Abandoned. Pete had really and truly abandoned Melanie. If he hadn’t made his presence known to her under the northern lights, he never would again. Worry kept her tossing and turning throughout the night again, half waiting for him, half cursing him. You brought me here, Pete. Why?
While it was still dark, a noise startled her awake. Dammit, she’d finally gotten to sleep too. A small red dot bobbed along, about a man’s height. Hayden. With his damn camera already. “Go away.”
“Wakey wakey,” he said softly. “It’s almost eight-thirty.”
She jerked up on her elbows. “What?” No way. She always woke at six-thirty to work out, no matter the time zone.
Advancing toward her, his leg bumped the end of the bed and he switched on the camera spotlight. Blinding her. She shielded her eyes with her arm.
“Oh yes it is, sleepy head. Time for breakfast. Reindeer entrails on toast with jam. Yum.”
With a groan, she flopped back on the bed. “Shut up, you jerk.” If their lovely Sami hosts hadn’t heard his insult, she might let him off the hook with a warning. “I’ll be up in a second.” Or an hour. If only she could sleep in for once. Thank goodness today’s schedule would be a fairly easy one.
Easing closer, Hayden tsk’d. “Someone must be cold.”
Huh? Was he zooming the lens in on her boobs again? “Grow up.” The silk long underwear worked better under ski clothes. She’d packed a bunch for both sleeping and daytime because they were so, well, packable. With a huff, she gathered the covers around her as she sat up. “Seriously? Is it eight-thirty, Hay?”
“Yep, and seriously time to eat.”
She raked her hair back from her face. “Did Buck come in from the barn yet?”
“Why?” Hayden lowered the camera and sat beside her. When his head bumped the edge of the upper bunk, he leaned forward.
“I don’t know.” What had made her ask? “I hate to throw off his schedule. We’d better get moving.” And she’d stop talking before she made a fool of herself. She stood to escape Hay’s focus, in or out of the camera’s viewfinder.
Hayden watched as she fumbled for her clothes. “What’s going on with you two?”
“Nothing.” Blowing raspberries, she over-exaggerated a wince.
No reaction. No movement at all. “Why did you go to the barn last night?”
“To apologize. I was rude and unprofessional.” Great chance to segue from her to him. “Speaking of which. Let’s be more considerate of our hosts and our guide. No more verbal jabs. Got it?”
“Considerate how? Should I go tuck him in tonight?”
Aaand boomerang back to her. Ignore ignore ignore. “I was referring to manners. Politeness. Keeping your digs to yourself.”
“Why did you tell the kid you hate your job?” His rare sincerity almost seemed an act.
What the hell was up with him? “What? I didn’t.” She pulled on her jeans.
“Yes, you did.” Gina peered over the mattress from the top bunk, quilt atop her head. “I’d like to hear your answer, too.”
“I don’t know what you’re referring to.” She rummaged through her bag. “Where’s my sweater? Ah, there.”
“Yesterday,” Hayden said. “When she asked you about the show, and you basically told her if she ever had the same chance to run in the opposite direction.”
She popped on the sweater and reached for her boots, faking a laugh. “I love the way you paraphrase.”
“He’s right.” Gina dangled her legs from the top bunk. “You told her she shouldn’t travel.”
“Guys.” She shook her head. Drop the freaking subject already.
“Are you unhappy?” Hayden and candor made a strange mix.
To be fair, she had to give an honest response. “I consider myself extremely lucky.”
“See?” he asked Gina. “Total avoidance.”
Gina’s nod snuffed Melanie’s argument. “Yep. You’ve been off for a couple of months. What’s the deal?”
“Off?” Had they planned an ambush? Or had serendipity turned on her too?
“As in weird,” Hayden clarified. “Not yourself. Not out there giving sixty thousand percent like you always do, or did, before we arrived in Samiland.” He swept a hand wildly in the air.
“Like,” Gina added more softly, “your heart’s not in the job anymore.”
Hayden slapped his knee. “Why did we even come here? This place is unbelievably boring, too much of the same thing over and over. Snow, dogsleds, reindeer sleds. Viewers will hate this episode, if the editors don’t trash it first.”
