“So how’s it going with Jackson?” Mom asked before taking a bite of her salad.
“Good.” Wonderful.
It had been two weeks since Jackson and I had had our first date and I was simply floating. Things between us were just so . . . easy. We fit seamlessly into each other’s lives like there’d been an empty space all along, just waiting for the other person to fill.
Jackson would come to the camp every morning with my favorite coffee. We’d chat in the kitchen with Hazel or take a stroll together outside until I had to get back to work. Then he’d go do his thing during the day while I worked.
After I left the camp, I’d go and sit with him at the bar. I’d become a regular, just like Wayne and Ronny. I’d stay until closing, then help him close down before driving him home.
On the nights Thea was at the bar and he was free, he’d come over to my place and let me cook him dinner. Afterward, we’d spend hours making out on the couch and fooling around.
He never let it go too far, but things were definitely progressing. He’d touched every inch of my skin, testing which spots drove me wild. And I was learning exactly what it felt like to touch a man.
I blushed just thinking about the sound of his deep, throaty groan as he’d come in my hand last night. It was the most intense moment we’d shared. My hand on him. His fingers in me.
“Oh, Willa.” Mom laughed. “I can practically see your thoughts. Just be safe as you play with his naked body.”
“Mom.” I choked on my bite of lettuce. “Seriously? Can we not talk about that, um . . . stuff at dinner?” Or in front of Dad?
He was sitting across from me, shaking his head. The expression on his face was pure torture, like Mom had just shoved bamboo shards up his fingernails.
“Come on, Betty,” he grumbled.
“Sorry.” Mom held up her hands, then looked to me. “I’m just happy for you, honey. From the sounds of it, you’re having the time of your life.”
I opened my mouth to say thanks, but the look on Dad’s face stopped me. He was about as green as the cucumber he was halving.
“What?” I asked him, then looked at Mom.
“What?” Her eyes widened. “Nothing!”
“You said, ‘From the sounds of it, you’re having the time of your life,’ and then Dad practically gagged. What do you mean, the sounds of it?”
She grimaced and the fork in my hand dropped to my plate, sending lettuce flying.
They could hear Jackson and me at night? Nooooo.
I stared at Mom, hoping she’d say it wasn’t true, but she just shook her head. “We leave our windows open at night. You do too. Sound carries across the backyard.”
My dinner was dangerously close to coming back up.
Up until two weeks ago, I hadn’t even known I had the ability to make some of the noises Jackson could conjure as he toyed with my body. The shy girl was a screamer. Who knew?
But those sounds were definitely not ones I wanted drifting into my parents’ bedroom at night.
I buried my face in my hands, wanting to crawl under the table and die.
I’d never been this embarrassed before. Never. Not when Jackson had forgotten about our first kiss. Not the time my junior year that I’d leaned in too close to a Bunsen burner in chemistry and accidentally singed off part of an eyebrow. Not even the time in seventh grade when I’d sneezed during the silent prayer time at church and accidentally farted loud enough for three pews to hear.
This was worse.
So. Much. Worse.
“Sorry,” I said into my hands.
“You don’t need to apologize.” Mom took one of my wrists, tugging my hand away from my face. “Now that it’s getting cooler, we’ll close our windows at night.”
I nodded. “Me too.”
“So how did the last week of camp go?” Mom asked, thankfully changing the subject.
“It was great,” I told them. “It’s always hard to say good-bye to the staff.”
“They’ll be back.” Dad gave me a reassuring smile, doing his best to move on from the awkward moments.
“I hope so.”
My camp was structured differently from a lot of others around the state. Other summer programs had limited staff on hand, typically just a director and maintenance manager. The kids were chaperoned by volunteer parents at whichever organization was sponsoring the camp.
But at mine, we employed a full-time counseling staff. They were all college kids who wanted to spend their summers in Lark Cove. They were content to live in a bunkhouse with their sleeping bags and limited space for personal belongings, right alongside the kids. It wasn’t glamorous, but they did it for the experience.
