Love in Alaska

by Tina Scott

  “You hungry? I know a great place on the spit.”

  “I’m starving.” It was already noon and we hadn’t had breakfast. I stopped for a moment and took in the view, and then said, “I’ll race you back.” With that, I ran down the hill ahead of her. She wasn’t a runner and would never catch up.

  I waited by Traci’s rental car until she got there, then we got in and backed out of the driveway. “How about fish and chips?” Traci asked as she started down the street.

  “Fresh Alaskan fish? Sounds great.” I peered out the window realizing that I’d been too much of a grump and hadn’t given her any ideas of what I’d like to do on my vacation. “I’m sorry I’ve been so moody lately. I didn’t help plan anything. It’s okay if we just hang out at your house. I can help you get settled in or something.” I mean, what a waste, but at least we could go for walks.

  “Are you serious?! This is your first time to Alaska. Of course we’ll go sightseeing. I’ve got a few things in mind, and none of them include sitting at home watching TV.” Traci left the neighborhood and drove onto the main street. “We’ll see more glaciers—I plan to take you up close to one. We’ll go shopping on the boardwalk. We have plenty of restaurants—so lots of eating.” She made a goofy face and licked her lips.

  That couldn’t happen. I huffed. “Yeah, that’s what I need, to gain twenty pounds before school starts again.” Just thinking of waitresses brought back unpleasant memories.

  “Hold on.” Traci glanced over. “Don’t judge. It’s what we Alaskans like to do on our time off.”

  “Well, I’m not an Alaskan. Sorry.” I should be grateful for anything Traci came up with, but I needed physical activity to get over Brad. Dating again was a great idea. When I got home, I’d join a singles group.

  “Hey, there’s an elementary school.” I pointed as we passed a school sign, feeling an unexplainable twinge of belonging.

  “I’d love to have you move here, but the teachers I started kindergarten with were still working there when I graduated from high school. When I came up to visit mom last year, I stopped in and told them all hello.”

  It didn’t matter. I wasn’t moving here anyway. Dark winters and tons of snow really weren’t my thing. Besides, I had a great career opportunity in California, and how many kids could there be in this small community? I just missed my class. “If I get that job, I bet I could afford to come visit you every summer.”

  “You’ll get it, I know you will.” With a forced smile, Traci pulled into a parking spot. “Here we are. The best fish in town.”

  “Okaaay.” From the outside, the place looked as though it could use a complete makeover. If this was the best food in town, maybe I would have to cook.

  Traci led the way inside, but I stopped at the door, scanning the room for perky waitresses. The place looked like the inside of an old barge, not that I’d know, but it had a cement floor, tables from the 60s, and pasty blue walls with lots of large windows to show off the ocean. It was thankfully devoid of wait staff, so I walked quickly forward and caught up to her.

  “You go ahead,” Traci said, pulling a credit card from her bag. “Today is my treat.”

  “Thanks!” I stepped to the man behind the ordering window. “What’s good?” I couldn’t believe any of it was.

  “I won’t serve it if it isn’t good,” he said. “It’s all fresh. Order anything.”

  I should know better than to ask the man selling the food, but I smiled and ordered cod with fries and coleslaw.

  Traci peeked in the ordering window. “Hey, Jack. Remember me?”

  “Well, I’ll be doggoned. Traci John. Of course, I remember you. How’re you finding life in the big city?” While they visited, I went to the dining area and found us a table facing the ocean, and searched the waves for any sign of life, a whale maybe. If only I could find a magical omen in these fantastic surroundings, something to let me know the hole in my heart would heal.

  Since kicking Brad to the curb, my life was a black and white movie. Getting that new position would certainly help, but I had a history with my school and I’d miss their support. Mostly, I’d miss Traci and her support. After a minute or two, Traci joined me, carrying our orders.

  It looked fresh and edible. I was impressed. “This is good,” I said between mouthfuls. “After you get your mom’s business updated, maybe you could move to Sacramento with me.” It was lame, but I gave Traci a weak grin.

  Traci smiled sadly. “I’m not sure I’ll be going anywhere for a long time. So, if you don’t get your job with the state, perhaps you should think about moving here.”

