Alaska Reunion
Page 31
Knowing she was with someone had made it easy to stay away. Now, how could he possibly leave, knowing that she’d never gotten over him either and the connection he’d felt to her a million miles away was real and strong, and she’d felt it too?
He’d wasted more than a year looking for something, anything, that made him feel as alive, as happy, as complete as being with her did, and he’d be damned if he lost it again. Lost her again.
The last two weeks had done more than just heal his body; they’d healed the deep wound in his chest that sorrow had created. His brother was gone and he’d always honor his memory, but Arron was being offered another shot at love and he’d be a fool to let anything stand in the way.
Picking up his cell phone, he dialed the familiar local number and smiled when a female voice answered.
“Hello. Thank you for calling SnowTrek Tours. How may I help you?”
“Hey, Cass, it’s Arron.”
“I was hoping I’d get a call from you,” she said, sounding genuinely happy to hear his voice.
“Yeah, well, I heard you might be looking for a free-climb guide.” Cassie had never partnered with anyone else, telling him that the job would always be his if and when he ever wanted it again. Her trust in him and Langdon to ensure the safety of her clients had meant a lot to them, and he didn’t take it for granted now.
“As soon as those bones of yours heal, the job’s all yours,” she said. “And, Arron—welcome home.”
He breathed a sigh of relief. Not in a long time had he felt like he was in the right place. But Wild River was home and it was time to start putting down roots.
* * *
ALISHA TOOK A final deep breath, then hit Print on the staff room computer. She stood, gathered the letter from the printer and headed down the hall to the hospital CEO’s office.
This was the right decision. She didn’t question it for a second. Her footsteps felt light as she made her way down the hall.
The last two weeks had been everything she’d always wanted. Being with Arron was the future she’d do anything for. No matter what that looked like. They’d agreed to take things one day, one recovered bone at a time. And to not talk about what happened next or where things were headed.
They both knew they wanted to be together. And they both trusted that this time they’d figure it out.
This was the right decision.
Knocking once on the open office door, she entered as Grant looked up from his desk. “Hey, how’s my favorite nurse named Alisha?” he said.
She laughed at the old, familiar joke he used on everyone. “Be careful. One day you’ll hire a duplicate name and that joke will backfire.”
He laughed. “Good point.” He gestured toward the chair across from him and she sat. “What can I do for you?”
She slid the letter across his desk. “I’m requesting a leave of absence.” It even felt right saying it. She’d thought it would be harder to take time off, to take this leap of faith, but it wasn’t, and she saw it as a good sign. No matter what happened, this was the right decision for her life right now.
“Oh...” Grant didn’t seem bothered, just surprised. No doubt he was, since she hadn’t even taken a sick day in four years.
“Is everything okay?” he asked. “Healthwise? You’re good?”
She nodded. Healthwise, she was better than ever. Being blissfully in love and spending every available moment wrapped in the arms of a man she was crazy about did wonders for the psyche. “I feel perfect.” She paused. “I just thought maybe I’d do some traveling. See the world.” Her excitement rose in her chest at the thought of something she should have done sixteen months ago.
But there was no room for regrets. Only new adventures awaiting.
“That’s wonderful,” he said, sitting back in his chair. “Where are you headed?”
“I don’t know,” she said with a small smile as she stood to leave. Wherever the wind and a certain tattooed, blond-haired man decided to take her.
* * *
HER NEW TRAVEL pack on her back, Alisha opened her apartment door later that evening. Her heart raced in anticipation of seeing Arron and telling him the news. Since making the decision, she’d gotten more and more excited about what lay ahead. Being with him was what she wanted, and it no longer mattered if that was here in Wild River or halfway across the world.
The sight that met her inside her apartment was one she’d never have expected in a million years. Tea lights flickering all over the room, the table set for two with wine and flowers, and the sound of soft, romantic music playing made her mouth drop.
“Welcome home,” Arron said, appearing in the kitchen. He wore a pair of new, form-fitting jeans and a black Henley that hugged his body in a way that had her mind on things that didn’t involve any clothing at all. But he’d obviously gone to some effort to make a nice evening, so she’d be patient.
“You cooked?”
