Love At Last

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Delia leaned into the backseat of the car, reaching with one arm to find the present Nick had picked out for his friend’s birthday. Her fingers slipped on the wrapping paper. She reflexively curled her hand around the gift only to cringe at the sound of paper tearing. With a sigh, she yanked the present forward. Two finger-shaped holes marred the surface. Blue fur taunted her through the holes. Nick had spent close to an hour finding the perfect stuffed whale at a toy store in Anchorage last week. One of the joys of being a single mother was constantly hurrying, constantly feeling as if she wasn’t quite measuring up to what her little boy needed. Today’s joy was perfectly encapsulated in the fact she’d been in too much of a rush to turn around and look for the damn present. Tears pricked at her eyes.

Seriously, Delia? It’s not a big deal.

Another sigh and Delia forced her brain to shut up. Some days, it was hard not to get down over little things. She’d learned to let go of so much. Her dream of being a chef at a fancy restaurant somewhere big had been whittled down to its nub. She’d come full circle and now worked in the same kitchen her mother had managed when she was a little girl. She thanked the stars every day that she loved it. Her dream was simply gone, vanished in the harsh light of reality. The familiarity of the kitchen at Last Frontier Lodge offered a comfort she hadn’t known she needed. She hadn’t imagined being a mother like this—when she could barely pay the bills and constantly hoped she was good enough. When Gage Hamilton had offered Delia her mother’s old job at the ski lodge, she’d experienced a mix of euphoria and resignation. Euphoria because she could finally consider finding her own place with a steady income. Resignation because she was treading a familiar path—staying in her hometown and essentially following her mother’s footsteps with the glaring exception that Delia hadn’t married a steady man such as her father. No, she’d fallen in l**t in college and confused it with love. Once she’d settled into her job at the ski lodge, she realized she loved the comfort. She still felt like she was ten steps behind when it came to keeping up with everything she needed to do for Nick, but she did the best she could.

She smoothed out the torn wrapping paper and dug through the glove compartment, grinning when she found a roll of tape. She carefully taped the paper back together and climbed out of the car. Just in time because the school bus pulled up right behind her. Nick came barreling off the bus on the heels of his best friend, Roddy Hale. She’d arranged for him to ride the bus here since she didn’t have time to get to school before the bell.

“Mom!”

Nick raced straight for her, flinging his arms around her waist. She ruffled his almost-black hair and dropped a kiss on his head. “Hey sweetie.” She pulled away and knelt down. “Do you want to carry Roddy’s present inside? Or have me give it to his mom?”

Nick’s blue eyes met hers, wide and bright. “I’ll carry it,” he announced. As soon as she pulled it out from behind her back, he grabbed it and immediately punctured the wrapping paper in another spot. He didn’t even notice. Delia chuckled as he whirled away and ran across the lawn to Roddy’s house. She followed at a slower pace. Kathryn, Roddy’s mother, met her at the door.

“Hey Delia, you staying for the party?”

Delia shook her head. “I have to get to work soon, but I wanted to see if you needed any help with set up.”

Kathryn leaned in the doorway. “Thanks for the offer, but I’m keeping it simple this time. I’ve discovered a roomful of six-year old boys can destroy the best-laid plans. I’ve got paper plates, plastic cups and beanbags all over the living room. Until it’s time to eat, they’ll be running loose in the backyard,” she offered with a grin and a shrug.

Delia chuckled, a sense of relief washing through her. Kathryn was one of the mothers who made her feel less like a complete mess. “Sounds like a plan. I can pick Nick up around ten tomorrow. Will that be okay?”

Kathryn nodded. “He can stay as long as he needs to. He’s such a good kid. Just text me when you’re ready to pick him up.”

Moments later, Delia climbed back out of her car and headed into Misty Mountain Café. She’d given herself a cushion of time to get to work in case Kathryn needed some help, so now she had time for coffee. Misty Mountain was her favorite local coffee shop, a preference shared by many locals and tourists. She walked into a crowd of people waiting in line. She took her place at the end and glanced around. Misty Mountain was housed in an old Quonset hut. There were many scattered throughout Alaska from its days as a strategic area during World War II. The old huts, utilitarian tubes of corrugated steel, had been refurbished into many uses across Alaska. Misty Mountain was certainly not the only restaurant housed in a Quonset hut. The owners had taken advantage of the cavernous space and decorated it with bright fabrics and artwork.

Delia was idly reading the specials listed on a chalkboard behind the counter when someone tapped her on the shoulder. Turning, she found Marley Adams, an old friend and Gage’s new wife, grinning.

“Hey Marley! I just stopped by on my way up to the lodge. Coffee run for Gage and my dad?”

