Lakeside Love (A Mill Creek Crossing Romance)

by Rose, Angelina

  “Careful. I don’t have anymore bandages,” he said. Before she knew it, he slipped out of his jeans leaving him standing there in tight gray boxer briefs.

  Erica covered her eyes like she was eight years old. “Oh my goodness…” she muttered as she secretly peeked between her fingers. His physique was amazing, and she wanted to pinch that tight butt of his, but figured that might be inappropriate given the situation.

  “You were engaged, right?” he asked.

  “Yes. Why?” she asked removing her hands but looking at the ground.

  “You act like you’ve never seen a man before,” he said laughing.

  “Not one like you,” she said without thinking.

  “Why thank you,” he replied smiling proudly. “I do work hard,” he said flexing his muscles like he was Mr. Universe.

  “I meant I hadn’t seen a stranger just remove his clothes in front of someone he only just met…”

  “I’ve saved your life several times today. I don’t think we’re strangers now.”

  “Here we go again with that saving my life business,” she said rolling her eyes. “It was just a storm. And a cut on my leg. And falling over a rock…”

  “Difficult woman,” he said. “Here. Hold these, okay?” Handing her his jeans and shirt, he waded out into the dark water.

  “Be careful!” she called, worried some night time lake monster might get him.

  “That’s so sweet. You’re worried about me!” he called back laughing.

  “I’m just worried I won’t have a ride home!” she called back to him. The truth of the matter was she was worried about him, and she had no idea why. She just knew she wanted to spend more time with him during her stay.

  As she watched him swim adeptly out into the middle of the lake, she marveled at his strength. He did it like it was nothing at all, and she was appreciative he was going to such great lengths to get her home. Of course, maybe he just wanted to get rid of her so he could get on with his quiet life.

  He swam back to shore, pulling the big kayak behind him. As she tried to help him pull it in, he told her to stay back. “You don’t need to hurt that leg.” His concern over her leg was sweet, she thought.

  “You’re drenched,” she said.

  “I’ll dry. It’s just a little water.” The moon danced off the water cascading in pellets down his chest. Her heart was pounding, and she didn’t know how she would ever focus on the kayak ride with him looking so immensely hot. “Madam, your chariot awaits,” he said pointing to the kayak. As she approached it, he took her arm and carefully helped her into the seat.

  Pushing off, they floated onto the lake. As Dylan sat in front of her, rowing, she watched the movement of his expert arms and the tightening of his abs. She also took a moment to thank God for a moonlit night because the view of Dylan working to take her home was amazing.

  “It’s beautiful out here tonight,” she said staring up at the starry sky. It was hard to believe a horrible storm had ravaged the area just a couple of hours before.

  “Yes, it is. Sometimes I come out here at night and just row around the lake. It’s so quiet up here,” he said. His voice had a hint of sadness in it that she couldn’t place, but it melted her heart a bit. Why was this man living alone and rowing out into the lake at night? Any woman in town would have wanted to be his one and only.

  When they reached her shore, Dylan started to laugh. “Hey, look over there.” He pointed to her sad little canoe broken in half by the tree in the cabin’s backyard.

  “Ooops,” she said joining in his laughter. “That was some storm.”

  “Yes, it was. I’ll have to check my place for damage tomorrow.”

  He pulled the kayak onto shore and extended a hand to her. She took his hand, which felt like electricity to her. As he pulled her up, she slipped again and almost landed face first on the ground.

  “Let me help you inside,” he said. Realizing he was still just in his boxers, she handed him his clothes. He slipped into his jeans and hung the t-shirt around his neck. Grabbing her arm, he led her up the gentle slope of the backyard to the steps off the deck. She was limping more now because of her two slips and the pain of the gash.

  “Thanks,” she whispered as they reached the top of the deck stairs. Her gratitude to him was almost more than she could allow herself to feel. For once in her life, she felt taken care of by someone who had nothing to gain from it.

  “My pleasure,” he whispered back as he opened the door to the cabin. In the remote area, most people didn’t even lock their doors, and Erica was thankful since she’d forgotten to bring her keys anyway. She couldn’t believe how klutzy and forgetful she’d become since the breakup with Max, but she had read depression could cause that to come about.

  He helped her into the living room, and she sat down in the overstuffed chair. With a sigh, she leaned her head back and closed her eyes for a moment. He slipped his shirt back on as he walked toward the back door.

  “Good night, Erica. It was nice to meet you,” he said softly.

  “Wait. Dylan, I…”

  “What?” he said as he walked closer. She wanted to ask if she could see him again. If she was honest, she didn’t want the night to end. She couldn’t remember a time she felt more in tune and close to a man… even Max.

  “Um… Are you hungry? I mean, it just occurred to me we missed dinner.”

