The Movie Star Rescue Read online

  The Movie Star Rescue

  Disaster City Search and Rescue

  Jenna Brandt

  Copyright

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, places, events and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Locale and public names are sometimes used for atmospheric purposes. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, actual events, or actual locations is purely coincidental. All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, email [email protected].

  Text copyright © Jenna Brandt 2020.

  Cover copyright by Jenna Brandt & Jo Grafford

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Sneak Peek of The Girlfriend Rescue

  Sneak Peek of The Billionaire Rescue

  Sneak Peek of Lawfully Heroic

  Sneak Peek of Lawfully Adored

  A Note from the Author

  Also by Jenna Brandt

  Join My Mailing List and Reader’s Groups

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Praise for Jenna Brandt

  I am always excited when I see a new book by Jenna Brandt.

  Lori Dykes, Amazon Customer

  Jenna Brandt is, in my estimation, the most gifted author of Christian fiction in this generation!

  Paula Rose Michelson, Fellow Author

  Ms. Brandt writes from the heart and you can feel it in every page turned.

  Sandra Sewell White, Longtime Reader

  For more information about Jenna Brandt visit her on any of her websites.

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  The Movie Star Rescue

  An expert mountain rescuer, a starlet filming in a remote location, and the blizzard of the century…

  Master Sergeant James Franklin, and his K9 partner, Siku, are the most decorated mountain rescue officers of all time. They've found and helped over five hundred victims during their career, but after their last rescue went terribly wrong, their DCSR commander insists they need to take a break. James decides his boss can force him on vacation, but he can’t take the mountain out of him. He retreats with Siku to his cabin on Clear Mountain, but arrives just in time to get trapped by snow—a lot of it.

  Nicole West is the #1 box office sweetheart in America. She’s known for her laugh-out-loud romantic comedies, but when she’s offered the dramatic role of a lifetime, she decides she wants to show everyone she can do more than make people laugh. When production gets shut down due to harsh weather conditions, everyone makes it out but Nicole and her team. She’s not sure what they are going to do until they see a light in a remote cabin. The problem—a vacationing mountain rescue cop owns it—and he doesn’t want to share with anyone but his dog.

  Can James let go of his gruff ways to make room in his heart for a woman? Can Nicole focus on more than her career when an opportunity to find love comes knocking? And when an avalanche brings down the mountain, can James and Siku lead them to safety before it’s too late?

  Dedicated to

  my husband, Dustin, Badge #5654,

  who inspired me to create this series.

  You’re not only my heart and soul,

  but my own personal lawkeeper.

  1

  Master Sergeant James Franklin looked out at the group of ten fresh-faced trainees who were at the Disaster City Search and Rescue Academy for his month-long avalanche training program. He loosely held the leash to his K9 partner, an all-white Alaskan husky named Siku. The dog was scanning the area for anything unusual, as she often did. The trainees were expectantly waiting in their seats with their own K9 partners sitting beside them.

  “For our first day of training, we are going to go over the different types of avalanches. As mountain rescuers, all of you know that there is slab, loose snow, icefall, wet, glide, slush, and cornice fall avalanches. What we’ll be teaching you is the different techniques for finding survivors in each condition. People die from carbon dioxide poisoning because it builds up in the snow around their mouth. Statistics show that 93% of avalanche victims can be saved if they are dug out within the first fifteen minutes, but after that, the numbers drop catastrophically. That’s what makes our job so important, and why our K9 partners are instrumental in recovering victims. They have the ability to locate them within a matter of minutes, and that’s often the difference between life and death.”

  “Between Sergeant Franklin and myself, we have over eighteen years of avalanche search and rescue experience,” James’ fellow Disaster City Search and Rescue Academy instructor, Officer Ross Canter, explained further. His training partner’s own sable and white Alaskan malamute K9 partner, Ace, was sitting on his back haunches beside Ross. “We’ve seen it all, from small towns wiped out, to hiking groups stranded at twenty-thousand feet. We’re the best of the best, and by the time we’re finished training you—those of you that don’t wash out—will be able to say the same thing.”

  “Tomorrow, we will be leaving for the Texas mountains where we have our own snow made for training purposes. When we run you through your first exercise, we will see who retains what we teach you today, and you’ll be able to show us what you’re made of.” James started to move through the rows of students with Siku by his side. “We’ll know immediately who is capable of handling this intense training versus who is going to fold under the pressure. Between the extreme conditions and the intensity of the searches, you’re going to be pushed beyond anything you’ve ever endured. Only the cream of the crop is going to rise to the top, so I would take this very, very seriously.”

