The Lure of Love

by Mona Ingram

  “Do people actually do that?” He looked shocked. “Leave their dogs?”

  “It happens more often than you’d think. Especially with cats.” They arrived at a grouping of pink and green chairs. “Don’t get me started.”

  Craig brushed a few leaves from the seat of one of the chairs and made sure she was settled before he sat down. Andre arrived a few moments later, carrying a tray with coffee and some biscotti.

  Craig’s chair was angled away from the Beaver but he turned now and took a long look at it. “I’d like to go up with you but I’m still not sure. This may not sound very manly, but I’m terrified of flying in small aircraft.”

  “You must have flown out here from Toronto, so I’m assuming it’s just small aircraft that bother you?”

  He pushed the hair away from his forehead. A scar about four inches long started just beside his temple and disappeared into his hair. “I got this in a crash two years ago.” He sat silently for a moment, then lifted his coffee cup and looked at her over the rim. “My wife and son were killed and the pilot was seriously injured.” His hand trembled a bit as he set his cup down. “We spun into some trees. I was sitting up front beside the pilot and somehow I was thrown out. Crushed a few ribs but that was nothing compared to the others.”

  There was nothing she could say that would help; she knew that from personal experience. “I’m sorry,” she murmured.

  He gave her a smile that was full of pain. “Vicky and I were making one last effort for our son. Jody loved anything to do with boats, with fishing. We were taking him on the ultimate camping trip in northern Ontario.” He bit off a chunk of biscotti then looked at it as though wondering where it came from. “It was the ultimate trip, all right.”

  Jamie had never considered that he might be married. But then, she’d never thought she’d be attracted to him, either. “What do you mean ‘making one last effort’? Was your son sick?”

  “Huh? No, nothing like that. Vicky had told me a month or so previously that she wanted a divorce. It was all over but the paper work, but we wanted to make some memories for Jody.” His eyes glittered with unshed tears. “It was the biggest mistake of my life.”

  Jamie dunked a biscotti and waited while it melted in her mouth. “So, the drinking,” she said finally.

  He looked at her, dry-eyed now, and nodded. “So, the drinking.”

  “Is it as bad as they say? Survivor’s guilt?”

  He nodded. “Worse. After I sobered up, I threw myself into work, thinking it would help me to forget. I had two films to be edited plus a book that was overdue at the publisher’s. This past year I even went out on a couple of dates. Vicky’s family was shocked, of course. They didn’t know we’d been planning to divorce.” He scrubbed a hand over his face. “What a mess.”

  They sat quietly for a few minutes, each lost in their own thoughts.

  A loon warbled in the distance and he raised his head. “That’s a lovely sound, isn’t it? Too bad everyone who makes a film even remotely connected with nature thinks it’s necessary to put a loon’s call on the sound track.” He came forward in his chair and smiled. “Want to hear something outrageous? A few years ago a friend of mine bought a computerized golf game that simulates golf courses around the world. He was showing me how it works and had chosen a course on Maui. There was actually the sound of a loon in the background. On Maui!”

  Jamie laughed. “You’re making this up!”

  He held up a hand. “I kid you not!” He hunched forward, elbows resting on the arms of the chair. “Thank you for listening, Jamie. You’re very relaxing to be with.”

  She frowned. “I don’t know if that’s a compliment or not.”

  “Trust me, it’s a compliment.” Was that desire she saw in his eyes? Forget it, said the voice in her head. You can’t afford to blow this opportunity.

  Then why did it feel so right?

  He rose and offered her his hand. “I’ve taken up enough of your time tonight.” He pulled her up and continued to hold her hand for several moments. “Will you show me some of the closer fishing sites tomorrow or the next day?” He smiled down into her eyes. “I’ve decided to take a vacation after all. My office booked the room for the full week, didn’t they?”

  She nodded and hoped that her legs would continue to support her.

  “Good.” He walked with her back to the lodge. “I don’t think I’ll bother with lining up a fly fisherman. I can visualize the shots.”

  “I know how to fly fish.” Why had she volunteered that information? She had absolutely no desire to be in one of his films.

  “Why am I not surprised?” His voice had turned husky. “I have a feeling you do everything well, Jamie Nicholson.”

  They walked up the stairs together. “Goodnight,” he said softly, then headed for the staircase leading to the first floor.

  * * *

  Jamie went into the small office behind the reception area and collapsed into the office chair. She was relieved to see that the phones had been switched over to Brooke’s head set. All guests were informed on arrival that the phones would be answered until ten every evening; after that time, calls were routed through the night watchman. Brooke had introduced Jamie to technology that allowed calls to be answered anywhere on the grounds. All key staff members could communicate with each other; Jamie didn’t know how she’d managed to get along without it.

  She tried to check the new reservations that had come in during the day, but couldn’t concentrate. Why hadn’t she heard about Craig Hansen’s family? She thought back to two years ago, and knew the answer. That was when she’d made the mistake of becoming romantically involved with a real estate agent from the neighbouring town. She’d thought they might have a future together until she realized that he was only trying to get close to her because of all the waterfront land she’d inherited. It had been a painful experience and one she was determined not to repeat.

