Chapter Seven
Seven
IF CHARLIE MADE A LIST of things she could live her whole life without, being the center of attention hovered near the top, right along with speaking to a large group of people or doing hot yoga.
She didn’t mind leading group sessions in counseling or offering workshops, and she’d be fine teaching university students.
But she definitely didn’t need to be fussed over.
Yet here she was, foot propped up on a chair, ice atop her ankle, on the back deck of Get Lost Lodge.
It wasn’t that bad; a little tender and beat up, but fine considering.
When she’d limped into the lodge, Beckett and the others noticed immediately.
Jillian worried over her and it would have been sweet and somewhat adorable, her innate sense of mothering, like she couldn’t help herself—if Charlie was the type who enjoyed such things.
Vivi enjoyed this sort of thing a hell of a lot.
Ollie was explaining how to avoid injuries on a hike and Bernie was staring at her like she was a fragile piece of porcelain.
When Presley, Beckett’s fiancée, brought her out some tea, she thanked her but wanted to tell them all to carry on with their day.
It was just a sore ankle; she’d suffered worse with far less fanfare.
At twelve, she’d broken her finger by jumping off the playground monkey bars and landing wrong on her hand.
She’d taken herself to the emergency room since it wasn’t very far from school and it had happened after the last bell.
She called her mom from the emergency room.
Vivi offered to send a ride-share to pick her up or send one of her friends, but she was waiting for her turn at an audition.
Charlie took an Uber home. What could her mom do?
“I’m fine, honestly. I really wish you’d all just go about your day. Both of your brothers made too big a deal over this. I could have walked back. It’s just sore. It’s already feeling better.”
“You can never be too careful. Presley knows that. You should have seen her after her first hike,” Uncle Bernie said, eyes glittering with affection and mischief in the striking brunette’s direction.
Despite her discomfort with being the main focus, Charlie smiled at Presley’s laughter over the memory.
“It was awful, Charlie. I went through an entire box of Band-Aids. I basically just wrapped my feet in them and then put on three pairs of Beckett’s socks so I was walking on cushioning,” Presley said, taking a seat on the sectional outdoor sofa.
She had a refined elegance that was both approachable and enviable.
It was easy to imagine becoming friends with her or Jilly, but Charlie knew better than to form any deep attachments at the moment.
Her focus was to get her life back on track.
“Your uncle helped me maintain the tiniest shred of dignity by letting me escort him down the mountain,” Presley added.
“Oh, be honest now, dear. Beckett was tired of listening to my prattling and pawned me off on you,” Bernie said, smiling at her with a familiarity that brought a pang of longing to Charlie’s chest.
Growing up, she’d had friends with large extended families. They fascinated her since most of the time her dad’s entourage of people sort of disappeared, and it was just her and her mom. Or her on her own.
Jillian lifted the ice off Charlie’s ankle. “I’ll go dump this. You shouldn’t have the ice on for more than ten minutes or so. Do you want something to eat?”
Her reddish-brown hair was pulled away from her face and tucked into a thick braid hanging over her shoulder. Her pale skin looked like it’d simply been lightly kissed by the sun, leaving a soft smattering of freckles across the bridge of her nose.
“I’m hungry,” Ollie said.
“You’re always hungry,” Presley replied, grinning.
Charlie lowered her foot. “I’m fine, I promise. Go eat lunch. I’m not hungry, and my ankle is okay. I’m just going to shower and get some reading done.”
Before she could stand up, Levi, Jillian’s fiancé, who had a whole charming boy-next-door-meets-handsome-movie-star vibe happening, joined them on the deck. Ollie went running to him and launched herself at his side. He put an arm around her like it was the most natural thing in the world.
“Hi, honey,” Jilly said, her gaze lighting up.
Geez. There was something in the air here. The place should be called Get Lost in Love Lodge. But it wasn’t just in love. There was such a genuine vibe of affection surrounding this family. It was … uplifting.
“Hey, babe.” His gaze roamed over Jillian, landing on her stomach—not that there was much there that Charlie could see. “Bad news—Emmy is sick and won’t be able to take a group of kids tomorrow. She feels really bad leaving you in the lurch.”
