“What?”
A growl escaped his throat, and he yanked the duffel from between my feet. He rummaged through the bag and pulled out a bottle of pills. He popped one and offered one to me. I took it.
“I called my dad and told him I needed help. He said if I could get to Alaska, he’d give me the keys to a house.”
Okay, we can start over.I sighed and sat back. Thepill took effect after a few short minutes, and I closed my eyes.
“I’m sorry our time in Dallas wasn’t like I planned.” His shaky voice caught my attention. It was unlike him to be remorseful. “I wasn’t able to provide for you. I promise we’ll have the best life once we get back home.”
I believed him and pushed my luck. “How did we pay for the flights? Did you sell my necklace?”
A smirk transformed his face; he chuckled. “That necklace is fake. I found it at a Halloween store.” He glanced at me and frowned. “You really thought it was real? Awe, that’s so cute.”
When he stopped laughing, he answered my original question. “With your past, I knew you’d be happy to help. You didn’t think twice about having sex for money in Seward, so I figured that was the fastest way to make some cash.” He kissed me on the cheek. “You did good. We’re going home thanks to you.” He licked his lips and closed his eyes. “You did real good.”
I HAD ONLY EVERbeen in one airplane before: the one we rode to get to Dallas. My second experience was totally different. In so many ways. On the first flight, we were planning our life. Cody would make good money at his job, and I would be a stay-at-home mom once we decided to start a family.
In my head, the plans had a bright aura as if purity and positivity surrounded us. On the flight back to Alaska, we left behind a few dark months.
Our plans had backfired; Cody never really began his career, and I only angered him with how I wanted our life to come together. As much as I hated the things he made me do for money, he seemed to get pleasure from watching. I hoped that life filled with darkness wouldn’t follow us home.
We landed in Anchorage late at night and hopped on a shuttle to the nearest hotel. Cody told the driver we had arrived for our honeymoon. The thought of newness gave me hope.
I wondered if my mom even knew I had left Alaska and thought about calling her. Cody wouldn’t approve, so I pushed the thought out of my mind. I didn’t want to cause any unnecessary tension.
The name-brand hotel had been too expensive, so he pulled the suitcase behind him and I carried both duffels alongside Spenard Road to the nearest run-down cheap motel. After a quick check-in, we pulled our bags up the steps to our room at the end of the hall.
Exhausted and feeling dirty from our conversation while we waited to board, I immediately opted for a shower. I had spent a long thirteen hours and two layovers thinking about how our life would be different once we got away from the negativity in Dallas.
Cody made a phone call, and I didn’t question who was on the other end of the line.
The next morning, we took our bags to the motel office. “Did someone drop off a key last night for me? Cody Miller?” The attendant nodded and handed Cody a key and an envelope.
I followed my husband to an old truck which had been waiting for us in the parking lot. He loaded our bags in the back. “Ready to see our new home?”
Not questioning his connections, I shrugged. “Yeah. Where we headed?” I prayed now that we were back in the last frontier his demeanor would change.
“Surprise.” An old-Cody smile spread across his lips.
My heart lifted.Thank you, God. He’s back. This is the man I fell in love with so long ago. We can do this. It must have been the stress of moving so far away that made him act crazy. I promise I’ll do everything I can to keep my man happy.
SNOW-COVEREDmountains surrounded us on three sides. Even though it was summer, the temperatures stayed cool. Cold compared to Texas. The heaviness in my body diminished as we drove alongside Knik Arm. Mt. Baldy to our right rose above the arm like a protective big brother.I feel safe again.The thoughtsurprised me. Had I really not felt safe in Dallas?
Cody must have sensed my relief; he grinned and pulled into the trailhead of Thunderbird Falls. “Detour?”
“Yes, please.” Energized, I jumped out of the truck, grabbed my jacket, and followed him to the trail covered with a wood-plank walkway. Birds chirped and leaves rustled all around us, in the trees high above and along the ground.
Water flowed down a slope between tall walls of rock, a mountaintop in the background. If Texas had more views like this, it may have been harder to leave. Cody stood behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist.
I leaned back, closed my eyes, and inhaled the scents that surrounded us. Cologne mixed with the piney scent of the forest and the fresh cleanness of the rushing water. I felt a cleanse just from connecting with nature and a renewed connection with my husband.Beautiful.
Relief pushed away any anxiety I had about moving back. It was hard to believe our life in Dallas had actually happened. Confused how the events could have occurred, I decided to put it in my past and forget the days. Easier said than done.
“I’m so glad you stopped and took the time to enjoy our Alaska. This place is so amazing. Incredible. Beautiful. Refreshing. Hard to believe I feel so renewed. Let’s startour life over.”
Cody turned me in his arms and placed a gentle kiss on my lips, then gazed into my eyes. “You have such great ideas.” He pushed a stray strand of hair out of my eyes; love flowed from his touch. “Let’s go home.” A kiss on the tip of my nose sealed the deal.
We crossed the Knik River and slowed. Surprised when he pulled over, again, I smiled.
