“You had me curious,” he admitted with a simple shrug. “I had no idea I looked like that, though…and I’m sorry for startling you. It wasn’t intentional. The offer is still open for some fresh coffee? Do you draw flowers? I know a great place filled with wildflowers. They don’t last long at this time of year,” he watched her face, her interest keen. It was a little like fishing, he mused, and he knew he had her hooked. “How about I show you after some lunch?”
Gideon watched as she wrestled with the invitation. He could almost hear her arguing with herself and how far it was to where she parked the car. She definitely didn’t belong in the woods, he thought.
“Gideon Adams,” his hand came up slowly, treating her with the slow ease he might use when approaching a skittish fawn. Her features were fine and delicate, high cheeks tinted with sunshine, full lips and wide, brilliant blue eyes. A dark blue that a man could easily drown in and not mind.
“Diana…May,” she said finally, deciding it was too far to run to the car. His thumb was rough as he rubbed it gently over the back of her hand but he didn’t stop her when she carefully pulled back, both hands holding her drawing pad against her chest protectively. “I don’t suppose you could just…point…me in the direction of the flowers?” She phrased carefully, pale brows arched hopefully.
“And deprive myself of your company? C’mon, have a little pity on a guy. I’ve been here for a few weeks now and aside from the Coopers’ at the campground and their dog, it’s been a quiet time.” Gideon gestured to the path, dark eyes filled with hope when she took a cautious step forward. “Please? I haven’t forgotten all my manners.”
“If you wanted company, why would you seclude yourself in the park?” Diana walked slowly a few paces behind him. She preferred to think of it as being upwind. Now and then she caught a scent that was far from flowery.
“I needed a break from people. The wrong kind of people, let’s clarify that a bit,” Gideon said carefully.
“Work people or family people?” Diana could easily understand either one being trying over time. She gazed around the large flat ground where he’d set up his tent. A cooler and small grill sat to the side. One of those collapsible chairs was the only other fixture in the area. A long cord had been strung between two of the trees, clothing hanging in the light breeze. He was a fitted boxers kind of guy, she thought, quickly diverting her gaze to the more public portion of the camp area and cursing the flush of color flooding her cheeks.
“Work people,” he answered, grinning at her lowered eyes. He’d forgotten about his laundry.
“Will the problem go away while you’re gone?” Diana slid the drawing pad into the large, slender case and set it on the ground, cautiously taking the chair he gestured to.
“Now that’s an interesting question,” Gideon said honestly, pouring a cup of coffee and handing it to her. “I have some creamer and sugar…or tea if you want.”
“Oh, no…thank you. This is fine. I missed breakfast this morning…..” she sipped and liked the interesting mix. There was a hint of spice in the coffee. “Oh…that’s very good.”
“My personal blend,” Gideon saw the appreciation in her eyes. Very expressive eyes. “I have some fish and toasted bread. I haven’t eaten yet, it was steaming. My mother taught me to share,” he coaxed, reaching for a plate when her lips twitched into a half smile.
“You’re very persistent, Gideon,” Diana slipped the cup into the holder on the chair and watched him rearrange some stones for his own seat.
“It’s part of my hidden charm,” Gideon found a fork and added a thick slice of the toasted bread. “You’re a city girl, huh?”
“I live in the city, yes,” Diana took the plate, balanced it carefully on her knees and delicately began peeling the fish off. Her stomach was grateful and her mouth loved the spices he had used on the fish. “This is delicious, Gideon.”
“Thank you. I like cooking.”
“I suppose I am a city girl,” she answered carefully, lifting the bread and taking a healthy bite of the garlic and buttery surface. “I live and…and work at a lodge, with the city within driving distance. I simply prefer civilized amenities,” she said delicately.
Gideon smiled between bites, watching the dainty manicured fingers peeling off more fish. “Ahh…port-a-potties don’t appeal?”
“I like bathrooms and…showers,” she admitted simply, peeking over the edge of the cup of coffee. His laugh was deep and soft.
