A Touch of Romance

by Kimberly Rae Jordan

  His dad came over to give him a hug then stood back, his hands on his hips as he looked at the boxes stacked in the room. “Well, honestly, I’m not too sure. Are you headed up there right now?”

  “Yeah. That was my plan.”

  “Okay. Good. Maybe we’ll send some of the frozen stuff up with you so you can put it in the freezer.” His dad turned and headed out of the room, motioning for Mitch to follow. “But let’s make sure that’s what the others want. We’re expecting a ton of people at the cabin this year.”

  “Is Ryan going to make it?” Mitch asked as they walked toward the kitchen. “Last time I talked to him, he wasn’t sure.”

  “Yes, he’s coming. He talked to your mom last night and said he’d be driving up tomorrow and leaving on Monday.”

  “That’s great. It’ll be nice to see him again.”

  Ryan had been the first one of the McFaddens that Mitch had met. All the way back when they were in the first grade. Ryan had taken one look at him and had somehow decided that Mitch needed him as a friend. He had pestered his mom for a playdate until she’d given in and had come to talk to Mitch’s dad about setting something up.

  Even to this day, Mitch still remembered the day Emily had shown up at their doorstep. Her blonde hair and blue-eyed appearance made her look like an angel to him. And best of all, she’d come bearing gifts. Baked goods that smelled better than anything Mitch had smelled in a long time. And they’d not only smelled better, but they also tasted better than anything he’d eaten in what felt like forever to a young boy.

  Ryan’s insistence on friendship had started them on a path that Mitch was sure none of them had imagined would develop. He’d been right too. Mitch had needed someone. He’d felt so uncertain in his life. Even at just seven years old, he’d already started to feel like he wasn’t as good as Gabe. That he wasn’t good enough for their biological mom, who had divorced their dad and abandoned her boys. But then there had been Ryan, insisting that Mitch needed Ryan as his friend and demanding that his mom help make that possible.

  They had forged a friendship that day that had only deepened when they’d become brothers through their parents’ marriage. He wished that Ryan hadn’t moved away. He hadn’t understood why Ryan had been so determined to join the military. Well, that wasn’t quite true. He knew that Ryan had wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps.

  When Ryan had announced he was leaving the military after only four years, Mitch had hoped that meant he’d be coming home, only he’d ended up settling in Minneapolis. It appeared that he had no intention of returning to Winnipeg, so Mitch was always happy to see Ryan when he did come back for a visit.

  “Well, let’s figure out what I need to take, so I can head up there.”

  It was on the tip of his tongue to ask Gabe or Maya if Belle was coming, but he managed to restrain himself. Instead, he focused on helping them load the things they wanted him to take up.

  “Did you want a ride up with me, Tris?” Mitch asked when his younger brother wandered into the kitchen just as they were loading up the last of the coolers.

  “Sure. I was going to catch a ride with Mom and Dad, but this way I can help you carry all the stuff in,” Tristan said. “Just let me get my bag.”

  Within minutes, Mitch was backing out of the parking area at the house. They passed Avery who was driving in the opposite direction down the long driveway. Mitch lifted a hand in greeting as they drove past her.

  He had a feeling that Avery and Kenton would be the next ones announcing their engagement. And he was genuinely happy for his brother because he and Avery seemed to be a wonderful fit for each other.

  On Saturday morning, Belle climbed into the back seat of Rory’s car, letting Jasmine claim the front seat for the two-hour ride out to the Callaghans’ cabin. She still wasn’t happy with her sisters for having accepted Maya’s invitation on her behalf, but she didn’t feel comfortable backing out.

  Once they got to the cabin, she would have to put on a happy face, so for now, she was going to sulk in a way she only ever did around her sisters. The only thing that gave her any sort of solace about the upcoming weekend was that there were apparently going to be a lot of other people there. Hopefully, that meant that she wouldn’t run into Mitch too often over the course of the weekend. Mitch and his girlfriend.

