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Arne shook his head. “He’s not here, but there are enough supplies for a good, long time.”
“That’s right. Ole stopped by yesterday morning on his way to Fairbanks. You save the battery on your ham. I’ll try to contact the Millers, then we’ll come get you when we can.” Dad fired off directions like Arne was one of his kids. “And, son, take care of our Katie.”
Arne’s intense gaze burned deep into her soul and caused her to shiver. “Always. 73.”
Arne’s goodbye ended the conversation, and he flipped the radio off. She shivered again, clutching the blanket close. Now that she was warming up, the shaking seemed to intensify.
“The soup and water should be hot.” Arne grabbed a bowl and mug from the shelf and crossed to the table.
“Is your leg okay?” She motioned towards his limp.
“Yeah. Just put too much strain on it is all. It’ll be fine.” He pulled the soup and teapot off of the heat and poured the water into the mug. “Ole only has black tea or chamomile.”
She shook her head. “I’m shaking so bad, I don’t think I can even hold the mug.” She closed her eyes as a violent shudder ripped through her, making all her muscles ache.
Arne’s feet shuffled against the floor, then his heat was beside her. He lifted her and set her on his lap, wrapping strong arms around her. He trembled beneath her, shivering from the cold himself. He’d been so worried about taking care of her, he had taken no time to warm himself up. She sighed and leaned her head against his shoulder. She pressed her hand flat against his chest, the pounding of his heart hard against her palm and loud in her ear.
She didn’t know how long they sat there before the question burning in her mind rushed out in a hushed whisper. “Did you mean what you said in your last letter?”
He stiffened beneath her, and the rhythmic rub of his hand along her back stopped. “Remember, I have drug-induced amnesia.” His chuckle sounded forced. “What exactly did I say?”
She tucked her head closer to his neck, suddenly wondering why she’d even brought it up.
“Katie?” He pushed his hand through her hair and tipped her head back.
She swallowed down her nerves in a loud gulp. “That … that you’ve always loved me and want me happy.”
His heart that had beaten steadily against her hand pounded like someone had pumped it with adrenaline. His gaze searched hers, a vulnerability in it she’d never seen before. Then his confidence that always shined so brightly took over and blazed hope and love into her.
“I’ve loved you Katie Titus from the moment I first saw you.” The almost exact repeat of his letter’s words buoyed her above her inner turmoil. “You are my heart. All I’ve ever wanted was for you to be happy.”
She licked her parched lips. “Good, because I’m not happy without you, Arne Rebel.” She leaned closer, her lips brushing his. “For both our wellbeing, we should probably stick together, don’t you think?”
She captured his agreement with her kiss, her heart soaring to heights it had never been before. While her love for Jim had been new and exciting and he would always have a place in her heart, the love that she felt for Arne tingled along all of her nerves and muscles, snapping pieces of herself together that had been misaligned. It blossomed like the arctic flowers at the beginning of summer that bloomed with brilliance after hibernating under the insulating snow. It had always been there, but now filled her so completely she finally felt whole. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer, needing more of him. She’d starved the last four years without him, her best friend, the man she’d only just realized she had always loved.
