Page 13 of Stolen Mate

“If you have a place overlooking Puget Sound, your business is doing better than ‘well.’”

They spent the next several hours traveling up the river with Dash pointing out various and sundry sights, flora, and fauna. She hadn’t been lying when she called the area beautiful. He was a great tour guide, and had he been older she might have wondered if he’d known or worked with her mother.

Finally, they came to a public marina alongside a small, quaint village. Dash expertly guided the boat up next to the dock and helped her off the boat, carrying her luggage with him as he joined her.

“Trudy’s at the end of town. She left us a golf cart.”

“She really knows how to take care of her guests.”

“We may be remote, but we’re friendly.”

Dash helped her into the golf cart, securing her bags in the back, and drove them to the end of town where a large lodge made of enormous logs sat surrounded by a rustic fence and a gorgeous native garden. A lovely woman, who Tess recognized as Trudy from her picture on her website, came out smiling.

“Hey, Dash,” she said in her charming accent. “And you must be Tess. I looked up some of the books you illustrated on Amazon. Your illustrations are gorgeous. Welcome.”

“Thank you. The accent—it’s not quite Australian, not quite New Zealand…”

“You have a good ear. It’s Tasmanian, but it’s been a while since I was there. I call Mystic River home these days.”

“When will Hamish be back?” asked Dash.

“He hopes by the end of the week. I don’t think Colby is thrilled with the idea of Hamish becoming his right-hand man.”

“I don’t think it has a thing to do with Hamish. I think Colby just misses Winter. They were friends. Hamish is a good man, though. He’ll do a great job for them out of Windsong, and there are very few people I’d rather have in a fight.”

“You must be tired,” Trudy said, extending her hand. “Come on in. We’ll get your bags up to the room. The big suite at the end of the hall is free, and I thought you might enjoy it. Your information sheet indicated no food allergies, but also no mushrooms, broccoli, cauliflower, or olives.”

Tess grinned. “But I eat kale.”

Trudy laughed. “Well, that balances it out. Seriously you like that?”

“Only as part of salad greens and then with lots of dressing.”

“Well, come on, let’s get you settled.”

“I can take Tess’s bags up if you like,” said Dash.

“Thanks; that would be great.”

When Trudy opened the double doors, Tess gasped. “This is gorgeous.”

Dash entered the room before them and set her bags down on the bed. “Ladies. Tess, if you’re looking for the best burger in Alaska, come on over to The Workshop. First meal is on the house.” He tipped his hat to both of them and left them alone.

The room was large and airy with numerous windows and a set of French doors leading out onto a balcony that overlooked the horizon. It had a large bath with a clawfoot tub and a separate shower that looked as if you could hold a party—it was huge, the tile was gorgeous, and it had multiple shower heads. The bed seemed larger than a king and was a more ornate version of a four-poster than the one she had back home. It had a real ‘cabin’ vibe, but it was an elegant, refined one. Trudy had obviously spent a lot of time and money on the cabin, making it into a true retreat. Thus, Tess supposed, the reason for the name.

“I’m so glad you like it. I don’t normally fix dinner…”

“I don’t want to impose. Besides, the idea of a burger sounds great.”

“Trust me, he isn’t boasting. His cook, Mrs. Wiggins, is a wonder. It’s like a fine-dining experience in a casual pub setting, and his beer, wine, and whiskey selection is second to none. I haven’t been to The Workshop in weeks.”

“If you’d like to join me, I’d love the company.”

Trudy seemed to stop for a minute. “I think I’ll take you up on that. Why don’t you let yourself decompress and just rest for a bit. We can head over in a couple of hours.”

“That sounds great.”

Trudy left her alone, and Tess was going to take a quick shower and maybe a nap, but something about the forest in the distance called to her. She liked to travel in leggings, a sweater, and cute shoes, although not high heels. Tess stripped out of her clothes, donning a pair of jeans, a warmer sweater, and hiking boots. She grabbed her puffy down vest and headed down the stairs, running into Trudy as she did.

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