by Kay Correll
They sat in silence for a while. A comfortable silence, which surprised her. She should be nervous sitting beside someone so well known, but he had a way about him. A comfortable presence like a favorite quilt.
Sophie turned and studied his profile lit only by the moonlight. He sat relaxed, staring out at the lake, lost in thought. Feeling a bit like a groupie for staring at him for so long, she finally broke the silence.“So, are you planning on staying here at the lodge for long? Or are you just passing through?”
“I’m not sure. I haven’t made definite plans. Going to stay here at least for a few days, though. Do some poking around.”
She almost offered to show him around town but couldn’t quite make herself actually say the words. She admitted she was a bit star-struck with just sitting here with him. And he’d listened to her sing. The telltale heat of a blush crossed her cheeks yet again. He must just have been being nice to say she had a wonderful voice. At one point in time, she thought music would be her life. She’d even taught music at the high school. But that was before… It seemed like a long, long time ago. It had only been five years, but it seemed like forever. Life had a way of throwing curves at you. She stared at a leaf floating across the water, propelled helplessly by the gentle breeze, unable to change its course. She could so relate to the one lone leaf.
“Well, I should probably let you go.” Chase stood, pulling her from her thoughts.
She stood also and took one more look at the lake. “I should be going. I’ve got a long day tomorrow.”
“I had a nice evening. Your friends were very nice to invite me for the home-cooked meal.”
“Nora loves to feed people.”
“I’m glad I was here to be fed.” He grinned at her.
“I… I better go.”
“Let me walk you to your car.”
“I. Uh. Okay.” She sounded like an idiot. She turned and led them down the path to where she’d left her car near Nora’s cabin. She opened the car door and stood there. “Well, thanks.”
“Night, Sophie.”
“Good night, Chase.” She slipped into her car and drove away. Away from a night she’d play over and over again in her mind. She knew she would. The night she’d sat by Lone Elk Lake with Chase Green.
As she drove down the lane, she regretted not offering to show him the town. She might never see him again.
Chase watched as Sophie drove away and the red taillights disappeared around a curve in the road. He turned and headed back down the path to his cabin. It had been an interesting evening, to say the least. He’d had a great time, even if he’d felt a bit out of place at Nora’s dinner table. Not that they were anything less than welcoming.
And then there was Sophie.
Sophie of the sparkling eyes and enchanting voice.
And he hadn’t even caught her last name.
Chapter 5
Sophie struggled to shrug out of her jacket and dropped her keys on the counter as she dug in her purse to grab her cell phone.
“Hello?” She contorted around to allow the jacket to slip to the ground.
“I talked to Jason and he said he saw you and Chase down by the lake when he was walking back to his cabin tonight.” Beth’s voice came across the airways.
“He did?”
“Yes, spill it.”
“There’s not really anything to tell.”
“Right. You both just happened to wander down to the lake at the same time?”
“No, he asked me to go for a walk.” She bent down and picked up the jacket.
“And?”
“And we sat by the lake and talked for a bit. He seems… nice.”
“Nice? That’s all I’m getting? What did you talk about?”
“The view, the stars.”
“Did you tell him you knew who he was?”
Sophie walked over to the coat closet and hung up her jacket. “No, I didn’t really know how to bring it up. What was I supposed to say? Hey, I know that you’re that Chase Green?”
“That would have been a start. You going to see him again?”
“I don’t know. I mean, I could run into him again, I guess.”
“Really, Sophie, haven’t I taught you better than this? You could have asked him to stop by the gallery. Or asked him for coffee. Or—”
“Why would he want to have coffee with me?” Sophie grabbed her keys and hung them on a hook by the door. A small attempt to keep order in her life.
“Because you’re funny and good company and he loved your singing. Hold on just a sec…”
Sophie heard Beth’s voice from a distance. “Connor, I told you. Time for bed. I mean it.”
“Sorry, I’m back. The boys are a bit wound up tonight,” Beth continued.
“I couldn’t just ask him to come by the gallery.”
“Sure you could.”
“Maybe I could have Mom mention to him that you own the gallery and tell him where it is. I bet he’d stop in…” Beth’s voice held a conspiring tone.
“Beth, stop it. It was just a chance meeting. A one-time thing.”
“If you say so. Just a sec again—”
Sophie smiled as she heard Beth’s voice in the background, chasing the boys to bed.
“Soph, I better go. I’m going to read to the boys and hopefully, they’ll settle down. I have some schoolwork to grade, then I’m headed to bed.”
“Okay, good night. And thanks for inviting me over to Nora’s.”
“You’re always welcome. Anytime, you know that. And I still think you should have asked Chase to stop by.”
“Good night, Beth.” She rolled her eyes, set her phone on the counter, and walked over to the window. She flipped off the lights in the apartment and stood in the darkness, watching the river bubble over the rocks in patches of light from the street lamps along the river walk.
Maybe Beth was right. Maybe she should have asked Chase to stop in and see the gallery. That would have been a natural thing to ask. Just being friendly and neighborly to someone new to town.
