Chapter 14

WILLIAM HOPED he hadn't gone too far, but Garvin kept holding on to his past like it was a damned lifeline. He was even trying to milk his mistakes as some sort of excuse for not moving on. Their friends in LA had treated Garvin with kid gloves for years. Maybe that was the problem.

"Dinner will be ready in a few minutes," Garvin said, and William turned away from the counter and returned to where Sasha stood on the sofa, looking over the back like he was ready to spring into action if things felt wrong. William stroked his head and sat down, putting his feet up. There was little he could do if Garvin wasn't willing to meet him at least part of the way. Maybe it was simply too much to expect. If Garvin was determined to wallow in his past, there was nothing William could do about it. Or maybe he was just too stubborn to make any sort of compromise. It wasn't like William was asking him to leave Willow and move back to LA, but a visit during the times when William was shooting and couldn't get up here didn't seem unreasonable.

He shrugged. Maybe William was just too stubborn himself and couldn't see that Garvin wasn't that interested. If you loved someone, you wanted to help make them happy. And William did want Garvin to be happy. So maybe he just needed to accept that they had the time they had and let that be the end of it. Any relationship had to be what both people wanted, and if Garvin thought he was only going to be happy here, then who was William to tell him any different?

"I'm almost finished with the frittatas," Garvin said. William joined him, getting out the plates and things for dinner. There was no use fighting. He was only here for a week and a half. Then he had to leave, and from there, things would either find a way to work or they wouldn't. William was serious about coming back, but he didn't think they had a chance if Garvin wasn't willing to make an effort. However, Garvin had surprised him before.

"I'll get some drinks." He poured Garvin some coffee and got water for himself. By the time William was done, Garvin had plates on the small table, and they sat down .

"What sort of things would you like to do before you leave? Once this snow is over, the weather is showing a period of quiet for a while, and it's supposed to warm up a little. By Wednesday, it's going to be near freezing. If you like, we could go out on the snowmobile. Or I could see if I can borrow one from Enrique and I could show you how to drive it so we could both have one. There are some great places to ride just to the north. We wouldn't need to go as far as the pass to have some fun. And next weekend is the winter carnival. It's held out on the lake and should be a lot of fun."

"On the lake?" William asked.

"Yes. The lake is relatively shallow, so it freezes deep and fast. The ice is probably four to six feet thick right now."

"That's pretty cool. Do you need to do something for it?"

Garvin nodded. "I'm supposed to help with the kids' games and things like that. We set up the community center as an artists' market and craft show. Clair—she lives in the house three to the west—organizes that each year. The library community room will be used for refreshments, and Enrique always sells food. There will also be native crafts and artists who sell their wares. We have races on the lake of all sorts, even outhouses."

"I take it the carnival is a big deal."

"It is for everyone around here. Most visitors come in the summer, but this is our one big winter draw, and we try to make the very most of it. I can't wait to show it all to you."

"It sounds like fun." William smiled, and Garvin seemed excited. The tension between them seemed to have slipped away, and William was glad for that. He knew the issue hadn't gone away, but he wasn't going to let it taint the rest of the time he had. "So tell me more about how they race outhouses."

Garvin's explanation of outhouses on skis being pushed by teams with an occupant inside, doors flapping open and swinging closed, had William nearly in stitches and Garvin grinning. Damn, that smile made his heart race.

THE FOLLOWING afternoon, Garvin drove them up to the trading post. Enrique joined them and gave William a lesson in driving the snowmobile. Enrique then took charge of Sasha and brought him inside.

Garvin took off with William behind him, being cautious with the speed until William got the hang of the equipment. "Where are we going?"

"It's a surprise," Garvin called back and zipped forward. William followed, glad his goggles were tinted, with the way the sun glistened and sparkled off the undisturbed snowfield. Trees dotted the landscape but then disappeared as they passed the tree line and went up into a pass that seemed completely undisturbed by man. Garvin pulled to a stop at the bottom. William brought himself to a stop right next to him.

"I love it here. This is one of those places that you can only get to by snowmobile in the winter or four-wheeler in the summer. There are no roads."

William slowly turned to take it all in. At the tops of the peaks, the wind blew up clouds of snow that glittered against the blue sky.

"Days like this are rare this time of year."

"What is this place?" It looked like nature's cathedral, with the peaks and the way they sloped down.

"It's one of the many valleys out here. There's a small creek in the center of it, which is why we didn't go all the way to the bottom. It shouldn't be active until the spring runoff, but you never know, and I didn't want to take any chances." Garvin's gaze met William's. "I don't want anything to happen to you."

