Author: Christine DePetrillo
Date: 2022-12-08 00:00:00+00:00
Keywords: General; small town; Contemporary; female pilot; Vermont; Contemporary Romance; Romance; movie star crush; kindness; Fiction; good deeds
Description: Everyone knew if you shared your birthday wish, it wouldn't come true. And Jackson wanted this one to come true. What's better than digging in the dirt and putting together the pieces of history? For archaeologist Jackson Henley, absolutely nothing. Unfortunately, lost funding forces him to head to his hometown in Vermont. It'll be great to see all his brothers who still live in town, but Jackson's stay is definitely temporary. He's got valuable treasures to unearth in far more interesting spots than a small town deep in the woods. An injured dog, however, leads Jackson to an unexpected reunio

ONE KIND NIGHT

One Kind Deed Series

Book Twelve

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by Christine DePetrillo

Copyright © 2022 by Christine DePetrillo.

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All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any form whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations in critical articles or reviews.

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This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

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Printed in the United States of America.

Edited by Janet Hitchcock
www.theproofisinthereading.wordpress.com

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Cover design by Wicked Smart Designs

www.wickedsmartdesigns.com

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Author Contact:

Website and Newsletter Sign-up: www.christinedepetrillo.weebly.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/christinedepetrilloauthor

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Dedication

To anyone who has ever wanted
a second chance . . .

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Epilogue

Check out the rest of the One Kind Deed Series!

Sneak Peek

Check out the Warrior Wolves Series!

Check out the Maple Leaf Series!

About the Author

Chapter One

Jackson Henley scrubbed his hands after a day of helping his brother, Christian, on the farm. As he washed away the dirt and grime accumulated on Shepherd Farm and Orchard today, he couldn’t help but recall the dirt and grime he’d picked up while on dig sites all over the globe. Jackson was technically Jackson Henley, Ph.D., but at thirty-one years old, he didn’t answer to Doctor Henley for fear of turning into a crusty old man who wore bow ties and merely spouted tales of archaeological finds instead of actually working in the field.

Currently, however, he wasn’t working in the field, was he? Nope. He’d been ripped off his last dig site in Brazil after his funding had been unexpectedly yanked out of his pockets. He’d been close to finding something big too. He knew it. All the little pieces of clay pots had been bread crumbs, but he wouldn’t be able to find the whole loaf if he didn’t get his ass back out there.

No money meant his ass wasn’t going anywhere but Maplehaven, Vermont though. Sure, it was wonderful to be with his brothers—even if they exploited him as a cheap farmhand—but he wasn’t like them. Christian, Landon, and Donovan were all older, married or engaged, and so tied to the small town they all grew up in that most of the time Jackson seriously considered that he’d been adopted. His brothers loved living in Maplehaven, and there wasn’t anything wrong with the town. Jackson just needed . . . more.

He’d found more too. A lot more. Out there. In the big, beautiful world. He’d visited every continent on digs before he’d turned thirty, had been published numerous times in prestigious archaeological journals, had guest lectured at some of the world’s best learning institutions, and had contributed to countless museum exhibits during his brief career. He was nowhere near done either. Once he found new funding, he’d be back at it, but sitting around Maplehaven made him itchy as fuck.

Jackson lathered up again, trying to excavate soil from under his short fingernails, then rinsed a final time. After drying his hands, he emerged from his brother’s bathroom and headed for the kitchen where something smelled wonderful.

“Beer?” Christian asked as he stood in front of the open refrigerator.

“You owe me at least that.” Jackson pulled out a chair at the dining room table and lowered, his back a little sore from hours of farm work and then hauling around flagstone with his brother as they worked on a patio project behind Christian’s farmhouse.

Christian gestured to his fiancée, Nicole, standing near the stove. “Hey, my woman is going to feed you too.”

“Don’t get overly excited.” Nicole held up a wooden spoon before plunging it into a large pot. “I rarely know what I’m doing here. Cocktails I can do. Cooking is a little iffy.”

Christian backpedaled over to her and kissed the back of her neck where a long, black ponytail hung. “You haven’t killed us yet.”

“There’s still time.” She leaned into him and Jackson wished his brother had delivered that beer already so he’d have something else to focus his attention on. Since he’d been back in Vermont, he’d been treated to an up close and personal look at all three of his brothers deeply in love.

It was kind of sickening.

It was also kind of sweet.

His brothers were the best guys he knew and they each definitely deserved a fine woman. Aliza, Tessa, and Nicole were phenomenal and clearly had a gift for overlooking Henley flaws, but Jackson would be happy to go a few days without seeing one or more of these pairs making out. Didn’t they get tired of being so . . . so . . . mushy?

As Christian and Nicole cavorted by the stove, Jackson got up and went to the refrigerator on his own. After pulling out a beer, he used the opener in the shape of a horse head on the wall and plunked back down in his seat at the table. He took a long swig and surveyed the now finished kitchen his brother had remodeled, liking the farmhouse sink, copper faucet and hardware, and brick backsplash. Jackson might not enjoy Christian’s PDA right now, but he could admire his brother’s renovation skills.

“If you don’t go somewhere else, Chrissy,” Nicole said around a giggle, “we’re never going to eat and Jackson looks hungry.”

Christian glanced over his shoulder at Jackson. “Are you sure? That might be his I-haven’t-gotten-laid-in-eons face instead of his feed-me face.”

“It’s my bite-me face.” Jackson took another drink.

“Random hostility only confirms my no-sex theory, my man.” Christian grabbed a beer for himself, opened it, and sat across from Jackson at the table.

“Leave the guy be,” Nicole said. “He helped you for hours today.”

“Yeah. That.” Jackson motioned to Nicole with the neck of his beer bottle. “Be nice.”

“My concern for your sex life is me being nice.” Christian pulled his phone out of his jeans pocket and set it on the table. “Now let’s see. Who can I set you up with?” He tapped the screen, but Jackson slapped his hand over Christian’s.

“No one. I don’t want to be set up.” Jackson shook his head as he slid his hand from atop his brother’s. “I’m only here in Maplehaven until I get more funding.”

“So you have to be closed for business the whole time you’re here?” Christian furrowed his black brows. “I’m not saying I’m going to find you a fiancée—though I highly recommend it.” He blew Nicole a kiss and she blew one right back. “But you can burn off some steam while you’re here, man. You are wound up tight.”

“I am not.”

Nicole and Christian both stared at him, eyebrows raised.

“Okay, maybe I am, but not because my dick’s been neglected.” Jackson raked his hand through his mop of dark brown, nearly black, hair then rubbed his short beard before taking another sip of beer. “I was in the middle of something big in Brazil.” He puffed out a breath. “I want to get back to it.”

“Because it’s so awful being here with us?” Christian narrowed his blue eyes at Jackson.

“Of course not.” Jackson grinned. “Although keep working me to the bone on this farm or trying to set me up with someone and I might think differently.”

Christian tapped his bottle to Jackson’s. “I appreciate you helping me, man. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

They chatted about Christian’s plans for the week and how Jackson could help when he wasn’t hunting down other funding to get back to archaeology. Nicole presented them with chili that didn’t seem likely to kill any of them. After filling his stomach and downing another beer, Jackson deemed it time to go, though an invitation for him to hang around was issued.

“We could watch one of those history shows you like,” Christian offered.

“And listen to you call every historian or archaeologist on the show Doctor Nerdigan?” Jackson held up his hands. “I’m all set, dude.” He hugged Nicole. “Dinner was great. Thanks.”

“Anytime, but you do need to let me make you a cocktail sometime so I can show off.”

“And so you can keep up your skills,” Christian added. “Now that my woman’s enrolled in classes to become a counselor, she doesn’t have as much time to mix drinks.”

“I’m sure when exam time rolls around, I’ll make plenty of drinks.” Nicole presented a plastic container to Jackson. “Some chili for you.”

“Thanks.” He took the container. “See you guys later.”

With a full belly, he hopped into his rented Wrangler and headed for Pine River Cottages about ten minutes away where he’d secured a place while he was trapped in Vermont. A light rain had begun to fall and he quickly realized the windshield wipers needed replacing. Luckily it was a short drive, but he put buy new wipers at the top of his to-do list for tomorrow because those smudgy streaks along the window were going to drive him insane.

He splashed along in muddy puddles on the dirt roads, waiting for the appearance of the stone gates of Pine River Cottages. A hot shower called his name. Although the day had been all sticky July, the night had turned cooler with the rainfall. Or maybe the chill had come with leaving the coziness of his brother’s kitchen. The cottage he’d rented was nice, but it wasn’t a home.

Still, it was a significant upgrade to some of the places he’d slept, including the bed of a dump truck on a dig site in Sweden, the mossy ground of a forest in South America, and a hammock made from dried woven reeds in New Zealand. None of those had been comfortable and yet, they’d suited and exhilarated him. Pushing a key into a doorknob lacked the excitement he required, but he’d be doing that exact thing in only a few minutes.

With a plastic container of chili under his arm no less. Ugh.

The gates came into view as the rain fell with more purpose, pelting off the windshield and giving those tired wipers a workout they might not survive. Jackson squinted in the darkness, trying to see between the streaks on the glass, when suddenly a shadowy mass jerked wildly on the road in front of him. Something reddish-brown flashed in the beam of his headlights and he slammed on the brakes. The Wrangler skidded a little in the mud, but the vehicle came to a stop a few feet from whatever was out there.

Jackson lowered his window and stuck his head out. A whimpering bark immediately met his ears as rain hit him in the face.

“Shit.”

He opened the driver side door and sloshed his work boots into the mud. Almost slipping twice, Jackson made his way toward what he now realized was a mid-sized dog. Something appeared to be caught on its back legs, upsetting the critter so it bucked like a rodeo bull.

“Easy there, pup.” He kept his voice low and calm, squinting against the rain. “Let’s see what’s got you.”

Jackson approached the canine slowly, not wanting to further distress it. The dog’s yellow-green eyes nearly glowed in the headlights, giving the creature a supernatural look. When he was a boy, Jackson had always fantasized about finding evidence of the paranormal on an archaeological dig, but to date, everything he’d unearthed had been of human design. Of course believing in werewolves and such was merely childhood whimsy, although this dog did look possessed at the moment.

Wiping rain from his face, Jackson circled the dog and found some thin steel cable wrapped around its back paws.

“How did you get tangled up with that, pooch?”

The dog let out a warning bark that morphed into a pained cry.

“Okay, okay. I’m going to help you. Give me a minute.” He jogged back to his vehicle and rummaged around in the few tools he had in there. Of course nothing of any use for this situation. On a dig site, he had access to any number of different tools. But he wasn’t on a dig site. Nope. He was on a muddy road in the dark woods of Vermont.

He turned back to the dog, wincing over its struggle. “I guess you’re coming with me, pup.”

The dog let out a low growl as Jackson attempted to get close.

“I know, buddy. This sucks, but I’m trying to help you.” He slicked his hair back and shivered in his totally soaked T-shirt. “You’re not going to bite me now, are you?” He shuffled a little closer, his gaze fixed on the dog’s mouth. Teeth weren’t showing, but that could change in the blink of an eye and it wasn’t as if he were dealing with a tiny dog. If biting did occur, it wasn’t going to be pretty for Jackson.

He jogged back to his Wrangler and grabbed a flannel shirt he had in there from the other night. Creeping up behind the dog, Jackson draped the shirt over its head then quickly gathered the dog in his arms. It had to weigh about sixty pounds, but what made carrying it cumbersome was the fact that it was slippery from being wet, angry from being hurt, and scared from being handled by a total stranger.

“Shh . . . it’s going to be okay, pal.”

The dog bucked once in Jackson’s hold, a yelp sounding when it moved its bound legs, then it went slack.

“Shit. Don’t you dare die, pup. Don’t you dare.” He hadn’t had a pet in ages, but Jackson had always been a fan of animals. Witnessing this dog’s passing would completely ruin his night.

Scurrying to the Wrangler, he maneuvered the dog onto the back seat then hopped in the driver’s seat. He grabbed his phone and hit Donovan’s contact. His oldest brother had a Pyrenees puppy so he most likely had a vet too.

“Hey, Jackson,” Donovan said.

“I need the address for Remi’s vet,” Jackson said, skipping the pleasantries.

“Remi’s vet?” Donovan asked. “Did you get a pet?”

“No.” He started the Wrangler. “I found a pet that needs medical attention. I don’t see any owners nearby, but this guy needs help immediately.”

“Shit. Okay. Give me a minute.”

Jackson reversed away from the gates of Pine River Cottages and headed for the main road, not liking how quiet and still that dog was in the back seat.

“Hang on, buddy. Please,” he whispered.

Donovan rattled off a name and an address, and Jackson headed there directly. Fortunately the building had an emergency room that was still open and after sliding the dog out of the back seat, he ran for the doors. Once inside, a technician immediately guided him to an exam room.

“I found this dog in the rain,” he said. “There’s cable wrapped around its back legs, but I didn’t have anything to cut it with. It passed out when I picked it up.”

“Okay. Set this baby on the table here.” The vet tech patted the steel table in the room.

Jackson carefully lowered the dog and peeled his shirt from its head. In the bright lights of the exam room, the dog’s coat was a beautiful auburn shade, reminding Jackson of nutmeg. It had big ears like a German Shepherd’s, but he’d never seen coloring like this on a Shepherd.

“What breed of dog is this?” he asked the tech who was inspecting the pup’s bound and bloody back legs.

“Looks like a purebred Australian Kelpie,” the tech said. “Incredibly active dogs that are highly intelligent. They love to be busy with tasks like herding sheep or cows. You don’t know the owner?”

Jackson shook his head, droplets of rainwater rolling down his neck. “Came across it in the road over by Pine River Cottages.”

“Let me get the vet in here and we’ll see about freeing this poor guy.” After handing Jackson a towel, she disappeared. Jackson wiped his face and hair with the towel then ran his hand over the dog’s wet coat.

“You’re going to be fine, buddy. We’ll get you all patched up and find your family, okay?”

The dog’s side rose and fell, letting Jackson know it was still alive. Thank God. A day shouldn’t end with a dead dog. He smoothed the fur between the dog’s eyes for a few moments before realizing the dog’s eyes were open and watching him.

“Hey, there. You’re a strong boy, right? You want to get back to your people, don’t you?”

The dog blinked those striking yellow-green eyes at him, its front paw hooking on Jackson’s wrist where he leaned his hand on the exam table. Jackson’s throat tightened.

The vet and tech stopped Jackson from blubbering like a pansy when they came into the exam room. He stepped back from the table and shoved his hands into the front pockets of his jeans after draping the towel on the room’s only chair.

“I’m sure someone is missing this handsome boy,” the vet said, which only made the knot in Jackson’s throat worse. The idea that some little kid was wondering where his dog was tonight was the definition of tragic.

In his archaeological work, Jackson was in the business of finding things. His next assignment was apparently helping this dog find its way home.

****

Isabel Perri hung her favorite summer dress on a hanger and placed it in the closet in her new bedroom. Had she planned on moving in with her grandfather who owned Pine River Cottages? Well . . . no. But when Grandpa Eugene had called her—from the hospital—a few weeks ago after he’d had a heart attack, she had done the only thing she could. She’d packed up her things, piled what fit into her SUV, put the rest in a trailer, and towed herself and her shit from Pennsylvania to Vermont to be with him.

It wasn’t as if she’d gotten her dream of opening a resort going yet. A little time gaining some additional experience running her grandfather’s establishment wouldn’t go to waste. She’d use Pine River Cottages as another career builder and maybe learn a few tidbits to help her make her own project a smashing success.

This was good.

It was.

Except it felt like a trap. Maplehaven, Vermont wasn’t exactly a hotspot. In fact, the geography itself sequestered the tiny town behind three huge mountains that cut off the outside world. Not ideal for tourism. Sure, Isabel had grown up here and had fond memories of the beautiful natural landscape. The people had always been nice too.

Most of them.

When she daydreamed about running her own place, however, it was by the water somewhere—maybe the Gulf Coast—where the fun would be nonstop. Continuous streams of people would cycle through, making her resort a busy hub of activity and excitement. Activity and excitement weren’t words she’d associate with Maplehaven and she had to make sure she kept her goals in mind. Grandpa needed her right now and that was fine, but this was just a little side trip on the road to her own plans.

She would not let Maplehaven be her quicksand.

“How’s it going in here?” Grandpa leaned against the doorway, his skin pale.

Isabel had been surprised when she’d arrived and gotten her first look at her grandfather in over a year. He usually made the trip to Pennsylvania to be with her on Christmas every year. They only had each other, her parents having passed when she was ten and Grandpa stepping in to raise her. He hadn’t made it this past Christmas, however, and Isabel hadn’t been able to get away from her job as a hotel manager, holidays being a busy season. Seeing how much Grandpa had aged during their time apart made her regret not seeing him sooner.

But she was here now.

“I’ve almost filled this closet,” she said, hanging another summer dress.

Grandpa entered the room and sat on the edge of the queen-sized bed. Standing after having the heart attack taxed his energy, making Isabel’s throat tighten. She’d always considered her grandfather invincible. Hell, he’d rescued her on plenty of occasions.

“You always could fill a closet.” Grandpa let out a soft chuckle as he gestured to the summer dresses which hung at about the same length. “Those all look like the same dress.”

“Oh, but Grandpa,” Isabel began, “a girl needs different color and print options.”

He shook his head and picked up one of her sandals. He used it to motion to the other sandals lined up at the bottom of the open closet. “The same is true for these?”

Isabel took the sandal and its mate. “Yes. Don’t judge. I don’t smoke or drink or do drugs. My weakness is shoes and clothes. There are worse things.” She stuck her tongue out at him then added those sandals to the closet lineup.

When she neared the bed again, Grandpa held out his hand. “Come here, Belly.”

She lowered to sit beside him, smiling over his childhood nickname for her. “Are you hungry?” she asked. “Want me to make you a snack?” She was there to care for him as well as the cottages after all.

“No. I want you to listen to me.” He shifted slightly to face her. “I love that you came here to help me. You are such a sweet, sweet girl.” He sandwiched her hand between both of his. “I also know I’m a big ol’ monkey wrench in your plans.”

“Oh, Grandpa—” She snapped her mouth shut when he squeezed her hand.

“I said to listen.” He wiggled her hand. “I know you were planning to quit your job at the hotel back in Pennsylvania, but not to come babysit me and my cottages in Vermont. You have bigger dreams, Belly, and I want you to know you can leave at any time. I’ll manage.”

She leaned forward and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “I know, but I want to be here right now. I want to help you.” She grinned. “I want you to tell me every secret about running a business like this so I can be over-the-top successful when I do get to my plans. I want the inside intel, Grandpa, and you can give it to me.”

“I’m happy to share all I know. The cottages aren’t exactly like running a resort,” he said. “Most of my customers—when I have them—rent for extended periods of time. I don’t have to offer poolside activities because there isn’t a pool. I probably should look into what else I can offer.” He scrubbed a hand down his face, looking weary. “Business has been . . . slow, but some basic principles of running a place like this could be helpful to your resort dream.”

“And I’m ready to scribble down those wise principles in my notebook.” She squeezed his hand now and stood, pulling him to his feet and giving him a hug. “Now I know you said you didn’t want a snack, but I do. I’m raiding the fridge and if you don’t want me to eat something, you’d better come supervise.”

Grandpa shuffled after her down the hallway to the kitchen. Fortunately the larger cottage her grandfather used as his residence on the Pine River Cottages property was one floor so he didn’t have to manage on a set of stairs. Still, walking from one end of his home to the other wore him out. It was tough to see her normally strong-as-a-bull grandfather so . . . diminished. That heart attack had done a number on him, hence her decision to abandon her life in Pennsylvania to be with him. He’d changed his life course to raise her when she needed him. She would most definitely do the same for him. Without each other, they’d be alone in this world and that left a pit in her stomach every time she thought about it.

Isabel opened the refrigerator, glanced at the shelves, then scanned the kitchen as Grandpa got himself a glass of water at the sink.

“Hey, where’s Blaze? Normally whenever a refrigerator opens, he’s doing his best impression of a starving dog and begging for something.” She let the refrigerator door shut and wandered into the small living room. “Blaze? Where are you, boy?”

When no dog came trotting to her, she backtracked into the kitchen. “Did you let him outside, Grandpa?”

“No, but maybe he slipped out when you were bringing stuff in. I haven’t seen him in a little while.”

With an uneasy feeling in her stomach, Isabel went to the front door and turned on the outside light. Rain fell at a steady clip out there so she grabbed her grandfather’s raincoat on the coat tree by the door.

“I’ll be right back.” She turned on her cell phone’s flashlight.

She stepped outside and swung her phone from left to right, but the beam didn’t travel far enough to see much.

“Blaze! Come here, boy!” It wasn’t like her faithful canine companion to wander too far from her. From the moment she’d gotten the Australian Kelpie, he’d been glued to her whenever possible, only straying when something interesting caught his attention. He’d proven to be the best friend she’d needed. Someone who chased away those alone feelings. Blaze was super smart, extremely active, and curious.

So curious that sometimes he got himself into trouble.

“Blaze!” Isabel whistled as rain pelted against her grandfather’s raincoat. “Come on, boy! It sucks outside! Get your furry butt back here.”

Isabel didn’t usually worry about Blaze being unleashed, but this unfamiliar property and surrounding woods had probably been too tempting for him. His inquisitive nature most likely led him farther than he should be in order to explore. She’d have to drive around to look for him.

She jogged back into the house and grabbed her keys. “I’m going to ride around to see if I can find him. Call me if he turns up.” She was doing her best not to panic, but the look on Grandpa’s face wasn’t encouraging. “What?”

“Nothing.” He quickly averted her gaze.

“Grandpa.” She put her hands on her hips. “Tell me what you’re thinking.”

“Well . . . bears were hanging around the pond out back two days ago. I hope—”

Isabel held up a hand. “Don’t finish that thought.”

“You told me to tell you what I was thinking.”

“Yeah, well, I didn’t know that’s what you were thinking. I will find him.” She ripped open the front door and ducked out into the rain again. “Blaze, come!”

The dog still didn’t appear so she ran to her SUV parked between her grandfather’s cottage and the cottage next door for rent. Before she got into her vehicle, however, she caught sight of a dark shape taking long strides from a jeep to that neighboring cottage.

A dark shape carrying another dark shape in its arms. When the spotlight on the next cottage flicked on and Isabel got a glimpse of something reddish-brown, she bolted for the dark shapes.

“Hey!” she called.

The shadow with the long legs paused in the spotlight’s bright circle and Isabel’s gaze focused on a dog.

Her dog.

In a man’s arms.

“That’s my dog!” Not fearing the man standing in the rainy night could be a psycho, Isabel marched through the mud to the cottage. “What are you doing with my dog?”

“He’s hurt.” The man’s voice was hard to hear over the rain drumming on the metal roofs of all the cottages around them, but the word hurt definitely registered.

Isabel sucked in a breath. “Hurt? What did you do to him?” She glanced at the jeep. “Did you run him down?”

“No . . . I just—”

“He better be okay,” she interrupted. This fool probably didn’t know the first thing about driving on muddy dirt roads. He was probably some city dude, used to pavement and no wildlife for miles.

“He had some—”

“Give him to me,” she cut in again. If Blaze was hurt, she didn’t have time to chat with this asshole. Her furry best friend needed a vet visit right away. Who knew what this potential sicko had done to her dog?

Isabel stepped closer with her arms out, ready to take Blaze from this guy. When she got a clearer view of the man’s face, however, she gasped and stumbled back a few steps.

It couldn’t be.

No way.

Her eyes were playing tricks on her. They had to be.

“Jackson? Jackson Henley?”

“Yeah.” He shifted his weight, jostling Blaze slightly so the dog let out a grumble. “You’re still in the dark and I’ve gotten more rain in my eyes tonight than I’d planned to. I can barely see at the moment. Do I know you?”

Isabel debated about running back to her grandfather’s cottage, but she obviously couldn’t abandon Blaze, especially if he was hurt. “Just give me the dog.”

She closed the last few feet between them, intent on grabbing Blaze and getting the hell away from Jackson. Jackson Freakin’ Henley. She’d expected to run into former acquaintances while back in Maplehaven, but why did the first one have to be him?

“Isabel?” Jackson took a step back so she couldn’t get her hands on her dog. “Isabel Perri? You left Maplehaven.”

“I did—as did you, I might add—but here we are now. I’d like to have my dog back so I can get him medical attention after whatever you did to him.”

“I didn’t do a damn thing to him besides come to his rescue. He was in the road. Back legs all caught up in some cable.”

Yeah. That sounded like something Blaze would do. Shit.

“Well, I’ll take care of him from here. Hand him over.” Again, she made a move to take her dog and again, Jackson stepped back. His dark hair was slicked back and he had a short beard framing his mouth. A mouth Isabel knew first hand was capable of amazing things. Things that had left her a quivering ball of goo on many occasions.

But that was years and years ago. Before he left her behind. Left her alone.

“He shouldn’t be moved too much,” Jackson said, looking down at Blaze. “The vet cut him free of the cable, but she had to stitch a couple of deep gashes on his back legs. Show me where you want him and I’ll set him down.” He took a step toward her as if to follow wherever she led, but Isabel didn’t move.

She’d be an idiot to let this guy into her grandfather’s cottage—her cottage—for the time she was in Maplehaven. She didn’t even want to be out in the same rainy night with him.

“I know how to handle my own dog. Let me have him.” She held out her arms, ready to receive.

“If you allowed your dog out in this weather so he could get into trouble then I’d say you don’t know how to handle your own dog.” Jackson turned slightly as if to shield the dog from her reach.

Seriously? This guy was going to keep her from her dog? Not happening.

“Jackson, that is my dog. You will give him to me right now or I’m calling the police.”

He let out a short laugh that instantly got on her nerves. “Go ahead. I’m sure my detective brother will find it hysterical you thought me guilty of some dog-hating crime here.”

Figures. She’d forgotten about the three brothers Jackson had. Of course one of them had grown up to be a cop.

“You’re not some hero, Jackson. I need my dog and to get out of this rain.” She stepped right up to him now, ignoring the way his wet T-shirt was plastered to shoulders she didn’t recall being so broad when she’d last seen him.

Taking a forklift approach with her arms, she managed to get them under Blaze. Her hands raked along Jackson’s forearms and she refused to acknowledge the flutters in her belly that skin-to-skin contact caused. She had one objective right now.

Get. Her. Dog.

Jackson helped by tilting forward a bit so Blaze’s weight shifted toward her. “Support his legs.”

“I’ve got him.” She kept her gaze focused on her dog, not daring to look Jackson in the eye as his head neared hers and he released his hold on Blaze. Once she had a good grip on the dog, she turned around and headed for her grandfather’s cottage.

“You’re welcome!” Rain didn’t overshadow Jackson’s deep voice now, but she didn’t reply.

Isabel didn’t owe him any thanks. The only thing he’d ever done for her was break her heart.

Chapter Two

Jackson stood under the overhang at the front door of his cottage as Isabel plowed through the mud toward the cottage next door. He half expected to wake up in bed, all of this having been a dream, but his forearms still tingled from where her hands had touched him.

This was no dream.

He let himself into the cottage and removed his wet and filthy work boots, leaving them on a mat to dry out. Flicking on a light by the couch and putting his phone, wallet, and keys on an end table as he passed through the small living room, he headed for the bathroom and peeled off his soaked clothes. He stepped into the shower after cranking the water to hot. As the spray hit him, he shook his head.

“Isabel Freakin’ Perri. Holy shit.” He braced his hands on the tiled wall in front of him, still finding it hard to believe he’d seen her. Of all people. He’d been in Vermont for a few weeks now and had been spotted by former friends, all of the interactions cordial.

Except this one.

Jackson couldn’t blame her, he supposed. They hadn’t parted on what anyone would consider good terms. They also hadn’t spoken since then. If tonight’s encounter told him anything, it screamed that Isabel hadn’t forgiven him. In fact, her opinion of him had lowered so much she actually thought he’d hurt a dog.

Her dog.

He shampooed his hair, rinsed, and jerked the knob to shut off the water. Toweling off and sliding on a pair of cotton shorts, Jackson supposed he could have been a bit friendlier himself. He’d basically accused her of neglecting her dog, but she’d surprised him. The moment she’d stepped into the light, he knew it was her, despite her being mostly covered by an oversized raincoat.

He’d never forget her face. Never. Even with her brows furrowed and her mouth a stern line as she’d berated him, Isabel Perri was gorgeous. He imagined her blond hair was still soft and silky, her body still petite yet toned. She’d had no trouble handling her dog’s bulk when he’d finally released the pup to her. She’d marched away without a waver in her step. He hadn’t been particularly fond of watching her march away.

She probably hadn’t liked when he’d done it either. That had been years ago, back when they were in high school, but clearly she hadn’t forgotten.

Neither had he.

He’d hooked up with some chicks here and there while getting his degree and on digs, but something always kept him from passing the hook-up stage.

That something was Isabel Perri.

But what was she doing back here in Maplehaven? Last he’d heard, she’d moved to Pennsylvania. Not that he was keeping tabs on her. Much. And was she actually staying at Pine River Cottages? Right next door to him?

Jackson blew out a breath as he padded on bare feet into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. Scanning the shelves, he remembered Nicole’s container of chili still in the Wrangler.

“Dammit.”

He stormed into the bedroom and pulled on a T-shirt, a pair of rubber boots, and a poncho he’d used on many digs when the weather turned wet. He blew out to the jeep, grabbed the container, noting the mud splattered on the back seat where Isabel’s dog had been, then sprinted back into the cottage. Lifting the lid on the container, he gave the chili a sniff. He deemed it safe and, after removing the boots and poncho, put the container in the refrigerator and took out a bottle of water for himself. He twisted the cap and gulped for a few long seconds.

Sitting on the couch, he leaned forward to grab his laptop and check on some of the leads he had for new funding, but his brain was still a little too scrambled from the evening’s events. He’d gone from worried over the hurt dog to shocked over seeing Isabel. What the heck was she doing back in Maplehaven?

Jackson picked up his phone and hit his brother Landon’s contact.

“Hey, little bro,” Landon said. “Are you calling to say you’re leaving Vermont?”

“No.” His brothers had been giving him shit about how long—or how short—he’d stick around Maplehaven. Truth was, he didn’t intend to stay longer than was absolutely necessary. Once money flowed his way again, he was out of here.

“What’s up then?” Landon asked. “I’ve got to get back on air in three minutes and fourteen seconds.

“Oh, shit. Sorry.” He’d forgotten Landon did his radio show at this time each night during the week. “A quick question. Did you know Isabel Perri was in town?”

“I did not.” Landon’s voice sounded as surprised as Jackson had been seeing the woman tonight. “How do you know she is?”

“I saw her. I think she’s staying in the cottage next door to mine.”

“Well, her grandfather owns Pine River Cottages.”

“He does?” Jackson clearly remembered Isabel’s grandfather, Eugene. Super nice guy who had always welcomed him into their home.

“Yeah,” Landon said. “He bought it several years ago. Isabel must be visiting.”

“Must be.” And why hadn’t any of his brothers told him Eugene owned the cottages before he’d rented one?

“Shit, man, I have to go,” Landon said. “Tell me though—how was it seeing her?”

“Weird. She accused me of hurting her dog.”

“This is a story I need to hear. Call me tomorrow, little bro. Later.”

“Later.” Jackson tossed his phone onto the couch cushion beside him then pulled his computer onto his lap. Opening his email, he clicked on the renter’s agreement for the cottage. Scrolling through, he found the information he sought.

“Eugene Perri, owner.” It was right there under the Pine River Cottages logo of a little cabin with a curl of smoke rising up from a chimney and three mountain peaks behind it with a squiggling line in front that he supposed symbolized Pine River. He’d secured the cottage all online so he’d never interacted with an actual person. The key had been left for him because he’d arrived at like four in the morning and truthfully, he’d spent more time at his brothers’ houses than at this cottage since being back in town so he’d never run into Isabel’s grandfather.

He probably should have accepted Christian’s offer to stay in his barn loft at the farm, but he most likely would have run into Isabel eventually. Maplehaven wasn’t that big. Right now it was apparently no bigger than a postage stamp.

Figures he’d find her dog too. At least he’d gotten the pup back to its owner. That had been his ultimate goal. Hopefully those stitched cuts would heal and that pooch would think twice before wandering off. Wandering off from Isabel Perri was never a good idea.

He should know.

Jackson flopped back on the couch, not having any motivation to work on funding. Instead, he traveled back to the last time he’d seen Isabel.

****

Sophomore year, Maplehaven High School . . .

“Skipping two years?” Isabel’s nose crinkled, her green eyes searching Jackson’s face. “You’re joking, right?”

Jackson shook his head as they sat under their favorite tree at the library. “Mr. Harris in guidance called me into his office right before dismissal. My parents were there, along with Uncle Patrick, and Mr. Harris unloaded this . . . this plan to have me skip junior and senior year and head right to college.”

Isabel blinked at him, her brows lowered. “Do you really want to miss those two years though? I mean, senior year is when all the fun happens.” She gave him one of her sexy smiles. The ones he couldn’t resist.

Jackson and Isabel had been dating since freshman year after getting paired up in Physical Science. He had agreed to light the Bunsen burner for all the experiments and she’d signed on to write up the lab reports. It’d been a good deal that had turned into weeknight study sessions and Saturday night dates. Jackson had never had a girlfriend, but he’d won the lottery with Isabel. He wasn’t popular or athletic or creative. He was a nerd, but for some reason, Isabel picked him and they’d had a blast ever since their first date to the annual fall festival at Brenton Park.

Isabel had been Jackson’s first kiss, his first stop at second base, third base, and after the high school’s winter formal this year, home plate. Neither of them knew what they were doing really, but that hadn’t affected the outcome—Jackson was in love with Isabel. Judging by the way she never looked at another guy—even though they all looked at her—he believed her when she told him she loved him too.

“Skipping ahead will allow me to get a jump on things,” Jackson said. “I can get my degrees sooner, be out in the field faster.” He’d wanted to be an archaeologist ever since his uncle, Patrick Henley, had told him the story of the ancient Mayans. His uncle was a history teacher at Maplehaven High School and he owned a huge personal library of historical books he’d let Jackson enjoy since he was old enough to read and comprehend them. Jackson had soaked in the information on those sacred pages and longed to make his own discoveries about ancient civilizations.

Getting into college now instead of in two years would make his dreams a reality ahead of schedule. How could he say no to that?

“You already said yes, didn’t you?” Isabel folded her arms across her chest and the first signs of unease swirled in Jackson’s stomach.

When he didn’t answer her right away, she shot to her feet, her hands curled into fists at her sides.

“You already said yes. You’re going to leave me behind!” Her eyes became glossy. “What about our plans, Jackson? We said we’d go away to college together, maybe get an apartment near campus, start our lives. Now you want to go without me.”

“I don’t want to go without you, Isabel.” Jackson stood now too and rested his hands on her shoulders, but she jerked away and his hands fell to his sides. The sliver of anger in his chest grew larger. “I’m bored at school right now. You know this. Going to college sooner will give me the challenge I need.”

“Oh, great,” Isabel spat. “So now I’m too stupid to keep up with you.”

“Isabel, I didn’t say that. You’re not even close to being stupid.” Why was she making this all about her?

“No. I’m just terribly average and you need more.”

“I said I need more academically, not socially.”

Her green gaze flicked up to meet his. “Socially? So we’re just a social connection? That’s it?”

He’d almost used the word romantically, but it sounded too grown up for a couple of high school kids. “We’re more than a social connection. You know that, Isabel. I’ve told you I love you, for fuck’s sake.”

“But now you want to fuck college chicks and forget all about me.”

“Who said that?” He angled his hands at himself. “I didn’t say that. I only want you, Isabel. I’ll only ever want you.”

She puffed out a breath and swiped at the stray tears escaping from her eyes. “Yeah, you want me so bad, you’re willing to blow out of town and dive into college life without me. That doesn’t sound like love to me, Jackson.”

“What does it sound like then?” He’d been happy after leaving the guidance office. His parents were so proud of him. Uncle Patrick had been beaming, telling him what an opportunity this was. Jackson couldn’t wait to tell Isabel the good news.

Why didn’t she think it was good news?

“It sounds like you haven’t given any thought to us.” She poked him in the chest with her index finger. “It sounds like you’re only thinking of you.”

“That’s not true, Isabel. If I go to college sooner, that’s good for both of us. I can get a great job sooner which will lead to us having a better life together. I honestly think this will be a productive step for both of us.”

“But we’ll have to be apart for over two years, Jackson. We see each other every day. I’m supposed to be okay with not seeing you at all?”

He didn’t like that idea. It had occurred to him while in the guidance office and his mother had taken note. She’d reached out a hand and had rested it atop his on the armrest of the chair he’d been sitting in.

“Think Big Picture,” she’d advised him, giving his hand a little squeeze. “Think of the future you want to have.” His mom had left off the words with Isabel, but her compassionate eyes had told him she knew his heart was rebelling at skipping ahead to college. His mind wasn’t, but his heart . . . oh, his heart . . .

“We’ll see each other. We’ll have weekends and vacations,” Jackson said.

Isabel shook her head. “Maybe in the beginning. Then you’ll have too much studying to do. Or our work schedules won’t sync. Or . . . or we’ll meet other people. We’ll grow apart, Jackson. I know it.”

“You can’t know it, Isabel. We’re talking about you and me.” He took her hands in his, encouraged when she didn’t rip free of him. “We can make this work.”

She drew in a deep breath and shook her head. “What we’re doing now works, Jackson. Why can’t we keep things as they are?” She wrapped her arms around him, her head nestled under his chin, and he almost caved.

Almost.

“You know I have goals,” he said quietly. “Goals to do something big in archaeology. Right now I feel as if I’m merely hanging around, waiting to start on that path.” He pushed back a bit so he could see her face. More tears fell and his chest ached, but he had to seize this opportunity or he’d regret it. He knew he would. “This is a chance to get things going and I want to take it.”

Isabel’s arms dropped from around his waist. “I understand.”

For a moment, relief coursed through him. She got it. She was willing to accept this situation and work with it.

When she turned and walked away from him, that relief shattered.

“Where are you going?” he asked.

“You’re going to start your life without me,” she said, sadness in every syllable. “I’m going to start mine without you.”

He’d watched her walk across the grass, down to the sidewalk, and across the street toward her house. He could have run after her, talked to her more, convinced her to at least try for them.

But he didn’t.

Chapter Three

Isabel ran a towel over Blaze’s wet fur. She’d washed him up as best as she could without stressing him out with a full bath. As Jackson had said, the dog’s back legs were stitched in a few spots and it made Isabel sick to her stomach to know Blaze had been hurt. He’d been in trouble and she hadn’t been there for him.

Jackson had.

What the hell was he doing back in Maplehaven anyway? Last she’d heard, he almost never came to Vermont, his archaeological work taking him all over the globe instead. He’d gotten a jump on those goals of his from what she’d gathered from the gossip mill. And from Charlene Moyen, the one childhood friend from town she kept in contact with. After Jackson had left her high and dry and gone off to college two years earlier than they’d planned, he’d made it through his course of study in record time.

It was also possible Isabel had read some of his publications. Maybe she’d watched some online videos in which Jackson had passionately explained some archaeological find he’d made. Perhaps she’d fantasized that he’d presented the charts and graphs and sketches absolutely buck naked. He’d looked great naked in her imaginings and though a Viking spearhead found in Canada may not have turned her on all that much, the sight of Jackson—even in a video—had stoked a need in her.

Jackson had always been the smartest kid in their class. He hadn’t been one to rub it in your face though, and she’d always loved that about him. He’d been willing to help anyone who struggled, especially in his uncle’s history class—the only class that had challenged him. All the other classes were a breeze for him and she often stared at him from her seat at her desk, smiling when his eyes were closed. He was never sleeping though, because after class, he’d be able to talk about the lesson plus the four hundred other things he’d been thinking about during that period. His brain had always been going, and it had fascinated her to listen to him speak. He’d known so much about so much and teachers had absolutely loved him.

She’d loved that stupid nerd too. Then he’d left her behind. No other man had measured up since, and she’d searched for one. Oh, God, she’d searched. She met a ton of guys working as a hotel manager in Pennsylvania. Business suit types who weren’t afraid to flash their success and ask her out for a drink. Drinks led to dinner. Dinner led to dancing. Dancing led to a possible hookup.

Then the hookups went nowhere. These men were always leaving because the hotel culture was transient. Guests were never around long-term and the males working in the hotel business were often transferred to other locations. She’d start to like someone, he would leave—just as Jackson had—and she’d start the process again. An absurd cycle, but one she couldn’t seem to break. The long line of watching men leave started with Jackson and hadn’t stopped since.

Her last semi-relationship had ended after Grandpa Eugene had called her about his heart attack. Scott was a new manager who had come to Pennsylvania from Florida. He’d first caught her attention when her boss introduced them and as they’d shaken hands, Scott gave her a smile that . . . well . . . had sparkled. Isabel had actually closed her eyes for a moment, thinking her body had decided it was done waiting to get laid. Surely, Scott’s smile hadn’t really sparkled. But when she’d opened her eyes again, that smile definitely had something that reeled her in.

They’d gone for drinks that night. Scott had given her the line that he’d love to get some inside details to make his time at the hotel productive, but that quickly morphed into a do-you-want-to-get-undressed event. Yes, she had wanted to get undressed and so they had.

The sex had been wonderful and they’d dated successfully for about eight months, but after she’d gotten the news about Grandpa, she’d called it done with Scott.

He’d agreed. Maybe too quickly. Though it had been what Isabel had wanted, why had Scott given in with merely a shrug of his shoulders? Why hadn’t he fought for them?

Because he wasn’t The One.

“And that’s why I should focus on the one male in my life—aside from Grandpa—who always makes me feel great, right, Blaze?”

The dog let out a low rumble as Isabel dried inside his big, German Shepherd-like ears. Ever since she’d gotten Blaze, she’d felt as if she’d met her animal soul mate. The pup was always happy to see her, never missed greeting her when she came home from work, and consistently cuddled with her like a professional. He was the most handsome dog she’d ever seen with his unusual auburn coat, sleek and fit body, and yellow-green eyes that made him look like an exotic creature. She’d known the moment she found him online she had to be his mama. To find a purebred Australian Kelpie at a rescue was a rare treat and she was so glad she’d acted in time to make him part of her family.

If only he was a little less curious and didn’t have a nose for trouble.

“You can’t help it though, can you, Blazey-Blaze? You gotta go with your instincts, right?” Isabel leaned over the dog and gave him a squeeze. “Good thing I love your furry butt.”

Blaze lifted his head and sloshed his tongue along her cheek.

“Yeah, yeah. Doggie kisses make everything okay, don’t they?”

She finished drying Blaze, checked his back legs, making a note to call a vet in the morning to get him checked again, and gave the dog a few treats. She hated to think what state Blaze would have been in if he hadn’t been found. How long would her dog have struggled against whatever had caught him? Could he have gotten hurt even more if he’d been left out in tonight’s rain? A shudder worked its way through Isabel as she pictured Blaze in the mud, hurt and scared. She gave him an extra hug, breathing in the scent of wet dog and not minding it a bit.

“How’s he doing?” Grandpa shuffled into the kitchen.

“He hasn’t wiggled away from me wiping him,” Isabel said, “so that means his back legs hurt. Usually we get into a full-on wrestling match when it’s dry time.” She lifted Blaze, letting out a groan at his sixty pounds, and carried him into the living room to set him on the big, fluffy bed she’d put in there for him. “Letting me carry him like this isn’t something he’d normally be too happy about either.”

“Good thing Jackson found him.” Grandpa lowered to the couch with a groan of his own.

Isabel joined him on the couch. “How come you didn’t tell me Jackson was renting a cottage here?”

“I honestly didn’t know he was,” Grandpa said. “He rented it while I was in the hospital. My buddy, William Brenton, covered for me for a few days. I have to admit, I haven’t caught up on all my business stuff quite yet.” He rubbed his chest, his eyes displaying exhaustion.

Isabel patted his hand resting on his knee. “Of course. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make it sound as if you were keeping things from me.” She and Grandpa didn’t have secrets.

“I wouldn’t keep that kind of thing from you.” Grandpa put his hand atop hers. “I remember how you two were. Inseparable.”

She stood and paced away from the couch, the word inseparable having sharp edges that poked at her. “Yeah. Well. That was a long time ago.”

“Just because it was a long time ago doesn’t mean you and Jackson don’t have a history together. That boy is a part of your story.”

“Those chapters are closed.”

“But a sequel is always possible.” Grandpa raised his eyebrows at her.

“No sequels, Grandpa.” She moved the water bowl she’d brought into the living room earlier a little closer to Blaze’s bed so the dog could reach it without having to get up. “He insinuated I wasn’t taking proper care of Blaze.” Who did Jackson think he was anyway? Judging her after they hadn’t spoken in years? He didn’t know her.

There had been a time when he’d known her. Known every detail. Known her better than any other person did. In a way no one else would ever know her. But he’d chosen to fast-track his education instead of being with her. She’d never felt so empty as when she’d walked away from him that day at the library after he’d told her he was leaving.

Isabel had considered contacting him. About apologizing and saying they could try the long-distance thing, but Charlene had come over and had called her a badass for not taking any of Jackson’s shit.

“You deserve better than some geek who’d rather study than get with all this gorgeousness right here.” Charlie had waved a hand to indicate Isabel. “I like Jackson, but he’s made a stupid mistake and now he has to live with it.”

At the time, Charlie’s Girl Power Speech had been what Isabel had wanted to hear so she’d let Jackson slip away to college. How he’d managed to pack her heart and take it with him, however, was still a mystery.

“He was probably surprised to see you,” Grandpa said, pulling Isabel back to the living room. “I’ll bet you were a little off your game after running into him too.”

“Not so much that I insulted him.”

“Oh.” Grandpa grinned. “So you had the presence of mind to thank him profusely for coming to Blaze’s rescue?”

Isabel glared at her grandfather, making him chuckle.

“Don’t get mad at me, Belly. Just consider all the angles before you judge Jackson.”

“I already judged him. Years ago.” And that judgment stood firm. It didn’t matter that the man had spent a portion of his evening getting soaked and muddy as he rescued her dog.

“But you can’t expect that judgment to apply to today. He’s different. You’re different.” Grandpa motioned to Blaze snoring on his bed. “He saved your trusty sidekick. That should at least earn him a thank you, shouldn’t it?”

No part of Isabel wanted to acknowledge the truth of her grandfather’s words. If she did, that would mean seeking out Jackson and having an actual conversation with the man. That didn’t sound like something she wanted to do. He’d probably only end up insulting her again. Being a big shot archaeologist had obviously inflated his ego. The rest of the human population was apparently beneath him and incapable of properly caring for a canine.

“We’ll see.” She didn’t want to argue with Grandpa because that wouldn’t do him any good. Besides, she was tired from traveling today, weary from worrying about Blaze, and jumbled from seeing Jackson. “If you don’t need anything, I’m heading to bed.”

“A good idea.” Grandpa grabbed the TV remote, wiggling deeper into the couch cushions. “You’ve got a busy day tomorrow as I pass on all my cottage rental business knowledge to you.”

Isabel stopped by the couch and bent to press a kiss to her grandfather’s cheek. “I’ll be ready with notebook and pen, O Wise Elder.”

“Watch it, Belly.” Grandpa wagged a finger at her. “I’m not ancient yet.”

And hopefully he had many more years before his body decided he was ancient. The heart attack reminded Isabel that Grandpa Eugene wouldn’t be around forever. Neither would Blaze, as tonight’s antics had illustrated. Then she really would be all alone in this world.

Shaking off those dark thoughts, she stopped in the bathroom then hit her bedroom. Turning in a circle, she took in the small space. Her house in Pennsylvania hadn’t been huge, but it had been her own private place with a nice view of the surrounding city. Now her existence had shrunk to the size of this one puny bedroom in the middle of the woods.

Why did she feel as if she were taking steps backward instead of forward?

No. This was temporary. A little detour on the journey. A time to clearly outline her next steps and pick up more tips and techniques that would bring her the success she desired and deserved. She’d make efficient use of this time in Maplehaven and maybe she could apply what she’d learned as a hotel manager to make Pine River Cottages more profitable for Grandpa.

Isabel pulled back the blankets on the queen-sized bed and climbed in. She read for a few minutes, but her eyes were gritty, making the words blur. Flicking off the bedside lamp, she slid her book onto the bedside table and settled her head on the pillow.

The moment she closed her eyes, however, a bright light shined right on her face and she turned her head more to see out the open window across the room. The breeze outside kept a tree branch moving enough to activate the floodlight on the cottage next door.

Jackson’s cottage.

Isabel stared up at the ceiling, imagining Jackson in his bed a mere several yards away and did her best to ignore the heat that vision spread throughout her body. She hadn’t wanted to see Jackson tonight—or any night for that matter—but she had. Seen him. He was every bit as attractive as he’d been as a teenager.

No. That wasn’t true.

He was more attractive. His body had filled out to match his height. She’d noticed how easy it had been for him to stand there, holding Blaze as if the dog didn’t weigh sixty pounds. Even in the dim lighting, her eyes had registered the well-defined biceps below his T-shirt sleeves. His long legs, covered in wet denim, had appeared sturdy. Apparently archeology wasn’t all books and sitting still. Jackson’s muscles were clear evidence of that.

And why was she thinking about Jackson’s muscles. Ugh.

