emotion when he kissed her, his tender touch.
Did he end up in California on his impromptu adventure, the one he had asked her to go on with him the day he proposed? Surely he couldn’t have expected her to leave her family and friends on a moment’s notice and ride off with him into the sunset. She’d never even had the chance to tell him about her grandmother’s death the night before. He’d always been too adventurous for her. Too impulsive.
She told him “no,” yet watching him speed away on his Harley without her left an ache, an emptiness deep in her heart. There had been many sleepless nights when she relied on God’s strength, wondering if she’d made a mistake in not going with him.
But she couldn’t leave her family. Julie needed time to grieve over the passing of the beloved grandmother who had always made life fun for her and her brother. If only she’d had the chance to tell Zach. She drew a shaky breath. She’d never heard from him again. Until now.
“What were you doing up there alone?” Zach asked, nodding toward the attic. Slowly his gaze drifted down the length of her body. His hands fisted inside the pockets of his leather jacket. His intense gaze returned to meet hers.
“Nothing, really.” Zach was the only person she ever told about her claustrophobia. Had he remembered? “What are you doing in this section of the inn, Zach? This corridor isn’t open to guests. It needs to be renovated. Didn’t you see the sign?”
“Sign?” Zach glanced down the hallway. “Must’ve missed it.”
“I guess so.” Taking a quick breath, she reached for the box and slowly turned it upright being careful not to let the albums or any other photos slip out for Zach to see. She lifted it from the wooden floor. “I’ll just put this away.” Far away.
“I can’t let you do that,” Zach said grabbing the carton.
“What? Wait, I—”
“It’s way too heavy. Good thing I happened to wander by.” He easily lifted the cardboard container from her arms. “You might’ve fallen off that ladder if I hadn’t been here.” He raised an eyebrow and nodded toward the stairs at the other end of the hall. “Lead the way.”
“Fine.” Several minutes later, they reached the main floor and Julie opened the door to her private office. I should’ve duct-taped that box shut. Permanently.
“Where do you want this?” he asked, hovering in the doorway.
“Thanks, I can handle it from here.” Julie took the box from his arms, walked to the far corner of her office and then lowered it onto the carpet. She turned to face him. “See, it wasn’t that heavy.”
“If you say so.” Zach leaned against the doorjamb, arms crossed over his broad chest. His blue-gray eyes filled with a familiar longing and a lazy smile eased its way across his face. “So, how are you, Julie?”
“I’m fine.” She took in a much-needed breath. Zach’s sudden presence in her life was taking its toll on her already frazzled nerves. The pleasant aroma of vanilla almond coffee brewing in the Capresso machine in the corner of the room gave her the sense of normalcy she so desperately needed. Beatrice always made her a fresh pot of coffee at this time of day. At least something was going according to plan. Julie curled a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “It’s been a while, Zach,” she said, leaning one hip against the top of her desk.
“Yeah.” Zach scanned the office before his penetrating gaze returned to meet hers. “About eight years, Jewels.”
He called her by his old nickname for her. The one she hated. Yet, hearing it now brought forth a rush of precious memories. She forced the sweet thoughts from her heart and mind. “Has it been that long?” Though she knew all too well exactly how long ago it had been.
“Yeah. So, what have you been up to?” he asked.
Julie smiled. “Running the lodge, for one thing.”
His gaze locked on hers. “You really own this resort?”
“Yes.” She nodded and took in another quick breath. It was good to see him. Zach had meant the world to her once. “My husband and I bought it and—”
“Right.” His sudden, cool gaze confused her. “You look great. You haven’t aged a day.” He pushed off the doorway and backed up a step.
“Thanks.” Why was he deliberately making her uncomfortable? It wasn’t like him. At least not like the Zach she used to know. She lowered her gaze so he wouldn’t notice the moisture in her eyes. “I’d…better let you go,” she said once she composed herself. She lifted her gaze to meet his.
“Yeah, I’m off to do some exploring.” He ran a hand through his hair. “You know. Take a drive around the lake, find a couple of places to fish.”
Julie ached to do a little exploring of her own and run her fingers across the roughness of his jaw. It was good to hear his deep, familiar voice. She had to get a grip on the overpowering emotions coursing through her. Seeing him again, old feelings resurfaced, stronger than ever.
A strand of hair fell across his forehead and she fought the overwhelming impulse to smooth it back, as she used to. “How long are you staying, Zach?” Surely, he couldn’t be their “mystery man,” the one who had insisted on main level accommodations with a view of the lake. But the way her day was going…
Julie wished she’d made more time to be involved with the lone guest who had mysteriously booked a room for an extended stay. If she’d seen his name, she would’ve had some warning. “Are you with your family?” she asked, hoping he would say yes.
“No. It’s just me.” He smiled, but it wasn’t real.
Julie studied his face. Something was wrong. He was their “mystery man,” all right, in more ways than one. “Is your room okay? We wanted to make sure that you’d be comfortable. You know, for such a long…vacation.”
“Yeah. It’s great.” His distant gaze held hers. “You and your husband must love it here.”
Julie walked to stand at the open door with him. Through the floor-to-ceiling windows at the far end of the lobby, she surveyed the silvery lake and the tall evergreens of the densely treed property.
Her heart felt as heavy as the thick morning mist that rose from Shadow Lake. The steely gray presence curled up the vast, manicured lawn near the back of the lodge, lingering at the tall windows until it enveloped the building in a translucent cocoon.
Eerie, yet beautiful. Peaceful, but lonely.
Just like her heart.
Dragging in a deep breath, and wondering about her sudden case of melancholy, she turned to face Zach. “My husband…Tim—” she blinked and cleared her throat “—he…he died suddenly. Three years ago.” She still found it hard to discuss Tim’s death and the virus that had weakened his heart in a matter of weeks.
Zach reached out and gently lifted her chin so her gaze would meet his. “I’m sorry, Julie.” His words, so sincerely spoken, revealed the tender man she remembered. The gentle touch of his long fingers brushing her cheek stirred emotions she’d tried to bury along with their past.
He
