Chapter 22
June 10
Lauren’s day off found her sitting on her deck with her laptop. With her cabin on the far side of the property, the guests
didn’t wander out her way too often. She might just have to stop by the Hollandsworths’ cabin today though. They had the cutest
goldendoodle puppy. Maybe she could talk Jonah into getting a resort mascot. Perhaps that was shortsighted since she’d only
be here through the end of the year, but it would be nice to have a little company in her room at night.
The early morning’s coolness had given way to late-morning heat, but the forest’s shade kept her adequately cooled. The tweeting
of birds, nattering of squirrels, and occasional drone of a boat motor were pleasant backdrops to her work.
She’d finally settled on a structural engineer to assess the barn. The company had wonderful reviews and reasonable rates,
and it would be able to do the job quickly. She was now focused on finding contractors for the renovation—presuming the engineer
found the building structurally sound. There were a lot of pieces to the project, and it would be a tight timeline, but she
was eager to see it through.
She was researching painters when the sound of someone approaching had her glancing up from her laptop.
Jonah.
She hadn’t recognized him at first. His long dark hair had been cropped into a stylish cut, short on the sides, a little longer on top. But as he neared it was his lower face that captured her attention. His jawline turned with masculine angles.
And his lips—he had very nice lips, in fact. The bottom one was almost plump and the indent on the top one was the size and
shape of her fingertips. And to think he’d covered all of those beautiful features with that awful mustache and big, bushy
beard!
Those nice lips curled into a smile. “I’ve never seen you speechless before, Wentworth.”
“I didn’t recognize you! Someone visited the barbershop.”
“I had an opening in my schedule.”
They’d just talked about his lumberjack look in the barn three days ago. She suspected she had something to do with this sudden
change. “Is that right?”
“That’s my story.” He glanced at her laptop. “What are you up to?”
She allowed the change in subject but had a little trouble pulling her gaze from that newly excavated face. “Pulling some
things together for the barn. I found and scheduled a structural engineer and now I’m researching contractors.”
“Isn’t this your day off?”
“This isn’t work. It’s fun. But you have to keep paying me. Have a seat if you aren’t busy.” Meg or Tammy usually managed
the resort on Lauren’s day off, but Jonah pitched in too.
“Don’t mind if I do.” The Adirondack chair squawked as he sat beside her. “It’s been pretty quiet around here today. I got
some wood chopped and fixed the leg on the Ping-Pong table.”
“I didn’t know it was broken.”
“I guess it happened over the weekend.”
“Nobody said anything.”
“That happens sometimes.” Jonah peered at her for a long moment. “So tell me about this job you have waiting for you in Boston at the first of the year. I understand the owner is an old friend of my mom’s.”
“They went to college together, apparently.”
“Ah, right. My mom dropped out after her freshman year when she met my dad.”
“Okay. Well, her friend Olivia Stafford is now Boston’s premier event planner and the CEO of Glitter. I met her when I worked
for a caterer they utilize. She has a planner retiring at the end of the year, and that’s basically my dream job. She suggested
I get some experience in the meantime, and the job would be waiting for me when I return.”
“Event planner... Is that corporate stuff mostly?”
“Exactly. They do everything from political fundraisers to corporate conferences.”
“I’m starting to see where your passion for this barn venue comes from. What made you want to be an event planner?”
She smiled at the memory his question invoked. “When I was a sophomore in high school, I was invited to a sweet-sixteen party
of this wealthy classmate. We weren’t close or anything, but the whole class was invited. It was amazing. While all the other
girls were going gaga over each other’s dresses, I couldn’t peel my eyes from the spectacular venue, the amazing decorations,
and the acres of food. I’d never been to a party like that. It was quite the production.
“And then I saw this woman in a red wrap dress and realized she was running the whole show. She had a headset on and I just
observed her, cool and confident, overseeing every detail from food presentation to service to music and announcements. It
was the first time I realized that behind a successful party was a lot of structure and a very savvy person running the whole
show.”
“And you wanted to run the show.”
“I so wanted to run the show! I did some research and found out what it would take to get that job, and that’s what I’ve spent
the past seven years of my life doing.”
“You needed a bachelor’s degree.”
“You can become an event planner without a degree. But I wanted to work for the best—and Glitter requires a degree in hospitality
management.”
“I admire your ambition.”
