by Marie Carnay
Jake didn’t bother to look up. “I can guess.”
“We’ll get him eventually.”
“I know.” He wanted nothing more than to shut Dwayne and his entire operation down for good. A handful of minor fines and misdemeanors wouldn’t do that. They needed something big. “Any idea what he’s got planned for the end of the season?”
Gabe shook his head. “No, and it makes me uneasy. I don’t think he’s had the best year. If I know him, that means he’ll try to go out with a bang.”
“Outside hunters.”
“And lots of violations.”
Jake nodded. If they could catch him in the act, it might be enough to shut him down. All he needed was proof of illegal hunting. Whether that meant an ambush or identification of a fresh kill on restricted land, he’d find a way.
The door opened and before Jake could turn around, another trooper let out a whistle. “Heard you finally got lucky, Travers.”
Fantastic. Of all the troopers to show up, it had to be him. “Hey, Killian. Good to see you.”
Killian was all testosterone and muscle. Rumor had it he never slept with the same woman twice. It didn’t hurt that he looked like a damn model. One flash of his dimples and panties all over Alaska fell to the floor. He pulled a Coke from the fridge and focused on Gabe. “Did he tell you who he bagged the other night? None other than our brand-new resident veterinarian.”
Gabe turned to Jake. “You slept with Dr. Boone? She’s only been here a week!”
Jake frowned at Killian. “I didn’t sleep with her. I just took her to dinner, as a thank you.”
“For what? Showing up in town?”
Funny. “No, you moron. She helped me with a moose calf I brought in last week. It’d been shot on the edge of Harlan River.” Jake pointed at a red circle on the map. “It was young enough I could carry it, so I packed it into the back of the Jeep and hauled it to her office. We let it go yesterday back into the wild.”
“Good job, man.” Gabe gave him a slap on the back.
Killian managed a smirk. “So you brought her a moose and took her to dinner, but you didn’t try to get in her pants?”
“That’s right.”
“Does that mean she’s fair game?”
Jake tensed. Hell, no…right? He might have kissed her, but Jake had spent the last four days convincing himself it wouldn’t amount to anything. If he weren’t interested, he should say so. But Killian? The thought of seeing the two of them together made his stomach churn. Jake shook his head. “No, she’s not.”
Killian’s smirk turned into a full-blown grin. “I knew it. You’ve got the hots for her.”
Never had Jake wanted to punch the guy more. “What’s it to you?”
“Just waiting for my chance, that’s all. When you screw it up like you did with April, I’ll be the shoulder she comes crying to.”
Oh, no. That’s it. Jake pushed off the counter, but Gabe stepped between the two men.
“Easy, Jake.” He turned to Killian. “Quit yanking his chain.”
“Fine. The vet’s off-limits. I get it. But you should bang her already and be done with it.”
“I didn’t ask for your advice.”
“Doesn’t mean you don’t need it.”
Jake shook his head. As much as he hated to admit it, Killian had a point. He couldn’t keep stringing Tabitha along if he didn’t want anything from her. But a relationship was out of the question. Maybe falling into bed would be the best thing for both of them. He could get her out of his system, she could get what she wanted.
Her words echoed in his head. She wanted a good time? He could deliver. Whether he could keep his heart out of it was another issue altogether.
Becky poked her head around the corner as Tabitha typed into the computer. Her brows knitted as she looked at a chart. “Did you give Mr. Donaldson’s retriever the green heart worm pill or the brown?”
Tabitha drew a blank. Had she prescribed any medicine that morning? She shook her head. “I have no idea. Why?”
“He got the wrong one. I was just making sure there wasn’t some reason for it.”
Tabitha frowned. If she didn’t get it together soon, she’d make a mistake that cost more than a few extra dollars for a patient. “Sorry.”
Becky stepped into the room and closed the door. “Are you all right? You seem distracted.”
I should pay her more. It had only been a few days, but Becky already could read her as well as the animals who came in for appointments. Tabitha shook her head. “It’s silly.”
