Beau walked away, leaving Finn with his thoughts. Was he doing the right thing? Or would he be better off leaving now and keeping his distance? His bear pawed at his insides, wholly rejecting that idea.
Activity in and around the lodge began to pick up. Finn was just about to leave when it hit him—the sweet and crisp fragrance that roused his bear. Seconds later, Lainey appeared in the entranceway. She scanned the room, much the same as he had been doing, her eyes lighting up when she spotted him.
He waved. She waved back. Lightness filled his chest, and he decided to stick around.
He watched as she went to the buffet and got herself some coffee and something to eat, then approached his table.
“May I?” she asked, nodding toward one of the empty chairs.
“Be my guest.”
She sat down and took several sips off her coffee before smiling apologetically. “I’m afraid I’m not much for conversation in the morning.”
He chuckled. “My sister’s the same way. I’ve learned not to say anything to her until she’s at least on her second cup.”
He liked the fact that she didn’t feel the need to chatter incessantly and was content to wait as she savored her breakfast and sipped her coffee. When she finished, she set her empty plate to the side and picked up her second mug.
“Okay, I think I’m ready to be civil now. Thanks for being patient with me.”
“No problem. Have you given any thought to what you’d like to do today?”
“I was thinking of doing a self-guided walking tour of Aurora Falls.”
“Not into the group thing, huh?”
Her eyes shuttered as she looked down at her coffee. “No, not really. I’m not much of a people person, to be honest, which is probably why I do better with animals than with people.” She raised her gaze to his and regarded him curiously. “You seem to be the exception.”
He was thinking exactly the same thing about her. “I’m honored. Thank you. And in that case, would you like some company on your tour? I do know a little bit about the area.”
“Are you sure you don’t mind? I don’t want to keep you from anything.”
“No worries. I don’t have anywhere to be until later tonight. My day is completely open.”
“In that case, I gratefully accept your generous offer.”
Lainey
UNLIKE THE DAY BEFORE, the sky wasn’t a perfect clear blue. Steel-gray clouds loomed above as the edge of the storm front moved closer. It made it easier to walk around town without the blinding reflection of bright sunshine on snow, ice, and water—as well as to spot and avoid the official walking tour group, led by someone named Roy.
Lainey stifled a giggle as Finn tugged her into the shadows of the crumbling building and put a finger to his lips. Sure enough, the group passed by, pausing only briefly as the guide recited a few facts and anecdotes.
It wasn’t the first time they’d done a duck-and-avoid. Each time, it made her feel like a mischievous kid trying not to get caught doing something naughty even though they weren’t doing anything wrong.
Then again, maybe it was just spending time with Finn that made her feel younger. He had a way of making her feel lighter.
“You must have incredible hearing,” she told him in a hushed voice.
He tapped his nose and grinned. “Nah. It’s Roy’s Old Spice. We’re downwind.”
“You must be part polar bear. Did you know polar bears have one of the keenest senses of smell in the animal kingdom? They can sniff out a seal on the ice over twenty miles away.”
His arctic-green eyes twinkled. “You know your polar bear trivia, eh?”
She shrugged. “I’ve always liked polar bears. Confession? I have a collection of stuffed ones on my bed at home. I never sleep without one.”
Finn looked away and peered around the corner. “I think it’s safe now.”
I probably shouldn’t have admitted that, she thought as Finn led her back out into the open.
She’d never told anyone about her ice bear obsession. Even Henry believed she’d grown out of it years ago. She made a mental note not to mention her Swarovski crystal bear collection or the polar bear–themed oven mitts and dish towels she had in her kitchen. Finn might start to think she had a problem.
Over the course of the next several hours, Finn took her to old Inuit whale-meat racks, the remains of rusty and old shipwrecks, and several sites that had some importance to the local community. She enjoyed every minute. Not only was Finn charming and funny, but he was also quite knowledgeable. Rather than simply recite facts, he talked about the people behind the stories, too, bringing them to life the way only someone who really cared about the area and its inhabitants could.
When she told him as much, he replied, “I do care. I come from a long line of fishermen who’ve made this area their home.”
“Are you a fisherman?”
“You mean, when I’m not providing personal tours?” he teased.
“Yes.”
“Then, yes. My father and I run the family business.”
Eventually, the sky began to darken in earnest, and it was time to return to the lodge. Despite spending the whole day with Finn, Lainey still felt a sense of loss when he left to do whatever it was that he had to do. The only consolation was, he didn’t seem any happier about it than she did.
Bypassing the restaurant, Lainey went back to her suite, ordered room service, and prepared for a cozy night in. Perhaps it was for the best. If she’d invited him back to her suite for room service and hot-tubbing, he probably would’ve ended up spending the night.
Would that have been so bad? she asked herself as she removed the cover, slipped into the Jacuzzi, and let the pulsing jets knead her tired muscles.
Her answer: No. It wouldn’t have. Not bad at all.
Chapter Nine
Finn
Finn’s bear was grumpy. He hadn’t wanted to leave Lainey. He wanted to follow her into her suite and spend the rest of the evening wallowing in her scent and covering her with his.
Which was exactly why he’d had to leave. His bear wanted Lainey just a little too much, and feeling that level of want for a human female—especially one of Bill’s VIP guests—had trouble written all over it.
As if to prove that point, Bill was waiting for him at the rec center. Most of the kids were already there, killing time by playing video games and grabbing snacks until showtime.
“Finn, got a minute?”
Finn glanced at the clock on the wall and nodded. He followed Bill to the office and waited until Bill closed the door.
Bill’s mouth pulled down in a frown. “I want to talk to you about one of our VIP guests. Dr. Lainey Swann. I believe you’ve met.”
“We have,” Finn said carefully.
“Beau says you went on a helicopter tour with her yesterday.”
“That’s true,” Finn admitted. “I was at breakfast when Beau suggested it. Dr. Swann was on the fence. We thought she’d feel more comfortable if someone else went along.” It was mostly true.
Bill nodded. “Beau told me that too.”
He still didn’t know where Bill was going with this. Bill was a good guy, but he sometimes had trouble getting to the point.