Isabel clamped her eyes shut, but that floodlight burned right through her eyelids. Huffing, she yanked off the blankets and stomped to the window. She closed it and lowered the blinds, twisting the thin pole to close the slats. It would probably get stuffy and warm in the room, but that was better than that light shining on her face.

And on her memories of Jackson Henley.

****

“So happy Blaze found his mommy,” the veterinarian’s administrative assistant said when Isabel arrived at the front desk, her dog in her arms. “Is he having problems with his injuries?”

“No, but I wanted him checked again because I wasn’t here to get all the instructions for his care.”

When she’d gotten up this morning, she’d found Blaze sound asleep on his bed as if he hadn’t moved the entire night. She’d figured he was tired from his ordeal, but something made her want to have him officially seen. Something perhaps like a guilty conscience over the fact that she hadn’t been there when her dear, sweet pup had needed her.

“Is there any discharge from his wounds?” the assistant asked.

“Well, no . . .” Isabel flicked her head back to get her hair out of her face. “Listen, I need to see a vet so I can put my mind at ease.” She shifted her arms a bit, growing weary of holding Blaze as if he were a baby.

The assistant gave her a reassuring smile. “I understand. Let me see who is available.” She gestured to the waiting area. “Have a seat and we’ll be right with you.”

“Thanks.” Isabel shuffled to the first available seat and lowered carefully, resting Blaze across her lap. The dog was still pretty groggy and she hoped that was from whatever medication the vet had potentially given him last night. She’d never seen her pooch so wiped out before and it unsettled her.

As did the constant loop of dreams she’d had last night. An odd mix of Jackson from high school and Jackson from last night plagued her and she’d awakened not the least bit refreshed. Grandpa’s suggestion that she owed Jackson some gratitude for what he’d done for Blaze also weighed on her. She hated that her grandfather was right. Manners dictated she go thank her dog’s savior.

Damn, she despised manners right now.

Leaning her head against the wall behind her chair, Isabel drew in a deep breath and exhaled slowly, allowing her eyes to close. She’d only been in Maplehaven for like a day and she was already severely unraveled. That wouldn’t do. She couldn’t let one emergency with her dog and one encounter with her former love get the best of her. She had shit to do here. For Grandpa. For herself. For her future as a resort owner. She wouldn’t allow time for a breakdown.

“Isabel?”

She snapped her eyes open and took in the woman standing in front of her. Shoulder-length, dark brown hair fell around a face housing striking golden-brown eyes, but it was the super cute ankle boots with the peeking purple toenails that caught her attention.

“I love your shoes,” she said before letting her gaze travel back up to the woman’s face. “Wait . . . Violet?”

“Uh-huh.” Violet hiked up the bright yellow sundress she wore so she could kneel in front of Isabel and run a soothing hand over Blaze’s fur. “So nice to see you. When did you get back in town?”

“Yesterday. I’m here to help my grandfather at the cottages for a little while.”

“Right. I heard about Eugene. How’s he doing?”

“Oh, you know my grandfather.” Isabel rolled her eyes. “He can ignore his health with the best of them.” She repositioned Blaze on her lap because her arm was falling asleep. “You look as if life has been treating you well.”

Violet beamed a sunshine-bright smile. “Life has been wonderful.” She wiggled her left hand a bit, a diamond ring catching the overhead lighting. “I got married. To a cellist. Who marries a cellist?”

“Apparently you do.” Isabel laughed. “Being a wife agrees with you then?”

“Totally. Dawson is amazing.” Violet’s eyes closed for a moment, her face covered in pure bliss, and a wave of longing flooded over Isabel. Would she ever have that expression on her own face?

“How’s Jorden?” Isabel remembered Violet’s handsome brother. He was always flirting with the ladies. Maybe she could look him up while she was here.

“He’s married also. To my husband’s sister, actually. They have two kids and are loving married life too.”

“Wow. Lots of happy married people about Maplehaven, huh?” And didn’t that make Isabel feel even more like an outsider?

“There might be something in the water,” Violet joked. “What about you? What have you been up to?”

“Managing a hotel in Pennsylvania,” Isabel said. “I’m planning to open my own resort after I help Grandpa.”

“How wonderful! That sounds exciting.”

“Yeah. I’m looking forward to finally having my own place after years of working under someone else’s rules.”

“I hear you. I love being self-employed. I own a salon in town so if you’re here long enough that you need a haircut, you come see me, okay?”

“Definitely. Your hair looks amazing and I remember it always did.”

“Thanks, honey.” Violet gestured to Blaze as she stood. “I assume this is the Australian Kelpie I got called about at the animal shelter. Haven’t seen too many of these gorgeous pups around.”

“You got called about Blaze?”

“When he was brought in here last night, his owner wasn’t known so they called me. I didn’t come for him yesterday though because Jackson said he’d take Blaze home with him until the owner could be located. He didn’t want the poor pup to be alone for the night, and I knew I could trust Jackson to take good care of him.”

Jackson had volunteered to care for Blaze? Something thawed in Isabel’s core.

When she met Violet’s gaze again, the woman was biting her bottom lip as she regarded Isabel.

“What?”

“I . . . I wasn’t sure I should have said Jackson’s name.” Violet’s cheeks pinked.

“Oh, it’s fine,” Isabel said, though it wasn’t. “I actually ran into him last night.” She rubbed Blaze’s ear and the dog sighed. “That’s how I have Blaze back in my possession.”

“And how did that interaction go?” Violet asked, her brows raised.

“Umm . . . let’s say if I could get a do-over, I’d file the necessary paperwork to get one.”

“I see.” Violet gave Blaze another pat. “I think you’re in luck though. Maplehaven has a do-over clause written right into its town laws. You don’t even have to file paperwork. Find Jackson and start again.”

“That sounds easy, but . . .” Isabel shrugged. “I don’t know.”

“I get it. I do. You guys have a past and that always complicates things, but the fact that you’re both back in Maplehaven at the same time has to mean something.” Violet’s eyes glittered over the potential magic in the air.

There was no magic. In the air. Or anywhere else.

“Coincidence.”

“I guess we’ll see.” Violet arrowed a hand toward the front desk. “I have to see about another dog that’s been here who might be ready to come to the shelter and hopefully get adopted. I imagine you’ve got lots to do over at your grandfather’s, but when you have some free time, give me a call and we’ll find some trouble to get into.”

Isabel accepted the business card Violet extended toward her. “I’d love to find some trouble. Thanks.”

“Great. Nice seeing you. I wish Blaze a speedy recovery. There’s a great dog park in town you might want to check out too. Neydi and Benny, our dogs, love it there.”

“Blaze loves other dogs so we’ll definitely give it a go when he’s feeling up to it.”

With a wave, Violet went to the front desk, leaving Isabel to ponder the fact that Jackson Henley hadn’t wanted her injured poochie to spend a night alone. She wasn’t about to let her heart go to complete mush, but she could admit—however much she did not want to—that she owed Jackson an apology.

Shit.

“Isabel, you can go into Exam Room #5 and the vet will be with you in a few moments,” the assistant said.

“Great. Thanks.”

She hoisted Blaze into her arms and made her way to the exam room. Inside, she slid her pup onto the metal table, still concerned over how little Blaze protested over this vet visit and her manhandling him. What if he had an infection? What if his legs were broken and the vet had missed that last night? What if there had been instructions she hadn’t let Jackson tell her?

What if she calmed the hell down and waited patiently for the vet to tell her what was going on?

Pinching the bridge of her nose, Isabel lowered into the exam room’s only chair. The room had an antiseptic smell and the hum of a bulb in the overhead lights grated on her nerves. She needed to chill out or this time in Maplehaven would not go well. Isabel drew in several deep breaths, attempting to center herself and failing. Why was she coming so unglued? It wasn’t as if Blaze were whimpering in constant pain. He was merely lethargic, which was a perfectly normal reaction to the mini-trauma he’d endured last night.

The real problem was that this accident was one more thing that had been out of Isabel’s control. Grandpa’s heart attack had been out of her control. Delaying her career plans had been out of her control. Scott not fighting for their relationship had been out of her control.

Jackson leaving all those years ago had been out of her control.

She had to ignore all that now and press on. She had her goals clearly defined and the path ahead was ready for her as soon as her time in Maplehaven was over. She had to keep that in mind when she felt adrift. She would have what she wanted.

The door at the other end of the room opened and a female wearing a long, powder-blue lab coat entered. “I didn’t expect to see this handsome guy so soon. Is he not feeling okay after yesterday’s events?”

“You tended to Blaze yesterday?” Isabel stood and approached the exam table, her hand automatically resting on her dog’s midsection.

“I certainly did. He had a nasty bit of steel cable bird-nested around his back legs. Took a little time to cut that free then stitch up some of the deeper gashes he incurred.” The vet smoothed a hand between Blaze’s ears. “He was a real soldier though, weren’t you, boy? So brave.”

Isabel’s throat stung as she once again thought about her dog being injured and her having no clue about it. When a tissue appeared in front of her, she looked up to see the vet offering it to her.

She took it and dabbed at her eyes. “I’m sorry. I just feel so awful he got hurt on his first day in Maplehaven.”

“Well, it’s lucky that Jackson Henley found him.” The vet fanned her face. “Makes a girl want to go out and get some cable wrapped around her legs so she needs a rescuer, you know?”

Isabel did know, but she did her best to bury that knowledge.

“Can you re-examine Blaze to make sure he’s doing okay and give me any care instructions you may have given Jackson?” she asked.

“Sure thing.”

Twenty minutes later, Isabel was back in her car with Blaze and the peace of knowing her dog was going to be fine. The vet hadn’t found any signs for concern and had only remarked about Jackson’s sexiness four more times.

Not that Isabel had been counting.

Okay, she had been counting and each time the vet mentioned how kind Jackson had been or how worried about Blaze he had been or how freaking heroic he’d been, Isabel felt like more of an ass over the way she’d spoken to him last night. She could only think of one way to get that feeling to subside.

Talk to him.

She feared, however, what other feelings talking to him and seeing him again might cause to float to the surface. She’d already noticed way too much about his physique last night in the rainy darkness. Would seeing him in the bright light of day cause her to explode or something?

Didn’t matter. She had to thank him for what he’d done for Blaze. Grandpa had raised her to do the right thing and do the right thing she would.

After settling Blaze back on his bed in the living room, she stopped into the Pine River Cottages main office which wasn’t much more than a cottage that had been outfitted with a front desk, a small waiting area, a wall of tourist brochures, and a back office where Grandpa did all his business-related tasks.

“Grandpa?”

The wheels of a desk chair squeaked then her grandfather filled the doorway behind the front desk area.

“Hey, Belly. How’s Blaze?”

“He’ll be good as new in a few days.”

“Glad to hear it.” He frowned. “Listen, can we do the info dump tomorrow?” He tapped his temple with a pencil. “I want to clear up a few outstanding things business-wise and I won’t be able to concentrate on imparting my vast knowledge to you if I’m worried about these tasks.”

“Sure, Grandpa. No problem. Just promise me you won’t work too hard and you’ll let me know if you need help.”

“Will do, Belly. Will do. I’m actually going to take some stuff back to our cottage to work on.”

“Good idea. Take breaks.” She wagged a finger at him.

“I will. I’ll take breaks to pet Blaze,” Grandpa promised. “What are you going to do right now?”

“Eat crow apparently.” She sighed.

“It tastes better than you think.” Grandpa disappeared with the same squeaky-wheel soundtrack.

How could it taste better than she thought? Apologizing to Jackson Henley was going to be as tasty as raw sewage.

Chapter Four

Jackson tossed his phone onto the couch cushion beside him and let out a frustrated growl. He’d been on calls all morning, desperately trying to get his hands on some dig funding and having absolutely no luck whatsoever. One contact he called referred him to another contact who referred him to another contact and deeper down the rabbit hole he went, not turning up a single goddamn carrot. Most people were delighted to hear from him, but that quickly morphed into a we-don’t-have-any-money-for-you-Jackson speech that he loathed.

He understood. He did. Times were tough and money was tight. The usual crowd of investors was being a little more careful with their dollars, choosing to fund projects that were sure to bring returns. An archaeological dig wasn’t that type of project. Sure, Jackson and the team that had been with him in Brazil had found several artifacts on their dig site, but aside from a gut feeling, Jackson didn’t have any solid proof those pieces would lead to a major find. Without solid proof, he was asking people to pour money into a possibility and that wasn’t enough right now.

“Oh, Uncle Patrick, you’d be as pissed as I am right now.” His history teacher uncle had been the one person who had completely understood Jackson’s drive to be an archaeologist. He’d encouraged it wholeheartedly and had gotten Jackson hooked up with a significant project right out of college.

A new compartment in a lesser-known Egyptian pyramid had been revealed right after Jackson had graduated. Uncle Patrick had done some work in the past as a historian with the lead archaeologist on the project and with a single email to his friend, Jackson’s uncle had gotten him a job assisting on the site. It had been a new graduate’s dream job and the stepping stone that had led to Jackson getting on more projects. He’d basically blinked an eye and his archaeological career had been launched. He’d been working hard to be worth that help his uncle had given him ever since.

“And now I’m stuck back on the launch pad without any rocket fuel.” Jackson rubbed his eyes and leaned his head on the back of the couch. He’d slept like absolute shit last night and it was all Isabel’s fault. She shouldn’t have been so damn gorgeous in what had appeared to be an oversized, male’s raincoat, the hood hiding her blond hair. Her face shouldn’t have been so crystal clear in his mind as he’d only viewed it through rain-irritated eyes under the illuminated circle of a floodlight, making the details shadowy. He’d apparently seen enough, however, to give her a starring role in his dreams all night long.

It would have been awesome had the dreams been wonderful ones. But they hadn’t been. Instead, he’d basically relived her walking away from him that day at the library when he’d told her he’d be going to college early. He hadn’t relived it only once either. Nope. That scene repeated itself over and over, only slight details changing each time. The color of Isabel’s shoes one time. The way she wore her hair the next. The weather another time. The type of tree they’d been near the time after that. By morning, Jackson had been ready to pull his hair out.

Hopefully, tonight would be better and the memory of seeing Isabel would fade back into the dark corners of his mind. Maybe he should ask Christian if the barn loft was still up for grabs. He’d wanted his own space while he was temporarily in Maplehaven, but perhaps it wasn’t worth it if Isabel was staying at Pine River Cottages too.

But why should he let her drive him away? She was the one who had ended them back in high school. He’d been committed to the idea of doing the long-distance thing with her. In fact, the idea of them breaking up because he was starting college early hadn’t entered his mind. While he’d sat in the guidance office, he had worried about what skipping two years of high school might do to his relationship with Isabel, but he never considered she’d leave him and certainly not right after he’d delivered his good news. She hadn’t even congratulated him on the achievement. Bi-passing two whole years of schooling was huge and she’d only focused on how him jumping ahead would affect her.

It was why he hadn’t chased her. She’d wanted to dump him instead of support him and she’d been free to make that choice. It had been the wrong choice, but he wasn’t the type of guy to force someone to think like him. Most people didn’t think like he did and that was okay. He’d hoped his girlfriend of two years—the first girl he’d made love to—would have loved him enough to see what an incredible opportunity he’d been given.

They’d been given.

Jackson blew out a breath. “If I sit here thinking about Isabel, I’ll never get more funding.” He leaned forward, prepared to grab his laptop from the coffee table and dive back into potential funding leads, but his phone hummed beside him.

“Where are you?” Donovan asked in his older brother detective voice of authority as soon as Jackson hit speakerphone.

He pulled his phone from his ear to check the time and saw it was noon. And he was late.

“Shit,” he hissed. “I’m sorry. I—”

“Lost track of time,” Donovan finished. “Yeah, yeah, we know. Get your ass over here.”

“On my way.”

Jackson bounded off the couch and hit the bathroom for a warp-speed freshening up. He grabbed his phone, wallet, and keys, and bolted out the front door of his cottage.

Only to plow right into Isabel.

He had a millisecond to realize she was falling backward. His arms shot out and grabbed her around the waist. They pulled her up against him of their own accord, effectively keeping her from cracking her head on the ground, but also bringing way too much of that curvy, feminine, absolutely rocking body of hers into his personal bubble. Something in his pants was about to pop that bubble if he held her like this for too long.

And why exactly was he still holding her? She wasn’t in danger of falling anymore.

He released her as if he’d just discovered he’d been hugging a bag of cobras.

“Sorry,” he said, the word barely audible.

Isabel smoothed the front of her sundress—a pretty green one that made her eyes look like summer leaves and revealed a hell of a lot more to drool over than that raincoat had last night. “I . . . I just wanted to . . .” She wrung her hands, avoiding meeting his gaze.

“Listen, I’m super late.” He stepped around her, more in an effort to get out of the air that smelled like sun-warmed lavender than because he was in a hurry.

Though he was in a hurry.

“I need to talk to you.” Her tone stopped him at the driver’s side door of the Wrangler. A little I-don’t-want-to-need-to-talk-to-you mixed with hey-you-can’t-brush-me-off-that-easily.

Fine.

“If you want to talk to me, get in.” He pointed to the passenger’s side and knew he was making an enormous mistake, but he couldn’t rewind and erase what he’d said so he had to roll with it now.

Besides, she wouldn’t get in.

He hopped into the Wrangler and speared the ignition with the key, freezing for a moment when the passenger side door opened and Isabel did, in fact, get in. He blinked at her until she threw her hands up.

“What? You told me to get in if I wanted to talk to you,” she said, her tone still many levels of peeved.

“Okay. Yeah. I did.” He checked his rearview mirror and backed out of the little driveway beside his cottage.

This ought to be a disaster.

He navigated the Wrangler past the front gates of Pine River Cottages, expecting Isabel to say whatever she needed to say and ask for him to let her out. When she didn’t, he cruised beyond the gates and headed for the main road. Isabel sat quietly beside him, her hands white-knuckling her knees.

“You had something to say?” he prompted, not able to take the quiet.

“Umm . . . yeah.” Her hands relaxed their grip and she flattened a wrinkle in her dress, drawing a fraction of Jackson’s attention to her thighs.

He snapped his gaze back to the road in front of them.

“I wanted to say thank you for helping my dog last night,” Isabel said in a soft, practiced voice. “I may have been a bit of a . . . of a . . .”

“Bitch?”

“Yeah, okay.” She nodded. “A bitch. I was a bitch last night, but you were hardly a Prince Charming yourself, Jackson.”

He winced as he took a left at a stop sign. “You’re right. Neither of us was cordial last night.”

“I’m sorry about my behavior,” she said. “You rescued my dog, paid for his vet care, and planned to house him overnight until you found his owner, and what did I do? I bit your head off the moment I saw you.”

“You were worried about your dog. That’s understandable.”

“And once I saw it was you . . . I . . .”

“Freaked?”

“A little.”

Jackson risked a sideways glance to her and she huffed.

“Okay, okay. A lot. I freaked a lot, but so did you.”

“Guilty as charged.” Jackson stopped at a red light. “I had no idea your grandfather owned Pine Creek Cottages and I certainly didn’t know you were back in town.”

“Grandpa had a heart attack.”

“What?” He swiveled his head to look at her. “Is he okay?” How had he not gotten word of that? He’d been in town for a few weeks now.

Isabel nodded. “Yeah, but it took some oomph out of him, you know? That’s why I’m here. To help him out until he gets stronger.”

“And to lose your dog on a rainy night?”

“That wasn’t my fault.” She folded her arms across her chest as Jackson stepped on the gas when the driver behind them beeped over the light turning green. “He probably saw something that interested him.”

“Yeah, a couple coils of steel cable that weren’t so interesting once they attacked.”

“Where did you find Blaze?”

“Blaze. Cool name.” Perfect for a dog who had a fiery coat. “I found him right before the gates at the cottages. He was bouncing around, trying to get free, I guess.”

“And you just approached him?”

“Well, I couldn’t leave him there.” Jackson maneuvered the Wrangler around a hole in the road. “He was clearly in distress. How is he doing now?”

“He’s fine and hanging out with my grandfather. The poor pup is lethargic, but the vet said that’s normal.”

“The vet? You took him back?”

“I had to make sure he was okay.” She drummed her fingers on her knee. “That’s when I learned how . . . how wonderful you were about making sure he got the proper care and that’s why I’m here saying thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” He guided the Wrangler into Christian’s driveway and parked it behind Landon’s vehicle. “I guess I owe you an apology too. I did sort of suggest you were to blame for your dog’s injuries.”

Isabel arched one eyebrow. “Sort of suggest?”

“Okay, okay.” He shut off the engine and pulled the key from the ignition, fiddling with it to keep his hands busy. “I basically pointed a finger and yelled ‘Bad Dog Mommy’ at you.” He peeked over at her. “I’m sorry, especially because you probably have a lot on your mind with your grandfather having the heart attack.”

Isabel’s chest expanded as she inhaled a big breath and rubbed her forehead. Jackson tried his best not to let his gaze zero in on the swell of her breasts in that sundress. They’d apologized to each other and that was a pretty big step, but it was no reason to think all was forgiven.

“I did not expect to be here in Maplehaven. I’ll give you that,” she said.

“Me neither.”

“Why are you here?”

While he hated to admit defeat, especially to the woman who he’d lost in order to pursue his dreams, he couldn’t lie to Isabel. Never could.

“I lost funding for a dig I was on in Brazil. Now I’m hanging in town while I investigate funding avenues.”

“Funding avenues.” She grinned. “You did always have a fun way of saying stuff.”

Jackson warned himself not to linger on that grin, but shit, her face was something amazing when she smiled. He foolishly allowed himself a few seconds to truly look at her.

“You don’t look much different than you did in high school,” he said.

She shrugged one shoulder. “I don’t get as many zits when I eat chocolate though so there’s that.”

He laughed. “If we have to get older, there may as well be some benefits, right?”

Isabel nodded and narrowed her eyes at him. “You haven’t changed much either, aside from the beard and the—” She snapped her mouth closed, her eyes bugging a bit.

“The beard and the what?”

“Nothing. Just the beard,” she said quickly.

“No. You were going to name a second difference. Tell me what it is.” Because he might actually die of curiosity if she didn’t tell him.

Isabel covered her face with her hands. “I beg you to drop this.”

“I’m afraid I can’t, Isabel. Another thing that is the same about me is I still like to know stuff.”

Her shoulders sagged and she stared out the windshield. “The beard is different and so are your . . . muscles.” She folded forward, hiding her face from him.

If Jackson hadn’t been seatbelted in, he would have done a complicated victory dance. She’d noticed his muscles.

Isabel Perri had noticed his muscles.

“If you gloat about this,” she said into her lap, “I will punch you.”

He touched her shoulder and she slowly rose to sitting again. “No gloating, I promise. Gloating might show off my muscles.”

Her fist sailed into his biceps.

“Fortunately, I didn’t feel that,” he said. “Because, you know, muscles.” He flexed his arm and tapped the hardened biceps.

Isabel let out a growl, but it wasn’t menacing because her cheeks were so pink. She flapped a hand toward the farm sprawling outside the windshield. “Where are we?”

“My brother Christian’s farm. Come on.” He opened his door and got out of the Wrangler.

She met him at the front of the jeep. “What are we doing here?”

“Attending a birthday party.”

“Oh.” Her eyebrows bobbed up. “Whose birthday are you celebrating?”

Jackson walked toward his brother’s farmhouse. “Mine.”

****

For the second time today, Isabel nearly fell. “We’re walking into a birthday party?”

“Yup.” Jackson turned to face her, a gorgeous white farmhouse behind him.

“Your birthday party?” She pointed at him.

“Uh-huh.” He turned and climbed the steps on a beautiful front porch that had a series of rocking chairs with terra cotta pots of flowers in every color imaginable set up all over the place. The air smelled wonderful as a gentle July breeze brought the scent of the different flowers to Isabel’s nose.

“But today isn’t your birthday.”

Jackson turned to face her again, a slight smile on his lips that had danger written all over it.

Look away. Look away, dammit!

She’d already humiliated herself by bringing up Jackson’s muscles. Now she’d revealed the man’s birthday was still a fact she held in her brain. She looked down at herself. No, she wasn’t wearing a World’s Biggest Loser T-shirt, but it sure as hell felt as if she was.

“My brothers were busy working on my actual birthday,” he said. “Saturday—today—was a better day for us all to get together. Although I’m late and they are probably pissed at me.”

He reached for the doorknob.

“Wait! Don’t open that!” Isabel squealed.

“What? Why?” His dark brows furrowed. “It’s Christian’s house. I don’t have to knock at my own brothers’ houses.” He made a move to turn the knob again, but Isabel flew up the steps and grabbed his wrist.

“You have to take me back to the cottages first.” Because there was no way she was attending a birthday party. For Jackson. Uninvited.

“I can’t do that,” he said. “I told you. I’m late. Donovan called to alert me to that fact right before I literally ran into you. If I take you all the way back to Pine River Cottages, I’ll be super late, which will get me into super trouble.”

“It’s your birthday party.” Isabel waved a hand. “No one can be mad at the Birthday Boy.” She tugged him though she should have let go of him the moment her fingers closed around his wrist. “C’mon.”

“Isabel.” Jackson’s warm, solid, rough hand slid over her knuckles and the scrape of his palm along the back of her hand made her breath catch in her throat. “It’s my brothers. You know them all.”

“I do, but I’m not prepared for a birthday party.” Or for the massive trip down memory lane.

He released her hand. “Prepared? What’s to prepare?”

“I don’t know.” She flapped her arms out to her sides. “I’m not dressed properly.”

Jackson’s deep brown gaze did a slow roll from her head down her body to her toes then back up to her eyes. Could a woman orgasm simply from the way a man looked at her?

“You look stunning, Isabel. As I’m sure you always do.”

Stunning? She was only wearing a simple sundress. It wasn’t even her best one. It was one of her more comfortable, carefree ones. Certainly not the one you wore to see your high school ex-boyfriend’s family for the first time in eons.

“I didn’t bring any food,” she said. Social Etiquette 101 clearly stated baked goods were a requirement for attendance to any birthday celebration.

“I’m sure there’s plenty of food beyond this door.” Jackson arrowed a thumb at the front door behind him.

“I don’t . . . I don’t have . . . I don’t have a birthday present for you,” she sputtered.

At that, Jackson’s smile widened and his left eyebrow arched ever so slightly. “Maybe we can do something about that. Later.”

Before she could stop him, he opened the front door and strode inside the house where Isabel immediately noticed two things.

#1. Something smelled incredibly delicious and her stomach was suddenly dying for sustenance.

#2. There were way more people than just the Henley brothers inside that house.

She hesitated on the front porch until something rubbed up against her ankle and she jumped a mile. Looking down, a gray cat weaved between her legs, headbutting her boots and purring loudly.

“Roxie says, Get your ass in here,” a male voice said and Isabel looked up to see a dark-haired man with an easy smile on his lips.

“Christian?”

“The one and only. Nice to see you again, Isabel. C’mon in and help us celebrate that my runt of a brother hasn’t gotten buried alive in a dig site yet.” He stepped out of the doorway and swept his arm back, inviting her in.

The cat, Roxie, paraded herself right in, her tail high in the air, and Isabel supposed that was a good example to follow. She could pretend it was perfectly normal for her to be here, celebrating Jackson Henley’s birthday. Shoulders squared—because she didn’t have Roxie’s tail advantage—Isabel stepped across the threshold into Henley territory.

“I don’t know what you remember about us brothers,” Christian said, indicating that she should walk down the hallway in front of them toward where the majority of the noise was coming, “but I promise we’re more civilized now that we’ve met some cool chicks who were willing to tame us.”

“These must be some impressive chicks.” Isabel certainly remembered what handfuls Jackson’s brothers could be. She’d always wondered how their mother hadn’t become a raging alcoholic after raising four testosterone-fueled mutants. Jackson had struck her as the calmest, but he had been known to partake in occasional shenanigans.

They spilled into a kitchen filled with activity. Tons of food lined every available countertop and a long table. A dark-haired woman mixed a drink at a center island, handing the cocktail glass of bright blue liquid to Jackson. A blond woman draped long curls of blue ribbons around Jackson’s neck as the two of them laughed. Another woman with chestnut hair blew a noisemaker, letting the tip of it unfurl to hit Jackson in the cheek repeatedly.

“Those are the Impressive Chicks,” Christian said from behind her as she was starting to wonder if the three women had been hired to entertain Jackson for his birthday. Thankfully, she’d kept that notion to herself. Insulting Christian by suggesting he’d hired strippers for Jackson wouldn’t have been a good start.

Jackson extracted himself from the trio and came over to Isabel and Christian. “I see you’ve run into this idiot.” He motioned to his brother. “Sorry for anything uncouth he’s done.”

“Hey.” Christian reached over Isabel’s shoulder to give Jackson a little shove. “I’ve been nothing but charming, right, Isabel?”

“Prince Charming.” Isabel grinned when Jackson narrowed his eyes at her.

“Give him time. The royalty will wear off. Christian’s crown is made of aluminum foil.” Jackson moved to stand beside her, his arm going behind her and his hand coming close enough to touch the small of her back. But not quite. “Let me introduce you to the women who have been completely bamboozled into thinking my brothers are husband material.”

“Don’t you dare talk Nicole out of marrying me.” Christian made a fist and shook it in warning at Jackson.

“I can still save her,” Jackson said, turning to face Isabel. “Landon and Donovan are married, but Christian just got engaged.”

“Congratulations,” Isabel said, looking at Christian.

“Thanks.” A loud roar sounded from another room and Christian jumped. “Baseball game is on. We have a friendly wager going. You want in, Jackson?”

“Not this time.”

“Okay.” Christian squeezed Jackson’s shoulder. “Happy Birthday, little bro. We’re so happy you’re actually here in Maplehaven so we can all be together.” He spent another moment looking at Jackson then jogged off to the other room.

“Did he just get emotional?” Isabel asked.

Jackson sipped his blue cocktail and shook his head as if the drink packed a punch. “Yeah. They’re all a little happy I’m here. I don’t visit Maplehaven often.”

“Too busy hunting for treasures?”

He nodded, but he wouldn’t meet her gaze. “Let’s get you one of these.” He wiggled his drink and set off toward the dark-haired woman.

“Hi!” the woman said as soon as Isabel and Jackson arrived in front of her.

“Nicole, this is Isabel Perri,” Jackson said. “Isabel, this is Christian’s poor misled fiancée, Nicole Travers.”

Nicole put down the knife she’d been using to cut a lime, wiped her hand on a towel, and extended that hand to Isabel to shake. “Nice to meet you, Isabel.” She shifted her gaze to Jackson. “I’m not misled. I know what I’m getting myself into and I couldn’t be happier about it.”

Jackson looked at Isabel. “It’s worse than I thought. Not only is she misled, but she’s completely brainwashed too.”

Nicole launched her fist into Jackson’s arm, much like Isabel had done in the jeep. “Not brainwashed. Just in love.” She batted her long eyelashes on the word love.

“Congratulations on your engagement,” Isabel said. “How did you meet Christian?”

“He used his body to save me from getting squished by a runaway van my evil sister sent to kill me on the busy streets of Boston.”

Isabel jerked her head back. “That was not what I expected you to say.”

Nicole and Jackson laughed as Nicole picked up her knife and continued slicing the lime.

“You expected the run-of-the-mill stories,” Nicole said. “The we-met-at-a-bar tales.”

“Or the online-dating-app anecdotes,” Jackson added.

“Ha! I just imagined what Christian’s online dating profile would say.” Nicole filled a metal shaker with ice and poured a generous amount of gin into it. “Hot cowboy farmer seeks sexy female farmhand to plow his field.”

Jackson rolled his eyes. “He would totally call himself a hot cowboy farmer.”

“That’s because he is a hot cowboy farmer,” Nicole said with a serious face that made Isabel chuckle.

“See?” Jackson turned to Isabel. “Completely brainwashed.”

“Aw, shush, you.” Nicole added something blue to the drink she’d mixed and handed it to Isabel. “Drink this Blue Monday and tell me how you know Jackson.”

Isabel took a hefty sip of the blue concoction, knowing she’d need it to tell Nicole how she’d met Jackson. The drink smelled of juniper and tasted like . . . like blue should taste somehow.

“I knew Jackson in high school.” With any luck, that would be enough commentary, but Nicole immediately shifted her gaze between Isabel and Jackson, and Isabel could practically hear the calculations taking place in the woman’s brain.

“You guys dated.” It wasn’t a question.

“We did.” Jackson toyed with the curls of ribbons still around his neck.

“I see.” Nicole stared at them for a moment longer, and Isabel feared more questions were about to come pouring out, but instead, Nicole snagged the blond woman and spun her around. “Tessa, meet Isabel. Isabel, Tessa is Donovan’s wife.” She elbowed Tessa. “Isabel and Jackson dated in high school.”

“Oh, really?” Tessa’s smile widened as did her eyes. She leaned her elbows on the kitchen island. “You mean to tell me this woman has inside info on the Henley brothers as youngsters?” Tessa rubbed her hands together and Jackson groaned.

“I may have some intel on the Henley Hellions,” Isabel said.

“Henley Hellions!” Nicole and Tessa shouted together.

“Confidential intel,” Jackson said. “Intel Isabel couldn’t possibly share with you two civilians.” He nudged Isabel away from the kitchen island, but the chestnut-haired woman appeared in front of Isabel, blocking their path.

“Hi, Isabel.”

“Aliza Danahy?”

“Yup. Except it’s Aliza Henley now because I’m the holder of the esteemed title Landon’s Wife.” She did a little bow in front of Isabel. “Did I hear that you knew these four clowns when they were boys? While I grew up in Maplehaven and did know you, I didn’t know the Henleys and then I moved to Boston for a time.”

“You did hear that.” Isabel released some of the awkwardness she’d felt upon entering Christian’s home. Christian had been welcoming and these three women gave off a fun vibe that appealed to Isabel, especially because she’d left any friends she’d had back in Pennsylvania. She had Charlie here in Maplehaven, but Isabel hadn’t seen her yet because Charlie was using her helicopter skills to work with some rescue group in the Dominican Republic.

Aliza looked at Nicole. “You keep the alcohol flowing in her direction so we can get her to spill all she knows.”

Isabel waved a hand. “Oh, I don’t need to be drunk to unload Henley Hellion secrets. I’ll do it freely.”

Jackson growled again and Isabel was starting to like that sound a bit too much. Teasing him had always been a blast and she was a little surprised at how easy it had been to slip right back into that type of talk around him.

“It’s time Isabel interacted with some of our other party attendees.” Jackson ushered her toward the living room.

“That’s fine,” Nicole called after them. “We’ll find her later, Jackson.”

“You can count on that,” Tessa added.

In the hallway, Jackson paused. “Sorry about them.”

“No worries. I like them.”

“Yeah. That’s what I’m sorry about.”

Isabel laughed. “Don’t be nervous. I’ll stick to stories mainly about their men and leave you out of it as much as possible.”

Jackson put a hand to his chest. “I would appreciate that.”

“Isabel!” Violet untangled herself from the lap of an attractive dude with chin-length hair. She threw her arms around Isabel. “I didn’t expect to get to see you again so soon.”

“Again?” Jackson asked.

“We ran into each other when I took Blaze to the vet earlier today,” Isabel explained.

“Yeah. I would have invited you to come to this party, but I . . .” Violet glanced at Jackson.

“You didn’t think she’d come?” He nodded. “She’s only here now because I tricked her.”

“You did trick me.” Isabel sipped her drink. “Took me here against my will, but this drink is making up for his abduction.”

“Abduction?” Jackson shook his head. “You could have chosen not to get in the jeep, Isabel. I didn’t exactly tie you up and carry you off.” But the tiniest gleam in his brown eyes suggested he might like to do just that.

That should bother her.

Why didn’t that bother her?

She downed another sip of her Blue Monday and focused on Violet. “Is that your husband’s lap you were sitting on?”

Violet’s face brightened. “Yep. Come meet him.”

She grabbed Isabel’s hand and for pretty much the next hour, Isabel reconnected with a ton of former Maplehaven friends. Dakota Brenton and his twin sisters, Jacy and Dena. Noah Williams and Krista Davidson who had surprised Isabel by telling her they were married. Jorden Demetri, Violet’s brother, who looked twelve different forms of adorable with two beautiful children filling his lap. Heidi and Kyle Jennings who made her promise to stop into Mountain View Pizza while she was in town. Marco Vieira who owned Cups Café and Miller Danahy who was now a doctor.

Then there were all the significant others she’d also met. Leah Greenstead who taught fourth grade and had married Dakota. Carter Bennett, the video game god who had captured Dena’s heart. Finn Johansen, the military engineer who had claimed Jacy. Dawson Kinsford, Violet’s famous cellist. Diana Rosalen, who made organic baby food and had married Jorden. Shaina Windsor and her sister Heather who had snagged Marco and Miller respectively.

So many lovely people who made Isabel realize it had been so long since she’d been in such good company.

Most surprising of all? That Jackson Henley might be good company too.

Chapter Five

Though Isabel appeared deeply engrossed in a conversation with Dena and Jacy about running a business, Jackson noticed her shooting quick peeks at him. Almost as if she was making sure he was still around.

As if maybe she wanted him to be still around.

Interesting.

If anyone had asked him last night if he’d be at his own birthday party with Isabel Perri today, he would have said, Hell, no. More so because her tone with him last night had more than suggested her disgust for him.

But today? That tone was altogether different. Her apology to him in the Wrangler had changed something between them. He wouldn’t go so far as to say all had been forgiven for either of them, but this party atmosphere—and these Blue Monday cocktails—had chipped away at the glacier that had built up between them since they last saw each other.

“So did you make some crazy birthday wish to see Isabel again?” Landon asked as he slid into the Adirondack chair next to Jackson’s. After the baseball game had ended, the entire party had moved outside to Christian’s backyard where guests played horseshoes, danced to some 80s music, or hung around in little pockets conversing and munching on food. As far as parties went, this was a good one.

Or at least Jackson thought it was a good one. He couldn’t really say he’d been to a ton of parties, and the last one he’d been to that had been in his honor was probably when he graduated from college with his undergraduate degree. He’d been far too busy to celebrate when he’d earned his graduate and doctorate degrees and had outright refused to return to Vermont for such parties.

Clearly he’d been missing out.

“No birthday wish,” he said to Landon.

“But you’re happy to see her?” Donovan took the seat on the other side of Jackson.

Jackson stared at his empty cocktail glass. He needed to do something about the fact that it was empty. “I’m not unhappy to see her.” He may have been last night, but the light of day had illuminated a few things.

First of all, Isabel was as gorgeous as ever. Throughout his time at this party so far, he’d been able to easily find her among the other guests because Isabel Perri stood out. She may have been the shortest adult here today, but that green sundress—or how she filled that green dress more specifically—drew Jackson’s attention like a brightly-colored bloom did to a bee. He’d had to continually remind himself to let her mix and mingle and not hoard her all to himself.

But maybe he could create an opportunity to hoard her.

Christian dragged another chair over and sat across from Jackson, slapping him on the knee. “Are you enjoying this shindig, bro?”

“Are you going to get all stupid if I say I’m enjoying it?”

“Stupid? Me?” Christian put his hand on his chest, his other hand clamped around a beer. “Of course not.”

“When has Christian ever gotten stupid?” Donovan asked, rolling his eyes.

“Hey, now. I’ve got me this whole farm.” Christian threw his arms out to indicate the acres and acres of land around them. “And this wonderful house that I renovated.”

“We renovated,” Landon corrected. “I seem to recall losing some skin off my knuckles helping you put up drywall.”

“Yeah, yeah. Whatever.” Christian waved a hand. “I also managed to snag that beauty over there.” He pointed his beer bottle at Nicole, who had joined Jacy, Dena, and Isabel. “So I don’t think we can classify me as stupid. I might not be as smart as Wonder Boy here, but I ain’t so dumb.”

“Fine.” Jackson’s gaze landed on Isabel again. She was laughing at something Nicole had said and God, she was dazzling with those smiling lips. “I’m having a good time at this party. Okay? Happy?”

“Extremely.” Christian relaxed back into his chair and looked at each of his brothers. “This is nice. All four of us together.”

Landon raised his beer and knocked it to Christian’s. “Yes, it is.”

“Indeed.” Donovan clinked his can of soda to Jackson’s empty cocktail glass.

Something tightened in Jackson’s throat, but he quickly swallowed whatever that emotion was and stood. “I need more booze.”

“Go for it, bro,” Christian said. “It’s your birthday party and you should go wild.”

Jackson didn’t know about going wild, but he definitely needed more alcohol to wash away the guilt of not visiting his family more often. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to see his brothers in Vermont or his parents in Ireland. It was more that he didn’t want to be away from his dig sites and his work. He was at the height of his career and still climbing.

Once he acquired more funding, of course.

He needed to focus his attention on archaeology now. There would be time to spend with his family later.

The kitchen was quiet because everyone else was outside partying. Jackson took a few moments to stand at the island, his hands gripping the countertop and his lungs drawing in a few deep breaths and sifting them out slowly. Today was a far cry from how he’d spent his birthday last year. He’d been in India. He’d twisted his ankle when he’d tripped over a piece of equipment an intern had left in a stupid place. Someone had brought him a chair so he could at least supervise the digging, but it had killed him to watch others down in the trenches without him.

No one had known it was his birthday.

He glanced up at the merry crowd outside, all of them here to celebrate him, and that twinge in his throat returned.

What the hell?

He was probably thirsty. Jackson opened the refrigerator and bent to search for beer because he had no idea how to make Nicole’s fancy blue cocktail, but the back door opening made him straighten.

Isabel walked in, but she halted when she saw him. “Oh, hi. I was going to use the bathroom.”

Silence dripped down the walls around them until Jackson pointed to the small hallway off the kitchen. “There’s one right there.”

Isabel nodded and scurried off in that direction while her ass swaying in that damn green sundress hypnotized Jackson. His dreams tonight would most definitely include a green sundress. No question.

He bent to look in the refrigerator again, letting the cold air numb his mind and his libido. He reached for a beer, opened it, and chugged a fourth of it. Probably should have gone for water, but what the hell? It was his fucking birthday party after all. He was thirty-one and should be living it up with not a single care in the world.

Or at least pretending that was the case for today.

Isabel came back into the kitchen, her blond hair looking a little more fluffed. Had she primped a bit while she was in there, knowing he was out here?

“It’s a great party,” she said softly.

“Yeah. My brothers can be morons, but they’re also pretty cool.”

“And their womenfolk are wonderful.” She gave him a smile that brightened the entire kitchen.

He took another gulp of the beer then his gaze settled on Isabel’s lips and that silence was back.

“Are you okay, Jackson?” those lips asked as they came a few steps closer to him.

“Umm . . . yeah.” He blinked and pressed his back against the refrigerator behind him, feeling a little like a cornered animal and not liking it one bit.

Even if the predator was this beautiful creature in front of him now. This beautiful creature with extremely kissable lips.

Isabel opened her mouth, but Nicole, Tessa, and Aliza came plowing into the kitchen. Nicole paused for a moment when she saw Isabel and Jackson. She must have registered the obvious danger Jackson was in—the danger of doing something supremely stupid—because she clapped her hands, effectively breaking whatever spell he was under.

“Cake time, Birthday Boy!” she announced, nudging him away from the refrigerator. “Jackson, go outside and sit in the chair with all the balloons on it.”

“The Birthday Throne of Honor.” Aliza opened the back door and waved Jackson toward it.

Isabel made a move to follow him out there, but Tessa snagged her arm. “Not you. You help us.”

“But I—”

“Need to help us,” Tessa repeated. “There are a lot of candles to light on this thing. We need someone to be ready with the fire extinguisher.”

“Ha, ha.” Jackson narrowed his eyes at Tessa as Aliza basically pushed him out the door.

When she closed it, his connection to Isabel was severed and he spent a few minutes wondering what the hell had happened in there. Had he actually thought about kissing Isabel?

Even worse, had he nearly done it?

Shaking his head, he turned toward the yard and easily located the chair with the balloons on it. It was in the center of the party space, covered in twinkle lights, with blue balloons knocking against each other in the slight summer breeze.

“C’mon, bro!” Christian called. “Get your ass in this chair!”

All the guests had made a semi-circle around the chair and someone started chanting, Jackson, Jackson, Jackson. Soon they were all chanting it and clapping out a beat.

Perhaps if he sat in the damn chair, they’d stop. Unfortunately, as he approached the throne, the chanting and clapping only rose in volume until the noise could probably be heard in another galaxy. Good thing they had acres of land around them or the police would definitely be getting a disturbance-of-the-peace call.

Something glowing emerged from the house a few minutes later. Cake. Flaming cake. Nicole and Tessa each carried an end of the monstrous confection, while Aliza got a rousing chorus of “Happy Birthday” going. Soon everyone joined in to sing, but Jackson could only focus on one thing.

Isabel. Lit by candles. Singing.

For him.

Suddenly the cake was in front of him, Donovan and Landon helping Nicole and Tessa lower it to a small table. The song ended and Christian yanked Jackson from his seat.

“Make a wish, bro!” Christian positioned Jackson in front of the cake as if he was a puppet. Due to the amount of alcohol he’d consumed at this party, his limbs did feel as if they were controlled by strings.

For the number of people gathered around him, it sure had gotten quiet as if they all wanted to hear the wish he made. No chance of that happening. Everyone knew if you shared your birthday wish, it wouldn’t come true.

And he wanted this one to come true.

Closing his eyes, his head feeling a little swimmy from all the cocktails and the beer, Jackson leaned over the cake. The heat from all the flickering candles hit his face and it certainly felt as if the women had literally put thirty-one candles on that cake. He’d need a good lungful of air to blow them all out at once, but he was up for the task.

He drew in a deep breath, but before he released it, he looked up at Isabel on the other side of the table. Their gazes connected for a second then he extinguished each of those candles with that one breath.

His family and friends went wild, his brothers taking turns clapping him on the back, but Jackson kept his gaze on Isabel.

She kept her gaze on him.

“Who wants cake?” Aliza picked up a knife and wielded it like a Samurai sword.

Jackson accepted the first piece then waited as cake made its way out to the masses. Somehow he ended up back in the throne and in little groups, guests cycled by to wish him well and chit-chat. He enjoyed talking to everyone and didn’t mind all the attention, but Isabel appeared to be purposely staying away. She’d helped distribute cake, eaten her own piece, and conversed with other partygoers.

But she didn’t come over to him.

Had he freaked her out in the kitchen? Was staring at a woman’s lips while you fantasized about kissing her considered creepy? Was his birthday wish an impossibility?

Little by little, the party wound down as guests bid their farewells. Jackson made several promises to get together with people while he was in town and surprisingly, he actually wanted to make those interactions happen.

Soon it was only his brothers, their women, Isabel, and Jackson left in the backyard where the sun had dropped to hover above the western horizon, casting pinkish streaks across Christian’s fields.

“I forgot how beautiful it is here.” Isabel came to stand next to him as he looked out over the land. She had a trash bag in her hand as she helped clean up, though Nicole had told her she didn’t have to.

“I forgot a lot of things about this place,” Jackson said.

“Such as?”

He looked at Isabel. She was a whole foot shorter than he was and he’d always loved the way her height made her fit against him below his chin. As if she belonged right there.

Shaking his head to clear that image, he winced when the motion made his stomach uneasy. “I forgot how nice it is to be with my crazy brothers. I forgot how many good friends I have here. I forgot that small-town vibe I swore I didn’t miss.”

“But you do miss it?”

He nodded.

“I think I learned that lesson here tonight too.” Isabel puffed out a breath. “I mean, I was terrified that you brought me here at first, but now that seems so silly. Everyone was lovely. The old friends are still amazing, and the new ones feel like old ones.”

“So you had a good time?” he asked.

“The best time I’ve had in a long time.”

“Good.” Jackson turned to face her. “Then there’s only one thing left we need to settle.”

Enough sunlight shined on Isabel that Jackson saw the panic fill her eyes. “What do we have to settle?”

“My birthday present.”

****

Isabel had a great idea for Jackson’s birthday present, but if she catapulted forward and kissed him right now—like she’d wanted to in the kitchen earlier—that would be a colossal mistake. Sure she’d had fun at this party, but that was because of all the catching up she’d done with old friends. Certainly not because of Jackson Henley.

Though she had kept tabs on him in the crowd of guests all afternoon, hadn’t she? And perhaps she’d finger-fluffed her hair during her bathroom trip, knowing Jackson was out in the kitchen. Maybe she’d put a little extra dose of heart into singing “Happy Birthday” to him before he’d blown out his candles.

What had he wished for?

“I’m sorry I don’t have a birthday present for you.” She wandered back toward a circle of chairs and picked up some empty soda cans that had been left on the low table in the center. “I didn’t exactly plan to see you or attend your party.”

“I know.” Jackson followed her, gathering up some paper plates with cake remnants on them and putting them in her trash bag. He stumbled over something in the grass, but when Isabel looked down, she didn’t see anything there.

He’s a little drunk, isn’t he?

She wasn’t surprised. Nicole had made him plenty of Blue Mondays and then Isabel had seen him with a beer. She wasn’t judging. It was the guy’s birthday party after all. He deserved to let loose a bit. She had a feeling Jackson didn’t let loose often enough.

She was guilty of the same.

“I’m thinking, however,” Jackson said as he rearranged some chairs in a way that no one would ever organize chairs in a backyard, giving her further proof of his slight intoxication. “I’m thinking you could do something for me that would make a good birthday gift.”

Isabel stopped using a paper towel to wipe off some frosting on the arm of an Adirondack chair. “Do something? Like what?”