“I’d call Officer Travers lots of things. Silly isn’t one of them.”
A flush spread up Tabitha’s chest and cheeks. “That obvious, huh?”
“Almost painful.” Becky perched on the stool in front of Tabitha with a look on her face that said, spill it, already.
Ever since their quasi-date, Tabitha hadn’t been able to get Jake off her mind. She could still feel his lips as he kissed her breathless. His hands as he gripped her tight against him. She’d hoped it would be the start of something wicked and delicious.
Instead, he’d been all business. She sighed and slumped in her chair. “I don’t know what’s going on, to be honest. I thought we connected, but since dinner last week, he’s given me the cold shoulder.”
Becky started to speak when Tabitha waved her off. “I should have listened to you, I know.”
“I still can’t believe you got him to take you out at all. I’ve been here five years and I’ve never seen him out on a date. Not once.”
Tabitha blinked. “Not once in five years? What’s wrong with him?”
“I have no idea. Maybe his feet smell.”
“Maybe he has lice.”
Becky giggled. “Maybe he’s secretly a submissive and needs a woman to put him in his place.”
Tabitha laughed. “Thanks, Becky.” Whatever was going on with Jake, it didn’t look like he wanted anything to do with her. At least on a personal level. It was time she got her head back in the game.
“Anytime boss.” Her assistant hustled out to reception and Tabitha took a deep breath. She needed to focus on the job and not her non-existent sex life.
After entering the notes from her last appointment, Tabitha hustled into the exam room. A woman stood at the table, holding a large, floppy-eared rabbit. The poor thing didn’t even twitch its pink nose when she came in.
“Hi, I’m Dr. Boone. Nice to meet you.”
The woman nodded. “Sorry I can’t shake your hand. Wendy Travers.”
Tabitha started. “Are you related to Jake Travers?”
“I’m his sister.”
“I didn’t know he had a sister.”
Wendy raised an eyebrow. “I wasn’t aware that you knew my brother.”
Ouch. Guess he hadn’t mentioned her to his family. It shouldn’t bother her—they’d only had dinner. Once. But for some reason it did.
She shook it off. “So what brings you in? Your rabbit’s not well?”
Wendy nodded. “She hasn’t been eating. I can’t figure out what’s wrong with her.”
Tabitha reached for the rabbit and took it out of Wendy’s hands. It was sick. The matted paws and runny nose gave it away. “How long has she been sneezing?”
Wendy frowned and pushed her blonde hair off her face. “She sneezed this morning. I didn’t think anything of it.”
Tabitha took her time, examining the rabbit for all the symptoms. “And her snotty nose?”
“A few days, maybe.”
Tabitha smiled. “She’s got the snuffles. I’ll give you some antibiotics. It should clear up in a few days. Her appetite won’t come back until she can smell again.”
Wendy smiled for the first time since Tabitha entered the room. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
The other woman reached out and stroked the rabbit’s fur. Tabitha didn’t know why she hadn’t noticed immediately. With her bright blue eyes and straight nose, Wendy looked just like he
r brother.
“So, how do you know Jake?”
Tabitha focused on her medical notes. “He brought in a wounded moose calf. I treated it.”
Wendy snorted. “That’s so like Jake. Always trying to be the hero.”
“I take it he puts himself in harm’s way a lot?”
“Understatement of the year.”
Tabitha smiled. Part of her wanted to leave it at that and send Wendy and her sniffly rabbit out the door, but she couldn’t help herself. She needed to know more about him. “Becky mentioned he doesn’t date. Is that true?”
Wendy’s expression turned guarded. “Is there something going on between you and Jake?”
Tabitha played it off. “No. He took me out to dinner to thank me for saving the moose, but that’s all. It was nothing.”
“Your cheeks are bright red. That doesn’t say nothing to me.”
Tabitha plastered on a smile. “It’s a bit warm in here. Forget I said anything.”
