Northern Escape

by Jennifer Labrecque

  “CAN I STAY THE NIGHT?” Nick asked, his profile etched in the light from the other room as he lay back against her pillow. He looked frighteningly right there.

  “Not tonight,” she said. She needed time to think, to regroup. She thought perhaps she wanted him to stay another time but not now. “Maybe tomorrow night. Let’s talk about it then.” That afforded her time to marshal her thoughts. “Plus, I’m worn out—” she grinned at him “—in a good way, but tired still. I’m not used to sleeping with anyone and I need some sleep tonight.”

  “It’s okay. I know when I’m being kicked to the curb.” His grin told her he was teasing.

  Not only was the man great in bed, he had a sense of humor. That was a double bonus in her book. Actually, make it a triple because he knew his way around a kitchen as effectively as he knew his way around a bedroom.

  “Consider yourself kicked.”

  “Ouch.”

  She laughed. She liked this silly give and take with him. Maybe he was so easy to be with because there was no future relationship at stake. Another part of her whispered that maybe he was so easy to be with because he was the right man for her.

  “Go ahead and laugh, you cold woman.”

  She trailed her fingers over his chest. “You weren’t complaining about me being cold half an hour ago.”

  “Honey, you were anything but cold. I thought we might burn the place down.” He slid out of bed and pulled on his underwear. Gus watched. This just didn’t happen often in her world—by her choice, but it still didn’t happen, nonetheless. She was looking while she could look. Still watching him, she threw off the covers and started pulling on her clothes as well, skipping her bra.

  “You don’t have to get dressed,” he said. “I can see myself out.”

  “I don’t mind seeing you out and I need to shut down everything downstairs anyway.”

  Gus couldn’t remember ever feeling this comfortable with anyone. There was none of that awkwardness she’d experienced in the past immediately after sex. Even when she and Troy had been engaged, sometimes after they’d been in bed together it had been uncomfortable at times.

  She tugged her shirt over her head at the same time he finished buckling his belt.

  “Ready?” he said.

  “Ready.”

  He slipped on his shoes, carrying his socks in his hands. They were quiet going downstairs and neither spoke until they reached the door connecting her place to Merrilee’s. He wrapped his arms around her and held her close. “Thank you for tonight.”

  She buried her face in his neck, inhaling his scent, knowing it would be on her sheets when she returned to bed. “I enjoyed it, too.”

  “Meet me for breakfast in the morning.”

  She was flattered he wanted to spend time with her again so soon. “I could do that.”

  “Okay, I’m just going to be bold and ask if there’s any chance we could have breakfast in your apartment. Privacy is in short order here.”

  He’d nailed the privacy issue. “That works for me. Sometimes living here is like living under a microscope. In fact, tomorrow morning, if you go outside, you’ll see a set of stairs on the back corner of the building. That leads to my apartment. Merrilee has the same thing on her side. It’s a safety issue in case of fire. Come over around eight and I’ll have the door unlocked. Just come on in.”

  “I’m already looking forward to it.” He traced his thumb over her cheekbone and she quivered deep inside at the sweetness, the tenderness behind that gesture. And then because food was what she did, she asked, “What would you like for breakfast?”

  His grin held more than a hint of devilment. “Honey, I don’t care whether we eat or not.”

  “But if we’re not eating what will we do?” Her tone was pure innocence.

  “I think we’ll find something to occupy the time.”

  10

  GUS BEAT HER ALARM CLOCK the following morning. She was up and out of bed before it even had a chance to ring. She felt like a teenager again. Actually, she wasn’t sure whether she’d ever felt this giddy, even when she was a teenager. She’d gone to sleep thinking of Nick and woken up thinking of him. With a start she realized for the first time in over four years, Troy hadn’t crept into her thoughts last night. Maybe it was because she’d realized last night she was tired of running. She’d been running for the last four years, even though she’d been right here. If Nick had figured out everything else, he would sooner than later figure out Troy’s identity. But there’d be no more running on her part. Let the chips fall where they may. For the first time in over four years, she finally, finally, felt in control of her own life again. It was liberating, exhilarating.

