The Summer Cottage: Includes a bonus story

by Annie Rains

  “Favorite band?” he finally asked.

  She blinked up at him for a moment, unable to think. That wasn’t the question she was expecting. “Bluebirds. It’s a local band in Sweetwater Springs.”

  He nodded approvingly. “I like local best too. Favorite food?”

  Trisha laughed nervously. She was all too aware of his hands on her waist, encircling that place where butterflies were fluttering around. “I guess I’d have to say nachos.”

  “Interesting choice. Creamy and crunchy at the same time. No peanuts involved so I approve.” He grinned. “Favorite movie?”

  Trisha tilted her head. “Are we playing twenty questions?”

  “Something like that. You said ask you anything.”

  She held her breath for a moment. “Let’s just skip to the last question. You want to know why I left my idyllic hometown for a place that I knew nothing about.”

  Jake’s expression grew serious. “You don’t have to tell me that. If you don’t want to talk about the past, I’m fine to just get to know you in the present.”

  Trisha swallowed. She was so tired of hiding everything about herself from everyone in this new life of hers. “I left Sweetwater Springs because Petey’s father hurt some people. Even though we divorced, some folks still connected me to him. Petey was getting picked on at school. We needed to start over, where no one connected us to my ex-husband.”

  Jake’s gaze was steady on her.

  She expected another question. She expected him to ask what her ex-husband had done that was so wrong.

  Instead he reached for her hand and squeezed it. “I’m sorry you had to deal with that.”

  Trisha felt tears prick behind her eyes. “Thank you.”

  “Are you okay?” he asked.

  She shook her head. She felt like she was going to explode suddenly if she didn’t tell someone the heavy secret she was carrying. She needed to tell him all of it. “Petey’s father is in prison.”

  Chapter Ten

  The music stopped. Everything stopped. Or maybe it was just Trisha’s world that seemed to freeze.

  Jake’s expression revealed nothing. His hands were still on her waist. Her arms were still on his shoulders. She wanted to step back, run away, hide.

  “Wow. I didn’t realize. I’m sorry.”

  That was the second time he’d apologized to her in the last five minutes.

  She shook her head and looked down at their feet, toe to toe as they swayed to the music. “How would you?”

  “I just assumed he was deceased or MIA for some other reason, like being a lowlife dad.”

  Trisha laughed. “Prison doesn’t automatically put you in that last category?”

  “It depends on what he did to get himself there,” Jake said.

  She looked up at him. She’d already said too much. She didn’t want to get into the details of Peter’s crimes. “Enough to put him behind bars for five years if that tells you anything.”

  Jake’s eyes widened. “That’s a long time.”

  “Petey will be twelve when his father gets released. Petey is already going to miss out on having a dad in his life. I didn’t want him to grow up with constant reminders of the reason why. So I decided to give us both a fresh start. I answered Vi’s ad, she interviewed me, and we seemed to click. When she offered me the job, I didn’t give myself time to second-guess. Not until recently, at least.”

  “You’re second-guessing being here?” Jake’s brow dipped.

  “Petey’s homesick,” Trisha said. “I’m a little homesick. I know it’s my fault. We’ve mostly stayed at the cottages. We haven’t ventured out that much until tonight.” She looked over at Petey, who seemed to be enjoying himself. “Tonight is good for him. We need people in our daily lives. And he also needs friends his own age.”

  Jake followed her gaze. “There are kids here. We’ll search them out and introduce him to them all.”

  Trisha looked at him. “Thank you. You didn’t have to take us here tonight. You’re being so nice to us.”

  His gaze connected with hers, and she felt something deep inside her chest. She didn’t want to acknowledge it, but at the same time, it felt good.

  Moira and Petey stepped up to where they were. “My dance partner wanted to come check on you,” Moira said.

  Trisha was grateful for the interruption. She couldn’t process what was stirring between her and Jake, and she didn’t want to. Now was not the time for romance.

  Jake touched her arm as he talked to Moira. “I told Trisha I would introduce Petey here to some of the kids in Somerset Lake.”

