Nerd Gone Wild

by Vicki Lewis Thompson

  Mitchell abruptly scooted his chair back. “Excuse me a minute. I’m going to get another beer. Anybody else need something?”

  “More nuts.” Tanya’s hand reappeared as she reached for some peanuts in a bowl in the center of the table. “I do love nuts.”

  Ally was flabbergasted. Although she couldn’t prove it, she thought the great Tanya Mandell had just made a grab for Mitchell under the table. Judging from her comment, Ally had a fair idea what she’d grabbed for.

  The good news was that Mitchell hadn’t been happy with the move. He had more than half his beer left, so he definitely didn’t need another one. The bad news was that Ally wanted to slap Tanya silly. And this was the woman who was supposed to help her realize her dream.

  Ally got up, too. “I could use another Irish coffee,” she said. “I’ll be right back.”

  “Isn’t that what the waiter is for?” Uncle Kurt asked.

  Ally glanced over to where David stood holding an empty tray while he talked casually with Betsy and Rudy. “He’s very busy,” she said, and hurried over to the bar to join Mitchell.

  * * *

  Kurt leaned across the table. For once he was glad the hippie woman was playing the damned zither, because the noise gave him some cover for the conversation he needed to have with Viv. “What did you do just now?”

  “Nothing.” She cracked open a shell and popped a peanut into her mouth.

  “I don’t believe it was nothing. I think you tried to grab Mitchell’s balls under the table.”

  “What if I did?” She chewed the peanut and swallowed. “I like that whole nerdy look he’s got going. Makes him more of a challenge than the sculptor.”

  “Vivian, how many times do I have to say this? You’re supposed to be gay”

  “I think this trip will mark my conversion to bisexuality.”

  Kurt fought for control. He couldn’t lose it in the middle of this godforsaken little bar, because then he’d blow any chance of bringing Ally around to his way of thinking. “Viv, we have to concentrate on the goal.”

  “I am concentrating.” She cracked open another peanut. “Mitchell J. Carruthers, Jr., is in our way. Did you happen to notice that?”

  “Yeah, but he’s a nerd, like you said. I’m pretty sure he’s after Ally, but she wouldn’t get hooked up with a boring guy like that. I’m not worried about him.”

  “Ally likes him. And he doesn’t much like you. Plus, I don’t think he’s as boring as you imagine. He could be more of a problem than you’re counting on.”

  “And you’re going to solve it by grabbing his crotch? Jesus, Viv.”

  “It’s a start. But I have the feeling that Plan A is doomed, anyway.”

  A trickle of cold sweat slid down Kurt’s backbone. He liked Ally. He didn’t want to see something happen to her. “No it’s not. Give it time.”

  “How much time? Ten years, until she feels ready to do that coffee-table book? You said we could get her to hand over the money for the printing right away, but I don’t see that happening. She loves the trenches.”

  “Forget what she said. Trust me, before long we’ll see naked ambition.”

  “I wouldn’t mind seeing a naked nerd.”

  Kurt groaned. He’d often wondered if Vivian had ADHD because she was so easily distracted. Now he was sure of it. “Look at what we’ve accomplished. She’s forked over a check for your mentoring fee and your expenses for coming up here. Tomorrow she’ll order camera equipment through your favorite catalog and give you the money for that.”

  “That’s right.” Vivian tossed a shelled peanut in the air and caught it between her teeth. She crunched down and the peanut cracked. Then she chewed the peanut and swallowed it. “I need to remember to get that catalog out of my suitcase.”

  “That suitcase weighs a ton. What’s in there, anyway?” He took a swallow of his drink.

  “My gun, for one thing.”

  He choked on his Scotch.

  “You didn’t know I brought a gun?”

  He coughed into his napkin. “No, Viv, I didn’t know you brought a gun.” And suddenly his stomach got queasy. He didn’t have to ask why she’d brought it. Plan B.

  He’d have to make sure she never had a reason to take that gun out of her suitcase. “So anyway, adding up where we are, you already have the money for your fee and expenses, and tomorrow you’ll get the check for the camera equipment. Then in a couple of days you’ll get a call about a lucrative assignment, which you’ll refuse. She’ll feel honor-bound to replace the money you turned down.”