William swallowed, and then Garvin leaned closer. William did the same, and Garvin kissed him, his lips warm and lush, a complete contrast to the cold air around them. Instantly, heat raced through William, and any chill that might have gotten through his gear vanished. When Garvin pulled back, William was tempted to press for more, but he restrained himself, even as he blinked at the fading intensity of the kiss.

He wished he had words to express how he felt at this moment, with the cold, the heat from Garvin, and their surroundings. William was tempted to challenge Garvin to a race back to the cabin so they could tumble into bed. Instead, Garvin took his hand and held it, and they sat together for a few minutes.

"We should move now," Garvin said. "There's only a few hours of light." William nodded, but Garvin kissed him once more. "Last summer, I packed a tent and came up here thinking I would spend the night."

"Did you? "

Garvin shook his head. "I saw a bear right over there, turned the four-wheeler around, and figured I'd sleep at home. I had no intention of waking up spooned to a grizzly." He grinned as he leaned close once more. "I'd much rather spoon with you. The bear is rough, and those claws…."

"Are you saying you have firsthand experience knowing how bears are hung?" William teased.

Garvin shook his head. "Come on. Let's head back." He started the snowmobile before heading upward to turn around. William followed, and soon they were on their way back down the pass and toward the valley, heading toward the setting sun. His cheeks ached, and William realized it was from smiling so much. He was happy. He never would have thought that being up here, out in the cold, could give him this kind of joy. Of course, he knew a lot of that was the man leading the way home. But still, William couldn't help turning around to take in one last look before they reached the tree line and the unobstructed view of the mountains was gone, tucked away safely behind the trees, waiting for their next visit.

Partway through the way back, Garvin paused. "Are you getting cold?" Without the sun, it seemed colder, but William was warm enough. He shook his head, and they continued their ride back, pulling into the trading post fifteen minutes later.

"Did you have a good ride?" Enrique asked as they parked the snowmobiles. Sasha hurried out, excited to see both of them.

"I did. Thank you. It was amazing." William hugged Enrique before jumping on the back of Garvin's snowmobile, holding him tight, the vibration of the motor stoking the heat that came from deep inside him.

"Are you ready?" Garvin asked. William scooted closer, pressing right to Garvin. "I'd say you are." He molded against him, and William groaned.

"Let's get home. I want a warm bed with you in it," he growled, and Garvin took off, zipping quickly over the snow, with Sasha running behind.

William knew the drill when they got back. He got his gear off and stoked the fire. Then he went to the bedroom with Garvin right behind him, tumbling them both onto the bed.

"That was amazing out there," William said as Garvin kissed him, tugging off William's overshirt and then his pants.

"You know, long underwear may be warm, but it sure as hell isn't sexy," Garvin growled as he tried to get William's off and the dang stuff got caught at his feet. William was afraid Garvin was just going to leave it there dangling off the end of the bed, but with a final pull, it came loose, and Garvin tossed it over his shoulder and pulled off the last of his own clothes.

William sighed as Garvin pressed against him, then pulled up the covers. It was cold, but Garvin engulfed William between his lips, and William gasped. It seemed that he was just as worked up as William, and that was damned fine.

"You don't need to be gentle or slow," William growled.

"I don't?" Garvin asked.

"Fuck no!" William guided Garvin's lips to his, nipping at them as he kissed him hard. "I've been bouncing with an engine vibrating my ass and balls for hours. If you want slow, this ain't the time, trust me." He reached over to the nightstand and grabbed a condom before pressing the foil packet into Garvin's hand.

"I see." He ripped it open and rolled it on, and William wrapped his legs around Garvin's hips.

"What the hell is taking you so—" William gasped. Garvin entered him hard and fast, sending a jolt of energy racing through him.

"Not going to be gentle," Garvin warned, but William pressed against him, pulling Garvin deep. He began to move, William right along with Garvin, wanting him so bad. Their coupling was fast, hot, sweaty, and damned mind-blowing. William held on to Garvin hard enough he might have left bruises. From the way Garvin pounded his ass, William might not sit comfortably for days… and he couldn't care less. All he wanted was Garvin, and he was getting a crash course in the man.

"Don't stop" was all William could muster as the room heated until his entire body felt like it was on fire. Garvin knew just where to touch him.

"I won't, I promise," Garvin told him, withdrawing all the way and then sliding deep inside William, taking his breath away. Then he did it again, sending William into mind-spinning ecstasy. He gripped Garvin tighter, holding him with everything he had.