Jackson came over to her and tugged the trash bag from her grip. Setting it on the ground at their feet, he focused on her face. “You could go on a date with me.” His eyebrows rose as if he was as surprised as she was over what he’d said. Then his face got super serious—adorably serious actually—and he reached for her hand.

His skin was warm and Isabel would be a total liar if she claimed that touch didn’t affect her entire body.

“You’re drunk,” she said, but her voice was an uncertain whisper as she backed up a step so his grip on her hand fell away.

“A little. Yeah.” He grinned. “But not enough that I don’t know what I’m doing. I asked you to go on a date with me as a birthday present.” He sounded pretty sober, but he couldn’t possibly be?

Can he?

“You want to go on a date?” she asked. “With me?”

He swiveled around, pretending to search the backyard. “I didn’t walk up to anyone else and ask for a date.” He leaned in closer. “Besides, I think my brothers would kick my ass if I dated their wives or fiancée.”

“That does sound like something the Henley Hellions would scuffle over.” She chuckled, but it came out shaky and nervous.

“We’ve scuffuffled over less.” Jackson’s brows crinkled. “Scuffuffled? What is that word?”

“A drunken word.”

“Perhaps.” He straightened and put on a serious face again, but his eyes were a little unfocused. “So? A date?”

“I’m going to say maybe,” she said. “Then tomorrow, after you get rid of the hangover headache you’re bound to have, you can come find me and see if you still want a date or not.”

“And if I do still want a date tomorrow, will you say yes?”

“Maybe.”

He wagged a finger at her and narrowed his eyes. “Okay, Isabel Perri. I’ll play your game, but I want you to know, I will find you tomorrow and I will still want a date.”

“We’ll see.” She picked up the trash bag. “Give me your keys and let’s get you back to your cottage.”

“Good idea. Then I can start on that getting sober thing.”

“Uh-huh.”

Jackson dug into the back pockets of his jeans, frowned, then plunged his hands into the front pockets. His face brightened when he pulled his hand out of his left front pocket and produced his keys. “Here you go.” He dangled them in front of Isabel then dropped them in her outstretched palm.

“Thank you.” She glanced around the yard and found Nicole over by the birthday throne as she untied balloons. “Let’s say goodbye to your family.”

He followed beside her without any comment, but every now and then his elbow brushed up against her arm and it felt as if someone had zapped her with a live wire every single time. How could one afternoon at a birthday party she didn’t want to be at have completely stirred up the feelings for Jackson she’d worked so hard to bury? Feelings she’d had to pack away so she could move on with her life as he had when he’d left for college ahead of schedule.

Thinking about him telling her that college news woke her up a bit. Yes, she’d had an extremely nice time today, but that didn’t entirely erase how Jackson had totally broken her heart when he’d gone to college without her. He’d chosen his career dreams over her.

She’d probably say no to that date if he did actually ask her again tomorrow.

Nicole turned toward them with what was essentially a bouquet of blue balloons and held it out to Jackson. “For you, Birthday Boy.”

“He’s hardly a boy,” Landon said as he took the trash bag Isabel had filled. “Officially over thirty now. You’re more than halfway to sixty.”

“But I’ll always be younger than all you jerks.” Jackson pointed to each of his brothers who had gathered around then he took the balloons from Nicole.

“Why was it we thought having Jackson back in Maplehaven was so great?” Donovan asked. “Someone refresh my memory.”

Christian caught Jackson in a headlock and Jackson swatted—with no accuracy—at his brother while the balloons bounced all over the place. “Because it’s nice to have him here to pick on. When he’s gone, I’m the youngest brother and the victim of these two older baboons.” He gestured to Donovan and Landon with one hand, easily holding on to a toasted Jackson with his other arm.

“You can’t fool us,” Tessa said as she came over with Aliza.

“Yeah,” Aliza agreed. “You all love each other and it’s not just about the teasing opportunities.”

“Don’t bring that mushiness out here,” Christian said, pretending to wipe his eye then batting one of the balloons so it bonked Jackson in the face. “It is totally about the teasing opportunities.” He released Jackson then put a steadying hand on him when it looked as if Jackson might tip over.

“I’m surprised none of you have any missing limbs,” Isabel said. “I seem to remember the four of you rigging up some contraption to launch yourselves into Brenton Lake.”

The Henley brothers roared with laughter as a unit, and Isabel couldn’t help laughing along with them.

“That was a great design!” Jackson shouted. “If only we’d had better materials.”

Christian bent in half, his hands on his knees as he laughed. “I haven’t thought about that in years!”

“Good thing we tested it with that giant teddy bear first.” Landon held his stomach as he laughed pretty hard too.

Donovan clapped Landon on the back, wiping tears from his eyes. “Shit. That teddy bear landed right on the rocks.”

“Scared the hell out of everyone who had been sitting at that end of the lake,” Jackson said with a snort. “Our device didn’t have the accuracy I’d hoped to achieve. I wonder if I still have the sketches for that somewhere. I could make improvements.”

“Oh my God,” Nicole said. “Take him home, Isabel, before he talks these hooligans into doing something that permanently maims them.”

“I’m on it.” Isabel nudged Jackson away from the group. “Thanks so much. It was a fun party.”

Jackson sidestepped around Isabel, moving faster than a drunk guy should. He threw his arms around each of his brothers and their women, issuing thanks for the party.

“You guys are the greatest,” he said, giving them a wave before walking toward Isabel. “Aren’t they the greatest?”

“They really are.” She gave the group her own wave, not able to ignore how they all stood in pairs, coupled up nicely, and looking abundantly happy.

Would it be so bad to allow a date with Jackson? Just while she was in town? For a little fun?

And perhaps a physical release?

His long strides had taken him ahead of her as they walked toward his Wrangler and there was enough light in the sky to remind her about those muscles Jackson now had. His jeans also hugged that ass of his in a way that promised the naked show would be phenomenal.

“Just get him home,” she muttered to herself.

“What?” Jackson stumbled to a stop and turned to face her, the balloons taking a moment to clear out of the way so she could see his face.

“I don’t have my phone,” she said.

“Oh.” He frowned. “Did you need to make a call right now? You can use my phone.” He patted his pockets. “I think . . . I think I left it in the jeep.”

“I don’t need to make a call.” She caught up to him. “It was an observation.”

Nodding, he continued to the Wrangler, opened the passenger side door, and tried to get in with the balloons in front of him.

Isabel nearly peed she laughed so hard. “You need big red clown shoes, Jackson.”

He backed up from the jeep, a confused expression on his handsome face. “These balloons won’t let me in the vehicle.” He stood there, looking helpless.

And damn adorable.

“Let’s see if I can help.” She came to stand next to him. “Give me those.” She wiggled her fingers at the balloons.

Jackson pulled them away. “You’re not going to let them go, are you, Isabel? These are my birthday balloons.”

She raised her right hand. “I swear I won’t let your birthday balloons go, Jackson. You can trust me.” She cleared her throat. “With your balloons. You can trust me with your balloons.”

He hesitated for another moment then handed them over.

Isabel’s grip on those ribbons was iron. She’d feel terrible if even one of those balloons escaped. “Now get in the jeep.” She started for the back of the vehicle.

“Where are you going with my balloons?” Jackson asked.

“I’m putting them safely in the back here, okay?” She pointed to the rear of the jeep.

“Okay.” He stood by the passenger door until she’d managed to wrestle all the balloons into the back. When she opened the driver side door, Jackson finally got into his seat.

“Thanks for handling those.” He arrowed a thumb to the balloons which filled the back and allowed Isabel no view out the rear window. “They were tricky.”

“Balloons are like that sometimes.” She put the key in the ignition as Jackson reclined his seat.

“I’m going to close my eyes for a few minutes, ’kay?” he mumbled.

“Okay. You relax and I’ll have you home in no time.”

“Thanks, Whisabel.”

Isabel’s hands froze on the steering wheel. Whisabel. She hadn’t heard that nickname in forever. The first time Jackson had called her that was when she’d gotten a higher grade on a pop quiz in Algebra than he had. Dating a freaking genius didn’t allow for many opportunities to outshine him, but she had on that one stupid quiz.

“You’re an Algebra whiz, Isabel,” Jackson had said. “You’re . . . Whisabel!” They’d laughed, but he’d taken to calling her that when it was only the two of them. It was a silly name, but it had come to mean intimacy to Isabel.

And he hadn’t forgotten.

She reminded herself that crawling into his lap and kissing the bejesus out of him while he was on the drunk side would be wrong.

So wrong it’s right?

She shook her head and started the engine. Kissing him now was a bad idea. Kissing Jackson at all was probably a bad idea, but she hadn’t been prepared to see him, let alone have all these feelings for him rush right to the surface.

After backing out of Christian’s driveway, she pulled onto the main road and fortunately knew exactly where she was so she could navigate back toward Pine River Cottages. Her grandfather probably wondered where the hell she’d been all afternoon.

And Blaze! Poor Blaze. He’d had Grandpa’s company, but that wasn’t the same as having his mama, especially when he was injured. She’d make it up to her pooch tomorrow.

Isabel spent most of the drive concentrating on keeping both of her hands on the wheel and none of her hands on the sleeping—and snoring—man beside her. While she and Jackson had been each other’s firsts in bed, they’d been too young to ever spend an entire night together. She’d had no idea the man was a snorer.

What else was he? They’d known each other very well back in high school, but so much time had passed since then. What new things were there to learn about him? She certainly wasn’t the same girl she had been as a teenager. She’d had experiences in Pennsylvania and she was damn sure Jackson had seen much in his time around the globe on dig sites. They most likely had a ton of new stories to share.

She wanted to hear his stories. She wanted to tell him hers.

Dammit. She wanted that date with him.

Chapter Six

Jackson used a tiny shovel to gently pull away dirt from around what looked like a piece of white porcelain. A blue flower-and-vine design coursed around the edge he’d already exposed and if he was correct, that design meant he’d found a rare artifact indeed.

But he knew better than to get excited yet.

He’d been disappointed many times on digs when he’d believed he’d found something of value only to find it to be not worth much at all. Archaeology was a bit like visiting a casino. Sometimes you struck big. Other times you went home empty-handed. Fortunately for Jackson, his wins outnumbered his losses.

“Hand me the brush.” He stood, stretched up his arm, and pointed to a small brush used to carefully remove debris from around a potential find. An intern reached over the edge of the hole to hand him the brush then suddenly slid into the hole, sending down a cascade of rubble. “Watch it! This whole area could have pieces buried under the dirt.”

“Sorry,” the intern said, cheeks pinking. “I lost my footing.”

“Be careful.”

Jackson took the brush, reminding himself that he was once an intern. On his knees over the porcelain piece, he lightly removed more dirt until a larger portion was visible. When he uncovered a blue dragon image on the porcelain, he knew without a doubt he’d found a Yuan Dynasty vase, circa thirteenth century.

“Jackpot!” He used his fingers to dig out a little more dirt around the belly of the vase. “I knew this trip wasn’t going to be a waste.”

With much wiggling and a crapload of patience, Jackson got the vase free. The lip was chipped, a few pieces were missing from one side of it, and a slight crack cut across the bottom, but it was still a great specimen.

And where there’s one specimen . . .

“Let’s get this safely packed and catalog its location on the site,” he said to the intern as he held up his find and marveled over the intricate dragon design. “Then we can scout around for more treasures.”

It didn’t take long for that vase to be lovingly wrapped and lowered into a waiting crate. Jackson was eager to get back in the hole to see what else he could find. He knew of at least four museums that would salivate over that vase even in its damaged state. His brain was already composing the article he’d write about the piece.

As he stood at the lip of the hole, preparing to descend once again, Jackson’s intern lifted the wooden lid of the crate and it slipped from his fingers. It smacked against a nearby empty crate with a loud slap.

Jackson snapped awake, his hand knocking into something hard. “Ouch!”

“What’s happening over there?” a soothing female voice asked.

He whipped his head in the direction of the voice, shocked to find himself in a jeep with...

Isabel Perri?

Scratching the back of his head then rubbing his knuckles which had apparently hit the dashboard, recent events slowly populated his gray matter.

Right. Birthday party. Balloons. Blue Mondays. Beer.

Isabel.

“Unless you’re driving us back from a dig site in China,” he said slowly, “my guess is I was having a dream.”

“I’m not sure how anyone could dream through all that snoring,” Isabel said, her lips turned up at the corner.

“Ah, shit.” Jackson scrubbed a hand over his face and repositioned his seat so it was no longer reclining. “And why did you let Nicole keep handing me cocktails?”

Isabel laughed while Jackson let out a groan and rubbed his temples. “Because it was your birthday party and you were having fun.”

“But what comes after cocktails isn’t so fun.” He held his stomach as Isabel navigated over a particularly bumpy stretch of road.

“You’ll survive.”

He grunted and leaned his head back against the headrest as the gates of Pine River Cottages came into view. He pointed to the left side of the gates. “That’s about where I found Blaze last night.”

“Jesus, it didn’t take him wandering too far off the property to get into trouble,” Isabel said, shaking her head.

“Well, you don’t know where he was before he ended up there. He could have picked up that steel cable somewhere else before he made it back here.”

“True. I hope he learned his lesson.” Isabel blew out a breath. “But I know he didn’t. He’s so damn curious all the time. I mean, he’s a great dog, but his inquisitive nature will be the death of him.”

“My mom used to say that about me.”

Isabel glanced at him as they passed through the gates. “I remember, but here you are, thirty-one years later and still inquiring.”

“Yup.”

She pulled the jeep to a stop in his cottage’s small driveway. “You want some help with those balloons.”

He swiveled to see blue balloons bobbing around in the rear of the vehicle. “Yeah, you’d better handle those tricky bastards.” He angled his hands at himself. “I’ve got enough to handle with getting myself to the front door.”

Isabel chuckled and the light, airy sound of it fluttered around between his ears, temporarily relieving the headache that was sure to be real rager soon.

Allowing her to get out of the jeep first so she wouldn’t witness him potentially get bamboozled by the seatbelt or something, Jackson waited until she opened the back and started collecting balloons. Slowly, he swung the passenger side door open and lifted one leg out to rest his foot on the running board.

That’s it. One step at a time. No need to stumble out like a true drunk.

Besides, he wasn’t that drunk. But he had asked Isabel on a date, hadn’t he? A totally sober, completely in control Jackson would not have done that.

He didn’t regret that he had though.

Reaching for the handhold near the windshield, Jackson hoisted himself up then managed to get his other leg out to the ground first, which twisted him around a bit and his other foot—the one still on the running board—didn’t get the message to step down to the ground as well.

Jackson had a moment to feel a bit of a free fall until a small body holding a bunch of balloons appeared under his arm to support him.

“Maybe if we tie these balloons to you,” Isabel said, “the helium will keep you upright.”

“Funny. I’m surprised you don’t float away with those balloons. You’re barely heavy enough to stay grounded.”

“All the birthday cake I ate today is weighing me down.” She slowly turned him to face the cottage. “C’mon.” When her arm came around his waist as she guided him toward the front door, Jackson wanted that front door to be farther away than it actually was. He liked having Isabel this close.

Liked it too damn much.

Keys jingled as Isabel located the one for the cottage. In a few seconds, she had the door open and helped him to the couch. She released the balloons and they hit the ceiling then floated away from each other, their coiled ribbons springing about.

“Well, these make your cottage festive.” She plucked one of the ribbons then set his keys on the coffee table in front of the couch. She slid his phone next to the keys and Jackson was glad she’d grabbed it from the jeep for him.

“Do you want to sit?” he asked, not sure what the appropriate next steps were. He sure as hell wanted her to stay.

He wanted more than for her to stay, but she was right. He was drunk and he definitely wanted to remember every minute he spent with Isabel. If the universe was somehow giving him a second chance with her—even if he wasn’t sure where any of this could go—he didn’t want to fuck it up.

Not like he fucked it up with Isabel last time.

“I should go find Grandpa and Blaze,” she said. “I didn’t have my phone on me to check in with them.”

Jackson pointed at himself. “My fault.”

“Like you said earlier today, I didn’t have to get into the jeep, did I?”

He shook his head then clamped his eyes closed at the wave of dizziness that caused.

“Thanks for the party fun. I’ll see you around, Jackson.” Isabel hesitated for a moment and Jackson’s brain became filled with the phrase kiss me.

Kiss me. Kiss me. Kiss me.

Instead, Isabel gave him a smile and made her way to the door.

“Isabel?” He turned, draping his arm over the back of the couch to see her.

“Yeah?”

“You will see me tomorrow because I’m going to ask for that date again.”

She was so still he wondered if she’d become a statue. When she did move, it was to walk toward the couch. She rested her hands on the back of it then leaned forward to drop the softest kiss on his cheek. Pausing for a moment, she squeezed his arm then backed toward the door.

“You know where to find me, Jackson.”

And then she was gone and he flopped his head back, staring at the spinning pine boards that made up the ceiling.

Ugh.

He needed aspirin, water, and a whole lot of sleep if he was going to be capable of finding Isabel tomorrow. Plus, he still had that funding to acquire. He needed a clear head to negotiate with potential donors, especially because they weren’t of a mind to part with their money so easily. Maybe it was time to look into officially hooking up with a college or museum. He’d avoided doing that so far. Being tied to one institution didn’t appeal to him.

Not doing any archaeological work didn’t appeal to him either so . . .

Jackson got to his feet. Now was not the time to entertain such heavy thoughts. It was time for a shower. His phone buzzing on the coffee table, however, delayed that plan.

He picked it up and Christian’s name flashed on the screen.

“Haven’t we had enough of each other for one day?” he asked by way of answering the call.

“You know there’s no such thing as enough of me,” Christian said. “Ask Nicole.”

“Biased company. Not a reliable poll sample.” Jackson made his way to the kitchen, only bumping into two or three things on his way. “What do you want? Did I mistakenly leave a million-dollar birthday gift at the farm?” And wouldn’t that have been the best gift ever. More than enough to get him back to Brazil.

“No million dollars and it was your idea to not have people bring gifts,” Christian said. “They wanted to.”

“I know, I know.” He filled a glass with water. “Hey, don’t tell Isabel I didn’t want any presents, okay?”

“She was at the party, dude. She saw you not opening presents.”

“Shit.” He gulped some water then fished around in a cupboard for the aspirin.

“Why?”

“I may have convinced her to go on a date with me as a birthday gift because she didn’t have one for me today.”

Christian let out a whoop that echoed painfully inside Jackson’s skull. “Slick, little bro. Slick. Maybe I have taught you a thing or two. Did she say she’d go on a date?”

“She said I was drunk and had to ask her again tomorrow if I was truly serious.”

“And you are truly serious, aren’t you?”

“Yes.”

Another hoot rattled Jackson’s brain and he held the phone away from his ear. “Man, lower the volume. Drunk guy over here.”

“Sorry, but I’m excited for you,” Christian said, his voice a few decibels softer. “Seeing you two together again was as if no time had passed. It looked . . . it looked right.”

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” Jackson said, more as a warning to himself than to his brother. “She hasn’t agreed to a date yet.”

“Dude, you had a date today. She just doesn’t realize it yet.”

Jackson paused with the glass of water halfway to his mouth. He supposed Christian was right. He and Isabel had spent an entire afternoon together at a party. A party they’d arrived at together and had left together.

“I blew your giant, inebriated brain, didn’t I, nerd?” Christian laughed, fortunately at a more hushed volume. “I’ll talk to you later, man.”

“Wait. Why did you call?”

“To make sure you made it home okay.”

Well. That was nice of Christian. No one ever checked on him at dig sites.

“And to remind you to use a condom should you have needed one tonight.”

“Bye, Christian.”

Jackson ended the call and guzzled the rest of the water to wash down the aspirin.

That glass of water did nothing, however, to wash away the idea of needing a condom.

****

Each footstep away from Jackson’s cottage was forced. Isabel’s body ached to about-face and plow back into his living room to join him on that couch. Join him and strip him down to what promised to be a stellar naked specimen.

“But he’s drunk,” she reminded herself as she propelled herself toward her grandfather’s cottage instead.

He had enough wits about him to ask about the date again so he wasn’t crazy trashed. Just wasted enough that Isabel couldn’t be sure he’d actually meant to ask for a date with her.

And she had to be sure.

It would have been so easy to have her way with him tonight, but that felt like playing dirty. If she pursued being with Jackson—even if it was for only a single date—she needed to be certain it was what they both wanted. Her brain would most likely play out all the different scenarios that could have ensued tonight had she thrown caution to the wind.

Yeah. She wasn’t getting any sleep tonight.

Isabel opened the front door of her grandfather’s cottage and was delighted to find Blaze on his feet, ready to give her some loving.

“Oh, hey, Blazey-Blaze.” She lowered to her knees and touched noses with her pooch. “How’s my baby? You getting around okay?”

“He’s been checking out every corner of this place,” Grandpa said from the couch in the living room. A couch not all that unlike the one she’d left a hunky Henley on. “He hasn’t whined or appeared to be in much pain.”

“That’s wonderful.” Isabel rubbed Blaze’s fluffy sides until the dog let out low rumbles of bliss. “Sorry I was missing-in-action all afternoon.”

“You’re an adult, Belly,” Grandpa said. “I’m not keeping tabs on you. My time of doing that is over.”

“I know.” She sat beside him on the couch. “But I came here for you and I left you with my injured dog for hours.”

“And yet, both man and beast have survived despite your absence.” Grandpa swept a hand over himself then to Blaze who had settled at their feet between the couch and coffee table.

“Now, you’re making me feel useless.” She folded her arms across her chest.

Grandpa rested his hand on her knee and squeezed. “Useless? You?” He shook his head. “Never. You know I’m thrilled to have you here even though you’d rather be somewhere else.”

Isabel placed her hand atop Grandpa’s. “That’s not true. In fact, do you want to know where I was all afternoon?”

“Only if you want to tell me.”

“At a birthday party where I reconnected with about half the town of Maplehaven, and I had an absolute blast.”

Grandpa angled to face her. “Whose birthday party did you get invited to? You’ve only been here for a day.”

“I went to apologize to Jackson and to thank him, but he said the only way he had time to talk to me is if I got into his jeep. So I did. We talked.” She glanced at Grandpa. “And you were right. Crow isn’t as indigestible as I had imagined. He pulled up to this gorgeous farm and announced we were at his brother’s house for a birthday party. His birthday party.”

“Smooth move.”

Isabel swatted Grandpa’s arm. “It wasn’t a move, Grandpa.”

“Like hell it wasn’t.”

“Grandpa!”

“What? The boy managed to spend hours and hours with you today without even trying.” Grandpa whistled. “That’s the definition of smooth move.”

“Hmm . . .” Isabel chewed on her bottom lip as she considered this. “Are you saying we had like a . . . like a date?”

Grandpa nodded. “Complete with cake.”

“It didn’t feel like a date. Not with everyone else there.” Isabel fiddled with a loose thread on her sundress. “Jackson did ask me to go on a date with him though.”

Grandpa raised his eyebrows, a hopeful expression on his face. “Chapter One of the sequel begins . . .”

Isabel elbowed him. “I didn’t say yes yet.”

“Why not? You said you had a nice time with him today.”

“I said I had a nice time at the party. I didn’t say it was a nice time because of him in particular.”

“So did Jackson make it not a nice time for some reason?” Grandpa asked.

Isabel huffed out a breath and got up from the couch. She couldn’t think if she sat still. “No, he was fine. I didn’t answer about the date because he was a little buzzed on birthday fun. I don’t know if he really wants a date or if that was the cocktails talking.”

“I see. So you told him no?”

“I told him maybe.”

Grandpa grinned and Isabel pointed at him.

“It doesn’t mean I’ll say yes, Grandpa,” she said quickly. “It means I need time to think about it.”

He threw up his hands. “Fair enough. But don’t overthink it, Belly. Things like this are sometimes best decided by the heart.” He rubbed a hand over his chest then looked down at Blaze. “The man has already saved your dog and taken you to a fun party. He might be what you need right now.”

“What I need right now is to make you some tea, okay?”

“Tea sounds lovely.”

“Okay.” Isabel marched toward the kitchen, but she swiveled back around when a knock sounded on the front door. “Are you expecting someone?”

Grandpa shook his head as Blaze barked over the potential of a visitor.

Could it be Jackson? Was he not going to wait until tomorrow to ask again about the date? Well, he was going to have to wait. She wasn’t giving him an answer tonight.

Isabel opened the door and in the next second, her arms were full of Charlene Moyen.

“Charlie!” Isabel squealed as she squeezed her best friend. “I thought you weren’t coming back to Maplehaven until mid-week!”

Charlie stepped back when Isabel released her. “I wasn’t, but we finished up our rescue work early and because I knew my best bestie was in Maplehaven, I chop-chop-choppered my way north.”

“Yay!” The two of them locked hands and jumped around in circles until Blaze’s barking rose to obscene levels.

“Okay, okay, poochie,” Charlie said, crouching down to let Blaze lick every square inch of her face. “You know I came to see you too. In fact . . .” She stood and plunged a hand into the front pocket of her cargo pants and produced a dog treat. “This is for you, my friend.”

Blaze’s butt immediately slapped down to the floor, but the motion hurt his injured back legs and he let out a whine.

“I’ve never heard that noise from him.” Charlie hooked her short black hair behind her ear. “What’s wrong?”

“That’s a bit of a story,” Grandpa said, chuckling.

Charlie gave Blaze the treat then looked at Isabel, her dark eyebrows raised over her gray-blue eyes. “Sounds like a story I need to hear.”

“It’s a story best told with tea.” Isabel nudged Charlie toward the kitchen.

“Tea with whiskey in it,” Grandpa joked as he accepted a kiss hello on the cheek from Charlie.

“Shush,” Isabel said. “You’re getting lemon in yours and that’s it.”

Grandpa made a sad face, but he couldn’t hold it for long. “Charlie, you should stay here tonight. You girls can have a slumber party like you did when you were little.”

Charlie looked at Isabel. “I do have my bag still in the car. I didn’t go to my place after landing back in Vermont. I came straight here to see you.”

Isabel clapped and jumped up and down. “Go get that bag then! A slumber party with you is exactly what I need right now.” She squinted at Grandpa, making sure he understood Charlie time was more necessary than Jackson time.

He just grinned at her.

“Oh, boy.” Charlie rubbed her forehead. “The story you need to tell me is slumber party-worthy?”

“Totally and I need your advice too.” If anyone could help Isabel decide what to do about Jackson, it was her best friend.

Charlie headed for the front door. “I’m going to definitely require whiskey in my tea then.” She stepped outside and returned a few minutes later with her bag and another treat for Blaze.

Isabel set Grandpa up with his tea, checking that he didn’t want any food or anything else. After raiding the pantry closet for snacks, including a bag of popcorn, dark chocolate candies, and some peanuts, she grabbed Charlie and hustled her off to the small bedroom she was using. Blaze followed and after giving him a boost, he curled up on the bed to supervise the slumber party.

“I would have gotten better snacks if I knew you were coming over tonight,” Isabel said, handing a full tea cup to Charlie. “This one does have some whiskey in it. Mine doesn’t because I had two Blue Monday cocktails today already.”

Charlie lowered to the floor, resting her back against the bed. “And where did you have cocktails?”

Isabel sat across from her bestie with her legs crossed. “So I went to a party . . .”

She unloaded the day’s events, plus last night’s, and by the time she was done, Charlie blinked at her, her eyes bugged.

“Say something.” Isabel slapped her friend’s knee.

“I’m . . . I’m not sure what to say.” She sipped her spiked tea. “You’ve been . . . busy since you got here, I guess.”

Isabel threw her head back and leaned on her arms. “I didn’t mean to immediately get tangled up with Jackson. It just happened.”

“And do you wish to be untangled?” Charlie asked.

Isabel downed a handful of peanuts and chewed thoughtfully. After she swallowed, she said, “I didn’t expect to be back here. Neither did Jackson. Violet said perhaps it meant something that we were both back at the same time.”

Charlie opened the chocolates and shook a few into her hand. “One date can’t hurt, I suppose.” She jiggled the chocolates in her palm, a frown forming on her lips. “Or specifically I should say, don’t let one date hurt, okay? I remember what you were like after Jackson left for college. I didn’t like seeing you like that, Isabel.”

“I didn’t like being like that, trust me.” Isabel drew in a deep breath and stole a chocolate from Charlie’s open hand. “So I proceed, but with caution. That’s sensible.” She popped the candy into her mouth. “Besides, he might not come asking for that date tomorrow. He might wake up and have totally forgotten that he’d asked.”

Charlie barked out a laugh that got Blaze barking too. “Honey, no guy would forget asking you on a date. Drunk or sober. Makes no difference. Nothing about you is forgettable.” She took another sip of her tea. “Now how many muscles did Jackson develop?”

Isabel’s face heated. “OMG, Charlie. Like so many.” She held her arm up and rested her fist on her own biceps. “There are these rounded mounds right here on his arms and his T-shirt sleeve hugs them.”

“I love when the T-shirt sleeve stretches over the biceps. Sigh.” Charlie put on a dreamy face. “Jackson was pretty hot in high school. Figures he only got better.”

“But, hey,” Isabel said, “so did we.”

“Damn straight, girl.” Charlie high-fived her over their snack collection.

“I actually can’t believe how wonderful everyone looks here. Every party guest today looked as if Maplehaven has been taking good care of them. Must be something in the water here.”

“Something about being born here maybe,” Charlie said. “Because you’ve been in Pennsylvania for a while, yet you still look Maplehaven fresh. And I leave town a lot. I always come back though.”

“After today,” Isabel said, “I feel as if I haven’t been gone from Vermont for as long as I actually have been. It was so easy to get right back into the rhythm with everyone at the party.”

“That’s because once you’re one of us, you’re one of us for life.” Charlie picked up her tea cup and Isabel clinked hers to it.

“Do you want to watch something on my laptop or are you too tired from flying today and want to go to sleep?” Isabel asked.

“Go to sleep?” Charlie’s brows crinkled. “Now? What kind of slumber party ends at”—she peeked at her phone—“nine-fifteen on a Saturday night?”

“A loser slumber party?”

“Exactly. And we ain’t no losers.” Charlie gestured to Isabel’s laptop. “Fire it up and let’s binge until the streaming service gets concerned and asks us if we’re still viewing.”

“Such a rebel.” Isabel grabbed her laptop. “Let’s get on the bed.”

They both settled up at the headboard, the laptop set up in between them and Blaze doing his best to guard their feet. Isabel found a show for them to watch, but when she wiggled into a more relaxed position, the floodlight from Jackson’s cottage next door pooled in her lap.

Yesterday it had annoyed her to know he was that close.

Tonight . . . it didn’t.

Chapter Seven

Jackson awoke with a groan, morning light streaming in from the open bedroom window where he hadn’t lowered the blinds last night. He hadn’t been capable of more than showering and dropping into bed after Nicole’s bartending skills had turned his world fuzzy.

Not fuzzy enough that he didn’t remember the number one thing on his to-do list for today though.

Ask Isabel for a date.

He stretched out on the bed and stared at the ceiling, grateful it wasn’t spinning as it had been last night. He had a mild headache, but nothing too crazy and he hadn’t puked up birthday cake and blue-tinged gin so that had to be a good sign. He’d be able to present a sober persona to Isabel and with any luck, he’d convince her not only to say yes to the date, but also make that date happen today. He’d had such a great time with her yesterday—even if half of Maplehaven had been there too—and he didn’t want to give her a chance to agree to a date then back out. The Isabel he’d known back in high school tended to overthink things. If given time, she’d find a hundred reasons to not go out with him.

He wasn’t going to give her that time.

Swinging his legs over the side of the bed, he took a moment to make sure hangover symptoms truly weren’t an issue. When his head didn’t pound out a drum solo, his stomach didn’t roll, and the room didn’t swivel around him, he figured he was good to get to his feet. Stopping in the bathroom, he washed up and neatened his short beard. Back in the bedroom, he pulled on a pair of tan cargo shorts and a rust-colored T-shirt he’d bought in Cairo that had hieroglyphics on it, spelling out I Dig Mummies.

He ate a light breakfast of toast and washed that down with some orange juice, not wanting to push it in case his stomach revolted. After brushing his teeth, he made a quick stop to the couch and his laptop to see if he’d gotten any emails about funding. As it was Sunday, he wasn’t surprised to find no return correspondences on his many inquiries, but perhaps Monday would bring news. He made a conscious decision not to worry about donors today. Instead, he’d enjoy Maplehaven and, hopefully, the company of the one person he’d never truly scrubbed from his heart.

Jackson surfed the web for a few to read some archaeological journal articles before he realized he was stalling. Manning up, he gave Christian a call.

“Hey, little bro,” Christian whispered when he answered.

“Hey. Why are you whispering?”

“Oh . . . I figured you’d be all hangovery and grouchy this morning.”

“Nah. I’m fine.”

“Nicole!” Christian yelled. “You didn’t get Jackson drunk enough! He’s totally fine!”

That volume hurt Jackson’s head, but not so much because of alcohol as it was because his brother was damn loud. “Jesus, dude. I hope you and Nicole pump out a pack of kids who are all as noisy as you are.”

Christian laughed. “That’s fine with me. We’ve got the farm. They can make as much noise as they want. We already know they’ll be the most damn attractive kids on the planet with this superior combo of genetics.”

“As long as you have it all figured out.” Jackson shook his head. “Listen, do you have plans for Zip and Clover today?”

“Do you want to borrow my horses to impress Miss Isabel?” Christian asked in a teasing voice that was so familiar to Jackson. “She agreed to the date?”

“I didn’t ask her again yet, but I wanted to have something planned for the actual date should she consent.”

“And horseback riding can be so romantic,” Christian said.

Jackson’s shoulders loosened a bit, happy to hear his brother agreed with his date idea. Romance and Jackson hadn’t had a long and prosperous relationship, but he wanted to do this right with Isabel.

Especially because he’d done it so wrong with her in the past. This date could be his redemption.

Or it could bury him for good.

“So . . . are Zip and Clover up for grabs today or not?” Jackson asked.

“For you, little bro, of course they are,” Christian said. “I’ll run out there right now and make sure there aren’t any stanky piles of horse shit around and give each of the horses a good brushing for you. What else do you need? A picnic lunch? Flowers? Mood music?”

“I think I can handle the rest myself,” Jackson said.

“Okey-dokey. Go with your Henley instincts. They led Landon, Donovan, and me down the right path.”

Right. But did Jackson have those same instincts? That maybe-he’d-been-adopted feeling crept over him again. Landon had his radio personality fame, Donovan was a natural protector, and Christian was super charming and funny. What special skill for attracting women did Jackson have? He was an archaeology nerd with obsessive tendencies when it came to his work. He didn’t think many women were looking for that.

He hung up with Christian and pushed to the edge of the couch. His next order of business was to go ahead and ask Isabel on the date. He stood, shoved his phone, wallet, and keys into various pockets on his shorts then put on his work boots. Squaring his shoulders, he opened his front door and stepped outside.

The sun instantly warmed him, but it wasn’t humid and a gentle breeze kept things from being too hot. While some parts of New England could be downright gross in early July, Jackson always remembered Vermont summers being reasonable. They certainly weren’t anything like being on a dig site in Africa where the beaming sun made mirages float before your eyes if you didn’t keep hydrated.

Jackson drew in a deep breath, enjoying the smell of wildflowers and dirt, of clean mountain air and sunshine. A red-winged blackbird chirped from its perch on a nearby fence post and a duo of squirrels chased each other around Jackson’s jeep.

Maybe he understood why his brothers stuck around this place.

“Morning, son.”

Jackson turned around to see Isabel’s grandfather hosing off an SUV he assumed was Isabel’s because he hadn’t seen it before she’d shown up in town. He would have recognized Eugene Perri anywhere. The man looked exactly the same except his sandy hair was a little whiter and his face a little more creased.

“Mr. Perri, so good to see you,” Jackson said as he approached.

“Now you used to call me Eugene. Let’s not be strangers, Jackson.”

“Okay.” Jackson had always felt comfortable around this man. “I can’t believe our paths haven’t crossed until today.”

“I know, but I’ve been holed up in there for a bit.” Eugene arrowed a thumb over his shoulder to his cottage. “Haven’t been out and about much.”

“Yeah, I was sorry to hear about the heart attack. You look as if you’re doing well now though.”

“Thanks. It’ll take more than a wonky heart to stop me.” He patted his chest.

“That’s the spirit.”

“Isabel said she had a nice time at your birthday party yesterday. Happy birthday, by the way.” Eugene adjusted his sunglasses as he poured some soap in a five-gallon pail by his feet.

“Thanks. It was a good party,” Jackson agreed. For many reasons. “I’m glad she had fun.”

“That was nice of you to get her back in touch with her Maplehaven friends.” Eugene picked up the hose and held it over the bucket, but he didn’t unleash the spray yet. “Going to ask her to have more fun?”

“Do you think I have a good chance of her saying yes to more fun?” This man had always been a straight shooter with Jackson. It had been one of the things he’d liked most about him.

“It’s got nothing to do with chances, boy,” Eugene said. “It got to do with intentions. If your intentions are genuine, what woman can refuse that?”

“Solid advice, sir. So you don’t object to me asking Isabel on a date?” Jackson figured Eugene knew all the details about how he and Isabel had broken up sophomore year. Isabel had told her grandfather absolutely everything. He was pretty sure Eugene even knew Isabel had lost her virginity to Jackson.

“I don’t object,” Eugene said, “as long as your intentions are genuine.” He let water gush from the nozzle, immediately churning up suds in the bucket and ending their conversation.

Jackson gave him a little salute and headed for the front door. With a centering breath, he knocked and listened as barking sounded from inside. A moment later, the door opened and Blaze plowed his head right into Jackson’s knees.

“Hey there, buddy.” He crouched and gave the dog a vigorous rubbing. “You’re looking well.”

“And Isabel hadn’t been hallucinating yesterday,” a voice that wasn’t Isabel’s said. “Jackson Henley is really in Vermont.”

Slowly, Jackson looked up to meet a steely gray-blue stare. Rising to his feet, he said, “Charlene.”

“Jackson.” She smirked. “Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, I can tell you if you hurt Isabel again, I will take you up in my chopper, fly to a volcano, then drop you into it so no one will ever find your charred remains.”

“Great,” Jackson said. “It’s nice to see you again too, Charlie.”

She let out a grunt, letting him know she wasn’t kidding. Charlene Moyen would kill him if he hurt Isabel. He was surprised she hadn’t traveled to his college dorm room and set him on fire. She had given him one hell of a phone call after he and Isabel had broken up though. She’d hurled curse words at him he’d never heard before and he’d been happy there were several states between him and Charlie.

“Is Isabel here?” he asked, noting how Charlie didn’t let him into the cottage.

“She’s in the kitchen.”

He waited for her to move, which she only did because Blaze nudged her so the dog could pass. Jackson slid in behind the dog, but he was pretty sure Charlie would have let him stand out there all day.

“I’ve got my eye on you, Henley,” Charlie whispered before jogging ahead of him and beating him to the kitchen. “Jackson’s here.” Her upbeat tone was completely different than the one she’d used to greet him. As if she hadn’t just threatened to burn him to a crisp in a volcano.

Isabel turned around from the sink where she’d been washing dishes. Her face brightened when she saw him and that encouraged Jackson even if he was slightly intimidated by Charlie’s greeting.

“Good morning, party animal,” Isabel said with a grin. “How are you feeling?”

“Absolutely sober.” He made a point not to look away from her so she’d know he hadn’t forgotten a single thing about yesterday. Particularly about the date.

“Lucky you. It’s a birthday miracle.” She wiped her hands on a towel then her gaze shifted to Blaze who had sat on his haunches beside Jackson. “Hmm. He only sits calmly beside me usually.”

Jackson ran his hand over the fur between the dog’s huge ears. “I think he remembers me.”

“You’re hard to forget.” Isabel’s eyes widened and her cheeks pinked as if she couldn’t believe she’d said that aloud.

But she had and Jackson savored every word.

“You know what else is hard to forget?” Jackson asked. “That you owe me an answer to an important question.”

“Do I?” She glanced at Charlie who quickly disguised the glare she’d been sending Jackson. “What question was that?”

“The date question.”

“Do you have a plan for this date?” Charlie asked, and Jackson wished she’d take a hike. Sure, she was looking out for her best friend, but his intentions were genuine. She could cut him some slack. He wasn’t the same person he’d been when she’d last seen him, and hurting Isabel again was the last thing he wanted to do.

“I do.” He shifted his gaze back to Isabel when he realized Charlie didn’t intend to leave them alone. “Horseback riding. Today. If you don’t have plans, that is.”

Interest sparked in Isabel’s eyes and he mentally patted himself on the back. The Isabel he remembered couldn’t say no to activities where animals were involved and it seemed that was still the case.

“Do I have plans, Charlie?” Isabel asked.

Shit. If she left this decision up to Charlie, he was probably fucked.

Charlie walked a circle around him and judging by the tiny upturn of Isabel’s lips, her friend was doing something behind him. He forced his body to stay facing Isabel, not wanting to suggest he cared what Charlie thought.

But he did. Charlie and Isabel had been inseparable as kids. Each of them was an only child and they’d bonded like sisters. He’d always loved that Isabel had a tight friendship like that, but today he wasn’t sure it would work in his favor.

A little laugh escaped from Isabel while Charlie was still behind him, but she quickly schooled her features.

What is Charlie doing back there?

Finally, Charlie circled to his front then leaned against the kitchen counter. She narrowed her eyes so only he could see the warning. “I guess you’re free today, Isabel.”

“Okay,” Isabel said. “Can I meet you in an hour, Jackson? I’d like to do a couple things for my grandfather first.”

“Sure. Come next door when you’re ready.” He turned to leave, not wanting to press his luck with Charlie. When Blaze followed him, he paused and said, “This guy can come too, if he’s feeling up to it.”

Blaze lifted a paw and Jackson shook it.

“I guess he’s interested,” Isabel said. “Thanks for inviting him.” She escorted him—thankfully without Charlie—to the door and opened it. “Hey, sorry about Charlie.”

“She’s looking out for you. It’s good to have someone like that.”

She nodded. “I’ll see you in an hour.”

The little smile she gave Jackson told him maybe she looked forward to seeing him in an hour.

He loved everything about that smile.

****

The lush green landscape flew by as Isabel and Clover galloped on the trails crisscrossing Christian’s farm. Jackson was behind her on Zip and though taking in the view of a sexy Henley astride a horse would have been nice as they rode, she couldn’t seem to hold back from letting Clover pick up speed. She hadn’t been horseback riding in some time. She’d asked Scott repeatedly back in Pennsylvania to go, but he didn’t like large animals. He was more of a parakeet person, which was fine, but Isabel had always loved bigger and fluffier creatures, hence her choosing a dog like Blaze who was currently walking along behind the horses, enjoying the outdoors at a slower pace.

Zip and Clover were beautiful horses and she could tell they were well loved by Christian. He’d had the two horses ready for Jackson and Isabel and a small bouquet of wildflowers had been tucked into Clover’s saddle. She had a feeling that was Nicole’s touch, but as Grandpa had pointed out, these Henley brothers were pretty slick so Christian or Jackson could have orchestrated the flowers too. All Isabel knew was this date was off to a fantastic start.

Even though she wasn’t sure what the hell she was doing. Having a date with Jackson wasn’t something she’d ever thought would happen again. He was part of a chapter she’d buried deep in the past and to have that book opened again was so strange.

And yet, nothing about being in his company right now felt strange.

When a pond came into view, she coaxed Clover in that direction and Jackson brought Zip up alongside her, stopping at the water’s edge. The horses waded in a few feet and took a drink while Isabel squinted out over the pond, watching Blaze splash into the water.

“It is lovely here,” she said. “I mean, Christian’s house and backyard were nice last night, but I hadn’t noticed all this.” She arced her arms out to encompass the pond, the sprawling fields filled with food in various stages of growth, the thick woods lining the perimeter of it all, and of course, Maplehaven’s three mountains—Birch Peak, Mount Woodrich, and Brenton Mountain—rising up to the sky in the distance. Sunshine poured over everything and the warmth made Isabel feel revived.

“What was your place in Pennsylvania like?” Jackson asked.

Isabel turned to look at him and now the warmth she felt wasn’t only because of the sunshine. Jackson’s long, toned leg rested at Zip’s side, his booted foot securely in the stirrup. One of his large, solid hands gripped the reins, while the other hand absently finger-combed the horse’s mane. His biceps did that straining-against-his-shirt-sleeve-hem thing and the urge to rip his T-shirt apart with her teeth nearly overwhelmed her.

She glanced away quickly, not wanting to linger on his neatly-trimmed beard or the way it framed a mouth that appeared as kissable as it had always looked.

“I had a little Cape-style house near the hotel I managed,” she said. “It was cute, but the yard was small, making the neighbors too close. Easy to maintain, but not a place I felt too bad about selling.”

Jackson’s eyebrows rose, cresting the top of the sunglasses he wore. The sunglasses that added about a hundred watts of extra sexiness to him. “You sold it. Aren’t you going back to Pennsylvania after you’ve helped your grandfather?”

Isabel shook her head. “No. When I’m done here, it will be time to find a spot for my resort and move there.”

“Wow. You want to open your own resort?” He sounded impressed and that made Isabel sit up a little taller on Clover as the horses backed out of the water.

“Yeah. I went to school for hotel management, have been working at the same hotel in Pennsylvania since I graduated, and have been planning out my own place for a while now.” She shrugged. “I figure I’ll learn a few things while helping Grandpa at the cottages and when I’m convinced he’s doing okay, I’ll get going with my plans.”

“That’s great, Isabel. I’m certain it will be a huge success.” He gave her a warm smile and she was instantly reminded of how Jackson had always been so supportive of other people when they were in high school. Always encouraging others that they could do things. For as smart as he was, he could have easily looked down on everyone else.

But he never had and it sounded as if he still didn’t.

“Thanks. I’m excited.” She fiddled with the reins, coiling and uncoiling them around her hands. “What about you? Do you have an actual residence somewhere when you’re not on digs?”

He shook his head. “No. It never made sense to get a permanent place because I haven’t been permanently anywhere. Usually the funding I receive for projects includes accommodations near the site.”

“Where do you keep all your stuff then?”

“I only have stuff I use on the job. That all fits in a single trunk, a backpack, and a laptop bag.”

“And here I was impressed with myself for fitting all my belongings in a trailer and my SUV to come here.” She chuckled. “You’ve got me beat.”

“Donovan has some stuff from my childhood that my parents gave me when they moved to Ireland and our Uncle Patrick’s book collection, but that’s about all I own.” He scratched the back of his head. “I guess that sounds pretty crazy, right? To have existed for thirty-one years and to only have a handful of belongings.”

“Your existence is more than your belongings,” Isabel said, wanting to erase the frown on his lips and his pitiful tone. “It’s your contributions that really matter and from what I’ve read, you’ve done quite a bit in the years you’ve been alive, Jackson.”

She knew the moment the words left her mouth she shouldn’t have said them because Jackson pulled his sunglasses up to the top of his head. With a little smile on his lips and the full force of his rich, brown gaze on her, she nearly slid right out of her saddle.

“So you’ve read about me?” His voice didn’t have anything pitiful in it now. Pure satisfaction laced his question. A question he had the answer to, but he wanted to hear her own up to it.

“Well . . . it’s hard not to read about Doctor Jackson Henley and his magnificent archaeological finds,” she said. “Every time I go online, there’s some story blazoned across my home screen about you.”

“Which tells me you often search for me if your home screen is suggesting stories about me.” His grin got a little smugger. “You know that’s how that works, right?”

She did. Shit.

“Don’t be embarrassed,” Jackson said. “I searched for you too. How do you think I knew you’ve been in Pennsylvania?”

“Somebody here didn’t tell you?”

“Nope. The internet told me.”

“Okay,” she said slowly, trying her best not to get visibly excited that Jackson Henley had searched for her online. She wasn’t the only loser here though and that was good to know. “So we’ve been keeping tabs on each other.”

“Yup.”

What did that mean exactly? Was it supposed to mean anything? Or was it just natural curiosity to want to know what had happened to an ex? Isabel’s brain wasn’t ready to puzzle through this right now, and fortunately Blaze emerging from the pond and shaking the water off him between the horses gave her a reason not to.

“Blaze!” she squealed, tugging on Clover’s reins to get out of the splash zone.

“He’s cooling us off, aren’t you, boy?” Jackson backed Zip out of the water, dismounted, and got to his knees beside her dog. “Are you having a good time, Blaze?”

“This place is a doggy paradise,” Isabel said. “He loves scouting around and hiking.”

“Oh, really?” Jackson stood and gave Clover’s nose a rub. “You want to make hiking the next part of this date?”

“Sure,” Isabel said. “There are trails behind Pine River Cottages that Blaze and I wanted to explore, and he looks as if his legs aren’t bothering him at all.”

“Great. Let’s get Zip and Clover back to the barn then.”

Watching Jackson climb back on Zip in one swift swing of his body into the saddle nearly made Isabel groan aloud. If she wasn’t careful, she’d get carried away on this date and that was probably a stupid thing to let happen. Charlie had warned her about that specifically.

“You haven’t seen him in a while,” Charlie had said. “He’s a hot guy, but keep your wits about you. Don’t give in to anything too quickly.” While her best friend had listened to her gush about being at the birthday party with Jackson, Charlie had also been full of cautions. Isabel understood, but after horseback riding today, it was hard to see Jackson Henley as a threat.

Or a mistake.

