Breakthrough Read online

  Brynn slowed the Jeep and turned right onto a dirt road that wasn’t visible from the highway. I was positive she didn’t just kidnap me. Almost positive. We drove through mounds of tall dead brown weeds that bowed from recent snow until we saw an opening ahead. As we drove up the hill, a log cabin appeared. It leaned a bit too far to the left and had a roof that should have been replaced years ago. Mrs. Wright, I presumed, was standing outside with a gun on her hip and a cigarette clasped between her forefinger and middle finger. She pointed her cigarette over at the barn.

  “Brynn. He’s over there somewhere. The coyotes are getting braver.” Brynn directed the Jeep over to the barn and slowed her speed.

  “We don’t want to scare him any more than he already is.” Brynn spotted him by the barn and parked the car. “He’s not full grown yet. He’s panicked and doesn’t know what to do. I’ll have to be discreet and slow.” She put her finger to her lips signaling me to be quiet.

  I looked at her full, red lips and wondered if they were as soft as they looked. When my eyes met hers again, they widened in surprise. Perhaps I wasn’t as inconspicuous with my lustful look as I thought. I nodded that I understood. She carefully opened the back of the Jeep and unlatched the door to a cage that filled the entire cargo area.

  “It’s okay, baby. I’m not going to hurt you.” Even though she was talking to an injured animal, her soothing voice was quite sexy.

  The white and dark spotted owl panted heavily, but finally stopped squawking. I was nervous because Mrs. Wright mentioned coyotes and I didn’t know where they were. My overactive imagination had them tearing through the dead weeds right for Brynn and the crippled owl. Crawling on her hands and knees, she swiftly closed the distance and carefully tossed a piece of material over it.

  “Is he going to be okay?” I asked after she had him secured in the cage. “That was amazing, by the way.” Why I didn’t think to take pictures of the rescue was beyond me.

  “I don’t think his wing’s broken. I didn’t feel anything out of place and he bent it back okay for a few seconds. It might just be sprained. Maybe he hit the side of the barn and knocked himself out. If he were full grown, it would have turned out differently.”

  “That’s a baby? He’s huge.” I turned around to look past my luggage to see him, but I could only see the top of his bobbing head and a few white fuzzy feathers of his outstretched wing. Brynn called the sanctuary to let them know we would be there in about fifteen minutes.

  “He’s more of a teenager. Once he gets to be an adult, he will be completely white and his wing span will be somewhere between four and five feet.”

  “I’m amazed he’s out today. Aren’t owls usually nocturnal?”

  “The snow owl hunts twenty four hours a day. They don’t care if it’s light or dark out. Most of the snow owls are in northern Alaska so this guy’s quite a treat.”

  “You learn something new every day. How long have you been doing this? Helping animals out, I mean. Was it always your dream job? Am I asking too many questions?” I got into journalism to satisfy my over-the-top curiosity.

  “It’s my dream job now,” she said. She offered no other explanation and I didn’t push her.

  “I’m working my way back to my dream job,” I said.

  “What is it you do exactly?” She turned to look at me and again she looked at my lips.

  “I’m a writer for Mainstream magazine.” I waited for that to sink in. Brynn couldn’t have cared less. I’d have to impress her a different way.

  “But you’re here for work, right?” The question in her voice was more accusatory than I would have liked.

  “I’m writing a story about a reality star who scored a fishing show here.”

  Brynn rolled her eyes. Apparently she knew about Dustin. “Yeah, Anchorage has seen more visitors than normal before fishing season this year. I heard rumors about a new show stationed from here.”

  “I normally write about celebrities, but I’m kind of on probation and my boss stuck me with this fishing story that unfortunately involves him. That’s why I’m here. She didn’t give me much of a choice. Honestly, I know exactly zero about fishing. Or nature.”

  Brynn suppressed a smile. “I’m sure your boss knows you’re good or else why would she send you here? To fail? That’s just money out of her pocket.”

  “Um. Thank you? I think.”

  Brynn laughed. “You’re welcome and yes, that was a compliment. Sometimes it’s better to have fresh eyes. So your magazine is equivalent to People or Entertainment?”

