Stig turned to follow Kirk’s gaping stare. A woman. He blinked, shooting a disbelieving glance at his brother. She ambled toward them, a frown on her face. The ends of her dark brown hair caught the fickle winter sunshine and blew in the breeze.
His bear chuffed, startling him for a second time because the woman was a human. While she stood tall—around five foot eight or nine—she lacked the broad shoulders of a female shifter. With her solid build and the deep V of her cleavage visible beneath her black-and-white check coat, she stole his breath. Closer now, he could see her bright blue eyes.
“My bear wants her,” Kirk said in a shocked undertone.
“What?” Hell.
“I said—”
“I heard what you said. My bear is interested too.”
Stig exchanged a long glance with his brother. His bear stirred beneath his skin, and his brother’s bear glared at him, flashing in Kirk’s brown eyes. Stig’s shoulders rounded for an instant before he straightened. “We can’t argue over a woman, and neither of us have time to sweettalk her into bed. Our bears will have to wait.”
“Can’t we—”
“No.” Stig could have sworn his bear whined, the searing disappointment broadcast from his animal half, fogging his mind and hacking at his determination. “No, this is too important to sacrifice for a woman who might not be interested. She might be married.”
“She hasn’t got a ring on her finger,” Kirk countered.
“Come on. They’re unloading the train.”
When Kirk remained stock-still and staring like an idiot, Stig grasped his arm. Kirk dug in his heels and growled low in his throat.
“Fine,” Stig said. “You go chase tail and I’ll sort out our business.” He forced himself to walk away, ignoring the rumbling protests of his bear the entire time.
“This is the end of the line, Miss.” The man behind the ticket counter scratched the tip of his nose. He wore a black uniform a size too big and sported a black beanie on his head. Bright red curls poked from beneath the woolen hat.
“But I purchased a ticket to Churchill,” Fiona objected. “I don’t want to stay here. I want to go to Churchill.” And she hated to return to Winnipeg. It was a hotbed of crime.
Someone had mislaid her bag. The conductor had checked her baggage receipt against his records. Yes, he agreed. Her bag had left Winnipeg on the train but he couldn’t locate it now. Although the man in charge of the luggage department had said it might yet turn up, she’d heard his doubt. Maybe this happened all the time. Maybe they had a problem with theft. Her mind skipped to the shooting and she shuddered. Winnipeg had left a nasty taste in her mouth.
“What sort of railroad is this? First, my bag goes missing and now you’re telling me you’ve sold me a ticket under false pretenses.”
An apologetic smile curved his mouth. “I’m sorry, Miss. The railway line isn’t passable from here, not since the massive storm. The owners aren’t in a hurry to make repairs. The ticket office in Winnipeg knows this. I can’t understand how this miscommunication has happened.”
“How far is it to Churchill? Can I catch a cab or is there a bus service?”
He gaped at her, his eyes widening to round, astonished circles. “A bus? No, Miss.”
“But I wanted to see polar bears.” The faint pressure behind her eyes foretold a bout of tears. She pinched her inner wrist, hoping to keep her emotions under control. “Isn’t there any way to get there?”
“You could fly.”
Fiona brightened. “Where is the airport? How do I buy a ticket?”
“You must return to Winnipeg and fly from there. It is possible to fly from Thompson to Churchill, but from what I hear, the flights are sold out for the entire season. Your best bet is to catch tonight’s train back to Winnipeg and fly from there.”
Winnipeg?
No. No. No!
She refused to go back there. For the entire three days she’d spent in Winnipeg, the back of her neck had itched as if someone was watching her. Thieves, most likely, wanting to steal her belongings. Weird people had grasped at her as she passed, and one had chased her when she’d ignored his shouts. Then, there was the shooting. People had died and now someone had stolen or misplaced her bag.
No, the city of Winnipeg was not an option.
“Maybe I can help you,” a deep masculine voice rumbled.