They settled the horses in the barn, thanked Christian who they’d caught riding a tractor toward one of his fields, and climbed into Jackson’s jeep to head back to the cottages. Blaze poked his head between the seats as he had on the drive to the farm so Isabel didn’t have a clear view of Jackson which was probably for the best. She’d at least have the short distance to get her hormones under control.

Jackson hit the power button on the radio and a cello-heavy tune flooded the interior of the jeep. “This is Dawson playing.”

Isabel listened for a few more moments then recognized the song. “Dawson is that Dawson? From the band Drei?”

“Yup. Violet met him after one of Drei’s concerts. He almost got run over by an SUV when the driver had a medical emergency,” Jackson said. “Violet pushed Dawson out of the way because he had earbuds in and didn’t hear the vehicle screaming toward him.”

“That’s incredible.” And quite the happily ever after story. Isabel recalled how she’d met Scott and the lack of creativity there made her cringe. She supposed a story that involved high school sweethearts reuniting was a much sweeter narrative.

Not that she and Jackson were going to live happily ever after. That was a ridiculous notion after one date.

Technically—according to Grandpa—two dates.

Still ridiculous.

“Have you dated anyone seriously since us?” Jackson asked as they waited for pedestrians to clear out of a crosswalk.

“Sure. A few. My last relationship lasted about eight months and was with a fellow hotel manager, Scott. He was a nice guy and all, but similar to not feeling bad about selling my house, I don’t feel bad about it not working out with Scott.” She peeked around Blaze’s head as Jackson continued driving. “What about you?”

He raked his right hand through his hair then gripped the steering wheel again. “I’ve had a handful of . . . encounters. I wouldn’t exactly call them relationships.”

“Hard to have anything long term when you’re moving from dig site to dig site, right?”

He nodded and she wondered if this line of conversation was to subtly warn her that whatever they were doing here was also temporary. She, of course, wanted something permanent with someone eventually, but she wasn’t staying in Maplehaven either so perhaps she and Jackson were perfect for each other.

Right now.

Not forever.

“Let’s just have fun, Jackson,” she finally said as he drove past the Pine River Cottages gates. “No pressure, okay?”

He pulled to a stop in front of his cottage and Blaze disappeared to stalk the back passenger door, eager to get out of the jeep.

“Okay. I mean, Vermont is a pit stop for us both, right?” Jackson angled to face her.

“Right. Nothing says we can’t hang out and whatever while we’re both here.”

His eyebrow arched at the word whatever and that was all it took for Isabel to realize she wasn’t the only one who wanted some of their fun to be bare-assed, naked fun.

“Cool.” Jackson gestured to the woods behind the cottage. “Shall we then?”

Isabel opened her door, got out, and released Blaze from the back. The dog landed without a whimper and after a quick inspection of the stitched cuts on his hind legs, Isabel deemed him hike-worthy.

“He’s not letting anything slow him down.” Jackson joined them on the passenger side of the jeep.

“He’s a lot like Grandpa in that matter.” Isabel pointed to her gleaming SUV in front of her grandfather’s cottage next door. “He insisted on washing my car.”

“He wants to keep busy. I’m sure a heart attack scared the crap out of him. Some people respond to that kind of fear by babying themselves. Others—like your grandfather—want to show their bodies who’s in charge.”

“Yeah. Grandpa is definitely the latter. I just want him to be careful. He had major surgery like only weeks ago.” She folded her arms around herself as they headed for the woods with Blaze trotting ahead. “I want him to be around forever.”

“Well, you know these Vermont lifers,” Jackson said. “They were born here, they work all their lives here, and they seem to hang on longer than the rest of the country.”

“True. I saw Noah Williams’ grandmother when I was driving back from the vet yesterday,” Isabel said. “She strode along the sidewalk as if she was at least twenty years younger than she actually is.”

“Her mind is super sharp too,” Jackson said as they stepped into the woods and onto the trail. “She remembered who I was, asked about my work, and quoted from an article she’d read about the Vikings. I seriously hope I’m that with it when I’m in my eighties.”

“I don’t know if I’m that with it now,” Isabel joked.

They wound their way around a large boulder. The air in the woods was a bit cooler due to all the shade, but soon Isabel had worked up a good heat as they hiked. Being in a spot where all you could see were trees on each side made her feel as if she and Jackson had entered their own little world. No one else existed right now. Just her, him, and Blaze plus the woodland critters going about their daily chores.

A few wild turkeys gathered to her left. A blue jay called from one of the tall pines. Two chipmunks chased each other around the base of a maple tree. Somewhere a woodpecker’s tap-tap-tap echoed. A collection of tiger swallowtail butterflies flittered over a patch of daisies growing in a clearing. High above, the screech of a hawk let her know their presence had not gone undetected.

“I love wandering,” she said as they happened upon a brook washing over rocks.

“So does your dog.” Jackson pointed to Blaze who had his nose deep in a hole he’d been digging.

When Blaze’s head popped up, he had something between his jaws. Fearing it was a chipmunk or mouse, Isabel jogged over to the dog. “What did you find, Blaze? Drop it.”

At the command, Blaze opened his mouth and let whatever he had fall to the ground. Crouching, Isabel raised her sunglasses and squinted down at the object.

“What did he nab from that hole?” Jackson asked as he walked toward her.

Nudging the object with her finger, Isabel said, “You might be better qualified to tell us what he found.”

Chapter Eight

Jackson squatted beside Isabel and got his first look at Blaze’s find. He’d expected a mouse or something, knowing the Vermont countryside was littered with them. His dad had always gotten so furious every time he’d caught one in the house. No matter how many entry points his dad had blocked, those little stinkers had always found a way in. That was life in Vermont. You had to expect to share your accommodations with nature.

But what Blaze had uncovered was no mouse. It wasn’t a creature at all. Instead, he’d scored what looked remarkably like a stone dagger. The blade portion was rudimentary and chipped in two spots, but the handle part was sturdy looking.

“That’s not a shape that occurs in nature, is it?” Isabel asked.

“No,” Jackson said slowly. “I don’t believe it is. It looks to be made of jasper. See the coloration here?”

Isabel nodded as she looked at the orange bands coursing through the stone blade and handle that Jackson pointed to.

“Jasper was commonly used for early stone blades.” The stone was also linked to a handful of little-known tribes of the area that, from what archaeologists could determine so far, pre-dated some of the more well-known tribes such as the Abenaki. Not much had been uncovered about these early tribes, however, and many doubted their existence.

Isabel looked at Jackson. “Did my dog just find his first artifact?”

“I believe he did.” Jackson carefully picked up the dagger and blew some dirt off the blade. “We need to mark this spot with something.”

Isabel stood as he did and they scouted around until he found a solid branch he could wedge in the ground. Isabel pulled a bright red hair elastic from the pocket of her denim shorts and wound it around the tip of the branch.

“How’s that?”

“Excellent.” Jackson turned in a circle. “How much traffic do you think these trails get?”

“Not much,” Isabel said. “Mostly whoever is staying at the cottages.”

“How many guests do the cottages have right now?”

Isabel looked up to the sky, her nose scrunched. “Ah, let’s see. I haven’t dug into any of Grandpa’s books yet, but from visual observation of the activity on the property since I’ve been here, I think five of the ten guest cottages have people staying in them. That’s including yours.”

That wasn’t a ton of people, but Jackson didn’t like the idea of anyone traipsing through here and discovering something more than the blade. He also didn’t want to risk news of the dagger getting out before he’d had a chance to canvass the area himself. Archaeology—especially when it wasn’t funded by an esteemed institution—could get messy if every amateur got wind of a potential site and flocked to it. Jackson didn’t exactly know what Blaze had accidentally uncovered, but he was certainly going to find out.

“Does your grandfather have a safe on site?” he asked.

“Yes,” Isabel said. “You want to lock up that blade? Do you really think it’s valuable?”

Jackson turned the dagger over in his hand, handling it with care. “It could be. I’ll know more after a little research.” He scanned the area around them. “Would your grandfather be opposed to me doing some digging around here? Nothing large scale. Just investigative poking around.”

“We can ask him,” she said. “C’mon.” She made a move to start on the path back toward the cottages, but Jackson snagged her arm, stopping her.

“We’ll lock this up,” he said. “But then we’re finishing our date.”

Isabel’s brows furrowed. “Don’t you want to get started on your research?”

“Not right now,” he said. “I chose archaeology over you once, Isabel. That was a mistake. One I’m not repeating.”

Her expression morphed from absolute shock to something heated. Something that made Jackson’s body want to see that look again and again.

“Of all the things you could have said to me right now,” she said softly, taking a few steps closer and wiggling the arm he still had a hold of, “that was the sweetest, Jackson.”

She leaned forward and before he knew what was happening, Isabel brushed her lips against his. The touch was light at first, but he immediately wanted more and apparently so did she because she slid her free hand up to his shoulder then hooked it on the back of his neck. She pulled him closer and when her body pressed up against his, the years they’d been apart completely unraveled.

Jackson wrapped his arm around her, one hand still holding the dagger. It surprised the shit out of him that his brain wasn’t more focused on the blade, but now that his lips were fused to Isabel’s, kissing her was all he could think about.

Her other hand rested on his chest as they deepened the kiss and if they kept up the way they were going, he feared he might rip off her clothes and take her right there in the middle of the woods.

When a little groan vibrated in her throat, Jackson considered Isabel might not mind if he did exactly that.

But he had some class. Or at least he liked to believe he did.

He broke from the kiss, loving how her lips were puffy and red and her eyes said give me more. Resting his forehead against hers, he said, “Let’s get this dagger somewhere safe and us somewhere private.” He carefully slid the dagger into the largest pocket on his cargo shorts.

She nodded, took the hand he reached out to her, and patted her thigh. “C’mon, Blaze.”

The dog darted around them and took the lead, his nose to the ground and his tail wagging.

“I think he might be looking for more stuff,” Isabel said. “You should make Blaze your official partner.”

“Done.” Jackson squeezed her hand. “This hike was an excellent idea.”

“Finding treasures and kissing make hiking better.”

They exited the woods, but Isabel didn’t lead him to her grandfather’s cottage. “I thought we were finding a safe place for this.” He patted his pocket, his gaze surveying the area, but no one else was out and about. Chances were good no one would venture into the woods before he had a chance to return to the spot they’d marked.

“I am. The safe is in the office in that cottage over there.” She pointed to a cottage closer to the main gates.

He followed her and in ten minutes they had the dagger securely wrapped in a towel and stowed in a pretty decent safe. Jackson had confidence the find would be protected.

“We can ask Grandpa about you digging in the woods next,” Isabel said after she pulled on the handle of the safe to check it was locked.

“I told you that can wait,” Jackson said as he pinned her up against the wall in her grandfather’s office. “This can’t.” He pressed his lips to hers.

She jumped right on board and he was starving for this woman. Absolutely fucking starving.

“C’mon,” he whispered when their mouths finally parted. “My cottage.”

Nodding, she followed him out of the office and they practically ran to his cottage, Blaze getting there first. “Can we fill a bowl with water for Blaze?” she asked. “Hiking always makes him thirsty.”

“Of course.” Jackson headed for the kitchen. “Hiking makes me thirsty too.” He wiggled his eyebrows.

“Consider me a tall glass of water.” She posed with one hand on her hip and dammit if he didn’t want to drink every ounce of that.

He nearly spilled the full bowl of water he set down on the kitchen floor for Blaze. He wanted to get to Isabel so badly, but he had to take a moment to pet that wonderful dog. Blaze had been the reason he’d reconnected with Isabel in the first place. Now the pup had potentially turned him on to an archaeological discovery right here in the Vermont woods.

“You are such a good boy, Blaze,” he whispered before standing and finding Isabel leaning against the back of the couch, eyeing him as if she wanted to unwrap him.

Green light on that.

He stalked over to her, loving the way her gaze tracked his movements. It had been a long time since a woman had looked at him like that. A woman he actually cared about anyway. A woman he had a history with. A woman he never should have let get away.

Jackson fully intended to make up for lost time.

“Do you remember the last time we saw each other?” she asked as she ran her hands up his abs and pressed them to his chest.

“The day before I left for college,” he said, his fingers fiddling with the ends of her hair resting on her shoulder. “You and Charlie were coming out of the water at Brenton Lake.”

“I wasn’t sure you saw me.”

He traced a fingertip along her cheek and down to her jaw. “I saw you.”

“You were with Christian.”

Jackson nodded. “My brother had insisted we go to the lake one last time before I ‘deserted the Henley clan’ as he put it.”

“They didn’t want you to go?”

“They wanted me to go to school and follow my dreams, but I was the only Henley to actually leave Maplehaven. My parents understood because they’d been planning to move to Ireland once they retired, but my brothers didn’t get why I’d want to go beyond Vermont’s borders.”

“Grandpa was a little like that when I got the job in Pennsylvania. I think he expected me to stay here forever.”

“I guess we surprised everyone,” Jackson said.

“And now we’re both back here.”

“Yes, we are.” He cupped her cheek. “And maybe we can surprise each other now.”

Isabel’s eyebrows rose. “Does that mean you’ve picked up some new tricks for the bedroom, Doctor Henley?”

He didn’t generally allow people to call him Doctor, but when Isabel said it in a low, sexy voice? Hell. He’d answer to Doctor all day long.

“Stay tuned, Whisabel,” he said.

In one swift move that caused her to let out a squeak, Jackson scooped up Isabel and ran for the bedroom. She wiggled in his hold, but she didn’t really try to get free. When he deposited her onto the bed, she didn’t let go of him. Instead, she pulled him down atop her and caught his mouth in a kiss that made him feel as if they were teenagers again.

“Ready for your birthday present?” Isabel flipped him to his back and straddled his hips.

She was an absolute goddess with that halo of blond hair framing her face as she gazed down at him with those gorgeous green eyes. God, he hadn’t realized how much he’d missed her until this moment right here.

No, that wasn’t true.

He hadn’t allowed himself to miss her. Since that day he left Maplehaven to go to college early, he’d tucked Isabel Perri away. Tucked her away so he could carry on with his plans for his life. He’d always thought Isabel would be a part of those plans, but the day she’d walked away from him at the library had changed all that. When he’d seen her at Brenton Lake the day before he’d left, he’d wanted to go to her, but a voice inside his head—one that had sounded like Uncle Patrick’s—warned him that he wouldn’t leave town if he talked to her. He’d apologize, he’d tell her he couldn’t be without her, and he’d suffer through two more years of high school where he would simply twiddle his thumbs until he and Isabel could go to college together.

Christian had edged him away from Isabel that day. Not on purpose. Jackson honestly didn’t think his brother had seen Isabel and Charlie, but he’d taken it as a sign that he’d been coaxed in a direction opposite from her.

And he hadn’t looked back. He’d plowed ahead with his plans and somehow today, he found himself sharing space with Isabel again.

How did I get so lucky?

He slid his hand under Isabel’s shirt and as he was about to lift it off her, Blaze appeared in the doorway of the bedroom. He licked water off his chops, but his yellow-green eyes stared Jackson down.

“Umm . . .” He pointed to the dog and Isabel looked over her shoulder.

“Did I forget to mention that while Blaze is a friendly guy, he’s also super protective of me?”

“I don’t recall that coming up.” Jackson rose to his elbows. “C’mon, buddy. You like me. Remember? I’m the dude who got you help when you needed it.”

Isabel patted Jackson’s stomach then got off him. “And that’s why your mama has to thank Jackson, Blazey-Blaze.” She ushered the dog out of the bedroom. She was gone for a few seconds, but when she came back, she closed the bedroom door. “He’ll leave us alone now.” She climbed back on top of him because he hadn’t moved, a little smile on her face. “You don’t care if he chews on your boots, do you?”

He tugged at the end of her shirt, sitting up and pulling it off her when she put her hands up. Though her body was familiar to him, her breasts were plumper than he remembered, her hips a little wider, and her abs more toned. Her skin was still silky smooth and his fingers itched to touch her everywhere.

“Lady, I don’t care if he eats my laptop out there right now.”

****

Isabel could hardly believe she was half naked with Jackson Henley right now, but the way his gaze drank her in made her entire body buzz with anticipation. His fingertips coasted over her stomach and that simple contact heated every part of her.

Especially that part of her that pressed against his arousal straining at his jeans.

Jackson had been her first and she’d been with other men since then, but if she was being honest, none of her other lovers had ever measured up to the man beneath her now. She’d compared each of them to Jackson and they’d all fallen short—figuratively and literally. Henley DNA had been generous and Isabel was more than pleased to be a recipient of that generosity again.

“You’ve somehow managed to get hotter.” Jackson’s index finger traced the edge of her bra. He sat up and pressed several kisses to the curve of her neck. His beard scratched along her flesh and she enjoyed that sensation, having never dated a guy with facial hair.

She cupped his cheeks when he pulled back a bit. “I’m officially putting beards on my list of things to like.” She rubbed his jaw. “This not only looks good on you, but I like how it feels.”

Jackson closed his eyes as she touched him and she loved how he appeared to be savoring every moment, almost as if he’d been dreaming of them being together again.

“I seem to recall you noticing my muscles too,” he teased.

“Oh, yeah.” She licked her lips as she plucked at his shirt sleeve. “Digging is good for the biceps it seems.”

“Not just the biceps.” Jackson grabbed the hem of his T-shirt and ripped it over his head, exposing a complete set of abs and pectorals that made Isabel a little light-headed.

“Wow.” She stared at him for a solid ten seconds, gliding her fingers over every hard ridge. “Forget Doctor Henley,” she said. “I’m calling you Doctor Hunky from now on.”

“Well, my current project involves getting you to orgasm.” He flipped her to her back, unhooking her bra in the process, and climbed on top of her. The muscles in his arms bulged as he supported himself over her and Isabel had to touch them.

“I think this project is about to be a total success, Doctor Hunky.” She hooked her hand on the back of his neck and pulled him down for a kiss that turned up the heat to insane levels.

With his lips still fused to hers, Jackson unbuttoned and unzipped her denim shorts and slid his hand in to cup her left ass cheek. His palm was rough but warm, and as he kneaded her flesh and ground against her hips with his own, Isabel’s desire soared.

She wiggled her hands between them, not breaking the kiss, and unbuttoned and unzipped his cargo shorts. His erection was rock solid behind the cotton of his boxer briefs and she needed to see him.

Had to.

Pushing on his shoulders a little, Isabel managed to crunch her way up to sitting. She turned Jackson to his back and peeled away the sides of his open shorts. Grabbing the waistband of both the shorts and his underwear, she slowly pulled them down and gasped at the sight of his arousal. To know that length was hard and ready because of her made Isabel feel powerful and sexy and so full of need.

“If we don’t get you the rest of the way naked,” Jackson said, his voice strained, “I might die.”

“Well, we can’t have that.” Isabel stood for a minute and let her loosened shorts slide down her legs. She grabbed the sides of her panties and wiggled out of those, loving how Jackson’s pupils were huge and black and laser-focused on only her.

He reached out his hands. “Get over here.”

She didn’t need the directions repeated. Slithering back over him, she pressed her lips to his stomach and blazed a trail up to his chest and neck then captured his mouth, inhaling the masculine, outdoorsy, summer scent of him. She closed her fingers around his erection and he let out a deep rumble that vibrated through her chest as well because she was lying on top of him.

“Oh, I like that noise,” she said.

He grunted and wrapped his arms around her. Rolling them, he positioned her on her back again and one of his big palms covered her breast then slid down her side and rested on the curve of her hip.

“I missed you, Whisabel,” he whispered. “I’ve missed you since I last saw you.”

Her throat was too tight to respond, but she nodded and caught his lips in another kiss, hoping he could read her longing. She’d missed him too. More than she’d ever let herself admit while she was without him. More than she could admit if she’d wanted to live her life.

Only she hadn’t been living her life. Not really. A part of her had been holding back. The part that belonged to Jackson.

He lowered to take her breast into his mouth, his tongue swirling around her nipple and pebbling it instantly. He gave the same attention to the other breast and by the time his fingers dipped into her folds, she was ready for him.

So damn ready.

He made that growling noise again as she stroked the velvety soft skin on his length. God, she wanted that inside her. Needed it inside her.

As if reading her mind, Jackson reached into the bedside table and produced a box of condoms. “I want you to know I don’t have these because this is a Sex Cottage or anything.” He gave her a crooked smile that dimpled his right cheek. “Christian and Nicole gave me a Welcome Back to Maplehaven basket when I got here. While Nicole’s contributions were snack foods and kitchen supplies, Christian’s were beer and condoms.”

“Sounds as if they covered the important bases.” Isabel opened the box and shook a single packet out. Holding it up, she said, “Nothing says we can’t make this a Sex Cottage, by the way.”

Smiling, Jackson swiped the packet from her, tore it open, and rolled the condom onto his length. “I think we’ll have to have a lot of sex to reach that designation.”

“I’m in.” Isabel loved how Jackson closed his eyes, appearing to revel in her agreement.

With several kisses pressed to her jaw, he sucked her earlobe into his mouth then slowly pushed into her. She accepted every fantastic inch of him, her body stretching to fit him and remembering what it was like to be this close to him. Remembering and absolutely loving it. They hit their rhythm quickly, their bodies accepting each other as pieces that paired together perfectly. Jackson pumped in and out of her as her hips thrust forward, wanting to get him deeper, desperate to reclaim him as hers.

Isabel hadn’t come back to Maplehaven for this. Hadn’t thought it was a possibility. But now that she had Jackson in her arms, in her body, she couldn’t deny he’d always been in her heart. Being with him like this shed light on those dark places inside her that had been locked down since the day she’d walked away from him. She’d been without him all this time, but she’d forgotten nothing about him, least of all how he made her body sing with pleasure.

After a steady climb, her orgasm hit like dynamite in her core. She exploded around him and he followed her on the ride. Every muscle in their bodies tightened then they both collapsed, chests heaving and skin dotted with sweat.

“Oh my God . . .” Isabel sighed, her arm resting over her eyes as she caught her breath. “Doctor Hunky in the house.”

“In the Sex Cottage,” Jackson corrected, turning to press several kisses to her cheek, neck, and shoulder.

She shifted to her side to look at him, her fingers raking through his hair. “We’re still good at sex.”

“Indeed.” He brushed his lips to hers. “That’s because it’s more than sex when it’s us, Isabel.” He cupped her cheek. “There’s a connection here that hasn’t been severed though we’ve been apart for over fifteen years.”

“I agree,” Isabel said, “but the connection is different than it was when we were kids. There’s . . .” She couldn’t quite find the right word.

“More?”

“Yeah.”

Jackson hummed his agreement. “We’ll definitely need to study this further.” That half smile was back.

“Hands-on research is best,” Isabel said, pressing her palm to his chest.

“My favorite kind of research.”

After another round of research then becoming Jackson’s shower buddy, Isabel slipped her denim shorts and T-shirt back on. Blaze followed her out of the bedroom and she gave him a good rubbing before entering the kitchen where she found Jackson wearing only his cargo shorts. She loved having more of his body on display. Made it easier for her to sidle up behind him and run her hands all over the muscles of his back.

“That smells good.” She looked over Jackson’s shoulder at the bowls of fruit salad he’d made.

He handed her one of the bowls and a fork. “Don’t let anyone tell you the Sex Cottage doesn’t serve up good fruit.”

Isabel speared a blueberry and was surprised at how sweet it was. “This is the best blueberry I’ve ever eaten.”

“All from Christian’s farm.”

“Wow. Is the soil magical or something?” She leaned against the counter and popped another blueberry in her mouth.

“Christian’s a great farmer. He was born to grow stuff.”

“Like you were born to find stuff?”

“I guess.”

She placed her bowl down and touched Jackson’s arm, waiting for him to look over at her. “I know you probably want to get back into the woods or research about the dagger, but I want you to understand how much it meant to me that you chose to be with me first.”

“Honestly, Isabel,” he said as he turned to face her and placed his hands on her hips, drawing her up against him, “it wasn’t that hard of a decision. Of course I’m interested in that dagger and what else might get uncovered, but being with you is far more fascinating right now.”

She threw her arms around him and squeezed him.

He laughed, his chin resting on the top of her head. “I always liked how you fit right here.”

Isabel took in a big breath and pressed her cheek to his bare chest. “Me too.”

They held the embrace for a few more seconds until Blaze knocked his head into Isabel’s legs.

“Someone wants in on the hugs.” She took a step away from Jackson and looked down at her dog.

Jackson released her and grabbed a handful of blueberries. “Does he like these?”

“Blaze likes anything edible, which as I said before, might include your boots.”

Bending, Jackson offered the blueberries to Blaze and the dog snatched them up, leaving slobber all over Jackson’s hand. Isabel grabbed a paper towel and handed it to Jackson.

“I checked my boots,” he said. “They and my laptop appear to be unharmed.”

“Good. I guess we sufficiently tired Blaze out on the farm and in the woods. He doesn’t get in as much trouble when he’s tired. The trick is keeping him tired. Australian Kelpies have unlimited energy. He needs some sheep or goats to herd. Does Christian have those?”

Jackson shook his head. “But this is Vermont. Someone has sheep or goats we can have Blaze herd now and then. I’ll look into it.”

“Great.” She picked up her bowl of fruit as did he and they ate the snack while tossing blueberries to Blaze every now and again.

When they were finished, Isabel glanced at the time, shocked to find it was nearly four o’clock in the afternoon. “I should see how Grandpa is doing. You want to come and ask about digging in the woods.”

“Sure, if you don’t think he’ll mind.” Jackson picked up his T-shirt draped on a kitchen chair and shrugged into it.

“Nah. Grandpa has always liked you. In fact, he was the one who talked me into apologizing.” Her cheeks heated over remembering how she’d treated Jackson that first night. “Again, I’m sorry I was such a bitch.”

Jackson reached up and tugged on her hair then he arrowed a thumb toward the bedroom as he led them toward the front door where they put on their shoes. “You’ve more than made up for it. Besides, I wasn’t nice that night either.”

“Probably because you’d been in the rain, getting all muddy as you saved my dog.” She stepped outside after Blaze exited and Jackson followed her. “By the way, I owe you money for the vet.”

Jackson waved a hand in dismissal as they walked toward Grandpa’s cottage. “No money. Promise you’ll go on another date with me and we’ll call it even.”

She turned to face him, Blaze trotting on ahead. Resting her hands on his shoulders, she said, “Oh, we’re definitely going on more dates, Doctor Hunky. That’s a fact.”

He pulled her in close for a hug. “You know how I love facts.”

Chuckling, she kissed his chin and took his hand, tugging him to Grandpa’s cottage. She opened the front door and when she didn’t see her grandfather sitting on the couch, concern crept into her chest.

“Grandpa?”

“Out here, Belly.”

A breath whooshed out of her and Jackson squeezed her shoulder.

“It’s hard not to worry, isn’t it?” he asked.

Isabel led him to the doors at the back of the cottage that opened to a small porch. “Yeah, I keep thinking about him having the heart attack and if someone hadn’t found him, he’d . . . he could have . . .” She shook her head. “I can’t.”

Jackson’s hands on her upper arms as he stood behind her offered all the comfort in the world. “He’s doing okay now, right?”

She nodded.

“That’s all that matters.” He kissed the back of her head then stepped around her. “C’mon.”

Isabel followed Jackson out to the porch, so glad he was here. She’d somehow gotten all the wonderful things about the Jackson she’d known in high school plus an upgrade to a man who put her before archaeology. With the appearance of the stone dagger, she didn’t know how long that would last, but she reminded herself to focus on having fun with Jackson while they were here together.

After all, they both had dreams that would take them away from Maplehaven once again.

Chapter Nine

Jackson got an early start today. He packed a few small brushes, hand shovels, trowels, and rakes into his backpack. He used a larger, more industrial shovel like a walking stick right now as he returned to the site of the dagger find. He’d almost texted Isabel to ask if Blaze could join him as the dog appeared to have an archaeologist’s instincts and claws made for digging, but he was pretty sure she’d see through that thinly veiled attempt to have contact with her again.

Patience.

She’d agreed to more dates so what was he worried about? He could go a day without seeing her. She was here to help her grandfather and so far he’d monopolized her time on two occasions. Yesterday’s monopolizing had been phenomenal, but he needed to let her do what she came here to do. Besides, he had stuff to do too. Funding wasn’t going to drop in his lap. That was abundantly clear due to the four emails in his inbox this morning, all of which said how nice it was to touch base with him, but sadly, money was being funneled into other pursuits at the present time. What those other pursuits were, none of the emails specified, but Jackson didn’t know what could be more important than piecing together history from archaeological discoveries.

Anyway . . . at least he had the dagger to make him feel as if he was back in the game a bit. Digging in the woods of Vermont was a far cry from the exotic places he’d been, but dirt was dirt he supposed. What difference did it make where he was excavating?

He’d done a little research last night and determined that no other archaeological finds had been recorded in this area so Blaze’s discovery of the dagger had been the first. Jackson had to entertain the possibility that the dagger was a fluke. It could be the only thing here and it also could have been placed here. If that was the case, he might not find a single additional item buried in the ground and that would be the end of this investigation.

If he did find more artifacts, however . . . well, he didn’t want to get himself all excited yet, but his research into Native American tribes of Northern Vermont told him a discovery in this area would be of monumental significance.

Like career-enhancing significance.

He reached the spot they’d marked yesterday and the first thing Jackson did was take several photos of the area. He uploaded them to a program on his laptop and quickly turned the photos into a coordinate grid so he could label exactly where the dagger had been found. With any luck, he’d be adding locations of other finds to the grid today.

Setting his laptop on his backpack at the base of a birch tree, Jackson visually surveyed the area to start. The spot where Blaze had dug was about as deep as one of Jackson’s legs to the knee and again, he wished he had the dog with him. Or a small excavator. He’d promised Eugene, however, he wouldn’t do anything crazy without the man’s direct approval so a shovel was the biggest tool he’d use today.

He started by measuring a one meter by one meter square around the spot where the dagger had been unearthed. He then scraped a layer of low brush away and set about digging. Tree roots and rocks made the digging laborious and in no time, Jackson had worked up a solid sweat. He stopped periodically to inspect each layer he uncovered and to rehydrate from a water bottle stowed in the side pouch of his backpack.

An hour passed. Then two. He began to think this site was a bust when he sat at the edge of the square he’d dug and noticed something in the pool of sunlight filtering into the dirt. Getting to his stomach, he reached his arms into the hole and carefully brushed away the dirt. When more jasper was uncovered, he hopped to his feet to grab his phone and took a few photos. Then he made a note of the location and used some of the smaller shovels and brushes to extract what appeared to be another dagger. This one was smaller than the first one and may have been used to skin small game. The handle was more delicate as was the blade, but there were few chips in it, suggesting it hadn’t been put under as much stress as the larger dagger Blaze had found yesterday.

When he had the small dagger completely free, Jackson immediately logged its location on his coordinate grid then bagged the dagger and labeled the find. He’d brought a small box in his backpack so he put the dagger in there to keep it from further damage. Then he set about widening his test area.

Jackson spent the entire morning sifting through dirt and finding more small treasures. A few spearheads, several shards of pottery, three pendants he suspected were carved of deer bone, and something also made of animal bone that could have been a musical instrument. Each find was logged, bagged, and tucked into the box for safekeeping.

Leaning against a maple tree, Jackson made some quick notes on next steps on his laptop. If he’d found this much in a small test area, what the hell else was buried in these woods? The possibilities made him giddy.

He decided now was a good time to take a break and have a bite to eat so he pulled out the peanut butter crackers he’d stashed in his bag and tore into them. While he munched, he pulled out his phone to see he had two messages. One was another negative response to a funding request. He deleted that. If this site turned out to be a major find, all those no thanks replies would be turning into donors throwing money at him. They’d all want to be the first to back the find and get the prestige of having their names associated with history. He’d probably be able to have his pick of donors.

Jackson felt a little bad about abandoning his dig in Brazil, but maybe if he concentrated his efforts here first, he could convince donors to fund him back there again. They might be excited enough to ride along with him for another adventure.

He opened the second message and wasn’t surprised to see the offer to join the faculty at Asherfield University in D.C. He had two colleagues who worked there and they’d mentioned opportunities to teach at the university to him on a few occasions. One or both of them must have gotten wind of his loss of funding on the Brazil dig. It was nice of them to extend a lifeline, but Jackson couldn’t see himself teaching archaeology. Sure, he loved to talk about it, but he’d much rather be doing it.

He saved that text message and stowed his phone in his backpack, eager to return to digging. Jackson spent the next hour getting knee deep in dirt, but he didn’t find any other artifacts. As he was considering starting another test site, some rustling nearby made him pause. Deer, moose, and bear sightings were common occurrences around these parts and the noise sounded bigger than a chipmunk. Slowly he turned around and a moment later, Blaze crashed through the brush and bolted right for him, his tail wagging like crazy.

“Hey, buddy.” Jackson put his shovel down and gave the pup some attention. “I’m glad you’re not a bear.”

“He can make a bear-sized mess if he wants to.” Isabel appeared on the path and as much as Jackson had enjoyed his time alone in the woods, he was glad to see her. “I hope we’re not interrupting you.”

He motioned for her to come over to him. “Best kind of interruption.” When she was about a foot away, he reached out and grabbed her, making her yelp. “I like that there isn’t any of that getting-to-know-you crap we need to weed through. I don’t have to feel weird about hauling you in for a kiss.”

“I always hate that awkwardness at the beginning of a relationship. It’s so fake.”

“None of that here.” He dipped his head down and captured her mouth in a kiss that could have turned the jasper he’d uncovered to liquid.

Isabel moaned her approval of the kiss and her arms tightened around his waist. Then he recalled he’d been sweating and was probably filthy.

“Shit.” He backed up a step, Isabel’s face registering displeasure at the kiss being cut short. “I’m sorry.” He pointed to her tank top. A white one of course. Well, semi-white now. “I got you dirty.”

“Not the first time I’ve been dirty with you, Doctor Hunky.” She brushed at the brown dust, but it was already in the fabric.

“We should probably get that shirt off you and washed right away.” He traced a finger under her chin before realizing his fingers weren’t what anyone would call clean either.

“We should definitely do that, but first tell me about your work here.” She gestured to the test area. “Did you find any more stuff?”

“Yeah, I did.”

“Show me.” She crouched near the hole he’d dug, one of her arms draping over Blaze who was sniffing around the perimeter of the test area. When she stood and looked at Jackson, true interest sparked in her eyes.

“You really want to see?” He was accustomed to being around other people involved in archaeology at dig sites. Of course those folks were supercharged with curiosity about everything pulled out of the ground on location. Having someone like Isabel show interest, however, heightened his own enthusiasm.

“Of course I do. This is exciting. You’re finding things that have been buried and kept intact by Mother Nature for centuries. That’s amazing, Jackson.”

Not wasting another second, he rushed to his backpack and pulled out the box full of finds. He took out each one and shared his opinions and speculations about every piece. Isabel never appeared bored. In fact, she asked him many questions, causing him to be more animated and detailed in his answers. He loved archaeology, but he never figured it could become foreplay when talking about it with a woman like Isabel.

But he was so turned on right now.

When he had all the artifacts boxed again, he took Isabel’s hands in his. Hers were a little dirty now too so he didn’t feel bad about touching her. “Tell me we can have dinner together tonight.” Because he had to spend more time with her.

Her eyes widened. “Do you mean can I bring a pizza over so you can eat quickly and dive into researching and writing about what you’ve found?”

He shook his head, his brows lowering. “No. I’m not asking you to be the takeout delivery person, Whisabel. I’m asking you on another date. A dinner date. At Albero’s. What do you say?”

“Albero’s?” Her voice rose as if she couldn’t believe he’d suggested Maplehaven’s more upscale dining option. “And you’re going to let all this stuff sit in that box?”

He checked the time on his phone. “I’d say give me an hour to cogitate on all this.” He circled his arm to include the test area and his backpack with the artifacts in it. “Then it’s date time. What do you say?”

“I say yes, please.” She beamed him a smile then dropped a kiss on his nose. “I’d love a date at Albero’s tonight.”

“Fantastic.”

“What can I help you carry back?”

Jackson chewed on his bottom lip as he considered the site. “Do you think your grandfather will be okay with me leaving that hole there? I can string some caution tape around it so no guests will stumble into it by accident.”

“I’m sure that’s fine. I think he has caution tape in the main office.”

“No need.” Jackson dropped to his knees by this pack and pulled out a roll of the yellow and black tape.

“Of course you have your own caution tape.” Isabel rolled her eyes.

“This pack is like a magician’s hat.” He patted the bag that Blaze nosed. “You never know what I’ll pull out of it.”

“You’d better not have any rabbits in there because that’s cruel.”

“No rabbits. No doves. No live critters of any kind.”

They made quick work of finding four sticks and outlining the test area with the tape. Isabel grabbed the shovel while he carefully hefted his pack onto his back, not wanting to jostle the box of artifacts too much. As they emerged from the woods, they found Isabel’s grandfather watering some flowers at the back of his cottage.

“Hey, you two,” he said as they came over to him, Blaze jumping between the hose and the flowers to get himself a drink directly from the spray. “How did it go in there?” He motioned to the woods with his chin and looked at Jackson.

“Excellent,” Jackson said. “I found more items.”

Eugene put down the hose. “Show me,” he said in the same tone Isabel had.

Jackson proceeded to lay out the artifacts on a picnic table and Eugene gave each piece a good study without touching them.

“Who knew this stuff was buried in there?” He shrugged.

“I certainly didn’t,” Jackson said, absently rubbing Blaze’s furry head as the dog stood beside him. “Do you mind if I keep poking around back there?”

“No, but I do have some loggers scheduled to do some forest managing for the property,” Eugene said. “I’ll give them a call and see if I can get them to hold off for a bit.”

“I’d appreciate that, Eugene.”

“No problem, son. I don’t want to stand in the way of archaeology.” He clapped Jackson on the back then glanced to Isabel. “Or anything else that might be happening here.”

Isabel swatted her grandfather’s arm. “Grandpa.”

“What? I’m giving the boy my blessing to court you.”

Isabel slapped a hand to her forehead. “Nobody courts anymore, Grandpa.”

“I don’t know,” Jackson said. “Courting sounds like a mighty fine thing to do.”

“Mighty fine?” Isabel shook her head. “You’re not allowed to talk to Grandpa anymore, Jackson. He’s taking you back several decades.”

He laughed along with them both, but the truth was he wished he could go back a decade and a half. Go back and have the years he’d missed with Isabel.

****

Isabel had tried on every dress she owned and though Grandpa had teased her about owning so many, none of them was the right dress for tonight’s date. One was too short, another too long. Some were too yellow, others too black. Not sexy enough. Too sexy. She hated them all right now and if she didn’t hurry up and choose one, Jackson would be at her door and she wouldn’t be ready.

“Why do all my clothes suck?”

“All your clothes don’t suck.”

Isabel snapped her head up. Charlie’s reflection came back at her in the mirror and she swiveled around on her heel to face her friend who was leaning against the bedroom doorway.

“Grandpa let me in,” Charlie said. “He was concerned about how long you’ve been in here, talking to yourself.”

“I’m glad you’re here,” Isabel said. “I need help!” She raked her hands through her hair—which still needed fixing. God, she was definitely going to be late.

“Okay, take a deep breath.” Charlie entered the room and rested her hands on Isabel’s shoulders. “Why are you freaking out? It’s just Jackson.”

Isabel had sensed a tone from Charlie when it came to Jackson yesterday and she’d heard it again now. “Do you think dating Jackson is a bad idea?”

Charlie shook her head as she let her hands drop. “I think it’s a fine idea . . . as long as you don’t set your expectations too high.”

“I’m not.”

Her friend eyed her for a silent moment. “Make sure.” Charlie surveyed the bed where Isabel had discarded a bunch of dresses. “Now let’s see what we’re dealing with here.”

“It’s all trash. Absolute trash. I’ve got nothing to wear.”

“You haven’t seen nothing to wear until you’ve perused my closet which basically has cargo pants, T-shirts, and flannel shirts. I have nothing to wear.” Charlie thrust a hand out to the bed. “You have a shit ton of things to choose from.”

“But which is best for Albero’s?”

“Albero’s?” Charlie raised an eyebrow. “Wow. He’s springing for a solid meal. I would have expected Mountain View Pizza to be more Jackson’s speed.”

“It probably is, but . . . I don’t know, Charlie. It’s as if he’s trying to . . . to . . .” Isabel let out a little chuckle. “He’s trying to court me.”

“Court you? When did Maplehaven become English high society?” Charlie shook her head. “Does that make me your lady-in-waiting because I’m helping you dress? Do I need to hunt down a corset or something?”

“I draw the line at corsets.” Isabel patted her stomach. “I don’t need anything getting in the way of me eating Chef Jorden’s delicious food at Albero’s.”

“Then slap on a pair of leggings and a loose top and call it good.” Charlie stopped sifting through the dresses, but Isabel nudged her back into looking.

“I need a dress,” she whined.

“I don’t like seeing you like this.” Charlie frowned as she held up two dresses, angling her head at them. “The Isabel I know doesn’t unravel for a guy.”

“Yeah, but this isn’t just any guy, Charlie, and you know it. This is Jackson Henley and I feel as if we’ve been given a second chance here. I don’t want to blow it.”

“I highly doubt your dress decision has the power to blow it, so stop being such a girl.” Charlie handed her a purple dress made of a gauzy fabric with an empire waist and ruffled cap sleeves. “This is the one. Pair it with a pendant necklace that lands right between your knockers and Jackson won’t be able to take his eyes off you.”

And just like that, Charlie had solved the outfit dilemma. Isabel ripped off the dress she had on and quickly slipped on the purple one. She rifled around in her jewelry box, selecting an amethyst pendant on a long silver chain. The amethyst was a lighter purple than the dress and stood out nicely against the fabric. It definitely drew the eye to her breasts and it would be fun to see if Jackson could resist looking there.

“Okay.” Isabel got to her knees before her closet. “Now for shoes.”

“Oh, brother.” Charlie nudged her out of the way, stuck her body halfway into the closet, waved her hand over the pairs of shoes lined up on the ground then picked up a pair of tan ankle boots that had daisy petal cutouts in the leather. “Here.”

“Perfect!” Isabel slid her feet into them, enjoying how the slight heel showed off the calf muscles she’d been sculpting in the dance workouts she did regularly.

She swept her blond hair into a low ponytail and pulled a few tendrils out to frame her face. A pair of amethyst earrings and a silver cuff bracelet finished off the look along with a small tan purse.

Standing in front of the mirror, she said, “Thanks so much, Charlie. I was having a major meltdown, but this is the look I wanted.”

“Don’t say I’ve never done anything for you.” Charlie sat on the end of Isabel’s bed.

“I would never say that.” She put away the dresses she’d tried on. “What are you doing tonight?”

“Oh, me?” Charlie puffed out a breath. “I have a threesome planned. Me, microwave popcorn, and beer. We’re going to get wild.” She rolled her eyes.

“Why don’t you go to Mountain View Pizza?” Isabel suggested. “There’s always something fun happening there.”

Charlie shrugged. “Yeah. I’m not feeling it tonight.”

“Maybe you’re tired from that rescue job.”

“Probably.”

“What are you doing tomorrow?” Isabel asked as she led Charlie out of the bedroom.

“I have a quick charter to pick up some executives in New York and drop them over by Lake Champlain first thing. That’s it.”

“Okay. I’ll work with Grandpa in the morning then you come by after that and let’s do some girl stuff. I need a haircut and Violet said to stop into her salon. We could get the works.”

Charlie perked up a bit. Though her best friend was mostly a tomboy, Charlie did like some girlie pampering from time to time. “That sounds like a good plan.”

“Great.”

The doorbell rang and for some reason, Isabel had a few butterflies fluttering around in her belly. “Why am I kinda nervous?”

“Probably because this is a grown-up date,” Grandpa said from his position on the couch. “Though you know Jackson, your dating history with him has been limited to the things teenagers do—movies, fairs, fast food, mini-golf. You’re about to have a fancy dinner where the napkins are linen.”

“He’s right,” Charlie said. “Linen napkins mean you’ve hit the big time.”

The doorbell rang again.

“Shit.” Isabel rolled her shoulders. “It’s just Jackson.” She mumbled that sentence a few times as she walked to the front door.

When she opened it and found Jackson in nice black pants and a blue button-down shirt that didn’t have a single wrinkle in it, she knew this date was definitely an upgrade. The fact that Jackson’s gaze zeroed right in to where the amethyst pendant rested made her hopeful about how the date would end.

“Hi,” she said.

His gaze flicked up to meet hers, his cheeks a little pink over being caught ogling. “Hi.”

“Have fun, kids,” Charlie said as she squeezed by them. “See you tomorrow, Isabel.” She waved but didn’t turn around.

“Is she okay?” Jackson asked.

“I’m not sure yet. I plan to spend time with her tomorrow to find out.”

Jackson nodded, his gaze traveling back to her breasts. “You look amazing.”

“Thanks.” She motioned to him with a hand. “As do you.”

“Yeah, I figured it’d be best if I wasn’t as dirty and sweaty as you saw me before.”

“I have news for you.” She curled a finger at him and he leaned in closer so she could whisper, “You look good to me dirty and sweaty and clean and ironed.”

His lips turned up on one side. “Good to know.” He held out his hand. “Shall we?”

“We shall.” Isabel looked over her shoulder at Grandpa and Blaze who was curled up next to him on the couch. Both man and dog had their eyes closed so she didn’t disturb them. Instead, she took Jackson’s hand, followed him outside, and quietly shut the front door behind her.

“How is your grandfather doing?” Jackson asked as he led her over to his jeep in the driveway next door.

“Okay. He seems tired. I spent most of the day with him before I bugged you in the woods.” She got into the passenger seat as he slid behind the wheel. “Despite Pine River Cottages not being as busy as he’d like, he is a wealth of knowledge about running a place like this.” She waved a hand toward the windshield to indicate the cottages. “Different knowledge than I acquired managing a hotel.”

“Good knowledge to add to your base then.” He started the jeep.

“Exactly. Running a place like this has a more personal side to it. I’d like to incorporate that into my resort. You know? Have all the amenities of a larger-scale place, but the homey feel of a place like this.”

Jackson drove past the Pine River Cottages gates. “The best of both worlds. Sounds like a good plan.”

“I hope so. I worked on my business plan some today too. I have to narrow down where I want to locate it.” And she’d be lying if she didn’t admit she’d searched for a few places farther north than she’d originally planned. The Gulf Coast seemed a little too far away after being in Maplehaven for a few days. “How did your hour of research go?”

“Splendidly.” He shot her a little smile, the joy of his findings evident in his expression. “I made a list of possible tribes those artifacts may have belonged to. I’ll cross-reference that list with some books I’m having transferred to Maplehaven’s library. I need to wait a few days on that though. In the meantime, I’m going to head to Donovan’s and hunt through my uncle’s library I have boxed and stored at his house. I seem to remember a volume on North American tribes in his collection.”

“Your uncle would be so proud of you, Jackson,” Isabel said. “I remember how you two used to get lost in conversation about history.”

“Yeah. He was like a database of information. I wish I could have downloaded his brain to my hard drive before he passed.”

Isabel reached over the center console and rubbed Jackson’s forearm. “You must miss him.”

“He was one of the few people who truly understood me. I mean, my parents and brothers have always been supportive, but Uncle Patrick had the same fever for history that I have for archaeology.”

Isabel was quiet for a few moments, studying her hands in her lap. “Jackson?”

“Yeah?”

“I’m sorry I wasn’t more supportive of your passion back when you got the news about skipping ahead in school,” she said. “I acted like a selfish jerk that day. A good girlfriend would have thrown her arms around you and told you how proud she was of you. I was proud of you. I’m sorry I wasn’t a good girlfriend.”

Jackson pulled the jeep over to the side of the road and put it in park. He angled to face her. “Isabel, you weren’t ever a good girlfriend.”

That punch to the gut surprised her.

He reached for her hand which she let him take though she wanted to bail out of the jeep and run back to the cottages.

“You were the absolute best girlfriend in the whole world. Outstanding. Way better than good.” He cupped her cheek when she met his gaze, relief coursing through her. “You acted the way you did over the news because I hit you with it out of nowhere. One day, you and I have a solid plan to go to college together, and the next day, I’m changing the plan. A pretty big change too. I’d wanted you to be onboard, but I could have broken the news to you better, or discussed it with you before accepting, or . . . something. I don’t know.” He sifted out a breath and squeezed her hand. “All I do know is that you and I got off course that day. The fact that we’re going on a date tonight though makes me hope that course isn’t completely gone.”

She nodded, her throat too tight to speak. Instead, she leaned forward and brushed her lips to his.

He put the jeep in drive and pulled back onto the road, but he held her hand for the entire drive to Albero’s. Inside the restaurant—one that was designed to look like the outdoors only fancier—the hostess led them to a private table in a quiet corner.

“I’m told you are friends of Jorden’s,” the hostess said.

“Yes,” Jackson said.

“Excellent. He has prepared something special for you so all I need is a drink selection and the feasting will commence.”

Jackson ordered a bottle of wine that Isabel agreed to and she couldn’t stop looking at him across the table. His beard had been freshly trimmed and his hair was neatly styled, and even though he didn’t make Vermont his regular home, he still had that rugged reared-in-the-mountains look about him that no guy Isabel had dated in Pennsylvania had.

This actually was a grown-up date with a grown-up Jackson, but she had no reason to be nervous. She had every reason to be excited instead.

