Free Under Alaskan Skies by Grace Carol Page A

that way? She was so embarrassed she ought to run upstairs and get dressed. But she didn’t. For some reason her feet wouldn’t move.
    She stood there gaping at him and let her gaze drift to his mouth. No, she mustn’t look at his mouth, mustn’t remember how he’d kissed her and how she’d kissed him back. Mustn’t wonder how it would feel to kiss him again this morning.
    The memories of the night before came wafting through the air like the smell of the hot rolls. Both were impossible to ignore. She dropped her gaze from his face and fiddled with the sash on her robe.
    “The massage?” he said. “Believe it or not, I made it up as I went along. That was the first one I’ve ever given.”
    “If it was the first, I’m sure it won’t be the last. I mean… I didn’t mean that I…that you… I just meant you’re so good at it you should…”
    “I know what you meant,” he said, his mouth quirked up at the corners. She was afraid he did know.
    “I’ll be down in a few minutes,” she said as she escaped toward the stairs. “After breakfast I want to head for town and open the library.”
    “While you’re there, I’ll go see Donny.”

    “Matt.” She paused and looked out the window at the low overcast. “I’m afraid we won’t get out today.” She held her breath. Even though she’d tried to prepare him for this eventuality, he might not take it well.
    He shrugged. “That’s what I figured,” he said. “I’ll call the ship later and let them know.”
    Carrie breathed a sigh of relief and went upstairs to get dressed in something more flattering than a billowing nightgown her grandmother might have worn, put on the kind of makeup that didn’t look like she was wearing makeup and comb her hair. Not that she hoped Matt would notice. She just felt the need to pull herself together, both internally and externally.

Chapter Four
    The library was located in an old house built sometime before statehood in the center of town. The yellow and white Victorian-style building recently repainted by a committee of volunteers also housed the historical museum in one wing and a resale shop in another room. Carrie unlocked the door to the museum, then greeted the man who was working in the shop. He looked up from a pile of old clothes he was sorting.
    “Hi, there, Carrie,” he said. “Hear you got a doctor for us.”
    “Just temporarily,” she said.
    “Oh? I was hoping he was going to stay,” he said.
    Hoping he was going to stay? Oh, no. Outsiders don’t stay. Don’t even think about it . “No, Mac, he’s only here for a day or two, to do what he can for Donny. He’s a city doctor, a plastic surgeon who’s on vacation. He was good enough to come here without notice when I told him about the emergency.”
    “What’s he say about the boy?” Mac asked, peering at her through his bifocals.
    “He thinks he’s stabilized. I’m hopeful I got himhere in time to stop the swelling and hopefully limit the amount of injury. But it’s impossible to tell without an X ray and a scan or an MRI, and they are only available at a hospital somewhere.”
    “So why don’t you fly Donny out to a hospital, Fairbanks or somewhere?”
    “Yes, I will, or someone will. But he shouldn’t be moved until he’s better. And another thing, I can’t fly anywhere in this weather. Which is why the doctor is still around.”
    “Hear he’s staying with you,” he said. Carrie wasn’t sure, but she thought there was a hint of speculation in the old man’s eyes.
    “Well, yes,” she said. “I’ve got room and he doesn’t know anyone else in town.”
    “What do you think of him?” Mac asked.
    “What do I think? I think he’s incredibly generous to interrupt his vacation to come here and take a look at Donny. From what I can tell, he seems to be a very good doctor. I think we’re very lucky to have him.”
    “Big-city doc, you say?” he said.
    “Yes.” She had the feeling this conversation could go on all day