Dad’s E-mail Order Bride

by Candy Halliday

  “I need to talk to you for a minute, Dad.”

  He finally leaned back in his chair, staring at her. “If what you have to say has anything to do with Courtney, I’m not interested.”

  Rachel didn’t intend to be put off. “It’s more about me than it is about Courtney. She offered me a job at The Wooden Nickel. I really want to do that, Dad.”

  “And what about your job here?” he reminded her. “Did you forget the new responsibilities you’ve acquired as part of the punishment I promised you?”

  “No, I didn’t forget,” Rachel said. “I can keep up with all the laundry and clean the bedrooms and change the sheets in the morning when we have guests. And I can work for Courtney in the afternoons. And on the days when we don’t have guests, I can work whenever Courtney needs me.”

  “That’s a busy schedule, Rachel.”

  “That’s the whole idea, Dad. You know how much I hate having nothing to do in the summer. It makes me crazy.”

  He looked at her a few seconds more before he said, “Your chores here come first. As long as you remember that, you can work for Courtney if you want.”

  “Sweet,” Rachel said. “Thanks, Dad.”

  She couldn’t believe it had been so easy. Because, honestly, she’d expected a flat-out no.

  She’d obviously caught him in a good mood. And since her father was being agreeable at the moment, Rachel decided to run something else by him that she wanted to do.

  “If it’s okay, I also want Broadway to stay with Courtney for the summer. I think she’ll feel safer at night with him there for protection.”

  He laughed. “And how do you plan to accomplish that? Broadway isn’t going to stay with Courtney. Not unless you chain him.”

  Rachel gasped. “I’d never chain Broadway. And he will stay with Courtney, Dad. We’ve already had a long talk about it. Broadway understands. He’ll do whatever I tell him.”

  “Twenty bucks says Broadway will beat you back home the second you try to leave him.”

  “Make it one hundred bucks and you have a deal.”

  “You don’t have one hundred dollars, Rachel.”

  Rachel grinned. “I will when I win the bet.”

  She leaned across his desk with her hand out. They shook on the deal. “I love you, Dad. And I’m really glad you aren’t acting like a jerk because Courtney’s staying.”

  “Why would I act like a jerk? It’s nothing to me if Courtney stays.”

  “I know,” Rachel said, “but I’m still glad you aren’t acting all weird like. I know things didn’t go well when you took her on the tour of the island.”

  He sat straight up in his chair. “Did Courtney tell you that?”

  “No. But I’m not stupid. I knew something was wrong the minute you guys got back.”

  He shook his head. “You’re mistaken. Nothing went wrong.”

  “Yeah, that’s what Courtney said, too. That’s why I don’t believe either of you.”

  He frowned. “Do you want to work for Courtney this summer?”

  Rachel rolled her eyes. “You know I do.”

  He pointed to the door. “Then let me get some work done before I change my mind. I have an early day tomorrow.”

  Rachel knew better than to push him. She blew him a kiss and left his office. She didn’t care what her Dad or Courtney claimed. Something had happened between them when they were alone on Sunday.

  Rachel hoped whatever the big deal between them was, it wouldn’t keep them from becoming closer over the summer. Now that Courtney was staying, Rachel wasn’t going to give up the idea that her dad and Courtney would somehow fall in love and get married. And if they did, Rachel wouldn’t even care if they never moved back to New York City—she’d still have a mom.

  A mom she could talk to about anything.

  A mom who really listened to her.

  And a mom who already cared more about her than her real mother ever had.

  AFTER RACHEL LEFT his office, Graham leaned back in his chair again, knowing he’d done the right thing by allowing Rachel to work for Courtney over the summer. After all, hadn’t he agreed that Courtney could continue her friendship with Rachel after she left?

  Still, Courtney staying meant he’d have to keep his guard up at all times. Graham wanted Courtney as much as he didn’t. If that made any sense.

