Northern Escape

by Jennifer Labrecque

  Gus didn’t know how to get Merrilee to see Nick as Gus saw him, knew him. “I just don’t think that’s going to happen.” While they were having this terse discussion, Gus decided she might as well break the rest of the news to Merrilee. She deserved to know. “He knows about Troy. He knows the story. He’d already figured most of it out.”

  “Oh, dear God.” Merrilee literally blanched.

  “No, no, no. I’m sorry to have scared you so. He doesn’t know Troy’s name and he doesn’t know my real name. He just knows the story, which, unfortunately, isn’t all that different from too many other women’s stories.”

  Merrilee held her hands up, shaking them. “That’s what I’m telling you. He’s a reporter. He figured that much out. How long do you think it’ll take him to figure out Troy’s identity? Does he know the police didn’t do a damn thing?”

  “Yes.”

  “Families with that kind of influence and power aren’t a dime a dozen, Gus. It may not be today or tomorrow but he’ll figure it out because he won’t be able to leave it alone. It’ll gnaw at him until he does.”

  “That’s true. I agree, he’s curious about everything. And he’s smart, so eventually he will figure it out.”

  “And you really think he’ll just let it go? One of New York’s most prominent political families has a son who’s a psychopathic stalker and a Times reporter will just walk away from that story? You’re giving him way too much control over your life. Aren’t you the one who swore she’d never give control to anyone else?”

  “Merrilee, I didn’t send the man a personal invitation to come and blog about Chrismoose. He showed up. That was outside of my control. I didn’t invite him into my kitchen. I didn’t give him any information he hadn’t already figured out. That was outside of my control. At this point, what difference does keeping him at arm’s length make? It’s not going to stop what’s already in motion. It’s not going to change a thing.”

  “If the devil comes dancing on your doorstep, you don’t have to climb in bed with him. I can’t support you in this.”

  Gus weighed Merrilee’s words and her reaction carefully. She would not be emotionally blackmailed into making a decision just because Merrilee thought it was the thing to do. Offering her opinion was one thing but making her support conditional crossed the line for Gus.

  “I hate it that you feel that way, Merrilee.”

  “So, you’re still going to continue to see Nick until he leaves?”

  “I am.” She took a deep breath. “He’s going to stay with me for the rest of the time he’s here.”

  Merrilee nodded, her lips held tight in disapproval. “Well, I guess there’s nothing more to be said then.”

  “I appreciate your concern.”

  “But apparently not enough to heed my warning.” Merrilee stood and Gus rose to her feet, as well. “I’ll see myself out.”

  Gus felt almost queasy as she stood in her den, listening to Merrilee’s footsteps as she went down the stairs. Even that sounded angry. She knew there was some merit to Merrilee’s concern, but Gus also felt Merrilee was projecting some of her own issues onto Gus and the situation with Nick. God knows, Merrilee had control issues of her own in spades.

  Gus drew a deep breath. That had been horrible. She exhaled, letting it go. Life wasn’t static. Relationships changed. She and Merrilee might never be the same again, but they would mend this fence eventually. In the meantime, Gus was determined to enjoy this time out of her ordinary life with an extraordinary man. And if Nick proved her wrong, she supposed she would handle the consequences on her own.

  11

  MERRILEE DIDN’T KNOW WHAT to do. She sat at her desk in the airstrip, her stomach knotted with anxiety. She hated that things were on a sour note with Gus and to cap it, she was worried sick about her.

  She couldn’t talk to Bull about this. He’d already told her she had to stand back and let people make their own mistakes. But if she couldn’t talk to Bull, she couldn’t talk to anybody. Bull wasn’t just her lover, he was her best friend, her confidante.

  She shoved her chair away from her desk. Forget it. She was talking to him. She double-checked the flight schedules. It was a slow day. Near Christmas tended to be that way. They were either booked to the gills and both Dalton and Juliette were making runs or it was a nothing-going-on kind of day.

  “Jeb, Dwight, I’ve got to go out for a bit,” she said loudly to the two men who spent their days parked by the woodstove, playing chess, and arguing.

