Alive in Alaska by T. A. Martin Read Free Book Online Page B

would be at the hospital in about an hour and a half.
    Bill was a little nervous about the flight, but the thought of getting back with Betsy overwhelmed that feeling.   Danielle's plan was that when she got to the hospital after the doctors had looked her over, she would briefly check in with Jake and then go to see Bill and Betsy.   She was very concerned for Betsy.   As fit as the sixty-five-year-old was she had received a lot of physical insults in the last several days.   She wondered how she would find her new friend.   Except for the bruising of the tailbone from the crash itself, Bill was not injured.   That had made the hike uncomfortable but not painful.   Mostly for Bill, it was worrying about his wife.
    The Caravan was descending now and setting up for the approach into Fairbanks International.   What an ending to the trip.   Danielle had matured more this last week or so than she had in the last several years.   She had been a strict follower because of her great respect for her father, and now she had become a competent leader because of the encouragement of the crew leader she respected.   The slight bump of the landing signaled the return to her reality.
    A Fairbanks Memorial transfer van met them at the terminal, and they got aboard for the twenty minute trip to the hospital.   Everyone was checked out by the ER doctors and released except Jake, who they admitted for treatment of the arm and shoulder.   After her release, Danielle found out where the Bigelows were and made her way to Betsy's room.   She walked up to the nurses station.
    “I want to visit Mrs. Bigelow,” She said.
    “They’re down the hall two doors on the right,”   Said the nurse.
    She walked down the corridor then saw Bill talking to someone just behind the door opening.
    ~~~
    “Danielle, darling, I was so upset when we got the message that your plane had crashed,” Katty Eagleton said with her slight Russian accent.   She embraced her daughter as both were weeping.
    "Mom!   I'm OK Mom; I'm OK, and I am so glad your here."
    Kooz Eagleton was right behind them and waited his turn to hug his girl.
    They stood in the doorway of the room where Betsy Bigelow was in the bed with her leg in a cast and elevated by a traction unit.
    “Mom, Dad I want you to meet my friends from Arizona, Betsy and Bill Bigelow.”
    “We just met, and it is so good to know the parents of our personal hero.   We would not be alive without your daughter’s efforts,” Said Bill.
    "We have had more than we bargained for, didn't we Danielle.   This girl is an amazing woman.   It is apparent, she was raised right," Said Betsy.
    Recovering slightly from the praise for their daughter, Kooz said. “Danielle is our pride and joy.   We’re so glad that you all came through the ordeal as well as you have.   We were shocked that this had happened and not a little guilty that we had put her in the situation.”
    At that point, an aide walked into the room to collect Betsy's food selection card.
    “Why don’t we go down and get a tray to bring up to the room,” Said Bill.
    "We'll have time to talk later, and the nurses will be in soon to work on me, go ahead down with the Eagleton's and have lunch in the cafeteria.   Talk to them about our conversation this morning," Said Betsy.
    "OK, that sounds like a good idea.   May I take you to lunch?" Asked Bill.
    “Well we are hungry from the drive up, but we will pay,” Said Kooz.
    “Well no you won’t, just remember your daughter saved our lives!” Said Bill in a good natured way.
    “OK, OK we’ll let you pay.”
    “Danielle, please go with them, I’ll be fine.”
    “I am suddenly hungry,” Said Danielle.
    The four left as the nurses and aides arrived to tend to Betsy.
    The room was on the sixth floor, Orthopedics wing, but the elevator was quick, and they got to the first-floor cafeteria in no time.   The Aurora Cafe was well known for their delicious food.   They got trays and began