  When he thought about it, he decided maybe this situation was better for both of them. There wouldn’t be any doubts now. Courtney would see he was right and realize how ill-suited she was for a life in secluded Port Protection. And he wouldn’t spend the rest of his life wondering if he’d made a big mistake by not asking her to stay.

  He would make sure never to be alone with her again. Not under any circumstances.

  But Graham would keep an eye on her. Rachel was responsible for Courtney coming to Port Protection. And according to her own words, he was responsible for Courtney staying.

  That meant Graham had an obligation to ensure nothing happened to Courtney. Whether she believed it or not, living in the wilds of Alaska wasn’t easy. You had to stay on your toes. You had to stay aware of your surroundings. And you had to be prepared to defend yourself against the elements and the wildlife, if necessary.

  There were other dangers just as serious.

  When word spread that a sexy single blonde was running The Wooden Nickel for the summer, every single man on the island would make it a point to pay a visit to Port Protection. Courtney was going to need someone to watch her back, keep her safe from the riffraff that came knocking on her door.

  Graham was the only man for the job.

  But he’d stay in the background where he belonged.

  While out on the water today, he’d had a lot of time to think. Him alone in one skiff, guiding his three guests from Idaho in another skiff to the best fishing spots. He’d come to the conclusion that as long as he remained indifferent to Courtney, she’d eventually give up her notion that he was going to change his mind.

  He wouldn’t be rude. And he wouldn’t be a jerk as Rachel had feared.

  He’d simply be himself—not interested.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  HER ABILITY TO be bold, Courtney decided, didn’t mean jack when it came to machinery. She’d been bold all morning. And as she rummaged through Hal’s toolbox, Courtney couldn’t help but wish they’d had more than a week together before Peg and Hal left.

  The generator was out—again. But this time she couldn’t get it started.

  She’d briefly thought of calling Graham. The only time Courtney had seen Graham since leaving the lodge was two weeks ago when he’d arrived at The Wooden Nickel to say goodbye to Peg and Hal. He’d been polite, but he’d basically ignored her.

  So, no. She was not calling Graham for help.

  It didn’t matter that Rachel had told her Graham’s schedule had been filled with back-to-back fishing parties. He was trying to prove a point by avoiding her, and Courtney knew it. Whether she’d stayed in Port Protection or not, Graham was making it clear that he still wasn’t interested.

  But summer wasn’t over. And Graham couldn’t avoid her forever.

  Courtney gave another bold turn with the wrench she was holding. And another. Still, the bolt didn’t budge.

  She finally looked over at Broadway, who’d been sitting beside her the entire time. “You realize we’re running out of wrenches. Right?”

  Broadway whined before he suddenly bounded off.

  Courtney let out a sigh and turned her attention back to the generator. She pulled another weapon of choice out of Hal’s toolbox. When the wrench still didn’t fit, Courtney banged it against the bolt.

  “I hate you, hate you, hate you!”

  “Are you talking to me, or the generator?”

  Courtney popped up from her crouched position.

  Graham was staring at her, Broadway right beside him.

  Crap. Why did he have to show up now?

  She didn’t want Graham gloating over her not
being able to fix the generator. And she definitely didn’t want him seeing her like this, wearing one of Hal’s old shirts she had taken from the rag bin, a pair of dirty sweats and with a smear of grease across her brow from when she’d dragged her arm across her forehead earlier to push her hair out of her eyes.

  “Need some help?” he asked, stating the obvious.

  Courtney wanted to tell him not just no, but hell no.

  But she wasn’t stupid.

  “I think the fuel valve’s clogged.”

  She stood behind Graham, peering over his shoulder and watching every move he made. She took note of the wrench he used, and the way he loosened the valve which happened to be the opposite way from how she was trying to loosen the blasted thing. And when he removed the valve and tapped it against the ground to clean it, Courtney made a note of that, too.

  After Graham replaced the valve, he walked over to the breaker box and flipped the switch. He seemed pleased when the generator instantly came to life and started purring like a kitten.

  “Thanks.”

