“Of course not,” Nora said quickly. Her cheeks flushed pink, and I wondered when those two we’re going to stop trying to sneak around.
That answer remained firmly in the column of topics that were none of my damn business. At least, according to Gabriel. One time, only once, Tucker teased him about it, and I’d chimed in as well. Gabriel got all pissy and denied it six ways to Sunday.
Our dinner group gradually filtered apart. We were back at the other house when my cell phone buzzed in my pocket. Sliding it out, I smiled the moment I saw Hot Yoga Teacher on the banner.
Hot Yoga Teacher: What about both?
Diego: A plane ride and dinner?
Hot Yoga Teacher: Yes, please.
Diego: You got it, sugar. Tell me what day works for you?
Hot Yoga Teacher: What day works for you? You’ll be the one flying me. I only teach yoga Monday through Friday.
Diego: Sunday?
I knew my Sunday was open, and that was the one day we never had any delivery trips unless there was a random emergency. That meant there would definitely be a plane available.
Hot Yoga Teacher: Sunday is perfect.
Diego: I’ll text you the time.
Chapter Seven
Gemma
“Oh, wow,” I breathed as I peered out the window of the small plane.
Diego had given me a set of headphones, so we could talk easily over the sound of the engine. I could still hear the rumble of it, but we didn’t have to shout over the noise.
“Incredible, right?” came his reply.
“Definitely.”
Kachemak Bay stretched out to one side under the plane as Diego hugged the shoreline on the far side of the bay across from Diamond Creek. Lush evergreen trees filled the lower flanks of the mountains, giving way to rocks and a glacier that glowed an otherworldly blue under the sunshine. We’d seen a grizzly bear grazing in an open field only moments ago. Diego was confident the bear was enjoying some berries, although we weren’t low enough for him to say what kind. We’d also seen several moose chewing on alder trees, and even a sea lion swimming in the shallows of the water, its form massive and blurry under the water.
“It feels like I could reach out and touch the mountains,” I commented.
“I think that every time I fly here,” he replied with a chuckle.
He’d filled me in on his job—scenic trips for tourists interspersed with deliveries of groceries and mail to several towns and villages scattered along the shores. Sometimes they flew far enough North that they needed to stop and refuel on the way back. They also took trips over to the famed Katmai National Park for the world-famous viewing of the massive brown bears who caught salmon in the river. I was all set with seeing bears from a distance. It had been enough of a shocker to see the ones mounted in the airport, standing over twelve feet tall. It looked as if humans would be nothing more than a plaything if they swatted them with their giant paws and those long claws.
“Going to head back now. Sound good?”
I experienced a full body shiver at the sound of Diego’s voice right in my ears. There was something so intimate about it.
“Sounds good.” Aside from the view, I enjoyed watching him maneuver the plane with ease and confidence.
When he glanced to the side at my reply and his eyes caught mine, heat chased like a scatter of hot sparks over my skin. With nothing more than a glance, the intensity contained in his gaze set my nerves alight.
Chapter Eight
Diego
Gemma took a bite of halibut and let out a moan as she swallowed. “Oh, my God,” she said when she finished chewing. “That’s incredible.”
I knew she was commenting on the food, obviously, but I was focused on the sight of her tongue darting out to catch a drop of sauce on the corner of her mouth and thinking I shouldn’t be so turned on by watching her eat.
“I don’t think I’ve had that yet,” I replied, managing to drag my brain back to the topic at hand.
“You have to have a bite,” she insisted.
She pushed her plate closer, so I took a bite. The halibut was flaky, but also rich with a creamy texture. It had been drizzled with some kind of a lemon dill sauce.
“Absolutely delicious,” I offered.
“I see why this place is so busy.” She glanced around the restaurant, taking in the crowded space. Every table was full, but the space didn’t feel crowded.
The lodge was originally only open in the winter for skiing. The Hamilton family, who owned the place, had expanded the business since they brought it back to life after years of being closed. They offered hiking, biking, and coordinated with a number of other local tourist services, including Flynn’s flight business, to keep their guests happy.
This restaurant occupied the main building of the lodge. It had views of the ski slopes and mountains immediately surrounding it, along with a beautiful view of a slice of Kachemak Bay in the distance. The large room had a tall ceiling with beams crisscrossing the space. It had a modern, yet woodsy feel to it.
Delia Hamilton came out of the swinging doors from the kitchen into the restaurant, checking in at a few tables and then stopping beside ours. “How is it?” she asked, looking between Gemma and me.
“Always amazing,” I replied quickly.
Her blue eyes swung to Gemma expectantly. “Delicious,” Gemma replied firmly.
“Excellent. Do you need anything?”
“Not at all,” I replied as Gemma shook her head.
“I’m planning to get to one of your yoga classes soon,” Delia offered. “I’m on my feet all the time, so I’m hoping it’ll help me loosen up my back.”
“I’ll be glad to have you,” Gemma replied with a smile. “This place is really nice.”
“Delia is the chef and runs the restaurant. Her husband, Garrett, owns this place with his brothers and sisters. He’s a lawyer, so I try to stay on his good side,” I quipped.
Delia chuckled. “He is, but he’s not vicious. These days, he’s traded his corporate career for things like fishing and hunting issues and property disputes. He loves it.”
“I imagine there’s no shortage of interesting cases here in Alaska,” Gemma commented.
“There is certainly plenty of variety,” Delia added. “I need to run check on things up front. Nice to meet you Gemma, and I’ll definitely come by one of your classes soon.”
Delia hurried off, her honey blond hair swinging in a ponytail as she crossed the restaurant and disappeared through the archway into the reception area.
We settled in to enjoy our dinners, with a few interruptions, including one from Gage Hamilton, who’d resurrected the ski lodge. Or, so I’d been told by Nora, who kept all of us up to speed on all the local gossip, seeing as she’d grown up here.
“Good to meet you,” Gage said with a quick smile toward Gemma before he disappeared into the kitchen.
“Is there anyone you don’t know?” Gemma asked as she pushed her plate away and dabbed at the corners of her mouth with her napkin.
“There are plenty of people I don’t know,” I replied with a chuckle. “I’ve lived here for five years though. If you stick around, you’ll discover it’s hard not to get to know all the locals. Tourist season is another ball game. We know these guys well because we send people to them, and they send people to us. It’s a two-way street. That’s mostly how I’ve gotten to know people here. You’ll see, it’ll happen for you. Are you planning to stay?”