An Alaskan Christmas

by Jennifer Snow

  “Tank, I’m going to need your muscles, man,” Reed said.

  Tyler and Cruz had already started to assemble their best version of a litter out of blankets and sleeping bags. Everything was wet and heavy and the guy weighed at least two hundred pounds. This wasn’t going to be an easy trek out.

  Tank nodded. “Tell me what you need.”

  Within moments, Tank, Tyler, Reed and Asher—the injured hiker’s friend—lifted him carefully in a hammock-style litter and the group began to make their way back to safer territory.

  “These hikers were lucky you guys were in the area,” Erika told Cassie. Her annoyance at her friend had dissipated the moment she saw her. She still had questions, but they could wait.

  “Yeah, we saw the avalanche indicator this morning and decided to start our trek out earlier than planned, along the north trails where it was safer... We were making good time, but once we saw the beacon, the entire group decided that the best thing to do would be to check it out. I don’t usually bring my camping clients out in this weather,” she said, looking slightly distraught. “And I certainly don’t try to turn them into search and rescue, but no one wanted to leave anyone out here.”

  Obviously Cassie was doubting her actions. “You couldn’t have predicted this freak snowstorm or this mild weather,” Erika said, touching her friend’s shoulder. “And you all did the right thing. Who knows how long these hikers could have been out here alone. There’s no way Asher could have gotten his friend out by himself.” She glanced at the man in the litter, now out cold. She hoped they weren’t already too late. The extent of his injuries was bad and there could be more they didn’t know about. He trembled beneath the heated blankets, and her practical, professional side suggested they were too late, but for the first time in her life, she refused to believe it. Yet.

  A loud cracking sound blasted behind them and they turned in time to see the side of the mountain fracture just feet away...

  The ground broke into large pieces and gave way beneath two of Cassie’s campers, sending them sliding down the mountain between the cracks.

  “Move!”

  She wasn’t sure who voiced the command, but they were all instantly running away from the cracking mountainside, down toward where the two campers had disappeared.

  Erika could barely feel her legs beneath her as she ran alongside Cassie. She could barely breathe. Her pulse raced as she stumbled along the uneven, slippery trail, desperate to get away from the unpredictable terrain beneath their feet.

  Silently praying they could find the two at the bottom.

  After what felt like forever, they reached the base and relief ran through her when Reed located the two men immediately. Then her knees felt weak as she approached to assist. Both of the men had cuts on their heads and one man’s wrist was clearly broken, the bone protruding from the skin in his arm, but her focus was on the other man on the ground...turning pale. His eyes were wide and his hand was around his neck.

  He was struggling for air.

  “He can’t breathe,” Cassie said, panic in her voice.

  “Is he choking?” Reed asked.

  “No.” Erika had seen footage of a similar injury during her premed days. “Blunt force can fracture the cervical spine—C2 and C3...” Time was the enemy in this case. She dropped to the ground next to the man and tore off her gloves. “Can you speak?”

  He shook his head, his eyes widened with fear. No air was getting into his lungs.

  She carefully felt his spine along the base of his neck. She was 99 percent sure she was right.

  He would die without a tracheotomy.

  Oh God, she couldn’t believe she had to do this.

  She’d only ever performed the procedure in a sterile, safe, surgical environment. What if she was wrong? There were too many unsafe conditions...too many unknowns...

  She did know this man couldn’t breathe and at that moment, that was the only “known” she needed.

  She forced a deep breath as he gripped her hands, silently begging for help. He had seconds.

  Oh shit. “I need something sharp and a tube—a pen or a straw...” She kept her gaze locked on the man as she extended a hand to the group, waiting for someone to hand her what she needed.

  Nothing. They all seemed to be in a trance.

  “Hey! Wake up! All of you need to help. I’m going to perform a trache—something sharp and a tube now!”

  Cassie instantly handed her a pocketknife.

  Great. Reaching for her canteen of hot water, she sterilized it as best she could under the circumstances, then glanced at the group. If someone had a better idea, they could speak up any second now.

  Nothing.

  “I still need a tube... Cassie, sterilize your Shewee—fast.”

  Her friend quickly retrieved it and did as she was instructed, then handed it to Erika.

  She swallowed hard, but one look at the guy’s bluish lips told her she had no time.

  Cutting a small gash into his lower neck below his Adam’s apple, she quickly jammed the tube into the hole she’d created, as a stream of blood dripped down his neck.

  The flow of air was instant and the man’s body collapsed in relief.

  Scurrying to her feet, Erika hurried away and threw up in the snow.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  “ARE YOU OKAY?” Reed asked for the tenth time as they arrived at Wild River Community Hospital. An hour ago, the group had made the call for the chopper, despite the avalanche risks. There were far too many injuries and too many lives at stake to postpone the pickup until they’d reached safer ground. Luckily, the mountains had cooperated and the group had been airlifted out without further disasters.

  “Yes, I’m fine. I promise,” Erika said. Color was slowly returning to her cheeks, but Reed still worried. The emergency tracheotomy had to be the most life-threatening situation he’d ever faced on a mission, and thank God Erika had been there. Her quick thinking had saved the man’s life.