  “We drank wine for dinner,” he said laughing at the absurdity of it.

  “I went into town earlier today, so I have some supplies to make omelets or hamburgers…”

  “Hmmm… Omelets or hamburgers? Quite a choice,” he said grinning. “You should never open a restaurant.”

  “What can I say? I’m a complicated woman,” she said starting to get up.

  “No, no, no… You sit. I’ll take care of it.”

  “What? A man who cooks?” she said with her eyes wide.

  “Of course. A man has never cooked for you?”

  “Nope. Not ever,” she admitted sadly.

  “Jeez, where did you find your boyfriends? You don’t have good taste in men, do you?”

  “Apparently not.”

  “Well, please let me change your opinion of my gender’s culinary skills.”

  “Can I at least sit in the kitchen and keep you company?” she asked smiling. He walked over and picked her up without warning. Her face nestled close to his neck was almost too much to handle. Warmth shot up her body from her toes to her head. He carefully sat her on a bar stool before heading to the refrigerator to assess the ingredient situation.

  She watched as he moved about in the kitchen laughing and telling stories. He talked about home renovations gone wrong, where he grew up, his brothers and sister. He never talked about being married, dating or anything about his love life. She wondered about it, but didn’t want to push.

  Erica had never felt so connected to someone in such a short time, and it felt good. It felt new and fresh and hopeful. For the first time in days, she saw a future. Maybe not with Dylan, but with someone. She saw possibilities again.

  “This is fantastic!” she gushed as she ate the omelet he made her.

  “Thanks. I told you some men can cook,” he said wiping his mouth with a napkin. As they sat outside on the deck under the stars, she was peaceful for the first time since being left at the altar.

  “Can I say something serious now?” he asked taking a sip of his wine.

  “Sure.”

  “This guy who stood you up…”

  “Max.”

  “Good Lord, that sounds like a dog’s name.”

  Erica spat out her wine across the table, just missing Dylan’s face. “I’m so sorry!” she yelped as she reached over to wipe up the mess. “You make me laugh…”

  “I can see that!”

  “He never made me laugh much, so I guess I’m not good at it,” she said shaking her head.

  “You’re doing just fine, Erica. This Max fellow seems to have shaken your confidence.�
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  “I guess so. What is a girl to think when the man she’s dated for years leaves her standing at the altar?”

  “That it’s his loss.”

  “Maybe I will get there one day.”

  “You need to understand something, Erica. Women like you don’t come along everyday. Trust me. I’ve been single a long time. You’re a special one, and if he couldn’t see that, then he’s a fool.” His words cut her to the core. No one had ever spoken to her like that, and she didn’t know what to say.

  “You just met me. You haven’t seen my bad personality traits.”

  “Like what?” he asked with a smile.

  “Well, I am crazy messy. I cannot get organized.”

  “Like a hoarder?” he asked.

  “No, not that bad. Well, temporarily I was. After the wedding fiasco, I did let things go for a week,” she admitted with a laugh.

  “Understandable. What else?”

  “I have to separate my food on my plate. Nothing can touch. I know, weird…”

  “I do the same thing. That’s why I chose omelets so you wouldn’t see me do it!” he said with a hearty laugh that made her smile.

  “Okay, one more. I am always early. I hate to be late, so I’m always getting places way too early. Drove Max crazy.”

  “So, in short, you’re a disorganized person who likes to separate her food and get places early rather than late? Wow, you’re a real nutcase, Erica.” She laughed at his joke as she finished off her wine.

  “Yep. That’s me.”

  Dylan cleaned off the table and walked back onto the deck. “Listen, I’d better paddle home. It’s getting late, and I have an early meeting with a client.”

  “I’m so sorry for keeping you out late,” she said standing up.

  “Don’t apologize. I have thoroughly enjoyed spending time with you, Erica. And please enjoy your time here because you don’t need to keep fretting over Max. He wasn’t worthy of a beautiful, smart woman like you anyway.” His words tore through her again. How did he do that? How did he know just what to say?

  “Thank you,” was all she could manage to say.

  “Goodnight,” he whispered as he backed toward the stairs. Without thinking, she stepped forward and hugged him tightly.

  “Thanks again. For everything,” she whispered into his ear. He froze in place for a moment before stepping out of her embrace and walking down the stairs. She watched him climb into the kayak as her heart skipped a few beats.

  Chapter 6

  Erica woke up the next morning to a very sore leg and a bit of a hangover from overindulging in wine. She wasn’t accustomed to drinking more than a glass a night, and she’d had at least three that she should could remember.

