Her Denali Doctor: Book Two in the Medicine Women of Alaska

By Denise Gwen

Sarah Livingston isn't looking for love when she agrees to run older sister, Rachel Livingston's medical practice for her while she is on maternity leave. She's just going to keep her head down and then fly back to Nebraska and to her fiancé Doctor Grant McCall. She certainly isn't intending to be mesmerized by handsome Jake Roundtree, the nurse practitioner, who challenges her at ever turn . . . While in Hoonah, Alaska, Sarah meets and locks horns with Jake Roundtree, a Physician's Assistant with his own ideas as to how the practice needs to be managed. Will these two find a common ground? Or will Sarah kick the dust of Hoonah off her feet and hightail it back to her boyfriend, and to her lucrative career?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Denise Gwen
• Release date: Jul 7, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005790530

Denise Gwen

Denise Gwen writes!!!

Book preview

Prologue

University of Nebraska Medical Center

December 1 st

---

Doctor Levange? an orderly approached Sarah as she checked her cell phone.

Hey Jerry, she said, give me a sec, do you mind? I just got a message from my sister in Alaska.

Oh, okay, Jerry said. They’re ready for you.

Okay, thanks.

He walked away.

Sarah didn’t normally allow interruptions in her busy workday, but a text message from her four-years-older doctor sister meant something was up. She ducked into the tiny office that she shared with a number of other residents, slid behind the metal desk and pressed the speed-dial button for her sister in Alaska.

The phone only rang twice before Rachel picked up. Hello? she said breathlessly.

Hey, Sis, it’s me.

Oh, thank you, Sarah, for calling me back.

How you doing? Any sign of the baby yet?

"Nope, still pregnant. And I’m so ready for this baby to be born."

Sarah leaned back in her chair and stretched out her back. She’d been on her feet all day. I just finished my rounds, so you’re calling at a good time.

Oh, I’m so glad, Rachel said with hearty cheer.

It sounded a trifle forced, and Sarah tensed. What’s wrong?

Rachel laughed nervously, and despite the fact that three-thousand miles separated them, Sarah could see her sister in her mind’s eye. She was probably seated at her desk and pulling at an errant strand of hair, her usual nervous tic. Am I that obvious?

I’ve only known you my whole life, so, yeah, I know my big sissy.

In a stricken voice, Rachel warbled, I need your help.

Sarah straightened up in her chair.

Uh, oh, this is serious.

What do you need?

I’m going to jump in and tell you—heck, I’m desperate, Sarah—I’m begging you. Will you come to Alaska and run the Tlingit Reservation Medical Clinic in Hoonah for me while I’m on maternity leave?

"You want me to come to Alaska? Sarah wheeled the chair around to gaze out the window. This view of the snow-packed winter parking lot did not inspire. She recalled the name of the town where her sister had settled. Don’t you and Paul live in Juneau? Aren’t there a lot of doctors out there who can do locum tenems work?"

There are, but the clinic out at the Indian Reservation in Hoonah is remote and hard to get to.

Sarah shook her head, still confused. How am I getting to Hoonah?

Wait, that’s right. You’d have to land in Juneau first, and then Paul could take you to Hoonah, introduce you to the staff . . . the problem is, it’s getting hard for me to divide my time between the two clinics—Paul or I used to visit Hoonah once every week—and I thought—

If you can’t travel, and I totally get that, as huge as you probably are—

Thanks for that, I really appreciate it.

What I’m saying is, why can’t Paul visit the reservation once every week?

Sarah winced, hating how selfish she sounded for saying this. Her sister and brother-in-law ran a thriving medical practice in Juneau. Paul, ever restless and focused on service, had finally realized his dream of providing medical care to the Tlingit Tribe with a brand new facility in Hoonah.

And, judging from Rachel’s phone call, both clinics needed a full-time doctor.

There was another consideration.

Rachel was a workaholic, and if she was point-blank asking her to manage the clinic for her, then she was desperate.

Something’s wrong, or she wouldn’t be asking me.

Silence on the other end.

Rachel? Sarah asked. Are you okay?

The dyke broke and Rachel burst forth with a torrent of words and tears. Paul’s worried about me. He doesn’t want me taking the ferry anymore, especially now that I’m ordered home on bed rest. And he doesn’t want to be away from me if something were to happen.

This sounded ominous.

Sarah winced at the reminder that she didn’t have a husband, and then her senses prickled.

Why are you on bed rest?

I’ve got the beginning symptoms of pre-eclampsia, Rachel said in a strained voice. And Paul’s hiding it, but he’s kind of scared.

