He heard her mumble under her breath but could not make out the words. Probably best. When they reached their suite on the second floor, Craig slid the key-card that admitted them inside.
“Coming, sir,” said the bus-boy from up the hallway while wheeling a cart with their luggage. Craig left the door open while Selene disappeared behind another across the room. The two men unloaded the bags and placed them just inside the door. “This is the dual room – the largest we have at the Inn. Two bathrooms, two bedrooms and the common area here in the middle. We trust it is to your specifications sir?”
Craig arched his brow. He had no idea what he’d be getting into, the one-room reservation throwing him off. He didn’t think Mrs. Claus was into rooming unwed couples together, but of course, if Steven was the originator of the gift vacation, any arrangement would satisfy his purpose to be rid of Selene so as to get his feet secured into the upstairs office. But the red heart ornament was the touch that separated the two possibilities. Steven did not appear to be the type to include such a unique gift to the competition he’d left in his dust. Whereas, Mrs. Claus, she might be supplying the trip for a totally different reason.
“Two rooms?” Craig stammered and then quickly added, “Of course, just as we arranged. Thank you.”
When Craig shut the door, he looked to the right, knowing Selene had disappeared to the left. He grew to like this deal better by the minute for he enjoyed his privacy and did not want to share a bathroom with someone who took an hour-long soak in the tub.
He resolved to have fun on this vacation. Craig was tired too. The contract that had brought him to work in Atlanta was demanding, and he couldn’t wait for the job to be over so he could return to the quietness of small-town life. He wondered what that would mean for his new relationship with Selene as he tossed his bag on the bed and went to the French doors to let the fresh air inside. Unlike his room-mate, he preferred the natural heat of the day to the constant blowing from air-conditioners, and felt grateful for this separate space to rule as his own.
Donning shorts and a button shirt, sandals and sunglasses, he left the room ten minutes later. Selene’s luggage still sat by the entrance, and when he heard water running on the other side of her private domain, he dragged her bags closer and dropped them just outside the door where she could grab them easier after finishing her bath. A notepad sat on the table and he scribbled a note. Be back soon. Gone to investigate. Craig XO. He’d gotten into the habit of signing off the many notes he left for his absentee-girlfriend with a kiss and hug and wondered if that spoke of his depth of intimacy with the woman who merely squeezed him into her schedule like yesterday’s leftovers.
This was becoming a habit for him lately – picking women who didn’t want him for anything more than an escort, someone they could flaunt to the world that they were loved and unavailable, while they did their own thing – without him.
The revelation did nothing to uplift his mood as he started downstairs.
Suddenly, an all-too-familiar laugh rang out in the foyer and he peered down to the lower level. He heard the owner, Angie, speaking to another guest who was signing in. He halted midway, and after realizing he barred the only way up, took two steps at a time and disappeared out the main doors before the woman finished at the registration desk. Craig was not ready to face his biggest rejection and raced all the way to the beach before he stopped. Bending over, he attempted to bring his ragged breathing under control.
What were the chances, Jolene would be at this resort, this week? He’d opened his heart to her, dared to picture her as his happy-ever-after, but she had other plans. He stretched, and fanned his fingers through his hair. Modern women were independent, to the point of shutting out what really mattered in life. Maybe he’d need to wed an older like-minded woman. He was old fashioned and he wanted some of that character in his future wife – and he’d wait, even if it took his entire life to find her. Now Craig felt unexpectedly pleased that he had Selene to show off; that would show his ex that he’d moved on. He’d flaunt his new girlfriend in Jolene’s face for a while and see how she liked that.
Craig’s breathing returned to normal and he moved toward the lighthouse. Now, that was one spectacle onsite he wanted to see, firsthand, and without Selene, who would find its historic value worthless in the greater scheme of her modern existence. As he maneuvered around the stones, he lost himself in the richness of history, the feel of slippery moss against cool cement, and the towering structure and rotating light that had undoubtedly saved many a ship from crashing ashore. He pushed his failed love-life into the back recesses of his mind.
A voice startled him. He turned and noticed a lone woman sitting on a bench. “The place is magical, is it not?”
“Interesting to be sure, but haven’t experienced any magic yet,” Craig said.
“Of course, you haven’t,” she said smiling and pushing to her feet. “You’ve just arrived, right? And in time for the Christmas in July celebrations. The best month of the year here at the Inn – besides December, of course.”
“You come here often?” Craig asked.
“Oh, I live here now. In a wonderful cottage on the property. My son married the owner of the resort and they in turn gave me the cottage as a wedding gift when I tied the knot shortly after.”
“You’re married?”
“Yes, to Robert.” She was closer now. “My name is Sandra Fredricks. Pleased to meet you.”
He took the hand of greeting she offered. “Craig Landers.” He raised an eyebrow and grinned. “You are looking at me like the cat who swallowed the mouse.”
“Thought I saw a bit of magic dust falling around you is all.”
“Are you a magician or something?” he asked.
“Not at all, but I am a believer, and have seen some of His greatest handywork come to fruition in this place; all at the hand of His dearest right-hand worker.”