  Moira pointed. “Della Rose and her boys arrived a few minutes ago. They’re sitting over there. They have twin boys your age,” she told Petey.

  Trisha turned to Jake to confirm that was a good choice for Petey. “I was told that I needed to meet Della Rose anyway.”

  Jake set his gaze on the woman and two boys that Moira had pointed out. “Great. Let’s head over and say hello.”

  An hour later, Petey had two new best friends, and Trisha was sitting on the blanket with Jake, keeping a close eye on her son.

  Jake pulled over the basket that Vi had packed for them and opened it. “Let’s see. Your choices are fruit or a sandwich.”

  “What kind of fruit?” Trisha asked.

  “Strawberries. She packed some whipped cream to dip them in.” He grinned wide, almost like an excited child. “I’m sold.” He pulled the container of whipped cream out of the basket along with a container full of huge strawberries.

  Trisha reached for one. So did Jake. They both reached to dip their berry in the whipped cream at the same time, their hands accidentally touching. The contact zipped straight through Trisha as she pulled her hand away and took a breath.

  Jake was watching her.

  “I need to say something,” she said.

  “Okay.” He bit into his strawberry.

  Trisha slid her hair behind her ear. She felt shaky and nervous. “I need you to know that I’m not looking for romance right now.”

  Jake’s eyes darkened. “I feel like you’ve already informed me of this. Maybe more than once.”

  Trisha nibbled at her lower lip. “I know, but that was before I really knew you. Now we’re here having a picnic and sharing a dance. And people are mistaking us for a couple, possibly.”

  Jake grinned.

  “I just wanted to make it clear that all I need is a friend, Jake. I’m divorced, and I’ve got Petey to think about.”

  “We’re on the same page.” Jake took another bite of his strawberry.

  She hadn’t taken her first bite yet.

  Jake chewed for a moment, and then he narrowed his gaze. “We’ll just have to ignore what people are saying about us.”

  “Right.”

  “And also ignore the undeniable attraction between us,” he added. “It won’t be easy, but I can if you can.”

  * * *

  The stars were out by the time Jake led Trisha and Petey back to his truck. There was a tension pulling in his chest, like a rope wrapping tightly in a crank. What he felt for Trisha was just attraction. Although it was strong, he planned to do just like he said and ignore it. It was already getting in the way as it was.

  Trisha had told him she was homesick earlier. He could have used that to his advantage to get her to move on so that Vi would be receptive to selling the cottages. Instead, he’d encouraged Trisha. He’d helped Petey find two same-aged friends who the boy was currently rattling on about.

  “Can they come over, Mom?” Petey looked up at Trisha as they walked. “Or can I go to their house?”

  Trisha seemed to be happy as she walked, holding her son’s hand. “I got their mom’s number. We can plan something next week.”

  “Yes!” Petey lifted a triumphant fist. “I can’t wait.”

  Trisha caught Jake’s eye as he watched her.

  The proverbial rope on the crank stretched tighter. It was more than attraction. There was somethin
g deeper there. He’d recognized the pain in her eyes, and now he knew why. She’d been hurt by her ex. Something about Trisha’s story made him want to shield her from further pain.

  They reached his truck, and he opened the door for Petey first. Trisha helped her son get in while Jake walked around to the passenger side to wait for her. As she approached, he opened her door too.

  She gave him a hesitant look.

  Jake lowered his voice. “Can’t a friend show good manners?”

  This made her smile. They were still on the same page. They were just friends. Even if he felt more than friendly toward her.

  He drove back to the Somerset Cottages and parked in front of his place.

  Trisha glanced in the back seat. “Petey’s asleep.”

  “I’ll help get him inside. I did it last night. I don’t mind doing it again.” Jake stepped out of the truck.

  She didn’t argue.

  Jake opened the cab door and dipped inside to unbuckle Petey. The boy’s eyes cracked open sleepily. He got out and walked alongside Jake sleepily. Jake wrapped his arm around the child, making sure he got up the steps safely. Then Trisha opened the back door, and Jake led Petey down the hall to his bedroom. Trisha pulled the blankets down for Petey and tucked him in with a kiss.