  “It’s the honor part of her makeup that worries me. You didn’t tell me she was ethical, Kurt. How are we supposed to work with someone who has ethics?”

  “I don’t know. I’ve never had to before. But I’m sure there’s an angle to play. I’ll figure out what it is.”

  * * *

  On her way over to where Mitch was standing at the bar, Ally was stopped by Betsy.

  “How’s it going, toots?”

  “Great.” Ally hated to tell Betsy that Tanya Mandell, the woman to whom Betsy had given her beloved parlor for the duration of her stay, was into groping men under the table. Betsy might have sex on the brain, but she wouldn’t do something like that, at least not to a man she barely knew. “I appreciate all the trouble you went to, giving up your room and everything.”

  “It was nothing. I knew the minute your uncle Kurt introduced her that I’d need to put her in the parlor instead of a regular room. I’m just glad you showed up to cover for me while I ducked in there and emptied the armoire of my duds.”

  “No problem. Tanya seems really happy with the parlor.” A little too happy, in Ally’s opinion. She’d never pictured Tanya as a nympho.

  “I’m glad she is. And I’ll be over bright and early in the morning to cook breakfast, so don’t worry about that.”

  “So where are you staying, Betsy?” Rudy asked.

  “Upstairs with Poopsie, but don’t let that get around. It’s temporary. I’m not living with a man until I have a ring on my finger. But I can’t stay in a regular room at the lodge or Tanya will figure out she’s in my room.” She motioned Ally closer and lowered her voice. “Do you think Tanya’s after Mitchell? I thought she liked girls.”

  “Who knows? But speaking of Mitchell, I need to go talk to him. See you guys later, okay?” She hurried over to the bar and caught Mitchell as he was about to head back with a full glass of beer.

  She lounged against the bar and batted her eyelashes. “Buy me a drink?”

  He looked her up and down and smiled. “You sure about that? You still have most of your first one.”

  “So do you.”

  “Yeah, well, I wanted to guarantee I had a spare. In case Dave got busy.”

  She gazed up at him. “Or maybe something was happening under the table that didn’t appeal to you.”

  His eyes widened. “You saw that?”

  “Not literally. I’d have had to be sitting on the floor to see it, but I noticed her hand disappearing and then you reacted like a man who’d been the unwilling victim of a grope.”

  Mitch adjusted his glasses and cleared his throat. “Maybe it was a mistake.”

  “But you don’t think so.”

  “I want to think so, for your sake. Not that what she does regarding men has anything to do with what she can teach you, but—”

  “I know. I told myself the same thing. And I still intend to learn a great many things from her. This is a terrific opportunity.”

  “Yes, it is, and you deserve this chance. I meant what I said about those pictures. They’re wonderful.”

  “Really?” Maybe his opinion mattered more than she’d thought.

  “Yeah, really. I know I’ve been trying to discourage you, but I can see now that this is what you should be doing with your life. I want you to get some coaching from Tanya.”

  “Thank you, Mitchell. That means a lot to me.” She looked into his eyes. “But I still don’t like her beha
vior. It’s icky. And I especially don’t like her trying something like that with you.”

  He didn’t say anything for several seconds, but his eyes did plenty of talking. They grew all warm and soft, like chocolate left out in the sun. “I appreciate that.”

  She shrugged. “She’s my ticket to breaking into this business, but when she starts putting the move on you, I can’t seem to look the other way. The truth is, I have no right to care what happens between you two, but I do.”

  “Ally, I’m not even slightly attracted to her.”

  “You didn’t have to say that, but thanks.” Her whole body thanked him. Significant parts started dancing with joy at the news.

  He took a deep breath. “I’m attracted to you.”

  “Yeah, same here. Sex ‘R’ Us.” She was amazed at how possessive she felt about him.

  “I thought when your uncle showed up with Tanya, you’d forget all about that.”

  “I thought I would, too. I guess my curiosity is getting the better of me.”

  His gaze heated. “Only curiosity?”

