Jackson's Love (Lake Hope Book 3)

by Mel Walker

  “They look delicious. Do you have another bag?” Mia asks, but I shake my head side to side.

  “I’m sorry, I only whipped up a few.”

  “Just for me?” Dana practically whispers.

  I nod. “I may joke, Dana, but I see how hard you are working. I just wanted to find a way to show my support—that is, other than reaching the pushpins at the top of the board.”

  She stands and pulls me into a hug. “Thank you, Jackson, I really appreciate this.” She smells of musk and vanilla, the essential oil smell from the studio, a constant reminder on her skin. “You know you have the discount rate at the studio. Pop in for a class anytime.”

  I nod, not exactly the words I expected. “Sure. Let me get back to the front.” I turn toward Aaron and Mia. “Let me know if you need anything else.”

  Mia’s devilish gaze locks on Dana; I think she understands what I am seeking. I’m sure I’m about to be part of their conversation.

  Aaron, however, has picked up my treat. He’s staring at it as if it’s a clue of some sort. He pulls out his phone and begins to snap pictures and my heart races.

  Shit.

  Before Aaron returned to Destiny Falls, he was a top location film scout in Hollywood. He searched and found things all over the world. He has an unmatched eye for detail.

  He places the treat back in front of Dana, who is giggling in Mia’s direction. A chill remains in my bones; Aaron has a stern look plastered on his face as he looks up from his phone in my direction and then back to his phone. His fingers become a blur, and I already know what is to come.

  Aaron’s doing what he does—he’s searching, and my heartfelt tribute to Dana has put me squarely on his radar.

  Chapter Three

  Dana

  Mia and Aaron shadow me back to the yoga studio an hour later. After caffeinating, we split up and blanketed the town one last time with flyers. Mia used her influence with the business owners to have them post it on their website and mobile apps while Aaron focused on out-of-the-way places. He came back empty-handed, so I didn’t ask any questions as he has a way of finding places to post that I never would have thought of or been able to locate.

  My phone chimes as I reopen the studio and flip the sign to Open. I still have thirty minutes before class starts; we made good timing today. “Thank you, guys, so much.” I open the notification on my phone, my registration site indicating that the final slot for the retreat has been sold. “Yes!” I pump my fist and hold up the phone. “We did it, the last spot just sold. I knew gold was the way to go.”

  I slap high fives with them and reach for my bag. I pull out Jackson’s thoughtful gift and offer it up to them. “A treat well earned,” I say as they each grab one of the carrot cake balls. “Oh, my goodness.” My mouth explodes with flavor. These are the most delicious healthy treats I’ve ever tasted.

  “Wow,” Mia exclaims as she takes her first bite. “And these are healthy?”

  I had the same thought as the coconut flakes provide a sweetness without the refined sugars of a normal cake. I taste the oats and so many other competing flavors, which all work well together.

  “That man whipped up some magic for you, Dana, and all you offered him was a discount to a yoga class. You know better than that,” Mia challenges me, her focus shifting from me and back to the treat.

  “I can’t.” I shake my head side to side. She knows my history; she knows of my attraction and why I won’t allow myself to go down that road. “You know why.”

  Aaron chimes in, “I don’t.” I don’t believe him. I may have never shared my complicated past with him, but he and Mia don’t have any secrets, I’m sure they’ve discussed my situation. That is, in between getting lost in goo-goo eyes.

  “I don’t have time to go into it—class is starting soon. I’m sure Mia can fill you in.”

  Mia turns to Aaron. “The CliffsNotes version. Her ex never saw her as a businesswoman and kept throwing roadblocks in her way. Apparently stuck in the 1950s—you know, the woman’s place is in the home and all.” She rolls her eyes. Mia’s a successful businesswoman as well, her star on the rise, especially since she landed the lodge which will be hosting my yoga retreat. She, like me and our other best friend, Candice—yet another kickass woman business owner—have little tolerance for men trying to micromanage us and our dreams. I am grateful every single day that somehow the universe aligned and delivered these women into my lap.