  I gave her a nod mixed with a frown. “Basically, yes. I like to think we focus on more than just the normal celebrity gossip. Sure, we might bring up whatever’s going on with that person, but we try to get the human interest behind their decisions. And we don’t drop it and move on to the next new hot button.”

  “It sounds like you take it pretty seriously.”

  “I do. People tend to write off celebrity reporting, but I like the contacts I’ve made and I love it when a celebrity trusts me enough to call me with news or give me the big break.”

  “Oh, so you are kind of a celebrity, too.” She slowed to make a turn. We were probably getting close to the sanctuary.

  “Not at all,” I said. I loved the attention, for sure. My list of contacts in my phone included several actors, musicians, and sports players. It took me years to assemble my list. In a superficial way, I was proud, but I didn’t think Brynn cared so I downplayed my success. “It’s just what I do. I’m one of the lucky ones who loves her job.” Brynn nodded but didn’t say anything. We rounded another corner and once we cleared the trees, I gasped. The sanctuary was set at the base of a mountain range. The visitor center was a massive log cabin with large floor to ceiling windows. Several smaller buildings were visible in the distance, all linked by boardwalks which I assumed protected a delicate ecosystem below. “Wow. This place is huge. And what a fantastic view. Wait a minute. Is that a bear?”

  “That’s Yogi. Melissa’s in there, too. We rescued them when they were cubs. Let me get this owl to Tina and then if you want, I can show you around a bit. I mean, if you have time. I know you have a lot going on.”

  I smiled at her nervousness. “I’d love that. I think I can spare a few minutes. I mean, this is part of nature. I’m sure to learn something.”

  She flashed me a quick smile and headed inside with the cage. I didn’t venture far from the Jeep. I was unsure of the property and didn’t want to end up a punching bag for Yogi or Melissa because I wandered into the wrong area. I saw The Revenant and that movie scared the shit out of me. Now that I knew moose were just as dangerous, I decided I should do most of my reporting from inside city limits. Any city. I headed over to the information sign to read more about the sanctuary and rescue. It was a huge operation with hundreds of acres dedicated to providing the best home for all kinds of animals who could no longer survive out in the wilderness for one reason or another. Injuries were the most common reason. I had a thousand questions for Brynn when she returned. I looked at the time. There was no way I’d be able to ask all my questions that afternoon.

  “Sorry about that. I had to help Tina get our little friend out of the cage. He didn’t want to cooperate the minute I put the cage on the table,” Brynn said from behind me.

  I turned. Everything about her took my breath away. Maybe it was because she was so different from the women I dated. Most were femme, had long hair, wore tons of make-up, and wore short, summer dresses. Brynn was the polar opposite. Or maybe it was just the sure, authoritative way she carried herself wearing that tight uniform.

  “I’ve been thinking. I would like to spend more time here this week, but I’m kind of stressed today. I’m afraid that the car rental place might close soon. Can you please take me into town and once I get settled, I can come back out here?” That sounded self-absorbed, but there wasn’t any other way around it.

  “That’s fine. I grabbed a few local maps of streams and lakes and hi
ghlighted a few that are popular. It’s not fishing season here in Anchorage yet, but there are several commercial fishermen who work year round that you could talk to.” She handed me the flyers and I smiled at her thoughtfulness.

  “Thank you. Are there any good hotels in town that you can recommend?” I felt like I was using her kindness. I should’ve done a better job preparing for this trip, but Erin didn’t give me enough time. “And to thank you for all of your help, I would love to take you to lunch or dinner sometime this week when you have time.” I figured the invitation softened my neediness.

  “You don’t need to, Kennedy. I don’t mind helping out. Plus, this makes for a good story I can tell the other rangers during our potluck dinner next week.” She winked at me as she pulled out of the parking lot.

  I cringed. “It’s a horrible story. I hate that I have to tell my boss. She loves ammunition on me. That’s what got me into this mess in the first place.” I didn’t elaborate and Brynn didn’t ask. “Not mess, but predicament.” I corrected myself.

