Chapter Two
After landing in Fairbanks, Lachele and Beverly checked into a couple of rooms at the Fairbanks Best Western there in Fairbanks. They took the airport shuttle and planned to take a cab to a Jeep dealership the next day.
It had been a very long day, and they were both exhausted. Beverly decided to go to bed without eating, because the idea of picking up a fork was simply too much work. Lachele went to supper there at the hotel without her, and they agreed to meet at ten the following morning to look at vehicles. The dealership opened at ten, and she wanted to be ready to hop in whichever car she chose and practice driving around town, before it was time to head toward Healy, the town Lachele had told her she would marry in.
She fell straight to sleep and didn’t move until her alarm woke her at nine the following morning. She knew she needed food, but she didn’t really have time to get any. She showered quickly and found a snack in a vending machine, and met Lachele in the lobby as promised.
They could get the car and come back to the hotel for one more night. The drive to Fairbanks was only about sixty miles, and they could make that quickly if the road conditions were good. More than anything, she wanted to get the vehicle today, so she could practice driving. It had been years since she’d driven. She had a license that she’d kept up, but she hadn’t gotten behind the wheel of a car since the night of the accident.
Dr. Lachele was waiting for her in the lobby, a cup of coffee in her hand. “Today’s one of those days where I just need an IV of this stuff.”
Beverly grinned. “I’m not usually a coffee drinker, but I’d take an IV right about now myself.”
“Are you ready to go car shopping?”
Beverly nodded. “I’m a little nervous. It’s been a really long time since I’ve driven. I kept my license up, because I always figured I wanted to be able to drive if I needed to.”
“Well, we’ll go look and see what we can find. There’s a Jeep dealership here in town. I think that might be smart for you, because of the snow. You do know that Alaska gets its fair share of snow, right?”
Beverly grinned. “I’ve heard that rumored somewhere. You mean it’s true?”
Lachele cackled loudly as she linked her arm with Beverly’s. “Girl, there’s so much I need to teach you.”
Ten minutes later they were in a cab on their way to the Jeep dealership there in Fairbanks. “I don’t know that I want a Jeep. I want a real roof.”
“I figured a good SUV would work for you.”
Beverly frowned. “I guess. Aren’t they really big?”
Lachele sighed. “Let’s go look at them.”
They drove three vehicles, Lachele always in the passenger seat, before they chose the one they wanted. It was a Jeep Grand Cherokee, and it was made for high altitudes. That sounded exactly like what Beverly needed.
They spent a few minutes with the salesman, and Beverly paid for the whole amount. The salesman called her bank to verify the funds were actually there, but a few minutes later, she drove off the proud owner of a new vehicle.
It was hard for her to get the hang of driving, and she was thankful that Fairbanks wasn’t a busy city. When she’d parked at the hotel, she looked at Lachele. “Do you think I should get a few more winter clothes here? I got lots in Manhattan, but I think what I got were winter clothes that will make me look good. I’m not sure how serviceable they are.”
“Then let’s go shopping! We’ll get some lunch, and we’ll get you ready for an Alaskan winter. Which I’m told will start in September.”
“All right. Let’s make it happen.” Beverly backed out of the parking space she was in and headed back to town. She refused to let herself think about the impending winter. She was going to love living in Alaska. Period.
*****
Monday morning, Colin stood in a small room at the back of the Healy church, wishing the morning would slip by faster. He had thirty minutes to go before the wedding, and that crazy Dr. Lachele had told him to be at the church an hour before the wedding, so she could meet with him. She’d brought him a bride—wasn’t her part of the whole process finished? Who’d ever heard of meeting at the altar anyway?
When the door opened, and Dr. Lachele walked in, he stood up straighter. She reminded him of an aunt of his, who had always swatted at him with whatever was handy whenever he slouched. “I’m surprised you came all the way for the wedding?”
Dr. Lachele shrugged. “I’ve never missed the wedding of any of the people that I’ve matched. I think it’s my job to be there and to make sure everything goes as smoothly as it can.”
He shrugged. “It’ll be fine. Who cares about the actual wedding, when it’s the marriage that matters?” He’d never thought he’d care to marry, but after over twenty years of long winters in Denali, he needed a companion.
“I think you’ll find women care a great deal about the ceremony. Are you planning on taking her on a honeymoon?”
“Nah. What better place is there to honeymoon than in a cabin at Denali National Park? I can show her moose and lots of other wildlife. I sure hope she’s a country girl and knows what she’s in for.”
Dr. Lachele grinned, her smile scaring him a little. “I think you’ll be pleased with her, country girl or not. She’s going to be a good wife to you.”
“Can I meet her now? It seems silly to keep us from each other when we’re right here in this building together.” He knew that it wasn’t the way she worked, but he had to try!