  “So what?” Aaron states. He’s like a dog with a bone. He’s won’t let go. “So, what, your ex was an ass. Everyone has screwed-up exes, or they’ve been one in the past. That doesn’t mean you give up. Mia here,” he wraps his arm around Mia, the protective posture evident, “she’s run the gauntlet of crappy exes.”

  I scan her face, expecting embarrassment, but all I read on her face is confirmation. She nods.

  “She didn’t stop. She picked herself up, dusted herself off, and chased after me until I succumbed.”

  Mia pushes out of the hug, a sharp laugh escaping. “Really, dude? Dusted myself off, as if I was lying on the side of the road. I was living my best life.” The humor has left her voice. “And if I recall, you are the one who did the chasing.”

  “Really, Mia? I recall a certain someone flying cross-country, not once but twice to find me.” That lost humor has now found its way to Aaron.

  Mia’s shoulders relax. “Yeah, that’s true. Okay, fine. How ’bout we settle on we chased each other.”

  “And found eternal happiness,” Aaron adds as Mia’s phone rings. Their history and origin story are the stuff of dreams. Just being in their orbit warms my heart.

  Mia steps to the side of the foyer and I direct Aaron to follow me into the studio room. I might as well begin to prepare for class. I grab a folded blanket and mat and head toward the front of the classroom.

  “I appreciate the advice, Aaron, I truly do. But I’m not you. I’m not Mia. My immediate concern is standing up my business and making sure this yoga retreat goes off without a hitch. It starts in three days. Thankfully, it’s completely sold out, so all the hard work is done. All I have to do now is execute.”

  He nods. I hope he backs off. Just the mention of my ex has darkened my mood. I don’t need that energy here. “Okay, I’ll back off, but I will say one last thing.”

  I plant my feet and cross my arms, wishing this conversation was over.

  “Just don’t wait too long, Dana. A man inspired enough to cook like he just did for you doesn’t come along every day. Be wise enough to grab them while the plate is still warm.” I know Aaron is talking about Jackson, but he could also be talking about him and Mia. Aaron is a freaking amazing cook and used those skills to help woo Mia. I remember Mia giving Candice and me bite-by-bite replays of some of his meals.

  I nod and spot Mia entering the studio. She is squeezing the phone in her hand. Even from where I stand, I see her shoulders slump. The vacant stare is the next clue, bad news is on the way.

  “What is it, Mia? Is everything okay?” I ask.

  Aaron strides toward her, his arms back around her shoulders in a blink of an eye. “That was Violet,” she begins. “Mrs. Shaw’s daughter.” With the mention of Mrs. Shaw, my pulse begins to race. Mrs. Shaw is the owner of the lodge which is hosting the retreat. “Mrs. Shaw is still on her Mediterranean cruise, so Violet is overseeing the lodge. She called to say Lucas just had a death in his family—his mother back in Turkey. He’s headed there now, his brother and entire family.”

  Aaron asks the question that is on the tip of my tongue. “Lucas, the chef at the lodge?”

  “Yeah, he and his brother run the kitchen. They stayed on when I took over operations of the lodge. I’m sorry, Dana, we must find a chef and an assistant for you. Let me make some calls, but it’s going to be hard to find someone who is not only available on such short notice but also has five days clear on their calendar.”

  I ignore most of what Mia is saying. She looks more defeated than I feel. “I’m sorr
y to hear about Lucas’s mom. Don’t worry, Mia, we’ll figure it out. Between you, me, and Candice, our network is wide. The sisterhood will support us.” I offer as much assurance I can muster to hide the growing sense of dread I’m feeling. I hear the outside door open, and I know my students are beginning to arrive. “Let’s synch up later. I have a class to teach.”

  I greet my first student as Mia glances over her shoulder at me, headed toward the exit.

  Aaron whispers toward her, his words floating through the studio, “Let me check out one thing. I may have a solution.”

  My heart skips a beat. His words weren’t meant for me to hear. I’m sure he doesn’t want to get my hopes up, and I appreciate it. However, it’s too late as I’ve seen Aaron do the impossible. I need to find a chef, and Aaron is one of the best trackers on the planet.

