Rachel's Road to Love (The Great Smoky Mountain Getaways Book 3)

by Elsie Davis

  “Chad was there. Now he’s not. And Chad’s here because he owns the place, and when he returned home, this is where he decided to stay. I’m here because I didn’t know Chad was here, and I got snowed in. It’s no big deal,” Rachel said, trying to explain, but knowing all the while, the truth wouldn’t sit well with her mother. It never did when it came to her daughter.

  “Of course, it’s a big deal. It’s not right you are there alone with a man. What will the people in town say, for heaven’s sake? And what will Alex say? You two will never work things out if he thinks you’ve been shacking up with some other guy. Honestly, Rachel, you have got yourself into a bad situation. That’s what comes from overreacting and running off like you did after Alex jilted you at the altar. I gave him a piece of my mind for that inappropriate behavior.”

  Rachel closed her eyes and rubbed at her forehead. “Gee, thanks for the reminder, Mom. I left so I wouldn’t have to listen to people talk about it in front of me like I wasn’t there. The same way you’re doing now. And I can’t help what people say about Chad and me being here together as it was an act of Mother Nature, not some clandestine affair we planned out. And as to Alex, I don’t care what he thinks.” Not to mention, Mother Nature was under God’s control, so, therefore, it could be reasoned that perhaps she had been stranded here for a reason. And the reason was to help Chad. Something she hadn’t thought of before with everything going on.

  “I’m coming there as soon as the roads open and will stay with you until you’re ready to come home. You’re clearly distraught over this whole situation. Or maybe you should think about coming home when the roads are passable instead of making me go stay there. It’s much more comfortable at our house than that little cabin of theirs would be. I’m sure of it.”

  Rachel thought differently. The cabin was cozy and filled with warmth. “My car slid in the ditch. As soon as I can get a tow truck here, I’ll come home. But I’m not staying in town long. I’ve sent out several applications, and I’m trying to get assigned to another mission trip.”

  “But you just got home, dear. I’ll come to get you, so don’t worry. You can hold off leaving and give Alex another chance to make things right.”

  Nothing ever seemed to change. “Mom, do you hear yourself? You aren’t listening to a thing I’ve said. There will be no wedding. And I’m old enough to do what I want with my life, which includes leaving again on a mission trip.” Why she felt the need to defend her actions was beyond Rachel, but her mother always seemed to make her feel like a little kid again.

  “I’m listening. I just don’t like what I’m hearing. I’ll find a way to come get you, dear. Then we can sit and have a cozy little talk. You’re simply stressed out right now and shouldn’t make decisions that will affect your future.”

  “No, Mom. Don’t come to get me. Alex and I aren’t together anymore. And Chad and I are friends, that’s it. End of story. And I’ll call Leslie to come to get me as soon as it’s clear for her to get here. I know she wants to see her brother.” Rachel was grasping at straws to keep her mother away. Maybe she could even stay with Leslie for a few days. That would certainly go a long to easing the perpetual headache she would have at home listening to her mother drone on about Alex and her.

  “Fine. But if Leslie can’t get there, you let me know. Your father will be worried sick when I tell him you’re up there with a man. Leslie’s brother or otherwise, he’s still single.”

  It was like living in the dark ages. “Yes, Mother. I understand.” It was also easier to agree.

  On a more positive note, at least Chad hadn’t heard her mother’s comments. That would have been the ultimate humiliation. Twenty-five years old and her own mother didn’t trust her to make the right decisions. Having been brought up attending church every Sunday, it’s not like she didn’t know the rules. The Bible was clear on a lot of things, but not once had she ever read, thou shall not cohabitate with a man in a snowstorm, and that instead, you should freeze out in the cold.

  Rachel headed down the hall, checking to make sure Chad was still outside. Spotting him at the woodpile, she watched the way he powerfully swung the ax, driving it into the log and splitting the wood apart with a force that spoke of his strength. She hit the speed dial button for Leslie, wanting to get the call over with before Chad came inside.

  “Hey, Rachel. We must be in harmony as I was just about to call and see how you were doing,” Leslie said, her cheery voice a welcome relief after talking to her mother.