“Now you’re being ridiculous.” Then why did an icicle of pain just stab her heart?
“I could say the same about you. You’re ignoring what the audience wants. What they expect. You’ve done zero stunts since we got here. Nothing about this trip fits our style.” Hayden pierced her with a look. “It’s some sort of pilgrimage for you, isn’t it?”
“Hate to agree with Hay, but he’s right,” Gina said, “you’re definitely soul-searching.”
“Wow.” Melanie hadn’t wanted to admit it to herself, but her crew saw right through her. “Maybe I’m tired.” Of the whole routine—the endless traveling, the impersonal hotel rooms, the useless searching. For what? If she had a soul left, there wasn’t much there to search.
“So you’re quitting.” Hayden shook his head as if he needed no confirmation.
“No, I’d never leave you guys like that.”
“Like what?” Gina frowned. “Without warning?”
They’d turned too much focus on her, and she had no answers. Not even for herself. “I don’t even know how this conversation started. I’m barely awake, and we’re throwing around life-altering decisions. I need coffee.”
Hayden turned to Gina. “Told you. She’s in love with Dog Man.”
Whoa. “Stop it. What the hell’s gotten into you guys?”
Concern filled Gina’s face. “We want to know the same thing about you. Are you all right, Melanie?”
How could she explain about Pete? That she’d been chasing a ghost for three years, and apparently had chased him away for good? And how empty it made her feel? How useless? “Can we please go have a nice, quiet breakfast?”
Hayden stood. “Sure. Let’s pretend everything’s hunky dory.”
She shrugged. “Or appreciate the fact that it is.”
Victor leaned in from the doorway. “What’s the holdup? Breakfast time, man.”
She could have kissed Vic. “Great. I’m starving.” She ignored the skeptical glance Hayden and Gina exchanged.
“Hungry again?” Hayden scrutinized her belly. “You’re not pregnant, are you?”
What? “I can’t believe you’d even suggest such a thing.”
Hayden grunted. “Yeah, we’ve only been here a few days.”
“Were you guys up late partying again? Because you’re definitely hallucinating.” And she was about to hyperventilate. Why did everyone keep talking about babies? After she and Pete were engaged, they used to talk about having kids, and how many, and what each child might grow up like, but the idea hadn’t entered her mind since his death. Not until Britt-Marie’s comment yesterday.
Gina yawned. “No and nope.”
God, Melanie needed a change of subject. Now. “Need some help getting down from there, Gina?”
She waved them on. “You guys go. I’ll be right there.”
Terrific. Two Gloomy Guses. At least they hadn’t gotten to Vic yet. As he passed, she gave him her best perky smile, the most she could manage pre-coffee. “Oh, what a wonderful smell.” Wherever they got their coffee, she had to buy a crate of the stuff.
Buck went silent and stared at her. She tried to smile at him too, but the effort froze on her lips.
“Good morning.” Britt-Marie hunched over the hearth. “Did you sleep well?”
“Mm hm.” For about ten minutes. “Can I help you with anything?”
The hostess smiled. “Not a thing. Coffee’s ready. Please have some.”
Melanie took cups down from the pegs over the counter. “Love to, thanks. Your coffee’s delicious.”
Britt-Marie wiped her hands on her apron. “The coffee press makes the difference.”
“Yes.” Why did Buck still stare at her? “I’m going to buy one before I leave.”
At that, Buck’s chest expanded and he turned away.
Right. Today’s Day Three of six. It’s going too fast. Flying back—to where? She had no clue—didn’t thrill her either. “Sorry to get up so late,” she said to Buck as Gina shuffled in from the bedroom.
“No problem. Today’s schedule’s pretty loose.”
She nodded. “The Sami village, then the Vakkara Wilderness Lodge.”
“Yes.” He sipped from his mug, staring off at nothing.
Goodness, now Buck had caught the Gloomy Gus Syndrome. To lighten the mood, she teased Hayden. “I hear the lodge has a wonderful sauna. Bet you’re the first to try out the steam room.”
After barely a grunt, Hayden slurped coffee.
