Northern Escape by Jennifer LaBrecque

getting back. Lucky and Mavis should be almost done with the lunch crowd and I wanted to make a pot of chicken soup for Teddy and a pot for Curl.”
    â€œWe’re done here. Thanks for your help,” Luellen said. Shifting her weight to her other foot she continued, “That’s really nice of you to do that for Curl, especially since he lives alone.” She looked at the floor. “I could take it over for you once you get it made…if you wanted me to since you’ll probably be busy.”
    â€œSure.” Gus smiled at Luellen. Every time she smiled,it sent a little rush of heat through him, even when her smile wasn’t directed at him. “That would actually be a big help. I’ll give you a call when it’s ready.”
    Gus and Nick retrieved their coats and bundled up. They stepped out into the cold. The sun was close to exiting on the horizon. Once they were out of hearing distance of the community center, Gus shook her head. “It must be cabin fever.”
    She’d lost him. “Cabin fever?”
    A barking dog ran past them, a boy of about six in pursuit, calling out, “Ringo, wait for me.”
    â€œYeah. First there’s Jenna crushing on Nelson. And now Luellen obviously has a thing for Curl. It seems to happen about this time every year. I think it’s cabin fever.”
    â€œYou’re serious? This is really a phenomenon?” It would explain much of his reaction to Gus. Granted, he hadn’t been in winter lockdown mode like the rest of the town, but still…
    â€œI’m serious as a heart attack. I noticed the same thing last year.”
    â€œWell, it must be catching.”
    â€œHow’s that?”
    He caught her hand in his again. He liked holding it. He’d like to kiss her as well, but for now her hand in his was better than nothing. “Will you go out with me again tonight?”
    Her smile gave him all the answer he needed. “Where are we going this time?”
    Yes . The day seemed to get a little brighter despite the impending sunset. “Once again, I have a connection.How do you feel about shooting pool and throwing darts?”
    They dodged a mound of snow on the sidewalk. “I’m not very good at either one.”
    He laughed. “Don’t tell anyone, but neither am I. It’s really just a ruse to get you to say you’ll go out with me again.”
    She arched one eyebrow. “So we can play bad pool together?”
    â€œPretty much so I can spend time with you. Should I pick you up after work?”
    â€œHow about I just meet you there?”
    He liked how she went along with the ridiculousness of meeting at her place after hours as a date. “That works. When we get back I’ve got to some things to do and I want to check out a couple of the artists, but then I’ll be over to work as your galley slave again.” Each business in town was hosting two or three artists in their location. It spread traffic out and got people into the local shops.
    She laughed. “You really don’t have to help out. I appreciate it but I’m sure you didn’t come here to sub in a restaurant.”
    â€œThat’s the beauty of what I do. I can do whatever pleases me as long as I can pull an article out of it. And it pleases me to help you in your restaurant. I just need to make a few notes, write my post and send it.”
    Once again, because he was used to studying people and watching their expressions, he saw the flash of apprehension that momentarily shadowed her eyes and tensed her jaw.
    He stopped right there on the sidewalk, and turned her to face him. “Gus, I don’t know who or what you’re running or hiding from but you asked me not to blog about you or your establishment and I won’t.”
    Acceptance and a measure of trust were in her eyes, but there was also still darkness. He could almost feel the tension inside her. “Thank you.”
    They