by Nancy Pirri
Leif accelerated and flicked a devilish grin her way. “You’ll find out soon enough, darlin’.”
Ten minutes later they arrived at another airport, a very small one with just two runways, and a rental car agency. Leif parked the Ranger, moved around to Cassandra’s side, and opened her door. He left her to close it as he’d already moved to the back of the truck and proceeded to haul out her three pieces of luggage.
Cassandra moved to his side and tugged on the bag he’d tucked under his arm. He didn’t say a word, but shrugged and released his hold on it. Inside the rental agency office he handed over the keys to the truck then took Cassandra’s elbow and guided her outside. They arrived alongside a tiny plane equipped with pontoons. He opened the door and waved at the passenger seat.
She looked at him, her jaw gaping. “You’ve got to be kidding!”
He glanced at his watch and said, “There’s a possible storm heading this way so I’d like to get to Gateway sooner than later. Hop aboard. Trust me, it’s safe.”
Leif smiled in response to her narrow-eyed look, praying she’d tell him to take her back to the airport. He clenched his jaw when she stepped up on the pontoon but paused when she couldn’t raise her leg high enough to get into the plane. Her skirt was just too damned tight. Damn but the woman was stubborn.
Heaving a deep sigh, he clasped her waist and hoisted her inside, then slammed the door shut.
~ * ~
Cassandra knew a thunderstorm when she saw one. Up ahead, cumulus clouds were darkening and rapidly sprawling across the sky. The wind’s gusts buffeted the plane up and down, and from side to side. It seemed her co-partner had a penchant for daring maneuvers, besides.
“Ohmigod!” she suddenly blurted out, slamming her eyes shut when he nosed the plane down sharply, then brought it up again, leveling it out.
“Sorry,” he muttered. “Didn’t want to hit the hawk that was flying straight at us.”
As she gripped the armrests, she decided she was going to die. She just knew it. She’d climbed aboard the seaplane with this stranger, who flew as daringly as Evil Knievel used to drive his motorcycle. She imagined the plane’s motor sputtering, dying, and the plane nose-diving into the water. There it would make a big splash and shatter into smithereens.
“Now, don’t worry,” Leif said, patting her hand. “I think that storm’s a ways off. We’ll be at Gateway soon.”
Cassandra darted a quick look at him before focusing on the threatening clouds once more. “How soon?” she croaked, hating the fear in her voice. But then, she was lucky she could speak at all. From past experience, she knew that fright had a way of paralyzing her vocal chords.
She held onto the sides of her seat with both hands, her bottom bouncing as the plane battled the turbulence. The plane was so small her shoulder brushed against his arm—his exceedingly muscular arm—every time either of them moved. The only good thing about the plane was that it had been painted bright sunny yellow.
“Oh, I’d say about as long as it takes for an eagle to soar two-hundred feet to the water below to scoop up his supper.”
She wondered at his cryptic reply. “Which is how long?”
“Soon.” He glanced at her, then returned his gaze to the instrument panel. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’re questioning my ability to pilot this plane.”
What was this guy, a mind reader? “That’s an understatement,” she muttered. “Why didn’t you tell me the bait shop couldn’t be reached by car?” As she peered down below at the miles and miles of water she added, “And couldn’t we have traveled by boat?”
“Sure, but that’s miles and miles of water down there. It would have taken us almost an entire day to get to the shop. Plane travel, by far, is the quickest, easiest way to reach Gateway.
She’d always been in control of her life, with the exception of being stood up at the altar. It was difficult placing herself in this man’s hands—any man’s hands—no matter how capable he might be. And, he was sinfully handsome, besides. She could fall for him very easily, if she allowed herself, which she wouldn’t. Grudgingly, she decided that with his rugged good looks he likely attracted women from far and wide.
“I understand. It’s just that I’ve never before traveled in such a tiny plane.” She peered out the window and gulped at the patches of gray below, her stomach close to heaving.
He stared at her, raised one eyebrow. “You’re afraid, aren’t you?”
