Finding Love in Forgotten Cove (Island County Series Book 1)

by Karice Bolton

  “Any questions?” the medic asked.

  I shook my head and let out a sigh. This wasn’t how I’d imagined my weekend.

  “Okay, well, we’re relieved this ended well.”

  “Thank you,” I whispered, experiencing the seriousness of what happened. “I’m sorry about that.”

  “No need to apologize. It’s what we’re here for. I’m glad it had a happy ending, but it’s that gentleman you should be thanking. Things could’ve turned out very differently if he hadn’t been here.”

  I nodded and watched the medics gather their equipment and exit my home.

  Mason grabbed a quilt that was rolled up in a basket. He let out a deep breath and draped the quilt over my shoulders.

  “You scared the shit out of me, Tori.” Our eyes connected and comfort spread through me. “I know we live in the northwest and people go kayaking and canoeing by themselves all the time… but…” He didn’t continue. He waited for me to say something as he grabbed one of the towels on the floor.

  I didn’t.

  Dripping wet and traumatized I stared at the fire as he wrapped my hair in a towel.

  “Are you okay?” he asked, knowing I wasn’t ready to tell him why I went out.

  “Yes, only a little wounded. Nothing time won’t heal.”

  “Seeing you out there,” Mason wiped his eyes and my heart dropped. “Tori, I thought I might lose you and I haven’t even been able to call you mine.”

  I pressed my lips together as he gathered me in his arms and held me against his bare chest.

  “Please, don’t go out there alone. I don’t know why you went, but don’t do it by yourself next time. Please.”

  I took in a deep breath, smelling a mixture of saltwater and Mason’s cologne, and I nestled deeper into his chest.

  “I promise.”

  I felt his embrace tighten, and fear shot through me because for once, I felt like I was finally home and I wasn’t ready to face what that meant.

  “Why’d you tense?” Mason whispered, his fingers softly rubbing my neck.

  I wasn’t ready to tell him how I was feeling about him. I didn’t want to ruin it and I didn’t want to make promises I couldn’t keep.

  “My father wanted me to sprinkle his ashes in the cove, where my mom and sister passed away.” I held back the tears that suddenly wanted to emerge. Shocked that it was easier for me to tell him this than how I felt about him made me wonder about so many things, all of which I didn’t understand.

  I felt him swallow as he continued to hold me.

  “I’ve been dreading it the entire time I’ve been here. I thought I’d do a practice run and look where it got me.”

  “You don’t have to do it alone, Tori. I can come with you, when you’re ready. If you’re ready.”

  “If is the key word. After today, I don’t think I want to, no matter what I promised him.”

  “There’s no rush,” Mason said quietly. “It’s about you as much as him. You need to do what’s best for you.”

  I nodded and closed my eyes, listening to the steady beat of Mason’s heart, and I wondered if I was strong enough to let him have mine. At the moment, I wasn’t so sure.

  “There has been a slight change of plans,” Mason laughed, as he loaded his ladder onto the truck.

  “With what?” I asked. “The barbeque? Has it been canceled?”

  It was Friday after school, and I’d already loaded my car with papers to correct. Tomorrow was the barbeque at Mason’s parents, and I was half terrified and half intrigued by the event.

  “No. Just moved.”

  “Moved? I thought they had it at their house every year?” I eyed him suspiciously.

  “Just about.” He nodded.

  “Then what’s up?” I leaned on my open car door.

  “I explained the situation.”

  “And what’s the situation?” My brow arched.

  “You’ve got a bucket list to complete and one of the items is at my lake cabin. And judging by your decision-making ability, the quicker we speed up the bucket list, the better chance you have at completing it.”

  “Such faith.”

  “Hey, since I’ve known you, I’ve had to witness an eye emergency, stitches, and a near-drowning, and all involved you at the center. I really don’t think it would be a good idea to procrastinate.” He gave me a devilish grin as he rocked back and forth on his heels. “So what do you say? You can ride up with me and my parents or my brother, Lily, Gabby and Jason, if the other’s too much pressure.”