  “As far as a place to stay for a few weeks, we do have nice hotels, but I think in order for you to really appreciate Alaska, you should rent a cabin. They can be cheaper than a hotel and I could get you a good deal on a nice one. My friend owns several not too far from here. Well-stocked, comfortable, and hopefully inspirational. It’s easy driving distance to the wharf so you won’t have trouble with your interview,” she said.

  “That sounds like a good plan. Thank you again.” I owed this woman everything. I couldn’t imagine anyone being this nice to me back home without wanting something in return.

  “The cabins are on our way. Less than ten minutes. We can swing in, and if you hate them, I can recommend the Crowne Plaza, or the Homewood Suites in the heart of downtown,” she said.

  We arrived in eight minutes and I was immediately taken with the view. The front of the cabins faced a crystal clear lake with snowcapped mountains off in the near distance. Behind the cabins sat the city. I felt safe with society only a few miles away. This location was ideal.

  “I love this place.”

  “Let me go check with Cee and find out availability,” Brynn said. She disappeared into the large cabin that was obviously the office. Two large dogs escaped when she opened the door and galloped straight for me. I took a few steps backward, unsure of their intentions. A sharp whistle pierced the air and both dogs stopped in their tracks. A tiny dachshund came out of nowhere and pushed her way past the two big dogs to jump up against my legs. The welcoming committee was on point. The three faces staring at me made me want to pet them.

  Brynn peeked back out the door to make sure I was okay. “Meet Murphy and King. They are sweet. You can pet them.”

  I stretched my hand out to let them sniff me. The dachshund danced in front of me on her hind legs, begging me to pet her. I wasn’t about to kneel and rub her belly when she flopped on her back though. I had no idea what the other two dogs would do. They seemed nice, but so did Stephen King’s Cujo. One of the dogs actually looked like him. He was a St. Bernard mix. The other was a chocolate lab with a pink nose. After they confirmed I was not a threat, they headed over to the Jeep to sniff around the back of it. I was sure the injured owl’s scent was still strong.

  “Kennedy,” Brynn called. I made my way to the porch, avoiding the little dachshund dancing around my feet. She was bound and determined to be my friend. “I see you’ve met Heidi. She’s kind of a lover.” I was afraid that I would step on her, but she was fast and didn’t get underfoot. “I have keys to a cabin just over there. Want to go check it out?”

  I nodded and followed Brynn along the dirt path. “There doesn’t seem to be anybody around.” I noticed most of the cabins were unoccupied.

  “Well, you are here before the tourism and fishing seasons officially start. That’s why we’re looking at the big cabin because it’s available and I think you will like it. There’s parking right next to it. There’s a grill out front, but don’t forget to clean it off if you use it. You don’t want another animal problem.” Brynn unlocked the door and flipped on the lights. She stepped back and waited for me to slip past her to take a look around.

  “This place is gorgeous. Is the bedroom there?” I pointed to the loft and decided that even if it wasn’t, I was going to sleep there. There were so many windows and I pictured myself falling asleep while staring at the stars.

  “Yes. You still might be able to see the northern lights from there. They are usually not visible this late in spring, but they might make an appearance. There’s also a second bedroom over there, a kitchenette, and a fireplace. The only thing you don’t have here is room service. There’s a coffee maker, though. And I believe Cee puts out coffee cake and fruit every morning in the office cabin,” Brynn said. She blew right by the part about the northern lights as if everybody on the planet experienced them all of the time.

  I was excited about the cabin and had to refrain from bouncing up and down on the balls of my feet like an eager eight-year-old. “How much does she want a night?”

  “Well, she rents it by the week which will work out for you. She can give you a steep discount for the next two weeks, then it will jump to seasonal rates if you stay past that.” Brynn handed me an invoice. My jaw dropped opened at the amount. It was a steal. Brynn was doing me a favor.

  “Sold. Or yes. Whatever. Definitely. Where do I sign?”

  “Let’s head back to the main cabin and you can meet Cee. We can unload the Jeep so you only have to worry about a new car and not your stuff. Ranger Rick already dropped it off so you shouldn’t have a problem getting one that hasn’t been destroyed. Yet,” she said. She did a great job of not smiling when she delivered that punch.

