by Mona Ingram
He made his way down the trail, checking every once in a while to make sure she was still there. When he finally made it to the bottom he stood looking at her for a few moments, drinking in the sight of her. It had only been ten days but she looked thinner. He hoped she hadn’t been sick. He opened his mouth to call to her, then realized that the sound of the waterfall would drown out his voice.
He pulled out his cell phone. He’d kept her number on there, his touchstone while he was sorting out his former life.
He pressed the dial symbol and waited.
* * *
Leeza had been thinking about Matt and was momentarily startled at the sound. She didn’t receive very many calls, and had to pat her pockets to locate the phone. She pulled it out and answered without checking the call display. “Hello?”
“Turn around.”
Her mind must be tricking her because she thought she heard his voice. She crushed the phone against her ear.
“Turn around Leeza.”
She rose reluctantly. Was she dreaming? If so, she didn’t want to wake up. She turned slowly.
He’d stepped out onto one of the large flat rocks lining the shore. Mist swirled around him and she looked again. He was still there.
“Matt?” she mouthed.
He put his phone to his ear and she did the same. “Matt?” she repeated. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m here because you’re here.” His beautiful mouth curved in a grin. “I love you Leeza.”
She ran across the rocks and skidded to a halt in front of him. He needed a shave and he looked tired, but there was something different about him. He looked confident and relaxed and he was everything she’d ever wanted. “You look tired,” she said, touching the stubble on his cheeks. Desire raced through her veins like wildfire.
“You too” he said, cupping her face in his hands. “But we can fix that.” He kissed her, gently at first and then with all the pent-up passion he’d been saving up since the first day he saw her.
When they finally broke apart she looked into his eyes and saw her future. “Come on,” she said, and held out her hand. “Let’s go home.”
Epilogue
Ten months later
“I didn’t know there would be this many cameras.” Brooke spoke to Craig in an undertone. “Although I suppose there’s no such thing as too much publicity.”
Between Craig and Billy, the opening of The Spa at Long Lake would have more than its share of news coverage. Billy, who still actively endorsed several products, had a lot of connections with media, and had cashed in on them. One of Craig’s friends had been fascinated by the story of the three women partners, and had chosen to make his own documentary featuring both the fishing lodge and the spa.
Jamie, Brooke and Leeza had cut the ribbon earlier, accompanied by cheers. Friends, neighbours, former guests, tradesmen, even Nettie...they were all there to help the three couples celebrate their new endeavour and to wish Jamie and Craig well. They had been married the previous month and honeymooned in the Cook Islands. Jamie was still tanned; she’d never looked happier.
* * *
A car pulled into the parking lot and Billy broke away from Brooke’s side. He didn’t recognize the man behind the wheel. “Hello there, may I help you?” he asked, scanning the vehicle for more passengers. The man was alone.
He climbed out and looked around. “Am I too late?”
Billy’s eyes narrowed. “Too late for what? I’m afraid this is a private function.”
“Too late for the Grand Opening.” He pulled himself up to his full height. “I’m Brad Stephens. Brooke’s father.”
Billy swallowed his surprise. “I’m afraid you are, sir. But Brooke is here.” He looked up and she was walking toward them, her expression unreadable. She slipped her arm through Billy’s. “Hello, Father.”
The man looked nervous and Billy felt a jolt of pity for him, but this was Brooke’s show.
“I’ve been hearing about this place and I wanted to come and congratulate you.” His eyes showed his appreciation for the refinished exterior of the Lodge and the beautifully landscaped grounds leading to the Spa. “I hear you’re a born entrepreneur.”
“I’ve had help.” She squeezed Billy’s arm. “Where did you hear all this?”
Brad Stephens gave a sad smile. “I’ve been following your career ever since you left home.” He swallowed. “I’m proud of you, Brooke; your mother would have loved this place.”
Brooke relaxed. “Thank you...Dad.” She released Billy’s arm and started leading her father toward the Spa. “Come on, I’ll show you around.”
Billy watched them go; the woman he loved and the father who had unwittingly shaped her into the woman she had become.
Brad leaned over and murmured to his daughter. “Isn’t that Billy Talbot? I think they call him Slick Billy.”
Brooke glanced over her shoulder, her eyes full of love. “No, that’s not Slick Billy. That’s Billy Talbot, the man I’m going to marry.”
* * *
“I’ve got bad news and I’ve got good news.” Matt walked into the kitchen, where Leeza insisted on overseeing the food preparations personally.
She looked up, dark eyes flashing. “Let’s have the bad news.”
“The bad news is, your hors d’oeuvres are all gone.”
“And the good news?”
“The good news is, they want more.”
“Of course they do.” She handed him another tray. “Here, take these out.”
He looked around. “Don’t you have staff to do this?”
She pretended glare at him. “Matt Weber, are you getting all uppity on me? Just because you sold every one of those lots in six weeks doesn’t mean you can sass me, you know.”
“I know.” He slid the tray onto a rack, suddenly serious. “Actually, the good news is something else.”
