Mark jotted down a few more numbers, the table he’d commandeered littered with notes. When the eco-developer showed up tomorrow, he’d be prepared to wow them with the plan. So ready, they couldn’t ignore the beauty of the proposal.
Oh Lordy, let them see how brilliant this idea could be. While the alternative was setting up a handyman service, working at home would be better for so many reasons.
A long, low whistle sounded from the front of the room. Mark glanced up to see his grandfather staring out the window, both hands pressed against the glass as he peered intently.
“What’s up, Gramps?”
“There’s someone on your bumper. Another lost tourist, I bet. I’ll go give them directions.” Grandpa Josiah dragged his hands through his hair before patting down his shirt. He shuffled toward the stairwell.
That was too weird. Mark rose from his chair and paced across to the old man’s side. “What do you mean you’ll go give directions? Isn’t this when you suggest I go downstairs and… Holy cow.”
Okay, now he knew why his grampa was willing to tackle the stairs. The most gorgeous woman he’d ever seen stood beside his car, her long blonde hair waving in the slight breeze. She wore a brilliant blue sweater that emphasized every curve, fitted pants that highlighted the swells of her hips when she turned toward the water.
He would have pressed his face against the glass for a better look, but his grampa was there. Instead, Mark pretended nonchalance. “You’re right, must be a lost tourist. I’ll take care of her.”
“See if she wants to stay until supper. I like company.” Gramps had returned to the window.
“I thought you said you were going back to the pack house to eat.”
Gramps grinned. “If she’s staying, so am I.”
Mark laughed. “Casanova. You be nice, old man.”
His grampa waved a hand briefly. “Ah, you know I’m kidding. Nothing like a bit of lovely scenery to brighten a man’s day, though. Go on, help the greenhorn.”
Mark took the stairs by twos, puffing slightly by the time he’d reached the bottom level and the main entrance to the unusual house. He paused for a moment and peeked in the mirror beside the door, tidying his hair. Because, well, even if all he was doing was providing directions, no use in scaring her off.
He slipped outside, the freshness of the fall rushing around him.
Home. The only home he’d ever known. The northern seasons were familiar and well loved, including winter. The upcoming cold days and long nights didn’t scare him. Not if he knew his Gramps was happy, and there was food on the table.
He was a simple man with simple needs, really.
It took a moment to spot his mystery woman. She wasn’t where he’d expected. For some reason she’d crawled on top of her car hood and was up on her tiptoes examining his house.
Mark had never had a peeping tom like this one. He stepped across the lawn space. “Hello. Can I help you?”
She landed on her heels, her brilliant smile dazzling him. Bright green eyes snapped to meet his and somewhere deep inside his wolf rumbled awake.
“Are you Mark Weaver?”
“I am.”
She clasped her hands together and bounced, literally, setting the entire car into motion. “Awesome. I’m Tessa, and I’m so glad to meet you.”
Tessa. The name didn’t register, but he automatically accepted her outstretched hand intent on helping her down off the hood.
Only instinct kept him vertical as she jumped lightly and landed beside him. The rest of him was a bundle of unplanned reactions, his wolf lurching to the surface and damn near howling in delight. The wind caught her hair again, ruffling it around her face. The breeze also brought her scent to him, and his mouth watered.
His body grew tight with need. His legs quivered.
“Ahem.”
Mark jerked to attention. Tessa stood in front of him, her fingers caught in his, their bodies nearly touching. Sometime in the past ten seconds, he’d lowered his head toward her neck and taken a good long sniff.
It was like shooting a bottle of moonshine except the hangover kick arrived simultaneously with the pleasure buzz.
“Mark, if you don’t mind, I need my hand back.” She grasped him around the wrist and tugged herself free from his clasp.
Embarrassed and yet excited at the same time, Mark let her go and forced himself to stand in place rather than crowd forward. There had to be a protocol he wasn’t aware of that explained how you were supposed to react upon meeting your mate for the first time.
Mate. Yeah, his once-and-forever, fated-and-soon-to-be-mated woman. Once he found out a few minor details, like who she was, they could get down to the important stuff. Like him carrying her inside, finding a bed.
She tucked her hair behind her ear and batted her lashes, and his heart raced. Patience, Mark. Patience…
“Tessa. What brings you to Haines?”
“I’m here—”
He meant to give her time to answer. Meant to ask her in. Meant to do all sorts of things, actually, but what he did was lose control. He closed the distance between them, cupped his hand around the back of her neck and dragged them together so he could kiss her.