Read Online Northern Escape by Jennifer LaBrecque - Free Book Online Page B

to watch her work in the kitchen. There was a passion and intensity to her when she was practicing her craft that he loved to see. It was as if behind a pot or pan, she lost that distance, that guardedness with which she seemed to surround herself. Gus unplugged.
    Now a small frown creased her forehead when she looked at Merrilee.
    â€œThank you all for the help tonight. I couldn’t have done it without you.” Gus caught Bull’s eye and gave him a look behind Merrilee’s back that said she’s exhausted, take her home and put her to bed . The older woman did look tired. Gus took Merrilee by the arm, heading toward the airstrip office door. “Goodnight, Bull and Merrilee, and thanks again,” Gus said.
    â€œBut you’ve still got to clean up—”
    Gus shook her head. “You helped last night. You look exhausted—”
    â€œThanks a bunch,” Merrilee said.
    â€œYou’re welcome because you do. Go.” Gus stopped at the door and hugged the other woman. “Thank you for everything. You’re a lifesaver.”
    â€œAre you sure—” Merrilee all but nodded in Nick’s direction while he unabashedly watched the byplay. The two women were undeniably close although therewasn’t a whit of family resemblance between the two of them.
    â€œI’m sure. Say good night, Merrilee.”
    â€œGood night, Merrilee,” she parroted. Nick chuckled.
    Merrilee added, “Good night, Nick.” Her look, however, said Buddy, you’d better watch yourself .
    â€œâ€™Night,” Bull said, giving Gus a nod that said he’d take over from here.
    â€œGood night,” Nick said.
    The door closed behind her and Gus turned back to face him. Alone. Finally.
    â€œThanks again for your help tonight,” she said. He had the impression she was thanking him again simply to have something to say now that it was just the two of them. He was glad she seemed as disconcerted by him as he was by her.
    He walked back toward the kitchen. “I had a good time. Fill me in on your closing routine and I’ll do Teddy’s part.”
    â€œThat’s not necessary.”
    There was no way in hell he’d leave her to clean the entire place by herself. “I know it’s not necessary but I don’t do anything by half measures. If I’m filling in for Teddy, I’m doing what she’d normally do.”
    She glanced back at him over her shoulder as she pulled cleaning supplies out of a small closet, amusement lighting her gray eyes, the customary shadows he’d noticed there gone. “Do you always get your way?”
    â€œNot always, but often enough.”
    â€œOften enough for what?”
    â€œTo get used to getting my way when it’s something I really want.”
    And he wanted her.
    Â 
    S HAKING HER HEAD, she passed him a bucket, rag and disinfectant. “Fine then. You wipe down tables and stack the chair. I’ll finish the kitchen and push the broom.”
    They worked quickly and efficiently, a comfortable silence settling between them. There remained however, a hum of awareness between both of them that was always there, that had been there from the beginning and that had gathered momentum throughout the night.
    When they finished, Gus planted her hands on her hips and looked around as if amazed. “I have to say you’re fast.”
    He crossed the room, letting her see the intent in his eyes, giving her the opportunity to retreat. “Sometimes you’ve got to move fast or an opportunity passes.”
    She stood her ground as he approached. “Is that a fact?”
    â€œIt is.” He stopped in front of her, close enough to smell her scent, but not so close as to crowd her. He felt knotted up inside simply being this near her. “Now, I have a question for you. Since you’re officially off work, would you like to go on a date with me?”
    Her eyes widened slightly in