  Chapter Four

  Jackson

  I push through the swinging doors of the cafe carrying a bucket of ice from the rear. I flick my neck, forcing a few strands of my long black hair out of my face. I love the ebbs and flow of coffee traffic. Mouse quiet one minute and jam-packed the next. I’ve returned to the front just in time for the latter. Apparently, half of Destiny Falls decided at the same time that they want dinner, the other half showing up at the counter for desserts.

  I blow out a breath, and the uncooperative hair flies up only to return. Speaking of returning, I spot a familiar mop of blond hair at the counter. Aaron is tapping nervously on the glass display, his eyes fixed in my direction. He’s not here for a slice of cake. That didn’t take long—he really is good at what he does.

  I nod in his direction, “Behind,” I say and pass Allie, the cashier/barista working the counter. She leans forward as I scoot by with the bucket, the aisles here in the cafe too thin for two workers to navigate together. Just another one of the two hundred things I would change about this place if it were mine. I tap down my OCD tendencies, remembering why I’m here in the first place.

  I lift the nearly thirty-pound bucket with ease and refill the ice machine, which can’t keep up with the demand during a rush. Another item I’d replace in a heartbeat. Not yours, not here, not now. I mentally chant the mantra that has kept me on the straight and narrow all these months.

  I slip the bucket under the back counter, wipe my forehead with the sleeve of my shirt, and turn toward the counter. “Who’s next?” I pitch in as the crowd has grown two-deep.

  Allie rings up another patron. “I got it, Jackson. This guy is waiting for you.” She points toward Aaron before handing a credit slip to the customer to sign.

  Aaron’s gaze had never left me as his anxious eyes bore right into me. “That was quick. You ready for another cup of java?” I try to hide my nervousness behind a lame joke.

  His eyes flit toward Allie before he leans forward, his words a mere whisper. “You got a minute, Jackson? Or do you prefer Zach?”

  Shit, he knows.

  His glare fills with curiosity as he awaits a reaction. I whisper to Allie, “You good? I’m going to take five.” She nods as her hands continue to move in a blur. She pushes a coffee to one customer while grabbing a credit card from another. She does it all with a smile on her face and a sunny disposition. Her efficiency is something I’ve been taking notes on.

  “I got this; take whatever time you need. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you ever take a break other than when Dana is here. Go.”

  Her statement causes me to pause. Apparently, I’m not the only one who has been taking notice.

  I point Aaron toward the exit. “Meet you out there in thirty seconds.” He pushes through the line and heads out. I wash my hands in the small sink for what is probably the hundredth time today and wipe it on the towel that’s tucked into my waistband.

  I know of Aaron, but we don’t exactly run in the same circles. He only recently moved back to Destiny Falls to be with his girlfriend and has become a regular here, usually attached to Mia’s hip. He seems like a nice guy, but I wonder what he’s about to say about his discovery.

  I push out of the exit, directing him away from the three small tables set up on the sidewalk. I can’t risk eavesdroppers. In my short time here, I’ve witnessed up close how fast rumors and secrets fly around a small town.

  “I go by Jackson, if you’re wondering,” I say to start the conversation. I know how good he is when it comes research, and I won’t insult his intelligence with a denial that can be easily disproved. “Zach is my middle name. My agent thought it was more of a badass name.” I leave out the part where I was in total agreement.

  He nods in appreciation of my verification.

  “It was the carrot cake balls, right?” I already know the answer but want to confirm.

  He nods again. “Yeah, I recall them being mentioned in an article about up-and-coming chefs in Seattle a little while ago. I remember them writing endlessly about the coconuts, flakes, and oats being an ingenious combination, one of the best healthy treats they had ever encountered. What are you doing in Destiny Falls?”

  I deflect his question. “That was a locale publication, were you in Seattle? That must’ve been a year ago or so?”

  If he notices the deflection, he doesn’t address it. “I had just completed a scouting trip out west and had a few days before I needed to be back in Los Angeles. I decided to meander on the drive back. It’s something I do. Stopping along the way and taking it all in.”

