Sterling New Year

by Cheryl Dragon

  Mel looked around. “Tie me down? They’re just making sure I eat while I’m taking up space in their warehouse.”

  The blonde, skinny waitress snickered. “Slow approach. How nice of them. There are plenty of men—pairs, trios, and so on looking for a woman. Make sure to play the field.”

  Jason bumped his boot against Mel’s foot under the table. “Rach is waiting for a six-pack of men.”

  “Being picky is good. In other places, men don’t appreciate what it means to have a woman around.” Rachel tapped her pencil to her pad. “Don’t let them get off easy.”

  “Whether it’s two or six men, all that cooking, cleaning, and juggling is work. Not sure I’d be up for the challenge. I like making dresses—I’m not husband hunting.” Melody hoped her words came out politely and without confusion. She was known for being direct. Subtlety never seemed to work for her.

  Rach laughed. “Honey, you need to spend more time around here. Everyone works hard. Plus, men here know better than to take their women for granted. Now what can I get you?”

  The group placed their order. Melody took in the café beyond the three hot men who’d had her attention. The body heat was hard to ignore. In the café, the gender disparity was clear. A few of the men gawked at her like she was made of diamonds.

  Ryan slid his arm behind her shoulders, and Melody’s focus returned to the trio of men at her table.

  “Just because your dad didn’t appreciate your mom doesn’t mean all men are like that.” Ryan rubbed her back.

  Forward yet comforting. She smiled. “I know, but my friends who got married in their twenties are mostly divorced now. I’m just not rushing into anything with anyone. Isa knew it was safe to bring me in early because I won’t get distracted. I’ll get the dresses done on time.”

  “Come on; no sightseeing?” Jason asked.

  “Isa picked a wedding on New Year’s Eve, not me. I’d much rather have more sunshine so I could see the attractions. She’ll be here. I can always come visit in the summer.” She left out that seeing Alaska had never been a big goal of hers. Michigan’s cold weather was nice. They had icy lakes, bears, and blizzards without excessive darkness or outrageous prices. No reason to piss off her hosts, though.

  “We’d be happy to show you around whenever you like,” Dale said.

  Jason shook his head at his boyfriend’s neutral talk. Melody appreciated Dale’s honesty. The attraction was clear; she wouldn’t deny they were each attractive in their own ways. That didn’t mean they all should jump into bed like they were in college.

  Then again, she wasn’t really planning on coming back. It was a lot of work to keep her small business afloat, and pricey vacations weren’t an option. If she had some fun without commitment, it wouldn’t be bad. However, the vibe around here was commitment, not hookup.

  “Thanks. If so many men around here want women, why not take a trip up to Anchorage or Fairbanks? There must be plenty of women there.”

  “There are more,” Dale agreed as he added creamer to his coffee. “Not every woman wants to give up those conveniences to move to a smaller town.”

  She missed the drive-through coffee from her favorite chain. However, the bakery here was far more delicious. “I can understand that. But with three attractive men, or however many are in that group, that’s a hard thing to turn down.”

  “All of Alaska could use more women. There’s even some magazine about the single men of Alaska,” Jason said, pointing at Ryan.

  “Were you in it?” she asked.

  Ryan’s cheeks flushed, and he squeezed her shoulders. “No. I asked these two if they wanted to be in it, but they refused. Too shy.”

  “Shy?” Jason scoffed.

  She sat back as their food arrived. The men were right about the portions. She’d have dinner with the leftovers. “Wow, a magazine. I’m shocked there hasn’t been a reality show. Brides of Alaska.”

  Dale shook his head.

  “What?” she challenged.

  Those blue eyes connected with hers from across the table. “More women around here would be good, but it’s not about any woman. For us, it’s about finding the right woman. People don’t want random celebrity here. We dated a few women in college. They weren’t right.”

  She poured ketchup on her fries. He might’ve shared the bit about wanting the right woman to end her teasing questions, but the revelation made her respect them a lot more. “I’m glad not any woman will do. No one wants to be settled for because she’s there or because she ends up stuck.”