  And damn, if he wasn’t so very grateful for her.

  Grateful and a million other things.

  He grabbed her hand and held her back from the rest of the crew as they entered the hospital.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing... I just need to do this,” he said, pulling her into his arms and brushing her hair away from her face.

  Her eyes widened. “We have an audience and I’m kinda covered in blood.”

  From the corner of his eye, he saw the crew members watching...saw his sister’s surprised expression as she leaned on Tank to hobble inside, but he didn’t care. All day, he’d felt tense and uneasy about how Erika had left that morning. He’d been desperately on edge throughout the search and now all he wanted, all he needed was her. To kiss her, to touch her...to show her that in such a short time, he’d fallen for her. “Let them watch,” he said. Holding her face between his hands, he lowered his lips to hers.

  She closed her eyes as their mouths connected and at least some of the tension of the day eased from his shoulders as she returned his kiss with passion and eagerness.

  He’d missed kissing her. Missed the feel of her in his arms. And now that everyone was safe and alive, he just wanted to hold her close and savor the feelings coursing through him.

  Right now, he didn’t want to think about the what-ifs plaguing him or about the fact that their time together was quickly coming to an end. He just wanted to breathe easy knowing the hellish day was over.

  “We should go inside,” she said, pulling away a second later. “I want to check on Cass. I heard her cry out in pain as we ran down the mountainside and I’m pretty sure her foot is broken.”

  Everyone had received a few injuries today. His entire body ached, and this one would definitely go down as the most challenging rescue mission the group had faced. “Okay.” Taking her face between hi
s hands, he said, “And don’t question yourself or your actions—not even for a second. You saved that guy’s life.”

  She nodded, but her forehead wrinkled and she bit her lip.

  Luckily, hours later, Dr. Smyth agreed with him.

  “You’ll have to teach me how you assessed the situation that quickly and effectively,” he said, taking her hand.

  She shook her head and gave an unsteady laugh. “I have no idea.”

  “She was incredible out there,” Reed said. His admiration for her must be written all over his face, but he didn’t care. He had no intentions of hiding his feelings for her from anyone.

  “I just did what I had to,” she said, looking embarrassed by the praise.

  “They have him in recovery already and he’s on anti-infection drugs for the incision. He’ll have surgery tomorrow, but for now, he’s doing fine. He was very lucky you were there,” the older doctor said.

  “Thank you, Dr. Smyth. That means a lot coming from you.”

  “What about the other hiker—the one who fell through the slab avalanche?” Reed asked.

  “He’s in surgery now to reset the bones in his legs and shoulder. It’s going to be a tough road to recovery for him, but his friend is doing okay. They’ll both be okay. Your sister took a risk helping them, but she saved their lives, for sure. You all did,” he said, tapping Reed on the shoulder.

  Then, turning his attention back to Erika, he hesitated before saying, “Tom’s wife is here... She’d like to thank you, as well.”

  Reed expected her to hesitate or turn and run, but once again she surprised him. “A thank-you isn’t necessary, but I can talk to her about what happened and why I did the tracheotomy.”

  Dr. Smyth smiled. “That would be great.” He turned to Reed and nodded, seeming to give him credit for Erika’s change of heart. It was unwarranted. Reed had nothing to do with it, but he’d seen the gradual change in her that week. “Can I borrow her for a few minutes?” he asked.

  Reed nodded, squeezing her hand quickly before letting it go. “As long as I get her back.”

  * * *

  AFTER A QUICK trip to the washroom to clean herself up, Erika followed Dr. Smyth down the hall toward Tom’s room. She had no idea what to say. She was more nervous now than she had been on the mountain.

  You’ll just explain your actions. Simple. Straightforward. Easy.

  Dr. Smyth gave her a quick hug at the door. “Stay as long as you want.”

  She took a deep breath as she entered.

  Tom lay in the bed, hooked to the monitors and an IV dripping anti-infection drugs, a large bandage covering his throat. He wouldn’t be able to talk until weeks after his surgery but he was okay. Next to him, a woman in a thick winter coat, with short blond hair, sat with her back to the door, but she turned hearing Erika enter.

  “Hi, I’m Erika.”

  “Dr. Sheraton,” Tom’s wife said, rushing to hug her, new tears filling her eyes. She squeezed her so hard, it nearly knocked the wind from her lungs. “Thank you for saving his life.”

  She nodded, unable to speak. Her gaze landed on the strand of twinkling red-and-green lights in the hospital window and emotions strangled her. Losing a loved one any time of year was hard, but Christmas would have been heartbreaking.

  The woman pulled back. “I don’t know what I would have done if I’d lost him. We have kids. It’s Christmas...” Her voice broke. “You are truly an angel,” she said, wiping a tear from her cheek.

  “I’m glad I was there,” Erika said, approaching the bed. “This guy really didn’t leave me a whole lot of choice in my actions.” She should clarify her thought process for them, explain how she’d identified the problem so quickly...but right now, verbalizing how she assessed the need for the emergency tracheotomy was difficult. None of that seemed to matter right now. Just that he was alive. “I apologize if any infections...”

