Brides of Alaska by Tracie Peterson

couldn’t stop thinking about it.”
    Julie stiffened slightly. She was unprepared for Sam’s boldness. How should she react? Nervously, she shifted from one foot to the other. “I certainly hope you don’t plan to repeat the scene here in the middle of Nome’s Front Street.”
    â€œWhy not?” Sam said as he took a step toward Julie.
    â€œOh no,” Julie said, backing up. “You can’t mean it. I have a reputation to preserve, if not for myself, for my career.”
    Sam stopped and shook his head. “I’m never going to do anything but honor and love you. I would throttle any man, or woman, for that matter, who might blemish your reputation. However, I think your dogs have earned a rest. Let’s take them over to my cabin. I’ll hitch my dogs, and we’ll give yours a break. There’s a snow building up, and I don’t want you out here alone. I’ll take you home.”
    â€œNo,” Julie protested. “My dogs will be fine. It’s only another twelve miles. I couldn’t ask you to—”
    â€œYou didn’t ask, and I am telling you,” Sam said as he pointed to the sled. “I expect you to get in the basket while I drive these dogs to my house. If you don’t get in on your own, I’ll put you there myself. Then we’ll just see how your reputation withstands the talk.”
    â€œI will not,” Julie said as she moved to the back of her sled. She thought to jump on the runners and order Dusty into action, but Sam outmaneuvered her and took hold of Dusty’s tugline.
    Sam raised a questioning eyebrow and waited for Julie to respond. Julie matched his stare. Her breathing quickened as a smile played at the corner of Sam’s lips. He waved his hand in front of him and motioned Julie to the sled.
    â€œAll right,” Julie said and carefully climbed into the sled basket, narrowly avoiding the gifts she’d purchased. “I give up. You win. Take me home.”
    Sam laughed and dropped the tugline. He walked down the side of the dog team and leaned over Julie. “That’s a good girl,” he said and dropped a kiss on her forehead.
    Julie squirmed away, blushed, and pulled her hood back in place so that Sam couldn’t see her face. She wondered who all in Nome had seen Sam’s actions, but before she could glance around, Sam moved the dogs out.
    While Julie enjoyed the ride to Sam’s house on the outskirts of Nome, she was also nervous. Just knowing that Sam stood on the runners behind her made Julie apprehensive. She tried to concentrate on the excitement of seeing her father and brother and celebrating Christmas.
    When Sam stopped in front of the two-story clapboard house, Julie was impressed. It wasn’t the type of place she’d pictured Sam in.
    â€œWe’re home,” Sam said in a jovial way. “One day I’ll say that, and it’ll be true.”
    Julie tried to appear unaffected by Sam’s words, but when he reached down to help her from the basket, she nearly jumped out the opposite side of the sled.
    â€œI wish you’d stop,” she said and pushed back her parka hood to better see Sam. “I don’t know why you insist on doing this, but I want to go home, and if you aren’t going to behave, then I’ll drive myself.” She was determined to stand her ground.
    â€œYou’re tired, Julie,” Sam said, ignoring her protest. “Why don’t you go inside and make yourself comfortable?”
    â€œI can wait out here,” Julie said anxiously.
    â€œI know you can wait out here. I know you can drive dogs through bitter cold and horrible blizzards. I know, too, that you have a mind of your own, but I’m every bit as stubborn, and I’m telling you to go in the house and warm up.” Sam’s words were stern, yet Julie knew they were given out of concern for her welfare.
    â€œI’m touched that you care,