He went in to check on Audrey every time he returned to town.
There’d been too damn many calls today.
Gabe parked the patrol car in front of the station, got out, and stretched. A concerned citizen had phoned in about abandoned sled dogs. Jesus. With dreams of big winnings or getting sponsorships, potential mushers would buy dogs, then discover it took work and money to develop competitive teams. And they’d kill or abandon the dogs.
Talk about asshole behavior.
Although Gabe had called a rescue organization to get the emaciated dogs, it’d be a while before his anger died.
Over the course of the day, the fog had dissipated, but the sky remained a leaden gray. Occasional rain smeared windshields and dampened clothing.
He’d be off duty soon. As he looked down the street, tourists still wandered the town, in and out of the few stores.
A sports equipment rental was looking at setting up on Main Street. If it did, the next step would be another restaurant since the fishermen and hikers would return their rented equipment around late afternoon and evening.
Gabe poked his head in the station to see if there was anything going on.
Regina was tidying her desk in preparation to leave. “Evening, Chief. Your messages are on your desk. Nothing needs your attention until tomorrow.”
“How did I survive before you arrived?”
“Badly, Chief. Badly.”
He smiled, enjoying how she’d settled into the job. Her manner and posture had changed in just this short time. It was as if she finally saw herself as she truly was—an intelligent, competent woman and a valuable member of the team.
“I’m going to make a quick foot patrol and call it a day.” When he’d called, Audrey said she hadn’t finished whatever preparations she’d been making.
“Yes, sir.”
Gabe reversed course and headed down Main Street, detouring along the back alleys to check that the new business owners had heeded his orders about securing their garbage. There was nothing a black bear liked more than a free lunch.
So far, so good.
As he strolled down Sweetgale, he saw Lillian wasn’t home. She was probably off at one of her numerous social things.
Reaching the end of the road, he stepped into the roadhouse. There were a good number of patrons…and no problems. Perfect.
Before leaving, he raised his hand to Bull and got a wide grin in return.
In the parking lot, a raised voice from the rear of the building caught his attention.
Gabe headed that way.
The lot held only a few cars. Several people stood around, watching something. Probably a wild animal. Tourists clustered like flies on carrion when spotting any wildlife.
But as he got closer, he realized the crowd was locals. And all male.
“Take it off, baby,” one said loudly.
“Woohoo,” another growled, “let’s see those knockers.”
“Hey, maybe this isn’t a good idea.” The skinny male’s protest was drowned out by the rest.
Gabe drew closer.
Two women were in the center of the…mob. Both crying. One on her knees, the other trying to stand. Damn.
“What’s going on here?” Gabe said in a loud voice.
“Shit, it’s the cop.” Like cockroaches when a light was turned on, the entire group scattered and raced toward the front of the lot.
As pickups and cars screeched away, Gabe approached the two women and went down on one knee.
Both mid-twenties, terrified and clinging to each other. One’s shirt was half-ripped off. The other had a swollen lip and a red handprint on her face.
When they cringed, he tapped the badge on his chest. “Police. How badly are you hurt?”
“Not…not really,” one said.
Thank fuck. He was so angry, he had to work to keep his voice soft. “What happened?”
“We…we came out of the roadhouse to leave, but I saw…” The blonde was crying too hard to continue.
“Marcy saw a bear behind the building, so we followed. For a picture.” The woman shoved her glasses up on her nose, looked around, and picked up her cell phone from the gravel. “That bunch of men… I guess they saw us, and they followed and just…just surrounded us.”
Gabe managed to keep his face calm.
“We didn’t do anything, weren’t even talking to them. We tried to leave,” the blonde said. “But they called us names and started ripping at our clothes. I tried to scream, and one slapped me.” She held her swollen cheek with the stunned expression of someone who’d never been hit in her life.
That his town had taught her about violence made Gabe sick. He held out his hands and helped them to their feet. “Do you think you could identify any of them again?”
