“I wasn’t hiding,” she said. When he raised his eyebrows at her, her shoulders dropped. “Okay, I was hiding, but I’m tired of being the center of all this attention. This isn’t what I wanted.”
“What did you want?” he asked, patting the seat next to him.
She couldn’t stop herself from sitting down next to him but left plenty of space between them. “I just wanted the chance to fall in love on my own,” she said. “Do you know what it’s like to grow up knowing who you’re going to marry?”
The man looked up at the stars, then over at her. “Actually, I think I do. I married the woman my mother wanted me to even though I didn’t love her.”
“And now?” Lynette asked, unable to stop herself.
“Now, I’m here talking to you, and she’s gone,” he said, shrugging his shoulders.
They were silent for a long time, then Lynette asked. “Why didn’t you call off the wedding?”
“Because I thought it was the right thing to do,” he said.
“I don’t even know your name,” she said, feeling more relaxed, her anger beginning to fade.
“Derek Coleman,” he said, holding out his hand.
She took it, feeling a bolt of electricity travel up her arm, and her body began to tingle. “It’s nice to meet you,” she managed to say.
“Now why don’t you tell me why you’re hiding in the shadows behind the lodge,” he said.
Chapter Six
***Derek***
Derek couldn’t believe that he’d almost opened up to a total stranger, and a woman at that, but he’d stopped himself in time. Now all he had to do was distract her and ignore the throbbing in his groin when her scent wafted over to him on the breeze. But his question seemed to do the trick, and after a big sigh, she started to talk.
“It’s kind of nice to meet someone who doesn’t know all the details of my life,” she said. “I was hiding because the men in this valley won’t leave me alone now that I’m not engaged anymore.”
“Can I assume you broke it off?” he asked, even though he already knew the entire story.
“From the time I was old enough to understand, I knew that someday I was supposed to marry Tim. We were supposed to take over for my parents, run Serendipity like they have, and all those before us, three generations including me,” she said, looking over at him.
“But?” he prompted.
“But I don’t love Tim and I never will,” she said. “I didn’t expect this kind of reaction, and I almost wish I’d just gone along with the wedding.”
“No, you don’t. I promise you, that’s no way to live,” Derek said, surprising himself again.
“Yeah, well, neither is this,” she said, peeking out of the shadows to make sure no one was around. “I’m sitting here hiding.”
Derek laughed. “Well, I’m sure it’s only temporary. Things will calm down in a few days. You just need to lay low,” he said.
“Easy for you to say,” Lynette said, then her face brightened. “I have been thinking about taking a ride up to the old mill. I haven’t been up there yet this year.”
“There you go: take a few days and go visit your old mill, and when you get back, things will probably be back to normal,” Derek said, smiling at her.
Just then, the group of men returned from their search. “She must not have gone out the back door,” one of them said.
“We should look inside,” another said. “She can’t have just disappeared.”
“Well, I for one am done chasing her around. There’s plenty of other pretty girls inside who want to dance with me,” a third said.
When they’d all gone back inside, Derek turned to Lynette. “See? It’s already happening.”
She sighed with relief. “Well, I’m still going home,” she said. “I’ve had enough meet and greet for one night.”
“Do you want me to walk you home?” Derek asked, looking out into the darkened forest.
Lynette laughed. “No, I’ll be fine. If your trip to the store today was any indication, we’d probably end up lost,” she said, then leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you for listening to me.”
It was a few minutes before he got up from the bench, the feel of her lips still warm on his cheek and went inside. Thinking it was time for him to call it night too, he began searching for Steven and finally spotted him sitting with an older couple next to the big fireplace at the end of the room. When he saw Derek, he waved him over and gestured for him to sit down.
“Derek Coleman, I’d like you to meet Thomas and Amy McIntyre,” he said.
“It’s nice to meet you,” Derek said, realizing that these were Lynette’s parents.
“Your father talked about you often when he was here with us,” Amy said, her penetrating gaze making him uncomfortable. “What brings you to Serendipity after all these years?”
Derek hadn’t expected the question. The truth was, no one had asked. “Well, that’s a bit complicated, but I lost my wife about six months ago, and it just felt like I needed a change,” he said, hoping she wouldn’t see through his half-truth.
“I understand you have a son,” Thomas said.
“Yes, Sam just turned eight,” Derek said. “I also brought a close family friend with me. He’s staying with Sam now.”
Thomas nodded. “Yes, we heard about Gus. I’m anxious to meet him. Your father spoke of him often too.”
“Have you decided what you want to do while you’re here?” Amy asked.
“Steven said he could use some help down at the barn, and I do love horses, so I volunteered to help out,” Derek said, wondering how much longer the inquisition would continue.
“Oh, that’s good; we always need help in the barn,” Thomas said. “And if you’re even half as good with the horses as your father was, you’ll be a real asset.”
They made small talk about the weather and the coming summer, then Amy said, “Well, we won’t keep you any longer; you should go and enjoy the party.”
Derek felt a wave of relief wash over him. “I think I’ll just head on home and check on Sam,” he said. “Thank you for inviting me and letting me stay in Serendipity.”
