The rush of the wind in Melanie’s face, and her sled might have been floating rather than gliding. With Buck mushing at her side, the same peaceful feeling enveloped her as it had yesterday. What a perfect way to spend the day. She didn’t dare mention it, not even to Gina, but this place called to her heart. Crazy as it sounded, this place comforted her like home. She hadn’t made a mistake coming here, only to have stayed away for this long.
The huskies appeared to love the exercise, too, even after the hour and a half they’d been hauling sleds. Rather than slowing down, her four dogs would probably take off across the tundra if she gave them their heads.
In spite of the female pilot’s “hands off” warning about Buck, riding beside him gave Melanie a good feeling. The dogs obviously adored him. Despite the canines’ rowdy behavior earlier, now they responded to his commands quickly and without complaint. Not to say they didn’t vocalize, yet the noise had a joyful quality. It spoke of a deeper trust between them. All appeared healthy and happy, meaning Buck must treat them well. Even in this morning’s melee, he’d used a stern tone yet gentle treatment. More brownie points for him.
Not that she was keeping score. Okay, maybe a little. Especially after her earlier outburst, a slip of emotion. She risked a glance at him. Good, he didn’t seem to notice. Or he’d graced her with his professionalism again.
Speaking of which… Time to check her own peeps. “Everyone okay back there?” she called over her shoulder.
“Great,” Gina yelled with a wave.
“So far so good.” Vic gave a thumbs-up sign.
“Whoop-dee-doo,” Hayden fake-cheered.
Ever the cynic. He’d already cast his vote for the next gig to take place on a tropical island, with jet skiing and surfing the most hazardous activities.
After this experience, Melanie couldn’t disagree more. To no one in particular, she yelled out, “I’m loving it.” And hated to think about the next show. Maybe they could explore more of Sweden instead of some other country.
“Great.” Buck’s half-smile appeared again. “Because we have about another hour to go.”
“Did you say another hour?” Hay whined.
“Buck up,” she called to Hay. “Oh, sorry,” she said to Buck. Is that where he got his nickname?
He gave no indication he’d heard. “We’ll arrive in time for lunch. Sound good?”
“Yes, I’m starving.” Again. Weird, she usually ate to keep herself going. A side effect of the cold on her metabolism, maybe? Anyway, she looked forward to sharing a meal with Buck. His deep, sonorous voice put her at ease. Bet he had some incredible stories to tell, if she could get him to loosen up a bit.
Time flew faster than the sled over the snow. When Buck pointed ahead and said, “There’s the homestead,” she could hardly believe an hour had passed.
“Almost there,” she called to her crew. Gina pumped a gloved fist, but Vic and Hay remained stiff as snowmen. Oh well, they could thaw out over lunch.
From the farm, another large dog barked. Melanie followed Buck’s lead, slowing her team of huskies as they circled into the yard and stopped outside a barn. A man wearing a deerskin coat waved and dragged a sled full of firewood beside the house. He called out something Melanie didn’t understand.
Buck waved and responded in what sounded like the same language, and stepped off his sled to shake hands. After a brief exchange between them, the man gestured them toward the house. No need to speak Sami to interpret the invitation.
Melanie smiled and nodded, then went to help Buck unfasten the dogs’ harnesses. “Do they speak English?”
He pushed down his hood to his shoulders. “Fluently. But it’s more polite to speak their native Sami.”
Noted. “Oh.” Her brain stopped working when he unzipped his parka. The man must be more hot blooded than most.
“They don’t expect you to know their language.” Buck led the huskies toward the barn. “We’ll let the dogs rest in here. If anyone needs help, I’ll be right back.”
So businesslike. Guess Anakarina had no need to warn her off. Another head-scratcher of a couple—she’d never have put the two together but they must be happy. Buck treated Melanie with the same cold professionalism as the rest of her crew. Who, at the moment, had barely moved from their sleds. “Come on guys. Unharness your pups like Buck showed you. They need some TLC after their hard workout.”
“So do we,” Hayden snarked.