The blonde shook her head hastily.
The one with glasses actually hesitated. “No, no, I’m afraid not. And we leave tomorrow. We have to be back at work.”
Jesus, what a way to end a vacation. Rescue sure wouldn’t be the highlight of their holiday. “I understand. We have a medical clinic here. We can have the practitioner check you over and make sure you’re not injured.”
“The slap was the worst of it,” said the one with the glasses. “At least as far as physical went.” Her eyes teared. “I’m really glad you came along.”
“Are you staying up at the resort hotel? How about I drive you up there?”
She shook her head. “No, I’m good.” Her arm went around her friend. “Marcy’s never been around this…kind of stuff. Unfortunately, I have.”
Now that made a man feel like shit—that a woman was familiar enough with the general assholery of men that she’d experienced it more than once in her life. What the fuck was wrong with his gender?
At their car, he opened the door, helped them in, and gave the brunette a careful scrutiny. Yeah, she was recovered. Safe to drive.
She gave him a nod and headed out of town.
Out of his town.
Only it wasn’t, was it? He didn’t want to be part of a place where men acted like a dog pack, out after prey. Only one guy had even tried to protest.
Scowling, he headed back toward the downtown section. He hadn’t met any of the men before, but he sure as hell would recognize most of them if he saw them again. If he did.
He glanced at the coffee shop and remembered Audrey was leaving.
Frustrated anger was a bitter taste in his mouth.
Audrey was in her comfy corner of the coffee shop. The low hum of the customers made a kind of background music. Business had picked up as people stopped in for the bargain-priced unsold pastries.
Oh, how she would miss this place—smelling the pastries and coffee, hearing Sarah and her husband mock-bicker, getting friendly greetings from the increasing number of people who knew her.
People seemed to like her, and how astonishing was that?
Unless Gabe got a call, he should be coming to get her soon. To take her to Anchorage. She’d better get her stuff put away.
She pulled up her email for a quick check to see if she had a delivery time for her new ID—and found, instead, an email from Dennison.
What disaster had ensued this time?
Biting her lip, she opened it.
* * *
Success!
Spyros was arrested today while boarding a flight to Alaska and is now safely behind bars. There will be no bail.
I’m pleased to say it should be safe for you to return to Chicago, Audrey.
Call me when you get into town. I’d like to meet you in person.
D.
* * *
A sound escaped her, then another squeak and another. As she jumped to her feet, her chair fell over.
They caught him. She wasn’t going to die. No one was coming for her.
Oh, my God, she was free.
“Julie, are you all right?” Sarah hurried over, her hand out. She halted, and her worried frown cleared. “Wait… Good news?”
&n
bsp; “The best. The very best.”
Realizing everyone was staring, Audrey flushed and raised her voice. “Sorry. I’m just…happy.”
Grins appeared along with a few shakes of heads. They were probably thinking idiotic Outsider.
“Well, good.” Sarah patted her shoulder and returned to behind the counter.
As Audrey resumed her seat, she saw again Dennison’s sentence. “I’m pleased to say it should be safe for you to return to Chicago, Audrey.” She could go home, where she knew how things worked. Where moose didn’t attack her. Where she was a respected, valued member of the university.
Her fingers stroked over the keyboard as she stared at the swirling screen saver. Yes, she could return to work.
On her third day on the run, she’d called her boss to ask for a family crisis leave. Her superior had been understanding—after all, Audrey had never used her sick days—and said to take as long as needed.
Yes, she’d have a job.
Not an apartment, though.
That was gone, and her belongings were in storage. Not that she’d have wanted to go back to her old apartment. There’d been…blood in the bedroom. A shudder ran through her. The slightest noise would make her think someone was breaking in again.
No, it was good she’d have to find a new place. One with far better security.
Catching her eye, Uriah gestured to the bottled water, silently asking if she needed another. She shook her head.
She sighed. God, she’d miss coming here each day.
And she’d miss Gabe.
