Nate bent down and kissed Sara’s forehead before picking up the dishes and taking them to the kitchen.
“Thanks for volunteering me to clean up. I don’t remember raising my hand,” Luke growled at Nate in the kitchen.
“You eat, you can help clean up. You know the rules. I just let you off the hook most days,” Sara said behind him.
He turned guiltily. “Man, what is this – pick on Luke day?”
Sara kissed Luke’s cheek and offered him a brownie.
“Here. Have a brownie before you dry dishes.”
“Why does he get the first one?” Nate complained.
“I saved the best for last?” she placated her husband.
“Good answer.” He teased.
“Now, get out of here.” He swatted her backside with a hand towel.
Chapter 3
Early morning light filtered through the slits in the blinds hanging in the cabin windows. Lindsay lay perfectly still for a moment, her foggy brain catching up to remember where she was.
She was no longer in the bush of Africa. Instead, she lay in a comfortable bed with a cozy down comforter surrounding her. She sighed. Sleep had come quickly last night thanks to jet lag, a full stomach, and a bottle of wine.
Sitting up, she stretched and took in her surrounding yet again. She had been so tired last night that when Sara had brought her to the cabin, she had literally stripped, showered, and fallen into bed.
The bedroom was large with a King size bed, dresser, and television. There was a master bath off the bedroom as well as a bathroom in the hallway. She slipped out of bed and dug through her suitcase for a pair of sweats and a sweatshirt. She donned her thick fuzzy socks and set off in search of coffee. Sara had said the kitchen was stocked with the basics. She hoped that included coffee. If she remembered correctly, her friend was a caffeine addict just like her.
“Jackpot!” She located the coffee maker, one of the fancy pod units with a basket stocked full of different types of coffee. Opening the cabinet above, she located a large mug, filled the appliance with water, dropped the pod in, and hit the magic button. She waited while the liquid gold filled her mug.
Leaning against the counter, she surveyed the rest of the cabin. An updated kitchen with full appliances. A breakfast bar and small dining table for four, and a large living room area equipped with fireplace, wood, a desk working area, and throw blankets aplenty.
The color scheme was natural but warm. It felt like a country home getaway. It was beautiful. She couldn’t wait to see the rest of it. Sara had done a wonderful job with the inn since her parents had moved to Florida. Lindsay was impressed and honored to be part of her new advertising campaign.
She slipped her jacket on and grabbed one of the throw blankets. Taking her mug with her, she stepped out onto the front porch. She curled up in one of the Adirondack chairs and watched as the sun slowly skirted across the earth, it’s light yellow and red hues softly brushing across the landscape gently, bringing in a new day.
Footsteps crunched somewhere nearby, pulling Lindsay out of her daydream.
“Didn’t expect to see you up so early this morning.” Luke’s low gravelly voice skimmed down her spine.
“Good morning. Seemed a shame to waste it. It’s breathtaking.”
“Now there’s something we can agree on, Hot Shot.” He grinned. “You ain’t seen nothing yet.”
“My anticipation is growing after this sunrise. You’re out and about early yourself.”
“Morning walk. Gets the blood flowing.” He was leaning against the porch post, his hands in his pockets. “Sara will be working on breakfast. If you want to come over and join her for coffee, I’m sure she’d love the company while she cooks.”
“Doesn’t she have people to do that for her?”
Luke’s face closed at her question. “Why? Because it’s beneath her?” He shook his head in disgust. “I’m not surprised to hear you say that, but unlike to city folk, Sara actually loves cooking for her guests. It’s one of her favorite things about the inn. You probably wouldn’t understand that.”
“What’s that supposed to mean? All I did was ask a simple question. I imagined she would be too busy to do the cooking. That’s all I meant. Jeez! Let me guess, your second gig outside of handyman is judge and jury. You’ve certainly judged me since the moment we met.” She stood on the porch facing him, not backing down.