  With her earbuds in place, listening to her favorite worship playlist in hopes it would improve her state of mind, Belle watched the scenery slip past as Rory drove. She’d been up to Hecla on a couple of occasions when she’d had weddings there, but she’d never gone up on her own. Certainly not to camp.

  At some point in the drive, Belle’s irritation slipped aside, and she closed her eyes. It had been a busy week, but she was fortunate that she’d only had one small wedding that weekend, and it hadn’t been one that required her presence. They’d just wanted help with the organizational part of it which meant she had the weekend off. She kind of wished she didn’t.

  “Wake up, sis.”

  Belle opened her eyes to see Jasmine leaning into the back seat, shaking her. She straightened when she saw Belle was awake.

  “We’re there already?” Belle tilted her head from side to side, easing out the ache in her neck from the uncomfortable position she’d been in while she slept.

  “Yep. Let’s go inside.”

  Belle slipped out of the car and stretched, not really surprised she’d fallen asleep. Her night had been fitful. She had struggled to fall asleep, her mind spinning with scenarios that might unfold over the course of the weekend. All the possible things that might happen. She’d thought about coming face to face with Mitch and his girlfriend. Rehearsing the best ways to react.

  Knowing that the inevitable was closer now than ever, Belle reached back into the car and grabbed her purse. She shoved her earbuds into an outside pocket, then waited for Rory and Jasmine to precede her to the door of the cabin. Not that cabin was a really accurate description of the building in front of them. This…this was so much more than a cabin. It may have been made of logs, but it was no simple cabin.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  The door flung open as they approached, and Maya greeted them with a wide smile on her face. “I’m so glad you ladies made it.”

  “Thanks for the invitation,” Jasmine said as she hugged her. “It’s so beautiful up here.”

  “It is, isn’t it?” Maya agreed as she looked around. “Why don’t you grab your bags and come on in?”

  “We’re staying here?” Belle asked. She’d assumed that they would stay at the hotel.

  “Sure. We’ve got plenty of space,” Maya said. “And it’s more fun to all be together.”

  Belle glanced at her sisters, not too surprised to see excitement on Jasmine’s face. Rory didn’t look excited exactly, but it didn’t seem as if she was opposed to the idea since she popped the trunk of her car, so they could retrieve their things.

  “You’re lucky you’re coming up here now instead of a few years ago,” Maya said as she led them through the door.

  “Why’s that?” Rory asked.

  Belle looked around as they came into the cabin. A staircase that led to the second floor was right in front of them while a large kitchen was to their left with a dining area beyond that. The far wall was made up entirely of windows that allowed for a gorgeous view of the lake. In front of the windows was a huge living room filled with several couches and armchairs.

  Belle was so busy taking in their surroundings, she almost missed Maya’s reply.

  “At one time, Steve—Gabe’s dad—had declared the cabin a make-up free zone.”

  Belle turned her horrified gaze to Maya. “That’s not still the case, though, right?”

  The woman smiled and shook her head. “Once girlfriends and wives started showing up, Steve realized he couldn’t force them to follow that rule.”

  “Well that’s a relief,” Belle said. Being there when she didn’t really want to be was bad enough. If she’d had to go without
makeup, she’d be hitching a ride back to Winnipeg.

  “You’re not the only one who feels that way,” Maya assured her. “C’mon. Let’s go upstairs so you can put your things away.”

  Belle’s gaze swept the room again, but this time, she took in the people who were already there. Some were in the kitchen while others were seated in the living room. She could even see a few people out on the deck. Bracing herself for extended introductions, Belle followed the others up the stairs.

  “This is where all the single guys stay,” Maya said, gesturing to an open door they passed on their way down a long hallway. “There’s a room here where a couple of the younger girls will be staying. You’ll be in here with Avery and me. Avery is Gabe’s brother’s girlfriend.”

  Belle looked around as they were led into a room with a set of bunk beds as well as two queen size beds. Surprisingly, the bunk beds looked as comfortable as the larger beds.