No, no, no, don’t think about him. She shook her head and tried to shift her thoughts to ones that wouldn’t make her cry.
Like how much she loved working with Lillian in the garden.
Lillian—oh, no. Audrey’d promised to take care of the garden until the harvest season. All the salad greens were planted, and the rapidly growing tomatoes in the sunroom would need to go in soon, and…
She couldn’t leave now. She didn’t want to leave now.
And what about the library? She had to finish deciding what to order.
Knox needed her. If she didn’t keep teaching him, he’d never learn to read.
The children’s hour programs had to be developed and scheduled, too.
Really, she needed to finish what she’d started. Leaving her tasks half-completed was…was poor form, as Lillian would say.
Besides, it’d be less stressful to return after Spyros had been behind bars for a couple of months.
August. She would stay until August.
“Problems, Goldilocks?” A warm palm cupped her chin and lifted, forcing her to look up into penetrating blue eyes.
Gabe.
If she stayed a couple of more months, what would he think? What if he didn’t want her to? What if it turned awkward?
His brows drew together, and he took the chair beside her, his arm around her shoulders. “What’s the matter, sweetheart?” His low resonant voice tugged at her.
“I…I’m going to stay until August. I need to stay.”
“All right.” His brows drew together, even as he wiped a tear off her cheek. “Do you need my permission?”
Oh, she did sound like an idiot. “No. I—”
“Chief, she was dancing around here a minute ago. Until you showed up.” Sarah scowled at him. “Now, she’s crying.”
The criticism rolled off his broad back like rain off a newly waxed car. “Dancing? Did something happen?”
Her smile returned. “They caught Spyros. He’s been arrested.” She put her palms on his chest and bounced in her seat. “They caught him.”
A crease appeared in his lean face as he smiled. “’Bout fucking time.”
Leaning forward, he planted a kiss on her lips. Then his brows drew together. “Let me get this straight. You plan to return to Chicago, but not until August?”
Uncertainty made her hands clench. “Um…yes. I promised Lillian I’d stay until harvest, and I have to get Knox and the library settled. I have—”
“You have responsibilities.” He turned to look out the window, toward the police station. She felt his chest rise and fall with a slow exhalation. “As do I, dammit.”
“Gabe?”
“August, hmm?”
“I’ll have things wrapped up by then.” He’d mentioned his own responsibilities. She studied him. “Are you planning to leave, too?”
“Maybe. But like you, I can’t right this minute, no matter what I want. I have to stay for tourist season at the minimum.”
Gabe leaving. She couldn’t imagine Rescue without its chief. It was as if he was the heart of the town. She frowned. “Doesn’t a ski resort mean there’s a winter tourist season, too?”
His jaw tightened. “Yes, but by then, the town can hire someone else for my position.”
“Not Earl Baumer.”
His eyes narrowed. “You don’t like Baumer?”
“I…uh…don’t know him. But I don’t think he’d be as good as you are.”
His stern face softened, and he rubbed his knuckles against her cheek. “I think you’re a bit prejudiced on my behalf.”
“Maybe.” He was right in that she hadn’t been to bed with Earl Baumer. Not that she would. But if she stayed, maybe…maybe she and Gabe… The words spilled out of her mouth. “Want to spend two months having a hot fling?”
She clapped her hands over her treacherous mouth.
“Fling?” The amusement in his gaze changed, darkened toward demanding. “Oh, yeah, little cheechako, that sounds good to me.”
Oh my God, had he just agreed?
His mouth curved into a satisfied smile.
What had she done? Yes, she wanted nothing more than to be with him, but… Would she be able to leave him after falling more in love over the summer?”
“Chief.” The call came from the door. “There’s a fight in front of the bar.”
Gabe gave a grumble of exasperation. “Coming.”
Rising, he smiled down at her and repeated with a chuckle, “A fling.”
“I…”
He stopped her with a kiss. “I’m damn glad you’re safe from Spyros. I’ll pick you up at your cabin tonight after I get off work. Because you’ll spend the night at mine.”