I refuse to be infected. “My muscles are looking forward to it.” She smiled into Vic’s lens.
Britt-Marie bustled behind them and set heaping platters on the table. “I hope you’re hungry.”
Hay’s earlier comment twisted Melanie’s stomach. “Oh, yes.” She waited for Gina, Hayden, and Victor to grab plates and utensils from the counter and sit.
Buck gestured her forward. “After you.”
Flutters swarmed inside her, a tiny whirlwind. Her imagination? Or was he acting weird this morning? She shouldn’t have gone to the barn last night. She might’ve given him the wrong impression, along with everyone else. “Ah, manners. Would you teach some to my crew please?”
Her belly lurched again when he smiled that damn half-smile. Another reminder of Pete she didn’t need this morning.
“If they haven’t learned by now, nothing I can say will matter.”
“Right.” Yikes who just whispered that? Marilyn Monroe? Where did her breathy tone come from?
As she approached the table, Hayden snapped his gaze up at her, his jaw locked mid-chew. When his eyes narrowed, she glared a don’t you dare say a word look. She climbed onto the bench beside him and finally caught sight of the breakfast Britt-Marie had laid out. “Pancakes.” What a relief, though she’d known Hayden’s earlier remark had no truth to it. She speared a few onto her plate.
Buck plunked his cup down opposite her and sat.
Hayden twirled his fork in his hand. “So. Buck.” He spoke sharply, though he jawed his food.
Uh oh. What’s he up to? He didn’t usually strike up casual conversations.
Buck arched a brow. “Hayden.”
Hay’s smile had a meanness about it. “What do you do when you’re not guiding people through the wilderness? I mean, you can’t get a ton of clients way up at the top of the world. Especially with National Geographic providing the same tours, or better.”
Buck’s stare remained free of emotion. “True, Arctic Adventures doesn’t have the same resources as the more high-end tours. Most of our clients prefer everything scaled down.”
Hayden swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbed slowly. “They like to slum it, you mean.”
If anything, Buck grew more pleasant. “You could hardly call this slumming.”
Time to run interference. Again. “I’d much rather stay with these lovely people than an impersonal conglomerate that cared only about money.”
Hayden turned to her. “Play with reindeer instead of snowboard off the face of the mountain?” He searched her face as if he had no idea who she’d become.
Buck shifted on the bench. With his shoulders squared and elbows pressed hard against the table, he looked ready to pounce. “Reindeer herding requires endurance. Intelligence. It’s a valued way of life for the Sami people.” Like his tone, his expression warned Hayden to back off.
“Exactly, Hay. We’re helping viewers see another part of the world they’d never have the chance to otherwise. To understand another culture.”
“Now you’re an anthropologist instead of an extreme sports enthusiast?” Hayden blew out a breath. “Fine.”
Not the typical manufactured drama they sometimes churned out for the show. This was real. And she had no response, at least none she cared to reveal to the viewing public. “Sorry, Britt-Marie. We didn’t mean to ruin a lovely meal.”
“It’s delicious.” Gina nibbled some from her fork. Nothing like her usual appetite.
To avoid further insulting her hosts, Melanie forced herself to eat, but couldn’t stomach any more than a few bites. Change the subject. To anything. Buck stayed as tight-lipped as Hayden. “How are your dogs? Ready for another run today?”
“Always,” he mumbled. “They’re troopers.”
Crap. Back to the one and two-word sentences. “They must be. I’ve never seen such hard-working animals. The reindeer too, how they pull sleighs all day.” Could she sound like a bigger idiot?
With a grunt, Edo nodded.
Smart man, staying out of it, but it didn’t help her keep the conversation going. “How far away is the Sami village?”
“An hour.” Buck sliced his stack of three pancakes with mechanical motions, lifting small pastry triangles to his mouth.
Okay then, thanks for the input. She turned to Britt-Marie. “Is there anything we can do for you before we go?”
The woman shook her head. “Nothing.”
The morning had taken a nosedive from which it wouldn’t recover. “I wish I could see your dress after you finish sewing it.” Funny, she meant it. Sadness washed over her because she never would.
“It will be my best one yet.” Britt-Marie beamed at Buck.
