With a stocked refrigerator, I invited Pete to stay for dinner. “My treat.” Hotdogs cooked over the fire are my specialty; my mom always loved it when I made my signature entrée.
“Listen. Moose.” Pete sighed and folded his hands.
The tone of his voice gave me pause. I could tell he didn’t want to deliver the bad news. Since he first told me about Oliver hiring a floorhand, I had a feeling there wouldn’t be room for me. To ease his mind, I let on that it was okay. It wasn’t, but he shouldn’t have had to pay for it.
“How long can I stay?”
“I’m so sorry. I did everything I could. I’ve been talking about you for months. My brother does whatever he wants, like he owns the company or something.”
“Doesn’t he?”
“Yeah, but still.” He stood and shoved his hands in his front pockets. “My brother rents these cabins on a week-to-week basis, so as long as this one stays empty, you’re good. It might be nice, though, to offer him a couple hundred a month. Maybe you can get a job in town. At the bar or something.”
Chapter 14
Kennedy, age nineteen—December 2007
CHRISTMAS LIGHTStwinkled along Anchorage’s Main street like multi-colored beads of joy. Spectacular holiday celebrations were commonplace during the holidays. Snow fell in small flakes, adding to the festive live scenes of Santa, elves, and reindeer.
Horse-drawn carriages lined the streets where tourists readily paid for an excursion, even a week after Christmas. Residents dressed in parkas shivered as they rushed from building to building, bags of goodies in hand.
Tonight would surely be a night to remember. I had thought of everything for the most special occasion—our first wedding anniversary. The second Cody gave me the green light to plan a night out, I created a list of ideas. I spent the last month arranging everything down to the smallest detail. I said a silent prayer that all the specifics lined up well enough to please my husband.
Dinner reservations at the fanciest restaurant in Anchorage had been the most important part of my plans. I wanted to prove to Cody that I was elegant enough for him, that I wasn’t a trashy slut like he accused.
Upon entry, the hostess took our coats in exchange for a call tag. Cody’s eyes lit up, then darkened at the sight of my slightly seductive little black dress, which hugged my curves in all the right places. It had been short, but long-sleeved to cover the scars and recent bruises. I wasn’t sure if he was happy or pissed, but I had to hope for the best.
It was completely possible he wondered where the dress had come from; he knew every bit of clothing I owned and hadn’t seen this piece before. Cody hadn’t known I had left the apartment. It was against the rules, after all. An ad on TV showed the dress during a commercial and I knew I had to have it.
The Maître D’ led us to a table beside the window, just as I had requested. I could feel Cody’s eyes on my backside; new three-inch heels made my legs and ass look fantastic. My old one-foot-in-front-of-the-other dancer walk had faded since leaving Seward, but when I put the shoes on, it came back as naturally as riding a bike.
Dark wood mixed with dark paint and splashes of burgundy throughout the intimate space exudedsophistication. I felt important and sexy, like I had a reason to be in the fine dining establishment. People looked at us as we walked past; I liked it.
Cody’s eyebrows raised when he read the costs on the menu. He cleared his throat as he placed the wine list beside his silverware—which was actually gold. “Get whatever you want, babe. This is a day for you; live it up.”
“Are you sure?” I held my breath, hoping he wasn’t just patronizing me. It annoyed me when he made me believe he was genuine, just to punish me when I did something wrong. “Because I would really love to try the filet mignon. I’ve always heard that’s the best piece of meat.”
A smirk on his face didn’t always mean the same thing. Some days, it meant he was playful and spunky, other days he was planning his next diabolical move. Not sure which day this was, I treaded lightly.
Nervous, my fingers danced over the heavy diamond necklace which laid cold and flat against my collarbone. The outlandish wedding gift weighed more than anything I’d ever worn around my neck. Cody had expressed how it had cost more than my mom’s trailer and contained almost five carats. Whatever that meant.
“Of course, my queen. Whatever your little heart desires.” His sweet smile calmed my nerves.
My confidence restored, I tucked one of my softwaves behind my ear, only to be met with a frown. Cody demanded that my hair be perfect at all times, even though we never went anywhere. I refused to let my frizzy mop of straw ruin his mood. Every curl was in place and frizz-free; I made sure of it. So why did he frown?
While we waited for our drinks, Cody stroked the back of my hand with his index finger, then pulled my hand into his. The intimate gesture reassured me that this night would be glorious. He gazed into my eyes and slow-blinked.
My heart fluttered.This is what it’s all about.
“You know that you’re the most beautiful girl in this restaurant, right?”
Heat stained my cheeks red, and I tucked my chin.
“I mean it. Hell, K, you’re probably the prettiest girl in the entire state.”
“Come on, Cody. That’s not true.” Cloud nine was so squishy and light. I could swear I floated on fluffy bits of happiness.
“Of course it is. Most of the girls in this state are practically men, they have to work out in the cold beside their husbands. If they can even get husbands. There must only be six semi-attractive women in all of Alaska.” He released my hand and sat back as the waiter poured crimson liquid from a bottle of wine.
