Free Denali Dreams by Ronie Kendig, Kimberley Woodhouse Page A

the whole way if she had to.
    “No more cookies.” She yanked.
    “And no more homemade pies.” This time a grunt.
    “Until you lose five hundred pounds …” she huffed, “and apologize three million times …”
    “Ahhhhh!” she screamed in the frigid air. Every muscle burned, but if she let go now, her brother would crash back to the bottom of the crevasse.
    “You owe me!” Another huge pull and she saw what she hoped to be part of Clint’s parka. She had no idea how to get him up over the edge. Her lungs burned. Not enough oxygen for her muscles. Or her brain. Spots danced in front of her eyes.
    Lord, I need some help here. Please …
    Karon closed her eyes and breathed deep. She tugged again. But lifting him over the edge would be a feat. She took stock of her situation. If she could wedge her feet in that crack in the ledge, maybe she could put all her body weight into pulling Clint up and out.
    She jammed her size five boots into the crack and tested her leverage. She could lean back, which would be down-slope, and use her body as a counterweight. A giggle erupted at the thought. Her brother better appreciate the fact that she was strong, because her little frame probably weighed half of his. She’d just have to use every ounce she had left. Clint’s life was at stake.
    Karon prayed again. Not even understanding all her requests, but God knew. She bent her knees a few times and tested her foot positioning. Her little boots wedged perfectly in the crack. She wouldn’t slip.
    Leaning back, Karon tugged and yanked and pulled with everything in her. Her legs pushed against the ledge. Hand over hand, she inched the rope upward.

Chapter 15
    Z ack scanned the mountain below. So far, two rangers had been dropped to help other climbers who’d been hurt seriously in the storm. But no sign of Karon. Yet.
    His heart plummeted. The negative voice inside him tried to remind him that was where faith got him every time. Zack shook his head. He. Would. Not. Let. Go. Of. The. Rope.
    The voice quieted.
    Kyle spoke into his headset. “We’ll find her. Don’t worry.”
    Zack nodded. He closed his eyes and sent up another silent prayer.
    When he looked down, he laughed. There she was. Waving at him.
    Kyle flew close enough for him to drop about a hundred yards away. Zack threw on his backpack and clipped his harness to the line.
    Kyle shot him a look and two-finger salute. “See ya soon.”
    “Thanks.” Zack dropped out of the helicopter.
    As soon as his feet touched the ground, he unclipped his gear and his line and waved Kyle on. Zack used his radio to call High Camp. They weren’t far. And since visibility was better, he could use their help.
    Karon’s laughter echoed down to him. Her arm was still raised, waving to him. But as he approached, he noticed she lay upside down, with a crumpled form about ten feet away, and what he assumed to be Lionel strapped to a sled about twenty feet away.
    Zack hiked to her and shook his head. “Now, Miss Granger. What seems to be the problem?” He tried to hide his pleasure in seeing her again.
    She laughed even harder, hiccuped, and struggled to catch her breath.
    He squatted downhill from her so she could see him.
    “Long story short—Lionel’s been unconscious for a couple of hours. Clint and I were hauling him up to High Camp, or so we thought, in the storm, then Clint fell into the crevasse and was unconscious, too. After pulling him out, I felt like Jell-O and had no energy left, but my feet were wedged in that crack, so I’ve been lying here upside down laughing myself silly and then I heard the helicopter and just knew—”
    He glanced at her boots. “Wait a minute—I’m sorry to interrupt—but you pulled your brother out of that crevasse? All by yourself?”
    She grunted at that one. “Well, me and God. And a little yelling and hollering.”
    “But he must weigh—”
    “It’s my turn to interrupt, Zack. But all the blood’s rushing to my head and it’s