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СКАЧАТЬ brown bear is made completely of acorn husks applied to wood with local seeds.”

      “Giselle will love it. It looks like intricate work.” He scanned the attached card, which told about the significance of brown bears in Native culture.

      “This is a soapstone carving of a seal, a polar bear’s idea of a gourmet dinner.” She set it on the desk. “And this is a wampum belt. The Cree once used these to record family events. Giselle seemed quite interested in Native culture. I thought she could make the belt tell her story.” She laid it over the back of the desk chair.

      Amazed that Alicia had considered such detail, Jack could only watch as Eli framed the watercolors and hung them on the wall.

      “Somehow this room looks exactly like her,” Jack said with satisfaction when Alicia set the hot-pink phone on the desk. “I think Giselle will like this. A lot.”

      “I hope so.” Alicia waved a hand as Eli left to return to the store. “I hope I haven’t ruined your hotel. And if she doesn’t like it, I’m happy to take back my stuff. I just—”

      Was she nervous?

      “Alicia.” Jack reached out and smoothed the furrow on her forehead, marveling that she already felt like a good friend. At least she would have felt like that if she hadn’t jerked back from his touch. He pretended not to notice. “I don’t know how you did it, but my daughter is going to be ecstatic over this room. I can’t thank you enough.”

      She looked at him a long time before the worry faded from her eyes and the twinkle returned. She chuckled.

      “Be warned. When we get going on the sod house, you’ll probably wish you’d never asked for my help.”

      If this room got his girl back home, Jack doubted he’d ever regret asking Alicia anything. Alicia Featherstone was a wonder woman.

      He felt bemused by the many facets of this amazing woman. Business owner, haircutter, room decorator. He could hardly wait to find out what else Alicia could do. Her Native beauty was refreshing and stunning yet she seemed totally unaware of it. That intrigued him.

      Though his brain sent up a warning, Jack ignored it. Friendship wasn’t off-limits and he had a hunch Alicia could become a good friend.

      More than that he would not allow.

      * * *

      “I’m glad you could join us for dinner, Alicia,” Laurel said as she took a seat beside her. “You know you’re always welcome at Lives.”

      “Thanks. I’m glad, too,” Alicia told her with a grin. “I didn’t have time to get to the grocery store so my fridge is bare. This is way better than anything I’d make.” She smiled at Giselle, who’d been watching her closely ever since she and Jack had arrived with Eli.

      “I’ll say grace and then we can eat.” Laurel began to pray.

      During the meal, Alicia was glad for the busy chatter of the boys talking about their day. That took away some of her nervousness about sitting next to Jack. With Giselle glaring at her dad and Jack mostly silent, there was an underlying tension in the room, but only to those in the know. Otherwise, it felt just like a family meal. Kids laughing, talking—she’d always wanted that at her dinner table.

      “It’s getting warmer and lighter every day, Alicia.” Eli’s gray eyes glowed. “We should be able to start on the sod house soon.” He was part Cree and anything to do with his mother’s culture intrigued him, which was why he’d asked to work in Alicia’s store.

      “Do you have a start date, Alicia?” Laurel rose to get some more juice. “Who do you have lined up to help you?”

      Alicia couldn’t read her face, but she heard a hint underlying the woman’s words that made her glance at Jack. He, too, stared at Laurel.

      “Pastor Rick will help. He helps with everything around Churchill,” Matt, the oldest of the boys, said.

      “Yeah, and Kyle, though having him bring his new baby around the job site would be weird.” Rod, one of the first boys to come to the program, snickered. “Being a new dad has him tied in knots.”

      Adam, Garret and Bennie were new to Lives and eager to hear more details.

      “Jack has agreed to help us, too.” Alicia thought Laurel’s smile bloomed a little too widely. “He’s going to get more information from the library for us,” she continued uneasily. “We also have to wait for town council to determine which land they’ll donate for us to build on. They’re taking their time.”

      “So when can we start?” Rod pressed.

      “If everything comes together, I plan on starting right after you guys finish school,” Alicia told them. “If that works for you, Jack,” she added.

      The hotelier shrugged. “Should be okay.”

      “Great.” He could have shown some enthusiasm, Alicia thought. She faced the boys. “Make sure you study hard. I don’t want anyone to have to miss the fun because of summer school.”

      “You have summer school here, too?” Giselle asked in surprise.

      The boys outdid each other trying to explain that their school was just like any other, and they made it clear that they intended to avoid summer school at all costs. Alicia chuckled, smothering her laughter when Jack’s frown deepened into a glower because Eli smiled at Giselle and she smiled back.

      “See? She’s not your baby anymore,” Alicia murmured.

      Jack did not appreciate her humor. When the meal was over and the kitchen restored to order, he turned to Giselle. “We need to go home now,” he said in a flat tone.

      “I told you, I won’t stay in that room.” Giselle crossed her arms over her chest, her face frozen in a glare of mutiny. “It’s like a playpen.”

      No doubt sensing tension, Laurel ushered the boys out of the room. Alicia tried to leave, too, but Jack’s hand on her arm stopped her.

      “Please wait,” he said.

      Alicia jerked away then nodded.

      “Sorry.” Jack gave her an odd look then turned to his daughter. “You may not stay here, Giselle. Your aunt doesn’t have any extra room.” Jack endured her icy glare with no reaction. Alicia applauded his fortitude. Lesser men would have weakened.

      “It’s time to go home,” he said quietly.

      “Home?” Scorn laced his daughter’s voice.

      “Yes. The lodge is our home now,” he said with firmness. “I have something I want to show you, honey,” he added in a softer tone.

      “I don’t think I want another surprise today.” Despite her bravado, Giselle’s bottom lip trembled.

      Jack wrapped an arm around her shoulder and hugged her to his side.

      “Give it a chance, please?” He lifted her chin. “I know your life right now isn’t what you thought, but it doesn’t have to be all bad.”

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