“Who would that be?” Craig asked, trying to be polite but mostly because she’d caught his interest in a bizarre kind of way. If anyone around here was sprinkled with magic dust, it would be her.
Sandra studied his face and smiled. “Too early in the game for me to be telling all the secrets of Heritage Inn. Just be watching for a miracle to come your way, young man. I feel it in my bones that you’re the one.”
Craig shrugged his shoulders and wrote this one off as a loonie. “Nice meeting you, ma’am. Just doing some sight-seeing.”
She came and looped her arm through his. “Now you’ll be wanting the same story I heard from the owner of this place. Heritage Inn has been in the family for generations. But the lighthouse was here before any of them. Walk with me.”
Craig had no choice but to oblige the woman, and try as he might, he could not dislike her. Her spirit was truly contagious, and he drank in the peace that ran like a slow-running river, until it reached his heart.
Chapter 4
For dinner, Jolene put on a daisy flowered summer dress with matching sandals, grabbed a clutch purse and headed to the dining room. She loved this place from the moment she set eyes on it. This would be the best gift she’d ever received and she didn’t even know who to thank.
She followed her nose and soon heard the voices of diners conversing. When she entered, she scanned the room for a small table but then noticed Angie, the owner, wave her hand to beckon her over.
“Come, sit here with us and meet some of the guests. Can’t have you alone on your first evening at Heritage Inn.”
Jolene obliged, and as she neared the table, she gasped. “Father – what on earth are you doing here?”
Trace Sumpter jumped to his feet, rushed toward her, and gathered her into his arms. “Jolene, what a wonderful surprise.” He grabbed her hand and brought her to the table. “I’m on my honeymoon. Sit next to me and your new step-mother.” He looked at his wife. “Barbie, look who’s here.”
The woman stood to her feet and smiled, genuinely. In her expression, Jolene saw no hint of the fortu
ne-hunter that she’d first labeled her father’s young bride. Trace Sumpter had done well in business, made a lot of money in the stock market, and had grown a sizeable portfolio – which he flaunted before the women he dated wining and dining them at top-end restaurants. Of course, he’d never planned on marrying any of them, until the Barbie-doll.
Jolene smiled as she accepted the hand she offered, noting she wore a French manicure on her fingernails this week. Much more sophisticated for a married woman. Jolene chided herself for judging a stranger, especially now that she was family.
“So nice to see you in person instead of cell phone screen,” Jolene said. “I hope you don’t think I’ve tracked you down and followed in hot pursuit to steal back my father.” She bit her tongue, chastising herself for the stupid introductory speech.
But Barbie laughed seemingly unaffected at her even suggesting such a thing. “Your father raves about you all the time. And never did he give me the inclination that you were a stalker. I’m excited we will have this time to get acquainted.”
“Me, as well,” Jolene said.
The ladies sat down and when Jolene looked toward her father, she noticed that he remained fixed in position, staring at the entrance to the dining room. Jolene twisted her head in that direction and noticed Craig standing there with a knock-out woman on his arm. Jolene felt relieved to be seated. What on earth was he doing here? Was this old home week at Heritage Inn?
Immediately, the mystery gift came to mind and she studied her father again. Maybe he did send the weeks vacation, after all, knowing Craig was going to be here. Trouble was she couldn’t recall introducing her ex to her father, so why was he gawking so openly at the couple? She covered a chuckle with her hand, and the picture that came to her mind helped to settle her nerves – maybe the sweet-young-thing hanging off Craig’s arm was one of the women he’d had a fling with during his not-so-long-ago wild days.
Jolene tugged at her father’s arm and motioned to his vacant chair. When seated next to her, she noticed him break out in a sweat and grew concerned. “What’s the matter, Father?” she whispered. “Didn’t expect that your sin would seek you out?”
His expression changed to one of horror. “What do you mean?”
“That gal at the door, showing up on your honeymoon week. You should have taken your own advice about not playing the field.”
“You think I dated her?” Trace asked.
“The way you’re google-eyeing her, I was beginning to wonder,” Jolene said. “Surely your eye can’t be wandering so early in the marriage.”
“I wasn’t looking at her any such way. Be careful how you talk to your old man,” he scowled. “I’m beginning to wish we’d gone abroad, but Barbie loves this place, especially with the Christmas theme starting up tomorrow.”
Barbie squealed at the mention of the holiday. “Horses could not drag me from here. Do you like Christmas Jolene, or are you a Scrooge like your father?”
“I love Christmas, and so does daddy. He just doesn’t want you to think he’s a softie.”
She snuggled in close to her husband. “I already know he is all bark and no bite, so he may as well relax and let the miracle of the season grab his soul. And since this is our first of many Christmas celebrations together, I plan for it to be our very best.”
Jolene studied her father as he poured far too much of the house dressing on his salad. She leaned close. “Remember what the doctor said about your cholesterol, daddy. A little bit is sufficient – you don’t need to drench the greens.”
Trace Sumpter threw one of his warning glances her way. “Don’t start, girl. I can still afford airfare to Paris and leave you in our dust.”