“You’ll get yours.” She bent to release Catinka and Lars, her lead dogs. They licked her face, straining against the straps. “Thank you. I love you too.” Her laughter stopped when she realized someone stood close. Buck. Mouth in a grim line, watching her intently.
“Need help?”
She stood with the dogs’ leads in hand and tugged the animals away. “Nope. Got it.” She jerked her head toward the others. “I can’t vouch for them though.”
In a grunt of agreement, Buck strode off.
Melanie got lost in his swagger, easy and confident. Was the man impervious to the freezing temps? I wouldn’t mind sharing some of his body warmth. The dogs jerked against her hold. “Sorry, babies. Come on, let’s go get you settled.” The huskies dragged her inside the tall doors. No doubt they’d stopped here many times and knew better than she what to expect.
With a kerosene heater lit atop a slab of stone, the barn had a cozy atmosphere. In the center of the barn, the panting dogs sprawled atop the hay. The man who’d greeted them minutes ago filled tin pans with water.
Melanie unclipped the dogs’ leads. “Hello. I’m Melanie.”
With a nod of greeting, he smiled. “Welcome. I’m Edo.”
“Can I do anything to help?” Her dogs had already run to him and had begun lapping.
Stroking their fur, he winked. “Not yet. We’ll put you to work later.”
Hayden entered first, camera panning the barn.
Holding the harnesses of all four of Hay’s dogs, Buck followed with Gina and Vic and four of their dogsled team. “Everything okay?” His gaze bounced from her to the host and back.
“Fine.” Melanie headed outside. “I’ll go back for two more dogs.” The crisp air practically sparkled with sunshine, cold and pure. The huskies’ tails swished across the snow as she approached. “Poor babies. We didn’t forget you.” She bent to rub their necks, then snapped leashes on two more and released them. Surprisingly, they heeled pretty well on the walk inside, only straining ahead when Buck approached.
He said something to them in another language. Just one word, and they calmed. “I could have gotten the rest.”
“I wanted to help.”
He reached for the leashes. “You should go in and warm up.”
She pulled the leads out of the way and steered the huskies ahead. “I will when we’re done.”
He glanced back to where Hay stood, video cam pointed their way. With a grunt, Buck strode to the two sleds.
After releasing the two huskies, Melanie watched them join the others in flopping onto the barn floor. “Isn’t this great?”
Gina grinned. “Yeah, it is kind of fun.”
“A real blast.” Hayden appeared beside them.
She sent him a frown. “Shh.” No insulting the host, or Buck.
In half the time it had taken her, he’d collected the rest of the dogs and guided them en masse to the barn.
Edo started for the door. “You must be tired. Come inside and rest. Britt-Marie should have supper ready for you.”
Hayden headed toward their host. “No need to ask me twice.”
Melanie let Edo lead the way. “Sounds great, thank you.” Her team strolled outside, and she followed more slowly while Buck did a last scan of the dogs. He caught up to them outside, then latched the door behind him.
A frigid gust of air made Gina gasp and fluttered Buck’s parka open wider, but he seemed not to notice.
Melanie hugged herself. “Aren’t you cold?”
“Used to it, I guess.” Expression stern, he gestured her forward.
Okay then. No personal questions allowed. Likewise noted. The pang of disappointment hit her, and she pushed it away. As much as the trip felt like play, everyone had come here to work. Huddling against the bite of the freezing breeze, she trudged behind her crew. No sound came from behind, and she couldn’t help checking over her shoulder.
Buck had gone back to the sleds.
What’s he doing? “Need any help?” They didn’t need to unload their gear, did they?
“Nope.” He unstrapped the large bundle he’d stowed and carried it toward the house.
“Please.” The host gestured from the doorway. “Come in.”
Yikes, caught staring. She sent Edo a smile and trudged his way. The warm glow of firelight helped cheer her as she entered the homestead. Vivid reds and yellows brightened the open space. Like the outside of the hand-hewn cabin, its furnishings and decorations appeared to be crafted with skill and love. Nothing like the fast-food, fast-everything lifestyle Melanie had grown used to.