She looked up. There was something in his tone...
“Yes?” she said breathlessly.
“My divorce finally came through.” He fumbled in his pocket and brought out a small box.
“Will you marry me, Leeza Campeau?” He opened the box and took out a square cut diamond in a platinum setting. Caught in a beam of sunlight, it sparkled enticingly. But Leeza scarcely looked at it. She had eyes only for Matt.
“Marry me, Leeza so we can make lots of babies.”
She met him half way across the kitchen and he slipped the ring on her finger. She smiled up at him through tears of happiness. “I can’t think of anything I’d like better.”
* * * The End * * *
Thank you for reading.
If you enjoyed The Lure of Love,
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Please continue reading for an excerpt from
Blogging From the Heart
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...and now here’s that excerpt
from Blogging From the Heart:
Chapter One
“I’m not taking no for an answer and that’s that!” Zoey was shouting to be heard over the background noise. “Listen, I know sports bars aren’t your favourite thing, but you have to get out.”
Claire knew it was a waste of time to fight with her friend when she was in one of her moods. She’d just keep calling until she caved. “Oh, all right. I’ll be there in about half an hour.” She disconnected and tossed her cell onto her bed. She knew she’d probably regret giving in, but Zoey was right, she did need to get out. Even though it was Saturday, she’d spent the day working on a project. That was the trouble with being a freelance graphic designer...the work was always there...waiting.
She flicked through the clothes in her closet and grabbed the first
thing she saw. A black turtle-neck sweater and black slacks. She changed quickly and looked at herself in the mirrored closet door. “Great,” she muttered aloud. “I look like a piece of licorice.” Her cap of flaming red hair was the only colourful thing about her. “To be more specific” she said, a wry smile on her lips, “a licorice cigar. The kind with the little red sprinkles on the end.”
Claire paused at the door to the bar. The sound was almost deafening but she was here now, and she’d promised. She fought her way through the crowd. Zoey and Tony always sat in the same spot. Her friend was there now, seated at one of the many long bar-height tables facing the massive screens. The table was littered with beer jugs, glasses, nacho baskets and the remains of an order of hot wings. She miraculously found a stool on the opposite side of the table and cleared a space. “Where’s Tony?” she asked, looking around.
“Gone to the head.” Zoey had taken to dropping nautical terms into her conversation ever since taking a party cruise a few weeks ago. Claire knew it would pass; it was one of the quirky things she loved about her friend. Zoey lowered her voice a couple of notches. “Listen, I just spotted a guy I want you to meet. We see him in here all the time, and he’s hardly ever with a woman.”
Hardly ever. Yeah, right. Claire knew what that meant. “No thanks, Zo. I’m not interested right now.” When would her friend learn that jocks didn’t interest her? She ordered a white wine spritzer from the server and climbed up on the stool.
“Well too bad, ‘cause he’s on his way over here right now.” Zoey raised a hand. “Hey Kyle, I want you to meet my friend Claire.”
“Well, hello Claire!” He braced an elbow against the bar and gave her his full attention. She’d be willing to take bets that he rehearsed the move at home.
“Hello, Kyle.” She stuck out her hand. He looked at it for a moment as though unsure what to do with it. Claire managed to suppress a smile. “Nice to meet you.”
He recovered nicely and brought her hand to his lips. “The pleasure is all mine.”
She almost groaned aloud at the corny line but was distracted by the arrival of her drink.
“Let me get that,” he offered, reaching for his wallet.
She already had her money out. “Thanks for the offer, but I like to buy my own drinks.”
“Fair enough.” He gestured to her glass. “What are you drinking?”
“It’s a white wine spritzer.”
He made a face. “Nobody drinks those any more.”
She gave him her sweetest smile. “They do if they have to work tomorrow.”
A roar went up from the crowd and Kyle turned around. “What did I miss?” he asked Zoey over his shoulder.
“Vancouver scored!” Zoey was bouncing up and down, the oversized Canucks shirt flapping at the arms.
Claire watched the delirious crowd as they relived the goal through several replays. All over the province the same scene would be playing out...in bars, in homes, and those unfortunate enough to be working would be listening on the radio. She sometimes wished that she could be more enthusiastic about the great national pastime, but that wasn’t going to happen. Not in this lifetime, anyway.
“You’re not watching!” Kyle’s eyes were lit with excitement. “That was a classic goal.”
“She never watches.” Zoey had settled back down and took a drink from her beer glass.
“You don’t like hockey?” Kyle looked at her as though she’d grown horns. “Why not?”
She didn’t really want to explain, but the disbelief in his tone compelled her to speak. “I grew up with hockey. My father is obsessed with the sport and he had my brother on skates as soon as he could stand up. It was all anyone ever talked about in our house, and to be honest I just got to the point where I started to tune out.”
