Chapter One
Most days life handed Colette Thomas lemons. Then there were those days when life was all sunshine and roses. You know, pretty good, but a few pricks thrown in to keep her on her toes. As she climbed out of the airport shuttle and took her first look at the Lazy J Cottages, she decided this had to be a mistake.
The place looked like something right out of the history books with its log cabins, wood-railed fences, and even a sagging red barn. Although, the setting was simply gorgeous, thick with fir and maple trees that created a sea of green everywhere she looked. Colorful flowerbeds outlined the two-story A-frame log cabin with a wood-burned Welcome sign. Hanging baskets overflowing with more flowers hung like a curtain from the second-floor wrap-around deck. Whatever skills the owners lacked in carpentry, they made up for with their green thumb. It was like she’d stepped into another world. Gone was the smell of the briny sea air, and in its place was a deep, earthy aroma. Even the humidity didn’t seem as bad as back home in Pensacola.
There was no way this was the right place. Her best friend, Jake Kibble, had told her he was sending her to a spa. As Colette turned to speak to the driver, a young boy of about fourteen walked up to her.
“Ms. Thomas?” At her nod, he held out his hand for her bag. “Welcome to the Lazy J Cottages. Nana’s expecting you.”
Okay, so she was in the right place. Maybe the spa was hidden in one of the log cabins spread throughout the property. She gave another quick glance around as she followed the teen to the front door. What on earth was she going to do to fill her days and nights for the next seven days? The Lazy J had a certain rustic charm, but Colette would never call herself an outdoorsy type person. Oh well, spa or no spa, she planned to enjoy every minute of her vacation.
A quick glance around the lobby gave her a modicum of hope. The wood floors gleamed. Nary a set of antlers or mounted animal heads was seen. Big, cushy chairs sat in front of a stone fireplace. A collage of framed, breathtaking photos of waterfalls, a river, and a lake caught her attention. Each seemed like an invitation to come explore and enjoy nature’s playground. Maybe she’d rethink that whole outdoors thing after all.
Off to one side a glass door led to an empty restaurant, where the most delicious aroma teased her senses and reminded her it had been hours since she’d eaten. The other side had what appeared to be a well-stocked gift shop.
The teen set her bag down and hit a bell on the registration desk. “Nana, your guest is here.”
For good measure, he hit the bell a couple more times and grinned at Colette.
The door behind the polished wood registration desk opened, but no one appeared. Colette craned her neck to look around when the teen hit the bell again and a giant black cat leaped out of nowhere to land on the counter before her. Holy smokes, he had to weigh a good twenty pounds.
“Patrick Nicolas, hold your horses,” a voice graveled with time called out from the other room.
The teen, Patrick Nicolas, grinned from ear to ear and winked. “I knew that would get her attention. Nana hates to be hurried.”
“Life’s too short to be in a hurry. You’d be best to remember that child.” A little bit of a woman, with long silver hair set down a step stool and then stood on it before turning to Colette. “Welcome to the Lazy J—short for Jess Jones, proprietor. I see you’ve already met my trying grandson, Patrick. You must be C. Thomas?”
“It’s Colette, thank you.” She took the woman’s outstretched hand and wondered again what kind of place Kibble had sent her to.
“Went to school with a Colette. Not nearly as lovely as the name implies, but you look nothing like her.” She looked down to her computer screen before flashing a bright smile. “Everything is all set. You’ll be staying in Cabin Nine. Patrick will take your bag down for you. If you’re hungry, the restaurant is open and does offer room service. And if you’re in the mood to take advantage of this beautiful day, we have a heated pool in back. All of the hiking trails are marked, but we recommend you find a partner or group to explore with—or you may want to take a long soak in your hot tub.”
“I’m not staying here in the main building?”
“Nope. The request was clear: a one-bedroom cabin, off the main path, with a private hot tub.”
All she could do was nod. A cabin all to herself? In the woods? That sounded a bit creepy. But a private hot tub? That sounded divine. Maybe Jake Kibble knew what he was doing after all. He definitely was the best friend a girl could ever ask for. As if she didn’t know that already after everything he’d done for her.
Colette thanked the owner, took her key and walked out into the late-afternoon sunshine. She followed Patrick while studying the map, which took her past the main pool and down a gravel path into the woods. Miles and miles, or what appeared to be, anyway, of green foliage. Instead of feeling lost or out of step, she felt at peace. A warm breeze caressed her skin and all the tension and stress of the past few weeks melted away.