“Ah, you’re here.” Bent over a large pot cooking over the fire in the huge hearth, a woman smiled at them. After smoothing her apron, she approached. “Welcome. I’m Britt-Marie.” She swept back her loosely braided, long dark hair and clasped Melanie’s hand. Although small, her hands held such warmth. “I’ll take your coats. Come warm yourselves by the fire.”
Already warmed by the homey atmosphere, Melanie introduced herself and her team, then said hello to the teenage boy and girl. “What are your names?”
“Isa,” the girl spoke into Victor’s video lens as if she did it every day.
Not camera shy. Good for her. “And you’re Isa’s brother?”
The boy nodded. “Davved.” His gaze traveled to Gina and stayed there.
How adorable. Puppy love at first sight. Vic already had his gear out, but Melanie asked, “Is it all right if we shoot video during our stay?” Hopefully Arctic Adventures had already arranged it, but she always liked to get permission in person. She relaxed when both said yes. “I really appreciate it.”
The woman opened her arms to Buck, who stood apart from them.
Melanie gulped hard when Buck aimed his teasing half smile at Britt-Marie, and crouched to receive her hug. Nice to know he’s pleasant toward someone. She envied their conversation, flowing with easy familiarity, and wished again she understood the Sami language. Her envy turned slightly greener when he slid the bundle from behind him and presented it to the Sami woman.
Britt-Marie’s hands flew to her open mouth. She must have argued against the gift because Buck pressed the parcel closer to her, then set it atop the table. “Open it.”
Murmuring, Britt-Marie untied the strings to reveal a bolt of royal blue linen. Tucked inside a smaller bag were needles and threads of every color. Cupping his cheeks, she kissed each.
Buck’s smile vanished when he noticed Hayden’s lens pointed at him. He cleared his throat and stepped out of frame. He muttered something to Edo, and both men went outside.
Why? He didn’t smoke, did he? Melanie hadn’t smelled it on him. On her way to Britt-Marie, she circled by the window. No sign of the men. Much as she hated to intrude on the hostess’s moment, her job demanded she interact with everyone, engage them in conversation. Get them on camera, basically. “How lovely.”
Britt-Marie’s expression said it all. Buck had chosen well. “Last time he was here, I mentioned admiring some fabric. I haven’t had a new dress in a long time, but now I will. I have the perfect pattern for this.”
“So thoughtful of Buck.” More brownie points for him for remembering. “Do you sew your own clothes?”
“For Edo and myself. Isa and Davved prefer store-bought.” The mother arched a disapproving brow at her children.
Oops, apparently a touchy subject. “Kids like to keep up with trends.”
Britt-Marie’s nod had a sadness about it. “Yes. Enough about that. You must be hungry.” She folded the linen back inside its wrapping and lifted it tenderly as if it were a baby. “I’ll be right back and we can eat as soon as Edo and Buck bring in the firewood.”
Aha. So that’s what they’re doing. “What can I do to help you?” She wouldn’t stand idle while others worked on her behalf.
“Would you like to put out the dishes and silverware?”
“Love to.” She hadn’t set a large table since she’d been a teenager. It reminded her what it was like to be part of a family. She hadn’t realized how much life she had missed out on, the simple joys.
Britt-Marie carried the linen and thread into an adjoining room. After bustling back, she slipped on an apron and pointed to a sideboard cabinet. “Everything’s stored in there. We’ll need bowls for the stew. Spoons, of course, and I’m making fresh bread.”
“It smells wonderful.” Melanie’s taste buds stood at full attention, ready to sample the delicious dishes.
Gina appeared at her side. “Put me to work.”
Though she liked taking a hands-on approach to her work, Melanie had no problem sharing the chore. “This way.” Using a good-natured tag-team method, they had the long table set in no time, fabric napkins folded by each place setting. “Nice job.”
Gina high-fived her. “Hey, I can be domestic. Sometimes.”
“Yeah, so can I.” She wished it were more often than once or twice a year.
Edo and Buck returned, covered in snow. Isa bounced to their sides and brushed the flakes from Buck’s shoulders, then held the fabric as he shrugged loose.
