Alaska Skies: Brides for Brothers / The Marriage Risk

“I went to visit him, but he didn’t want me to leave,” Scott explained. “Every time I started to go, he’d cry. I only opened the gate so I could pet him and talk to him. I must not have latched it very good, because he followed me.”

“Next time make sure the latch is secure,” Abbey told him sternly.

Scott’s gaze avoided Sawyer’s. “I might not have closed the gate all the way on purpose.”

Sawyer tried to hide his amusement. “Thank you for being honest about it. Next time you want to play with my dog, all you have to do is come and ask me first. That won’t be difficult, will it?”

“No, sir, I can do that.”

“Good.”

“Eagle Catcher only likes me, you know,” Scott announced proudly. “He wouldn’t leave the pen for Susan or Ronny.” He closed his mouth when he realized what he’d admitted.

So the three friends had been in his yard and attempted to lure Eagle Catcher out of the fenced-off area.

“So, can I have lunch at Ronny’s?” Scott asked again, obviously eager to change the subject.

“All right, but I want you to take Eagle Catcher back to his pen. Later on you and I are going to have a long talk about Mr. O’Halloran’s dog.”

“Okay,” he said sheepishly, and before she could say another word, he dashed out the door, the husky at his heels.

Sawyer chuckled. “I can’t believe the way those two hit it off. It’s not like Eagle Catcher to become this attached to someone.”

“I hope this doesn’t develop into a problem,” Abbey said. “He’s got to understand that it’s your dog, and he has to obey your rules. But Scott’s always loved dogs, especially huskies, and we’ve never been able to have one. He was crazy about Eagle Catcher from the first time he saw him.”

“The feeling appears to be mutual. Eagle Catcher’s never had anyone lavish attention on him the way Scott does. They seem destined for each other, don’t they?”

Abruptly Abbey looked away.

Sawyer wondered what he’d said that had caused such a startled reaction. Did she think he was talking about the two of them? If so, Abbey Sutherland was in for a surprise.

Sawyer wasn’t interested in marriage. Ever. Not even to the beautiful Abbey Sutherland. He’d learned all the lessons he needed from his own experience several years before. And from his parents, who’d tried to make their marriage work, but only made each other miserable. Sawyer wanted none of that.

* * *

Rarely had Abbey enjoyed a shower more. She stood under the warm spray as it pelted against her skin and savored each refreshing drop.

Exhausted from a day of playing, Scott and Susan fell asleep the minute they climbed into the two single beds in Christian O’Halloran’s guest bedroom.

Abbey was sleeping in the double bed in a second spare bedroom. Although Sawyer had repeatedly told her she was welcome in his brother’s home, Abbey couldn’t shake the feeling that she was invading Christian’s privacy.

It was fine for Sawyer to offer his brother’s house. But Abbey couldn’t help wondering if he’d bothered to mention it to Christian.

After she toweled off, she dressed in jeans and a thin sweater and walked barefoot to the kitchen, where she made herself a cup of tea. It was difficult not to compare her stark living quarters at the cabin and the simple luxuries of Christian’s home.

The kitchen was large and cheery, the white walls stenciled with a blue tulip pattern. The room’s warmth and straightforward charm reminded her that Ellen O’Halloran had once lived here. Her touch was evident throughout the house.

Taking her tea with her, Abbey wandered onto the front porch and sat in the old-fashioned swing. Mosquitoes buzzed about until she remembered to light the citronella candle. The evening was beautiful beyond anything she’d imagined. Birds chirped vigorously in the background. The tundra seemed vibrant with life.