“Not at all. These Huskies have been trained for this. It’s part of Alaska’s history, you know. People have been using dog sleds for hunting and traveling for over one-hundred years. The animals are carefully chosen for what position they will be in to pull the sled, based on their height and weight.”
“How interesting.”
When the dogs were hooked up to the sled, Steele helped her to the front and she gripped to the bar on the sled. He stepped behind her and moved in closer, sliding his arms around her body to grasp the bar. Her quick intake of air made him grin.
“Will the dogs be able to pull us both?” Ivy asked.
“Yes. These are big strong dogs. We’ll be fine.”
She shifted from one foot to the other. “Now what happens?”
He leaned closer to her ear, smelling her wonderful berry scent. “You say mush,” he whispered.
Nodding, her throat jumped and she straightened. He knew well enough when a woman was attracted to him, and Ivy definitely showed the signs. Of course, her interest caused his interest in her to climb a notch higher.
“Mush!” she shouted.
Immediately, the dogs jumped into action, and the sled followed smoothly behind. Steele nearly lost his balance, so he gripped harder to the bar. Falling off wasn’t a good idea.
The wind blew in their faces, but her laughter made his heart light. This wasn’t like those rides at the carnival, and yet, there was something special with being out in Alaska’s cold weather and connecting with the great Huskies that had been trained since pups.
She looked at him over her shoulder. “This is fun.”
He nodded. “It is.”
“Have you been in dog sled races before?”
“Yes. I was twelve years old, I think. I didn’t win, but it was fun to compete.”
“Have you lived in Alaska all your life?”
He nodded again. “I was raised here, but I’ve been to other states before, too.”
She glanced back in the direction the dogs were heading. “What were you doing in Montana?"
Confusion filled his head. What was she talking about? Unless… “Oh, you mean when we met at the airport?”
“Yes.”
“I was there finishing up some business.”
She looked at him again from over her shoulder. One of her perfectly shaped eyebrows lifted. “And your girlfriend just happened to come along with you?”
His gaze dropped to her mouth and his heart leapt. Was she jealous? But he wouldn’t lie. There was no reason to. With him giving her the answer she sought, he wondered if that would bring them closer together, because… he really wanted to know what kissing her would feel like.
“Bonnie was a small part of the business I was trying to finish up.” He nodded. “But she didn’t like it that I was trying to break up with her. That’s why she came to Alaska, but she took a commercial flight.”
“Why not the jet?”
“It was booked up.”
“So, Bonnie is here now?” He nodded, so she continued, “And she wants to fix your relationship?” Ivy’s eyes widened.
“I’m sure that’s her intent, but getting back with her isn’t in my plans.”
“Then maybe you should tell her.”
“How many times do I need to tell a woman that we have no future together?”
Her gaze dropped to his mouth too, and he became all jittery inside. His limbs felt like he had no control, but it didn’t matter because his head had all the control – as did his mind. He leaned closer, hoping she would let him kiss her right now.
Suddenly, the sled hit a bump, and before he knew what was happening, he fell off the sled and tumbled on the snow. Panic surged through him as he jumped to his feet, watching the dogs taking her further away.
“Steele!” she screamed. “Make them stop!”
He started running, but his boots slipped on the snow and he dropped to his knees. Groaning, he shook his head. He’d just broken rule number one to dog sledding… Never fall off the sled when the dogs were in run, especially when the other person on the sled knew nothing about what she was doing.
EIGHT
Ivy tightened her fingers around the bar and held on for dear life. She could just let go and fall into the soft snow, but then what would happen to the dogs without someone to stop them? They would run off into the woods and get lost. Or worst… they could meet some fierce wild animal who would shred them to pieces.
“Stop!” she called to the dogs, but that wasn’t working. “Mush!” But saying that only made them run faster.
She glanced over her shoulder. Steele was running after her the best he could, but she doubted he’d ever catch up.
