Denali Dreams, page 1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
Mountain Wishes
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
About the Author
Daring Heights
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
About the Author
Taking Flight
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
About the Author
Denali Guardians
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
About the Author
INTRODUCTION
Mountain Wishes by Kimberley Woodhouse
Karon Granger has a life wish and wants to show her doctors and family that she’s not a fragile piece of china. She’s a cancer survivor. And she wants to climb Denali—the tallest mountain in North America—to prove it. Karon’s brother joins her on the climb, but when he falls and breaks his leg, they must rely on mountaineering ranger Zack Taylor to rescue them from the weather-crazy Alaska wilderness.
Daring Heights by Ronie Kendig
Heiress and experienced climber Jolie Decoteau doesn’t believe in coincidences, so getting acute mountain sickness shortly after her father is found dead convinces her that someone is trying to kill her. Denali Base Camp ranger David Whiteeagle is sent to rescue Jolie, but he’s stunned to find that her condition is significantly worse than reported and, as they navigate their way through the storm back to safety, that someone else is on their trail….
Taking Flight by Ronie Kendig
Deline Tsosie is the sweetheart and flightseeing tour guide of Talkeetna, Alaska, but she’s going nowhere fast. Ranger Logan Knox is brilliant with wolves, mountains, and money but feels inept with people. He uses his financial investments to fund hiring Deline for tours to the glaciers. But the ice he’d like to melt is in her heart. Then when a series of incidents puts her in danger, his protective instincts fly to the surface to save the business and the girl.
Denali Guardians by Kimberley Woodhouse
Although Josh Richards has only been a mountaineering ranger for six months, he’s already fallen in love with his job, the family of rangers … and mysterious Deanna Smith. Deanna lives in fear of the stalker who took her sister’s life over fifteen years ago. She’s changed her name and hopes to stay hidden in her remote job at the Talkeetna Ranger Station, but it’s not long before her past catches up with her and she must rely on love to conquer all.
Mountain Wishes © 2013 by Kimberley Woodhouse
Daring Heights © 2013 by Ronie Kendig
Taking Flight © 2013 by Ronie Kendig
Denali Guardians © 2013 Kimberley Woodhouse
Print ISBN 978-1-61626-747-6
eBook Editions:
Adobe Digital Edition (.epub) 978-1-62029-660-8
Kindle and MobiPocket Edition (.prc) 978-1-62029-659-2
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted for commercial purposes, except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without written permission of the publisher.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.
Scripture marked NASB is taken from the New American Standard Bible, © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any similarity to actual people, organizations, and/or events is purely coincidental.
Cover design: Kirk DouPonce, DogEared Design
Published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 719, Uhrichsville, Ohio 44683, www.barbourbooks.com
Our mission is to publish and distribute inspirational products offering exceptional value and biblical encouragement to the masses.
Printed in the United States of America.
MOUNTAIN
WISHES
by Kimberley Woodhouse
Dedication
This book is lovingly dedicated in memory of the real Karon Granger, who went home to be with the Lord after her long fight with cancer.
Karon, I can’t wait to hug your neck and sing with you again.
Precious friend, you are missed.
A Note from the Author
I’m so thankful you chose to journey to Alaska with us and spend time with the amazing rangers. Our family lived for many years in that great state known as the Last Frontier, and even with intense research on top of that, I need to give you a disclaimer: Any inaccuracies are all my own.
Karon, the heroine in this first story, is based on a real person with the same name. An amazing lady who passed away several years ago, but lives on in all the lives she touched with her vibrant personality. To the thousands of you who knew Karon personally, please remember that this is to honor Karon and her life, but it is also a work of fiction. Prayerfully, you will get glimpses of her throughout the story, and will smile in remembrance of our beautiful friend.
This book could not have been written without the help of my wonderful friends up at the Talkeetna Ranger Station. Those people are amazing. If you ever have the chance, go visit Alaska, visit the station, and say hi to Missy for me. And for fun—take a gander at the Clean Mountain Can (CMC).
Enjoy the journey,
Kimberley
http://kimberleywoodhouse.com
Chapter 1
Cool air fanned her face as Karon Granger leaned back in the rocking chair. The ceiling fan spun above her, helping stave off the always-humid, always-warm Louisiana air. She scanned her flower beds from the front porch and leaned forward again. With her small stature, her feet only touched the ground in the forward position, and like a child, she loved to rock with vigor. So she was just a little kid in a thirty-two-year-old body. That was her story and she was sticking to it. Even though everyone knew Karon’s love of rocking chairs.
