Page 6

6

Sally, an old friend of Bethany’s mother, came into the lodge on Saturday morning, gathering clean linens to put on the cabins’ beds. Her brown hair, streaked with gray, was efficiently pulled back as she stooped and bent to handle the laundry. A medical receptionist, she retired early at fifty-five when her last child left for college but loved to stay busy helping out at the cabins where she and Bethany’s mother had played as children.

Mountville’s weekly rentals ran from Saturday to Saturday, although if space was available Bethany would accommodate other days. Sometimes guests came on Friday for the weekend and would check out on Sunday. During the summer months, most of her cabins were filled with renters who stayed for the entire week, but occasionally she would have room for a weekend visitor.

Tossing the soiled linens into the bin, Sally walked to the closet to grab the clean ones before heading back to the cabins. Since Bethany was out and about, Sally had Ann with her. It seemed to spark Ann’s memories when she was helping in the cabins. While Sally cleaned, Ann would help a little and reminisce about the guests she remembered over the years.

“Come on, Ann. We’re heading to cabin four now,” Sally said. Ann smiled and followed the woman to the golf cart they used to drive around the area. Sally buckled Ann in, not sure if she would stay on her own.

“Oh, I remember cabin four,” Ann exclaimed, joy written on her face. “We finished this one in 1963. Martin fell off the roof when trying to put the shingles on. I was pregnant at the time and as soon as I heard him yell, I skedaddled right up here.”

“Was he hurt bad?” Sally asked.

“Oh no. Mostly his pride, I expect,” Ann answered, still chuckling at the memory. “I haven’t seen him today.”

Sally, knowing that Martin had passed away three years ago, just said, “I saw him earlier. He’ll be around later.” It seemed strange to lie to the older woman, but Bethany had attended a seminar on Alzheimer’s and Dementia and it was emphasized that instead of insisting the person was wrong, it was better to give them a simple answer that would placate them.

The two women passed Bethany as she was heading to the dock. Giving a wave to the young woman, they continued on to the cabins. Ann’s clarity returned as she said wistfully, “I wish my granddaughter could find someone to take care of her. She works too hard.”

Sally glanced to the side, saying nothing but agreeing with her friend .

Bethany finished tying the paddle boats to the dock, making sure the rules were clearly posted. Stubbing her shoe on a raised nail, she pulled out the hammer she kept in the tool chest that she carried around with her. A few pounds and the nail was once again flush with the wood. Glancing around, she found a few more that needed to be hammered into place. Maybe next year we can replace the dock and use screws instead of nails.

The summer storm that had passed by a couple of days ago left a few tree branches hanging down over the path. She strolled along the trail toward the lodge to get a saw when she spied Horace pulling up in his old car.

Changing directions, she walked over, meeting him at the bottom of the steps leading to the front door. He looked the same as always—pale skin and light grey eyes that darted around. His hair was thin on top, and his glasses slid down his nose. He always stayed in his cabin when visiting, never participating in any of the activities. She had visions of him as a vampire only coming out at night. Stifling a grin, she greeted him.

“Mr. Malinski, good to see you again.”

He nodded nervously, bobbing his head. “Ms. Bridwell.” He followed her up the steps and over to the counter. She checked him in, then printed off the rental agreement. He did not read it, having been there many times.

“I’ve got you in cabin nine, same as you had last time if that’s okay,” she commented.

“Yes ma’am,” he agreed. “I like things to be the same.”

“I know you prefer to not be too close to the other cabins and a group just checked into cabin two. ”

He smiled, nervously fiddling with the papers she handed him before reaching out to take the key from her hand.

“Sally has already been there, so the clean linens will be on the bed and in the bathroom. You know the drill so let me know if you need anything.”

Bobbing his head once again, he turned and headed back to his car. She followed him as far as the front porch and watched him drive down the gravel road toward the cabins on the farther side of the small lake. What does he do? The vampire thought flashed through her mind again, this time allowing the giggle to erupt. He must sleep all day and then fly around at night.

Jerking herself out of her musings, she stepped off the porch and headed to the right toward the shed at the back of the lodge to get the saw.

Using the sharp tool, she managed to get the tree limbs down but with some difficulty. She grasped them in her gloved hands and dragged them to the edge of the woods. By the time she finished, she was sweating, and her arms ached from the strenuous activity. Spying her depleted pile of winter wood, she decided she would chop some of it after lunch.