She tossed him a glance and got caught up staring at that face. “Really?”
“It’s very attractive. Does that surprise you?”
She huffed. “Most of the men I’ve been around consider it more of a de traction.”
“I admire people who have goals and go after them—men and women. And speaking of goals, you’ve been in New Hampshire for three months, and as far as I know you haven’t even left Pinehaven.
The state might not have much in the way of art museums or theater, but we have natural attractions that are a real treat
for the senses. What would you think about heading up to Flume Gorge?”
She’d seen the granite gorge in brochures and had even recommended it to guests. “When?”
“Now, unless you have something better to do.”
“Don’t you have to oversee things here?”
“Meg’s in the office. She won’t mind taking the reins.”
“Oh.” The trail was over an hour away. The thought of spending the afternoon with Jonah made her a little giddy. It was certainly
more tempting than the chores she’d been planning to catch up on.
“Do you like to hike?”
“I have no idea.”
“Well, it’s not too rigorous and the mountains are beautiful. It’d be a shame if you came to New Hampshire and never visited
the White Mountains.”
Good point. Plus there was that whole giddy thing. The hopeful smile he sent her way was her undoing. “All right. But I’m
paying my own way.”
“Deal.”
An hour later they were well on their way, chattering about this and that on the drive. Jonah shared a bit about his mom’s reluctance to believe he truly wanted to run the resort. He’d also mentioned that Tom and Tammy were actually his aunt and uncle who’d adopted him after his mom passed. He mentioned it so offhandedly, but it surprised her. But then most people probably wouldn’t guess she’d been raised in foster care.
That was the goal—to rise above her upbringing, such as it was.
She was becoming comfortable with Jonah. He was easy to talk to. He was smart and funny—and she couldn’t stop herself from
stealing glances at his freshly shaven face. Who knew there were such attractive features under all that hair? Not that his
appearance mattered. They were friends and it had been a long time since she’d had a male friend.
The drive passed so quickly she was surprised when they turned into the parking lot. After buying tickets they entered the
forest, walking side by side on the wide pebbled path. It was quiet back in the woods except for tweeting birds and an occasional
rustle in the underbrush. They’d only passed one couple so far. Hemlock trees stretched to the sky above them. The earthy
scents of pine and decaying wood filled her nostrils, and soon the distant sound of rushing water reached her ears.
As they hiked down a slope, a red covered bridge came into view and she gasped.
“You can’t come to New Hampshire without seeing at least one.”
She stopped and snapped a photo. “I have to send this to Sydney. She loves to paint covered bridges.”
“Run up ahead and I’ll get one with you in it.”
She handed him her phone and ran down to pose in front of the bridge. A minute later he met her on the boardwalk where she
snapped a shot of the creek running beneath the bridge. The water tumbled over boulders, making the most relaxing sound.
“Just listen to that,” she said. “I need that sound effect on my phone.”
“Technology can’t quite capture it.”
As they moved on, past Table Rock, the sound of rushing water grew louder. Then the trail opened to the bottom of the gorge.
A narrow boardwalk protruded from a granite cliff, ascending from the floor of the ravine. The granite walls shimmered with
dampness, and moss clung to their faces like green whiskers. The narrow creek tumbled downhill over boulders, and mist hung
in the air all around them, making the boardwalk slick. The roar of the waterfall made conversation almost impossible.
They followed the boardwalk upward, admiring the views. Then finally they reached the upper end of the gorge where Avalanche
Falls cascaded some forty-five feet into the ravine below. She snapped shots of the beautiful sight, including one of Jonah
leaning on the rails, taking in the panorama.
Once she finished taking pictures, they continued until they reached the top of the gorge. Her thighs were burning, and her
lungs struggled for breath, but it had been worth the journey.
She paused at the top and perched her hands on her hips, glad she’d worn her hair in a ponytail. Jonah didn’t seem out of
breath, but he stopped and took in the scenery.
“That was really cool,” she called over the roar. “Now when I recommend a visit to Flume Gorge, I’ll know whereof I speak.”
“We’re lucky we practically have it to ourselves today. On summer weekends it’s almost as crowded as an amusement park.”
They’d only passed a few families along the way, and now not a soul was in sight. She was glad he’d suggested this little
outing. She might never find herself back in New Hampshire. She should soak it in while she was here.
