On a Snowy Night: The Christmas BasketThe Snow Bride Read online

  “Smells like she’s cooking rum to me,” Palmer said. He looked at Jenna and added, “We’ve had liquor for dinner before, and we like food better.”

  “So, we too early or not?” Pete persisted.

  “Don’t worry about it,” Reid said, glaring at Jenna. “I’d say you arrived in the nick of time.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Addy slurped up the remains of his seafood spaghetti with a large piece of bread, then wiped the back of his hand across his mouth. He got up to look around the table, but the large bowl was empty and Palmer had already snatched the last slice of buttery French bread.

  Sighing loudly, Addy sat down in his chair again, resting his hands on his stomach. They’d rearranged the living room and were seated in a circle. The table held the food, which they’d dished up buffet-style.

  “Excellent dinner,” Pete added. “Thanks to both of you.”

  “You ever decide to set up shop, you’d put me out of business,” Jake told them. Unlike the others, he’d shown up at the appointed time.

  Reid gestured in Jenna’s direction. “The credit all goes to Ms. Campbell. The only thing you should thank me for is my cribbage skills. Otherwise, you’d be eating moose-meat sauce with your spaghetti.”

  The men stared at her with something akin to awe. Uncomfortable with their scrutiny, Jenna blushed. “You guys are easy to please.”

  Jake scoffed at that. “Well, maybe Addy and Palmer’s tastes aren’t as discerning as mine, but this meal would impress royalty.”

  “The company wasn’t bad, either,” Pete added, charming her with his smile. “Snowbound needs more women. Sure wish you’d stay until Christmas. We do it big up here—the whole community gets together. You’d be very welcome.”

  “I’ll wash the dishes.” Reid leapt to his feet.

  “What’s the matter, Reid? Don’t you agree?” Jake pressed.

  “We don’t need any more women in town than the one we’ve already got.”

  “Who says?” Pete demanded.

  “I do.” Reid carried his plate to the sink.

  “What would it take to convince you to stay?” Jake asked, looking at Jenna.

  “She’s leaving the minute this storm lets up,” Reid insisted. He jerked Addy’s plate from beneath his nose.

  “Let’s not be hasty about flying Jenna out of here,” Pete said. “Let’s listen to what the little lady has to say.”

  Jenna was enjoying the conversation. Imagine—four men eagerly seeking her company. If only her mother was there to see it. But Chloe was several thousand miles away in Los Angeles.

  “Tell them how fast you want to get out of here,” Reid said, crossing his arms. He seemed mighty confident that she’d set the record straight.

  “Well, I was hoping to meet Lucy before I left.”

  “She wants to meet Lucy,” Addy repeated, sounding righteous. “That could take a day or two, and there’s no telling what might happen once the women get together. Jenna could be here for a month. Or longer.”

  “You think Lucy could convince Jenna to stay?” Palmer asked his friend in a whisper loud enough for everyone to hear.

  “Can’t say, but there’s always hope.”

  “She’s leaving,” Reid said again, whipping Palmer’s plate away before the older man had a chance to protest. “Remember, she’s off to meet Lover Boy.”

  This remark about her meeting Dalton appeared to please Addy and Palmer. “You’ll be back,” Palmer said, nodding vigorously. Addy only grinned.

  Jenna stood, prepared to take her wineglass to the kitchen. “What makes you think that?” she asked.

  “Dalton’s got a reputation with the ladies,” Jake explained. “A bad reputation.”

  Pete looked over his shoulder at Reid and lowered his voice. “He’s the love ’em and leave ’em type. If you do meet up with him, just remember that.”

  “I’m sure you’ve confused Dalton with some other man.” She said that to get a rise out of Reid, and it did. He glowered at her and she sensed that he found it a struggle not to comment.

  “I think it’s time to start up the music,” Jake said quickly to his friends.

  “What about the cake?” Addy’s attention had been on the rum cake from the moment Jenna took it out of the oven.

  “I thought we’d save that for later,” she said, still full from dinner.

  “How much later?” Palmer asked.

  “Soon,” Jenna promised, which seemed to appease the two older men.