“Not happening. You knew how I worked when you agreed for me to find your bride. Don’t rock the boat now, Colin!” Dr. Lachele crossed her arms over her huge chest.
Colin shrugged. “Whatever. Just so I get to meet her soon.”
“She’ll be walking down the aisle toward you in a few minutes. Don’t you worry about that at all.”
“Sounds good.”
“I’m going to head back over to make sure she’s ready.” She realized then that Beverly was her first bride who had no one with her for her wedding. Not a single relative or friend. Her years of solitude caring for her mother had left a mark on her.
When Lachele slipped back into the room with Beverly, the bride was pacing back and forth. She had a huge bouquet of flowers to carry down the aisle, and she looked ready. The bouquet included peach colored roses and eucalyptus. There were also some blue flowers she couldn’t quite identify, but they were beautiful just the same. “I’m not sure I can go through with this. Are you sure it’s what my mother wanted?”
“Positive. Now get over here and give me a boobie bump. It’ll make you feel better!”
“Did you ever tell my mother you wanted to boobie bump her?” Beverly asked as she complied. She just couldn’t imagine her straight-laced mother going in for a boobie bump.
Lachele laughed. “Nope, I never did tell her that. She seemed like that type that would be offended by boobie bumping, which is sad if you ask me.”
“Why sad?”
“Well, calling hugs boobie bumping is a way to enjoy life. To laugh and live in the moment. I don’t think your mother was ever able to do that. Not after your father died, for sure.”
“No, she wasn’t able to after my father died. Really, I don’t think she ever did before he died either. Life was hard for her.” Beverly felt sad that her mother had never just enjoyed herself. She’d have to learn to live for the moment so she could make up for what her mother had missed.
Lachele took both of Beverly’s hands in hers, inspecting her from head to toe. “I love your hair up that way. And your dress is perfect, though maybe a bit chilly for Alaska.”
“It’s summer, and I’m going to wear a summer wedding dress.”
“It’s beautiful. I just wish it had some sleeves on it.”
Beverly shrugged. “I don’t need sleeves. I’ll have my new husband to keep me warm.” She had no idea how she felt about the wedding night. She’d always planned to wait until she was married before having sex, and she’d done it. But she was marrying a stranger, so how was that going to work for her?
“Wait until you see him,” Lachele fanned her face with her hand. “The man is just what you expect to see when you hear about a man living in the wilds of Alaska.”
“I’ll wait and form my own opinions.” Beverly glanced in a mirror to make sure none of her hair had fallen from the elegant up-do she’d found a stylist to do that morning. She hadn’t been sure anyone would be willing in the tiny town. “Is it time yet? My hair is going to fall any minute.” When she’d been younger, she had been used to dressing up and attempting to always look like a lady. With her mother’s illness, she’d worn little other than jeans and T-shirts. It was hard to lift someone and help them into a wheelchair if you were in a dress.
Lachele glanced at her watch. “Yup, it’s time. You hide in here, and I’ll send your groom to the front.”
“You’ve talked to him today? He’s here?”
“He didn’t run out on you, if that’s what you’re asking. He’s as anxious to meet you as you are to meet him.”
As Lachele left, Beverly wondered if she was really anxious to meet him or just anxious to have the day over with. She hated being the center of attention, and she wanted to be done with the whole wedding thing. Having no idea if there was a reception planned was making the day a bit harder too.
When Lachele came back a minute later, she was standing with her hands on her stomach as she carefully took deep breaths. She was about to marry a total stranger. Had she lost her ever-loving mind? And worse yet, had her mother lost her mind? This had all been her idea.
Beverly said a quick prayer that her mother would have peace, and she picked up her bouquet, enjoying the blend of flowers in it. She put it to her nose, taking a deep sniff. She could do this. She knew she could.
Lachele motioned her forward, and she took deep, calming breaths. She wouldn’t have a panic attack as she walked down the aisle. She would rather run from the building screaming than have a panic attack.
As she reached the back of the sanctuary, she saw her future husband standing there, watching her. His eyes were dark, and he had a closely trimmed beard. His hair was a medium brown, and he wore a dark suit with a blue tie. He looked very out of place in his suit, and she couldn’t help but wonder how often he wore one. Not nearly as often as she wore a dress, she thought…and she hadn’t worn a dress in years.
As she slowly walked to the front of the church, she felt his eyes as well as the eyes of the small group of people gathered in the church watching her. One foot in front of the other. You can do this. Her constant pep talks to herself were paying off. She was only a few feet from her future husband—and she didn’t even know his name!