  She gave her mind free reign while she prepped breakfast. Nick might not want to eat when he got here—in fact, she couldn’t wait to get her hands on him again and she was planning on going straight to the bedroom—but they would eat eventually.

  He’d been so sweet when he’d asked to stay the night and she wasn’t being coy when she’d sent him away—she just hadn’t been mentally prepared to have him stay. Nothing was secret in Good Riddance. But then again, people were incredibly curious here, but also very accepting. It wasn’t as if she stood to scandalize the entire town. It had taken four years for a man like Nick Hudson to cross her path. God knows how long it would take for another one to show up on her doorstep.

  Ever since she’d arrived she’d poured herself into the restaurant. Sophisticated, funny, roll-up-his-shirtsleeves-and-jump-in-to-help Nick was like a flash of springtime in the dead of winter. She felt more alive and energized than she had in longer than she could remember. So, Gus Tippens was going to rock the boat. Gus was going to go for broke and tell Nick he could do more than just stay one night, he could stay with her until he left. She was going to temporarily claim her own man here in Good Riddance.

  And speaking of claiming as her own, she realized she’d forgotten all about Jenna’s request once again. She checked her watch. Nick shouldn’t be here for another forty minutes or so.

  Gus paced back and forth in her apartment kitchen—she’d always done her best thinking in front of a stove or countertop. Jenna wanted a recipe to attract a particular animal so she’d be marked in the native tradition and she’d then be acceptable to Nelson and his tribe. And like a dummy Gus had blithely agreed without thinking it through.

  She couldn’t give Jenna a recipe. It was dangerous and wrong to try to feed or attract wild animals. Everyone in this part of the country knew that—well, Chris of Chrismoose fame had been the exception but Alaska was all about exceptions.

  Actually coming up with a recipe for Jenna would’ve been the easier thing to do. Instead, what Gus had to do now was face Jenna and bring her down as gently as possible.

  And then Jenna needed to have a conversation with Nelson. She felt bad for Jenna—this situation had broken heart written all over it—but Gus didn’t see any other way around it. She was not looking forward to taking this up with Jenna, especially with the Chrismoose pageant scheduled for tonight.

  A brief knock sounded on the outer door, which she’d unlocked earlier, and then Nick opened it and stepped inside. Outside, snow swirled in the dark morning. He closed the door. Snowflakes clung to his dark hair and dusted the shoulders of his jacket.

  Something indefinable surged through her at the sight of him. “Hi.”

  “Hi.”

  His smile sent another surge through her and she realized it was happiness—pure, unadulterated joy at seeing him. “Any trouble finding the place?” she asked, teasing.

  He grinned as he shrugged out of his coat and hung it on the peg next to the door. “I only got lost twice.”

  She started toward him. “I’m glad you made it.”

  “Me, too.” He bridged the rest of the distance.

  And then that was all she wrote. They were on one another as if they couldn’t stay away…and Gus was sure she couldn’t. Last night had been about taking their time. This mo
rning that wasn’t an issue. Kissing frantically, they somehow managed to stumble their way to the bedroom. Nick fell back on the mattress, pulling her down on top of him.

  Yes, breakfast would definitely be delayed for a while.

  NICK SAT ACROSS THE TABLE from Gus and had the frightening thought that he could definitely get used to sitting across from her in the mornings. Her hair was a bit of a mess but he liked it for two reasons. One, he was responsible for it being in that state and two, he liked the fact that she didn’t fuss over her appearance. They’d climbed out of bed and she’d run her fingers through it and headed for the kitchen.

  “Great breakfast,” he said, savoring the last bite.

  “I’m glad you liked it.”

  She’d made an egg dish with spinach, artichoke hearts, and a sauce served with fruit and a sourdough Asiago cheese toast. “You really have a talent.”

