Mixing drinks, Bull bantered with a half-dozen people. Not wanting to interrupt, she stood at the cocktail waitress section and leaned in so he could see her.

After a glance at the clock behind him, his brows drew together, and he didn’t look easy-going at all.

Her voice came out higher than normal. “I’m sorry I’m late. I… There was a moose.”

A big man seated at the bar turned to look at her. Gabe. As she met his intent gaze, her pulse performed a weird skipping beat for several disconcerting seconds.

“Are you okay, Julie?” he asked in his smoky voice.

“Of course she is, darling.” The brunette beside him patted his hand. “Outsiders frighten easily. The moose was probably a mile away.”

Audrey stiffened. “He was right beside my car and wouldn’t move. When I yelled and waved my arms, he charged me.”

Now everyone was staring at her.

“Damn, Julie.” Bull had turned to look at her.

“You deliberately annoyed a moose?” The woman was stunning with huge doe eyes, wavy brown hair, full lips, and a flawless tan. Tight jeans and a clinging royal blue top showcased her slim figure.

When she cuddled up to Gabe, Audrey wanted to slap her.

Gabe’s gaze ran over Audrey. “Are you all right, Goldilocks?”

I could have died. Her heart was still racing. “Fine. Just fine.”

“I’m surprised the moose didn’t stomp her.” The woman sounded regretful it hadn’t. “Considering how dangerous our wildlife is, Outsiders should be evaluated for common sense before being allowed into Alaska. Of course, we might lose ninety percent of the tourist trade that way.”

Everyone around the bar laughed.

Audrey turned away. The woman had implied Audrey was an ignorant idiot.

Right now, Audrey felt like an idiot—as well as clumsy and ugly.

“Oh, my. You’re all red.” The woman gave Audrey a sugary smile. “Don’t be that way. I was just joking with you.”

“Brooke.” Gabe growled in obvious disapproval.

Brooke tossed back her long hair in a flirtatiously feminine move. “Don’t worry. Julie. The moose is undoubtedly gone by now.”

Aaand there was no good response to that—not one that wouldn’t be horribly rude. Cocktail waitresses weren’t supposed to be rude. So she channeled Lillian’s English upper-crust manners.

“Thank you so much for your concern, Brooke. It’s quite heartwarming.” The smile Audrey offered was equally saccharine.

Brooke’s blink of surprise was satisfying, but the woman hadn’t released Gabe’s arm.

She heard Bull say something, heard Gabe say her name, but she picked up her tray and turned away.

Gabe could have the woman.

Not my problem, not my concern. Trying with all her might not to care, Audrey headed off to take orders.

At least the surge of anger had wiped out the quaking feeling in the pit of her stomach.