  “Stuck?” Jason leaned in. “Sterling is accessible by boat, car, and plane. You’re never really stuck here except during a blizzard.”

  She laughed, and Ryan joined her.

  “She meant stuck like pregnant or something. Stuck with that guy. Luckily, Melody and Isa aren’t the type of women to get themselves stuck or let men bully them.” Ryan nudged her with his elbow.

  “Damn right.” She was done chatting. She dug into her lunch. The men focused on their food as well. She’d only known them a day, yet she was oddly comfortable.

  * * * *

  Back at work, Melody thought it was adorable when Dale found reasons to pop in and check on her. She glanced into their work space and saw an impressive bow sticking up in the air. “That’s a big boat. You make them by hand?”

  “Large boats, small boats. We repair them too.” Dale gently placed his hand on the small of her back and inched her into the room.

  She carefully walked around and admired the work. The wood and varnish smelled wonderful—very male. “It’s amazing.”

  “You make dresses. It’s not much different.” Dale shrugged, but something in his posture told Melody he was proud of what he did.

  “I’m sure boat repairs are essential here. People need you. Bridal dresses don’t always have to be custom-made and fancy.” She watched Jason slide up behind Dale and hug him.

  Jason winked at Mel over Dale’s shoulder before kissing Dale’s neck. “He’s proud of his custom-made stuff.”

  “I am too.” She understood the feeling of accomplishment. “Where did Ryan go?”

  Dale pointed at her feet. “To get you some boots.”

  “I have nice leather boots. I don’t want to scuff them up trudging around day to day.” She had paid a pretty penny for those boots. Since she worked from her home studio, she didn’t often venture out in nasty weather. Although without the extra insulation, her feet had been cold today.

  Jason and Dale both gave her a look as though she’d lost her mind. Jason moved to her and put his hands on her shoulders. “Ben told us to take good care of you. Around here, boots made of fur and leather aren’t about fashion; they’re about preventing frostbite. Your feet can get wet and freeze up superquick when the temperatures drop.”

  “How much are they?” she asked.

  “Don’t worry about it. Our treat, since you wouldn’t let us pay for lunch.” Dale turned his attention to putting his tools on their hooks.

  That made no sense. She didn’t need charity or men paying her way. She’d been relieved when they didn’t make a macho fuss over the tab at the café. “Lunch is cheaper than boots.”

  Dale looked over his shoulder at her with a smile. “Then you should’ve let us buy you lunch.”

  “Men.” She rolled her eyes and grinned at Jason. “You have to be so difficult. It wasn’t a date; it was lunch.”

  Jason leaned closer to her. “You’re stubborn, and so is he. It could’ve been a date. If we asked you out, would you go?”

  She inhaled his scent of wood and leather. Part of her really wanted to see what this sort of dating would be like. If she did, however, she’d never hear the end of it from Isa. It could screw up her focus on work here. Things would be tense if the relationship went badly. She was stuck in Sterling for the wedding, for her friend. There was no way she’d let her friend down, so maybe complications weren’t the best idea?

  Thankfully, Ryan walked in with a couple
boxes of boots. “Here you are. The best boots around.”

  “You didn’t have to do this. How did you know my size?” She opened one of the boxes. The insides of the boots were lined with fur that felt real. The outside was some sort of leather or animal hide. “They’re gorgeous.”

  “We got your size by checking the shoes you brought. Whatever doesn’t fit, I’ll take back.” Ryan set the others aside.

  “This is well made. The fur is so soft.” She inspected them. Not cheap.

  Dale smiled as she slid on the boots. “Of course. Nature is the best answer to the weather. Don’t tell me you have a problem with fur or leather.”

  Mel was blown away by their generosity. The men’s attention to detail left her speechless. Her impulse was to insist people didn’t need fur to stay warm. There were synthetic materials that were as good. But she couldn’t be a bad guest. “I feel bad for the animals—poor little animals in cages.”

  “Up here, we don’t kill for pelts alone,” Jason said. “The meat is always harvested. Don’t worry; the animals weren’t raised just for their fur. At least you’ll have a souvenir from your trip up north. Those are authentic and made by natives.” He kissed her cheek.