  It wasn’t long before the small band had assembled. Addy played the saw, with Palmer as backup on washboard with wooden spoon. Pete had a fiddle. Addy started alone, holding the saw between his legs and vibrating it over his knee, creating an eerie sound. He played “Amazing Grace” so hauntingly that it sent chills down Jenna’s spine. Pete’s fiddle joined in, followed by Palmer’s rich melodic voice as he lifted his face toward the heavens, closing his eyes. If she hadn’t seen and heard it for herself, Jenna would never have believed this unusual trio could put on such a stunning performance.

  When the hymn was finished, she applauded enthusiastically. “That was lovely.”

  “Thank you.” Addy nodded once. He set the saw aside. “Now it’s time for real dancing music. You ready, Pete?”

  “Ready.” Pete lifted the fiddle to his chin and began a lively folk tune—music that made her think of hoedowns and barn dances, not that she’d ever been to any.

  Addy stepped over to Jenna, and bowed low from the waist. “Might I have the pleasure of this dance?”

  Jenna smiled and gave him her hand. Addy led her to the center of the room while Jake, Palmer and Reid pushed back the furniture. When the area was clear, Addy spun her around until she was so dizzy she could barely stand upright.

  Palmer stood in one corner, rhythmically stamping his foot while playing his harmonica. Soon he was the one partnering her and then Addy was dancing with Jake. Reid clapped along with the old-time country music.

  Jenna found herself passed from one man to the next, until their faces started to blur.

  “Enough,” she cried, laughing. Bending over, hands on her knees she labored to catch her breath.

  “Are we wearing you out?” Jake asked.

  “Only a little.” She rested for a few minutes, and then she was back, kicking up her feet with the rest of them and loving it.

  Pete went from one lively song to another with barely a pause in between. Jake and Palmer taught her a country two-step, an Irish jig and several other dances. Jenna picked them up quickly, grateful for her years in ballet class. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d enjoyed herself this much.

  “I’m exhausted,” she finally said.

  “Let her take a break.” Reid held her gently by the shoulders and led her to a chair.

  “We didn’t overdo it, did we?” Addy asked, looking genuinely concerned.

  “No…not at all.” Sitting down, she stretched her legs in front of her.

  “You’re a fine dancer,” Addy said.

  “Mighty fine,” Palmer agreed.

  “How about that cake?” Jake asked. “I’ve worked up an appetite.”

  “You sit,” Reid ordered Jenna when she started to get up. “I’ll get it.”

  “You’ll need help,” Addy insisted and hurried after him, Jake on his heels.

  “You did say that was rum cake, didn’t you?” Palmer asked, and then with only the slightest hesitation, rushed after the other men. That left Jenna and Pete alone in the room.

  “You play very well,” Jenna told him.

  Pete sat on the sofa across from her and set the fiddle on his lap. “Music’s good for the soul,” he said simply.

  Jenna nodded in agreement but her eyes followed Reid in the kitchen. When she looked away, she noticed Pete studying her.

  “So you’ve taken a liking to Reid?” Pete didn’t sound surprised by this.

  Jenna wasn’t sure how to respond. Reid had kidnapped her, claiming it was for her
own good. And yet…maybe he’d done her a favor, strange as that was to admit. There was convincing evidence that Dalton wasn’t what he’d seemed; not only that, she liked Reid. She longed to know more about him. “Reid is an interesting man.”

  “Yup,” Pete said. “Sure is.”

  “What happened to him?”

  “Happened?” Pete asked, frowning.

  “Why isn’t Reid married?” It wasn’t any of her business, but she couldn’t help thinking there was heartbreak in his past.

  “I don’t think there’s any big reason, if that’s what you mean. In fact, I think Reid has the same problem we all do. He hasn’t met anyone who’s willing to live up here.”

  That answer didn’t satisfy her. Reid was a determined man; if he wanted to be married, he’d do whatever was necessary to bring a woman into his life.

  “You’re saying a woman hasn’t hurt him?” she asked dubiously.

  Pete scratched his beard. “I can’t rightly say, but I doubt it. If any woman affected him negatively, I’d say it was his mother. She abandoned Reid and his dad when Reid was ten and his sister was six. I gather she died quite a few years ago.”

