Free Mountains Apart (Mills & Boon Heartwarming) by Carol Ross Page B

wolves...”
    â€œGrizzly bears?”
    â€œThey seem to be the most popular critter that people want to see.”
    â€œHuh.”
    â€œHuh, what?”
    She shook her head. “I just can’t imagine what kind of life that must be....”
    â€œIt’s a great life. I’m happy for the most part—or I was anyway, until very, very recently when I discovered it was all in serious danger of being taken from me.”
    She dismissed the insinuation. “You actually choose to go out and muck around in this snow-covered nightmare?”
    Bering was staring at her as if she’d suddenly sprouted some kind of strange growth on her brow. His voice was incredulous when he asked, “You don’t think it’s beautiful here?”
    The tone actually caused Emily to break into laughter. “Beautiful?” She thought about the fact that Sally had used the same word to describe the town. She ignored that—and the fact that she had drawn a postcard pretty version of it herself. Because that was just it—it was a picture. It didn’t reflect the reality—not really. “Bering, are you kidding me? This is the most godforsaken, desolate and bleak, not to mention cold and unfriendly, place that I’ve ever had the misfortune to encounter. And I’ve traveled to many, many parts of this country, but you know what my first thought was when I stepped off the plane here?” She answered without bothering to give him time to respond, “That I’d died and been sent to hell, which had quite literally frozen over along the way. I honestly don’t know, and cannot even imagine, how you people survive.”
    His eyes bored into hers as he said, “Okay, first of all, it’s not always covered with snow. And second, we like the remoteness that you so disparagingly refer to as ‘desolation,’ which is exactly the point. We survive on what we have—and happily. We don’t need help. We don’t need Cam-Field or any other company coming here and exploiting us or our resources. We’re fine just the way we are.”
    He turned and strode over to his pickup. He removed some tools and went to work. In a matter of minutes he had the sign up. He returned the tools to his pickup and walked back to her.
    â€œThank you,” she said a bit grudgingly. “You didn’t have to do this when I know how you feel about me—about Cam-Field.”
    â€œEmily, I’ve told you this doesn’t have to be personal. My dislike for Cam-Field doesn’t automatically extend to you. And besides, you would have figured out a way—eventually. I have the tools. I have the skills. And I find I rather enjoy helping a certain lady when she’s in distress....” He shrugged, an arrogant grin splashed across his face; it was a gesture that Emily was already familiar with. It rankled her and she suspected that he was doing it on purpose.
    â€œDo you think it’s possible that you overestimate the value of your skills where said lady is concerned? You just said yourself I would have found a way eventually.”
    â€œNah, it doesn’t matter if I do. I know you secretly like the help.”
    She rolled her eyes. “You are conceited, do you know that?”
    â€œNo, I’m not. I just have a realistic grasp of my value and importance. Now I have to go. I’m late for breakfast with your new pal, Mayor Calder.”
    â€œBreakfast?”
    â€œYes, it’s the traditional morning meal.”
    â€œStrategy discussion, huh? Tell the mayor I said hi.”
    He raised his brows but didn’t respond to that comment. “Nice job last night, by the way,” he said.
    â€œThank you. You kind of disappeared after the meeting. I have to admit, I didn’t expect you to be so...silent.” Truth be known, it had made Emily nervous. She’d expected a fierce and direct rebuttal to her presentation, but instead