Page 19 of Thaw of Spring (Knife’s Edge, Alaska #2)

A mka handed a full tray of coffees to Nixi, who balanced it easily and swung it up onto her shoulder.

Daisy had been smart to hire the woman. “You’re a great help.

Would you like a job while you’re in town?

” She could use the extra hands. More tourists kept showing up every day, and she was running behind by the time she opened the doors.

“Yes,” Nixi said, bouncing a little. Her purple hair stuck up on one side, like she’d rolled out of bed and just gone with it. “I’d love that, if you don’t mind. I could use the extra cash while I do this influencer gig. I’m not slated to leave for another week.”

Relief burst through Amka’s still aching body. “Yeah, it’d be great. I can pay you in cash.”

“Perfect,” Nixi said, her grin wide, both blue eyes lit. She turned and headed toward the back like she already belonged there, her slim hips swaying without trying.

Daisy walked in from the kitchen. “I like her.”

“Ditto.” Amka grabbed the coffee carafe and walked down to refill Ace’s cup. She leaned over the bar and rested her chin on her hand. “You don’t have to watch me all day just because Christian asked you to.”

Ace shrugged. “I don’t have anything else going on. Plus, the food’s good, and the ambiance is better.” He nodded toward the bottles behind her. “How about a bit of Kahlua in this coffee?”

“How about no,” she said. “You start with Kahlua, and next thing I know, you’re fighting tourists on my floor, and I’m dragging you out the door.”

His gaze sharpened. Both eyes were the same pale green as Christian’s one green eye. “All right, then how about we have a little chat? What’s going on between you and my brother?”

“Nothing.” She leaned back. “He’s decided I need protecting, and apparently nothing sways him.”

Ace jerked his head and grinned. “Ain’t that the truth. Believe me, I know.” He looked around the tavern. “Where’s your fiancé, anyway?”

“Still in Anchorage.” As far as she knew, anyway. She glanced toward the windows. The morning plane hadn’t come in yet, and she hoped it stayed grounded. One more day of peace wouldn’t hurt. She looked down at her bare hand. Why put on the ring?

“You gonna tell Jarod you stayed out with Christian last night?”

She blinked once. Then again. “You knew I stayed with Christian?”

“I knew he took you home. Figured he stayed there with you.”

She gave a noncommittal shrug. “Huh.” So Ace actually didn’t know about Christian’s cabin. That was kind of funny.

Ace stretched his neck. “Amka, if you’re playing games with Christian, I’d stop. Like right now.”

A slight chill wandered down her back. “He said he doesn’t play games.”

“He doesn’t.”

Now she shivered. “I’m not playing games. He’s the one who insists that I need cover.” That was enough discussion about the man who wouldn’t leave her mind. She cleared her throat. “So, Ace, I’ve been thinking.”

“Oh yeah?” He leaned back on his stool. His long gray T-shirt stretched over broad shoulders and a frame that matched his brothers’.

Around town, it was common knowledge he stood one inch taller than the other three Osprey brothers at a proud six foot six.

He liked reminding them every chance he got.

She didn’t think one inch made much difference, considering they all towered over her, but she liked that he still had a sense of humor about it. “Yeah. I’ve got some money I need to invest. What do you think about starting a new company?”

“A new company?” His eyebrows lifted. “Tell me more.”

How carefully did she need to tread here? “At some point, you’re going to have to fly again. I’ve known you my whole life, and you’ve always loved the air more than the ground or sea. I don’t know what happened exactly, but I do know you’re not meant to stay grounded.”

Ace didn’t reply right away.

“Let’s be honest,” she continued. “The other small commuters around here suck. One of them had to crash-land on a glacier last week.”

He snorted, but his eyes stayed on her now, sharp and measuring.

“I’m not just looking to park my money,” she said. “I want to help someone get back to doing what they’re meant to do. For the safety of Knife’s Edge, too. You know some of the others don’t take care of their planes.”

He winced. Anger flickered in his eyes and burned deeper. “It’s a travesty they’re still in the air.”

“I know,” she said, leaning in a little. “So…what if we started an LLC?”

He tilted his head.

“I’ve got the money right now,” she continued. “You could put in whatever you have. The town still uses your plane, but it’s technically yours, so that could count as your collateral.”

He didn’t interrupt. That was a good sign.

Her heart rate increased. Was she getting to him?

She’d protect her money and maybe help him out.

Somebody needed to do it. “I’ve been thinking about building something next door where the old storage building used to sit.

We could put an office in front, but Wyland and I could still use the back half for storage.

We could even build an additional rental for new businesses.

Knife’s Edge is growing. We could use the income. ”

“I don’t know.” He glanced again at the bottles of alcohol.

She reached out and put her hand over his. His skin felt warm. “It’s time you did something again. I need a place to invest, and this makes sense to me.” The idea had come out of nowhere, but now that it lived in her head, it felt solid. “We’ll come up with a name. How about Ace’s Flying Company ?”

He rolled his eyes. “I don’t think so.”

“We’ll figure it out. We’ve already got one plane.

Maybe later we get a second and bring in another pilot.

” She paused as she mentally ran through plans.