“If the shoe fits, sweetheart…you’ve provided ample examples for my opinions to be formed. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure you out.”
“Think you’ve got me all figured out, do you?” Her hand rested on her hip in a display of defiance.
“Maybe not completely. Hasn’t been long enough for that, but the sketch is pretty much outlined. Just needs to be filled in. I reckon you’ll manage to do that over the next three weeks, if not sooner.”
“Oh, my God! You have got to be one of the most egotistical, judgmental, and arrogant individuals I have ever met.”
“I’d venture to say most of the men you meet tell you what you want to hear. I’m not one of them.” He turned to go, unapologetic. “I’ll let Sara know you’ll be over shortly.” He threw over his shoulder.
Her pulse was racing, her chest rising and falling more quickly due to her irritation with the man walking away from her. She almost stomped her foot she was so frustrated with him. The man didn’t know her, yet he continued to judge her. She’d dealt with men stereotyping her as a female photographer for years until she’d built a solid reputation on her own through her work.
Why was she letting some country boy get under her skin this way? His opinion didn’t matter. She wasn’t here for him. She had come to help her friend and get in some much-needed rest.
Then why does the thought of his poor opinion tie you up in knots? her pain in the butt subconscious asked her. It has nothing to do with his mountain man exterior or sexy as sin swagger. Absolutely nothing, damn it.
Swinging around, she went inside the cabin to change clothes before heading over to the main inn. Not knowing who or how many people would be present, she figured it was better to be presentable and not look like she’d just rolled out of bed.
She donned a pair of jeans, her favorite purple cable knit sweater, a white and purple accented scarf, and her boots. She was ready to go.
Sara had said last night she would take her on a tour today of the inn and property, so she could start putting the images together in her mind for the brochure. Some of the photos would be used to update the website as well. This would be a fun, creative project to get behind the camera and capture the essence of the inn.
Mr. Sexy Pants wasn’t going to ruin her trip, she told her herself as she walked up the deck steps leading to the inn. She opened the door and stepped into a flurry of activity.
Three men were stacking red and green totes in a corner of the great room. She guessed by the way they were ribbing each other they were brothers.
“If it’s too heavy, Danny, we can look for a lighter tote. You aren’t as young as you used to be, old man.”
“I can still whip your tail no matter how old I am, Russell. Now, get a move on. These won’t carry themselves in. There’s still four more in the attic.”
The third one was laughing at the other two. “That includes you too, Mike. Stop messing around. You know Sara won’t let you eat anything until we’re done. So, if you want any chance of getting some of those biscuits, you’d better light a fire under your behind and move it.” Dan was clearly the eldest of the three.
The wonderful aroma of ground coffee mixed with the sweet smell of blueberry greeted her senses.
“There you are. Good morning. I hope you slept well. Slide on up to the bar and I’ll pour you a fresh cup of coffee. Still two sugars with cream?” Sara was a bundle of energy. As she recalled, she was a morning person, at least in their college days. It looked like some things hadn’t changed.
“Good morning. How long have you been
at it?” She surveyed the array of food on the stove. Eggs, bacon, biscuits and gravy, blueberry muffins. Her mouth was salivating just looking at it.
“I get up early. I like the quiet in the kitchen when I cook. It’s soothing.” Sara looked over to the three men pushing and shoving each other when they crossed paths carrying totes.
“Those three hooligans are my brothers – Dan, Russell, and Michael. You’ve heard all about them, well, here they are in the flesh. I’m surrounded by men, Linds. It will be so nice to have another female around for a while.” She turned back to her brothers. “Breakfast is served. You can eat as long as you behave yourselves, and thanks for lugging all the totes down for me.”
“That’s the only reason you ask us to come over, so you can you use us for hard labor,” Michael teased.
“And you love every bite you eat as your reward.”
Luke came into the kitchen from the back. It was the same direction he had headed last night when they’d come back. His rooms must be back there.