Her thoughts jolted back to the present. This particular rocking session meant more than comfort or relaxation or fun. This was a thinking rock. She’d made a big decision and wondered how on earth to share it with her friends and family.
Karon considered the changes that had occurred over the course of her illness. Everyone coddled her, protected her, treated her like a fragile porcelain doll.
Could she really blame them? They did it because they loved her—and because she’d almost lost the fight. So she didn’t mind, at least she kept telling herself that. But how would they all react to her new adventure? Would they think she’d lost her mind?
Her brother, Clint, would react the worst to the news.
Even with all her training, all the research, all the gear—she knew it wouldn’t be pretty. She needed to prepare herself for battle.
Battle. A familiar word now. But this time was different. This battle wasn’t for her life, it proved that she wanted—no, needed—to live her life.
A long sigh escaped, splitting the silence. Leaning forward, elbows on her knees, she stopped the rocker. Strong willed might not be everyone’s normal description of her, but she had a lot of gumption. Cancer had changed everything. This was a fight she wouldn’t back down from—not even with Clint. The thought of ticking him off made her heart ache. Especially after all he’d done for her. But she’d have to cross that bridge when the time came. God had gotten her this far. He’d take her the rest of the way. One step at a time was the motto of her faith—she needed to keep heading toward the finish line.
Little Braiden from down the street rode his bike up to her front steps. He hopped off the seat and unsnapped his helmet, letting the bike wobble back and forth on its training wheels. “Did you see me, Miss Karon? Did ya? I rode all the way here all by myself!”
“Wow. That’s a long way, B. I think that deserves a cookie.” She gave him a wink and hopped out of her chair mimicking his actions.
“You mean, your special cookies?” His eyes grew large.
“Yes, sir—I just pulled another batch out of the oven about fifteen minutes ago.”
“Wait till the rest of the kids hear I got a cookie!”
Karon giggled at his enthusiasm and tousled his hair. “Let’s go inside and call your mom, okay?”
“You think she’ll let me have two?” He grabbed her hand as they walked inside.
<
“Thanks, Miss Karon. You’re the most awesomest lady on the block. When I grow up, I wanna marry you.” Oh, the innocence of youth. “That’s quite a compliment, B, but why don’t you focus on finishing first grade, and then you might want to graduate from high school and go to college.”
He stared at the cooling racks filled with cookies. “But I already know. You make the best cookies in the whole universe. And you look real purty with your hair growin’ back.”
If only that made her marriage material in real life. She shook her head and tweaked his nose. “Thanks, B. But I thought you liked my hat collection?”
“Oh, I do! Your silly ones are the best, but I like your curly hair better.” He climbed onto a stool and reached up to touch one of her short curls.
Leaning down, she touched her forehead to his. No one could duplicate the unconditional love of a child or the pure compassion. Her illness had never been a secret. Braiden had often come to give her a hug and rubbed her bald head when he told her that he and his mother prayed for Karon every night before bed.
Karon straightened and reached for the phone. She winked at B as she dialed her friend’s number. “Hey, Lisa.”
“I’m assuming you have an admirer at your house?” The soft voice laughed.
“Yep, and I’m wondering if he’s allowed to have a cookie or two?”
“You’re spoiling him, Karon, but you’re the first person he wanted to ride to. Don watched him from the garage.”
“So, that’s a yes?”
Lisa laughed. “You bet, as long as he brings one home to his mom.”
“Of course.”
“Thanks, Karon. His dad is coming down there to walk around the block with him.” Her voice quieted. “How are you feeling?”
The dreaded question. Everyone asked it. All the time. “Great. I feel great. The doctor has cleared me for everything.”
“Oh, that’s awesome! Just don’t overdo it, okay? Let me know if you need anything.”
“Sure thing … let me get back to B. I think he might start drooling soon.” She tried to keep her tone light.
“Thanks for being so sweet to him. I’ll talk to you later.”
Karon hung up the phone. Would no one ever see her as whole again? Wasn’t it enough she felt broken? Did they have to keep reminding her?
Braiden tugged on her jeans. “Miss Karon, did ya see my new knee pads and elbow pads?” He ripped the Velcro apart to show her his prize.
“Those are super cool, B.” She handed him a soft cookie. “Your dad is coming to take you around the block, so I’m going to put a few in a bag for you to take home, okay?”
The treat disappeared in seconds. Chocolate ringed his lips and a large smudge graced one cheek. “Thanks, Miss Karon. I sure do love you.”
She grabbed a paper towel and wet it down. “I love you, too. Let’s get this chocolate off your face before your dad gets here.”