“We could do daily runs between towns. Mail, freight, people. Then take on charters for hunters, fishermen, mountain climbers, and tourists. You know how many people ask about backcountry flights and can’t find one that’s safe? ”

His face had gone still. “If I invested like that,” he said slowly, “I’d have to fly.”

The statement emerged like a confession.

She wasn’t sure if he’d been to see Smitty yet, but that could wait. Right now, she needed him to sign on so her money had a safe landing place. “I can meet with the bank. I could leverage Sam’s Tavern and also use the cash I’ve saved.”

He cocked his head. “Shouldn’t you run big plans like this by your fiancé? I mean you no offense, but I don’t want to be business partners with Jarod Teller.”

“No. This would be my enterprise, only. I promise that Jarod won’t be involved in the slightest.” Her voice stayed steady. “We can make this work. I know we can.”

Ace stayed quiet for several moments, studying her. No doubt seeing more than she wanted him to about her personal life. But unlike his brother, he didn’t probe. Finally, he nodded once. “All right. It’s a deal.” He reached out and clasped her hand.

She barely kept from squealing as they shook on it.

This wasn’t just a distraction or an excuse.

It was a solid business move. Sure, this would tie up every dollar she had so Jarod couldn’t get near it, but the plan also had real potential.

She could actually turn a profit, and Ace might find his way back into the air.

Numbers started flying through her head about the amount she could afford to put down, what she could leverage, and how fast they could get the permits in place. Then she turned toward the kitchen with its door ajar. “Daisy? You can come out now. I know you’re listening.”

Daisy stepped out, eyes wide, trying way too hard to look innocent. “What?”

“Oh shut up. You heard everything.” Amka made sure the coffee appeared fresh in the pot. “Will you please draw up the papers?”

“Absolutely,” Daisy said, already glancing around. “We’re not busy. I can head back to my office and do it now.”

Ace turned to look at the far corner behind the bar and tilted his head. “Is that your diploma on the wall?”

Daisey tossed her notepad on the bar. “Yeah. That corner’s my office.”

“Go for it,” Amka said. “I appreciate it.”

Daisy smiled wide and took a few steps, then paused. “Oh, and your will and prenup are ready.”

Amka’s stomach sank just a little.

Daisy glanced sideways at Ace. “Oops. Sorry. I should’ve whispered that.”

“No, it’s okay,” Amka said quickly. But truthfully, she kind of wished she had whispered it. Maybe having her attorney work ten feet from the drink taps wasn’t the best setup after all.

“I’ll get on it.” Daisy moved around the bar, already humming to herself.

Ace watched her go, before focusing back on Amka. “Prenup?”

“It just makes sense.” Amka kept her tone even. “I’m a smart businesswoman.”

Ace lifted his chin. “You’re not wrong. I think you just talked me into a business I don’t even want.”

“Too late,” Amka said cheerfully, just as the front door opened.

Two Alaska State Troopers walked in, both in full uniform.

She straightened as they took seats at the bar, trying to keep her steps casual as she walked down to meet them. “Hi. Welcome to Sam’s. Can I get you anything to eat?”

“Coffee,” they both said.

“I’m Trooper Paige Johnson,” said the woman who appeared to be in her forties in excellent shape.

She had sharp light-green eyes and dark red hair pulled back into a no-nonsense bun.

She removed her hat and set it on the bar.

“And this is Trooper Jeb Pontevo,” she added with a nod toward her partner, a man who looked to be in his late sixties, if not older, with cold brown eyes and a square jaw that hadn’t softened with age.

“He’s our expert in arson. You’re Amka?”

“Yeah,” Amka said carefully. Why did she feel like she’d done something wrong?

“We’d like to talk to you about the fire,” Trooper Johnson said. “And the shooting last night.”

They’d arrived faster than expected. She hadn’t even heard the plane. “Of course. I’ll tell you anything I can. But the sheriff’s on it, and there are two AWT officers in town. Sort of. One’s in training.”

“That’s fine,” Johnson replied. “We like to do our own digging.”

“As do I.” A woman who’d been nursing a soda by the door moved off her stool and walked toward them, tossing a business card across the bar. “I’m Helene Stanford from Northside Insurance. We hold the policy on the building that was burned down.”

Johnson arched one eyebrow. “Someone made an insurance claim already? That was quick.” She turned back toward Amka, her eyes glittering.

Helene nodded. “Yes. A Sheldon Friday called it in already. I interviewed him earlier today.”

Stupid Sheldon. Amka stared at the insurance adjuster for a moment. “I remember you from a couple of years ago. You were the adjuster for the motel that burned as well, right?”

“Yes.” Helene leaned against the bar. She had delicate features and pale skin that looked luminous with her dark hair. She had to be in her mid-twenties? Maybe a bit older? “That was owned by your fiancé, correct?”

The troopers both straightened.

“Yes,” Amka said, sighing. “All right. Why don’t you take a seat, and I’ll answer all of your questions at once?

” Yeah, this might not look too good. “But you all need to know right now that I didn’t see the explosive device, but I heard it blow.

I did smell an accelerant and watched the fire spread quickly, but I have no idea who would’ve done something like this. ”

Not one of them appeared like they believed her. Just fantastic.