A Mother's Wedding Day

by Rebecca Winters; Dominique Burton

  In the future she’d be coming back to get to know her grandparents better. What if this didn’t work? What if he broke her heart? She was already mixed up emotionally, and this was happening too fast.

  But his touch felt so good and relaxing that when he put his face next to hers, she automatically rubbed her cheek alongside his. “To answer your question, we have fireworks on the third of July because there used to be only one pyrotechnics display on Prince of Wales Island.”

  He lowered his head to kiss her neck. The feel of lips on her skin drove her crazy.

  “There’s a town up the coast called Klawock.” With his fingers, he brushed her hair aside. “They have dibs on getting fireworks for the Fourth.”

  Sammi couldn’t have talked about Kalk or whatever the town was called, even if she’d wanted to. He was kissing the other side of her neck now.

  In a deft movement, he reached over to the boat’s sound system and turned on some music. “Let’s dance, shall we?”

  She murmured something appropriate.

  After helping her remove the blankets she’d bundled up in for the journey, he lifted her off the seat. The tune playing was some type of oldies love song.

  “Where did you get this music?”

  “It’s from a radio station in town.” Jake’s voice turned husky as he gathered her close.

  “I like it,” she whispered against his neck. She could hear his breathing growing faster. While Sammi rested one of her arms on his muscular shoulder, he held her other hand close to his heart. Her head barely came to his chin and she could hear the rhythmic beating of his heart as they swayed to the music. The boat helped in the rocking motion. She lost her footing a few times.

  He stared down at her. “It seems you don’t have sea legs.”

  “You’re right. I’ll have to get some if I were ever to achieve my dream of going on an expedition to Antarctica.”

  “Are you heading there soon?” His eyes pierced hers.

  “Heavens, no. It’s just a dream, and I’m rambling.”

  It appeared there’d been enough of that. His lips came down to silence her. This time there was no lead up interlude. Sammi could feel how much he wanted her and his response brought out feelings she didn’t know she had.

  The fireworks went off and she could hear the booming as they ignited, but neither of them saw the colorful lights exploding in the night sky.

  Chapter Seven

  “Beastly? Stop barking! Beastly…!” Jake yelled from his pillow, half-asleep. From the bedroom door the dog’s wide face and big brown eyes were looking at him.

  Jake sat up in bed, scratching his jaw. He needed a good shave before he saw Sam again. Images of kissing her last night came rushing back to him. He’d made plans to take her canoeing up the coast today. There was an estuary he needed to check on for a census report. It was a private place and he intended to continue what she’d stopped last night.

  Beastly’s barking started up again. She looked at him, then ran to the front door. That’s when he heard the knock. “Who’s here, girl?” He looked at his alarm clock. It said 6:13 a.m. Jake hadn’t gone to bed until one.

  He got up and grabbed jeans and a T-shirt off the floor. Maybe it was one of the recruits from the office who didn’t think to call the house first. Rookies always assumed everything was an emergency and had to be dealt with now.

  “Jake? I’m sorry to wake you up.”

  “Sam?” She looked and sounded upset. What was she doing here? Did the woman ever not look beautiful? “What’s wrong, gorgeous?” The need to hold and comfort her overwhelmed him. “Come in.”

  He tried to take her hand and lead her inside, but she wouldn’t let him. “What’s wrong?” Jake could feel some of his previous defenses going up.

  Sam bit her lip and began looking all around except at him.

  “Talk to me.”

  “Don’t be mad,” she begged. Her blue eyes pleaded with him. “While we were out last night, my magazine called me. The head photographer, Sanford James, had a bad rock-climbing accident in Yosemite.”

  “What does that have to do with you?” Jake knew getting mixed up with a girl like her was trouble, but she was irresistible.

  “Sanford was supposed to head to the Serengeti for eight weeks to shoot a wildlife spread. He always takes pictures for the cover articles. Now I’ve been chosen. This is my chance. It will be my picture on the cover of the December edition of the magazine.”

