by Kim Baldwin
“I’m fine.”
Pasha knew better. She’d learned how to read the nuances of Emery’s expressions and could tell something was wrong. She glared at her with open skepticism.
“All right, so I have a bit of a headache again,” Emery admitted. “And I’m a bit achy. But I’d bet you good money I’ll feel right as rain tomorrow after another night next to you.”
“I hope so. We’ll see,” Pasha said.
Once they’d all made their requisite bathroom visits and climbed back into the plane, Pasha sealed the entrance with duct tape for what she hoped was the last time and crawled into her sleeping bag beside Emery. In high spirits, no one wanted to turn in early tonight.
Pasha actually fell asleep before any of them, succumbing to her need for rest. She awoke briefly much later, when Emery roused her enough to nestle protectively against her shoulder.
As she drifted off again, lulled by Emery’s soft breath against her neck, she tried to memorize the way their bodies fit so perfectly. From now on, she’d loathe sleeping alone.
Chapter Thirty-three
Bryson had never been so relieved to see the familiar runway strip at Bettles. Her engine had failed twice on the journey back. She’d managed to restart the Cub both times but had been flying so low because of the ash she’d almost crashed, too. She’d have to completely overhaul the engine before she’d dare venture up again.
She got clearance to land and set down, parked the Cub beside the hangar, and ran to the Eidson Eco-Tours office, bursting through the door to find Dita and Megan hunched over the computer.
“Bryson!” Dita rushed over and hugged her, with Megan close behind.
“I found them,” Bryson said. “Everyone’s okay in both parties, but the Cessna crashed—high up, on a snowy ridge—and Skeeter needs to be evacuated right away.”
“What about Chaz?” Megan asked anxiously.
Bryson nodded. “Chaz is fine. I stopped there first. A bear got most of their food, but they’re okay for now. Found the plane quite a ways south of there but couldn’t get up to it because of the ash, and couldn’t land anyway. Reached Pasha on the sat phone, and she told me Skeeter has a leg wound with a bad infection. Karla has a broken arm. But they’re all alive and hanging in there.”
“Thank the Lord.” Dita unfolded a topographic map of the area. “I’ve been in touch with the AKRCC. Rescue flights out of Anchorage are grounded, so they’re using helicopters from the north and west. Where exactly did you find them?”
Bryson studied the map. “Here.” She pointed. “At about nine thousand feet. The ash extends down to about eight thousand but seemed to be clearing.”
Dita immediately got on the phone and updated the rescue center. When she hung up, she told them, “They think they can get a chopper there in the morning, provided the fallout has cleared enough. May be another couple of days before they get to Chaz’s crew.”
“If you can locate a plane for me, I can go get them,” Bryson said.
“I’ve got three pilots in the air from our other offices,” Dita told her. “One’s in a seven-passenger Beaver. I’ll try to raise him.”
After several tries, Dita got through and told the pilot to immediately divert to Bettles. “John’s good,” she said after she hung up, “but I’d rather send you, since you’re so much more familiar with the area.”
“What’d you do to your hands?” Megan asked, apparently noticing the abrasions on her palms when she stripped off her jacket.
“Oh, right.” Bryson had nearly forgotten about her injuries. “Got a little banged up on a scree field.”
“John won’t be here for a couple of hours,” Dita said. “Why don’t you run over to the clinic in Evansville and have someone take care of that?”
“Probably wise.” Bryson knew how quickly infections could develop, and she hadn’t been able to clean her wounds in the river very well. “Be back in a while. I’ve got my phone. Call me if anything new develops.”
“Will do.” Dita hugged her. “I’m so proud of you for finding them, Bryson. I thought I’d lose my mind.”
“You and me both,” Megan said.
Bryson shrugged off the praise. “When you told me Karla was on the plane, I almost had a heart attack. I don’t know what I’d do if anything happened to her. She’s everything to me.”
