Chapter 20
S adie
Sadie’s brows shot up in surprise. “Oh, small world. Yes, I recall someone named Kreston.” She did her best to sound nonchalant.
“Let’s get you checked in, then I’ll direct you to your room upstairs. I upgraded you to the full-frontal view of Denali on the third floor since few people are here right now.” She peered down at her computer. “You had a reservation for two. The other person isn’t...?”
Sadie shook her head. “The other person cheated on me, so I told him not to bother showing up.” It was easier to say now that time had passed.
“How awful. Sorry that happened.” Rochelle hesitated. “How about a glass of wine in front of the fire once you’re settled in?” She motioned at the enormous fireplace along one wall, with overstuffed furniture arranged in front of it.
“Actually, I would love it. Be down in fifteen.” Sadie was curious to know more about Rochelle and Kreston. She wasn’t about to pass up this unlikely opportunity.
“See you then.” Rochelle smiled and picked up a ringing phone.
Sadie rode the elevator upstairs to the third floor, where she found the driver waiting with her bags. She couldn’t believe it when she entered the spacious room and was immediately drawn to the front window where Denali filled the view. She tipped him again for her bags, and he thanked her and closed the door behind him.
“What were the chances of bumping into an old girlfriend of Kreston’s?” she wondered out loud. Of course, she’d have wine with her. She thought of what Kreston always said: does a moose drop nuggets?
She changed into jeans and a red cashmere sweater. When she peered at her reflection in the bathroom mirror, she looked gloomy. She applied eyeliner, mascara, and pink lipstick to perk herself up before heading for the elevator and down to the lobby.
Rochelle sat in an overstuffed chair, talking with guests. She pointed to a glass of white wine on the table as she finished her conversation.
Sadie took the chair next to her and helped herself to the wine. A saucer of cheese and crackers sat next to it, and she nibbled on a piece of Havarti.
When the other guests left, Rochelle turned to her. “So, let me guess. You and Kreston hit it off, didn’t you?”
Sadie spluttered her sip of wine, choking on it. “Uh, why do you say that?”
“It’s written all over you.” She grinned. “No one as beautiful as you could go to Polar Creek and emerge without hooking up with its charming mayor, hot postal clerk, and beloved hotel manager.”
“Oh, but we didn’t hook up,” Sadie rushed to say. “And you forgot he’s also a—”
“Bush pilot,” Rochelle finished for her. “Kreston is driven to be all things to all people, or he isn’t happy.”
Sadie appreciated hearing this. “All right, fill me in. I want to know more about him.”
Rochelle repeated what Kreston had told her in the ice fishing shack: all about the exiled Wall Streeter who’d turned his redemption into a mission to save others.
“We went out several years ago, only for about four months, until I took the job here,”
Rochelle explained. “You should have seen Kreston when he first arrived in Polar Creek. Designer shoes completely ruined by snow, putting on a tough guy act, like losing what he had hadn’t destroyed him. But he resonated with the wilderness vibe.”
Through the window, Denali was still visible, a sentinel painted in alpenglow. Even here, the mountain seemed to watch over her—a constant reminder of Kreston.
Rochelle sipped her wine. “The thing about Kreston is, he didn’t just accept help from Polar Creek. His quest became something bigger. Every person he’s helped since—Tucker, Jessie, Aloha, Ten Second Tess—they’re his way of making up for failure.”
“By trying to fix everyone’s problems,” finished Sadie. “Jessie said the same thing.”
“He created a place where broken things can heal. Including himself.” Rochelle’s expression grew thoughtful. “He used to say he felt closest to himself when flying near Denali. How problems that seemed huge on the ground seemed insignificant from up there.”
She hesitated, giving Sadie a long look. “Are you—do you care for Kreston? ”
The question caught Sadie off guard, and she wasn’t sure how to answer. “Well, I...I, yes, but it’s complicated.”
“Always is. I feel you, though. Back when we dated, he was solid in his stance about staying in Polar Creek. I didn’t want to stay.” Rochelle shrugged. “We weren’t serious, so it wasn’t hard for me to leave.”
“Yeah. Only, I couldn’t stay because I have a life in Seattle. A high-paying job I’m good at. A beautiful condo...” she trailed off, sounding lame.
“Who’s to say whether you’re making a right or wrong decision? Just make sure it’s what your heart wants,” cautioned Rochelle. “So you’ll have no regrets later on.”
“Thanks for the advice.” Sadie finished her wine. “I should get to bed. I’m taking the early train to Anchorage in the morning. Thought I’d ride the train since I won’t be coming back to Alaska.”
Rochelle gave her a doubtful look. “You sure about that? You know what they say—once you visit Alaska, you’ll always return. I wouldn’t be so sure.”
“I’m not sure about anything anymore. I’m not even sure I want to go back to my job.” Sadie didn’t know why she leaked that little tidbit. Must be the wine, loosening her tongue. “It was so nice meeting you, Rochelle. Thanks for the wine. And the wisdom.”
“Safe travels home,” replied Rochelle, rising and taking both glasses. “If you want a bite to eat, Eagle’s Perch restaurant is open until ten. Merry Christmas.”
“Thanks. Merry Christmas to you, too.” It was odd to say that here where she was alone, after being besieged every minute of the day by a Polar Creek resident. Christmas would only be another day since she’d be traveling. Then, when she arrived home to her condo, she could brood about being alone.
She suddenly thought of Ten Second Tess, hoping Kreston would remember to equip her with some sort of GPS tracker. When Sadie reached her room, she fished her laptop from its case and Googled the email address of the Polar Creek Mayor’s office. She found it on a State of Alaska website and composed a message. The cursor blinked accusingly as she struggled to find the words:
Dear Kreston, I now understand why you chose to live in Polar Creek. I truly saw Alaska today for the first time. The majesty and raw beauty that humbles yet exhilarates you. I get why you stayed. What I don’t understand is why I left...
She pounded the ‘delete’ key, teardrops splashing her keyboard. Kreston was probably back in Polar Creek by now.
Through the window, Denali’s shadow stretched over the landscape like a sundial, marking time she couldn’t get back. Random thoughts ticked through her brain as she watched the last light fade from the mountains. Each second ticked her further away from Polar Creek. She thought about her rigid work schedule, managing crises for those willing to pay dearly for her services. She thought of Polar Creek, its chaos and heart, and the people who saw worth in broken things.
And Kreston’s kiss.
Jessie’s words from this morning ticked back and forth in Sadie’s mind like a metronome: “You’ll never know what might have been. ”
Shaking off her loneliness, she abruptly stood, not wanting to be alone. She’d go downstairs and get a bite to eat.
At least in the restaurant, she’d be surrounded by the clatter of dishes and the murmur of other people’s conversations...but none like the ones in Polar Creek.