I paid them as well as possible because of how much they were giving up. They didn’t get many days off to hang out with friends. They didn’t get a lot of free time to spend on the lake. Other than the staff lounge in the main lodge, they didn’t even have their own private space.
But their energy never waned.
Somehow, every year I managed to find a group of counselors who could match my enthusiasm beat for beat. It wasn’t uncommon for counselors to return for a second year, some even three. And when they knew they weren’t going to come back because they were graduating or had other job offers, they helped me recruit a replacement.
More often than not, the outgoing counselor put the incoming recruit through a more rigorous examination than I ever could.
I’d miss the counselors who’d be moving on after this season.
“Did you hear back from the coffee hut?” Mom asked.
“Yeah.” I frowned. “They don’t have any positions open, but they said they’d keep me in mind if something changes this winter.”
And since I didn’t know of any other place looking for part-time help, I was facing another boring winter.
It wasn’t all that surprising. There wasn’t much employee turnover in any Lark Cove business. People wanted to work close to home, so they held on to their jobs with a death grip.
“All ready for school to start, Dad?”
He nodded. “Ready as ever. I’ve spent the last couple of weeks rearranging my classroom. Now that you’re not so busy at camp, you’ll have to come by and check it out.”
“I’ll be there.”
I loved going back to the school, not just because it brought back memories from my own time as a student, but also because it brought back memories of when I’d gone in as Dad’s special assistant.
Every summer, he rearranged his classroom. He’d test out the new experiments he wanted to try with his classes. He’d redecorate his bulletin boards. And I’d be his helper.
I missed those days.
As Mom, Dad and I chatted more about Dad’s plans for the first day of school, my appetite returned and I finished my plate. “Thanks, Mom. That was delicious.”
“Yes, it was.” Dad stood from the table. “Thanks for dinner, dear.” He kissed her on the forehead, collected both their plates and took them into the kitchen.
Mom smiled as she watched him walk away. “Your dad and I were going to rent a movie tonight. Will you stay and watch it with us?”
I checked the clock on the wall. I’d promised Jackson I’d come down to the bar to keep him company and it was about time to leave.
“Please?” Mom placed her hand over mine. “Your dad feels like he’s losing his baby girl. It would mean a lot if you stayed.”
“Okay.” The bar would be there tomorrow. “Just let me text Jackson.”
She smiled and cleared my plate as I took out my phone to tell Jackson I’d be down after the movie.
His reply was fast. Sounds good, babe. Don’t walk if it’s dark.
I smiled at the screen. He was always so concerned with my safety. Nothing bad ever happened in Lark Cove so it was sort of unnecessary, but I didn’t argue.
Jackson’s past explained a lot about him. He didn’t trust easily. Other than Hazel and Thea, his instinct was to keep people at arm’s length. Even me, to some degree. He was slowly letting me in, but it would take time.
My theory was that Jackson expected people to abandon him.
People had disappeared from his life, one after another. As far as I knew, he didn’t know his father. His mother was . . . well, I didn’t have nice words to say about her. The same was true for his aunt.
And I wasn’t sure how many foster siblings he’d watched come in the door and go right back out.
Jackson didn’t have a constant. He didn’t have a person dedicated to always being by his side, someone who would choose him first. He didn’t have a champion.
Until now.
Since my confession about our actual first kiss, I’d let go of all my fears and doubts. I was holding nothing back when it came to our relationship. Because maybe if I let him in completely, he’d do the same with me.
Maybe he’d trust me with his heart.
“Willa?” Mom called from the kitchen. “Do you want popcorn?”
“Sure.” I wasn’t really hungry but undoubtedly I’d eat a bowl or two. Popcorn was a requirement for movies in this house.
I tucked my phone into the pocket of my hoodie and stood from the table, taking the remaining silverware to the kitchen. The evenings were cooling down quickly now that it was almost September. I’d worn jeans tonight for dinner but had pulled on a pink, hooded pullover since I knew I’d be walking down to the bar. My days of wearing sundresses and sandals would soon come to an end for the six-plus long months of winter.
