Northern Escape. JENNIFER LABRECQUE

want to know what to expect. If I’ve sugar-coated it and it’s a wash when they get there, complaints are going to come in.”

      “I hear ya,” Dalton said. “That’s why we printed a schedule. It keeps getting bigger every year so we figured it was easier this way.”

      There were a whole lot of things going on over the next six days. Fireworks, ice fishing derby, dogsled races, cross-country skiing race, snowmobile races, a moose burger cook-off, arts and crafts show, Mr. Wilderness contest, and a Ms. Chrismoose pageant. Everything wrapped up with the Chrismoose parade and the dispensing of toys followed by a potluck dinner.

      “At this point, our biggest problem is running out of places for people to stay. The B and B is full. I’m renting out the cabin next to mine to a couple from Anchorage. I know lots of people are staying with friends and family. When we get down to the other end of town, you’ll see all the motor homes and trailers. It’s hell on them getting here because those roads are rough.”

      Nick made a mental note. This was the kind of information he needed in order to write a thorough piece. He’d booked his room at the B and B months ago. He guessed it was a good thing he had. The place only accommodated three guest rooms and then there was Merrilee’s private quarters. “Any plans to expand the B and B or build any rental cabins?”

      “Merrilee or Bull would know more about that than I do. I do know a group from a big resort corporation came out last year. I flew them in from Anchorage.” Dalton shook his head. “They were a bunch of suits. They looked around and met with the town council on building a spa resort here. The council turned them down. We’re just not that kind of community.”

      Dalton pointed across the street. “Curl’s place always raises a few eyebrows with the tourists.”

      Nick read the sign across the front window and chuckled. Curl’s Taxidermy & Barber Shop & Beauty Salon & Mortuary. “That’s definitely different.”

      “Yeah. He said he listed taxidermy first because that was his biggest draw.”

      Snapping a photo, Nick grinned. “My readers will love this.”

      “The rest is what you’d pretty much expect to find in any small town—Laundromat, dry goods store, hardware store, bank, engine repair shop, doctor’s office.” He canted his head to the left. “My fiancée, Skye, is the doc and I’d drop by and introduce you but I’ll do you the favor of not taking you in there. There’s a flu outbreak. Talk about some bad timing.”

      “That’s what Merrilee said earlier.” Nick could see the packed waiting room through the big glass window. “Yeah, I’ll pass on going in there. I’ll meet Skye some other time before I leave. Are you originally from Alaska?”

      Dalton shook his head. “No. Michigan. I quit the corporate gig, got my pilot’s license and moved here eight years ago.”

      “You obviously like it here.”

      “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else, especially now that I found Skye. There’s nothing quite like having the right woman in your life. I don’t know how to describe it except life’s just better. It’s like switching from a regular screen to high-definition television—everything’s just a little brighter, clearer.”

      “That’s cool. Congratulations.” And he did think it was cool. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to settle down with someone, he’d just never met that someone. In his family everyone, his parents, his brother and both his sisters, swore they’d known within days they’d met the right one. He’d just never had that click. Hell, he hadn’t had a date in months. He was tired of the whole dating game. The image of the woman he’d caught a glimpse of earlier, Gus, came to mind.

      “Thanks,” Dalton said. They continued walking until they reached a large wooden building across the street. “That’s our new community center.” To their left was an assortment of RV’s and travel trailers. A number of dogs were outside several of the vehicles, obviously there for the dogsled race. “That’s our softball field in the summer and our Chrismoose Festival parking lot in the winter.” He grinned. “And thus concludes your tour of Good Riddance, Alaska.”

      “I really appreciate it.”

      “No problem. Hey, unless you just like to eat alone or you’ve made alternate plans, why don’t you meet us for dinner at Gus’s tonight? It’ll have to be a little later than usual because Skye’s so swamped at work—probably around seven.”

      “He should be here at any time now,” Teddy said, watching the door, fretting.

      Gus considered it an exercise in supreme self-control that she refrained from strangling Teddy on the spot, although that would be inconvenient since they were serving dinner and Gus needed Teddy’s help. They were slammed with the extra Chrismoose visitors in town. Gus couldn’t run the kitchen, the bar, and the dining room alone. Otherwise …. Teddy’s ongoing chatter about Nick Hudson was dancing on Gus’s last nerve. The man could unwittingly pinpoint her for Troy. And maybe Teddy’s starry-eyed enthusiasm reminded her too closely of herself years ago.

      “Just relax, Teddy, and listen for the trumpets to sound, heralding his arrival,” Gus said.

      Teddy cut her eyes and looked sheepish. “Okay, I guess I have been going on about him, but we just don’t get celebrities here in podunk Good Riddance.”

      It was on the tip of her tongue to point out writing for a newspaper did not make the man a celebrity, but then she dialed herself back. Teddy had no clue what Nick’s arrival meant to Gus and under different circumstances, Gus would’ve been excited about meeting him, too. But there was a whole lot of water under that particular bridge. Gus garnished the two plates and handed them off to Teddy with a forced smile. “No, we don’t get many celebrities here in Good Riddance.”

      She wiped her hands on her apron and turned back to the stove. The soothing smells and sounds of the restaurant washed over her. Regardless of how harried she was, there was a comforting familiarity to the clink of silverware against dishes and the sound of conversation and laughter at the different tables all set to a backdrop of music.

      Gus was stirring the sauce burbling on the back burner, when someone other than Teddy heralded her from the service counter. “Hey, Gus.”

      Startled, Gus dropped her spoon, sending it clattering to the stove.

      “Oops, sorry about that. I didn’t think I’d scare you,” Jenna, one of Good Riddance’s newest citizens, said.

      “No worries. I was just zoned out.” Normally, it wouldn’t have startled Gus. Her kitchen was an open-to-the-dining-room design and she loved it that way but she was definitely on edge tonight. “How’s it going, Jenna?”

      “Um, pretty good,” Jenna said, glancing over her shoulder toward the front door, obviously looking for someone.

      “Are you meeting someone?” Gus asked.

      “No. I’m not waiting on anyone in particular.”

      Jenna had shown up with Merrilee’s husband, now ex-husband, Tad as his fiancée. Jenna had, despite her airheadedness seen Tad for the creep he was, not to mention the cradle robber had been twice her age. She’d elected to stay in Good Riddance rather than go back to Atlanta and had started herself quite the thriving nail business over at Curl’s.

      “Could I help you with something, Jenna?” She liked Jenna but she was too busy tonight to stand at the counter chatting.

      “Um.” Jenna angled herself so she could talk to Gus and watch the doorway. “I just thought I’d tell you since the Ms. Chrismoose Pageant is coming up, I’ll give you a mani/pedi for half price. Seeing as how you’re the reigning Ms. Chrismoose, you want those nails looking nice when you hand off your crown … well, antlers or whatever they are.”

      “That’s sweet of you to offer, Jenna—” the woman truly had a big heart “—but I don’t think I’m going to have time and the kitchen’s pretty