Northern Escape Read Free Page B

dispensing of toys followed by a potluck dinner.
    â€œAt this point, our biggest problem is running out of places for people to stay. The B and B is full. I’m renting out the cabin next to mine to a couple from Anchorage. I know lots of people are staying with friends and family. When we get down to the other end of town, you’ll see all the motor homes and trailers. It’s hell on them getting here because those roads are rough.”
    Nick made a mental note. This was the kind of information he needed in order to write a thorough piece. He’d booked his room at the B and B months ago. He guessed it was a good thing he had. The place only accommodated three guest rooms and then there was Merrilee’s private quarters. “Any plans to expand the B and B or build any rental cabins?”
    â€œMerrilee or Bull would know more about that than I do. I do know a group from a big resort corporation came out last year. I flew them in from Anchorage.” Dalton shook his head. “They were a bunch of suits. They looked around and met with the town council on building a spa resort here. The council turned them down. We’re just not that kind of community.”
    Dalton pointed across the street. “Curl’s place always raises a few eyebrows with the tourists.”
    Nick read the sign across the front window and chuckled. Curl’s Taxidermy & Barber Shop & Beauty Salon & Mortuary. “That’s definitely different.”
    â€œYeah. He said he listed taxidermy first because that was his biggest draw.”
    Snapping a photo, Nick grinned. “My readers will love this.”
    â€œThe rest is what you’d pretty much expect to find in any small town—Laundromat, dry goods store, hardware store, bank, engine repair shop, doctor’s office.” He canted his head to the left. “My fiancée, Skye, is the doc and I’d drop by and introduce you but I’ll do you the favor of not taking you in there. There’s a flu outbreak. Talk about some bad timing.”
    â€œThat’s what Merrilee said earlier.” Nick could see the packed waiting room through the big glass window. “Yeah, I’ll pass on going in there. I’ll meet Skye some other time before I leave. Are you originally from Alaska?”
    Dalton shook his head. “No. Michigan. I quit the corporate gig, got my pilot’s license and moved here eight years ago.”
    â€œYou obviously like it here.”
    â€œI wouldn’t want to be anywhere else, especially now that I found Skye. There’s nothing quite like having the right woman in your life. I don’t know how to describe it except life’s just better. It’s like switching from a regular screen to high-definition television—everything’s just a little brighter, clearer.”
    â€œThat’s cool. Congratulations.” And he did think it was cool. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to settle down with someone, he’d just never met that someone. In his family everyone, his parents, his brother and both his sisters, swore they’d known within days they’d met the right one. He’d just never had that click. Hell, he hadn’t had a date in months. He was tired of the whole dating game. The image of the woman he’d caught a glimpse of earlier, Gus, came to mind.
    â€œThanks,” Dalton said. They continued walking until they reached a large wooden building across the street. “That’s our new community center.” To their left was an assortment of RV’s and travel trailers. A number of dogs were outside several of the vehicles, obviously there for the dogsled race. “That’s our softball field in the summer and our Chrismoose Festival parking lot in the winter.” He grinned. “And thus concludes your tour of Good Riddance, Alaska.”
    â€œI really appreciate it.”
    â€œNo problem. Hey, unless you just like to eat alone or