  “Maybe so. I’m doing well, given the circumstances. Your brother is nice, most of the time.” Rachel chuckled.

  “I warned you to keep a close eye on him.”

  “You did at that, but he hasn’t tried to pull any practical jokes yet, so it’s all good. In fact, he saved me from a bear. So I’d say he’s a pretty handy guy to have around,” Rachel said, trying to figure out a way to ease into the reason for her call.

  “So, what’s up?” Leslie asked.

  “What are you talking about? Did a bear try to attack you? Are you okay?”

  “Slow down. A bear came around looking for food. I’m just not sure if I was on the menu. Chad showed up and wasn’t about to give the bear time to decide. He ran him off with a few gunshots in the air. I was scared, but it’s all good now.”

  “Thank goodness. I bet that was scary.”

  “It was, but everything is good now. I promise. Listen, I’ve got a few things I wanted to discuss. As soon as I get an assignment on a mission trip, I’ll be leaving again. There’s something I need to tell you about your brother before that happens. Something important, but not something he’d want me to mention…but the thing is…I can’t not tell you.”

  “For goodness sake, just tell me. Has he done something wrong? Do I need to kill my brother?” Leslie asked, a touch of teasing in her voice.

  She knew her brother better than to think there was any real problem. “Chad’s suffering from PTSD, and he does not want to tell anyone about it.” It almost felt as though she were betraying his confidence, but not to tell would leave him to fend for himself, and few soldiers got through something like this on their own.

  “Oh no. What happened? Tell me everything you know.” Leslie’s voice had grown tense.

  “I don’t want to say too much as it’s his life and the events are personal. I just thought you should know so that after I leave, you can keep an eye on him, maybe even persuade him to seek help.” Rachel was walking a fine line on how much to tell. She prayed this was the right thing to do.

  “You have to give me more to go on,” Leslie said, pressing for more information.

  “Sorry, I’m not really at liberty, but I just wanted you to know. The thing is, Chad saw some terrible things while deployed, and he has nightmares. He’s planning on opening a community center to help children who have lost a parent in war. It’s quite admirable, but I would hate to see him self-destruct on the inside and then lose touch with everything else on the outside. Everyone loses if that happens.”

  “I appreciate your willingness to protect Chad’s privacy, and I’m glad you told me. He can be stubborn, but I can be too. I promise I’ll keep an eye on him.”

  Rachel was relieved, knowing her friend would follow through. “Thank you. I’ll feel better when I’m gone knowing he won’t slip through the cracks. Not with you watching over him.” Chad might not appreciate her getting involved, but the weight of knowing and not sharing was a heavy burden to bear. It was for his own good, even if he didn’t see it that way.

  “Okay, thanks. I’m still upset with Chad that he came home and didn’t bother to tell me.”

  It was all part of Chad’s issues, something Rachel fully understood now. “I think he wanted time and space to try and work out some of those issues I mentioned.”

  “Are you defending him?” Leslie asked, curiosity lacing her voice.

  Maybe. Probably. “Not at all. There’s nothing to defend. It’s your family cabin, and he came home. End o
f story.”

  “Hmmm. Interesting.” Leslie’s brain had gone into overdrive, and Rachel needed a change in subject.

  “Not really.” They were two people, forced to cohabitate, and who had become friends. Nothing else. At times, good friends, but still, just friends. But then there was the almost kiss.

  “So you said three reasons. What are the others?”

  “I almost hate to ask, but as soon as the back roads are cleared and open, do you think you could come to get me? I’m hoping it will be done as earlier as tomorrow. And I’m also hoping you’ll let me come stay with you for a few days.” The cabin was lovely, and her time here with Chad would always be memorable, but this wasn’t reality. Just an escape from reality when she needed it most.

  “Of course you can stay with me. But what’s your hurry to leave? You haven’t been there but a couple of days.”

  “My mother. She’s having a cow. She has even threatened to come and chaperone me here until I leave, or preferably take me home. She thinks I’m distraught and need someone to lend a guiding hand.”