They continued on the trail, passing through forests thick with trees and the smell of pine. “I’ll bet this is beautiful in
the fall.”
“The White Mountains are popular that time of year. Did you know the Appalachian Trail runs across the state?”
“I learned that a few weeks ago. We had a couple guests who were planning to hike a section of it. Have you ever been on it?”
“I hiked the New Hampshire portion with some friends the summer after I graduated. My mom was hoping I’d change my mind and
go to college.”
“I guess she had her way after all.”
“She means well.”
“Do you like to travel?”
“I love it. My friend Javi and I used to take at least a couple trips in the winter. But then I started taking classes and
he got married. We went to Miami, New Orleans, San Diego, Seattle—”
“So you’re a city boy at heart.”
He gave a wry grin. “Not by a long shot. Love to visit but wouldn’t want to live there.”
Exactly how she was coming to feel about the backwoods of New Hampshire.
They passed a wooden shelter with a bench and continued on through the forest until they came to an overlook jutting out beside
the path. They headed toward it and stopped at the split-rail fence.
Just beyond the railing the ground dropped away, and over the treetops below the distant mountain range hunkered on the horizon.
Clouds hovered overhead, casting cotton ball–shaped shadows on the mountains.
“Beautiful.” She snapped a couple photos.
He stepped back and took one of her taking a photo. “Turn around.”
She did as he suggested and gave a cheesy smile.
He laughed. “Now a real one.”
She complied. Then he joined her at the railing and she pocketed her phone and let herself just be in the moment. It was something she’d been working on since she’d been here. She tended to hyperfocus on her job. When she wasn’t working, she was making plans. Something about the resort, the slower pace, and the nature surrounding her had made her realize she should stop and soak in the moment every now and then. Live. Breathe.
She feasted on the view. Inhaled the scent of pine. Gloried in the cool breeze sweeping across the valley. It was all so beautiful.
Everything in view was God-made, not man-made. Completely opposite of the balcony view she’d had in Boston. A few months ago
she might’ve knocked this rural vista, but she was coming to appreciate nature, coming to have a different perspective.
Oh, she was still a city girl. She loved Boston. But even a city girl could take a trip to the mountains and enjoy the change
of pace.
Jonah leaned his forearms on the fence rail. “I think this is the first time I’ve ever seen you just being still.”
“I’m not very good at it.”
“Practice makes perfect.”
“I had a foster mom who always said that.” The words popped out before she could censor them.
He studied her for a long moment.
Her face heated, but she resisted the urge to squirm.
“Foster mom?”
There was no taking it back now. “I was in the system for a while.” He wasn’t getting any more than that. She never brought
up her childhood. It made people see her differently, like some kind of underdog. Some kind of pitiful project.
“Must’ve been difficult.”
“It made me stronger.” That’s what she told herself. And it was the truth.
He set his fingers on the tattoo at her wrist, his touch stirring every skin cell to life. “Is that what this is all about?”
Most people didn’t recognize the fawohodie symbol. They assumed it was some kind of simplified butterfly.
“I looked it up. The desire to chart one’s own course or determine one’s own fate .”
“Right.” She shifted her weight. She usually just told people it meant independence. His knowing the more specific definition made her uncomfortable. She hoped he wouldn’t press her about it. She hadn’t much enjoyed her childhood, and she sure wasn’t interested in reliving it.
“You’re strong and ambitious,” he said. “I have a feeling you’ll reach all the goals you set for yourself.”
Relieved he’d shifted the subject, she smiled at him. “I won’t stop until I do.”
“I’ll just bet you won’t.”
Their gazes met and clung. They were closer than she’d realized, their shoulders touching. His fingertips lingered on her
wrist. In the shade of the trees, his eyes were the color of worn denim. They softened as the moment hung, suspended and mesmerizing.
Awareness crackled between them.
His attention dropped to her mouth and her lips tingled with want. She leaned forward.
Or he did.
Somehow they met in the middle and his lips brushed hers, gentle and warm. Her skin hummed at the touch.
He lingered there for just a breath, then brushed her lips again. Testing, searching.
She tilted her head and returned the kiss because she couldn’t not . His lips were perfect, his kiss drawing her out. It was a giving kind of kiss, not a taking kind. She hadn’t realized there
was a difference until now.
