Denali Dreams by Ronie Kendig, Kimberley Woodhouse

would stand on the summit.
    No time like the present to come clean.
    “Zack, I need to tell you something.”
    He turned toward her. “But we’re almost there. You want to stop now?”
    “Yes, I do. I’m sorry.” She fiddled with the zipper at her neck. At least his face was hidden by all the gear. It’d be easier this way. “I told you I really wanted to go on a date with you.”
    “But you turned me down.”
    She took it back—she wished she
could
see his eyes. This was harder than she thought. “Yeah, but it’s because I hadn’t told you something really important.” Deep breath. “I had cancer. I’m in remission, but there’s no guarantee it won’t come back.”
    “So you’re afraid I won’t want anything to do with you?”
    “I
was
afraid. Afraid you wouldn’t think I was whole. Afraid you wouldn’t want—”
    “I already knew, Karon.”
    “You did?”
    “Yep.”
    “And you don’t mind?”
    “Nope.”
    “And I turned you down!” She placed both gloved hands over her face.
    “Well, we can rectify that.” He took both of her hands in his. “Karon, would you like to go out on a date with me?”
    “I’d love to.”
    “How about now?”
    “You’re on.”

    The day couldn’t have been more perfect. Clear skies, calm wind—well, for the top of Denali it was calm—and Karon at his side.
    The sun beat down on them as he led her to the summit. Her wish granted.
    As they stood on the tip of Denali’s peak, Karon took pictures with a tiny digital camera. She turned toward him. “It’s breathtaking.”
    “It sure is.”
    “Zack?”
    “Yeah?”
    “Thank you.”
    He followed his instincts and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “You’re welcome.”
    “Not just for this. But for everything.”
    “I don’t know what everything is, but you’re welcome.”
    She leaned in to him. He’d been missing out all these years, chasing a thrill that never lasted. He was thankful God had saved him and prepared him for Karon.
    “I’ll always remember our first date, Zack.”
    He looked down at her. She didn’t have any trouble balancing since her tiny feet found footing just about anywhere. His massive size twelves wobbled next to her. He squeezed her tighter. She wrapped her arm around his middle.
    “This is the best date ever.”
    Taking in the view around him, Zack agreed. God knew what it would take to bring him around, and then He brought Karon into his life.
    Zack turned to face her. “I’m hoping you’ll agree to share a few more dates with me, Karon Granger.”
    “Oh really? Like how many?”
    “However many we can fit in for the rest of our lives.”
    “It’s a deal. But on one condition.” She poked him in the chest.
    “You and your conditions. I still haven’t followed through on the last one.”
    She poked him again.
    “Okay, okay … I’m almost afraid to ask.”
    “You have to seal the deal right here, on the top of Denali.”
    Zack grinned. “I think I can handle that …” He reached out, took off her goggles and mask, and peeled off his own. Their chapped lips and cheeks met for the first time in the icy, thin air at 20,320 feet. And nothing had ever tasted sweeter. A gust of wind sucked the air off the mountain as Zack pulled back, but he couldn’t contain his grin.
    He replaced her gear and his own as they each inhaled the thin air. “I promise I’ll do it right when we’re not risking our lips to frostbite.”
    She giggled and took his hand. “But won’t it be a story to tell? I’ll always be able to say, you took my breath away.”

Kimberley Woodhouse is a wife, mother, author, and musician who lives, writes, and homeschools in Colorado with her husband and two children.

DARING
HEIGHTS
by Ronie Kendig

Dedication
    To the Talkeetna mountaineering rangers who risk everything on the High One to protect the mountains and the climbers. Through my research, I gained an incredible respect for you.

Chapter 1
    E mbraced by volumes of leather-bound