Denali Dreams Read Online Free Page A

would stop hiding behind her lame excuses. If she wanted to live life, she needed to live it. She
was
a cancer survivor. No shame in that.
    Her faith had taken a huge blow with the cancer diagnosis three years ago, but thankfully, God never gave up on her. And through it all, she’d grown closer to Him. But her confidence had been shattered as she watched people she cared about retreat from her life. The roller coaster of emotions it created hadn’t been a fun ride. Self-doubt battled with her confidence of who she was in Christ.
    But no more.
    Karon walked back to the front and found her ranger friend. “Thanks so much, Missy. You’ve made me think.” She pasted on a smile. “I know you’re busy, so I’ll come back tomorrow. And I’ll be seeing you in a few days for our briefing anyway.”
    Missy winked at her. “Anytime. I’ll talk to you soon.” She nodded to the customer she was helping.
    Karon turned to the entrance and allowed her excitement to bubble up. This was her dream. God had given her this chance; she wasn’t going to waste it with doubt or a pity party. She couldn’t wait to get out to the mountain.
    “Excuse me.” Another ranger sidestepped her.
    Karon looked into his eyes and stopped. The fierceness and intensity took her back. As his gaze swung to Missy, Karon studied his profile. Strong jaw, chapped lips and cheeks, wind-mussed blond hair. All business. After a quick word with Missy, he turned to another ranger. The man’s serious demeanor and strength were a magnet for Karon. What made that guy tick?
    He probably never had confidence issues. Wouldn’t that be nice?
    She shook her head. The expedition ahead needed her focus. Not the incredibly handsome, brown-eyed, blond-haired—
    “Hi.” The subject of her thoughts stood in front of her and reached out a hand.
    Karon blinked. Stuck her hand out in return.
    “Zack Taylor. I fly one of the rescue helicopters.”
    She shook his hand. Kept shaking. Up. Down. Her voice had mysteriously disappeared. She swallowed. “Karon Granger.”
    “Nice to meet you, Karon.” With a nod and a small smile, he turned on his heel and left.
    What on earth was that all about? Karon glanced at Missy whose eyes had widened. Then she giggled.
    “What?”
    Missy cleared her throat. “Oh, nothing. You’re just the first woman Zack has introduced himself to since I’ve been here. And I’ve been here a long time.”
    Karon shrugged the encounter off and tried to suppress the excitement in her stomach. “And?”
    “Well, that’s a first. That’s all I’m saying.”
    Maybe the guy just wasn’t a natural at friendliness. He did seem a little on the reserved side. “Okay. I’ll have to take your word for it. That’s definitely the shortest introduction I’ve ever heard.” But he’d taken the initiative to introduce himself to
her.
She ran a finger through her hair. Glanced at Missy.
    Her friend was all smiles.
    A glance out the front window showed Zack talking on the porch with another ranger. He looked toward her and smiled.
    A spark flickered in her heart. Dare she hope?

Chapter 6
    Z ack fought the urge to look back to the station again. He’d seen the woman earlier leaving the café and then exiting Deline Tsosie’s Otter. Her laughter rang in the afternoon air and stayed with him until he’d seen her again. At the station, of all places. He’d done a double take. Three times in one day. Her short curly hair, tiny feet, and beautiful smile captured his attention. What was it about her?
    He shook his head. There wasn’t time for a relationship. And he didn’t have the heart. His life was too much of a disaster. Besides, no one wanted to get involved with a guy whose insatiable desire to risk it all numbed him to any and all feelings.
    But as he glanced through the window one more time and caught her gaze, something in him wanted to take a chance.
    David Whiteeagle, another ranger, poked him in the shoulder. “I think I need to meet this