  “This isn’t like looking for some missing hikers, or helping lost skiers make it back to their resort. You will be tested in the most extreme of scenarios,” Ross added. “Only about half of you will make it through the training, and from that group, only a handful will ever come close to reaching the elite status of a rescue expert like my fellow instructor, Sergeant Franklin. He is the most decorated mountain rescue officer of all time. With over five hundred rescues, he’s unparalleled, and you were selected, out of hundreds of applicants, to have the privilege of being personally trained by him. Count yourself luckier than a lotto winner.”

  The next six hours were spent going over the specific details of the different types of avalanches. The trainees took detailed notes, asked intelligent questions for the most part, and watched videos of specific examples. James was keeping his eye on one officer who didn’t seem to be paying close enough attention.

  The instructors finished up and dismissed the trainees, making sure to remind them of the importance of getting plenty of sleep for their first day of practice.

  “What do you think of the new batch of trainees?” Ross asked, as they walked across the DCSRA campus, passing by the auditorium, training center, and the dormitories. “I’m liking Mahoney for top of the class.”


  “He would be the obvious choice, but sometimes the most confident ones wash out when their skills get pushed beyond what they already know. I’m more interested in seeing what Martinez can do. He doesn’t showboat his knowledge, but it’s clear he knows what he’s doing.”

  “Who do you think’s going to wash out?”

  “Daniels,” James stated bluntly as they reached the staff villa on the far side of the campus. “He doesn’t pay attention, and tends to answer without thinking. He won’t get very far with that attitude.”

  They quickly went to their separate apartments, changing into jeans and t-shirts before meeting back out front to head over to the cafeteria.

  “After dinner, why don’t you come out with me and the other guys?”

  As they made their way through the line and picked out the items they were going to eat, James shook his head, resulting in his brown hair falling over his left eye. “I have to work out at the gym and then I need to run Siku through her paces at the K9 training arena.”

  “Or, for once, you could put Siku in the DCSRA kennel and hang out with the rest of us. You can’t tell me playing pool and having a few drinks doesn’t sound good.”

  It didn’t. James was a solitary man and would rather read about the latest rescue and K9 handling techniques by himself than spend his evening socializing. He knew, however, his fellow instructor wouldn’t understand that. Instead, he blamed it on the job. “Tomorrow’s a big day and I want to make sure I get plenty of rest before we test the trainees up on the mountain.”

  “I’ve never known someone who is so much work and so little play,” Ross complained with a roll of his eyes. “You really need to get a life outside the academy. Don’t you want some company of the female variety?”

  James shrugged. “I’m good; Siku is the only company I need.”

  “If there ever was a definition of a man and his dog being his best friend, it’s the two of you.”

  James knew that Ross was making a jab at him, but he didn’t care. It was true. James was more at home alone on top of a mountain with Siku than he ever was with a group of people. It was why it took him so long to accept the offer of becoming an instructor at DCSRA. He hadn’t been sure he was willing to subject himself to being around people constantly. When one of the victims he saved suggested that he should train other S & R K9 handlers, he realized he had knowledge that could help others, and it would be selfish of him not to share it.

  “I think I’m going to take my dinner to my apartment.” James grabbed a box from the end of the counter. “I have a lot to go over before tomorrow.”

  “You know it’s not healthy to work without any relaxation. It’s going to catch up with you, Franklin.”

  James tried to ignore Ross’ comment, but it nestled into his heart, making him wonder if there was any part of it that might be true. Was he making a mistake by keeping his life all about search and rescue and leaving no room for anything else?

  “There you are Franklin, Canter.” Ben Miller, the Deputy Commander of the academy came up to them with a serious expression on his face. This meant only one thing—they had a call out for assistance. “I need to speak with both of you right now.”

  “What’s going on? Where are we headed?” Franklin inquired with anticipation. He hadn’t conducted a search with Siku in weeks and was already going through the different possibilities in his head. With it being right in the middle of the coldest part of winter, it could be countless scenarios.

  “We’ve been ordered to assist with a search and rescue in Santa Fe, New Mexico, for a pair of missing skiers.”

  “Can’t the locals handle it?” Ross asked with irritation. “It sounds like a routine search and rescue. We have our first day of training on the mountain today, and I think our time could be better spent there.”

  “We don’t have a choice. A favor was called in above our heads, and you are both going,” Ben explained. “One of the missing skiers is the daughter of the Texas governor. He made it clear, if we wanted to keep receiving state funding, we were expected to send our best mountain rescuers there to find his daughter.”

  Great, just what James didn’t want to deal with—a spoiled daughter of an entitled, power-lording politician. If this rescue didn’t go off without a hitch, not only would Canter and he be blamed and punished, the entire DCSRA would be in jeopardy. No pressure, or anything.

