“Told you I’d make you scream.”
She shoved his shoulder. “Incorrigible lout.”
He laughed, pulled her in for a tight hug, and delivered a smacking kiss to her forehead. The spontaneous gesture of affection felt more intimate than anything else they’d done, and it gave her a thrill of happiness.
If she wasn’t careful, Mack Donnelly would wiggle his way into her heart.
Her pulse fluttered again, but this time from apprehension. It would be an enormous mistake to fall for her editor. What if he wanted more than she could give him? She wasn’t ready for anything serious…right? With that troubling thought, she sat up and shook out her tangled hair.
Drawing one coat around her, she said, “As much as I would like to lie around all day, I really can’t miss the event.”
Mack rose to his elbows, giving her a searching look. “Then we’d better get going.”
Winnie gave him a tight smile and went in search of her driest clothing. She had just pulled on her base layers when there was a rustle in the tall grasses atop the cliff at the edge of the narrow beach. She paused. Wild animals didn’t frequent the beach, did they? The rustling continued, and the newcomers revealed themselves not with snarls or growls, but with childish giggles. “Who’s there?”
A second later, she was shoved behind Mack, his broad back blocking her from view. She peeked around his biceps and found the source.
Two adorable children less than ten years old stood on the cliff above them. They had black hair, tanned skin, and wide smiles. Though they wore western clothing, the little girl’s braided hair and jewelry identified them as Indian. Winnie’s eyes widened with fascination as the little girl smiled and waved.
“Good morning,” Mack called, and added quieter to her, “They’re Skagit children. They must have a potlatch house nearby.”
They quickly dressed, but Mack stayed her with one hand when she tried to follow him. “I’m familiar with some of the Indians, so I’ll speak to their family while you gather your belongings. If it’s someone I know, maybe I can secure us a ride.”
She hurriedly folded and stuffed their belongings in the valises. She had just finished when Mack and the children reappeared, accompanied by a Skagit man.
“Mrs. Winnifred West, this is Chief Daniel Snaklum, or, as he’s better known around Oak Harbor, Old Dan. His wife, Katy, is good friends with my aunt.”
She smiled warmly. “Please to meet you.”
“They’ve offered us a ride to town,” Mack said.
“Are you sure you can handle another wagon ride?”
“Not by wagon.” He gave her a cheeky grin. “By canoe.”
Now that was an adventure she could get behind.
CHAPTER16
Winnie gaped at the hotel clerk in dismay. “What do you mean you gave away my room?”
The clerk gave Winnie’s tightly fisted hands a nervous look. “I beg your pardon, ma’am, but you didn’t appear for your reservation yesterday, nor did you send word of your late arrival. I’ll refund your payment, but I’m afraid we rented your room.”
“And there are no other rooms available?”
“I’m afraid not, ma’am. This is a small town, and travel plans have been delayed because of the persistent fog. I had to rent the room to those in need.”
“ButI’min need.”
“Again, I’m terribly sorry.”
She clung to her patience. “Then can you please give me the address of another hotel?”
The clerk took a step backwards. “At the moment, we’re the only open hotel in town.”
“Oh, cheese on a platter.” She had beenthisclose to a hot bath.
There was a low chuckle, and then Mack was at her side. He leaned an elbow on the desk and asked, “Everything all right? What’s the delay?”