“Close. It’s takeout.”
She laughed. “Even better.” She set the backpack down against the wall. Her news could wait. “What’s the occasion?”
Arron took her hands in his and led her to the couch. He sat beside her and stared into her eyes. “I have something I want to tell you.”
Her heart beat so loudly she thought it might explode. This was it. The moment where he told her he planned on leaving soon. He was healed enough...
“I’ve decided that you’re right,” he said.
She was? About what?
“I mean, I always knew you were right,” he said with a grin. “But I’m finally brave enough to commit to this...us...life here in Wild River. A solid, stable life. No more living in a van and coasting from one odd job to another.”
Her mouth gaped. He what?
“This is what I want. Being with you. I tried to ignore the feeling of emptiness in my gut for so long, but it never went away. Knowing you were happy with someone else was the only thing keeping me from coming back,” he said, emotion evident in his voice. “But now I’m here and you’re here and I don’t want to mess this up again. I don’t want to lose this.” He gripped her hands tight in his and she returned the reassuring squeeze.
He was saying everything she’d always longed to hear. He was giving her what she’d always wanted. But now she knew that it didn’t matter as long as they were together. “Arron...”
“Wait. I’m not done,” he said. He took a deep breath. “I’ve applied for my old partnership with SnowTrek Tours again and Cassie’s accepted. I can start leading free-climb tours as soon as I’m capable.”
Her chest ached. That had to have been a hard call for him—going back to the career he’d shared with his brother. And he was doing it for her. For them. “Arron...that’s incredible. Really, it is, and I’m...speechless about all of this.”
He pulled her closer. “I love you, Alisha. Being with you is what matters. It’s what I want and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make this work.”
Her breath caught in her chest. He loved her. He’d actually said the words this time, not a variation of them, and she knew he meant them. She loved him too...
She laughed through tears of happiness burning in her eyes as she picked up the backpack. “I was coming home with news of my own. I put in for a leave of absence at the hospital. I was going to tell you tonight that I’m ready to leave this solid, stable life behind and go with you to the far corners of the world.”
He looked surprised and slightly overwhelmed. “You were willing to do that? For me?”
“Yes! I love you, Arron. I always have. You are a part of me, so ingrained...and I don’t want to be without you. So, if that’s here or anywhere else, I’m ready.”
He pulled her into his chest and held her tight. She breathed in the scent of him, savoring this moment that couldn’t possibly get any better. “I can’t believe you were wil
ling to do that,” he whispered into her hair.
She glanced up at him. “So, what do we do?”
He took a deep breath. “Well...you did buy a new backpack... It would be a shame not to use it.”
“I’m listening...” More than that, her heart was open to any and all possibilities.
“You’ve put in your time-off request already and I don’t have a start date at SnowTrek...”
“Right. Technically, neither of us is tied to Wild River for the next little while...”
“So why don’t we travel the world for a few months—” he took her face between his hands and kissed her gently “—then come back here and continue making a life together?”
She nodded. “I like the sound of that a lot.”
“Then it’s a plan,” he said. He kissed her long and deep, full of passion and love. A kiss that held the promise of a future she’d thought they’d lost.
She hugged him tight, her heart at ease, knowing she wouldn’t have to let him go.
Not now. Not ever.
* * *
Also by Jennifer Snow
Wild River
Stars Over Alaska
A Sweet Alaskan Fall
Under an Alaskan Sky
An Alaskan Christmas
Wild River Novellas
A Wild River Match
A Wild River Retreat
An Alaskan Wedding
Look for Jennifer Snow’s next Wild River novel, available soon from HQN.
For additional books by Jennifer Snow, visit her website, www.jennifersnowauthor.com.
ISBN-13: 9780369706270
Alaska Reunion
Copyright © 2021 by Jennifer Snow
Wild Alaskan Hearts
First published in August 2021.
This edition published in September 2021.
Copyright © 2021 by Jennifer Snow
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
For questions and comments about the quality of this book, please contact us at CustomerService@Harlequin.com.
HQN
22 Adelaide St. West, 40th Floor
Toronto, Ontario M5H 4E3, Canada
www.Harlequin.com