  “Sounds just like your mother.” Leslie chuckled. “I’m sure that was a fun conversation.”

  “According to her, Alex and I belong together, and I should give him a second chance. And I’m ruining my chances for a reconciliation being up here in the cabin alone with Chad.”

  “What? Give me a break. It’s called snowed in. And as to Alex, no way. That was a lucky escape on your part. Speaking of, he’s been seen around town and quite cozy with your wedding planner. I don’t think he’s trying to keep it a secret anymore.”

  “Alex’s family, and my own for that matter, think those two are still planning my wedding with Alex, not their own. He’s waiting to break it to his parents when everything quiets down.”

  “Wow. They are in for a rude awakening.”

  Total understatement. “Agreed.”

  “So, what do you think of my brother?” Leslie asked, coming back full circle to the part of the conversation Rachel thought she’d safely avoided.

  “What do I think of your brother as to what?” This wasn’t a conversation she wanted to have with Leslie seeing as she was Chad’s sister. Talk about awkward.

  “You know…like as in your next special someone.”

  This was exactly what she feared, mainly because the truth was, she did like Chad. More than she should, considering she wasn’t sticking around the area and there was no place for anything more between them. Not to mention, Chad had his own ideas about the future. “Leslie…stop. I’m not looking to jump into a relationship days after my miserable wedding day.”

  “It wasn’t your wedding day, seeing as you didn’t get married. I like to think of it as your freedom day,” Leslie teased.

  “Exactly. So why would I want to be tied down to anyone? And as to your brother, that would be plain weird. Luckily, he doesn’t seem to be on the lookout for a girlfriend either. I think Chad and I will stick to friends—thank you very much.”

  “Hmmm. And I think you protest too much.”

  There it was again…her friend was overthinking the situation. “Chad’s a nice guy, but we are not on the same page. I’m looking to travel, and he’s looking to settle down in one place. We are complete opposites.”

  “They say opposites attract,” Leslie said, pushing back and trying to poke holes in Rachel’s practical view.

  It was time to change the subject as she wasn’t sure Leslie would give up easily. “Are you going to come to get me when the roads are cleared, or not? Please don’t make me have to ask my mother.”

  “Of course, I will. In fact, if you want, I’ll fire up the snowmobile in the morning and head that way. Won’t need to wait for the roads to be cleared.”

  “Wait…what? I thought the sled was in the shop getting fixed. Otherwise, I might have asked you sooner.”

  “It was, and now it’s not,” Leslie said, her matter-of-fact tone glossing over the implications of her words.

  “So you could have come to get me after the storm let up?” Rachel shook her head. The least her friend could have done was offer to pick her up, but clearly, Leslie had an ulterior motive. Pushing her and Chad together once she found out he was in residence at the cabin.

  “Not really. I needed the road crews to clear the secondary roads to get close enough to trailer the sled in. There’s a parking lot over about fifteen miles from the cabin where I can unload and then make my way through the woods to get to you.”

  “I see. Then I guess you are off the hook. Otherwise, I would have thought you left me here with your brother on purpose.”

  “If I had, could you blame me?” Leslie laughed. “It would be nice to officially become sisters.”

  “I already consider you my sister, so I don’t need to marry your brother for that to become a reality. Goodbye, Leslie,” Rachel said, hitting the disconnect button.

  Chad was done splitting wood and had a nice, neat stack by the back door, ready to haul inside. Cold air blasted into the room as he entered, stomping the snow off his boots on the mat. His cheeks were rosy and red as he smiled, snatching off his black beanie. “I’ve worked up a hunger. Any chance you fixed breakfast? I can bring the wood in later.” He peered around her, glancing into the kitchen, a hopeful expression on his face.

  Rachel shook her head. “Sorry, no such luck. But I can warm us up some waffles. Or even cook the box of blueberry muffins…if you trust me, that is,” she teased.

  “Waffles sound good. And they’re easy since they cook in the toaster. We could go all out and put strawberry jelly on them. I remember doing that as a kid.”