Their glances caught and held. Sara witnessed the exchange between Lindsay and Luke, her eyebrows furrowing.
“After breakfast, we’ll make the rounds inside the inn. You said you wanted to get some initial shots to play with some ideas. The lugs have toted in the Christmas decorations. We will work on the tree and the great room today. I’m so excited. I love decorating the inn.”
“How did someone so exciting end up friends with my introvert sister?” Michael asked Lindsay.
“We met at a sorority party” Lindsay started.
“What? You went to sorority parties? No way! I don’t believe it,” Russell chimed in.
“As a matter of fact, I did. I hated them at first, but Lindsay took pity on a wallflower that night and the rest is history. We’ve been friends ever since.”
“We made a good team. I brought her out of the woodwork, and she kept me out of trouble often.” Both women laughed, remembering the times they had shared.
“Huh. I never would have thunk it.” Michael was genuinely surprised.
“Now that’s the truest statement you’ve ever made. You would need a brain to be able to think, so…” Russell added.
Conversation flowed. Lindsay watched as the family jested with each other. The camaraderie was palpable. Something tugged deep inside at her heartstrings. A feeling she had buried deep and not felt for a long time. Watching all of them made her feel lonely. She pushed the feeling back down, stashing it in the dark recesses of her brain. She picked up her coffee mug and swallowed the remaining contents.
“I’m ready when you are. I brought my camera in with me.”
“Wonderful. I’m ready. Susan has the front desk, Luke. I have a party coming in this afternoon. Do you think after I show Lindsay around inside, you could take her for a ride around the property?”
Luke hesitated, just for a second, but Lindsay caught it. She wasn’t exactly thrilled at having to be in close quarters with him again either, but she wasn’t going to make a big deal over it.
“Yeah. I’ll be out back chopping wood and in cabin 4 knocking out those work orders you gave me. Just text me when you are done inside.”
“Let’s start in the library. That’s my favorite room besides the kitchen.” Sara led Lindsay down a hallway, through what looked like a sitting room, and then through a set of large, ornate oak doors that led into what was obviously the library.
Books lined the walls on three sides of the room from ceiling to floor. The fourth wall was all windows. A breathtaking view of the landscaped exterior overlooking the mountains.
The room’s woodwork was dark mahogany. The furnishings were in reds, yellows, and crème colors, rich vibrant contrasts to the dark wood. Lounge chairs and sofas were strategically placed around the fireplace as well as the window, allowing for two separate areas to accommodate guests.
“I can understand why this is one of your favorite rooms, Sara. It’s magnificent.”
Sara’s beaming smile agreed with Lindsay. “You know how much I love reading, and this room is my escape. Nate always knows where to find me if we are slow and I seem to be MIA. I get lost in here for hours, especially when he’s on the road.”
Lindsay was snapping different angles of the room. She paused.
“How do you handle that? I mean, how do you have a relationship with someone that is rarely here? How can that possibly work?”
“I see your cynical side hasn’t changed.”
“I just don’t see how you could make that work when you aren’t together, or is that the secret? You’re happy because you don’t spend a lot of time together? Is that it? Less chances of arguing?” She was serious.
“That’s not it at all, Linds. Nate and I love each other very much. I can’t imagine my life without him. I don’t want to. I won’t lie to you. It’s challenging being apart. It takes effort on both sides to stay connected. I miss him terribly when he’s gone, and he misses me, but he loves his job. It’s part of who he is. I would never ask him to give it up for me. That wouldn’t be fair to him.”
“What about what’s fair to you? Seems like you get the raw end of the deal here.”
“I could have gone with him. I do sometimes, but I also chose to keep the inn. I love what I do too. I keep the home fires burning, and when he is home, we make the most of it. We never go more than three weeks without seeing each other, usually it’s two because neither of us can stand it any longer. When it’s worth it, you figure out how to make it work, and Nate is so worth it. He’s my other half.”
