How sweet was that?She leaned back to study his face.In the firelight, he looked rugged and untamed.Totally sexy.“Also, and this is weird, it looks like I actually get the million dollars from Jarod’s insurance policy that he took out just to look like we were both on the same page with the life insurance.”She swallowed.“I won’t want that money and would like to donate it to Knife’s Edge Native Association.”She held her breath.
“I like that.”His gaze warmed.“Excellent idea.”
Her body calmed.It figured that Christian wouldn’t care less about money.However, he loved his brothers.“Don’t you think we should tell Ace that Doc May was charged with Jarod’s murder?”May’s arraignment had gone just like Amka’s, via Zoom, and so far, nobody in town even knew about it.May was out on bail for the time being, working as their only doctor.Apparently Daisy had painted a dire image of what would happen to the town if they didn’t have a doctor for any length of time.
“Not today.Maybe those two should figure it out together?”Was that amusement in Christian’s voice?Seemed like it.
Amka narrowed her eyes.“Don’t tell me that the mysterious, wounded, and badass Christian Osprey is a matchmaker.”
“Say that again and I’ll spank you.”While he sounded lazy and amused, he probably wasn’t kidding.
“I’m comfortable right now.I’ll say it again later.”She rested her head against his good shoulder, listening to his heartbeat.“I like that you’re no longer fighting us and thinking I could do better.”
He shifted her slightly.“You probably could do better, but it’s too late for that.You’re in my heart, and I’m determined to be in yours.We’ll just have to figure it out.”His broad and strong body remained relaxed around her, as if once the decision had been made, he was totally at peace with it.
She tilted her head to better see his eyes.“You’ve been in mine for months.I love you, Christian.You’re better than anybody else in the world for me, and I hope you someday realize that.”
“Sure.”He kissed her nose, something passing through his eyes.He liked being told he was loved.She’d have to do that every day.“Doesn’t matter.You’re with me.”He frowned.“It’s going to be hell leaving you this summer for AWT training.Like I need training.”His jaw clenched.
She ran her palm along the stubble, smiling when his jaw relaxed.“It’ll go fast, and you’ll make an amazing Alaska Wildlife Trooper.It’s the perfect job for you.”In fact, he was already back on the case with Dutch, although they didn’t have any leads yet.Dutch’s lead hadn’t panned out.That was something she’d worry about another day, and she liked the idea of Christian and Dutch working together.“I’m glad you’re going that avenue.”He needed a purpose to be happy, and he liked protecting and defending.It made sense.
“As am I.”
She played with a button on his dark flannel.There was nothing like a mountain man who looked good in flannel.“Have you heard from Damian?”
“Yep.He successfully deleted every copy of the video showing Hank’s death, even from the cloud.However, he hasn’t found his wife.”Christian flashed a smile.A real one.“That’s going to be fun to watch.I’ve never seen D so ruffled.”
“I guess.”Amka really wanted to find Nixi and get to know her better.How fascinating.The woman was practically a spy.Or actually one.“I scrolled through social media, and not only are all of her posts gone, so is the one about you carrying me out of that fire.It’s completely gone.”What kind of connections did it take to really get something off the internet?Like completely?
Christian stared at the fire.“She came to town for a reason, and Damian is the only one I can see.So she’ll be back.”
“I hope so.”
Christian tangled his fingers in her hair and drew back her head, taking her mouth.He kissed her deep and full, sending sparks of fire to her core.Throughout her entire body.Then he released her.“I love you, Amka.Want to share a name.I’ll get a ring and all that, but I wanted you to know.”
She blinked.“Are you asking me to marry you?”
He kissed her again.“I’ll do it with a ring.I’m more just telling you that it’s happening.Probably later this summer.”
Happiness filled her along with amusement.Maybe a little exasperation.“The proposal is happening later this summer?”
“No.The wedding.”
She paused.Then chuckled.“What am I going to do with you?”
“Live happily ever after with me and my wolf-husky snoring mutt.”
Yeah.That sounded just about perfect.
Keepup with the crew in Alaska with Ace’s book,Burn of Summer!
If you enjoyedthe Alaska wilderness, give Idaho a try with the Anna Albertini Files.Here’s a quick excerpt from Anna’s newest release,Habeas Corpus:
Two elderly women walked inside the store, chattering happily about finding the perfect wedding gift for somebody named Allison as they shook snow off their coats on the mat.I stopped walking and hovered, not wanting to startle them.In unison, they silenced and looked at me.The tallest one screamed and laboriously pulled a humungous silver-barreled revolver out of her wide crocheted purse.
I froze.“Whoa.”
Her hand shook on the obviously heavy weapon.She was about my height and slender beneath her black wool coat, the long sleeves partially covering her hands.“Don’t move.”