“The brake!” he yelled. “Step on the brake!” He pointed to the sled.
Brake? This wasn’t a vehicle that had a gas pedal or a brake pedal. What was he talking about?
She glanced down by her feet. There was a grate-looking device on the floor that appeared to be rigged to the leashes on the dogs. She tested it, placing her foot on the contraption. Immediately, she felt the tug of the dog’s leashes. She placed both feet on it hard. It only took a few seconds, and soon the sled stopped.
Sighing, she leaned her forehead on her hands still gripping the bar. She breathed deeply and slowly, trying to regulate her fast-beating heart. She wasn’t in any danger. Not really. So then why had it scared her?
“Ivy,” Steele called out to her, breathless.
He stopped beside her and pulled her into his arms. She went willingly, pressing her cheek against his chest. Although his coat blocked her from feeling his muscular chest, it still felt nice being in his arms.
“Are you all right?” he asked.
She looked up into his face and nodded. “I shouldn’t have been scared. But I worried that the dogs—” She glanced at the animals, now sitting in the snow, watching them. She laughed lightly. “I suppose they would have known what to do if I had fallen off, right?”
He stroked the side of her face, pulling her attention back to his caring expression. “Yes. They are smart animals. But it was my fault for not telling you about the brake sooner.”
She expelled a deep breath and stepped out of his embrace. “Well, that was an interesting activity.”
“Yeah, it sure was.” He moved to the dogs and pulled the leader around, positioning the sled back toward their shelter. He held out his hand to Ivy. “Do you dare to take a ride back with me?”
“As long as you’re driving.”
He laughed and took her hand in his as they walked back to the sled.
They didn’t talk on the way back as she held onto him as she’d done when they were on the ATV. Her mind spun with ways to fit that into the commercial. Having one of them fall off the sled might be funny, and in the commercial, it could be one of the things that draw the man and woman closer together, which of course was the theme of the commercial.
As they approached the shed, Steele sighed and stroked her arm around his waist. Butterflies danced in her chest. Had he really tried to kiss her just before he fell off the sled? But why? They’d been talking about his girlfriend – or ex-girlfriend. He couldn’t possibly think she was interested in him that way. If he did, she needed to do something to divert his mind. She hadn’t come to Cupid Island to fall in love, even though that’s what the commercial would be promoting.
She just hoped she was strong enough to withstand his charming advances.
“What about that woman?” Steele nodded to the beautifully build blonde standing next to the large fireplace in the lobby. The woman with the luscious hair held a drink in her hand as she chatted with a man standing next to her. Right away, Steele could tell these two people hadn’t come to the island together, but he was willing to bet good money they’d leave together.
“No, she’s too obvious.” Ivy sipped her lemonade. The look of disgust showed on her face as she peered at the other woman.
He turned in his chair and leaned on the small
table they were sitting at while eating lunch together. “What do you mean by that?”
“Really, Steele?” She set her glass on the table and linked her fingers, giving her chin a bracket to use as she rested her elbows on the table. “The only commercials that woman would be good for would be to sell cars – or suntan lotion.”
He laughed. “Oh, so you think she’s too much woman?”
Ivy rolled her eyes. “She’s definitely too much of something, but she’s not right for my commercial.”
She moved her attention back to the lobby that was crowded with couples waiting for the sleigh ride or the bus to take them to the slopes for some skiing. Knowing the routes of the buses, he knew why the lobby would get full.
“What about him?” she asked, pointing to the man standing by one of the windows.
Steele had to admit the man was good looking. In fact, he reminded Steele of his brother Rudy with the lighter brown hair and handsome face. “I guess he’s okay.”
“Just okay?” She threw Steele a glance before looking back at the man. “He’s gorgeous, and when he smiles, he could melt a woman’s heart.”
Steele tapped his fingers on the table. “Tell me, Ivy. Are we looking for a man and woman who can make people’s heart melt – or eyes bug out – or are we looking for a couple who are perfect for each other and complement each other perfectly?”