“It’s only been three months. Don’t you worry that commitment will wear off?” At the look on Sara’s face, Lindsay cringed. “Sorry. I just don’t see how you could make it work. I know what it’s like when I travel.”
“Have you ever felt like something was missing but couldn’t quite put your finger on it? You’re happy. Your life is good, but there is just…something. I had my family, the inn, my friends. I knew I wanted to marry someday, but it wasn’t my focus. I wasn’t out looking for it, then bam! Nate walks through my front door and knocks me to my knees.”
Sara grasped Lindsay’s hands. “When you find that person that completes you, you do whatever you have to do to make it work. It’s all about compromise. It’s not one-sided. It’s a give and take, and sometimes there are difficult decisions – Nate can’t be here for some things I wish he could be, but when it matters or if I called and said I needed him, he’d be on the next plane home. I have no doubt. He would never choose his career over me. It's enough for me to know that.”
Lindsay was humbled by Sara’s words. She’d never felt that kind of emotion before. She’d enjoyed a few flings here or there, but mostly her life centered around her photography. That was enough for her, wasn’t it?
“Okay. Let me show you the sitting room complete with a bar and piano. We have a lot of fun in there.”
She got images of the sitting room, the guest rooms, and the front exterior of the inn. The Rose Room was her favorite suite. Its white and rose covered canopied king size bed was so inviting. She wouldn’t mind trying out the double-size Jacuzzi tub either.
There was the Deerfield, the Chickadee, the Mountaineer, the Lily, the Whippoorwill, the Buttercup, and the Woodlands rooms – All uniquely designed for a special experience.
As they descended the main staircase down into the great room, Lindsay complimented Sara.
“This place is amazing, Sara. I mean it. I’ve been all over the world and stayed in all types of places. This truly is a lovely place. You’ve done an amazing job here. I love it.”
Sara hugged her friend. “That means a lot to me, coming from you. I’m so glad it will be your photos showing her off.” She pulled her phone from her back pocket. “Let me text Luke that you are ready for the outside tour. When you get back we can eat lunch and start on the tree…that is if Luke got it cut down.”
“I’m going to step out on the deck for some fresh air while we wait for him.”
&n
bsp; Lindsay donned her coat, hat, and gloves. It was cold today. December was coming in with a bite. She loved the cold. It didn’t bother her. She could stand being cold a lot better than being hot. She didn’t like to sweat unless sex was involved.
Looking out across the mountainous landscape, she drank in its beauty. Scanning the property, her eyes caught a shape moving toward her in the distance. The image grew closer, she could make out Luke’s form in grey and black flannel, his cap and work gloves. He carried an ax. Mountain Man. The words whispered through her mind again. Her stomach did a flip, something like butterflies flitting around inside her.
He bothered her, and she didn’t like it. God, the man was everything a man should be- strong, sexy, skilled, loyal, and she couldn’t forget stubborn and opinionated. Focus on that, McKay, she told herself. Something about him out in the woods with the ax chopping down a tree turned her on beyond belief. She was in trouble.
Taking in deep breaths of cold mountain air steadied her fluttering nerves just as Luke approached the deck.
“Ready to go?” His gruff voice rattled her.
“Like I said, I was born ready.” Stay focused, McKay, she coached herself again.
“I can believe that. Truck’s around front. I’ll meet you there. I just need to put this up.” He held up the ax.
“Oh, good. I was starting to get concerned.” She grinned at Luke.
“You’re safe today unless your smart mouth gets away from you, then I might be forced to ring that pretty little neck of yours.” He left her standing there with her mouth gaping open as he walked to the storage shed.
Chapter 4
“There are eight cabins on the property, scattered up the mountain, each with its own name and design, like the rooms inside the inn. Sara redid them after her parents moved to Florida.” Luke was focused on the landscape around him, doing his best to ignore the body heat coming from the woman sitting next to him.
“So, not all the cabins are like the one I’m in?”
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