"Yeah," William groaned when Garvin filled him completely, driving into him. He reached up to stroke himself, but Garvin batted his hand away and gripped William hard, sliding his hand up and down his length to the time of his thrusts. William arched his back, moaning softly as he tried to hold back the tide of passion building higher with each passing second. But the pressure and pleasure were too great, and he flew into his release, painting lines on his belly as Garvin drove deeply into him, pulsing to the beat of William's pounding heart.

OVER THE next few days, William and Garvin developed a routine. In the mornings, while Garvin worked, William brought in wood, read, and watched things on his phone, with Sasha curled up on the sofa next to him. He was going to miss the dog, something he never thought would happen. By noon they often headed out on the snowmobile to the trading post for lunch. Afterward Garvin would finish his workday, and then the two of them were off.

Thursday afternoon it was cold as hell, but clear, so they bundled into Garvin's Jeep and drove north up the Parks Highway for a little over an hour. "Where are we going?"

"You'll see," Garvin said with a grin. The sky was as blue as any William had ever seen, and mountains rose their craggy peaks, covered with snow broken up by black rock peeking through. It was all so ruggedly breathtaking.

William was so busy watching around them that he was surprised when Garvin slowed and pulled off. "This is the Alaska War Memorial."

"We came to see that?" William asked.

Garvin chuckled. "Put your gear on and I'll show you what we came for."

William pulled on his hat and gloves and zipped his coat closed before opening the door. The cold greeted him with its ice tendrils trying to reach everywhere. Still, he got out and waited for Garvin and Sasha.

"Come on." Garvin led the way through the snow to the memorial. "Now, turn around and look down the barrel of the cannon."

William thought Garvin was crazy, but he did, and his mouth fell open. There, right in front of him, in all her glory, was Denali, covered in snow, wind blowing a cloud off the top.

"She's putting on a show just for you."

The mountain was magnificent: snow, ice, and rock, stretching almost four miles toward the sky. "I saw it from over the lake."

"This is probably the best viewing spot in the state. It's rarely out like this. I've passed by here and never seen a thing. The mountain makes its own weather, and she loves to keep herself shrouded in the clouds. But today… she must feel like really showing off."

"I guess." William blinked as he stood watching the mountain. Then they headed back to the car. Garvin turned around, and when William took a final look, he could already see clouds forming near the peak. Within five minutes, the top was shrouded and could no longer be seen.

Garvin turned the Jeep around and they headed south, back toward Willow. "I guess we got really lucky," William said.

"Yes, we did. The mountain only shows herself to those she really wants to. The rest of the time, she shyly hides behind her clouds and mist." Garvin continued south with William watching out the back window as the mountain did indeed cloak herself in the clouds, slowly disappearing from sight.

"Thank you for bringing me here," William said softly. It was like he had gotten to witness something few people did. "I got to see the northern lights, Denali…. What else is there?" He was getting so excited.

"There are glaciers that we could visit at other times of the year, but right now, they're a little difficult to get to, and a lot of the visitor centers are closed until summer. You'll have to come back, and I can take you to see some of them." Garvin seemed happy, and William definitely was. That was the first time Garvin had spoken about William returning like it might actually happen. William definitely took that as a win.

THE REST of the drive back was quiet, especially after the light faded and William let Garvin concentrate on the road ahead. Thankfully it was fairly clear, but ending up in a snowbank was something William did not want to experience again.

Garvin's phone vibrated as they approached the trading post. "Go ahead and answer it for me. "

William picked it up from the center console. "This is Garvin's phone."

"William, it's Enrique. I assume Garvin is with you. Can you stop at the trading post? There seems to be a little trouble, and I need your help. I've already called the police, but they're a ways off."

"I'll tell Garvin. We're on our way." William hung up and explained what Enrique said.

"We'll be there in a few minutes." Garvin sped up a little. William held on, thankful it wasn't snowing and the road seemed clear, but there could be ice. Finally they turned off, down the side road, and pulled into the trading post lot.

Garvin hurried out with Sasha right behind him. William followed, wondering what the hell was going on now.

"How dare all of you stick your nose into our business!" someone yelled as William closed the door behind him. Sasha barked and then growled.

"What is going on?" William demanded in his loudest voice, the snap in his tone stopping everyone.

"And you are?" the man asked.

William stood next to Garvin. "I think the real question is, who the heck are you? This is private property, and you have no rights here at all. Now, you can act civil or you can leave. The police have already been called and are on their way." He turned to Enrique and Devon, who seemed overwhelmed. "What seems to be the trouble?"

The loudmouth motioned to the eight men behind him. "You all cost us our jobs."