She chewed on her bottom lip and met Steele’s stare. “Honestly? I want them to be both.”
Blowing out a frustrated breath, he scratched his head. “Then I guess we keep looking.”
Ivy reached across the table and tapped her fingers on his forearm. “Steele, I really appreciate your help. I won’t be able to do all of this by myself. In fact, I’ll see if Evelyn wants to help us look.”
He shrugged. “I guess she can help. She’s friends with my father, which worries me. I don’t want him to keep tabs on me.”
Slowly, she narrowed her gaze on him. “Why would your father do that?”
“I’m just tired…” He stopped his thoughts from rolling off his tongue. He really shouldn’t tell her. After all, his father was paying her, and he might keep tabs on Steele through Ivy.
“You’re tired of what?” She touched his arm again.
He looked at her delicate fingers and manicured nails. The nails weren’t long, and they definitely weren’t fake, but they made her hands look so petite and perfect. Before she could move her hand away, he quickly took it in his and softly caressed her knuckles.
“Most of my life, I’ve felt as though my father compared me to my older brothers. I’m the oldest son from his second wife, Mara. I grew up hearing how Dash accomplished something, or how Dan made everyone happy. Prancer was an athlete. Vick was a constant flirt, and everyone loved him. And Comet…” Steele rolled his eyes. “Nobody can outshine a Gold-medalist athlete. Then came me – firstborn from Gordon’s second wife and a screw-up no matter what I tried to do.”
“Is that what you think? That your father hired me because he thought you needed help with the island?”
“It sure looks that way, doesn’t it?” Steele sighed heavily. “Gordon told me the resort needed more exposure and that a commercial would be the perfect way to bring more couples to the island.”
She was silent as her gaze returned to the lobby. Her expression was full of concern and confusion.
“Is the resort losing money?” she asked.
“I don’t think so. I haven’t noticed a decline in reservations.”
“I hate to disagree with your father, but I think this resort is very popular.”
Steele had wanted to believe that desperately. He wanted to think that people would come to Cupid Island because the name itself is for love. “I’m sure he’s comparing it to my older brothers’ resorts.”
“I don’t know. Maybe.”
She slowly slid her hand away and wrapped her fingers around her lemonade before she took another drink. He wished she hadn’t withdrawn. He liked holding her hand. Liked it too much, in fact.
He lifted his ice-cold bottled water and drank. The water was like heaven to his taste buds and so refreshing. As he returned to his search of the perfect people to be in the commercial, his gaze fell on a familiar woman… one that was marching his way, wearing a scowl.
Inwardly, he groaned. Bonnie! How had he forgotten about her?
NINE
Ivy recognized the blonde woman before she reached the table, and braced herself for what she figured would soon come out of the jealous ex-girlfriend’s mouth.
Bonnie wore skin-tight jeans and a pink sweater that was probably two sizes too small. Then again, if Ivy had an hourglass figure like Bonnie’s, maybe she’d want to show it off, too. But Ivy had never been shallow. She wanted people to love her for her mind, not her body.
Huffing, Bonnie folded her arms across her generous bosom and glared at Steele. “What do you think you’re doing?” She peeked at Ivy and shot her a fierce glare before looking back at Steele.
“I’m having lunch. What does it look like I’m doing?” he said with no emotion in his voice.
“Why are you having lunch with her?”
He sighed. “Bonnie, this is Ivy Kidman, Ivy, this is Bonnie.”
Ivy didn’t want to tell the other woman it was nice to meet her, so she just nodded. Bonnie didn’t even return a gesture.
“I don’t care who she is,” Bonnie snapped. “You are still having lunch with her and not me.”
Grumbling, Steele pushed his fingers through his hair and leaned back in his chair. “If you have a problem with me having lunch with the woman who works for my father, then take it up with him. He’s the one who wanted the commercial.”
