Total pages in book: 20
Estimated words: 18322 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 92(@200wpm)___ 73(@250wpm)___ 61(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 18322 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 92(@200wpm)___ 73(@250wpm)___ 61(@300wpm)
I went to college, kept my head down, and ignored any and everything that could be a distraction for me, and now, I am working my dream job.
When my boss tells me that the grant I worked so hard for is in jeopardy of expiring since the man in charge of approving it has yet to do so, I find the courage to cross the water and confront him. My job is all I have, so I need this grant, and so do the penguins.
Then, I walk into the office of Representative Balder Jorgensen, and everything I have worked so hard for begins to pale in comparison to what this determined man is promising me. Love. Passion. Protection. Forever
Can I overcome past pain and hurt to welcome the new beginning I have been given, or will I let old scars ruin my future?
I am a Jorgensen. When we find the woman we love, we don’t walk away; we grab hold of her and never let go. My job is demanding. Hell, my job is my entire life. Most weeks, I don’t have time to get home to see my family at all, let alone date. But I don’t complain. I picked my path, and now I walk it, no matter how overwhelming it can be at times.
*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************
CHAPTER 1
SUMMER FROST
I love my job. How many people can say that? How many people come to work every day, put on a wetsuit, and jump into a giant pool with Dolphins? Me, that’s who. From a very young age, I knew I was going to be a marine biologist. I was always obsessed with animals. Not just your average dog or cat or even a guinea pig. No, it was always exotic animals that were on the verge of extinction. I guess that is one of the perks of growing up in Anchorage, Alaska.
Animals have been my safe space, my one constant since I was a little girl. I grew up in a contentious home filled with yelling, cursing, and breaking glass. My parents never loved each other, it was obvious, but one drunken night gave them me, and they figured it was the best thing to do. My mother was already a single mom to my older brother Heath Frost-we both have our mothers last name-who is eighteen years older than me. By the time I came along, he was eighteen and in the Army.
With all of their fighting, I got lost in the shuffle and neglected, so I would spend my nights when I should have been in bed, at the stables down the road from the trailer park I loved, sleeping with the horses.
When I was six, my parents divorced, and my mom and I moved in with my grandmother. She was a little better. She paid attention to me somewhat. Made sure I ate, was clean, and enrolled in school. School was hell on earth. In the second grade was when I realized something was wrong with me. I was studious to a fault, but no matter how much I studied, I could never master reading. A teacher I often talked to during lunch, since I couldn't eat with the other kids because of the constant teasing and bullying, said the words dyslexic to me. I, of course, had no clue what she meant, but she said she would help me.
For the rest of elementary and high school, I excelled and had special help with reading until my senior year, when I felt confident enough to do it on my own. I graduated with honors and got a full-ride scholarship to the University of Maine at Aroostook in their marine biology program, where I put my head down and focused on my grades. I finished summa cum laude in three years and went right into my master's, majoring in environmental science. Here I am, head biologist for the Alaskan WildLife Conservation and lead biologist of marine life.
I am currently in the water, helping Luki and Loki with their newborn calf, Leki. He was born forty-eight hours ago, and I am trying to help his parents show him how to communicate. I really should be working on my research into why the mating habits of penguins have changed. Not that I can get much done without the grant I applied for. Suddenly a loud squeak noise moves through my head. I turn to see Leki trying to get my attention. “Oh my gosh. Did you make that noise? Good job,” I tell him, rubbing his back. I turn to his parents to also show them some affection, and I hear boots on the ground.
“Summer, can you come here for a moment?”
“Sure thing, Akna.” Getting out, I grab my towel and walk over to my supervisor. “What’s up?” She looks a little pensive.
“Your grant is on the verge of being denied,” she blurts it out quickly, ripping the Band-Aid off, but it still stings.
“What, why?”
“As you know, it has to be signed by the head of the Fish and Game committee, who also happens to be one of our House Reps, Mr. Balder Jorgensen in the next two days, or the proposal expires.”
“Alright.” I say slowly, trying to calm the anxiety inside of me. If this grant dies, I am going to have to start all over. This is two years of my life down the drain. “Who do I need to talk to again? Who do I need to see?” Screw it. If I have to go beat down the door of some politician who could care less that penguins are mating less and less, I will.
“I thought you would ask that.” She smiles and pulls something from her pocket. “His name is Balder Jorgensen. Here is where you can find him.” His name sounds like he is some stuffed shirt who has no clue about the world around him. Well, time for me to educate him.
CHAPTER 2
BALDER JORGENSEN
JUNEAU, ALASKA
“Sir?” I look up from the papers scattering my desk at the sound of my assistant, Josh’s voice. My inner office is separated by a solid oak door that I usually keep open. Out in the other room sits two desks for assistants; however, I only have one right now. My executive assistant, Judy, is on maternity leave for another three months. These last few weeks have been eye-opening for sure. This office doesn’t run right without her iron fist. I need to see about getting her a raise when she gets back.