  “Lights don’t look out to me,” Jeb said, glancing around at the Christmas tree and the overhead fluorescents.

  “Huh? What was that?” Dwight asked.

  They were both nearly deaf as a post. Merrilee had finally figured out they lip read one another, which was the only thing that kept them from perpetually shouting.

  She stepped closer and repeated herself so they could read her lips. Both men nodded in sync.

  She bundled into her coat, pulled on her winter boots, and stepped out into the midday light. It wouldn’t last long. You’d think being from the South that the long winter days would make her melancholy, but she sort of liked it. But then again, she didn’t need anyone to tell her that she’d always marched to her own drummer.

  She passed Tessa’s new video store and realized she should drop by to check on Tessa—just to make sure everything was coming together smoothly with her new business. She’d do that on her way back. Right now, she needed to talk to Bull.

  The hardware store was empty and Bull sat behind the counter, a halogen light illuminating him and the charcoal drawing he was working on. The man had artistic talent out the wazoo. There was nothing he couldn’t do.

  He took one look at her, put down his charcoal, rounded the counter and wrapped her in a big bear hug. There was nothing quite as comforting in this world as a hug from Bull. She already felt a little better.

  “What’s the matter, honey? Tell me what’s wrong.”

  She wasn’t quite sure what she’d do without Bull or how she’d gotten so lucky to find a man like him. “I want to tell you, but you have to promise not to fuss at me.”

  “The only thing I’m going to promise you is that I’m going to be straight up with you. Whether it’s what you want to hear is another matter.”

  “Why don’t we walk while we talk? I haven’t seen the community center since they decorated it for the pageant tonight.” And maybe the exercise and cold air would help clear her head. Plus, Bull would go a little easier on her if they were out in public. And that was a two-way street. If he made her really angry she wasn’t as likely to say something she might regret later because she wasn’t one for making a scene—it was unbecoming of the town founder and mayor.

  “Then let’s walk.” Bull grabbed his jacket and hat and put them on.

  They stepped out on the sidewalk and Bull offered his arm to Merrilee. She linked her arm through his. He always did that and she always liked it. They headed in the direction of the rectangular log building and Bull said, “It’s Gus, isn’t it?”

  Merrilee nodded and waved at Perry as he passed by in his Suburban. “Nick came over and packed up. He’s staying with Gus the rest of the time he’s here.”

  Bull shrugged. “We all saw that coming. Those two were like a magnet and iron from the first time I saw them around one another. You should be glad she’s finally found someone to have a fling with.”

  “But he could—”

  Bull interrupted. “If he was going to, he already would have, Merrilee. I happen to be a pretty good judge of character and I’d say he’s a man of integrity.”

  Merrilee laid out for him just how much Nick knew, that he’d figured out most of it himself, and how, in her opinion, it was simply a matter of time before he deduced Troy’s identity.

  Bull simply nodded again, unruffled.

  A gust of wind sent the snow skittering in front of them. “I’m afraid he’s going to hurt her.”

  “Maybe.”
r />   “Maybe what?”

  “Maybe he will hurt her. I don’t think he would deliberately but it could happen. But I don’t think that’s what you’re really afraid of.”

  Jenna waved at them from inside Curl’s and they waved back.

  “I have a feeling you’re about to tell me what you think frightens me.” She’d like to think Bull didn’t know every nook and cranny of her soul.

  “Sometimes a friend tells you what you don’t necessarily want to hear. I think you’re scared you’re going to lose Gus.”

  “That’s ridiculous,” she responded automatically.

  “Is it? You’re a nurturer, Merrilee. You take care of everyone. Gus came here and she needed you. The town accepted her but she’s never really made close friends with anyone else. She sort of keeps to herself other than spending time with you and me. I think Gus has taken on the role of the daughter you never had.” Damn Bull. Gus was like the daughter she’d never had, could never have. She and Tad had never used birth control, nor had she and Bull, but a baby had simply never happened. “You’re content here and you want her to be content here. But Nick is everything she left behind. I think you’re not so afraid of her getting hurt as you are of him awakening her discontent with life in Good Riddance.”