Looking back now, she had to admire her father’s dedication. The early morning practices, the endless purchasing of equipment, the unfailing support. Hockey in her home had been a family affair. She couldn’t begin to count the number of games she’d been to when Cam was just starting out; sitting cold and miserable on the benches in an unheated rink. Fortunately for Cameron, his hard work had paid off and he was now playing in the minor leagues, with dreams of NHL stardom.
She loved her twin; there would always be that unbreakable twin bond, but she didn’t have to be overly enthusiastic about his sport. Her one concession was Cameron’s games. She’d attended every one since he started in the minor leagues, cheering him on along with her parents and his current girlfriend.
The latter was subject to change without notice; it seemed that hockey players had their pick of willing women and her brother was no exception.
“So.....” Kyle was struggling to come up with something to say. His gaze darted around the bar, resting briefly on each of the screens, some of which actually showed sports other than hockey. “Do you like any sports?”
Claire pretended to think. She didn’t want to be difficult, but she had nothing in common with this man. “I like tennis,” she said finally.
That blank look came over his face again and she took pity on him. “I started watching Rafa Nadal when he was seventeen and I’ve followed his career ever since.”
He opened his mouth and she thought he was going to prolong the conversation, but he’d spotted Tony returning to the table and relief flooded his face. “Hey, man!” he said. “You missed a great goal.” They fell into a discussion and Claire turned back to Zoey.
“Why do I bother?” her friend asked, shaking her head. “What’s wrong with this one?”
Claire gave a small shrug. “Nothing. He’s actually quite good looking.”
Zoey leaned across the table even though there was no danger of their conversation being overheard in the cacophony of the bar. “Listen, my friend. You had a bad experience with Harrison, but that’s over now.”
Her friend was right, but it didn’t make the hurt any less. “I’m just not ready, you know?” She met Zoey’s eyes.
“Okay, but promise me you won’t bury yourself in work to the exclusion of everything else. What’s that all about, anyway?”
“I’ve got this crazy idea that I might take some time off and go to Hawaii. I’ve looked online and there are some fantastic places to rent, right on the beach.”
“You’re kidding! You, Claire Collins, actually taking time off? Pull the other one.”
“I’m serious, Zoey.”
“And when were you going to discuss it with me, your best friend?”
“I just started thinking about it. Remember last week when it rained for three days in a row?” She gave a small laugh. “That was enough to make anyone think about sunshine.”
Zoey nodded. “Ain’t that the truth.” She waved a hand. “Ignore me; I’m just jealous that I can’t go with you. Tony’s parents are having a big do for their thirtieth wedding anniversary in May and we’ve promised to go to Toronto.” She groaned. “Not exactly a tropical destination.”
“Never mind, it’ll be fun.” Claire motioned toward Zoey’s engagement ring. “And it’ll be a great way to get to know them before you and Tony get married.”
“Yeah, there is that.” Her eyes took on a faraway look. Claire waited for her to come back from wherever she’d gone.
“Have you ever thought about doing a blog?” she asked, apropos of nothing.
“Like I have so much extra time.” Claire frowned. “Besides, I don’t have anything I want to blog about.” She paused. “Why do you ask?”
“It’s the newspaper. The owner thinks we should have a series of bloggers. Anonymous of course to keep it interesting.”
Claire snorted. “Anonymous so they can get away with saying outrageous things, is more like it.”
Zoey grinned. “That, too.”
Claire thought for a moment. “It might not be such a bad idea. Those new owners are clever, I’ll give them that. For one thing, they hired you to oversee production; that proves they’re a smart bunch of guys. When you told m
e about the group of people willing to buy an old web press and start a new, hip newspaper I thought they were crazy. Especially with traditional newspapers closing all over the place.”
Zoey nodded. “They know their market.” She glanced at Kyle, who was still deep in conversation with Tony. “Who knew there were so many people our age who still want to read newspapers?”
“And with their online presence they cover all the bases.” Claire tilted up her glass, surprised to see that it was empty. “If I think of anyone, I’ll let you know, okay?”
“Yeah, sure.” Zoey’s attention was back on the screen behind Claire. When that happened it was a clear signal that it was time to go.
“I’ll call you in a few days, okay?” Claire winced as the sound went up several decibels. “Maybe we can meet for lunch. Somewhere we can hear ourselves think.”
“Okay.” Zoey was tugging at Tony’s shirt, pointing to the screen.
Claire left the bar and stood outside, hesitating. Cab or bus? If she was even going to think about a holiday, she’d better get more serious about conserving cash. Besides, it was a short run on the bus straight down Robson Street and there was the bus now. She hopped on, got off a few minutes later on the corner of Denman and walked the block and a half to her apartment.
A fine mist was falling, but she was lost in thought and scarcely noticed it. Zoey was right, of course. She couldn’t automatically assume that every man she met was going to break her heart. She opened the front door, walked into the generic lobby and pushed the button for the elevator. In those quiet, introspective moments that seemed to come more often these days, she had to admit that she was angry at herself as much as at Harrison. Angry because she’d been completely taken in by his charm, his good looks, and most of all, his ability to spin a picture of the future that she’d bought...hook, line and sinker!