It was soft and slow and still somehow managed to send her nervous system into overdrive. Her heart was about to leap from
her chest and her body buzzed with want. She held herself back—just barely—from drawing closer. She wanted to feel his chest
pressed against her. She wanted to touch that freshly shaven jaw and see if his skin felt like velvet.
What was she doing? He was a friend. He was her boss . She shouldn’t develop feelings for someone she couldn’t have. She had a job waiting in Boston and she was only here through December. The reasons this kiss was a bad idea just kept coming.
As if sensing her resistance, he ended the kiss. But he didn’t move away. Their breaths mingled between them.
She kept her eyes closed, unwilling to let go of the magical moment just yet. “I’m leaving at the end of the year.”
“December’s a long way off. And those were some sparks.”
She couldn’t argue with either of those sentiments. Air stirred between them. She opened her eyes and found his half-lidded
gaze as sexy as anything she’d ever seen. But she didn’t need a distraction from her work. From her goals. She’d come too
far to be thrown off course by an attractive boss. “This is a bad idea.”
He blinked and that sexy look was gone, replaced by an expression far less threatening. He put space between them. Turned
to lean back against the railing, as casual as a backyard barbecue. “Can I tell you what I’m thinking?”
“Sure. Go for it.”
“We haven’t talked much about our previous relationships, but my last one was pretty serious and ended with her leaving for
greener pastures.”
Lauren widened her eyes as she gestured toward herself. “Hello ...? ”
He chuckled. “Yes, but I know you’re leaving and therefore won’t let myself get carried away. The natural deadline will keep us both in check.”
“I see.”
“So here’s what I’m thinking. What about a nice, casual, lighthearted summer romance? We go out to eat, have coffee, enjoy
each other’s company. It could be fun.” He quirked a brow. “You know... that state of being that results in pleasure and
gratification...”
She gave him the side-eye. “I know what fun is.”
“All work and no play...”
She was catching the drift. Something like he was describing wouldn’t be such a horrible thing, would it? She’d been so focused on her goals, and because of that she was terribly lacking in experience. This might be good for her. Jonah, it turned out, was kind, fun to be with, and very attractive. Not to mention quite the good kisser. She could stand more of those kisses.
“I could show you more of New Hampshire, help you make the most of your time here. Plus, I really want to kiss you again.”
Her lips twitched. At least she wasn’t the only one whose lips still prickled with want. Still there was that other thing.
“There is the little matter of you being my boss.”
“I am your boss—when we’re working. When we’re not, you’re the boss.”
“Really?”
“Well... the boss of you.”
She could live with that. Couldn’t she? It might be kinda fun to have a summer romance. She hadn’t been on a date in almost
a year. “Nothing serious though.”
“Serious is the last thing I want.”
“We’d keep things light and breezy.”
“Good words, light and breezy .”
She thought for a moment, the idea holding more appeal than she’d like to admit. “I suppose we could try it out, do some sightseeing,
see where it leads.”
He gave her a playful look. “Will it lead to another kiss?”
“Is that all you can think about?”
“What can I say? You have me hooked. But hey, the ball’s in your court, Wentworth. I’ve done enough talking. What do you want?”
She liked his style. He was up-front. He’d laid out his thoughts, his hopes, and waited for her weigh-in. To make the final
call. It was empowering. It might seem a simple thing, but in her experience, it was not the norm.
Because of that—and because she couldn’t get that amazing kiss out of her head—she turned a smile on him. “I guess another kiss wouldn’t hurt anything.”
“I’ll take it.” He leaned forward and kissed her again.
He explored her lips while his fingers brushed the sensitive spot on her inner wrist. Then he cradled her face and wreaked
havoc on her mouth. Warmth rushed from the middle out like an epicenter. It trickled through her limbs and into her hands.
Oh, he was good .
He pulled away too soon. His eyes smoldered a second before they shuttered with a blink. Then they sparkled with humor. “Is
that a yes?”
Light and breezy. Natural deadline. Amazing kisses. “I think it is.”
His smile widened. “It’s gonna be a good summer.”
“We’ll see about that.”
He grabbed her hand and gave it a tug. They started back down the trail, her legs wobbling—and not from the hike. “Before
this goes any further, I have a very important question to ask you.”
“Sounds weighty.”
“The weightiest of weighty.”
“Go for it.”
“Okay, here goes... Would you have kissed me if I still had my beard?”
“I’m not sure I could’ve located your lips.”
His laugher filled the forest.