  “Not without a teaching position. If I don’t get the job in Sacramento, I still have a job at Valley.” Moving here and starting a different career was a ridiculous idea.

  Traci ate a french fry and nodded toward the door. “Now that’s what I’m talking about. Gorgeous hunk coming in.”

  Traci attracted guys like a bee to nectar. I scrunched my eyebrows together—the last thing I wanted was some strange guy making himself unwelcome. But, despite my misgivings, I watched as he walked up to the ordering window. He had wavy brown hair that graced his neck, a short-trimmed beard, a nice tan, and, I noted, he had a few muscles to spare. They were leaking out of his well-sculpted T-shirt, anyway. “I was hoping that all there’d be here is leathery old Alaskans wearing parkas.”

  Traci shrugged. “Maybe he’s on vacation. You should go talk to him. It’d be good practice.”

  “Right.” As if that would happen.

  The man leaned against the ordering window. “Hey, Jack. How’s the crew today?” They talked back and forth.

  Traci leaned forward, whispering, “I mean it. You need to practice getting yourself back out there. Mingle a little.”

  “I’d just as soon paint the word, ‘desperate’ on my forehead than to prove I’m desperate by flirting with a complete stranger.” I waved my hand dismissively even though the man was easy on my eyes.

  “And, look at those long legs,” Traci murmured appreciatively.

  “He’s wearing jeans.” Who cared about his legs? Besides, knowing Traci, anything I said would be used against me. The last thing I needed was to be set up on a blind date as part of my “recovery therapy.” I stirred my soda with the straw, watching him. Maybe a date with a handsome stranger was exactly what I needed.

  The man turned toward us and held my gaze as he pulled out a chair, sitting at a nearby table. My neck heated with the racing of my heart, and I glanced away to break his spell.

  “Traci? Traci John?” He stood and walked over.

  “You know him?” I whispered. This was unbelievable. I’d been foolish enough to think he was staring at me.

  “I must.” She wiggled her eyebrows. “Lucky me.”

  Traci was always lucky in love. I bit back my disappointment.

  “It’s been forever.” He strode toward us. “Didn’t you used to live in Homer?”

  “For twenty years.” Traci looked up questioningly. “And who are you?”

  “Storm Gaige.” The corner of his mouth turned up. “Ya can’t forget a name like that, can you?”

  “Storm!” Traci squealed. “I can’t believe it!” She jumped up, gave him a quick hug, and then ran her hands down his arms as she looked him over. “You’ve changed. That beard you have there.” She rubbed her chin appreciatively. “Nice.” She indicated me with her hand. “This is my good friend, Marcia Williams, from Fresno. Won’t you please join us?”

  Being a third wheel was not what I had planned as the highlight of my day, but what choice did I have? “Any friend of yours...” I trailed off, almost afraid to look him in the eye again. But Storm seemed familiar, and he kept glancing at me. Had he sensed me staring at him earlier? Did he sense it now, is that why he kept looking over? Had he seen ‘desperate’ or ‘broken’ on my forehead?

  It didn’t matter though, because Traci was moving here, not me. I forced myself, unsuccessfully, to focus on something other than hi
s brown eyes, the way his hair curled under his left ear, his straight white teeth—I gave myself a mental shake—Brad had gotten to me in this exact way. I needed to quit being such a pushover for good-looking guys, but it was hard when he was sitting close enough to make my skin tingle.

  While the two old friends visited, I picked at the rest of my meal, listening to bits and pieces of a conversation I had no part in, tapping my toes, anxious to be included in their banter, and wondering why this stranger’s appearance would affect me so much.

  Storm let out a whoop. “Remember that time when you caught a cage-full of squirrels?” He laughed.

  “Squirrels?” I asked. What a strange prank. But, they were busy in conversation and didn’t answer.

  Apparently, they let the creatures loose in the boy’s locker room. And apparently, he’d recorded it. That was a video I’d like to see. The corner of my lip turned up. This was a whole new side of my friend. Apparently, Storm was suspended for putting the video on the school website. That was horrible. I tamped down a smile.

