EDGE (6 page)

Mel was left to deal with her dysfunctional family.

Under her instruction, they carried everything else up to the main lodge, entering through the kitchen. Mel found Linnet at the stove, stirring a pan of hot chocolate. “Didn’t think you’d still be up.”

“I was getting acquainted with the Whitneys. Did you know they were missionaries in Zimbabwe? Really cool couple,” Linnet said, wearing the red silk Kimono she’d picked up last year in Japan. “Besides, I wanted to meet your guests.”

They weren’t guests. Guests paid to stay. This group would have to earn their keep.

“How about some mug-up?” Linnet asked, pouring the homemade cocoa into mugs.

“What’s mug-up?” Quentin asked, dropping his backpack to the wood floor.

“Mug-up is an Alaskan fisherman’s term for coffee break,” Linnet answered. “It’s usually done late at night with leftovers from the meals of the day.”

Mel made the introductions and let Linnet direct them to the kitchen settee while she unloaded the supplies into the walk-in pantry. When she was finished, the family of three was sitting with cups of hot chocolate cradled in their hands and an array of homemade cookies, brownies, and donuts displayed on a tray in front of them.

Linnet handed Mel a cup and whispered under her breath, “Well, this is certainly a rag-tag team you’ve brought us.”

Mel sipped. “Hmm,” she agreed, taking in the three before her.

Nicole sat with both hands wrapped tight around her mug, studying the steaming swirls as though they would reveal her future. Emily drank and nibbled on a cookie as she viewed her surroundings with a look of ick on her face, while Quentin barely tasted a donut before he washed it down and dived for another.

“Your sister reminds me of you, that first summer you came here. Looks like I have another girl to look after.” Linnet walked over to the trio and put her hand on Nicole’s shoulder. “I’ll be seeing you later after you’ve slept a bit. Don’t be worrying about anything right now, you hear. Nothing you can do until you’ve got your feet under you. This is as good a place as any to find your balance.” Linnet bid them goodnight.

Nicole watched her leave and then turned to Mel. “She okay with us being here?”

Mel finished her chocolate and rinsed her cup. “She would let you know if she had a problem. I’ve never met a more plain-speaking woman.” She leaned back against the edge of the sink and folded her arms. “If you have tender feelings, they’ll get stepped on around her.”

Nicole straightened her hunched shoulders. “I can handle it.”

“Good. If you’re done, why don’t I show you where you’ll be staying?”

“Okay.” Nicole stood and carried her cup to the sink. Emily followed, as did Quentin, right after he stuffed another donut in his mouth and a handful of cookies into his pocket.

Mel led the way.

The small log cabin with its lopsided front porch was up the hill, a few hundred yards behind the main lodge. She and Ramsey had spent the last few days cleaning it up and making it habitable.

“It’s a bit primitive, but it does give you your own space.” Mel walked in and held the door for them. They traipsed in and looked around.

“This is
so
cool.” Quentin pushed his way past Emily who was rooted in her spot.

“Mom, you have
got
to be kidding.” Emily’s nose rose higher in the air.

“Hush, Emily.” Nicole slowly walked around the main room.

Mel waited as Nicole took in her surroundings, which consisted of four log walls, one with a large plate glass window overlooking the lodge and the bay.

The view was spectacular, the cabin’s one redeeming quality. A potbelly stove squatted in one corner with a bundle of wood chopped and ready for use. The pinewood floors didn’t gleam, but they were clean. A blanket-covered couch and two wooden chairs sat opposite the stove with an old beat-up trunk for a coffee table. A ladder rose to the loft, which Quentin was already climbing to investigate. Under the loft was a double bed with an old wooden crate for a night table. One of Mel’s quilts covered the bed. The only color in the room.

Something seemed off. Mel caught sight of a bible sitting on the trunk. Who the hell would have set a bible there? She’d had enough of bibles twenty years ago. As far as she knew there was only one bible on The Edge and it was stuck on the top of the bookcase gathering dust. This one looked new, the leather still shiny. Didn’t seem like something Linnet would do, but maybe she picked it up in Homer yesterday.

