Read Online The Lure of Love by Mona Ingram - Free Book Online

not.”
Sunlight sliced through the trees, highlighting the green of her eyes. “But it
does matter. It matters a lot.” She looked at him for a long moment. “I’m no
good at playing games, Craig. I just want you to know that.”
    She smiled at
him. It was a brilliant smile, free of stress. “And now that I’ve said that, I
can relax.”
    He wanted
nothing more at that moment than to take her in his arms and kiss her. But the
timing was all wrong. Especially since she’d been so brutally honest about her
situation.
    He picked at
a pine cone to keep his hands occupied. “How do you do it?” he asked, watching
her carefully. She’d been stroking Goldie’s head and her hand stilled.
    “Do what?”
    “You’re so
honest,” he blurted. “When I first saw you, I remember thinking that there was
no artifice about you at all.”
    She laughed. It
was a genuine laugh, not at all forced like most women he knew. “It’s one thing
to be honest, and I try to be that way, but the truth is I’d never last out
there in the real world.” She made a broad gesture. “I think that’s why I stay
here.” She sobered. “I know the rules here, Craig. If you were here long
enough, you’d realize that most people who live in the north are just like me
when it comes to being honest. We need to be, or we wouldn’t survive.” She
laughed self-consciously. “Sorry, that probably sounded like some bad dialogue
in a movie but I think you know what I mean.” She stood up. “Come on, let’s go
get some lunch. I’ll take you to the marina where I get my avgas. They make
killer hamburgers and serve them outside at picnic tables on the dock.”
    He got to his
feet. “Are you sure you want me to see the competition?”
    She gave him
an odd look. “They’re not competition, they’re my friends.” She jumped into the
boat, followed closely by Goldie. “Just for that you get to untie and push
off.”
    He managed to
untie the rope and get into the boat with only one wet foot. She looked down with
laughter in her eyes but didn’t say anything.
    Craig was
quiet on the ride to the marina.  A floatplane came in and he watched it land
ahead of them but he wasn’t really seeing it. Jamie glanced over at him a few
times but left him to his thoughts.
    * * *
    “Jamie
Nicholson, look at you!” A large woman met them on the dock and enveloped Jamie
in a hug. “Where have you been?”
    “Hi Nettie.
I’ve been working, just like you. I was here last week for gas but you were
busy.” She turned and motioned Craig forward. “I’d like you to meet Craig
Hansen. He’s staying at the Lodge. Craig, this is Nettie Blomquist.”
    Nettie’s gaze
darted back and forth between them. “And you two are…” The implication was
clear.
    Craig
laughed. “Delighted to meet you Nettie.” He shook hands and turned to Jamie.
“And no, we’re not…” He paused. “At least not yet.”
    “Ho!” Nettie gave
Jamie an exaggerated wink. “You look out for this one my girl.” She flicked a
dragonfly away from a picnic table. “Are you here for one of my famous hamburgers?”
    “Yes,
please.” Jamie looked at Craig. “Is that okay for you?”
    “Thanks, and
I’d love a coffee.”
    “Help
yourself.” Nettie motioned toward a small blue shack that jutted out from the
dock. “Coffee’s over there. Just made some fresh.” She wandered off to greet
some new arrivals.
    Jamie glared
at Craig. “What was that all about?” Her heart was pounding. “You can’t go
around saying things like that.”
    He looked at
her steadily for several long moments and then took her face in his hands and
kissed her. It was a kiss that promised a lot more and it shook her to her core.
    “Craig!” She
couldn’t think of anything else to say.
    “I’ll be
right back,” he said, guiding her to the table. “Wait here, okay?”
    Dazed, she
touched her lips and sat down.
    He came back
a minute later carrying two coffees. He pulled cream and sugar from his