4
Early the next morning, Julie banged on the cabin door her cousin Saylor had rented for the week, praying she wouldn’t ask too many questions. Shifting from one foot to the other, Julie glanced back to her cousin’s truck parked in the driveway. She was definitely here.
The deadbolt clicked, and Julie whipped her head back to the door. “What took you so long?”
“Wow. Good morning to you too.” Saylor’s wet hair dripped onto her bare shoulders. A large towel wrapped around her. “You okay?”
No, Julie wasn’t okay, but she couldn’t let her cousin know why. Saylor stepped back and motioned Julie in.
“I’m fine.” She forced a smile when Saylor’s eyebrow rose.
“You sure? Because the way you were banging down the door, I thought for sure someone had died or something.” Saylor closed the door and shivered.
“No, nothing like that.” Julie sighed and turned to her cousin. “Can I stay with you? I can sleep on the floor.”
“Yeah, sure. I’d love to have you here before you leave.” Saylor hiked the towel higher. “What’s wrong with the B&B?”
“Nothing. It’s great, just… crowded.” Julie rushed on before Saylor could point out Julie usually enjoyed being around people. “There are a lot of other mushers there getting ready for the Quest.” Not a lie. “I just need to be somewhere that doesn’t have a million dogs barking and people sizing each other up.”
Not so true. She loved the atmosphere that bubbled the few days before the Yukon Quest started. She’d spent every February in that sphere for as long as she could remember. Part of the inn’s appeal was how they hosted Quest runners each year, but there was no way she could be in the same house as Gunnar. She thought she could. All night long she had tried to talk herself into believing it wouldn’t be a big deal, but she couldn’t.
Not now.
Maybe next year when she could mentally prepare herself.
She shook her head.
Probably not.
He’d just gotten more handsome with his rugged beard and piercing dark eyes. He’d built himself some nice muscles under that shirt she’d had the misfortune of pressing her hands against. She didn’t think she could ever prepare herself for being around all that. Plus, the awkwardness between them depressed her, tore at her heart that was already nothing but tatters. Kind of sucked to find out after all these years, she still had enough heart left to pound at the sight of him.
Exactly why she had to leave. She couldn’t let his sudden return distract her from getting ready for the expedition. One mistake could cost the team their safety and reaching the Pole. There was no way she’d let herself be the weak link, not after how hard she’d worked to prove she belonged.
Saylor’s eyes narrowed at Julie, making her break out in a sweat. “What’s going on with you? You’re acting weird.”
“Nothing’s going on with me.” Why’d Julie’s voice get all squeaky?
“You know I can read you like a book, right? And not the classic literature kind. You’re a picture book to me.” Saylor circled her finger at Julie’s face. “There is so much happening on your pretty little face right now. In fact, your entire body is one of those fancy pop-up books, all this excitement in 3D.”
Saylor crossed her arms over her chest, making Julie swallow. She had to come up with something, but her brain was half scrambled like a pan full of runny eggs. Her gaze darted around the little room.
“I’m just nervous about the expedition, is all. I don’t want the distraction of others right now.” She tucked a loose hair behind her ear.
Her hasty braid had come apart in her rush to leave the inn. Letting out a slow breath, she stared Saylor down. Saylor held her gaze for so long, Julie worried she’d break.
“Okay.” Saylor shrugged and stepped toward the bathroom. “There’s only one bed, but it’s a king so we won’t have to cuddle.”
“Oh, I’ll just camp out on the floor. I’m okay with that.” Julie let her gaze wander the cute cabin, willing her tight muscles to relax.
“Jules, what part of ‘king bed’ didn’t you understand? There’s plenty of room for both of us plus half your dog team, and I’m not letting your last few nights of warmth and comfort be spent sleeping on the floor.” Saylor shook her head, calling over her shoulder as she entered the bathroom.
She snapped the door shut with a chuckle. Julie slumped onto the couch and plopped her head in her hands. She hated she was so twisted up over her run-in with Gunnar. Maybe she should’ve stayed and faced the giant, so to speak. Then she wouldn’t have this sense that she had scurried into hiding.
Which was exactly what she did.
“Ugh, why’d he have to show up now? Why not after the expedition? Or here’s a thought, why’d he have to show up at all?” She pushed her hands through her hair, yanking even more hair from her braid. “And why’d I have to be thrown off balance?”
“By who?” Saylor’s question startled a yelp out of Julie.