“Until I saw your nose wrinkle, I actually forgot that I might be a little on the ripe side about now.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you,” Diana shook her head when Gideon lifted another plank of fish, offered it to her and dropping it to his plate when she shook her head.
“So why did you miss breakfast?” He asked casually, peeling off chunks of fish and eating.
“In a hurry to…” She paused, not wanting to share her life with him. “To come out and sketch. It’s a nice drive and it’s so peaceful here…serene. I can see how you’d get caught up in it if you enjoy camping. It would be easy to forget the headache that brought you here to hide out.”
“I’m not sure hiding out quite describes it,” Gideon said with a slight frown. Or maybe it described it perfectly, he mused, studying her more closely.
“So what aren’t you hiding from?” Diana set the plate on the ground, sighing and draining the coffee. “That was a delicious lunch, thank you, Gideon.”
“You’re quite welcome,” he picked at the fish thoughtfully. “A crossroads of sorts in my career.”
“Ahh…a midlife crisis?” Diana said, holding her breath when his eyes jumped from his plate to hers. “I didn’t mean to imply…”
“I’m not sure what age a mid life crisis appears,” he said dryly. His hand rose and stroked over the growth on his cheek and chin. “Do I look that old?”
“I…honestly…don’t believe there is a safe way for me to respond to that question,” Diana searched her mind hurriedly for something. Anything. “You were going to show me some wild flowers? Did you find them while you were hiking?” Her fingers toyed with the strap of her case, sighing in relief when he stood up. She hastily scrambled out of the chair.
“It’s a small meadow a little up the mountain. Not far,” he glanced at her feet. “You have good walking shoes,” Gideon covered the rocks with a piece of metal. Making certain it was covered before grabbing a backpack from inside the tent and gesturing to the path.
Diana looked around as she walked. “Is it safe to just…just leave your things and…and hike off?”
“The Cooper’s keep an eye out when they see me walk off into the woods. Nothing here that couldn’t easily be replaced, annoying, but replaced. Personal stuff is in my pack. Nice couple….yappy little dog, though,” Gideon moved to the edge of the path, slowing so she was at his side, not behind him. “Mid-life crisis, huh? Hadn’t thought of that aspect. I just figured I’d worn out my enthusiasm for the work.”
“I would think that anything you throw yourself into for a long period of time would weigh on you after a while,” Diana thought about his comments. “You said you came here for peace and to make a decision. Do you enjoy your work?”
“I did.”
“Do you remember why you began liking it in the first place? If that fun aspect or challenge isn’t there anymore…”
“It is…and that’s the confusing part at the moment.”
“Is it your choice to change positions or is someone forcing it upon you?” Diana found her gaze sweeping through the woods, taking in the shades and light and colors all around them. Her head tipped back to stare up into the trees, shafts of light streaking through at all angles there was any sliver of an opening. She barely noticed Gideon’s hand on her elbow, guiding her along the wide path. “Oh, thank you…the woods are so…so…green…lush…alive,” she whispered in amazement.
“They definitely are all that, Diana May,” he agreed softly, watching the pure innocen
t enjoyment on her face.
“Oh, so…where were we…your career,” Diana tore her gaze from the canopy of green to the man holding her elbow. “What caused you to stop enjoying it? And what is your off time like? If you don’t have balance…”
“I don’t know that I have. I just think it’s time for a change,” Gideon stopped at the opening to the small meadow that stretched out before them. About five hundred yards ahead, the hills picked up more sharply and more steeply. You could see traces of snow in the distance. “Balance,” he turned the word over and listened to it. “Maybe not a change, but an addition or two.”
He listened to the gentle gasp from the woman beside him, her head ever so slowly sweeping the meadow, wide sapphire eyes drinking in all the colors laid out majestically before her.
“It’s gorgeous,” she whispered, taking one step forward into the sunlight. Her hand moved at her side even as her gaze remained on the array of flowers spread out in front of her as if they would vanish if she tore her eyes away. The small digital camera was raised, her body turning to the left and beginning a series of clicks that would encompass the entire small meadow.