  “Avery and I slept on the bunks last night, so you guys can decide how you want to sleep in the other two beds.”

  “Uh…I’ll sleep with Rory,” Jasmine volunteered as she dropped her bag on the bed that was in the middle between the bunk beds and the other bed. “Belle can be a restless sleeper.”

  “I hope you have a restful sleep while you’re out here,” Maya said as she gave Belle an understanding smile. “The fresh air is wonderful for soothing stress.”

  Belle hoped Maya was right because at that moment, her stomach was in turmoil and her mind was still whirling. As if to reinforce Maya’s comment, the light curtains began to flutter as a breeze forced its way past them, bringing with it the scent and sound of nature. Though Belle would never have considered herself an outdoorsy person, even she could appreciate their surroundings.

  “Would you ladies like a few minutes to freshen up?” Maya asked. “I’ll wait for you downstairs.”

  “Yes, I think a few minutes might be nice,” Rory said.

  “Great.” Maya pointed to a door leading from the room. “There’s a bathroom through there. It’s just for us girls, so you don’t have to worry about anyone of the opposite sex barging in.”

  Once Maya had left them, Belle turned to her sisters. “Why didn’t you just book a room at the hotel? I assumed that’s what you’d done when I agreed to come with you.”

  Rory laughed as she tossed her bag onto the bed. “You didn’t exactly agree to come.”

  “Okay. Fine. I didn’t agree, per se, but I’m still here, and I think I’d be happier if we were staying at the hotel. So why aren’t we?”

  Jasmine shrugged. “Maya mentioned it, but she also said that they had room here at the cabin for us.”

  “You know I struggle to sleep though, Jazz. How much more difficult is it going to be when I’m worried about keeping people awake if I toss and turn too much?”

  “It will be fine,” Jasmine said. “That’s why you can have the bed furthest from the others and sleep alone.”

  Rory dug through her bag and pulled out a pair of shorts. “Well, I’m changing into something a bit more comfortable.”

  Belle walked to the bed that had been assigned to her and sank down onto it with her bag. Her nerves and anxieties started to swirl in her gut. The unknowns of the weekend, as well as having to socialize with a group of strangers, were wreaking havoc with her in a way things hadn’t for years. Though she’d met some of them already, they were still essentially strangers. She wouldn’t be able to escape the constant feeling that people were watching her, judging her.

  When she was focused on work, she wasn’t bothered by what people thought about her. People came to her because they knew she was good at what she did, so she didn’t have those same worries. But here…except for Maya, Gabe, and Mitch, others didn’t know her in that capacity, so what else were they going to judge her on besides her looks and personality?

  And once again, Andre was coming back to haunt her. She’d really thought she was past that point. It was discouraging, to say the least. It had been four years since she’d last taken medication for her anxiety, but right then, Belle really wanted something to help her get past this first meeting with so many new people. And Mitch and his girlfriend.

  The bed moved as Jasmine sat beside her, reaching to cover Belle’s clenched hands with one of her own. “I’m sorry, Belle. I didn’t think it would be this bad for you. You seemed so much better.”

  “I am much better,” Belle told her. “As long as I’m in surroundings I can control. Or that I’m comfortable in.”

  “Do you want to leave? I can take you back to the city,” Jasmine offered.

  Belle huffed out a breath. “Like that wouldn’t create all sorts of questions.” Relaxing her hands, she turned them over to grasp Jasmine’s between them. She was strong. She could do this. “I’ll be fine. I just need a couple of minutes.”

  “Do you want me to hang out with you?” Jasmine asked. “Or would you rather be on your own?”

  While Belle would have preferred to be on her own, she also didn’t want to head down that staircase all by herself. “Do you mind waiting?”

  Jasmine flashed her a quick, easy smile. “No, not at all. You just do what you need to. I’ll be over there with my phone and my earbuds.”

  Belle gave her a smile that she knew was nowhere near as relaxed as Jasmine’s. She envied Jasmine her ability to just be herself. Whether it was using her gentleness to guide a bride to the right dress or admitting that she just couldn’t handle a bridezilla, Jasmine was herself. Unlike Belle, who couldn’t find the strength to show her vulnerability.

