The Lumberjack & The City Girl

Chapter 3: Alexa

I clenched my eyes tightly shut as Liam revved the engine and we bounced up and down gliding on the water's surface before we slowly rose in the air and soared above the clouds. Being in a smaller two seater plane was a lot different than a giant commercial sized airline. You could feel every bump, every gust of wind fighting with the wings of the aircraft, every piece of metal squeaking at the movements, making me think this piece of crap tin would just fall apart and I'd be plummeting thousands of feet to my death.

A shiver ran down my spine at my horrible thoughts and my knuckles were white and going numb from gripping the seat so tight. I changed my position and wrapped my arms around myself, rubbing up and down trying to create heat.

"Is it always this cold here?" The words came out sounding like my teeth were chattering against each other as my body hasn't been exposed to a climate this cold in years.

Liam looked over at me and laughed. I wasn't being funny. I was asking a serious question. What an arrogant asshole.

"32°F is our high temperature. On average the weather here for December ranges from 11-20°F falling to the single digits at night."

I instinctively frown, maybe even letting out a whimpering whine thinking about all my luggage. How am I going to survive with just the leggings, a sheer blouse and my nine inch stilettos I have on? At least I wore my faux fur coat but it wasn't even the warmest one I packed. I left on a plane from Miami for Christ's sake. I wasn't possibly going to wear clothes actually fit for the Alaskan climate when I was still in 100° weather!

"Where were you coming from anyway?" Liam asked and I noticed he was looking over at me, judging me.

"Miami." I said with a snarl, missing home just as I knew I would.

He let out a breath that sounded like a laugh. "Yeah, I can see that," he mumbled not so subtly. What the hell is that supposed to mean?

I peer over at him for the first time really analyzing him. His chocolate brown hair was disheveled and in need of a haircut and shave as his jawline was scruffy trailing down his neck. He was dressed in layers, on the top he wore a long flannel button down shirt in red and black buffalo checkered plaid pattern and underneath he wore what looked like was once a white t-shirt now soiled with dirt and mud. Waist down he dressed in an old looking pair of dark denim jeans also covered in mud with those tan looking workmen's boots.

Also judging from his fingernails eroded with dirt underneath he looked like the rugged outdoorsy man that you could easily think was raised by a pack of wolves and no amount of showers and scrubbing could ever fully clean the dirt from his skin. His hands clenched around the steering wheel of the plane, maybe feeling my eyes on him. His sleeves were slightly rolled up showing off a good amount of armchair cloaking his olive skin and muscles ready to burst through. He had to work with his hands as they were calloused and rough and he most definitely had a lot of strength and muscle in his upper body. Why was I checking him out? I snapped myself out of it. He did just arrogantly judge me!

"And you are from Alaska, I assume?" I turned it around on him.

"Born and raised in Homer," he answered proudly, making me smirk before I even hit him with my comment.

"Yeah, I can see that," I stated not so subtly.

I acted oblivious to his grunts and groans as he scratched the back of his neck like a dog. It must be itchy, probably having gone at least a month without a haircut or cleaning up his hairline around his neck.

"So, what do you plan to do during your visit here in Homer?"

I inadvertently burst into laughter thinking what there could possibly be to do here besides sit in front of a fire and try not to get frostbite!

"I....don't know. I'm here to celebrate Keira's happiness. Why she brought us here in the dead of winter rather than an island in a warm climate is just...." I sigh, rolling my eyes to a close. "It's just who Keira is." My heart warms thinking of the years and years of history we have together.

Liam began shaking his head profusely. "I can't for the life of me understand how someone like Keira can be friends with someone like you!" It's like the words burst through his lips, unable to swallow them.

My eyes bulge in pure offense and my head darts to his. "Excuse me! Someone like me? What the hell does that mean?" I bark out with all my sass.

Liam shakes his head obviously filled with aggravation. He was done holding his tongue and ready to spill all his judgmental thoughts on me.

"You haven't stopped bitching and complaining since you stepped foot on Alaskan soil. We haven't even landed in Homer and you're ready to spill your insults on why Keira chose to bring you here let alone live here!"

"Well because I haven't had a good experience since I landed in Alaska! But who do you think you are, judging me? You've only just met me not even an hour ago!"

"I guess I don't need an hour to see how much of a cold hearted bitch you are! Screaming insults and threats to some shipping manufacturer over the phone...whoever the hell Cliff is is probably better off not having to work for you!" Liam scoffed slamming his hands down on the steering wheel of the plane.

My mouth fell open, huffing a laugh of pure agitation. I was right the first time, this guy is an absolute asshole!

"Oooh! You have no idea what you're talking about!" I flung my palm out in a gesture of talk to the hand. I was totally hurt being called a bitch when all I was trying to do was stand up for my business. It's hard being a female boss gaining respect when mixed with males in the industry.

"And for the record! Keira and I have known each other since we were kids. I'm her maid of honor! She knows everything there is to know about me as I do her and she'll ring your neck when she hears the names you're calling me!"

"Yeah? Well I've known Keira for as long as Noah has. Which is four years to be exact and why they both asked me to be the best man. Keira's become like a sister to me and my family." Liam glares at me and I glare back wanting to tell him Keira's been like a sister to me longer. "She takes pride in calling Homer, Alaska her home and for someone as royally important as you to only be visiting her now...tells me you don't care about her as much as yourself and your warm Miami climate."

My jaw clenches like never before and the burning in my throat tells me I'm fighting back tears. Tears! It's been five years since I last shed a tear. Five years since Josh left me and the last person who saw me cry was none other than Keira.

"Well then, I guess you have it all figured out. And seeing as you clearly hate me, why don't you just land this plane and drop me off at Keira's cabin. I'll be just as glad to never see your face again."

"My pleasure," Liam groaned. I clutched my purse in my lap, repositioning myself to look out the window, almost having my back turned completely from him. How was I going to stomach the remainder of this flight, never mind get through the wedding when I come back to Alaska! He's the best man...I'm the maid of honor...and we clearly hate each other.