Chapter Ten

When Isabel had opened the door at her grandfather’s cottage and Jackson had gotten his first look at her in that purple dress, he’d actually felt a little dizzy. As soon as his gaze had landed on that amethyst hanging between her breasts, he made an instant plan to see that pendant against her naked flesh later on tonight. Listening to her apology on the drive over made him feel as if they had a clean slate in front of them. He’d apologized for leaving. She’d apologized for walking away from him. They could move forward now and see what happened.

Jackson knew what he wanted to happen, but just because he wanted it didn’t mean he’d get it. When he’d been getting ready for tonight’s date—and freaking out a little over what to wear—Landon had stopped by and told him to be genuine with Isabel. He’d wisely pointed out that Isabel already knew all his quirks and flaws and yet, she’d agreed to the date. She knew what she was getting into with Jackson and had decided to go for it.

“She’s still into you, Jackson,” Landon had said, sipping a beer as Jackson paced in his living room. “Be yourself and you’ll be fine.”

“But where can any of this go?” Jackson had asked. “Neither of us lives here.” He’d been questioning the logic in attempting to date Isabel if they’d both be leaving Maplehaven at some point in the near future.

“Don’t think so far ahead,” Landon had said. “You don’t know how things will shake out. Ask me if I thought a chick could coax me out of my house.” He shook his head. “I’d decided to live the life of a hermit, but Aliza came along and changed everything.”

“And now you’re so disgustingly happy all the time.”

“Exactly.”

Jackson had seen his brother’s point, but that hadn’t stopped him from nearly wearing a rut in the wood floor of the living room with his pacing. He’d gotten ready for the date way too early, but he hadn’t wanted to sit and wrinkle his clothes. Isabel had seen him looking like a messy child playing in the dirt today. The least he could achieve tonight was to replace that image with one where he looked somewhat refined.

Now he was seated across from Isabel, the low lighting in Albero’s setting a romantic tone, and her beauty tempting him more than any of the delicious scents of food floating in the air. Her eyes were an electric green, reflections from the candlelight on the table making them sparkle. A slight gloss slicked her lips, but he liked knowing they’d kissed some of that away in the jeep. Coils of her hair rested around her face, while the rest of her hair was gathered in a low ponytail. Jackson’s fingers longed to free those tresses and rake through them.

Later.

Now was the time to channel Christian and turn on the charm. He picked up this full wineglass and held it up. “To serendipitous nighttime encounters over a wet dog.” He winced. That might not have been how Christian would have said it.

Isabel grabbed her own wineglass and clinked it to his. “To reconnecting.”

They both took a sip of wine and Isabel glanced around the restaurant. It wasn’t too crowded because it was a weeknight, but Jackson knew Albero’s to be a hopping place come the weekends.

“Have you been here before?” he asked.

“Yes. Grandpa and I had Christmas Eve dinner here once when I came home for the holidays. Most of the time Grandpa came to Pennsylvania though.” She looked up to the transparent ceiling which allowed patrons a view of the clear, starry sky. “I actually scribbled notes about this place because it would be the type of fancy dining that would make a resort attractive to tourists. Not this exact design, of course, but see how this place highlights the natural features of the geography here?” She pointed to the knotted wood walls lining the circular main room, the log tables and seats that were both rustic and fancy at the same time somehow, and the floor that looked as if it had natural items fossilized into the wood. “I’d love to do something similar, but with features of the place where I locate my resort.”

“Where have you decided to locate?” Jackson wasn’t sure if he wanted the answer to this question. It had the potential to destroy the illusion that dating Isabel would turn into something more.

Isabel fiddled with the silverware at her place setting. “I haven’t decided yet.”

Hope soared in Jackson’s chest, but he wasn’t sure why. Saying she hadn’t decided only meant she had many options, all of which would take her away from him again.

“What’s in the running?” he pressed, suddenly desperate to know where her work might take her.

“As of today, places I hadn’t originally considered.” She held up her hand and raised a finger as she listed. “Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, along the Gulf Coast were all on my initial list. I’d added South Carolina and Virginia after hearing about land for sale on the coast in both areas.” She blew out a breath. “But after being back in Maplehaven, today I included Maine, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, having a strange desire to make my resort a northern destination.”

Maine, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island weren’t Vermont, but they sure were a hell of a lot closer than the first states she’d mentioned. Why Jackson cared if Isabel was closer to Vermont, he couldn’t quite explain. Vermont wasn’t his home anymore. Hadn’t been for a long time, but it was starting to feel that way. With his findings in the woods today, maybe he’d stick around a bit longer than he’d planned. Knowing that Isabel might potentially stay in the New England area made Jackson feel more in control of the situation.

The situation in which he wanted to be with her. Like all the time.

“That’s quite a list,” he said instead of voicing any of the other things he’d been thinking.

“Yeah, and it makes me sound as if I don’t have a solid plan.” Her shoulders sagged a little. “What kind of business plan doesn’t include its definite location?” She raised her hand then pointed at herself. “My kind of business plan.”

“Location is a big part of it, especially if you want to do something like Albero’s where you incorporate the local geography,” Jackson said, “but I imagine there are many other things to plan out that don’t rely so heavily on where you put the resort.”

“There are a ton of things to plan and things to avoid. I talked to Nicole and Tessa at your birthday party about their experiences working at a resort in Hawaii. They were eager to tell me all the things they hated about their jobs.”

“Yeah, they are both much happier doing what they do here now. Tessa loves teaching dance at Aliza’s studio and Nicole has proven to be a solid farmhand while she studies to be a counselor.”

“I wonder if either of them envisioned themselves settled in a small town in Vermont.”

Jackson shook his head. “I don’t believe they did.”

“Almost makes it seem worthless to plan for anything, doesn’t it?” Isabel sipped her wine.

“I don’t know about that.” Jackson leaned back in his chair. “I think the things we do plan lead us to other things, and maybe we didn’t plan those other things, but they are a result of what we did plan. For example, you are planning to open your resort and because of that planning, you’ve made a list of locations. Being here in Maplehaven has caused you to amend that list, but you wouldn’t have a list at all if you hadn’t been planning to open a resort in the first place. You see?”

“I do. And some theories would suggest that in parallel universes I open resorts in all of those locations.”

Jackson smiled. “I remember something else I always liked about you.”

Isabel arched an eyebrow in interest. “Oh, yeah? What’s that?”

“Your ability to make any conversation way more fun. I can honestly say I haven’t talked about parallel universes with anyone else on a date.”

“Unique creature right here, Doctor Hunky.” She framed her face with her hands then shook her head.

“Why the head shake?” he asked.

“I was thinking about the last guy I dated. Scott.” She tapped her finger on the base of her wineglass. “I brought up parallel universes with him once, and he told me I should just worry about this universe. I told him I wasn’t worried about other universes. I was only wondering if in another universe he and I hadn’t met or we did meet, but all the ways in which we could have met might be different. He wouldn’t even entertain the thoughts with me.”

“Sounds like a guy with little imagination.” And a guy Jackson would like to see trip down a long flight of stairs.

“Yeah. Scott was more of a realist. He had to see something concrete to believe it.”

“Maybe in another universe, he’s a cult leader, spinning nothing but made-up stories.”

Isabel barked out a laugh and quickly clamped a hand over her mouth. “And maybe you’re a reality TV show star who has to be the center of attention.”

“I assure you,” Jackson said, “that universe does not exist.”

“How about the one where I’m a professional wrestler?”

It was his turn to laugh a little too loudly. “I might like to visit that universe.” Because seeing Isabel in some sexy wrestling costume that showed off her amazing body sounded like a field trip he definitely would pay big bucks to see.

Clapping to the left of their table made them both look up. Jorden approached, a wide smile on his face. “Seeing you two sit together at a table makes me feel as if I’m in the high school cafeteria again.”

Jackson held out his hand to shake Jorden’s. He’d always liked the guy. Jorden was their age and they’d all been in the same social circle back in high school.

“If Mrs. Lipton appears and tries to give us a geometry quiz,” Isabel said, glancing around them, “I’m out of here.”

Jorden squeezed her shoulder. “We’ll escape through the kitchen and I’ll be right behind you. She was so tough.”

“And still around,” Jackson said. “Christian told me she stops at the store on his farm to buy produce once a week.”

“Of course she’s still around,” Jorden said. “She’s staying alive off the souls of young students she’s consumed over the years.” He shivered. “She always scared the shit out of me.”

“That’s because you never did the homework,” Isabel pointed out.

“That’s because I never knew what in the hell she was talking about in class so when I went home, I was completely clueless about the homework.” Jorden arrowed a thumb back to the kitchen. “Fortunately, cooking doesn’t involve a ton of geometry so I’m managing okay.”

“I use geometry all the time,” Jackson said.

“Of course you do.” Jorden rolled his eyes. “You were probably using geometry as a toddler.”

“Speaking of toddlers,” Isabel said, shooting Jackson a quick glance to say she’d save him from the you-are-a-such-a-nerd ball-busting Jorden had been gearing up to do. “How are your babies doing? They were so cute at Jackson’s birthday party.”

Jorden put a hand to his heart. “I never pictured myself as a father, but damn, it’s so much fun. And being a parent with Diana is the best. It’s not always easy, but the good times far outweigh the bad ones.”

Happiness radiated off the guy, making it clear Jorden enjoyed his life in Maplehaven with his wife and kids. To date, the only thing that had brought Jackson a level of happiness like that had been discovering artifacts on digs. He glanced over at Isabel and wondered if there was more happiness to be grabbed during his time in this universe.

And was he already living happily with Isabel in other universes?

He could only be aware of what happened in this universe and his speech to Isabel about planning leading to other things made him curious about the future. Not curious in a way that involved making more archaeological discoveries, but curious about discovering the happiness Jorden had found with Diana.

“You guys ready to chow down?” Jorden asked, bringing Jackson back to the present moment. “I have prepared some of my specialties for you tonight, from salad to dessert.”

Isabel patted her stomach. “Charlie told me to wear leggings and a loose top. I should have listened.”

Jorden laughed. “I’ll have the dishes brought out slowly, so you have time to digest in between and don’t bust the seams of your dress.”

“I’d appreciate that.” Isabel rubbed her hands together and peeked at Jackson. “What do you say? Ready to dig in?”

“Always.”

But what was he ready to dig into? Dinner? Of course. More archaeological discoveries? Absolutely.

A future with Isabel like the one Jorden and Diana were building? Like the ones his brothers and many of his other friends here in Maplehaven were building?

One glance at Isabel across the table as Jorden walked back to the kitchen had Jackson wondering if such a future was possible for them. They’d always talked about being together when they were teenagers in love.

They were adults now though. Adults with plans of their own. Could those plans intersect?

Or had they missed their chance together in this universe?

****

Isabel was a sucker for anything sweet and Jorden’s maple butterscotch chocolate torte was the definition of delectable. She’d had some favorite spots in Pennsylvania for confections, but nothing could compare to this treat she’d already halfway finished.

Her tablemate was beyond comparison as well. Conversation over dinner had been continuous. No awkward pauses. No lack of topics. She and Jackson had shared numerous stories about what they’d experienced since being apart, plus they’d dipped back into the past to relive some of their highlights as a couple. She hadn’t forgotten any of those tales, but reviving them tonight only illustrated how perfect they’d been for each other.

Besides that one fight over Jackson going to school early, they’d never had any major conflicts while dating. They may have disagreed over what movie to see on a Saturday night, but they’d always worked those little things out. It was only when a big thing had gotten placed in their path that they’d crumbled.

And honestly, she was more to blame than that big thing. Her reaction to Jackson’s news had been so final and looking back on it now, she wanted to kick herself. She loved her life. She did, but being in Jackson’s orbit again elevated everything. His company tonight even managed to make that dessert taste better.

“Jorden should open his own place that is only desserts,” she said around a blissful bite of the torte.

“Maybe that’s something you can incorporate into your resort,” Jackson said, using his napkin to wipe a bit of chocolate from his mouth. His mouth that Isabel couldn’t stop looking at, wishing it to be all over her.

Soon.

They’d be done with their desserts in a few moments. Isabel could only hope the next segment of the date involved somewhere private where they could get naked because she’d been thinking about that since Jackson had shown up at her front door.

“A desserts-only restaurant,” she said slowly. “I like it. I’m adding it to the plans.”

When the last bites were gone and they’d paid their compliments to Chef Jorden, Jackson led Isabel out of Albero’s. The day’s heat still hung in the nighttime air a bit, but Isabel was pretty sure the warmth she felt had more to do with the absolute feast she’d consumed . . . and the man walking beside her.

“Want to go for a walk?” he suggested, patting his stomach. “We need to kickstart the digestive process.”

“I’d love a walk.” She loved it more when Jackson held out his hand for hers.

“C’mon.”

Isabel took his hand, letting him tug her into the space beside him as he strolled down the sidewalk. The other businesses on the street were closed by now, but a few pockets of people were out and about, enjoying the summer evening.

“I don’t take nearly enough walks like this,” she said after they’d been walking for a few minutes. “You know, the kind where you’re present in the moment and your head isn’t full of all the things you think you should be doing instead of walking.”

“It can be hard to tune out all of those other things,” Jackson said, “but I’m not having too much trouble now.” He gave her a sideways glance. “Now I’m only thinking about one thing.”

“Oh, yeah?” She wrapped her arm around his and leaned closer to him. “What’s the one thing you’re thinking about now?”

“I’m thinking about how I want to pull you into those bushes over there and have a dessert that’s much better than Jorden’s torte.”

“That torte was amazing.”

“And yet, not half as amazing as you, Isabel.”

She coaxed him into making a U-turn.

“What’s happening?” he asked. “Weren’t we going for a walk?”

“We were, but it turns out I would also like to pull you into those bushes and devour you whole, so I figure it’s as if we have no chaperone out here.” She waved her arm to indicate the area around them. “We need to get to a secure location like immediately before we do something that’s publicly indecent.”

Jackson increased his pace, powerwalking toward his jeep parked at Albero’s. “One secure location coming up.”

She laughed when he jogged the rest of the way to his vehicle. He hadn’t let go of her hand so she’d had to jog alongside him. By the time they reached the Wrangler, they were both a little winded, but the fresh air pouring in and out of her lungs only amped her up more. She slapped the dashboard once they were both seated.

“Digestive processes started. Full speed ahead!”

Jackson drove like the wind back to the cottages. “I assume we want to head for my cottage.”

Isabel nodded. “Grandpa offered me my own cottage while I’m here, but I didn’t want to take up one that he could be renting out. This weekend, he’s got a bunch of guests coming in and the rest of the cottages will be full.”

“Excellent. Business is good.”

“It could be better,” she said. “Most of the time the cottages aren’t full to capacity.”

Jackson pulled up in front of his cottage and shut off the engine. “I almost stayed with Christian while I’m here, but I had wanted my own space.” He turned to face her, taking her hand and giving it a squeeze. “Man, I’m glad I chose to come here instead.”

“In some universe, you didn’t.”

“I’m glad I’m in this universe then.” He brought her hand up to his mouth and pressed a kiss to her knuckles.

“Me too.”

They hopped out of the jeep and raced to the front door. Jackson let them in and as soon as he had the door closed, he pressed her up against the wall and his lips found hers. What started out as exploratory pecks quickly heated to deep-dive making out. Each stroke of Jackson’s tongue against hers made Isabel’s core yearn for him. The faint taste of chocolate, the velvety caress of his tongue, the way his hips pinned her to the wall. All of it spelled a significant orgasm on the horizon.

Isabel reached for the buttons on Jackson’s shirt as he pulled it free of his pants. As soon as she had the last button unfastened, he stepped back and ripped the shirt off his shoulders. She went right to work on getting off the T-shirt he still wore to reveal that toned chest she couldn’t stop thinking about.

Jackson’s mouth was back on hers while he reached down and worked his hand under her dress. His rough fingers scraped along her thigh, raising her dress higher and higher until he found himself at the apex of her thighs. Sliding her panties aside, he teased her with his skilled fingers until she was wriggling and soaked for him.

Low moans escaped from both of them and Isabel pushed on Jackson’s shoulders, loving the pout he gave her over having to halt his efforts to drive her wild.

“I only wanted to do this.” She grabbed the ends of her dress and yanked the entire thing off in one swoop. The pendant necklace slapped down onto her chest and when she went to remove that too, Jackson put his hand over hers.

“Can we leave that? Something about it touching your bare flesh is making me so hot.” He shifted his hips a bit and his erection pressed against her through his pants. He wound the necklace around his fingers and gave it a gentle tug, bringing her back into kissing range. He kissed her as if she was a maple butterscotch chocolate torte he couldn’t eat fast enough.

While he dined on her mouth and kneaded her breast with his big, warm hand over her bra, she worked on loosening his pants and freeing his arousal. The moment she wrapped her hand around his length, he shuddered in her hold and she absolutely loved having that power over him.

After a few tugs, he tore his mouth from hers and pushed his pants and boxer briefs all the way down his legs, struggling to get out of his shoes so he could rid himself of the pants. He nearly lost his balance a few times, making Isabel giggle.

“Quit your laughing and get as naked as me, woman.”

After removing her cuff bracelet, she reached back to unhook her bra then stepped out of her panties and shoes, letting everything drop to where her dress was on the floor. Wearing only her necklace and her earrings, she walked past him, heading for the bedroom. She turned to find him still wrestling with getting one of his shoes off.

“God, you’re both adorable and sexy as hell right now,” she said as she leaned against the doorway, watching him.

“I’m stuck!” He wiggled his left foot, his pants still pooled at his ankles. “Help me.”

“Oh, come now, Doctor Hunky,” she teased. “Surely a genius like you can puzzle your way out of this scenario.”

He growled and Isabel’s flesh goosebumped at the sound. Jackson bent, took a hold of his shoe, and yanked, the muscles in his arms straining with the effort and making Isabel nearly climax without him touching her. The shoe came off and he turned the legs of his pants inside out as he peeled them off along with his socks.

Then he was completely naked, and in one long stride, standing right in front of her. He was a work of art with his chiseled muscles, his foot of extra height over her, and a look in his eyes that told her she was about to be thoroughly sexed up right.

He tipped her head up with a fingertip to her chin, his brown gaze intense and hungry. That finger trailed down her neck, down between her breasts, and to the amethyst. He picked up the pendant and used the stone to tease her nipples. They were pebbled and sensitive in anticipation and she let out a soft groan that made a slow grin slide across his lips.

“Chronologically, I know years and years have passed,” he said, “but when I see you like this . . .” His gaze swept over her and her heart beat harder in her chest. “When I see you like this, Whisabel, I feel as if we’ve been connected this whole time.”

She knew what he meant. “Maybe we have been.” She pressed her hand to his chest, finding his heart beating as wildly as hers. “We may have parted ways, but those pieces of our soul—the ones we gave each other that first time we made love—have always been with us. I’ve never rid my system of you.” She rose on tiptoes and brushed her lips to his. “I never wanted to be rid of you, Jackson.”

He scooped her up and stepped into the bedroom, easing them both down to the comforter and settling on top of her. “So don’t be rid of me.”

She snaked her arms up and looped her hands around his neck, bringing him within kissing range. “I don’t plan to.”

They kissed for several scorching seconds then Isabel flipped Jackson to his back. She blazed a trail along his chest, pressing open-mouthed kisses to his flesh while her hands coasted over him. When she reached his arousal, she ran her tongue along the length, making him shudder and groan.

She took him into her mouth, encouraged when he raked his fingers into her hair and said her name over and over in a breathless whisper. With a few bobs of her head and strokes of her tongue, she had Jackson on the verge of release. After he came, he sighed loudly and let his arms flop out to his sides.

Isabel climbed over him, her knees at either side of his hips and her hands by his ears. The pendant dangled between them and she used it to trace along his lips as he lifted a hand to caress her breast.

“I always loved the way you look after being pleasured,” she said.

“Stamp me satisfied, lady.” He hooked a finger on the pendant’s chain and coaxed her down to him to brush his lips to hers. “No one has ever made me feel like this besides you.”

“And how do you feel exactly?” Because damn if she could put a name to what she felt right now.

“They haven’t invented a word to describe how I feel when I’m with you,” Jackson said. “The English language is too limited to accurately capture something like this.” He gestured between them then hooked his hand on the back of her neck. He kissed her and rolled them so she was on her back now. “The only thing we can do is show what we’re feeling.”

She was totally in favor of that idea. Especially when he reached a hand down between them and teased her folds with his fingers. He gave each of her breasts some attention with that skilled tongue of his until he was hard and ready again. He then stretched to the bedside table, producing a condom.

Isabel took it, opened it, and sheathed him, and when he pushed into her, she hummed her contentment at having him inside her. No one had ever belonged there like Jackson had. She’d spent the years without him trying to capture what they had right here. She’d failed each time because none of her other partners had been him. She’d thought she’d never have this again and she didn’t know how long she’d have it this time, but she was going to enjoy every damn minute with Jackson. It might totally ruin her when they had to part ways again, but she couldn’t worry about that now.

Jackson moved in and out of her and any capacity to worry about anything at all disappeared. How could she feel anything besides complete and utter ecstasy with this wonderful man using his phenomenal body to show her how he felt about her?

The rise to the peak was slow, steady, agonizing as Jackson got her all fired up each time he drove into her then left her wanting when he retreated. Finally, she couldn’t take being denied another second longer and she tightened her legs around him, not letting him withdraw.

He laughed. “Had enough, Isabel?”

“Yes.” She caught him in a fiery kiss, ending with nipping on his bottom lip and meeting his gaze. “Quit teasing me.”

Without a word, he drew back a bit and thrust into her so her world broke apart in a shower of sensations almost too much for her body to handle. Her core vibrated around him as he found his release too and they rode on waves that connected the past to the present.

That connected two hearts that were never meant to be apart.

Chapter Eleven

Jackson tightened his hold on Isabel as he spooned her in his bed. Not that this was actually his bed. He didn’t own a bed. Or a house. Or a car. All those things were rented. Transient accommodations for the transient life of a transient guy.

Only he was starting to see the benefits of staying in one place. Staying in one place long enough to own things. To have a home base. To belong to someone.

Someone like Isabel.

He’d enjoyed every moment of his date with her tonight. Everything from when she’d opened the front door to him at her grandfather’s to this second right here where she’d snuggled up against him had been absolutely perfect. The fact that he had artifacts waiting for him and he’d rather be tangled up with Isabel instead said something. Something big.

Usually he’d be a crazed lunatic over new discoveries like the ones he’d found in the woods so far. He wouldn’t let anything stop him from figuring out what their stories were and how they fit into the overall historical picture. He’d be consumed with research, neck-deep in books and articles and note-taking. The hours would fly by and he’d only emerge when he had answers.

Or he got hungry.

Tonight, however, he’d only thought about the artifacts right this second. The rest of his night had been totally focused on Isabel and enjoying her company. It was as if she was his newest discovery and he needed to study her closely. Technically she was an artifact from the past. His past, and figuring out how she fit in the present was what consumed him now.

She shifted in front of him, her sweet ass rubbing against his dick and awakening the chap. Isabel glanced at him over her shoulder, a slow grin turning up her amazing lips.

“Somebody down there hoping for some action?” She turned to lie on her back, her silky blond hair pooling at her shoulders.

Jackson slid his palm onto her stomach, unable to resist the smooth, flat expanse presented to him. “He’s hoping you’ll stay the night.” Because sleeping alone didn’t appeal to Jackson at all. Normally he didn’t care about flying solo under the sheets. He liked sex and didn’t say no to it when the opportunity presented itself, but lying in bed alone never bothered him.

It was different with Isabel though. He didn’t want this night to end and though in terms of Earth spinning on its axis, the night had to end, he didn’t see why he couldn’t greet daylight with Isabel still in his bed and in his arms.

Isabel rolled to her side to face him. “I’ll stay.” She brushed her lips against his and lifted a hand to play in his hair. “Can we check on my grandfather though? Maybe grab Blaze?”

“I can agree to those terms.” He dropped a kiss on her nose then traced a path down her throat with his fingertip, stopping when he got to her breasts and teasing her nipples. The amethyst pendant was hidden between her breasts, the sliver chain sparkling against her bare skin.

Isabel leaned into his touch, a slight moan slipping out and making him instantly rock hard. Cupping his cheek, she leaned in for a kiss that jumpstarted a bonus round of lovemaking he hadn’t anticipated. That cottage bedroom was quickly becoming his favorite place in the world and he’d been to so many places around the globe.

But he hadn’t been with Isabel in any of those places. How much more wonderful would they have been with her there?

When they finished and were both lying on their backs, breathing heavily, he said, “I’ve never had sex twice in one night.”

Isabel pressed a kiss to his cheek. “I haven’t either. I never wanted to, but with you, I can’t seem to get enough.”

He nodded. “I’m satisfied for a few minutes, but then I crave you all over again.”

She smiled, but he put his hand over her lips, making her eyebrows lower.

“I can’t look at that smile right now,” he said, shaking his head. “That smile is like a butterfly net, snagging me every time.”

Her cheeks shifted under his palm and the corners of her eyes crinkled, letting him know she was smiling wider under his hand.

“Quit it, Whisabel. We’ll never check on your grandfather or get Blaze if you keep hooking me with that smile.”

After pressing a kiss to his palm, she tugged his hand off her mouth, her lips a straight line.

“Shit,” he said.

“What?” She pointed to her mouth. “I’m not smiling.”

He ripped the sheets off him and sat up. “I know, but even your serious expression is hot.”

She sat up as well, slinging an arm around his shoulders and giving him a little shake. “And your exasperated expression is sexy so we’re going to have to accept being turned on all the time around each other.”

“Fine.” He swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood. “Let’s pop over to your grandfather’s then get your sweet ass back in my bed.”

“No reason we shouldn’t go for a record and have sex three times in one night.”

“You are full of amazing ideas, Isabel Perri.”

She saluted him and rose from the bed. Somehow he contained his groan at the sight of her naked loveliness striding out of the room, and he reminded himself that he’d be seeing that naked loveliness again after they checked on Eugene and grabbed Blaze. He’d be able to hold Isabel all night long and that was a gift he planned on enjoying.

He found Isabel in the living room, sliding her dress over her head. The fabric fell on her toned form, highlighting her gorgeous features. Naked? Clothed? It didn’t matter. Isabel tempted him like an apple in the Garden of Eden and he’d take a bite every damn time.

Once he’d pulled on his pants and his T-shirt, they both slipped on their shoes and headed next door.

“I love nighttime here,” Isabel said, taking his hand. “The sky is all starry, everything is so quiet, and the air smells so clean.”

“Pennsylvania doesn’t have those amenities?”

“I’m sure some of it does. Not where I lived though. It was more built up so you couldn’t see the stars. Something or someone was always making some noise.”

“And the air?”

“Hotel air,” she said. “You know, that mix of sanitizing products, travelers, and dryness. The air outside my house was better except my neighbor grilled a lot of fish.”

“You don’t like fish.”

“I do not. Good memory.” As if he’d forget anything that had to do with Isabel.

“I’ve been to some wonderful places,” he said, “but there is something about Vermont that . . . I don’t know . . . loosens the muscles or something. Relieves the tension.”

“That’s probably all the sex you just had.”

Jackson squeezed her into his side. “Maybe.”

As they approached her grandfather’s cottage, a single lamp shined from inside and a flickering light suggested the TV was on.

“He probably fell asleep watching something,” Isabel whispered as they neared the front door.

Jackson slid her hair out of the way and kissed the back of her neck as she fit her key into the lock. She took a moment to lean back against him and kiss the underside of his chin before quietly easing the door open.

Sure enough, Eugene was on the couch, his head hanging forward in slumber. He didn’t look comfortable with his head in that position, but the man didn’t budge when Blaze hopped off the couch and trotted over to Isabel. He didn’t budge when Blaze barked either.

Or when the front door closed.

“Grandpa?”

Or when Isabel said his name.

“Oh God.” She ran over to the couch and dropped to her knees in front of her grandfather. “Grandpa! Grandpa, wake up!”

“Eugene,” Jackson said as he joined Isabel.

“Is he . . .? I can’t check, Jackson.” She turned and buried her face in Blaze’s fur, sniffles sounding.

Jackson stepped closer. “Eugene.” He pressed two fingers to the man’s neck and felt a pulse.

“Is he, Jackson? Oh God, is he?”

“No. He’s got a pulse.” He gathered her in his arms, rubbing circles on her back, but eyeing Eugene. “He’s breathing, but let’s call 911, okay?”

She nodded against his chest and he fished out his phone to make the call. Blaze licked at her tear-stained cheeks and she rested a hand on her dog. “I shouldn’t have left him alone so long.”

Jackson finished the emergency call then pulled her back a bit from his chest. “He seemed fine when you left, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Then you couldn’t have known anything would happen. He’s looked fine to me every time I’ve seen him too.”

“I know, but if I’d been here . . .” She put her hand over her mouth to stifle a sob.

“If you’d been here, whatever happened could still have happened.” Jackson touched Eugene’s shoulder and gently jostled him. “Eugene, can you hear me? Eugene?” When the man still didn’t respond, Jackson said, “Let’s get him in a reclining position. He’s going to hurt his neck like that.”

Nodding, Isabel got to her feet and the two of them eased Eugene to his back on the couch.

“Now use those throw pillows to elevate his legs,” Jackson said as he made sure the collar of Eugene’s T-shirt was loose about his neck and the waist of his pants wasn’t constricting in any way. The man was definitely still breathing so Jackson didn’t think CPR was necessary.

“Did he just pass out?” Isabel asked after stuffing two pillows under Eugene’s legs, propping them up.

“Looks like it.” Jackson felt his pulse again. “His heartbeat is fast, but steady.” He pointed to the regular rise and fall of Eugene’s chest. “His breathing appears normal too.”

Isabel nodded, but Jackson could tell she wasn’t calmed by any of what he’d said.

“Help is on the way, Isabel. He’s going to be okay.”

She swiped at the tears still trickling down her cheeks. “I should have been paying closer attention to him.” She didn’t say it, but Jackson heard the instead of fooling around with you that was intended to be at the end of her sentence. If he’d monopolized her time and put Eugene’s health in jeopardy, he was truly sorry about that. He hadn’t meant to be so selfish, but finding Isabel again had been a surprise. A wonderful surprise and he couldn’t stop how much he wanted her. Eugene had encouraged them too. The old man would have told Isabel if he’d needed her.

Right?

Or had Eugene been pushing Isabel out of the house, telling her it was fine for her to spend time with Jackson because he didn’t want her seeing how not well he was? Jackson hated that thought. Her grandfather was the only family Isabel had.

He was also the reason Isabel was in Maplehaven. If Eugene passed, would Isabel leave sooner?

Jackson shook his head, ending this line of thinking. Here he was being selfish again. Worrying about how much he’d get to see Isabel when her grandfather was unconscious on the couch right now.

Ten minutes later, red lights flickered in the windows and Jackson went to the front door to let in the two EMTs who had hopped from the ambulance. He coaxed Isabel back and the EMTs descended upon Eugene. With his arms firmly around Isabel from behind, they watched the EMTs check her grandfather’s vitals. One of the EMTs went out to the ambulance and brought in an oxygen tank. They hooked up Eugene and in the next minute the man was awake.

Isabel tried to go to him, but Jackson tightened his hold on her.

“Let them help him,” he whispered, dropping a kiss on the rim of her ear.

But she wiggled free and rushed over. “Grandpa!” She leaned over the back of the couch and took his hand. Looking at the EMTs she asked, “Is he okay? What happened?”

“Looks as if his oxygen levels took a dip for some reason,” one of the EMTs said.

“He had a heart attack recently,” Isabel said, “but he appeared to be doing fine.”

The other EMT adjusted the oxygen tank. “His levels are returning to normal now.” She focused on Eugene. “Are you feeling dizzy, Mr. Perri?”

Eugene nodded, not able to talk with the oxygen mask over his mouth.

“Okay, let’s give him a few more minutes with the oxygen,” the first EMT said. “Then we’ll ask a few questions to determine whether to take him in for a more thorough examination or not.”

Isabel nodded and Jackson came around to join her at the back to the couch. He touched Eugene’s knee, giving it a little squeeze, and the man’s gaze met his. The light-heartedness that was usually in Eugene’s blue eyes wasn’t there, making Jackson believe Isabel’s grandfather had been doing a lot more pretending to be okay than actually being okay.

Something in the man’s gaze now said, Take care of Isabel.

Jackson looked away. Busied himself with petting Blaze who had come to sit by his leg.

“Do you think you can sit up, Mr. Perri?” the EMT asked.

Eugene brought his elbows underneath him and with an EMT on either side of him, he rose to sitting. Isabel rounded the couch to sit beside her grandfather. She took his hand, but in the next moment, the man passed out again.

“What’s happening to him?” Isabel asked around tears.

“A trip to the ER will tell us,” the EMT said, motioning for his partner to go out to the ambulance. “Because of the recent heart attack, I think it’s best to get him checked out.”

“Okay.” Isabel stood. “May I ride with him?”

“Of course,” the EMT said.

Isabel turned to Jackson. “Will you grab my purse at your place?”

“Sure. Do you want me to take you to the hospital?”

She shook her head. “No, I’ll ride with Grandpa.”

“Okay. I’ll meet you there then.” Because Jackson wasn’t letting her be alone right now. “I’ll take Blaze out too.”

“Thanks.” She turned her attention back to Eugene who was being loaded onto a gurney now. Following the EMTs, Isabel gave Jackson one glance over her shoulder before she left the cottage. That glance could have meant she was sorry their night had gotten interrupted. It could have meant thanks for helping with this. It could have meant she needed to put caring for her grandfather first.

It could have also meant she regretted spending time with Jackson.

****

Isabel leaned away from Jackson as they sat together in the hospital waiting room. She didn’t want to rely on him for comfort or support right now. Not when her time with him had caused her to neglect the job she’d come here to do. Taking care of Grandpa was supposed to be her Number One concern and instead she’d been having sex with Jackson. And to what end anyway? Did she think they’d actually settle down together in Vermont?

Stupid.

She had her resort to open. Not in Vermont. Jackson had more discoveries to make. Maybe in Vermont, but surely what he’d found in the woods wouldn’t mean the end of his career traveling the globe and finding more artifacts. Their time in Maplehaven was limited. So was whatever they were doing together and maybe it’d be best to stop it now before they let the illusion gain any more power.

“You don’t have to stay,” she said for the fourth time since Jackson had arrived with her purse and taken the seat beside her.

“I want to stay,” he said, also for the fourth time.

Isabel clasped and unclasped her hands in her lap and Jackson reached over. His large hand stilled both of hers, and although his touch soothed her as it always had, she slid her hands free and put her arms on the armrests of her chair.

“What are we doing?” She rubbed her temple where a headache beat out a rhythm she didn’t enjoy.

“We’re waiting for news about your grandfather,” Jackson said, turning his head to look at her.

She didn’t meet his gaze, but she could feel it. “No. I mean . . . us. What are we doing? We can’t—” She stopped when Jackson clamped his hand on hers, pinning it to the armrest.

“Do not finish that sentence, Isabel.” His words came out like an admonishment, surprising Isabel. She’d only heard him use a tone like this once when they were teens. “This is not the time to discuss us. You’re upset and worried about your grandfather.”

She risked a glance at him, but he was staring at the painting of daisies on the wall across from them. His jaw was tensed and he blinked faster than normal. She’d seen the rapid blinking before. It always meant he was doing some intense thinking in that big brain of his.

Well, she was doing some thinking too and maybe he didn’t want to hear any of it right now, but she’d be having a conversation with him later. After they knew what was going on with Grandpa.

Whenever that might be.

How long did it take to examine one man and make a determination about his health? Isabel swore the clock on the wall was broken because it told her only forty minutes had passed since they’d admitted Grandpa. It felt as if it’d been forty days.

She pushed to standing, not able to sit still anymore. “I’m getting a drink.”

“I can get one for you,” Jackson said, ready to stand, but she waved him off.

“No. I need to go for a walk anyway. I’ll be right back.”

He relaxed back into his seat, but the look on his face was anything but relaxed. His deep brown eyes were full of concern and she thought back to the hunger, the passion, that had been in them earlier tonight.

Her own eyes pricked at the corners and she walked out of the waiting room before she caved and crawled into Jackson’s lap. Before she took all the comfort she knew he was willing to give her. Before she got any deeper with wanting to keep him.

The main hospital hallway was quiet at this time of night, only a few nurses checking into rooms or huddled at the nurses’ station. Isabel had only been in this hospital once and the news she’d received had been horrible.

Her parents’ car had hit a deer. The road had been slicked with rain and the car had swerved off the road into the opposite lane of traffic. The tractor trailer speeding down the other side of the road hadn’t had time to stop.

Isabel had been staying with Grandpa while her parents had been out together. On an anniversary date actually. Eight years of marriage, seven of them being parents, and it all ended that night. She clearly remembered the phone ringing at Grandpa’s big old house up on White Birches Lane. It had been late and a phone ringing late was never good news. The next thing she’d known, Grandpa had whisked her out of bed and into her coat and sneakers.

“Where are we going?” she’d asked him.

“For a little drive.” But she’d known right away Grandpa wasn’t telling her something.

Deciding to be a good little girl, she’d let Grandpa buckle her into his truck and he’d sped off. Isabel hadn’t known they were at the hospital at first. The building was this big dark shape in the night like the others around it. But when Grandpa had taken her inside, she’d put the pieces together.

“Are Mommy and Daddy here?” she’d asked.

Grandpa’s hand had tightened around hers and she’d seen him consider lying to her. Had seen it in the dip of his eyebrows, the twist of his lips from one side to the other, the hesitant mumble.

“Just tell me, Grandpa.”

“Yes, Belly. They had a car accident.”

She hadn’t asked any more questions. The hushed voice and quick peeks at her from the doctor when he’d come out to talk to Grandpa had told her what she’d already felt inside herself.

Her parents were gone.

Grandpa had taken custody of her and he’d been there every time she’d needed him since then. But did she return the favor?

Nope.

Instead, she’d gotten distracted by Jackson Henley and recreating the past with him. Foolish. They couldn’t stay in the past. They had futures in different places.

Isabel found a vending machine and bought a bottle of water. She would have preferred alcohol, but the chances of finding a vending machine like that were zero. Unscrewing the cap, she took several huge gulps of the water, nearly draining the bottle at once. She heaved in a breath, but when she turned around, Charlie threw her arms around her.

“I came as soon as I heard,” Charlie said. “How is he?”

Isabel slumped against her best friend. “I don’t know, Charlie. I don’t know.”

“Okay, let’s see what we can find out. I have a lot of friends here from working rescues with my chopper. I’m sure we can get some news.” Charlie maneuvered Isabel into a walk back toward the nurses’ station, but each step was robotic as if Isabel was no longer in control of her body.

“What if I lose him?” Was she asking about Grandpa or Jackson? God, her head pounded.

“Your grandfather is a tough guy,” Charlie said. “He’s got mountain man blood coursing through him. He’s going to be fine.” It sounded convincing when Charlie said it.

They stopped at the nurses’ station and Isabel focused on the mosaic tile design on the front of it. It was three mountain peaks, like the town sign when you entered Maplehaven. She’d climbed all three of Maplehaven’s mountains.

With Grandpa.

As Isabel fought back tears, Charlie spoke with the nurse sitting behind the semi-circular desk area. “Hey, Maggie.”

“Hey, Charlie.” Maggie frowned at her computer screen. “Did you helicopter someone in? I don’t have an alert here.”

“No. I’m here for Eugene Perri. This is his granddaughter, Isabel, my best friend. Do you have any news on him?”

Maggie tapped on her keyboard, but before she could say anything, Jackson appeared beside Isabel.

“The doctor came into the waiting room,” he said, raising a hand to touch Isabel’s elbow but dropping it before he actually made contact. “You can meet him in your grandfather’s room. Room 236.”

Charlie thanked Maggie then nudged Isabel away from the nurses’ station. “I can take it from here,” she said to Jackson.

Jackson’s gaze flicked to Isabel. When she didn’t say anything—didn’t beg him not to go—he nodded at Charlie and handed Isabel her purse. “I’ll take Blaze over to my cottage.”

She rooted around in her purse and pulled out her keys. She didn’t want to rely on Jackson, but she had no idea how long she’d be at the hospital and Blaze shouldn’t have to suffer. Not when he liked being with Jackson so much. She wiggled her grandfather’s cottage key off the ring and held it out to Jackson.

“Thanks.”

He took the key, but he also put both his hands around hers. He looked as if he was going to say something, but instead he leaned forward and placed a soft kiss to her forehead. Nodding at Charlie, he turned around and walked down the hallway.

“Room 236 is this way,” Charlie said. “And do I want to know what’s going on between you and Jackson? What did he do?”

“He didn’t do anything,” Isabel said as she followed Charlie. “Jackson has been absolutely wonderful. So wonderful that I ignored my grandfather and what he needed from me.”

Charlie stopped walking and Isabel almost banged into her. She turned around to face Isabel and put her hands on her hips. “You’re blaming yourself for this?” She motioned to the hospital around them.

“If I’d been with Grandpa instead—”

“If you’d been with Grandpa, there wouldn’t have been anything you could have done to avoid coming here,” Charlie said. “You know that man. Do you honestly think he would have said, Isabel, I’m feeling a little like I need to go to the hospital?” She blew out a breath. “Not in a million years. Do you know where he was when he had the heart attack? What he was doing?”

Isabel shook her head. Grandpa hadn’t wanted to talk the specifics of the attack and she hadn’t pushed, figuring it was upsetting to him.

“He was going up and down a ladder all day, checking the chimneys and roofs of the cottages. All of the cottages. He was pushing himself like he always does. He probably went to bed that night, pain in his chest and all, because Grandpa Eugene is no complainer.”

“But if I had been there tonight, I would have noticed if he was dizzy or out of breath.”

“And you would have spent the night insisting he come here while he insisted he didn’t need to.” Charlie pointed at her. “You know I’m right. Look, all I’m saying is don’t blame yourself and certainly don’t blame your time with Jackson. You’re having fun with him, aren’t you?”

Isabel nodded, knowing she couldn’t lie to Charlie. The woman smelled lies a mile away.

“Then keep having fun with him.”

“I got the vibe you didn’t approve of me getting involved with him again.”

“Aw, honey, I just wanted you to be careful with your heart, but I knew the moment I saw you two in the same room that you guys would be able to pick right up where you left off.”

“But what happens next?”

“Next?” Charlie paused as they arrived at Room 236. “Next you find out about Grandpa, you do what you can for him, then you go talk to Jackson.” She stepped closer and put her arms on Isabel’s shoulders. “When I spilled into the waiting room looking for you,” she said, “I immediately saw Jackson. He was leaning forward with his elbows resting on his knees, his head in his hands, as if one of his family members was in here. He’s worried about your grandfather. He’s worried about you. And if he knows you think being with him was a mistake, he’s no doubt worried about what that means for this relationship you both reignited. You owe him a conversation at least. You can’t walk away like you did last time.”

That last sentence hit Isabel square in the stomach, but Charlie was right. She was an adult now. Stomping away without any discussion would be childish and Jackson deserved more than that. She’d wanted to talk to him tonight, but Jackson hadn’t wanted to for legitimate reasons. A conversation like this one shouldn’t be done in a hospital waiting room while her nerves were frazzled over Grandpa.

She followed Charlie into Grandpa’s room and immediately sidled up next to his bed.

“Grandpa.” She let out a breath when he turned his head toward her and smiled.

“Hey, Belly. I’m sorry if I scared you.”

She reached for the hand he held out, feeling better at the color of Grandpa’s skin and the alertness in his eyes.

The doctor stood on the other side of the bed with a tablet in his hands, but he looked up and said, “I’m Doctor Rogers.”

“Hi,” Isabel said. “I’m Isabel, his granddaughter.”

“Nice to meet you,” the doctor said. “I’m your grandfather’s cardiologist and the tests we ran tell us his heart is functioning fine. He just overexerted himself.”

“Overexerted?” Isabel narrowed her eyes at Grandpa.

“We agreed we’d leave that part out,” Grandpa said, looking at the doctor.

“You requested I leave that part out,” Doctor Rogers said, “but I never agreed to it.”

Grandpa snapped his fingers. “Shucks.”

“What were you doing tonight, Grandpa? You promised you’d take it easy.”

Charlie let out a laugh. “And you believed him? Eugene Perri doesn’t know the meaning of the words take it easy.”

Grandpa winked at Charlie, a small smile on his face, but Isabel wasn’t having any of his mischief tonight.

“Doctor, are your orders for him to take it easy?” she asked.

“Absolutely. He only had heart surgery a few weeks ago,” the doctor said. “He definitely shouldn’t be running around a large property, unloading and stacking wood.”

“Stacking wood!” Isabel slapped her forehead. “Why were you doing that?”

“Well, we’ve got all those guests coming on the weekend and I wanted them to have wood for their outdoor fire pits.”

“Grandpa, I can do all that. That’s literally why I’m here.”

“I’d take her up on that,” Doctor Rogers said. “Or hire some additional help. You truly have to scale back your activities, Eugene. I know it sucks for a can-do guy like yourself, but passing out today is your body telling you to slow down.”

Grandpa let out a grumble.

“We’re following these orders, Grandpa,” Isabel said.

He looked at Charlie, but she put her hands up. “Sorry, dude. You know I’m always on your side, but being on your side today means agreeing with these two.”

“I used to like you, Charlene Moyen.”

“Oh, stop. You still do. You don’t want to have wasted the past twenty-some years grandfathering me along with Isabel, now do you?” Charlie blew him a kiss and Grandpa grinned.

“Can he come home tonight?” Isabel asked the doctor.

“Absolutely,” Doctor Rogers said. “Provided he—”

“I know, I know,” Grandpa interrupted with a huff. “Provided I take it easy.”

“Do we have your word, Eugene?” The doctor stuck out his hand.

Grandpa took it and shook. “Yeah. You have my word.”

The doctor glanced up at Isabel and with a firm nod, she promised to make sure Grandpa kept his word.

Chapter Twelve

Jackson absently ran his fingers along Blaze’s auburn fur, the dog’s big head resting in his lap as the two of them sat on the couch. The TV was on, but Jackson couldn’t tell you what the hell he was watching with his furry friend. His head was back in that hospital waiting room, hearing Isabel utter the words we can’t. He knew where the rest of that sentence had been going and he wasn’t having any of that.

“We can,” he told Blaze, the dog’s huge ears twitching at the sound of Jackson’s voice. “We can and we should.” Because when two people came together the way he and Isabel had—both as teenagers and again as adults—you didn’t toss that aside. Jackson had seen the love each of his brothers had recently found. What he and Isabel shared was as powerful, maybe more so. Being in her presence made him feel complete. It offered him balance. He’d thrown too much of himself into archaeology, but reconnecting with Isabel had reminded him there was more to life than work.

Being back in Maplehaven had changed him too. Spending time with his brothers reminded him of what a fantastic family he had. So many people had no one and here he was on dig after dig, staying away from some of the most fabulous people on the planet. Sure, he’d achieved some great things in his career, but what did any of those mean if he had no one to celebrate with? His brothers had always told him how proud of him they were, but those congratulations received via email, text message, or hurried phone call weren’t the same as being with his family in person. Celebrating with colleagues had always been fun, but there was no substitute for Christian, Landon, and Donovan. Jackson loved his brothers and goddammit, he’d missed being with them.

“But I’m in control here,” he said, Blaze lifting his head and angling at Jackson. “Yeah, that’s right, buddy. I say where I go and right now, I’ve got woods right here, potentially ripe with artifacts.” That could keep him local for an extended period of time and after that?

Well, after that, he’d figure it out. He’d make a plan that allowed him to spend more time with his family . . . and Isabel.

Of course he’d need to talk this over with her, find out what she was willing to do in order for them to make it work between them. She had her dreams too, although she had said she’d included more northern locations for her resort on her list. Before tonight, she’d been considering being more local so he could only imagine with Eugene being hospitalized that would be even more important to her.

“We’ll figure it out, right, Blaze?”

The dog let out a short bark at hearing his name, his tail doing one heavy flop on the couch cushion.

“You’ll help me, won’t you?”

A few more excited barks sounded and Blaze hopped off the couch. The dog grabbed an orange ball Jackson had brought over when he’d picked up the pooch from the cottage next door.

“Oh, you want to play?”

Blaze turned in a circle several times, his front legs doing this little bouncy step that made Jackson laugh.

“You have to give me the ball.” He held out his hand and Blaze trotted over. He pushed the ball into Jackson’s palm, but wouldn’t let it go. Every time Jackson curled his fingers around the ball, Blaze turned his head away so the ball, slick with saliva, would slip out of Jackson’s grip. “I can’t play if you don’t give the ball to me, pooch.”

Jackson tapped the dog’s hindquarters with his toe and Blaze loosened his hold on the ball enough for Jackson to snatch it.

“Ha! Tricked you.” Jackson jumped to his feet and passed the ball from hand to hand.

Blaze’s yellow-green gaze tracked the ball’s arc as if he were hunting prey. He charged forward and Jackson took off at a run around the small living room. He circled the perimeter, Blaze on his heels until both of them were breathing hard.

Finally, he tossed the ball into the air and the dog caught it in his mouth. Of course Blaze wanted to continue the sequence so Jackson obliged until he’d worked up an actual sweat.

“Okay, pup,” he said as he plopped back on the couch. “I’m spent.”

Blaze conceded and lowered to his belly on the floor in front of the TV. He rolled to his back and used his paws to lift the ball from his jaws. He held it aloft, considered it for a few seconds, then let the ball drop back into his mouth with a wet snap.