You sound a little bit scared yourself, Sarah said gently.

I am. I really am, Sarah.

When did all this happen?

It came on me slowly. I started not feeling well, and then my blood pressure crept up.

Yeah, that’s not good.

I don’t know what’s going on with me. It’s so much harder this time around. Rachel’s voice sounded fretful. Olivia was such an easy delivery, but with this one, first thing I do, is develop gestational diabetes, and now this . . . her voice trailed off.

Sarah absorbed the weight of her sister’s words. Things were definitely not great with her sister’s second—and last—pregnancy. And she tried not to let on how much it bothered her, that Rachel had given birth to Olivia when she was only twenty-eight, and here was Sarah, twenty-eight years of age herself, and as yet unmarried.

Sarah’s biological clock had waited until she’d finished her residency to start ringing, big time. It hurt to talk to a sister who was blissfully pregnant—well, perhaps not blissfully, but pregnant nonetheless—with her second child.

Who am I kidding? It hurts a lot.

Rachel sounded terrified.

Rachel, honestly, I wish I could help, but Dad’s not doing so great.

I know, Rachel said. And I’m so sorry for putting you in this spot.

Yeah, Sarah said, and fell silent.

In the past year, their widowed father had fallen twice; the first time in the kitchen, grazing his forehead on a counter; the second time in the den, nearly missing the brick fireplace and a serious head injury. The falls had been bad enough, and Sarah tried not to dwell on what might have happened if Dad had gotten seriously hurt. Rachel knew of these falls, but she didn’t know how fast Dad was declining. He’d grown frail and weak in the past year, and it worried her.

Sarah had yet to share this opinion with her sister, but she sensed that he wouldn’t survive another year.

This Christmas might be his last.

I feel so bad for asking, Rachel said in a low voice. We’ve got a lot of women at the clinic who are expecting.

I see.

I wouldn’t ask if it weren’t urgent.

I can tell, I can hear it in your voice. How soon are you talking?

Rachel laughed grimly. Can you be on the next plane? I’m paying for your ticket, by the way. Open-ended, so you can come home whenever you’re ready.

That bad, huh?

Sarah spared the icy parking lot a withering glance and chided herself for being so wrapped up in her own problems that she’d failed to notice her sister’s distress. Rachel was scared.

You’re not losing the baby, are you?

A hiccup, then a sob. I don’t think so, but I’m not sure, you know?

Yeah, sweetie, I know.

I can’t take care of my patients anymore. I can’t manage it.

Sarah’s mind whirred.

Her timing’s perfect. My new position starts January first, but I’ll bet I could postpone it for a month or two. If they fuss, Grant can smooth it over with them.

Doctor Grant McCall was her one-time mentor and now live-in lover.

An idea popped into her head.

It may help us to spend a little time apart. If I leave for a month or two, it’ll encourage him to straighten out his priorities. He can focus on becoming the department chair without worrying about us.

Rachel choked back tears.

You know, Sarah said slowly, I’ve always wanted to visit Alaska.

I’m so grateful for you, Rachel said, her voice ragged.

And I’m so grateful for you. When do I leave?

Chapter One

Tlingit Reservation Medical Clinic, Hoonah

December 7 th

---

When is this sister of yours going to show up? Physician’s Assistant, Jake Roundtree, walked out of a patient exam room, sauntered over to the nurses’ station and dropped the patient file onto the counter in front of Dr. Rachel Livingston. He shoved his hands deep into his pockets and gazed down at her as she studied a chart on her laptop.

Rachel glanced up at him and grinned. Are you hoping to fall in love with my younger sister, Dr. Jake?

Humph, Jake snorted and rocked back on his heels.

Ever since this past Monday, this had been a running joke between them, ever since Dr. Rachel told him that her sister was flying up from the lower forty-nine to run the Tlingit Clinic for her while she stayed home on bed rest. He cast a sidelong glance at her swollen belly and grimaced.

This sister had better get here soon.

He waggled his eyebrows at her. So, what’s the 411 on Doctor Sarah Levange?

Oh, she’s smart.

You’re not gonna tell me anything, are you?

His smile faded as her face contorted with sudden pain.

Doc? Rachel? You okay?

She closed her eyes for a long moment; he watched as she breathed in slowly, then let it out, before opening her eyes.

I’m okay, she said finally.

Another Braxton Hicks contraction?

Yes.

Are you sure it’s not real labor starting?

No, she said firmly. Paul says I’m not due to deliver till January the second.

