“You know you can tell me anything,” he pressed.
Not everything. If her dad knew what she’d asked of Dare, he would send her to a convent in England or somewhere else far, far away that no one could find on a map.
She joined him at the table. “I can’t talk about Dare right now.” If she did, she feared the tears that she’d woken up to this morning would return. She didn’t even know why she was shedding them. It wasn’t like she was in love. She couldn’t be. She definitely didn’t want to be. It would screw up her plans.
“All right. Let’s talk about something else,” he said. “Any news on the refuge officer front?”
“Wait a minute.” She narrowed her eyes. “Have you been talking to Dare? You know about the meeting with Lynx Maiski in Chatanika tomorrow, don’t you?”
“So, what if I do. Don’t tell me you’re going to let a little thing like a botched marriage proposal and a skirmish with your current beau and your ex keep you from missing out on this big opportunity? If you do, then I guess being a refuge officer isn’t as important to you as I thought it was.”
“No, I’m going.” She set down her coffee and crossed her arms over her chest. “I thought I’d drive up there myself.”
Luke clucked his tongue and shook his head. “Not a good idea. Business, as I’m sure you’ll find out, it’s all about who you know. You need a proper introduction to this man Maiski in order to get a step ahead in your plans, and the best way to do it is to have a friend of his introduce you. That friend being Dare.”
It was almost a two-hour drive to Chatanika and then another two back. How could she suffer through that many hours in a car with Dare when she didn’t know what to say to him, how to handle him, or have any idea what she felt for him?
“You’re worried about the trip up there?” her dad guessed correctly, blowing on his coffee before taking a sip. “Well, set up some ground rules before you go. But not dealing with the situation between you and Dare is not the way we Watermans handle things. You’ve never shied away from problems before, so take the moose by the antlers and go after what you want.”
The biggest problem was she wasn’t sure what she really wanted anymore. A career as a wildlife refuge officer, yes. That hadn’t changed.
But maybe now she wanted more than that too.
Chapter 21
Dare struggled with his chores Sunday morning one-handedly, feeling a mix of dread and anticipation as he waited, and prayed, that Luke had gotten through to Morgan and she’d show for their scheduled trip to Chatanika.
He already readied the truck, packed a mix of snack food, and called Ryder to have him take care of his chores tonight in case they returned late.
Now, if only Morgan would show.
He fumbled the bucket of chow for Kenai, cursing his inability to get the simple chore of feeding his pups done. Kenai let out a howl, expressing how he felt about his food being dumped on the ground and not in his clean bowl.
“Looks like you could use an extra hand,” a voice behind him said.
He spun around, his breath catching in his throat at the beautiful picture Morgan made. Dressed in jeans, boots, a soft pink sweater that made her blue eyes shine, layered under a warm coat, and topped off with a plaid scarf, she was a vision of loveliness. Emotion swamped him, and he had to swallow in order to speak. He wanted to rush toward her and enfold her in his arms but he planted his feet, not sure of his reception.
“Uh…yeah. I’m a bit clumsy today.”
Kenai let out another long, impatient howl, causing Morgan to toss her head back on a laugh, her waterfall of caramel-colored hair flowing around her. “Someone sure isn’t happy with you.”
“Apparently, he isn’t the only one. Morgan—”
“Stop right there.” She held up her hand when he took a step toward her. “We need to lay down some ground rules.”
“Okay,” he said slowly, knowing he wasn’t going to like this. His dad and Luke had prepared him for this. But she was here and talking to him, so he’d take what he could get at this point.
“This is a business meeting. I don’t want to talk about the other night. We keep it light, friendly, and that’s all.”
“And if I don’t agree?”
“Then I will take my chances on heading to Chatanika on my own and introducing myself to Lynx Maiski without your help.”
She would too. He could see it in her determined stance.
Well, shit, if she wouldn’t talk to him about what happened, and his freaking bungled marriage proposal, how could he resolve the mess he’d made out of everything? She was effectively tying his hands.