Jackson chuckled. “You’re a funny critter. I see why your mama loves you.”

But did Blaze’s mama love Jackson? He knew he’d only reconnected with Isabel a few days ago, but everything Jackson had felt for her when they’d been teens was right there. At the surface. Waiting to spill over. He’d loved her when they were kids and he loved her now. Judging by the way she made love to him, Isabel had some strong feelings for him too.

This thing with Eugene tonight had made her feel guilty about those feelings, but she’d be able to see reason once her grandfather was back home. Jackson could also try not to steal her away so much. He’d just been so thrilled to be with her again. He hadn’t been able to resist her, but he would be more considerate now. Perhaps while he was staying at the cottages, he could lend a hand to Isabel and Eugene. That way he could still see Isabel, but neither of them would have to feel guilty about that time together.

Liking these plans, Jackson pulled his computer onto his lap. He was too wired to go to bed and he had no idea when Isabel might come by to retrieve Blaze, so he’d use the time to do more research about the artifacts he’d found in the woods. Before he could get started, however, his phone buzzed on the coffee table. He picked it up to see Donovan’s name on the screen.

“Hey,” Jackson said.

“I know it’s late, but I was working on a case that took me to the hospital. Heard Isabel’s grandfather had been brought in. Is everything okay?” Donovan asked.

Reminded how wonderful it was to be close to this kind of care and concern, Jackson said, “I think so. I left Isabel with Charlie at the hospital so I could tend to Blaze, Isabel’s dog.” Isabel and Charlie had basically dismissed him, but Donovan didn’t need to know that. “I haven’t heard any word yet, but the doctor who came out to the waiting room hadn’t seemed overly concerned.”

“Most likely a case of stubborn old Vermont guy,” Donovan said.

“That’s my diagnosis too. Eugene isn’t the type to sit still, heart attack or not.”

“Okay. Let us know if we can do anything,” Donovan said. “I also cleared a path to Uncle Patrick’s boxes of books in my basement so you can get to them.”

“Thanks. I’ll come by tomorrow.”

“All right,” Donovan said. “Later.”

“Bye.”

Jackson lowered his phone, warmed by his brother’s call. Setting the phone aside, he focused on his laptop and the hundred tabs he had open in his browser. He was eager to comb through his uncle’s books, but there was plenty of information to gather online for now.

Sometime later, Jackson snapped awake. It took him a few moments to realize he was on the couch in his cottage. Blaze stood by the front door, his tail swishing expectantly.

A soft knock sounded and Blaze let out a whine.

“Is that your mama out there?”

Jackson ran a hand through his hair and smoothed his wrinkled T-shirt, hoping he didn’t look as if he’d been asleep. He’d changed out of his dress pants and into cotton shorts when he’d come home, wanting to be more comfortable.

Opening the door, he found Isabel standing there, still wearing that purple dress and looking sexy as ever even with the lines of fatigue and worry near her eyes. Every atom in his body wanted to gather her into his arms, but he wasn’t sure if she’d be receptive to that contact right now.

After she spent a few moments rubbing Blaze all over, their eyes met and he knew.

Reaching out a hand, Jackson took hers. He barely had to tug and she stepped into his arms. He folded his arms around her back while she wrapped hers around his waist. Resting his chin atop her head, he took a deep breath as she did, the simultaneous action somehow syncing them again. He could stand like this forever with her. She had to believe she belonged right there.

She had to.

“Your grandfather is all right?” he asked.

She nodded against his chest. “The man needs to get it into his thick skull that he has to rest.” She stepped back. “He was unloading and stacking wood tonight.” She shook her head. “Can you believe that? Unloading and stacking wood! Why would he think that was a good idea?”

“You mentioned guests coming this weekend,” he said. “Is that what he’s worried about? Being ready for them?”

“Yeah. I told him I can do that stuff. That’s why I’m here. I guess I didn’t realize how much there was to be done, but in my defense, he didn’t mention any of the numerous tasks either. I thought he had more staff than he actually does, but much of what you see here,” she said as she gestured to the cottage around them, “is a one-man operation. He has a tiny staff, but he takes care of pretty much everything else. I’ve got to help him.”

Jackson took her hand and led her to the couch, happy when she didn’t protest. Blaze followed and jumped up to the cushions after Jackson and Isabel sat.

“I can help too,” he said.

“You don’t have to.” Isabel rubbed Blaze’s ears and the dog squeezed his eyes closed, releasing a low hum of approval at her touch.

Jackson knew the feeling.

“I want to help Eugene,” he said. “The man is letting me dig up his woods for crying out loud. Helping him around here is the least I can do.” He rested his hand on Isabel’s thigh, encouraged when she didn’t brush him away. “I also want to help you.”

Isabel placed her hand over his. “Thanks.”

“It’s also an elaborate plan to spend time with you without taking you away from what you came here to do.” He tapped his temple. “Genius, remember?”

She squeezed his hand then looked up at him, her green eyes full of emotions. “I acted like a jerk at the hospital, Jackson, and I’m so sorry.”

He lifted her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to the back of it. “You were worried about your grandfather. All that matters now is that he’s okay and . . . we’re okay.” He held his breath as she looked at their still joined hands resting on his thigh now.

“I’d like us to be okay,” she said quietly. “I’d like us to be more than okay.”

He released his breath and pulled her into his lap. Cupping her cheek, he said, “We will be. We will be because I love you, Isabel. I’ve only ever loved you.”

She leaned forward and captured his mouth in a gentle yet deep kiss. “I love you too, Jackson. I’ve loved you since I was a silly teenager.”

Jackson hugged her close. “You’re still silly.”

She pushed back, swatting his chest. “Yeah, but my boobs are bigger now.”

Laughing, he traced the tops of those boobs, peeking from the neck of her dress, then kissed her nose. “I may have noticed that.”

“Like I noticed your muscles.” She trailed a fingertip along his arm then patted his chest. “And I’d love to keep noticing them, but I need to focus on Grandpa tonight.”

“Of course. We have time, Isabel.” He shifted her off his lap so she wouldn’t feel how much his dick disagreed with that statement. “Listen, I’m not making any plans to race out of Vermont. I’ve got the woods to investigate and I truly want to help you and Eugene here at the cottages. We’ll figure us out in the process, okay?”

“I’d like that.” She kissed him again, but this time with more heat and urgency. She let out a groan when she ended the kiss. “I’d also like to get you naked again.”

He ran his finger along her jaw. “That’s definitely happening, but right now, you’re going to get off my couch and take your sexy ass and your mutt next door while you can still escape. If you sit here any longer, I will drag you into that bedroom and have my way with you.”

Isabel hesitated and Jackson was so tempted to throw her over his shoulder. He’d just promised to help with why she was here, however. He needed to keep to that promise so he wouldn’t lose her.

Slowly, she stood. “So I’ll see you tomorrow then? I’m making a list of what needs to be done to prepare for the weekend’s guests.”

He walked her and Blaze to the door. “I will be ready to tackle that list with you.”

She eyed his laptop still on the coffee table. “But you have stuff to do too.”

“Those artifacts have been under the ground for centuries,” he said. “I think they can wait a bit longer.” He’d never uttered such words in his career, but he wasn’t the same guy he’d been while away on digs. Coming back here to Maplehaven had unearthed more than stone daggers. It’d brought the Jackson Henley who had grown up here back. It’d revived the guy who had love in his life. Love from his family. Love from a beautiful woman.

Isabel reached up on her tiptoes and pressed a kiss to his lips. “Thank you, Jackson.”

“I would do anything for you, Isabel. Anything.”

He should have been surprised by that declaration, but it felt truer than anything he’d ever said.

****

Isabel awoke in her bed with Blaze sprawled over her. Not exactly the male form she was hoping for, but she gave the dog a good rubbing anyway. Scooching up, she rested her back against the headboard and peeked out the bedroom window to Jackson’s cottage next door. The floodlight hadn’t been on last light because it hadn’t been windy, but she added trim branch to her already long list of things to do today to get ready for the weekend’s guests. She’d compiled the list with Grandpa last night so they’d be ready to tackle it this morning.

“Do you always do all this stuff by yourself?” she’d asked him after getting him settled on the couch, post-hospital visit.

“Well, yeah. This is my business and I like to have a hand in everything,” Grandpa had said.

“I understand that, but having a hand in everything is different than doing everything.” She’d gone in the kitchen to brew him some tea.

“I know, but business has been slow. People are taking their families to the big theme parks. They don’t want a quiet, peaceful vacation in the woods anymore. They want to be over-stimulated, over-pampered, and over-charged apparently.” He’d shrugged when she’d joined him on the couch.

“I don’t think that’s true, Grandpa. Plenty of people are looking to escape their over-worked lives. Unplugging is what they want and Pine River Cottages and Maplehaven are the perfect place for that. What have you been doing for marketing?”

“Marketing?” Grandpa scratched his jaw. “Not much. We’ve got our brochures available at tourist companies all over New England and the rest stops along the major interstates.”

“That old black-and-white brochure I made back in college for you?” She’d made it for a class project, but Grandpa had liked it so much, he’d insisted she let him actually use it. It wasn’t a bad brochure, but it looked like the work of a college student still trying to fumble through the learning process.

“Yeah.”

“Well, step one is going to be giving that baby a makeover,” she’d said. “I’m taking a look at your website too.” She knew he used it to schedule rentals, but it probably could be doing so much more for the business.

She’d also scribbled down notes to contact Maplehaven High School to see if they’d be interested in a volunteer/extra credit program where she exchanged real life experience running the cottages for labor. If she could get a rotating schedule of responsible teens in here, that would help a great deal.

Rubbing Blaze’s furry head now, she said, “What do you say, Blaze? Time to tackle this day and our to-do list?”

The dog rolled to his back, did a little wiggle as if he were trying to reach an itch he couldn’t quite get to, then jumped off the bed, his claws making a tap-scratch sound on the wood floor. He trotted to the open window and rested his nose on the sill, his tail flicking back and forth at something he saw out there.

“What did you spot, baby? A squirrel that needs chasing?” Isabel rose from the bed and joined her dog at the window. Instead of a squirrel, she was treated to the delicious sight of Jackson in camouflage cargo shorts and a gray T-shirt. The bonus was that he had his arms up, his hands resting on the top of the little overhang over his front door as he stretched that glorious body. His arm muscles strained as he leaned forward, getting what Isabel imagined was a nice shoulder and upper back stretch. How she longed to touch those muscles, caress them, knead them, kiss them, take a damn bite out of them.

Isabel let out a soft groan, surprised how turned on she could get simply by looking at Jackson from an entire cottage distance away. She clamped her hand over her mouth, afraid he’d heard her, but he gave himself an extra stretch then went back into his cottage. Now that she’d seen him though, she wanted to be in his presence and he had agreed to help her today. She’d be able to complete the tasks on her list and watch Jackson look damn hot as he assisted. Pretty sweet deal.

She went to her closet and selected her own pair of cargo shorts in an army green color and a gray tank top. How long would it take Jackson to notice she’d dressed to match him? That would be a fun little game. Knowing this version of Jackson Henley, however, she’d bet he’d notice right away. He appeared to be tuned into her. He’d always been an observant boyfriend when they were teens, but if you got him going on something academic—especially something historical—you could set yourself on fire in front of him and he’d keep on talking about the topic instead. Adult Jackson appeared to be able to push his obsessions aside better. He kept choosing to spend time with her instead of digging in the woods behind the cottages and discovering what was back there. In any event, she’d note how long it took him to say something about their outfits matching.

Isabel made her way to the bedroom door, but she backpedaled when a car door slammed outside. She walked back to the window and grinned when two SUVs pulled up in front of Jackson’s cottage. Donovan, Tessa, Landon, and Aliza spilled out of one, and Christian and Nicole spilled out of the other. Jackson came back outside and after they’d all greeted each other with fist bumps, hugs, and pats on the back, they all disappeared into his cottage.

“He called in reinforcements, Blaze.” The man was incredible and his family members were so generous. They all had jobs and things to do, but here they were, bright and early on a workday to help out. Isabel’s throat tightened, but she shook her head and straightened her shoulders. Now was not the time to get all sappy. It was the time to get to work so Grandpa would relax and the cottages would be prepared for the weekend’s guests.

She followed Blaze out of the bedroom and found Grandpa at the kitchen table with a few papers strewn about its surface. “Good morning. How do you feel?” She rested a hand on his shoulder then bent down to kiss his cheek.

Grandpa put his hand over hers then released it. “I’m feeling fine, Belly.”

“Did you sleep okay?”

“Like a rock.” He picked up one of the papers. “So I added a few things to the list for today, so I can—”

“Go into the office and do administrative work that only requires you to sit at your desk?” Isabel asked, interrupting him. “That sounds like a fantastic idea, Grandpa.”

He let out a grumble and dropped the list back onto the table. “I can do things other than paperwork.”

“I’m sure you can. Another day.” She patted his shoulder as she went deeper into the kitchen to grab some orange juice and a muffin for breakfast. “But today, you’re going to follow the doctor’s orders and take it easy. You’re lucky I’m not cutting you off from working altogether.” She pointed at him. “Be grateful I’m letting you go into the office at all.”

He pointed back at her. “I don’t think I like this Bossy Belly.”

“Tough. I don’t like seeing you in the hospital, Grandpa, and we’re going to do what we have to in order to avoid that.” She sat across from him with her juice and muffin. “I’m not saying you can’t ever do the more physical stuff. You can, but right now, you need time to let your body recover from the heart attack. If you give it the time and care it needs now, you’ll be better off down the road.”

Grandpa’s shoulders slumped. “I know. I hate it, but I know. It’s hard to go from giving a thousand percent to only giving nine hundred ninety-nine percent.”

“You’re going to give less than that, Grandpa. I mean it.” She pointed at him again and he reached over the table to slap at her finger.

“Okay, okay, but you can’t do everything on this list by yourself either.” He tapped the list on the table. “You’ll wear yourself down too.”

A knock sounded on the door and Isabel popped up from her seat. “I’m not going to be by myself.”

She jogged to the door, Blaze on her heels and ready to greet their visitors. When she opened the door, Jackson had his arms braced on the frame and she was treated to another outstanding view of his muscles. She would have attacked him right then and there, but her grandfather was behind her in the kitchen and Jackson had an entire troop of people behind him.

“Morning,” he said. “I found these hooligans milling about. They’re ready to take orders and get their hands dirty.”

“You guys are the absolute best.” Isabel stepped aside, allowing them all to enter, exchanging greetings as they passed by her.

“Small-town life is about helping your neighbors,” Christian said after they’d all said hello to Grandpa too.

“Plus he owes me for all the help I’ve given him at the farm,” Jackson said.

“This is true.” Christian slapped Jackson on the back. “I also thought you folks could benefit from my brute strength for any of your more strenuous tasks.” He widened his stance and gave them all a bodybuilder pose.

Isabel laughed at how Nicole’s gaze roamed over her fiancé. “Am I going to find you two sneaking off to make out?”

“We already made out this morning.” Nicole grinned, but she didn’t take her eyes off Christian.

“And since when do we have a once-a-day makeout rule?” Christian grabbed Nicole around the waist, dipped her low, and planted a loud smooch on her mouth.

“God, were we that ridiculous when we were engaged?” Landon asked Aliza.

“Yes!” everyone except Jackson and Isabel answered.

“Oh, okay.” Landon slid his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels. “Just checking.”

“Let’s get these clowns started on something,” Jackson said. “Otherwise they’re going to drive us crazy.”

“Careful how you talk to the help,” Donovan said.

Grandpa held up the to-do list. “Everything that needs doing is here.” He gave the list to Jackson then rested his hand on Jackson’s shoulder. “I sure do appreciate you all coming here to pitch in.”

“Don’t mention it, Eugene,” Tessa said. “You helped me change that flat tire I had back in March. I would have had to walk in the mud to get assistance if you hadn’t stopped.”

Grandpa studied his feet. “That was no trouble, honey.”

“And you were the one who hooked me up with that fabulous electrician when I had that wiring problem at the studio,” Aliza said.

“I happened to know a guy.” Grandpa shrugged.

“You figured out what was wrong with my tractor last month,” Christian said. “She kept breaking down, but she’s purring like a kitten now.”

“I’ve had a ton of tractors in my life,” Grandpa said.

“Let’s face it,” Donovan said. “You can brush it off all you want, but you’ve given so much to this community, Eugene. It’s your turn to need help and we’ve got you.”

Isabel’s eyes pricked. She’d always known her grandfather was a fantastic person, but to hear all these people agree made her proud to be related to the man.

“Thanks, kids,” Grandpa said, his eyes looking a little watery too.

Jackson waved the list. “Okay, people, let’s split these up and get cracking.”

Christian plucked the paper from Jackson’s hand. “We’ll start on this,” he said. “You haven’t even kissed your girl yet. It’s important to start the day properly. Take a few moments and then join us.” He winked at Isabel then herded the family outside.

Blaze raced out the open door, excited over all the people, and Nicole paused. “Is he okay to supervise us out here?”

“Sure,” Isabel said. “Keep an eye on him. I’m pretty sure he finds all of you interesting enough to stay close by, but with Blaze, you never know. Something can catch his attention and then he wanders off.”

“Christian is like that too,” Nicole said.

“Hey!” Christian shot back as he chased Blaze around the area in front of Grandpa’s cottage. “Oh, look, a squirrel!”

Isabel laughed as Nicole rolled her eyes and shut the door. “They are fantastic.”

“You’re lucky to have them,” Grandpa said to Jackson as he gathered up the other papers he’d had on the kitchen table. “I’m heading to the office to do boring stuff. If you have any questions about anything on the list, you know where to find me.”

“Behave in that office, Grandpa,” Isabel warned.

“Yeah, yeah.” He dropped a quick kiss on Isabel’s cheek and cuffed Jackson on the shoulder as he walked to the door.

After the door closed, Isabel and Jackson stood in the silence.

“Wow,” he said. “I never realized how noisy my family is.”

“Good noisy. Kind noisy.” Isabel turned to face Jackson then slid her arms up his chest to hook her hands on his shoulders. “I’ll say thank you now, but I’m totally going to show my gratitude to you in a very naked way later.” She was determined to be there for her grandfather, but she needed to be with Jackson too. She’d be mindful of keeping a balance in how she spent her time.

Jackson’s mouth turned up on one side and his eyes darkened to a deeper brown as he looked down at her, his hands coming to rest on her hips. “I will not object to naked gratitude.”

He leaned his head down, drawing her up against him, and pressed a kiss to her lips. Within moments, his tongue begged for entry and Isabel was eager to grant it. With deep strokes, Jackson had her nearly whimpering for more. His hips ground against hers and she wished she could snap her fingers, freeze time, make their clothes disappear, and have the naked fun she’d mentioned right freaking now.

Fortunately, Jackson had some control and he ended the kiss before they both combusted. He plucked the shoulder strap of her tank top then coasted his gaze down her body. “I like how we match.”

Chuckling, Isabel peeked around him to see the moose-shaped clock on the wall in the living room. “Only took you like ten minutes to notice.”

“No, I noticed the second you opened the door. It took ten minutes for my family to shut up and get out so I could tell you I like how we match.” He opened his mouth to say something more, but a loud, window-rattling rumble sounded outside.

“Did any of the to-do items involve heavy equipment?” Jackson asked over the roar.

“No. It’s all basically preparing rooms, restocking, some landscaping upkeep things, and several handyman-type fixes.” She led Jackson to the front door and they both stepped outside.

Three tractor trailers paraded through the main gates, churning up dust and heading for the woods behind the cottages. One had a skid steer on it, one had a knuckleboom log loader, and the last one was empty and ready to transport logs. A green pickup truck was the last vehicle to drive up behind the convoy. On its doors was the logo for Brenton Sawmill.

“Shit!” Isabel took off for the main office cottage.

Jackson caught up to her. “What’s going on, Isabel?”

“With everything that has been happening,” she shouted, “Grandpa must have forgotten to cancel the loggers!” She ripped open the main office door. “If we don’t stop them, they’re going to trample through your dig site, Jackson!”

Chapter Thirteen

Jackson skidded to a stop as Isabel ripped open the door of the main office cottage. Spinning around, he faced the trucks barreling toward the woods. If they drove on the path, they’d rip through his dig site, potentially disturbing other buried artifacts. If they set up shop back there and actually started cutting and dragging trees out, who knew what damage they’d do to priceless items of the past?

He ran toward the trucks. At his right, he spotted his family sprinting toward him.

“What’s wrong, Jackson?” Donovan shouted.

“We need to stop them from going in there!” Jackson poured on more speed, his legs straining. He waved his arms, but he was too far away from any of the drivers to be noticed. His lungs burned, but he didn’t slow down. He’d throw his damn body on top of the dig site if he had to. He just needed to reach it in time.

The landscape changed to an uphill climb which the trucks navigated with ease. Jackson and apparently all his family members—plus Charlie who had joined the pack—were losing steam though. The gap between them and the trucks widened and in another few moments, those big ass tires would be tearing through his site.

Jackson let out a frustrated roar. Why hadn’t he checked that the loggers had been notified?

Because I was too busy playing with Isabel.

This was exactly why he usually focused solely on his work. Personal relationships were distracting and his genius only worked if it was completely concentrated on one thing. He’d been sitting on these artifacts longer than he normally would have too. In every other case, he’d be immediately all over a find, but he’d let his emotions fool him into thinking he had time to waste. Now the site would be compromised and who knew what irreplaceable artifacts would be ruined?

He pushed himself to make it up the hill, cursing over how he hadn’t treated this site like an official archaeological project. He’d acted more like a hobbyist, neglecting the steps—and speed—he’d normally use with such a discovery. He blamed Maplehaven. The town had made him feel too comfortable, too laid back, too hopeful he could have his work and his woman and now he was paying the price.

Before the trucks arrived at the dig site, all of them stopped, their engines idling. Jackson bent in half, his hands resting on his knees as he attempted to catch his breath. His family came up around him, all of them breathing heavily and sweating.

“Can someone tell me why we ran as if we were being chased by hungry zombies?” Christian asked as he pulled up his T-shirt and used the bottom of it to mop his forehead.

“I found . . . some pieces . . . back there,” Jackson said, gasping and gesturing to the woods. “I think there could be more to find.” He sucked in a breath. “Eugene was supposed to call the loggers off, but with his health and everything, he must have forgotten.” He walked toward the pickup truck whose doors were open now.

Noah Williams got out of the driver’s side, a phone to his ear. Noah was a friend of the Henley family and worked for Brenton Sawmill, which was owned by the Brentons, another friend.

“Yeah, we’re stopped,” Noah said into the phone. “Oh . . . umm . . . yeah, I guess we could do another job we have over in Cheshire first, Eugene.” He nodded as he listened. “Okay, yeah. No problem. Bye.” He shoved his phone into his pocket then met Jackson, a hand extended. “Hey, man. Eugene told me you found something in these woods?”

“I did.” Jackson was still winded, but his heartbeat was slowly returning to normal. He shook Noah’s hand. “I thought you were going to plow right through it.”

“We nearly did.” After greeting the rest of the Henleys and Charlie, Noah turned to face the trucks and waved his arms above his head. All the engines shut off and workers climbed out of the trucks. When they’d made their way over, Noah said, “Change of plans, people. We’re going to do that job in Cheshire instead. We’ll come back here when Eugene contacts us.”

The majority of the workers accepted these orders and headed back for the trucks. The guy who had exited the empty tractor trailer, however, lingered for a moment.

“You have a question, Evan?” Noah asked, his stance widening.

Evan scanned Jackson and his family behind him then rested his gaze on Noah. “Just need the address for the Cheshire job.”

“I’ll send it in a minute,” Noah said.

Evan gave Jackson another unpleasant look then returned to his truck as Noah faced Jackson again.

“What’s his prob?” Charlie asked.

“He’s always in a bad mood,” Noah said. “I think he spends too much time with logs and not enough time being hugged.”

“I get why he’s peeved,” Jackson said. “Time is money for you guys and we’ve wasted your time by having you come out here only to turn you away.”

“No worries,” Noah said. “We’ve got another job that’s not that far away and we need the exact same equipment. It’s an easy swap.” He arrowed a thumb to the woods. “Good luck with whatever treasures you find in there.”

“Thanks so much, Noah.” Jackson shook his friend’s hand again.

Noah chatted with the rest of the Henleys and Charlie for a few minutes then he signaled to his team to roll out. He lowered his window as he drove past them and gave them a final wave.

“That was close,” Landon said.

“Too damn close.” Jackson rubbed his forehead. “I nearly lost precious pieces of history to a parade of wide-load trucks.”

“You really found stuff here?” Aliza asked. “Our own Maplehaven woods has treasures?”

“Yeah. I can show you guys,” Jackson said. “After we tackle Eugene’s to-do list.” Now that the threat to the dig site had passed, Jackson was calmer. He did make a mental note, however, to think a little more like Isabel in terms of making an effort to balance the reason he was in Vermont with his desire to rekindle their relationship. He wanted to pursue the dagger find, get additional funding for future projects, and see what could develop between Isabel and him. As long as he kept all of his goals in mind—and didn’t get consumed by only one of them—everything would work out.

Of course when he turned around and witnessed Isabel’s golden hair streaming behind her as she ran toward him in her cargo shorts and tank top, his work-related goals took a flying leap.

No. I can balance it all. Because he wasn’t giving up a career he’d spent years building and he wasn’t going to deny himself the happiness Isabel Perri could bring him.

“I am so, so sorry, Jackson!” she yelled, her legs carrying her through a patch of daisies and sending a few butterflies into the air. “I thought Grandpa had called and—”

Jackson cut off her apology by hoisting her off her feet and planting his mouth on hers. She was reluctant at first, still trying to apologize, but she quickly conceded and joined him in the kiss.

His brothers hooted and whistled. Their women cheered and clapped. Even Charlie let out a whoop. Jackson ignored all of that and kissed Isabel as if he hadn’t nearly witnessed his dig site get trampled. They’d avoided disaster, the summer sun was warm and bright, and he had the people he cared about most in this world around him. What more could a guy want?

He got the answer to that question when Isabel’s body brushed against his dick.

Later.

Right now, they had jobs to do for Eugene, and Jackson made a note to block off the dig site a bit better so it would be obvious to everyone not to bring heavy machinery in there.

He released Isabel—though every instinct told him not to—and he took her hand. “Noah was cool. He’s going to another job for now.”

“Grandpa called him as soon as I burst into the main office.” Isabel brushed her hair from her beautiful face. “Thank God it was Noah. Someone else might not have been as understanding.” She fell into step beside him as they followed his family out of the woods and back toward the cottages.

“Small-town vibes to the rescue,” Jackson said. “It’s nice when everybody knows everybody.”

She gestured to his brothers ahead of them. “I’m sure the Henley Hellions would have found a way to stop those trucks with their bare hands.”

She was probably right. Jackson’s brothers, their women, and Charlie hadn’t hesitated to chase down the trucks with him though they’d had no idea why the trucks needed to be stopped. They’d seen Jackson was freaking out and they’d jumped right in. He’d spent a great deal of time doing things on his own out in the world with his archaeological work. A few colleagues had his back now and then, but as with most academics, there had to be explanations and evidence of needing help first.

Not with family. Especially his family. Jackson was having real trouble understanding why he’d stayed away from Maplehaven for so long. What had he been running from? Sure, he’d initially left due to schooling, but once he’d been outside the borders of this town, he’d convinced himself he didn’t need what Maplehaven had.

But he did.

He not only needed it. He wanted it. Badly.

“Let’s divide and conquer,” Donovan said when they got to the center of the property, the cottages fanned out around them.

“Grandpa said all eight remaining cottages are empty right now, but they are all booked for the weekend,” Isabel said.

“I can go see if your grandfather needs help in the office,” Charlie volunteered. “That way I can threaten to tell Isabel if he tries to do too much.”

“I love that plan,” Isabel said, giving her friend a hug. “I’m sorry we’re not getting our girls’ day.”

“No worries. We’ll get to it.” Charlie gave them all a wave and headed for the main office.

Focusing on the tasks, Jackson said, “How about if each couple takes two cottages to prepare? Then we can split up the landscaping and repair jobs after that.”

“Sounds good.” Christian put his hand out. “On three, go team.”

One by one, they formed a circle and each put their hands on top of Christian’s until they had a sizable stack.

“One,” Christian said. “Two . . . three!”

“Go team!” they all shouted together. Each Henley brother took his mate and headed for one of the cottages.

“When I open my own resort,” Isabel said as she led Jackson to the cottage next to his, “they all get a free weekend.”

“They will love that.”

“I’ll have to think of a reward for you too.” She grinned over her shoulder as she opened the cottage door.

“I have some ideas.” He hugged her from behind and nibbled on her neck.

“I’m sure you do.” She leaned back into him. “But first we clean.”

And clean they did. And scrub. And sweep. And vacuum. And launder. And reorganize. And about a billion other things to make the cottages homey for the expected guests. Jackson enjoyed watching Isabel put little touches that made the spaces more inviting. Bunches of lavender tied with twine. Welcoming baskets in the kitchen full of Vermont treats such as maple candies, syrup, and a selection of woods-inspired teas. Rustic wreaths for each of the front doors. Everything she did improved the place and Jackson could tell when it came time to open her own resort, she’d knock it out of the park.

But how far out of the park would she locate that resort? That was still a big question he had, but he didn’t want to ask about it when he didn’t have any answers about where his work was going to take him either. A conversation for another day.

A few hours later, they met up with his brothers and their mates outside the main office cottage where Isabel divided up the remaining jobs and doled out profuse amounts of thanks to their amazing volunteers.

“We’d still be prepping cottages if you guys weren’t here,” she said.

“Actually, it was fun,” Tessa said. “Like playing in a life-sized doll house. This place is so cute.”

Isabel paused and surveyed the cottages and the land around them. “Yeah, I guess it is. I’ve been so focused on actual hotels and thinking about my own resort that I forgot about how charming a place like this can be.”

“Maplehaven certainly has charm,” Nicole said as she slid her arms around Christian’s waist and looked up at him.

“Quite a bit of it,” Aliza said as she leaned her head on Landon’s shoulder.

Tessa wrapped her arm around Donovan’s. “It felt like home to me the minute I came here.”

Isabel looked at Jackson then gave him a little shove. “I told my grandfather I’d update our Pine River Cottages brochure.” She waved a hand at him and his brothers. “Maybe I should put the four of you on the cover and let your charm reel in the guests.”

“When you’ve got a good idea, you’ve got a good idea,” Christian said. “Be sure to get my right side.” He flexed his right arm. “These muscles are bigger.”

Everyone let out a collective groan, but Isabel snapped her fingers and reached into her pocket for her phone.

“I think this might actually be a good idea,” she said. “Catching you guys on different parts of the property, looking as if you’re enjoying yourselves, could be excellent promo.” She wiggled her phone. “What do you say? A few candid shots and I’ll buy you all pizza and drinks at Mountain View Pizza later?”

Jackson laughed when everyone agreed to be photographed. “You can’t say no to Mountain View Pizza.”

“I know how to bribe the locals,” Isabel said. “Plus, we should celebrate that your dig site was saved.” She shook her head. “I honestly thought we were screwed on that.” She rested her hand on his chest. “And if you need to take off to secure the site better or whatever, Jackson, please do it. I don’t want to be the reason your work suffers, okay? Promise me.”

He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I’ll take some time a little later to deal with the site.” He slid her phone from her hand. “Right now, I think the first picture should capture genuine Isabel Perri charm.”

Because she had a ton of it and it should be shared with the world.

****

Two days later, Jackson stood at Mountain View Pizza’s bar, waiting for the takeout he’d offered to pick up for lunch. He and Isabel talked about their dinner with his family at the local pizza joint in front of Eugene the other night. Eugene hadn’t been able to shake the urge for pizza since so Isabel ordered him some for lunch today. Jackson had needed to hit the hardware store in town. He’d broken one of his smaller shovels so he’d agreed to grab the pizza for them.

In the time since they’d prepared the cottages for Eugene’s guests, Jackson had managed to rope off the dig site better and do more small-scale excavating by hand. So far he hadn’t found any more pieces, but he had learned more about the artifacts he’d uncovered. By combing through his uncle’s books, leafing through the library books that had been transferred to Maplehaven Library for him, and some additional online research, Jackson had determined the daggers and other pieces had belonged to a little known Native American tribe called the Sadekowi. Said to have migrated from northern Canada, the tribe had set down some roots in Vermont in the early 1200s according to what little information Jackson had garnered about them. His finds could help sketch in the details about this small, reclusive tribe that had been inexplicably wiped out. He’d gathered notes and taken photographs of the artifacts he’d unearthed so far. An article for shopping around to various archaeological journals was about one fourth written. He just needed a little more time to put all the pieces together.

Once I find all the pieces.

Jackson checked the clock behind the bar, pleased he still had half a day to work out at the dig site. The past two days had been the right balance of archaeology and relationship. Isabel had spent a great deal of time with her grandfather, learning what she could about running the cottages from the man while also improving some of the cottages’ operations. She’d organized a program with the high school to get some student volunteers to help out around the property. She’d convinced Aliza and Tessa to do yoga and dance workshops for the current guests and worked with Dakota to put together a package that combined staying at Pine River Cottages with enjoying an adventure at his company, Birch Peak Adventures.

Isabel had also agreed to run some cross-promotional specials with Mountain View Pizza, Albero’s, Cups Café, and Violet’s salon, Tresses. She’d updated the Pine River Cottages’ website and revamped the brochure using the pictures she’d taken of his family the other day. He had to admit it looked fantastic and was sure to catch a traveler’s attention. His favorite was that she’d done this website and brochure work while sitting next to him on his couch as he worked on Sadekowi stuff. They’d been able to stay out of each other’s way and be productive even with temptation sitting right beside them.

When they’d finished their work, however, they’d stripped each other down and made love in every corner of his cottage. His Sex Cottage.

Yeah. This balance thing was going all right.

“One piping hot pizza,” Kyle, the owner of Mountain View Pizza, said, sliding a pizza box across the bar toward Jackson. “Give me another few minutes on the calzones, okay?”

“Sure.”

Kyle disappeared into the kitchen and Jackson took a seat on one of the bar stools. He swiveled to face the main dining room, scanning the lunch crowd. Mountain View Pizza was a popular spot in town no matter the time of day so the place was bustling. Jackson caught sight of a few people he knew and acknowledged them with waves or head nods.

When his gaze settled on a table in the middle of the restaurant, however, he sat up a little straighter on his stool. Two men and one woman took up half the table. They all had on tan cargo pants and black T-shirts. Not unusual outfits for Vermont, but the fact they were all wearing the same thing gave them a team-like feel.

Then there was the older gentleman sitting across from the woman. The one who was dressed the same except he had a cargo vest over his black T-shirt. The one with a pair of glasses perched on the end of his nose. The one who pointed to a large, vintage-looking book open in front of him.

The one Jackson recognized as Doctor Leon Ward. Technically an archaeological colleague, but one who didn’t always do things by the book. One who didn’t blink twice at stomping on other archaeologists’ work.

The last two guys had Jackson sliding off the stool. One was Peter McCreary who ran an excavating company in town. The other was the dude from the logging tractor trailer who had given Noah attitude when they’d been turned away from Eugene’s property. It didn’t take Jackson’s big brain to figure out the cargo-clad group was an archaeological team assembled by Doctor Ward. They’d apparently secured some big machinery and the logging dude had given them a goddamn location.

His goddamn location.

Jackson had never had a site poached on him before, but he’d heard tales of it happening. Especially when Ward was involved. Sites where another team had descended and attempted to take all the glory for themselves. He didn’t care much about glory—he’d had his fair share of that—but he still didn’t want another team to butt into his work here in Maplehaven. It was his hometown for shit’s sake and he’d found the dagger first.

Technically, Blaze had found the dagger first.

He swiped the pizza box off the counter and grabbed the bag of calzones as soon as Kyle set it on the bar. “See that table over there?” he asked Kyle. “The one with the cargoes and the professor-looking dude?”

Kyle leaned over the bar a bit then nodded. “Yeah.”

“Keep them here as long as you can. I don’t care what you have to offer them. I’ll pay for any additional food and drink you send their way. Just don’t let them leave too soon.”

“Okay. Do I want to know why I’m doing that?”

“In the name of archaeology.”

Jackson didn’t wait for Kyle to reply. He quick-stepped to the door of the restaurant and spilled out into the parking lot. Sure enough, he spotted a McCreary trailer with a small excavator on it parked in the lot across the street along with two SUVs and a pickup truck. He hopped into his Wrangler and immediately called Isabel.

“Hey, Doctor Hunky,” she said when she answered.

“Hey. Did you or Eugene get any calls about the woods behind the cottages?” he asked.

“No. I imagine Noah is still working in Cheshire. You should have the woods to yourself for as long as you need them.”

“Unfortunately, I don’t think that’s true.” He caught her up to speed on what he’d seen at Mountain View Pizza.

“That logger is an opportunistic slug.” Isabel’s voice was full of disgust. “I know Noah wouldn’t have said anything to anyone.”

“Me too. It had to be the logger from the empty trailer. He’s the one who is here with that team, trying to get his slice of the pie.”

“How do we poison his slice?” Isabel asked. “Better yet, how do we avoid any of them getting their hands on the pie?”

“Well, they can’t dig on your grandfather’s land if he doesn’t give permission.”

“Easy then,” Isabel said. “No permission given.”

“Good. I wanted to make sure.”

“We only have one favorite archaeologist here at Pine River Cottages,” she said, using a promotional voice and making him smile. “No one else touches our dirt but you, Doctor Hunky.”

“God, I love you, Whisabel.”

Her laugh filled his ear as he started his jeep. “I love you too. Now hurry back with that food. I’ve got a cranky old guy here whining about pizza.”

“On my way.”

They hung up and he looked in his rearview to back out of the parking spot. As he did so, however, he caught sight of one of the cargo guys and the female exiting the restaurant.

Dammit, Kyle. Had his friend even attempted to delay these folks?

But it was okay. If Eugene hadn’t given permission to anyone else, Ward didn’t have a plan nailed down yet. For a moment, Jackson thought perhaps he was being paranoid and maybe these people weren’t here because of his dig site.

One look at their all-weather, military-grade boots, however, told him he wasn’t off the mark about them. He had pairs exactly like them for long hours on digs. Besides, there was only one reason Ward would be here in Vermont. He was a treasure seeker like Jackson, but Ward had little respect for other people and the people he’d hired to work with him had a thirst on their faces that Jackson didn’t like.

But still, without Eugene’s permission, they were all shit out of luck.

The pair crossed the street and climbed into one of the SUVs. Jackson waited a minute, observing them and wondering if Kyle had at least succeeded in containing part of the team when they didn’t emerge from the restaurant.

The SUV navigated out of the parking lot and Jackson pulled out behind them. The more he knew about them, the more he could protect his find. He tailed the SUV through the streets of Maplehaven and then off to the dirt roads. They passed by Pine River Cottages and continued on for at least ten minutes until they turned into a clearing and Jackson spied an actual campsite command post, complete with huge tents, numerous trunks no doubt full of supplies, and more heavy machinery—including logging equipment—than he’d seen at the parking lot in town.

Shit.

Ward wasn’t some small-time, underfunded archaeologist and he’d acquired an elite group of muscle. A well-stocked and no doubt determined pack of professionals most likely hired by some affluent collector. These types were known not to follow the rules. They were paid handsomely to get their hands on rare artifacts and sell them to the highest bidder. They cared little for preserving history or growing the knowledge of the past. They only cared about one thing.

Money.

They were nothing more than pirates, and with Ward as their captain now, they were here, trying to sneak onto Jackson’s dig site from the back door.

“No fucking way.” He wasn’t about to let them rob the Sadekowi tribe from getting the reverence they deserved.

Jackson made a quick U-turn and barreled back toward Pine River Cottages. When he arrived, he found Isabel coming out of the main office cottage, Blaze trotting beside her. The dog darted for him once he spotted Jackson.

“Does Eugene have the plot plans for this property somewhere handy?” he asked as she took the food from him and he bent to rub Blaze’s ears.

“Yeah. They’re in his office.” She angled her head to the cottage behind them. “Why? What’s wrong? You’re amped up right now. I thought everything was cool if we don’t give permission to those other archaeologists.” She followed him back to the main office, Blaze running ahead of them.

“I think they’re planning to dig on the property abutting this one. They could find something because I have no idea how much of this area may have evidence of the Sadekowi buried beneath the ground.”

Isabel set the food on the front desk and led him to her grandfather’s office. She pointed to the back wall where the plot plan was hanging in a frame. “We’re here.” She circled a spot on the map with her index finger. Using that same fingertip, she traced the property line. “It goes all the way to here and cuts over this way.” She tapped the right side of the plan.

Jackson stepped closer to get a better look. Once he got oriented, he pointed to the area beyond the far border. “I followed a few members of their team to here so they’re definitely not on your grandfather’s land.”

“How do we get them out of here?” Isabel asked as Blaze jumped up to rest his paws on the window sill and look outside. “This is your find.”

Her loyalty made him feel slightly better. “I’ll increase my efforts. If I can find more than small artifacts and get the article I’ve almost written out there, then I will have stamped my name on the find before they have a chance to.”

“Okay. What do you need? An excavator?”

“Why? Can you get one? They’ve already hired McCreary.”

“This is Maplehaven, Jackson. Like one in five guys has an excavator.”

“True.” Jackson nibbled on his lower lip, watching Blaze’s tail swish back and forth as he barked at something he saw outside. “I promised Eugene I wouldn’t make a mess back there.”

“It’s just moving dirt around, right?” She led him back to the front desk and picked up the food. “He’s back at his cottage. Let’s give him his pizza and catch him while he’s distracted by pepperoni.” Patting her thigh, she said, “C’mon, Blaze.”

The dog scurried from the window and followed them outside. Blaze made a beeline for Eugene’s cottage, a few more stray barks sounding as he ran.

Jackson walked beside Isabel as they headed for Eugene’s cottage as well. “Have I told you how awesome you are?”

“Not today. No.” She cupped her ear. “So go ahead and say it. I’m listening.”

Instead, he dropped a loud, sloppy kiss to her cheek. Then he whispered. “You’re awesome, Isabel Perri.”

She opened the door of her grandfather’s cottage. Blaze shot inside and immediately put his nose to the ground, sniffing around.

“Pizza’s here!” Isabel looked around the living room, but Eugene wasn’t on the couch. He wasn’t in the kitchen or in his bedroom or Isabel’s room. The bathroom was empty as well. “I’m going to strangle him. I told him to wait right here for lunch.” She pushed opened the back door to check outside and Jackson followed, but her grandfather wasn’t out there either.

“Eugene,” he called.

“Maybe a guest needed him,” Isabel said. “I’ll poke around the cottages.”

“I’ll help.” But before they could leave, Jackson spotted Blaze licking a spot of wood floor by the back door. “What’s he got over there?”

“Probably something one of us spilled.” Isabel made her way back toward the dog. “What have you got, Blaze?” She kneeled for a second then shot to her feet. “Jackson! It’s blood!”

Chapter Fourteen

Pushing Blaze away from the blood, Isabel opened the back door and looked more carefully. Sure enough, two more splotches of blood dotted the ground and a path of flattened grass led into the woods.

As if someone had been dragged.

Isabel put a hand over her mouth to stifle the sob threatening to rip from her throat. Coming unglued wouldn’t help Grandpa, but those blood spots weren’t small. How hurt was her grandfather when he’d been ripped from his home?

“Stay put,” Jackson said, after kneeling over the blood. “Call Donovan and tell him everything I told you about that archaeological team and Doctor Ward. Tell him we think they have Eugene.” He breezed by her, but she snagged his arm before he could enter the cottage again.

“Wait! Are we sure they have Grandpa?”

“They’re the only suspicious group that has suddenly shown up in this town,” he said. “Were you with Eugene the whole time I was gone this afternoon?”

She shook her head. “No. I tended to a few guest cottages after you left while Grandpa was in his office. Then we met up at the office, but he came back here. He was going to make us some healthy brownies to have after our lunch.” She opened the cottage door and entered, walking to the kitchen.

Isabel had only checked the kitchen briefly when they’d first arrived, looking primarily for her grandfather. Now that she stepped all the way into the room, evidence of Grandpa’s baking attempt was clear. The kitchen counter was littered with brownie ingredients. Almond flour, cocoa powder, eggs, coconut sugar. Several eggs were cracked, their gloppy insides smeared down the front of a lower cupboard. The bag of sugar had been ripped, grains crunching under Isabel’s sneakers. Dusty white fingerprints covered the edge of the counter as if Grandpa had been grabbing on to something to keep from being pulled away.

That sob came out now. The thought of Grandpa having to fight off someone was too much to take.

Strong arms came around her from behind. “We’ll find him, Isabel. I promise you.” Jackson tugged her away from the mess. “Call Donovan and don’t touch anything in here.” He pressed a kiss to the back of her neck then released her.

“Where are you going?” She pulled out her phone to call Donovan.

“I know where their camp is. I’m going to head there. I showed you where it is on the plot plan. You show the police.”

The smart thing to do was to wait for the police, but every minute Grandpa was gone was a minute he could be hurt. Or worse. She didn’t want Jackson to go, but if he stayed, Grandpa might be the one to pay the price.

A look passed between them. One that said I love you and be careful.

Jackson ran for the front door and shut it before Blaze could follow him. His jeep engine roared to life outside. She hated the idea of Jackson going anywhere near people who would hurt and kidnap an old man. That had her hitting Donovan’s contact right away.

“Hey, Isabel,” Donovan said.

“Someone has my grandfather,” she blurted.

“What?”

“My grandfather. Someone has taken him.” She launched into the story of the archaeological team, Doctor Leon Ward, and what Jackson had found in the woods when he’d followed some of them. She told Donovan about not being able to find Grandpa and the blood on the floor and outside. About the signs of struggle in the kitchen and the flattened grass behind the cottage. About Jackson going to the campsite by himself.

“Shit,” Donovan said. “I’m on my way. You stay put.”

He was the second Henley brother to tell her to stay put, but it was her grandfather who was missing. Her family. She needed to do something besides sit around. With his heart in tender condition and him recently overexerting himself, Grandpa was already in a compromised position. Being ripped from his cottage and dragged off certainly wasn’t good for him.

Blaze let out a whine by the back door. He paced to Isabel then back to the door, his ears twitching and his tail flicking. Australian Kelpies loved to have a job and Blaze had proven he was good at finding stuff like the first dagger.

Isabel grabbed his leash, clipped it to his collar, and the two of them burst out the back door of the cottage. Blaze’s nose led them right to the flattened grass and Isabel jogged along behind the dog. He veered off the trail a couple of times, but always came back to where the brush had been disturbed, twigs had been snapped, wildflowers crushed. She pictured her grandfather held by two assholes, one on either side of him, as his legs dragged, cutting this path. Had they knocked him out? Fortunately, she hadn’t seen more blood so hopefully her grandfather wasn’t severely wounded. Maybe it wasn’t his blood they’d seen back at the cottage.

Please don’t make it be his blood.

She’d been scared finding him passed out on his couch and having to take him to the hospital, but that was nothing compared to this. All the unknowns. Where was he? Who exactly had taken him? Was he going to survive? Isabel nearly crumpled to her knees over fear for her grandfather’s safety.

But she had to keep going. Blaze moved at a good clip, his nose clearly on a scent trail leading them somewhere. What would she do when she got to that somewhere though? She had no weapons and she wasn’t keen on the idea of using a weapon anyway. She’d have to let talking be her defense. She’d give them whatever they wanted as long as they gave Grandpa back.

Blaze slowed his pace, but his sniffing had grown more frantic, as if the scent had gotten stronger. A break in the trees ahead gave Isabel a glimpse into an area active with people. She tugged on Blaze’s leash and made the dog sit beside her. He pulled a little, wanting to continue forward, but when she rubbed his ear and whispered good boy, he settled a bit. His entire body was stiff though, ready to do whatever Isabel commanded.

Crouching behind a wide maple tree, she peeked at the scene before her. The campsite was as Jackson had described it with big tents and even bigger equipment. From what she saw, this team planned to desecrate the woods to find any hidden treasures. A completely different approach than Jackson had taken. In his respect for her grandfather’s land, he’d treated his find like a small-scale operation and now he risked losing it to these bastards.

Not happening.

Squinting, Isabel searched for signs of her grandfather, but people in cargo pants and black T-shirts hauling smaller equipment around were all she found. They appeared to be doing prep work then an excavator rumbled to life, its giant tank-like wheels rolling it off the trailer it was on.

With a glance to her right, Isabel spotted the property markers—bright neon pink blazes on trees, outlining the boundaries of her grandfather’s land. That excavator headed straight for those blazes. If they touched a single tree on Grandpa’s land, she’d be well within her rights to make her presence known and ask some simple questions. That was a better plan than demanding a group of cutthroats return her abducted grandfather.

Rising to her feet as that excavator edged ever closer to the line, Isabel prepared to step out of the safety of the trees. A twig snapped behind her, however, and she spun around. Before her mind registered the enormity of the man standing amidst the trees, Blaze snapped loose of her grip and charged the guy. A fierce growl grated out of Blaze—a sound Isabel had never heard before. The man braced his legs and raised his arm, preparing to swat her dog out of the way, but Blaze leaped into the air, his jaws snapping. When he landed in front of the guy, Blaze clamped his teeth onto the man’s thigh.