  “What about you, Traci? Did you get suspended too?” I asked.

  “Nope.” Traci grinned. “The principal—what was his name?”

  “Cooper.” Storm shook his head. “Principal Cooper wouldn’t have even known Traci was involved, but she had to be there to watch.”

  “Like you said, it was worth it. Anyway, I baked a cake and wrote a letter telling him I was sorry before he called me into his office the next day.” She gave Storm a mischievous glance. “It’s the small things that make a big difference.”

  Storm leaned forward. “Do you remember when the eighth grade went on that canoing trip?”

  “Do I ever!”

  I couldn’t help but watch Storm as he and Traci caught up on old times—his eyes were bright with fond memories. And that beard—he wore it well. His voice both soothed and excited with its baritone quality. Charming.

  Not that any attraction I might have toward him mattered. Storm was Traci’s friend, and the way things were going between the two, she would have a new boyfriend to go with her new job. That idea settled at the bottom of my stomach like a gallon of sea water.

  Regardless of the unusual connection I felt, I wasn’t ready to consider men again, anyway. Especially one who lived in Alaska. The word “teacher” perked my attention, and I looked up. They were talking about me and I blinked myself back to reality.

  “Marcia was my first friend in Fresno,” Traci said. “I moved in next door, and she helped me unpack. The school she teaches at is just two blocks from our apartment.”

  “So, you’re a teacher?” Storm asked.

  “Yes,” I said, a little rattled that the conversation had turned to me while I was daydreaming about him. “I teach fourth grade.”

  “Last year she was awarded Teacher of the Year, and now she’s up for a new position with the state.”

  “Is that so?” His eyebrows rose.

  “There are several teachers being considered from the elementary, middle, and high schools around the state, as well as a few principals. I doubt that I’ll get it.” But, living away from Brad’s daily reminder would be fantastic.

  “Don’t sell yourself short,” Traci said.

  “I’m among teaching royalty.” Storm pretended to make obeisance, and we laughed.

  We talked for a little longer and then Jack called out, “Storm, your order’s ready.”

  “It’s been great catching up, but I’ve got to get back to work.” Storm stood, and holding the back of the chair, his gaze lingered on us. “Maybe I’ll see you around.”

  I moistened my lips to suppress a smile.

  “That’d be great,” Traci said.

  Before Storm took his meal outside, I said, “Let’s come here tomorrow. We can have lunch and then go down to the beach and take a walk.” I hoped Storm had heard, and that he would be here. He was great eye candy, and despite Traci’s native charm, she didn’t always pick up on clues that a guy was interested. I could give her a hand. If she had a new love interest, it would make her moving back home much easier for her.

  Three

  Storm wasn’t at the restaurant the next day. My shoulders slumped. I’d told myself he wouldn’t be there, but I was still disappointed. Then I gave myself a mental shake. This guy was for Traci. Besides, he may have already ordered and was waiting on the beach. I peered out the windows toward the ocean. He was there! We needed to get outside before he left. I hurried and ate my lunch, my insides jittery and nervous.

  “What’s going on?” Traci asked. “You act like you’re expecting a bank robbery or something.” She smirked.

  I crinkled my eyebrows together. “There’s nothing going on. What would be going on?” She was so paranoid.

  “That’s right! You were expecting Storm.” She reached out and patted my arm. “It’s a small community. I’m sure we’ll see him again.”

  I grabbed a french-fry and stuffed it in my mouth. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Not willing to let her know that I was trying to give her relationship a nudge, I changed the subject. After all, they would probably get around to having a relationship soon enough even without my encouragement. And, my life would not be over if I never saw him again. I didn’t even know him. Regardless, I managed to eat lunch in record time, and then said, “Let’s take that walk on the beach you promised me.” I jumped up and took my trash to the bin by the door.

  Traci still had a few bites left, but she grabbed up her things. “Yeah, let’s take a walk on the beach. Maybe we’ll find a handsome stranger.” She laughed.