  He gritted his teeth. “Is that what’s important to you? Fame and notoriety?”

  “No. This is my job. I told you I would by flying in and out of Craig in between shoots. Sometimes opportunities come up and if you don’t take them, they’re gone.”

  His lungs constricted. “What about us?”

  “Us?”

  “Yeah, us.” How could she ask that?

  “I thought we were okay,” she said nervously.

  Jake lowered his head. “I don’t know if I can do this.”

  “Why?” Sam looked devastated. “You knew exactly what I did for a living when you started seeing me.”

  “I know, but I thought you weren’t leaving for another week.”

  “I never know when I’m going to leave.”

  “This is all happening so fast, Sam.”

  “You think I’m not aware of that?”

  He knew his comment had gotten to her, but he was hurting at the thought of her being gone for eight weeks. “Who will be going out with you on safari?”

  Her face changed and a cool facade replaced the loving, carefree Sam who had filled his empty life.

  “I’ll be with Tom Bordner, the magazine’s top journalist. He’s been following a pride of lions for five years and this is the final article on them. The magazine also hires people to drive, cook and help set up camp.”

  The thought of her being out alone on safari with another man was hard to handle. “I presume he’s the type who picks up on every woman he meets.”

  “Not to my knowledge.”

  “That’s all you’re going to say?”

  “I think you’ve said enough, and I have to go.”

  She started to walk toward a truck parked on the road. He hadn’t realized Nels had been waiting in the driver’s seat, watching them the whole time.

  “How are you leaving the island?” Jake called to her. “I can help fly you off.”

  She turned around, and her hurt expression made him feel horrible. His mind scrambled to think what he could do to change the situation.

  “The magazine has arranged for a charter.” With that she climbed in the cab and out his life.

  SAMMI LEANED AGAINST the wooden veranda, watching the sun set over the magnificent Serengeti. The animals were loud tonight. In the distance she heard lions roar, while the hippos snorted. Down at the watering hole beneath the deck, crocodiles hissed.

  For the first time in her life Sammi was homesick. Her stomach ached and she had trouble eating. This trip had not turned out as she’d imagined.

  Of course, working with Tom was the adventure of a lifetime. To track a pride of lions was an incredible experience, but all she wanted to do was go back to Alaska, back to her grandparents, back to Jake. As the sun slipped beneath the horizon, Sammi walked back to her room to call her mom.

  She was so confused about Jake, about her life, that she needed to talk to her best friend. This trip had softened her heart. Sammi didn’t know if she could ever understand why her mom had done what she did, but she was still her mother, and Sammi needed her now.

  She looked at her watch. It would be early morning at the vineyard. She hoped her mother would still be in the cottage. Now that her mom was married, Sammi didn’t know her routine.

  “Hello?”

  When she heard that sweet voice she’d known all her life, her own throat tightened. “Hi, Mom.”

  “Sammi! It’s so good to hear your voice, honey.”

  Once her mom started talking to her, Sammi broke into sobs. �
�It’s good to hear you, too.”

  “Are you still in Africa?’

  “I’m flying to Alaska tomorrow.”

  “You’re going back there?” Disappointment filled her voice.

  “I know it’s not what you want, Mom.”

  “It isn’t important what I prefer. I just want you to be happy.”

  Sammi couldn’t control her sobbing. “I’m so homesick.”

  “Then why don’t you come home?”

  “Because Alaska’s home to me.”

  There was a silent pause. “You already love it there that much?”

  “I can’t describe it. But for the first time I feel like I belong somewhere. These last eight weeks here in Africa have been the worst.”

  “Your grandparents must be wonderful people.”

  “Well, yeah—didn’t you fall in love with their son?”

  She could tell her mom was crying now. “Yes, I did.”

  “You would love Nels. He’s so amazing and kind, and he makes you feel safe and comfortable and loved.”

  “Oh, Sammi—you’ve just described your father and how he made me feel.”

  “And Marta is hilarious, with lots of spunk. Remember how you and I used to laugh about why I was so small and had so much energy?”