*
Next day, June 13
“Shouldn’t be long now.” Pasha marveled at how much the skies had cleared overnight. A steady wind had blown away the haze, and though they still couldn’t raise anyone on the satellite phone, Bryson would deliver on her promise to get a helicopter to them at the earliest opportunity.
She and Emery kept watch, ready to light their signal fire as soon as they detected an approaching aircraft. Because of the acoustics in the high mountains, they could usually hear the low buzz of a prop long before a plane or helicopter appeared.
This fire wouldn’t be as visible as their previous one, or as long-lasting. They’d stacked up everything that could possibly burn, but it didn’t amount to much and wouldn’t produce the thick black smoke the tire had. Her signal mirror would provide backup to alert rescuers to their exact position.
The others were all in the plane, packing their necessities and readying to leave. Pasha had told them they’d likely have to leave their duffels and most of the gear behind to fit in the same chopper. No one complained, not that she’d expected any resistance. She felt lucky to have been stranded with such down-to-earth, brave individuals. All of them said they were just happy to be getting out of there.
“I hope we don’t overload the chopper after that breakfast,” Emery said. “I think you should get a cooking medal for coming up with that one.”
“Glad you liked it.” When she’d seen the familiar azure-blue skies, Pasha decided to use whatever food and fuel she wanted, since they couldn’t take any non-essential items anyway. She had treated them to coffee and a savory one-pot hash comprised of potatoes, onions, powdered eggs, reindeer sausage, cheddar cheese, and herbs—an improvised concoction that drew rave reviews.
Pasha couldn’t remember feeling so many conflicting emotions: joy and relief that they’d probably leave today, but sadness that she and Emery would have to separate, with a very uncertain future. Who knew how long Emery might be hospitalized and what the status of their future trips might be?
She turned to study Emery’s face in profile—cheeks pink from the cold, dark hair blown back by the wind. Even with her cuts and bruises, she was striking. “You are so incredibly beautiful.”
Emery glanced her way, seeming surprised. “Why, thank you, though I feel anything but, since I’ve never needed a shower more. What brought that on?”
Pasha gripped the front of Emery’s jacket and pulled her close, then kissed her soundly. “I’m already missing you, that’s all,” she said when they parted.
“I’m not thrilled about being separated, either,” Emery replied, wrapping her arms around Pasha’s waist. “And not just because your power seems to be the best medicine on the planet.” She gazed intently into Pasha’s eyes. “But it’s only temporary. As soon as I can, I’ll be on the first plane back to Bettles. And even if Dita cancels every single trip, I’m not going anywhere any time soon. I need significantly more alone time with you.”
Pasha’s eyes grew moist. “For real?”
“Absolutely.” Emery kissed her forehead. “I’m counting the minutes until I can take you up on our date.”
“I hope—” Pasha froze. “Listen.”
They both turned toward the faint, intermittent sound from the north. Definitely manmade. “Get the others!” she told Emery as she hurried to the signal fire and lit it.
By the time the helicopter came into view, they all stood outside, waving colored jackets and anything else they could find to draw attention to themselves—all but Skeeter, who’d been helped from the plane and lay on a sleeping bag on the snow. Pasha signaled with the mirror, apparently not needing to.
The red-and-white chopper headed directly toward them, then circled above, its huge prop blowing up snow and ash as the pilot searched for a place to land.
“We need to evacuate you one at a time with a litter,” a voice boomed through a bullhorn from the open side door. “Everyone step back, please. We’re sending someone down.” A crewmember dressed in an orange jumpsuit descended in the metal rescue basket.
Pasha and Karla headed toward him as he unstrapped himself and gave the pilot a thumbs-up.
“You guys are very lucky,” he said, glancing over at the plane. “What do we have in terms of injuries?”
“I’m an RN. I have a broken arm, but Mike’s worst off.” Karla pointed to Skeeter. “He’s got a serious leg infection, probable rib fractures, broken nose, possible concussion. Emery…” she pointed again, “says she’s feeling better, but she needs to be examined for possible brain injury. She took a bad blow to the head and has a puncture wound in her abdomen. Ruth, there, wrenched her knee and should be x-rayed.”