Jackson would be trading out the T-shirts he wore under his plaid shirts for long-sleeved thermals soon. I’d always loved watching his transition to warmer clothes and this year would be even better than most.
Instead of drooling over his broad chest under those thermals and wondering what his biceps looked like underneath his thick flannels, I’d already know.
Jackson hadn’t been fully naked in front of me yet, but things were progressing. I was becoming addicted to his hands and mouth on my body. Since that first time he’d made me orgasm, I’d been in a constant state of desperation, needing him just a little bit more and more.
As I walked into the kitchen with the dirty utensils, Mom smirked. “Thinking about him again?”
“Yeah.” I smiled.
“I remember those days.” She looked longingly down the hall where Dad had disappeared into the living room to get the movie started. “Oh heck, I still have days like that.”
“I’m glad.”
Their marriage was the one I wanted.
Mom and Dad hadn’t been able to have more kids because of Mom’s blood pressure during her pregnancy with me. She’d been willing to try, but Dad had refused. He hadn’t been willing to gamble with her life, because they were a pair. Two pieces to a whole. They didn’t just love each other, they were best friends.
I wanted that kind of devotion.
“I’m happy for you, sweetie.”
“Thanks, Mom.” I finished helping her with the dishes as she made the popcorn, then we joined Dad in the living room for a repeat viewing of his favorite Marvel movie.
By the time the Avengers were battling alien invaders, the popcorn bowl was empty except for some kernels, and I was stretched out on the chaise lounge, nearly asleep.
Between the chaos of the summer camp and the long nights with Jackson, I was worn out. So close to dreamland, I barely felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. I shook myself awake on the third ring, scrambling to answer it before it stopped.
“Hello?”
“Where are you?” Jackson asked in a panic.
“At home. What’s wrong?”
“Have you seen Thea?”
I sat up, a chill creeping up my neck. “No. Why?”
“Fuck,” he spat. In the background, beer bottles crashed as he threw them in the garbage. “We need to find her.”
“What’s going on? Is she okay? Is it Charlie?”
“Charlie’s fine. Thea went for a walk and we can’t get ahold of her. I guess there’s some shit going on with somebody emailing her threats. I don’t fucking know. But Hazel called worried and Thea’s not answering her phone. Now the cops are out looking for her.”
“What?” I gasped, slapping a hand over my pounding heart.
“Let’s go, guys. You gotta get out of here.” Jackson’s voice was muffled as he stifled the protests. He must be kicking people out of the bar.
I waited for him to come back on the line, sliding on my flip-flops that I’d kicked off earlier.
“I’ll call you later, babe. I’m trying to get this place closed so I can go help find Thea.” The fear in his voice terrified me. He’d never sounded scared before.
“I’ll come help.”
“No,” he snapped as more beer bottles crashed. “Stay home.”
“Jac—”
The phone went dead. When I pulled it away from my ear, Dad had paused the movie and both he and Mom were looking at me with worried eyes.
“I need to go.” I shot off the couch. “Something is happening with Thea, and Jackson is really worried. Someone has been threatening her and the cops are searching for her. I couldn’t really understand, but I should be there for him.”
“Okay, honey.” Dad stood too, following me down the hall and to the front door. “Let me walk you to the bar.”
I nodded, glad for his company. As he slid on his loafers, I stepped outside and looked up and down our street for any sign of Thea.
“Lock this, Betty,” Dad told Mom.
“I will.” She waited for him to join me on the sidewalk, then shut the door.
The walk to the bar was more of a sprint with Dad hot on my heels. I went right inside, passing two guys on their way out, with just enough time to see Jackson grabbing his keys from next to the cash register.
“Hey.”
He whipped around with an angry scowl. “What the fuck, Willa? I told you to stay home. You shouldn’t be out walking around by yourself.”
I pointed over my shoulder just as Dad came inside.
“Nate.” Jackson’s anger deflated. “Thanks for walking her down.”