Meet the Sexy Brothers
Fiona whirled, her right hand pressed to her racing heart. She stared up and up again. The man standing in front of her was freakin’ huge.
“Sorry,” he said. “I didn’t mean to frighten you, but I overheard your conversation. The man is right. If you want to fly to Churchill, you’ll have to take the train back to Winnipeg.”
“I’ve spent the last thirty hours on the train…” And every instinct cried that going back to Winnipeg was a bad idea. Her mother had always told her she possessed excellent intuition, although she’d failed with Robert. She’d met him not long after her mother’s passing. The man had caught her at a vulnerable moment…
“I have an alternative for you if you’re interested.” He offered her a shy smile, and her toes curled. Actually curled, which was weird. She smiled in return—a genuine grin instead of the fake one she’d flashed with the ticket officer. Her breath caught, and a spear of desire streaked through her body to land at her pussy.
How strange.
She’d never taken such an instant liking to a man. After her experience with Robert, she’d expect instinctive wariness, especially given this man’s size.
She blinked, the action breaking her spell of desire. No, let’s be honest. It was plain lust. Her mental sign posts had directed her straight to Wanton Town. Her mind sharpened as she tucked notions of sex far, far away. Now, where was she?
Ah, Churchill.
She’d planned her first adventure—visiting Churchill to view polar bears.
“What sort of alternative?” she asked.
“My brother and I are driving along the ice track. We’re leaving as soon as we load our freight. I’d better warn you though. It won’t be luxurious, but my brother and I are fantastic company. I promise that. We’re trustworthy. No danger of seduction. We’re on a timeline and need to get to Churchill as soon as possible.” His grin edged into sly with maybe a hint of regret.
Fiona studied him. One thing marriage to Robert had taught her was to read body language—a necessary skill if she’d wanted to escape his beratement. It had worked sometimes. “How long would the trip take?”
“It’s two hundred and seventy-five kilometers through the wilderness. The trip will take about twenty to thirty hours, depending on the conditions. We’ll take turns driving and keep going throughout the night.”
“Isn’t that dangerous?”
“Yes,” he said simply. “Come and meet my brother. Check out our vehicle before you make your decision. The train doesn’t leave again for four hours.”
“Is that right?” she asked the railroad employee.
“Yes, Miss.”
Fiona nodded, intrigued by the offer. An adventure. That was the plan.
But driving off with two strange men. That poked fun at sensible.
“I’m Kirk Swenson,” the man said, offering his hand.
“Fiona McDonald,” she replied as his big hand engulfed hers. The man stood much taller than Robert and made her feel dainty. Her gaze fluttered down to his feet and back to his face. He was large all over. A whoosh of heat struck her cheeks as she realized she’d been staring at his groin for a tad too long.
“Would you like to meet Runt?”
“Runt?”
“My youngest brother Stig. He’s the smallest and the youngest of my brothers, so we call him Runt.”
He still held her hand, and aware of the railroad employee’s amusement, she tugged it free. “Yes, all right.”
Kirk nodded and ushered her outside after opening the door for her.
Manners. She appreciated that in a man.
He used subtle pressure in the small of her back to guide her across the street while protecting her from hazards—one truck and a school bus and the splash they created as the vehicles lumbered through a giant water-filled pothole.
“Hey, Runt,” Kirk called.
Fiona had expected a small man, but the blue-eyed blond that turned to face her had several inches on her. She’d put him at six foot, give or take an inch. His hair was much darker than his brother’s—a dark blond and he wore it cropped short.
“Fiona, this is my baby brother, Runt,” Kirk said.
He held out his hand. “Stig,” he said in a deep voice. “My name is Stig.”
“I’m pleased to meet you.” A frisson of heat shot up her arm at his touch. Oh my.
“Fiona wants to get to Churchill, but she didn’t realize the train only came to Gillam,” Kirk said. “I offered her a ride.”
The two brothers exchanged a glance—a private one but not smarmy enough to arouse her unease.
“Why is it so important to get to Churchill?” Stig asked.
