Page 41 of Maddox: Wild Alaska
Our meals are placed in front of us, breaking into the conversation. I want to argue with her about her opinion of herself. It makes me sad that she doesn't see herself the way others do. I'm not going to point that out to her right now, but I need to help her become more positive about the way she looks. She's so cute with her Marilyn Monroe curves and boobs.
"I know you're upset over there, but I'm okay, Sofie." She pops a fry into her mouth. "I'm not the little kid who got called out for being fat in school. I know kids can be hateful. So can some adults." She glances over my shoulder, so I follow her gaze and my heart sinks. She mutters under her breath, "Speaking of the devil," and puts on a fake smile.
I take a hefty bite of my burger as they approach. Richard winces, and Samantha gives me a repulsive look. I nearly choke when Judean takes a huge bite of her burger and starts chewing with her cheeks bulging.
I close my eyes and force calm while I manage to swallow my food. I open my eyes again and drink water to wash the food down. I smile. "Are you having a good time, Richard?"
The brother and sister narrow their eyes. Samantha hisses, "How do you expect my brother to have a good time when you won't talk to him?" Huffing out a loud breath, she adds, "Where did you sleep last night? I know it wasn't with Judean."
"How do you know she didn't sleep in my room?" Judean asks suspiciously. "You wouldn't be spying on me now, would you?"
“Don’t be ridiculous.” Samantha drops her eyes to the food, then to Judean. “You’re never going to lose all that weight if you keep eating junk food.”
Even Richard grows tense and frowns at his sister, but I can't contain my anger. I jump to my feet just as Colton slides into the chair next to Judean. He winks at her, saying, "Babe, you need plenty of substance for later, so eat up." He puts his arm around her shoulders and faces Samantha. "You could use a little more meat on your boobs. Guys like a woman to have dips and curves, something to hold on to while we fuck!”
My mouth drops open. I try to swallow my laughter. I really do. Yet I end up making such a gurgling noise that all eyes turn my way. I meet Judean's gaze and notice that she's bright red with either embarrassment or about to burst into tears.
Hell!
I jump to my feet. "Juju, let's head out." I shoot Colton a pointed glare and quickly glance at Judean. Thank God he gets my message and quickly stands, pulling Judean with him.
"Don't leave yet. Just one minute." He whispers something into Judean's ear, then dashes toward the kitchen. She shrugs.
"He's rude!" Richard says. "We need to make a formal complaint."
"Bullshit!" I hiss, surprising them. "Samantha has been rude to Judean since we arrived. It's been going on for a long time. So do not take the high road with me, Richard."
Colton returns and offers us both boxes for our food. I scoop mine up, happy that my food won't go to waste. Not only that, but I'm also hungry after working at the sheriff's station all afternoon. At least it kept my mind off Maddox for a few hours.
Once we have our food boxed up, I grab my jacket and start to move away from the table and the uninvited guests. However, Richard grabs my arm. "Sofie, can we please talk?"
Guilt seeps into my skin, and I find myself agreeing, "Tomorrow morning."
He opens his mouth to object—at least, I think that's what he was going to do—but then he nods.
"I can meet you in the breakfast room at nine, if that suits."
"I'll be there." Richard gives me a forlorn glance, and I swallow hard, hating myself for putting that look on his face. He is a good man, and I realize that I've treated him badly. He doesn't deserve that.
Judean takes my arm and leads me out of the restaurant. "I'm a horrible person," I mumble to her. "I treated Richard badly. The way I ended things."
"Before we arrived in Alaska, would you have broken up with him?"
“Yes.” I sigh, not needing to think about it. “But for this trip being dropped in my lap, I would have admitted to Richard that I couldn’t marry him. I don’t love him, Judean.”
"Then you have no reason to feel guilty." Judean directs me outside into the garden before stopping suddenly. "I forgot that you lost your room."
I smile and say, "I have a better one now."
"I bet you do." She snorts. "Also, if you call me Juju again, we can't be friends."
I snicker as I loop my arm through hers. “Let’s go sit on the back deck and finish our food.”
“You know, I really do like it here. The clean, breathable air. It's a nice change from city smog." Judean sighs. "No horns blaring, no traffic jams. Just peace and quiet."
As we come out through the kissing trees, it feels like we're in a whole other world compared to the lodge.
"Put me down, you big oaf!"
