Page 2 of His Rescued Mate

Kodiak Island

Alexa hated flying and flying in small planes was the worst. Well, flying itself on a large commercial jet in first-class wasn’t so bad; it was the take-offs and landings that made her clutch the arms of her seat. The problem with small propeller planes was that there were no seat arms to be clutched. None. Instead, she clasped her hands together, squeezing them tightly, closed her eyes, and focused on her breathing.

“Ma’am, I’m a really good pilot. My plane is in tip-top shape, and I promise the flight to Kodiak is beautiful. I can even take you on a little aerial tour.”

She forced her eyes open and felt as though she wanted to throw up. She really hated flying and this particular flight on a small prop plane where she could see, hear, and feel every vibration from the engine, the surrounding air, and the movement of the pilot was the worst. She often wondered why she continued to write for a magazine that almost inevitably involved flying in small planes. The answer was that the adventure to be had at the destination was always worth it. Kodiak Island would be no different.

“I’m sure it is,” she said, smiling. “As you may have guessed, flying in small planes isn’t my strong suit.”

“Is this your first time?”

“God, I wish,” she said with a nervous laugh.

“Why do you do it?”

She appreciated the pilot trying to distract her and alleviate her fear. “The easy answer is because I don’t have a choice. I work for a travel and adventure magazine so flying to remote places is part of the job. The more complicated answer is that I refuse to allow fear to dictate my life. I keep hoping it’ll get easier, but it doesn’t.”

The pilot chuckled. “I appreciate that, and I admire your unwillingness to cave to fear. Sometimes it is that kind of stubborn determination that will get you through whatever it is you have to get through. People up here—a lot of us—came up here to escape something and then found out Alaska will challenge you in ways you never thought of. But for those who can dig-in and stick it out, it is not only a great adventure, but an incredible affirmation of life. So, what’s your article going to be about?”

Alexa grinned. “Not sure yet. That’s the really fun part of my job—finding out what the story is supposed to be and then sharing it with readers.”

“Do you like it?” he asked.

“I do.”

“Did you always want to be a writer for a magazine?”

The pilot had no way of knowing, but that was a loaded question. “Not really. I went to school to be either a novelist or do investigative journalism.”

“Then why do you do it?”

“Because it pays the bills, and because I do enjoy it.” She didn’t add that sometimes, at the end of the day, lying all alone in the dark, she wondered when she’d lost the courage to pursue her dreams to see if she had what it took to take on the world and make it her own.

“I hear that,” he said. “There’s lots of great stories on Kodiak.”

“Like what?”

“People who came to do one thing and ended up doing another. Artisans who came to lose themselves in the natural beauty and ended up finding themselves instead. The wounded who come to heal. Then there’s the land itself and all the wild places and creatures that inhabit it.”

The plane banked and began its final approach to the airport. Alexa tried hard not to show her fear, but she couldn’t help closing her eyes. As the plane touched down, bumping gently along the landing strip, she opened her eyes and began to breathe more easily as they slowed, and the pilot brought them to a stop.

Thanking him, Alexa stepped off the plane. Turning away from the airport buildings, her eyes swept across the rugged beauty of Kodiak Island. And it was beautiful—the air was crisp and clean, filled with the scent of pine and sea salt. She took in a deep lungful. Even standing at the airport there was a primal beauty to the place. It seemed to challenge and welcome her all at the same time.

Adjusting her backpack, her heart pounded with a mix of excitement and trepidation. This trip, like all that had come before and all that would follow, allowed her to explore and experience an untamed wilderness and something new and exciting. But this felt different. She planned to write about either one of the island’s hidden gems or about some unique personality that would capture the attention of those who read her article. And while it was an assignment, it also allowed for a personal journey of her own. Maybe this time she would find what was missing. Find what could help her heal the scars of her past and step into a different future.

She tore her eyes away from the panoramic beauty of the landscape and turned back towards the terminal. The back of a lone figure standing apart from the bustling crowd of tourists and locals caught her eye. Tall and broad-shouldered, he had a mane of dark hair tied back.

As he turned around, Alexa recognized the man. Max Renner was hard to miss. She recalled knowing he lived on Kodiak Island, but not much more was known about him. His reputation as a reclusive artist with a mysterious past had intrigued Alexa from the moment she first saw his hauntingly beautiful collection of carvings and sculptures at a gallery back in Portland. Each piece spoke to her and seemed to tell a story of its own. The carvings were of shadowy figures, animals and landscapes that spoke of both beauty and pain.

She ran towards him, trying to catch up with him before he moved away and disappeared into the small crowd. “Max? Max Renner?" Alexa called out, slowing as he turned and approaching him with a smile.

He turned to her, his dark eyes assessing her with a mixture of curiosity and wariness. "I am and you are?”

“Alexa Carrington. I write for Road Less Traveled magazine. I saw your showing in Portland. It was mesmerizing. I’d love to do an interview.”

“I don’t do interviews," he said, his voice deep and smooth. "But welcome to Kodiak Island."

"Thank you," she replied, extending her hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you. Your work is really incredible. I think our readers would love to know more about you and your art."

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