Page 67 of Snow River

“I have some ideas about our next steps,” she told Bear.

“You mean, besides getting dressed and getting some breakfast in us?”

She laughed.“First things first, of course.How do buttermilk pancakes sound?I have a mix.”

“Perfect snow day breakfast.”He went to her and cupped her face in his hands.The roughened skin of his palms sent more shivers through her.“Tell me about your ideas, I know you won’t relax until you do.”

True enough.“One, we need to find out if Nancy is still alive and where she might be.Two, I’d like to go to those cabins by Snow River, where that men’s retreat took place.Have you been there?”

“No, never had a reason to.I thought they were abandoned.”

“But you don’t know?”

He shrugged.“They’re on the other side of a ridge.Whatever goes on out there, we don’t see it.”

“Interesting.”There was one more idea she wanted to pursue.“I’m also curious about that son of the guy who became the Senator, Adam Hardwell.Where is he?Did he get clean?Did he ever come back to Firelight Ridge?”

“Good questions.But didn’t Officer Cromwell tell us to stay out of it?”

“But none of that is about Rita Casey, is it?”She blinked at him innocently.“It’s about the old Snow River murders.So we’re fine.Besides, this is Firelight Ridge.Aren’t we all rebels out here?”

31

There wasno chance of going anywhere when there were two feet of new snow on the ground.Ironically, snowy days were often very busy at The Fang, as people shoveled out their vehicles, got their roads plowed, then headed in to see how everyone else had fared.

Bear had found that snowstorms generally brought out the best in people—at least at the start of winter.Towards the end, when everyone was sick of snow, people could get cranky.But for now, his customers were eager to commiserate with anyone who came through the door.

For the next few days, the snow grate outside the front door got a workout, and several sets of skis were usually propped next to it.Whenever he and Lila had a free moment, they skied through the town, or through the forest, along hiking trails.“We might have to ski out to Snow River,” he told her.“But that’s a long trip, so best to work up to it.”

“That’s fine, I love it!I love the snow.I love the light.It’s so magical, like a fairy tale.”Her violet eyes sparkled with joy every time she stepped into her ski boots.Lila was a natural on skies, nimble and graceful.She moved as if she had wings instead of skis.

Watching her in the snow made him wild for her.Once he even kicked off his skis, crowded her up against a tree, and plunged his hand inside her snow pants.Stroked her until she came hard and breathless.Then emptied himself inside her with a soul-deep groan.

Bear gave thanks to whatever guardian angel was in charge of such things that she’d forgiven him.Her little smiles as she relayed an order were back, and even better, so were the arm brushes and secret kisses and saucy winks.

The town was still digging out when Lasse Ulstrom, who’d once competed in the Iditarod, brought his dog team into town.He nearly fell off the sled’s runners when his dogs got distracted by a raven.

“Shakedown cruise,”he explained to one and all as Bear brought him a shot of rum.“First run is always a wild one.Got any soup going today?”

“Sure do, I’ll check on it.”

Lila was busy making moose meat chili.The moose had been provided by Gunnar, who was always called on to deal with the aftermath after someone had struck a moose with their vehicle.Lila had screamed when she first caught sight of the poor bloodied creature in the back of Gunnar’s truck.But after a suitable grieving period, she’d seen the value in not wasting the meat, and had even helped Bear make steaks and burger meat for the freezer.

She was learning about life in the Alaskan wilderness, even adapting.But now was when the rubber hit the road, he knew.A lot of people got stir crazy come winter, especially when it dragged on for so many months of so much darkness.Lila could get fed up at any moment and hop on Sam’s next flight out.

He’d just have to enjoy her presence while it lasted.

“I’ve got orders for six bowls of that chili whenever it’s ready,” he told her as he swung through the door into the kitchen.

“It’s ready.”She took down six bowls and began ladling chili into them.“By the way, not that I mind kitchen duty, but when is the new cook going to start?He came by yesterday and said he’s ready when we are.”

“Shit.”Bear had completely forgotten about the guy.“I have to call him.I have his info somewhere, but he told me he doesn’t have service here.”He shrugged.“Next time he comes in, tell him to start cooking.If not, maybe we’ll get Pinky in here.His shepherd’s pie is legendary.”

“Good stuff?”

“Not at all.The legend is that he served it at a party and the guests all got the runs and filled up his outhouse hole.He had to dig a new one.”

“Ewww.I could have done without that story right before serving all this chili.”

---