  There was a hard-to-swallow ring of truth to his words. She was afraid of losing Gus who had become enmeshed so thoroughly in the fabric of Merrilee’s life. “I didn’t want to hear that but I needed to.”

  “I didn’t think you’d want to hear it, but it had to be said.”

  As much as she didn’t want to admit it, she knew Gus wasn’t in full bloom in Good Riddance. But Merrilee had thought that given time… “She can’t leave here. It’s not safe for her out there with that nut job. If he finds her he’ll do something terrible to her and men like that don’t give up. You know he’s still looking for her. At least if he finds her here, she’s got all of us to protect her.”

  “There’s a difference between her not being able to leave and you not wanting her to want to leave. There’s a time and a season for everyone. Let Gus have her season with Nick.”

  “I don’t always like what you have to say, but most of the time I need to hear it.” She owed Gus an apology. She leaned up and pressed a kiss to Bull’s cheek. “Thank you. Sometimes you do know me better than I know myself.”

  “That’s why you love me.”

  Yes. Yes, she did.

  GUS TOOK A SECOND TO SAVOR the rightness of Nick sitting stretched out on her couch with his laptop, working. She’d had no idea he wore glasses when he wrote. She thought the black-rimmed frames added to his sexy factor—not that he’d needed any help.

  “I’ll be back in about half an hour,” she said. “If you want to go check out the cross-country skiing before then, don’t worry about locking up.”

  “I’ll probably still be working. I’m passing on that event. It’s not quite the same as watching downhill where it’s all right in front of you. You’re closing the restaurant early tonight, aren’t you?”

  Gus grinned. “Yep, can’t be open when the Ms. Chrismoose pageant is going on. And we’ll close for the parade and the Mr. Chrismoose contest, which, incidentally, you have to enter.”

  “I wouldn’t dream of missing it. It’s part of the total experience, just like being a pageant judge tonight.”

  “Don’t let that power go to your head.”

  “It’s hard not to.” He waggled his eyebrows. “I get to decide who’ll wear the moose crown for the next year.”

  Gus opened the door leading downstairs. “Just remember absolute power corrupts absolutely.” She closed the door behind her, muffling his laughter on the other side.

  Gus couldn’t remember a time when she felt more energized except for maybe when she’d just graduated from cooking school. Merrilee had come by with a hug and an apology. Not that she needed the older woman’s blessing, but it was nice to have. Nick had moved his stuff over to Gus’s apartment and was staying with her until he left. Granted they’d gone from zero to sixty, but when opportunity came a woman’s way, she was stupid not to grab it with both hands before that opportunity walked back through the door. And there was something about living in Alaska that brought you to do the extreme.

  Gus stopped by a couple of tables to say hello as she made her way through the restaurant. Once outside she beelined for Curl’s, waving at Tessa on the way. Maybe she’d pick up a video for Teddy on her way back. Gus had called this morning to check on Teddy who was still down for the count. This flu was nasty business. Gus was doubly grateful she hadn’t come down with it, since it would have been impossible to run the restaurant if she had the flu.

  Nancy Perkins, who ran the dry goods store along with her husband, Leo, was coming out as Gus arrived at Curl’s. Nancy held out her bright red nails for Gus to admire. “Don’t they look great?”

  Jenna had decorated each thumb nail with silver bells.

  “Beautiful. Very festive.”

  “Leo loves red nails,” Nancy said. “He says they turn him on.” She winked.

  That was more than Gus wanted to know about the retired insurance salesman from Wisconsin. Definitely cabin fever. “Then he’ll be a happy man.”

  “Yes, he will. Have a great day.”

  Gus stepped into Curl’s and the scent of nail polish greeted her. Jenna looked up from tidying her station and looked around as if to make sure no one was lurking in the corners, even though Gus and Jenna were the only two in the room as far as Gus could discern. “Did you bring it?” Jenna said in a loud whisper.

  “Is there anyone in the back?” Gus asked.