  Tom silenced her by reaching for her hand and squeezing it. He smiled, only gratitude reflecting in his tired-looking eyes, and she held his hand tight. She didn’t need to say anything. Didn’t need to explain.

  She’d done the right thing. Saving his life and being there now.

  * * *

  “OKAY, WHAT’S GOING on with you and my brother?” Turning in the front seat of Tank’s truck, Cassie gave her a knowing look.

  Erika’s heart raced. She had no idea. Dating? Having sex? Friends? More than friends? And of course Reed wasn’t there to add any clarification to her frazzled mind. He’d had to go back to the station to finish the paperwork and debrief the crew. She and Tank had stayed at the hospital with Cassie. Her foot was broken in three places, and the doctor didn’t know how she’d been able to walk at all during the rescue.

  Now Erika was sitting on the hot seat alone, fending off questions from her friend. She should have gone with Reed.

  “Me and Reed?” Guilt had to be plastered all over her face. Before the avalanche, they’d been questioning how Cassie would react to the news of them...together...now, Erika wasn’t so sure her friend needed anything else that could potentially stress her out.

  All of the corporate retreat people were doing okay, including Tom, and the company had signed waivers releasing Snow Trek Tours from injuries caused by acts of nature, therefore her friend wouldn’t have to deal with any lawsuits, but Erika knew she still felt responsible for bringing them along on the rescue to help the hikers.

  Adding this bombshell didn’t feel right.

  But her friend laughed. “No, you and my other brother. Yes, you and Reed!”

  “Nothing?” Could she get away with that?

  Cassie turned to Tank. “So, Reed’s kissing everyone like that after rescues now?”

  Tank shrugged. “As long as he keeps his lips off me...”

  Cassie stared at her.

  The pressure was too much. “Okay, fine... Something’s going on. I’m not really sure what.” That was the truth. She had no idea what was happening, except that her feelings for him were getting stronger each minute she spent with him. It was more than just sexual attraction...but she had no idea if it was love. She’d never been in love before. Was she supposed to feel this conflicted and slightly nauseous? Excited but definitely overwhelmed? Torn between what she wanted and what she saw happening realistically?

  “There was a sexual energy between you both during the rescue—I could feel it the moment you all arrived.”

  “I think that was just nervous energy you were feeling.” Letting her friend know that she’d gotten close to her brother was one thing. Admitting that they were having sex might be a little too much. She didn’t have a brother, but if she did, she doubted that she’d want to hear about his sex life.

  Which kinda sucked, because she wished she could tell her friend all about the mind-blowing experiences she’d had with Reed.

  “Okay, maybe, but definitely afterward there was a vibe between you two, and that kiss outside the hospital—holy fucking shit.”

  Holy fucking shit was the perfect description.

  But Erika was shaking her head no. Just kept shaking her head no.

  “We all saw it,” Cassie said.

  “We were all very tired after the rescue...” Would her friend believe she was so exhausted and in pain that her imagination had exaggerated the kiss?

  “Come on. Tank, you saw it, too, right?”

  The guy glanced at Erika through the rearview mirror and she kept shaking her head no. Word about the night she and Reed had spent together at the station had obviously traveled through the group, but he just shrugged. “I didn’t sense anything between them,” he said.

  Cassie shot her a look as if to say “No shit, he doesn’t sense anything between us either,” and sighed.

  “I mean it was just a kiss. Reed’s hooked up with tourists before,” Tank said, winking at her in the rearview.r />
  Too far, Tank.

  She glared at him, hating that it was probably true. Was that all she was—another hookup? She didn’t believe that.

  Tank returned his attention to the road.

  “Fine,” Cassie said, “Keep lying to a woman who could have died yesterday.” She turned back around in her seat as they pulled up in front of her condo.

  Tank immediately jumped down from the truck and hurried around to the passenger side. Opening the door, he effortlessly scooped Cassie into his arms.

  “I can wa...” Cassie started to protest. “Actually, never mind.”

  Erika grinned as her friend wrapped her arms around Tank’s neck and he carried her up the stairs. A memory of her first night there, when Reed had carried her drunken ass up those stairs, flashed in her exhausted mind.

  How were they going to keep spending time together unless they came clean to Cass? Told her everything?

  And there was another conversation she needed to have with her friend, as well. She wasn’t sure which one would be harder.

  Tank stepped back to allow Cassie to unlock the door, and immediately Diva came hurrying forward. In the emergency, no one had remembered to check on the poor dog, and she whimpered with happy relief, dancing around Tank’s legs.

  “Sorry, Diva, we all forgot about you,” Erika said. Bending, she lifted the puppy to Cassie.

  “Hi, Diva! How’s my girl?” her friend’s excited, high-pitched voice had the dog going crazy in Erika’s arms.

  The puppy yelped happily, licking Cassie’s face.

  “Did you miss me? Did you?”

  The dog squirmed, excited to see her owner back safe and sound, her tail wagging so fast it whipped against Erika’s arms.

  Tank shot Erika a look. “Getting heavy,” he mumbled.

  She moved Diva away and allowed Tank to enter Cassie’s condo, where he set her down on the couch.

  “Thank you for...carrying me in,” Cassie said. “It was unnecessary...but it was nice.”