Free Northern Fascination by Jennifer Labrecque Page A

laughter in her eyes became something totally different, a wariness combined with attraction.
    “Hey, sweetie,” a big man with an equally big voice said, shattering the moment. Pulling out one of the empty chairs at their table, he made himself at home. “Sorry to interrupt.” The blond giant’s expression wasn’t in the least contrite. “But we need to talk about what we’re going to do in your bedroom.”
    Logan was pretty damn sure the guy was her builder, or else he was just into the tool-belt look. Still, there was something about the bear of a man that left Logan itching to knock the smug expression right off his face.
    Jenna laughed, rolling her eyes. “Sure, Sven.” The Nordic name fit perfectly. Sven looked like the proverbial Viking minus the horned helmet and armor. “I want you to meet a classmate from back home, Logan Jeffries. Logan, Sven Sorenson, the most awesome builder in these parts. He’s doing a great job on my place.”
    Ah. Okay. That was the connection. Logan hadn’t forgotten for a second that Jenna had told him earlier that there was no man in her life. Although he still found that difficult to believe.
    “You must’ve just gotten in today,” Sven said as they shook hands across the table. Logan noticed the other guy’s easy smile didn’t falter.
    “This afternoon.”
    The other man nodded. “That explains a lot. Now I know why Jenna wouldn’t even give us locals a fighting chance. And now I know why Ms. Diligent here didn’t bop down to check on her new digs this afternoon.”
    So Jenna had kept all the men at arm’s length? Interesting. He’d bet top dollar they’d been lined up from here to Anchorage. And now this Sven thought Logan was the reason she’d kept to herself? Logan noticed she avoided even glancing his way, keeping her attention focused on Sven.
    “Don’t be silly,” she said.
    “Uh-huh.” Sven looked from Jenna to Logan and then back to Jenna. “I see the way the lay of the land.”
    “Maybe I wasn’t interested in you because you’re obnoxious,” she said to her builder, who was obviously a friend as well as a business associate.
    Sven looked at Logan. “And here I thought that was part of my charm. Damn if I can figure women out.”
    “I hear you,” Logan said. The one across from him in particular. He revised his initial impression. Sven was okay.
    Jenna rolled her eyes at the two of them. “Seriously, Sven, Logan’s here because he wants to buy the town.”
    “Cool.” Sven eyed him appraisingly and beneath the good-humored facade Logan glimpsed the business man. “You must have some deep pockets there.” Finally. “Do you want the spa finished if you’re buying the town?”
    Before Logan could answer Jenna jumped in. “See? He’s obnoxious, just like I said. He doesn’t even live here.”
    Sven looked at Logan, held up his hands and shrugged. “Yet.”
    Damn. He was the one person who’d shown any enthusiasm and the guy wasn’t even a citizen.
    “What’s the problem with my bedroom?” Jenna said, sipping her drink.
    Logan settled back in his chair while she and Sven discussed the construction snafu. Funny, he’d always been attracted to Jenna in high school but he had to admit, he’d also pegged her as something of an airhead. But now listening to her discuss the construction with Sven, Logan saw a competent business woman. It made him want to know more about her and what made her tick.
    And that was all well and good. Just as Rome hadn’t been built in a day, Good Riddance wasn’t going to be bought out in one, or even two. He was going to have plenty of time to get to the bottom of his fascination for this woman before he wrapped up his business and headed home.
     
     
    E LLIE L IGHTFOOT HEARD THE engine’s hum in the distance. Surely no one else was coming out to Mirror Lake tonight. She glanced over her shoulder. A faint glow on the other side of the rise signaled headlights. Clearly someone was about to interrupt