  “Thank you. You know I think you do, as well.”

  She’d told him once before she liked his blog and that meant a lot to him. The inhabitants of Good Riddance were extremely fortunate to have her restaurant but… “Do you really see yourself staying here indefinitely?”

  She shrugged and began to clear the dishes. He started to rise to help and she waved him back down. “I’ve made my spot here.”

  She stacked the dishes in the sink and returned to the table.

  “How do I say this delicately?” Nick steepled his fingers. He was seldom at a loss to express himself. Hell, there was nothing for it but to throw it out there. “I like this town but you’re too big for it. Your talent’s too big for it.”

  A frown played between her eyebrows and he truly hoped he hadn’t overstepped his bounds but it felt as if they’d cut through so much of the bullshit people waded through and danced around. However, there was still a good chance she’d tell him it was none of his damn business.

  She picked up her coffee cup but didn’t drink from it. “I don’t know quite how to explain it, but when I first got here I was sort of in survival mode. And then I threw myself into remodeling the restaurant and making it as successful as I could. I’ve been so busy with the here and now, I haven’t given the long-term future much thought.”

  “If you could leave tomorrow, would you? If it was just for a short trip, a vacation?” He sensed a longing and a restlessness in her he wasn’t sure she was even aware of. Which might have sounded presumptuous but he felt this weird connection with this woman he’d never experienced with anyone else.

  “I took a couple of days off and spent some time in Anchorage last year.”

  He glanced pointedly at the framed pictures of Paris and New York on her walls. “I meant outside the state of Alaska.”

  Her smile held an edge. “Yes, it would be nice to travel. But I’ve explained my situation to you.”

  He nodded. He couldn’t imagine always looking over his shoulder for a stalker. But he also couldn’t imagine spending the rest of his life in hiding. It didn’t seem any way to live to him.

  “What about you?” she said. “Don’t you ever get tired of roaming the world? Don’t you ever think of settling down?”

  “Every now and then, but I’m not ready. There are still lots of places to go and see.” He had thought on occasion, and it seemed more frequently lately, that sometimes it would be nice to have a travel companion, but then again that could easily turn into an anchor. “I sort of have the best of both worlds. My family is always there when I’m in New York and in the meantime, I get to see the world.”

  She stood without commenting and crossed to the sink where she poured the rest of her coffee down the drain, then rinsed the cup.

  And he was suddenly very much aware he had another three days with this woman and then he was heading home for Christmas and she was staying here. He rose from the table and slid his arms around her from behind. “Breakfast was great.” He kissed the back of her neck. “I’m glad I invited myself.”

  She laughed and turned to face him. Leaning back against the sink, she linked her arms around his waist. “Speaking of invites, I have one for you.” She lowered her gaze and seemed to have developed a sudden fascination with his shirt. “I’ve thought about it and you can stay here the rest of your trip if you want to.”

  “If I want to?” He felt as if he’d just been handed an early Christmas present. He couldn’t contain his grin. “Hmm, let me think about it.” He pretended to ponder. “Let’s see, sleeping alone next door and sharing a bathroom with six other people or sleeping with you and sharing a bathroom with you? I think I want to.”

  She narrowed her eyes at him in mock outrage. “I see how it goes. You only want me for my bathroom facilities.”

  Nick grew serious. He knew her well enough to know she hadn’t issued that invitation lightly. He was honored. Smoothing his thumb over her cheek bone, he said, “Honey, I’d stay with you even if you didn’t have a bathroom.”

  Her eyes smiled into his and it was like standing in the warm sun. “Luckily, I do.” She released him. “I’m going to take care of the dishes.”

  “I’ll help,” he said.

  She sent him another one of her radiant smiles. “Okay. I’ll wash. You dry.”

  They worked well together. He’d noticed it the two days he’d worked in the restaurant with her. She began filling the sink.

