by Kay Correll
“I did. It was great at first.” She dunked her tea bag up and down. “He—he kissed me.”
Bree grinned. “Well, of course he did. He likes you.”
“I thought he did. I mean… his eyes were so intense and he seemed genuinely interested in me.”
“Of course he is, silly. Who wouldn’t be?”
“Well… no one has been, really. No one has looked at me like he did. Like he wanted me. Like he… liked me.”
“You deserve to be liked. To be loved. And not some let’s-just-hang-out thing like you had with Eric. Anyway, he proved himself to be a creep.”
“To be honest, I want what Beth and Mac or you and Jason have. He adores you. You two are friends, too. Talk about everything. And the way he looks at you… you’re one very lucky woman.”
“I am lucky. I admit that. But, Cece, you can be too. If you just let yourself.” Bree took a sip of her tea.
She wasn’t sure. Wasn’t sure she deserved a love like that. Not after what she’d done to Bree by going out with Peter. Having Peter’s son. Maybe the universe was just giving her the karma she deserved. One brief hour or so of bliss with Zach… then it all had come crashing down. And he’d seen her at her worst on that trail, frightened and crying.
She shoved her hair behind her shoulder and took a sip of tea. She set the cup back on the saucer, trailing a finger along the edge. “I love this teacup. I think it’s one of my favorite ones in Mom’s collection.”
Bree’s mouth curved, easing into a smile. “You can change the subject if you want, and I know that’s your favorite, that’s why I made your tea in it. Thought it might cheer you up. Why don’t you finish your tea and go grab a nap? You looked exhausted.”
“But there’s so much work still to be done for this weekend’s wedding.”
“And I’ll do it. You get some sleep. Come on over to the lodge after you wake up.”
She felt like she could go to bed and sleep straight through until tomorrow, but she’d set her alarm and only catch a quick nap, so she could get up and help Bree.
Her sister carried their teacups to the kitchen. “And I better not see you until way later in the afternoon.”
Mind reader. Couldn’t hide a thing from her big sis.
Chapter 16
After the hike down the mountain, things were different between him and Cece. Not bad, just not as good. He saw her off and on. They’d even gone to Antonio’s again, and he’d kissed her goodnight when he dropped her off. He still couldn’t get her warm, sparkling eyes and single dimple out of his mind. Thoughts of her were his constant companion. But he still didn’t see her as much as he wanted because he was in an all-out panic to get the building finished in time.
He sat at another makeshift table, this time out in the main part of the lodge. Workers were in the kitchen installing the appliances and the stainless steel counter. He’d finally gotten a door for the kitchen along with the windows for that part of the building. Unfortunately, the large picture windows that were supposed to line the side of the building facing the lake were lost somewhere between the supplier and here.
He leaned back from the table and stretched. He’d hoped that Cece would stop by today. He wasn’t sure what had changed that day of the hike, but something had. He’d asked her. Asked her twice. But she assured him nothing was wrong, she was just afraid of heights and embarrassed about her freak out.
Though he got the feeling it was something more. He just wasn’t sure what.
Nora walked into the building sending appreciative glances all around. “It’s looking great.” She held out one of her infamous picnic baskets. “Feeding you. I know you rarely leave this place.”
“Just trying to wrap things up.” Like windows and shingles and some things that couldn’t be finished until the windows were in.
“You still think it will be ready in time for Madeline’s wedding?”
“Planning on it.” Even if it killed him.
“So, there’s a festival in town this weekend.”
He grinned. “Of course there is.”
“May Festival. You should ask Cece to go with you.”
He bit his lip, tapping his pencil on the table, thinking. Maybe that was a good idea. Maybe it’s just what they needed. They could go and have some mindless fun. And it wouldn’t be anywhere near any heights or spooky drop-offs…
“I’ll ask her. That is a good idea. I bet we could both use the break.”