His grin had a boyish quality, shy and embarrassed. Melanie imagined him as a kid. The Sami woman’s comment came back to haunt her. Beautiful children together. Buck would have beautiful kids with someone. Not with her.
“I guess we should get moving.” Before Melanie burst into tears. If she started, she might not stop for a long time.
Britt-Marie took hold of the plate Melanie carried to the counter. “If you stop running so fast, you will see more clearly.”
A few months ago, Melanie might have smiled at the woman and forgotten her words. But she knew exactly what Britt-Marie meant. She wouldn’t be able to forget.
* * * *
The world had become a blur, except for Melanie. Buck kept a bead on her at all times. He tried not to watch her, but his senses had attuned to her. He always knew exactly where she was.
Yeah, it sounded creepy, like he’d become a stalker. He’d have liked nothing better than to go about his business as usual. Treat her like she was simply one more client to whom he looked forward to waving buh-bye.
After bidding Edo and Britt-Marie goodbye, he harnessed the dogs by rote. Mushed on autopilot for the hour it took to reach the Sami village. Hardly paid attention to the others after they arrived. He must’ve introduced everyone, because Melanie and her goon squad followed the Sami guide inside the large paddock with part of the herd.
Melanie asked question after question, like some kid whose brain fed on facts. The same way he had when he’d first arrived in Sweden. He couldn’t wait to learn it all. He’d spent months studying the Sami dialect specific to this region. Edo and his family had let him follow them around, patiently explaining the various words, their particular description for each type of snow. Each part of the reindeer. He still couldn’t get over how amazing and intricate the Sami language was. He loved speaking it, even loved making mistakes so he could learn more.
Watching Melanie have the same reaction elated him. How stupid could he get? She would leave in a few days, and he’d never see her again. She’d fly off to some other exotic part of the world. Leap out of an airplane or ride a camel through a desert, or he couldn’t even guess what. She went wherever her job took her, and part of the routine was asking questions. She might as well be an actor, putting on a show the way she did. Everything she did was for her fans. Hadn’t she mentioned them several times already? Spoke as if they sat in the room with her?
I’m nowhere in her sights. Only part of the landscape. Exactly the reminder he needed. A good slap in the face to shake off his googly eyes.
Almost the same effect as Hayden’s grimaces. Every few minutes, the guy shot him this caveman look, like Buck had invaded his territory rather than the other way around. Except the guy carried a state of the art video camera instead of a crude wooden club, though it didn’t help refine him one bit.
The animals must have sensed the high emotion between everyone. The reindeer in the pen scuttled back and forth, avoiding them.
The Sami guide twirled a rope in his hands, and Buck moved closer. Today’s demonstration might be more fun than usual.
In one easy toss, the Sami man lassoed a buck by the neck. Clucking to the deer, he approached slowly and rubbed its neck as he removed the rope. “Would anyone else like to try?”
Please let Hayden volunteer. Buck needed a good laugh.
Melanie stepped up. “I will.”
The Sami guide handed her the rope, and after a brief instruction, backed away.
Voice soft, she coo’d and slowly swung the rope. Concentrating hard on one animal, she eased closer and released the rope. It sailed through the air. Buck held his breath. The deer dodged the lasso at the last moment. His disappointed, “Aw” mixed with hers, and she shot him a look.
“Why don’t you have a go?” she asked him.
He shook his head. “I can play reindeer games anytime. You should try it while you have a chance.”
She hung her head and said something to Gina, then handed her the rope.
Gina promptly handed it to Victor. “Not me.”
Victor handled the rope, seemed to weigh it in his grip. “Sure, I’ll try anything once.” He whirled the lasso overhead and released it, catching the antlers of a nearby reindeer. It tossed its snared head, and when Victor pulled, the lasso tightened. The deer trotted a few steps away, forcing Victor to follow along. The Sami guide reached for the rope, but Victor held on when the animal jerked farther away.
This could get ugly. Buck edged closer. “Easy. Talk to him slow and calm. He’s probably spooked because his antler’s caught.”
The Sami guide closed in from the other side. The reindeer’s eyes bulged with fright.