  “No problem,” he said. “I stopped by to tell you it’s going to be after lunch before Rachel can come to work today. Our guests left this morning, so she’s got extra chores. She tried to call earlier, but…” His voice trailed off as he purposely looked at the generator, then back at her.

  “No problem,” Courtney said, stealing his own line.

  “And,” he added as he took a slip of paper from his shirt pocket, “Peg always makes up my grocery order for me. Since you’re going to be shorthanded, I thought you might want to get an early start before the lunch crowd shows up. I’ll stop by for those things later on my way home from Point Baker.”

  Courtney accepted Graham’s list. She didn’t comment on the fact that since his guests had already left, it would have been nice if he’d allowed Rachel to work during the busiest part of the day when customers dropped by for a hot dog or a burger from the short-order grill, then finish her chores at the lodge later. Nor did she point out that, regardless of the arrangement he had with Peg, she wasn’t Peg. And even though Courtney had to bite her tongue to keep from saying it, she also didn’t tell Graham that for the rest of the summer he could get his own grocery order together—she wasn’t his damn maid.

  She simply wouldn’t give Graham that satisfaction. Instead she said, “I’ll have everything ready.”

  “Wonderful.”

  “Glad you think so.”

  “I wasn’t trying to be smart about it, Courtney.”

  “Nor was I, Graham.”

  “Is this the way it’s going to be between us?”

  Courtney feigned surprise. “I have no idea what you mean.”

  He frowned. “I think you know exactly what I mean.”

  Courtney crossed her arms. “Well, I’m sorry, but you’re wrong.”

  “I’m talking about this whole friction thing that seems to be developing between us,” he explained. “I’d hoped we would be mature enough to skip all that.”

  “I couldn’t agree more. And to prove it, I’ll fix dinner for you and Rachel tomorrow night. Seven-thirty okay?”

  The look on his face was priceless.

  He stalled for a second before he said, “I have a rescue squad meeting this Saturday night. But you’re welcome to come to the lodge and have dinner with us tonight if you want.”

  “Sorry,” Courtney said. “I already have plans.”

  She could tell he wanted to ask with whom.

  “Some other time, then,” he said.

  “Definitely.”

  He turned and walked away.

  “You will be back by six, right?” Courtney called out.

  Graham turned back around. “Why six? The store doesn’t close until seven.”

  “Tonight I’m closing at six,” Courtney said with authority. “I have plans, remember?”

  “If I’m not back, I’ll pick up my order tomorrow,” was all he said.

  When Graham disappeared around the side of the building, Courtney smiled. He’d be back at six. She’d bet money on it. And when he did come back for his groceries, she didn’t intend to look like some grease monkey.

  GRAHAM HOPPED INTO the skiff and eased away from the dock below The Wooden Nickel, trying to get his blood pressure under control. Damn, but Courtney was exasperating. And she was also so damn cute it irritated him.

  When he’d found her crouched down behind the generator, she’d looked like a genie popping up out of a bottle. Except maybe for that grease smudge across her forehead.

  And talk about quarrelsome. You could probably open the dictionary and find her smiling face right next to that word. Yeah, she was scrappy, all right. Too scrappy for him.

  Graham didn’t like controversy.

  He liked to live and let live. No drama. No one person always trying to outwit the other. Just plain old peace and solitude. That’s the life he wanted. And he didn’t give a flip about Courtney’s Friday-night plans.

  He was glad she had plans. He hoped she had plans every night of the week. The busier she stayed, the less trouble for him.

  But the longer he thought about Courtney’s plans, the tighter Graham’s grip got around the throttle. Before he realized it, the skiff was bouncing along on top of the water like a supercharged Jet Ski.

  Graham eased up on the throttle. Any other time he would have been soaking up such a glorious day like a thirsty sponge. Yet today the brilliant sunlight dancing across the water only reminded him of the highlights in Courtney’s hair.

  Who was he kidding?

