by Nomi Summers
“Thanks again, Shane. This really means a lot, and I just want you to know, I appreciate the gesture.”
“Say no more. Now, go share the news with your mom, and I’ll get a quick shower. Meet you up there in twenty?”
“Sounds like a plan.” She gave him the sweetest smile before turning to walk back to the golf cart. He watched her walk away, grateful that he was finally getting somewhere with her, and no matter what, he wasn’t going to allow anything to screw this up.
But first, he needed to talk to his band.
Shane’s first call was to Sulley. “Hey, bro, what are you doing awake already?” Shane asked when he heard Sulley answer. It was the crack of dawn on the west coast, so he’d expected to leave a message on his voicemail.
“Believe it or not, I’m with Jax and Axel, and we’re stuck in dreaded traffic on the 101. Lori and James have us scheduled for media appearances all freakin’ day, starting with The Morning Show.”
“Oh, man, well, that’s kinda why I’m calling. I’m supposed to leave today to go to New York for some PR of my own.”
“We’re really gettin’ sick of this, Shane. This isn’t fun anymore, ya know? It’s not what it used to be. We just wanna play our music, and James won’t get off our backs.”
“I hear ya, man. Well listen, I was thinking about sticking around here this week and blowing off these appearances in New York. I wanted to run it by you guys first.”
“Oh no, if we are stuck doing this so are you!” Sulley yelled. Shane couldn’t tell if he was serious or teasing. “Wait a minute, the girl is there, isn’t she? The one you wrote all those sappy love songs for that you’ve had us singin’ for years?” Now he could tell Sulley was teasing.
Shane ignored the question. “Here’s the thing. I have a friend in trouble here. I thought I’d do her a favor by singing some songs at an event she’s hosting on Saturday. Problem is, that’s the same day as The Aftershow appearance.”
“Answer the question, Shane. Is it the girl?” Sulley asked before smashing his horn and yelling profanities about a blinker.
“Yeah, it’s her,” Shane admitted. Sulley knew him all too well.
“Hang on, let me run all this by the guys.”
Shane waited for what seemed like several minutes and many muffled horn honks later.
“Do whatcha gotta do,” Sulley said, when he came back on the line.
“But what about The Aftershow?”
“So what about The Aftershow. The label isn’t going to drop us for turning down one media appearance. James is just trying to strong-arm ya. Tell James we’ve decided as a band to turn it down. He can’t make us all go. Besides, Jax just found out his girl is pregnant, so I think we’ll be doing a bit of celebrating this weekend, if you know what I mean.”
“Man, you guys are the best. Tell Jax I said congrats.”
“All I know is if you’re blowing off your media appearances today, we’re turnin’ this car around. We might as well all go down together, aye?”
“I’ll give James a call later and give him the news. Right now, I have somewhere to be.”
“Sounds good,” Sulley said.
Shane heard a final horn honk before the line went dead. He just shook his head and laughed. He sure did love those guys, and he appreciated their never-ending support. He should have known that’s how they’d respond. They were as close as brothers. Heck, he was closer to his band than his actual brothers, and now he knew he wasn’t the only one in the band growing tired of the lifestyle and the demands of the music business. As much as Shane loved music, the label had taken the fun out of it for him. For all of them.
Maybe it was time for a change.
Avery headed to the main lodge to find her mom, but she wasn’t in her office. Maybe she was coming in late? She left a note scribbled on a notepad on the desk.
Going into the city with Shane to get supplies. Don’t know when I’ll be back. Decline Hunter Knox’s offer. I have a plan that will save the resort.
Love, Ave.
She grabbed the keys to the company pickup truck and headed to the front to wait for Shane. Right on schedule, she watched him jogging up the hill. She tilted her head to the side to enjoy the view. He was wearing faded blue jeans and a plain white tee. He looked casual and as handsome as ever.
“Ready?” she asked as he approached the top of the hill.
“Ready, boss.” He winked, wiping the sweat from his brow.
“I figured we’d take the company truck so we can put the supplies in the back.”
“Sounds good to me. Are the stores even open this early?” If memory served him, nothing in the area opened before ten.
“Not yet, but I figured I’d get some breakfast in ya before I put you to work.”
“Now that sounds like a plan. I’m starving.”
“Then, I figured we’d take a ride up the coast before we head into the city. It’s been awhile since you’ve been home. I thought you might want to get out of Arbor Shores, and enjoy this beautiful day.”
“As long as I’m with you, Ave, I’m happy.”
She tossed the truck keys to him. “Wanna drive?”
“Sure.” He walked around to the passenger side to open the door for her, holding out his hand to help her into the truck. He always was a gentleman, and she wasn’t sure where he’d learned his chivalry, but she suspected it was from his grandfather whom he was always close to before he passed when Shane was sixteen. It certainly didn’t come from Carter Knox.
They stopped and had breakfast in a small fishing town about twenty minutes north of Arbor Shores. They grabbed an outdoor table for two overlooking the harbor, and they watched as fishing boats left the docks for the day. After breakfast, they continued heading north up the tree-lined coast, and Avery kicked off her sandals and put her feet on the dash, the open windows letting in fresh morning air. They listened to classic rock on the radio, and Shane sang along.