“It’s our pleasure,” Thomas said. “Maybe we could get together for dinner one night. We’d like to get to know you better. Your father was a good friend.”
“That would be nice. I’d love to hear more about my father,” Derek said. “Just let me know when and we’ll be there.”
As Derek walked away, Amy turned to her husband and said, “He’s hiding something, but I’m not sure what.”
Thomas nodded. “I felt it too,” he said. “Even more reason to have him over for dinner.”
“Do you think we can trust him?” Amy asked, watching as Derek disappeared though the door.
Thomas was silent for a long time. “I think we need to watch him closely, but I don’t think he’s any danger to us,” Thomas finally said.
***Lynette***
The next morning, when Lynette came down for breakfast, she stopped and peeked out the front window before going to the kitchen. Disappointed to see that there were still several men outside waiting for her, she took a deep breath and decided she’d take Derek’s advice. Just thinking his name sent a shiver down her spine and made butterflies erupt in her stomach, even though she knew he was much too old for her.
“Looks like you still have some admirers,” her father said, breaking into her thoughts.
“I thought they’d all be gone today,” she said, her voice full of disappointment.
Her father laughed. “Give it a few more days, and things will calm down.”
Lynette looked over at her father. “That’s exactly what Derek said.”
A scowl appeared on her father’s face. When did you meet Derek?” he asked, unsettled but still unable to pinpoint why.
“Last night when I left the party, he was sitting outside the lodge, and we got to talking,” Lynette said. “Is there something wrong with him?”
“Daddy, it’s nothing like that,” she protested. “We just talked; that’s all.”
He studied her for a minute. “I’m just looking out for you, Lynette. You’re innocent—”
“Don’t you start too,” she cut him off. “I’m perfectly capable of handling my own love life, which is why I’ve been thinking about heading up to the old mill for a night.”
“You’re going to run away?” her father asked, slightly surprised. “That doesn’t sound like you.”
“I just need to get away until things calm down; you said it yourself,” she countered.
“That’s not exactly what I said,” her father replied. “But if that’s how you want to handle this, then it’s fine with me.”
Lynette sighed with relief. “I’ll leave right after breakfast,” she said, kissing her father on the cheek.
“Don’t forget to find someone to go with you,” he said. “I don’t want you going up there alone.”
She could only stare at her father. She’d completely forgotten that she’d have to take someone with her. There was no way she could ask Tim to go with her like she usually did, and the very thought of asking anyone else filled her with revulsion. When she opened her mouth to protest, her father shook his head.
“Don’t even say it; no one goes into the mountains alone. That’s the rule, and we’re not going to start breaking it now,” he said. “I’m sure there’s someone down at the barn who would love to go on a ride with you.”
Lynette couldn’t help glaring at him. “Yeah, and drive me crazy the whole time,” she said, deciding to skip breakfast and go straight to the barn before she said something she’d be sorry for later.
She closed the front door softly behind her even though she felt like slamming it, then walked past her group of admirers without looking at them. But when she got close enough to the lodge to smell bacon coming from the dining hall, she altered her course and went inside, her stomach growling loudly. When she walked through the door, all eyes turned to her, and the conversation died, but then Steven, the barn manager, came to her rescue.
“Lynette, there’s a place over here if you’d like to join us,” he said, walking over to where she was pinned in the doorway by a dozen sets of male eyes.
She shot him a look of relief. “Thanks, Steven,” she said, wondering if she could talk him into going to the old mill with her.
When she’d filled her plate, she headed for the table he’d pointed at, only then realizing that Derek, another man, and a young boy were already sitting there. A little nervous, she crossed the room and joined them, not able to meet Derek’s eyes until Steven cleared his throat and introduced them.
“This is Derek, his son Sam, and Gus; they’ve just joined us here at Serendipity,” he said.
“We met last night,” Derek said, making Steven raise his eyebrows and look from one to the other when Lynette blushed.
“I was hiding,” Lynette said, her blush getting deeper. “Derek just happened to be hiding in the same place.”
Derek shook his head. “I wasn’t hiding,” he said, grinning at her.
Her heart skipped a beat, and her palms got sweaty when he smiled at her, and she had to swallow several times to get her mouth to work. “Derek suggested that I get away for a while and I think I’m going to take his advice and head up to the old mill,” she said, trying her best to ignore him.
Steven smiled. “Well, that sounds like a good idea to me. It should be really pretty up there this time of year,” he said.
Lynette jumped on his words. “That’s why I was thinking that you could come along with me,” she said. “I only want to stay one night.”
He shook his head. “I wish I could, but we’re too busy at the barn right now. You could tag along with one of the camper rides.”
“That wasn’t exactly what I had in mind,” she said, picking up her fork and taking a bite of her breakfast, her plans quickly going up in smoke.
“Derek was just saying that he was looking forward to exploring the mountains, maybe he could go with you,” Gus said.
