A smile spreads across Mags's face. “So she's not only doing research. This is personal.”
“Exactly. Nash thinks he's signed up for standard wildlife support.” I shake my head, watching my brother and the determined scientist load equipment while still clearly negotiating terms. “Poor bastard's about to get caught between a woman on a mission and one very clever caribou.”
Outside, wind picks up, swirling snow around the two figures bent over maps and gear lists. Whatever happens with this expedition, it won't be boring.
“Poor Nash,” Mags says, though she sounds more amused than sympathetic.
“Poor Nash,” I agree. “And poor Waldo. He's got no idea what's coming for him.”
Thank you for readingCrystal Creek. Did you enjoy Port Promise, and the story of Lena and Finn? Discover what happens between Aris and Nash next.
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WANT A SNEAK PEAK ATA TASTE OF TEMPTATIONFROM MY RECIPE FOR LOVE SERIES?
DANIELLE
Gathering her nerves, Danielle Morgan paused before stepping out of her car. Today was not a one-breath kind of day but rather one requiring two. What could lurk behind her best friend Trish’s front door this time? Was it another surprise blind date like the one with Gene Horowitz last weekend? Or perhaps an encore of Trish and Rob’s sultry kitchen escapade. Two weeks ago, she unexpectedly encountered Trish and her husband, Rob, in a passionate encounter on their newly installed granite kitchen island. From that moment on, she promised not to accept any invitations to eat at Trish’s house unless she brought the meal. With a gulp, Danielle exited her car and approached the door.
Before Danielle could raise her fist to knock, the door swung open, and Trish greeted her with an exuberant “Dani” and an I’ve-got-something-up-my-sleeve look.
“Please don’t tell me you invited another of Rob’s cousins over.” Danielle spun around, hoping to make her escape before it was too late. But Trish grabbed her arm and yanked her through the doorway.
“Nope. Just Rob.”
“Is he decent?” She cleared her throat. “I mean, is he wearing clothes?”
Trish chuckled. “Decent … nope. Dressed … absolutely.”
Thank the heavens for Rob being clothed because it would take her a lifetime to scrub the memory of his nakedness from her brain. No one except Trish needed to see that much of the man.
“You ready to go?” Trish picked up her purse from the hall table and looked over her shoulder. “Honey, I’m leaving.”
Rob rushed around the corner and kissed Trish long and hard.
“It’s not like she’ll disappear forever,” Dani said. “We’re only hanging out for a few hours.” Since her bestie had found love, their girl time shrunk from several nights a week dining out and watching movies to a few hours on the weekend. She didn’t begrudge Trish’s happiness. It was simply that Danielle was lonely. She wanted love. Instead, she got visiting rights to Trish.
She spun around and left the lovebirds on the doorstep to say their goodbyes.
Back behind the steering wheel, she waited and waited and waited.
Five minutes later, Trish skipped down the walkway like a teen after a tryst at Lookout Point. Her lips were red and bee-stung while her cheeks glowed with a youthful blush.
“Sorry about that. It’s a special day—our three-month anniversary.”
Danielle rolled her eyes. “Tell me it’s special when you hit your third-year anniversary.” She started the engine and looked over her shoulder to back out of the driveway. “I hope his kisses still weaken you in the knees then.”
Trish dismissed her with a wave of her hand. “You’re so jaded.”
“I’m allowed to be.” She squeezed the steering wheel harder and watched the blood drain from her fingers. “Don’t forget that on my three-month anniversary, my husband wasn’t running to kiss me. He was in room 301 banging Ms. Bancroft.”
“Not all men are like Chris.”
Danielle looked at her blissfully happy friend. “You’re right. I can’t punish every man for Chris’s infidelity, stupidity, or complete disregard for anyone but himself. I should blame myself for being so impulsive. Who marries a guy after a month of dating?”
