Free Northern Encounter by Jennifer LaBrecque Page A

feel as if I’m making a difference in preserving Mother Earth.”
    “So, do you have to go into an office for that?”
    “Thank goodness, no. Cities make me feel as if my brain cells are being stamped out. But I do appreciate technology. Every once in a while Dalton flies me to Anchorage or Juneau for a day or two but for the most part I telecommute from home.”
    “And where exactly is home?”
    “About ten miles outside of Good Riddance. You’d hate it.”
    Amusement warred with annoyance in her eyes. “How would you possibly know what I would or wouldn’t hate?”
    “Where do you live?”
    “I told you last night I live in Tucson.”
    “Case in point. You live in a city, not the middle of the wilderness.”
    “I live in a city because it’s easier to travel and I have the supplies I need for my videos.”
    “There you go.”
    “There you go nothing. That doesn’t prove a thing. Well, except that you’re a—”
    “Rational man,” he said, finishing for her.
    She wrinkled her nose at him. “Oddly enough, that’s not quite the term that came to mind.”
    The woman was like a dose of positive energy. “I’m sure it was something equally flattering,” he said, laughing at her quick eye roll. What was it about her that made him feel just a smidgen more alive and tuned into himself and everyone else?
    “I’m beginning to notice a distinct pattern on your part of being wrong.”
    He crossed his arms over his chest, grinning like a fool nonetheless. “Is that a fact?”
    “It certainly seems to be. But don’t worry, you have almost a week to redeem yourself.”
    Kobuk sat up abruptly, ears alert, ruff standingup on the back of his neck, and issued a low growl. There was a sudden spattering sound from outside.
    Tessa didn’t exactly look alarmed, more like concerned. “Uh, what was that?”
    In all the years he’d been guiding groups, this had never happened. It was pretty cool and pretty damn funky. Probably one of those once in a lifetime events. A dark stain was spreading down the side of the tent behind Tessa. “I’d say the wolf pack is letting us know we’re in their territory. We just got pissed on.” He spoke in a low undertone.
    “Seriously?” she whispered, glancing over her shoulder.
    It was about that time that the unmistakably pungent scent of urine seeped into the confined space. At least the cold mitigated the odor somewhat. “Seriously.”
    “Whew. I smell it.”
    “If I were you, I wouldn’t lean back or it’ll be on your clothes.”
    “Okay. Thanks. I’d rather not wear wolf pee.”
    Between them, the malamute tensed even more. “Down, Kobuk.” The dog reluctantly dropped to his haunches. “The last thing we need is a pissing contest between him and the pack.”
    “Yeah. Especially since we’re in here with him and in the direct line of fire. So, what do we do now?”
    He had to give her credit. Not only was she not hysterical, she seemed to appreciate the situationand she had a sense of humor. Damn. He almost wished she’d opted for hysteria. “We wait for them to leave.”
    As if on cue, a piercing howl sounded right outside.
    Tess startled. “Waiting sounds like a good plan to me.”
    “I’m usually right.”
    There was nothing quite like getting in the last word.

7
    “I FEEL LIKE A HUMAN popsicle,” Tessa said, her fingers numb inside her gloves as they closed the door to the cabin behind them.
    “I’ll have a fire going in just a minute and it’ll knock the chill down.”
    “Chill?” That was an understatement if she’d ever heard it. “My breath is forming smoke rings…inside the cabin.”
    “We should’ve taken extra snacks with us. I was surprised at how long the wolves hung around.” He unscrewed the top off of a thermos and poured something into a cup. He passed it to her, “Here. Tomato soup.”
    She sipped at it. “Nectar of the gods. And it’s surprisingly warm.”
    “A good thermos makes a difference.” He selected wood from a