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CrossReads Short Takes

Back to Denali

by Sharon K Connell

Rachel O’Rourke, a reporter for The Fairbanks Star newspaper in Alaska has been assigned the task of writing an article on the Denali National Park Canine Rangers. Although the assignment could boost her career as a journalist, and she loves the sled dogs, she dreads going back to Healy where painful memories from two years ago are sure to resurface.

Denali Park Ranger, Liam Chadwick, loves his job with the canine rangers. He hasn’t felt the need for a woman in his life and is content to work with the dogs, fellowship with his co-workers, and volunteer with search and rescue during time off from his demanding job. Yet his buddy, Anik Amarock, a veteran musher and Native American of the Inuit people, plans to show Liam he needs more than all work and no play.

When Rachel comes home to Healy, she finds her sister, Deirdre, unexplainably hostile towards her. Could it be jealousy… or something deeper. Will Deirdre’s anger lead to danger for all concerned?

And what is wrong with Rachel’s boss, Jess Gibson, the owner of The Fairbanks Star? Is he in love with her, just being a real pain, or something else?

Mouse in Your Pocket

by Janetta Fudge-Messmer

Jessica Montgomery inherits her uncle’s property—i.e., a junkyard. After much deliberation and prayer, Jess decides to clean up the mess Melvin left her…with her family and friends’ help, of course.

But amid this seemingly overwhelming situation, she meets Jimmy Barnes. He claims her uncle left him the old truck parked on her front lawn. Did she mention he has no proof of ownership, and a tree is growing out of it?

In Mouse in Your Pocket, Jessica soon learns that her common sense flies out the window, except for when it comes to Jimmy Barnes. Can life get any more complicated? In Miss Montgomery’s case, yes, it can.