Jillian Burns - Primal Calling (Harlequin Blaze #602)  

M AX LANDED smoothly at the Wiley Post-Will Rogers Memorial Airport and taxied down the runway. Next to him, Mickey whined. The malamute knew they were almost home.

Home. It seemed like a dream sometimes. To come home to someone. To fall into Serenas arms and bed and know how right it felt. No longer cursed, but blessed. No longer wandering, hed found the place where his soul belonged.

The days were growing shorter. The nights longer. Soon they would have only darkness for four months.

Max, youre early, Chris greeted him as he brought the first cooler of meat into the kitchen of the North Slope Inn. Did you get the turkey?

Yes, and yes, Max continued as Chris opened his mouth. Its a twenty-five-pounder. Youre not feeding the entire town, you know. Its just Serenas parents and my grandmother.

Chris shrugged. Arna likes leftovers.

And I am eating for two now. Arna entered the kitchen and moved beside her husband wearing her usual impassive expression.

But Chris was beaming.

Wow, congratulations! Max slapped Chris on the back.

Besides, I like his dressing. Arna glanced up at Chris and her face took on such a look of love. Max understood that feeling now.

I like his undressing, too.

Ow. Chris jumped and Max caught Arnas hand moving from behind Chriss backside. Max grinned.

So. Chris cleared his throat and hid his blush by opening the cooler and bending to unload it into the fridge. Your first Thanksgiving with the in-laws, huh?

Max nodded. I met them in L.A., but it was pretty rushed. You have their room booked, right?

Theyll have our best accommodations, Max, Arna assured him.

By the time Max finished unloading their supplies, he was so anxious to get home he almost skidded his truck off the road.

Serena had to leave for Switzerland in two weeks and he intended to take advantage of every minute she was here. By which he meant to keep her naked and in bed as much as possible.

He pulled the truck up and jumped out, almost beating Mickey to the door.

As he walked in, he smelled something burning, but he couldnt have cared less. He wasnt hungry for food.

Serena? He wandered through their living room and kitchen, and then checked the bedroom and bathroom. No Serena. Worried, he finally noticed the back door ajar.

Serena? He stepped outside and spied her sitting in a deck chair with her knees drawn up to her chest. She was wearing her parka with the hood up, and had a huge down comforter wrapped around her. What is it, sweetheart? He hunkered down in front of her.

She sniffed. If God had intended me to cook, he wouldnt have made me such a great judge of restaurants.

Max fought to keep from grinning. You know I dont care if you cook. Lets go out tonight.

She sniffed again. Its okay. Aanaga brought your favorite stew earlier today. Just in case, she said. She gave a rueful smile and rolled her eyes. She knows me too well.

She knows youre the most wonderful thing that ever happened to me. Now, come inside, its freezing out here. He took her arms and rose, pulling her up as he stood.

But the stars are so beautiful. She looked up.

She was right. For once it was a cloudless night in Barrow.

At that moment, the northern lights flashed green and purple in the sky. Serena gasped and watched until the lights faded away. Max. I finally saw them. Theyre so beautiful. Its like they were waiting until I was with you to show up. She beamed up at him and wound her arms around his neck. Every time Ive seen something magical, Ive been with you. She kissed him, but he pulled away, worried she was too cold, and guided her back into the house.

And later, after hed heated every part of her body, he whispered, When Im with you, my life is magical.

F OR THREE WEEKS weve followed the intrepid mushers of the Iditarod as they raced their sled dogs over a thousand miles of the most unforgiving yet awe-inspiring terrain on earth. The same perilous journey one brave man and his dogs made to deliver medicine to the sick townspeople of Nome eighty-five years ago.

Serena turned, following the cameras movement to pan the landscape behind her. Now weve returned once again to Anchorage, where we say goodbye to the Land of the Midnight Sun, and take with us unforgettable memories of the thrill and danger of the Last Great Race on Earth, and of the friendly people of Alaska.

This is Serena Sandstone, with no reservations about making reservations. Join us next week when we travel to sunny Buenos Aires. And remember, no matter where you go, you can always Travel in Style! Serena held her TV-personality smile while the camera lens zoomed out to the spectacular view of the Chugach Mountains.

And cut! Roberta, her producer, yelled. Okay, Serena, thats a wrap. Roberta turned and headed back into the Seaside Hotel from the outdoor pavilion. God, I cant wait to get back to L.A. Its freakin cold here!

Roberta had a gift for stating the obvious. It was the last week of March. It was Alaska.

Come on, people. Lets get this equipment loaded. I dont want to miss the one flight out of here tonight, Roberta called behind her.

Serena took a determined breath and then hurried to catch up to her producer while the camera and sound crew packed their equipment. Roberta, I wanted to talk to you about that piece I gave you last month.

What piece? Roberta continued her brisk pace toward the elevators. Oh. The genocide investigation? Yeah, yeah, I sent that up to the network execs.

A tiny jolt of excitement hit Serenas stomach. Maybe her dream was about to come true. And?

Roberta barked orders to her assistant about the arrangements in South America, and then focused on Serena with an impatient sigh. Lets get a drink.

Nervous, Serena followed her into the hotel bar.

They slid into a booth and Roberta ordered two glasses of Chardonnay and cleared her throat. Serena, Ive told you before, youre too valuable at Travel TV. We cant let you put yourself in a risky situation. Even if they had the budget for an investigative piece, theyd send someone else.

But, it was my idea. My research. When I signed on to do Travel in Style five years ago, they promised

Serena, your show has the highest ratings on this cable network. Why not stick to what you do best? Let someone else get their hands dirty.

Serena looked up as the waitress set their wine down, then back at Roberta. But, I can do both. I can

But why should you? Roberta took a long gulp of wine and stood. Now, Ill be in postproduction on this show, but youve got a couple of weeks until we leave for Argentina. Please try to rest.

But

The camera is never forgiving of dark circles under those gorgeous eyes of yours. Roberta patted Serenas shoulder and strode off.

Serena wanted to pound her fist on the table, or better yet, pitch her wineglass at the back of Robertas head. The network execs at TRTV were never going to give her the chance theyd promised her. Shed pitched three serious story ideas and every time, they sent someone else to investigate. They were never going to consider her as anything but a pretty face.