  She walked around a bit in them, admiring the warm comfort they provided. “Thanks.” Impulsively, she kissed him on the lips. It was supposed to be quick and playful, but he caught her in the heat of the moment. The kiss lingered.

  The second Jason released her, Ryan wrapped his arms around her and teasingly kissed her. Tingling from head to toe, she was glad the sturdy boots had lots of tread. When Ryan let her go, he nudged her in Dale’s direction.

  “We got the boots for safety, not for trading kisses,” Dale said before turning to survey the boat.

  Was that rejection or mockery? She folded her arms over her chest. “That wasn’t payment. I’m not the type of woman who offers kisses for boots. I can buy my own food and clothing. It was a thank-you for lunch and for thinking of me in such detail. I thought you three were interested. My mistake.”

  Rejection was never easy, but at least she knew where she stood. She turned and headed for her space. Dale grabbed her by the arm and spun her back to him.

  Jason’s kiss had been hot. Ryan’s had been teasing. Dale’s embrace, however, was possessive with an undercurrent of need. She held on to his shoulders as he took his time with the kiss. Her toes curled in the new boots. Somehow, she knew she’d just agreed to a date with three men. Her insides went molten as her brain ignored every logical objection.

  How can I not try this?

  Chapter Three

  A few days later, Jason was more content than he’d imagined he could ever be. It might be silly, but setting up some old doors connected by a hinge in Melody’s space made him happy. Seeing her smile—hell, just being around her—made it feel like the sun was shining all day long in Sterling. She seemed to appreciate the help and worked hard on her creations. With the camera installed, privacy for changing was a necessity, so as promised, he’d rigged the doors.

  Jason watched Melody fuss over the dresses. One was short and modern for the shower while the other was the basis of a stunning white bridal gown. “I can’t believe you tossed together two dresses this quickly.”

  “The bridal gown isn’t done. Not even close. I just want to check the fitting. Thanks for getting me a privacy screen so fast.” She hugged him.

  He held her and kissed her softly. She didn’t fight it. Her green eyes sparkled. The foursome had gone out to dinner and another lunch since she’d arrived. Dates, in his book. Casual kisses and affection didn’t seem to bother her, but she wasn’t moving too fast. He liked that about her—not a casual player.

  Melody wiggled free and smacked his shoulder playfully. “She’ll be here any minute.”

  The bride walking in on a little kissing wasn’t the problem. At least Isa wouldn’t think it was bad. He suspected Mel didn’t want her friend to see any hints of a relationship for fear Isa would encourage her.

  “Isa talked you up before you came.” Jason went behind the doors and made sure he couldn’t see the camera. No mirrors on the wall. Privacy protected.

  “I’m sure she did. She went on and on about you three. There’s really no other available space in all of Sterling?” She sat in the office chair and gave him a skeptical look.

  He loved that she seemed comfortable around here. She’d brought pastries two days in a row for breakfast. The woman was determined to pay them back for the boots she now wore daily. “There might be space, but it’s not clean or cheap. Dale’s in the wedding, so it was easy enough to squeeze you in for his brother. You don’t seem to hate it here.”

  She grabbed a box of crystal-looking things and compared them to her sketch. “I don’t hate it. It’s cold and snowy, but Michigan is too. The dark sucks. You can’t see the aurora borealis here?”

  “No, farther north. We can do a trip up there if you want—if you get ahead. The weather has been fairly calm so far. You’ve been lucky. But it’s not like we’re in the Arctic Circle.” He moved a bit closer. “I meant the ménage stuff. Does it bother you?”

  She shrugged, then strapped a pincushion around her wrist. “That seems to be normal here. The history of it makes sense. I don’t want to get Isa’s hopes up or give her any ideas about us, though.”

  “It’s a small town.” Jason leaned down, grabbed the edges of the chair, then kissed her. “She’ll find out you’re spending time with us.”

  She rolled back. “That’s just proximity. Location dictates I’ll spend time with you guys. You barely know me.”