“This cabin was primarily used for storage and therefore isn’t wired into our energy system,” Mel said when the silence stretched.

“That’s fine.” Nicole fingered the shabby blanket being used as a slipcover.

“That means no electricity.” Mel remembered once when they were kids and the power had gone out. Nicole had wailed nonstop when she couldn’t use her curling iron. It looked as though Emily would be the one taking over the wailing. Emily opened her mouth to say something, only to shut it with a pointed look from her mother.

Now
that
is a skill, Mel thought, impressed.

“There isn’t any running water either.” She had to get a reaction from this. Come on, already. “There’s an outhouse just up the trail about a hundred yards. For showers, you’ll have to use the main lodge or the sauna.” Mel waited and was disappointed when no spark of emotion flared. Damn, this was pathetic.

“This will be fine,” Nicole said, the look of the lost on her face.

Mel surprised herself by saying, “Listen, in the morning I’ll see what we can do about lights and electrical stuff.”

Nicole motioned to the sun peeking over the horizon. “I don’t think light is going to be a problem.”

Mel coughed out a laugh. “Well, yeah. You might want to, I don’t know, curl your hair or something?”

It was Nicole’s turn to let out a surprised laugh. “You remembered that too?” She gave a small smile. “Don’t worry, Amelia. We’ll manage.”

“Em, you
gotta
come up here and see this.” Quentin leaned over the loft railing, his face lit with excitement. At least one of the family members seemed impressed by what she had to offer. The boy was a stitch.

“M-o-m.” Emily dragged the word into a whine. “Don’t tell me I have to
share
a room with
him
.”

“Not now, Emily.”

“This is
so
gross.” Emily stomped her foot and climbed the ladder, each step punctuated by another complaint.

“I don’t know how to thank you for taking us in,” Nicole said. Tears welled up in her eyes, and panic crawled up Mel’s spine. She was more comfortable with both of them sniping at each other.

“Don’t worry about it.” Mel backed to the door. “Get some sleep.” With that, she beat a trail out of there, shutting the door behind her. Free, she huffed out a breath. She’d hoped for a tantrum from her diva of a sister and in fact had relished the thought of saying, “Take it or leave it.” Now she felt ashamed for not making the place more welcoming. She could have added throw pillows or something.

She turned toward the lodge, but found herself bypassing it for the trail down to the beach. Tonight had been more than she’d bargained for and she needed a few moments of solitude.

Mel whistled for Rinka who appeared from out of nowhere. It was always a risk, walking at night, but Rinka usually let her know if they weren’t alone.

Tangy salt air infused with pine caressed her face, graveled-sand crunched underfoot, while the surf gently hugged the shore. Spruce trees had carved niches through fissures in rocky fjords cocooning her, providing a feeling of protection. When she looked out over the cove, mountains at her back, she felt safe.

Mel cleared her mind, let her senses swim with nature’s stirring tonic, and just soaked it all in. She took one last look around and turned back to the lodge.

Climbing the stairs from the beach to the deck, she found Cache watching her, and paused in her step. He had a great view of the beach stationed where he was, reclining with his leg elevated on an opposite chair, his hands wrapped around a steaming mug. He was supposed to be tucked into bed sleeping like everyone else. It irritated her that she’d have to participate in small talk in order to get by him.

Her voice was sharp when she spoke. “What are you still doing up?”

“Couldn’t sleep.” He raised his mug. “Hope you don’t mind that I raided your kitchen for some tea?”

Embarrassed by her unwelcoming tone, she forced a friendlier response. “Feel free to help yourself to anything in the kitchen while you’re here.” Why did this man put her on edge?

He gestured with his mug. “Your dog’s name is Rinka, right?”

“Yes.” Mel scratched Rinka between the ears as she stood at her heels.

