told Mom, but I’m really looking for planes.”

  “Yeah? Well, I’m taking one today to New York City.”

  “But not bush planes,” Chip said. “I like little planes. That’s where you really get the sense of flying and being in control.”

  Alex and Quinn exchanged silent glances at that adult talk. It was as if Chip’s father were here saying that, just as he’d obviously said it to his son.

  Alex took Spenser out of Quinn’s backpack, snapped his leash on and put him down.

  “Chip,” Quinn said, “how about you run Spenser inside and tell your mom and aunt we’re here? Aunt Alex is going to move back into her room for a while.”

  “And open up the shop,” she said. “Also, in a day or two, start cooking up some beauty products in your kitchen here when it isn’t being used.”

  “Like soap?” Chip asked. “What about toothpaste?”

  “I haven’t ventured into that yet, but maybe it’s next,” she said.

  Holding Spenser’s leash, Chip ran inside with his binoculars bouncing.

  “I’ve got to head back,” Quinn said. “I’ll come here as soon as I return from New York.”

  He kissed her, lingering. She hugged him. With a sigh, he let her go and headed into the forest as Suze and Meg ran out to greet her. It was almost like a homecoming, and here, she’d hardly been away.

  “The place is pretty much cleared out—of reporters at least,” Suze said, and hugged her. “Come on in!”

  Meg caught up, and they did a three-way hug. If only, Alex thought, families could be like this. Last night and this morning, Alaska had never seemed so warm and wonderful. So why did she sometimes feel the forest had eyes, that someone was watching her?

  She glanced back to be sure Quinn wasn’t
there but saw no one.

  Maybe she was just thinking of Allie again. Maybe, once she wasn’t with Quinn, where she felt so safe, she’s just remembered the bad things like losing Spenser or finding Val dead. Or perhaps it was just her old fears lurking, of being controlled, the nightmare of being possessed and abused but not really loved.

  She’d go in and call her parents, tell them more about Quinn, about the love and safety she’d found here.

  30

  Although Alex was so happy to be back with her cousins and Chip, she immediately missed Quinn. That afternoon, everyone was excited about his being on “regular” TV tomorrow. She kept busy by sweeping out the Gifts and More shop she intended to reopen.

  She didn’t have Spenser with her, because he was serving as a kind of comfort pet for Chip right now. The boy had especially bonded with the Scottie over his own dogs because Spenser was missing one eye, and Chip felt sorry for him—as he did for himself.

  “But see how well he does without that eye?” Alex had told the boy earlier. “In life, if tough times come, and we lose something or someone, we keep on, being brave, looking for good things and helping others. I mean, just like Spenser helps you and me. He helps Quinn, too, since he lost his dad when he was young, like you did. And Spenser helps you just like you help your mom.”

  A quick knock on the door jolted Alex from that memory. Meg opened the door as if Alex’s thoughts had summoned her.

  “Guess what?” Meg blurted as she darted into the shop. “We thought we were rid of reporters, but there’s one who just checked in at the lodge from the Anchorage Daily News. Thank heavens, he said they’ve killed the story idea about interviewing Chip about his father being a ghost! I’m going to have that boy see a psychiatrist in Anchorage, so I’ll see what everyone learns from Mary’s experience there. Anyway, this reporter’s here on the story about Val’s murder. He’s already been over to the compound looking for Quinn, so I told the guy he’s out of state right now. He also asked about who else he should interview.”