She loosened her death grip on the armrests and twisted her hands in her lap. “Oh, no, well, perhaps a little.”
“You’re safe with me.” He threw a few more switches on the control panel.
His soothing voice and confidence calmed her somewhat as he pointed out certain areas of the landscape below. And then she stared at his hands, mesmerized by his long fingers. Fingers she could imagine touching her. Everywhere. She squirmed in the uncomfortable lumpy seat. The brown leather cushion had dulled from the frequent beating of the sun and was slit in places.
“You know, I was surprised to hear Roy had a granddaughter. He’d told me often during the past fifteen years he had no family.” He raised his brow. “Makes me wonder why you suddenly appeared out of nowhere.”
Cassandra frowned. “The private investigator he’d hired had learned about the car accident that had taken my parents’ lives. After that he managed to track me down. Didn’t Grandpa tell you he’d been searching for us?”
“Yeah, he did.” He gave a short irritable laugh. “About two days before he died.”
“Oh! I’m sorry. You must have been surprised,” she murmured. She tried to imagine how she’d feel if someone had butted into her business, Pretty Woman Cosmetics. She’d be furious.
“Not just surprised but stunned. Roy then told me he’d had a falling out with his only son years ago.”
“Unfortunately, that’s true. I was three years old at the time.”
“Roy was real torn up when he heard about your father’s death.”
She sighed. “I imagine he was, seeing as my grandfather and father hadn’t spoken to each other in years. He said it was the saddest day of his life, and he’d forever regret they hadn’t mended their fences. I wish I’d had the opportunity to see Grandfather before he passed away. I was so young when my parents took me away from here that I’ve no memories of him.”
As she peered out the window, the beauty of the vivid green treetops caught her interest, but then she shuddered at the grayish-colored water. After awhile she sank back in her seat and grimaced, identifying the pungent odors in the plane. Leather, gasoline and the distinct odor of fish blended together, yet each scent was distinct.
She was uncomfortably conscious of his maleness. Virile and confident, but without being macho and overbearing would aptly describe him—the little she knew of him. Yet, her awareness of him as a very attractive man was starting to bother her. He was just another handsome man. She’d dated plenty of good-looking guys and had learned her lesson well. She bit her lip thoughtfully, gauging her attraction to him and decided, in the end, she must be experiencing some sort of chemical imbalance.
To her relief, Leif soon leveled the plane over a small shimmering lake. He descended and she let out her pent up breath when he landed smoothly. The plane coasted to a stop when the pontoons bumped against a long, sun-bleached, wooden dock. He released his seat belt, opened the door, and jumped out. He walked along the pontoon, then vaulted to the dock where he looped a thick rope through a ring. The man was agile as a cat!
She released her seat belt. It was now or never. She opened the door, turned sideways, and froze. Cassandra found herself surrounded by water—cold, glassy, and dangerous, splashing noisily against the weathered dock. With the exception of taking a long, luxurious bath or a brisk cool shower in the safety of her bathroom, she’d always been terrified of water.
She looked up when she heard Leif call her name. He was motioning for her to leave the plane. Be brave. She started to slide from her s
eat when he suddenly appeared in front of her. He offered her a confident smile as he helped her from the plane, then guided her down the pontoon.
He’d settled his hands on her waist and his touch sent little shivers down her spine. She teetered on one heel as she stepped onto the dock, breathing easier now that they’d settled on firm ground. She’d packed a sensible pair of flats in one of her bags, and knew she’d wear them every day from now on and chuck the heels!
“You’re safe now,” he said, stepping off the dock after her. He picked up a suitcase, tucked it under his arm, then snatched up the two larger bags. “But you’ve got a problem, Miss Thompson,” he said, moving ahead of her.
“I do?” She stared at his broad shoulders covered in a khaki-colored shirt, the sleeves rolled back to his forearms. She looked at his arms, fine hairs glinting in the daylight, even though the sky was overcast.
He lengthened his stride and she tripped along in her high heels to keep up with him, admiring his strong, athletic body.
