Free Not What It Seems (Escape to Alaska Trilogy) by Brenda Sinclair Page A

ice.”
    “I always ask because it always annoys you. How was the vacation?”
    “Great.”
    Clayton’s cell phone rang, and he checked the caller ID. “Been waiting for this call. Be right back to pour your drink.” He headed toward the swinging doors in back, presumably on his way to his office.
    “No rush,” called Rain Cloud, as the bartender disappeared from sight.
    Cassidy overheard the entire conversation, and she’d almost choked on her Coke while listening to their exchange. She seriously doubted his real name was Chief Rain Cloud. Why does such an obviously professional, well-educated man tolerate such politically incorrect name-calling? she wondered. Judging by their banter, were Clayton and the native guy friends?
    Cassidy grabbed her Coke and hopped onto the stool beside him. She smiled and stuck out her hand. “Cassidy Du Pont.”
    The Chief’s eyebrows rose, and he appeared startled by her forwardness. Taking in her appearance, he shook her hand and asked, “Are you employed here?”
    “I started a few weeks ago.” Cassidy wore her short denim skirt, cowboy boots, and a white long-sleeved shirt rolled to the elbows. It didn’t require someone with a Mensa I.Q. to figure out she worked here. “I love the job more with each shift, and I adore the regulars I’ve met. But I haven’t encountered you before.”
    “Away on vacation.”
    “Sounds like you and Clayton are good friends.” Despite his grouchy demeanor, she saw wisdom, kindness, and perhaps even a little loneliness in the chocolate brown depths of his eyes.
    “Yes, I’d say we’re good friends.” Rain Cloud leaned back and crossed his arms.
    Cassidy checked her watch. “Still a half hour before my shift starts. Would you pass me some of those peanuts, please? And if you care to share, I’d love to hear how you and Clayton met.”
    “Well, Clayton and I became acquainted about a month after Gold Diggers opened. Must be two years now. Doesn’t seem we’ve been friends that long, but I guess we have.” Chief Rain Cloud placed the bowl of peanuts in front of Cassidy.
    “Thank you.” Cassidy shelled one and popped the peanut into her mouth.
    “Anyway, I wandered in here dressed like I am today, in my business suit and tie, and flopped onto a barstool at the end of the bar.” Rain Cloud grinned. “I growled my drink order at him, sounded about as pleasant as an old grizzly bear, and Clayton called me on it right away.”
    “What did he say?” asked Cassidy, and then sipped her Coke.
    “Informed me he hadn’t witnessed such a serious case of ‘Leave me the hell alone, I’ve had a terrible day’ in ages. Pointed out that a big old black cloud followed me into the bar, and that’s when he started calling me Chief Rain Cloud.”
    “What’s taking Clayton so long?” Cassidy hopped off the barstool and strode behind the bar. She grabbed a short highball glass and added a small scoop of ice. “Is this your usual brand?” she inquired, holding up a bottle of Jack Daniels.
    “Got it right first try,” answered Rain Cloud.
    Cassidy measured two shots, pouring each into the glass, and set the drink in front of Rain Cloud before headed back to her barstool. “So, from the start you accepted this Rain Cloud thing?”
    “From the broad smile on Clayton’s face and the mischievous twinkle in his eye, I recognized his motive right away: having a little fun, attempting to elicit a smile out of me. He talked my damn ears off, and we even compared notes on colleges—NYU psychology degree for me, Seattle U Masters in Finance for him.” Rain Cloud lifted his glass, smiled at Cassidy accompanied by a toasting gesture, and then sampled his drink.
    Cassidy gaped. “Clayton earned a Masters in Finance?” So, I’m not the only person working here who’s not what they seem, she thought. A lowly bartender with a Masters? If she ever dated Clayton, and her father did find out, it would more likely impress him rather than tick him