“It sounds Russian. What’s it mean?”

“Peace.” Mel noted the stillness of the night air and the absence of other people. She didn’t want to be alone with this man. She wasn’t afraid of him, but interestingly enough, afraid of her reactions to him. The feeling put her off balance. “I’m sure you want to be alone, so I’ll be heading off to bed.”

“Actually, I wouldn’t mind some company.” He kicked out the chair next to him. “Have a seat.”

Mel regarded the chair, which sat much too close to Cache. If she refused, it would be rude and would put them both on the wrong footing for the next two weeks. So she sat. Rinka yawned and lay down at her feet.

“This place is impressive.” He took a sip from his cup, his lips pursed, and his eyes narrowed as the hot liquid pooled in his mouth. Dark stubble peppered his jaw and upper lip, looking like coarse sandpaper. He was lean as though he’d recently lost some weight. Not thin, but wiry. He had eyes the shade of steel, but they were anything but cold. In fact, this man put off his own kind of heat. Heat that would keep a woman warm all winter long.

“Trying to figure me out?” he murmured.

She wanted to look away but since she’d been caught staring didn’t dare. “I always try to understand my guests.”

“So what’s the verdict?”

“Well.” She perused him up and down, taking her time. He wasn’t overly tall, about six feet. Skin was weathered tough. He’d seen a bit of life. More than most. Age, she’d put him around his late thirties or early forties. Eyes, bright with intelligence, took in everything and cataloged it all. “I think the injury is new. You’re recuperating and not happy with the results. You don’t seem the type to sit and relax for long. I’m sure your idea of vacation isn’t a beach in the Keys but more like a hike in Nepal.”

He gave her a crooked grin. “The last real vacation I had
was
Nepal.”

“And I’m sure it was years ago.” She smiled when he nodded. “You spend more time outdoors than in. You have no idea what the current popular television show is. You’re more comfortable in jeans and T-shirts than wearing a suit.” She glanced at his hands. “No wife or current love.”

“I could have a girlfriend back home.”

“Nope. You’re not civilized enough. Too wild.” Hell’s bells, had she just said wild?

“Wild?”

He would’ve had to catch that. “There’s a look men have when they’ve been domesticated, and you don’t have it. So, I’m willing to bet no woman.”

“You’re very observant.”

“I’m an innkeeper. It’s my business to read people and know their needs before they do.”

He gazed at her from under his lids. “What is it you think I need?”

“A few pain killers or a stiff drink.”

He threw his head back and laughed. The sound was deep and jagged and did crazy things to her. Everything inside her suddenly sat up and paid attention.

He raised his cup. “The strongest thing I could find was chamomile tea.”

“The liquor is under lock and key. Can’t leave bottles out for everyone to help themselves. Fishing and drinking in this type of country aren’t a good combination.”

“I bet they aren’t. Don’t worry, the tea will do fine. What’s your story?” he asked. “Why does a young, beautiful woman choose to run a lodge in the wilds of Alaska?”

Flatterer. “I came here in answer to an ad for a summer job. I fell in love with Alaska and ended up staying. Not much to tell.”

“Oh, I’m sure there’s more to it than that.” He stroked the rim of his cup, and her eyes were drawn once again to his hands.

They were arresting. Rough, yet somehow she knew they could be gentle too. She mentally shook herself. Could her vitamins be low? Maybe all the junk food she’d consumed
was
getting to her.

He looked past her to the sun sleeping on the horizon. “It’s getting late, and I’m sure you’d like to get to your bed.”

Yes, she would, and she wouldn’t mind if he joined her.
Okay, hold it.
She never fraternized with the guests. This man carried some powerful mojo.

“We’ll leave the real story until later.” He struggled to his feet. “Night, Mel.”

“Goodnight, Cache.” She watched him as he made his way into the lodge. It was going to be a long two weeks with that man sitting like candy across the hall from her.