Thin Ice

by Maryann Jordan

  “I know,” he said, his normally gruff voice softer, as his hand stroked up and down her back. “But, you’re here to do the lab work and be my eyes when I’m not. That’s all. I can’t do my job properly if you’re not doing yours.”

  Embarrassment flooded her, the heat rising from her stomach to her face. Realizing she was clinging to Logan, her arms around his back, she unclasped her hands and opened her arms, stepping back. Swallowing deeply, she offered a jerky nod, then smiled wobbly with a quick swipe underneath her eyes.

  “Right…uh…right.” Glancing at the dishes in the sink, she said, “I can get these later. I think I’ll…uh…take a shower.” Slipping around him, she hurried down the hall, closing the bathroom door.

  Logan stood in the kitchen, dropping his chin as he stared at his boots for a moment, his heart strangely heavy. Rubbing his hand over his face, he pinched the bridge of his nose as he eyes squeezed shut.

  “Fuck,” he whispered to no one but the empty room. This mission was not like any he had ever attempted and appeared to be getting more complicated by the hour.

  Walking into the now dark living room, he stared at their neighbors’ house for a long moment before pulling out his phone and placing a call, thoughts of the shared kiss from earlier lingering on his mind.

  Vivian slipped under the covers, her flannel pajamas giving warmth when all she felt inside was cold. Feeling foolish, she sucked in a deep breath before letting it out slowly. Clearing her mind, she began to focus on the next day. No more Miss Investigator. No more trying to help beyond what I was assigned. I’ll take some things to the shed and get them ready. I’ll watch out the window and take notes.

  Satisfied she had tomorrow planned, she rolled over and punched her pillow before slipping into a restless slumber, thoughts of the earlier shared kiss dancing in her mind.

  13

  Scuffling down the hall, Vivian assumed Logan had already left for work. Her plan was to sit at the window and log the activities next door, doing nothing but that no matter what her inclinations were, all day. With that settled, she came to a sudden halt at the sight of Logan in the kitchen.

  He turned, blasting an unexpected early morning grin her way as he took in her barely awake state. Without speaking, he pushed a cup of coffee toward her, watching as she wrapped her hands around it as she mumbled her thanks.

  Taking a fortifying sip, she peered up at him after pushing her hair behind her ear. “What are you doing here?”

  Another grin slipped out as he replied, “I live here, remember?”

  “Okay, smart ass. I mean, why haven’t you left for work?”

  “Staying here today. Got some things I want to do and—”

  Setting the cup down on the counter harder than she meant to, she said, “Look, Logan. I get it. I fucked up yesterday. It won’t happen again. I’ll watch next door and get my lab equipment ready. Nothing else, I promise—”

  Logan leaned over the counter, pressing his fingers over her lips, stilling her protest. “Viv. Hush.” He felt the softness of her flesh against his fingers and watched as her dark, brown eyes widened almost imperceptibly. It was hard to see where her iris stopped and the pupil began, but the deep chocolate drew him in. He reluctantly pulled his fingers away, dragging them gently over her petal-like lips.

  She sucked in a ragged breath, still not speaking, but her eyes never left his.

  Swallowing deeply, he continued. “We’re fine, Viv. You and me. I want you safe and this kind of set up should have never happened. You should be safely ensconced in a lab somewhere, waiting for me to send you samples. Not here, in the middle of Alaska, next door to more danger than you could ever imagine. Not here, in a dumpy little house, sharing it with a has-been.”

  He was glad to see she was not protesting, but still, it was unnerving the way she stared at him, introspection in her gaze. Continuing, he said, “But we are here. Together. And I need to make this right. I need to make sure you’re safe. And we’ll figure out how to work together as a team…not as individuals.”

  Her head moved in a slow nod, still quiet as she took in his words. “What do you have planned?” she asked, hesitation coating her words.

  “I’ve got a delivery to pick up today…something that will make you being here a lot easier. It should have been here when I got here a couple of days ago, but was delayed. That delay doesn’t make me happy, but it’s coming today.”