Buck’s alarm grew. “He’s panicking. Keep him calm.” Two feet and Buck could reach Victor, if needed.
With something like a deep bleat, the deer leapt away, dragging Victor with him.
Shit. “Let go.” Before he panicked the half-dozen other reindeer in the paddock and got trampled. Buck waved his arms overhead and whistled. The frightened tangle of reindeer turned tail and huddled in a far section of the pen.
Releasing his hold, Vic rolled away. Melanie and Gina helped him stand and guided him to the fence. Filming, Hayden whooped. “Finally, some excitement. Yeah!”
Fists clenched, Buck stomped toward him, ready to pummel sense into the asshole. Melanie called, “Buck, don’t.” A glance at her released some tension. He muttered, “Fine.” Is that how they took care of one another? What if Melanie had been dragged instead of Victor? Would Hayden have bothered to help?
Melanie put a hand on his chest. “Vic’s fine. It’s not worth a fuss.”
“This is boring.” Hayden dropped the camera to his side. “I vote we head to the lodge.”
“Stop being rude, Hay.” Melanie spoke through clenched teeth.
Buck did a silent check of the Sami guide, who made a face mirroring his own disgusted thought. “He’s probably right. For once.” He looked to the Sami for concurrence. “We’re done here, right?”
“Yes,” the guide said. “The rest is more of the same.”
“That’s what I’m sayin’.” Hayden shouldered the video cam.
“Okay, fine.” Melanie’s disappointment sounded in her voice and showed in her face as she watched the reindeer.
“Come,” the guide said. “My wife has prepared a delicious salmon soup for lunch.”
“Perfect.” She aimed her high-voltage smile Buck’s way.
It sent a jolt straight to his bones and stiffened him in more ways than one. He waited for the others to enter the home. With one last gulp of cold air to wither him, he went inside.
He relaxed when she chatted up the locals, easing his worry about her noticing his over-protectiveness toward her. Soon they were seated at a long table, and the Samis served steaming bowls to the guests. He took a seat at the far end. He was grateful for the foresight when Melanie lifted a full spoon to her mouth and blew, then closed her lips around the food.
Gulp. He knew what he was hungry for. Soup wouldn’t satisfy that appetite.
She chewed slowly, ecstasy clear on her furrowed brow, her pursed lips. “Mm, so good.”
Oh Lord Jesus, save me.
She pointed with her spoon. “I would love to have this recipe.”
Hayden leaned into her. “Have them email it to you. Oops, guess not.”
She shot him a you’re-a-dick look, way too familiar by now.
Buck cleared his throat. “I could email it to you.” What had he said? A thinly veiled attempt to get her email address. Stalk her online after she left. Oh, he could foresee many a lonely night in a Stockholm cybercafé.
Her shocked expression vanished after a few blinks. “Great.”
Buck bet himself ten thousand to one she’d “forget” to write it down before departing for her next adventure.
Hayden hurried them through supper. Before Buck knew it, they stood around the exit putting on their parkas. She extended her hand and approached the Sami host. “You’ve been wonderful, thanks for your time.”
The man bowed his head. “I hope you enjoyed it.”
“Very much.” Her sharp gaze prompted the others to vocalize their appreciation. Hayden grumbled his thanks while Gina and Victor expressed more heartfelt gratitude.
Once outside, she headed for the sled dogs’ enclosure. “I hate to put the huskies back to work so soon.”
“They’re used to it.” Buck matched his pace to hers. “It’s only another two hours of mushing, three tops.”
Bodo caught sight of them first and stood on his hind legs to yip at them. The others joined in. Melanie scratched his belly through the wire. “Hello sweetie.” Lips puckered, she talked baby talk to each in turn.
Buck gulped back a moan and tripped the latch open. The dogs lunged for the gate. He closed it seconds before a repeat of the last escape could occur. “Back up. We’re doing this the right way.”
Melanie slipped past him and led her two dogs out, efficiently harnessing them nearly as fast as he did. “Come on, guys. Don’t stand there. Get your teams harnessed.”
“I’m shooting.” Hayden had the video running.