“Is that old lighthouse still up at North Point?” he asked.
“It sure is. They closed it to the public several years back, so you can’t get to it by the main gate. You can still get out to it, but you have to park down a side road and then walk up the coast for about a quarter of a mile.”
Shane looked at her and grinned. “Take a walk with me?”
“You mean, to the lighthouse?”
“I’d love to see it.”
She thought to herself for a moment about all that needed to be done at the resort, but something about taking a walk up the shore to the abandoned lighthouse with Shane was calling out to her. Plus, she hadn’t seen it herself in years.
“Okay, up here about a mile, you’ll see a small opening. Turn left onto the dirt road, and then park anywhere on the side of the road.”
Shane followed her directions and parked the truck on the wooded road. They walked a short way to an opening that landed them on a deserted beach, then headed north up the shoreline. Shane stopped every few minutes to look for Petoskey stones, a native stone to the area that was commonly found on the shores of Lake Michigan. His excitement was infectious.
“Wow, it’s even cooler looking now that it’s abandoned,” he said as they grew closer to the lighthouse. “Can you still get inside?”
“I don’t think so. And even if you could, I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“Chicken?” he challenged her as he started jogging toward it. The lighthouse jetted off into the water on a rocky base, and the two had to climb those rocks to reach it. Once atop, Shane tried the door, but it was locked. He disappeared around the other side, and Avery scanned the area to make sure nobody else was nearby. She was already a bit nervous that they were trespassing, and now he wanted to go inside the abandoned lighthouse that had been closed for years? She had to admit, this was the most excitement she’d felt since she was a teenager when they used to sneak around so Dax wouldn’t find out they were dating. When he finally did catch them, he wasn’t happy. But after a few months he reali
zed he could either spend time with them together, or Shane was going to keep disappearing to spend time alone with Avery, so he dropped the protective older brother act and gave them his blessing.
“Avery, over here!” she heard him yell from the other side. She met up with him to find he had opened a side door.
“Shane! What are you doing? We can’t go in there. How did you even get that door open?”
“I pushed.” He grinned. “Go to the top with me? I bet the views are amazing from up there.”
“If we get caught, we are going to get into some serious trouble.”
“Are you always this much fun?” he teased. “What happened to that fearless girl I used to know?”
“She grew up and got responsible. At least I can say that for one of us.” But her comment fell on deaf ears as Shane disappeared inside. Avery couldn’t help but follow him. The adrenaline of sneaking into the lighthouse was exhilarating, and she didn’t mind the thought of being alone with Shane at the top.
She followed him in and closed the door behind her. A musty smell greeted her as she made her way up the creaky stairs to try to catch up to Shane, who was halfway to the top.
“Shane!” she hollered up in a soft yell as if someone would hear her. “Wait up, there are cobwebs everywhere!”
“Be careful on these stairs,” he yelled down as he waited for her, allowing her to pass him so she would be in front of him. As she passed, he put his hands on her waist to steady her, setting off a chain reaction in her body. He always had a way of making her feel safe. “Here, you go ahead of me so I can catch you if you fall.”
“I’m not going to fall.” She gave him a playful smile, but she was comforted knowing he was behind her.
When they reached the top step, both of their mouths dropped in awe. The view of Lake Michigan from the top of the watchtower was spectacular. The lake went on for what seemed like an eternity, and the 360-degree views of the area were stunning. Unable to see across, the massive lake disappeared into an abyss of blue until it melted into a different shade from the cloudless sky. The watchtower was about ten feet in diameter, with an opening for the staircase in the middle, making it a tight fit for two people. Avery clung to a brass railing near the window. She felt Shane come up behind her and wrap his arms around her waist, enveloping her in the sweetest embrace.
She turned her body around to face him, and he kept his arms around her. She could feel his warm breath as he leaned in and cupped her cheek with one hand. She leaned into it, allowing him to caress her face.
“I’ve missed you, Avery.” His voice was low. She closed her eyes, taking in the moment. She had a feeling he wanted to finish the kiss that nearly started last night outside of Ripples, and she couldn’t think of any reason to stop him.
He moved his hand to the back of her neck, sensually combing his fingers through her long chestnut hair, sending shivers down her arms. He moved his hand back to the nape of her neck, and she could feel the gentle pull as he guided her closer, pausing to look deep into her eyes when their mouths were only inches apart. She parted her lips and looked up at him in surrender. Both of his hands moved to either side of her face, and he drew her even closer, so their lips were only centimeters apart.
The anticipation drove her wild, and she longed to feel his lips on hers. As her eyes began to close, she noticed his had drifted shut as his soft lips brushed hers, gently at first, as if to test her response, until finally she released whatever fight she had left and clasped her hands together behind his neck. She pulled him in, begging the kiss to go deeper. Heat rushed over her body as he wrapped his strong arms around her, pulling her closer. His mouth was so warm and his lips soft and inviting. She hadn’t been kissed like this in years. She hadn’t been kissed like this since … Shane. It was as if they were having their first kiss all over again. But this was far better than their first kiss. There wasn’t any awkwardness between them this time. In this moment, Avery knew her mouth was made for his.