A roar of pain echoed from the dude’s throat and Isabel yelled, “Blaze! C’mon, boy! Come back here!”

Blaze unhinged his jaw and released the man who had dropped to his knees, his hands immediately going to the bloody bite marks the dog had left behind. With blood marking his mouth, Blaze ran back toward Isabel, but he kept turning back to make sure the guy was still down. He circled around Isabel a few times as if defining a protective bubble.

That man wasn’t going to stay down long and Isabel wasn’t going to stick around so he could grab her. “C’mon, Blaze.” She took the dog’s leash and unclipped it. Clearly her dog needed the freedom to do what he could on this rescue mission. She coiled the leash and shoved it into her pocket as she peeked through the trees at that excavator still nearing the property line. She had to stop it before it took trees down, before it entered her grandfather’s land, before it took what didn’t belong to this vile team.

Without further hesitation, Isabel burst from the woods into the clearing with Blaze running by her side. She flapped her arms over her head, waving wildly to get the excavator operator’s attention. As the machine slowed its progress, a bunch of cargo-clad individuals headed her way.

Shit. It was as if she’d kicked a beehive.

The excavator’s engine simmered down as it idled and two team members emerged from the group jogging toward her. Blaze let out a growl beside her, but she touched his ear and he sat beside her, once again with muscles tensed and ready to pounce.

“Excuse me!” she said when the two team members were within shouting distance. She gave them a smile. “Hi. I’m sorry, but this is private property behind me and it looks as if your excavator there is about to steamroll on through. Guess there’s been a mixup.” She chuckled, going for a neighborly misunderstanding vibe she hoped would buy her some time.

“We have permission to work here,” a tall, muscular woman said, her features stern.

The man who had sidled up next to the woman was as big as the guy in the woods. Were all these workers former kickboxing champions?

“I’m not sure that’s accurate,” Isabel said, still throwing off a confused energy. “This property belongs to my grandfather and it’s part of his business. I’m certain he wouldn’t allow excavation right now. He has a full set of guests down at the cottages too so he wouldn’t want all the noise to disturb his paying customers.”

Now buzz off.  She smiled sweetly at them.

Unfortunately, their faces remained carved in stone, their gazes unwavering and ten different levels of unfriendly.

“We can show you our paperwork,” the woman said.

“I’d love to see it,” Isabel replied, still trying to be upbeat.

“Right this way.” The man arced an arm toward one of the large tents on the campsite.

Isabel didn’t love the idea of going any deeper onto the premises, but she’d effectively halted their progress for the moment and had to roll with it. Blaze followed closely beside her as she was led toward that main tent. Isabel’s gaze swept the area, looking for signs of Grandpa and of course finding none.

Where was Jackson? Donovan? Maplehaven Police? Shouldn’t they have been here by now? Isabel wanted the police handcuffing all these jerks and ripping through this camp to find Grandpa.

“Please,” the woman said. “Come inside.”

Isabel gave the tent a wary glance. Every instinct told her to stay outside, that the sunshine was safer than the interior of that tent, but the more she played at being a concerned neighbor, the longer she delayed them getting onto her grandfather’s land and Jackson’s dig site. If the team was busy dealing with her, hopefully no one was hurting Grandpa wherever he was.

She ducked her head and passed through the tent opening the woman held aside for her. Blaze wiggled in, his nose in the air as if he smelled something important.

Is Grandpa here, boy?

The inside of the tent was spacious and set up with workstations including computers and other gadgets she assumed were used in archaeology. She was led to a central table where an older man—no doubt the Doctor Ward that Jackson had described—stood with a spread of books open before him.

“This is the granddaughter,” the woman said.

Doctor Ward looked at Isabel over the glasses resting on the end of his nose. “Ah, yes. We’ve been expecting you.”

The group of cargo-clad minions formed a semi-circle behind Isabel, blocking the main exit and abandoning all pretense of taking her to see the so-called permission they had to dig on her grandfather’s land. Aggression came off them now and Blaze sensed it too because the dog pressed his side into Isabel’s leg and let out a few warning barks at the soldier-like group.

“You have my grandfather,” she said plainly.

“We do,” Doctor Ward said. “We found him to be uncooperative when we visited him earlier.” He waved a hand to the henchmen around them. “As you can see, cooperation is vital to my work.”

“So is getting the proper permission to dig,” Isabel said. “You don’t have that.”

“Oh no?” Doctor Ward rifled through some papers on the table in front of him. He extracted one and held it up for Isabel to see. “That looks like the signature of one Eugene Perri, owner and operator of one Pine River Cottages, to me, doesn’t it?”

Isabel didn’t entertain looking at the signature. “You forced him to sign that.”

“Forced? No. Bargained? Yes.” Doctor Ward set the paper down on the table again.

“I don’t call what you’re doing bargaining,” Isabel said. “I call it abducting.”

“A difference of opinion then.”

“Where is my grandfather?”

Doctor Ward grinned and Isabel’s skin prickled though it was warm inside the tent. This guy was pure slime. “We’ll do one better than tell you where he is.” He motioned to the man and woman who had approached Isabel first.

Hands clamped painfully onto her biceps and Blaze instantly went feral, his barking vicious as he snapped at anyone getting within range. Isabel struggled against her attackers, but they were much stronger, easily lifting her off her feet. Blaze bit the man holding her on the arm, but another team member took a swing at the dog with a shovel. Dodging the blow, Blaze darted past the other team members who tried to hit him and slipped out of the tent, leaving Isabel alone.

“Not exactly woman’s best friend, is he?” Doctor Ward shook his head. “Pity you didn’t bring Doctor Henley with you instead. He’s always so chivalrous. I’m certain he wouldn’t have abandoned you here with us.” A few laughs filtered through the group. “He always comes off looking like a hero.” The man’s tone had gone from smug to downright pissed off.

“You’re here to take this site from Jackson because you don’t like him?”

“Indeed,” Doctor Ward said. “Doctor Henley was on to something big in Brazil. Until I got his funding cut. My team enjoyed finishing the dig for him and our findings are about to be published, but of course, Doctor Henley always lands on his feet.” He removed his glasses and rolled his eyes. “I thought his retreat to this insignificant town would keep him in the shadows for a while, but naturally, artifacts jump into his lap apparently.”

“So you’re going to steal his site?”

“That’s the general plan and it appears to be going quite well.” Doctor Ward motioned to the two who had a grip on Isabel. “She wants to see her grandfather. Go take her.”

Isabel was yanked away from Doctor Ward and paraded out of the tent. She did her best to not be easy cargo to tote, but her captors outmuscled and outweighed her.

And her dog had left her behind.

“What do we do when Henley shows up?” another team member asked as Isabel was hauled toward another tent.

Doctor Ward swatted at a fly, catching it in his palm, squeezing then letting the dead insect drop to the ground. “What we should have done already.”

****

Jackson jumped at the loud pop that echoed through the woods then wrestled with his jeep’s steering wheel as the vehicle skidded off the dirt road. Hopping out, he let loose a stream of foul words at the torn-to-shreds front driver’s side tire. What in the actual fuck had decimated the rubber like that?

Kneeling, Jackson inspected the wheel, groaning at the metal spike wedged into the rubber. This was no random accident. Someone had been planning for his arrival. They’d probably seen him tailing them earlier. Well, he was good and ready to crash Ward’s party.

He walked around the jeep, careful where he stepped and hoping there were no more metal spikes set to launch. He’d have to go the rest of the way on foot which would delay him, but he had no choice. Waiting for Donovan meant waiting to rescue Eugene and if that blood had been his back at the cottage, the man might need immediate attention.

Of all the times Ward could have chosen Jackson as a target, why the hell did it have to be this time, this place? Maplehaven shouldn’t have been on Ward’s radar.

And it probably hadn’t been. Not until that pissed off logger had talked to someone who had connections to Ward.

Now Eugene was in trouble. A trouble Jackson had brought right to the man’s freaking doorstep. He knew Ward was unscrupulous, having been involved in several controversies over the years, but abducting an innocent old man to steal a find was the lowest.

Scraping his shins on thorny brush, Jackson pressed onward. Every second he spent trying to get to the campsite was a second something bad could be happening to Eugene. He quickened his pace, then an auburn streak galloped into his path, making him stumble to a stop.

“Blaze!”

The dog barked and raced away from Jackson then back then away. He barked more, spit flying from his mouth.

His bloodied mouth.

“Fuck.” Jackson instantly knew Isabel was in trouble. If the dog was out here, so was Isabel. If the dog was alone out here, Isabel needed help. “Where is she, boy?”

Blaze took off in the direction he’d come from, circling back to Jackson every few moments to make sure he was following.

“I’m right behind you, buddy. Take me to her.”

When Jackson was sure his lungs would burst and his legs wouldn’t carry him any farther, man and dog reached the fringes of the campsite. Jackson managed to keep Blaze from running right into plain view then the pup growled at something off to their right. Creeping toward the dog, Jackson found a large indentation in the brush and fresh blood dotting the wide leaves of some ferns.

Was that Eugene’s blood? Isabel’s? Both possible scenarios made Jackson sick to his stomach. It had been bad enough thinking these thugs had their hands on Eugene. To think they had Isabel too made Jackson downright unhinged.

The time to stomp into that campsite had come. He didn’t have a good plan. He didn’t have any plan at all. All Jackson knew was he needed Eugene and Isabel to be okay.

With Blaze racing ahead, he stepped forward, but an arm hooked around his waist and pulled him back. Instinctively, Jackson fought against the hold, kicking a leg back and connecting with something solid.

“Goddammit, Jackson.”

He spun around to find Donovan bent in half and rubbing his shin. Several uniformed cops stood behind his brother.

“We have to get Eugene and Isabel,” Jackson said.

“Isabel is in there too? I told her to stay put.” Donovan shook out his leg and straightened to his full height.

“Yeah, so did I, but her grandfather is missing,” Jackson said. “Her only family. Would you stay put under those circumstances?”

“No.” Donovan motioned to the assembled officers to move forward. “I suppose I can’t convince you to run back to one of the squad cars and wait inside, can I?”

“No way.”

“Fine. Stay close and don’t do anything stupid.”

Jackson was about to protest that order, but Donovan shook his head. “Say one word and I’ll slap cuffs on you and have you hauled to a car. I’ll do it.”

Biting his lips, Jackson nodded and crouched beside his brother as they scanned the campsite.

“How many do you see?” Donovan asked a nearby officer with binoculars.

“Four stationed outside that main tent, two at the one next to it,” the officer reported. “No way to tell how many are inside the tents though.”

“There’s a way,” Donovan said. “I don’t like it, but it’s our only option.”

With only hand signals, Donovan’s team advanced onto the campsite. “Police!” he shouted to identify their presence. He had a gun raised and this was the first time Jackson had seen his brother wielding a weapon. Of course, he understood being a detective meant his brother owned a gun, but seeing it in his hands, pointed at bad guys, made Jackson feel as if he’d slipped into a movie.

The two closest guards at the main tent put their hands up, revealing they had no weapons in hand. Jackson was confident they both had weapons on them somewhere, however. Ward wouldn’t want unarmed mercenaries for his dirty work.

“On your knees.” Donovan motioned for some of his team to grab this pair.

Jackson didn’t understand why the guards were so quick to concede, but when he looked over his shoulder, more cops emerged from the tree line circling the camp from all sides. In that moment, Jackson had immeasurable respect for his brother. He’d called in an army of officers to save Eugene and Isabel.

With more signaling, Donovan sent officers inside the main tent and several to handle the second tent. Jackson stuck close by his brother, but the moment he saw Ward, he lost it.

“What the fuck, Ward?” he yelled. “What do you think you’re doing here?”

“Why, archaeology, of course.” Ward’s nonchalant attitude made Jackson’s temper flare.

“No, what you’re doing is not archaeology. You’re doing business. With other scumbags like you.”

Ward shrugged. “Not everything belongs in a museum, Henley.”

“Not when you can get a hefty sum for it,” Jackson spat back.

“Precisely.” Ward took a bold step forward.

“Stay right there,” Donovan warned. “You’re under arrest.”

“Am I?” Ward raised his eyebrows. “Under what charge?”

“Where are they?” Jackson cut in. “Where are Eugene and Isabel?”

“We have reason to believe you have the Perris, against their will, on your premises,” Donovan said.

“Reason to believe and hard evidence are two different things,” Ward said. “Search the area. I have nothing to hide.”

“Bullshit,” Jackson said.

Donovan nodded to a nearby officer and several cops broke away from the group to search the campsite. “Let me see your permission to be on this land.”

Slowly, Ward backed toward a table and produced two sheets which he promptly presented to Donovan.

It took all of Jackson’s resolve not to ratchet his arm back and sock Ward in the face. He’d run into the guy on several occasions. Never liked him and certainly didn’t approve of his philosophy of what archaeology was.

“He’s got signatures here,” Donovan said, handing the paperwork to Jackson.

“Eugene didn’t sign that,” Jackson said. “Or if he did, it was because he was bullied into it.” He shot a glare to Ward. “Did you threaten him? Did you threaten to hurt Isabel?” It was then that Jackson noticed the bandaged arm of one of Ward’s men. A man Blaze wouldn’t take his eyes off.

“People make decisions all the time, Doctor Henley,” Ward said. “Perhaps Mr. Perri simply saw a chance to make his mark on history by allowing a larger and more expert team to take control of the discoveries made on his land.”

Jackson surged forward, but between Donovan grabbing him and two of Ward’s cargo brigade stepping in front of the man, he didn’t get a chance to make contact. Blaze let out a growl then bolted from the tent.

“Everything is under control,” Donovan said to him. “The doctor here has granted us permission to search his campsite. He’s being cooperative.”

Jackson hated what Donovan was saying, but he noted the look in his brother’s eyes. The look that said he didn’t believe Ward was legit in any way, shape, or form, but he was trying to stay within the law.

The tension in the tent rose as they waited for reports from the officers searching the campsite. When neither Eugene nor Isabel was found, however, Jackson lost his patience.

“Look, my girlfriend and her grandfather are missing,” he said. “On the day you all fucking show up in town.” He pointed to Ward. “You heard about my find and you’ll do whatever the hell you can to move in on it.” He threw his hands out to his sides. “Well, you can fucking have it. Tell me where Eugene and Isabel are, please.” He loathed the defeat, the begging in his voice, but he’d try anything to get the people he loved back.

Even give up his find.

“How noble,” Ward said. “But I don’t need your permission, Henley. I have the old man’s and it’s officially his land.”

“Okay. Then why do you still need to hang on to Isabel and Eugene. You have what you want. Let them go.”

“But your investigation hasn’t turned up either of the Perris. I can’t let go of what I don’t have.”

“Dammit, Ward!”

Jackson moved like lightning, surging forward and plowing into Ward, knocking the man to the ground. He got in one good punch, but then found himself being lifted off the other man and restrained. A police officer had him on one side and one of Ward’s men had him on the other. And here Jackson was, stuck between the lawful and the unlawful.

Distant barking reminded him Blaze was with them. These assholes better not be hurting that dog on top of hiding Eugene and Isabel somewhere.

Ward got to his feet with the help of one of his goons. He dusted off his pants and wiped the blood from the lip Jackson had split. “Officer,” he said to Donovan, “I’d like to report an assault on my person.”

“Shut up,” Donovan said. “I have no doubts you probably deserved that punch.”

“All these witnesses might say otherwise.” Ward gestured to his people.

“What did he promise you all that you’re so brainwashed?” Jackson asked as he strained against the two dudes holding him. “Open your damn eyes. He’s crooked.”

“I think I’ve been more than accommodating, Officer,” Ward said, ignoring Jackson and addressing Donovan. “You asked me questions, I answered. You asked for permissions, I showed them to you. You asked to search my operation here, I granted you that. Unless you plan to make an arrest here, I suggest you leave our camp.”

Donovan grumbled. “Something doesn’t smell right here, Ward.”

“Last I checked, a smell isn’t enough to indicate any wrongdoing.”

Barking echoed again and Jackson shrugged free of the two men holding him. “But a dog’s sense of smell might uncover something.” He marched past the police and Ward’s people and exited the tent. Scanning, he found Blaze barking wildly near a neat pile of storage trunks, ones that were used on bigger digs.

Jackson ran toward the dog and the trunks. He immediately noticed scuff marks in the ground, suggesting the trunks had been slid around some. Motioning to nearby officers, he enlisted their help in moving the trunks to reveal a hatch door.

“Son of a bitch.” He dropped to his knees and pounded on the door. “Isabel? Eugene?”

“Jackson?” Isabel’s voice was muffled, but he was thrilled to have found her. If she could answer him, perhaps she hadn’t been hurt.

Blaze barked up a storm and pawed the ground as if he was about to dig his mama free with his own claws.

Jackson pulled at the ring on the door, but it didn’t budge. He leaned over the door and fingered a keyhole. “Get me the goddamn key!”

“I’ve got your key.”

Something poked him in the back and when he turned around the nose of a rifle was aimed at his chest.

There was a split second where everyone—each cop, each team member, even Jackson—went silent and still. In the next breath, activity broke out everywhere. Guns were drawn, punches were thrown, all-out combat ensued around Jackson as he stared at the nose of that rifle.

“Doctor Ward gave the okay to waste you, Henley,” the huge, bandaged guy holding the rifle said. “I think there will be a little extra in my paycheck this week if I pull the trigger.”

“Maybe so,” Jackson said, “but that extra coin isn’t going to buy your way out of Hell.”

“Jackson!” Isabel’s voice reached him and he could barely swallow around the lump in his throat. If he died right now, Isabel and Eugene might perish down there. If he died right now, he might never hear Isabel say his name again.

If he died right now, he’d lose everything.

Chapter Fifteen

Jackson squeezed his eyes closed. I love you, Isabel. He launched to his feet, grabbing the nose of the rifle and jerking it toward the sky. Still forcing the gun away from him, he swept his leg out in front of him and hooked his foot on the back of the gunman’s calf. Using all his strength, he yanked and his attacker lost his balance. Jackson had but a moment to surge forward, taking advantage of this guy’s unsteadiness, and bring the asshole to the ground. He twisted the rifle free and used the butt end of it to crack at least a few of his assailant’s ribs. For good measure, he kicked at the man’s bandaged arm, pulling a howl of pain from the guy.

Angling the nose of the rifle at the man, Jackson said, “Now where are the goddamn keys?”

The man put his hands up then slowly moved one to his belt. He unclipped a set of keys and threw them so Jackson had to scramble after them. He stumbled to his knees, put down the rifle, and scooped up the keys, but a pair of boots stepped on his hand, grinding the keys into his palm.

He bit his bottom lip to keep from screaming as the metal gouged his flesh. Looking up, Jackson found Ward grinning down at him while an all-out war rumbled around them between the police and Ward’s team members.

“I never liked you, Henley,” Ward said. “You’ve put some extremely valuable pieces under museum care. Pieces I could have sold for billions. Preserving history is nice and all, but lining pockets is way more practical.”

Jackson made a move to rip his hand free, but a click had him freezing. Slowly he looked up to stare down another gun barrel, this one a small handgun Ward held.

“You’ve gotten away with a lot so far,” Jackson said. “But I doubt murder will be so easily hidden.” He waved his free hand to the scene around him. “Especially with all these cops around.”

“These cops appear to be pretty well distracted by my team,” Ward said. “Besides, my people are well paid to tell my version of events. I’m not concerned.”

Jackson was concerned, however. Extremely. Isabel and Eugene were still stuck in that underground cell. Chaos had broken out around him. Donovan was in the fray somewhere. Ward planned to kill him. If he didn’t turn things around here, tragedy would win the day.

Ward increased the pressure of his foot on Jackson’s hand, crushing his knuckles and making those keys tear into his palm. A strangled howl tore from Jackson’s throat.

No. Wait. That wasn’t a human howl.

With a growl worthy of a werewolf, Blaze launched himself onto Ward’s back, making the man hunch forward. It was enough of a move to free Jackson’s hand. Jackson leaped to his feet, ready to join Blaze in taking Ward down, but a shot sounded behind him and searing pain lanced through Jackson’s left shoulder. He slapped his hand to the ache, his palm coming away bloody. The team member he’d tripped to the ground sneered at him, the rifle in his hands, then the guy passed out.

“Fuck!” The wound wasn’t enough to take Jackson out of the fight, but it hurt like hell, reduced his arm mobility, and did wonders to bring a dormant beast in him raging to the surface.

He charged Ward while Blaze bit at anything he could reach. Knocking the man to the ground and grabbing the handgun, Jackson ignored the fire in his shoulder, the blood soaking his T-shirt, and the pain in his gouged hand. He pressed the gun to Ward’s throat as he held the man down with his knee to Ward’s chest.

“The only thing these excavators are going to dig, Ward,” Jackson said, “is your fucking grave.” He was about to pull the trigger and give the world one less asshole to worry about, but a loud, rhythmic pulse filled the sky above the campsite. Squinting into the sun, Jackson made out four helicopters hovering overhead. They lowered and uniformed, armed soldiers poured out of three of the choppers. They fanned out, taking control of the situation.

The fourth bird—a smaller, non-military one—landed, its rotors stirring up dirt then winding down to a stop. The pilot jumped out and looked around.

“What is this? A live-action video game?”

“Charlie?” Jackson got to his feet as two soldiers grabbed Ward and yanked him to his feet. “What the hell are you doing here?”

“Saving the day apparently.” She pulled a pair of sunglasses up, pushing her short black hair away from her face. “Though it seems you had the villain all handled. Very good.” She gestured to Ward being carted away as Blaze snarled and nipped at the man’s legs.

“How did you . . .?” Jackson’s brain felt like oatmeal, his shoulder had a five-alarm blaze happening inside it, and his hands shook. He’d almost pulled the trigger on Ward. He’d almost killed a guy.

For Eugene. For Isabel.

“I have a police scanner because I help out on rescues and shit,” Charlie said. “When I heard the deets about all this,” she said as she waved a hand to soldiers and police officers rounding up team members, “I didn’t like how close it was to Eugene’s property. When I called Pine River Cottages, Eugene, and Isabel and didn’t get replies, I knew something bad was going down.”

“So you brought the military?”

“Hey, I have friends in high places.” Charlie shrugged. “Now let’s get you some medical attention.”

“No.” Jackson whipped around and searched the ground. Finding the keys, he grabbed them. “Eugene and Isabel need help first.” He hurried to the hatch and dropped to his knees, feeling a little dizzy when blood dripped from his shoulder and hand and hit the hatch door.

Grinding his teeth against the pain and nausea, Jackson used one hand to try a few keys until he found the one that fit. Charlie grabbed the ring on the door and pulled the hatch open.

“Isabel!” Jackson shouted into the darkness.

Light hit her face when Charlie shined her phone flashlight into the cell. “Jackson?”

“Hey, we need a hand over here!” Charlie yelled to a nearby soldier.

“Are you hurt?” Jackson asked Isabel.

“No. Grandpa is a little banged up, but he’s okay,” Isabel said. “Are you bleeding?”

“It’s just a flesh wound,” Charlie said. “And don’t worry. His handsome face is still intact.” She elbowed him.

“I swear when both of my arms work again,” Jackson said, “I’m going to give you such a bear hug, Charlene Moyen.”

“Don’t threaten me,” Charlie said, but she was smiling a little bit. “I saved all your asses.”

“I meant to say I’ll buy you helicopter parts,” Jackson said.

“Deal.” Charlie helped Jackson to his feet and got them both out of the way while a pair of soldiers worked on getting Isabel and Eugene out of the cell.

As they waited, Donovan came over. His shirt was filthy and ripped. His pants hadn’t fared much better, but he was in one piece, thank God.

“I had no idea archaeology geeks could be so evil,” he said, flexing a hand with split and bruised knuckles. He nodded at Charlie. “Thanks for bringing reinforcements.”

“You owe me one now,” she said.

“Probably more than one.” He focused on Jackson’s shoulder. “Which one of these bastards shot my little brother?”

“The one with the bandage on his arm,” Jackson said.

Donovan grunted and marched off, no doubt to make sure that guy’s handcuffs were extra tight.

Blaze let out a happy bark and Jackson turned his attention back to the cell where Isabel’s head was now visible. The dog licked her entire face and Jackson went to her, wanting to do pretty much the same thing.

“Isabel.” He wrapped his good arm around her, trying to keep from bleeding on her, but she put both her arms around him and squeezed him close. He rested his chin on her head and finally took a deep breath. Isabel was alive. But she almost hadn’t been.

Because of him.

She backed up a step and looked at his shoulder, her face creased with worry. “How bad is this?”

“That’s for a doctor to determine,” Charlie said. “And I’m flying you all to the hospital as soon as Eugene is out of that cell.”

Isabel whirled around to face the open hatch door where her grandfather was being assisted out. Blood matted the hair at the back of his head, and his arms were scraped up.

“Two of these monsters cornered him at his cottage,” Isabel said. “Asked him to give permission to Ward to dig on his land. When he said no, they hit him on the back of the head, knocked him out, and dragged him here.”

“I knew he wouldn’t sign that paper,” Jackson said. “Ward said he did.”

“I didn’t sign shit,” Eugene said after being led to sit on one of the nearby storage trunks and handed a bottle of water. He guzzled then wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “I like your brand of archaeology better, Jackson.”

But his archaeology was what had brought Ward’s archaeology to Maplehaven. To Eugene’s property.

“Let’s get you all checked out,” Charlie said as she helped Eugene to his feet.

Isabel hurried over to assist and slowly they made their way to Charlie’s helicopter. Blaze was the first to jump into the chopper. Charlie grabbed a medic kit she had onboard and while Isabel wiped blood away from Eugene’s head, Charlie did what she could to stop Jackson’s shoulder and hand from bleeding all over everyone on the trip to the hospital.

“Keep your arm like this,” she said, bending her own and resting it against her midsection. “I don’t have a sling for you.”

“I have this,” Isabel said, producing Blaze’s leash. She made a loop of it and slid it over Jackson’s head.

He rested his forearm in the loop and felt less pain with his arm supported now. He climbed into the chopper and after they all donned headphones, Isabel immediately took his uninjured hand.

“Thank God we all made it out of that alive. I’ve never been so scared. For my grandfather, for me, for you and Donovan.” A few tears streaked down her dirty cheeks and Blaze put his head in her lap. “You too, buddy.” She rubbed the dog’s ears.

“You didn’t stay put.” That wasn’t what Jackson had meant to say. He’d meant to console her. He’d meant to tell her nothing like this would ever happen again. He meant to say he’d devote his life to keeping her safe.

All of that was true. In order to do that, however, Isabel would need to stay put. Specifically, stay away. From him.

Jackson had always loved the excitement involved in archaeology. That was why he’d hunted down the bigger digs, chased every adventure, and didn’t mind a little danger now and then. But that was all before he had someone who could easily be put in harm’s way or used as a pawn in some idiot’s plan. That was all before he’d taken his archaeology to his quiet hometown, usually kept safe by its three mountains and remoteness. Ward had come to Maplehaven because of Jackson. No denying that. The discovery of that dagger and the other pieces had lured a shitface like Ward and his money-hungry team to a place they never would have come to otherwise.

Jackson had made Maplehaven unsafe. He’d put Isabel and Eugene in harm’s way. He’d put his brother in harm’s way. Everyone had made it out all right, but it could have easily turned out differently. Hell, he’d been shot. He’d never been shot before. If that bullet had hit a few inches closer to his sternum, Jackson wouldn’t be feeling any pain now.

He’d be dead.

A shiver rippled through his body and Isabel squeezed his hand and snuggled closer.

“I couldn’t stay put, Jackson,” Isabel said. “Not with Grandpa in trouble. He’s . . . he’s my only family. He’s always taken care of me. I didn’t save him, but at least he wasn’t alone down in that cell.” Now it was her turn to shiver. “I thought we’d never get out of there.”

Jackson gave into the urge to put his good arm around her. Eugene rested his hand on Jackson’s uninjured shoulder from his seat behind him. Though they’d all been in today’s chaos together, Jackson felt separate from Isabel and Eugene. They were the victims.

He’d been the catalyst.

Charlie lowered the chopper to the hospital’s helipad and Isabel, Eugene, and Jackson were carted into the hospital right away. Blaze stayed with Charlie and she’d promised to take him to the vet to get checked out as well. After all, the dog had done his fair share of fighting today too.

Jackson was the most seriously injured, so he was rushed off to surgery where the bullet was removed from his shoulder, his hand was tended to, and he was stitched up. Or so he was told when he woke up in recovery.

Isabel was by his bedside and though he was groggy, he knew what he had to do. He couldn’t risk something happening to her again. Besides, she had her resort dreams to make a reality. She’d be moving on from Maplehaven to build her business and live her life.

He needed to do the same. He’d donate the few pieces he’d found in Pine River Cottages’ woods to any museum that wanted them. He’d claim he’d found everything there was to find in those woods to keep others from investigating and he’d be done with his research into the Sadekowi tribe.

Jackson hadn’t secured any funding to continue his work elsewhere, but he did have that text message from Asherfield University in D.C. The one he’d saved. The one with the professorship opportunity. Such a job didn’t light a passion within him, but it would be steady pay and keep him from bringing anymore trouble to Maplehaven and the people he loved.

****

Isabel brought a breakfast of oatmeal and toast to Grandpa where he sat at the kitchen table the next morning. His head injury had been deemed minor at the hospital yesterday and after insisting his cardiologist take a look at him too, Eugene had been cleared to come home. Isabel had begged Jackson to stay with her at her grandfather’s cottage so she could take care of both of them, but he’d gone back to his cottage instead. Something about not wanting to keep her awake if he couldn’t sleep due to his shoulder. She’d insisted she didn’t care. She’d just wanted to have him close, but since the helicopter ride, something wasn’t right.

Maybe Jackson was just upset about Ward. Perhaps he was freaked from being shot. In either case, Isabel had wanted to be there for him. He’d risked his life trying to save them by coming to that campsite. She needed him to understand how grateful she was for his attempt to rescue her and her grandfather. Charlie wouldn’t have known to come if the police scanner hadn’t alerted her. The police scanner wouldn’t have broadcast the details if Isabel hadn’t called Donovan. She wouldn’t have called Donovan if Jackson hadn’t told her to. It had all traced back to him and his willingness to help her find her grandfather.

“Have you talked to him?” Grandpa asked, angling his head in the direction of Jackson’s cottage next door.

“No,” she said. “I’ve texted a few times, but he hasn’t answered. Maybe he’s exhausted and sleeping.” Sleep would be good for his injury too. She didn’t want to disturb him, but she ached to see Jackson. To reassure herself he was, in fact, all right.

To reassure herself they were all right.

“Go check on him.” Grandpa stirred maple syrup into his oatmeal. “I’m fine here, Isabel. I promise.”

“Every time I leave you alone, you get into trouble, Grandpa.”

“More like trouble finds me. I’m not actively trying to get into it.” He patted her hand. “Go. I’m going to sit right here and eat this lovely breakfast my lovely granddaughter made for me.”

“Okay.” She kissed Grandpa’s cheek. “I’ll be right back.” Stopping at Blaze’s bed in the living room, she crouched to nuzzle the dog’s nose. “You watch over Grandpa, Blazey-Blaze. Mama will be right back.”

The dog licked her cheek and she scratched his furry chin, making his yellow-green eyes close. His vet visit hadn’t turned up any serious injuries. Just a few scrapes that had been cleaned after a kind vet tech had given Blaze a full bath. He smelled soapy and a little minty, but Isabel knew that wouldn’t last.

She stepped out of her grandfather’s cottage. The sun was pretty warm today and she caught sight of guests—two adults, two children—at the cottage across the main area loading up their car with chairs, towels, and a cooler. They were no doubt headed to Brenton Lake’s small beach area, roped off for swimming and chilling on the shore during the summer. It was a cute spot and one she’d included in the updated brochure.

Isabel took a few moments to survey Pine River Cottages fanned out around her. It wasn’t a big operation. Never had been. But with the plot plan from her grandfather’s office in mind, Isabel let her imagination wander. They had room to make a few more circles of cottages like this original one on the property, increasing the number of guests they could host. The circles could be connected with cute paths lined with rustic fencing.

A heated, indoor pool facility would be a big draw and usable even during cold Vermont winters. Hot tubs would be a nice touch behind the cottages too. Isabel had established a few ties to local businesses such as Aliza’s studio and Dakota’s adventure company and she’d done that in a matter of days. With a little more thought and more time, she could make other connections like those and open up a whole banquet of activities for travelers of all kinds. Right here. At Pine River Cottages.

Pine River Cottages and Mountain Resort . . .

She didn’t have to find a location for her dream. It was here. Right under her feet. She could be close to Grandpa and he could be a part of everything as she made what he’d started into a long-lasting, profitable business that brought happiness, relaxation, and mountain-style adventure to tourists and locals alike. She was certain Grandpa would be onboard. He’d lamented to her over how slow business had been. An idea like this would reinvigorate everything. The business plan she’d made would easily apply to this place with a few tweaks.

She’d get started as soon as Jackson was done searching the property for more Sadekowi artifacts. Turning toward his cottage, eager to tell him of her great idea, Isabel took a few steps in that direction before she noticed Jackson’s Wrangler wasn’t in the driveway. Where could he have gone so early? With that injured shoulder and hand, he should definitely be taking it easy. She knew she should have forced him to stay with her last night.

She jogged over to the cottage and knocked on the door. “Jackson?” She waited a few moments, but she didn’t hear him stirring inside. Pulling out her phone, she checked for messages or calls from him, but she found none. The excitement over her resort idea faded as she considered where Jackson could be. Had his shoulder or hand not been okay? Had he gone back to the hospital? Had he taken his jeep into the woods to check out the dig site? Was he with his family?

Isabel dialed his number, but it still went directly to voicemail. She walked around his cottage, but the only tire tracks she saw were on the dirt road leading away from the cottage toward the main gates, not into the woods.

She hit Christian’s contact and headed for Grandpa’s cottage.

“Hey, Isabel. How’s the patient?” Christian asked.

“You mean you haven’t seen or spoken to Jackson?” She turned and jogged to the main office cottage.

“No. Why? Is he okay?”

“I was going to ask you that. He’s not at his cottage and his jeep is gone.”

“Son of a bitch,” Christian hissed.

“What? What’s going on?”

“He left. The bugger left.” Christian blew out a frustrated breath. “I thought we’d actually keep him here long-term this time, but I guess not.”

“Wait. You’re saying he left Vermont? Left Maplehaven? Just like that? Without a word to anyone?” Without a word to me? She burst into the main office and grabbed the second set of keys to Jackson’s cottage.

“He’s done that dozens of times before,” Christian said. “We get him for a quick hit, then some archaeological nugget catches his attention and he’s off. Then we get a brief text or email with his whereabouts.”

“And that’s it? You guys all accept that he just leaves?”

“We don’t have a choice, Isabel. It’s the way he lives,” Christian said. “Though I gotta say, I thought reconnecting with you was changing him. We all thought that. We all hoped he’d stick around for you.”

She’d thought that too. Neither of them had planned to stay in Maplehaven, but she’d had hopes they could work something out. Together.

But he’d made the decision for them.

Again.

“I’ll call the others,” Christian said. “To see if they’ve heard from him, but I’m pretty sure he’s gone. I’m sorry, Isabel.”

She hung up and jammed the spare key into the lock then pushed the cottage door open. As soon as her gaze landed on the coffee table—the one that was devoid of a laptop, books, papers, signs of the man she loved—she knew Jackson was gone too. A quick look into the bedroom revealed all his clothes were missing and the bathroom was empty of his personal items as well.

Isabel came back out into the living room. Part of her wanted to drop to her knees and cry her eyes out. She’d let herself fall back into love with Jackson Henley. No one else was her perfect match. He was it. Only him.

Another part of her, however, was pissed as hell at the man. Years ago, he’d left her behind. He’d chosen archaeology over her and she’d let him. After being with him now, however, she knew he loved her. Felt it in every molecule of her body. If he left her behind today, there was more to it than him choosing archaeology. He wouldn’t have risked his life for her if he didn’t love her. They’d rekindled their connection and it had more electricity coursing through it than ever. He didn’t get to unplug that.

Hell no.

She was about to call Christian back to report the empty cottage, but an envelope stuck to the refrigerator with a Pine River Cottages magnet caught her attention. Her name was written in Jackson’s all-capital, block-style handwriting.

Isabel’s anger soared. He’d left her a letter. A damn letter. She nearly ripped it to shreds before opening it, but curiosity got the best of her. Tearing the envelope open, she pulled out the folded piece of paper inside, her eyes tearing a little over knowing these were Jackson’s final words to her.

Dear Isabel,

Let me start by saying I love you. I love you so much. I meant it every time I told you that and I mean it now even though I’m gone. I left for you though and I hope you can understand my reasons. My work nearly got you and your grandfather killed. It makes me absolutely insane to know I brought Ward and his team to Maplehaven. They were here because of what I’d uncovered. I can’t risk bringing that kind of danger to you again. I won’t. Eugene had a nice, peaceful life in Vermont and he should be able to keep that. You have a bright future ahead of you and you need the chance to pursue that in whatever location you choose.

I know you’ll build the resort of your dreams and it will be a fantastic place people will rave about. You deserve every happiness in the universe, Whisabel. In this universe, however, that happiness doesn’t include me. Hopefully in a parallel universe, you and I get to enjoy each other for years and years.

I like knowing that in some timeline we get be together.

~ Jackson

Isabel read the letter over a few times. He was trying to protect her. A noble attempt, but completely unnecessary. The only way she’d truly get hurt was if she wasn’t with him. Her heart didn’t know how to beat without him. It never had. Being with him again in Vermont had shown her everything she’d been missing in her life since she’d walked away from him sophomore year in high school.

Well, she wasn’t going to walk away this time and neither was he. Maybe being together was dangerous, but they’d survived yesterday because of each other.

And Charlie and Donovan and the police and the military. This phenomenal Maplehaven community had saved them and they belonged here. Together.

She flipped the paper over, hoping for more. A destination Jackson was heading for. An address. Something. She had to find him. He didn’t get to leave her without at least hearing her side. They’d made the mistake of not communicating the last time they broke up. She wouldn’t let that happen again. Maybe she wouldn’t be able to convince him they had something remarkable between them, but she had to try.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket and she yanked it out, hoping it was Jackson. It was Christian instead.

“The cottage is empty,” she said before Christian could speak.

“Yeah, he told Donovan early this morning he was accepting a professor job at a university in D.C.”

“A professor job? Doesn’t he prefer being out in the field?” She couldn’t picture him lecturing a bunch of college students.

“He totally does,” Christian said. “This is a case of my little brother trying to do what he thinks is best, but royally screwing up in the process.”

“Well, at least we’re on the same page about that,” Isabel said. “Does that university in D.C. have a name?”

“Asherfield,” Christian said. “You thinking of making a trip to our nation’s capital, Isabel Perri?”

“I’ve always wanted to take an archeology class.”

Christian hooted so loudly Isabel had to pull the phone from her ear. “You go get him, lady! I have a feeling you’ll be the teacher’s pet in no time.”

They talked for a few more minutes, making plans. Christian agreed that he, Landon, Donovan, Nicole, Aliza, and Tessa would check in on Grandpa so she wouldn’t have to worry while she was in D.C.

“Grandpa!” she called as she entered his cottage after hanging up with Christian.

“Yeah, Belly?” Grandpa poked his head out from the kitchen. “I wasn’t sneak eating a cinnamon roll. I swear.”

Isabel pointed a finger at him. “The cardiologist gave you that special diet.” She joined him in the kitchen to find the cinnamon roll package open. “But the occasional cinnamon roll is okay.”

Grandpa licked icing off his thumb. “Thank God. Life without cinnamon rolls is too tragic.”

“Agreed.” She ate one herself. “So is life without Jackson.”

Grandpa frowned. “He left?”

“He did, but I have plans, Grandpa.” She rubbed her hands together. “Grand plans.” After leading him to the couch, she told her grandfather about adding on to Pine River Cottages to build a resort and about getting Jackson back.

When she was finished, Grandpa smiled. “I’m in favor of any plans that keep you here in Maplehaven, Belly. I’m a bigger fan of plans that keep you happy.” He covered her hands with his, giving them a squeeze. “Go get your love, then let’s build the best mountain resort anyone has ever seen.”

Isabel hugged her grandfather. “You’ve always taken care of me, Grandpa. This resort will let me take care of you.”

“We’ll take care of each other.” He kissed her cheek. “I love you, Belly.”

“Love you too, Grandpa.”

Now Isabel had to get that one other person she loved. The one she loved with her entire heart.

Chapter Sixteen

Jackson had spent the past two days finding an apartment in D.C. and coming to terms with the fact that he was about to take on the university-professor-in-a-big-city way of life. A way of life he never planned to subscribe to, but it was the best decision he could make to keep a foot in the archaeological world. He had hopes that being connected to Asherfield University might open a door to funding for a field project, but he’d have to be patient. Put in his time on the faculty. Keep his ears open.

Stop thinking about Isabel.

Like that’s going to happen.

He’d had a few texts and calls from her on the morning he’d left Maplehaven, but nothing since. He took that to mean she’d accepted his decision, knowing it was the right one for the situation he’d put them in. Of course Isabel wanted her grandfather to be safe. She hadn’t appreciated being captured either. He understood and he’d left so she and Eugene could avoid being put in harm’s way like that again. His letter had explained it all to her and she understood.

But he missed her. God, how he missed her. Her kind heart. Her smile. Her sense of humor. Her curves. Her generosity. Her silky hair. Her intelligence. Her smooth skin. Her voice. Her everything. He’d spent his first nights in D.C. lying in bed, wide awake, imagining Isabel next to him.

Imagining wasn’t close to having the real thing.

He’d get over this heartache some day. He had to. A person couldn’t survive feeling this hollow for long. When they’d parted as teenagers, he’d slogged through those first few weeks of college, wondering if he’d made a colossal mistake in attending early. In leaving Isabel behind. Over time though, he’d gotten involved in his studies, socialized a bit, and before he knew it, four years had streaked by and he was earning his next degree. He’d still thought of Isabel, but she hadn’t been this raw, jagged spot in his soul. He’d like to believe he’d undergo the same stages of . . . well, of grief again, but something told him the rips in his soul were permanent this time. He’d gotten a glimpse of what it was like to have an adult relationship with Isabel and there would be no forgetting that.

Jackson adjusted the satchel hanging from his good shoulder as he walked across campus to the lecture hall assigned to him. His injured arm was still in a sling, his hand bandaged too. Everything looked good in terms of healing where the bullet had hit his shoulder, but if he moved that arm too much, he hurt later on. The sling reminded him to keep from overusing his arm and he didn’t want his first day teaching to be marked by pain tonight. He supposed it was good he wasn’t on a dig now. An injured shoulder and hand were no good for digging.

He brushed lint off his navy pants, checked to make sure he’d buttoned his light blue dress shirt correctly, and confirmed he hadn’t worn a bow tie like the crusty professor types he desperately didn’t want to become. He then climbed the steps to enter the building in front of him. A few minutes of poking around turned up the correct lecture hall. A handful of students were already in seats, but the lighting was dim so he couldn’t make out any faces. He approached the table and podium set up on the stage area and proceeded to hook up his laptop. A student came down to offer assistance when he saw Jackson struggle a bit with having only one good hand.

“Thanks,” Jackson said.

“No problem, Doctor Henley.” The student went back to his seat in the front row while Jackson faced the fact that being called Doctor Henley—not Doctor Hunky—would be an everyday occurrence in this job.

Better than having no job.

He would have preferred funding to return to field work, but a paycheck was a paycheck and he held out hope this university gig might lead to something more. He’d given up his something more with Isabel. The least this damn universe could give him was the archaeology fun he craved.

Jackson reviewed the course syllabus the university had given him while more students filled the lecture hall. He would have preferred to design his own lessons and assignments, but he’d been hired to replace an instructor for a class that had already begun so he had to continue with the objectives that had been given to the students at the start of the semester. At least he’d convinced the department head to let him swap out one of the required books and slip in one of his own. He’d put his personal stamp on this course and hopefully students would enjoy his approach.

Checking his phone and seeing that it was go time, Jackson cleared his throat and stepped up to the podium. Normally, he’d like to roam around the stage area and conduct the class as more of a conversation, but he didn’t know the syllabus by heart yet and truth be told, he was a little nervous about how full that lecture hall was. With the podium, he had somewhere to keep his notes and something to hold on to.

Holding something obviously made him think of holding Isabel and he worried that thinking about her was going to overwhelm him. He stretched his neck one way then the other and bullied himself into concentrating on Introduction to Archaeology.

“Good morning, everyone,” he said into the microphone, hating the tentative sound of his voice. He cleared his throat and continued in what he hoped was a more confident tone. “I’m Doctor Henley and I’ll be picking up where Doctor Daniels left off.”

A hand went up from a student sitting next to the one who had assisted him with the tech stuff. A question already? All he’d done was introduce himself. He guessed it was better than having an inactive audience though. He definitely wanted to encourage participation.

“Yes?” Jackson adjusted the sling a bit where the strap was biting into his neck.

“Is it true you were shot?”

Jackson swore the rest of the students all collectively leaned forward, waiting for his response. “Umm . . . yeah.” He glanced down to the sling. “It’s healing well though.” He scanned his notes, forgetting how he’d intended to begin his lecture.

“Excuse me, Doctor Henley?” This voice came from rows farther back in the hall and with the stage lights, Jackson couldn’t see much beyond the first three or four rows.

“Yes?”

“Was it another archaeologist that shot you?”

Okay, so he wasn’t going to be able to get to the content until he extinguished their curiosity. Probably wise to deal with this upfront so they could move on.

“Technically,” another voice echoed from a row somewhere in the middle of the lecture hall, “it was a team member of another archaeologist. Doctor Henley here showed true bravery in facing such unprincipled folks who see archaeology as a profitable business instead of a history-changing science.”

Had Jackson missed something in the news about what had occurred in Maplehaven with Ward and his mercenaries? As far as he’d seen, the incident wasn’t public knowledge yet. But this person had her facts in order.

The front few rows of students turned in their seats to face the voice as she continued.

“I don’t know if you all realize that you’re being taught by a man who was willing to risk his own life to save others and defend the true meaning of archaeology.” The voice sounded as if it was getting closer, as if the student was moving toward the stage, but the cavernous room and poor lighting over the seats made it difficult to pinpoint anything.

“You make him sound like a hero,” the student who had helped Jackson said.

“That’s because he is.”

Jackson squinted into the shadows, but he still couldn’t see the speaker. The students in the first few rows, however, turned back toward the stage, waiting for him to respond.

“I’m not a hero,” he said. “People who were important to me were in danger so I had to do something to help them.”

“That does sound sorta heroic, Doctor Henley,” the student who had asked about him getting shot said.

“But heroes also do some supremely stupid things too,” the voice said, causing chuckles and chatter to sift through the lecture hall.

Who was this person? He didn’t recognize the voice, but it did sound as if it was purposely lowered and a little raspy. Jackson didn’t like not being able to see the person. He also didn’t like that his class was getting derailed on his first day.

Off to a great start. On a job he didn’t want.

He was about to kindly ask this person to allow him to begin class when another student asked, “What did he do that was so stupid?”

“I’m glad you asked,” the voice said. “Those important people that Doctor Henley mentioned?” A few yeahs and uh-huhs sounded. “After getting shot to help rescue them . . . he left them.”

“Like with the bad guys?” a student asked.

Jackson cringed. “I didn’t leave anyone with the bad guys.”

“No, he didn’t,” the voice said. “He left them with broken hearts.”

“That sounds just as bad, man,” the tech help student said, frowning at Jackson.

“Indeed.” The voice was closer now and Jackson longed for a spotlight. Who was this person, busting into his class, serving up details no one here could know?

“Can he redeem himself?” a female at the end of the first row asked. “In romantic movies, the characters always have a chance to redeem themselves.”

This was getting out of control. Jackson wasn’t going to let his class turn into a reality TV show. He was there to teach and the students were there to learn. He wouldn’t let any more of their time—or tuition—go to waste.

“My redemption is not the subject of this class,” he said. “I think it’s time we got back on track.”

“Getting back on track,” the voice said, “is exactly why I’m here.”

Movement after the third row made Jackson focus his gaze there. A moment later, a woman stepped into the light and he nearly fell off the stage.

“Isabel?” He had to be imagining her. Maybe he was still in bed back in his tiny apartment, dreaming of her. Maybe he’d lost too much blood after being shot and never made it out of Maplehaven.

Perhaps he was dead.

But the Isabel-looking woman walked toward him. She climbed the side steps of the stage and joined him near the podium. A quiet hung over the entire lecture hall as the students got treated to something besides an archaeology class.

“You’re not really here,” he said dumbly, making the students chuckle again.

A sharp index finger poke to the chest assured him that someone was definitely standing on the stage with him. But was that someone actually Isabel?

His Isabel?

“I’m really here.” She turned to face the students. “Super sorry for interrupting your class, but one of you mentioned romantic movies.” She pointed into the darkness of the hall. “You know how in those movies, one of characters does a grand gesture to get the other character’s attention?” She faced Jackson as agreement filtered through the students. “This is one of those grand gestures. This is my grand gesture to tell you, Doctor Henley, that you’re a rare artifact. One I found years ago. One I’m not giving up again. You’ve had a place in my heart since we were teenagers. We reconnected one night when you extended kindness to my dog and you filled my heart again. Being apart now is not an option.”

Jackson took in the sight of Isabel—because yes, it was her. Only Isabel could say those things and reach right inside him to grab his heart. His heart that belonged to her and would only ever belong to her. She was everything he wanted in this life. Everything.

