Until Tomorrow (Boot Creek Book 3)

by Nancy Naigle

  Rubbing his hand across his beard, Ford said, “I wonder how many of these people are actually bidding on this property.”

  She cast her glance away from him, toward the street. “Hard to say. It’s waterfront property. It’s safe to say you won’t be the only one bidding.”

  “I’ve never bid on a property before,” he said.

  “Me neither, but I guess this would be like trying a case that was high profile. It will get a lot of attention just because of what or who is involved. And in those kinds of cases it could be anyone’s guess which way things would go. The right thing doesn’t necessarily happen.”

  “That’s exactly why I don’t practice law anymore. I was at the top of my class, but that didn’t matter. Blowing glass gives me a different freedom. Sure, it’s not as lucrative as working as an attorney, but it’s given me a creative outlet and the opportunity to make a decent living.”

  “Okay, so maybe it was a bad comparison.”

  “It was a good analogy. That’s why it struck a nerve.” He looked into her eyes. “You wouldn’t have liked me when I was a lawyer.”

  “You’re still you. The same person.”

  He didn’t like himself as that person. “No. I was restless and cranky, not very pleasant to be around.”

  “I can’t even imagine you like that.”

  They walked past the building and Flynn caught a glimpse of the men she’d heard talking on the dock. “Do you know those guys?”

  Ford turned to look. “The one on the right looks familiar. Why?”

  “No reason. I thought I saw them while we were walking through the property yesterday. I wondered if it was the previous owner.”

  “No. That is definitely not Winston. I’m not sure where I’ve seen him. Maybe at the Manic Moose.” He stopped in front of the building. “I’ll be right back.”

  “Okay.” She sat down on a bench.

  Ford walked inside the building and went to the office that had been set up to accept the bids in what used to be the break room. He’d had countless cups of coffee in this room before. It looked different with all of the vending machines gone and nothing but an eight-foot folding table in the center of it. Didn’t look like a break room now, but he was definitely hoping for a break today.

  “Hi. I’m Ford Morton. I came through here yesterday and picked up the bidding paperwork.”

  A young woman sat behind the table. “If you have any questions, you’ll need to come back when my mom is here. I’m just filling in for her.”

  “Your first time to Alaska?”

  “It is. Mom said it was a once-in-a-lifetime trip.”

  “She’s right. Well, it wasn’t once in a lifetime for me. I came here to visit and never left.”

  “Really? Where’d you live?”

  “Tennessee.”

  “That’s a big difference. I just live in Seattle.”

  “Nice city. I was wondering how many bids you have so far,” he asked her. She was younger than him, probably still in college, if that, and very pretty.

  “I’m just filling in, and the bids are confidential.”

  “Of course. I didn’t want any information, just wondering how many bids had been made so far.”

  “Well,” she blinked playfully, “I guess it doesn’t hurt to share that information. We only have one bid so far.”

  Ford’s mood soared. Hopefully, tomorrow morning when he asked, the answer would be the same. Fewer bids would surely increase his odds, and anyone really serious would have come to make their bid in person.

  As he got closer to the entrance of the room, he saw Flynn pacing outside the door. She seemed anxious this morning.

  When the door opened, she spun around and walked over to meet him. “How’d it go?”

  “Fine.”

  “Did you place a bid?”

  “No. I just asked how many had been made. They’ve only received one bid so far.”

  “That’s great news. Less competition. All it takes is one dollar more to be the highest bidder.”

  She seemed more nervous than him. “I’m hopeful.”

  “Me too,” she said.

  Ford drove back into town. “I thought we’d eat dinner at the Moose tonight if that’s okay with you.”

  “Are you hedging your bets so I have to fill your freezer with all that leftover food we bought? You know I’d cook food for your freezer if you just asked, right?”

  “You’d really do that for me?”

  “Sure. I love to cook, and you are treating me to an Alaska vacation. It’s kind of the least I can do. Just tell me what you want. Anything southern you’d like.”