Bonnie’s eyes widened and she swung her gaze at Ivy again. “You are the one who is making the commercial?”
“Yes.”
In a flash, Bonnie’s scowl disappeared, and a fake smile stretched across her flawless face. “Oh, how lovely. Did you know that I was an extra in two of Kevin Costner’s movies?”
Ivy was not impressed. Maybe it would have been different if the woman wasn’t so fake. “How fortunate for you.”
Bonnie giggled and it sounded like a squealing piglet. Ivy clenched her teeth, hoping Steele would make his ex go away.
“Well,” Bonnie flipped her hand, “if you need anyone for your commercial, let me know. I’m going to be in Alaska for a few more days.”
Ivy glanced across the table from Steele and arched an eyebrow. “What do you think, Steele? Should we have Bonnie be in the commercial?”
The panicked look in his eyes for a brief moment was almost laughable, but Ivy held back the emotion.
“Well, um…” He swallowed hard. “I don’t know, Bonnie. Since you and I were dating, I don’t think that’s a wise decision.”
The blonde gasped dramatically, placing a hand to her chest. “What are you saying? We are dating. Don’t talk like its past tense.”
His jaw hardened and he rubbed his forehead. Slowly, he pushed away from the table and stood. He looked at Ivy and shrugged. “I hope you don’t mind, but I need to talk to Bonnie for a little while.”
Ivy shook her head. “Take all the time you need. I’ll keep myself busy trying to find our couples for the commercial.”
Steele grasped Bonnie’s elbow and led her out of the lobby and down one of the hallways. A laugh bubbled up in Ivy’s throat, and she put her fingers over her mouth to keep from laughing aloud. Maybe it would have bothered her if she could see if he still had feelings for the ditzy blonde, but it was obvious that he was finished with the woman.
Thoughts of Steele and the blonde left Ivy’s head as she really studied each person in the lobby. Too tall, too short – too fat, too thin – too pretty, not pretty enough. One guy was too hairy. One woman’s eyes were too close together. After ten minutes of finding fault with all of them, she was ready to scream. Perhaps she should turn it over to someone else... maybe even Rosetta. Ivy was just too picky.
“Excuse me. Can I ask you a question?” He asked.
At least he had a nice smile. “Sure. What do you want to know?”
He sat across from her where Steele had been sitting. The man stared at her with a serious expression.
“Are you religious?”
His question confused her for a moment, and she was speechless. No thoughts were entering her head, either. “Um, why do you ask?”
“Because—” he began, but then Steele stepped behind him.
“Because he thinks you’re the answer to his prayers.” Steele chuckled and motioned his thumb, silently telling the guy to get out of his chair.
“Really?” she asked with a laugh as the man stood. “Was that what you were going to say?”
His face bloomed with color, looking like a bad sunburn. “Yeah,” he muttered and moved away.
Once he was far enough away, Ivy laughed loudly and swatted Steele’s arm. “Oh, you’re awful, Holliday.”
“Hey.” He held up his hands in surrender. “I wasn’t the one with the cheesy pick-up line.”
“But I’m willing to bet you’ve given cheesy pick-up lines before.”
He shook his head, wearing a grin. “Me? Why would I do that?”
“Come on. Tell me the truth.”
His expression relaxed and he stretched his arm toward her. “Would you take my arm?”
Curiously, she grasped his hand. “Why?”
“So, I can tell my friends I was touched by an angel.”
Although she’d become breathless for a brief moment, she realized what he’d just done. She laughed louder this time and pushed his arm away. He laughed with her and she enjoyed the sound. She also liked seeing his eyes sparkle. Dang, he was one fine man. In fact… he would be the perfect main guy in the commercial. If only she could get him past his fear of people thinking his nose was broken.
Even if she could convince him to be the main man, she’d have to find a woman for his character to fall in love with. That would be too hard, especially when she couldn’t find anyone she liked.
Cupid Takes a Wife Page 6