Lynette glanced up at him, then over at Derek, who looked just as shocked as she felt. “Oh, I... he wouldn’t want...I mean…”
“I have Sam and—” Derek didn’t finish his sentence because Gus broke in.
“I’ll watch the boy; that’s part of the reason I came,” Gus said. Then a big grin spread across his face. “If I were a few years younger, I’d volunteer to go with you myself.”
“Thank you for the compliment, Gus, but I don’t think Derek thinks it’s as good of an idea as you do,” Lynette said, reading the look on his face loud and clear.
She tried to pretend that it didn’t bother her, but she felt a little stab of disappointment that being alone with her clearly made Derek so uncomfortable. She wasn’t ready to fall in love, she reminded herself, pushing the feeling aside and concentrating on her breakfast. She’d just have to find another way to get to the old mill.
Chapter Seven
***Derek***
Derek knew that Lynette had seen the panic on his face when Gus suggested he go with her, and he wanted to kick him under the table. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to go; in fact, the suggestion had awoken images in his brain that he was much better off not thinking. But there was something about her that made his heart beat faster and his blood pump a little harder through his veins, and before he could stop himself, he’d opened his mouth.
“I’m just worried about Sam,” Derek said, looking over at his son.
He’d been sure that Sam wasn’t listening, but he looked up at Derek and said, “I like Gus; he takes good care of me.”
Gus laughed. “Well, then that’s settled,” he said. “I think you two have some plans to make. Sam and I will go see what kind of trouble we can get into before you leave and meet you at the barn later.”
Derek watched them leave, wondering what had just happened, then looked over at Lynette, who was grinning at him. “Thank you for going with me. My father has this stupid rule that no one is allowed to go into the mountains alone. I hate it.”
He suddenly felt as old as he was and realized just how young Lynette was. “It will be fun, and I have been wanting to see some of this beautiful country,” he said.
“You don’t have to worry about a thing,” she said, taking the last bite of her breakfast. “I’ll get all our gear together and meet you at the barn in about an hour.”
He watched her walk away, thinking that it was going to be a long couple of days if the warmth that was spreading through him was any indication. It had been a long time since he’d felt anything like desire, but he still remembered what it felt like and he was experiencing a huge wave of it right then. But this was different from the adolescent crushes of his teen years; this was almost primal, like what he was feeling came from somewhere deep inside him.
When he finally caught up with Gus and Sam at the barn, after packing a few things to take with him, he was more confused than ever. Part of him knew that what he was thinking about Lynette was wrong, but a bigger part of him was thrilled to have her all to himself. It confused and frustrated him, made him feel like he was slightly out of control, like when he shifted after too long a time.
“Looks like you’re all ready to go,” Gus said when he saw him.
“Yes, but I’d like to know why I’m doing this. What were you thinking?” he asked Gus, hoping Sam wasn’t paying any attention.
“I was thinking that it might be nice for you to have some adult time with a very pretty girl,” Gus said, shrugging his shoulders.
“She likes you, Dad,” Sam piped up.
Derek groaned. “She’s just a kid, Gus,” he said. “I’m too old for her.”
Gus waved his hand in the air. “You’re only thirty-two, boy; wait until you get to be my age before you start worrying about how old you are,” he said. “Now go find yourse
lf a horse. I see your date coming down the road.”
He glared at Gus, then at Sam, who started laughing. “She’s not my date,” he said, but his heart was beating a little faster as she got closer.
“Ready to go?” she asked, then saw Gus and Sam. “Did you two find some mischief to get into?”
Sam’s face fell. “No, there’s nothing to do around here,” he said.
Lynette walked over to him and knelt down, then whispered in his ear, “Don’t tell anyone I told you, but if you follow that path, you might just find some tadpoles in a little pond by the stream. You’ll have to wade in to get them though, so don’t go alone.”
Sam’s eyes got big. “That path?” he asked, pointing.
“Yep,” Lynette said.
He ran over and grabbed Gus’s hand. “Come on, Gus, Lynette said that there are tadpoles in the stream,” he said, then stopped and looked up at Gus. “What’s a tadpole?”
They all burst into laughter. “I guess you’d better go show him what a tadpole is,” Derek said, then looked directly at Sam. “I’ll see you tomorrow night; behave yourself and don’t forget to take your shoes off before you go into the water.”
Sam ran over and hugged Derek. “Love you, Dad,” he said.
Derek watched them walking down the path hand in hand and couldn’t help but smile when he realized just how important Gus had become to them in such a short amount of time. It was almost like having his dad back, he thought, fighting the sadness that threatened to overwhelm him when his dad popped into his head.
“Are you ready to get going?” Lynette asked, breaking into his thoughts. “Our stuff should be inside the barn waiting for us.”
He followed her into the barn, the sense that his life was about to change growing slowly inside him and surprised to discover that it didn’t scare him. When they swung up into the saddle at the same time and kicked their horses into a trot, he had the oddest feeling that they’d done the same thing many times before. As the forest enveloped them, he took a deep breath of the crisp mountain air, and for the first time understood why his father had come there.
Daddy Wolves of the Wild Prequel Page 4
