[Song of Alaska 02] - Morning's Refrain Read Online Free PDF

quite make out, as the woman disappeared under the water.
    The pilot of the boat didn’t seem to realize what had happened. He didn’t even attempt to slow his approach to the docks. People in the boat were calling out and trying to move to help the victim, but it was only serving to make the launch unstable.
    Slapping at the water as she resurfaced, the woman fought to keep her head above the waves. She clearly could not swim. She struggled in such a panicked manner, it left little doubt in Dalton’s mind that she was fighting for her life.
    Without another thought, Dalton pulled off his boots and jacket and, before Briney could even attempt to stop him, headed into the water.
    The shock of the cold momentarily stunned Dalton. He would have to move fast before the water lowered his body temperature to a dangerous level. Swimming with long, steady strokes, Dalton tried to look up long enough to get a fix on the woman. When he didn’t spy her immediately, he began to fear it was too late. He prayed he wouldn’t have to dive to locate her. Just then he caught sight of her odd little hat as she bobbed up for air. With a few strong thrusts, he reached her side just as she sank once again.
    Dalton knew she would probably fight him, but to his surprise she all but collapsed against him as he pulled her backward by the collar. She had either the good sense to let him rescue her or she’d passed out. Either way, he didn’t care, so long as she didn’t resist his efforts. With a strong single-armed stroke, Dalton began the journey back to shore. He heard cheers from the people but ignored them to focus on the job at hand. Neither one of them was out of danger just yet.
    When he got close enough to touch the ground, Dalton stopped and stood. Panting and exhausted, he reached around and lifted the water-logged woman in his arms. Blond hair spilled down from what had once been a carefully pinned bun. Somewhere in her struggle she’d lost the little hat.
    “You’re . . . hur-hurting . . . me,” she protested, her teeth chattering.
    “Excuse me?” He looked down to meet her frowning expression.
    “I said . . . you’re hurting m-me. You’re . . . holding me . . . too tight. In fact . . . I d--.d... . . don’t know why you’re c.carrying me . . . at all.”
    He could see she was younger than he’d originally thought. Instead of a more matronly woman, he found himself eye to eye with a girl surely no more than his own eighteen years.
    “I’m trying to save your life and get you to shore.” Sharp rocks cut into his feet, but Dalton pressed on.
    She seemed to gain control of her teeth. “But you’re pulling my hair,” she declared.
    Dalton stopped at this and looked at her in disbelief. “You have a strange way of being grateful for someone saving your life.”
    She reddened and shook her head. “My hair is caught. Put me down at once.”
    Seeing that the water was no more than a foot deep, Dalton nodded. “As you wish.” He released her and watched as she fell back into the water. The look on her face was one of complete disbelief.
    Dalton watched as she hit the bottom and bounced back up. Sputtering and shrieking, she fought the water and tried to reposition herself. He smiled as she managed to regain some control. With her skirts molded to her slim body, she struggled to steady herself.
    “How dare you!”
    He chuckled. “You told me to put you down. I just did what you said.”
    “How accommodating,” she said, taking her skirt in hand.
    Dalton shrugged. “You’re welcome.”
    She fixed him with a glare. “You are no doubt one of those uneducated ruffians I was warned about.”
    This only served to amuse Dalton even more. “I certainly hope so.”
    He laughed heartily as he moved toward shore. Other would-be rescuers were approaching, so he pushed through them to retrieve his coat and boots from Briney.
    “You gotta get out of them wet clothes. Come on over to my boat.”
    Just then Joshua Broadstreet