“Northern Minnesota is nothing but water with a bit of land thrown in here and there,” he said conversationally. “I’d advise you to get used to it sooner rather than later.”
“I’ve heard the Minnesota slogan, ‘Land of Ten Thousand Lakes’ before. I also discovered on the flight here that it wasn’t an exaggeration.”
“I’ll bet a day’s pay you don’t swim, do you?” he asked, glancing at her over his shoulder.
She shook her head as heat seeped into her cheeks. Damn! How had he guessed? Silly question! How could he not have guessed? She’d been uptight the entire flight. And he’d caught her gawking out the window at the water below. For some reason, flying high in a large, commercial plane, didn’t frighten her, but this small plane had.
He had just placed one foot on the stairs leading up to a long, low log cabin when a German Shepherd bounded across the dock toward them. Laughing, Leif dropped the bags, went down on one knee and roughed up the dog’s fur. “Hey, there, Shep. Glad to see me?”
Cassandra smiled down at them.
Leif turned to her as he rose, his hand still stroking the dog’s thick coat. “Meet Shep.”
She approached the dog, hand out. Shep cocked his head and stared at her with dark, soulful eyes. When she was close enough he dipped his head and rubbed it against her hand, welcoming her touch. She grinned. “He’s very friendly.”
“Course he is. I can’t have a dog at Gateway if he scares the customers.” He picked up her bags and climbed the stairs. When he reached the landing he stuck out his foot and nudged it into a gaping space where the screen had once been attached. He set her bags down on the floor and held the door for her.
Cassandra stepped through the doorway then stopped in front of the transaction counter. She bent from side to side to see around the shelving, searching every nook and cranny.
White pine logs that had been stained a golden brown glistened in the mid-day light passing through the windows. The center of the large square room was open, with merchandise stacked on shelving and hanging from hooks, hugging the four walls of the store.
She sighed at the disappointing selection of adult merchandise, but one shelf piled high with t-shirts caught her interest. She lifted one and unfolded it. A huge bug with horrid wide eyes stared at her, the words ‘Minnesota’s State Bird’ splashed below the insect in big wiggly letters. Not only were the shirts unattractive they appeared to be one-size-fits-all.
After refolding the shirt she moved across the room to the children’s area. There the selection was, to her delight, plentiful. Shiny silver harmonicas and Native American drums decorated with colorful feathers sat neatly on a shelf. Fancy feathered Indian headdresses and authentic coonskin caps hung from a pegged tree. Tiny canoes made of birch bark and plastic Native American Indians and Cowboys hung from hooks in packages.
As she touched one item, then another, her smile slipped when she noticed spider cobwebs dangling from the metal hooks protruding from the pegboard that held the merchandise. With a finger she pulled one down, then another, pausing when she heard Leif’s voice filled with irony.
“Okay. I get the message. The place needs cleaning.”
Cassandra glanced at him over her shoulder and arched one eyebrow. “Obviously you have no allergies to dust.”
He shook his head. “Do you?”
She nodded.
“Dusting isn’t a priority.” Stepping closer, he said, “And I don’t want Maxie working too hard. She’s got a bad heart.”
Cassandra frowned and asked, “Who’s Maxie?”
“My store clerk. You’ll be meeting her soon.”
“Is there some reason why you don’t dust?”
He straightened to his full six-foot plus height and looked down his nose at her. “Cause I’m the fishing guide, and I work every day at it.”
“Fishing, hmm?”
“Yeah. I get paid to take folks fishing.”
She widened her eyes. “No kidding? Uh, why would someone pay you to take him fishing? Don’t you just throw out a line, sit back and wait and see what’ll bite?”
His jaw tightened and his complexion reddened. “No, that’s not how you fish up here,” he said, sarcastically. “I know where the fish are—the customers don’t. There’s a technique to it.”
“I see,” she said, trying to understand. She’d never been fishing but she couldn’t imagine it being all that difficult. She folded her arms and tilted her head as she met the irritated look in his eyes. “How well do you get paid for guiding?”
“Fifty a head each trip.”