  “Okay.”

  “And I want you to go with me to pick it up. Get you out of the house. You’ve only been to the grocery and you need a break. We’ll get my stuff and have lunch somewhere.”

  “Okay,” she repeated.

  He leaned back, his weight resting on his hands planted on the counter, a smile still on his face. “You gonna keep being this agreeable?”

  Taking another sip of the fortifying coffee, Vivian nodded. “Yes. No more making any decisions without you.”

  Sighing, his smile slipped and she watched his eyes change color, getting darker. The idea that the color changed almost every time she looked at him fascinated her. Blinking, she realized he was staring back.

  “What?” she asked.

  “I just want to keep you safe,” he replied, his warm gaze not leaving hers. “And that’s what I’m going to do.” Standing to his full height, he turned back to the stove and plated eggs and bacon for them both. Grinning over his shoulder, he said, “But first we gotta eat so I don’t have to drag zombie Viv to town.”

  Energized by breakfast and coffee, Vivian sat in the cab of the old pick-up truck and listened to the classic rock music blaring from the radio. Tapping her foot on the floorboard, she watched the scenery roll by as she lip-synched to the song.

  Logan glanced her way and grinned. His heart felt lighter than it had in days, now that he had a better plan and the two of them finally seemed to be on the same page.

  “How long did it take to become a SEAL?”

  Jerking his head around, startled by her question, he viewed her wide eyes staring back at him. Her face held interest, unlike the SEAL bunnies that always asked questions, pretending to want to know about their lives when all they really wanted was either a quick tumble with a SEAL or a ring on their finger, assuming that would grant them a ticket out of whatever shithole they were in.

  “Uh—”

  “I know there’s a lot you can’t tell me, but I was just wondering how long it took for your team to become a team.”

  Understanding, he nodded. “Easiest answer would be that it can take close to three years.”

  “Holy moly,” she breathed. She sat silent for another moment, then said, “No wonder you can’t stand working with me.”

  Without thinking, he reached over, grabbing her hand resting on her thigh. Squeezing his fingers, he said, “Viv, that’s not true. Yeah, I was thrown for a loop when I first got here, but shit, SEALs are trained to think on their feet, adapt to any contingency. I fucked up. Guess the two years I’ve been out have fucked with my head. But no more. We’re in this and we’re in this together.” She stayed silent but her gaze held his. “You with me, Viv?”

  Nodding, her lips curved slowly up. “Yeah, I’m with you.”

  “Good. Now, first the stop is the airfield and when we get back, I’ll take you to the Goldmine Saloon for food.”

  For the next few miles, Vivian noted he kept her hand in his, resting on her lap. Instead of feeling odd, forward, or even presumptuous, she smiled at the warmth spreading from her fingers to the rest of her body. As they pulled into the airstrip and he came to a stop, he needed both hands and she regretfully felt the cold where his warmth had been.

  “Come on,” he called out, walking toward his helicopter.

  She joined him, admiring the way he walked around the aircraft, seeming to take note of various parts. He climbed inside and, again, began to go through the motions of checking things out. She took the opportunity to look around at the small airfield, barely more than a large barn and runway. A coup
le of small planes sat near the building, but other than that, the place appeared vacant.

  Hearing a noise behind her, Logan said, “I’ll be right back.”

  Nodding, she watched as he jogged toward the barnlike hangar and, a few minutes later, walked back toward her. For a man so large, she loved the way he moved. He walked like a man in charge—not with an in your face attitude, but just with a confidence that bespoke his character.

  He grinned as he neared and she returned his smile, “All right. We’re ready.”

  Cocking her head to the side, she looked at his empty arms, asking, “Did you get what you came for?”

  “Nope. We’re on our way to get it now.”

  “Oh, okay.” Turning, she started toward the truck, but he called her back.

  “Hey, Viv. This way.”

