Alaskan Wolf Read Online Free PDF

a big day tomorrow, Dad,” Carrie Thaxton interrupted. “You finished eating? We’d better run.”
    Her husband was still chewing, but Emil agreed with Carrie and motioned toward Thea for the check.
    â€œOh, no, this is on me,” Mariah said. “I appreciate your talking to me, and hope I can schedule another interview with you soon—maybe after I’ve gotten my dogsled ride on the glaciers and had a chance to observe any wildlife on the ice. Okay?”
    â€œOf course,” Emil said. “Anytime.”
    Mariah had the impression that his daughter and son-in-law were less enthused by the idea, but neither objected. Of course, she’d have to see if they’d actually agree on a time and place for a follow-up interview.
    Thea Fiske came over with the bill, and Mariah pulled out her credit card.
    â€œSee you soon,” Mariah said as Emil and the others left. She turned back toward those remaining at the table to find Patrick watching Emil and his family wend their way through the crowd. There was an expression on Patrick’s face that she couldn’t quite understand—as if he was angry at their departure.
    He must have sensed she was watching. He turned back toward her and smiled. “Dessert? Something else to drink? My treat.”
    She was getting tired. And a bit uncomfortable after Thea’s observation and her own much too substantial interest in Patrick. He was not her type—no matter how sexy he was. After past bad experience, she had no interest in men who weren’t focused on genuine careers. Stable.
    â€œNo, thanks,” she said. “I’ll be leaving now, too. See you around, everyone. And, Patrick, I’ll definitely see you at the dogsled ranch tomorrow for my ride.”
    â€œI was just thinking of heading out, too,” he said. “I’ll walk with you.”
    Not a good idea, Mariah thought, but didn’t immediately come up with a tactful way to tell him to get lost.
    She didn’t need to be tactful with him, she realized. Even so, she didn’t want to tell him to stay away—not if she wanted him to remain available for her dogsled ride.
    â€œYou up for another beer?” Shaun said to Wes. He nodded, and they stood. She wasn’t even going to get the comfort of having a crowd come along as she left.
    She rose. “Why don’t you join your friends?” she asked Patrick.
    â€œI’ve had enough.” He helped her maneuver through the crowd to the door, and walked outside with her.
    In a moment, he looked down at her in the light from the streetlamp. The shivers that swept up and down her spine like the fingers of the musician on the piano inside were not entirely from the chilliness of the night air.
    Something in Patrick’s light brown eyes looked…well, feral—but most definitely sensual.
    â€œWhere are you staying?” he asked.
    â€œOh, just down the street, but no need to—”
    â€œI’ll walk you there,” he said.
    Opening her mouth to protest, she was amazed to hear herself say, “I’d enjoy the company.”

Chapter 3
    T he sounds of bar conversation accented by piano music receded quickly into the background as Mariah walked beside Patrick along the sidewalk toward her B and B. In the chilly late fall air in this small Alaskan town, there were few night sounds—a car or two driving by, the buzz from other gathering places—and her concentration was engulfed by Patrick’s presence.
    Despite her heavy jacket and boots lined in faux fur, she felt the cold and wondered briefly what it would be like to walk closer to Patrick, sharing his warmth.
    And nearly laughed aloud at her foolishness.
    Especially since the silence between them seemed to expand exponentially. Why had she agreed to allow him to accompany her at all?
    â€œSo you live in Juneau?” he asked, obviously attempting to relieve the strained