Page 1 of Five Alarm Love
Chapter One
EMT Louise Wrightand her work partner, paramedic Maverick Steen, sipped on coffee Monday morning in the Three Bears Alaska grocery, convenience, hardware, and clothing store.As the only source of supplies for hundreds of miles, this place had it all.
The most critical item?Freshly brewed coffee.
The morning’s steaming drink cut the late August chill.Fall began early in Yukon Valley, Alaska, with cool mornings and warmish days.It was supposed to be sunny and in the sixties today.She’d likely ditch her light EMS jacket by afternoon.
Mav chatted with their friend Tulimak Sampson, who worked the deli counter today.The two exchanged player statistics and debated the chances of the Seahawks going to the Super Bowl.Same conversation every year.Pretty much, same result.
She leaned against the cured meats display.Tuli rested his forearms on the counter while he talked.His short-sleeved Three Bears uniform strained over the thick muscles of his arms.He had let his dark hair grow longer over the summer, and now a wave of it covered one black eyebrow until he pushed it back off his forehead, revealing a twinkle in his brown eyes.His light tan skin, courtesy of an Athabascan heritage, had a much healthier color than last spring when he had nearly lost his leg—and his life.He caught her staring and winked.
Warmth in her chest grew.It was certainly due to her coffee.
Tuli was her closest childhood friend.He had always been there as she went through school and life.From his central location at the deli, he eventually heard everything about every person in Yukon Valley.He was never bashful about talking with anyone… and helping to spread rumors.Surprising how he had never said a word about her breakup with Ryan West last fall.
Truth be told, there was nothing left for Tuli or anyone else to say, because Ryan had broadcast his side of the story to anyone who would listen, both in person and online.
Didn’t matter if Ryan’s side of the story was true.Lou’s personal life had been on display, whether she liked it or not.Now the greater Yukon Valley area population knew how she was a frozen fish in bed and didn’t provide Ryan enough support in their relationship.
Lou’s need for privacy was no match for Ryan’s big mouth.
“You and Doc getting along?”Tuli asked, as he wiped down the deli counter.
Speaking of a big mouth…
Mav’s broad grin made his answer redundant.“Best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
“What about us?”Tuli pressed his hand to his sternum.“We’ve been friends for years.”
“That’s different.”He laughed and glanced at his phone.
The lock screen was a picture of Lee hugging one of Mav’s sled dogs.
Dr.Lee Tipton was a new doctor at Yukon Valley Hospital.She had only been here since January but already had made an impact in Mav’s life and in the community.She had spoiled the plans of a speculator who wanted access to a vein of gold and other rare earth minerals on Athabascan corporation land as well as private citizens’ properties.Now the town and village worked together to manage the access rights, respecting the land and the people.
Along the way, Mav had fallen totally in love with her, and from all appearances, the feeling was mutual.
Lee and Mav were perfect together.A great team.Lucky.
Lou stared at her drink, thoughts muddy, like the milk in the coffee.Up until last fall, she had also been heading in the general direction of a committed relationship.However, uncertainty about her future and a sense of something just not being right had been enough to make her take a step back.Thank God.Ryan went from cuddly guy to growling brown bear in the blink of an eye.
Disagreeing with someone—anyone—had taken all of her courage.She never rocked any proverbial boat, always went along with the flow.Never made waves.
Breaking up with Ryan?Talk about a big wave.
Next thing she knew, her privacy was gone, thanks to Ryan and his inability to shut the hell up.
Everywhere she went, Lou sensed the stares and the whispers.Sure, she might be imagining things, but the damage was done.She had been intensely private before.Nowadays, she walked around every day feeling exposed and hated every minute of it.
That failed relationship with Ryan had gotten her thinking about her promise to Tuli those many years ago.A promise between children, but one she had never forgotten.
Tuli.Her always-present option for having a family.For being a mom and dad together.
But dating?No thanks.She had no stomach for that part of the process.
Her chest wall pinched, and she rubbed at it.
Promises didn’t matter.Not now.Until she knew more about her future, there would be no other people in it, and that included Tuli.