Wendy scooped up her rabbit and walked toward the door. After she pushed it open, she turned back to Tabitha. “I’ve heard the talk in town. I know you’re from Seattle. If you’re the big city love ’em and leave ’em sort, you should keep looking. Jake’s been hurt before. He doesn’t need that kind of pain again.”
Tabitha swallowed. “I’d never hurt him.”
“That’s what April said, too.” The door swung shut and Wendy and her sick rabbit were gone.
A few hours later, Tabitha escorted the last animal and its owner out the door. With a turn of her wrist, she locked it and leaned against the wood. It’d been one hell of a day.
First she’d been so distracted she couldn’t think straight. Then Jake’s sister had come in and read her the riot act. It should have scared her away. It’s not like Jake had been pestering her to go on a date.
But if Becky was right, maybe he was gun shy. A bad break-up could do that to a guy. Whoever this April woman was, she must have done a number on him. Tabitha knew what that felt like first hand.
The more she thought about it, the more certain she became. Jake didn’t want a relationship? Great. Neither did she. It didn’t mean they couldn’t date and screw around and have a good time. Tabitha had moved to Alaska not taken a vow a celibacy.
If he wouldn’t make the first move, then she would. Taking chances and being her own person was exactly what Tabitha needed to do. And she’d start by asking the sexy State Trooper out on a date. If he said no, then she’d move on.
If he said yes…Her whole body tingled and Tabitha reached for her phone. It would be one hell of a night.
Jake swiped his phone on and stared at the screen. He’d been sitting on the edge of his bed, trying to figure out what to say to Tabitha for the past half hour. Nothing sounded right. He hadn’t looked at a woman in so long, he’d almost forgotten how all of it worked.
Tabitha didn’t help matters. Between her rich chocolate eyes and hair that framed her face, to a body he couldn’t stop imagining tangled up with his, Jake couldn’t come up with a single coherent sentence. Damn it.
How did you ask someone out on a date when all you wanted was a chance to forget being alone for a while? Jake had never been good at the casual hook-up scene. If he didn’t have a steady girlfriend, he’d rather be alone. But Tabitha had done something to him.
He couldn’t shake the way she ignited need deep inside with just a kiss. The way her body melted into his when he pulled her close. The little sounds she made when he ran his hands up and down her sides.
Sometimes he wished he could be like Killian—able to wake up the morning after with no regrets and no feelings.
It sure would have spiced up the last few years.
He pulled open his contacts. Maybe he’d see if she wanted lunch. Coffee? Shit, apart from Mabel’s where would they even go? His place?
That’d be a bit obvious. Jake ran a hand over his buzzed hair and stood up. So much for being the tough guy. It’s what April never understood. He might be able to go toe-to-toe with criminals for his job, but at heart? Total softie.
Screw it. I’ll just go see her. He strode down the hall and into the entryway as his phone dinged. He pulled it out and almost dropped it on the floor.
Jake, it’s Tabitha. Any chance you’re free for dinner tonight? Mabel’s doing venison burgers.
He read the text at least ten times. Was Dr. Boone asking him out? Way to go, Travers. He could see Killian’s expression now. Jake typed back a text.
I’m free. How about seven o’clock? I can pick you up.
He hit send and held his breath.
I’ll be ready.
Jake locked his phone and stuffed it in his pocket. In a few hours, he’d be back at Mabel’s sitting across from Tabitha. The woman he hadn’t been able to get out of his head no matter how hard he’d tried. Heaven help him if they ended up back at his place.
He might never want her to leave.
4
THE DOORBELL RANG and Tabitha opened the door with a smile. Mmm. Jake stood on the step, blue eyes bright and shining.
One look at him and she wished that she’d suggested her place and not Mabel’s. How could she get to know Jake with all the eyes of her new neighbors focused on her back?
He glanced down at her sheath dress and heels. “You’re gorgeous as ever, Dr. Boone.”
Tabitha smiled and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “Not so bad yourself, Officer Travers.”
She stepped out onto the landing and let Jake escort her down the stairs. He helped her up into his Jeep and climbed in the driver’s side.