Supper had a homey and festive atmosphere. Britt-Marie and Edo did their chores so efficiently, they had them down to a science. Neither complained about their duties. The opposite, in fact—everyone appeared happy, a bit too much, as if Britt-Marie had added something extra in the stew.
Melanie wasn’t about to complain. Not when the good mood was contagious and made her feel wonderful. “This is delicious.”
His cheeks bulging as he chewed, Buck nodded. “Yes, very good.”
She pointed at him with a chunk of roll. “Dangerously good stuff. If I knew how to bake such tasty bread, my weight would double.”
Buck snorted. “Like you have to worry about your weight.”
Aw, he noticed. Though she knew she should hide the flush of pleasure from her crew, it had been way too long since any guy made her feel good about herself. Not an outright compliment, yet the way he said it touched her—with admiration. No lewd suggestiveness.
Britt-Marie stopped eating and stared at them, sitting side-by-side at the table. “Look at you two.”
Buck halted mid-chew. “What?”
The Sami woman nodded with a beatific smile. “You would make beautiful babies together.”
Whoa. Buck appeared as dumbstruck as Melanie. “Buck doesn’t want babies.” So much for not making assumptions. She’d broken her own rule, blurted the first thing that came to mind, then froze in horror. Why would she claim such a thing?
He sent her an are you crazy glance. “What do you mean, I don’t? You’re the one who’s too busy traipsing all over the world. Do you even have a home?”
“Yes, of course I do.” The condo held her furniture, her belongings. Her photos of Pete.
“Really,” he deadpanned. “Then tell me, when’s the last time you stayed there?”
“I…” Two months ago? No, she’d planned to, then decided against flying back. There’d been no real reason. Everything she needed, she carried with her. She’d made a point of not needing much of anything. Or anyone.
He pointed his spoon at her. “Ha. You can’t remember, can you?”
She didn’t hide her displeasure. “Don’t get cocky. You don’t know anything about me.” Only because he hadn’t asked. She’d gladly share details with him, especially after her brazen assumption about his personal preferences. For all she knew, he wanted a slew of babies. The image of him surrounded by Mini-Me Bucks almost brought a smile until Anakarina’s scowl loomed in her mind, sour enough to steal her appetite.
“I can guess plenty,” he muttered, scuffing the spoon across the side of the bowl.
She huffed. “Two can play that guessing game, Mr. Snarky.”
He blinked wide eyes. “I have zero snark. Nothing except the utmost professionalism.” He spoke coolly enough, but to the teenage girl, not her.
The teenager’s easier to impress. “Really. You treat all your clients with the same overbearing attitude? Butt into their personal lives?” How had this gone so wrong? Melanie wished she could rewind to when they first arrived and edit out the bad parts. Which was pretty much the whole visit so far.
All the while they argued, Britt-Marie smiled. “You see? Such passion, they have. They make enough fire to melt the cold. A necessity in Samiland.”
The girl groaned, rolled her eyes, and said Mama in a pained tone.
Heaving a sigh, Buck stared at his plate, immobile except for the knife twisting in his grasp.
Embarrassed? No, more like frustrated, like he had much more he wanted to say. Or miffed, possibly because he couldn’t speak his mind. Well, too bad. Maybe it would teach him not to poke his nose into other people’s business. Cute nose, though, especially when his nostrils flared like that. Less adorable were his lips, pressed into a thin, hard grimace. Why didn’t he say something? “If you—”
He rose abruptly, chair scraping on the wooden floor. “Please excuse me.” After a swipe of the napkin across his mouth, he dropped it and strode toward the door.
“Where are you going?” Horrified at her intrusion on his privacy, she clamped her mouth shut.
He snatched his coat from the rack. “To check on my team.” Each word punctuated his movements as he put on his jacket.
“Your dogs are fine.” He’d taken extra care to ensure as much, hadn’t he?
“I won’t know for sure,” he said, part snark and part pout, “until I check on them.”
“What about your dinner?” He’d hardly eaten. No one could endure harsh conditions the entire day without sustenance.
“I’ll eat later.” All pout now.
