The chief’s expression was unreadable. “He means you probably came from the Lower 48—the rest of the States.”

“Oh.” She hesitated. Unfortunately, she couldn’t possibly pass as a long-term resident. “Right. Yes.”

“Figured.” Bull frowned at Chief MacNair. “Teach her to survive so I don’t lose her to a moose the first week.”

Great. Her potential boss was already laughing at her. “I’m not that naïve. Even I know that moose aren’t carnivorous.”

Chief MacNair almost smiled again. “No, they’re just half a ton of irritable.”

Eeeks.

Bull waved at the bar in the back. “I finally got the taps and soda dispensers hooked up. Want something to drink while we talk?”

“A root beer would be good,” she said.

As Bull strolled toward the bar, Gabe motioned to a table and pulled out a chair for her. For a frontier sort of guy, he had nice manners.

He was still scary as all get out.

Rather than joining her at the table, he put his foot on a chair and leaned his forearms on his thigh, looking down at her. “You going to be all right with Bull?”

She stared up at him. He was being…kind. That was so unexpected. “I’ll be fine. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to interview.”

His eyes narrowed like Bull’s had, and she wondered what she’d said wrong this time. “Is there a problem?”

“You sound like you should look for a college professor job instead.”

Oh, damn. She didn’t want to sound like a nerd. Pulling her shoulders back, she lifted her chin. “I’m trying to impress him.”

“Mmmhmm,” he agreed politely, and his mouth twitched. Then his dark brows drew together. “A warning. Alaska bars can be rough.”

Suppressing a cringe, she straightened her shoulders instead. Sound confident, woman. Grow a spine. She needed this job. “Don’t worry about me. I can manage.”

Still frowning, he glanced at Bull, who’d walked up with two drinks. “You’ll keep an eye out for her?”

“Count on it.”

Gabe gave her a nod. “Good luck, cheechako.”

What the heck was a cheechako? Her fingers twitched toward her phone, only it wasn’t a smart phone, just a cheap prepaid. Google wasn’t available to help her out.

As the chief abandoned her to her fate, Bull sat down across from her. “Where have you waited tables before? Have you worked in a bar or restaurant?”

“Um, no.” She managed a smile and prepared to give it her best. “But I learn quite fast.” Especially if she had time to get online first.

“No experience, huh. You’re over twenty-one, yeah?”

When she nodded, he eyed her. “I’ve got a couple of under-twenty-ones who can’t serve alcohol, but they can work in the restaurant. What I need right now is bar staff.”

She laced her fingers under the table. “Give me a try.”