“I know you suggested Mabel’s for dinner, but I’ve got a lasagna in the oven. Mind if we skip the crowd tonight and go to my place?”
Tabitha pulled her lip into her mouth. Had he been reading her mind? “That sounds great. I wasn’t looking forward to another chat with a grumpy hunter tonight anyway.”
Jake smiled and backed the car onto the road. “Neither was I.”
Tabitha had wondered ever since she got his text, did he say yes out of politeness? Or was he really interested? From the way he smiled at her when she opened the front door to the way he offered to cook her dinner…she thought it was the latter. “Is the lasagna a family recipe?”
“Yep. Everything I know about cooking I learned from my mom. Although you really should try my sister’s food sometime. She’s the best cook in the family.”
Tabitha frowned. She didn’t see Wendy as anything but an overprotective sibling, but she didn’t have much experience in that department. It was part of the appeal of Pinetree. She might not have a big family, but a small town was supposed to be just like one. She risked a glance in Jake’s direction. “I met your sister today.”
The Jeep slowed. “You did?”
“Mm-hmm.”
“What did she say?”
Tabitha bit back a grin. “Oh, you know…That you’re a great guy and I should keep my hands to myself. Usual sister stuff.”
Jake snapped his open mouth shut and turned back to the road. “She didn’t scare you off?”
“I don’t scare that easy, Jake.”
They pulled into the driveway of a large log home on the end of a side street. “This is your place?” Tabitha craned her neck to get a better view. Large windows, deep green shutters, wrap-around porch and painted metal roof. It might as well have come out of a magazine for log cabins.
“All mine. What do you think?”
“It’s beautiful.”
Jake walked around and held open the door as Tabitha climbed out. “Not what you were expecting?”
“Honestly? No. I assumed…”
“That I’d live in some shack with sheets for curtains? Not really my style.” He motioned toward the front door. “Come on in, I’ll give you a tour.”
Twenty minutes later and Tabitha was thankful she hadn’t invited Jake into her tiny one-bedroom apartment. With three bedrooms and two bathrooms and a deep enough well to never need trucked-in water,
Jake’s place had everything you could want in an Alaska home.
The kitchen rivaled those in Seattle and with the propane heat, Tabitha never even felt a chill. Wow. I could get used to a place like this.
Oh, no. As soon as the thought slipped through her mind, she shut it down.
She wasn’t Jake’s girlfriend and probably never would be. No sense in getting comfortable in his house. Unless he changed his mind and let his guard down, she’d probably never see it again.
With a sigh, Tabitha slipped off her jacket and set it on the back of the couch. Jake hustled around the kitchen, pulling out the lasagna and a bottle of wine. The more Tabitha watched him, the sharper the ache grew in her chest.
She could tell herself every which way ’til Sunday that she wanted to be single and that men were only useful for a good time. But she knew it wasn’t true. What she wanted more than independence, more than a quick romp in the hay, was to belong somewhere. With someone.
Too bad Jake didn’t want the same thing. She turned away from the kitchen and walked into the living room. She needed to get it together. A glass of wine, some good food, and she’d forget all about this silly notion of finding a boyfriend in Alaska.
She was there to be on her own and independent. Not tied to someone who’d only end up hurting her down the road.
Jake set the lasagna on the stove top and shut off the oven. The longer he stared at Tabitha as she milled around his living room and watched the sun set out the window, the more he doubted his intentions.
She was kind and smart and funny. Drop dead gorgeous. Everything he’d want in a girlfriend. She deserved better than a quick romp and a see you later. She deserved someone who could take care of her and be there for her. Not him.
He needed to come clean and tell her about his job. The threats and the danger and how he never knew if he’d be coming home. How could he ask her into his bed if she didn’t understand the risks?
As he set the lasagna on the table, Tabitha turned around. All sex and wonder. Heat and promise. Damn. He wanted to lay her down on his couch and make her dreams come true. A few of his own, too.