Chapter Three #2
“Have you heard from her?” Barefoot, Mason crossed the room and stopped beside her. The scent of his shampoo, familiar with its hint of spice and citrus, made her pulse thrum.
“After she told me her flight was canceled, she said she’d caught a ride with someone she’d met at the airport.
” Isabel pulled her phone from the pocket of her robe and scrolled through her messages.
“Then I got one more saying she had the part for the pulling machine, and they were on their way. But that was almost three hours ago.”
At six feet tall, Mason stood a head above her.
She’d always relished the strength of his steady presence.
What would he do if she sagged against him?
Leaned her head on his chest. Was their relationship so strained that he wouldn’t allow her to find comfort in his strong embrace?
Things had still felt tense ever since she’d missed dinner with Wendy and Jake.
But that had been almost a week ago. To his credit, Mason had been a little more understanding once he’d found out about the broken pulling machine.
He’d even stopped by the factory, looked over the unit, and tried to figure out if he could fix it.
But neither Mason nor Phil, their longtime local mechanic, had been able to solve the problem.
They desperately needed the part riding somewhere between here and Anchorage with Jovi and her stranger companion.
“I’m worried, Mason. This wind is vicious.”
“Jovi takes care of herself. She always has.” Mason linked his arms across his broad chest, the sleeves of his T-shirt pulling taut around his muscular biceps.
Isabel scoffed. “She caught a ride with someone she doesn’t know.”
“Didn’t you say her flight was canceled? Sounds like her options were limited.”
He had a valid point. And maybe she was worrying too much.
Isabel pinched her lips shut, pocketed her phone, and turned back toward the window.
The wind howled around their house. Snow blew sideways.
At least eight inches had accumulated in the yard, and the forecast called for another ten before morning. She rubbed at the ache in her sternum.
She really didn’t want to ask Mason for anything. Especially since he’d probably tell her sending out a search party at this point was ridiculous. Dangerous, even.
The wireless speaker nearby played one of her favorite pop songs, but she didn’t feel like singing along or swaying to the upbeat rhythm.
Slowly, Mason reached out and pulled her to him. “Babe, it’s going to be fine.”
He brushed his lips against her forehead. She sighed, relieved to reconnect. Behind them, the fire crackled in the hearth. Maybe she’d misread him.
“What if they run out of gas? Or they get in an accident?”
His strong hand gently rubbed her arm. “Your imagination is on overdrive. They’re probably taking things slow. Or they stopped to grab something to eat.”
The worn fabric of his shirt felt smooth against her cheek. Mason’s heart beat against her ear. Strong and steady. “I just want my sister home,” she said quietly.
“I know you do. And she will be here soon.”
“It’s probably selfish of me, but I want her here because I’m hoping she’ll be able to help me come up with a new product. Something that will dazzle our customers and perform so well that we can convince Mom and Dad not to sell the business.”
Mason tensed. Isabel lifted her head and stared up at him, trying not to get distracted by the appealing stubble on his jaw. “What?”
“You don’t want to sell?”
“No. Of course not.”
He gritted his teeth and peered out into the darkness. “But you said the business has been struggling and holiday sales were disappointing. If you sell, imagine the time you’ll have to focus on other things.”
A lump formed in her throat. “What other things? Mason, my grandparents literally grew that business from nothing. It’s not fair to sell out to a global conglomerate just because we’ve hit a downturn.”
“Oh, here we go.” Mason dropped his arm to his side.
“Have you not heard anything I’ve said in the past two weeks?”
“Isabel, take a breath.” Mason held up his palm to interrupt. “For the record, I’ve heard plenty. And by the way, I’ve been trying to find time to talk to you about what’s going on with me. But there’s very little space in that packed calendar of yours.”
Her jaw drifted open. Seriously?
“Don’t look at me like that. I’ve dropped several hints that I need more from you, but evidently my needs are insignificant.”
She sucked in a breath. “When did I say your needs were insignificant?”
He braced his hands on his slim hips. Irritation rippled across his ruddy features. “You didn’t have to say it at all. The message came through loud and clear.”
“That is not fair .”
Shaking his head, he turned away. “I’m not doing this with you.”
“Not doing what?” She cut quick strides toward him, anger simmering in her belly. “Having a conversation? Clarifying your accusations?”
“I’m going to bed because I have a phone interview first thing in the morning for a job in Juneau,” Mason called back over his shoulder. “Good night, Isabel.”
At the end of the hall, he slammed their bedroom door closed.
An interview for a job in Juneau? Since when?
Her heart heavy at the realization that her marriage might genuinely be in trouble, Isabel blinked back tears, then sent Jovi another text.
If Mason chose sleep over talking this out, she wasn’t going to stand in his way.
It was almost midnight, and the storm seemed to be getting worse.
There was no way she could just crawl into bed and fall asleep.
Not until she knew for sure Jovi was home.
* * *
So maybe his need for control was a bit over the top.
All for good reason, though. Reasons he didn’t want or need to explain to the chipper woman riding shotgun.
Burke stole a sidelong glance. Her blond hair swung forward as she dipped her head and used the flashlight from her phone to rummage through her bag.
“Everything all right?” He didn’t want to stop again, not that there appeared to be that option. They hadn’t passed a gas station or a café in the last hour.
She held up a small bag of chocolate and peanut butter candy. “Sugar craving. Would you like some?”
“Please.” He’d drained the last of his soda a while back. A jolt of sugar and chocolate would help him stay alert.