  “Coming right up.” Rachel headed for the kitchen, leaving Chad to get washed up. She popped the waffles in the toaster, warmed the jelly, and poured Chad a cup of coffee. Grabbing an orange, she peeled and sectioned it, placing the pieces on the edge of his plate. Putting everything on a tray, Rachel headed for the dining table just as Chad returned.

  “Looks like good timing,” he said, pulling out a seat. “Wow, this looks nice. And nothing is burned—even better.”

  “That was only the first time we cooked, and it was a joint effort if I remember correctly.” Rachel enjoyed the back-and-forth teasing, and cooking was one easy subject to joke about.

  “Maybe.” He shrugged, taking a seat. After stuffing a few bites of waffle in his mouth, he washed it down with coffee. “This is good, but then I’m hungry.”

  “Thanks a lot. I was trying to be helpful and appreciative of all that you’ve done to make these past few days easy for us.”

  “You are helpful. You can peel my orange anytime.” Chad grinned as he shot her a wink.

  “Ha-ha.” Rachel continued to eat her breakfast, unsure how to tell him about Leslie’s imminent arrival. It was the end to her time at the cabin but also to Chad’s privacy.

  “Who were you talking to earlier?” he asked.

  “My mom.” It was the opening she needed. “She was going to find a way to get here tomorrow and chaperone us if I planned on staying here any longer. You’d think I was a baby or something.” Rachel scrunched up her face in distaste.

  “You’ll always be her baby. Moms tend to worry.”

  Rachel let out a heavy sigh. “Well, mine worries too much and thinks she knows best for my whole life.”

  “Ouch. That would be a serious issue.” Chad reached for the syrup and poured more onto his plate.

  “Tell me about it.”

  “That would be a serious issue,” Chad repeated.

  Rachel frowned. “Yes, you said that.”

  “You said—”

  “I get it. Ha-ha. Leslie said you’re a jokester.” Better Chad have his fun with wordplay than having him put peanut butter in her hair or whatever else the man could dream up.

  “You talked to her also?” Chad asked, his brow lines deepening as the easy grin disappeared.

  “Yes, but not about the jokester thing. That was the first day I got here when I was checking up
on you, I might add.”

  “So what was today about then?” he asked, his gaze intent on her.

  “I’ve asked her to come to get me. She’s trailering the snowmobile to the parking lot about fifteen miles away and then coming here. My car needs a tow truck, and I need to get back to town, and with the threat of my mother’s arrival, I decided Leslie was a much better choice.”

  “My sister is coming here?”

  “Yes. Is that a problem?” Rachel said, rising to take her plate to the sink and rinse it off.

  “The reason I didn’t tell her I was coming home was to have some privacy. Now, she’ll be camping out underfoot and asking hundreds of questions.” Chad had grown distant, the wall between them higher than ever.

  His sister was bound to come eventually, so what was the big deal. “I’m sorry.”

  “You didn’t happen to mention my little problem, did you?”

  So that’s what he was worried about. Rachel felt her face flush red with the truth, but she wasn’t going to admit a thing to Chad. “It’s not a little problem. Look at the bright side. With me gone, you can have the place to yourself. At least one of your problems will be solved.”

  “There is that.”

  Rachel was glad he hadn’t pressed her for more information as she would have had to tell him the truth. Lord, please forgive me, but you know I told Leslie to help him. I just don’t think Chad would appreciate the interference for the love it was given in.

  Ten

  Breakfast wasn’t the most social of affairs. Chad had become distant, but Rachel couldn’t tell if it was because his sister was due to arrive this morning or if he was nervous as to what she might have told her best friend. Or maybe he was still put out because she’d said no to his job offer.

  Whatever it was didn’t matter because it all added up to a gulf between them that hadn’t existed since he first discovered her in the cabin. Lucky for Rachel, she was leaving, and soon this would become just another memory.

  A good one for the most part. Rachel liked Chad as a friend. What was there not to like? He could be charming, fun, considerate, had a huge heart for kids. Of course, there was his inability to cook and his occasional moodiness. The cooking problem was one they shared. And as to his moodiness, Chad was entitled to the condition more than most. He'd been through a lot recently.