  “Could I take my own car?” I asked.

  Mason chuckled. “Of course. It’s not customary that the Rhodes want to take hostages at any family gatherings. We tend to let people come and go as they please.” His eyes twinkled with mischief and he took a step forward. “So are you game? It takes several hours to get there so we should start a.s.a.p. My bags are already packed and in the back of my truck. I was going to swing by my parents’ house to pick them and the food up. You can follow if you want.”

  I glanced at his double cab, wondering if I should go with him or drive myself.

  “Why didn’t you mention the change of plans this morning?”

  “Because I knew it would give you all day to talk yourself out of it.” He grinned.

  “You do know me well.”

  He took another step closer and placed his hands on my hips, bringing me into him. I felt him against me and knew there was no way I’d be turning down a weekend with Mason. After all, it might be the last one I had since his crews had finished the deck, and he’d already started installing cabinets in the kitchen.

  “It sounds fun, but I’m still taking my car.”

  “Of course you are.” He swept a gentle kiss along my lips and let go of my hips. “Pack for hot days and cool nights. And if you don’t want to get your clothes drenched when jumping into the lake, I’d bring a swimsuit. I’ll follow you to your house and then you can follow me. I’ll text you the address and directions in case we get separated.”

  “Awesome. Sounds like you’ve got it all figured out.”

  A flurry of excitement hit me as I thought about this quick change of plans. It actually sounded like a lot of fun, and even though it was now an entire weekend, it felt more relaxed with less pressure somehow. Or I could be kidding myself, which I tended to do. Besides, I hadn’t really gotten out since I got back to Washington.

  I slid into my car and shut the door. Turning on the ignition, I quickly blasted on the air conditioner and pulled out of the parking lot. This would be good for me. Between the incident at the cove, correcting papers, and trying not to think about putting the house on the market, the last week had been full of tormenting thoughts. The longer I stayed here, the less I wanted to go back to the East Coast.

  I turned down my drive and parked the car. Mason was on the speakerphone so I waved while he stayed in the cab of his truck. I dashed inside and ran up the stairs to my bedroom where I quickly threw in a few pair of shorts, several shirts, a sweatshirt and a bikini, which I quickly exchanged for a monokini. I didn’t need any embarrassing moments as I arose from the lake water. I stuffed my makeup, toothbrush, toothpaste and a bar of soap into my bag, turned off all the lights and locked up the windows and front door.

  Mason had gotten out of the truck and was wandering over, astonishment covering his face.

  “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone pack that fast. I didn’t even think it was humanly possible. I barely got off the phone with my parents telling them we probably wouldn’t be leaving Fireweed for thirty minutes or so.”

  “Well, you better call them back and tell them we’re on our way.” I walked past my car and right to Mason’s truck. “Well?”

  “So you’re not driving yourself?” he asked.

  “Nope. It seemed kind of silly. A perfectly willing chauffeur who knows where he’s going sounds like a better option to me.”

  “I’m glad you’ve come around.” He opened the door and grabbe
d my bag from me as he helped me into the cab. He swung my bag into the truck bed and secured it.

  “Hope you’re ready for lots of good food and plenty of relaxation.” He climbed in the truck, and a flitter of nerves dashed through my body as I thought about meeting his parents and brother.

  “Thank God you didn’t drive yourself,” he muttered, before putting the truck in reverse.

  “And why’s that?”

  “It would’ve given my family way too much ammunition the entire weekend. I’d never hear the end of it.”

  “Shoot. That I would’ve enjoyed. Sometimes I think this whole saving my life thing has gone to your head. Maybe I should let them bring you back down to earth.”

  “There are plenty of other ways you manage to deflate any sort of confidence I have, trust me.” His eyes glinted with amusement as he turned onto the main highway, and we headed to the ferry. We were going in the opposite direction of weekend ferry traffic so there wasn’t even a wait. We would be one of the first in line to board once the ferry arrived.