Since Gram was with Sally, she fixed a sandwich upstairs in their apartment over the lodge. Eating quickly, she gulped some water before heading back out. Retracing her earlier steps to the shed, she retrieved the axe. As she locked the door, she turned, running into a body.

“Oh, my goodness, I didn’t mean to scare you,” Mr. Taylor exclaimed, grabbing her arms as she stumbled .

“No, it’s my fault,” she said, smiling at the friendly guest. “I wasn’t paying attention.”

“Well, with a weapon like that,” he said nodding to the axe, “you’d better be careful.”

Laughing, she agreed. Looking down the path, she sighted his wife and two sons walking to the dock.

He followed her line of vision and said, “We’re heading out on the paddle boats, but I saw you down on the dock earlier so I told my wife that we’d better check with you first.”

“Oh, yes, you can use them. I was just making sure they were tied up. You can keep them out as long as you like since I haven’t had anyone else asking for them today. The rules are posted and remember, it’s at your own risk.”

He smiled but made no effort to follow his wife right away. His gaze came back to the young woman running the small resort. “You’re doing a good job here, you know. Running this place can’t be easy but the help you’re giving your grandmother…well, anyway I just wanted to say that I think you’re doing a wonderful thing.”

She returned his smile and shrugged. “I love living here and helping with Gram until…” her voice trailed off, sadness filling her expression.

He placed his hand on her shoulder, giving a little squeeze. “I understand. Well, I’d better join the family, or they’ll think I got lost along the way.” With a nod, he moved toward the dock leaving Bethany standing outside the shed. Forcing the depressing thoughts from her mind, she swung the axe onto her shoulder and made her way to the woodpile at the edge of the woods.

Jack sat in his truck for ten minutes trying to decide what he was going to do. Earlier it had seemed So, easy. Saturday morning and I’ll go over to the cabins next door to check on Bethany and Ann. Simple. Easy. A neighborly act. Why the hell am I still sitting in my truck in my driveway? The answer was staring him in the face, but he did not want to have to admit it. Because I felt something when I was in her presence.

I don’t have time for this, he chastised himself. Running his hand over his beard, he thought of all the reasons why he should not be considering seeing Bethany again. Too complicated. My work. My privacy. Don’t have the time that it takes for a woman to decide what she wants. Then her face came into his mind—her blonde hair blowing about her face as she fought to protect her grandmother.

Forcing that line of thinking from his mind, he backed out of the driveway. Nope, she and Ann were hurt on my property, even though they were trespassing, and I’m just going to go check on them.

Driving the short distance to the turn by the old wooden sign to Mountville, he controlled his thoughts. Barely. But by the time he made his way to the lodge, he knew; Fuck that. I want to see her.

Climbing down from his truck, he started toward the front steps when he heard voices coming from the side. A middle-aged woman with a pleasant smile was walking toward him with Ann in tow. He stopped, carefully observing that Ann seemed to be recovered from her ordeal, her facial scratches barely visible.

“Hi, I’m Sally. May I help you?”

“Morning ma’am,” he replied. His eyes cut over to Ann, who was staring at him. “I was looking for Ms. Bridwell.”

“I remember you,” Ann pronounced, her face breaking into a wide smile. “You’re courtin’ my granddaughter.”

Sally jerked her gaze to her friend then back again to Jack’s. He saw her confusion and quickly said, “I own the property next door and was checking on?—”

“Oh, yes!” Sally exclaimed, “Bethany told me what happened. Nice to meet you.” She eyed him from head to toe and must have liked what she saw because she immediately said, “Bethany was over at the dock, but I think I saw her at the edge of the woods a few minutes ago. I’m taking Ann in for a bite of lunch, or I’d show you myself.”

Jack nodded and said, “Thank you, but I’m sure I can find it.”

The two women walked into the lodge, leaving Jack striding determinedly toward the woods near the lake. The sounds of whacking and cursing soon met his ears.

Bethany stood next to a large stump where she had placed a smaller piece of wood that she was attempting to split. She had watched her grandfather split wood for years. He would always make her stand back for safety but with one swift slice he would have the pieces ready for her to scramble to gather for the woodpile.

Oh, Gramps. You made this seem so easy. She managed to slam the axe into the bottom stump, completely missing the wood she was trying to hit. Jerking hard to get the axe loose took all her strength. “Damnit!” she huffed.

