Free Love Finds You in North Pole, Alaska by Loree Lough Page B

thought maybe if you had a few minutes, you could pop over to the hardware store and buy a new ladder. But if you don’t have time, I can probably—”
    “Are you kidding? That’s the—” He almost said “smartest thing” but thought better of it. “That’s the best idea you’ve had yet. I’ll make time.”
    Sam inhaled a little gasp and clasped both hands under her chin. “A fifteen-footer—aluminum, if they have one, because it’ll be easier to tote around—with one of those shelf thingies on top where I can put stuff.”
    Bryce figured this must have been how she looked on Christmas morning, when she found doll-babies and ruffly dresses and other things under the Sinclair family tree. For a reason Bryce couldn’t explain, he suddenly wanted to promise her a puppy, or a boat, or dinner in Paris if it would guarantee a repeat of that happy, eager expression. “I’ll, ah…I’ll see what’s available,” he said instead.
    “Thanks,” she said, giving his chest a playful jab, “you’re the best!”
    He was about to ask, “The best what?” when she hid an enormous yawn behind her small hand.
    “Okay, that’s it for me. See you in the morning, b—”
    “Bryce,” he interrupted, “not ‘boss,’ okay?”
    She half-ran toward the stairs leading to their apartments and stopped in the doorway. “Whatever you say,” she tossed over her shoulder, “ boss .”
    He didn’t know how long, exactly, he stood at the bottom of the steps, gawking up at the empty stairwell, but Bryce knew this: he liked the way he felt when she was around. Liked it a lot .

Chapter Eight

    As a little girl, Sam had dreamed of the day a brave knight would rescue her from her prison in a high tower, but she never would have guessed he’d wear blue jeans and a black eye patch! It made her smile, despite Bryce’s stern demeanor, because it wasn’t likely the marines had trained him to save damsels…on high ladders.
    She’d spent a fitful night reliving those moments in the shop when he’d stopped the ladder from tipping…and likely saved her from a broken bone or two. But it wasn’t just the memory of his protective actions that had kept her awake. It was also the on his handsome face that told her he’d been genuinely concerned for her safety. Could his aunt have been right when she’d said God brought Sam to North Pole to teach Bryce to love Christmas, and his home town, and the peculiar little gift shop known by all as Rudolph’s? look she’d seen
    Olive had said something else that day, and Sam wondered if it was possible that Bryce would learn to love her, too.
    “You’re crazy,” she mumbled. Because she barely knew the guy, and he hardly knew her. He was still reeling from a badly ended romance, and so was she. But even if one or both of them was open to new love, what did they have in common, except for Rudolph’s and a fondness for Olive?
    Sam didn’t like the thoughts that had been tumbling in her head all day long as she worked in the shop. Didn’t like them at all. Because her tendency to fall too hard, too fast, was responsible for every one of a half dozen disappointing relationships. But she wasn’t that silly high school girl or naive college student anymore. No way she intended to suffer that kind of heartache again!
    She’d dwell on their differences, not on his handsome face and pleasant baritone voice. Focus on his sometimes grouchy, standoffish behavior instead of the fact that all he had to do was smile to get her heart beating double-time. Why, the man hated Christmas, for heaven’s sake. What more did she need to prove they were completely wrong for one another!
    She didn’t want to avoid him, because Sam genuinely enjoyed his company…most of the time. But what choice did she have, if she hoped to protect them both from the pain and embarrassment of—
    The phone rang, putting an end to her confused thoughts, and she hurried to answer it. Olive had no sooner said a cheery “Good