  She sat back and sighed. Gareth hadn’t been the only one she’d talked to about the land, but he was the only one she’d become personally involved with. The trouble was, everyone who looked at the land envisioned the same result...vacation properties. Every one of them had pushed for high density development to ‘maximize her profits’. She couldn’t bring herself to do that to the lake she loved. She’d vowed to find another way to keep the lodge operating, but it was becoming more difficult every day.

  “How was your dinner with Craig?” Brooke appeared in the doorway.

  Jamie knew she was grinning like an idiot, but she couldn’t help it. “He’s nice.”

  Brooke raised an eyebrow. “Not what I asked, but it sounds like you enjoyed yourself.”

  “I did. I have a good feeling about this. By the way, he’s going to stay the whole week.”

  “I’m glad you told me.” Brooke called up the reservations screen. “Look, all we have available for the next two weeks are one night openings here and there. Lots of families. I have a couple of extra maids lined up and I thought I’d hire that young fellow to help with the campsite and the boat rentals.”

  “Good idea. Too bad we can’t keep it full like this all the time.” Jamie stood up abruptly. “If everything’s okay here I think I’ll go to my cabin.” She paused and looked at her manager. “Are you going to take some time off? I know you said you don’t mind working extra hours, but you seem to be here a lot.”

  Brooke smiled. “I like being busy. There’ll be plenty of time to slow down in the winter.” She glanced at her watch. “You go ahead. I’m going to take my evening walk.”

  Chapter Four

  The sky was faintly tinged with purple by the time Brooke went outside. It didn’t get completely dark until ten or eleven this far north, but shapes were becoming indistinct in the gathering dusk. She took her usual route, wandering slowly through the RV Park and exchanging greetings with the people who recognized her from the lodge. Families sat around campfires that were allowed in designated areas and the occasional burst of laughter
was music to her ears. At one campsite she noticed a mother sitting at the sturdy picnic table, cradling a young boy of around eight. He was flushed, and his sweaty hair was matted against his head.

  She took a few steps into the site. “Is there anything I can do?”

  The woman smiled. “Thanks, but I think he’s over the worst of it. He picked up a flu bug somewhere.” She placed a hand on the child’s forehead. “You’re feeling better already, aren’t you Sweetie?”

  The child nodded and Brooke moved on. It was at times like this that she missed being part of a family. She picked up her pace, determined not to let thoughts of the past ruin her evening.

  She always saved the best for the last. On the farthest arm of the main boat dock a small shed held the gasoline pump for boat fuel and the collection of tools that had been amassed over the years. This was Howie Bennett’s territory in the daytime. The pensioner had worked for the lodge since the time of Jamie’s parents and guarded his territory fiercely, not allowing the children to venture anywhere near the fuel. But he’d locked up and gone home hours ago, and at the end of her busy days it was Brooke’s gift to herself to come out here and sit on the old plastic chair Howie kept on the dock. Shielded from the lodge by the shed, it was a quiet place to think, to make plans, and to dream.

  She stepped onto the dock and waited while it adjusted to her weight. Mooring cleats gleamed dully in the pale light, and boats bumped softly against the flattened tires that had been hammered into the wood of the dock. She started to hum, savouring the thought of a few moments alone.

  She turned left toward the shed and a figure moved in the gloom. She stepped back, startled.

  “Sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you.”

  She’d heard the voice before but couldn’t quite place it.

  “It’s Billy.” He took a few steps toward her. “Billy Talbot. We met earlier today when I checked in.” He extended a hand. “It’s Brooke, isn’t it?”

  She hesitated, then shook his hand. There was something intimate about shaking hands with someone when their eyes were scarcely visible. He held her hand a moment longer than necessary and then let it go, as though embarrassed by his action. If this was the famous love ’em and leave ’em Billy Talbot, then he wasn’t at all what she’d been led to believe.

  “Yes, I’m Brooke Stephens.” Why was she breathless? Was it the unmistakable sizzle that had passed between them when they shook hands?

  “Have I invaded your space?” He sounded genuinely apologetic.

  “Not at all.” She turned to leave.

  “Please, don’t go.” He reached out, touched her arm and then withdrew his hand. “I’d really like you to stay.” He gestured to the chair. “You sit there. I’ll grab another chair.” He moved past her and walked quickly down the dock before she could reply.

  “See?” He returned holding a chair aloft. “Now we have two chairs.” He waited until she was seated and then sat down.

  “So. Now that I’ve hijacked you, what shall we talk about?” She could see him watching her expectantly in the dim light. He looked like a young kid who’d managed to win a prize at the fall fair.

  She couldn’t help but smile. “I don’t know. It’s your hijacking.”

  “Okay, then. Tell me what you usually think about when you come out here at night.” The teasing tone had disappeared from his voice; she sensed that he really wanted to know.

  “I’ll tell you mine if you tell me yours.”

  “It’s a deal.” He smiled, teeth flashing in the darkness.

  She took a deep breath. Would it be easier to share her dreams with someone she didn’t know? She hoped he wouldn’t laugh at her ideas.