Gina and Victor managed to get their huskies to the sleds. After Buck harnessed his own, he started back for Hayden’s and bumped into Melanie. “I’ll do it.”
“No, you shouldn’t have to.”
“It’s my job.” Stupid. Buck meant to say he didn’t mind.
“I need the practice.” She clapped gloved hands to the pair of squirming dogs and called them. By name.
She’d memorized the dogs’ names. Huh. Buck secured the sled anchor and double-checked each husky’s harness, then each driver. “Everyone ready?”
A chorus of yesses followed, so he stepped onto his own vehicle and gave the go word. A wave to the Sami and he steered toward the open white space surrounding the village. As before, Melanie pulled her sled beside his. He acknowledged her with a nod and trained his focus ahead. Not easy with Melanie pointing at the tall, snow-laden trees to ooh and ahh. Like they were monochromatic fireworks or something. The excitement of seeing it for the first time was pretty special. He’d almost forgotten. Not that he didn’t still love it, but he traveled through it regularly. Nice to share it with someone who loved it too. If only her colleagues showed the same appreciation.
An hour into the mushing session, and someone yelled, “Whoa. Pull over for a pit stop.”
He braked to slow his team. “Everything okay?”
Hayden jerked his thumb toward the trees. “I need to go.”
“Now?” Melanie winced. “Can’t you hold it?”
Hayden gave her a look of disbelief. “For another two hours?”
Whiner. Buck called, “More like one hour. We’re making good time.”
“I’m stopping.” Hayden pulled back on the harnesses and braked hard.
Sonofabitch. Buck circled his team back to the stopped sled and its yapping dogs. Executing a smooth halt, he leapt off the moment he’d halted and strode after Hayden. “Hey, shithead.”
Hayden glanced over his shoulder. “I’m busy.”
Buck restrained the urge to send the asshole flying dick-first into the snow. “You treat my sled dogs like that again and you’ll walk the rest of the way.”
The guy laughed. “Yeah. Say it again. Into the mike this time.” After zipping up, he brushed past, shoulder knocking into Buck’s.
Buck grabbed his coat and dragged him face to face. “Is the volume up? Because I want you to hear this. Do not be reckless with my huskies. I will yank your mushing privileges so fast, we’ll be a dot on the horizon before you know what’s happened. Understand?”
Hayden jerked from his grasp. “Loud and clear.” He whirled away and stopped short of slamming into Melanie.
She poked at his chest. “No shit, Hay. Mush like you were trained to, or you’ll wait at the lodge until we’re ready to fly back.”
Hayden’s mouth gaped. “Seriously.”
She glared up at him. “You know me.”
“I thought I did.” His steady gaze met hers.
“Let’s go.” She trudged toward her sled.
“The sooner the better.” Hayden shot a nasty look at Buck before lunging for his sled. “Maybe instead of flirting with Dog Man, you could ride with us so viewers can actually see your face. Not that your ass isn’t a great view, but it’s good to mix things up, in case you’ve forgotten that too.”
She sighed. “Keep racking up points, Hay.”
She stayed behind the rest of the way. Maybe to mug for the camera. Maybe to keep an eye on Hayden.
It didn’t lessen Buck’s awareness of her. He tried not to glance back too often, but was glad when the Vakkara Wilderness Lodge finally came into view. He drove to the pole barn beside the main building and put on his business face while they unharnessed each team and stowed the sleds and dogs inside. After he was satisfied his huskies were comfortable in a warm place to rest, clean and secure, he headed for the lodge doors where Melanie waited. “They’re expecting you,” he told her.
She frowned. “Aren’t you coming in?”
“Sure, in a bit. After I—”
“Finish taking care of your dogs.” She nodded. Disappointment crossed her face, and she dragged her gaze away.
It scraped his insides, a sensation that awakened long-dormant parts of him. Buried parts. He shook off the reaction, or tried to. Distance. He needed some to restore his perspective because somehow his focus had skewed entirely to her. For years, he’d kept himself separate from others, physically and emotionally.