"I see. And what jobs would those be? The ones at the mine?" Willian got a bunch of nods. "Well, I have news for you. The people who cost you your jobs were the ones blasting in the middle of winter, bringing down half the mountain." He was livid, and Garvin placed a hand on his back. Normally he would have reveled in the touch, but right now, he was so angry he could spit nails. "I saw the mess up there. A huge section of trees was destroyed, and all because someone couldn't follow the rules, or worse. As far as I can see, it was your company that is responsible. And if they laid you off, then we're all sorry for that. But no one here broke the rules." He glared at the men, and one by one, they seemed to take a step back.

"Do you want to leave peacefully or wait until the police get here?" Enrique asked.

The men all shook their heads. "But what do we do about our jobs?" one man asked. "I was counting on that come spring, and now I'll have nothing."

William had no idea what to tell them. This wasn't the fault of these particular people, but it wasn't Enrique's, Devon's, or Garvin's issue to solve. "This has nothing to do with us. We don't have jobs hanging around for you, but neither did we get you fired," Garvin told the group. They all began talking at the same time, and tensions began to flare once more.

"What seems to be the problem?" This time the speaker was Trooper Nelson, as he and another trooper entered the bar area. That began another round of explanations from Enrique and more grousing from the miners. This whole situation would have been funny if William didn't feel for these men and their families. It was like a comedy sketch that went around and around and never got anywhere.

"You all need to go home," Trooper Nelson declared. "If you have grievances, then take it up with the mining company, or the state mining board. They have the real authority to punish the company if they did something against the law. These folks live here, and this is a private business. It's not a forum for you to take out your frustrations or make threats to anyone." He tapped the miners in the back on the shoulders, and they got their gear on and started leaving. Slowly the place emptied out, except for the locals who had come in for a drink or a meal. They'd gotten a floor show tonight.

"This is getting out of hand," Enrique told the troopers.

"Yeah. Well, the mine company terminated everyone, including the three who were caught in the avalanche. It seems they are trying to scapegoat them and make it look like it was all their fault. But I doubt that's the case."

"Were you able to speak to them?" William asked.

Trooper Nelson sighed. "I can't speak about an ongoing investigation. "

"I see," William said. "You know, you're a really bad actor. Your eyes give everything away." He stared a second longer and then cut the trooper a break. The leader of the miners was still in the corner, looking puzzled. William left Enrique and Garvin with the trooper and approached the ringleader.

"I won't cause any more trouble," he said without any of the force his voice had earlier.

"Okay." William was about to leave him alone, but he turned. "I have to ask, why did all of you come here in the first place? I mean, you had to know that the people here couldn't get your jobs back for you and that there was nothing anyone here could do to help you. What were you hoping would happen?" He really had no idea what was going through these guys' heads, and it was a little frightening how quickly irrationality could take over.

"I don't know. We all got calls saying that our services were no longer going to be required because the locals had raised a big fuss and the license for the mine was likely to be withdrawn." He seemed more cautious now.

William scratched his head. "You're saying that the company told you that the people here were to blame for you losing your jobs?" He glanced over at Garvin, who finished up with the trooper and joined him. "They tried to blame us for what happened."

"Yeah," the miner said, growing more unsure of his position by the second.

"We had nothing to do with your mine closing. All we did was rescue your fellow miners and try to figure out what happened." William sighed. "And we are all sorry that you won't have a job come spring, but you might think of it this way. What danger were you putting yourself in, working for an outfit like that? They obviously don't care about the people who work for them. If they are trying to cover up what happened, then what other safety issues are they not telling you about?" He held the miner's gaze until he lowered it. "I know you're going to need to find someplace else to work, and I'm sorry for that."

He nodded, pulled on his gear, and left the trading post.

"What was all that?" Garvin seemed as confused as William.

"I'm not sure, but I do know that I'm tired of you all fighting this nameless, faceless company that seems intent on harassing everyone here. This crap needs to stop." William pulled out his phone and sent Arnie a text reminder about the lawyer.

I'm working on it was his response. Looking for someone with specific experience in Alaska. Got a few leads. William thanked him and slipped his phone back into his pocket.

"I keep wondering what these people are going to try next," he told Garvin, but there was nothing he could do about it. "Let's go to the cabin." He was tired, and he'd already had enough drama for one day. Who knew that a small village in Alaska could be so exciting?

"Sure." Garvin began putting on his gear while William glanced around the space before his gaze returned to Garvin. "Is something wrong?"

William shook his head, not realizing he had just been standing there. In a few seconds he had come to realize just how much he was going to miss not only Garvin but everyone here when he had to leave. Shit…. Even in his head, he didn't use the word home to refer to LA, because whether he wanted to admit it or not, this place with Garvin was quickly coming to feel like the place where he was going to leave his heart behind.