Page 37 of Five Alarm Love
“Why?”she whispered before chopping with her hand to interrupt his answer.She pointed behind her shoulder.“Gonna go grab some fish.See you back over by the fire.”
Tuli stared as she walked away and wove between clusters of people talking.Even with her fleece jacket on, he could appreciate her cute butt wiggle as she strode across the field.
Since when did he think about his friend’s backside?
He’d been thinking about Lou’s backside and… other sides… for several years now.A lot during the past several months.
Tuli needed to think about other things, like figuring out the tension between him and Hunter.Clearing the air.They still had to work together.Tuli headed for the largest group of villagers.Perhaps the guy was there.
Lou’s father nearby looked up from a conversation.
Gordy gave a jerky wave from his wheelchair and pressed a button on the small AI tablet he wore around his neck.“Hello,” the voice said.
AI tried to make electronic speech as natural as possible, but Gordy’s device still sounded a bit like a computer.Hey, at least the fellow could communicate his thoughts.
Mr.Wright cleared his throat.“Nice to see you, Tulimak.”
Man, he’d known Steve Wright for twenty years, played at his house as a child, saw him at all the school functions growing up, but somehow, Lou’s dad still scared the bejeebers out of him.More so right now.Tuli refused to venture a guess as to why.
Silence stretched between them as Mr.Wright watched him with a bemused expression.
Tuli scrambled for something to say.“Hey, Gordy.How ya been?”Hopefully, that wasn’t an off-limits topic.Everyone knew that Gordy had recent health struggles, but the Wrights, as a rule, were close-lipped about their family’s business.
That said, folks in town loved Gordy and wanted him to be okay, Tuli included.
“I’m okay,” the device intoned.Gordy grinned and met him for a fist bump.
Mr.Wright patted his son on the shoulder.“He’s doing better, thank you for asking.Gordy’s a tough guy.”
“I’ll say.”Tuli cocked his head and pointed to the wheelchair.“You taking it easy after another day of walking all around town?”
Gordy gave a high-pitched laugh.
His dad smiled.“By the end of the day, he’s worn out, so we bring out the ATW.”
“ATW?”
“All-terrain wheelchair.Right, Gordy?”Mr.Wright glanced down and then met Tuli’s eyes.“How about your health?Things going okay?”
Tuli bristled out of reflex but tried not to show it as he maintained careful balance on the balls of his feet—one half numb, but somehow also painful.“All better now.I’m back to full duties at the deli and with the fire department.”
Mr.Wright took a drink from a steaming mug of what smelled like Labrador tea with birch syrup.“Good.”Pausing, he finally said, “Are you still doing that internet stuff?”
He saidinternet stuffthe way people insultedday tradingoronline gambling.
“If you mean social media influencing, then yes, I’m still working hard at it.”
“Lots of people watch you?”
“Yes.I’m now getting options to monetize and promote some native Alaskan products on my page.”
“So, you’re a salesman?”
Tuli gritted his teeth for a beat, then relaxed his jaw.“Not exactly.More like a promoter of all things Alaska.In a way that features the best parts of Yukon Valley and encourages people to come visit or even move here.”
Gordy gave a happy moan and patted his chest, then hit some buttons.“I will help.”
Tuli gave him a thumbs up.“Yes, I told you before.You’re a great ambassador for Yukon Valley!I mean, you walk all over town every day, waving at everyone.Yet you never get tired.”
