Denali Dreams by Ronie Kendig, Kimberley Woodhouse

hand. “It was really nice to spend time with you. Thanks.”
    Zack reached out and grasped her hand then wrapped his other around it. “I hope it’s not the last time we see each other, Karon … in fact … I wanted to ask you something.”
    “Sure, go ahead.” She didn’t let go.
    Her gloved hand felt warm even through the thick layers. “I’d like to know if you’d be willing to go out with me. Later … you know … when we’re off the mountain … sometime.” Idiot. Such an idiot. He almost wanted to roll his eyes at himself. What was he? Sixteen again?
    She giggled. “You mean, there aren’t any great restaurants up here on the mountain? I hear there’s an incredible view.”
    The joke helped calm his racing heart. “Well, I was hoping to take you
out
someplace, not just
up.
“
    “But up is so beautiful.”
    “So are you, Karon.”
    She sucked in a breath.
    “Is that a yes?” He waited. Like a kid. Seconds felt like hours.
    A slow smile formed on her face. “I’d love to go out with you.”
    “So, it’s a date?”
    She shook her head. “No. I can’t.”
    His heart lurched. He stared at her for several moments then squeezed the hand he still held between his.
    “I’m sorry,” she added.
    “Good night, Karon. I hope you get your wish.”

    Zack’s words echoed through her brain as she trudged up the Kahiltna Glacier pulling a sled and her huge frame pack on her back. Of course, he’d been referencing her wish to summit Denali, which was why she was freezing her tuckus off at this very moment, but another wish was at the forefront of her mind. The wish to fall in love and get married. Hope sprouted inside her with thoughts of Zack, but how could she consider going out with him when she hadn’t even told him the truth? What if he had no desire to date a woman who’d had cancer? No. She refused to say yes and then have him fulfill his obligation out of pity.
    Even though the sun shone bright and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky, the wind whipped around her like a tornado. Lionel kept telling her to be thankful, many people never had the chance to see all of Denali because it was shrouded in clouds most of the time, but she wondered how long the wind would batter and bruise her aching body.
    All the training, all the practicing, all the books—none of it prepared her for the real climb up Denali. When she read that the weather in summer on Denali could be worse than the weather on Everest in the winter, she’d found it interesting. Now the bitter wind ripping through her drove the point home. And they weren’t even to 8,000 feet yet.
    “Come on, children,” Lionel yelled back. “While we’re still young.”
    Clint was too far behind her to hear, but Karon couldn’t help but laugh. This expedition was her idea, and here they were. She’d better focus. The summit of Denali awaited.
    Days three, four, and five passed much the same. On day six, the wind died down, and they climbed to 11,000 feet. As the sun beat down on them, Karon took off two of her outer layers. Clint had stopped fussing over her, which was a much-needed reprieve, and Lionel turned out to be quite the spades player—even with just the three of them playing.
    Her body had done well getting used to the higher altitude so far, and she felt strong. Stronger than she’d felt in a long time. If only she’d been strong enough to tell Zack the truth about her cancer.
    The sleeping bag confined her as she tossed and turned. Too late to go back and change her answer to Zack. It was best this way. Besides, she had a grueling climb ahead of her. But she was on her way. To the top of Denali.

    Zack paced in front of the radio, his thoughts pinging around. Why couldn’t he get Karon out of his head? “Any news … um …?”
    “Dude, you’re ridiculous.” The new ranger—what’s-his-name—shook his head and walked away.
    “Can’t even remember the new guy’s name, huh?” David walked up and thumped Zack’s