Free Northern Escape by Jennifer LaBrecque Page A

Christmas tree that stood between the front door and the booths lining the wall overlooking Main Street.
    He looked across the room and literally froze on the spot. “Oh…wow. You are breathtaking.” There was no faking the note of awe in his voice.
    Her heart, which was already racing, really went into overdrive. “Thank you. You don’t clean up too badly yourself.” He’d traded in his jeans and long-sleeved T-shirt for a pair of dress slacks and a button-down shirt.
    He laughed, perhaps a tad self-consciously. “I learned a long time ago, you include one good outfit because you just never know what occasion might come up. So…maybe this is a little strange considering it’s your place, but I was bartending earlier tonight and I’m serving you now. I’ve started a tab so what would you like? Oh, and where did you want to sit?”
    It was all so wacky and kind of crazy and she loved it. “How about at the bar?”
    â€œPerfect,” he said. His look proclaimed he found her perfect, as well.
    Her knees slightly unsteady, Gus slid onto the bar stool.
    â€œAnd what type of libation can I serve you, mademoiselle?”
    â€œI’ll have a glass of the uncorked pinot noir.”
    â€œComing right up.”
    He poured two glasses and joined her at the bar, slipping onto the stool next to hers. Part of her wished he’d left an empty stool between them, a little space. However, the rest of her was glad he was close. Although they weren’t touching, she could almost feel his body heat, feel his energy mingling with hers. For a second his eyes caught and held hers and it was as if everything stilled. “Thank you,” he said softly, all traces of his earlier banter gone, “for agreeing to come out with me tonight.”
    â€œI’m glad you asked.” And she was, she realized. It was wonderful to feel this sense of anticipation, to feel like a woman.
    His gaze searched hers. “Are you?”
    It was pointless to pretend otherwise or play some coy game when he was only here for such a short time. “Yes.”
    He raised his glass. “To tonight.”
    â€œTo tonight,” she repeated, clinking her glass against his and then sipping. For Gus, that toast brimmed with significance. For tonight, she was putting the past firmly behind her, where it belonged. Tonight was about tonight.
    â€œHow about helping me deejay,” he said. He stood. “Come on, let’s pick out some music on the jukebox.”
    â€œOkay,” she said, happy to go along with his suggestion. They stood in front of the jukebox, shoulder to shoulder. His scent, one of man, fresh soap and the faint scent of starch clinging to his shirt, was delicious. He braced one hand on the jukebox. She’d noticed his hands in the kitchen earlier—lean, well-shaped with long fingers and short, blunt nails. They went with the rest of him.
    He fed a couple of dollars into the jukebox. “Okay, let’s make some selections.”
    â€œDo you know how long this thing will play with that much money in there?”
    â€œI’m hoping for a long date,” he said, his voice teasing but his eyes serious. So was she. This was like a sweet, sweet dream she hadn’t dared to dream. He scanned the playlist. “You’ve got quite a range of music here.”
    â€œNelson’s responsible for the selection. When he started as karaoke emcee, he put himself in charge of the jukebox content, which was fine with me.” It was an eclectic range from Patsy Cline to Dean Martin.
    Gus selected a Frank Sinatra number and Nick slanted her a glance. “You’re a fan? He’s one of my favorites.”
    â€œA boy from New York?”
    His grin was straight-up boyish. “Absolutely.”
    They split the number of selections and went back to the bar, Nick guiding her lightly with his fingertips in the small of her back, which radiated heat