  “Careful. I’ll take you up on that.”

  “I hope you will.”

  He pulled into the same spot his truck had been parked in when they came from the airport.

  Missy came over with her usual bright smile and seated them at a corner table. “Someone will be right back with you, but tonight’s special is crab bisque and hand-breaded fish bites. Can’t go wrong with either one.”

  “She’s not lying. I recommend the crab bisque.”

  “Works for me.” Flynn pushed her menu to the center.

  Chet walked over and slid into the booth next to Flynn. “Haven’t scared the prettiest girl we’ve ever had here off yet, huh?”

  Flynn smiled over at Ford. “Not yet.”

  “Not yet. Can you give me your best bottle of wine to go with dinner?” Ford asked.

  Chet smiled broadly. “You know I can. I’ve got just the bottle.”

  “Thank you.” Ford leaned forward with his elbows on the table. “Chet may not look the type, but he’s got one heckuva wine cellar. Even went to some kind of sommelier class for it. Maybe he’ll take you down and show you his collection.”

  “You never really know about people until you give them a chance to be themselves, outside of their regular environment,” she said.

  “Then I guess I’m really getting to know you. Can’t get much farther from North Carolina than Alaska.”

  “True.”

  Her one-word response made him nervous for the first time. He’d thought things were going so well. Then again, the main focus had been on what he wanted. Chet brought the bottle of wine over to the table. He opened it, then poured it into a large clear decanter to let it breathe. Ford had seen him do this a million times, but Flynn looked impressed. “Just let that breathe until your dinner comes, and then you’ll really enjoy the full flavor of it.”

  “I hope tomorrow night we’re celebrating again,” she said.

  “Me too.”

  Chet grinned. “With champagne! And my treat. No arguments.”

  “Absolutely. If I have the winning bid, I won’t be in any mood to argue. You could ask me for pretty much anything and I’d probably say yes.”

  She raised an eyebrow. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  He took her hands into his across the table. He didn’t want to mess up what they’d started, but his focus had been on that bid. He rose from his seat and leaned over the table to kiss her.

  Her lashes fluttered as she opened them and smiled. “I want you to win that building. I really hope this works out for you.”

  “Thank you. I heard someone say there’s a good chance for Northern Lights tonight. As soon as we finish dinner, I know just the place to watch for them.”

  After dinner, Ford stepped out of the booth and slipped cash into the bill folio. He reached for her hand.

  When she slid into the passenger seat, he held the door and then slid his hand behind her, leaning in close. “I’m so glad you’re here to celebrate with me tonight.”

  “Me too,” she whispered.

  He breathed in her scent as he moved closer to kiss her. The deep, warm connection felt like a force of nature too. He wasn’t about to ignore it.

  As they came over the ridge he knew what was ahead, he’d seen it often, and the slight color shift that glowed was telling. Just another few minutes and it would be i
n plain sight. Excitement coursed through him, forcing him to keep a check on his speed, and as they took that last turn to where the clearing was visible, he heard Flynn take in a breath as the aurora borealis made its appearance. Her excitement was like one of those fires that jump from one point to the next, and it was like seeing it for the first time for him again too.

  “That’s the Northern Lights,” she said. “Oh my gosh. It’s more stunning than the picture.” She put a hand up and forward as if somehow she thought she could touch it. Feel it. Be a part of it.

  “It’s always different. Like it has a mind of its own.”

  “Kind of does, since it’s with only mathematical probability that they can forecast the likelihood of seeing them.”

  “Makes you feel out of this world in a way, doesn’t it?” He swung the truck to the side of the road and hit the button to release the back door of the SUV. “Come on.”

  He jumped out of the truck and went to the back. She was just getting out when he climbed into the back and pulled a handmade quilt out and laid it down in the bed. “Get in with me.”

  Her giggle warmed him. He lay down with his head at the opening, and she slid beside him.

  “It’s so beautiful,” she said, her words choked.