  Jason picked up his tool belt. “We’ve been trying to get to know you. You’re the one dragging your heels.”

  “Dale isn’t exactly pushing things.” She added pins to the cushion.

  Damn, he missed having a woman around! The flirtatious games were such fun. Did she want them to push? Was she worried Dale wasn’t interested? “Dale is more cautious. Like you. I had two dads and plenty of siblings. He had one mom and dad, so he’s not totally sure about the group-family thing. He’s got doubts too.”

  She went over to the dresses snugly fitted to mannequins. After tugging here and there, she added a few pins. “I’m glad I’m not the only one being cautious. But he’s okay with the trio of men? Interesting.”

  “We’ve been together since college. He and I started dating in high school. Ryan sort of surprised us. But you can’t deny your nature or love when it hits. He likes women as much as I do. You’re special, and even if you don’t want to stay here…what’s wrong with having fun?”

  “Fun?” Her face turned pink.

  He slipped up behind her, then wrapped his arms around her denim-clad hips. “How many times will you get a chance to have three men in your bed? To watch them together and have anything you want?”

  She turned her head. “I’m sure you three had plenty of girls like that in college.”

  “Maybe.” He kissed her bare neck. Her hair was up in a convenient ponytail. “That doesn’t mean we don’t want you. Play with us and walk away after the wedding…if you can.”

  “I don’t want anyone to get hurt. You’re not users. Isa wouldn’t put me in the clutches of men who’d take advantage. You wouldn’t get attached? Pressure me to stay? Flings in college are one thing, but in our early thirties…” She shrugged, then relaxed again. “That’s different.”

  Jason walked a careful line. Ryan had told the men about her lackluster views on marriage. That didn’t mean she didn’t want love. In fact, an unconventional relationship might work better. “You’re an adult. Do what works for you. You might get attached to us, or it might be a dreadful mess. We won’t know until we get deeper into it.”

  The door opened, and Jason looked up. “There’s the bride!”

  “How nice. You look right at home, Mel!” Isa hugged her friend and then Jason. “They’re taking good care of you.”

  Melody moved the shower dress over. “I can take care of
myself, but they’re looking out for me. I haven’t fallen off the pier or been eaten by a bear.”

  Jason laughed. “Bears are hibernating now.”

  “Thanks for the tip.” Melody rolled her eyes at him.

  Isa gave Jason a tense smile. “Michigan has bears too. Not as many, though. This looks great, Mel.” Isa began coughing.

  “Are you okay?” Mel asked.

  “I’ve had this dry tickle. Can I get some water?” Isa asked.

  “Sure.” Mel headed to the office.

  Isa coughed a bit more and then eyed Jason. “What’s going on?”

  “Nothing. She’s not interested in anything serious, it seems.” He shrugged. “The darkness is hard to take for new people. I don’t think she’ll want to stay.”

  Isa frowned. “I was so sure she’d fall for you three. She’s perfect. Just needs a little more time, I’m sure. Dale isn’t helping, probably.”

  “You know your future brother-in-law well. He’s smitten but not convinced. She’s not in love with Alaska yet. Not sure she’ll fall for us, either.”

  “You sound like you’re on board. Don’t move too fast and scare her off. I can invite her back for the summer with all the sun and festivals. The art and culture over in Homer will keep her entertained. Melody is easily spooked by commitment.” Isa took off her coat, gloves, and scarf. Jason hung them on the coatrack. The sound of Mel returning echoed on the wood floors. Isa resumed coughing.

  Mel handed Isa a glass of water as Isa sat down in the chair.

  “I’ll leave you ladies to your dress fittings. Good luck.” He grabbed his tools and left before he stirred up trouble. Melody might be easily spooked, but she hadn’t yet given them the opportunity to prove themselves. One man could fail a woman on a bad day. He could see that happening, and Melody wouldn’t give the poor guy a chance—not with her heart involved.

  With three men, they could make sure at least one was always there for her. One out of three would be strong on any given day. Hell, they’d counted on it when things got rough. Maybe Melody needed a little push to have some fun and let the men into her guarded life.