  As she walked into the living room and looked out at the lake, she saw Dylan’s kayak resting on his side of the lake. She wondered what he thought when he woke up that morning. She hoped she would see him again soon, but maybe he was just being nice to her. Maybe he was gay. Maybe he didn’t think she was his type. Maybe he was dating someone. Part of her was giddy at the prospect of meeting a new man, but the other part of her knew it was too soon. Too much, too fast. And, he lived two hours from her.

  She decided to drive into town for breakfast to see her favorite waitress, Gracie. Pulling into the diner parking lot, she realized she was starting to feel more at home in Mill Creek Crossing than she did in the city where she’d lived for many years.

  “Mornin’, Miss Erica!” Gracie called from behind the counter. “Have a seat, and I’ll be right over.”

  Erica went to her booth from the day before, and sat down. Perusing the menu, she didn’t notice Dylan walking up to her from a booth across the restaurant. His client walked outside to take a phone call while Dylan sat down with Erica.

  “Good morning sunshine,” he said with a laugh. His blue eyes were even more beautiful in the daylight hours.

  “Good morning. How are things at your house? Any damage?”

  “Couple of broken tree limbs, but that’s all.”

  “Good. Glad to hear it.” She didn’t know what to say. Suddenly, she felt like a school girl talking to her crush in the hallway.

  “How’s your leg?” he asked.

  “Sore. Really sore.”

  “Any redness or swelling?”

  “A little… I looked around the cabin for some first aid supplies this morning, but nothing that I could find. I figured I’d stop by the drugstore…”

  “We need to get you to Doctor Higgins then. Don’t want to get it infected. How about I meet you back here in an hour, and I’ll take you myself.”

  “That’s okay, I can manage getting there.”

  “Do you know where he is?” he asked with a smile.

  “Well, no… but…”

  “Then it’s settled. Once I finish with my client, I will meet you right outside on the bench. One hour, okay?” he said.

  “Fine. One hour,” she relented with a smile as he waved at his client and walked outside. The two men walked down the sidewalk out of sight.

  Erica watched him walk away as Gracie appeared at the booth.

  “Hi, sweetie. What’ll you have?” she asked eyeing Dylan herself.

  “How about French toast and bacon with orange juice?” she said looking at the menu.

  “Great. I’ll put your order in…” Gracie said, obviously distracted by something.

  “Everything okay, Gracie?”

  “Well, I wasn’t going to say anything…” she said hesitantly.

  “What is it?”

  “I don’t mean to pry, honey, but are you seeing Dylan Kramer?” she asked sitting down across from her.

  “No. I just met him. He saved me from floating around in a lake last night without an oar. Long story…”

  “Good. Okay,” Gracie said standing up.

  “Wait. Why do you ask?” Erica said, wondering why Dylan would be a bad bet for a boyfriend.

  “He’s got a reputation. Just between you and me, he’s known for not being able to stay in relationships because of his past. Don’t get me wrong he’s a sweetheart. But he can’t commit because no one can compare. No one can overcome his grief. It’s sad really…” she trailed off.

  “Grief?” Erica was more confused than ever.

  “Oh, you don’t know? I’ve probably said too much. Dylan was married, but his wife died tragically about three years ago. She was a beautiful woman, and they’d dated since they were in middle school. Her name was Amelia.”

  “How did she…”

  “Die? She was hit while crossing the road. Teenage driver was texting. So sad. Turned out she was pregnant but hadn’t told Dylan yet. She was saving the surprise for that evening because it was his birthday. When she was hit, she was picking up his cake.”

  “Oh, my goodness. How horrible…” Erica said with tears welling in her eyes.

  “No woman has ever come close to filling the void. He dated a few women in town, but it never got serious. I don’t think he can get over it. He works a lot, but I never see him date anymore. I think he gave up. And it’s so sad because he is an absolute sweetie, not to mention gorgeous…” Just then, another customer walked in and Gracie trotted back up to the counter. Suddenly, Erica didn’t have an appetite.

  She picked at her meal watching the clock the whole time. How was she supposed to meet him in an hour and not look at him differently? She knew one thing for certain - she wasn’t about to stir up a relationship with a man whose wife was a ghost in his life everyday. He was a nice guy and sexy as heck, but she wasn’t going to come in second place to a dead love he would never get over. Heartache had already wrecked her life, and she didn’t want to sign up for more hurt.

  After she finished eating, Erica still had about ten minutes before she was to meet Dylan. She grabbed her cell phone and dialed Callie’s number for a bit of girl chat. She paid her bill and stepped out onto the sidewalk, being careful to look out for Dylan. Sitting on a bench outside, she was glad to he
ar Callie answer the phone.

  “Hey, girl!” Callie said in her normal excited voice. Everything excited Callie. It didn’t matter if it was a milkshake or a baby being born; she loved life.

  “Hey,” Erica whispered into the phone.

  “Why are you whispering?”

  “Because I want to make sure a certain someone doesn’t hear me.”