  “I remember everything.”

  “Well, Marta and I have the same figure. I always wondered why I didn’t get your lovely curves.”

  “I didn’t know that.” She sniffed. “You’re the greatest daughter a mother could have.”

  Sammi swallowed hard, trying to deal with her emotions. “Mom—I’ve talked with my editor and he’s going to let me do a trial series called ‘Undiscovered Alaska,’ which would allow me to stay there four months. I told him I’m still dealing with the aftermath of the tsunami and would like to stay in America for a while. He seemed to be okay with the idea.”

  “That’s marvelous, but does that mean I’m not going to see you at all?” Her mother sounded anxious.

  “I don’t know.” Sammi took a deep breath. “I’ve met a man.”

  “I knew there was something going on. Tell me what he’s like.”

  The mere thought of Jake brought a smile to her face. “Well, he’s a park ranger. Not like Smokey the Bear, though.”

  Her mom’s laughter sounded through the tears. “Is he tall, dark and handsome?”

  “Unfortunately.”

  “Unfortunately?”

  “Yeah. It’s a lethal combination.”

  “I know about lethal. Your father was tall, blond and handsome. Now with Max I know all about the dark part.”

  “Jake’s father is dark, too. He was Dad’s best friend….”

  She heard her mother’s sharp intake of breath. “You don’t mean Doug?”

  “Yeah. He’s Doug’s son.”

  “How incredible!”

  “It was a shock to everybody.”

  “I take it you’ve met him and his family.”

  “Yes. I ate dinner with them. His mother is obsessed with lighthouses, paintings and knickknacks all of lighthouses. You would hate it.” Her mother giggled. “They live in a cove across from Nels and Marta. There are sea lions and porpoises and whales, and bald eagles flying around. It’s so beautiful.”

  “I’ve never heard you this happy.”

  “I’m happy just thinking about Jake. I hope I’m capable of making a relationship work.”

  “If your love is strong enough, you’ll manage.”

  “How are you doing, Mom?”

  “Wonderful, but I’ve been feeling sick lately.”

  “How sick? Like dying sick?” Sammi felt her heart drop to her feet.

  “No, darling. I—I’m pregnant. I’ve got morning sickness. Before long you’re going to be someone’s big sister.”

  Sammi felt as if her whole world was spinning. Not only had her mom remarried, but now she was going to have another child. As happy as Sammi was for her mother, it hurt to know all this had happened while she’d been gone. Yet she knew it had been her decision to stay away.

  “I’m very happy for you and Max.”

  “Thank you, darling.”

  For Sammi, all the hurt of the past few months was compounded by this new revelation. “I’ll call you when I get to Alaska. Good night, Mom.”

  She hung up before she started to cry all over again.

  THE SALTY BREEZE FELT wonderful against Sammi’s hot skin while she waited to board her flight. She couldn’t wait to go home to Prince of Wales Island. Her grandparents were there. Equally important, so was Jake.

  “Sorry about the luggage mix-up, miss.”

  “What?” She turned around to face a burly airport worker. She’d been studying the contrast of the bright green forest against the gray ocean and hadn’t heard him the first time. She was too happy to be back in Alaska, savoring the atmosphere.

  “Somehow your luggage ended up in Dallas, Texas. It will be here tomorrow. We’ll fly it out to Craig.”

  She exhaled a breath and started to laugh. “That’s sounds about right.”

  “If you’ll fill out this form, we’ll deliver it to your house.”

  Sammi took the clipboard and pen. A gust blew in at just the right time, whipping the paper in her face. She pushed it down and began putting information on the tedious form. While she was doing so, she heard someone calling out, and looked up.

  From behind a small floatplane, a mechanic was yelling to the airport worker who’d been helping her. “Go tell Chief Powell his plane is ready to take off.”

  “I’ll let him know, Ben.” The man took her clipboard and headed back to the terminal.

  Chief Powell?