“Oh, no,” Presley said, standing up. “I have a city council meeting tomorrow or I’d help out. I can try to shift things around.”
Jillian frowned. “That’s okay. She was doing the mini confidence-building session.”
“I can help,” Ollie offered, releasing her hold on Levi.
Smiling at her daughter, Jilly ran a hand through Ollie’s hair. “You do have confidence, sweetie, but you’re too young.”
While they weren’t paying attention, Charlie stood, testing her ankle. Bernie appeared at her side like a gray-haired ninja with more stealth than she herself possessed.
“Easy,” Bernie said, taking her arm.
Charlie dipped her chin in his direction. “I’m fine. Please, stop fussing.”
Why he smiled at her like she’d told a joke, she wasn’t sure. But he dropped his hand and took a step back. She tuned back in to the conversation, listening as they tried to sort out what sounded like a scheduling problem.
“We’ll just put the girls in larger groups and do one less session,” Jilly said, disappointment heavy in her tone.
“What’s this for?” Charlie almost bit her tongue after the question escaped her mouth. She was trying to get out of the way, remove herself from this little family that was unlike any she’d encountered.
Levi put a hand on Jilly’s back, kissed her temple. “Jilly organized a day camp for kids to learn how to build relationships, foster friendships, and do some self-esteem-building activities.”
“It’s for those who identify as girls,” Ollie offered.
Charlie couldn’t help the smile that stretched across her cheeks.
“That’s wonderful. It sounds excellent.” She only waffled back and forth in her head for a moment or two before offering her time.
“I’d be happy to take part and work with that group.
” Over the last couple of days, they’d all asked a lot of questions, so they knew she had a background in psychology and that she was here to teach at the university. “I enjoy working with that age group.”
They all looked at her, and once again, she was back in the spotlight. Though, this time, it was for a different reason, so it didn’t feel so suffocating.
“Are you sure?” Jillian asked.
A chance to get out of her own head and work with kids? That was an easy yes.
“Absolutely.”
They all talked over each other and Charlie felt a wave of something she couldn’t completely identify wash over her.
When her mother had told her she was in love, she’d been so happy for her.
She’d met Eddie. He seemed like a good guy.
Especially for Vivi. He suited her in so many ways, complemented her in others, and challenged her the way she needed.
Charlie had naively thought, meeting his two adult daughters, that they’d be as excited as she was about their parents’ union.
If anyone wondered what happened to mean girls after high school, well, Charlie knew firsthand that some of them just became mean women.
“You okay, dear?” Bernie hovered at her side.
She nodded. “I’m good. I’m going to head back to the cabin. I’ll see you guys later.”
They said goodbye and thank you and then just repeated themselves comically.
Charlie knew, very well, that they all had bad days.
There was no way around it. Life was hard.
Some days it was really freaking hard. But these people, the Kellers and their soon-to-be spouses, offered a picture into what life could be like, hard or not, with someone who truly had your back.
Limping down the stairs of the lodge, she was lost in thought, making her way to the cabin Bernie considered his second home.
Charlie barely knew Bernie and yet his easy, accepting nature and nurturing personality had forged an almost instant bond.
Was it a mistake coming here to hide out?
It was certainly off the map, but getting attached to a whole group of people when she didn’t know where she’d be in a year?
In six months? She might hate teaching. She might hate Mackinaw City.
She might miss LA. She missed her mom. She could admit that and still be angry with her about the entire situation.
Trees lined the edges of the cabin, with little flowering shrubs creating a pretty sight along the length of the front porch.
The man standing there, leaning his crossed forearms on the railing of the porch, was an even better sight.
Charlie’s stomach did some sort of acrobatic spin, making her feel like she was on the edge of a diving board.
Grayson’s damp hair, fresh shirt that fit nicely over his broad chest, and dark pair of jeans suggested he’d already showered. He cleaned up extremely well but Charlie hadn’t minded him bare-chested and a little sweaty at all. She might have even preferred it.
“Looks like you’re managing to put weight on that ankle,” Grayson said, watching her take the steps up.
She saw him brace, like he was worried she might fall but didn’t want to insult her by coming closer and admitting to it. It was chivalrous in a sweet and unexpected way.