  “The house doesn’t even look like it used to,” I said, as he turned off the ignition.

  “I’m really proud of this project. It’s come together really nicely. Whoever gets it, will be very lucky.”

  I nodded in agreement and rolled down my window, feeling the cool sea breeze blow into the cab.

  “But I do hope that’s me.” He smiled and tilted his head on the neck rest.

  I turned in my seat and watched Mason. His eyes were closed and he took in a few deep breaths, his lips barely parted. He was a fine specimen of a man.

  “I know you’re watching me,” he whispered. A grin spread across his lips.

  “I am not.”

  “You are and now you’re turning back in your seat.” He lifted his head and his eyes met mine. “What did I tell you?”

  “I think you’ve got to get a grip on your imagination. It runs wild and will get you in trouble before you know it.”

  “Doubtful.”

  The ferry had arrived and the cars were disembarking. It was a small ferry so it wouldn’t take long to empty.

  “I wanted to say thank you for everything you’ve done for me. And not only the saving my life thing, but helping with the home and my aunt and providing an ear and friendship.”

  He stiffened and glanced over at me. “Tori, I’d like to think this is more than a friendship. I know you’re not into labels, serious or not, but what we’ve shared is more than friendship.”

  I hadn’t prepared for that response. It was meant to be a quick, yet heartfelt thank you. I licked my lips that suddenly felt extremely dry and pushed down a swallow.

  “I’ve tried it your way for long enough. I want more from you and I don’t think I’m alone,” he continued.

  “But I’m going back in just a few weeks.”

  “Give us the chance to deal with that when it comes, but don’t shut the possibility of us off completely.” He reached out and touched my cheek, sending a spark through my skin.

  “See? That right there…” his voice trailed off and he leaned over, cupping his hand around my chin as his lips touched mine.

  My mind melted as his kisses deepened. Tasting his lips was pure ecstasy and my mind ran free to imagine a life here with Mason, but the rawness of his confession tore at my heart, and I worried I wouldn’t be able to give him what he deserved. The honk of a horn behind us interrupted our kiss, and I couldn’t help but erupt into a fit of giggles as the guy behind teasingly yelled out his car window for us to “get a room”.

  Mason popped his truck into drive, and we followed the ferry workers’ signals to park on the ferry. He nosed the truck in place and looked at me, turning off the ignition. The heat in his eyes drove me insane for him. If there was any possibility of not getting caught, I’d be in his lap in a second, but I could fantasize and I did. Mason locked his fingers through mine.

  “I should probably calm down before we get to my parents’ house.”

  “Probably a wise idea.”

  I felt him squeeze my hand, and my body relaxed as the ferry began chugging toward Seattle.

  “So have you thought about what I said?” he asked, his voice deep and gravelly.

  “In the last few minutes?” I teased. “Yes. I changed my entire life’s plan from the parking lot to the Sound.”

  His grin widened. “I love your attitude. You know, some might be offended. I happen to know it’s because you’re so enamored with me.”

  “Could be.” I smiled and looked out at the view, taking in the natural beauty of the islands that speckled our journey back to the mainland. The Douglas firs and western red cedars jutted from the jagged cliffs. The red trunks of the madrona shot through the sprays of green. The scenery was nothing less than spectacular. I felt Mason’s eyes on me and turned to meet his stare, his gaze pleading.

  “Give me a little bit longer. I’ll know by then. I promise,” I whispered.

  “If you listened to your heart, you’d know this very second. I guarantee it. Quit listening to your mind. Matters of the heart aren’t logical. In fact everything about love is illogical. It’s one of the few emotions that makes a brain scan light up like we’re on hard drugs.”

  “Says who?” I narrowed my eyes, trying not to focus on the word “love”. He was only trying to make a point. It didn’t mean he was in love with me.

  “Everyone knows,” he joked, shrugging his shoulders. “Seriously though, Tori, the reservations you have aren’t because you don’t have feelings for me.”