So much for no strings attached.
“Do you agree?” she asked when he didn’t say anything.
Like he had a choice.
“For today…you can call the shots.”
She narrowed her eyes at that, but it was his turn to stand firm. They would have it out, maybe not today, but soon, whether she liked it or not. She continued to stare at him and then seemed to come to a decision. “Hand me the bucket, and let’s get these dogs fed before Kenai chews you out again.”
Steeling his expression, he handed the empty bucket over, smiling when she turned and headed to the feed shed. Damn, but she was a fine-looking, stubborn woman. He didn’t know how in the hell he’d be able to keep his hands off her today.
It was going to be a long trip to Chatanika and back.
Chapter 22
The drive went better than she hoped. Dare adhered to her ground rules, and they spent the hours driving, sticking to safe and superficial topics.
The old gold mining town of Chataknia was known now for its superb snow machining, extreme hiking, and challenging canoeing and fishing on the Chataknia river, though she’d heard that gold could still be found and many traveled here every year hoping to strike it rich. The old, rusting dinosaur of a gold dredge still stood in place, a testament to the town’s harsh beginnings. Now the lodge was the main attraction, and by the trucks and snow machine trailers clogging the snow-packed, gravel parking lot, it was doing a fair amount of business.
They got out and strode over to the boardwalk-covered porch, held up with burlwood logs that gave the place a quaint and artistic flare. The theme continued inside with antique skiing equipment, snow shoes, and various other artifacts hanging on the walls.
Dare had told her that the lodge had been owned by the Maiski family for generations. It was part restaurant and general store, having many functions that serviced the population of Chatanika.
Morgan followed Dare into the main dining room, taking it all in.
“Dare! Over here,” Lynx Maiski hollered, motioning them over to a table in the corner.
Morgan had seen him once when he’d given a speech at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The way he talked so passionately about his work had her devouring all the information she could find on what it meant to be a wildlife refuge officer. He was tall, well over six feet, towering over Dare by a few inches and Dare wasn’t a small man. Lynx’s Athabaskan heritage shone through with his honeyed skin, jet black hair, deep brown eyes, and massive shoulders.
“Good to see you, man.” Lynx grabbed Dare in a hug, slapping him on the back.
“You too. Why is this place so busy on a Sunday?”
“The snow machining group the Powder Heads are here waiting for the predicted snow storm to hit later tonight. It has the whole family pitching in to help with the overload.” Lynx turned his attention to Morgan, and she suddenly went tongue-tied. “So, this is Morgan Waterman? The woman dying to meet me.”
“Y-yes, sir.” She held her hand out to shake, hers disappearing in his large grasp.
“None of that ‘sir’ stuff. If I decide to take you on, then we can revisit you calling me sir.” His eyes twinkled, and she didn’t know if he was joking or not. “Have a seat. Fox should be joining us soon. When he heard you were coming, Dare, he was beside himself and wants to show you how that sled of yours is p
erforming with his dogs. The kid’s got something.”
“Don’t I know it,” Dare said. “I have a feeling he’s going to pass me up on the trails.”
“His dogs are fast. He has that special way with them.”
“It’s uncanny,” Dare said. “Morgan, you need to see this kid with his dogs. It’s like they talk to him.”
“Yours talk to you too. Kenai especially.” Kenai had sure given Dare a piece of his mind that morning and she was sure Dare understood every howling moment of it.
“No, this is different. He’s got like Doctor Doolittle powers.”
“I’ve heard that about you, too, Lynx,” Morgan commented.
Lynx shrugged and seemed uncomfortable with the conversation. “Well, what can I say? It’s a family thing. We Maiskis have a…kinship, if you will, with the animals. From what I’ve heard, Morgan, you have a way with them too. Word reached me about your rescue of the twin moose calves last spring when their mom was killed in a car accident outside of Fairbanks. That was good work keeping them calm until we could get help out there.”