“Hey, who’s up there?” They heard a yell from down below, and they both pulled apart and looked at each other, frozen with shock before bursting into giggles.
“Oh no,” Avery whispered to Shane. “What do we do?” Silenced and wide-eyed, they stared at each other and waited.
“I said who’s up there!” the yell came again.
“I guess we’re going to have to face the music. I’ll do the talking,” Shane assured her as he led her to the stairs. “Be careful.” Avery’s knees were still weak from the kiss, and now she had to walk down those stairs?
When they reached the bottom, they were met by a park ranger, and from the looks of him, he took his job quite seriously.
“Outside, both of you. Now.” He was plump but older, and Avery couldn’t help but notice he reminded her of her father. “This lighthouse is closed to the public. What are you doing out here?”
“This is my fault, sir,” Shane began. “You see, I haven’t been here in years, and I wanted to check out the view from the top. I take full responsibility.”
“How did you even get in there? This door was sealed.”
“Actually, it just pushed right open. It wasn’t sealed when we got here, sir,” he said. Avery suspected that was a fib, but then again, she wasn’t there when Shane opened it.
“I’m going to have to write you both a citation for trespassing. What’s your name, son? Why do you look familiar?”
“Shane Knox, sir.”
“Well, I’ll be darned, you are Shane Knox, aren’t ya?”
“Yes, sir.”
“What are you doing in North Point? Aren’t you some big rock and roll star now?”
“Just visiting, sir. For the first time in a long, long time. So please, if you need to write a citation, I’ll take it. She didn’t have anything to do with this. Last time I was here, this place was open to the public.”
“Well, you must’ve been gone for quite some time.”
“Yes, sir. Nine years.”
“Nine years! Well, yes, the lighthouse was open back then, but it’s since been closed. You could’ve hurt yourselves in there.” The man was softening.
“We’re really sorry. It won’t happen again,” Avery chimed in with her sweetest voice possible, plastering an innocent look on her face. The one she used to give her father when she’d get caught coming in after curfew. Being with Shane made her feel alive again.
“Well, I suppose I could let you kids off with a warning, just this one time. Under one condition.”
“Anything,” Shane responded.
“I’d like to get your autograph. The guys down at the pub are never gonna believe this story otherwise.”
“Sure thing, but not on that!” Shane pointed to the man’s citation pad. They all laughed, and Shane signed a notepad the man pulled out of his front pocket, and they were on their way.
“Shane Knox, I told you that was a bad idea,” Avery said, scolding him playfully.
“Well, I think it was a great idea.” Shane smiled, grabbing her hand to hold as they walked down the shoreline back toward the truck.
“You nearly got us into trouble with that great idea of yours.”
“Ah, we didn’t get into any trouble. And Avery …” he stopped to face her, looking deep into her eyes. “Honestly, that was the most fun I’ve had in a long, long time.”
“Somehow, I find that hard to believe.”
“Well, believe it,” he said, pulling her close for a hug as he placed his chin on top of her head. She nuzzled into his chest and they both stared out at the water.
“We should really get going soon.” She finally looked up at him, breaking the moment. “We need to get the supplies and get back to the resort.”
“We will, in a minute.” He guided her chin up gently with his fingertips, before he leaned down to finish what they’d started in the lighthouse.
Chapter 14
They arrived in the city and decided on a warm taupe for the cabins with dark brown trim. Afte
r gathering all the painting supplies Shane would need, they loaded it all in the back of the truck and headed back to Arbor Shores.
They’d both been giddy like school kids the rest of the morning, teasing and flirting like crazy, but now on the ride back to the resort, Avery was quiet. Shane wondered what was on her mind as she stared out the passenger window. Man, how beautiful she looked as the wind blew her hair wildly. She was making it hard for him to behave in that yellow sundress.
“Penny for your thoughts?” he asked, breaking the silence.
“Oh, sorry. I was just thinking about what Hunter said.”
“About buying the resort? That’s not going to happen now,” he assured her.
“No, the part about my mom and I letting the place go.”
“Ave.” He leaned over to place his hand on her knee. “The resort is great. You’re doing the best you can. Hunter was just being hurtful.”
“Nah, he’s right. I feel as if I’ve let my father down. It shouldn’t have come to this point. We shouldn’t even be in a situation where we could lose the resort.” She looked down and smoothed out an imaginary wrinkle in her dress. “When he was alive, it filled to capacity every summer. The same families came back every year, and they would always reserve their cabins for the following year before they left. Now we struggle to fill even half of the cabins, and this is the busiest time of year in Arbor Shores. The resort is failing.”
Shane was sure he’d heard a tremble in her voice with that last line, but he couldn’t see her eyes as she was gazing out the window.
“We’re going to change all of that.”
“We don’t know that.” She finally turned to look at him, her eyes brimming with tears. “Sure, your concert will pack the place, and we’ll make enough to save it from foreclosure, but then what?”