  “True,” I agreed. This time I squeezed his hand and let out a sigh. “Just give me a few more days and the right answer will come to me.”

  Mason shook his head. “I think it already has and you’re afraid of what it might mean.”

  “Know-it-all.”

  He laughed as the ferry pulled up to the dock. The last of the announcements were read over the loud speakers, and people scurried to their cars.

  “I didn’t mean to make it complicated,” I told him as he removed his hand.

  He flashed a wry grin and put the truck in drive. I gave a quick wave to the ferry worker, and we drove around the lines of waiting cars that were readying to start the weekend on the island. I watched Mason out of the corner of my eye and wondered if he was right. Was it fear that wouldn’t let me choose the obvious?

  As we pulled onto the freeway to his parents’ house, the music serenaded us as he filled me in on his mom and dad. I knew the basics. His dad owned the construction firm and partnered with Mason. His dad recently brought him in as an owner. Mason’s mother was an attorney. I assumed she worked at a firm but was surprised to find out she actually had started a nonprofit agency that helped disadvantaged clients with all types of law services. It gave me yet another reason to have the warm fuzzies over the Rhodes family, and I hadn’t even met them yet.

  Mason’s phone buzzed. “Can you see who that’s from?”

  “Where’s it at?” I asked.

  “In my pocket.”

  “I thought you were just happy to see me.”

  “Well, you can never again make fun of me for my corny or overused jokes,” he snickered.

  “What do you mean? That was a complete original,” I gritted my teeth as I tugged the phone out of his pocket. I was also secretly pleased that he didn’t mind that I saw who the text might be coming from. It so happened it was from his parents.

  “Your parents wanted an ETA.”

  “My code’s 4209. Can you text them we’ll be there in ten?”

  “Uh, sure.” I entered in the code and quickly texted his parents as amazement filled my veins.

  One of the most annoying things about Tanner was his lack of openness. It wasn’t that I expected to have someone’s code to their phone or access to their email—so this was a whole other level—but when things were so locked down and attitudes and behaviors changed surrounding these wonderful devices, I might be known to get a little apprehensive, okay possib
ly paranoid. However, that trait only shifted in my life because I found some suspicious texts and emails from Tanner to other women, and no, none of them had been my friend, which led me to wonder how many others had there been?

  We turned into a lovely neighborhood and passed several homes until he slowed the truck down. A man and woman stood hand in hand with boxes and bags of food surrounding them, and luggage behind them. Mason looked like a complete combination of the two. Their expressions were kind as they stood patiently waiting for their son. As we pulled into the driveway, every hint of nervousness faded away when his mother gave me a huge grin and waved.

  “And for the record, we’re engaged.” Mason winked and opened the door, leaving me shell-shocked in the cab as his mother gave him a big hug.

  We arrived at the lake and the cabin was absolutely charming. A welcoming front porch housed several coolers and a couple of outdoor couches and a table. The excitement running through Mason was contagious, and I wasn’t even sure why.

  “Since I don’t see my brother, let me make sure everything is ready before you come in,” Mason said, jogging up the steps, bag in hand.

  “Okay,” I called after him.

  I’d stopped stewing and had somewhat recovered after finding out he was kidding about the engagement thing. I’d been a nervous wreck the first half of the road trip, not wanting to lie to his parents or say anything that could be misconstrued.

  Mason came hopping down the steps. “Fun is the operative word for the weekend.”

  He stood at the base of the steps, and smiled as he opened his hand for mine. “You never cease to take my breath away.”

  “Your eyesight needs to be checked then,” I teased.

  We stepped into a large room with a wood fireplace and a nice seating area with over-stuffed couches. Exposed wood beams framed the room and a pile of pillows had been shoved against a wall.

  “This way to the kitchen and stairs.”

  I didn’t see any sign of Gabby, Lily, Jason, or Ayden, but their car was parked out front so I wasn’t sure where they were. We walked into the kitchen, which was quite cozy with its stone counters and slate backsplash.