by Elena Aitken
The strength of that thought surprised him. Was it even possible that Jason liked this girl? Like, really liked her?
He shook the thought clear and went to check on Kayden. He stared into the fire and was almost asleep on the couch, so Jason didn’t disturb him.
“Jason.”
When he turned and saw Lisa in the doorway, the radio in one hand, his breath caught momentarily in his throat. The light from the room glowed behind her, highlighted her blond hair and cast her face into an elegant shadow. He moved toward her, certain she was going to tell him a secret or something.
“Yes?”
“Your sister is waiting to talk to you.” She thrust the radio at him. “Just push the button in and speak.”
He took the radio clumsily. “I know how to work a radio.”
She smiled and gave him a wink that caused a tug low in his groin. “Good. I’ll go start dinner.” She slid past him, and it took all of Jason’s self-control not to wrap his arm around her waist and pull her close. He could hardly believe the thoughts that flew through his brain when it came to this woman. It was so unlike him that even he had a hard time understanding it. He watched her as she walked to the small kitchen and opened cupboards. With a shake of his head, he turned and retreated to the bedroom.
“Jen. Come in. This is Jason.”
His sister’s voice came across the radio. “Jason. You’re both okay?”
A smirk crossed his face and he pressed the button. “Copy that. Kayden’s fine. Sleeping right now.”
“Oh thank God.” He could hear the relief in his sister’s voice, and his heart swelled a little. He couldn’t imagine what it was like to have a little piece of your heart walking around outside of your body the way Jen had Kayden. “They said Lisa was great and—”
He pressed the button early and cut her off. “She is great.”
There was silence on the other end and Jason wondered whether she’d heard him at all. Finally, he said, “We’re fine. We’ll be home tomorrow.”
“Good.” Silence again, but he could still hear her breathing. “And Jason?”
Something in her voice told him exactly what she was going to say next. “Yeah.”
“What was that with Conrad? You can’t do that.”
“Do what?” He knew damn well what she was talking about, but the last thing he wanted to do was get into it with Jennifer when Lisa waited for him in the next room. Waited for him. That was a thought. But Jason wasn’t stupid enough to think Lisa actually waited for him. She was there for Kayden. The fact that Jason happened to crash their overnight adventure was a minor detail that nobody had planned for. Not that he didn’t intend to make the best of it. Because damned if that woman didn’t make him feel something again.
“I know,” Jason finally managed to respond to Jennifer. “I’m sorry. I hope it wasn’t too big of a deal after I left.” Truthfully, he didn’t care whether the beating he gave Conrad caused any trouble or not. And he wasn’t really sorry. And both of them knew it, which was evident by the long sigh Jennifer let out.
“There was drama,” she said. “You had to know there would be.”
He nodded a moment before he depressed the button to speak again. “Sorry.”
“But you must have gotten some good shots in.” He didn’t miss the note of pleasure in Jen’s voice. “He was a mess.”
Jason smiled and pressed the button again. “He deserved it.”
“That’s what Chase said.”
That came as a surprise. Chase usually stuck with his brother. It wasn’t very common for Chase to say anything against Conrad. Especially where Jason was concerned. “Is that right?”
There was a moment of silence before Jennifer’s voice came across again. “That’s what he said. But I don’t want to know what happened or what Conrad said, because I’m pretty sure I have a good idea.”
“You do.”
He could hear Jennifer’s sigh as if they were in the same room. He knew she was tired of the constant feud, but he couldn’t seem to let it go.
“You need to stop, Jason. It’s not worth it anymore. The past is just that. In the past. It’s time to start living again.” There was a pause and Jason couldn’t think of anything to say to fill it. “Just take care of Kayden, okay?”
“You know I will.”
“I do.”
“We’ll be back in the morning. Don’t worry.”
“I will. But it helps that you’re with him. Goodnight, Jason.”
He signed off and took a minute before he joined Lisa and Kayden in the other room. He knew his sister was right. She always was. He needed to let it go. Whatever happened with Conrad and Nikki was a long time ago. Even if she hadn’t been killed in the accident, their relationship was over and they’d both known it. He wasn’t without fault, but blaming Conrad for everything that had gone down wasn’t the answer.
The sound of dishes came from the other room and Jason smiled. It was time to think of the future, and that’s just what he intended to do.
~ * ~
She would have loved to hear what Jason had to say to his sister on the radio, but Lisa wasn’t about to eavesdrop. Besides, he was probably busy trying to reassure her that Kayden was okay and they’d be perfectly safe at the cabin. The conversation between them likely didn’t have anything to do with her at all. But there was a little part of her—okay, a growing part of her—that couldn’t help but hope he talked about her. There was something about Jason that she couldn’t get out of her head. It was the way he looked at her, as if she was the most beautiful woman he’d seen, the way he cocked his head when she spoke as if whatever she said was fascinating. It had been a long time since she’d felt like that with a man. Or really, felt like that at all.