  “The car’s already there? Thank you so much. I think meeting you was the best thing that’s happened to me. I’m definitely taking you to dinner this week. You pick the date and time and I’ll treat,” I said.

  She blushed and stammered. Brynn was confident in everything except women. And maybe I read her wrong, but I was sure she played on my team. She was dapper, handsome, and gave me chills. I’d never been wrong about a woman. I stayed clear of the straight ones except for friendship, and enjoyed myself physically with women who liked women. I hadn’t had time for a relationship in years. The occasional hookup was inevitable when self-gratification was boring, but it never led to anything but a quick lay. Nobody in Los Angeles or Hollywood was exclusive it seemed. I wasn’t going to try either.

  “Remind me to give you one of my business cards before I drop you off,” Brynn said.

  We headed to the main cabin so I could leave my credit card information and meet Cee. Even if Brynn forgot to give me her contact information, I knew I could reach her through Cee. It was an easier way that didn’t involve me lost on a deserted stretch of the Alaskan highway alone with a family of disgruntled moose.

  Chapter Five

  I decided to hang around Anchorage and do old-fashioned research at the public library. Plus the library’s internet wasn’t spotty like the reception at the cabins. The day before had been a disaster and I wanted at least one day that didn’t destroy my spirits. I was banking on today. I called Dustin Collings to nail down the details of our interview, but was forced to leave a message. I wasn’t upset about it. I didn’t want to admit that he could make my day worse, but he probably would have. After eating some fruit and yogurt, I headed to the closest library and settled in for the day. I was one of two patrons there so I didn’t feel like I needed to be quiet.

  The librarian, Mandy, was an attractive woman who was probably ten years older than me. With her dark eyes, long dark hair, and high cheekbones, I guessed she was Inuit. She was extremely helpful in getting information that couldn’t be found on the internet. It was dated, but I was able to pull out a few nuggets of data that further educated me on deep-sea fishing—the fun, the rewards, and the perils of it. She showed me old fishing maps, framed photos of some of the largest fish I’d ever seen, and a fe
w trinkets fishermen discovered inside fish they caught. The stories she told me were fascinating, yet nothing I could document other than as local folklore. That was a fun angle to think about. Details like that helped make stories come alive.

  Fishing around Anchorage wasn’t a thing until mid-May. That deflated my inspiration. My interview with Dustin wasn’t for a few more days so I had to occupy my time getting into the spirit of the story. Mandy informed me that other Alaskan cities started fishing in April, but they were quite the drive from Anchorage. Today wasn’t the day I was going to drive. I was still getting used to the size of the SUV the car rental place gave me. I had to ask for the extra coverage because for the first time ever, they didn’t push. I already had a reputation with them.

  “Don’t forget to take some time to drive around Alaska just to soak in the beauty,” Mandy said.

  I snorted and nodded. She quirked her eyebrow at me. I was too embarrassed to tell her my story, so instead, I thanked her for her help and sat back down at my table.

  She interrupted me after a few hours to suggest a few local restaurants for lunch. “If you are going to write a story about fishing, maybe you should taste the different kinds. Lucille’s across the street serves great halibut. It’s their lunch special today.” I looked up from a diary I was reading about an explorer who traipsed across Alaska in the early eighteen hundreds. There was nothing helpful for me, but the story was so interesting, I lost track of time.

  “That’s a great idea.” I gathered my stack of books to return them before leaving for lunch, but Mandy waved me off.

  “You can just leave them there. Nobody will disturb them,” she said.

  “Do you want to come with me? It would be great to talk to somebody from here.” If anyone could tell me great stories, I figured it would be the local librarian.

  “Sure. Let me just tell my clerk that I’m leaving for a bit.” I watched her walk away and wondered what the LGBT population was like in Alaska. I got the lesbian vibe from her like I did Brynn. She grabbed her coat and we walked over to Lucille’s. The waitress seated us right away, even though there was a wait. Nobody cared that we cut in front of the line. Maybe Mandy was kind of a big deal here.