Alaskan Summer by Marilou Flinkman Read Free Book Online Page A

him.
    “Understood. We’ll take care of their luggage and see that it’s shipped to them.”
    Taking over the office kept Ryan busy until late morning. He finally made it to the hospital to check on Laurette. She hadn’t called in. “I’d better make sure the patient’s wife is all right and see if Laurette needs help.”
    After checking at the front desk, he dashed to the waiting room. He paused at the door to watch the women. Laurette held the older lady’s hand. He could see by the woman’s expression that she was listening raptly to Laurette’s words. “That girl is a charmer,” he muttered.
    Approaching the two, he noted the dark circles under Laurette’s eyes. Wonder if she got any sleep last night.
    Laurette jumped up when she saw him. “Are you looking for me?”
    He smiled. “No. I only came to see if you needed help.”
    Laurette turned to her companion. “Gladys, this is my coworker, Ryan Nichols. Ryan, this is Mrs. Sutherland.”
    She stood to take Ryan’s hand. “This girl has been with me ever since we got to the dock. I don’t think I could have managed without her.” Her look changed to one of concern. “She isn’t in trouble for staying with me, is she?”
    Ryan shook his head. “No, Mrs. Sutherland. Southeast Maritime is here to help you, and it looks like she has done a good job.” He turned to Laurette. “Does Mrs. Sutherland have a place to stay?”
    “They’re letting her stay here. She can even get her meals here, so she never has to leave her husband. He’s doing well, and I assured her we’ll see that they get a flight home as soon as he can travel.”
    “Right. I let the ship’s captain know so your friends on board will know you’re all right,” he told Mrs. Sutherland.
    “I really should get back to work, Gladys, but I’ll check on you later today.” Ryan watched Laurette pick up her Bible and put it in her pack. “Maybe you could catch a nap while your husband’s resting. You had a rough night.”
    “Thank you, dear. I’ll try to do that. Would you pray with me again before you leave?”
    Ryan stood back and watched as the women stood together and held hands. He heard Laurette’s prayer and murmured “Amen” when the women did. I’ve taken care of distraught family members before. This lady is calm and under control. Maybe there’s something more to praying with another person than I realized, he thought. Other than politely waiting while Laurette and Ruth said grace, he certainly hadn’t done it recently. Not even alone. He’d have to give that some thought.
    “I’ll see you later,” Laurette said, then gave Gladys a quick hug. “You ready to go?” she asked Ryan.
    “You look beat,” he said to Laurette as they exited the hospital. “How early did you get to the dock?”
    “Oh, not until nearly four.” She sighed. “Had a late night with Ruth.”
    “Is she okay?”
    Laurette smiled up at him. “Just got her days and nights mixed up. I’ll catch up on my sleep tonight.”
    “Come in late tomorrow. Tyler will be back, and we can struggle without you.” Ryan longed to hug Laurette and comfort her. She did so much for others. Could he do anything for her?
    “Thanks.”
    He walked her to the van she had left in the parking lot. “You want to stop for something to eat?”
    She looked surprised. “Now that you mention it, I am hungry. I’ll meet you at the coffee shop by the office.”
    He watched her drive off. “I wonder if she ever gets grouchy.” He shrugged and walked to the company truck to follow her to the café.

SIX
    “How’s Ruth? Has she still got her days and nights mixed up?” Ryan asked when Laurette came into the office a few days later.
    “She’s been great for the last week. John came by Sunday. He even cooked dinner for us. He called it halibut cheeks. Do fish really have cheeks?”
    She watched, embarrassed as Ryan’s lean frame nearly doubled in laughter. Finally, he gasped out an answer. “Yes, Rette,