He strolled out of the coffee shop, leaving her staring after him.
He’d kissed her—right there in front of everyone. Like he was claiming her. Like a lover.
A lover. Oh, God, she couldn’t have a lover. Even if she did love him—and she really shouldn’t. Talk about a stupid thing to do.
A chair scraped as Sarah sat down at the table. “You look like he slapped you instead of kissing you. Are you all right?”
Audrey swallowed as she met the woman’s concerned gaze. “I—”
“We’ve been worried about you, but you looked like you were doing all right. Until today.” Sarah took her hand and gave it a squeeze “Something’s wrong. Let us help, Julie. Whatever you need, we can help.”
God. Friendship. Without even realizing it, she had actually made a friend. The tears filling her eyes made her blink.
“No, no, don’t cry. Just tell me what’s wrong.” Sarah’s grip turned painful.
Audrey smiled and brushed the wetness from her eyes. “Not wrong—something went right. I have a story to tell you. First of all, my name isn’t Julie. It’s Audrey.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Leaving Audrey puttering around in his kitchen, Gabe stepped out onto his deck to check the grill.
The beauty of the early evening stopped him for a moment. The lake was peaceful, a shimmering reflection of the cloudless, blue sky. The trees and grass along the banks were brilliantly green. A pair of bald eagles performed a dance over the water.
The dry, clear days of late spring were the most beautiful time in Alaska.
Then, he laughed. He loved the appearance of termination dust—the first snowfall to whiten the mountains and signal the end of summer.
What abou
t the unworldly quiet of a midwinter night? The glow of a full moon on a snow-covered forest? The intense cold that could steal a man’s breath?
Or summer as the purple-pink swathes of fireweed reigned over the meadows and roadsides. When the beginning salmon runs attracted the bears with their bumbling cubs.
Yeah, he liked all the seasons.
Especially at Mako’s old cabin where wilderness surrounded him on all sides.
Yet…he was happy here.
The scent of the grill wafted to him. The alder wood had died down to the perfect embers for cooking.
Voice a low rumble, Bull strolled across the inner courtyard with Caz. Hoping for scraps, the chickens clucked as the men passed. Bull held the platter of salmon fillets he’d been marinating. Being a health nut, Caz had prepared a huge green salad.
His brothers. It’d been good to live here beside them rather than just visiting during vacations. Together, they’d fixed the woodshed, cleaned up the winter debris, and repaired snow damage. And they’d all silently grieved for Mako.
Working beside them had repaired the disconnect brought about by long absences.
He frowned. If he returned to Mako’s cabin, would Bull and Caz see his leaving as a kind of betrayal?
At the sizzle of meat hitting the grill, Gabe headed inside to get the fixings for baked potatoes.
Audrey already had everything set out on a tray. She passed it to him.
“Perfect. Thank you. As soon as the salmon is done, we can get the potatoes out of the oven.”
“Okay.” She glanced out the window and rubbed her hands on her jeans. “Are you sure they’re all right with me being here? I mean, at a family meal and everything.”
He set the tray down on the counter and pulled her up against him. “Goldilocks, we’re a bunch of guys. The addition of an intelligent, beautiful woman is always a plus.”
The confused expression on her face made him frown. “Beautiful? I’m not…I mean, I’m okay, but not beautiful. No, that’s not me.”
He pulled her closer, his heart aching. She really did believe that.
It wasn’t the first time he’d noticed this oddity in women. When younger, he’d thought maybe he attracted insecure females, but with more experience, he found most females doubted their attractiveness. During one late-night discussion, Caz had pointed out that society—and women’s fashions—made each woman feel inadequate. Her figure was never the right size; she was either too curvy or too thin. Her hair was never thick enough or glossy enough. Her eyes weren’t big enough. Her skin didn’t glow enough. Her lips weren’t red enough or full enough.
Not a Hero Page 21
