Stars Over Alaska (Wild River #4) - Jennifer Snow Page 0,77

weren’t close in the traditional sense. He’d been basically old enough to look after himself by the time he moved in with her and she’d essentially let him do it. She offered advice only when asked and stayed out of his business out of respect, not a lack of caring. She was always there for him when it mattered, but Christmas and birthdays were the only time they made an effort to get together since he’d moved out on his own at nineteen.

“The store is packed. That’s great.”

“Harriet Jennings always draws a crowd when she visits. I wish she could release a new book every month,” she said, then noticing the copy in his hand, added, “You a fan of the series?”

“Um... I don’t know yet, but thought I’d give it a shot. So, I won’t stay long.” He placed the picture in the plastic bag on her desk. “I was just wondering if you knew of a way...or someone else who might be able to restore this.”

She lifted her glasses up to her eyes from the chain hanging around her neck and peered at the picture. Levi shifted as he waited. Would she recognize the photo?

“Fire damage?”

“Yeah, the Sanders cabin,” he said.

She tsked. “I heard about that. What a shame. You used to spend a lot of time there.”

He nodded. “There’s nothing left. We did the cleanup this morning. I was lucky to find this.”

Her furrowed expression wasn’t optimistic as she studied it. “It’s old and the damage is extensive.”

“But you’ve restored worse.” He remembered watching her replace old and worn covers on first editions of books. How meticulous and careful she’d been. How her expertise hadn’t faltered even as she’d aged and a slight quiver had entered her hands, but never dared to while she was working.

“I have,” she said. “But books are a little different. And I’ve never dealt with fire damage before.”

Damn. “So, no saving this one?”

She glanced at him, a knowing look on her face. “Leave it with me. I’ll see what I can do,” she said.

That’s all he could ask for. “Thanks, Grandma. I’d appreciate that.”

She smiled at him as her tea finished brewing, signaling her break was over. “So, how’s she doing anyway?”

He blinked. “Who?”

“Leslie,” she said, adding honey to her favorite mug.

“What makes you think I know?” His heart raced under his grandmother’s perceptiveness.

“I just meant about the cabin burning down,” she said with a knowing grin above the rim of her mug.

Oh, right. “I’m sure she’s disappointed, but I think she’s got bigger issues right now.”

Meredith nodded as she blew on the hot liquid. “Yes. Wanted for possible abduction of a Hollywood movie star?” She raised an eyebrow and the amused flicker in her light blue eyes suggested she’d be fascinated if it were true.

Levi scoffed. “Don’t believe everything you see on the news. Leslie’s not involved, she’s just trying to keep the woman safe... I bet,” he added quickly.

“I’m sure. Anyway, I hope wherever she is, she’s safe,” she said with a wink, opening the office door and leading the way out into the hallway.

He followed and she hugged him quickly. “Give her a hug for me,” she whispered.

Entering the station later that day, Levi held his breath. He wasn’t sure what to expect from Leslie but inside everything was quiet. “Hello?” he called out as he entered the kitchen.

Silence, except for the running dishwasher.

Checking the living room, he saw it too was empty. Even Smokester was gone. He headed toward his office and saw a Post-it note stuck to the door.

Gone for a hike.

It was Chad’s handwriting, but he knew the guy must mean all four of them, otherwise he wouldn’t have left Levi a status update about his own whereabouts. A hike was probably a great idea. Being cooped up inside the cabin with no real contact with the outside world must be driving the women insane. Levi loved the quiet solitude staying at the cabin provided. Big cities with their crowded streets and noise pollution weren’t his thing.

Could they be his thing if Leslie asked?

What the hell was he thinking? One incredible day together didn’t mean anything. It hadn’t escaped his notice that she hadn’t brought up his confession of love at all...as though wanting to forget about it maybe?

As if he could.

He sat in his office chair and opened his laptop. Several new messages waited in his email inbox from Angelica with questions regarding his preference of menu for the event and a list of wine