She stopped walking just a foot from him, wondering if she was supposed to step up onto the step with him and take his hand. This was why people had wedding rehearsals, she told herself. This moment of confusion shouldn’t be happening.
He took the step toward her, offering his hand, and she gratefully put her hand in his. Her callused hand that had done more chores than it had ever meant to do. She wondered if he thought it was too callused to touch, or if he didn’t mind it. Either way, his hand swallowed hers, and she felt small and delicate beside him. Why did she have such a strong urge to bury her face in his shoulder?
She was taller than most women she knew, but he towered over her. She liked that her head didn’t come up much past his shoulder. The man must be six and a half feet tall, which made her feel protected. She shook her head. No, she was obviously losing her mind.
When the preacher started talking, she took a step closer to him, wondering what his name was. Would the pastor get mad if she asked her future husband his name? Or should she just stand there wondering. What was the right thing to do in the ridiculous situation she’d found herself in?
She didn’t have to wonder long. Her groom pressed his lips against her ear and whispered, “My name is Colin.” Just that light touch sent shudders of heat through her body, making her wonder where this man had been all her life. Why hadn’t he ridden in on a big white horse to carry her off into the sunset?
“I’m Beverly,” she whispered back, receiving a bit of a glare from the pastor. She’d be quiet until she was supposed to talk now. She just had to get the introductions out of the way.
After they had repeated their vows, the pastor said, “You may now kiss your bride.”
Colin turned to her, catching her waist in his hands, and pulling her toward him. “I’ve been thinking about nothing but kissing you since the first moment I laid eyes on you,” he whispered, lowering his lips to hers and kissing her. She’d expected a quiet church kiss, but instead, he gathered her close and kissed her passionately, his tongue stroking along her bottom lip.
She put her arms around his shoulders and clung to him, enjoying the kiss more than she should. People were watching them. People she had never met, but whom she would be spending the rest of her life around. She pulled back, looking up at him. Her lips were moist from the kiss, and she could see his were too. She didn’t know what to say, so she just stared at him. Wow. How am I going to be able to keep my head on my shoulders with him around?
“Let’s go to the back and talk for a minute,” he whispered. Dr. Lachele had told him that was normal for a couple who was meeting for the first time at the altar. They went to the back room and talked to get to know one another a little better before they started being around other people.
She nodded, willing to follow him anywhere. Slipping her hand into his, she followed him to the back of the church to a little room beside the bride’s room she’d used.
He closed the door behind them, turning toward her. “Before we talk, I need to do one thing.” Taking the bouquet of flowers from her hand, he set it onto a chair and pulled her toward him again, this time his kiss was a great deal more aggressive, and he pulled her completely against him.
She wrapped her arms around him and clung for dear life. She’d been kissed many times, because she’d had a boyfriend who she was serious with in high school, but never had she been kissed like this. He kissed her as if he was a starving man, and she was the only sustenance he’d had for days.
Finally, he raised his head. “If we keep that up, I’m not going to be able to go out and talk to people and thank them for coming to our wedding.”
When she understood his meaning, she blushed. “Let’s sit.” She led him to two chairs that were close together, and gave him her full attention. “First of all, what do you do?”
He sat beside her, keeping one of her hands in his. He wasn’t going to give up physical contact with her anytime soon. “I’m a park ranger at Denali National Park. I live in a cabin on the grounds year-round.”
“That sounds interesting. Do you like it?”
“I sure hope so! I’ve been doing it for more than twenty years. Cabin’s big enough for two, so you’ll be moving in there with me. How about you? What do you do?”
She frowned at the question. “I actually started a non-profit foundation to make baby quilts and afghans for babies who are born addicted to drugs and alcohol. I’ve done that for almost twenty years.”
He looked at her with surprise. “You can make a living at that?”
Beverly shook her head. “No, I can’t. I made a small salary, but I’ve also been caring for my mother. My father and sister were killed in a car wreck when I was eighteen. My mother was left a quadriplegic. I nursed her.” She’d told the story a hundred times, but this time she felt distanced from it. Maybe starting a new life really was the answer to her troubles.
“That sounds rough. I’m sorry about your father and sister. Who’s taking care of your mother now?” He couldn’t imagine nursing someone for twenty years and then leaving them. How could she have done that?
“My mother died two months ago. She had pneumonia. I wanted to take her to the hospital, but she knew another bout of pneumonia would kill her. She wanted to die with dignity at home, rather than be hooked up to a bunch of machines. I granted her dying wish.” Well, and the one that said she wanted her to marry a man of Lachele’s choosing too. There was time enough to tell him that later, though. They had a lifetime together after all.
He took her hand and brought it to his lips, kissing it softly. “I’m sorry you lost her. Are you completely alone now?”
She shook her head. “No, I have you.”