  Yeah, I ignored her, but the sight of Storm sitting at a picnic table, with the ocean behind him, set my heart into motion flipping somersaults like a porpoise. A smile lifted my lips and I inhaled the scent of seaweed and salty ocean air. “This is a welcome change from the smog in Fresno and the hustle-bustle of city life.”

  “Uh-huh.” Traci folded her arms and looked over as though I had a few loose marbles.

  “What? I’m just saying—I love the smell of the ocean.”

  Storm waved, and Traci said, “Let’s go meet your tall, dark stranger.” She headed toward him.

  I wanted that too and started to follow, but then a jolt of fear stopped me in my tracks. What was I doing? He could be another Brad. Traci hadn’t communicated with him since high school. But, even more than that, I didn’t have any business hanging around a good-looking guy even if he did like Traci. He seemed like a great catch for my friend, but for me, Storm was a heartbreak waiting to happen.

  “You know what?” I said. “Why don’t you go ahead without me. Lunch filled me up, and I need to walk it off.” My being away would give them a chance to get to know each another again.

  “Are you sure?” Traci tilted her head as if appraising me. “I thought you wanted less time to think.”

  “Yeah, I’m sure. And, no thinking. I promise.” I raised my right hand. “I won’t be long. Just being here has made a world of difference. I think I just needed a change of scenery.”

  “Suit yourself,” she said, and then grinned mischievously. “But, tell me something first.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Storm is good-looking, don’t you think?”

  “He is.” That was so cute—her asking my opinion of a guy she likes. “And nice, and I love his voice.” I smiled so she’d know I was serious. “There. I admitted it. Now you have to tell me something.”

  “What?”

  “Did you ever date him—maybe he came to Fresno to see you when you first moved in?” It had to be something like that. Why else would he seem so familiar?

  Traci winced. “No, it wasn’t like that between us. Besides, he was dating someone pretty seriously when I left.”

  “I wonder what happened to her?” I chewed a fingernail. Did she kick him to the curb for cheating? I couldn’t leave my friend in the hands of a creep.

  “I don’t know.” Traci glanced toward Storm. “He seems availab
le now.”

  Yeah, so had Brad—to every waitress he met. “Go talk to him. You’ll find out.” I nodded in his direction. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.” I took off before Traci could object. It didn’t look like we were far from the spit, so I jogged toward Homer.

  I would save myself a lot of grief and let Traci have dibs. The two of them made a nice couple, and the last thing I needed was to get emotionally involved with another guy right now. Storm was interested in Traci, and I was pretty sure that the feeling was mutual. With a little space, they would easily turn into more than friends. After a while, I quit jogging and then walked up onto the road.

  The rhythmic sounds of the ocean lulled away my troubles with the waves’ gentle forward and back motions. A few seagulls soared above, letting out their high-pitched squawks. One dove down to the shoreline, gobbled something up, and then swooped back into the sky.

  On the other side of the street was tall brown grass. Perhaps that area used to be underwater. I walked over to take a closer look. The dried mud had deep cracks. Farther down the road was what appeared to be an abandoned dock and ship.

  This view was vastly different from the ocean-side of the road. I blinked, recognizing the metaphor to my own life: brown, withered, and marooned. I didn’t want to be loveless and empty. I needed to choose life, so I turned toward the boardwalk where signs of life were everywhere.

  As I approached Storm and Traci, they were shoulder-to-shoulder talking seriously, and pitching pebbles into the water. They looked cozy like they belonged together. I was glad for Traci, really. But, though I knew it wasn’t the same, the scene of Brad and the waitress popped into my mind. With a jolt of my heart, I turned and jogged back the way I’d come, hoping they hadn’t seen me.

  “Why am I so stupid?!” I screamed to myself and stormed back up the road. When I got to the dry, lifeless grasses, I couldn’t continue. I needed to get over Brad’s hurting me and to open my heart to new possibilities. “I will do this,” I muttered determinedly between clenched teeth. “I will not live my life as damaged goods.” I turned toward the ocean and my friend and strode forward. “I can do this!” Do what, I wasn’t sure of, but maybe being around Storm would help me move on, then I could start dating after I got back home.