After he stepped outside and closed the door, an awkward silence fell over the room. Everyone looked to Melanie. Gina and Vic trained their handhelds on her. At least Hayden wasn’t filming, but his stare held a sort of sadness, like she’d hurt him. But how? He hadn’t even tossed a snide remark her way during the entire conversation.
She flashed a tight grin. “His dedication to those dogs borders on obsession.” She’d meant the comment as a joke, but even she heard the disappointment in it. “We can save dinner for him, right?”
Hayden tilted his head as if he hadn’t heard her right. Gina gaped.
Time to cover her tracks. “So he doesn’t go hungry. That was hard work, mushing all those hours. We can’t have him dropping over from exhaustion before nightfall and throwing us off schedule.” There, that should appease them.
Somehow, it hadn’t seemed to.
Britt-Marie made a noise of agreement and carried Buck’s plate to the counter, then placed a clean hand towel over top.
They’re still staring. Keep the conversation going. “We worked hard this morning.” Lame. Just said that. Why did they look at her as if she’d lost her mind? She flicked her index finger, the signal for the cameras to shift away from her. Neither did. Another flick, and Vic got the hint and aimed at the host. Gina slowly panned around the room. Whew. Awkward scene rescued, barely. What had gotten into them? And into me? The first inquiry, she could pass off as curiosity. It had gone way past into an interrogation that probed their tour guide’s personal habits.
Shift the attention elsewhere. “So, Edo. What’s on the agenda for this afternoon? The reindeer, right?” She knew perfectly well. Had studied the itinerary, but someone besides her had to fill the damn silence.
Edo nodded. “Yes, our reindeer. How we care for them.”
Britt-Marie said, “And a sleigh ride before dinner.”
Melanie could almost hear Hayden’s sarcastic whoopee, another sled ride after hours doing that very thing. They already seemed tired of such activities.
Not her. She loved every minute, and couldn’t wait to do more of the same again tomorrow. First, she had to find a way to smooth things over with Buck.
* * * *
Not until he’d spent a few minutes in the barn with his huskies did Buck regret his little scene. His stomach grumbled in complaint. Dammit, Britt-Marie’s stew would get cold, and his mouth still watered for that bread.
He’d burst out of the house like some idiot teenager. Real smart, with the No Boundaries crew filming away. After starting off the trip on the wrong foot this morning, he should have been more wary. He hadn’t been so careless in…ever. Only Day Two of knowing Ms. Melanie Michaels, and already he acted like he’d lost his head. Kenny’s warning came back to him: Think, and not with your little head.
The dogs’ soft breathing helped slow his pounding heart rate. He wished he could flop down and fall asleep as fast. Let everything go. Not likely, with his blood still at the boiling point. What had gotten into Britt-Marie meddling that way? She’d never made such suggestive comments before. He had half a mind to display his displeasure by taking back his gift. Don’t be an ass. He’d never have the heart, not really. Especially after seeing her pure joy, the way she caressed and cradled the linen. If only everyone could be pleased so easily.
Ms. Michaels probably required gifts with mind-blowing price tags. Items she didn’t even need, he’d bet. Her and her expensive, name brand, specialty clothing. Every item she owned was priced way beyond his budget, for sure.
“So boys and girls. Because I have no excuse to stay out here, I’d better go back.” He hated to trade the dogs’ den for the lions’ but Towson would tear him a new one if he learned of his behavior. Which he would, once the No Boundaries show hit the airwaves.
Yeah. Better get back. One last pat to the heads of the nearest huskies, and he rose and marched to the door. A blast of cold air hit him, and he hurried to secure the latch before the dogs caught a chill. His long strides became a jog until he reached the front door. Once inside, he subdued a shiver.
“How’s your team?” Melanie crossed her arms.
Angry at him? Did she think she owned everyone? A surge of heat through his veins took away his chill. This tour would prove to be one long lesson in self-restraint. “Sleeping like babies.”
“Your supper’s on the counter.” Melanie glared. “If you’re hungry.” She turned her back on him in what seemed a deliberate shunning, then joined the others in the sitting area.
The way she shifted her hips made him want to take hold of them. From there, it would be as easy as falling off a cliff. With about the same damage. “Um, yeah.” He’d eat while the others socialized.