  Jake stepped back to watch. There was that rope on its crank, tightening, tightening his chest. He ran a hand through his hair and turned away, stepping back into the kitchen area.

  Who am I kidding? Ignoring his attraction for Trisha was impossible. The goal was instead to resist it.

  “Hey.” Trisha stepped up behind him.

  He turned to look at her, finding her standing closer than expected. “Is he asleep?” Jake asked.

  “His eyes were shut as soon as I pulled the covers over him,” she confirmed.

  “That’s good. It was a busy night.” Jake wasn’t sure what to do. Stay and make polite conversation or say good night and go back to his cottage.

  “Well, thank you for giving us the full downtown experience. You were right. It was fun.”

  “I’m glad you thought so.”

  They stared at each other for a long moment. Then Trisha broke into a yawn. That was his cue to leave. He turned and headed toward the lakeside door.

  “I guess we should meet soon to discuss what’s next for the cottages,” Trisha said at his back.

  Jake’s steps slowed. He turned to look at her. “I thought I’d run some errands tomorrow. But we can meet in the evening if you want.”

  Trisha looked unsure. The evening was maybe more romantic than she would like. With the stars shining overhead the way they were now and the cicadas singing softly in the background. Yeah, he could see why she was hesitating.

  “It can wait until early next week,” she finally said. “Enjoy your weekend.”

  Why did the thought of not seeing her again all weekend disappoint him? “You too.” He opened the door to leave. He didn’t want to. He wanted to stay a little longer, which was exactly why he needed to go to his own place across the way.

  “Um, Jake?”

  He turned back to face her.

  “Please don’t tell anyone what I told you. About my ex and Petey’s dad. We’re here to get away from all that.” She shook her head. “I’m not even sure why I told you.”

  “Maybe you just needed to tell someone here. I’m glad you trusted me.”

  Trisha met his gaze. “I do. Thank you.”

  Jake felt the pull, tugging on his heart and making him want to step toward her and put his arms around her. The night beyond the open door was dark, the sounds of wildlife and water thick in the air. This was his idea of romance.

  Time to go.

  “Good night.” He stepped onto the deck, increasing the space between them.

  “Good night, Jake.” He heard her door close behind him as he descended the steps. Bailey was resting at the landing. She lifted her head and stood, walking alongside him as he made his way to Peony Cottage. “Did you miss me, girl?” he asked his dog.

  She gave him an adoring look.

  Jake laughed. Then he looked back at Juniper Cottage for a reason he couldn’t explain. And found another female looking back at him from the window.

  * * *

  Saturdays always felt light and carefree to Trisha, no matter what tasks lay ahead. Even if she still worked early and still had responsibilities, there was something about the start of a weekend that felt hopeful.

  After waking Mr. S earlier, Trisha stepped outside on her deck with her cup of coffee for a quiet moment before Petey started vying for her time. Last night was a turning point. Petey gained two new friends, and Trisha had made acquaintances with other women in town as well. She’d even been invited to a book club.

  Trisha sighed happily at the thought. Lucy, Tess, and Moira seemed like nice women. They reminded her of her friends in Sweetwater Springs. Miles Bruno was a good person to know, too, even if she felt skittish around law enforcement these days. He’d offered to have the kids at the youth center help with cleaning the cottages, and she fully intended to contact him next week and take him up on that offer.

  A noise grew louder above the typical morning sounds. Trisha lifted her gaze and noticed a plane in the sky. She glanced to the lake where Jake’s plane normally bobbed on the water beyond the pier. It was gone. He’d already gone up to the clouds and appeared to be preparing to land again.

  Her heart skipped a moment as she watched, part of her wishing that she was up there with him. She’d only ever been on a plane once, and it was a long time ago. She wasn’t scared of flying, but she wasn’t one to take unnecessary risks either.