“I tried texting my sister to let her know we’re coming, but I’m not getting any service.” Jovi set her phone back in the center console next to their empty cups. “She’s going to be worried.”
He held out his hand, and she poured half a dozen pieces of candy into his palm.
“Thanks.” Burke popped the treats into his mouth, savored the chocolate peanut butter concoction, and tried to ignore the plummeting temperatures indicated on the dash. Thirty-five degrees below zero. How was that even possible?
“Is there typically service out here?” He peered out the side window. Frost on the glass obscured his view. Snow and the dark shadows of trees covered in snow were all he could identify.
Jovi sighed. “I—I don’t know.”
At least the storm had eased up. His wipers weren’t working quite as hard as they had been a few minutes ago.
Eyes gritty, he straightened his spine and tilted his head side to side to alleviate the stiffness in his neck.
Should he give up and let Jovi take over?
Undoubtedly, she had far more experience navigating winter weather than he did.
Still, the stubborn part of him couldn’t handle relinquishing control.
Couldn’t handle the notion of anything going wrong.
Not with his precious little girl asleep in the back seat.
“Maybe we’re in a brief dead spot,” he said. “Didn’t you say this road was all about progress? Seems odd that you can’t text.”
“Yeah, I don’t get it either.” Jovi crumpled the candy bag into a ball and tucked it out of sight.
“Mining companies from Australia or someplace like that wanted access to the underground natural resources near here. People who own fly-in fishing lodges and other high-end accommodations felt their exclusivity was being threatened. They cater to a certain kind of client. Anyway, it was a protracted battle.”
“Did they think a road would give them more of an everyman clientele?”
Jovi yawned. “Excuse me. Sorry. It’s been a long day. I didn’t really keep up with all the debates. Evergreen has changed for the better since they built the road, according to my sister.”
“Has she lived there her whole life?”
“Yes, she has, and she’s currently the mayor.”
“Good for her,” Burke said. “That’s probably an intriguing role.”
“She seems to love it. Between that, managing operations at the candy company and keeping up with our grandmother’s care, Isabel’s a busy lady.”
“So about the candy company.” He drummed his thumb against the steering wheel. “Is that the place that put homemade marshmallows in hot chocolate and made that incredible chocolate with peanut butter in the middle?”
“Wait. Your aunt wouldn’t let you play with us, but you can still remember the marshmallows and the chocolate peanut butter balls?”
He shrugged. “I suspect Uncle Mac sneaked in the goods. That candy and those marshmallows were the highlights of our holiday visits. And the jelly she put on our toast. Man, that was delicious. What was the flavor?”
“Grammie made a mean rose-hip jelly.”
Burke snapped his fingers. “That’s it. Rose hip. The name used to make me laugh. I still dream about that stuff sometimes.”
“I hate to break it to you, but due to recent staff changes and lackluster sales, I’m not sure they’ll keep manufacturing all of the signature products.”
Whoa. Staff changes, declining sales and a broken machine. Regret knifed at him. Okay, so maybe he should’ve been more understanding about stopping to get that part they needed. “Is that why you’re coming home? To help keep the business afloat?”
Jovi hesitated. “I don’t know about that. My sister asked me to come home, help with day-to-day operations, and somehow convince our parents not to sell the company.”
“Big-city girl comes home to rescue her family’s small-town candy business. Sounds like one of those wretched made-for-TV movies.”
She didn’t bother to stifle her laughter this time.
“What’s so funny?”
“Nothing.” Jovi waved off his question, her shoulders trembling as she kept laughing.
“Please. Enlighten me. What’s so funny?”
“Oh, it’s just…” she tried to catch her breath “…not a surprise that you don’t like sweet, wholesome entertainment.”
“I need something with suspense,” he said. “International espionage. A propulsive plot. Is that so wrong?”
“Nope. Not wrong.”
He gave her the side-eye. “You’re mocking me.”
“Not mocking.” She held up her open hand. “It’s consistent with what I’ve observed about you so far, that’s all.”
“Daddy, where are we?” Darby Jane’s sleepy voice from the back seat interrupted their banter.
“Hey, sweet pea. Hang in there. We’re almost to Evergreen.”
“How much longer?” Darby Jane whined. “I’m thirsty.”
Jovi swiveled in her seat. “About thirty more miles. It won’t be long.”
“I can’t wait for thirty miles,” Darby Jane mumbled. “Do you have any water?”
Burke fumbled behind his seat for his backpack. “I have some water left over from our flight. It’s in the side pouch.”
Jovi tapped the overhead light on. “You focus on driving. I’ll get it.”
“Thanks.” He returned his hand to the wheel and blinked against the fatigue.
The plastic bottle crackled in Jovi’s hand. “Here you go, Darby Jane.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Jovi reached up to turn off the overhead light. She’d been so kind to Darby Jane. A pleasant warmth stirred in his chest. He forced himself to keep his eyes on the road.
Jovi was an attractive woman with delicate features, including a heart-shaped face and a pert, upturned nose.
Not that he was interested in romance. At all.
And especially not with someone from a family his aunt had been feuding with for decades.
Once they were settled, he’d have to do some covert investigating.
Because Aunt Lois didn’t have a vindictive bone in her body.
There had to be a valid reason for the rift between his family and the Wrights.
And if there was one thing writing books had taught him, it was how to research.
He’d make it his mission to get to the bottom of this feud.