Finally dislodging the axe, she stumbled back a few steps. Pushing her hair away from her eyes, she stood in place once more, determined to chop the wood. With another swing, she was able to land the axe in the right place but without enough force to completely split the wood. Pleased that she had managed to improve her aim, she attempted to keep slamming the wood onto the stump to finish the task. Unfortunately, the effort of lifting the entire tool attached to the chunk only resulted in her slinging the axe around wildly.

“Aughhhh!” she screamed as she lifted the handle once more over her head, almost toppling backward in her efforts when suddenly the tool was snatched from her hands. Whirling around, she stared into the face of a large, visibly furious man. Jack?

“What the hell are you trying to do?” he growled, moving around her while completing the chop with one swift hack. The two pieces of wood fell to the side.

Lifting her gaze to his as he turned back around, she placed her hands on her hips, saying, “Obviously I was chopping wood.”

“Waving a sharp axe around wildly, not able to hit the side of a barn, is hardly chopping wood,” he retorted. “You could’ve hurt yourself.”

“It was heavy!” she shouted.

“All the more reason to not attempt something you can’t handle,” he argued back, taking two steps closer to her, forcing her to lean back to maintain eye contact. “The way you were swinging it around if that block fell off on the descent you could have chopped your leg off!”

“Who says I can’t handle the axe? I was getting it if you hadn’t jumped in to rescue the poor, little woman,” she said sarcastically. Her hair had fallen toward her face again and as she pushed it out of the way, the realization that she was hot, sweaty, dirty, and disheveled once more when in his presence shot through her. She tried to tamp down those feelings but seeing him standing at the edge of the woods, his blue plaid shirt with the sleeves rolled up on his thick forearms and jeans that showed off his massive legs and… Nope, not looking there. She lifted her gaze once more, this time seeing him smile at having caught her ogling.

“Oh, never mind,” she bit out, pulling her long hair back into a messy ponytail. “What are you here for anyway?” she asked as she turned to walk back up the path.

“I wanted to see you again,” he pronounced with candor.

She stopped in her tracks before turning to peer into his face. What she saw was honesty staring back at her. Licking her lips nervously, she cocked her head to the side, waiting for his explanation .

Instead of answering, he placed another piece of wood on the stump and within a few minutes he had chopped several more before tossing them onto the woodpile. She watched his body as it moved in perfect harmony with the task. His muscles as they corded with strength and power. What would it be like to have that power over me? His body moving into mine? His—blah, stop!

Schooling her expression, she smiled as he turned back to her. “Thank you…again. It seems as though you have a habit of rescuing me. I’m sorry that I was so…um…unaccommodating.”

He reared his head back in laughter, the muscles in his neck working as the sound reached her ears. Meeting her gaze again, he said, “Unaccommodating? Try downright angry, darlin’.”

Pursing her lips, she agreed, “Okay, fine.” She held out her hand for the axe, which he ignored.

Swinging it up on his shoulder he gave a nod toward the shed. “I’ve got it.”

Refusing to argue anymore, she met his nod and turned to walk up the path. The Paul Bunyan look is good on him , she thought. Reaching the shed, she opened the door while stepping back to allow him entrance.

His eyes were riveted to her perfect ass showcased in the tight jeans. The tank top she was wearing was slightly stained with sweat and dirt, but looked as good as anything she could have had on as far as he was concerned. As she stopped at an old shed, he forced his eyes to go back to her face.

“Anywhere special?” he asked, looking around the orderly space .

She pointed to a hook on the wall and watched as he replaced the axe in its place. Closing the door behind him, she caught his incredulous expression. “What now?”

“You don’t have a lock on that door?”

“Um, I think Gramps did, but I just haven’t thought about it. Why?”

“Woman, you’ve got a shed full of tools that can be used as weapons, a constant changing group of guests that stay here that you don’t know from shit, and you’re wondering why the shed needs to be locked?” he growled.

Angry because she knew he was right but also because he had to point it out to her, she turned to stomp toward the lodge. He followed in her tracks, making a mental note that a lock was the next thing he planned on buying for her.

Bethany stopped stomping, realizing how childish it was when he was right. She should have a lock on the shed. Heaving a huge sigh, she glanced over her shoulder, seeing him right behind her. And caught him staring at her ass. Her hands immediately swiped at her bottom, fearing there was something she sat in. His eyes jumped up to hers, a twinkle in them letting her know he had been staring at her ass because he wanted to. A warm blush rose across her face as she turned back toward the lodge.