  “Why did she abandon her family?”

  “Apparently she hated it up here. Reid’s dad never got over it. She was from somewhere in Texas, I think, and she couldn’t handle the cold or the isolation. Reid’s father always warned him about getting involved with women from the lower forty-eight.” Pete sighed mournfully. “He died last year. Reid and Lucy took it hard.”

  “I’m sorry about his death,” she murmured.

  “I think he’s got a girl,” Pete announced in a sudden change of subject.

  This was a shock to Jenna and information she didn’t take kindly to hearing. “I beg your pardon?”

  “Well, Reid flies into Fairbanks every few months and he’s in real good spirits when he gets back. Reid’s the kind of guy who keeps his cards close to his vest, if you know what I mean.”

  Jenna did indeed. So there was every likelihood that Reid had a girlfriend. And what about his trip to Seattle? Did he have a woman there, too?

  “Want a piece of cake?” Reid asked, carrying two plates into the living room.

  “Looks mighty good,” Pete said, accepting one plate.

  “I’ll pass,” she said, scowling at Reid, jealousy burning in her eyes.

  Reid’s head reared back as if he’d been slapped. He scowled at her in return.

  Jenna purposely looked away.

  “If you ain’t interested, I could do with a second piece,” Addy said, rushing across the room.

  “You already had two pieces.” Palmer elbowed his friend out of the way. “I’ll take Jenna’s piece if she don’t want it.”

  “She might change her mind later,” Reid said, taking the plate back to the kitchen.

  Pete rubbed his beard again and looked regretful. “I shouldn’t have said anything. Besides, I could be misreading the situation entirely. I’d hate you being upset with him because of me.”

  Jenna ignored the comment. “Do you know her name?”

  Pete hesitated. “No, can’t say I do. Maybe you should ask him yourself.”

  She was overreacting and knew it. But being irritated with Reid helped her control the attraction that was beginning to gain momentum between them. She wanted to believe he had a girlfriend hidden away somewhere. It would make leaving him a whole lot easier if she could convince herself he wasn’t trustworthy.

  “I’m ready for more dancing,” Addy said, leaping into the center of the room. Crossing his arms over his chest, he squatted down and kicked out his left foot.

  Palmer grabbed for the washboard, and Pete his fiddle.

  “Addy,” Reid said, his voice low and full of warning. “The last time you tried this, your back went out.”

  “Play!” Addy instructed, thrusting his right arm into the air like a Russian folk dancer.

  Pete set the fiddle beneath his chin and started slow and easy, the tempo gradually building as Jenna, Jake and Reid clapped to the music. Addy kicked out his legs one at a time.

  When the song ended, Palmer and Jake helped Addy to his feet.

  Jenna applauded loudly. “Addy, my goodness! That was incredible. Where did you learn how to dance like this?”

  Addy blushed with pleasure at her praise. “When I worked on the Aleutians—lots of Russians there.” He wobbled for a moment. “In the old days, I did this pretty often, but my knees ain’t what they used to be.”

  “He only does it now when he wants to impress someone,” Palmer said in a whisper.

  “If I was staying longer, I’d bake you your very own rum cake.” Jenna kissed Addy’s cheek.

  “Hey, what about me and my fiddle?” Pete said. “Don’t we deserve a kiss?”

  “Sure you do.” She kissed his cheek, too. Then Palmer’s and finally Jake’s.

  “Don’t I get a kiss?” Reid asked.

  She gave him her sweetest smile and took delight in refusing him. Reid Jamison had gotten all the kisses from her that he was going to get. “No,” she said sweetly.

  Addy and Palmer loved it, slapping their knees and laughing with glee.

  “What’s so funny?” Reid demanded.

  “You,” Addy told him.

  Grumbling under his breath, Reid glanced at his watch. “Isn’t it time for you to go home?”

  “It’s not even nine,” Addy protested. He propped his hand against the small of his back. “Then again, maybe we should.”

  Palmer helped Addy on with his coat.

  “You might have to take the top bunk tonight,” Addy told his friend.

