Now Mav stood in his wool socks, outdoor pants, and a dark blue flannel shirt as he cooked up Sunday morning breakfast. Hey, the guests had reserved the bed and breakfast plan, and no way would Mav shirk his duties, despite everything that had happened. Reputation mattered, even in a crappy situation. He knew that from EMS work. His parents had ingrained in him the integrity to carry out his commitments in a professional manner.
No matter how rude the customer.
Mav laid sizzling caribou sausages on a plate and grabbed a piece to chew while he cooked more links. He peered out the kitchen window at the faint dawn glow on orange clouds between the spruce pines. He memorized the view, like he might not see it again.
Yukon Valley was so far off the beaten path, therewasno beaten path. Online direction apps basically took one look at any Yukon Valley address and wentgood luck. A few miles west of town, the highway simply stopped. Only endless bush and miles of river beyond that point.
Nothing was out here except for the lodge and cabins, a small town and a few villages, sled and snowmobile trails, and millions of acres of mountain and snowy tundra wilderness, which he loved exploring with his team.
He’d better enjoy it while he could.
The sausage sat like a hot coal in his gut. He took a swig of orange juice with minimal improvement. Between his gritty eyelids, tired muscles, and complete lack of sleep, Mav was as wrung out as that worn dishtowel hanging over the sink faucet.
At least Lee hadn’t returned last night. Dee had texted to let him know she was dropping Lee off at the lodge to get her car this morning. Hopefully, she’d miss the guests. Hey, he was man enough to own up to his failures and limitations, but that didn’t mean he wanted someone he cared about to witness his last pathetic stand.
At nine a.m. sharp, the cabin guests entered through the front door, joined shortly by Randy and then by Nick crutching along from the guest rooms. Mav gamely served up the full breakfast spread—caribou sausage, salmon cakes, seasoned fried potatoes, stewed tomatoes, sourdough French bread with birch syrup and salmonberry preserves, orange juice, and coffee. The guests continued talking about their travel back to Fairbanks today and then Randy going to Anchorage tomorrow.
Leaving a day early, thanks to the accident. Mav would refund them the extra night. Damn it. He had needed the income.
A few minutes later, his sister and Lee came through the front door, peeling off coats, gloves, and boots in the entryway. He appreciated the leggings that hugged Lee’s curves.
“Hey, our waitress service arrived.” Randy laughed, the other men joining him.
Dee strolled up to the table and glowered at him until he turned red. God, his sister was terrifying.
Randy raised his hands, a fork held in one. “It’s a joke, lady. Take it easy.”
She slid her gaze to Mav and raised her eyebrows. He had updated her as to what had happened last night, so she knew the basic story and the main actors.
He shook his head, and she clamped her lips together.
Just because she knew the situation didn’t make her any less likely to take a swipe at Randy.
“Oh, and yourfriendis back, too.” Randy clearly enjoyed being the gregarious center of attention. “Didn’t realize she was that pretty under all the clothes yesterday.”
Mav wanted to cram the spatula down the man’s throat.
Lee’s long gold hair was on glorious display this morning.
She grimaced. “Glad everyone is safe and sound.”
When Nick saw her, he did a double take. “You look like the doctor from last night. I think. It’s all a little fuzzy. I don’t think she had blond hair.”
“Naw, this gal’s an EMT. Works with him,” Randy butted in. “You’re confused from those knockout drugs they gave you.”
Lee’s eyes narrowed, but she pasted on a bland, polite smile and made a noncommittal sound as she followed Dee into the kitchen. Mav didn’t know which woman would eviscerate Randy, but the sooner the better.
Randy wiped his face on the napkin, wadded it up next to his plate, and leaned back in the chair. “I like this dining area and kitchen, but it needs some spiffing up. Maybe an addition or a redo of the layout. Knock out a wall or two. Modernize.”
Mav’s ears rang, but he refused to take the bait. He joined his sister and Lee near the sink. “Counting down the minutes until they leave,” he muttered.
“I can make that time go faster.” Dee’s savage smile did not bode well for anyone.
“Boys, what do you think about this place? I’m buying it. All of it,” Randy said loudly.
Murmurs, congratulations, and confused expressions circled the table.
Mav spun around. “What?” He glanced at the desk drawer stuffed with past-due notices and offers to purchase.
