“Oh, that’s so cool,” Chloe said. “Kind of serendipitous.”
“What do you mean?” I prompted.
“Well, you needed medical help and she’s a doctor.”
I loved my sister dearly, but I also knew—being the one who needed all the medical attention as a kid—what that might have been like for her. She was busy trying to stay out of the way whileI was busy wishing I didn’t take up so much time and attention in our family. I’d hated that.
I’d had my share of social workers who tried to be helpful while I was getting surgery as a kid, and I’d come to understand something about myself. I absolutely hated to be needy. I wanted to be strong.
Maybe this was my way of being strong—choosing to challenge and push myself. But I’d also been born and bred in Alaska, and I loved the wilderness. When I was out in the wild, I felt at home in a way I didn’t anywhere else.
Conversation rolled along. The guys began chatting about scheduling and plans. After dinner, I offered to help Maggie clean up, and she tried to shoo me away.
“Maggie, you invited me for dinner. It was delicious. Please let me help.”
She smiled and acquiesced. Once we got started, she asked, “So, what do you think about staying out here now that you’ve had time to think about it?”
“I know I’ll need something else,” I said carefully.
“Well, like I told you, we have space here.”
“It seems busy,” I said, gesturing toward the public area.
“Oh, we’re busy.” She beamed proudly. “But we have staff rooms and the apartment above the barn if you want more privacy. I can walk you out there, or I can show you the staff room.”
“Honestly, Maggie, whatever you think is best. Of course, I’m happy to pay rent.”
Maggie shook her head as she dried her hands on a towel. “Follow me, and you’re not paying rent.”
“Maggie, why?” I sputtered.
“Because I said so.”
Chloe happened to walk into the kitchen just then. “Don’t argue with her about it.” She leaned against the counter. “Maggie loves a project.”
“Am I a project?” I asked, arching a brow.
“You’re not a project. I like taking people under my wing,” Maggie said. “I’ve got Chloe. I’ve got Elsa, and now you. I love it.”
For less than a second, something sad flickered in Maggie’s eyes. “Come on. I’ll take you out there.”
Chloe winked as I turned away. Maggie led me down a hallway and out a side door. The cool evening air struck my cheeks.
“This barn is the only building that didn’t burn down in the fire,” Maggie commented.
“Oh, really?”
“It was in a clearing.” She shook her head. “Thank goodness. It was where we stayed for a little while.”
“Oh,” I said softly. I slowly breathed in the crisp air. “Is it just me, or is Alaskan air the best?” Pausing, I cast her a sheepish smile. “I’ve only ever lived here, so I don’t have much for comparison, but…”
Maggie’s lips twitched into a soft smile as she glanced over. “It is. Of course, you grew up in Alaska. It’s hard to live somewhere else after you’ve lived here most of your life.”
“Did you grow up here?”
“I did. My parents started this resort. Well, actually, my grandparents, then my parents continued with it. Now, me and my boys.”
We slipped into the barn through a side door, and she led me quickly upstairs, flicking on a light as we went.