I got news for you, Doctor Rachel. Babies follow their own schedule.

She snorted with laughter. Tell me about it.

And I know you adore him, but Doctor Paul’s been wrong before, you know.

She smiled up at him. I’m fine, Jake, really. Just another Braxton Hicks.

Okay, Doc, if you’re sure.

Rachel rose unsteadily to her feet. You wanna know something, Jake?

What’s that, Doc?

I’m gonna lie down for a few minutes.

Okay, Doc.

Jake watched with uneasiness as she walked to the break room and kitchenette. He walked back over to the window overlooking the parking lot and sighed.

Sarah Levange had better get here soon before everything falls apart and this clinic has to close.

Chapter Two

Sarah had managed to stay awake during the ferry ride to the Tlingit Reservation Medical Clinic, while her brother-in-law, Paul Livingston, shared his stories of the Tlingit people, but once the SUV pulled off the ferry ramp and hit the open road, her jet lag and her exhaustion overcame her, and she dozed off.

The SUV bumped hard on something in the roadway then, suddenly, the rhythmic and soothing sensation of a car in movement came to an abrupt stop.

Sarah, we’re here.

What? Oh, well, my goodness. Sarah opened her eyes and looked around her with confusion. All she saw was dense forest. Where?

Here.

Paul pulled the SUV slowly up an incline. As the trees parted way, she gazed up at the low-slung building with the sign Tlingit Reservation Medical Clinic above it, and her heart plummeted.

It’s so small.

Paul had raved be to her about the new facility, telling her how modern, how wonderful it was, and her hopes had risen, but this did not inspire.

Paul glanced over at her, noticed the look on her face, and smiled ruefully. It’s brand new to me, but I’m sure it’s something of a letdown to you.

Oh, no, no, she assured him hastily, while inwardly, she agreed. She’d grown accustomed to top-rate facilities during her medical school years, but it wasn’t just the size of the place that made her uneasy. It struck her as forlorn.

I only have to stay here six weeks. As soon as Rachel returns to the clinic, I can head home to Omaha . . . and to Grant.

We here? a plaintive voice called from the backseat.

Yes, Olivia, Sarah said to her four-year-old niece, strapped into her toddler seat. We’re here.

The child blinked She too had fallen asleep after the ferry ride.

That’s right, honey, Paul said. We’re here.

Mommy?

Sarah unbuckled her seatbelt. Mommy’s inside, sweetheart. She opened the passenger side door, and a blast of frigid air slapped her face. She’d grown up in Nebraska, she was accustomed to cold, but the chill of this wind shot straight through her and lodged in her bones.

Brrrr, she shivered, and drew her heavy coat across her torso. She slammed the door shut and walked to the backseat door and wrenched it open. She jumped up onto the seat to unbuckle her niece from the bucket seat. The locking mechanism released with a satisfying thunk! and Olivia tumbled into her arms. Burrowing her face in Sarah’s shoulder, she whimpered. Mommy, I want my mommy.

We’ll get you to Mommy in a jiffy, Sarah said. She kissed the child’s forehead and snuggled the girl against her chest as she wrapped the coat around her. Olivia steepled her fingers together behind Sarah’s neck and rested her head on Sarah’s shoulder. Sarah’s heart burst open with love for the little girl. It warmed her body, right to the core.

Paul slammed the door shut and walked across the frozen tundra, his medical kit tucked under his arm. It’s this way. I’ll bring in our bags later, after we eat.

Okay.

Sarah’s belly growled. She’d nearly forgotten her hunger, but now that a meal awaited, her belly roiled. She was starving.

Stay close to me, Paul called out. The winds can get really bad right off the Icy Strait Point.

You don’t need to remind me, Sarah muttered, and hurried to catch up to him.

Hurry, Aunt Sarah, Olivia said.

I am, Sarah said, and a sliver of chill crept down her spine.

This is freaking cold!

Chapter Three

Jake Roundtree stood at the window close by the entrance, keeping an eye out for the travelers, but it was tough going, for night had fallen and the sky had turned pitch black.

He tried squinting, but it was no good. The view didn’t change. Out of the corner of his eye he detected movement, then headlights shone into his eyes. He blinked, looked away, then jumped at the sight of two hooded figures emerging from the dark. He recognized the taller one instantly as Doctor Paul Livingston, and the shorter, stout figure, must be . . . hmm.

Paul hurried to the door and threw it open, and the second figure followed. A tiny face peeped out from below the collar. Ah, Olivia, being carried by . . . Dr. Rachel’s sister? What was her name again?