“So many shades of green…it’s incredible…nature is so full of…of color…bursting with life and activity.” Her fingers froze on the camera when a small crème colored butterfly landed for just a moment on her hand.
Gideon found her naïve innocence incredibly erotic and unusual. Nothing like the women he’d known. And yet he had sensed a different kind of life in Diana’s eyes. A giddy kind of light filled her eyes when she stared at the little butterfly, following it when it decided it was finished exploring her hand. He decided it was like watching a captive princess come to life right before his eyes.
“I have to come up and paint,” she said to herself, finding herself blinking into a pair of very dark eyes the next instant. “Gideon?”
“Diana…listen to me…you cannot go wandering around these hills on your own, do you understand? If…” he cursed softly, his hands falling away from the shoulders he had been gripping when he saw fear in her eyes. “If you are ever out alone and get lost, promise me…you will not wander aimlessly, do you hear me? You park your cute little behind on the ground and you wait to be found. Do you understand? There are gullies and cliffs…I will come for you,” he told her firmly, too aware of the look in her eyes.
Diana nodded quickly, her hands holding her case close to her after dropping her camera inside. “I think I should go back now. I…I have to go to work. They’ll be expecting me,” she tipped her watch up with an absent glance.
“I’ll take you to the campground where you left your car,” Gideon took her elbow and guided her to the path they had traveled up the short grade. “You’re not a woods kind of girl,” he said in a softer tone.
“I know,” Diana agreed quietly, memorizing the path around them as they walked.
“I didn’t mean to frighten you, Diana. It’s just…people get lost up here and it’s not a safe place to wander around if you’re not familiar with survival techniques.” He swore to himself, his palm falling to his side as she pulled away.
“I understand, Gideon,” Diana said with a quick nod. She gazed around his camp, noted the location of the lake and the parking area. Her fingers grasp the keys from inside her bag with a waking jangle. She noticed two cars in the area, one attached to the traveling camper where the Cooper’s sat with their dog. The other a mud covered large black international SUV.
“Diana…”
“Thank you, Gideon,” Diana avoided looking into his face as she scrambled into the jeep, her fingers shoving the keys into place before fastening her belt and starting the engine. “I have some wonderful photos and your lunch was very tasty. Thank you again and good bye.”
Diana kept him in her mirror until she was out of sight, her head back and breathing ragged as she drove the back to the lodge. By the time she parked the jeep outside the gift shop, part of her was convinced she had dreamt the entire event. She carried her things to the apartment, set up her computer and attached the camera. Her chin rested on her palm, a sweetly content smile on her lips as her photos filled the screen. She created a new folder and began sorting her photos. Half an hour later, she stood up with a long stretch, almost falling over when she glanced outside.
Chapter Three
“Oh-my-god,” came the whispered exclamation, her hands on the window ledge and eyes wide. Diana ran down the side stairs and around to the back entrance to the kitchen. “Pssst!”
“Diana?” Bella wiped her hands on the towel at her waist. “How was your excursion? What’s wrong?”
“I can’t believe…he’s here! He…he followed me…I didn’t…he was camping…” her head shook. “I told him I worked here and had to get back!”
“You can explain later,” Bella said simply, reaching for an apron and quickly tying it around her waist. “Okay…I can use the help in the dining area. Have you ever cleared tables before?” But Bella saw the answer in the frantic blue eyes. “Alright…simple…take this cart and when people finish at a table, you clear the scraps into the side bag, dirty silver here and dishes stacked here. Wipe the table down and on to the next one. If the water pitchers need filled or people want ice, you get it for them.”
“Alright. I understand, thank you, Bella,” Diana took the cart and rolled it toward the dining area, her fingers tight around the handle, determined not to shake.