  Mitch had seen a bit of it when they’d run into Andre accidentally. Belle realized now that knowing he’d seen that and yet still was willing to be her friend had been what had allowed her to relax around him. Only friendship wasn’t really an option for them anymore. Most women wouldn’t want their boyfriends hanging out with another woman.

  Her shoulders slumped as she stared down at the floor. Mitch had been the first man—aside from her brother, Jon—that she’d felt comfortable with. He’d put her at ease in a way most men didn’t. She felt the loss of his friendship more than she’d thought she would.

  If she’d been a different sort of person, Belle wondered if there could have been something more between them. Something romantic. Something loving. Her happily-ever-after.

  She’d been that sort of person at one time. Someone who had hoped that she’d found her Prince Charming in Andre, but instead, she’d found her Beast. Unlike the fairy tale, however, he hadn’t looked like a beast on the outside even though he’d been one on the inside.

  She’d fled from him, broken and unwilling to trust anyone with the vulnerable parts of her heart. She’d built walls and developed skills that allowed her to function—for the most part. As long as her surroundings didn’t require too much personal interaction.

  “I’m heading down,” Rory said.

  Belle looked up to see her walking into the room. She dropped her jeans onto her bag, now outfitted in a pair of white shorts that stopped just shy of her knees and accented her tanned skin. Just like the light pink shade of her T-shirt did. Rory looked as much like her model sister as ever, though, like Jasmine, she looked much more relaxed than Ariel ever did.

  “We’ll be down in a few,” Jasmine said, pulling out one of her earbuds.

  Belle saw the two of them exchange a look but glanced away before they finished whatever silent conversation they were having about her. They were everything to her, but sometimes she felt smothered by their concern. Of all the people in her world, they were the ones who saw past her walls as if they were made of glass.

  She looked back in time to see Jasmine slipping her earbud back in place as Rory left the room. With a sigh, Belle got up and grabbed her bag. She went into the bathroom, pausing to take in the unusual set-up. There was a long countertop with three sinks along one wall. There was an equally long mirror above the countertop that would no doubt be adequate for several girls to do their hair a
nd makeup at the same time. There were a couple of stalls that contained toilets, and a couple of shower cubicles with opaque walls for privacy.

  Once again, for Belle, the notion that this was a cabin was laughable, but given the size of the family, perhaps it was understandable.

  Belle touched up her makeup even though it was as flawless as when she’d applied it a few hours earlier. Her hair was still pulled back smoothly, this time in a French braid instead of a twist. She had chosen a pair of black capris and a lavender top that morning, and they still felt comfortable, so she didn’t change her clothes.

  Knowing she couldn’t put it off much longer without her absence downstairs raising questions, Belle took several deep breaths. Closing her eyes, she allowed herself to feel the anxiety and then, continuing to breathe deeply, she endeavored to relax. To chase the tension from her body.

  When it felt like the worst of the tension and anxiety had eased, Belle opened her eyes and stared at herself in the mirror.

  You can do this.

  You can meet these people and socialize with them.

  No one is going to hurt you here. They’re kind people. Just like Maya, Gabe, and Mitch.

  Of course, she didn’t know that for a fact, but it was what she needed to tell herself.

  Grabbing her bag, she left the bathroom. As she walked past Jasmine, she tapped her on the foot. “I’m ready to go.”

  Jasmine grinned and pulled her earbuds out, scooting her way off the bed. Belle put her bag on the bed then followed Jasmine out of the room and back down the long hallway to the stairs. With one final deep breath in and out, Belle relaxed her expression and headed down the stairs behind her sister.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  Mitch pulled the last few plates from the dishwasher and slid them into the cupboard. They were already setting up for lunch even though it seemed like they’d just finished breakfast. It had been a light breakfast though. Cereal. Bagels. Fruit. It had just been family at that point, but friends had started arriving shortly after ten.