Heat flooded her face. She had no idea that news had made its way to Chatanika. To him.
“Thank you.”
“After Dare’s call, I took the liberty of looking further into your background. Impressive, completing a bachelor’s degree in wildlife management and certification in veterinary sciences at the same time.”
Dare swung a surprised look her way, but she ignored him.
“Your education is in order,” Lynx continued. “You’re missing some law enforcement training, but that can be done, and you’d have to pass the physical fitness test. If I assume correctly, with your dad being a taxidermist, you know how to handle yourself around firearms?”
“That I do.”
“She’s a crack shot,” Dare said “No one I know can hit a target like she can and there isn’t any weapon she can’t handle, not with her upbringing.”
It was Morgan’s turn to swing a surprised look his way.
“Why not go into the Alaska State Troopers program?” Lynx asked “Why the refuge? We are considered the red-headed stepchildren of law enforcement.”
“Something stuck with me that day you gave your speech at UAF. You said that you get paid to play. You talked about your time on the Yukon Flats and the Brooks Range, the animals you’ve helped, the poachers you’ve stopped, and the people you’ve saved. I know it won’t be easy, but I can’t see myself doing anything more rewarding and exciting than what you described.”
Lynx sat back in his chair, gave Dare a look, and then turned back to Morgan. “Well said.”
“To be truthful, some of those words were yours,” she said with a smile.
He boomed out a laugh. “Glad to know someone was listening.” He studied her a moment longer, glancing between Dare and her. “Are you two a couple?”
“Yes,” Dare said at the same time Morgan said, “No.”
“Ahh.” Lynx nodded. “Been there. You both have my sympathies. I hope you figure it out soon. Morgan, as I’m sure you know, being a wildlife refuge officer requires a lot of time in the wild, weeks sometimes with no contact with your loved ones. That is something you need to consider.”
“I’m perfectly aware of that.” She purposely didn’t look at Dare although she felt his stare as if he were actually touching her.
“Well, I like what I see. My budget for next year was increased to take on another officer. Get those other things I mentioned in order, and I’d be willing to take you on in January.”
“Seriously?” She’d never thought that this meeting could actually result in a job offer.
“Definitely. Now, let’s get something to eat. There’s Fox. I swear the kid’s stomach is his best clock.”
Chapter 23
They spent the rest of the afternoon with Fox and his dogs. Morgan loved the antics of the animals and the relaxed, mentorship Dare gave Fox. She had no idea he was such a patient teacher. Even though Fox was only eighteen, he was the same height as Dare, just lacking Dare’s muscle mass. But it was apparent he had his uncle Lynx’s genes and would be as imposing as he was within the next few years.
The sun had started to set when they made their way back to the lodge and climbed into the truck for the drive home. Dare had been on his best behavior, which caused an unsettling feeling to stir in her stomach. She liked that he hadn’t pressured her, but part of her wanted him to force the issue about his proposal.
He had been quieter after their meeting with Lynx, as though stewing over a problem. Could it be when she’d told Lynx they weren’t a couple? He’d seemed hurt, but they weren’t a couple.
Nothing like that had been discussed, regardless that he’d blurted it out in front of the patrons of the Pump House that he wanted to marry her. He’d yet to tell her why. There were no words of love spoken between them. She had no idea where she stood, and that left her feeling unstable, like she was crawling over a thin sheet of ice that was about to crack at any moment and send her into the dark, icy waters below.
“Anything you need before we head back?” Dare asked, opening the door of the truck for her.
They’d both already visited the restrooms and grabbed to-go cups of coffee for the trek back to Heartbreak.
“No, I’m good.” She climbed in and buckled her seatbelt, sitting there quietly as Dare walked around the hood and got in.
He started the engine and backed out of the parking lot, heading out of town. The silence stretched until Morgan couldn’t take it. “Uh, thank you for doing this. Calling Lynx and setting up the meeting.”