  There it was, the look that turned her legs to licorice whips and made her want to strip him down and climb aboard. “Maybe something more than that. You’re a great kisser.”

  “You’re a great kissee.”

  She laughed, feeling tons better. “I’m really starting to like your brand of humor, Mitchell.”

  “If you think I’m funny now, you should see me naked. Talk about hilarious.”

  She looked him over and smiled. “Somehow I doubt that. Besides, I want to get you alone so I can find out what Grammy said to you about Uncle Kurt.”

  “Ally, you don’t really want to—”

  “Never mind. We’ll talk later. Now, about that drink you’re going to buy me…”

  * * *

  Mitch didn’t eat a whole lot of his meal. Between listening to the schemes Kurt was laying out, anticipating some alone time with Ally tonight, and making sure Tanya kept her hands to herself, he didn’t have a chance to deal with food. At least Ally didn’t seem to be going for Kurt’s plan of publishing an expensive coffee-table book right out of the gate.

  He hoped one day he’d see a book of her photographs, though. Those five pictures she’d brought with her had blown him away. Until now he hadn’t fully appreciated that this was far more than a hobby. Ally had the makings of a star. But the coffee-table book idea sounded fishy.

  Although Mitch didn’t know much about publishing, he could imagine how someone like Kurt could embezzle thousands while he handled the details of the project Ally wasn’t into spreadsheets and cost estimates, and her grandmother had never insisted that she become informed.

  In that respect, Mitch disagreed with Madeline’s approach. He’d like to see Ally more involved in the financial picture. But when he’d tried to coax her into taking a look at some balance sheets back at the mansion, she’d found excuses not to. Now he understood why—she’d planned to leave it all for him to do while she pursued this photography career.

  But that left her open to being swindled by the likes of Kurt Jarrett if she wasn’t in the habit of checking the bottom line. Now that Mitch could see that was a real danger, he’d try to convince her to take a greater interest in the business side of things. He could always ask to look over Kurt’s records himself, but she might not go for that. In any case, she needed to become better informed.

  He wasn’t sure how and when he’d broach the subject. Once they were alone, chemistry could take over and financial information would be the farthest thing from his mind. He didn’t know how a person moved from lust to ledgers.

  And speaking of lust, Tanya’s agenda was becoming increasingly obvious. Twice he’d had to grab her wrist as she’d started walking her fingers along his thigh.

  The second time, as the meal was nearly over, she stuck out her lower lip in a pout. “You’re no fun,” she murmured under cover of Kurt and Ally’s conversation about career strategies.

  “You’ve got that right.” He guided her hand back to her lap.

  She grasped his wrist with her free hand. “Stay and play a while. I like lap games.”

  “No, thanks.” He was surprised at the strength of her grip. He had to yank his hand free, and in the process he bumped the table, which made the plates and glasses jump.

  Kurt looked irritated as he glanced at Tanya. “Have we got an earthquake going on or what?”

  Tanya smiled at Mitch. “Not yet. Tune in tomorrow.”

  Kurt drained the last of his Scotch. “Well, it’s been a long day and that zither music is giving me a headache.”

  Mitch wouldn’t be sorry to see the meal end. “Then you’d better get out of here before Clyde starts tap-dancing on the bar.”

  “Good Lord.” Kurt pushed back his chair. “Think I’ll mosey on down to my fifth wheel and turn in. Thanks for the dinner, Ally.”

  “You’re welcome.” She stood and gave him a hug goodbye.

  Mitch got to his feet, too, and damned if Tanya didn’t pop up right along with him. He was hoping she’d decided to stay for the tap dancing and maybe find another victim.

  “Think about that book project some more,” Kurt said to Ally. “It could really start you off with a bang.”

  Tanya leaned over toward Mitch. “How about starting me off with a bang?”

  “Sorry.”

  “You will be sorry,” she murmured. “You have no idea what you’re missing. I know just what to do with stuffy nerd-boys like you. You’ve never had it like I can give it to you.”

  Sick of listening to this drivel, Mitch turned and pinned her with a glare. “Look, Tanya, I respect your work and I’m glad you’re willing to help Ally. But I’m not interested.”