“We’ve got room for all of you,” he said. “Bet you’re more than ready to leave.”
“You got that right,” Pasha said.
It took more than an hour to load them all into the chopper. As they pulled away, Pasha looked down at the crash site and marveled anew that they’d all escaped alive.
“Bettles is on the way,” the pilot called back to them. “We’ll stop off to deliver the two uninjured before proceeding. We’ve called ahead and your people will meet you. We need the room because we have two more to evacuate en route to Fairbanks.”
“I can’t go with Ruth to the hospital?” Toni asked Pasha.
She shook her head. “Apparently not. I’d like to go, too. Maybe we can get Bryson to fly us down.”
Emery, seated beside her, took her hand. “Nice if you can. I know it’d help get me out of there faster.”
“This eruption keeping you guys busy?” Karla asked one of the rescue crew.
“Nonstop,” he replied. “Nothing’s getting out of Anchorage. A lot of planes were up when the plume came through and had to ditch.”
“Any casualties?” Pasha asked.
The man nodded solemnly. “Our last run. Seven killed when a Cessna like yours hit the side of a mountain. Bodies unrecoverable.” He looked at their ragged group and smiled. “Wish you could’ve heard the cheer that went up in here when we spotted all of you out there waving. So many times, especially in winter, we don’t get there in time.”
“Did you pick up our ELT?” Skeeter asked.
He shook his head. “Signals have been bad with all this ash. Somebody name Dita called last night with your exact location.”
“Bryson made it back, then,” Pasha told the others. “I knew she would.”
“We’re almost there,” the pilot announced. “Get ready. I’ll touch down just long enough to drop you off.”
“Take good care of yourself,” Pasha told Emery as she clasped her hand in both of hers, “until I see you again.”
“Count on it. I have a very important date.” Emery looked into her eyes with such longing and regret, Pasha almost wept. The current of their connection surged with an intensity she felt in every pore of her being. Emery felt it too; she could see it in her expression.
Letting go of her was one of the hardest things Pasha had ever done.
Dita, Megan, and Geneva stood waiting at the edge of the runway and ran toward Pasha and Toni as soon as the helicopter lifted off again.
Geneva and Megan reached them first, nearly bowling them over in a group bear hug that Dita joined seconds later.
“We were so worried. Thank the Lord,” Dita said. “You sure you’re all right? How are the rest?”
“We’re fine. Karla’s worried about Skeeter’s leg, and Emery may have a concussion, but I think they’ll be okay.” Pasha turned to Toni. “You were invaluable up there, Toni. I can’t thank you enough.”
“Certainly got a bit more adventure than I bargained for.” Toni grinned. “Boy, do we have a story to tell, huh?”
“I bet you do,” Megan said.
“We want to hear all about it,” Geneva put in.
“I know you both probably want to shower, eat, and rest,” Dita told them. “Grizz knows you’re back early, Toni, and has a room waiting. When you’re ready, come by the office. Of course I’ll give you a full refund, plus credit for a future trip on me, if what happened hasn’t completely scared you off.”
“Not at all. Ruth and I already talked about coming back next year.” Toni looked at Pasha. “But I was hoping we might get to Fairbanks today?”
“Me, too. Where’s Bryson?” Pasha asked. She spotted the red Super Cub parked by the Eidson hangar.
“She’s picking up Chaz’s group,” Dita replied. “I got in another plane for her. Not sure when they’ll be back. They’ll have to pack all their gear and everything.”
“Great they’ll be getting in today,” Pasha said. “But I guess we’re not going anywhere.”
“You two need to rest,” Geneva said.
“I second that,” Dita said. “I plan to ground Bryson, too. I wasn’t thrilled about her going on this run, but she insisted.”
“In that case, I guess I’ll go back to the Den.” Toni stretched. “A hot shower sounds like heaven.”
“I’ll walk you back,” Geneva said, and the two of them started off toward the roadhouse.
“I’m going to wait in the hangar out of the wind, until Chaz gets in.” Megan gave Pasha another hug. “So glad you’re back safe, Pash.”