Isa hurried over and set the covered dish on the table. “Would you like some milk?”
“Any coffee left?” He’d need the extra caffeine to get through the rest of the day.
The girl brought a steaming cup, and then slid onto the bench opposite him. “Are you in love with her?”
Where’d that come from? “Who?”
“Her.” Isa looked pointedly at Melanie.
He gulped from the mug, then choked on the hot contents burning his tongue. “I met her yesterday.”
She arched a brow. “You didn’t answer my question.”
Christ. Were females hard-wired to interrogate men? Prod at their innards to dredge up their emotions? “I thought I had. The answer is no.”
Her skeptical expression suggested she remained unconvinced. Enough about him. “How’s school?”
“Good. I can’t wait to go back.” An odd mix of enthusiasm and frustration.
He chuckled. “Wish I had felt that way when I was your age.”
“You hated school?” She sounded surprised.
“I wasn’t the best student.” Or the most popular. He wrinkled his nose before spooning more supper into his mouth.
She frowned. “But you’re smart.”
“And you’re extremely generous. Thank you for the delicious stew.” He dabbed the napkin at his mouth.
“Thank Mama. And Papa. He slaughtered the buck.”
Another gulp, and Buck washed away the nasty thought with coffee. Sometimes he hated his nickname, even if it seemed to impress clients. Certainly more than they would appreciate his real name—Joe. Bo-ring. But his given name was probably a more apt description. The most interesting personal facts about him included his sled dogs and his adopted country, and he couldn’t take credit for either.
Davved leaned his elbows on the table. “Are we going outside now?”
Another restless kid? “If our guests are ready.”
The boy called to the others in the sitting area. “Get your coats. We’ll show you our herd.”
The kid had a future in public relations. Or politics. As he rose, Buck clasped Davved’s shoulder. “If they’re rested, that is.”
He ignored Hayden’s wince as the cameraman stood.
“Absolutely.” Melanie stood. “I’d love to learn about your reindeer.”
The woman had incredible stamina, Buck had to give her that. Nonstop energy and cheer, she’d already grabbed her coat and handed Gina hers. Gina tossed Vic his parka. Hayden made no attempt to catch his, and he dragged it down from his head where it had landed. Isa’s laugh lightened the moment until Hayden’s scowl appeared again.
Outside, Edo and Davved harnessed reindeer to the sleigh and climbed to the front. Everyone else settled on the two bench seats facing one another. Buck made a point of sitting as far opposite as possible from Melanie, who faced the rear. Isa wedged between him and Hayden.
Along the way to the pasture, Melanie’s smile remained steady. Buck began to think her pleasantness was all for the camera until she said, “This is so cool.”
“What?” Isa turned to her.
“The reindeer, the sleigh, everything.” She swept her arm as if to capture the landscape. “You have an amazing life.”
Isa blew raspberries. “Amazingly sucky.”
“No way,” Melanie argued pleasantly. “Do you know how many kids would love to live here? Ride in a sleigh pulled by actual reindeer whenever they wanted?”
“Ugh, I hate it.” The girl winced. “Always the same thing, day after day. I want an exciting job like yours. Where are you going next?”
Hayden taunted, “Yes, Melanie. Where are we going?”
Glancing at him, Melanie’s expression soured until she turned back to Isa. “But you’re incredibly lucky to live such a different life.”
An exasperated breath, and Isa perked up. “Where were you before you came here?”
“Florida,” Hayden cut in. “Cave diving in Peacock Springs. Extremely tricky to photograph.”
Gina chuckled. “Underwater caves aren’t my favorite place to shoot. I’d go back to Bali any day though.”
“Bali,” Isa repeated dreamily. “I’ve always wanted to go there. Where else have you been?”
Victor shrugged. “Where haven’t we?”
All seriousness, Melanie angled toward the girl. “Traveling might look like fun on TV, but it’s actually difficult. We don’t get to enjoy the places we visit.”
“Yes, you do.” Isa sounded unconvinced.