  “Are you crying?”

  “I’m sorry. I don’t know why. It’s just so pretty.”

  He rolled over and pulled her into his arms. “I love sharing this with you,” he whispered. He moved his mouth over hers, devouring her softness. “You really are beautiful, Flynn.”

  “You make me feel that way.”

  “You make things feel so complete around here. I can’t get enough of you.”

  She felt warm in his arms as they lay there watching the miracle of lights above them. She reached for his hand and gave it a squeeze. “This might be one of the best days I’ve ever had.”

  And if that bid went his way tomorrow, it might be the best week of his life as every single thing he’d ever dreamed of fell into place.

  Flynn still felt stunned by the beauty of what they’d just shared. It had left her with a surreal feeling. The mood, the Northern Lights, the feelings of love—real love—that she could no longer deny. She stood at Ford’s side as he opened the door to his house. “What a rush.”

  “What a day,” he said. “You were the best part of it.”

  “Better than the Northern Lights?”

  “Better than any aurora borealis.” He closed the door behind her and helped her out of her coat. She shivered slightly.

  “I’ll start a fire. The temperature has really dropped tonight.”

  She curled up at the end of the sofa while he arranged logs in the fireplace. He started the log fire so quickly that she wasn’t sure a gas fireplace could beat him in a race to make fire.

  He walked over and knelt down in front of her. He kissed her. Soft, closed-mouth kisses, then slid his hands along her hips and scooted her down on the couch.

  “What are you doing?” She let him guide her back on the couch.

  “I’m making room for two,” he said playfully.

  Being here was like being in a dream. In a way that was true, because she was in the middle of his dream, and it seemed like a pretty good place to be.

  A sensuous smile played on his lips, and then his mouth covered hers, brushing hers in a tantalizing invitation for more.

  Anticipation swept through her as he settled one hand on her hip. His hands were big. Strong. He worked her much like he did his art—with confidence, strength, and innovation.

  She lifted toward him, wanting to be as close as possible. Feeling his warmth. Wanting him to stay close.

  But he backed off, leaving her wishing for more.

  He stood in front of her and held his hand out. “Will you come with me?”

  She wanted to so much.

  He tugged on her hand and she stood in front of him. His hands ran the length of her arms, then encircled her hips, pulling her close.

  All of the air expelled from her lungs in one wild gasp.

  He planted taunting little kisses along her lips, her cheek, and ever so softly to the crook of her neck that sent shimmers as bright as the stars coursing through her.

  “Sleep with me tonight,” he whispered into her ear. Then he straightened and gazed into her eyes.

  Flynn felt the rise and fall of his breath and the heat from his body.

  He leaned forward and dropped another kiss on her forehead. A simple kiss on the forehead felt like being rescued by a knight on a white horse. “Please, Flynn.”

  “Yes,” she said, letting him lead her up the stairs. They undressed and slid beneath the cool sheets. Her hands shook in anticipation.

  There was no need to snuggle to get warm. Their bodies provided plenty of warmth.

  “You feel so good in my arms,” he said as she pressed her body against his.

  Their embrace was slow and gentle, but the desire was hot and a little out of control.

  His heart pounded so hard that she could feel it against her hand as she ran it up his well-toned chest. His hands explored her body, every curve she’d been aching for him to touch.

  His kisses trailed down her body. She sucked in a breath, arching to meet his hands as they found their way, building her desire.

  And then the colors that danced in the dark were brighter than those of the aurora borealis and just as breathtaking.

  He rolled over, kissing her shoulder with a sigh. “You make me so happy.”

  “You have an amazing life here. Thank you for talking me into coming with you.”

  “Thank you for coming.”

  “I’m so jealous that you knew exactly what you wanted and made it happen.”

  “It’s become a lot more clear lately. Since you came back with me.” He kissed her on the forehead. “But I didn’t know until my trip back to Boot Creek that you were the one thing missing. You’ve been there niggling at my thoughts since the day I met you.”