Marley’s green eyes crinkled at the corners when her smile expanded. “Yup. They’re heading up to install a new heater in one of the ski huts, so I figured I’d pick up some stuff from the bakery and plenty of coffee for them. Is Nick coming with you today?”

Delia shook her head. “Nope. He’s at a birthday party through tonight. He’ll be worn out tomorrow, that’s for sure.”

Marley nudged Delia’s shoulder. Delia glanced around to see the line moving forward. She took a quick step before turning back.

“Did you know Garrett was coming up for a visit?” Delia blurted out. She couldn’t put the brakes on her curiosity about Garrett. Well, it went far beyond curiosity. More like an intense, driving interest. She couldn’t stop thinking about his kiss yesterday morning. He’d left her flustered with liquid heat swirling in her belly. She’d been simultaneously relieved and disappointed she hadn’t seen him again for the remainder of the day.

Marley shook her head, her auburn hair swishing side to side in its loose ponytail. “Go figure. Garrett was the least likely of Gage’s siblings to randomly show up. I told him he was lucky you were working so late that night. If you hadn’t been there, he’d have frozen on the porch.”

Their conversation paused when they made it to the front of the line. After they both ordered coffees, they grabbed a table by the windows. Delia scanned the familiar view. Growing up in Diamond Creek, sometimes she took for granted its breathtaking location. It sat on the western side of the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska. The Kenai Peninsula was situated in southcentral Alaska, stretching into the pristine waters of the Pacific Ocean. Cook Inlet threaded its way from the ocean into Alaska. Several volcanoes were nearby with mountains encircling the town and rising tall across Kachemak Bay. Diamond Creek lay on the shores of Kachemak Bay, a world-famous fishing location and draw for wilderness lovers and those seeking out glimpses of Alaska’s phenomenal vistas. In addition to fishing, hunting, and eco-tourism, Diamond Creek was once again graced with a ski lodge. Delia couldn’t help her smile as she considered how happy her father was to be part of the resurrection of Last Frontier Lodge.

“What?” Marley asked.

Delia turned away from the window. “Huh?”

“What’s that smile for?”

Delia’s smile returned. “Oh, just thinking how happy my dad’s been to have the lodge up and running again.”

Marley grinned and took a sip of coffee. “I know. Gage couldn’t have done it without him, that’s for sure. Not to mention, Gage would’ve been lost in that restaurant without you.”

Delia fiddled with a napkin. “Well, it’s working out pretty good for me. It’s the first time since I’ve had Nick that I can actually save a little money.” She paused and considered her words. Marley was an old friend. Their parents had been close when they were growing up, but Marley had always intimidated Delia a little. She was so damn smart. Until last year when Marley came back and Delia learned she’d been through her own special hell after she got robbed and assaulted, Delia had assumed Marley was living the dream life. While Delia had been silly enough to fall in l**t and get pregnant in college. She’d never have known how quickly her dreams of being a chef in a fancy restaurant could be shoved sideways. Just as she’d never have known Nick’s entrance into her world could so easily have made everything else seem petty.

She glanced across the table at Marley and shrugged. “I can’t tell you how much it meant to have Gage offer me the job. Once upon a time, I wanted to live in the big city like you did, but now I just want to be in the place I love and make sure I can take care of Nick.”

Marley’s warm green gaze met hers. “The big city isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. I wish I’d figured that out a little sooner.” She paused and glanced out the window. “Looks like Garrett found his way down here.” Marley glanced back to Delia. “Did Garrett say anything about why he was here when he showed up the other night?”

“No. When I asked if Gage knew he was coming, he said no. I wondered if you knew.”

Marley shook her head. “Nope. When Gage asked him yesterday, Garrett made it seem like he just got this idea he needed a break. But Gage said that’s so out of the ordinary for Garrett, he doesn’t even know what to think. He’s worried, but he doesn’t want to pressure Garrett.”

Delia’s curiosity started to run wild, but she kept her expression bland. “Oh. Huh. I guess maybe you’ll figure it out at some point. How long is he staying?”

“That’s the weird part. He said he plans to stay at least a month and maybe longer. Garrett hasn’t taken a vacation since forever, according to Gage.” Marley shrugged and stopped talking, nodding toward the door.

Delia turned and watched Garrett walking into the café. His shoulders flexed with the swing of his arms. His jacket was open, revealing a t-shirt pulled tight across his muscled chest. His dark hair was ruffled from the wind outside. Even across the room, his bright blue eyes were visible. They landed on her. Instantly, her body tightened, heat racing through her. He walked across the café, his stride long and loose.

“Gage mentioned you might be here,” Garrett said by way of greeting with a nod to Marley.

Marley held the takeout tray of coffees aloft. “I’m on a delivery mission. I need to get going actually. I’m glad you’re here though. You can keep Delia company.” Marley stood and swung her purse over her shoulder. “I’ll see both of you later, I’m sure.” Her ponytail swished in time with her walk as she left.