  Sammi couldn’t stop herself; she hurried over to the mechanic across the way. “Excuse me.” She tried to put on her most charming smile. The young man gawked at her. “I heard you say this plane is Chief Powell’s. Do you mean Jake Powell, the forest ranger from Craig?”

  The skinny man stood up, wiping his dirty hands on his overalls. “Yes, ma’am.”

  “I’m a friend of his, and I was wondering, do you know where he’s going? I’ve been out of the country for a while.”

  “He’s flying out to the Misty Fjords. That’s all I know.” He was staring at her as if she was the first woman he’d seen in years.

  She concocted a plan on the spot. “Do you think you could take a letter to the pilot who was going to fly me out to Craig? I need him to deliver it to my grandparents. I would pay him.” The mechanic didn’t move. “I’ll pay you, too.”

  “All right.”

  “Can you give me a minute?”

  He nodded.

  Sammi pulled her camera bag off her shoulder and took out some paper and a pen to write.

  Dear Grandma and Grandpa,

  I’ve gone with Jake to the Misty Fjords. I saw him when I landed in Ketchikan. My luggage got lost, so it should arrive at the house tomorrow. I love you and can’t wait to see you when we get back.

  Love,

  Your granddaughter,

  Samantha.

  She put the letter in an envelope with a Serengeti lodge logo on it and wrote down her grandparents’ address and phone number in case the pilot was too lazy to drive to their place. Lastly, she pulled some money from her purse, stood up and handed the items to the mechanic.

  “Could you take this to my pilot? I’m going to go into Ketchikan and shop for a couple of days. I’ll arrange to fly out to Craig later.”

  Sammi watched the mechanic walk into the hangar. She realized this was her only chance. Praying no one noticed her, she climbed into Jake’s floatplane. It was a Cessna 310 that seated only six people. She knew that much from her travels around the world.

  How did Jake own a plane? She’d love to hear the answer, but right now it didn’t matter, because she needed to hide.

  Underneath one of his duffels she spied a wool blanket. She reached for it, settled into the backseat and pulled it over her. For once she was grateful for her small siz
e. If Jake didn’t look too closely, he wouldn’t know she was there until he got in the plane.

  Her whole body was trembling with excitement. Though it was wrong of her to sneak onto his plane, the idea of not seeing Jake for another hour was too much to bear. Please let him understand.

  He had to.

  She was in love.

  Hopefully, he was, too.

  Chapter Eight

  Sammi woke up sick. Before she could say a thing, the aircraft dropped, so fast it took her breath away, and she found herself hitting the ceiling of the plane. “Ouch!”

  “What the—Sam?” Jake’s voice cried out in a combination of disbelief and anger.

  “Jake. My head really hurts.”

  Sammi lay partly on top of Jake’s luggage and partly over the rear seat of the plane. She saw everything double and wasn’t sure she could move. Her leg seemed to be stuck.

  She heard the sound of Jake unbuckling his seat belt. “Don’t do that!” she screamed.

  “Don’t do what?”

  “Leave the cockpit. What if we go through another shear and lose control again?” Sammi fought hard not to break down.

  “Listen, Sam,” he said in a soothing voice. “I went through the edge of a huge storm that’s moving into the area. I never lost control, sweetheart. If I’d known you were in the plane, I would have explained that to you.” She could hear him coming closer to her.

  “I’ve traveled in small planes. They don’t have autopilots.”

  “Well, this one does. I put it in a couple of years ago.”

  She felt a weight being lifted off her leg. The pain subsided, thank heaven. “What was that thing pinning me down?”

  “My luggage,” he replied brusquely. She felt his hand touch her leg through her jeans. It had a calming effect.

  “Mmm. That feels nice. I’ve missed you, Jake.”

  “Sam? I need you to move your leg. Can you do that?”

  “I think so.” She lifted it and bent it in all the directions he asked her to.

  “I imagine you’ll have a nasty bruise, but it appears to be okay.” He was throwing things on the floor, clearing a space. Once he’d made room, he proceeded to check the rest of her body.