  “I didn’t allow myself to even consider you like that when we met. I knew you lived in Alaska and that was impossible.”

  “And now?” He held her gaze. Eyes wide, but tears welling. She looked hopeful and terrified at the same time.

  She closed her eyes. This felt so right. The safe feeling in his arms was more than she’d ever experienced. Love? Maybe the reason none of those past relationships had worked was because they really weren’t love. “I can’t deny what I’m feeling for you. This has been so fast and . . . unexpected.”

  He raised the hand he held in his and opened her fingers, placing a kiss in the palm of her hand. “I will always take care of you. I am in love with you. Stay with me here. When we go back to finish my residency at PRIZM, we can pack up your things and you can come back with me. Give it a chance. If you can make it through the winter, you can make it forever.”

  “I have the B&B to run.” It was still important, but she’d be lying if she didn’t admit that what she was feeling with Ford was exactly the way she’d dreamed she would feel with the man of her dreams. “It’s allowing my grandparents to have their dream, and that’s huge to me. I love them so much. Doing this is the only thing I could ever do that would make a difference in their lives.”

  “That’s important, but if it’s not your life’s work, we could make it work. What if I help you get a management company to run the B&B? You could still handle the bookings from here, and the financials. You could fly down to Florida to visit them.”

  “It’s so far.”

  “It is a long flight, but the air miles will add up quickly so you can earn free flights. Plus, it seems like I visit family more often now that I have to really plan visits than I used to when I was just a few hours away.”

  That made sense. One got lazy when there was too much flexibility, and if it hadn’t been for Jackson and Angie’s wedding, she might not have even seen her grandparents last summer. It had already been too long since she’d seen them. “We talk online a lot.”


  “You can do that from here.”

  Could she really make that happen?

  He wrapped his arms around her and held her to him, spooning her as close as two could be. “Good night, baby. Happy thoughts and sweet dreams.”

  He squeezed her tight, taking a deep breath that brought her even closer. “I’ve fallen for you, Flynn Crane. I don’t want to ever let this go.” With one last kiss softly on her neck, she wrapped her hands around his arm and they drifted to sleep without another word.

  When Flynn woke up it was already daylight, which meant it was late in the morning. And Ford was already up. In Carolina he’d been a late riser, but they were in his time zone now so she didn’t really know what his normal was.

  She climbed out of bed, and cool air hit her like an icy wall. She grabbed for the blanket at the end of the bed and hugged it around her. She looked at the clock on the dresser. Only seven thirty. Ford probably hadn’t been up long, but judging by the size of the drifts outside the window, snow had been falling for a good, hard while.

  Large snowflakes, as big as golf balls, landed heavily, smacking with a rickety splat against the windowpane.

  Bids were due today. She wondered, would they shut down for snow in this part of the world? Northerners teased her all the time when she told them they shut down area schools for an inch of snow, but they weren’t equipped or prepared for the occasional snow day in that part of North Carolina.

  They had to get to town. That was nonnegotiable. He probably had a snowmobile or something, although she’d never really been one to enjoy riding on the back of a motorcycle or anything she didn’t have control of.

  Ford would figure it out, she assured herself, trying to keep from worrying about problems that weren’t even hers. She had to figure out a way to tell him about what she’d heard. If those men were cheating, it would cheat him out of his dream, and she couldn’t let that happen, even if it raised the chances that he might end up living a lot closer to her if that did happen.

  The words he’d spoken were fresh in her mind. Comforting last night, they made her nervous today.

  Could she leave Boot Creek?

  She pulled the door closed and went out into the hall. From here the heavy snow clouds filled the wall of windows on the front of the house. Ford had already started a fire. His snow boots sat by the door. A smile played at her lips. The boots. The fire. The sound of someone stirring in the kitchen below all felt so different than she’d ever imagined. She felt sort of like those clouds drifting. Heavy with something unexpected and special. One of a kind.