  Palmer frowned in confusion. “I get the top bunk every night.”

  Addy chuckled. “Oh, yes, I guess you do.”

  “I think we should pack up and head out,” Jake said. “Mighty fine dinner, Jenna.”

  “Best meal I’ve had in months,” Pete muttered as he filed past, his fiddle back in its case. “If you change your mind about staying in Snowbound, you can always move in with me.” He jiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

  “Jenna’s leaving as soon as the storm dies down,” Reid said from behind her. His voice was as cold as the air that blew in through the open door.

  “Can’t blame a man for trying,” Pete said with a shrug. “The winters are long and lonely in Alaska.”

  “Longer and lonelier for some than others,” Jenna added with meaning.

  “’Night,” Jake said.

  As soon as the last man was gone, Reid closed the door. He turned to look at Jenna. “What was that all about?” he asked.

  “What?” she asked, putting on an air of innocence.

  “That last comment, for one thing.”

  “Oh, you mean about long, lonely nights?”

  “You know damn well what I mean.” Reid stared at her as if he’d never seen her before. “What the hell is the matter with you?”

  “I think the question should be reversed. You’re the one who enjoys misleading people.”

  “I’ve never misled you.”

  She gave a short, mirthless laugh. “I’m going to bed.”

  “Go right ahead,” he snapped. He pointed toward the bedroom with its cracked door. “Be my guest.”

  “I have been your guest for three miserable days.”

  “Well, you don’t need to worry, because we’re out of here the minute it stops snowing.”

  Angry now, Jenna stormed into the bedroom. Just so he’d know how upset she was, she slammed the door, which was a mistake. Reid had repaired it earlier, but it wasn’t up to this kind of abuse. The instant the door hit the jamb, it came apart and fell inward in two pieces.

  She gasped and leaped out of the way to avoid being hit.

  Reid rushed in and stared at the door in horror. “You’re a crazy woman.”

  “Then you’d do well to be rid of me.”

  “Yes, I would,” he said, stepping over the broken wood and marching into the other room.

&n
bsp; A sick feeling attacked her stomach. She was being ridiculous, and all because she was jealous of some unknown woman. Reid was right—there was something wrong with her!

  Chapter Twelve

  Dalton staggered into his hotel room and fumbled for the light switch. The storm had been raging for nearly two full days, and the only solace he’d found had been in the hotel’s cocktail lounge. He was charging the booze to the company, although it wasn’t official business. His bar tab was likely to be higher than the bill for his room, but he didn’t care. It wasn’t as if Larry was going to fire him, since Dalton was half owner, anyway.

  The light came on with an irritating brightness. Dalton squinted and rubbed a hand down his face. He saw that the red light on his phone was flashing. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he searched for the message button and listened.

  “Dalton, it’s Larry. You’re gonna want to call me back. I got news on that ladyfriend of yours. The one you’ve been looking for.”

  Dalton replaced the receiver. “Ladyfriend?” he said aloud and then remembered that all his troubles could be attributed to one Jenna Campbell. She was the reason he was trapped in Fairbanks—although he’d been stuck in worse places.

  Dalton had done his utmost to find her, to no avail. The airlines hadn’t been any help, since he wasn’t a relative. With security as tight as it was, even in Alaska, he hadn’t gotten a word of information out of them. In his frustration he’d turned to alcohol, and that had seen him through the worst of the storm.

  He squinted at the bedside clock and dialed Larry’s home number. Larry answered, sounding groggy. “Hello.”

  “What did you find out?” Dalton asked.

  “That’s a fine way to greet me after dragging me out of bed.”

  “As you might’ve guessed, I’m anxious to find out what I can about Jenna.”

  “Worried, are you?” Larry pressed.

  He wasn’t—in fact, he was ready to forget the whole Jenna Campbell mess—but his partner didn’t know that. “Of course I am.”

  “Her mother called.”

  “Her mother?” This wasn’t news Dalton wanted to hear.

  “Yes. Apparently she heard from Jenna.”

  “You mean Jenna phoned her mother and not me?” This could be a problem. Jenna was turning out to be way more of a headache than she was worth.