No, who was she kidding? A famous person from Nashville wasn’t going to be interested in her and her predictable, same-same life. A woman who didn’t even seem to be able to make good on her promise of a special in-person art show for the Autumn Arts Weekend. She’d left multiple messages for Hunt Robichaux, but he hadn’t returned her calls.
No, it was best that she just had this one memory of a night with Chase Green. A memory she’d keep for years to come.
Beth finally got the boys into their pajamas and tucked into bed. “Okay, what should we read tonight?”
“The book about the boys camping in the mountains. You know, by themselves. Without their Mom and Dad.” Trevor jumped out of bed and ran to the bookcase. He grabbed the book and climbed back into bed.
“Okay, but you know that you guys can’t ever go camping without me, right?” She wasn’t sure this do an adventure without your parents was a good idea to plant in their minds.
“We know, Mom.” Connor’s voice held exaggerated patience like he was talking to a two-year-old.
“But I think it would be fun. I’m sure Connor and me could camp alone.”
“Connor and I.”
“No, Connor and me… no parents.”
“She was correcting your grammar, stupid.”
“Don’t call your brother names.” Beth sighed and leaned back against the headboard on Trevor’s bed. “Okay, a couple of chapters, then it’s lights out.”
“Thanks for reading to us tonight.” Trevor cuddled close to her. “You don’t do that much anymore. You’re too busy.”
Beth leaned down and kissed the top of Trevor’s head. He was right. She needed to make more time for simple moments like this.
“I’ll try to make more time, Trev. I will.” She didn’t know how she was going to keep that promise, but she’d find a way. There was nothing more important to her than her boys.
Chapter 6
Keely Robichaux looked up fr
om clearing a table at the end of the early breakfast rush at Magnolia Cafe. The sunshine poured through the open door as her husband, Hunt, entered the cafe.
His eyes lit up when he saw her, and her heart swelled at the sight of him. He’d been out of town on an assignment, photographing a hot air balloon lighting for a regional magazine. She hadn’t been able to go with him like she usually did because her sister, Katherine, had been sick and unable to look after the cafe they jointly ran.
He crossed over and swept her into a big hug. “I missed you, Mrs. Robichaux.”
She leaned her face up to be kissed. “I missed you, too.” She still wasn’t used to being called by her married name.
“Kat, feeling better?”
“I am.” Kat rolled up behind them in her wheelchair. “So, are you glad to be back in Comfort Crossing? Going to stay for a bit?”
“Well, if you’re feeling well enough to run the cafe, I thought I’d ask my beautiful bride if she wanted to take a little trip.”
“Where?” She perked up at the prospect of a trip.
“I finally got around to checking my messages after I got back into a good cell phone reception area. I got asked to do a show in Sweet River Falls, Colorado. Remember that gallery that has a few of my photos? The owner asked if I’d like to bring more work and do a personal appearance. I thought maybe you’d like to go? She apologized for it being so last minute, but it sounds like she’s in quite a bind. I wouldn’t mind a trip to Colorado. How about it?”
Keely turned to her sister. “You okay if I leave again? I feel like I’ve been taking so many trips with Hunt and leaving you here to deal with everything.”
“I thought that was our deal? You travel as much as you want. I run the cafe. You know I enjoy it.” Kat’s eyes were warm with encouragement.
“I thought you might want to do an article on the town while we’re there. They’re having an Autumn Arts Weekend.” Hunt smiled at her. “I can photograph the town and the festival, you can write up an article.’
She reached out and touched his face. “I’m in.”
“How about we make it a road trip? That way I can bring some framed prints with me. You up for that?”
“That’s a marvelous idea. You know I love a good long road trip.” Especially with Hunt. He always made their trips fun and exciting. She loved her new found freedom to travel now that Kat had taken over so many responsibilities at the cafe.
“Then it’s a go. I tentatively told the owner, Sophie Brooks, that I’d come. But said I had to check things out to be sure. I’ll call her now and tell her it’s a go.”
“Why don’t you and Hunt go home now? I’ve got the cafe. I’m sure you two want some time alone after him being gone so long.”
Hunts eyes twinkled, and he winked at Kat. “Thanks, Kat. You’re the best sister-in-law ever.”
A warmth spread through Keely and she smiled. At her sister, at her husband, and at the life she now had. She had to be the luckiest woman in the world. “Kat, you really are the best.”
“And don’t you forget it.” Kat waved them away. “Go. Enjoy yourselves.”
Keely took her husband’s hand in hers, and they walked out into the warm Comfort Crossing, Mississippi sunshine.
Chase drove into town the next morning to take a look around. Besides, that best cup of coffee in Sweet River Falls was calling his name. He parked on Main. The street was already bustling with activity. First, he was going to get that coffee, then he was going to hit the outfitter shop and buy some hiking boots. He might as well get out into the mountains while he was here.
He walked into Bookish Cafe and Annie greeted him. “Welcome back.”
“Your coffee was calling my name.”
“We have some nice pastries, too, if you’d like one to go with your coffee.”
