I stayed in the doorway, watching Jackson as he descended the stairs and crossed my yard. Like he’d done before, he glanced over his shoulder, giving me one last look before continuing onto the school’s lawn.
When he was gone, I went inside and closed the door. Then I sat on the edge of my mattress and flipped on my bedside lamp. As my eyes adjusted to the light, I slipped the note he’d given me from my pocket.
Willa
I’m sorry for calling you Willow.
It won’t happen again.
Jackson
I snorted a laugh. I didn’t know what I’d expected to find in his note, but that wasn’t it.
Setting the note down, I crawled into bed and snuggled in deep. I was beat and had another busy day ahead. I hoped I’d be able to fall asleep quickly and forget about the last ten minutes. But, just like the last time Jackson had graced my doorstep, sleep didn’t come easily. My thoughts were consumed with Jackson’s handwriting.
And how much I liked seeing my name written in his sloppy scrawl.
The windows on my truck were rolled down as I drove through town the next morning, and the fresh air smelled like pine trees and dew. Not much could top this smell, except maybe Willa’s hair. I’d only gotten a hint of it last night, but it was enough to leave me wanting more.
A lot more.
It was cool this early in the day, but by ten o’clock, the summer sunshine would burn off the chill and it would be a hot one. If I didn’t have to work later, it would be the perfect day to take the boat out on the lake or go for a hike in the mountains.
I might not have been born in Montana, but this mountain air called to my blood.
Too bad my mother hadn’t dumped me somewhere like this instead of New York City. I might have had a happy childhood. But I guess things worked out for the best. I’d met Thea and Hazel in the city, which had ultimately led to my move here.
And Lark Cove was where I was staying.
The only reason I’d set foot back in New York was if Thea and Charlie decided to stay there with Logan. They’d only been gone a few days, but damn I missed them. I missed talking about stuff at the bar with Thea. I missed hanging with Charlie in her fort behind their house.
For the first time in years, I felt the loneliness that had been so present during my childhood. Damn, I hope they come back. I wasn’t sure what I’d do without seeing them on a regular basis.
Though I had to admit, chasing Willa this week had been one hell of a distraction.
There wasn’t a cloud to be seen as I rolled down the highway, just the wide-open sky that was a shade lighter than Willa’s eyes.
I stopped by the gas station to top off my gas tank and get a cup of coffee. Considering I walked most places in the summer, I rarely had to get gas this time of year unless I was taking out my boat.
But I took extra care with my truck, never letting it get below a quarter full. I also made sure the silver exterior was washed and waxed regularly. I changed the oil at exactly three thousand miles and detailed the interior every two months.
It was the nicest vehicle I’d ever owned. Actually, it was the nicest vehicle I’d ever been inside. When I’d finally had enough money to pay for a new rig outright, I’d driven my old Chevy up to Kalispell and come home with a big smile and a brand-new truck paid for in full.
After my truck, I saved up for my fishing boat—also brand-new and also paid for in full.
The only debt I had to my name was the mortgage on my house. It wasn’t new, but it was affordable and I’d been making extra payments to ensure that before I turned fifty, I’d be free and clear.
I’d never wanted anything more than a life that was mine and mine alone.
I didn’t want to depend on someone else’s hand-me-downs just so I had clothes to wear. I didn’t want to be at the mercy of the bus or train schedule in order to get to work. I didn’t want anyone to tell me where I had to live or the chores I had to do.
My biggest goal was to be debt-free, and I was damn close to making that happen.
I wasn’t a powerless kid anymore, stuck in a city alone. My life was mine, and it was a damn fine one at that.
I finished up at the gas station and sipped my scalding-hot coffee as I drove down the road toward Willa’s camp. It was a gamble, showing up again this morning, but I was hoping now that she’d read my apology note, she’d finally cut me some slack.
It hadn’t been easy to swallow my pride and write that note. But Willa was worth the hit to my ego and she’d deserved that apology for a long time coming.
I turned left off the highway and onto the winding gravel road that led to the camp. It was nestled underneath a grove of tall evergreens, right on the shoreline of the lake.
Properties like this had been slowly bought and developed in Lark Cove over the last twenty years. I had no idea how much the camp’s land was worth, but I was guessing it was more money than I’d see in my lifetime.
I’d kill for a spot on the lake. I’d cherish a place where I could wake up and drink my coffee overlooking the water. I’d love a house with a dock for my boat so it could be ready and waiting at all times. But a home like that wasn’t in my future. Instead, they were reserved for rich guys like Logan Kendrick.
At least he’d saved Willa’s camp.
The gravel parking lot next to the camp was mostly empty, and just like I’d done the other day, I pulled my silver, half-ton Chevy next to Hazel’s Subaru Outback. I got out and took a look inside, seeing Charlie’s booster seat in the back. It was covered with snack crumbs, which meant it was time for me to take it for an afternoon since I kept Hazel’s rig just as clean as my own.
With my coffee in hand, I followed the footpath down from the parking lot to the campground.
The main lodge was closest to the parking lot and the first building visitors came upon. It was a huge log structure that blended in with the tree trunks. The main part of the building was a dining hall filled with wooden tables and folding chairs. At the back was the kitchen, bathrooms and Willa’s office.
I’d gotten a tour of this whole place a few summers ago, courtesy of Charlie. I’d come out here to say hello to Hazel after she’d started volunteering and Charlie had dragged me all over the place, showing me each of the bunks and the inner workings of the lodge.
Had Willa been there that day of my tour? If she had been, I hadn’t noticed. I’d been a blind asshole. All this time she’d been right there. If not for Thea’s drawing, I may have never opened my eyes.
They were open now.
I found myself searching for her constantly. If I was working, I kept one eye on the door, waiting and hoping she’d come into the bar. And if she didn’t, I’d hurry to close down the bar and hustle the few blocks to her street, wishing her light would still be on.
It had been just days since I’d gone to her house that first night, not even a week, and I’d become completely infatuated.
I liked how gracefully she moved, more like floating than walking. I liked the way her blue eyes were so pure and honest. I liked her shy smile and how she’d tuck her hair behind an ear when she blushed. It made me want to put my hand on her cheek with each flush just to feel its heat.
I liked her.
Willa kept asking me why I was into her, and though I’d done my best to explain it, I still didn’t quite understand it myself.
She was just . . . special.
I wanted to connect with her on more than just a physical level. Maybe I’d get that chance today.