  “You’re okay with people talking?” he asked.

  Gus laughed as the suds began to form. “People are going to talk regardless. So I’ll be the one giving them something to talk about this time around.” She grinned. “After four years, it’s my turn to pull the gossip train. It’s probably all over town already that you’re here now. I’m sure someone, somewhere saw you coming up those outer stairs.”

  “Merrilee’s not going to be happy. She doesn’t like me.”

  “No, she doesn’t like you.” She tossed him a dish towel and then plunged her hands into the soapy water. “You scare her. All you have to do is post something about me or the restaurant and I’m done.”

  “I’ve told you that’s not going to happen. You can trust me.”

  “If I didn’t trust you, you wouldn’t be here now.”

  “What does she think I’d have to gain by exposing you?”

  She hesitated for a moment. “His family is well-known.”

  Nick rinsed what she washed and stacked the dishes on the counter. “Ah, so one of those celebrity exposés in which the out-of-control son sends a woman into hiding.”

  “Something like that.”

  “Not going to happen, Gus.” He made quick work of drying.

  “I know that, Nick. You asked and I’m just telling you where Merrilee is coming from. And no, she won’t be happy with me, but I’m an adult.”

  “I don’t want to complicate your life.”

  “Too late—” she grinned “—but my life needed a little complication.” She finished up the last of the pans.

  “I’ll pack my stuff this morning after I get back from the snowmobile races.” He wanted to spend as much time with her as possible.

  “That’s fine and I’ll handle Merrilee.”

  Nick winced. “I’m definitely getting the better end of that deal.”

  LATER THAT MORNING, Merrilee beat Gus to the punch by showing up at her apartment.

  “Come on in,” Gus said, stepping aside. The breakfast dishes had been put away, but the placemats were still on the table. Obviously two people had eaten at her table. Merrilee’s sharp gaze took it all in. “Can I get you a cup of coffee?”

  “Thanks but no thanks. We need to talk, Gus.”

  This was not going to be a good conversation. “Okay,” Gus said, walking into the den. She sat in the zebra chair, leaving Merrilee the couch.

  Merrilee perched stiffly on the sofa’s edge. “You know I’m not one to beat around the bush.”

  Gus merely nodded and Merrilee continued, “You know I love you and I’m here because I know what time Nick came in this morning and I assume he’s the one who
ate breakfast with you.”

  She’d known Merrilee would know, but Gus had to say she felt a bit defensive at having Merrilee tracking her movements. “He is.”

  “I’m worried.” And Gus knew it was true. Merrilee looked tired and there were circles under her eyes. “You’re making a big mistake, Gus. You’ve worked so hard to get yourself to this point but with him you’re so vulnerable. He’s a reporter.”

  “Merrilee, I hear what you’re saying but I believe I can trust him.”

  Merrilee rubbed her fingers across her forehead as if to ward off a headache. “Honey…Gus…listen to yourself. Your telling me you can trust a man you’ve known for a whopping two days? After all you’ve been through? That alone tells me you’re not thinking clearly.”

  There was no way around it—Merrilee had just hurt her feelings up one side and down the other. She’d never felt the older woman’s censure before and it wasn’t a good feeling. Gus lifted her chin. “I disagree with you. It’s true, I only met him two days ago but I knew him long before that, Merrilee. I read his blogs for nearly two years. You get to know the measure of a man through his work and after meeting him and spending time with him, he is who he comes across as in those columns. I know you have a bad opinion of reporters. I had a bad experience with the police when they wouldn’t do anything about Troy, but it doesn’t mean all cops aren’t trustworthy.”

  “Gus, I’ve supported you unfailingly in the past but I can’t support you getting close to Nick. You, me, Bull, we all decided the best plan was for you to fly as low as possible under his radar.” Merrilee leaned forward in supplication. “I’m begging you to come to your senses and cut it off now before you have a disaster on your hands and everything blows up in our faces.”