Nora smiled a self-satisfied grin, her mission complete. He wasn’t sure the prodding him into inviting Cece wasn’t the real purpose of her dropping by, even more so than the lunch.
She set the basket on the table. “Great. I’m going to try and sneak away and go, too. I love browsing the shops on Main Street and seeing everything all spruced up for the festival. It’s like the perfect opening for the summer season here.”
She left and he attacked the lunch. Two hearty sandwiches on homemade bread, some chips, orange wedges, and a large slice of pecan pie. He was sure going to miss this let’s-feed-the-builder thing on his next job.
Chapter 17
Nora and Annie walked along the pathway between the Sweet River and the buildings lining Main Street. The festival had brought lots of tourists to town, as usual, and the path was crowded with people enjoying the festivities and the gorgeous weather.
“At least this year I’m not worried about rushing to finish the loft in time for the festival.” Annie grinned.
“Last year when Nick showed up bringing Henry, the inspector, just in time to save the day.” Nora smiled. “He’s a good man.”
“He is and I’m very lucky.”
Nora loved seeing her friend’s face light up when she talked about Nick. All Nora wanted was for Annie to be happy, and finally, she was.
They walked on, arm in arm, until they reached the courtyard area. Sophie Brooks was going to make a surprise appearance and sing a few songs in the courtyard before she and Chase did a benefit concert at the arena in town tonight.
They stood along the edge, waiting.
“I hear Sophie is going to sing a few songs, just like old times before she became so famous singing with Chase.” Nora looked up to see Gloria Edmonds standing before them. How had Gloria found out? It was supposed to be a surprise.
“Oh, don’t look like that. There’s not much that goes on in this town that I don’t know.” Gloria gave them a Cheshire grin. “Like I heard that Walter Dobbs got the zoning committee to approve the sale of his land and okay it for putting in a condo development.”
Nora sucked in a breath and Gloria plastered a superior I-know-everything look on her face.
“When did that happen?” Annie’s eyes narrowed, and she looked at Gloria like she didn’t believe her.
“Yesterday.”
“There wasn’t a notice about the meeting.” Nora frowned.
“Oh, it was just called at the last minute.” Gloria’s eyes flashed with pleasure. “They had a quorum, so Dobbs brought it up and it passed.”
“They can’t do that.” Annie shook her head.
“It appears they can if three-fourths of the committee and the mayor agree to it.”
“I—” Nora closed her mouth, unwilling to give Gloria the satisfaction of seeing how upset she was.
“It’s great news, isn’t it? We’ll finally get to have some condos built on that lake. Next up is seeing if we can get the lake zoned for motorboats and jet skis.”
“That will never happen.” Nora couldn’t help herself, the words just erupted from her.
“Of course it will. It’s time for the town to get with the times. It will bring lots more people to town. Everyone wins.”
Except for people who prefer the quiet and beauty of Lone Elk Lake just like it is.
“Well, I better go. I’m not really interested in hearing just Sophie sing. I do have front row tickets to hear Chase at the concert tonight, though.”
With that, Gloria walked away.
; “I really don’t like that woman.” Annie glowered at Gloria’s retreating back.
“Nor do I.” Nora sighed. She had her work cut out for her to try and prevent this whole catastrophe from happening to her beloved Lone Elk Lake.
Cece stood near Annie’s shop, waiting for Zach. She’d come early with Bree and had already walked around for a good half an hour, poking her head into some stores and watching the crowd of people mill around Main Street. The street had been roped off to cars. Booths of food, crafts, and local products lined the center of the street.
But she stood at their assigned meeting place precisely at noon like they’d planned. She spied him walking up the sidewalk in his normal confident stride, and a flutter took over in her chest. She needed to get over herself and get them back on solid footing. She’d just been so embarrassed and upset about the whole hiking incident and had refused to talk to him about it, even though he’d asked. Finally, he’d seemed to get the message that it was going to be a non-topic. She hoped it stayed that way. She just wanted to forget the whole thing.