“Not really,” Melanie said. “We rush to a place, film a show, and hurry to the next location. We can’t stop to sightsee, or visit historical or cultural sites. It’s always about the jump. Or the dive. Our lives are one hundred percent work, and zero fun.”
“Who cares about history anyway? Ech.” Isa made a sickly face.
“I do.” Melanie angled to face the girl. “And we haven’t been home to visit our families in a long time. Not even for the holidays.”
Buck’s heart went out to Melanie. Her description made her lifestyle sound pathetic.
Isa grunted. “Someday, I’m going to travel the world.”
“You have everything a person could want right here in Lapland.” Melanie’s soft voice tugged at Buck.
“There’s nothing here except cold and ice,” the girl argued. “I can’t wait to leave. As soon as I finish university, I’m going to travel like you.”
“You live in a unique world.” Melanie’s gaze traveled across the landscape. “You’ll never find anyplace like your homeland.”
“Good.” Isa crossed her arms.
The girl’s response deflated Melanie. Sadness filled her face, and she leaned back into the sleigh seat and stared up at the tall, snowy trees.
Such a puzzle. Why so passionate about Samiland when she’d arrived only yesterday? Of course he shared her love of the place, but it had taken him longer. Months. Had she come here seeking to escape the world too? A refuge from the harshness of civilization? Yes, he knew her television show brought her here, but he suspected she’d steered them in a northerly direction. Why?
The question stayed with him after Edo drew the sleigh beside the barn. Edo and Davved set to work doling out grain for the herd, and the animals strutted up to the troughs.
Buck paid particular attention to the way Melanie responded to the reindeer. Like a kid in Santa’s workshop. She touched everything—the herd, the dogs. And then stopped to take in her surroundings, a wide sweep of the landscape, breathing in deep like she wanted to inhale it. Keep it with her.
Wondering about her reaction kept him apart from the others and inside his head. A sensation of separateness, but including Melanie. A world of two.
Later that night, Buck settled down with the dogs in the barn. A blast of cold air and a creak signaled someone had entered. Edo, checking up on me again. He called out in Sami.
“Sorry.” Melanie stepped into view. “I’m a fast learner but not that fast.”
He scrambled to sit up. “I thought you were Edo.”
She shrugged. “I get that a lot.”
Funny. Another side to her he wouldn’t have suspected. Wonder how many other facets she hid?
She took a tentative step toward him. “I wanted to apologize for my behavior earlier.”
Surprised again. “There’s no need.”
“Yes there is. I acted unprofessionally and I’m sorry.”
“Oh. You mean because of the show.” The only reason, dolt. “Yeah, forget it.” He’d try to do the same.
“I don’t care about the show. I mean, I do, sure, but I was rude and intrusive.”
“Were you?” He recalled his own impolite remarks, not hers.
Her brows furrowed, and anger danced in her dark eyes. “Can’t you just accept my damn apology?”
Shit, he’d pissed her off again. “Fine, apology accepted. And I’m sorry too.”
“You have no need to be.” She hugged her knees as she sat beside him. “You’re not sleeping in the barn, are you?”
“It’s a bit crowded in the house.” And distracting. Especially when she softened her voice like that, and all sorts of things he shouldn’t think about sprung to mind.
“You’ll freeze out here by yourself.”
“I’m far from alone.” And with her beside him, the barn seemed a tad hot. “My furry companions keep me plenty warm.”
She petted the nearest huskies. “They are cozy.” Lars raised his head, blinked sleepily, and licked her hand, then rested his head in her lap.
“You have a real affinity for animals.” Though his team always responded to the clients’ attention enthusiastically, never had they been this relaxed with anyone.
She stroked Lars’s ears. “It’s great to spend time around them. Your dogs are wonderful.” She sighed. “And the reindeer are magical. Every kid should have the chance to visit with them.”
“Maybe more families will come after watching your show.” Was it his imagination, or was she making conversation so she didn’t have to leave?
“I hope so. This place is so peaceful.”
“Sometimes a bit too peaceful.” And isolated. It got downright lonely, something she probably had no clue how to handle.
“You’re lucky.”
