Love In Alaska (The Love In 50 States Series Book 2) Read Online Free Page B

Sincere.”
    “Let me ask you this,” Mimi said. “And you need to answer right away. No thinking about it.” She paused. “Would you feel safe with him?”
    “Yes.” The word was out of my mouth instantaneously.
    I could hear the smile in her voice. “I think you have your answer, then.”
    I knew she was right. I was overanalyzing things, which I was an expert at doing.
    “Bring your phone,” she said. “And be honest about what you want. If you're just in it for sightseeing, make sure he knows that. Don't lead him on and make sure you're not going under false pretenses.”
    Her words made sense. I hadn't given him any indication that I was interested in anything other than a trip to the Alaskan bush.
    We said goodbye and I hustled out of bed and into the shower. I didn't bother with shaving my legs. I dried my hair with the hotel hair dryer, pulled on a pair of jeans, a long sleeve T-shirt and the one zip-up fleece I'd brought with me. I laced up my new hiking boots, double-checked the room to make sure I'd grabbed everything, then headed downstairs. I found a yogurt and a banana, along with a cup of coffee, and sat down by the window to watch for Evan as I ate.
    We'd exchanged contact info before we left the boat. He told me his flight plan for the next day included a trip to Kodiak. I'd smiled and nodded, pretending I knew where that was. I'd made a mental note to check a map when I got back to the hotel, but exhaustion had prevented me from doing so. He'd asked when I needed to be back and I told him I was flexible. Armed with that information, we'd said goodbye and he'd told me he'd pick me up at seven the next morning.
    I finished my banana and reached into my backpack for my phone. I copied and pasted some information and sent a text to Mimi.
    What's this?
    His contact info. Just in case.
    Trust your instincts, Jess.
    I'm trying.
    And have fun. Want details when you're back.
    A big blue pick-up truck pulled up to the curb and I recognized Evan behind the wheel. I stuffed my phone back in my bag and dumped my trash in the waste basket and, swallowing the lump that had suddenly developed in my throat, made my way toward the door.
    Evan was already out of the truck by the time I got outside. He had on a black polar fleece, tan cargo pants and his dirty hiking boots. His sunglasses were atop his wet hair.
    “Morning,” he said, smiling. “Was afraid I might have to come wake you. Jet lag can be tough coming this far west.”
    “I managed,” I said.
    He took my backpack from my shoulder and opened the passenger door, stuffing it in the back cab. It wasn't a macho thing. It was simply polite. He stood back so I could climb in, then shut the door behind me. The inside of the cab was warm and acoustic music played softly through the speakers on the doors. There were two to-go cups full of coffee in the center console.
    Evan climbed in the driver's side and motioned at the coffee. “Wasn't sure if you were a coffee drinker. I took a chance.”
    I took the cup closest to me. “I am. Thank you.”
    “Up here, it's kind of a requirement,” he said, grinning. “I thought it might be in Vermont, too.”
    “More or less.”
    He lowered his sunglasses over his eyes, shifted the truck into drive and we exited the hotel parking lot. “We're about fifteen minutes away. Not far.” He pulled onto the main road that ran parallel to the sound. “So. No second thoughts about just taking off with me?”
    I didn't want to admit just how many thoughts had run through my mind that morning. “Should I have second thoughts?”
    “I don't think so,” he said, shaking his head. “But I kinda like me and I know I'm not some nutjob. You haven't had the opportunity really to decide either of those things, so I'd understand if you'd changed your mind. Sort of.” He flashed me a grin.
    “Well I guess this is my opportunity then,” I said, trying to keep the conversation light. Because if I didn't, I ran the risk of either