He saw her watching him and lifted a hand in a wave as he threaded his way through the crowd. He finally reached her, with a smile that seemed to be just for her.
Okay, time to turn this around.
She gave him a hug, and surprise widened his eyes, but he held her close for a moment before releasing her.
Nice, they were off to a good start.
“What do you want to see or do first?” he questioned, his hand still lightly resting on her arm.
“Well, if it’s up to me to decide… let’s go down by the courtyard area. I heard there’s a funnel cake vendor down that way.”
“Ah, feeding the sweet tooth. Excellent way to start the afternoon.” He took her hand and they started down the street, stopping here and there to browse around booths that caught their fancy.
They shared the delicious and oh-so-sweet funnel cake. “You’ve got a bit of powdered sugar there.” He touched the side of his mouth.
She swiped a hand across her face and grinned. “They are messy, but one of my favorite indulgences.”
“I’ll remember that. Along with sopapillas.” He took her hand again. “Now what? You know, now that the important part of the day has been accomplished.”
She grinned. “Walk around some more? There’s still brats, or hot dogs, oh, and ice cream. We need ice cream. Oh, and fudge.”
“All that?”
“At least. What good is it to go to the festival if you don’t overindulge?”
“Indeed, what good is it?”
Bree and Jason strolled up to them with his sister’s boys, Trevor and Connor. Bree glanced at Cece’s hand clasped in Zach’s and smothered a smile, but not quick enough for Cece to miss it. “Hey, you two. Did Cece get her funnel cake yet?”
“She did,” Zach answered.
Trevor tugged on Jason’s hand. “Can we go to the game area? I wanna see if I can win a prize.”
“The prizes are stupid.” Connor rolled his eyes at his younger brother.
“Are not.” Trevor’s eyes clouded.
“I’ll go with you. I love to play the games. I’m pretty good at the ring toss.” Zach smiled at Trevor.
“See, he’s an adult and he likes the games.” The boy puffed out his chest. “Even big people like the games. Everyone likes the games. And the prizes are not stupid.”
They all headed to the game area, and even Connor grudgingly played some of the games. Zach won a baseball cap at the ring toss and gave it to Trevor. The boy tugged it onto his head, backward, and there it remained for the afternoon.
Cece watched Zach’s easy manner with the boys. Defusing the brotherly spats, encouraging Trevor when none of his rings hooked on the stakes, all the while paying attention to Connor’s efforts too. This was a side of the all-business-all-the-time Zach that she hadn’t seen.
He threw his head back and laughed at something Connor said and the boy grinned in response.
Trevor grabbed her hand and tugged her down so he could whisper in her ear. “Miss Cece, Zach is cool. You can bring him to play anytime.”
“I’ll remember that.” She smiled at the boy.
“I told Mom we’d meet her at Annie’s shop. We should probably head back that way.” Jason rounded up the boys and he, Bree, and the boys headed down the street.
Cece stood by Zach’s side watching them walk away, Trevor jumping over every crack in the sidewalk. She glanced at Zach and saw an amused look on his face. She stood up on tiptoe and kissed his cheek.
“What was that for?” The smile in his eyes sent her pulse racing.
“I just… you were great with the boys. And I’m having a great afternoon. And the weather is perfect. And I love this town. And… well, thanks for inviting me.” Her heart was full of pure happiness and contentment.
“My pleasure, ma’am.” He sent her an impish grin that did nothing to calm the storm raging inside her. “How about I go get you that hot dog you were wanting? Or ice cream?”
“Ice cream sounds good.”
“Of course it does. What flavor?”
“Butter pecan if they have it. If not, vanilla. Or chocolate. Surprise me.”
He grinned and hurried off in the direction of the ice cream vendor.
She leaned against the brick wall near the courtyard waiting for her treat.
“There you are.”
