Page 22 of Alaska Lights

Then, I think of Alaska and my heart starts to pound so hard, I’m afraid he might hear the effects he has on me.

“Leo.”

“Nice to meet you, Leo. Welcome to Dead Man’s Ranch.” He points a thumb over his shoulder. “Don’t mind him. He’s a grump.”

“Well, I don’t blame him. He ran into the door pretty hard. That would piss me off too.”

“He’s hard-headed. He’ll be just fine. How are you? That was a pretty nasty crash. You’re lucky we found you.”

I have a lot of questions, like how I don’t have a scratch on me. I want to save them for Alaska. It gives me an excuse to talk to him.

“Thank you for saving me. I appreciate it. I owe you one.”

“Hey, I was just there to find any surviving supplies. Alaska was the one who pulled you out of the wreckage. It’s him you owe.”

I swing my legs over the bed and fight a slight wave of dizziness.

“Whoa, there.” Soren catches me by my shoulders, pushing me to lie back down. “Maybe you need a little more rest. Don’t rush.”

“I’m okay. I’m fine. I need to call my sister. I have to call Brian.”

“You can’t right now. Storms rolled in. Radios are out. Lines are dead. Hopefully, everything is up and running by tomorrow. Take the night to rest and heal. It’s been a long day. I’m sure you’re tired.”

I’m not, actually. I’m wired. There’s no way I’m going to sleep tonight.

“Thanks. I’m okay. A little hungry, actually. Do you have any coffee or tea?”

“Everything is in the kitchen. There’s a pot on. It’s a few hours old, but it should do the trick. I’m going to go get washed up. It’s pretty late. Nice to meet you, Leo.”

“You too.” I wave at him, the throb living in my skull pounding harder.

Soren turns to leave and pauses in the middle of the doorway. “He isn’t a bad guy,” he says out of nowhere.

“What?” I play dumb, pretending I don’t know who he is talking about.

“Alaska. He has a rough history, but I wouldn’t trust anyone else to have my back like he does. He is one of the best guys I know.”

“Clearly. He saved me from a pretty gruesome death. No amount of thanks will be enough.”

Soren grips the door’s edge. “Just be patient with him.”

“Sure.” I shrug, not really seeing why it matters. I’ll be out of here in a few days, and then I might not ever see Alaska again.

He doesn’t seem like he believes me with the firm, tight-lipped smile he gives me. I don’t know if I’d call it a smile. It’s more like a grimace.

“Well, have a good night. I’m going to hit the hay.”

“Night,” I reply as he closes the door behind him.

The room is quiet. All I hear is the beating of rain against the roof. My thoughts whirl since I’m alone. My sister must be worried sick. Brian probably has the entire state looking for me, knowing him. There has to be a way to let them know I’m alive.

Lyra will never want me to fly a plane again. She’ll be even worse, reasonably, but I can’t wait to get in the air. Accidents happen. Pilots have to know that going into the career. Not every flight will go without issues.

“Let’s try this again.” I’m slower this time as I move my legs over the edge of the bed, careful and stealthy as if a bomb is about to go off. “Okay. So far so good,” I say to myself, holding my arms out to keep myself steady as I inch my feet to the floor and stand.

I’m still sore and my legs hurt, proving my theory that I was injured. Alaska has the answers, and I want them.

I test one step, then another, a slight sway to my stride when I reach the door.