In most circumstances, Delia would have found it easy to make polite conversation with a friend’s relative. With Garrett, it wasn’t so easy. His kiss the other morning had started a simmering heat that quickly turned into a flash fire. She was out of practice with kisses, much less with managing this wild attraction to Garrett.

She forced a smile when she glanced up at him. “Planning to get a coffee?”

Garrett’s smile was slow and sensual. “Hello to you too. Coffee’s the reason I’m here. Any suggestions?”

Delia felt silly that she hadn’t even bothered to say hello. The flush already heating her face got hotter. “Right. Hello, um… Pretty much everything’s good here. You can go with basic coffee or something fancier. Their pastries are really good too.”

Garrett hooked his thumb in the belt loop of his jeans, the weight tugging his jeans down just enough to reveal a flash of rock hard abs. Delia’s eyes flicked down and immediately back up. Garrett’s blue eyes watched her steadily. A glimmer of something flickered in his eyes. “I’ll be right back,” he said abruptly before swinging away and walking to the counter.

Delia’s breath came out in a whoosh. Her heart pounded and flutters danced in her belly. Now would be the time to get a grip. She was acting like an i***t—the same i***t who’d let her body’s impulses wreak havoc with her heart in college. Okay, Delia. He’s just a man. Nothing more. Maybe he’s sexy, but that’s all it is.

She took several gulps of coffee and fruitlessly attempted to get her pulse to slow down. Several moments later, Garrett slid into the chair across from her. She glanced up into his sharp blue eyes. What little control she’d re-established over her pulse was immediately lost. Her pulse galloped and her breath went short.

He took a swallow of coffee. He set the cup down and sighed. “Damn. That’s some good coffee.” He looked out the window for a long moment. When his eyes met hers again, they held a hint of weariness. “It’s so beautiful here. Gage was the only one of us to really remember much about Alaska. I remember coming to visit at the holidays, but the last time we came was when I was only eight. It’s funny how you can’t really appreciate some things until you’re older. This…” He paused and gestured out the window at the view of Kachemak Bay and the mountains across the water. “This is something else.”

His comment brought her focus off of the ridiculous effect he had on her body. Marley’s pondering about why Garrett was here danced in the edges of her thoughts. “Growing up here, sometimes I forget how amazing it is.”

Garrett nodded slowly, took another swallow of coffee, and then changed the subject abruptly. “How do you like working at the lodge?”

Delia went with the shift in conversation. “I like it. A lot. I pretty much grew up there when your grandparents ran it and my mom worked there.” She paused, wondering how much to share and then internally shrugged. She didn’t have anything to hide. Her life was basically an open book in Diamond Creek. “Honestly, I didn’t expect to end up doing exactly what my mom did, but it’s what I needed. I’m a single mom. The only thing that matters is making sure Nick has a stable life. I figure it’s a bonus I actually like my job. Diamond Creek’s a great place to raise kids and I love it. The plus side is your brother’s a pretty good boss.”

Garrett arched a brow at that and grinned. “Gage’s a great guy. It sounds like the job’s working out for you, which is good because I think he’d freak out if you weren’t there. When he told us he was planning to come up here and open Last Frontier Lodge, I thought he was damn crazy. He’s pulled it off though and with lots of thanks to you and your dad. At least that’s what he says.”

Delia couldn’t help the warmth that filled her. Garrett’s eyes held hers. The mood shifted, the air around them becoming heavy. Her breath became short again, her low belly clenched.

Garrett leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. She lost herself in the blue blur of his eyes. His sensual mouth hooked up on one side. Uncertainty flickered in his gaze. He cleared his throat. “Look, about the other morning…”

She cut in. “No need to apologize. I’m sure you didn’t mean…”

Garrett angled his head and shook it sharply. “Oh, I meant.”

“You… What?”

He smiled ruefully. “I meant to kiss you. I’d like to kiss you again, in fact.”

Delia’s belly somersaulted, and her pulse went wild. Her mouth fell open. Flushing madly, she snapped it shut and bit her lip. “I, um, I guess I’m not sure what to say.”

Garrett’s gaze was pensive. “I’m not sure what I meant to say here. I just didn’t want you to think it wasn’t something I wanted.” He took a gulp of coffee and pushed his chair back. “I told Gage I’d get back up there and help out with whatever he and your dad have going on today.” He stood, his blue eyes boring into her. “I’ll see you later, right?”

Delia nodded, still trying to absorb the last few moments. “I’ll be in the kitchen for the rest of the day. Stop by for some cider when you guys get back in. It’s windy out today, so stay warm.”

He nodded quickly, his half-smile making her belly tighten and heat flood through her veins. With a quick lift of his coffee, he turned and left.