Chapter 2 #2
“You’re very welcome. Have a nice stay!”
He took a quick glance at Kelsey’s cabin before turning his attention to the one he was going to occupy. “Thanks! I’m sure I will!”
What in the world was Jayce doing? Kelsey wondered.
She had just happened to look out her window and saw him going into the cabin across the way.
Was there something wrong with the one his family was staying in?
Were they all going to move across the path?
After peeking out from behind the curtains, she didn’t see anyone else follow and that just made her even more curious.
He said he was staying with them, so why leave less than an hour later?
“Okay, I seriously need to find something to do other than stalking the neighbors,” she murmured.
So, she finished unpacking and was going to sit and read, but it was far too quiet in the cabin—like almost eerily quiet.
Grabbing her hat, sunglasses, and key, she opted to go out and explore the property and see if anything had changed.
Everything she’d seen so far hadn’t, but maybe if she went down toward the lake there would be something new.
Just as she stepped outside, she spotted Jayce coming out of his cabin. He waved and she waved back.
“Hey!” he said, jogging over. “Where are you off to?”
“I was just going to get some fresh air and stroll down to the lake. I’m super curious if maybe they updated anything down there by the docks.”
“Would you like some company?”
God yes…
“Sure,” she said casually. “That would be great.” Climbing down the steps, she motioned to cabin fourteen. “What happened? It looks like you moved in across the way.”
They began slowly walking down the path toward the lake.
“Between our conversation on the walk over and then stepping inside and seeing things hadn’t changed one bit, I knew there was no way I was going to fit on the sleeper sofa.
If it were only for a night or two, it would be one thing, but ten days? ” He shook his head. “Absolutely not.”
“And your family was okay with you staying in another cabin?”
“My mother is the queen of the guilt trip and she immediately began to lay it on thick, but she couldn’t argue with the fact that I’m a grown man and that sofa wasn’t going to cut it.
I called the front desk and could have stayed up at the lodge, but when they said fifteen was available, I figured it would appease everyone. ”
She nodded. “And very convenient.”
“That too.” They walked along quietly for a few moments. “How’s your cabin? Does it feel smaller than you remember?”
“Definitely. Especially the bathroom! I don’t know how families with more than one kid do it. It was tight when there were three of us in there. After my parents divorced, it was kind of nice having it just be me and my mom.”
Now it was Jayce’s turn to nod. “How’s your dad? Do you see him often?”
“He passed away five years ago. Heart attack,” she said solemnly.
“It was a total shock, but up until then, we had been pretty close. After the divorce, he only moved about fifteen minutes away, so we saw each other a lot. And after a while, he and my mom could be in the same room with each other without arguing.”
“Damn, Kelsey, I’m so sorry.” He reached for her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.
“Thanks. I miss him like crazy, but I have peace knowing we were always in a good place. No regrets except I wish we’d had more time.”
“I can only imagine. Damn.”
“Do you mind if we change the subject?” she asked, keeping her gaze straight ahead.
“Not at all.” He paused. “If there are canoes down there, would you like to take one out?”
Looking up at him, she grinned. “Are you sure? The last time we did that, we tipped it over three times. And we’re not in our bathing suits, so…maybe we save that for another day?”
His laugh was low and so very masculine.
The grown-up version of Jayce Nash was so much more than she ever imagined.
The dark hair, dark beard, and the piercing blue eyes with the little crinkles at the corner…
Kelsey could still clearly see the boy she had grown up with, but the man he now was? He was even more appealing.
Jayce was still holding her hand and it felt like the most natural thing in the world—which was weird since they hadn’t seen each other for thirteen years.
Back then, it was exciting to have a summer boyfriend.
Whenever they went back home, they kept in touch, but they each dated people they went to school with.
Geography definitely didn’t help them, but at the time, it didn’t seem like a big deal.
In her heart, she knew that Jayce was always the one for her.
Until he wasn’t.
That first summer he didn’t come with his parents, she was crushed. Then their calls and texts became less frequent until they eventually just stopped.
We were just kids, she’d tell herself. There was no way they were serious about each other; after all, they weren’t even exclusive.
That didn’t make her teenage heart break any less.
So now here they were, and it was nice.
Very nice.
It was still chaste and sweet and…so exactly what she needed today.
“What are your plans for dinner tonight?” he asked after several quiet moments.
“Um…I’m not really sure yet. What about you?”
“Dinner up at the lodge. It’s tradition,” he said with a hint of amusement. “Personally, I was hoping for something a little different, but it’s what my grandparents want, so…that’s what we’re doing.”
