Chapter 4
FOUR
As I left my cabin, I stretched my arms over my head, letting the lingering summer heat sink into my bones. All the locals said we were lucky; the longer the summer lasted, the more income the tourist-based businesses made. But I couldn’t wait for the summer rush to end, for this town to go back to the sleepy little secret I’d fallen in love with. Until then, I’d don my usual disguise—my trustworthy sunglasses and a New York Rebels hat.
I walked over to the main lodge, a large, rustic building in the front of the Fox Creek Property. While my little cabin had most amenities, I had to venture over to the main property for food unless I wanted to cook. They always had some takeaway available, but there was also a full restaurant on the south side, with a dining room that looked out over the lake. I tended to avoid that, mostly because I could usually expect at least one person to watch me, trying to place my face. While once, being recognized gave me an indescribable thrill, now, it made my skin crawl. So, I kept to myself. Filming last year had brought enough strangers to these shores; I didn’t want to be the cause of any more chaos. One picture or post could be enough to inundate the town with reports and end my respite.
Waving to the cook, Thomas, and the lone waitress, whose name I always forgot, I stepped into the buffet area. The room was between the kitchen and the dining room, and the wafting smells of fresh bread and pastries made my mouth water. But most of the lunchtime options had been picked through, and all that was left were a couple of pastries and some fruit. I glanced at my watch. Cole asked me to go over for dinner tonight, so I needed something to hold me over until then. When I was just about to say fuck it and head into the restaurant, I turned, colliding with a woman who had been trying to reach around me.
She squeaked as she started to fall. Before I could think about my actions, I reached out, pulling her into my arms. Her wide brown eyes stared up at me, shock filling her gaze.
I was equally stunned, taking in the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. How in the hell had I missed her checking in? She must have been new, because there was no way I wouldn’t have noticed her before.
As I placed her back on her feet, I took in more of her features. She had long, slightly wavy dark hair, with a few brighter pieces framing her face. Her lightly glossed lips parted in surprise, and I couldn’t help but stare at the pink hue. She was adorable, almost innocent. But that thought was dashed when I scanned the rest of her, finding luscious curves that could make any man fall to his knees.
“I’m okay,” her voice said as she glanced down at my arm still wrapped around her waist.
“Oh, sorry,” I said quickly, gifting her an apologetic smile. “I was just…” Staring? Distracted by your full lips? “I need coffee.”
She giggled, tucking her chin down to her chest. “Same.” She nodded behind me. “Care to pass me a cup? Don’t want to risk another collision.”
“You got it.”
I grabbed one of the porcelain cups, but she stopped me, placing her hand on my arm. “Actually, I meant one of the to-go cups. I’m heading right back to my cabin.”
“As was I,” I chuckled. “But to make up for almost knocking you over, I’d love to treat you to a real meal.”
Her eyes widened at my offer, her teeth sinking into her plush bottom lip. Shit. Why the hell did that move go straight to my dick? Maybe it was the lack of attention he’d received lately, and now, even the smallest gesture was conjuring dirty images in my mind.
She shook her head, barely suppressing an annoyed chuckle. “Did Cole put you up to this?”
The sound of my best friend’s name on her lips doused all my thoughts. Cocking my head to the side, I stared at her a little more intensely. Why would Cole have asked— oh, fuck .
“Victoria?” I screeched, pulling down my sunglasses to get a good look at her. When Cole asked me to look out for his sister, I never thought about what she’d look like now. In my mind, she was still a skinny teenager with wild hair and a toothy grin.
But the woman in front of me was a goddess.
I cleared my throat, forcing away any inappropriate thoughts before I reached down and pulled her into a hug. “Holy shit, Victoria. I didn’t even recognize you.” I pulled back, searching her face again. Now that I knew it was her, I couldn’t believe it had taken me that long. She looked almost like a clone of her mom. She had the same color eyes as Cole, but unlike his, her color danced with something I couldn’t place. “You look so different.”
She chuckled, taking a step out of my arms. “I hope so. The last time I saw you, I was still rocking jean overalls.”
“It was a good look.”
“You’re sweet,” she said, placing her hand on my arm again. “But we both know that’s a lie.”
It was hard to rectify the picture in my mind with the sight in front of me. In truth, I paid little attention to Victoria Campbell. Our age gap meant we never ran in the same circles or shared the same school. She was always just Cole’s little sister, nothing more.
But the woman in front of me had ripped all other thoughts from my mind. I was consumed by her lips and smooth curves.
However, just as quickly as the thoughts overtook me, the thought of my best friend drowned them in cold water. Cole asked me to look after his baby sister—he wanted her to feel welcome and safe in his town. Something told me he didn’t want my little soldier leading the welcome wagon.
Clearing my throat, I took a big step back, trying to escape the floral scent that seemed to linger around her. “You heading over to the house tonight?”
She paused and took a slow breath. “Yeah, I think so. My parents are going to expect me for dinner, and I’d like to meet Alex.”
“You haven’t met yet?”
I knew the answer, but I wanted to hear her version of events over the past few months. While I knew Cole was trying, Victoria had been holding back; at least, that’s what Cole had said. And as much as the woman in front of me was a stranger, she was still a Campbell. They might have a tough exterior, but the inside was all warmth and love. When we tried to intervene and help Cole, she was the one leading the charge, spending all her time researching the best treatment programs and ways we could support him. She was his cheerleader, the one constant in his corner. For Victoria to cut Cole out of her life meant something must have cut her deep, and the wound wasn’t likely healed.
“Nope,” Victoria answered, averting her eyes from my gaze. “We’ve talked on the phone, and she sometimes joins our weekly calls, but I haven’t met her in person.” She chuckled and gave me a conspiratorial smirk. “I’m very curious about the woman who convinced my brother to settle down.”
“I think it was the opposite way around,” I chuckled. “Alex would have been happy to keep dating, but Cole wanted to make things official. He would have married her months ago, but they decided to wait until things were more stable here.”
“That doesn’t sound like the Cole I remember.”
I met her gaze, taking in the pain and hurt hidden behind the dark specks of her eyes. As soon as she noticed me staring, she shook her head, rolling her eyes. “Ignore me, I’m just hangry. I promise I’ll be charming tonight.”
“I don’t know, trouble. I think I like it when you speak your mind.”
“We’ll see about that,” she chuckled, grabbing one more pastry and stacking it on her plate. “So, tell me what you’ve been up to, Adam? Besides destroying the box office and making women ages 18 to 35 lust after you.”
“Are you keeping tabs on me, Campbell?” I joked, hoping she didn’t notice my flinch.
“It's kind of hard not to, Rice,” she chuckled, putting her plate down and adding cream to her coffee. “You’re a pretty popular guy.”
As she spoke, another guest joined us. Even though they paid us no mind, my defenses rose, not wanting to expose any part of myself. I cleared my throat, “I should get going, but it was…” I blanked out on words, too busy staring into Victoria Campbell’s eyes. “Good. It’s really good to see you again.” I squeezed her shoulder as I walked past. “But you’ll be there tonight?”
“Yup. I might try to squeeze in a quick nap, but Cole’s coming to pick me up later.”
“Good,” I repeated, as if it was the only word left in my brain. “Good. Then I’ll see you there.”
As I walked outside, I instantly regretted it. Every fiber of my body wanted me to go back inside and keep talking to Victoria. I wanted to know more about her and find out what had happened in the years since we parted. Never did I think that Cole’s little sister would knock me on my ass like she did.
When I reached my cabin, I turned, watching as she walked across the lawn. For most of my life, Victoria Campbell had been an afterthought.
But she certainly had all of my attention now.