  I see the joy in his eyes as he recalls the life. “You miss the road?”

  A strange look crosses his face. “I really thought I would more than I do. I have so many amazing memories, but I found something that is even more amazing. Besides, I now get to experience the road with Mia. It’s a different experience but in a lot of ways a million times better.”

  I envy that look of love. I lose my train of thought as a flash of Dana’s beautiful face fills my head, my heart immediately warming.

  “I’m not here for me. I won’t press you on the why—that’s on you—and I know the magical spell this town can have on people. But I will ask, who knows?”

  I exhale deeply, happy that I don’t have to explain how I went from being one of the top chefs in Seattle a year ago to managing a coffee shop in the middle of Indiana. “Just my cousin Jason. I’m staying with him. It was supposed to be only for a few months, but I’m seriously thinking of sticking around longer.”

  He connects the pieces without me speaking. “Does Dana know any of this? Your past, your plans, any of it?”

  I guess in his previous line of work Aaron didn’t have time to beat around the bush. He’s probably the most direct person I’ve met in Destiny Falls. “You are the only one outside of my family. That hotshot chef from Seattle never got off the plane. Here I’m just Jackson, the guy who loves coffee and lives quietly. I hope you can respect my privacy.” My pulse begins to race as I know I’m asking a man I barely know to keep a secret from the one woman who could make me revisit every choice I’ve ever made in life.

  He shakes his head as if my monumental ask doesn’t carry any weight. “I understand privacy, but things have a way of finding their way to the light. Just ask yourself, do you want to be the one lifting that curtain, or someone else? I won’t say a word.” He shifts his weight from one foot to the other as he wrings his hands.

  “The real reason I’m here, Jackson—” His eyes flash as his voice shifts into a piss-poor Irish accent. “—I have an opportunity that requires your unique set of skills.”

  His Liam Neeson impersonation needs a ton of work, but it does capture my attention. “What exactly are you talking about?”

  “You’re familiar with Dana’s yoga retreat?”

  I can’t hide the smile from growing on my face with the mention of her name. “Yeah,” I chuckle. “I may have seen a flyer or two around town.”

  “Well, her two chefs that were scheduled to operate the kitchen for her just had a family emergency. She’s about to have a retreat full of yogis showing up at the lodge on Lake Hop
e in three days and no chef.”

  He doesn’t have to complete painting the picture for me. The retreat means the world to her. It’s a four-day retreat, five days for the chef once you add the prep day. There is no way she’ll be able to find someone who could make that commitment work without it costing her a pretty penny. She will lose her shirt. “So, what do you have in mind?”

  His smile lights up the sidewalk. “As if you don’t already know. What you don’t know is that I also trained at the Institute of Culinary Education.”

  “You trained at ICE?” I fail in my attempt to hide my surprise. Aaron continues to be an enigma with more layers than anyone I’ve ever met.

  “Not just trained but graduated. I don’t practice much, but I know my way around the kitchen and make a mean sous chef. If you can make the schedule work…”

  The rest of his words blur as I already picture myself in the kitchen. The image of Chef Zach floods my memory. The crazy days of Seattle, me barking orders, yelling, screaming, seeking perfection in others that I never achieved in myself. The thought alone has my blood pressure rising. “I haven’t cooked in months, Aaron. Hell, I eat takeout most nights myself.” I’ve become a master deflector in my time in Destiny Falls. I lob the volley at him, praying he shifts topics.

  He shakes his head, dismissing my concerns. “It’s like riding a bike. Besides, I tasted that carrot cake ball. When did you make that, a few hours ago? Your technique, flavor profile, execution is on point. In your sleep you can cook circles around anything anyone can find here in Destiny Falls.”

  “But the retreat is in in Lake Hope. Beautiful Lake Hope—you know, America’s newest and most favorite vacation spot.” I can’t believe I came to Destiny Falls to stay out of the spotlight, and in the last few months with the release of the movie Forever filmed at the lodge, Lake Hope has become a worldwide phenomenon, people flying from all over the country, trying to spend a night in the Forever suite that was featured in the movie.