“Me, too. See you soon.” She and Dita started toward the office.
“You’re headed straight to bed, young lady.” Dita wrapped one arm around Pasha’s shoulder as they walked. “I don’t want to see you until dinner, at the earliest. Unless you need me for something, of course.”
“Any idea what all this means in terms of the rest of the summer? Future trips?” Pasha asked as they paused at the base of the stairs leading up to her apartment.
“Not yet. The volcano’s still active, we’re down a plane, and we’ve lost a fair amount of gear. I’ve already cancelled the next two trips, though I’m having trouble reaching some of the clients. I should have a better idea in a couple of weeks. Now go. Get some rest.”
“You promise to call if you hear anything from the hospital?”
“You know I will.”
Pasha soaked in a hot bath for a half hour, relishing the small comfort of being truly warm for the first time in days. The danger had passed, and with any luck, Emery would be here before she knew it, sharing this tub with her. I’m not going anywhere any time soon. I need significantly more alone time with you, Emery had promised.
She climbed into bed, daydreaming about their private reunion, and quickly fell asleep.
Chapter Thirty-four
Four days later, June 17
“Oh, my God, I’m in love,” Geneva said as she delivered coffee and desserts to the corner booth. “Did you see her? The brunette at the bar?”
Dita, Karla, Megan, and Pasha all turned to look at the stunner.
“Who is she?” Pasha asked.
“Connie, from Texas. Gay, single, and moving up here to work at the rangers’ station. Gotta go.”
They all laughed as the music resumed.
Pasha found the Bettles Band, a ragtag group of local talent, in rare form tonight. Too bad about the nearly empty roadhouse. Normally this time of year, tourists packed the place. But the continued ashfall, along with the trip cancellations, had turned the village into a near ghost town. Toni had departed two days ago, when Ruth got out of the hospital, to join her on their flight back home, and the rest of the rafting clients had left, too.
In addition to the usual band members—Bryson on drums, Grizz on bass, Ellie on piano, and Lars Rasmussen on alto sax—Chaz sat in with her concertina, so they played a lot of jazz and Cajun zydeco.
“I’ve never heard Chaz play,” Dita remarked. “She’s really, reall
y good.”
“You’ve no idea,” Megan replied, then giggled. “She has a lot of talents.”
“I’d match Bryson against her any day in that department.” Karla wedged a chopstick into the space between her cast and skin. “Damn but this thing itches like crazy.”
Dita, Karla, and Megan had fun watching and listening to the group, but Pasha wouldn’t be truly happy until Emery was out of the hospital and back in Bettles.
She’d had to spend so much time notifying clients and reworking schedules she hadn’t made it to Fairbanks to see her, but she’d called every morning before work and every evening before she retired. This morning, Emery told her they wanted to keep her for observation for another couple of days, and Skeeter would have to stay even longer. Doctors had finally got his infection under control and he’d suffer no permanent damage, but the leg was healing slowly.
Pasha missed her connection with Emery with a gnawing hunger that grew exponentially each day. All of the blissful euphoria accompanying their touch had dissipated. Visiting with her friends distracted her from her misery and she tried to stay upbeat, but her mind kept drifting back to Emery.
In the middle of the band’s second set, Pasha began to feel the power simmering. Was she imagining it? Before long, however, its current raged.
Almost involuntarily, she kept glancing toward the door, expecting Emery to materialize. What folly. Emery was in Fairbanks. Maybe her power had a different motive.
“Pash? Everything all right?” Karla asked. “You seem preoccupied.”
“It’s nothing. Really.”
Dita studied her with an unreadable expression. “It’s getting late. I’m sure you’re just tired. Why don’t you go home?”
She glanced at the clock. “Late? It’s not even eight thirty yet. I’m not sleepy at all.” She felt wired and restless because of the inexplicable power surge.
“You’ve been through a lot. Trust me.” Dita slipped out of the booth. “Come on. I’m taking you home.”
“But I’m not—”