Gideon didn’t notice the people looking at him. His gaze was busy sweeping the area, looking for the delicate blonde with sapphire eyes. She’d said she worked at a lodge and this was the closest one in the direction she had driven. His hands were shoved into the pockets of his jeans, flannel shirt pushed back as he wandered the entrance of the lodge. He caught the twitching ponytail and fought his instincts to cross the room immediately and try apologizing for coming on so strong. Instead he content himself to stare from across distance. She was a waitress.
“Excuse me?” Bella had come forward when she saw him watching Diana. She took a quick step back, straightening and trying not to inhale too deeply. “Can I help you?” Came out the slightly strangled inquiry.
“No…no, thanks.”
“The dining room is currently serving an early dinner…I’m sorry, but you’re not a guest at the lodge.” Bella took another step back, aware of Sam coming to her side. She saw the scent strike him and swallowed hard.
“Hmm…I guess I reek a little,” Gideon exhaled slowly. “I have clean clothes in the car…can I get a room? I’ll be right back.”
“Of course,” Sam led him to the desk. “Bella? I’ll take care of this,” he found an empty room and pulled the key card out and running it through the reader. “Friend of yours?”
“Me? No…Diana met him when she went out to sketch this morning,” Bella turned toward the dining room, her hand up and gesturing to the kitchen. “I’ll be….cooking. Get him into a shower!” She hissed furiously.
“Uh…yeah…” Sam chuckled at the approach of the man. “Been camping for a while?”
“Almost two weeks,” Gideon laid his credit card on the counter. “Just one night, please. I’m working with some contractors on a house and fishing in between meetings. I didn’t mean to upset any of your guests and,” he took the key card and winked at Sam. “I’ll hit the showers right off. Thanks.”
Sam finished the registration when Gideon climbed the stairs to the second floor. June stepped forward, inhaling deeply.
“Phew…I don’t think I’ve ever smelled anything like that,” June said quietly.
“Certainly not what we’re used to,” Sam agreed with a chuckle, striding into the dining area for some dinner with Bella.
Diana was concentrating. She’d watched employees and waitresses enough to know how to behave, how to work the tables and she definitely knew how to smile and provide excellent customer service. And she liked it, she realized after an hour, stepping back from a clean table with a satisfied smile.
“Do you get time off for dinner?” Gideon asked from behind her, his hands out to steady her when she spun and swayed, pale lashes wide. “Whoa…easy…”
“Will you stop sneaking up on me?” She demanded with a foot stomping on the floor. Her mouth opened and closed slowly. Most of the dark hair was gone from his face, a light covering left that wasn’t quite so backwoods. Diana leaned a little closer and sniffed cautiously, blushing when he laughed.
“The smell is gone, Diana. I think I’ll remember to shower next time I camp, just to be on the safe side. My only excuse is after a while I didn’t notice it,” Gideon looked around. “Do you get time off for dinner?”
“Dinner?” Her voice higher than normal.
“Dinner…you and me…talk…communication…” Gideon teased lightly.
“I…you…no, no…I can’t…why are you here? You…you’re camping. Out…in the country…not…” Diana backed up a step, frantically putting herself at the end of the cart where her dignity had been hiding. “I have work to do. Excuse me…and good bye.”
Diana focused on the tables and guests for the next hour, ignoring the man striding to the buffet and then to a table in the corner. Her divorce was six months old. She wanted to be on her own. Living, breathing and working, on her own, she told herself firmly. The last thing her self-esteem needed was another man telling her what was wrong with her. She refused to let it happen again.
Bella watched the interaction, kissing Sam and moving to the kitchen, walking with Diana into the back. “I think you did a great job tonight, thank you. It’s not what you’re here for, though, Diana.”
“It felt good, Bella. To just work and…and help,” she searched for the right word. “And to smile and laugh with people who don’t know me.”
“Most guests are pleasant and it is a nice thing when a simple smile makes something better for them. I think it’s why I enjoy the lodge so much,” Bella helped her load the dishwasher. “But I think you need to get some food and take the rest of the night off. The dining area is closed now and we can manage.”
Coincidences: #3 Diana & Anya Page 2