Bear Fur Hire (Bears Fur Hire #2)(3)

“Both of your last names are Dawson? Are you brothers?”

“Cousins,” Chance explained. He shoved Dalton’s head playfully and said, “We grew up together, and then Dalton followed me here. He just couldn’t pry himself away from me.”

“Shut up,” Dalton muttered. He swung his gaze to Lena and said, “Our family is really close.”

“Yeah,” Chance murmured with a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Like a pack.”

Dalton threw his cousin the strangest warning glance, then changed the subject. “You’re the photographer Lennard won’t stop yammerin’ on about, aren’t you?”

Heat flushed her cheeks, and she laughed. “Well, I haven’t proven myself yet.”

“What are you photographing?”

“Brown bear.”

Dalton drew back like he’d been slapped. “Brown bear? You realize we are in the thick of the Kodiak Archipelago, don’t you?”

She narrowed her eyes. “Yeah, so?”

“So Kodiak bears are the biggest, baddest, meanest bruins in the world. We’ll be taking you out to the rivers for salmon season right now where grizzlies are desperately trying to build up their fat reserves for winter. That’s no-man’s land, and you’re…well…a woman.”

And there it was. “Damn, Dalton, and you gave such a good handshake, too.”

Lennard was staring at the dark-haired guide like he’d lost his mind, and Chance was looking at her as if she was a mother wolverine about to bite the shit out of everyone.

“I was about to ask who you’d like to take you out there, but I have a feeling this dumbass just made your decision for you,” Lennard grumbled.

Tobias strode from hallway to the front door with a polite half-smile and a wave. “Good luck with those bears,” he said, which reminded her…

“I choose Jenner Silver.”

“Ha!” Dalton crowed. “You think I’m bad? Jenner’s ten times worse and grumpy to boot.”

“Plus, he ain’t here,” Chance explained. “He’s on a pre-season scout right now, and nobody knows when he’ll return.”

Lennard, however, was staring at her with a slight frown in his bushy gray brows. “That’s not all true.”

“He’s not grumpy?” she asked hopefully.

“Oh, that part is one-hundred percent correct, but I know when he’s returning. Any time now. He radioed in this morning. Got in a scuffle with a bear about thirty miles from here.”

“Is he hurt?” she asked, worry unfurling in her chest. She didn’t even know the man, but she’d been there when one of her co-workers got in a “scuffle” with a black bear, and it had left him disfigured.

“He’ll be fine,” Dalton grumbled. “That man has a hide tougher than jerky. I will say…you might not enjoy your trip as much—”

“Dalton,” Lennard warned.

“No, let me say my piece. You were the one talking about how important it is to make Ms. Rhodes happy here, and you and I both know Jenner isn’t capable of making a good impression on anyone.” He swung his dark gaze to her. “If you want an enjoyable trip, you’d be better off with me or Chance. Or hell, even this old fart.” He gestured to Lennard. “Jenner’s patience is about this thin,” Dalton said, squishing his finger and thumb together, “and he’s about as nice as a porcupine with hemorrhoids.”

Tobias had stopped at the door, and now he spoke up. “She said she chooses Jenner. She wants the grizzlies, and you two dipshits will get her killed. Now shut the f*ck up and give her the tour. Lena,” he said, ducking his head in farewell, “hope you don’t die.” Then he turned on his heel and strode from the lodge, slamming the door behind him.

Lennard watched him leave with his cheeks puffed full of air, then he let out a long exhalation as he leveled his guides with a look. “Jenner’s her guide. You two get back to eating while I give her the tour.”

Grumbling, the two guides meandered back into the kitchen while Lennard explained how her trip would go. “I’ll be cooking your meals while you stay here, and when you leave to find those bears, it’ll be on horseback. Jenner will take care of your gear and pack your animal, as well as cook when you are roughing it.”

“How long will we be out in the bush?”

“Depends. Jenner does things differently. If you were with Chance or Dalton, I’d say two days, maybe three. Jenner hunts until he gets his clients the experience they want, though. It’s why he’s hard to book. I never know when he’s going to have an opening for a new tour. And you’re probably wondering why I put up with that.”

“It crossed my mind.”

“Well, Jenner’s the best damned registered Alaskan guide there is. Forget that he owns half this place. He’s the real deal. His success rate with spotting, scouting, and bagging big game is off the charts. Ask anyone in any outfit around here. Jenner is a living legend. He’s turned down many, many offers to join other lodges to guide for them. For some reason, I got lucky enough that he dug his heels in here when I was about to lose the place, and he put up a huge investment just to help me keep it. He’s good, but those boys are right. He has no patience for anyone, and he’s not a big talker, so best wrap your head around that before you go out so you aren’t disappointed.”