Page 28 of Gunn's Mission

Maddie made them popcorn,and again, they sat on the sofa, side by side, the blanket pulled up to their necks while they slouched down on the cushions. They’d chosen a comedy; one neither had seen, about a woman who was being romanced by two spies who were competing for her affection and using their special skills to gain an advantage over the other.

The film was fun, and they did chuckle from time to time, but Maddie was too aware of the big hulking body she rested against to really let herself get lost in the story. Not without imagining Gunn as the Chris Pine hero. Yeah, she’d make the same choice Reese Witherspoon had. With Gunn’s arm wrapped loosely around her shoulders and her head resting against his chest, she felt things she shouldn’t. They were working together. He’d only be here until the mystery was solved. He had a job, she had hers. They’d likely never share the same air again. What was the point?

Oh, she could think of somepointsshe could enjoy in the here and now, but she didn’t want to complicate things.

Once the credits played and they turned off the TV, the sounds made by the wind howling and the occasional thud of the roof panel, added to the sudden reminder that they weren’t in the middle of civilization with its cars and conveniences, settled like another kind of blanket. They were alone on a floating island.

“Ever watched the movieThe Thing?” she asked, angling her head toward his.

“The one with the monster in Antarctica?”

“Yeah. We have a copy of that, too. We watch it at least once a season.”

He chuckled. “Why? Sitting out here in the dark with that going on overhead,” he said, pointing toward the ceiling, “wouldn’t that make you all a little uneasy?”

“Thinking about monsters from outer space is less scary than imagining a break in the ice floe.”

His eyebrows shot up. “That could happen?”

Maddie shrugged. “Although unglamorous, Hanna has the most important job out here. She’s the one who monitors the ice to let us know if we’re in trouble, but so far, so good. And it is getting colder.”

“So more ice accumulation.”

“Yup.”

They were quiet for a while, and it was a comfortable silence. Then Gunn asked, “So, we’re stuck in here until the storm passes?”

“Or at least lightens. They all have things they can work on. Charts to fiddle with. Data to deconstruct. I’ll get the transmission ready for Navarro so the minute we get satellite connection, I can shoot him the data from the card. I’ll also have my daily reports to Polardyne ready to go.”

“Is that going to fill your time?”

She wrinkled her nose. “Nope, but I’ll organize a cleanup. Post a chores chart. We can do the upkeep of the site while we’re holed up. With some folks’ tempers already flaring, it’s best to keep everyone doing something productive.”

“Where can I help out?”

“I want to do an inventory of supplies in the garage. Would you mind helping me with that tomorrow?”

“We can top off snowmobiles, too. Start them up. Just to make sure we keep everything running.”

“I’ll have Eric and Nate check out the generator. Perry and Em can make sure our water tank is filled.”

He blinked. “What do you mean?”

She grinned. “Freshwater has to come from somewhere. Sure, Polardyne stocks up the water and fuel tanks when they bring supplies, but we have to thaw some ice, too, to replenish. Then the water that comes into this building is filtered to make sure any impurities are removed.”

“I can see why they need someone like you on site.”

“Someone whose head isn’t consumed with data and discovery?”

He nodded. “Someone who can think about the practicalities.”

“If something happened to me, Nate would take over. He’s pretty good with organizing, too.”

“Well, I’m glad they have you,” Gunn said, his voice deepening. “We should probably call it a night.”

She noticed that he didn’t move and that his gaze kept dipping to her mouth. “Probably,” she said softly. Was he thinking about kissing her?

The arm lying loosely around her shoulder tightened, bringing her closer. Her breaths shortened, and she tilted back her head.

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