The beach had always been Colette’s sanctuary. It called to her. Soothed her mind and soul and served as a good reminder that there was more out there than just her life and problems. So when Kibble suggested she head to the Smoky Mountains to clear her head and regroup, she had her doubts. For the past few months she’d spent more time than she could count sitting on the beach that was part of Naval Air Station Pensacola where she worked as a civilian admin assistant. And still, she was frustrated and confused. Maybe a change of scenery was exactly what she needed.
Sadly, the minute she returned to work, the problem would still be there to greet her. Most likely with a scowl and a grunt.
She took a deep breath and exhaled, pushing all thoughts of home and him away. This week was about getting her head on straight and putting her ex-husband behind her, once and for all.
As if that’s possible. It’d been ten years and she hadn’t managed to forget him.
A couple of kids, probably about five and seven, ran smack into her knocking her down. They stared down at her, eyes big and round. Both apologized before their parents ran up to her.
“Are you okay? “ the mom asked.
Colette nodded and bushed the dirt off of her palms. “No worries. I’m tougher than I look.” She’d had to be.
The dad, a good-looking guy with dark-blond hair, who reminded her too much of the person she was trying to forget, knelt down by the kids. “What do we say to the nice lady after mowing her down?”
“We’re sorry,” they said in unison.
They were adorable with their twin dimples and impish smiles. Both kept stealing glances toward the pool and it didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out why they were in such a hurry. She assured all parties involved she was fine and watched the happy family as they continued on their way.
That. That right there is why I need to forget him. Until I stop loving Casey Thomas and move on, I’ll never have that—a family of my own.
Pushing up off the ground, she brushed the grit from her tush and hands and followed the teen to her private cabin. A small laugh escaped as the thought ran through her mind. This was so unlike her. She didn’t splurge. She didn’t buy designer bags or shoes or clothes. She cut coupons. If she traveled, it was coach class and she stayed in mid-range hotels that didn’t offer private cabins and hot tubs. And definitely not in the woods. Nope, this wasn’t her world, but for the next seven days it couldn’t hurt to pretend it was.
After her vacation, she’d face reality again. She’d pay off her credit card and pay back Kibble. Then, she’d head to the courthouse and finally file those papers to take back her maiden name. Colette Kersch. It’d been a long time since she’d heard that name . . . not since she’d looked into warm, deep-brown eyes and said, “I do.”
Instead of dwelling on the past, Colette focused on the present and followed the gravel path up to the small one-level log cabin. A basket of purple and pink petunias hung next to the door welcoming her home.
“Here you are,” Patrick said, turning the key in the lock. “It’s a bit out of the way, so if you want to venture out at night, call the front desk. Me or my Pop will come escort you to the main cabin. We have lots of wildlife around like coyotes, bobcats, bears, and wild hogs. You gotta watch out for them. Mean SOBs.”
Colette thanked him and promised she’d call for an escort after dark and slipped inside her cabin. After seeing the main building she’d been expecting . . . something else. Something a little more posh and up-to-date. The cabin was rustic, but clean. The couch sagged in the middle. The matching chair looked a bit more inviting. She dropped her purse and suitcase to explore.
The scarred and well-worn wood floors gleamed, as did the kitchenette countertops, and stainless steel sink. “Clean is good.”
French doors led to a raised deck in the back of the cabin and there sat a private hot tub, which could easily hold a party of four. The view was spectacular, and she didn’t realize until then that her cabin sat at the edge of where the property dropped off to the valley below. She gave a little jump then breathed a sigh of relief when the boards held.
“It’s all good, as long as Tennessee doesn’t have a freak earthquake.”
She wandered back inside. The fridge held a chilled bottle of white wine and beer, along with breakfast basics and a container of what looked like excellent smoked cheese. On the counter sat a basket with chips, crackers, berry muffins, and chocolate chip cookies, along with a welcome note.
She was going to gain ten pounds in one week and didn’t give a hoot about it.
There were only two other doors to explore. One turned out to be a coat closet. She pushed open a set of double doors and gawked at the king-size sleigh bed. The wood floors continued here, but strategically placed over them were hand-braided rugs. A peek in the bathroom had her whimpering at the shower with multiple jets built for two and a tub to match. Ah, this is where they spent their money and what earned them all those five-star reviews.
What was Kibble thinking? This was a cabin designed for a couple—probably one on their honeymoon. Such a waste with just her there.
“Well,” she said to no one, “for this week this is my personal oasis. Maybe I’ll meet someone. Who knows? I could have a torrid affair. That bed is made for ravishing and being ravished. I’ll forget all about him. I’ll return home and say, ‘Casey? Casey who? Never heard of him.’”