We’re here, Paul said, and shook the icicles off his coat.

His first impression of the woman as stout was mistaken, for she wore a heavy coat and had tucked Olivia inside to keep her warm.

She really loves that little girl.

His heart warmed at the sight of her and Olivia, who laughed when she saw him. Uncle Jake, she cried out. This is my aunt Sarah.

The aunt’s bright green eyes sparkled merrily, and a pang of desire pierced him.

God, she’s pretty.

In a strained voice, Jake said, Well, thank you for telling me that, Olivia.

She’s from—Aunt Sarah’s from . . . Nebra-Nebra-Nebra—

To distract himself, he grabbed a broom and used it to brush the snow off Paul’s coat, then turned his attention to Sarah.

Oh, wait, Jake, Paul said, and reached for the broom. He brushed the snow off his feet and stamped the rest of the icy particles onto the welcome mat. Paul handed the broom back to Jake, who turned and swept the snow off Sarah’s coat and boots.

He’d been grateful for the distraction, for in all the time that he spent sweeping snow of Paul’s and Sarah’s coats, and then attending to her boots, he’d made a point of not gazing into her mesmerizing eyes.

He’d noticed something in her gaze.

Something dangerous.

Nebraska, sweetheart, Sarah said, and shivered. "Oh, my goodness, we were outside for only a second, but boy, was that cold."

Sarah lives in Nebraska, Jake, Paul offered helpfully.

Ah, thank you, Doctor Paul, I kinda already knew that.

Ah, that’s right, Paul chuckled. Olivia just told you.

That’s right, Paul, Sarah said, and way to go Paul, staying on top of the ball, there.

She glanced over at Jake to exchange a knowing smile, and he winked at her.

She’s got a good sense of humor, that’s a plus.

Do you see what I have to put up with, Jake? Paul asked with mock resignation. Two women correcting me all the way from Juneau.

You probably deserved it, Jake said dryly, and Sarah laughed.

Olivia wriggled around in Sarah’s coat. Uncle Jake, she cried out, Auntie Sarah’s making me hot, hold me.

Ah, if only she’d do me the favor . . .

As he accepted Olivia into his embrace, his nostrils flared with the sweetly exotic scent of Sarah’s perfume. If he weren’t already captivated by this green-eyed beauty, he was now, and he wondered how in the world he’d manage to work alongside her for the next six weeks of Rachel’s confinement without losing his mind. His heart skipped and shuddered.

I’m falling under her spell.

Ice crystals melted into her raven-black hair, making it damp. A few tendrils clung to her cheeks with a lover’s caress. How he longed to pull an errant strand of hair off that dewy cheek and tuck it behind her ear.

Her green eyes, bright and piercing, gazed warily at him.

Ah, so she’s a little bit skittish.

Somehow, this helped to assuage his own nervousness.

I love you, Uncle Jake, Olivia said, and kissed him on the cheek.

He held her compact little body close against him and studied Doctor Sarah Levange’s features, while keeping up a light-hearted patter. It sure is cold, and I’m so glad all three of you are safe and sound.

Sarah ran her fingers through her hair, pulling out sections of it from under the coat collar and draping it across her neck. It formed a curtain down her chest.

Hah, look at me, she said. And here I thought I knew cold, eh? Growing up in the cornhusker state.

He gazed at her, unable to tear himself away. Her cheeks, flushed pink from the cold, gave her an animated appearance, and as she gazed around her with interest, he got an unprecedented opportunity to simply drink her in.

Wow. She’s just… wow.

When he stood right in front of her, she came up to the underside of his chin. She was short, as in diminutive. And slender, he could see, as she eased her coat off. And then she did something interesting. She turned her coat inside out, with the lining on the outside, and draped it across her arm. She’d learned that from someone, who’d taught her how to take care of her clothing. Her bright green eyes radiated a keen intelligence.

She reminded him of an exotic cat, a panther, to be exact.

We’ve got a coat closet, he said, gesturing for her coat.

That’s okay, I may put it back on again, she said.

Okay.

He’d never before in his life met a more beautiful girl.

How quickly you forget, Jake. One did come before her.

She took a few steps around the foyer, apparently not noticing him staring, which was all to the good. With the ice crystals glowing in her hair and her radiant complexion, she struck him as an ethereal, fairy-tale creature.

And yes, she reminded him of someone from his past.

But there was no way on earth that kind of love could ever be repeated, not ever.

Chapter Four

Sarah was in shock.

In the car on the way