When she’d spoken to Morgan on the radio, she had half expected her friend and boss to tell her that she was sending up a crew to take them home. Lisa had done her best to reassure her that everyone was okay and Kayden was safe and dry, and really, the best thing for everyone was that they stay where they were for the night. More than being at the cabin and enjoying the solitude she felt there, Lisa couldn’t help but want the time alone with Jason. She’d been pleased, if not a little surprised, when Morgan agreed with her about staying.
Kayden was thrilled, and excited about the adventure, the way Lisa knew he would be. And even though Lisa was pleased to have Jason with her, she still wasn’t totally sure about him. He’d been so hot and cold with her since they’d met. Maybe she was wrong about the underlying feeling she got from him. And even though she tried to relax and be herself, when Jason showed up the dynamic had changed a little bit. Suddenly, she wasn’t as sure about being herself. She was instantly on edge and afraid she’d do or say the wrong thing.
She couldn’t figure him out. At times he pulled back, and closed up with her and yet, he’d still flirted with her, and more disturbing was the way she responded when he did.
She tried not to think about it, and told herself she would be herself without question, no matter what. If Jason didn’t like her, that was his problem and if he did—well, she’d figure that out later. It’s not like anything would come of it anyway. Lisa stirred the stew again. Instead of cooking over the fire the way Kayden wanted, she’d opted to use the little camp stove they kept in the cabin, with the assurance that they could roast the marshmallows she’d discovered in the cupboards over the fire.
The back door opened and Jason appeared. He gave her a slight wave and her stomach flipped a little, like a school girl. She forced herself to ignore it. “How did it go?”
Jason glanced over to where Kayden poked at the fire with a stick Lisa had given him. He was being good and stayed a safe distance away from the flames, so Lisa let him be. For a moment, she thought Jason might tell him to stop playing with the fire, but to her surprise and secret delight, he smiled and watched for a minute before he changed course and moved across the room to stand next to her. “It went well.” He leaned up against the counte
r, and put his arms behind him. Lisa tried not to notice the way his arms bulged and his hard chest strained against his T-shirt. “Jen’s not happy about it, but she knows Kayden is safe and more than that, he’s excited to be here. Even if he does look ready to fall asleep.”
“I’m not sleepy.” Kayden put the stick down and looked at both of them, a look of pure determination on his face. “This is great. I’m not sleeping. Ever.”
Lisa laughed. “I believe you, buddy. But why don’t you lie down on the couch for a few minutes until dinner is ready. I promise I won’t let you sleep.”
He looked as if he was going to argue with her, but after a moment, he nodded and did as she suggested. The poor kid must be exhausted, but he didn’t want to miss a second of the night. She smiled to herself and chuckled a little.
“What’s so funny?”
The smile melted from her face and her shoulders straightened. “Nothing.”
She didn’t look at him, but she heard him push off the counter and cross the small distance so he stood close to her. Very close. She could feel the heat from his body, and smell his earthy scent. “Seriously.” His voice was softer. “What’s funny?”
She turned to look at him. His proximity took her off guard. He didn’t seem to be making fun of her, or trying to rile her up. In fact, there didn’t seem to be anything antagonistic about the question at all. So she answered him. “I was just thinking about how sweet it was that Kayden is obviously asleep on his feet, but he—”
“Doesn’t want to miss anything?” Jason smiled as he finished her thought. “I was thinking the same thing. He’s pretty pumped.”
She nodded and turned back to the stew.
“That’s all thanks to you. You’re great with him,” Jason said. “He can’t stop talking about you. I was trying to get him to play cards with me earlier and all he can talk about is, ‘Lisa this…Lisa that.’”
She blushed and shook her head. “That’s not true at all. The only thing that little boy can talk about is his awesome Uncle Jason.”
“Well, you’re in good company, then.”
Lisa automatically shrugged away from him and his flirtation. She’d never pretended to understand men, but with all his mixed signals, Jason was one man she really couldn’t understand. And there was no point trying. Even if she did feel a strong pull to him. Stronger than she’d ever felt with a man before. Not that anything could happen between them. Not ever. He was a guest at the Lodge; her job was on the line and she…what? Was her job even all that important to her anymore? Maybe. Maybe not. But she still wasn’t going to risk it all for another one-night stand, not when she’d worked so hard to repair her reputation. She would not throw it away so easily.
“Dinner’s ready.” She ducked around him. “Kayden, are you hungry?”
The little boy lifted his head from the couch, where he looked to be almost asleep. “Yup.”
“Come and—”
“Let’s eat—”
Jason looked to her and gestured for her to continue.
She frowned. “Come and wash your hands before you eat.”
“Good point,” Jason whispered in her ear. “I didn’t think of that.”
“Well, it is my job.” She had to twist to the side to slide past him in the small kitchen, but suddenly the room seemed even smaller and she needed her space.
Lisa handed Kayden a steaming bowl before she joined him on the couch again. She left Jason to get his own. She was saved from making small talk with him because Kayden dominated the conversation by reliving his day, including a play-by-play of his slip into the water.
When he finished eating, and talking, Lisa couldn’t decide who was more exhausted. Just listening to him had worn her out. “Alright, kiddo,” she said. “I think you should get tucked in so we can get an early start in the morning.”
“Aw, can’t we stay?”