  “Well, no.”

  “Okay, then I think we can talk in our normal voices.”

  Jenna giggled. “Oh, right. So, you’ve got it?”

  Gus sat in the chair across from Jenna. “Look, Jenna, we need to talk about this. No, I didn’t bring it.”

  Jenna looked as if she’d just been told Santa Claus was a myth. “But…”

  “Jenna, there’s a couple of things wrong with that. First, it’s just not safe to feed wild animals or try to attract them. But second, it either works between you and Nelson or it doesn’t.” She didn’t know any other way to say it.

  Tears gathered in Jenna’s eyes and she looked down at the table between them. “You think I’m not smart enough for him, don’t you?”

  Her quiet, sad question tore at Gus’s heart. “That’s not what I think at all. I think there are lots of restrictions put on Nelson by his culture and his standing in his community as a shaman-in-training. I’m not so sure even if an animal marked you the way it did Tessa that it’d make a difference. In fact, I’m pretty sure it wouldn’t. Nelson and Clint have different circumstances and are different people. You don’t need a recipe, Jenna. You just need to invite Nelson over to your place for dinner and see how it goes.”

  “I’m a lousy cook,” Jenna said, clearly on the verge of crying.

  “Don’t cry. That, the cooking, I can help you with. I’ll hook you up with a take-out meal for two. Just tell me what you want me to prepare.”

  “For real?” She sniffled and blinked.

  “For real.” Gus patted her on the hand. “Just let me know when.”

  “What if I ask him and he turns me down?”

  “Then you’ll know, won’t you?”

  “Maybe I don’t want to know for sure.”

  “That’s a decision only you can make, but you know, Jenna, there’s something very powerful in being the one who decides for themselves rather than having things decided for you. Just like you decided to dump Tad and stay here.” Just the way Gus had decided she wouldn’t allow Troy to keep her running. “Now you get to decide whether to ask Nelson over or not.” Gus grinned. “Although I have a pretty good idea which way you’re going to swing on that.”

  Jenna smiled. “Yeah, me, too. I’ll let you know if I need that meal to go.”

  “I’ll keep my fingers crossed.”

&n
bsp; “Better that than your legs.” Jenna’s smirk was all insinuation. “I heard Nick’s staying with you for the rest of his trip.”

  Gus laughed. And she didn’t even bother to ask how Jenna knew. “Yes, he is, so I’ll just make do with crossing my fingers.”

  “He’s a hottie.”

  Simply talking about him made her feel all warm and gooey inside, like a cinnamon roll hot out of the oven and oozing glaze. “I noticed.”

  “But he’s not as hot as Nelson.”

  She’d beg to differ all day long but to each her own. Gus stood, smiling. “I’ll leave on that note. Let me know how it goes.”

  “You’ll be the first to hear.”

  Gus walked out the door, leaving Jenna beaming hopefully behind her nail station. Gus hoped Nelson didn’t break Jenna’s heart. He wouldn’t on purpose but sometimes life’s circumstances meant that two people couldn’t be together.

  Sad, but true.

  “HEY, WE HAVE ALONE TIME together and it’s not even midnight yet. Mark it on the calendar,” Nick said as he pulled Gus closer to his side on the couch. He liked touching her. He liked spending time with her.

  “I know, it’s pretty amazing,” she said with a laugh. “That’s what closing for the Ms. Chrismoose pageant does for you.”

  “The pageant was fun,” he said. “Although I have to tell you, being a judge is a little bit of pressure. No, make that a whole lot of pressure.”

  Gus smirked. “Dalton and Clint tried to warn you. But no…”

  “You have absolutely no idea how relieved I was when they told me all the little girls would be named Little Miss Chrismoose princesses. The idea of having to just pick one and disappoint all the others…”

  Gus nodded. “I know. This is the first year we’ve had the Little Miss Chrismoose part. They were all so cute up there.”

  “Yeah, they were, weren’t they?” He could just see her getting her own little dark-haired daughter ready for the pageant one day. It gave him a funny feeling inside. “You like kids?”