Dad's E-mail Order Bride

And Tiki did so love being right.

Taking a second to recover from her race to catch up, Tiki said between breaths, “Why are you in such a big hurry to get home, silly? You know your dad is going to kill you.”

Rachel rolled her eyes.

“I’d be terrified,” Tiki said, pretending a shudder. “I can’t even imagine what my dad would do if I charged a plane ticket on his credit card.”

“Oh, please,” Rachel said. “The charge on Dad’s credit card is the least of it. What will totally freak him out is me pretending to be him and inviting Courtney to his birthday party.”

“But aren’t you worried Courtney is going to be mad at you, too? You lied to her from the beginning.”

“I know,” Rachel admitted. “But Courtney really likes me. We’ve spent hours talking on the phone. And when I explain I was only trying to get Dad to move back to civilization, I think she’ll forgive me.”

“For your sake, I hope you’re right.”

“Of course, I’m right,” Rachel said, trying to convince herself more than Tiki. “Courtney isn’t some phony, shallow person or she would have lost interest the second I told her Dad had lost his hearing. She doesn’t even mind Dad having a teenage daughter. I’m telling you, Tiki, the woman is a saint.”

“Let’s just hope your dad thinks so.”

“Yeah, I can always hope,” Rachel said with a snort. “But if I know Dad, all he’s going to do is be mad at me and sulk. And then he’ll spend the whole weekend stomping around like an old bull, ignoring me and Courtney completely.”

Tiki looked over at her. “And that’s what I’ve never understood about this plan of yours, Rachel. If you didn’t think your dad was going to like Courtney, why even bother?”

“Because I’m desperate, Tiki. And if I push a gorgeous woman like Courtney in front of Dad, maybe he’ll remember what it’s like to have a real life.”

“And if he doesn’t?”

Rachel sighed. “Then at least I’ve shown Dad what it feels like to have someone else make decisions for him without his consent.”

“But what if your dad started stomping around like an old bull when Courtney got here and she got back on the plane and left?”

Rachel scoffed. “Do you really think I’m that stupid? I’ve been planning this day for months. I made Gil promise that under no circumstances would he let Courtney get back on that plane.”

They stopped walking when they reached the fork where the boardwalk divided. Broadway obediently sat to wait. A left turn led to Trail’s End Lodge. A right turn led to one of the more populated sections of Port Protection where Tiki lived.

Rachel shifted her book bag to her shoulder. “Well, at least wish me luck.”

“Luck?” Tiki laughed. “Forget luck, Rachel. What you need is a freaking miracle.”

Still laughing, Tiki headed off down the boardwalk.

“So not funny,” Rachel called after her.

But as Rachel headed home, the situation was becoming less funny with every step she took. Sure, she knew her dad was going to be furious with her—that was a given. She was just counting on her dad’s good manners not to make a scene with Courtney there.

Only now Tiki had put other doubts in her mind.

What if Courtney didn’t forgive her for lying? What if instead of being a saint, Courtney turned out to be some screaming psycho chick and really did flip out over what she’d done?

Rachel didn’t have to pretend a shudder.

She slowed her pace, wondering if maybe Tiki was right. Maybe she shouldn’t be in such a big hurry to get to the lodge. Maybe she should be late on purpose and give both her dad and Courtney more time to calm down.

Yes.

Maybe she should let her dad and Courtney think she was too afraid to show up. That should gain a little sympathy—hopefully, from both of them. And if her dad and Courtney were worried about her, maybe they’d be less likely to be so angry.

Pleased with her new plan, Rachel looked down at Broadway. “Want to go on a long walk, boy?”

The big dog barked and wagged his tail.

COURTNEY NIBBLED FROM the appetizer tray she’d found waiting for her when she’d come downstairs. Graham had arranged everything perfectly—even had a glass of white wine waiting for her. It had been the exact pick-me-up she needed after her long trip.

She’d been impressed by the gesture, even if catering to his guests was part of Graham’s everyday life. But who was she kidding?

Everything about Graham Morrison impressed her.

She glanced in his direction again as she finished off her last bite of cheese, and she couldn’t help but smile inwardly over the fact that he’d changed his shirt and shaved while she’d been upstairs. Her only regret was that he’d hardly said a word to her. Instead, he’d been pacing back and forth at the lodge’s front window for the past thirty minutes.

He looked at his watch for the fiftieth time, frowned and finally looked in her direction. “I’m getting worried,” he said. “Rachel should have been home by now.”

Courtney didn’t want to pooh-pooh Graham’s concern, but common sense told her Rachel was dragging her feet coming home on purpose. That’s what she would have done had she been in Rachel’s teenage shoes.

“I’m sure Rachel’s okay, Graham. Broadway wouldn’t let anything happen to her.”

She’d been trying to assure him Rachel was safe, but now he was frowning again.

And this time he was frowning at her.

“You just mentioned Broadway,” he said. “I was joking earlier, but Rachel really has told you everything about our lives here, hasn’t she?”

Courtney didn’t blame him for being upset that she knew so much about him—even the name of his dog. In his situation, she would have felt violated, too. Particularly over his journal entries. She wouldn’t bring up the e-mails again.

But maybe if she gave Graham the opportunity to ask a few questions about her, he might not feel so exposed. Deciding to give him that opportunity, Courtney left her chair and walked over to where Graham stood.

“I can understand how unsettling it must be for me to know so much about you when you know nothing about me,” she said.

Was it her imagination, or was he staring at her lips?

“So?” Courtney offered. “Is there anything you do want to ask about me, Graham?”

“Yes,” he said. “Why would a successful career woman from New York want to get involved with some deaf guy from Alaska and his bratty teenage daughter?”

Courtney laughed. “Well, when you put it that way, it makes me wonder why myself.” She paused before she added, “You have an amazing daughter, Graham, even though you’re upset with her right now. In fact, for the past three months, Rachel has been the one bright spot in my day.”

His expression softened slightly. “Even when she was complaining about her horrible life here?” he asked.

Is that what was bothering him? Was Graham worried Rachel had aired all of their dirty laundry? If that was the problem, she could clear that misconception up real quick.