  Being friends with Jake felt like an unnecessary risk. She was attracted to him. On a scale of zero to ten, she was feeling a full eleven on the attraction meter. Dancing with him last night might have kicked it to a twelve.

  She sipped her coffee, the smooth bitterness satisfying her early morning taste buds. She finished off her first cup and then went inside to check on Petey, who was still sleeping. Trisha prepared a second cup and sat at the kitchen counter with her notebook and the list of things that the vacant Somerset Cottages still needed.

  One of the things she’d been looking forward to in moving to Somerset Lake was that she wouldn’t be working weekends anymore, and she’d have more time for Petey. Today was the exception. Vi held a vision for her family’s cottages, and Trisha wanted to make it a reality. It was the least Trisha could do for all that Vi had done for her.

  “Mom?”

  “Hey, sleepyhead.” Trisha turned to Petey as he shuffled down the hall. “We are going to have a great day.”

  His sleepy eyes widened just a touch. “What are we doing?”

  “Cleaning.”

  He blinked, and his head lowered a notch. “Oh.”

  Trisha hadn’t expected him to jump up and down about the news—she was just teasing—but she didn’t think it would make him look so forlorn.

  “I was kind of hoping we were going to see Dad.”

  Trisha’s heart sank. Petey was right to be disappointed. It’d been over a month since he’d last seen his father, and that was too long. Resolution sucker-punched her. “Eat and get dressed. We’re going on a trip today.”

  Petey gave her an excited look. “In Jake’s plane?”

  “No. Not in Jake’s plane,” she said for what felt like the hundredth time. “We’re going to see your dad. In our car.”

  Petey’s little eyes rounded like he was running into Christmas morning. “Yes!” he called as he raced down the hall.

  He’d always been Daddy’s boy.

  Trisha rubbed the sore place in her chest where her heart ached beneath the surface. A boy needed his father, and after all this happened, she’d promised herself that she’d make sure Petey got what he needed. As much as she could give him, at least.

  He needed to play ball in the backyard with his dad. He needed to go fishing, hiking, camping—all of it. She couldn’t offer those t
hings, but she could allow Petey to sit in a prison community room and see his father across a small table.

  “I’m ready!” Petey raced back into the living room a few minutes later.

  “Okay, let me get ready too. It’ll just take a minute.” Trisha went to her bedroom and looked in her closet. She didn’t waffle on what to wear like she’d done before last night’s outing with Jake. Instead, she pulled on a pair of jeans and a striped T-shirt and slid her feet into a pair of Converse sneakers.

  Vi told Trisha that the weekends were hers as long as she handled Mr. S on the shore each morning, which she had. Taking one day off wouldn’t be a setback, especially now that Trisha had so many people offering to help her with the renovations.

  “Let’s go,” Trisha told Petey, walking back down the hall into the living area. She grabbed her keys and purse as they headed out the door. Petey raced down the steps. She didn’t even have time to yell “be careful” before he was on the ground. Bailey jogged up to meet him.

  Trisha sucked in a sharp breath. If Bailey was out, so was Jake. She glanced around and met his gaze. Her heart skipped before her brain reminded her that they were just friends. “Hey.”

  “Heading out early, huh?” Jake asked, walking over.

  “Not as early as you,” she said. “I saw your plane in the sky earlier.”

  “Early morning flying is the best. Where are you two off to?” Jake asked casually.

  “We’re going to see…” Petey trailed off, no doubt remembering that he wasn’t supposed to tell anyone where his dad was.

  “We’re going to see Petey’s dad,” Trisha said.

  Petey’s mouth fell open as he looked up at her as if she’d forgotten her own rule.

  “I told Mr. Jake about your dad last night,” she told Petey.

  Petey beamed at Jake. “I’m so excited. I can’t wait to tell Dad about the plane ride you took me on. And all the dancing I did last night. I can’t wait to tell him about my two new best friends either,” Petey rattled on.

  “Well, we’ll see you later,” she told Jake.

  Jake shoved his fingers in the pockets of his jeans. “Have a safe trip,” he told her. “Have fun, Copilot,” he told Petey.