“You bet.” Dad placed his hand on my shoulder. “I’m going to get back to your mom. Let me know if we can do anything.”
“Okay. Thanks, Dad.”
He kissed my cheek, then nodded good-bye to Jackson.
I unglued my feet from the door and hurried behind the bar, sliding my arms around Jackson’s waist.
He wrapped me up tight. “Sorry for snapping. I’m just worried.”
“It’s okay. What can I do?”
“Lock the front door.” He let me go and handed me his keys. “I need to put some food in the fridge, then we can go.”
As he disappeared into the kitchen, I locked up the front and swiped a few dirty glasses from a booth in the corner. When I got back to the kitchen, Jackson was practically throwing things in the refrigerator.
I helped him clear off the big prep table in the center of the room, then followed him as he marched out the back door. He took one of my hands and with the other called Hazel.
“Fuck. She’s not answering.”
“Let’s just go to her house.”
He nodded, his hand gripping mine even tighter as we changed direction to cross the highway.
Hazel and Thea’s cottage was nestled right against Flathead Lake. Most of the locals lived on my side of the highway, except for a few remaining homes like Hazel’s that had been there for sixty-plus years.
She could probably make millions if she sold her lot to a rich out-of-stater who wanted the lakefront property, but money wasn’t all that important to Hazel. I think she liked to wake up each morning to the sound of waves hitting their shoreline and have a beautiful view as she worked in her vegetable garden.
I’d make the same decision if I were in her shoes.
It didn’t take us long to reach Hazel’s cottage. Jackson normally held back his strides when we walked together, but tonight, I was practically jogging so he didn’t have to slow down.
The moment we turned down Hazel and Thea’s street, I spotted three sheriff’s cars parked in front of the cottage. Two deputies were standing in the center of the lawn while Hazel stood off to the side.
Jackson let go of my hand and ran right to her. The minute she saw him, she opened her arms and waited for him to rush into her embrace. I wasn’t sure who was holding who.
When I caught up, Jackson let Hazel go with one arm so he could tuck me into his free side.
“Any word?” Jackson asked.
Hazel nodded and looked over her shoulder. “She’s right there.”
The three of us awkwardly spun around to see Logan holding a shaken and pale Thea around the corner of the house. They were talking to Sheriff Magee.
Jackson’s entire body relaxed, his arm around my shoulders getting heavy as he sighed. “Thank fuck. She’s okay?”
Hazel nodded. “Someone came after her. I don’t know who or why.”
“When did Logan get here?” I asked.
“Earlier tonight. He was the one who found her.”
Found her where? Who had threatened her? I held back my questions, hoping someone would offer us an explanation soon. Maybe Jackson already knew what was going on and he’d tell me later.
Sheriff Magee said something to Logan, then gave Thea a pat on the shoulder. The three of them ended their conversation and walked our way. The sheriff rounded up his deputies and they all loaded into their cruisers while Thea and Logan came toward us.
Logan was wearing suit pants and a starched white shirt, probably having come from a business meeting. But his suit jacket was missing, along with his usual collected presence. His dark hair had been raked back one too many times and the dark strands were askew. His face was nearly as pale as Thea’s.
She looked more frazzled than I’d ever seen her, her eyes wide and dazed. Her hands clung to Logan’s waist as she walked, but she forced a small smile as she looked at me and then Jackson.
“You okay?” Jackson asked, letting go of Hazel and me. He took one step forward and captured Thea in a hug.
“Not really.” She hugged Jackson for a few moments, then patted his back and he let her go. She went straight into Hazel’s arms. “We have to go down to the station and talk to them about everything. The sheriff asked us to keep names and specifics quiet until they get things under control. But the bottom line is I’m okay.”
“Okay.” Hazel nodded. “You go. I’ll be here with Charlie.”
“Thanks.” Thea rested her head on Hazel’s shoulder, then held out a hand for me. I took it immediately.
Jackson held out his hand to shake Logan’s. “Glad you made it back.”