  There were few hours in the day that he didn’t think about Courtney. Of course, he had himself to thank for that, reading all those damn e-mails.

  He should have known better.

  He didn’t need to know the intimate details about Courtney that she’d e-mailed in her top ten favorites list. Such as fall being her favorite time of year. Fall had always been his favorite time of year, too. Now he’d think of her every time the damn season rolled around.

  She’d also stolen his pleasure over having a white Christmas for the rest of his life. And he’d never be able to look at peanut butter again without thinking about how Courtney loved to eat it straight from the jar.

  He wouldn’t let himself think about a hot bubble bath being number one on her list of favorite things. If he let himself think about that, he’d be reminded of Peg and Hal’s old-fashioned bathtub with the big claw feet. And that would only lead to thoughts of Courtney sitting in that tub naked.

  Thoughts like those would drive any man insane.

  Insanity, Graham thought and frowned. He’d been teetering on the edge of insanity from the moment Courtney stepped off the plane. He needed to get himself grounded again. And with that thought in mind, Graham throttled the motor down on low as he approached the fifth cove past The Wooden Nickel.

  He’d make a stop before going to Point Baker. See the one person who could get him grounded again.

  Graham steered the skiff into the cove and toward the dock in the distance. When he got closer, he could see Yanoo standing outside his workshop a few yards below his house. One of Yanoo’s skiffs was up on sawhorses. His best friend was busy sanding the bottom of the boat.

  Brothers in spirit.

  That’s what his grandfather had called them when Graham and Yanoo were boys. They’d been joined at the hip, running loose on the island and loving every minute of it.

  They were still brothers in spirit, which was the reason Graham was pulling up to Yanoo’s dock now.

  Yanoo’s wife waved from her doorway when Graham climbed up on the dock. Graham waved back, and was glad when Hanya walked inside the house instead of approaching to chat. As much as Graham loved Hanya, what he needed right now was man talk.

  Straight man talk.

  Yanoo saw him coming, put down the sandpaper and took off his work gloves. He went into the workshop, then shortly emerged with a thermos in one hand, two cups in the other. Yanoo handed Graham a cup,
unscrewed the top of the thermos and poured coffee for them.

  “Fishing’s been good this week, I hear,” Yanoo said.

  “Yeah, I had a good week and my guests went home happy. You can’t ask for much more than that.”

  “Now you’re the only fish left on the hook.”

  And that’s why they were brothers in spirit. Without asking, Yanoo knew why Graham had come.

  “I’m not on the hook.”

  “Yet,” Yanoo said. “I’ve seen the bait.”

  “That’s my problem.”

  “Maybe she’s your solution.”

  Graham frowned. “To what?”

  “The emptiness you brought back with you,” Yanoo said.

  Not the straight talk Graham wanted.

  “That’s why I need to leave her alone. Courtney didn’t stay to have some summer fling. She wants what I can’t give her.”

  Yanoo took a sip from his cup. “Can’t give her? Or won’t give her?”

  “Can’t. Won’t. Same thing.”

  “I like her.”

  Graham laughed. “You don’t even know her.”

  “Hanya invited her to dinner last week,” Yanoo said. “It gave me a chance to get to know her.”

  “And what did you like so much about her?”

  “Her staying means she can see through your bullshit.”

  “Whose side are you on?”

  “I remember asking you the same thing about fifteen years ago,” Yanoo reminded him.

  “That was different. You’d been in love with Hanya since we were kids. You were just too ornery and stubborn to admit it. And you almost lost her in the process.”

  “Then I’ll tell you what you told me then. If you make the wrong decision, don’t whine about it later.”

  “Have you ever known me to whine about anything, Yanoo?”

  “No. You like to suffer in silence.”

  Graham tossed the coffee onto the ground and handed Yanoo his cup, signaling this discussion was over. He’d come for support. Not a lecture. And if he preferred to suffer in silence, it was nobody’s damn business but his own.

  “I’ll see you later,” Graham called over his shoulder as he headed back toward the dock.