Chapter 2
Greeting the tour group, Parker began checking everyone in, using the list he’d printed out and attached to his clipboard.
He’d never been happier to have a distraction than right this moment.
When Genna MacDougal had walked through the door, he’d taken one look at her and his entire body had gone on full alert.
Everything had come rushing back; the steamy sex they’d shared, her perfect body, and how sensual and uninhibited she’d been.
Since she’d made it clear she wanted to forget about that night, he’d have to figure out a way to do so. They needed someone to keep RTA running way more than he needed to rehash what had been a pretty spectacular night one year ago.
At least it had been to him. Obviously, Genna didn’t feel the same. When her deep green eyes had met his, he’d seen no hint of the desire that had been coursing through him. Though not unfriendly, she’d been detached and professional. Exactly as any new employee might be.
He finished checking in the guests. In the future, Genna would be doing this task.
Once he knew he had everyone, he gave his standard safety speech and then they all followed him toward one of the storage barns to collect their four-wheelers.
This adventure consisted of a lot of off-road driving, which had always been one of his specialties.
Just what he needed to take his mind off their new office manager.
Two hours later, as he led the group back to the RTA storage barn, he went through the motions of signing everyone out as they returned their four-wheelers.
Once everything was done, he sent them all back inside to speak with Genna and check out.
He had to clean the vehicles and make sure the gas tanks were full so they’d be ready for the next group.
Which would be tomorrow. Since the end of season neared, everyone seemed determined to pack in as many adventures as possible.
Which was great for business. Lakin had claimed she’d hated to leave while RTA was so busy, but since there rarely was a time when they were completely slow, this would be as good a time as any.
Even though winter had always been their quietest season. Most people tended to hunker down with family, choosing to take their vacations in better weather.
Except for the snowbirds and the native Alaskans. As soon as the first flakes of snow started to fly, they geared up for fun. Skiing, snowboarding, ice fishing, all of that. It might be cold, but these clients were too busy having fun to care.
RTA had been under a lot of pressure to add guided hunting to their expeditions, but so far, they’d resisted.
There were a lot of hunting guides already operating in the area and in such an overcrowded field, the competition was fierce.
Safety shortcuts were routinely taken and the Colton family wanted no part of a client getting hurt or, worse, killed.
Instead, they stuck to the tried-and-true winter activities. This decision had worked well for them so far. For RTA employees, winter had become a time of rejuvenation and peace.
Parker always got restless this time of the year, though he wasn’t sure why.
Certain activities had begun to wind down though others had picked up.
Aurora season was at a prime and RTA took advantage of that, leading numerous and popular late-night expeditions.
October also brought in several guests to take fall sightseeing and wildlife tours, and since trout were abundant, Parker led a lot of successful fishing trips.
The change of seasons hovered on the horizon and the temperatures had begun to drop.
The gray skies became more frequent, though there were often a few brilliantly gorgeous days full of sunshine.
The scent of snow often swept in on the crisp north wind, though when moisture fell, it was rain.
Nature seemed to be waiting, holding her breath.
Since Parker loved winter almost as much as summer, he waited impatiently for the first snow.
He’d always loved the comforting ritual of building a fire in his woodstove and kicking back to watch the white flakes fall.
If he felt lonely, which he did sometimes, he brushed it off.
His job kept him busy and, for now, that had to be enough.
He moved on to the next four-wheeler. This one needed air in one of the tires, so he took care of that before topping off the gas tank.
Since this was mindless work, his thoughts returned to Genna. Once he’d learned she’d returned to Shelby, he’d never taken the time to seek her out and explain what had happened and why he’d never called her.
After the wild night they’d had, he’d had to get up at the crack of dawn to meet a 6:00 a.m. tour group and then realized when he’d gotten back that he’d lost her number.
RTA had been super busy that weekend, so by the time he’d found a minute to go look for her, Genna had already left town.
And then he’d learned from Lakin that Genna was married.
No wonder she’d said she wasn’t looking for a relationship.
She’d already had one. She’d been in town visiting her parents before returning home to her husband.