She whirled at the sound of Eric’s voice. “Eric.” She searched the crowd for Zach or Bree or anyone she knew.
“I thought you might be here at the festival.”
“What are you doing here?” She stepped sideways putting more distance between them.
“I came to apologize. I lost my temper the other day. I want to work things out with you.” He gave her a boyish please-forgive-me look or maybe an it-wasn’t-really-my-fault look.
She wasn’t fooled. The bruises had faded, but she hadn’t forgotten them. Her heart pounded and she folded her arms in front of her. “Eric… no. There is no working things out.”
His eyes glittered with the same mean streak she’d seen the last time, but then quickly changed to righteous innocence. “Of course we can work things out. Don’t be silly. It was just a little lover’s quarrel.”
“We were never lovers.” She searched the crowd again. She knew so many people here in town, where were they when she needed them? “And it wasn’t a little quarrel. I want you to leave and not come back.”
“Listen, Cece—” He grabbed her wrist, and she choked back rising fear as she tried to tug her hand away from him.
She looked left and right, fighting panic.
“Let go of her.” Zach’s cold, hard voice came from behind her.
“Walk away, mister. This is a private conversation.”
“I said to let go of her.”
“This the guy you cheating with?” Eric’s angry eyes flashed at her but she still couldn’t break free of his grasp.
Zach stepped in front of her and pried Eric’s hand from her wrist. “I think you should leave.”
“I think you should mind your own business. Cece and I are having a discussion.”
“Eric, I want you to leave.”
“You heard the woman.” Zach’s voice held a threatening, commanding tone.
Quick as lightning, Eric swung at Zach. Zach caught his arm mid-swing. “I don’t think we need that here at the festival.” His voice was calm, rational… and cold as a glacier.
Eric yanked his hand away. “You can have her. She’s not worth it anyway. She’ll just cheat on you like she always cheats on people. You can’t trust her.” Eric spun around and disappeared into the crowd.
She struggled to breathe over her pounding heart that seemed to fill her whole chest and sank against the brick wall again.
Zach looked closely at her, his eyes filled with concern. “Are you okay?”
She nodded.
“You sure?” His forehead wrinkled.
“I’m sure. But
I’ve never been so glad to hear your voice.” She gave him a weak smile.
“I was standing in line to get your ice cream and looked back and saw him standing there and… well, I couldn’t get over here fast enough.” He looked down at her wrist. “There’s going to be bruising again.”
She rubbed her wrist. “Probably.”
“I’m sorry I wasn’t here to stop it sooner.”
“I’m just glad you showed up when you did. Hopefully, he got the message this time.”
Bree and Jason came hurrying up to them. “Cece, are you okay? I just saw Eric, and he looks spitting mad. We left the boys with Nora and came to find you.”
“I’m okay. Zach saw him and came over and… well, I think Eric is gone for good this time.”
Bree hugged her. “I’m so sorry he keeps showing up. Hope this is the last time.”
“It better be.” Zach’s eyes were stormy dark with held back anger. He leaned against the wall beside her and draped an arm around her shoulder. She leaned against him, protected and safe. She finally took a deep breath and relaxed. Or at least she tried to.
Zach did his best to control the anger that surged through him. He didn’t want to upset Cece any more than she already was. A strong wave of protectiveness coursed through him and he kept an arm around her shoulder as they wandered around the festival for a little while longer.
“You look tired.” In truth, she looked like she would fall off her feet. The encounter with Eric had obviously and justifiably worn her down.
“I am a bit.”
“I’m going to take you home.”
She nodded.
He drove her home to the cabin. “You going to be okay?”
She glanced at him, her eyes weary and a look of hesitation on her face. “I— I don’t really want to be alone. Bree was going to have dinner with Jason tonight. Could you… could you stay for a while? Eric has me so… unsettled.”
“Of course I’ll stay. As long as you want me to.”
He walked her inside, and she walked over to the window, staring out at the lake.
