He squared up to stand close, facing her. “You know that what you do is important, right? You, being here, in Yukon Valley, caring for those patients. It’s needed. It’s appreciated. No one around here cares if anyone is rich or not. People here just want to make their way in the world, provide for their families, and be successful in whatever they do.”
“Um.” She dropped eye contact with a suspicious sheen in her gaze.
Tilting her chin up, he added, “I’m glad you’re out here with me today.”
It killed him when she blinked several times.
She bit her lower lip, then set her jaw in a determined jut. “It’s easy to hang out here. This area is peaceful. Your lodge is amazing, and your dogs are fun. Anyone would be happy to be here.” She paused. “With you. You’re a good guy. You know that, right?”
She was a champ at changing the subject back to him.
But her words, the way she saw him, struck a nerve.
Lee had a tender heart, and Mav knew she was being kind. He recognized that all he had to offer was his rural paramedic work, a failing business, limited cell phone and Wi-Fi access, and a mangy bunch of old sled dogs.
Even so, he still wanted to prove to Lee that she mattered, that there were guys out there who weren’t like her ex. Guys like Mav who might not be fancy but for sure appreciated the hell out of the amazing person that she was.
Damn it. He shouldn’t.
The pink in her cheeks glowed in the overcast day.
Unable to stop himself, he drew her toward him and dipped his head to kiss her, inhaling the scents of fresh air, tart salmonberry, and a hint of flowers. She sighed against his lips and opened to him, drawing him in deeper. Those profound and altruistic thoughts fled. Within a minute, his brain stopped functioning, and he couldn’t tell where he ended and where she began.
The wind whipped around them, but his senses only registered her scent, her taste, her soft skin under his lips. He wanted to move slowly. Take care with her heart. Remind her of her value. Prove his own worth to her and to himself.
He also wanted to explore more of her right now, frostbite be damned.
He kissed the corner of her mouth and tasted… salt?
As he pulled away, his gut clenched at the track of tears down one cheek. “Lee. Oh gosh. Hey, if I—”
“No, it’s me.” Her quiet voice cut through the gale.
He carefully wiped the moisture away with his insulated thumb. “Is that a variation on the it’s-me-not-you line?”
She nestled her cheek against his palm for a minute, then peeked up at him. “Sorry. Not sure where all those feelings came from.”
“You never need to apologize, Lee. It’s okay to feel things out here.” Her frame trembled underneath his hands. “Except for cold. Seems like I need to get you out of the weather.”
“Your way of warming me up wasn’t all bad.” The pink on her cheeks deepened and her eyes danced.
His tongue stuck to the roof of his mouth.Say something. Anything.
She dropped her gaze and cleared her throat. Moment gone.
At Mav’s feet, Kaaktuq shifted, then let out a satisfiedwhuffand a doggy fart.
Moment killed.
Mav and Lee laughed, but a few seconds later, they both recoiled in horror.
“Buddy, seriously, what is wrong with you?” Mav held his hand over his nose.
The dog raised his head and opened his mouth in an unrepentant and largely empty smile.
Lee backpedaled. Bob jumped up, ready to run again, tangling around her legs in his excitement. She tripped on him.
Mav grabbed her by the waist right before she face-planted. When he hauled her upright, her laughter rang out across the meadow, triggering his own grin.
