Mail-Order Bride Read Free Page A

anxious to get a look at this man who insisted she have all this costly gear.
    “He’s a quiet guy. Hope you don’t mind that.”
    “I usually chatter enough for two. I think we’ll get along fine. Besides, I don’t plan on being here that long.”
    John frowned. “I doubt you’ll ever get Paul to leave Alaska.”
    Caroline was offended by the brusque tone. “I don’t have any intention of trying.”
    The amusement faded from John’s rugged face as he checked the instruments on the front panel. “You aren’t afraid of flying, are you?”
    She hadn’t thought about it much until now. “Afraid? Why should I be afraid?”
    “Looks like we may be headed into a storm. Nothing to worry about, but this could be a real roller coaster for a while.”
    “I’ll be fine.” The sudden chill in the cabin caused Caroline to reach for the thermos. “My aunts make a mean cup of tea. Interested?”
    “No thanks.” He focused on the gauges. Caroline refastened her seat belt, fingers trembling.
    The first cup of spiked tea brought a rush of warmth to her chilled arms, and when the plane pitched and heaved, she carefully refilled the plastic cup and gulped down a second. “Hey, this is fun,” she said with a tiny laugh twenty minutes later. If the truth be known, she was frightened out of her wits, but she put on a brave front and held on to her drink with both hands. Her aunts’ tea was courage in a cup.
    By the time John announced that they were within a half-hour of Gold River, Caroline felt as warm as toast. As they made their descent, she peeked out the window at the uneven row of houses. A blanket of snow covered the ground, and curling rings of smoke rose from a dozen chimneys.
    “It’s not much of a town, is it?” she murmured.
    “Around three hundred. Mostly Athabascans—they’re Indians who were once nomadic, following caribou and other game. When the white settlers arrived, they established permanent villages. Nowadays they mostly hunt and fish. Once we get a bit closer, you’ll see a string of caribou hides drying in the sun.”
    “How…interesting.” Caroline had no idea how else to respond.
    “What does Paul do?” she asked a few minutes later.
    John gave her a curious stare. “Don’t you know? He works for the oil company. Keeps tabs on the pump station for the pipeline.”
    She brushed aside the blond curl that fell over her face. “I thought he was a guide of some sort.”
    As the Cessna circled the village, Caroline saw people scurrying out of the houses. Several raised their arms high above their heads and waved. “They see us,” she said.
    “They’ve probably spent days preparing for your arrival.”
    “How thoughtful.” The village must entertain only a handful of tourists a year, she figured, and residents obviously went to a great deal of trouble to make sure that those who did come felt welcome. Caroline rubbed her eyes. The whole world seemed to be whirling. The people and houses blurred together and she shook her head, hoping to regain her bearings. The thermos was empty; Caroline realized she was more than a little intoxicated.
    A glance at the darkening clouds produced a loud grumble from John. “Doesn’t look like I’m going to be able to stick around for the reception.”
    “I’m sorry.” John was probably a local hero. This welcoming party was likely as much in his honor as hers. It appeared that the entire village was outside now, with everyone pointing toward the sky and waving enthusiastically. “I don’t see a runway.”
    “There isn’t one.”
    “But…”
    “There’s enough of a clearing to make a decent landing. I’ve come down in a lot worse conditions.”
    Caroline’s nails cut into her palm. She didn’t find his words all that reassuring. Why her aunts would choose such a remote village for her vacation was beyond her. This whole trip was turning into much more of an adventure than she’d ever dreamed—or wanted.
    As the plane descended, she