Read Online Cotton Grass Lodge by DeNise Woodbury - Free Book Online Page B

bent over to peer at the sky outside the condensation-streaked window. He scrubbed a hand over his deeply lined face as if he were removing spider webs. “You talk to the lake today?”
    “Yes. Nell said it was clear as a bell. What’s she doing back? I thought she was going to Arizona?”
    Charlie shrugged. “I dunno. She showed up after a week or so, said she forgot something and went back. Duncan wasn’t expecting her, but he said he’d pay her ticket.”
    “Wow, weird.” And very nice . She wondered how he was handling Nell’s unexpected return. “I hate this waiting; I think I’ll go load the freight that doesn’t need to be left in the cooler.”
    “You could clean something.” Charlie didn’t smile, but his bushy gray eyebrows winked as he continued toward the coffee pot.
    “Yeah and you could…” Her curse stilled when the door opened abruptly. A blonde woman in light blue denim stumbled into the room. She had to hop around Dog to stay upright.
    “Ooh, the door is stuck.”
    “Yup, been meanin’ to work on that.” Charlie, standing in the doorway to the restroom, poured coffee into his cup and lifted the pot. “Want a cup?”
    “No.” The woman frowned at Charlie. “The dog is lying right in the doorway. Someone could get hurt. Do you realize how dangerous it is?”
    “Yup, but the damn dog owns the place. She sleeps where ever the hell she wants. I’m Charlie, what can I do for ya?”
    From her seat behind the desk, Hanna took in the woman’s idea of Alaskan travel attire. Perfect hair, perfect make-up, blue faux-fur trimmed jean jacket and the little blue sparkles on her barrette matched the ones on the straps of her low heeled sandals. Adorable.
    “Hi, Charlie.” A blazing smile replaced the woman’s frown. “Is this the place I’m supposed to catch a ride to Cotton Grass Lake? I’m Victoria. My friend Duncan bought a resort at Cotton Grass Lake. I want to drop in and surprise him.”
    Surprise him? I’m sure you will . Hanna straightened the phone and lined the four pens up with a note pad. She followed Charlie’s look up at the schedule board.
    “Ya don’t have a reservation, but I think we’ve got room.” Charlie took his cup back toward the hangar. “Give your credit card to Hanna. She’ll do the paperwork.”
    “What? I’m a secretary now?” Hanna glared as he passed.
    “Yup.” He nodded. “Be glad you’ve got the job.”
    An interminable forty-five minutes later, Hanna called flight service. “Yes!” she mumbled, when the automated voice confirmed the latest Pilot Report—broken clouds at five hundred feet with mild turbulence at one thousand. She jumped out of the chair with the phone in her hand. She speed dialed the pizza place she used for these special deliveries and ordered.
    Victoria looked up from her seat on the sofa. She’d been picking absentmindedly at a duct tape doily on the arm, trying to avoid touching Dog, who, once petted, showed eternal adoration. “Do you mean we’re leaving?”
    “Pretty soon,” Hanna said. “Is this your only bag? I’ll get it into the plane.” She picked up the small traveling bag and looked at Victoria’s feet. “Do you have boots or sturdy shoes?”
    “No, I’m not the outdoorsy type. Besides, I travel light when I’m on vacation. If I don’t have something I need, I’ll just buy it.”
    “Humm, an amusing thought.” Hanna picked up the clipboard with the freight manifest. “If there’s a store where you’re going. You’ve never traveled in Alaska before, have you?”
    “No, first time.” Victoria hoisted herself off the broken down couch and stumbled over the dog.
    Hanna steadied her.
    “Thanks,” Victoria said. “Why did you order pizza?”
    “Birthday party.”
    “Yes, but, I don’t understand why you had to order it.”
    “It’s remote, we have to order the pizza and deliver it. You’ll see when we get there.”
    Charlie opened the door from the hangar. “Well?”
    Hanna twisted.