Page 17 of The Hero She Loves

It burned. It had been a long while since she’d had whiskey. She wasn’t much of a drinker, but she did like a glass of red wine on occasion.

Parker looked amused and sipped at his drink

“That hit the spot.” She whirled. “Beer next, please.” She perused the lineup. “I’ll have an Alaskan Amber.”

The bartender’s lips twitched. “A girl who likes her drink.”

Jenna winked. “A girl who likes to have some fun.”

A moment later, he set the beer down in front of her. “You folks just passing through?”

“Something like that. I’m Jen, and this is my man, Con.”

Parker lifted his drink.

“We’re on a little Alaskan vacation.” Jenna sipped her beer. “If we find the right place, we might stay awhile.”

“Not much around here,” the bartender said.

“That’s what I like about it…” Jenna smiled and touched her tongue to her upper lip. “What’s your name?”

“Rusty.”

“This is your place?”

“Sure is.” The bar owner’s chest puffed up. “Rusty’s is always open.”

Park sipped his drink. “Unlike the local store. We saw it was closed.”

“That’s rare,” Rusty said. “The owner, Marty, took a day off.”

“I saw there’s an apartment above the shop,” Jenna said. “Must be hard to take time off when you live where you work.”

“Nah, Marty rents the apartment out. He’s got a cabin out on Bay Mountain Road.”

Bingo.

“Any cabins for rent around here?” Jenna asked.

“Maybe.” Rusty shrugged a shoulder. “Marty would know.”

Jenna flashed a smile. “Thanks, Rusty.”

She turned and leaned into Parker. “How about a game of pool, baby?”

He set his glass down. “Sounds good.”

The old-timers had finished their game, and the pool table was empty.

She racked the balls while Parker chalked his cue. She quickly pulled her phone out and texted the info on Marty to Owen.

Then she pulled Parker in close. His hands clamped on her hips, like he wasn’t sure if he wanted to pull her closer or push her away.

“Is this okay?” she whispered. “If it makes you uncomfortable…”

“It’s fine.” His voice sounded like gravel, but he pulled in a breath, tucking some of her hair behind her ear. His fingers brushed her skin, leaving warm tingles behind.

Keeping in character, she nuzzled into his chest. “I’ve got Owen narrowing down where Marty Price’s cabin is.”