Yet he felt her slipping away as she walked up the steps and through the lodge entrance. He wanted to follow. No. Not until whatever hormones flooding his brain had receded. In a deliberately slow pace, he took care of the huskies’ needs. The occasional dip of their snouts into the snow helped keep them hydrated along the way, but they needed water. Tonight, he’d make sure they had plenty of protein. The lodge, like the Sami people, never wasted their leftover food, and Buck would divert some meat to his dogs.
When he finally crossed the yard into the lodge entrance, he immediately located Melanie by the ceiling-high fireplace. She glanced over with something like relief.
He went to the front desk to check in. Another tour group must have arrived earlier. He didn’t recognize the other half-dozen people.
“Buck Wright? Is it really you?”
Before turning, he knew who addressed him. Dyre something-or-other, the lodge owner. “In the flesh, Dyre.”
The man grasped Buck’s arm with one hand and shook with the other. “We don’t see you often enough.”
Real funny. Exactly what he needed today, another dig. “Our clients asked for the best, so I brought them here.” Arctic Adventures usually skipped the expensive hotel, and if clients opted to stay at the Icehotel, they headed directly there from the Sami outpost.
Dyre’s smile appeared plastic as a mannequin’s. “You are too kind.”
Buck stifled a chuckle. Yes. Yes, he was. “I look forward to our stay. I’ve heard great things about your new chef.”
“Not new anymore. He’s been here six months. I’m glad to hear others are praising his work. He is a culinary artist.”
“Now you’re making me hungry.” And itchy to get away.
Dyre clasped Buck’s shoulder. “You’ll have to wait until seven for dinner. You’re still in time for the afternoon spread. Excellent cakes and cheeses.” He pointed to the low table between the two long sofas in front of the fireplace.
“Excellent.” Buck shouldered his duffel bag. “I’ll be back shortly.” On his way to the front entrance, he kept Melanie in his sights. If he wasn’t mistaken, she did the same, shifting as he walked, still engaging three people in conversation. Must be great to have such social skills. He’d be less agitated if two of her little clique didn’t happen to be male. Very attentive ones with no sense of personal space. Hell, he might end up stomping over there if he stayed much longer. Better to go find his cabin.
Outside again, the frigid air didn’t help cool him down as he’d hoped. He located his cabin at the end of the first row, close to the pole barn. No unruly barking ensued, so he went inside, tossed his bag on the floor and parka on the bed. One sweep of the room to get his bearings, a bathroom stop, and he felt compelled to return to the main lodge.
He halted at the edge of the main room. The men hadn’t tired of lavishing their charm on Melanie, apparently. Beer in hand, Gina approached, grabbing another from a server’s tray. She pressed it into his hand. “Looks like you could use this.”
“You’re right, it’s been a hard day.” Not especially. In fact, it had been a comparatively easy day, but he clinked his bottle to hers anyway. “Thanks.”
“Come on. It’s not the only reason you needed a drink.”
He scanned the high ceilings. “True. I am uncomfortable in luxurious surroundings.”
“No.” Gina leveled her gaze at him. “You’re jealous.”
He feigned a disbelieving expression. “Of what?”
“An attractive male invading your territory.” She jerked her head toward Melanie.
“She’s hardly my territory, and I’m guessing she’s not anyone else’s either.” Had he acted unprofessionally? Or did Gina find him transparent? “I’m not exactly a Neanderthal.”
“No, you’re not, honey. Still, the instinct’s definitely there.”
“No way. Because he’s making her laugh?” And his shoulder’s touching hers? When the man grazed her knee, and Melanie glanced over at Buck, the look might have carried a flaming arrow to pierce his gut. Was the guy bothering her? Did she want Buck to rescue her?
Gina leaned close. “Warn me before you break into a Tarzan yell, okay? Or if you have a sudden urge to beat your chest?”
He eased away from Gina when Melanie sat more rigid, still watching him. Gina’s words swam through his head—your territory. Gina nailed another excellent point about him. Maybe it was the early nightfall, the fire burning bright, or the fact he hadn’t slept with a woman in months. Whatever the reason, his Neanderthal instincts surged strong. He wanted to explore that territory.
Instead, he slurped his beer. Remember, distance and perspective. He had a feeling it was all about to crash into a mangled, unrecognizable heap.