As they walked toward the front door, Braiden turned and headed to a corner of the couch. “Hey, what’s that?”
She glanced to where he pointed. A new pair of crampons and an ice axe lay next to the rope she’d just purchased. Oh boy.
A knock on the screen door saved her from explaining. But as Lisa’s husband entered the living room, he spotted what caught B’s attention. Don narrowed his eyes. “Please tell me that’s not what I think it is.”
She smiled. Maybe she should leave now. Not tell anyone where she was going.
“Karon?”
“Look at this, Dad!” Braiden held up the book she’d left on her coffee table. “It’s all about climbing tall mountains.”
Ratted out by a six-year-old.
Braiden’s dad cocked an eyebrow at her and crossed his arms.
Great. If her friends and neighbors reacted this way, how would her brother react?
Chapter 2
You want to do what?”
Even worse than she expected. Karon braced herself for the rest of the tirade.
“You’re out of your mind. There is no way I will allow you to do this.”
Karon’s ears rang from the shouting. Her brother, her only brother—the one who stood by her side through thick and thin, the one who was there for every chemo treatment, the one who encouraged her to get on with her life after cancer—was treating her like a child. Well she wasn’t one. At thirty-two, she could very well make her own decisions.
She’d been prepared for a mild scolding. The “Are you sure you’re ready for this?” or even possibly “Maybe you should wait a while before you try it.” But she had not expected Clint to pitch a fit in the middle of her living room. Granted, she’d just dropped a pretty large bomb at his feet, but he’d always been supportive. Why couldn’t he just suck it up and go with it? Karon clenched her fists as she listened to him rant and rave. She allowed the rage inside to burn, let her temper flare.
So baby brother thought he could be her parent? News flash—their parents died sixteen years ago. The overgrown two-year-old would not tell her what to do with her life.
Deep breath. She could do this. With or without him. “I don’t just want to do it. I will do it.”
“Karon, this is crazy.” Hands on his hips, Clint towered over her. “Do you have any idea what it takes to climb a mountain? Good grief! You’re a kindergarten teacher. What will the parents of your students think? And you’re so tiny…. You’re still recovering.” He stuck a finger in her face. “And don’t you roll your big brown eyes at me. When I told you I had lots of paid vacation I needed to take, I was offering to take you to Hawaii or something. You know, to celebrate your one-year remission—but this?”
Karon stood and mustered up all the fight she had left. “Let’s get one thing straight right now. This has nothing to do with your offer of a vacation. It’s something I’m doing. With my vacation time. You are not part of this decision-making process. You are not in charge of my life. And you will never speak to me that way again.”
Clint’s eyes grew round, his eyebrows raised. “What are you saying?”
Hardheaded little punk. “You heard what I said, Clint. I’m not going to repeat it like you are one of my five-year-old students. Get over it, and move on.”
He had the nerve to laugh. His eyes met hers again. Holding up his hands in submission, Clint wisely stopped laughing. “Wow. I guess you have the right—”
“You guess?”
“All right, fine. You have the right to make your own decisions.” He turned toward the window. “You’ve been through a lot. Maybe this is just some weird desire you have right now, and you’ll change your mind after you’ve had time to think about it and go through all the training. Until then, I will support you.” He put a hand on her shoulder. “I’ve never seen you so riled up before. Maybe you should sit down.”
Ooh, he made her so mad. She flung off his hand and straightened her shoulders. “Get out, Clint.” Mr. Know-it-all thought he could boss her around. What did he know anyway? She’d already started the training.
He swung around. “Karon, you can’t be serious.”
“Oh, I’m serious. In fact, I’d like nothing more than to punch you in the nose right now. Get out.” This felt entirely too good. Maybe she needed to vent more often. She felt so … alive.
He turned those puppy dog eyes on her. “I’m sorry—”
“Too little, too late.” She shoved him toward the door.
“Wait, Karon, be reasonable.” He back-stepped to keep his feet under him.
“I’m done being reasonable. Don’t you get it?” She yanked open the door. “I almost lost my life. Yes, you were there for me. You’ve always been there. But you’re smothering me.” She pushed him through the opening. “I am not fragile. I don’t want to live in a bubble. And I definitely don’t want to sit here for the rest of my life wondering if or when the cancer’s going to come back.”
“Karon—”
“Don’t Karon me. I want to live, Clint. I want to experience life in a whole new way. I want to take risks. I want to enjoy myself. I want to fall in love and get married and have a family. And I want to climb the tallest mountain in North America.”