  Her blue eyes gleamed. “Oo. Manly indignation. I like that.” She winked at him. “I’ll bet you’re a tiger when you’re aroused.”

  “I think I’ll go find our coats.” He stepped away from the table.

  Tanya clutched his arm. “I’ll let you get away this time, but you’ll come around. Goody Two-Shoes over there isn’t woman enough for you. And don’t forget, I’m the one with the mirror over my bed.”

  Mitch said nothing. Maybe he couldn’t keep his private time with Ally a secret in a town like Porcupine, but he didn’t have to confirm or deny when it came to this creepy woman. He hoped she’d teach Ally a lot of good photography stuff in a short time and leave.

  Maybe he was beginning to understand her connection with Kurt, after all. One might be a loser and the other a world-famous figure, but they both had a corner on the sleaze market. Ally saw that, too, and he was sorry that her uncle and her idol couldn’t be everything she’d hoped.

  Unfortunately, she didn’t know the half of it where Kurt was concerned. Mitch wished Madeline had filled Ally in before she died, but instead she’d left him to deal with this mess. In every other way Madeline had tied up her affairs neatly, but Kurt Jarrett was the huge, glaring exception and there was no easy fix.

  For the moment, Mitch had to trust Ally not to let her strong need for a warm family connection screw with her judgment. At least she hadn’t turned away from him. But if he maligned her dear uncle Kurt, she just might. He’d have to be careful.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Ally wasn’t sure what Mitchell had said to Tanya, but the woman had switched her attentions to Dave. Serena didn’t look happy about that, but Ally decided Serena would have to figure out her own answer to the problem. For the time being, Ally’s problem was solved and she and Mitchell were heading out the door of the Top Hat, bound for the Loose Moose.

  She realized she was walking right into temptation by going over to the Loose Moose with Mitchell, but she couldn’t take any more of Tanya right now. If she expected to be able to work with her tomorrow, she had to get away from her tonight.

  When Mitchell had suggested a game of cards, she’d accepted the invitation gratefully. She knew the dangers, and she was flying in the face of them. At the moment, she jus
t—Omigod. Coming to an abrupt halt, she gazed up at the night sky.

  Next to her, Mitchell caught his breath. “What’s that?”

  “Nature’s laser show,” Ally murmured. “The northern lights.” She was dazzled by the irregular plumes of iridescent green and blue fanning out across the starry sky. For years she’d dreamed about seeing this, and now she was here.

  “The northern lights. Amazing. For a second I thought it might be an alien invasion. That green is the color of those little Martian guys with the antennae and ray guns.”

  “Oh, it is not.” She had to smile, though. What a typical nerd comment. “I’d go for my camera, but I don’t think I have the right equipment to do that justice.”

  “You’d want to take pictures of this?” He stood staring up at the sky, his hands in his pockets.

  “Of course. It’s spectacular.” She noticed he was being the perfect gentleman, not trying to touch her at all. That’s what she wanted. Sure she did. “Why are you so surprised?”

  He waved a gloved hand at the glowing sky. “No fangs, no claws. No real risk involved.”

  She laughed, sending a cloud of vapor into the air. “I won’t always be taking pictures of carnivores, Mitchell. I’ll take pictures of other wildlife that’s not scary at all. Tanya might have me start off with ptarmigans tomorrow. I saw a flock of them when we went out snowmobiling today.”

  He glanced at her. “Tar-whatzit?”

  “Ptarmigan. With a p. It’s mostly a ground bird. I guess you didn’t hear Clyde say that’s what you were eating tonight.”

  “Nope. Once he said it hadn’t been run over, I ordered it. Tasted strong, though, whenever I dared take a bite. I had to stay alert.”

  “I know. It’s embarrassing that she acts that way.” Ally watched his mouth, watched the little puffs of condensed moisture that punctuated his words, remembered how that mouth had felt. Her heart beat faster, thinking of his kiss. “I thought she was gay.”

  “Gay?” Mitchell laughed. “If she’s gay, I’ll eat road-kill for the rest of my life. That woman may be a lot of things, but gay isn’t one of them.”