Page 2 of Claiming Ours
“Sounds like you’ve made your way through our town,” Kale said as he poured the cloudy mixture from the shaker into the chilled martini glass. Three blue cheese-stuffed olives were added before he placed the very full cocktail on a napkin in front of me on the bar. “What did you think of Anchor Bay?”
“You said ‘our town.’ Does that mean you’re a local?” I questioned, surprised by his claim on the town.
Leaning a hip against the bar, he dipped his chin in acknowledgment. “Born and raised.”
Careful to keep the liquid inside the glass and not slosh any over the rim, I lifted it and took a tiny sip. A hum of approval escaped as the cold, perfectly mixed drink slid down my throat. It was exactly what I needed after the busy day and would help settle my overly anxious mind that seemed to think everyone was a threat.
“It’s the cutest town I’ve ever been to for sure. The colorful shops, the people, everything. It’s exactly as I imagined it when planning this trip. Even better, actually.”
“I hear that a lot from those visiting. What’s been your favorite place so far?”
I couldn’t help but admire the way the sleeves of his polo strained when he crossed both muscular arms over his chest.
Averting my ogling stare, I sipped the yummy drink, debating my answer. “Well, that coffee shop, Sips, had the best coffee and pastries, but the general store was all kinds of adorable, and then there was the food at Dave’s. I almost made myself sick eating so much. Those nachos could win TV cooking competitions.”
Kale’s grin widened as he nodded. “Sounds like you hit up all the best places. Good. Would hate for you to leave without experiencing all that we offer visitors.”
“Kale.”
At his name, we both turned our attention to a man hurrying across the room toward us. His slicked-back dark hair and ill-fitting suit had me studying him with a mix of suspicion and curiosity. My apprehension swelled, a slither of unease moving down my spine the closer he came. I took a large gulp of the martini to ease the nerves that had finally settled during the simple conversation with Kale but were now back in force.
The new man’s brows flicked up his forehead when his dark gaze landed on me. “Oh, I didn’t realize you were with a guest.” He studied me for a moment before a slimy grin spread acrosshis too-thin face. “Sorry for interrupting. Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Charles Parks, the general manager here at The Nest.”
As I shook his outstretched hand, I dared a quick glance across the bar, finding Kale’s earlier smile gone, his lips now pulled down in an almost frown as he glared at Charles.
“So tell me, how has your stay been with us so far? I hope everything here has exceeded your expectations.” Hands shoved into the side pockets of his dark gray slacks, he tucked himself between me and the stool beside me, propping an elbow up on the bar. “If not, please let me know how I can meet your needs.” Dark beady eyes slid down my frame, making me feel all kinds of gross. My fingers tightened around the delicate stem of the martini glass in my attempt to hold back from tossing what was left of the drink in the disgusting man’s face. “In whatever way you need me.”
Before I could tell him to fuck off—or that if I was to ask anyone to meet my needs, it would be the hottie across the bar, not some middle-aged creeper who probably just moved out of his mom’s basement—Kale spoke up, pulling Charles’s attention his way.
“She’s heading out on the trail tomorrow.” I flicked my attention between the two men as I swallowed a mouthful of martini. “Did you need something from me?”
Charles turned his unsettling focus back my way, that wide, overcompensating smile still plastered on his face. “Yes, yes, but that can wait, Kale. Tell me….”
He paused, clearly waiting for me to offer my name, but I just held his gaze and took another drink to keep from answering. Without Hank by my side, I felt intimidated by his unnerving focus.
My nonresponse clearly didn’t sit well with him. His eyes narrowed, and the smile dropped as his lips pressed into a tight line.
“So, Charles?—”
“Mr. Parks,” Charles snapped and cut a glare at Kale, who, not surprisingly, didn’t appear fazed.
“Right. Anyway.” I barely restrained the giggle that wanted to escape at Kale’s patronizing tone and instead snorted into my almost empty glass. “I heard the guys at Uplift are demanding cameras be installed along the walking path from the cottages to the main building.” He grabbed a rag and began wiping down the already pristine bar. “After what happened when their girl Aspen’s cabin was broken into last month, I’m shocked they didn’t install some themselves.”
A corner of Charles’s lip curled in a snarl when Kale mentioned the name Uplift. It sounded familiar, but I couldn’t place it. Practically chugging the martini on an empty stomach had my head feeling a little fuzzy.
“Those fu—” He shot a side-eye glance my way before turning back to Kale. “I’m working on it with a company out of Anchorage to get something that meets their ‘standards.’ I don’t know why the owner here won’t push back or just drop the company altogether.”
“Because they’re the only dependable adventure company based here in Anchor Bay for our guests to book through,” Kale shot back with a humorless laugh. “And have saved many lives over the years.” He shifted his attention to me as he tossed the rag over his shoulder. “Visitors come out here underestimating how difficult the terrain and climate can be in Alaska no matter the time of year. Our weather can change on a dime and catch people off guard throughout the year. The company we’re talking about, Uplift Adventure and Rescue, not onlyruns extreme adventures and other outdoor excursions but also works as a rescue and recovery company too.”
I nodded while tipping the glass back, finishing the drink. The martini was amazing and exactly what I needed. One more would be great, but not with Charles sticking around. Instead of staying for another drink now, all I wanted to do was get back to the cabin and snuggle with Hank.
“Well, their community,” Charles snapped, tone coated with disdain, “is an abomination, a dark mark in our town. They shouldn’t be allowed to live that… lifestyle out in the open like they do. Gives our town a bad name and makes people feel uncomfortable.”
“Like you,” I muttered under my breath. “Okay,” I drawled, and both men looked at me. “That was fantastic,” I said to Kale, pointing to the empty glass. “Thank you. It was exactly what I needed before tomorrow and going without alcohol for a while. Can you put it on my room, or do I need to pay here?”
Kale’s full lips parted to respond, but Charles beat him to it.
“It’s on the house.” Charles straightened and smoothed a hand down his tie. “As a thank-you for staying here at The Nest and hopefully an incentive to come back very, very soon.”