Strange, not many would agree with her assessment. “So are you. You’re a globe trotter.”
Her shrug seemed half-hearted. “I used to love the constant travel. Now I’m tired of it. I don’t even get to enjoy most of the places we go. Being able to sit back and take in the view for a change seems a luxury. No rushing from one place to the next, and for what?” She shook her head, like she couldn’t answer her own question.
“You’ve accomplished a lot. You should be proud.”
“I guess.” She spoke low, almost in a whisper.
“It’s impressive. And so is your down-to-earth way with people.”
“I’m not good with people.” She sent him a shy glance. “Not like you.”
“Me?” Anyone surpassed him in the social arena. His dogs. Hell, even the reindeer.
“Yes, you,” she insisted. “How did you know to bring Britt-Marie the fabric and thread?”
“Easy. She has little access to those things. The Sami people rarely have money, rarely want it except when their kids beg for clothes or whatever trendy things their school friends have. Like most Sami people, Britt-Marie makes everything for her home and family. She sews clothes out of reindeer skins. They use every part of a reindeer, even the sinew for thread. It’s thick and hard to sew with. The store-bought kind is a treasure to her.” Now who was yapping? He couldn’t remember the last time he’d gone on and on about nothing.
“It was still nice of you to think of her.”
Nice of Melanie to notice, too. “I owe them a lot. They’re always good to me.”
“You’re lucky to have people who care about you so much.”
Is that why she’d come out here? Out of loneliness? “You have Gina and Victor and Hayden. Your crew loves you.” Especially Hayden. His stomach clenched.
She wrinkled her nose and traced the dog’s snout. “It’s different. We’re coworkers. They depend on the show for their salaries.”
Didn’t she have family? Other people close to her who loved her? Asking would overstep professional boundaries, so he didn’t. “You certainly inspired Isa today.”
She turned somber. “I hope she changes her mind before graduation. Or if she does travel, that she doesn’t stay away too long.”
There was that sadness again. Helplessness. Like she’d lost something and could never get it back. The dead boyfriend Kenny mentioned? “Too long for what?”
She shook her head. “Sorry, I’m babbling.” She gently lifted the dog’s head and moved him to the straw, then suddenly rose.
More like avoiding the question. “Are you all right?”
She smiled at him, but her voice cracked when she said, “I’m fine.”
He stumbled to his feet. Wanted to hold her. Maybe it would help mend whatever broken pieces of herself remained, heal them so they wouldn’t cut into her. If what Ken said was true, the pain still haunted her.
She backed away. “I have to go. Sorry I bothered you.”
“No bother at all.” And you don’t have to go. He waited, keeping very still so as not to startle her.
She hesitated, studying him, then dropped her head. “Good night.” She hurried to the door faster than necessary.
Again, he’d upset her? He rushed after her. In her state, she might slip on the ice and hurt herself. At a minimum, he’d make sure she got safely to the house. When he cracked open the door and peered out, she’d stopped halfway there and was staring up. Above, faint swirls of blue wound through the sky.
Pretty, yes, but not worth freezing for. He was about to call out to her when she turned toward him. His heart twisted, an uncomfortable flip-flop. Cold on the bottom of his feet told him he’d stepped outside. Heading for her.
From the house, a shaft of golden light sliced across the yard, capturing her in its glow. “Melanie?”
Hayden. Asshole. If Buck disliked him before, he hated the guy that moment. Always interfering. Watching.
If she’d intended to come back to him, the audience of one dissuaded her. “I’m coming.” She waved to him and began walking, head still upturned. Before going inside, she stopped to swipe her cheeks.
Was she crying? What the hell was going on with her? God, I hope I didn’t upset her with a stupid comment again. He ran over the conversation in his head but couldn’t pinpoint one. Given her sadness during the conversation with Isa, it had to be something else. Something that ran much deeper.
Whatever troubled her, Video Boy gave zero shits—or had no clue—and so couldn’t heal her. Buck wanted to hold her a long time, long after she’d stopped crying. He stood for a few minutes to shake off the strange ache, but not even the aurora could lift him up out of his heavy thoughts.