Page 50 of Thaw of Spring (Knife’s Edge, Alaska #2)

T hree weeks later

Amka settled into the chair at the campfire, her gaze on the river creek running along the edge of Christian’s property. Tika stretched out next to her, snoring rhythmically.

Movement sounded behind her, and Christian dropped a blanket over her, picked her up, sat in her chair, and planted her on his lap. “Sun’s going down. It’s going to get cold.”

She snuggled into him, her nose in his neck. “Is your shoulder okay?”

“It’s fine. Nothing to worry about.”

Worrying about him was now her right, and she kind of loved it. She cuddled deeper beneath the blanket. “Are you taking care of me?”

“Always. That’s my job.”

She shut her eyes for a moment. They’d take care of each other, but she truly enjoyed the feeling of shelter.

“This might sound off-kilter, but I think Tika might be getting a cold. He’s snoring like crazy.

” Did wolves get colds? Most animals could, so it made sense.

“I wonder if we should take him to the vet.”

Christian stretched his long legs out to the fire. “He’ll be fine. Even if it is a cold, he’ll shake it. Don’t worry.” He kissed the top of her head. “Are you sure you’re okay moving in here at my place? There’s plenty of room to expand my house. I mean, our house.”

“Sure. I like it here.”

“I’m having plans drawn up and have an idea for a bedroom that can be both inside and outside with the right hydraulics.” His low voice rumbled across her skin. “We could close it up for bad weather and keep it open for good. Put it against the rock.”

Amusement slid through her. “For a good defensive position?”

“Of course.”

She kissed his neck. “Sounds good. However, I assume hydraulics cost a lot. Since I cleared the mortgage on my place, I can contribute once I sell my house. Also, a new insurance adjuster is looking at the storage unit fire, and since Helene admitted to setting it, we should get that money soon.”

“Don’t need money.” He shrugged. “A buddy from the Navy took all of my income and invested it really well since I didn’t spend it on anything but this land and a few supplies. Take your money and start those businesses with Ace. It’ll be good for both of you.”

How sweet was that? She leaned back to study his face.

In the firelight, he looked rugged and untamed.

Totally sexy. “Also, and this is weird, it looks like I actually get the million dollars from Jarod’s insurance policy that he took out just to look like we were both on the same page with the life insurance.

” She swallowed. “I won’t want that money and would like to donate it to Knife’s Edge Native Association. ” She held her breath.

“I like that.” His gaze warmed. “Excellent idea.”

Her body calmed. It figured that Christian wouldn’t care less about money.

However, he loved his brothers. “Don’t you think we should tell Ace that Doc May was charged with Jarod’s murder?

” May’s arraignment had gone just like Amka’s, via Zoom, and so far, nobody in town even knew about it.

May was out on bail for the time being, working as their only doctor.

Apparently Daisy had painted a dire image of what would happen to the town if they didn’t have a doctor for any length of time.

“Not today. Maybe those two should figure it out together?” Was that amusement in Christian’s voice? Seemed like it.

Amka narrowed her eyes. “Don’t tell me that the mysterious, wounded, and badass Christian Osprey is a matchmaker.”

“Say that again and I’ll spank you.” While he sounded lazy and amused, he probably wasn’t kidding.

“I’m comfortable right now. I’ll say it again later.” She rested her head against his good shoulder, listening to his heartbeat. “I like that you’re no longer fighting us and thinking I could do better.”

He shifted her slightly. “You probably could do better, but it’s too late for that.

You’re in my heart, and I’m determined to be in yours.

We’ll just have to figure it out.” His broad and strong body remained relaxed around her, as if once the decision had been made, he was totally at peace with it.

She tilted her head to better see his eyes. “You’ve been in mine for months. I love you, Christian. You’re better than anybody else in the world for me, and I hope you someday realize that.”

“Sure.” He kissed her nose, something passing through his eyes. He liked being told he was loved. She’d have to do that every day. “Doesn’t matter. You’re with me.” He frowned. “It’s going to be hell leaving you this summer for AWT training. Like I need training.” His jaw clenched.

She ran her palm along the stubble, smiling when his jaw relaxed.

“It’ll go fast, and you’ll make an amazing Alaska Wildlife Trooper.

It’s the perfect job for you.” In fact, he was already back on the case with Dutch, although they didn’t have any leads yet.

Dutch’s lead hadn’t panned out. That was something she’d worry about another day, and she liked the idea of Christian and Dutch working together.

“I’m glad you’re going that avenue.” He needed a purpose to be happy, and he liked protecting and defending. It made sense.