  She stared at him wide-eyed as he nodded toward the helicopter. “That? We’re going in that?” Her voice rose with each word until squeaking by the end.

  “Come on,” Logan said, reaching over to take her hand, giving a little pull. Pleased she did not jerk back, he glanced to the side, seeing the concern in her eyes. Stopping, he tugged until she was directly in front of him, barely an inch separating their bodies. Peering down, he said, “Are you afraid? I would never let anything hurt you. Believe me?”

  Sucking in her lips, she slid her eyes sideways toward the helicopter before returning her gaze to him. With her head leaned back, her former nervousness replaced with determination, she nodded slowly. “Okay. Let’s do this.”

  A few minutes later, Vivian was buckled in and she watched with interest as he handled the controls. Before she knew it, they were airborne. Her stomach took a few dips, but soon settled so that, as she looked out the windows, the beautiful Alaskan landscape was the only thing on her mind.

  “Where are we going?” she asked, as her courage allowed her to lean forward, taking in more scenery. Thick forests, with slim roads occasionally cutting through them, stretched as far as the eye could see. She was awed as she leaned over to peer down further. Crystal blue lakes, surfaces as flat as a mirror, came into view. Leaning back in her seat, she looked out the front, snow-capped mountains in the distance standing like sentinels over the water.

  “Got another airstrip on the east of Fairbanks that has something I ordered. It’s in an undisclosed location, so that’s why we’re not going somewhere more populated.”

  Understanding she had been given all the information needed, she smiled and looked down. About twenty minutes later, they began their descent. Impressed with his flying abilities, she turned to him, her voice full of admiration.

  “This was absolutely amazing, Logan. Thank you!” This time, it was her that reached for his hand, squeezing his fingers.

  He deftly turned his hand, palm up, so that his fingers linked with hers. They sat, entranced as they stared at each other for a moment, before a dark SUV drove up, parking near the helicopter.

  “Hang on, Viv. Just stay here. I’ll only be a minute.” With that, he squeezed her fingers before reluctantly unlinking their hands, and climbed out.

  She watched as he approached the SUV, unable to see inside the windows, as they were tinted black. As he neared the vehicle, the passenger door opened and a man stepped out, shaking hands with Logan. Dressed in a dark suit with sunglasses on, the only thing she could tell from a distance was that his hair was light. And he was big. Just as big as Logan.

  The two men spoke briefly before the suited man opened the back of the SUV and pulled out several boxes. He and Logan walked to the back door of the six-seater helicopter and set them inside. Glancing behind her, she smiled at the stranger but he did not look her way. Sucking in her lips, she turned to face the front again.

  They made a few more trips, each time carrying cardboard boxes to the helicopter and stowing them in the back. She wondered what they contained, but had learned enough of Logan in the past few days to know that if she needed to know, he would tell her. Few days. Is that all it’s been?

  The sound of the back door closing firmly startled her and she realized she had been lost in thought over the changes that had happened in her life so quickly. Twisting around, she watched as Logan shook hands with the mystery man again and, soon, he climbed back into the cockpit.

  He settled the headset over his ears and, in a few minutes, they took flight once more.

  Once in the air, he said, “Thanks for coming with me, Viv. How about we take a little detour on the way back and you can see some more scenery?”

  Her wide smile was his answer and with a smile of his own, he nodded and piloted the helicopter to the north of Fairbanks. Leaning forward Vivian stared down at the beauty of the Alaskan wilds. Mountains in the background. Thick forests of evergreen trees. Snow in the distance. What towns they came across were few and far between, nothing more than a few streets of buildings.

  Looking to the side, she viewed his profile. Strong. Handsome. And just as in charge in his helicopter as he was planning their work. Relaxing in her seat, she felt his hand reach across and take hers, once more linking hands with her.

  14

  “Tell me about your family,” Logan said, watching her observe the vista, her eyes bright with interest.

