Free A Thrill to Remember by Lori Wilde Page B

table and pulled them into his lap to disguise the vestige of his arousal.
    “Hey, Greenleaf.” Quinn came grinning into the cabin, stomping snow off his boots and bringing the cold, late-October air with him. “What’s happening?”
    If only you knew, you’d probably punch my lights out.
    “Morning, Scofield. You didn’t have to make a trip up here. I was headed into Bear Creek tomorrow to pick up supplies.”
    Quinn dumped the mail onto the table. “Truth is, buddy, we were all a little worried about you. I know you’re the strong, silent type, but we’ve hardy seen you in town since the Metropolitan party.”
    “No need to worry about me. I’m just tired of the matchmaking and having women throw themselves at me. It’s getting harder and harder to tell the sincere ones from the gold diggers.”
    “Old Gus commented that you might have a harder time finding an honest woman because of your money.”
    “Don’t you people have anything better to do than gossip about me?”
    “As the last remaining bachelor, Greenleaf, you’re a cause for much speculation.”
    “Lucky me. Let me guess—old Gus has got a pool going about my future marital status.”
    Quinn’s grin was answer enough.
    Caleb shook his head. “So what’s your bet?”
    “I’m predicting you’ll be swept off your feet by the pretty interim park ranger who takes your place while you’re in Seattle. You’ll get married here in the ranger station next summer—I forecast a June wedding—have sixteen kids and live happily ever after.”
    “What are you talking about? I’m not going to Seattle.”
    But even as he denied this statement, Caleb’s heart rate accelerated. There was no way Quinn could know he’d spent the past six weeks debating whether or not to go to Seattle after Meggie.
    Quinn reached in the mail sack, withdrew a letter and passed it over to Caleb.
    “Have you been reading my mail?” He frowned.
    “Didn’t have to. Talked to Meggie this morning.”
    “Meggie?”
    “You know, my sister. Your ex-stepsister-in-law.”
    “I know who she is. What does her calling you have to do with me going to Seattle?” His gut twisted with a mix of excitement and hope.
    “Read the letter.”
    Caleb stared down at the return address of King County Health Department, Seattle, Washington, then flipped the envelope over and opened the flap.
    The letter was from the director of public health services. There had been a massive outbreak of a tick-born illness in Seattle and the surrounding counties. The ailment mimicked Lyme disease. The local medical community was woefully lacking in knowledge about the type of ticks that caused the condition. They needed an expert to come to Seattle, all expenses paid, and give a series of lectures at area hospitals for the next four weeks. Caleb’s name had been recommended by one of the board members, Meggie Scofield. The director had worked out a deal with the park services of Alaska. In exchange for Caleb coming to Seattle, one of Washington’s naturalists would take his place in the Tongass during his absence.
    It was the perfect excuse to go to Seattle. At the thought of seeing Meggie again, Caleb’s chest squeezed.
    He had to remind himself this meant nothing. Meggie didn’t know he was Don Juan. She had suggested his name to her superiors simply because he knew more about insects than anyone in the Pacific Northwest, not because she secretly wanted to see him again.
    Unless something on a subconscious level was at work here. He looked over at Quinn. “Meggie recommended me?”
    “Sure. Why not? You are the best bug guy around. She’s on the board. In fact, she’s on the committee that’s throwing a Halloween charity ball to raise money for public awareness of Lyme disease and other tick-born illnesses. If you take the job, maybe you’ll be in time to attend.”
    Caleb pushed the envelope away. Apprehension took hold of him. What if he did go to Seattle, tell Meggie he was Don Juan, and