“Sorry. I’m sure your mom will be missing you and it wouldn’t be fair to the other kids if you got to have all the fun, right?”
Kayden nodded in agreement, but he didn’t look convinced.
“Hey, buddy,” Jason chimed in. “You’ve already had a pretty awesome extra adventure, don’t you think?”
“Yeah, but…”
“Maybe,” Lisa glanced over at Jason to gauge his reaction, “we’ll have time in the morning for me to show you the really cool waterfalls that are out here. Maybe.”
Jason smiled and gave her a slight nod. She returned his grin.
“Really?”
“But first, you sleep,” Jason said.
“And you have to promise not to fall in.”
Kayden opened his mouth to protest, but Lisa ushered him into the back bunk room. “I’ll get him settled,” she said behind her.
Jason didn’t protest, which was good because even though he was Kayden’s uncle, she still felt responsible for him, and the last thing they needed was a power struggle. Especially considering she was having a hard enough time getting a read on Jason and whether he liked her, or whether he just couldn’t wait to get out of the cabin and away from her. Maybe it was the whole new approach she was taking with men that muddled everything up? That was probably the entire reason she was having such a hard time navigating the situation. But she was serious about her new resolve. If Jason, or any man for that matter, was going to be interested in her, he was going to be interested in the real Lisa, not some attention-seeking flirt. And if all he wanted was a fling, she was the wrong woman. Her stomach flipped at the thought that he might want more. She pushed the feelings aside, and filed them under totally ridiculous ideas. But still she couldn’t let go of the idea that maybe Jason wanted more, and maybe, just maybe she owed it to herself to find out what he really did want.
She tucked Kayden in and hadn’t even left the room before she heard the telltale sound of deep breathing that told her he’d already succumbed to sleep. After she checked to make sure the window was locked tight, she had no other reason to procrastinate, and she went back to the main room.
~ * ~
“Hey.”
“Hey yourself,” she said.
Jason sat on the floor in front of the fire, which blazed brighter now. “Is he asleep?” She nodded and Jason chuckled. “Well, that didn’t take much, did it?”
She leaned up against the wall, not sure where she should sit. Without Kayden, the atmosphere between them had become significantly more awkward. “He was pretty tired.”
“You can sit down, you know? I’m not going to bite.”
Lisa shook her head at her own ridiculousness. He was just a guy and no matter what their feelings were, they were both stuck at the cabin at least until morning, so she might as well try to make the best of it.
“That’s a no?”
“No,” she said. “I mean, yes. I wasn’t shaking my head at you. It’s me.” She crossed the room, and slipped down to the floor next to him. She picked up a pillow and leaned against the couch. “I was just thinking of something. Sorry.”
He smiled and looked back to the fire. The silence grew between them, but it wasn’t weird this time. They both looked into the flames, and Lisa let her thoughts drift off. She loved Settler’s Cabin and the Lodge, but the unsettled feeling she’d experienced for the last few months returned. Even the mesmerizing flames licking against the logs didn’t soothe her. Unwittingly, she sighed.
“You okay?”
She pulled her knees up to her chin, dropped her head down on them, and peered at him from the side. “I was just thinking.”
“About how nice it is up here?”
“Yes. And no.” She stopped herself from telling him more. She had no business opening up to this man who was, for all intents and purposes, a total stranger. “Don’t worry about it.”
“Are you sure? I’m a good listener.”
“Yeah, right.”
“Hey.” He sat back on his hands and stretched his broad and incredibly muscular chest out. “I am,” he said. “And I know I have
n’t really given you much of a reason to think so, but I promise I’m not always a jerk.”
“Just to women you don’t know who work in childcare?”
“Fair point. I was an ass when we first met, with the whole…”
“Proposition thing?”
Jason groaned and smacked his hand in what she had to admit was a very cute and disarming gesture. “Yes, I was a total ass.”
Lisa nodded in agreement.
“You don’t have to agree with me.”
“Hey, I don’t argue with the truth.” She ducked her head so he couldn’t see the smile on her face.
“Seriously,” Jason said. Something in his voice made Lisa sit up and pay attention. “I’m sorry for how I treated you. It wasn’t fair. The truth was, I don’t know why I said that to you. You kinda threw me off guard.”
Were her ears deceiving her? Did he really just apologize? She tilted her head and examined him for signs that he was fooling with her. When she couldn’t see anything but sincerity on his face, she swallowed hard. “I threw you off guard?” The idea was crazy. And how could she tell him that a few months ago, his comments wouldn’t have been out of line and she didn’t have the best reputation at the Lodge for her behavior with men? She couldn’t. She took a deep breath.
“You did.” He ran his hand through his hair and tipped his head back slightly, as if trying to figure out what to say. “The thing is, I don’t really have relationships, and—”
“Well, I’ve decided only to do relationships.” The words popped out of her mouth before she could think them through. “I deserve better than one-night stands.” It was as if saying the words out loud helped affirm them in her head.
For a moment, she wasn’t sure he was going to say anything. He didn’t take his eyes off her, and they seemed to bore into her and see through the veneer she’d put on.
“You do,” he said quietly a moment later. “You deserve much better than that.”