“That sounds great.” He ordered his coffee and a hearty looking cinnamon roll covered with pecans and took them to a table. The local newspaper was on the table, so he glanced through it while he ate. There was a big article about the upcoming Autumn Arts Weekend. Looked like a fairly big deal for the town. Exhibits, art showings, an arts and craft fair, and a big concert.
He read through the names of the performers at the concert. He’d heard of a few of them. A couple rising country singers. He always tried to keep up with the new competition. Their headliner was Jackson Dillion. He had a few records out and was starting to get more well-known. A young kid, a pretty fair performer, and Chase thought Jackson was probably going to make it in the biz.
Maybe if he were still here that weekend, he’d go and hear the concert.
Nah, he couldn’t imagine he’d still be around in two weeks. He folded the paper carefully and got up from the table. He browsed around the bookstore, looking for a guide to hiking trails in the area. He found one that had them listed by difficulty and rated the views along the trail. Perfect.
He went to the counter to check out.
“Oh, that’s a great little book,” Annie said as she reached for it to ring him out.
“I thought I might do some hiking while I’m here.”
“If you’re looking for an easy hike to help you get used to the altitude, you could try the trail to Lost Lake. The view is beautiful as you climb over the pass then dip down to where the lake is nestled between Skyview Mountain and Grace’s Peak.”
“Thanks for the recommendation.”
“You’ll need something better than those cowboy boots to hike in.”
“I’m headed over to the outfitter’s shop right now.”
“Good plan. There’s a dusting of snow up there, I hear.” She handed him the book. “Come back again.”
“I’m sure I will.” He left the shop and hurried down the street to Alpine Outfitters. He soon left the shop with hiking boots, warm socks, a warm down jacket, and a backpack. He should be all set. He was beginning to feel like a real mountain man. Maybe he could fit in here after all.
He juggled his packages as he headed back to his car. As he walked down the street, a black and white photograph caught his attention in the window of a gallery. The lighting through the trees and the sparkle of the sun’s rays on the water were expertly captured in the photo. He recognized the view. It was Lone Elk Lake. This time bathed in sunlight instead of moonlight. A sign next to the print said the photographer, Hunt Robichaux, was coming for a full showing and appearance at the Autumn Art Weekend. He was tempted to go to the showing, not that he had a single photo or painting on his walls. He wouldn’t mind having this photo on his wall. It reminded him of the time he spent with Sophie. Her face kept popping up in his thoughts…
But, once again, he reminded himself that he probably wouldn’t be here by the time the Art Weekend rolled around anyway.
Chapter 7
Sophie looked out the window and saw Chase standing and staring at Hunt’s photograph. She could almost feel Beth shoving her out the door, even though her friend was safely ensconced at the school at her teaching job right now. She took a deep breath and hurried over to the door. One more deep breath and she was outside.
“Morning.”
Chase looked at her and smiled. “Well, good morning.”
“I see you’re admiring Hunt’s work.”
“I am. He’s done a great job with the lighting on this one.”
“Did you see that he’s coming for a personal appearance at the Arts Weekend?”
“I saw that.”
“You should come.” Now, what made her blurt that out?
“Oh, I don’t know if I’ll still be around then.”
A momentary pang of disappointment tweaked at her, which was silly. She’d just met him. Sat by the lake with him for a few moments. Why would she feel disappointed if he didn’t come to the showing?
“Do you work here?” Chase juggled his packages.
“It’s my parents’. I mean, mine. I… well, I took over for them.” She never quite felt like it was actually hers. She still thought of it as her paren
ts’ gallery. “Would you like to come in?”
“I was just going to drop these packages at my car.”
“The outfitter’s, huh? Did Chuck try to sell you the store?”
“Pretty much.” Chase grinned. “Tell you what. I’ll go dump these in my car and come back and see the gallery.”
“Sounds good.” Sounded really good. Though, really, she shouldn’t be this pleased about him coming to see the gallery, should she?
“I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
Sophie watched him walk away, then turned to hurry back into the shop, rubbing her arms to warm up from the chilly air.
She looked around the gallery, moved a few things, and basically waited in anticipation of Chase’s return.
Which was silly.
He returned in a few minutes, and her heart raced as he walked in the door.
Which was also silly.
He walked up to her. “So, do I get the personal tour?”
The words hung in her throat. “Ah…” She cleared her throat. “Sure.”
“Do you have more of Hunt’s work?”
“That’s the last one, but he’s bringing more. He’s actually coming to town in a few days. He said he was bringing his wife, and they’re going to combine a short vacation with his appearance at the show.” She was so relieved that Hunt had said yes to a personal appearance. She would still like to find someone else, but at least the show wouldn’t be a complete bust. And Hunt’s work was excellent. He’d be sure to draw a good crowd.
“I saw a flyer about the weekend. Looks like your town has a little bit of everything planned.”
“I admit, Sweet River Falls does love its festivals and shows. Seems like we have at least one a month. More in the summer when we’re packed with tourists. I seriously keep a calendar in my office to keep track of all of them.”