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CHAPTER ONE

Willow

After parking my car in the marina parking lot, I grabbed my duffle bag and suitcase and walked towards the docks. The sun shone bright in the cloudless sky, and I smiled up at it, loving the feel of the sunshine on my face.

I couldn’t believe I was finally here at Apple Lake, about to step on the houseboat I rented, the summer vacation I’d been looking forward to all year upon me.

I wanted to skip, no, run , the rest of the way there but with lots of people mulling about, I decided to breath in the fresh mountain lake air and quicken my pace.

Several houseboats lined the shore, and a zing of excitement ran through me when I spotted mine.

It looked exactly like the photos on the Airbnb listing, a blue awning over the back deck where an outdoor table and chairs sat.

The keys were located in a lock box on the door and the code was in my email.

I managed to score a deal on renting it for the entire summer with a discount for more days rented.

Once on the dock, I navigated my way towards my houseboat, all while sneaking looks at the beautiful, massive lake spread before me.

It stretched for what looked like miles, sunrays beaming along the top of the water.

I couldn’t wait to dive in and go for a swim, the cool fresh water bound to be refreshing.

The front of my houseboat came into view, and I sprinted towards it, unable to hold back my excitement.

I pulled out my phone and retrieved the code, swiftly punching it into the lockbox and grabbing the keys tucked inside.

I slipped the lockbox off the door handle, slid the key into the lock, and pushed the door open, the sweet smell of fresh flowers filling my nose.

“It’s perfect.” I whispered to myself as I dragged my luggage inside and closed the door behind me, making sure to lock it.

I dropped my bags just inside the door and took it all in.

A small kitchen area, complete with the usual appliances was just beyond the door, lots of cabinet space and a sitting area to eat.

A narrow sitting area with a small TV hung on the wall, a built-in bench along the opposite side with lots of throw pillows.

Lastly, there was the one bedroom, a large queen size bed in the middle of the biggest room, a couple of dressers around it, and another small TV hung on the wall.

Behind a door on the right was a bathroom, complete with a tub, something I didn’t expect.

It was far from big but for a soak every now and then, it’d do the trick.

I took out my cell phone once more. No service flashed on the screen, and I smiled.

Perfect. I wanted the peace and quiet, which is exactly why I chose this place.

No Wi-Fi, no good cell service, and no pestering sisters calling you every day.

I swore, Xina, was my ride or die, but, lately, she was just a bit too much.

But she wasn’t the only thing I needed a break from.

The daily grind of life, getting up and going to work, doing adult things, it was all too much sometimes.

I loved my job of teaching young kids, and my second-grade classroom was like home to me.

I spent extra time there after school helping with after school programs and investing a lot of time in my kids’ futures.

If I wasn’t going to have my own children, the least I could do was guide others and hopefully leave a lasting impact.

I wanted a family of my own but with each year flying by faster than the next, time was running out.

I turned forty last week and my body liked to remind me every day that I wasn’t getting any younger.

So did my sister. With blind date after blind date disaster, I couldn’t stand it anymore.

I was tired of her meddling in my love life. But the problem was, she didn’t listen.

But now, she was about to be hit with radio silence.

I refused to tell her where I was staying, inside informing a close friend and my parents, who promised to keep my location under wraps.

Stepping onto the back of the boat through the back door, I sat down in one of the outdoor chairs and released a breath, inhaling the fresh air in its place.

The view was gorgeous, with the mountain lake water sparkling and looking very inviting. Boats and sailboats sailed about the lake in the distance, and I wondered how big the lake was. I’d definitely have to do some exploring while here.

But for now, it was time to relax. I’d put on my bathing suit, fix myself a drink, grab my Kindle, and not move from this perfect spot.

And that’s exactly what I did.

***

The next few days I spent swimming in the lake, lounging on the back deck of my houseboat, and also on the beach. There was plenty of shoreline to enjoy, with soft sand and not too many rocks.

My skin had already tanned, and all of my freckles have popped on my face, scattering along my nose and cheeks. I could definitely get used to the beach life.

Today, I took a walk along the shore, checking out the various little shops and boat rental places along the way. After only walking for about five minutes, I spotted an ice cream shop. Yum, who doesn’t love cold ice cream on a hot summer day?

I hurried towards it, a list of flavors running through my head like a little kid. I couldn’t help it. Ice cream was one of my favorite treats.

Inside, the cold air sent a shiver down my spine as I read over the menu.

I placed my order of a small hot fudge sundae with coffee ice cream and after paying, I stepped over to the pick-up counter.

Just as I turned to grab a few napkins, something or should I say, someone , crashed into my legs and a cold scoop of chocolate ice cream landed on my foot.

“Uh oh!” A young boy’s voice cried. “My ice cream! It make mess.”

I looked down at the adorable blonde boy, who couldn’t be more than three or four years old, holding his dish of chocolate ice cream, a lot of it melting down the side as he dug his spoon in.

Even more of it covered his mouth and shirt and I chuckled to myself.

“We do have a bit of a mess here, don’t we?

How about you clean yourself and I’ll clean my foot.

” I handed him a napkin which he took, patted his cheek instead of his mouth, and dropped it on the floor.

I laughed as I wiped up the ice cream from my foot. He was just too cute I couldn’t even be mad I had a sticky foot.

“Is everything okay over here? Teddy, did you spill ice cream on the lady’s foot?” A deep voice rumbled over me and when I stood up straight and caught a glimpse of the very tall, very sexy, very handsome man in front of me, I nearly choked on the air in my lungs, lodging itself in my windpipe.

I stood frozen in place, his mere presence gripping me in a chokehold.

He lit every part of me on fire, my nerves misfiring and chaotic, my heart pounding so hard everyone must hear it. When he smiled, my entire body melted like warm chocolate.

Who is he?

“Mmhmm.” Teddy said without a care in the world, his voice dragging me out of my trance. His only mission right now was to eat more ice cream. Little scoop after little scoop went in his mouth, more dripping on his chin and down his shirt.

“I’m so sorry. I turned my back for a second to hand them a tip. I should’ve waited to give him the dish when we got to our table.” His warm smile was still there, a genuine sincerity in his eyes and voice.

“It’s okay.” I forced down my nerves and smiled, afraid I was coming off like a complete bitch when in reality, he stunned me into silence.

He was so fucking hot I couldn’t speak.

Couldn’t even form a coherent thought.

“Can I get you anything? More napkins? A wet one?” He chuckled and ruffled Teddy’s hair. “Always need those everywhere we go.”

I laughed and looked back down at Teddy. I kneeled to his level. “It was nice meeting you, Teddy. Be good for your dad, okay?”

“Lady have ice cream?” Teddy asked.

“Aw that’s sweet of you buddy but she’s probably busy. Say bye, nice to meet you.”

Teddy shook his head and stomped his foot. “No!”

“Don’t worry about it.” I chuckled with a wave of my hand. “It was nice meeting you both, take care.” I waved and moved towards the counter, my ice cream sundae waiting for me.

When I retrieved it, I snuck a look behind me and sure enough, he hadn’t moved. He talked in a low voice to his son and pointed at a table behind them.

Just when I turned away, his gaze caught mine and he grinned. He wagged his finger, beckoning me to come closer. Teddy was back to eating his ice cream, his small tantrum forgotten about.

A swarm of butterflies took flight in my belly. Just take your sundae and go.

But I couldn’t. Something held me there. Pushed me to walk towards him, moving us closer together.

And suddenly, a feeling came over me, one I couldn’t quite explain, but I knew, without a doubt, I wasn’t going to ever be the same again.