Yeah, right.
More like she’d read a few books, get sunburnt by the pool and lose herself in that delicious-looking bed. But hey, at least she’d be rested and look fabulous when she returned.
~*~
Casey stumbled along the path, following the map the receptionist had given him. He could hear the creatures stirring in the night, but honestly, he was too flipping tired to give a care right then. All he craved was a good night of uninterrupted sleep.
Not a lot to ask for.
Except, he hadn’t had one since he’d reported in to his new duty station in February. Could anyone really blame him for being a little short tempered? He’d dare any of them to go three months without a good night’s sleep and see how they felt.
Seeing her five days a week for the next three years equaled sheer hell. He’d have rather gone to Diego Garcia—a tiny island in the middle of nowhere—or even back to the sandbox. Neither was an option. As he saw it, he had two choices: continue to be a grouchy prick that no one liked or get over her and get on with his life.
Sounded easy, but if he hadn’t accomplished the second option in the past ten years he didn’t know how he’d pull it off in the next seven days.
Not that he had much choice. Getting called on the carpet by his department head wasn’t on his list of favorite things to do. Thankfully the old man had given him a chance, ordered him to take a week and clear his head, with strict orders to return with a new attitude.
He’d thought about heading north to visit his family, except he didn’t want to see the looks of pity in their eyes. He could have stayed home, but hey, who was he to turn down a free trip?
From what he could see of the place, it’d be an enjoyable week. Not that he needed much: some sleep, a cold one and not seeing Colette.
Fuck. Even saying her name in his head made his heart ache and his blood boil. She’d been everything he’d ever dreamed of and more—funny, smart, kind, and beautiful. He’d thought they’d had a good marriage. A strong bond that would defeat any obstacles that came their way. He’d never been so wrong before or since.
Casey pulled out the old-fashioned key and twisted it in the lock on his cabin and stepped into the blissfully cool air. A soft light glowed in the kitchen area. Nice touch. He dropped his bag and headed that way. Hopefully, they stocked the full-size fridge with beer as he could really use one after the day he’d had.
“Now this is how you welcome guests,” he said to no one as he popped the top off his favorite brand and poured the cold beer down his throat.
The overhead light flickered on and he froze.
“Don’t move. I’m armed and I’ve called security.”
Fuck me. He’d know that voice anywhere. It had haunted his dreams and driven him to distraction.
He turned around to find Colette in a worn tee holding a hairdryer. “You planning on giving me a deadly blow job?” He nodded to the weapon in her hand.
“Casey? What are you doing here?”
He noticed she hadn’t lowered her weapon.
“I was thinking the same thing. I mean, I know the place advertised as being a full-service hotel, but I don’t remember seeing scantily clad ex-wives on the brochure.”
“Ha, too funny. Casey, I’m serious. What are you doing in my cabin?” She pursed those pouty lips and his body responded, but not in the way it should.
“Yours? Try again.”
“The reservation was in my name: C. Thomas.”
He took another slow pull of his beer and let his gaze skim down her bare legs. Legs he remembered all too well wrapped around him. “Last I checked, that was my name first. Speaking of which, why didn’t you change your name back?”
“I was here first. And why are you here?”
She’d avoided the question he really wanted to know the answer to: if she hated being married to him so much, why did she keep his name? Not the most important thing at that moment, though. What was she doing in his room? And how did she end up at the same resort, at the same time?
“Casey?” Her voice brought him back to the present situation. “You need to leave. Call the front desk and tell them they made a mistake and get this straightened out. I’m tired and want to go back to bed.”
Tell me about it.
She leaned against the doorjamb with the deadly hairdryer in front of her and nodded to the phone.
“Fine.” He tossed the empty bottle in the trash and picked up the receiver. A few minutes later he hung up and pressed his thumbs against his eyes before turning around.
“According to the reception desk, they only have one room reserved for a C. Thomas. There are no other cabins or rooms available at the resort.”
“Then I guess you’ll have to find a room at some other hotel.” She shifted and her shirt rose a couple of inches, exposing more creamy skin.
“Colette, it’s almost midnight. I’ve put in a full day at work and drove nine hours up here. The room is in my name. You find another hotel room.”
“I can’t.” She chewed on her lower lip, a sign he remembered that signaled she was stressed and close to the point of tears. “I don’t have a car.”
“Fine, but can we work this out tomorrow? I’m so tired, I can’t see straight.”
She glanced back through the double doors to what he presumed was the bedroom. “Take the couch. We’ll deal with it in the morning.”
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