“I’m going to see polar bears.”
Both men blinked. They exchanged a quick grin.
“What’s so funny?” she asked, her suspicions raised.
Kirk noticed her shiver and shifted position to cut the wind. “Do you know much about Churchill?”
“It’s on the Hudson Bay and the polar bears congregate there every year while they wait for the sea ice to form. During the summer months, the beluga whales gather in the bay and both types of mammal bring in tourist dollars.”
“Why didn’t you book through one of the big companies? They do tours out on the tundra and organize flights and accommodation.”
Fiona hesitated, wondering what to tell them. About Robert and how he and his family had made her jumpy? That she’d experienced anxiety all the time, as if someone was watching her. No, she’d sound crazy if she told them that. “A last minute plan. I met a lady who visited last year, and her descriptions of the bears and the tundra made me want to see the place for myself. Obviously, I should’ve planned better.”
“We can take you to Churchill,” Stig said. “It won’t be luxurious, but we have a sleep area behind the cab. Toilet breaks are behind a rock or tree. We’ll be eating on the move.”
“That’s Bessie over there,” Kirk added.
He pointed at a big ugly vehicle. It was higher off the ground than a normal truck, its big wheels covered in track, much like a bulldozer. In fact, Bessie resembled a chubby bulldozer all over.
Fiona scrutinized the two brothers. She tested her instincts and blushed. If anything, they were in more danger from her jumping them. The instant attraction took her aback, because if they both offered to take her to dinner, she’d have trouble choosing between the pair.
She shook the sensual lethargy from her mind with a brisk nod. A weird hormonal moment caused by fatigue. That’s all.
“How much will you charge me?”
“No charge,” Kirk said.
“We couldn’t charge you,” Stig said at the same time.
Fiona frowned. “I have to pay you something.”
“No,” the brothers said in unison.
“We’re going to Churchill anyway and have room for you,” Kirk added.
“Thank you,” she said after a pause, going with the strong instinct that told her to trust the Swenson brothers. Whether it was a good idea, she wasn’t sure. Time would tell.
“Great. You can put your bag in the cab and go for a coffee and a meal while we load the sleds.”
“Can I help with anything?” she asked.
Kirk’s mouth dropped open while Stig—she couldn’t think of him as Runt when he towered above her—stared with a trace of shock.
“What? What did I say?”
Kirk spoke first. “Most of the women of our acquaintance would never offer to help.”
“Maybe they need to find some manners,” Fiona said sweetly. “I only have my day pack. Coffee is a great idea. Would you like one or, if you’re too busy to drink a hot drink, I can get you a can of soda?”
The two men gaped again, which made her wonder about the women in their lives. Given their rugged and handsome looks, the brothers must have women falling over themselves to spend time with them. A flash of something resembling jealousy caught her unawares. The low growl that escaped, shocked her more.
“Um, sorry. My mind drifted,” she said, praying they wouldn’t notice her guilty blush.
“A soda sounds perfect,” Stig said. “We’ll be here loading our freight. Take your time since it will be at least an hour.
Fiona nodded, flashed them a quick smile. “Can you recommend a café?”
“There are two. Either is fine,” Kirk told her. “That way.”
With a wave, she hustled in the direction he’d indicated. The weight of a stare settled on her shoulders. Two stares, probably, given the heaviness of the prickly sensation itching between her shoulder blades. Happiness filled her at the knowledge the two men considered her worthy of the attention.
Robert had been wrong.
Other men considered her attractive and her weight didn’t deter them. Her heavy coat added to her bulkiness, but they’d still studied her with masculine gleams in their eyes.
Half an hour later, Fiona wandered back with drinks, sandwiches and snack food—enough for three.
Kirk saw her arrive and waved her toward the cab. “It’s open. Stow your gear on the seat. We’ll find a place for it later. You can sit in there out of the cold.” He continued stacking boxes on the sled while Stig toted them from the train.
Both men had worked up a sweat and discarded their coats.
