Stars Over Alaska (Wild River #4) - Jennifer Snow Page 0,20

toward the elevators. Then she immediately spotted someone that had her looking for an escape route. “Oh shit.”

“What? What’s wrong?” Selena followed her gaze. “Is it the stalker?” She moved to stand behind Leslie, ducking low behind her shoulders.

“Nope.” Worse. For Leslie at least.

She scanned the lobby, but its open concept layout provided nowhere to hide and Eddie spotted her. His expression was a mix of shock and amusement as he came toward them and eyed her clothing.

“Do we know him?” Selena whispered.

Unfortunately. “Selena, this is my brother, Eddie,” she said as he stopped his wheelchair in front of them. “Um...what are you doing here?” He lived three blocks away. Why was he at the resort? She’d thought they were safe from running into any locals, especially her family.

“Montana’s parents are in town,” he said. “We were just having dinner at the restaurant. Better question is, what are you doing here?” He glanced at her hand and she knew that he knew she was responsible for the cabin fire.

“Protecting me from my stalker,” Selena said, stepping out from behind her.

Jesus. Hadn’t she told her not to reveal herself or the reason they were there to anyone? She shot her a look. “Eddie, this is Selena Hudson and this conversation is highly confidential,” Leslie said quietly, scanning the hallway. Locals might have a hard time recognizing the star, but tourists might not.

Eddie grinned as he extended a hand to Selena. “My lips are sealed. Nice to meet you. I can only assume that you’re famous?”

“’Cause I have a stalker?” Selena asked.

“’Cause my sister doesn’t have any friends, so you have to be a client of hers.”

Selena laughed as though Eddie were the funniest comedian on earth.

Oh come on...

“Does Mom know you’re here?” Eddie asked.

“No one was supposed to know I’m here.” Her irritation skyrocketed at the mention of her mother. She was walking a fine stress line that day that felt ready to snap at any moment.

“She had us hiding out in the woods until the cabin went up in flames,” Selena said, obviously having immediately bonded with Eddie.

Leslie was going to murder the star herself.

Eddie’s face was insincere shock. “You burned down the family cabin?”

Yes, and she was the woman in a towel rescued by the local smoke jumpers that everyone must be talking about as well.

“It was my fault,” Selena said quickly. “I’ll pay to have the cabin rebuilt.”

She would?

Eddie’s girlfriend, Montana Banks, approached and Eddie turned in his wheelchair to make the introductions. “Hey, Danger, meet Leslie’s new client, Selena... I’m sorry, what did you say your last name was?”

Selena laughed, tossing her dark hair over one shoulder as though glamming it up might make her more recognizable. “Hudson. Have I really arrived in a town that hasn’t heard of me?”

No ego, just genuine surprise. “I told you,” Leslie said.

Montana smiled warmly, her striking features even more beautiful. “Nice to meet you and great to see you again, Leslie.”

“You too.” It wasn’t fake politeness either. Leslie really liked her brother’s girlfriend. A single mom who’d suffered a tragic brain injury years before and was back in Wild River to have a relationship with her daughter, Montana had helped Eddie overcome his own tragedy, getting shot months ago. The two of them were great together and Leslie was happy to see her brother happy. If circumstances were different, she’d love to spend time with Montana, but that would require spending more time in Wild River with her family.

“How long will you be staying in town? We should have dinner,” she said.

“Um... I’m not sure. Hopefully not too long.”

“Dinner sounds cool though,” Selena said.

No one was asking her.

Leslie checked an imaginary watch. “We should get going... We have to run into town for a few things.” A shower and a nap would have to wait. They needed better clothing and she really needed a new cell phone right away. There could be updates from Eoghan and being out of touch for too long wasn’t a great idea. Her sanity would also depend on the short, infrequent calls.

Selena frowned as she looked at her. “How are we getting there? Your car is still stuck in a snowbank, remember?”

“There’s a shuttle from the resort into town.” Getting on the public shuttle dressed in scrubs was the least of her concerns right now.

But Eddie shook his head. “We’re headed home. We’ll drop you off on Main Street.”

“Perfect!” Selena said.

Leslie wanted to argue, but at this point, she was choosing her battles and conserving