Reaching the shaded front porch, she nodded toward one of the chairs. “Make yourself comfortable and I’ll get some lemonade.” She opened the door then stopped suddenly. “Or would you rather have a beer? ”

The crinkles at the corners of his eyes captured her attention as he answered, “Lemonade is fine.” Nodding again, she walked inside. Once clear of the front room, she dashed up the stairs taking them two at a time.

Hurrying into the bathroom, she grabbed a brush and ran it quickly through her thick hair before twisting it up in a knot on top of her head. Wetting a washcloth, she swiped the cool towel over her face before eyeing herself in the mirror. No makeup, no time. Shaking her head at the absurdity of trying to impress a man like Jack, she jerked off her stained shirt and pulled on a clean white tank top.

Bounding down the stairs again, she poured two tall glasses of cold lemonade from the refrigerator before moving back to the porch. Her eyes met his immediately, the electricity crackling between them. Suddenly nervous, she simply reached her hand out with the drink.

His fingers slid across hers as he took the glass from her hand. “You going to sit down too?” His voice was low…smooth. She offered a quick nod, and she sat in the rocking chair next to his.

He watched her in silence for a few minutes as she made every attempt to avoid eye contact again. Her hair was pulled up, leaving a few blonde strands to blow in the breeze. Clear blue eyes, matching the cloudless sky. She had changed from the tank top to a clean t-shirt that was modest while still clinging to her curves. He had already perused her ass as she had walked in front of him. Beautiful, pure beautiful .

“What?” she asked, her gaze jerking to his in confusion.

Hell, I said that aloud, he realized. “The view, darlin’. The view is beautiful.”

She gifted him with a smile as she turned back toward the vista. From the porch, they could see the trees of the woods across the road with the Blue Ridge Mountains rising in the distance. She loved this view. The tranquility of this place. “It is beautiful here, isn’t it? Do you have this kind of view at your place?”

He chuckled, realizing she thought he was talking about the mountains. “No darlin’, I don’t have this beauty on my land. At least not right now,” he replied, his eyes still on her. But maybe? Don’t have a clue how that would work out, but just maybe.

They sat in silence for a few more minutes allowing the breeze and shade to fight back the early summer heat.

“Why are you really here?” she finally asked softly, twisting to look at the handsome man sharing her porch.

He looked discomfited for a moment before shaking his head slightly. “Hell if I know,” he replied under his breath. Turning to look at her, he said, “Actually, I wanted to check on you and your grandmother to make sure you were all right.”

She nodded, disappointed, but understood he felt a responsibility. “I appreciate that and we’re fine. In fact, Gram’s scratches are barely noticeable.”

“Yeah, I saw her when I first came. ”

“Oh.” Not able to think of anything else to say, she remained quiet.

“I also brought you something,” he added, setting the glass onto the porch railing and reaching into his pocket. Her interest captured, she watched as he pulled out a sturdy, metal bracelet.

Turning toward her, he said, “This is for your grandmother.”

“Gram? You’re giving Gram a bracelet?” she asked in confusion.

He chuckled, “This is a tracking bracelet. We’ll attach it around her ankle, and she won’t be able to take it off. It’ll feel a little weird at first to her, but she’ll soon become accustomed.”

“Tracking?”

He pointed to the center of the bracelet where a flat disc was located. “There’s a tiny electronic tracer inside. If she ever wanders away, then you call us. Luke has already programmed it into our system, and we’d be able to pinpoint her anywhere. It’s waterproof and won’t need the battery changed for a long time.”

She was speechless as she gazed at his outstretched hand, offering her a gift that was so much more than the bracelet. It was a gift of safety for Gram and peace of mind for her.

“I…I…don’t know what to say,” she said. Her eyes filled with tears as she blinked furiously to battle them back.

“Don’t have to say anything. You’re doing a lot here and this’ll take a worry off your plate.”

She turned the disk over in her hand and saw an intricate inscription with SPI on the back. Lifting her questioning gaze back to his, he answered her silent question, “Saints Protection and would do it easier if he was not filling the void with useless conversation. Don’t know what the hell I’m doing here, but come on girl. Trust me. Let me in, even if just a little.

