Wildly, Boldly (Return to Culloden Moor #4)

Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

#AlaskaLife #GhostHunting #PuddleJumper #ParanormalTikTok

“ O kay you guys, your girl is officially on the TINIEST PLANE EVER!” Sophie zoomed her phone camera around the six-seat puddle jumper’s interior, making sure to catch the pilot’s grin in the shot. “And Gary here is about to land us on actual water. Like, not a runway. WATER!”

“First time in a float plane?” Gary asked as they descended.

“Is it that obvious?” She laughed, keeping her camera steady. “Tell my followers, what’s the scariest thing you’ve seen up here?”

“Besides tourists trying to take selfies with moose?” Gary’s eyes twinkled. “Well, there was this one night, flying back late during aurora season. I swear I saw something in the lights that couldn’t be explained. Like shadows dancing...then noticing me and running off.”

Sophie’s heart leaped. “Really? Can I interview you about that later?”

“Sure thing. Though you might want to hold onto something for this landing.”

Sophie quickly ended the recording as the plane descended toward the water. Her stomach did a flip-flop that had nothing to do with the landing. She still remembered that rainy afternoon in her grandmother’s attic when she was twelve, how she’d discovered those elegant leather-bound books from the 1950s tucked away in an old steamer trunk. Gran had been quite the society wife back then, hosting séances in her parlor like many of her wealthy friends did. But unlike the others who treated it as a passing fad, Gran had taken it seriously.

Among all her grandmother’s spiritualism books, one had captured Sophie’s imagination completely—a rare volume that connected the aurora borealis to heightened spiritual activity. While other society women had moved on to different entertainments, Gran had held onto her beliefs, sharing them years later with her fascinated younger granddaughter.

“Those lights are like a curtain between worlds,” Gran used to say, her eyes sparkling with the same enthusiasm she must have had in her younger years. “And sometimes, if you’re patient and brave enough, you can peek behind it.”

Even now, Sophie could picture her grandmother’s delicate hands turning those aged pages, showing her the careful notes she’d made in the margins about atmospheric phenomena and spirit energy. Her parents had dismissed it all as fantasy, but Gran had understood Sophie’s curiosity, recognizing in her granddaughter the same pull toward the mysterious that she’d felt all those years ago.

Her phone buzzed—a text from her mom. Darling, we’re in Santorini this week. You would LOVE the sunsets here. Hope you’re staying out of trouble.

She smirked. Classic. No How are you? or What’s new? Just another casual check-in from a world away. She typed back a quick reply, knowing she wouldn’t hear from them again for at least another week.

The plane touched down with a splash that jolted Sophie back to the present. She’d been so lost in memories she couldn’t even film the landing for her followers. They would have loved it.

The crisp air hit her lungs like a wake-up call, cleaner and sharper than any place she’d been before. The scent of salt spray mixed with pine and something wild and green she couldn’t quite name. Mountains rose on all sides, painted in a dozen shades of green she’d never seen before, even after years of travel. They soared upward until their peaks disappeared into wisps of cloud, so steep they seemed to defy gravity. The ocean stretched out like polished silver under the morning light, and everywhere she looked, nature commanded attention in a way that made every other place she’d been feel somehow...tame. Sophie started filming again, knowing no phone camera could truly capture the magnitude of it all.

“We have officially landed IN THE WATER! I’m here in Skagway, Alaska, where I’ll be investigating reports of paranormal activity connected to the gold rush era. We’re talking miners who never gave up their claims, ladies of the night still walking their old haunts, and prospectors still searching for that mother lode. But the real mystery?” She paused for dramatic effect. “How the aurora borealis might be amplifying all this spiritual energy. Stay tuned, ghost fam!”

The older couple across the aisle were giving her that look she knew all too well—the one that said they thought she was either crazy or attention-seeking. Maybe both. But Sophie just smiled at them. Let them think what they wanted. Her own parents still introduced her social media career as that ghost thing she does, as if a million followers was just a phase she’d grow out of.

She’d learned long ago that people who didn’t understand her passion—either for the paranormal or for sharing stories online—never would. Besides, her followers got it. They understood the thrill of discovering something beyond the ordinary, of seeking answers to questions most people were afraid to ask, and sharing something of yourself.

Sophie followed the other passengers into the small terminal building, more of a cozy cabin really, with huge windows framing the mountain views. She couldn’t resist doing a quick pan of the scenery for her followers before stepping inside.

That’s when she spotted him.

Tall, broad-shouldered, and looking about as happy as a cat in a rainstorm, he had to be her ride to the lodge. He wore what she assumed was some kind of ranger uniform, though the scowl probably wasn’t standard issue. Her creator’s eye immediately cataloged the details her followers would love—strong jaw, piercing blue eyes, and the kind of rugged good looks that belonged on the cover of Wilderness Monthly. His dark brown hair caught the sunlight streaming through the windows, and despite his obvious annoyance, he had the sort of face that would definitely boost her engagement numbers.

If she could get him to stop scowling, that is.

Sophie smoothed down her russet-colored sweater dress, a favorite travel piece she’d paired with black leggings and well-worn hiking boots. Practical but cute, perfect for her brand and whatever adventures Skagway might throw at her. She’d learned long ago that ghost hunting required both style and sensible footwear. She’d also learned to check the weather.

“You must be Ranger Boone,” she called out, wheeling her carry-on toward him. “I’m Sophie Marlow. Thanks for picking me up!”

His scowl deepened slightly, but he uncrossed his arms and reached for her bag. “Ms. Marlow.”

“Just Sophie, please.” She let him take the bag, noting the way his expression shifted from irritation to surprise at its weight. “Camera equipment,” she explained cheerfully. “Though most of it’s coming tomorrow. I hope that won’t be a problem?”

“The mayor mentioned you’d need another pickup.” He didn’t quite sigh, but Sophie could tell he wanted to. “You can call me Wyatt.”

“Thank you.” She followed him out to the parking lot, already planning how to turn his grumpiness into content her followers would love. The Skeptical Ranger versus the Ghost Hunter—it practically wrote itself.

Not that she was here for drama. She had a real story to chase, proof to find, and a million followers waiting to see what secrets the northern lights might reveal.

Everything else was just...scenery.