Page 31 of Dr. Alaska
Bring warm clothing, he replied.
Will stop by Three Bears to pick up a few things. I’ll figure out what all I need when I get to your place.Followed by a snowman emoji and a hands-up shrug emoji.
He grinned like a college kid messaging a crush.
Nope. Friends. That was it.
Besides, he had work to do.
With the guests arriving this afternoon, he had taken several days off EMS duties so that he could play host.
Although Mav didn’t like the idea of double dipping—going on a date while technically hosting guests—it was the best option they could line up for now. Lee at least understood unpredictability and didn’t seem to get mad when plans changed.
Also, it wasn’t a date, damn it.
Over the past week, they had texted regularly. At first, the texts involved shuffling their dinner date timing, then they basically gave up on schedule coordination. Somehow the messages morphed into random funny observations throughout the day and a few almost-flirty texts in the evening.
Mav never thought the sight of a red dot on his phone messages icon could make him smile. The first time it had happened, he stopped what he was doing and stared at the display. Louise called him out for the goofy grin on his face.
Busted.
A day ago, Dee had leaned into him again, probing for info on his relationship.
What relationship? There was no time.
Instead, Mav used what little free time he had this past week to work extra EMS shifts in anticipation of time off and to prepare for his guests. If he wanted to make this place an all-season wilderness retreat destination, then he needed to impress visitors. He gave the babies lots of attention and let them haul him through the snowy tundra on several yappy, snow-eating hikes and even had them pull the sled over a few miles of trail. Anything to make up for this upcoming weekend’s planned lack of activity.
He had stocked enough groceries to cook meals for a small army. Using his small off-road ute with the plow attachment, he’d cleared paths on the property and bladed his long gravel driveway multiple times. Each time another few inches fell, he replowed. No way would his guests get stuck before they reached the front door. The business needed good reviews, word of mouth, and repeat customers, or he risked losing the family lodge.
He glared at the kitchen desk drawer holding the collections letters. Failure was not an option.
Over in the great room, Kenai lifted her head. A minute later, the sound of a vehicle pulling up outside reached Mav. He glanced at the clock.
Guests were three hours early.
Car doors closed.
Nothing to do but be a good host.
Chapter Twelve
Late Saturday morning,Lee peered through the windshield at the clear blue sky. There was an actual sun low but visible above the hills. Sunrise now occurred around nine thirty a.m. She’d been here only three weeks and had grown accustomed to the late twilight dawn and early dusk. Now it surprised her how she could feel the difference in an extra hour of daylight as she left January behind.
Five miles west of town, she watched for the righthand turn off the lightly traveled state highway that would take her to Maverick’s lodge. She had Googled his business, and the website’s pictures showed the beautiful surrounding area in various seasons. Wiggling her toasty fingers in the glove liners with Gore-Tex mittens on top, thanks to Maverick’s recommendation, she took a breath in and out, trying to slow her pattering heartbeat.
She shifted in the seat. The layers of fleece underneath her snow pants made the backs of her knees sweat.
Maverick had said to bring good gear for cold weather.
The shopping spree at Three Bears had been financially and fashionably ambitious. Unfortunately, now she wore all of it. Lee tugged at her neckline, letting some air pass between insulative thermal shirts, a vest, and a zipped jacket. So warm. Rookie mistake.
At the temperature readout on the dashboard, she shook her head. Minus ten outside but a tropical sauna in her polar expedition outfit.Welp, learn a new lesson every day.
She glanced at the paper map he had left for her in an envelope in the doctors’ lounge. That was what their communication had boiled down to—notes left at drop locations. And silly, random texts.
Right before she turned, a large maroon SUV peeled out of the side road and fishtailed onto the highway, the engine revving as it barely missed hitting her car.
Lee yelped and stomped the brakes but immediately eased off the pedal, somehow remembering that sudden stops increased the likelihood of wrecking on a snowy road. Thankfully, no one traveled on the road behind her, or she’d have been rear-ended.