While he had no idea what kind of man her husband might be, she must have needed that single hot and passionate night as badly as he had, maybe even more.
Though he’d found it difficult to think of her as the kind of woman who’d cheat on her husband, the passion that had blazed between them had revealed the truth.
Since he hadn’t wanted any part of being the other man, he’d put Genna from his mind. Until she’d returned to Shelby. And even then, he’d managed to avoid her.
But then Lakin had revealed that she’d learned Genna had been going through a nasty divorce the last time she’d been in town. Which meant she hadn’t been having an affair with Parker. She’d been dealing with a lot at the time of their hookup. His ghosting her had likely made her feel even worse.
The thought made him wince. No doubt about it, he owed her an apology. That way, they both could move on with their lives.
Once he’d finished up with the four-wheelers, he locked the shed and headed back toward the office. By the time he got there, most of the tour group had gone. Only one vehicle, a large, jacked-up truck, remained in the parking area.
Pulling open the front door, which sent the little bell tinkling, he saw the remaining guest leaning on the front counter, talking to Genna.
“Jeff Prentiss, right?” Parker said, letting himself in behind the counter. The tall, broad-shouldered man had been a bit of a show-off on the trails, but at least he’d listened when Parker had given instructions.
“Right,” Jeff replied. With all his attention fixed on Genna, he barely looked at Parker. “So, what do you say, Genna? Drinks tonight or tomorrow?”
Expression tight, Genna nonetheless managed a smile. “Thanks, but like I said, I’m not interested. Here at RTA, we appreciate your business. Now, if there’s not anything else, you’re all finished up and you can go.”
Jeff didn’t move. As if he thought by standing his ground, Genna would somehow change her mind.
Parker took a step forward, his hands balled into fists. “Is there something else you need?” he asked, allowing a hint of warning to enter his voice. “If not, I’ll be happy to escort you to your vehicle.”
Finally, Jeff turned his head to look at Parker. The open hostility in his ruddy face made Parker straighten. “I’d appreciate you giving us a little space,” he said. “I’m still talking to Genna.”
“No, we’re all done,” Genna countered. “As a matter of fact, I’m about to go back to my office and start getting caught up on things.”
“But you haven’t agreed to go out with me yet,” Jeff said. “I can’t leave until I know when we’re meeting.”
About to open his mouth to tell the guy off, Parker closed it when Genna shot Jeff a withering look. “First off, I’m not going out with you. Not tonight or tomorrow night. Not ever. I don’t know how to make that any clearer.”
She took a deep breath and then pointed to the exit.
“Since you don’t seem to understand how to take no for an answer, let me make things clear.
You need to go. You’re finished with your trip.
If you want to book another, you can do that online.
Have a nice day.” With that, she spun around and disappeared into the back office.
For the space of a few heartbeats, Parker thought Jeff might be foolish enough to go after her. He got ready, just in case he needed to physically stop him.
“She needs to listen to me,” Jeff muttered. “I know I can convince her.”
“No, you can’t, and no, she doesn’t.”
Jeff narrowed his gaze, focusing on Parker. “I just need five minutes.” He made a move, like he intended to slip in behind the counter and head for the back office.
“I wouldn’t if I were you,” Parker said. “You need to leave. Right now.”
“How about you and me settle this outside?”
“I’d be glad to.” Though Jeff wasn’t a small man, Parker had several inches and at least twenty pounds on him. Maybe a fight would be just the thing to help him get over his jumbled feelings.
Clearly, Jeff hadn’t been expecting Parker to take him up on his offer.
“Let’s go,” Parker said, moving out from behind the counter to the door and holding it open. “I’m suddenly in the mood for a fight. My only rule is no weapons—no knife or gun or anything other than fists.”
Jeff mumbled a curse and stalked past him. Parker followed him out. But instead of turning to make good on his threat, Jeff strode over to his lifted truck and left.
Since the next group wasn’t due to arrive for an hour and Spence would be taking them river rafting, Parker locked the dead bolt. When he turned around, he saw Genna had come back out front.