The Lumberjack & The City Girl

Chapter 2: Liam

I take in the brisk seaside air leaning against the float plane parked at the docks of the harbor in Anchorage, Alaska. My eyes wander to the people meandering about, most likely Christmas shopping for their friends and loved ones. It's always busier in Anchorage than my hometown of Homer but then again not many people know of the stunning sites Kachemak Bay has to offer tourists. My phone vibrates in my coat pocket and I pull it out to see Noah's incoming call.

"Hey man," I answered.

"Hey, has she arrived yet?"

"Nah, I'm here waiting." I double check my watch. "The plane should be landing soon."

"Alright. Thanks again for filling in. Who knows, maybe you two will hit it off."

I roll my eyes at his comment, not even going there with a response. All I know about this girl I'm supposed to be picking up is that she's the best friend of Keira's, and Keira is my best friend Noah's fiance.

I was very skeptical when Noah told me he met someone off the island of Homer. Granted there aren't many to choose from but meeting a tourist also leaves a very slim chance you'll ever see them again let alone find one willing to have a life in the desolate freezing state of Alaska. I've known Noah all my life. We were both born and raised in Homer, our blood as ice cold as the waters. We live for this rugged outdoors and anyone not willing to love Alaska like us is not the woman for us.

So it was safe to say when I first met Kiera I didn't like her at all. Noah instantly fell head over heels for her but I feared when she finished grad school she'd leave Alaska and take Noah with her.

Luckily that didn't happen. Noah was like me, he would never leave his roots. And when I finally got to know Kiera I was surprised by her love for Alaska. It was like she was meant to live here. I'm happy for Noah that he found someone like Keira. Lets just hope after years of Keira spending most of her time around us filthy rugged men, she remembers how to act like a lady around her friends for her bachelorette weekend. If it weren't for Keira's family owning a log cabin off the beaten path, Kiera told my mom she would've booked rooms at my family's Inn giving them business. And that right there is what makes Kiera, Kiera, a true sweetheart and loved by everybody.

Noah says something else just as a low lying plane flies overhead. "I can't hear you. The plane is coming in. We should be at the cabin in an hour and half." I ended the call and checked my watch again. I wanted to stop by the work site before everyone left for the day making sure things were handled correctly but with the plane coming in later than expected, I dial my buddy to check in.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Max. Is everything all set? I don't know if I'll make it back in time before everyone leaves."

"Yeah, the logs are stacked and secured and all the machinery is put away and locked up in storage."

"Did Will get all the log deliveries out today? People are going to need them in the next coming days with the cold front coming through."

"Yup. Everything's set. You pick up the chick yet? Is she hot?" I roll my eyes again. Jesus, is everyone starved in this town, not having gotten laid?

"The plane was a little behind schedule. It just got here so I haven't seen her yet."

I look towards the terminal doors, curiosity getting the better of me when they automatically open and a swarm of people begin to exit. My mind begins to race with wonder; what if she is hot? Would I hit on her? I kinda got the go ahead from Noah so I wouldn't be crossing any lines.

"You gotta tell me if she's hot, man. I'll wiggle my way into that bachelorette party. I need to fuck something," Max groans over the phone and I wonder if he's yanking it right now while talking to me.