  “For several years now, I’ve wanted to start a spa.”

  “Just women, or will men be welcome as well?”

  At first she thought he was kidding, making fun of her. Then she realized he was serious. She thought for a moment.

  “In my dream, it was for women, but now that you mention it, men are buying spa services these days as well.” She thought back to the job she’d held for several years before coming here. She’d been surprised at the number of men who had facials as well as manicures and pedicures.

  “I worked at an exclusive fishing lodge and spa on the West Coast of Vancouver Island for a few years. The spa was famous for its atmosphere as much as their treatments and I think I could create something just as beautiful.”

  “Where?”

  “Here, on Long Lake. I only started working here in May of this year, but I think Jamie could increase her business if she offered spa services for the women while the men are fishing.”

  “Quite a few of the women fish as well, but you’ve seen that for yourself.”

  “True. But a top quality Spa would attract the ones who don’t come at all, plus the men might stay longer if the women are happy.”

  “What about the men who don’t want their wives to come with them?”

  She gave a short laugh. “I’ve thought about that. They do exist, but I can’t worry about their personal lives. I think it could be a winner. Leeza could even offer a special menu for women who are watching what they eat.”

  Billy nodded thoughtfully. “How would you reconcile the spa concept with the campground? They’re polar opposites, wouldn’t you say?”

  He was taking her seriously; she liked that. She looked past him, to the south. “I’d build it on the other side of the lodge, buffered by a couple of hundred feet of trees. There’d be winding paths through the trees leading to the treatment rooms. Even if they didn’t need it, the clients would feel like they’re decompressing along the way.”

  Billy was silent for a few minutes. “You’re talking about a lot of land.”

  Brooke nodded. She wasn’t sure if he could see her in the dark, but she was on a roll. “True, but that’s not a problem. Jamie owns well over a mile of waterfront along this side of the lake.”

  He came forward in his chair. “No fair.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I’ve been coming here for five years and I didn’t know that.”

  “I only learned about it when we were talking about men.”

  “Now I’m really confused.”

  Brooke decided to trust him. “Some local guy made a play for her but in the end he was only interested in her land, and if you let on I told you that, I’ll never forgive you.”

  His voice softened. “I like Jamie too much to bring that up.” He swatted absent-mindedly at a mosquito. “You know, I don’t like to rain on your parade, but where is the money going to come from for this development? I’ve been associated with a few businesses over the years and I can see Jamie’s having a hard time since the mortgage fiasco turned everything upside down.”

  “I have money.” There, she’d said it.

  “You do?” He corrected himself quickly. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to sound surprised. I should have known this was more than a pipe dream on your part.”

  It was completely dark now but Brooke could see the gleam of his eyes in the silvery light from the new moon. He was easy to talk to; nothing like she’d expected. Maybe this was part of his charm, but something told her that his interest was genuine. He hadn’t made a move toward her, even though it might be welcome.

  Where had that come from? She continued with her story.

  “This is the personal part,” she said. “My mother died of ovarian cancer when I was fourteen. My father wasn’t the kind of man who could be without a woman in his life and he married a couple of years later, when I was sixteen. The woman he married was a lot younger than my mom.” She paused, her thoughts drifting back to that unhappy time. “We never did get along very well. I think she saw me as a rival for Dad’s affection when all I really wanted was someone to love me. Those years are tough for any young girl, let alone one who’s just lost her mother. Anyway, she wanted me out of the house and I wanted the same, so my father gave me a big whack of money and I left home when I was eigh
teen.”

  “Ouch.”

  “Yeah, ouch.” She thought for a moment. “My dad was a partner in one of the big brokerage firms in Vancouver. When he gave me the money I thought about it for a while and then asked him to buy Google shares. He wasn’t convinced but I kept after him and he got me in early on, at close to the IPO price. I sold them all near the end of ’07 and bought back in near the end of ’08, so I’ve done very well with them.”

  He smiled. “Timing is everything, huh? Good for you.”

  She could almost hear the gears turning as he absorbed this information. Finally he spoke. “What about the fact that you’d be building with your money on Jamie’s land?”

  “Well, I haven’t even talked it over with her yet, but I don’t see that as a problem. We’d have a lawyer draw something up that protects us both. It’s not about taking advantage of each other; it’s about working together.”

  He slapped at another mosquito. “Let’s go in,” he said.

  “Ah, but you didn’t tell me yours.”

  “I will. The great room will be deserted. Let’s get a brandy and sit by the fire.” He stood up and stretched his back. “I must be out of shape. Matt and I were playing catch with some of the kids earlier and I’m feeling it.”

  “Who’s Matt?” They stepped off the dock together and he placed a hand at the small of her back. It felt good. She’d better get her defenses up before this went much farther.

  Too late for that; you’re already interested, and you know it.

  She tried to ignore the voice in her head, but it was difficult. Especially since the voice was right.

  “Matt Weber. The real estate guy who won the trip.” He shot her a sideways look. “Surely you must have noticed him. He looks like he should be modeling in GQ.” He pulled open the door to the lodge and they walked in together.