Eric wasn’t a bad guy. But… moving in with strangers?
When I took him up on this offer, I’d expected it to feel awkward at first. And I was right. It did.
I was hoping that he’d settle down tomorrow and stop coming on so strong.
Putting that aside I breathed in deeply, my exhale coming out as a frosty plume.
The snow was thick tonight. The night cool. The moon dim.
It was perfect walking weather for me to clear my head.
But Gwen was competing for space in there. Instead of thinking things through as I walked, I found my mind drifting back to her.
The scent of magnolias had clung to Gwen, and I could still make out a hint of her perfume, as though some of it had migrated onto me when she’d stepped close.
Or maybe it’s on the bear spray canister.
I pulled it out of my pocket and inhaled deeply. Yeah. It smelled like her. It smelledgood.
What was a woman as beautiful as her doing out here in the middle of nowhere? And why was she turning down all the men’s advances as fast as they came in?
She had a story to tell. Just like me. I knew it in my bones.
But having my head turned by a beautiful woman was not on my list of things to do. I needed to keep my head clear and my dick contained. This was not the right time in my life.
And she looked like the kind of woman who’d make the perfect wife for some decent man out there.
The last thing she needed was an old army shadow like me sniffing around her sweet tits.
Chapter 3
Gwen
Breakfast was a tense affair.
Knox had slept in the barracks bunkhouse by himself last night. It could house up to a dozen men at a time. But since Knox was the first one ever, he was kind of like the trial run.
The night’s sleep hadn’t lifted his mood.
Poor Eric kept trying to talk to the guy, but Knox just grunted and gave short responses, looking like he wanted to be anywhere but here.
Despite his gruff demeanor, I’d found myself taking extra care with my appearance this morning. Instead of old, ratty sweats, I’d put on a new cute pair of joggers that highlighted my butt. And I’d taken some time to style my hair before coming out of the bedroom to greet my housemates.
Eric continued, “And later on today I thought we’d go see my buddy, Leroy. He’s ex-military, too, and—”
Knox cut him off. “What Ireallywant is to get started with work. You mentioned a sawmill that might be hiring?”
“Uh, yeah. But don’t you want to take some time and settle in before you—”
“No.” The way he boomed the word out left no questions in the air.
But Eric didn’t take that no for an answer. “The logging camp might be a better fit. There’s a lot of ex-army guys out there and—”
“Naw. Sawmill.”
A flash of annoyance crossed Eric’s face. “The logging camp has alotof openings. You could start right away. It’s run by the Harrisons. The sawmill only hasonespot. And it will probably go to a local. You have to interview for that one. With the logging camp there’s no interview. You’re just in. You can either work for the Harrisons or the Harringtons. And everyoneIknow works for the Harrisons.”
Knox gripped the fork in his hand tightly, a bite of breakfast sausage suspended in midair. “I’d prefer to try the sawmill.”