That remark bordered on unbridled anger, a part of him she rarely saw. She bit her lip and bowed her head to say a quiet blessing for the food, and while she was at it, she beseeched God to take control of this vacation that was fast turning into a nightmare. The last thing she wanted was to spend a week with her father and his bride or Craig and his latest tart.
After dinner, Jolene pleaded a headache to escape the lovebirds at the table, and left the dining room to explore the Inn. She soon located what was labeled, “The Quiet Room” and found an awesome library with books that lined an entire wall of every genre a guest could want. Maybe she’d just grab a weeks’ worth and hide out on her suite’s balcony, which overlooked the lake, and read about fictional women who always seemed to get it together and find true love.
That was a cop-out and she scolded herself for being such a chicken, but she determined to put her feet up and relax here for the evening. A good story always managed to relieve any stress lurking just below the surface that fought to steal her peace of mind. It did not take long to find a historical romance book and she settled into a comfy chair.
She missed the sunset, and failed to notice that any who’d found her quiet haven after the dinner hour had long since gone. The Inn had settled into a low hum when Jolene finally decided to take the book and finish it in her room. She pushed herself forward in the armchair and immediately felt a presence. Her eyes darted to the doorway and there he stood, leaning against the frame staring at her.
While attempting to regain her composure, she literally stumbled to her feet, nearly sprawling head-first into the small table in front of her. He did not rush to her rescue, but crossed his arms and activated that tell-tale lift at the corner of his lips, which summoned the cutest dimples she’d ever seen on a grown man to appear. She felt the heat rising up her neck and ordered it to calm. Craig was not hers anymore. She’d thrown him to the pack, and now, the finest of she-wolves held him captive.
“This is awkward,” she said as she straightened and leveled a steady gaze in his direction. She could not show weakness.
“You falling, or us being here at the same time?” Craig asked.
“Both, but mainly the latter.” Jolene said. “You just caught me off guard. I thought I was alone.”
“Not surprised to find you hiding out here. That lady talked non-stop at your dinner table. Friend of yours?”
“My father’s new wife.” If he could ask a question, then so could she. The identity of the donor for this vacation still nagged at her, and she’d like to either eliminate or confront her father if he were involved. “Craig, did you ever meet my father when we were together?”
“Not that I recall. The man’s calendar seemed to need eight days to schedule all his comings and goings.”
“Yes, both business and personal, it seemed,” she said.
“Is that bitterness I hear in your voice?” Craig asked as he strolled into the room and stopped breathtakingly close.
“This is their honeymoon! I wasn’t even invited to the wedding. He just skipped off and married the young…” she almost said hussy but corrected herself, for that did not describe Barbie at all, “…woman. She’s not that bad really. Guess my nose is a bit out of joint.”
“So, you decided to sabotage their honeymoon? Not very discreet, if you ask me.”
“Well, no one asked you, Craig Landers. And no. I did not follow them here. Someone gave me a week’s holiday, as a birthday present, and it was for this resort. I can’t help it if they were here.” Jolene looked at Craig. “But you! This is turning into a nightmare and I should pack up and go home tomorrow.”
“And miss all things Christmas? Not your style, Jolene.”
“I do love Christmas,” Jolene moaned. “What’s on the schedule tomorrow?”
“You snuck away before the social convener laid it out, but they do supply pamphlets on the desk daily as to the day’s events,” he explained, as she sniffed the scent of his favorite gum. He always chewed and tasted so good. She wheeled her thoughts in and took one step back. He grinned and she knew he’d read her mind. “You are uncomfortable, aren’t you? It may help you to know I’ve moved on from your kick-me-out-the-door status.”
“Only for your own good,” she argued. “You do remember that part, right?”
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nbsp; “And what is it about women that feel obliged to make a man’s decision for him? I am on a search for that very answer of late, and may have to date as many females as your father before I find my barbie doll.”
“How did you know her name was Barbie?”
Craig raised his brows and burst out laughing. “You’re kidding right?”
“I wish I were. I can’t help but smile on the inside every time I speak her name.”
“Maybe you should just call her Mom instead and abolish the comparison in your head,” Craig said.
Jolene immediately rebuked the idea. “I will not – ever! She’s young enough to be my sister.”
“Just speculating a solution for you. We were always good at solving one another’s problems,” he said.
“Well, now you have Miss America to bond with while you seek to unravel the mysteries of a woman’s mind. I’m truly happy for you, Craig.” The crack in her voice warned her it was time to exit.
When she almost reached the door, Craig called out, “Are you really glad, Miss Sumpter, or do you say that to all the ex’s you cast by the wayside?”
Jolene wanted to dispute his comment, to beg him to understand her decision and plead for the gift of his friendship. She missed their comradery, but more so, she regretted the fact that they’d tasted authentic love and she’d thrown it away. A part of her heart would belong to him forever.
But the tears had gathered and were threatening to spill at any second. She did not look back but managed a simple, “Goodnight, Craig,” before she escaped into the foyer and raced for the refuge of her room.
Chapter 5
The next day, Craig and Selene rounded the corner of the upstairs hall and encountered the man they’d met on the stairs upon arrival as he spoke in hushed tones on his cell, oblivious of their presence.
Christmas Hearts in July Page 3