Free Hometown Hero (Hometown Alaska Men Book 2) by Joleen James Page A

drive sounded like mindless fun. "Okay, I guess my shopping can wait. Who needs to eat anyway?"
    He grinned and reached across the seat to open the door for her.
    Tawney tossed her gym bag in the back and climbed in.
    They sped down the highway. Tawney gave her full attention to the scenery. She spotted two moose and one eagle. Rick was right: the snow glittered here like a never-ending field of spun sugar. She lost herself to the sparkle. When they'd been driving close to an hour, Rick pulled off the main road, heading down an unplowed road. Deep rutted, ice crusted, tire tracks led the way, and soon the cabin came into view.
    "Wow," she said. "The place looks the same."
    "On the outside." He pulled up close to the porch and cut the engine. "My grandfather built the cabin the old-fashioned way. He built the place to last, and it has."
    "I always loved the covered front porch." Tawney exited the Jeep. She walked up the three steps to the porch, her gloved hand sliding up the log railing, dislodging the snow. Two white rockers invited people to sit, a table made from a round of wood between them. Charming. How great would this porch be in the summer when the days were long and often warm?
    Rick opened the door and she followed him inside.
    He turned on the space heater.
    "It'll take a minute to warm up," Rick said. "The place is heated by wood, but we won't be here long enough to start a fire."
    Tawney did a slow walk through the kitchen, noting the rustic birch cabinets, the updated cream color quartz counter tops and the old-fashioned appliances. No, new appliances, but they had a fifties look to them. The living room was simple, with a brown leather couch and matching chair and ottoman. Stairs led to the second level. She'd never been upstairs.
    "Bedroom upstairs?" she asked.
    "Yes." Rick came up behind her. "There's also a small bathroom. Feel free to go up and take a look."
    "Maybe later." She didn't want him to get the wrong idea about her. She wasn't here for sex. "Mind if I use the restroom?"
    "It's right through there." He pointed to a closed door.
    In the bathroom, Tawney quickly used the facility, noting the clawfoot tub—original to the cabin. The small teak vanity and sink were new, as were the medicine cabinet and quaint light fixture. As she washed her hands, she stared into the mirror above the sink. What was she doing checking her makeup for Rick? Old habits died hard.
    Back in the living room, she found Rick in the kitchen finishing up with the washer replacement.
    "You've done a wonderful job with the remodel," Tawney said. "Everything you chose works with the cabin."
    "I had a little design help from a friend," he said. "Coffee?"
    "Sure, that would be great." She blew on her hands to warm them up. "You must love it here."
    "I do." He took a French press from the shelf near the stove, adding coffee. "I come here as often as I can."
    "It's isolated."
    "It is. No neighbors, but I like that."
    "You must see a ton of wildlife." She wandered over to the window, peering out.
    "Bears, moose, and more birds than I can count."
    "Wow." The tea kettle whistled.
    Rick finished making the coffee and passed her a steaming mug.
    "Are you hiding out here?" Tawney asked, wanting his story. She knew so little about his previous ten years and she had to admit she was curious.
    "Hiding?" he asked, his brow furrowed. "Why would I be hiding?"
    "Star told me you'd been shot. There has to be a story there. You gave up the job you always dreamed of. Ambition like yours doesn't go away. You were so focused on being a cop. Law enforcement is all you ever talked about. Something shook you to your core."
    He turned away from her. Had she pushed him too hard? She remembered June telling her to be gentle with him.
    "Things change."
    "How so?"
    He frowned. "You're full of questions today."
    "Just trying to understand you."
    "Why are you in Alaska?" he asked, turning the tables on her. "You're a bright star, a shining light. You admitted