Katie’s cell number. Maybe she had some good news? Abby checked the signal indicator. Two bars. She might be able to make a call out. She hit the Send button and crossed her fingers.
Good news. Give me some good news.
Katie’s cheerful, “Hey, stranger! Wh—” was like the song of angels.
“Oh. My. God! Katie! Where are you? I have so much to tell you but I don’t know if we’ll get cut off.” Abby smiled at Tarik and mouthed, “My friend, Katie.”
“Where are you?” Katie asked.
“I’m not sure. Somewhere in Canada I think.” Abby looked up and down the stretch of road but saw no signs. “We’re next to a road—”
“Canada? What’re you doing in Canada in the middle of the night? Why aren’t you at the cabin?”
“Long story. Where are you?”
“At the cabin, which, by the way, is empty. Where’s your stuff? And I’m not happy with you. You didn’t come and get me at the airport. I had to rent a car.”
“You’re here? In Alaska? And you have a car? And your phone works? There is a God!” She hopped up and down and grabbed Tarik’s arm. “She’s here! She can come and get us.”
Tarik nodded.
“Listen,” Abby said to Katie, not wanting to risk losing the connection—when she got home she was switching cell phone companies to the one Katie used! “I’m going to give the phone to somebody else, and I want you to take down some directions. Okay? And make sure you bring all your stuff. And your driver’s license. You’re not going back. Got it?”
“What’s going on?”
“Just get a pencil and listen. I’ll tell you when you get here.”
For the first time in who knew how many days, Abby felt like things were going to be okay. She handed Tarik the phone and he gave Katie detailed directions on how to find them. Then after making Katie promise to call when she arrived in Bear Creek, they skidded back down the sloping ditch to wait for her.
She was more than grateful for Tarik’s offer to hold her as they sat on a fallen log to rest for a bit. She was cozy and safe and warm in his arms. There, with a bazillion brilliant stars overhead, he kissed her. It wasn’t a demanding, taking kind of kiss. It was a sweet, romantic, gentle but oh-so-sensual kiss. A kiss she knew she’d never forget.
“Let’s go. We’ll head back to the hotel and wait for your friend there.”
“I can’t believe I just hiked a million miles for nothing.”
“We could stay here. We wouldn’t have to risk crossing back over the border. But I figured a hotel room would be a lot more comfortable, since it’ll take close to ten hours for your friend to drive down.” He kissed her nose and then pulled her to her feet. “If I have to, I’ll carry you.”
“Like hell you will. I can walk on my own two feet, thank you.” She softened her response with a smile. “This girl is no wimp.”
“Yet another reason to love you.”
Her heart did a happy little polka in her chest.
Tarik loved her?
She hadn’t been dreaming the first time she’d heard it.
Chapter Eight
“We’ve located the truck, sir,” Zant said from Torborg’s open doorway. “As we suspected, they’ve headed into Canada. We found it behind a motel in Bear Creek.” The man hesitated for a moment, like he’d wanted to say more. But he remained silent.
“Good. Time’s running out for Evert and the woman. We need to get them in before it’s too late. I want you to go down there. Talk to him. If anyone can convince him that I mean them no harm, it’s you.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll leave immediately. By the time I hit the border, my men should have them in custody. Should I tell them to transport Tarik and the woman to the hospital in White Moose?”
“No. They’re going to need very specialized care. We’re better off if we can get them back here. As quickly as possible. Dispatch the helo. I’m coming too. I want to be down there before they’re taken into custody. We have one shot at this. No one can afford for something to go wrong. We’re cutting it too close time-wise.”
“Very well, sir,” Zant said, jerking a nod.
“Go. I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”
As soon as Zant left his office, Torborg picked up the phone to call The Director. Finally, some semi-good news to share.
He hoped it wasn’t too little too late.
* * * * *
Since arriving in Alaska, Abby had witnessed some ah-maze-ing sights but the one that took second only to seeing Tarik naked was finally seeing Katie.