“As am I.”

She played with a button on his dark flannel. There was nothing like a mountain man who looked good in flannel. “Have you heard from Damian?”

“Yep. He successfully deleted every copy of the video showing Hank’s death, even from the cloud. However, he hasn’t found his wife.” Christian flashed a smile. A real one. “That’s going to be fun to watch. I’ve never seen D so ruffled.”

“I guess.” Amka really wanted to find Nixi and get to know her better.

How fascinating. The woman was practically a spy.

Or actually one. “I scrolled through social media, and not only are all of her posts gone, so is the one about you carrying me out of that fire. It’s completely gone.

” What kind of connections did it take to really get something off the internet? Like completely?

Christian stared at the fire. “She came to town for a reason, and Damian is the only one I can see. So she’ll be back.”

“I hope so.”

Christian tangled his fingers in her hair and drew back her head, taking her mouth. He kissed her deep and full, sending sparks of fire to her core. Throughout her entire body. Then he released her. “I love you, Amka. Want to share a name. I’ll get a ring and all that, but I wanted you to know.”

She blinked. “Are you asking me to marry you?”

He kissed her again. “I’ll do it with a ring. I’m more just telling you that it’s happening. Probably later this summer.”

Happiness filled her along with amusement. Maybe a little exasperation. “The proposal is happening later this summer?”

“No. The wedding.”

She paused. Then chuckled. “What am I going to do with you?”

“Live happily ever after with me and my wolf-husky snoring mutt.”

Yeah. That sounded just about perfect.

Keep up with the crew in Alaska with Ace’s book, Burn of Summer !

If you enjoyed the Alaska wilderness, give Idaho a try with the Anna Albertini Files. Here’s a quick excerpt from Anna’s newest release, Habeas Corpus :

Two elderly women walked inside the store, chattering happily about finding the perfect wedding gift for somebody named Allison as they shook snow off their coats on the mat.

I stopped walking and hovered, not wanting to startle them.

In unison, they silenced and looked at me.

The tallest one screamed and laboriously pulled a humungous silver-barreled revolver out of her wide crocheted purse.

I froze. “Whoa.”

Her hand shook on the obviously heavy weapon. She was about my height and slender beneath her black wool coat, the long sleeves partially covering her hands. “Don’t move.”

“I’m not.” I took a deep breath. “That’s the biggest handgun I’ve ever seen.” I wasn’t a Dirty Harry fan, but I was fairly certain I saw him wielding one of those on a commercial for an old movie.

She nodded vigorously, her faded green eyes wide and curled white hair bobbing. “It is. It’s a Smith & Wesson 500 revolver. I borrowed it from my grandson, George.”

I had absolutely no idea why George would need that much firepower. “Is your grandson here?” I wouldn’t mind a voice of reason.

She snorted. “No. He’s working. Today is a workday for most folks your age. But not you. You robbed this place.”

My head dropped to note the disaster of stains, now including blood, on my wool coat.

“I didn’t rob anybody.” Holding my hands up, I let the bloody tissues float to the floor.

Except one. That one remained stuck to my injured right wrist. “The Cupid gang came in and robbed us. They tied us up, and I just got free.”

“Help me,” Lisa called out.

The armed woman swung her gun down the hallway. “Who’s that? Is this a trap?”

I sighed. “No. That’s Lisa. She owns the place. I’m Anna Albertini. What’s your name?”

The second woman, who had to be in her late seventies, narrowed her gaze. She was under five feet tall with short, white hair, dressed in an overflowing gray coat that nearly brushed her ankles. “Albertini? Like Elda?”

Hope burst through me. “Yes. Elda is my nonna.”

She pulled a cell phone from her right pocket and pressed a button.

“Hello,” Nonna answered.

“Hi, Elda, it’s Martha,” the older woman said. “Tricia has a gun pointed at a woman who says she’s your granddaughter, but she’s at the antique store covered in what looks like paint, ink, dirt, and blood.”

Nonna sighed. “That is most likely my Anna.”

I nodded wildly. “Hi, Nonna. It is me, and we were just robbed by the Cupid gang.”

“Again?” Anger coated Nonna’s words. “Tricia? You turn that gun away from my granddaughter, or I’m bringing my spoon to the barn raising this spring. Don’t think I won’t do it.”

All three of us winced. Nonna was well known for keeping a wooden spoon in her purse to clap people’s heads.

Tricia slowly lowered her shaking arms and sighed in relief. “Sorry about that. Can’t be too careful, you know?”

I finally breathed. “I know. Do you mind calling the police?”