“Me too.” Logan looked at Thea. “Just in time.”
“Thanks.” Jackson’s voice cracked as he looked at Thea too. “Thanks for getting to her.”
Logan nodded. “I’ve got them covered.”
“Yeah, you do.” Jackson let go of Logan’s hand and clapped him on the shoulder. “Sorry it took me so long to figure that out.”
At Jackson’s apology, Thea’s hand squeezed mine and we shared a look.
It was no secret that Jackson and Logan hadn’t been fast friends. From the moment he’d come to Lark Cove, Logan had been trying to win Thea, and Jackson had stood in the way, acting as the protector for the only family he’d ever known.
But over the last week, something had changed. Jackson had stopped grumbling and griping about Logan. I think he’d realized that the best thing for Thea and Charlie was Logan. And above all else, Jackson just wanted them to be happy.
“We better get down to the station,” Logan said. Thea nodded and reluctantly let go of my hand. Hazel reluctantly let go of Thea.
“Call me as soon as you can,” Jackson told Thea. “I want details.”
“I will.” She nodded, then looked at Hazel. “We’ll be home in a bit.”
“Take your time.” Hazel waved as Thea and Logan walked to her car. As they drove away, Hazel blew out a long breath. “I’d better check to make sure Charlie slept through the chaos.”
“Do you want me to stay?” Jackson asked.
She shook her head. “No. You take Willa home and get some rest. We’ll get all the details tomorrow.”
Jackson nodded and walked her to the door. Before Hazel disappeared inside, they hugged again. She whispered something into his ear, then patted his cheek and vanished inside.
“Let’s get you home, babe.” Jackson took my hand and led me home, this time walking at our normal pace.
We made our way through town in silence and I texted Dad to let him know Thea was fine. Or she would be—Logan would see to that.
As we walked up the driveway toward my garage, Mom poked her head out of the living room window. She gave me a short wave, then shut off the lights.
At my staircase, Jackson went up first to open the door. His fists were clenched as he stepped inside, as if he were expecting someone to be in there.
“Lock up from now on,” he ordered, flipping on the lights.
“Okay.” I nodded. Whatever had happened tonight had freaked him out, and I bet as we all learned the details, it would freak me out too. If Jackson hadn’t insisted on me locking my door, I was sure Dad would have anyway.
I closed the door and flipped the lock. The second I turned back to the room, Jackson pulled me into his arms to breathe in my hair.
“Do you want to talk about it?” I asked, wrapping my arms around his waist.
He shook his head. “She’s okay. That’s all that matters. We’ll get the rest figured out tomorrow.”
“Would you like something to drink? I have a couple of beers left over from dinner the other night.”
“No, I should go. I’m all keyed up.”
“You can stay.” I ran my hands up and down his back.
He groaned into my hair as my hands disappeared into the back pockets of his jeans. When I dug my fingertips into those incredible, rounded muscles, he hissed and stepped back, forcing my hands away.
Jackson ran a hand over his stubble. “I don’t have it in me to stop tonight, Willa.”
I stepped closer. The adrenaline from the evening had me on edge and I needed to be close to Jackson. “What if I don’t want you to stop?”
“No.” He stepped back again, his head getting closer to the ceiling. “We should plan a special night in a hotel. I’ll get candles and flowers or whatever else you want. I just . . . I don’t want you to be disappointed.”
“That’s impossible.”
He shook his head. “You’ve built me up in your head into something great. I’m not.”
Why couldn’t he see what I saw? He was a wonderful man with flaws. I wasn’t blind. He wasn’t perfect.
But he was perfect for me.
I stepped right into his space, taking his face in my hands and tipping it down so I had his full attention. “I haven’t built you up into anything, Jackson. I just see you for the greatness you already are. I don’t need candles or flowers or a fancy hotel room.”
“You deserve special.”
“Yes, I do,” I declared. “And no matter where it happens, it will be. This is already going to be one of the most special experiences of my life, simply because it’s with you.”