“My grandparents bought this land right after they got married with some of granddad’s Army money,” she said, her eyes still on the vista in front of her.

He knew this from the search Luke had done but kept that to himself. Stories were better told by the people involved anyway.

“He knew carpentry and they built the first cabin and lived in it while working the next one. He wasn’t trained in marketing, but Gramps understood people. Knew what they wanted and what they’d come for. He advertised it as a honeymoon getaway and by the time he had built five cabins, they were full most year ‘round.” She chuckled, adding, “He’d say that he didn’t have to offer too many things to keep people busy if they were on their honeymoon.”

Jack smiled, acknowledging her grandfather had been an intuitive man.

She saw his smile and felt the tingle straight through her. With her grandfather’s small stature and Jack’s huge presence, they could not have looked more different. And yet there was a strong similarity. Gramps knew what people needed and worked to provide it. Feeling the bracelet still clutched in her hand, she knew that Jack shared the same trait.

“After cabin five, he built this lodge with the apartment on the second floor and the office, reception, and lodge room below. They only had one son, my dad, so it was big enough for them. Then he finished through to cabin ten.”

The silence was disturbed by the fishermen driving back in once more. She threw her hand up in a wave and watched it return.

Jack spied it too, but with a completely different reaction. He saw the look on the men’s faces—the same one he had when he looked at her. Goddamn, she’s a beauty and got no fucking clue how much of a beauty, which only made her more attractive. A flash of something new, something different flew through him. Smart enough to recognize jealousy, he tamped that emotion down, struggling with wanting her and wanting her safe. And not sure how his lifestyle could accomplish both.

Bethany, unaware of the thoughts of the man sitting next to her, continued. “Gramps and Gram had a good life here. He died about three years ago and she’s been doing okay on her own.”

At this, he swung his gaze back to hers, knowing how much work she was putting into running the place now.

She saw his questioning expression and quickly added, “With some help of course. My parents were professors at Richmond State University until just this past year when they were offered a position with research capability in Arizona. Dad and mom helped out a lot. By then I was out of college with a business and marketing degree working for an ad agency in Richmond.”

“You gave up your life?” he asked, already knowing the answer and that she quit a decent paying job.

She shrugged, “Yeah. I mean, I liked the job and the people, but…” She looked back at the mountains and sighed. “But look at that. I’ve always loved that. And Gram needed me. I couldn’t let this place be sold or get run down.”

“So, you took all this on yourself?”

“I’ve got help. Sally does the cabin cleaning and Roscoe does the handiwork around.”

The warm vibe changed once again to chilly as he stood, moving his large body to lean against the rail as he peered down at her. “You’ve got a man here to do handiwork?” Jack asked, his voice still low, but growling this time. Before she could answer, he continued, “So, why the hell were you out with an axe today?”

“I’m not helpless,” she protested. “He’s off today and I saw a job that needed to be done so I did it.”

He leaned back, letting his breath out slowly, as though counting. Frustration warred with anger inside of him.

“Jack, I’m not sure what’s happening here,” she whispered, her eyes meeting his. “We've only been around each other a couple of times and every time I find myself confused. You seem angry and then interested and then pull away. ”

He stared at her face, so full of pure honesty it almost hurt. Her beauty pulled him in—made him want the things in life that he had assumed were not for him. Relationships. Love. Family. He dealt in a world of missions, violence, and money being paid to get things done. Things that others could not get done. And she’s got no fuckin’ place in that world.

His thoughts warred with each other, then finally gave in to the darker side of his mind. Pushing away from the rail, he gave her a curt nod. “Just being neighborly,” he lied. “Make sure you secure that bracelet around Ann’s ankle ‘cause we’ve already got it on our radar.” With one last head jerk, he stalked down the steps and to his truck, leaving her sitting on the porch.

As his vehicle pulled out of sight, she stood sighing heavily, disappointment filling her soul. It had been so long since she was interested in a man. Someone more than an occasional date. His rugged handsome looks drew her in, but it was his intensity that had held her gaze . As though he would stop at nothing to slay my dragons. And then…nothing. Sighing again deeply, she looked down at the bracelet in her hand. It was a very nice gift. For a neighbor from a neighbor. A neighbor who was tying himself to her whether or not he realized it.

Snagging the two glasses off the porch, she headed inside to find Gram and start dinner.