“It’s really sweet how they still love this place after all these years and they want to keep the traditions. I know you might not think it’s a big deal, but one day those traditions are just memories and you miss them.” The wistful sigh was out before she could stop it.
“Are you thinking about your dad? I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you again. I…”
“It’s okay, Jayce. Really. And I wasn’t thinking about my dad specifically.
Being back here after so many years is just a reminder of all the hopes and dreams I used to have.
It’s crazy how a place can hold so many memories—good and bad—and yet because it was such a big part of my childhood…
” Pausing, Kelsey shook her head. “I don’t even know what I’m trying to say. Sorry.”
He squeezed her hand. “No need to apologize. I get what you’re saying. I’m making light of the whole thing, but the truth is, this place was a big deal for me too. I think of all the people we used to hang out with who are still friends to this day.”
Looking up at him, she asked, “You still keep in touch with everyone?”
“Um…not everyone,” he began, stopping to think. “But I do still talk to Axel, Conner, Milo, Slater, and Walker.” Another pause. “Yeah, I think that’s it.”
“You still talk to Walker and he never mentioned that his grandparents were closing this place down?”
Shaking his head, he replied, “Nope. We were talking sports the last time—the Stanley Cup playoffs—and the last time he mentioned this place, it was a while ago and it was just a casual mention.” He shrugged. “I guess it is kind of strange that it didn’t come up.”
“I’m so curious about what’s going to happen to all of this.” They reached the docks, and there were canoes over to one side and paddleboats on another. “Ooh…they all look fairly new! I don’t remember the paddleboats, do you?”
He shook his head again. “No, but I have a feeling the same rules would apply to us. We aren’t dressed for the risk of landing in the water.”
Laughing, she had to agree. “Well, drats. It’s so peaceful out here; it seems like a shame to not be on the water.”
“We’ll do it tomorrow. I promise,” he said as he released her hand and slowly maneuvered them until she was in his arms. They stared out at the water and it was just a perfect moment. “I missed you, Kelse.”
Sighing softly, she rested her head on his chest. “I missed you too. I always thought I’d see you again and it broke my heart that you never came back here.
” Then she laughed quietly. “Never in a million years did I think we’d see each other after all these years right back in the place where we met. ”
“Not seeing you or saying a proper goodbye is one of my biggest regrets. Back then, it just felt like no big deal when I didn’t come the first time.
I went to Japan and had an amazing time, and I wished I could come here and tell you all about it.
” He let out a long breath. “I feel like my senior year of high school was a blur. There was football and proms and finals and college tours…after a while, it felt like my time wasn’t my own.
My parents had it planned that we were coming back that summer, but… ”
There was no need for him to say more. They both knew he didn’t come back.
“Packing up and prepping for college just took on a life of its own, and by that time, I didn’t think you’d even want to hear from me.”
“At the time, I probably didn’t. I had my own stuff going on and it was all good. I just missed talking to you and spending time with you. That one month every summer was always special.”
She felt him nod.
“I know ten days isn’t really enough to make up for those two summers—or all the time since—but I’d really like to have the chance to get to know you again.”
“I’d like that too,” she whispered as his arms gently tightened around her.
“About dinner tonight…”
Pulling back slightly, Kelsey looked up at him. He looked so happy and relaxed and…hopeful.
“My family wanted to invite you and your mom to join us. I know it’s the first night and I didn’t want to impose, but I thought I’d throw the idea out there.”
Tears stung her eyes, and she knew she needed to come clean.
But first, she needed to not be in his arms or looking into his eyes.
“Okay, so…I didn’t say anything earlier and I’m not even sure why I didn’t, but…” She willed herself not to cry. “When I said I was here for my mom’s birthday, I guess it was natural for you to think that she was here with me.”
Glancing over at him, she saw the confusion written all over his face.
“My mother passed away recently,” she said, her voice trembling.
“And she wanted her ashes scattered here. Honestly, I have no idea where I’m going to do it, but it is legal in the state of New York to scatter them without a permit.
If this were a national park, I’d need permission, but…
dammit, I hate this! I hate that I’m even talking about this like it’s not a big deal that I’m leaving my mom here and then the resort is going to be abandoned! ”
And before she knew it, she was back in Jayce’s arms, and she was sobbing.
At some point, she finally stopped, but he kept holding her.
“We’ll figure it out together,” he told her, his voice low and gruff. “And for tonight, you’re coming to dinner with us. You shouldn’t be alone. Hell, I don’t want you to be alone.”
“Jayce…”
“Just humor me, okay?”
“Okay.” It was only delaying the inevitable, but for tonight, she’d take it.