She hurried through her shower and teeth brushing. Still practicing what shed say to Nick, she stepped out of the bathroom.
A big man bulked out in a winter-white parka, ski mask and snow pants barreled down the hall and slammed his shoulder into her before exiting out the rear of the building.
Mary banged into the wall, her breath knocked out of her. Pain smashed into her shoulder blade and radiated through her back and she cried out.
Nicks door sprang open and he raced out into the hallway. Mary! What happened? He reached her in three long strides and grabbed her shoulders, his hands spreading warmth through the thick fleece of her bathrobe.
Im all right. Someone just ran into me and left through the back exit.
Noise from a room down the hallway caught their attention and they both turned. The sound came from her room.
Nick grabbed her hand and ran to his room, shoving her inside. He held out his hand. Give me your key.
Wordlessly, she handed him the key from her pocket.
Stay here, he commanded, and then he closed his door, leaving her alone inside.
Unable to stand by patiently by herself, not knowing what was going on, Mary eased the door open and peered out into the hallway.
Nick slipped the key into the doorknob as quietly as possible and stepped to the side of the door before he flung it open.
Crouching behind Nicks door, Mary could see straight into her room. The window stood wide-open, a flurry of snowflakes and wind blew through the confined space, turning the warmth of the quaint little room with its handmade quilts into an icebox. Other than the antique furniture, the room stood empty.
Mary stepped out into the hallway, wrapping the robe around her, chills setting in. Someone had been in her room. The thought made her shake all over.
Nick brushed the snow off the sill and pulled the window closed, latching the lock in place. When he turned to see her, he frowned. I thought I told you to stay put.
Her back straightened and she moved into her room with more purpose. Its my room. My things are in there.
Yeah, but it could have been dangerous.
Despite her desire not to show any weakness, a big shiver made her shake from her head to her feet. She pulled her robe tighter. I could see there wasnt anyone in it. Her mouth firmed into a tight line. Besides, you dont have to yell at me. Youre not my boss or my father.
I wasnt yelling, he yelled. His forehead creased into a deep frown before the hint of a grin wiped it away. Id rather you stayed in my room until we figure this out. He hooked her elbow and led her out into the hallway.
She only half resisted, not wanting to stay in her room by herself. Somehow it felt as if the entire B and B had been violated and was no longer a secure place. She let him lead her into his room, where he tossed on a sweater, his winter coat and snow boots.
Where are you going? she asked.
To follow the footprints.
By yourself? She grabbed his arm, stopping him from zipping the jacket. What if those guys are dangerous?
Nick shook off her hand, slid the zipper up to his neck and ducked around her, grabbing a gun from the dresser by the door. Just stay here.
The gun sent another wave of chills across her skin and Mary stood where Nick left her, wondering what the hell shed gotten into by coming home to North Pole. And just who was this gun-toting mystery man named Nick St. Claire?
Chapter Three
A blast of arctic air hit Nick like a freight train. He staggered at the force and bent into it, pushing through three feet of snow to the side of the B and B where Marys room was located. Disturbed snow only confirmed his concern. Someone had come through Marys window while shed been in the shower. And from the looks of the footprints leading away, hed gone back out the same window. Which didnt explain the man in the hallway whod run into Mary before exiting through the back door, a much more civilized approach than the window.
Nick trudged through the snow as fast as he could, following the footprints into the woods. Every so often, he looked over his shoulder to keep the light from the B and B in sight. The snow blew sideways in near-blizzard conditions. Although hed like to catch the guy, he didnt relish getting lost in the storm. An engine roared to life in the distance and the noise diminished as if moving away. Sounded like a snowmobile. Another engine revved and followed the first. Had the two men been working together? And what did they want with Mary?
Figuring the men were out of his reach, Nick hurried back to the B and B to ensure that Santas daughter was safe. He also wanted to inspect her room for any tampering or clues as to why someone would be there.
The blue-eyed woman met him at his bedroom door still wearing her robe. The towel had been removed from her hair, and wet tresses lay finger-combed into sleek, damp strands reaching all the way to her waist. Her rounded gaze darted from him to the exit and across the hall to her room, where her door stood open. Who was it? Did you catch him? No, of course you didnt or youd have been gone a lot longer. You scared me to death. She pounded her open palm against his chest. Running out of here like some cop on a mission. And whats with the gun? She backed up a step and glared at the hand holding the weapon. Why are you carrying it?
He shrugged, stalling. Doesnt everyone carry a gun in Alaska?
Rifles and shotguns when theyre hunting or out on the trails, but not so much the handguns. Her eyes narrowed. Just what are you doing here in North Pole? You dont really know my father, do you?
Busted. Now, how did he back out of this? I dont suppose this could wait until morning?
She crossed her arms over her chest. No way, cowboy.
Nick sighed and cupped her elbow. Come on. Lets check out your room, and Ill tell you what I know.
Mary resisted only a minute, her eyes still narrowed as if she didnt trust him any more than she trusted the men whod invaded her room. The thought disappointed him, although why, he didnt know. In his line of business, he was always living a lie to infiltrate the situation.
Im watching you, Nick St. Claire, or whatever your real name is. And Im trained in self-defense so dont try anything.
A smile tugged at Nicks lips. So noted. Mary Christmas was no pushover and he bet she meant it about the self-defense training. He stepped into her room and stood perfectly still, staring at everything as it lay. As far as he could tell, there wasnt anything odd or out of place. Her suitcase leaned against one wall, the clothing shed worn earlier littered the bed, and a minimal assortment of toiletries lay scattered across the dresser. Can you tell whether anything has moved from where you originally set it?
Marys arms dropped to her sides as she inspected the room. Everything looks the same except the water on the floor from the melted snow. She opened the dresser drawers one by one. No. Nothing in here is different from when I unpacked.
When Nick caught a glimpse of lacy black panties and a matching bra, his heartbeat stuttered. He could picture beautiful Mary, dark lace resting against pale skin and nothing else. With a gulp, he turned his attention to the rest of the room. What about the bed? From one leap of the imagination to the next, he could have stuffed a sock in his mouth.