The boxes didn’t appear heavy. She could help. After dumping her gear and purchases in the cab, she trotted toward the train.
“I want to help,” she told Stig.
His brows drew together in a combination of horror and astonishment.
“You’re not charging me. I can carry boxes.” When it looked as if he’d argue, she plucked two boxes from the nearest stack. Yes, she could manage three, but she’d limit herself to two in case the clumsy bug struck her without warning.
“What are you doing?” Kirk demanded.
“Getting some exercise before I spend hours sitting,” she retorted. “Don’t argue.” She set the boxes down and returned for her second load.
Stig shook his head. “Kirk failed to dissuade you too.”
“Yes,” she said cheerfully, excited about her upcoming journey to Churchill. She’d see more traveling across the frozen lands and if she were lucky, she might see polar bears sooner rather than later.
Thanks to Fiona’s help, they loaded quicker than Stig’s estimate. Kirk had packed the vegetables so the boxes wouldn’t move around. The late order for a pallet of dried dog food meant their two sleds were full. This first trip would be a good test, and now eagerness to get moving simmered in his gut.
They settled in the cab with Fiona in the middle. Kirk grinned at him, and Stig knew his excitement wasn’t solely because of the start of their new business venture. It was Fiona. Something about the woman pushed their bears, attracting them like the forming of the sea ice snared the attention of every bear in the vicinity, and he couldn’t wait to see where this attraction might lead.
His senses told him she wasn’t immune to them either since she kept peeking at him and Kirk when she thought they weren’t paying attention. He picked up his phone and rang Leif.
“Hey, we’re loaded and about to leave,” he said when Leif answered. “What’s the weather forecast? I haven’t checked.”
“Snow is forecast for early tomorrow morning, so push as fast as you can. No problems your end?”
“Nope, we have a full load. Have Josef and Arve left yet?”
“They’re almost ready to leave. Ma dropped by for a visit. Things went to crap and—”
“Watch your language. We have a lady onboard, hitching a ride to Churchill. She w
ants to see polar bears.”
Leif chuckled. “You’re kiddin’ me.”
Stig handed Fiona the phone. “Tell Leif.”
“Hello?”
Stig winked at Kirk while Fiona spoke to Leif and explained that she wanted an adventure and seeing polar bears in person was the first step. Then, she handed the phone back to Stig.
“She sounds nice. My bear likes her already. I can’t wait to meet her in person.”
Stig shared a frown with Kirk, who could hear Leif without difficulty. If Leif decided he wanted Fiona, things might become a mite testy in the Swenson family. “See you soon,” he managed and disconnected the call.
Well, nothing like a little challenge. He and Kirk had twenty to thirty hours to woo Fiona before they reached Churchill.
They rumbled out of Gillam at five minutes past three, Kirk driving for the start of their journey.
“You said we’d travel through the night?” Fiona asked.
“We’ll only stop due to poor visibility or if the storm gets too bad,” Kirk answered. “We’ll swap driving duties, but we need to get to Churchill as soon as we can.”
“How often will you do the trip?”
“The train comes in twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We’re hoping that once the locals see we can get the freight through, we’ll have enough to run both our rigs and a third one. Kirk and I will do one run this week, and our brothers Arve and Josef will do the other.”
“What do you do when you’re not hauling freight?”
“We’ve been working at the old fort. They’ve almost finished restoration now. Sometimes, we hire out as guides.”
“What Kirk is trying to say is that we do a bit of everything to keep busy,” Stig said. “You have to if you want to survive in a town like Churchill. Where are you from? You don’t sound Canadian.”
“I live in Florida. Or I did.” She trailed off, her forehead puckering into a cute frown.
It roused his curiosity. “Did?”
“I lived there with my husband.”
“You’re married,” Stig snapped, her words like a slap to his face. He refused to become involved with a married woman, no matter what pressure his bear put him through.
Fiona's Mates_A Paranormal Reverse Harem Romance Page 3