  Looking over, she said, “My grandparents were from Tanana descended from the original inhabitants of the Tanana River…Tanana Athabaskans. They grew up together and married as soon as they could. My mom was born there, but left for college in Fairbanks, where she met my dad. We’d visit when I was a kid and I thought it was a great place to spend my vacation. Long walks in the woods, boat rides on the river, fishing in the lakes. And, when I was really little, my grandfather would let me sit with him in the post office, talking to everyone in town who came in.” Laughing, she added, there are only about three hundred residents and they used the post office as a gathering place, so I got to know everyone.”

  “You mentioned your grandfather to Farrah—”

  “Oh, that,” she blushed. “You said it is best to stick to partial truths when making up a cover, so I figured they would believe that. Remember…I was chosen because of my heritage.”

  He glanced to the side, seeing sadness replace her earlier joy. “I take it your grandparents are…”

  Nodding, she said, “Yes. They passed away about five years ago. Within a month of each other.” Looking over, her eyes bright, she said, “I think that’s so sweet. To be so in love that you can’t live without the other.”

  Thinking of his own parents and grandparents, he could imagine that kind of love, having seen it as he grew up.

  Twisting to look at him, she continued, “Hollywood is making some kind of reality TV show about men in Alaska from that area, and most of it’s fake. The show made it sound like there was only a few days worth of food in the local store, but they failed to mention that the store is actually fully stocked and there is a café with great burgers just down the street.”

  “Sounds really nice,” he said, his smile warm as her obviously happy recollections bubbled forth.

  “The funny thing is, though, I really hate the little daylight part of the year. I’m someone who can handle cold and snow, but give me sunshine!”

  At her words, a thought flashed through his mind—the idea of Viv at his place in Montana, where cold and snow certainly occurred, but the sun never ceased beaming down on the plains around his home. Blinking rapidly, he forced the thought from his mind. Instead, he said, “Well, how about a trip down memory lane?”

  She grinned, while at the same time crinkling her brow. Realizing he was taking them northwest of Fairbanks, she clapped her hands in glee.

  “Oh, my God, Logan! You’ll fly over Tanana?”

  “Let’s follow the Tanana River and see where it takes us.”

  It did not take long for them to circle over the tiny town, the brown dirt roads and old wooden buildings making a small, inhabited square in the middle of the deep green of the trees. Pointing out the post office and café, she
grinned as they turned back toward Ester.

  “It’s a little bigger than I remembered, but I bet the new TV show based out of there has brought in new businesses and visitors.”

  Landing back at the airfield near Ester, she squeezed his fingers before twisting toward him. “Logan, thank you so much. This was such a fabulous day.”

  Leaning forward, his face was a whisper away from hers and Vivian wondered if he were going to kiss her. Both wishing for him to and, afraid for him to, she held her breath. His hand moved toward her chest, unbuckling her harness, causing a gasp to slip out when her chest was no longer restrained. She fell forward from the release, her lips landing perilously close to his. Jerking back, blushing, she slid the harnesses off her shoulders as he smiled, opening his door.

  “I’ll come around and help you,” he said. “We can unload the boxes and go grab some lunch at the bar.”

  It took twice as long to unload the boxes as it did to load them, since Logan insisted on carrying them himself.

  Refusing to stand idly by, she crawled into the helicopter and pushed the heavy boxes toward the door to make it easier for him to pick them up. Picking up the last box, he winked as he turned to take it to his truck and Vivian sat in the doorway, her feet hanging out, staring at him. Her mind roamed to the kiss from the evening before and she lifted her fingers to her lips, still able to feel his lips on hers.

  “You ready to eat?”

  Startled, she jerked her eyes up, seeing him stalking back toward her. Matching his grin with one of her own, she allowed him to assist her down before he secured the helicopter. Walking to his truck, he slung one arm casually over her shoulders. She loved the warm feel but wondered if it was forced, for their cover, or natural.

  “So…uh…we’re going to the bar?”

  “Yeah,” he said, looking down at her, his eyes bright. “I went yesterday and met the owners. And that’s where I got the hamburgers from the day before.”