  “You’ll be heading out on the helicopter after you collect your gear. You’ll start the search as soon as you get there. They’ve already been missing a couple of hours, so you know time is critical. They need to be found before the day’s end, or they’ll freeze to death when the temperatures drop when the sun goes down.”

  James knew that if the search and rescue shifted to search and recovery, the governor would follow through on his threat. It was critical that they found the missing skiers before nightfall.

  Three hours later, James and Ross arrived with their K9 partners at the Santa Fe ski resort, completely outfitted in their snow gear and rucksacks. James tightened the strap on his helmet, then checked to make sure Siku’s red rescue vest was secure around her body. “You ready for this, girl?” he asked as he removed the leash and gave her the cue to search.

  Beside him, Ross did the same, releasing Ace to follow after Siku. They trailed behind as the canines scurried along the edge of the path, stopping every few feet to check a new area for clues as to the whereabouts of the missing hikers.

  “Where do you think they ended up? The initial search area included the entire west ridge where supposedly they went skiing. When I looked at the map, I noticed there is a section of closed Black Diamond slopes on the east side of the resort. You don’t think they’d be stupid enough to try skiing there, do you?”

  “They’re entitled trust fund babies, aren’t they?” James asked rhetorically. “I’m betting they did just that, thinking the rules don’t apply to them. We should go check that area out.” James clicked the button on his radio. “Command, we’re heading over to the Black Diamond slopes on the east ridge to check that area.”

  “Negative, SR 7, that area is closed to guests.”

  “Copy that, but from ten years of experience, I can guarantee you closed warnings don’t keep skiers from sneaking over to off-limit areas. We should check the area to be sure,” James stated adamantly.

  There was a long pause before command responded. “Copy that, SR 7, you’re clear to search that area.”

  They re-directed their K9 partners towards the east ridge of the ski resort and spent the next half hour searching the area. The longer it went, the more James was beginning to wonder if their hunch about the skiers was incorrect. Just as he was about to suggest they turn back, there was a faint noise carried on the wind. It almost sounded like a woman’s cry.

  “Do you hear that?” James asked Ross. “I think I hear a woman calling out for help.”

  “Are you sure?” Ross glanced around, doubt clearly written across his face. “I didn’t hear anything.”

  The cry floated across the air a second time, a little louder than the time before. “Yes, I’m certain,” James attested.

  From farther up the ridge, Siku and Ace started barking, pacing back and forth at the edge of a cliff. The quiet cries were now loud and two distinct voices could be heard. They were crying out, “Help, help. Please help us.”

  James and Ross rushed up to their partners and looked over the side. Fifteen feet below, on the ledge of the cliff, were the two women who fitted the description of the missing skiers. They were both alert and waving their hands back and forth, a sign that the snow must have cushioned their fall. They were lucky they landed on the ledge, because it was another two hundred feet to the ravine below.

  The woman with dark hair sticking out from under her ski cap was standing. The auburn-haired woman beside her was sitting down on the ground with a sour look on her face.

  “Oh, thank goodness, an actual real person,” the brunette shouted in relief. “When w
e heard the barking, I thought we were starting to become delirious from being stuck down here all day.”

  “My name is Master Sergeant James Franklin, and this is Officer Ross Canter,” James yelled down to the women as he gestured beside him. “We’re Disaster City Search and Rescue K9 handlers, and we’re here to help you. Can you tell me, are either of you injured?”

  “We’re fine,” the one with dark locks shouted back. “We just—”

  “Speak for yourself,” the auburn-haired woman snapped from beside the other woman. “I think I broke my arm when we got pushed over this cliff from the avalanche. I have a good mind to have Daddy sue this awful place for everything its worth.”

  The auburn-haired woman was the governor’s daughter. Even if James hadn’t known it from the pictures they were given for identification, he would’ve known from her elitist attitude.

  “Ashley, don’t be ungrateful. We’re lucky something worse didn’t happen,” her friend reminded the other woman. “Besides, the nice officers are here to help us.”

  “This wasn’t our fault, Melanie. I wouldn’t have gotten hurt if the resort took better care of their slopes.”

  James wanted to tell her if she hadn’t gone where she wasn’t supposed to, this wouldn’t have happened. Areas of mountains were off-limits for a reason—usually because they were unsafe, and this section of the mountain had been having regular snow slides according to the resort manager. Instead he simply pointed out the truth. “Think of it this way, you’re lucky to be alive. If the snow slide had been any bigger, you’d probably be dead at the bottom of the ravine right now.”