CHAPTERTWO
The company charter taxied to a stop and was immediately met by a white SUV with a Polar Point Logistics logo on the door. Joy immediately recognized Vicki’s warm, friendly face.
“Welcome to Polar Point! I’m so glad to meet you,” Vicki said, shaking her hand.
“Nice to meet you too. And happy that I don’t have to catch any more flights today.”
“Just a short drive left. I promise. I’ve reserved a room for you at my sister’s lodge. It’s the closest thing we have to a hotel in Polar Point. After that, I promise to leave you alone for the evening so you can unwind.”
“Perfect. I’m also excited to get started at work,” Joy said, nodding toward several Polar Logistics hangars located just off the runway.
“There will be plenty of time for that. We’ll get together tomorrow. The whole team is excited to meet you. I’ll swing by at eleven, introduce you to everyone and get some lunch. After that, we’ll find you some more permanent lodgings.”
Vicki’s bubbly, positive attitude was more than welcoming, and so unlike the burned-out corporate types she was used to.
The lodge consisted of a large log communal building with a restaurant. Several smaller cabins were scattered on the property, creating a tranquil and private atmosphere. As excited as Joy was to enjoy her first night in Alaska, she picked up a sandwich, found her cabin, and fell sound asleep.
The following morning, she strolled over to the main lodge, taking in the fresh, clean air and gorgeous scenery.
Just as Joy walked around the corner, Vicki’s SUV pulled up. “How was your first night in Alaska?”
“I’m a little disappointed that I was so tired I slept right through it until just a little while ago. I was looking forward to seeing the Northern Lights for the first time,” Joy said, climbing into the SUV.
“Don’t worry, you’ll get plenty of chances to see them.” Vicki drove through town, pointing out several of the business which she deemed essential for Joy to know.
The Polar Logistics office was a neatly kept one-level log building which Joy thought looked more like another fishing lodge and less like a corporate headquarters. Inside, the atmosphere was calm and orderly, unlike the chaotic rat race at her last job. Joy stopped to watch the friendly, smiling employees carrying on with their day.
“Is everything okay, Joy?”
“At my last job, the atmosphere was so stressful, you could cut it with a knife. But here, everyone seems to be very busy and happy at the same time. It’s just a breath of fresh air for me. This place seems almost too good to be true, but I hope I’m wrong.”
“Our philosophy is that if you are going to spend the majority of your day here, it’s only fair to make it so you want to be here. A home away from home, if you want to look at it that way.”
Two silver-haired men, both in exceptional shape for their age, approached.
“You must be Joy. We are so glad you’ve decided to join our team. I’m Ted McFaul, by the way,” he said, shaking her hand.
“And I’m his brother, Pete.”
“They’re the founders and owners of Polar Point Logistics,” Vicki said.
“And Operations Officers, among other things,” Ted added.
Pete smiled. “So, you can see why we’re excited to have someone with extensive experience with international shipping operations. We’ve been winging it since your predecessor, Martha, retired.”
Ted nodded in agreement. “Yep, we’re more than anxious to hand off the day-to-day operations to you. And don’t worry, you have a talented group working with you. I don’t expect you’ll have any problems. We’ll catch up more later.”
Continuing the tour of the facility, Joy caught a glimpse of a man who turned and smiled at them as he passed by. She tried not to stare, but her eyes were drawn to his muscular physique, his ruggedly handsome face, and his thick dark hair. But more than his mouthwatering good looks or even his piercing blue eyes, there was something else that drew her gaze to him. He had an aura of mystery about him, a good mystery that intrigued her.
“Nice, isn’t he? I saw you watching him,” Vicki whispered.
“That obvious?”
“Your mouth was hanging open, dear.”
“Oh my God. I can’t believe it was that noticeable.”
“Don’t feel bad. If I were single and a few years younger, I’d be on him like a bear on a jelly donut. His name is Adam Caldwell. He’s one of our bush pilots. He also supervises some of our more remote operations.”