“And how many fishermen per trip?”
“Four to six.”
“How often during the week do you guide?”
“Four to six days a week.”
She whistled in appreciation.
Leif grinned. “So, you see why I don’t dust.”
“I can see where you wouldn’t have much time, so I’ll dust.”
Leif shrugged. “While you’re here it’s fine with me.”
She turned back to the merchandise and thought over Leif’s explanation. She wondered how many months a year he earned that kind of income. Lakes froze over in the winter so he wouldn’t be doing any guiding then. She recalled her grandpa telling her he went ice-fishing in the winter, though.
As she frowned at the cobwebs hanging from the merchandise she wondered how well the stuff sold, guessing those cobwebs had built up over a period of time.
She sauntered around the store some more, glimpsing Leif sitting on a bar-type stool behind the counter, cigarette between his lips, watching her. Heat rose up her neck and into her face at his unwavering look. Quickly she turned back to her inspection.
The long windows nearby were spattered with bird droppings, and appeared to have not been washed in a long time. The window sashes, once white, had dulled to a yellow-gray color. The screening on the door as they’d entered the store had loosed and now flapped in the hot southerly breeze. None of this bothered her, though. With a good cleaning and the hired services of a handyman, the place would be perfect. And an expanded line of merchandise for vacationers to choose from would also help.
She ducked out of the way of an oncoming moth, then turned when someone called out Leif’s name. A tall, spare woman wearing a pair of denim blue overalls passed through a beaded-curtain and entered the storefront.
“Thank heavens you two got here before the storm hit,” the woman said. She stopped directly in front of Cassandra and took her hands. “Welcome home, Cassandra.”
“It’s temporary, Maxie,” Leif muttered.
Cassandra bristled and scowled at him. She’d had about enough of his sarcasm for one day. Just one more cynical remark from him and she’d deck him. Tugging her jacket over her hips she breathed deeply and schooled her features, giving him a long, cool look. “Sorry. Did you say something?”
“This is Maxie, our head store clerk,” he said, his voice clipped.
Maxie rolled her eyes. “
Other than Leif, I’m the only clerk.”
“I’m happy to meet you.” Cassandra squeezed the older woman’s hands. Maxie released her and smiled down at Cassandra.
As Maxie informed Leif of the happenings of the day since he’d left Gateway to fetch Cassandra, she stared at him closely. Now that she wasn’t focused on surviving the flight, she could take in the full measure of the man.
She admired his thick, dark brown hair, and vivid blue eyes contrasting sharply with his tanned complexion.
Cassandra had learned from her grandfather’s letters that Leif’s mother was of Ojibwa heritage, but that his father was unknown.
Whatever Leif’s father’s nationality, Cassandra thought the two people had managed to produce a splendid specimen of manhood.
Her face turned hot when he turned, focused his blue gaze on her and abruptly said, “I’ve got to check over a few things on the plane before I leave.” Then he strode outside.
She stared after him, long after he left, until Maxie waved her hand in front of her face. “Uh, Cassie? Come on, sweetie. I’ll show you to your room. It was your grandfather’s so don’t mind the masculine decor. You can change it, if you decide to stay.”
Was that a hopeful tone she heard in Maxie’s voice? Her outlook lightened at the prospect of someone being happy about her presence. But, she was also exhausted from the trip and didn’t feel much like socializing.
Hesitantly, she said, “Do you mind if I rest a bit?”
“Heck, no!” Maxie replied, “I was going to tell you to catch a few winks before dinner.”
Half an hour later, Leif returned to the store, looked around, then turned to Maxie. “Where is she?”
“If you mean Cassandra, I told her to take a nap.”
“I need to talk to her before I go.”
Maxie shrugged. “There’s no telling how long she’ll sleep. Besides, you can’t leave yet. There’s a storm brewin’ out there.”
“I checked the radar. It looks like most of the bad stuff’s going to stay south of us. Guess I’ll have to wait until I get back to talk to her about a few things around here.” He frowned. “And no gossiping about me while I’m gone.”