“No problem. Seems like everything worked out well for you.” He didn’t spare her a glance, just kept his eyes on the road.
Was that it? He was going to treat her like a stranger or acquaintance? But then she didn’t have anyone to blame for the cold shoulder more than herself.
“Dare?” she began, worrying her bottom lip, not knowing how to express what she was feeling.
“Hmm?”
“About what I said this morning.”
“What about it?” he asked softly. While his tone was even, she could tell she had his full attention.
“I think I was wrong.”
“Wrong?” That got him to glance her way.
“I would like to talk about…what happened the other night.”
He suddenly hit the brakes. “Hold on!”
Throwing his broken hand out to catch her, he swerved to avoid a huge bull moose, the biggest she’d even seen.
The old truck went into a skidding spiral on the icy road, careening off the shoulder, landing them in the ditch, the crunch of metal and shattering glass deafening.
Chapter 24
“Morgan! Come on, honey, talk to me.”
She blinked her eyes open, having shut them tight and covered her face when they’d gone into the ditch. Breathing hard, her eyes wide, she took stock of their surroundings. They were hood deep in the ditch and it was getting darker outside, the cold creeping in since the engine had died.
“Morgan!” Dare hollered again, his voice hoarse with worry. She turned to him and found him struggling, trapped under a branch that had broken through the driver’s window. Their eyes met, his frantic. “Are you hurt?”
“No, I don’t think so.”
He gave a heavy sigh of relief, his eyes closing. He uttered, “Thank you, God.”
“What about you?” she asked. His side of the truck had taken the impact, resting against a tree. The branch that had shattered the window, pinned him to the seat and covered him in bits of fractured glass.
Holy shit, that branch could have stabbed him through his heart and killed him.
Heat and cold warred inside her as her emotions fought over what to feel first. Fear that she could have lost him just like that, and overwhelming relief that he was still alive. Then she realized he hadn’t answered her question. “Dare, are you hurt?”
“No, I’m fine. Just trapped under this blasted
branch.”
There were sounds of something or someone scrambling down into the ditch and then a hollered, “You guys okay in there?” And then Lynx’s face appeared at her window. He opened her door. “Anyone hurt?”
“I don’t know,” she said. “Dare’s trapped.”
“I’m fine,” Dare said. “Just help get me out of here.”
“Are you sure?” Lynx asked. “That was quite the spin off the road you did there. I was a few car lengths behind you, headed home.”
“Goddamn moose came out of nowhere,” Dare muttered, pushing hard at the branch pinning him in place. There was a crack, and then it gave way and he was able to squeeze free of it.
“Moose, did you say?” Lynx asked, his brow quirking up with interest. “What did he look like?”
Dare gave him a disbelieving look. “Like a damn moose.”
“Huge, with massive antlers, a pretty sable brown, his coat slicked back like he’d just been to the groomers,” Morgan said.
Both men stared at her.
“What?” she said. “He was the last thing I saw before my life flashed before my eyes, and I think his image will be ingrained on my mind for a very long time.”
Lynx started to chuckle, and then the chuckle turned into a booming belly laugh.
“What’s so funny?” Dare scowled.
“I do believe you’ve been Bullwinkled.”
“Bullwinkled?” Dare said. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“BW. He’s our resident matchmaking moose. He introduced Eva and me back five kids ago and made sure we didn’t screw it up. There are many other couples from here to North Pole who have him to thank for saving their relationships. He has a way of forcing couples to figure out their shit, whether they like it or not. Kind of freaky how he knows what to do. Come on, let’s get you back to the lodge and see if we can find you a place to stay for the night. It’ll be slim pickings what with the Powder Heads taking all the rooms, but if I remember right, the small cabin out back is free. You won’t be going anywhere until tomorrow or later.”
Wild Streak (Alaska Wild Nights Book 6) Page 9