Maybe that was selfish of him. To let himself have her. To potentially put her at risk again. But being without her was a risk too. For both of them.

He reached out his good arm and took her hand. A few excited squeals emanated from the students and he smiled when Isabel crossed the fingers on her free hand and waved them at the students.

“My first lecture was going to be about what motivates archaeologists,” he said, tugging Isabel closer. “Uncovering precious treasures is a part of that. You are the most precious treasure, Isabel, and you motivate me to love you with everything I have. I’m sorry I left. I thought I was doing the right thing, but clearly that was . . . what did you say? Supremely stupid?”

The class laughed again, and Isabel’s gaze zeroed in on his lips as a few students chanted, “Kiss her! Kiss her! Kiss her!”

Jackson wrapped his good arm around Isabel and grinned at her. “Should we give the crowd what they want?”

“Only if kissing me means I get to keep you, Doctor Hunky,” she whispered into his ear.

“Whisabel, you’ve always had me.”

He pressed his lips to hers and the students hooted and hollered, cheered and clapped. Not wanting to give the class an X-rated show, Jackson ended the kiss before it got too intense, but he hoped the look he gave Isabel let her know how he’d be kissing her when they were alone.

Her smile and heated gaze told him she’d received the unspoken memo.

Jackson turned to face the class then gestured to her. “Miss Isabel Perri,” he introduced.

She took a little bow and squeezed his hand. “Again, so sorry to cut into your class time.”

“Are you kidding?” the female student in front said. “This has been a better class than any Doctor Daniels conducted.”

Isabel laughed. “Well, I’ll let you geeks get back to the learning.” She made a move to get off the stage, but Jackson held on to her.

“Not so fast. I’m down to one hand here and I’ve got some materials to be passed out.” He motioned to the table behind them. “I think the students would love to receive them from Miss Grand Gesture herself, right?”

More cheering echoed in the lecture hall and Isabel picked up the stack of packets. “Fine, but I can’t promise I won’t tell them each a way to irk you as I hand these out.” She winked at him and hit the stairs.

He still couldn’t believe she’d come all the way to D.C. for him. That she wanted him enough to announce it to a hall full of strangers. That she loved him so much she’d risk anything to be with him. He was certain she’d hand him his ass for leaving Vermont the way he had once they were alone.

But for right now, he was going to bask in the knowledge that Isabel Perri loved him.

****

“The semester is only three more weeks,” Jackson said as he and Isabel shared a pizza on the couch in his small apartment. “I’ll finish it out then meet you back in Maplehaven.”

She didn’t like the idea of being without Jackson for three weeks, but she’d gone without him for years before. At least this time, she knew she’d be with him at the end of the semester. When they’d been apart before, she hadn’t thought she’d ever see him again.

“Okay. That will give me a good chunk of time to plan out the upgrades to Pine River Cottages with Grandpa.”

Between his classes today, Isabel—who had remained his assistant—told him about her idea to expand her grandfather’s property and build her dream right in Vermont. They’d also made out like wild in that lecture hall each time students vacated it. There was something hot and forbidden about kissing a professor in a college classroom.

“Your grandfather must be thrilled that you’re sticking around.” Jackson wiped sauce off his fingers with a napkin. He’d taken off the sling, but his left arm was resting at his stomach. He’d told Isabel it didn’t hurt, but the crease between his brows every time he shifted told her otherwise. She had specific plans to help him forget that pain after they finished eating.

“He’s pretty happy, yeah,” she said. “The crazy thing is I’m happy too. I’d had all these fantasies about opening a resort in some busy place, but then it occurred to me that maybe it’s not all about fast-paced and flashy. Perhaps it’s about slowing down and connecting with nature and spending quality time with the people you’re traveling with. I’d told Grandpa that when I first arrived in an attempt to make him feel better about Pine River Cottages, but something about being in Maplehaven made me actually believe it.”

Jackson balanced his plate on his thigh, reached over, and squeezed her knee with his good hand. “A resort like the one you’ve described will be good for more than the guests. Your ideas to link up with more local businesses will bring up profits for them too.”

“I’m hoping everyone will win.” She sipped her beer. “And don’t worry about your dig site. That’s all yours. When you’re convinced you’ve garnered all you can from it, then I’ll move forward with our resort plans.”

“I won’t be able to get back to it until I’m done here,” Jackson said, frowning.

“That’s fine. Grandpa and I will keep it safe and undisturbed until then. If it was important enough for Ward to want to steal it, the site must be valuable. There’s bound to be more buried in those woods and you’re going to be the guy to find it.”

“Can I rent Blaze to help?”

“He’d be delighted to assist.” Isabel grabbed another slice of pizza. “I wish this was Mountain View Pizza’s.”

“Yeah. No other pizza will do once you’ve had Kyle’s.” Jackson accepted the slice she snagged for him.

“Kind of like no other Doctor Hunky will do once you’ve had The Doctor Hunky.” She leaned forward and pressed a kiss to his mouth.

“I still can’t believe you came all the way here.” Jackson shook his head. “I figured I’d pissed you off real good by leaving that you’d never want to see me again.”

She sifted out a long breath. “I’m not going to lie, Jackson. I was pissed. Beyond belief. I was hurt too, but the anger took root and fueled me.”

He slid his palm over her thigh. “I’m sorry, Isabel. I thought I was doing the right thing.”

“Leaving me is never the right thing,” she said. “Leaving without saying a word to me is even more never the right thing.”

“If I’d talked to you,” Jackson said as he studied his hand and wouldn’t meet her gaze, “I wouldn’t have been able to leave.”

She swatted his good arm, making him flinch. “I know. That’s exactly why you should have talked to me. Would have saved me from having to get on a plane and fly my ass down here to D.C.”

“It is a lovely ass,” Jackson said, biting his bottom lip and nearly making Isabel forget finishing dinner before undressing him.

“Promise me no more leaving, Jackson. Whatever obstacles come our way, we can face them together.” She cupped his bearded cheek. “We faced Ward together and we survived. There will be other risks, other dangers, other bad times, but if we have each other, we can make it through anything.”

“And if we have each other, there’s bound to be way more happy times than unhappy ones.”

“Now you’re making some sense, Doctor Hunky.” She tapped a finger to his temple. “You’re using that big brain of yours.”

“Sometimes that big brain thinks too much.”

She slid his plate from his lap and put it on the coffee table along with hers. “Let’s give that brain a break then. Let’s put your heart in charge.”

Isabel climbed onto his lap, a leg on either side of his hips. She was careful not to jostle him too much, not wanting to hurt his shoulder, but he moved both of his arms just fine to rest his hands on her waist under her shirt. His fingers were warm and strong and there would have been no way she could have lived the rest of her life without his touch. No way.

As she was about to lean forward and capture those full lips of his, Jackson’s phone buzzed on the end table. At the same time, hers vibrated from the coffee table.

“A quick check? Then right back to this?” Jackson raised an eyebrow as he gestured between them.

“Okay.”

They both reached for their phones. A message from Charlie lit up Isabel’s screen.

Did you convince him not to be an idiot or do I need to chopper down there and rescue you?

When Isabel had told Charlie of her plans to go to D.C., her best friend had offered to fly her down there in her helicopter.

“I’ll land right in the goddamn quad of that university,” she’d said.

“I think crashing Jackson’s class is epic enough,” Isabel had said. “I booked a direct flight, but thanks for the offer.”

“Okay,” Charlie had said, “but if you need a quick extraction, if that bonehead won’t listen to reason, you call me and I’ll swoop right in.”

Isabel had hugged her friend then. “I know you will.”

Tapping on her phone now, Isabel replied, No idiots discovered. Grand gesture was a huge success.

Charlie texted back with a dancing emoji. So happy for you! See you when you get back. The three little dots wavered for a few seconds. You are coming back, right?

Of course. Got a resort to build and best friends to bug.

A blinking red heart came back and Isabel sent a few XOXOs before setting her phone back on the coffee table. She turned her attention back to Jackson who was staring at his phone resting on his thigh.

“Are you okay?” She sidled up next to him and pulled her knees under her.

Jackson blinked rapidly like he always did when he was thinking, so Isabel kept quiet. After a few moments, he turned to look at her. “The university heard about my Sadekowi find—and about Ward trying to poach it. They want to . . .” He shook his head, a small smile forming on his mouth. “The Native American Studies Department of Asherfield University wants to offer me funding to continue excavating the site when the semester ends.”

Isabel’s jaw dropped then she was back in Jackson’s lap after moving his phone. “Of course they want you to excavate the site. You’re brilliant and they know it.” She kissed his nose.

Jackson’s arms came around her again and he squeezed her to him, his good arm doing most of the squeezing. “Is this really happening? Can we have everything we’ve wanted, Isabel?”

She looped her arms around his neck and rested her forehead against his. “I think we can, Jackson. I think this universe is on our side.”

He caught her mouth with his and within seconds the kiss grew to a hungry blaze, scorching Isabel’s body and making her ache for more. The scratch of Jackson’s beard against her skin as he ran his lips along her jaw and to the curve of her neck had her core heating. When she’d first developed this plan to fly to D.C., she’d worried that Jackson wouldn’t be swayed. That perhaps his concerns would outweigh any arguments she presented. The thought of being without him had physically hurt. She’d done her best to ignore that possibility and thank God it had worked out.

Because a life where she didn’t have this man in her arms wasn’t a life she wanted to live. She’d tried that life and while it hadn’t been horrible, it also hadn’t been filled with the joy and love she knew would fill their days now that they were together again. Had they wasted years apart? Yup. Did those years maybe allow them to grow the hell up so they’d be perfect for each other now? Isabel liked to think so. Nothing would stop them from enjoying each other from this point onward.

“I’d love to pick you up and carry you off to my tiny bedroom,” Jackson said between pressing kisses along her neck and nipping her collarbone, “but my shoulder won’t like that.”

“Fine. I’ll carry you to bed then.” She slid off his lap and forklifted her arms under his legs, but he slapped her away.

“Unless you want to seriously offend my dick, you will stop this attempt right now, Isabel Perri.” But he was laughing and tugging on her hair that hung over him as she leaned down.

Isabel straightened and held out her hand instead. “There will be no dick offending tonight. I only wish to bring happy times to your dick.” She wiggled her fingers.

Jackson took her hand and let her pull him—gently—to his feet. “My dick thanks you.” He followed her into the bedroom and she surveyed the small space and the full bed.

“This is cute and all, but we’re going to need a king-sized bed for the gymnastics I have planned for our future.” She turned to face him. “When you come back to Maplehaven after the semester is through, you’re going to find the cottage next to my grandfather’s renovated into a nice Sex Cottage for us. How does that sound?”

“Wonderful.” He brushed his lips to hers as he backed her toward the bed.

“I mean, I know you’ll still want to travel to digs and stuff,” she said, sliding her hands up his chest. “But we need a home base, right?”

“We do.” Jackson lifted her shirt off her as the back of her legs hit the edge of the bed. “And you’ll come with me on digs sometimes, won’t you? Traveling is fun.”

She carefully peeled his T-shirt off, minding his injured shoulder. Pressing a kiss near the bandaged wound, she got to work on unbuttoning and unzipping his pants as he slid his hands into her shorts and cupped her ass. “I’d love to travel with you. I can research other ideas I want to bring back to Pine River Cottages and Mountain Resort.”

“And we can make love around the world.” He nibbled on her shoulder as she freed his arousal.

“You have the best ideas, Doctor Hunky.”

They rid themselves of the rest of their clothes and Isabel eased Jackson onto his back on the bed. Crawling over him, she settled on his hips, her hot and ready core pressing against his rock-solid erection. She coasted her hands over his pecs and abs then followed that same path with her lips, loving when Jackson’s fingers slid into her hair and massaged her scalp. The rumble of approval that rose from his throat as she licked the tip of his arousal made her entire body tingle. She loved knowing her touch brought him such pleasure.

Isabel also loved being in control right now. With his shoulder, Jackson wasn’t trying to lead here. On his back, with his hands still buried in her hair, he was letting her steer tonight’s festivities and she relished the power. Something about doing whatever she wanted to this sexy man that was all hers made her feel on top of the world.

With a few more teasing licks, Isabel took Jackson’s length into her mouth. Another primal growl vibrated out of him as she moved up and down his shaft, her tongue caressing along the way. His grip on her hair tightened, his fingers stiffening as he thrust up his hips a bit and she took more of him into her mouth.

“Fuck, Isabel . . .” His voice was low and hoarse as she brought him to the brink of sheer bliss. “That’s so good. So fucking good.”

She increased her pace, bobbing up and down, until Jackson’s entire body went rigid. In the next second, he released into her mouth, his hands smoothing her hair back.

“You are unbelievable,” he whispered, his breathing labored and his fingers sliding out of her hair. He covered his eyes with the heels of his palms and inhaled deeply. “We are so doing that all around the world too.”

Isabel crawled up the length of his body, letting her hardened nipples drag along his flesh so they both shivered at the contact. “That’s a fact.”

He hooked his hand on the back of her neck and pulled her down for a long, achingly slow kiss, his tongue caressing hers and generating a second wave of wanting between them.

“I need you inside me,” Isabel said when they finally broke the kiss. “I need us to be one.”

Without a word, Jackson reached down and tested her core with two fingers. He teased her until she was writhing on top of him and so full of desire she might detonate.

“Jackson . . . please . . .” She leaned into the hand he’d put to her breast, her back arching as he nearly made her come with his fingers.

Slowly, he withdrew his fingers and guided himself into her core. He moved slowly, drawing out the entry so she felt every single inch he gave her. “Is this okay?” he asked in a whisper. “No condom?”

“This is so okay, Jackson. I’m on birth control.” She bent and brushed her lips to his. “I’m clean and I don’t want to be with anyone other than you ever again.”

Nodding, he pushed farther into her and she moaned at being full of him. She rocked her hips, drawing him in deeper, then she began a slow rise, dragging her core along his length.

Jackson’s eyes rolled back then closed, his hands gripping her hips as she descended back onto him. She repeated those slow up and down movements until they were both breathing hard and she couldn’t go slowly anymore. Ramping up the rhythm as Jackson thrust his hips up, his hold on her tightening, Isabel said his name over and over as he pulled her down to kiss her before orgasms exploded through them both.

She loved seeing Jackson let himself go. She loved that she was the reason he’d let go. They rode the high together, her core clenching around his length, until they were both spent and satisfied and more in love than ever.

Isabel draped her body over his, the two of them breathing together. Jackson wrapped his arms around her and pressed kisses to the top of her head as she ran her hand over his chest. She flattened her palm over his heart before brushing her lips there and he squeezed her closer.

“I love you so much, Doctor Hunky.” She looked up then kissed his whiskered chin.

“I love you too, Whisabel.”

Their mouths met when Jackson lifted his head. The kiss was deep, possessive, life-affirming. There was no doubt in Isabel’s mind that she belonged to this man and he belonged to her.

In this universe.

And all the others.

Epilogue

A month later . . .

Isabel helped Nicole bring platters of veggies and cheese and crackers out to a table set up in Christian’s backyard. Sunshine marked this perfect August Saturday and she was looking forward to spending the day outside with the Henley clan.

She just wished Jackson was here. He’d finished his semester in D.C., but he had a few things to take care of before he could leave: finding someone to take over the rent on his apartment, ironing out the details of the university’s sponsoring of his Sadekowi dig in Vermont, and finishing grading the final exams he’d administered to his students. She’d offered to help him with that last part, but once she’d said they all deserved an A+ for dealing with him, he’d declined her assistance. Just as well. She had zero interest in reading answers to archaeology questions.

She had, however, an unquenchable interest in seeing Jackson again. In the weeks he’d been in D.C. she’d employed the help of Dakota and Noah and a few other handy guys in Maplehaven to help her expand the cottage Jackson had stayed in at Pine River Cottages. The place was now big enough to be the perfect Sex Cottage for her and Jackson and she couldn’t wait to make it a home with him. She understood he’d be gone on digs sometimes, but at least her grandfather—and all her wonderful friends in Maplehaven—would be close by to keep her company.

Plus there would be all the guests the new and improved Pine River Cottages and Mountain Resort would attract that would keep her busy when Jackson was gone too. When he was around, he’d promised to help out at the resort in whatever way he could. Honestly, if the man merely walked around the premises, looking all sexy hot, Isabel would be able to keep those cottages filled with female guests throughout the year.

Not that she wanted other females ogling her man. He was hers and only hers.

According to his last text, Jackson expected to be back in Vermont by the end of next week and Isabel was happy to have the distraction of Christian and Nicole’s Saturday afternoon barbecue. Spending time with the Henleys was almost as good as having Jackson nearby.

Almost.

“Belly, I think Blaze is bugging Christian’s cats,” Grandpa said from his Adirondack chair in the backyard. He motioned to the dog whose head was wedged under Christian’s side porch. Blaze’s tail swished back and forth through the grass as he inched farther under the small space.

“Blaze! Get over here!” Isabel slapped her thigh and the dog instantly backed up and ran for her. She gathered his big head in her hands, rubbing his cheeks until his yellow-green eyes squeezed shut. “You be a good boy and leave those kitties alone. Christian won’t let you come over anymore if you misbehave.”

Blaze angled his head at her then pushed his nose into her chest, snuffling as his tail still wagged.

“Yeah, yeah. I know. It’s hard to be a good boy when those five cats are slinking around, but this is their yard.” She reached back to the table behind her and grabbed a cube of cheese. Waving it in front of the dog, she led her pooch over to Grandpa. “Sit.”

Blaze’s butt hit the grass.

“Lie down.”

Blaze’s belly lowered, his gaze never leaving that cheese.

“Good boy. Now you stay with Grandpa.” Isabel tossed the cheese into the air and Blaze snatched it up. She grabbed a few more cubes and gave them to her grandfather. “Bribe him to stay with you.”

“Got it.” Grandpa saluted her then ran his foot over Blaze’s back as he gave Isabel a big smile.

She was overjoyed at how good Grandpa was doing in terms of health. The man had stuck to the diet his cardiologist had given him and had been taking it easy as prescribed. Being kidnapped by Ward and Company hadn’t left him with any physical problems either though she had noticed Grandpa scanning his surroundings a little more observantly when he left his cottage. The two of them had talked and plotted and planned at length for the renovations to Pine River Cottages and Isabel truly believed the project had breathed new life into her grandfather. She couldn’t think of a better business partner.

“I forgot to tell you,” Aliza said as she brought chips and dip out to the food table. “A couple in the class I did at the cottages yesterday said they planned to make a weekend at Pine River Cottages part of their yearly plans. They’ve had a blast between staying at their cozy cottage, dancing with Tessa, doing yoga with me, and going ziplining and canoeing with Dakota.” Aliza jostled Isabel by the shoulder. “You’re doing a great thing for Maplehaven here, sister.”

“I hope so.”

“I know so,” Aliza said. “I also had a couple of my local students ask about Pine River Cottages. They saw the brochures I put out and at least three of them have anniversaries coming up next month. I think they were interested in getting away without getting away, you know?”

“Hmm . . .” Isabel tapped a finger to her lips. “Maybe I should brainstorm some anniversary packages. Something that includes a private couples’ yoga session or ballroom dance lessons and a romantic dinner at Albero’s.”

“Fantabulous ideas, Isabel. I’m in.”

Isabel high-fived Aliza then laughed when Christian emerged from his house carrying a platter of red meat over his head as if he’d hunted for it himself. He grunted as he approached the grill and Donovan and Landon joined in.

“Cavemen,” Tessa said, rolling her eyes as her Pyrenees, Remi, trailed after Christian, the dog’s tongue hanging out in hopes of some meat being dropped.

“Absolute Neanderthals,” Nicole agreed.

“But they are so hot,” Aliza said, stopping her own dog, a beagle-spaniel mix named Delilah, from joining Remi.

Isabel nodded, wishing so badly that Jackson was a part of that Henley brother procession. Those times when he was on a dig were going to be tough.

But the times he was in Maplehaven would be fantastic and she planned to make the most of them.

The men grilled the meats while the women and Grandpa munched on the appetizers and entertained the dogs. Isabel was so happy to be a part of this group. She’d had friends in Pennsylvania, but nothing like these people. All the Henleys and their women felt like family and for her and Grandpa it was such a gift to be included. She smiled when Donovan and Landon asked Grandpa to play horseshoes. She felt like a member of a tight sisterhood when Nicole, Tessa, and Aliza talked about their workout routines with her. She simply adored how everyone played with Blaze though he hadn’t necessarily stopped harassing Christian’s pack of cats and he’d been a little overbearing with Remi and Delilah, wanting to herd them. These people were wonderful and it was worth staying in Maplehaven to be able to hang out with them.

“Okay, carnivores!” Christian hollered from the grill. “Meat is done. Come and get it.”

Everyone descended upon the burgers, chicken, and steak Christian had cooked to perfection.

Isabel bit into her hamburger and closed her eyes. “Oh my God. Why do burgers served up in your backyard taste so damn good, Christian?”

Christian picked up the spatula he’d used and made a flipping motion. “It’s all in the wrist.”

“It’s all in the superb organic meat we get from the farm down the road,” Nicole said.

“Hey, hey, baby,” Christian said, pointing the spatula at her. “Don’t tell her the secrets and make me look less magical.”

Nicole put her hands on her hips as she regarded her fiancé. “Oh, you’re still magical, Chrissy.” She blew him a kiss and the grin that bloomed on Christian’s face was adorable.

Isabel missed Jackson even more at that moment. Everyone was paired off at this shindig. Well, except Grandpa, but Blaze was sticking pretty close to the man because he knew Grandpa was most likely to share some of his steak.

Patience. She only had a few more days and Jackson would be local. She intended to not let him get more than an arm’s length from her once he was here. Hopefully he’d be okay with her gluing herself to him.

If he wasn’t, too bad. She’d like to see him try to peel her off him.

Isabel swigged some iced tea, suddenly unbearably hot thinking about what she wanted to do to Jackson as soon as he returned. Yes, she wanted to show him the expanded cottage. Yes, she wanted to share the plans for the resort she and Grandpa had devised. Yes, she wanted to cuddle with him as they watched TV.

But most of all, she wanted to touch him again. Have her hands all over his body and his hands all over her body. Make love until they couldn’t see straight.

She dabbed her overheated forehead with a napkin and tuned back into the conversation the others were having while she’d been fantasizing about all the different ways she’d welcome Jackson home.

“The Brentons are hosting an end of summer bash at Brenton Lake,” Donovan said. “They’re inviting the entire town. Going to be food, games, a shit ton of gossiping.”

“That sounds fun,” Tessa said. “I told Jacy and Dena I’d organize a dance-a-thon to benefit Maplehaven High School. The students need some upgraded technology.”

“That’s totally true,” Aliza said. “I did an afterschool yoga class there last week and the tech hasn’t changed since I went to school there. I know the elementary technology was updated when they rebuilt that school after the fire, but the high school barely has enough pencils.”

“A good cause then,” Landon said.

“Does that mean you’ll dance, Landon?” Tessa asked.

“No. It means I’ll be deejaying the event by broadcasting live there with the radio station.”

“So you’ll be working?” Aliza pouted. “That stinks.”

“I’ll take breaks when I play the slow songs.” Landon leaned over and kissed Aliza’s cheek.

Her pout disappeared then she turned to kiss him on the lips. “You’d better play a lot of slow songs, mister.”

“It will be a nice way to put another Vermont summer to bed,” Christian said. “This one has been exceptional.” He elbowed Nicole seated beside him.

“Best summer ever.” Nicole raised her drink and everyone followed suit.

Isabel drank her iced tea, ate her burger, and enjoyed the company of her friends and grandfather. She soaked in the sun, played horseshoes, spent some time visiting with Christian’s horses, Clover and Zip, and took a little walk with Blaze. Afternoon eased into evening and the dessert round kept them all elbow-deep in ice cream sundaes.

“This is the way to end a day,” Grandpa said. “I’m glad I stuck to my diet all week so I could partake in all the great food today and this dessert.”

“We’re glad you could make it, Eugene,” Donovan said, clapping the man on the back.

“Thanks for the invite.”

“Any time,” Christian said. “You and Isabel are family.”

“Appreciate that, son,” Grandpa said. “One of the many benefits of living in a town like this one. That true family feeling.”

“This place does have that,” Nicole said. “I never felt like this in Hawaii.”

“Nope,” Tessa agreed.

“Boston was okay,” Aliza said, “but I didn’t have many people I could count on there. Not like here.”

Isabel thought about her time in Pennsylvania. She’d been content there. She’d been able to make a living and socialize now and then. If she hadn’t come back to Maplehaven, however, she may have never realized what she’d been missing. Staying in Pennsylvania may have resulted in her staying with Scott. There hadn’t been anything wrong with the guy. He just hadn’t been The One.

Not even close.

What she and Jackson had—what they’d had since they were teenagers—was so big and intense. Her relationship with Scott had been a total joke in comparison.

Why isn’t Jackson here already?

Her skin literally itched to have him touch her again. Last night, she’d dreamed he’d come home and she’d had the best sex dream she’d ever had. It had felt so real that when she’d awakened alone in her bed she’d felt like crying.

Just a few more days.

“Let’s take a walk to the pond,” Christian suggested. “It’s a nice clear night and good for stargazing.”

“Such a romantic,” Tessa teased.

“What?” Christian threw his hands out to his sides. “I’m trying to help my brothers get lucky tonight.” He knocked knuckles with Donovan and Landon before slinging his arm around Nicole and leading the group onto the trail that led to the pond on his property.

The sun had lowered in the sky, but it was still plenty light out for this trek across the farm. Isabel took in the pinkish-orange glow reflecting off the leaves of lush maples and beeches. Cornstalks whispered in the gentle summer breeze and a cluster of barn swallows held a Saturday night meeting in a tall birch.

Isabel drew in a deep breath of fresh mountain air. She hadn’t expected to end up here on any permanent basis, but she was glad she’d landed in Vermont.

Grandpa sidled up next to her, Blaze, Remi, and Delilah trotting ahead of them. He hooked his arm around hers and pulled her in for a quick side hug.

“I love having you here, Belly, and I’m so excited to see the resort take off.”

“Me too, Grandpa. I think we’re going to be putting something super special together.”

“Of course. The only thing better than one Perri on the job is two Perris on the job.” He wiggled her arm before releasing her. “I always wanted the cottages to be more and now they’re going to get their chance. Thanks to you.”

“Thanks to us. We’re doing this together.”

“It is important to have a good team, isn’t it?” He squinted up at the sky, the lowering sun casting streaks of pink light over his face.

“We’ll have the best team.”

“Indeed we will.” Grandpa gave her an odd little grin then he snagged a small branch from the ground and hurled it into the water. The dogs took off after it, making a huge splash.

When the noise of doggie splashing died down, a droning sound grew in volume and Isabel searched the sky over the lake. “What’s that?”

“Paleozoic dragonflies?” Christian offered, making everyone but Isabel chuckle.

The thwap-thwap-thwap echoed from behind her so she turned around. A black speck approached, getting lower as it drew closer.

A helicopter.

The cornstalks whipped around a bit as the chopper hovered over the field.

“Take it easy on my corn!” Christian hollered, but he was smiling when Isabel looked back at him.

She focused back on the helicopter. “Is that Charlie?”

“She’s the only one I’d allow this close to my fields,” Christian said.

“Why didn’t she drive?” Isabel asked.

Grandpa came to stand beside her. “Because she’s carrying some precious cargo.”

****

“And I swear to you, if you hurt her in any way,” Charlie said, her voice stern in Jackson’s headphones as she lowered the chopper to the right of Christian’s cornfield, “I will hold you up to my chopper blades, dickside up, and let those rotors rip, you got me?”

“Roger that.” He gave her a thumbs up as he let his other hand rest protectively over his crotch. He knew she wasn’t serious. At least he thought she wasn’t serious, but with Charlie you never knew.

“As long as we understand each other.” Charlie settled the helicopter on the ground and powered down the engine, the blades slowing their spin.

“The last thing I want to do is hurt Isabel,” he said after they’d both removed their headphones. “I know I’ve hurt her in the past.”

“More than once,” Charlie pointed out.

“More than once,” Jackson agreed. “But I will do my best to only bring Isabel happiness from this point forward.”

“See that you do.” Charlie poked him in the bicep then her face completely changed from fierce to friendly, a wide smile stretching across her mouth. “Now get out there and sweep your woman completely off her feet.” She held up a hand and Jackson high-fived her.

“Thanks for helping me get to her sooner, Charlie. I owe you.”

“That you do.” She tapped her temple. “And I won’t forget that you owe me.” She stared out the front window of the chopper for a moment. “You don’t happen to have any more hot brothers hiding somewhere, do you?”

Jackson shook his head. “Sorry. I’m fresh out of brothers, but there are a ton of nice guys in Maplehaven.”

“Maybe I’m not looking for a nice guy.” She arched an eyebrow and Jackson saw the truth of that statement.

“Right. You’d eat a nice guy for dinner then spit out his bones.”

“You got that right.” That semi-scary expression that usually resided on Charlie’s face was back.

“Well, I’ll keep an eye out for some not-nice guys for you.”

“You’re not going to find any around these parts.” She heaved in a deep sigh then slapped her palms to her thighs. “Okay, get out of my bird. I’ll be around in a few minutes.” She poked him in the arm again. “Don’t screw this up.”

Jackson saluted her and jumped out of the helicopter. He headed in the direction of the pond where Christian said he’d have the group assembled by the time he arrived. He started out walking, but knowing Isabel was nearby had him breaking into a jog, then a run.

He spilled out of the cornfield and onto the shore that rimmed the pond. As soon as she saw him, Isabel bolted toward him.

“Jackson!”

Blaze reached him first, the dog going absolutely crazy, jumping up and hitting Jackson in the stomach with his big, wet paws.

“Whoa, there.” Jackson widened his stance so the dog wouldn’t knock him over with his exuberance. “Nice to see you too, buddy.”

“You’re here!” Isabel yelled.

The moment she was in range, Jackson scooped her up into his arms and spun her around, burying his face in her neck. When he set her down, her lips were immediately on his, the kiss turning volcanic in milliseconds. He was vaguely aware of the whistling and cheering of his family behind them and Blaze’s ecstatic barking, but most of his attention was focused on how absolutely wonderful it felt to have Isabel in his arms again. They’d only been apart about a month, but as far as he was concerned, it had felt like at least a decade had passed. Sure, they’d talked on the phone, texted, and video chatted, but none of that was the same as sharing the same space with her. His work would take him away from her from time to time, but he had a plan to make sure she always knew he took a piece of her with him no matter where he was.

“What are you doing here?” Isabel asked when they finally had to break the kiss and come up for air.

“Surprising you,” he said, sneaking in another quick kiss. “Did it work?”

“Yes!” She tightened her arms around his waist. “It’s as if I wished you into existence. I wanted you here so badly.” She nestled her head under his chin, her cheek pressing against his chest just how he liked.

Jackson looked over her head at his family and Eugene all smiling back at him, hopeful expressions on their faces.

“It is hard to be around all those lovebirds,” Charlie said as she marched past Jackson and Isabel to stand next to Isabel’s grandfather. “Right, Eugene?”

Eugene rubbed his stomach. “I don’t know, Charlie. I’m fairly certain I had a love affair with the phenomenal meal I just ate. That’s enough for an old guy like me.”

Charlie folded her arms across her chest and rolled her slate blue eyes. “You people better have saved some of this phenomenal food for me. I did deliver Jackson as promised.”

“And he’s even in one piece,” Christian said.

Charlie narrowed one eye at Jackson. “And he knows what he has to do to stay in one piece.”

His entire family gave him huge smiles and encouraging nods. Eugene winked at him as Jackson petted Blaze standing beside him. Charlie glared at him, but then she stuck her hands in her pockets and grinned.

Jackson backed up a step, loving when Isabel protested and stiffened her arms. “I’d love to stand here and hold you, baby,” he whispered in her ear before nipping at her earlobe. “But I have other things to accomplish right now.”

“What could be more important than letting me welcome you home?” she asked, reluctantly stepping back.

He took a moment to take in the sight of her. The purple, flowered sundress she wore highlighted her amazing figure and his fingers itched to get under that dress. Her blond hair framed her perfect face and draped about her shoulders in big waves, giving her a natural summer beauty vibe his body definitely liked. Her lips were slightly puffy from their welcome home kiss and he wanted more of that.

But first . . .

Jackson took both of her hands in his. He gazed into her gorgeous green eyes—eyes that radiated exactly how she felt about him.

God, he felt the same way.

“Isabel, sometimes all it takes is one rainy night holding someone’s wet and wounded pooch to find love.” He wiggled their joined hands while motioning to Blaze with his chin. “Well, find love again, I suppose.” He brought her hands up to his mouth and pressed kisses to her knuckles. “I want us to spend as many nights as possible together. I want us to always have each other. I want you to marry me.”

He released one of Isabel’s hands and pulled a diamond ring from the front pocket of his cargo shorts. Holding it up between them, purplish sunlight reflecting off the diamond, Jackson asked, “Will you marry me, Whisabel?”

She threw her hands up and squealed, making Blaze get all worked up again. Then her arms were around him, squeezing with a force that surprised him.

“Yes, yes, oh my God, yes!” She littered his face with kisses, ending with her marvelous mouth fused to his. “I love you so much, Jackson.”

He backed up and slid the ring onto her finger, loving how it marked her as his. “I love you too, Isabel. In the past. In the present. In the future.”

They kissed again then his family, Eugene, and Charlie crowded around with congratulations. Even Blaze and the other dogs got in on the celebration by shaking pond water all over everyone. Jackson crouched and rested his head against Blaze’s.

“You’re such a good boy, Blaze. You brought me back to your mama.” He smiled up at Isabel standing next to him. “You brought me a Sadekowi dagger. I can’t wait to see what else you bring me.” He rubbed Blaze’s head then stood and took Isabel’s hand.

“I don’t know what else the dog can bring you, brother,” Christian said as he clamped his hands on Jackson’s shoulders from behind him and turned him away from the pond. “But head that way and I’ll bring you a burger to mark this momentous engagement.” He marched Jackson forward. “All the Henley brothers are officially off the market.”

“And the world breathes a sigh of relief,” Isabel joked as she walked beside Jackson.

Charlie sidled up next to Isabel and the two of them exchanged a quick hug. “I’m so happy for you, Isabel.” She looked past Isabel to Jackson. “Happy for you too. You’re getting the best there is, Henley.”

He raised his eyebrows at Charlie. “And don’t screw it up?”

“What do you know, Isabel? He really is a genius.” Charlie gave Jackson a nod, but when Isabel wasn’t looking, she pointed to his nuts and moved her finger in a circle, pantomiming the whirl of her chopper blades. Then she broke into a run, calling Blaze’s name and delighting all the dogs with a race to Christian’s backyard.

“She scares me a little,” Jackson said to Isabel.

“Wait until I try to get her to wear a maid of honor dress,” Isabel said.

“She’ll do it for you,” Jackson said. “She’ll do anything for you.”

“Even fly to D.C. to pick up the man I love?”

“Yeah, but she made me pay full price.”

Isabel drew him into a deep kiss that created an avalanche of desire inside him. “I’ll make it worth every penny.”

After celebrating with the best people in the world—and a damn good burger—Isabel drove Jackson and Eugene back to Pine River Cottages.

“Well, kids,” Eugene said, grabbing a hand from each of them, “you have found your way back to each other and now you get your sequel. The real adventure begins. I feel so blessed to have you both here.” He gave them each a big hug and a kiss before heading into his cottage.

Blaze headbutted Jackson’s leg then darted toward the cottage he’d stayed in prior to going to D.C.

Only that cottage didn’t look quite the same.

“Someone’s been busy,” he said as he led Isabel toward the expanded cottage.

“I had to do something while missing you terribly,” she said. “I managed to make the bedroom big enough to fit a king-sized bed. Total Sex Cottage now.” She arched an eyebrow before pulling him in close and rubbing herself seductively against him. “Wanna see?”

“Hell, yes.”

Isabel tugged him into the cottage. “You’re never going to want to leave this room.”

That was definitely his plan. At least for tonight.

The first night of the rest of their lives together.

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Contemporary Romance

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One Kind Kiss (Book Two)

One Kind Touch (Book Three)

One Kind Ride (Book Four)

One Kind Note (Book Five)

One Kind Wish (Book Six)

One Kind Note (Book Five)

One Kind Wish (Book Six)

One Kind Word (Book Seven)

One Kind Love (Book Eight)

One Kind Walk (Book Nine)

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Sneak Peek

One Kind Hand

Chapter One

“Why did I let you talk me into this?” Charlene Moyen fiddled with the metal-spiked, leather cuff bracelet on her wrist then tapped her fingers on the edge of the desk in Pine River Cottages’ main office as she stared at the screen in front of her.

“Because you like adventure, Charlie,” her best friend, Isabel Perri, said as she peered over Charlie’s shoulder.

“I like adventure on my four-wheelers or snowmobiles. My chopper is for work.” Her MD500 helicopter was used to assist in search and rescue missions or as a private charter. Moyen Helicopter Services was not a business that signed up to have its helicopter used in a damn movie.

But Charlie had an online form three-quarters of the way completed to do just that. Isabel had seen a call for chopper pilots who owned their own birds to apply to have their helicopters play a role in the latest Austin Rayhill action-adventure film. It was shooting in Montpelier, Vermont, not that far from their hometown of Maplehaven. Isabel was a humongous Austin Rayhill fan and she’d pleaded—outright got on her knees and begged—Charlie to enter her chopper into the running.

“Look at how much it pays,” Isabel had said in her opening arguments, knowing that dollars and cents always mattered to Charlie. Maintaining her chopper cost money, so she weighed the jobs she took carefully. The pay on this gig was definitely eye-popping. With that kind of coin, Charlie could afford to put a sturdier ramp in at her parents’ house for her wheelchair-bound mother. Any day now, her mother’s chair was going to topple the makeshift ramp her father had installed on the cheap. Then they’d be in a fucking pickle. It was bad enough her mother no longer had the freedom to move under her own power, or communicate for that matter. And her father was already mere steps away from packing his bags and leaving.

Like he’d wanted to about five years back. Only her mother’s condition—ALS—showing up had made her father stick around. The man took care of his wife, but Charlie knew he did so out of obligation, not love. Charlie helped out where she could, but she tended to stay away. Her family wasn’t a close one. It never had been. And frankly, seeing her mother in such a weakened condition with so little mobility scared the shit out of Charlie. Probably why she pushed her body to its physical limits on her four wheelers and snowmobiles whenever she had the chance. She wasn’t going to end up like her mother. Nope. She’d rather go out in some ATV stunt one of her buddies dared her to do than live the life her mother was stuck with.

“C’mon,” Isabel said. “Finish the form and hit submit.” She nudged Charlie’s elbow to move her fingers back toward the keyboard. “You probably won’t even get picked.”

That was true. No doubt every chopper pilot near Montpelier was entering. Charlie knew a fair number of flyboys who had enough ego to want their birds featured in an Austin Rayhill movie. They’d also be drawn to the pay.

“Fine.” Charlie entered information into the final boxes on the form and after a second’s hesitation, she tapped the submit button. “Done.” She stood and snapped the laptop closed. “If they want my bird, but I’m on a rescue, they’re shit out of luck though. Saving lives comes before Austin Rayhill.”

“But will the person you save be as gorgeous as Austin Rayhill?” Isabel fluttered her eyelids and put her clasped hands to her cheek.

“Is she still drooling over that guy?” Jackson, Isabel’s fiancé, asked as he appeared and leaned against the office doorway. “Ever since she found that call for choppers, she’s been ‘Austin Rayhill this’ and ‘Austin Rayhill that.’” He rolled his eyes. “Don’t get me wrong. I love the guy’s movies. He’s a badass, but I’m starting to get a complex.”

Isabel hopped over to stand in front of Jackson. It was almost comical how much shorter she was than him, and yet, Charlie had never seen a more perfect match than these two high school sweethearts newly reunited and engaged. Isabel and Jackson embodied everything soul mates should, and they gave Charlie hope that real and true love existed in the world.

She’d probably never experience it. Still nice to know it existed though.

“I’m sorry, Doctor Hunky.” Isabel slid her hands up to hook on Jackson’s shoulders. “You know I’ll always choose you.”

“Even over a billionaire Hollywood actor who, according to his movies, can break a man’s kneecaps with one well-placed karate chop?” Charlie whistled. “You must be great in bed, Jackson?”

Jackson’s cheeks pinked and Charlie added a tally to her Ways to Taunt Jackson Henley chart. She made a bona fide hobby out of teasing him and reminding him that if he hurt Isabel, she’d permanently maim him in ways he’d never forget.

“Oh, he is,” Isabel said. “You should see this thing he does with his—” She was silenced by Jackson planting his mouth over hers in a kiss.

With the two of them occupied with the smooch, Charlie squeezed by them in the doorway then rounded the front desk. “See ya around, peeps.”

Neither Jackson nor Isabel replied and Charlie shook her head as she pushed open the main office cottage door, spilling into the November cold air. Inhaling deeply, she scanned the cottages that comprised the property then squinted at the more recently excavated area where Isabel and her grandfather, Eugene, were expanding Pine River Cottages to be more of a mountain resort. The plan included additional guest cottages, an indoor swimming pool and fitness center, and a bunch of other things that would draw in travelers to Maplehaven.

The finished product would be wonderful because Isabel and her grandfather were the most amazing people Charlie knew. As a kid, Charlie had spent more time with the Perris than her own family because, even before her mother had gotten sick, Charlie’s home life wasn’t altogether functional. Meals were never on the table at a predictable time, bedtime stories weren’t ever read, and family time usually included her father cracking open a beer while her mother bitched about something. The time Charlie did spend at her own house was spent in her room with her door closed, headphones on, and the volume up to max.

Things at Isabel’s house were always better. Grandpa Eugene made incredible pizzas with crazy toppings like dandelions and beets and pistachios. Charlie would always crinkle her nose when he served her a slice, but after she’d take a bite, she’d fall instantly in love and ask for more. And bless him, Grandpa Eugene would always give her more. As far as Charlie was concerned, the Perris were her true family.

And that was why she’d let Isabel talk her into submitting her chopper for that movie chance.

Silly.

But whatever. As long as she wasn’t in the middle of rescue as she’d told Isabel, she could take a little detour in the name of showbiz. Isabel also wasn’t wrong about Austin Rayhill being hot. Charlie and Isabel had seen all of his movies, and while Charlie maintained she liked the kickassery of the roles Austin played and the movies’ soundtracks, she could admit the way the man filled out black cargo pants and a black T-shirt was not hard to watch. Muscles bunched in all the right places. No matter how many bad guys he wrestled to the ground, Austin’s brown hair was always perfectly styled and streaked with golden highlights. His characters worked around the clock to finish whatever mission they’d been assigned, but Austin’s blue eyes were never bloodshot. Those characters also had an intensity that was super sexy.

Charlie doubted the real man was anything like his characters, but a girl could dream. And dream she did. Of a guy who would treat her like royalty, but who didn’t fit in the Nice Guy category. Sure, nice guys were . . . nice. Badasses with an attitude, however, were more Charlie’s brand. She needed someone who wouldn’t crumble under her often merciless teasing—ask Jackson—and someone who could zing clever comebacks like a professional. She wouldn’t last two minutes with a guy whose feelings were easily hurt.

She’d tried that. Didn’t bother buying the T-shirt. If she could reduce a guy to tears on the first date, he wasn’t made of the right stuff to be with her. Charlie was coming to the realization that there might not be a Perfect Guy for her out there.

Certainly not within the confines of Maplehaven, Nice Guy Capital of the World.

Charlie had tried hooking up with dudes she met on rescues or charters, but that never went anywhere either. Maybe she was being too choosy, but she absolutely didn’t want to end up like her parents who barely tolerated each other.

Zipping up her vest, Charlie walked along the gravel pathway to her SUV. She’d bought new tires and boy, did they look pretty. Nothing like new treads to barrel through the snow that would soon blanket the area. As it was early November, some snow had fallen in Vermont, but not anything with any true sticking power. She probably had a little more time to play around on her ATV before shifting to snowmobiling. Charlie loved her machines. If only she could find a man who was as thrilling.

“Hey, Charlie-girl.” Eugene knocked his knuckles on the hood of her SUV as he rounded the vehicle then leaned against the rear driver side door. “Heading home?”

“Yeah, I’ve had enough of watching Isabel and Jackson make out in the main office.”

Eugene laughed, a kind warmth in his eyes that always made Charlie feel welcome. “I don’t think they can help themselves.”

Charlie smacked her hands together. “Like magnets.” She shoved her hands into her pockets and leaned next to Eugene. “What was Isabel’s grandmother like?” The woman had died when Isabel was small as had Isabel’s parents, and Eugene had stepped in to raise Isabel.

And Charlie really.

Eugene’s gaze wandered to the sky which was gray today. “My Anna was a one-of-a-kind woman. I knew the moment I saw her coming out of a convenience store that I’d met an angel.” He put his hand over his heart. “She had all this blond hair that went on for miles and her laugh was the prettiest song.”

“So poetic.” Charlie squeezed his forearm.

“A beautiful woman will always inspire a man to compose poetry,” Eugene said. “Even if he’s never written a line before.”

Great. Now she had to add is a poet to her too-specific list of qualities she was looking for in a guy.

“She wouldn’t go out with me at first though,” Eugene said with a smile.

“She wouldn’t? Who wouldn’t want to snag you, Eugene?”

He raised his eyebrows. “I know, right?” Chuckling, he said, “Anna was only in Vermont for the summer and she didn’t want to start a relationship with a local. Made perfect sense, but I wasn’t the sort of guy to listen to perfect sense.” He patted his chest. “Not when the heart tells me something different.”

“So you pursued her?” Charlie had probably listened to a trillion Eugene stories, but she’d never heard this one and she was fascinated.

“Perris are not quitters.” Eugene straightened so he was no longer leaning against the SUV and he squared his shoulders. “I just happened to be everywhere she was so she kept getting reminded of how irresistible I was.”

“Irresistible or annoying?”

Eugene shrugged. “Same difference.” He rocked back on his heels. “After one week of me popping up all over town—thank God Maplehaven is small—she finally gave in and let me buy her a maple creemee ice cream cone.”

“Reel her in with ice cream. Devious.”

“You betcha. Worked like a charm. By the end of the summer, she was so smitten with me that she begged her parents to move to Vermont. She was an only child and a little bit spoiled so they agreed and bought a house in Canville that winter. We spent that Christmas together and every one after that until she passed.” He sailed another glance up to the sky. “I know she still celebrates Christmas with me.”

Charlie swiped a finger under her eye, hoping Eugene wouldn’t notice how his story had touched her, but of course the man saw everything. He pulled her into one of his famous Grandpa Eugene hugs and she sniffled against his flannel jacket.

“You’re a beautiful person, Charlene Moyen,” he whispered, “and somewhere out there is another beautiful person who is perfect for you. He could be walking out of the next convenience store at any time.”

“Thanks, Eugene.” She gave him a final squeeze and stepped back. “What are you up to this afternoon?”

He pointed in the direction of the new construction. “I’ve got a few things to deal with on the build.” He put his hands up before Charlie could speak. “I know, I know. Don’t overdo it. I’ve been behaving, Charlie.”

“Good. Keep it up. We all need you.” Charlie had been as worried as Isabel when Eugene had a heart attack a few months ago. It was yet another reminder like her mother that life was fragile. You had to make the most of it because so many things could make you have to slow down before you were ready. Charlie didn’t fear dying.

What she feared was living with limitations.

She bid Eugene farewell and climbed into her SUV. She yanked her phone out and did a quick search on Austin Rayhill for the hell of it. Scrolling through the images that popped up had her groaning aloud. Several shirtless photos made her bite her bottom lip.

Then the tuxedo shots nearly soaked her undies.

Charlie’s mind wandered to a scenario in which her chopper did get chosen to be in Austin’s next movie. Would she get to meet him? Would he have cause to wear a tuxedo? Would he have cause to not wear anything?

A shiver of pleasure wiggled through her and she almost dropped her phone when it buzzed with an incoming message.

Litton PD: Are you free to assist on a rescue?

Litton was in New Hampshire and Charlie could be there in no time with her chopper.

Charlie: Send me the deets and I’m on my way.

Taking a few deep breaths, she gripped the steering wheel, happy to have a job to go on. Because what was wrong with her? Fantasizing about an actor was for rabid fans.

For losers.

Charlie Moyen was no loser.

But she was definitely watching an Austin Rayhill movie before bed tonight.

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About the Author

Christine DePetrillo can often be found hugging trees, conversing with dragonflies, and walking barefoot through sun-warmed soil. She finds joy in listening to the wind, bathing in moonlight, and breathing in the fragrances of things that bloom. If she had her way, the sky would be the only roof over her head.

Her love of nature seeps into every story she tells. As does her obsession with bearded mountain men who build, often smell like sawdust, and know how to cherish the women they love. Today she writes tales meant to make you laugh, maybe make you sweat, and definitely make you believe in the power of love.

She lives in Vermont with her husband and many woodland creatures who defend her fiercely from all evils.

Find Christine’s other titles at www.christinedepetrillo.weebly.com.  Connect on Facebook at www.facebook.com/christinedepetrilloauthor, on Instagram at @christinedepetrillo, and at the Small Town Hearts Facebook Group. Sign up for her newsletter here www.christinedepetrillo.weebly.com for new release information.