A Moment in the Moonlight Read online

  “You.”

  “You.”

  There he stood. Him. The man from her run-in in town.

  He recovered first. “I… I’m looking for a place to stay. Probably a week or so.”

  As much as she wanted to say they were full, they weren’t. Those blue eyes stared at her, and she did her best to ignore them.

  Intriguing eyes.

  Nope.

  Ignorable eyes.

  “We do have an available cabin for you.”

  “Great.”

  She didn’t really know if she thought it was great that this rude man was going to be here for a week or so… and he better not litter on the property either.

  “Name?”

  He paused. “Harrison. Harrison Stanworth.”

  She checked him in. Mistyping Chicago and street of all things as she entered his information. “Here you go.” She handed him the key to Rustic Haven.

  He stared down at the key in his hand. “No door card?”

  “Nope, just a good old-fashioned key. You know how to work one, right?” She cocked her head to one side.

  He rewarded her with a lazy grin. “I do.”

  He closed his fist around the key. “And… uh… I just wanted to apologize properly for… for earlier. I’m sorry. I wasn’t watching where I was going.”

  Ah, ha! Vindication swept through her. “No problem.”

  “I see you’ve changed into less… splattered clothes.”

  She looked down at the old blue plaid shirt that she’d rapidly tossed on after changing out of her stained clothes. She wished she’d taken the time to put on something a little bit nicer.

  But that was silly. She often wore flannel shirts here at the lodge. They were practical. And if someone was going to throw coffee on her, it wouldn’t show as much…

  She ignored his discussion of her apparel. “Here’s a map to the cabin. It’s called Rustic Haven, but actually, it’s been recently remodeled. There’s dinner here at the lodge starting in about an hour.”

  “Thank you. Not sure of my dinner plans yet.” He looked at his watch. “Wi-fi in the cabin?”

  “Yes. You should get a fairly decent signal. Usually. If not, you can come to the main lodge. We get the best signal here.”

  He nodded.

  “Let me know if you need anything.”

  “I will.” He turned away, and she watched him cross the floor with long, confident strides. His whole demeanor reflected the fact that he was a man used to getting his way.

  But he had apologized, there was that.

  Linda slowly unpacked her things at Serenity Cabin. Serenity. She wasn’t sure she’d ever feel serene again. Not after what she’d recently found out.

  Her life had been upended, and she’d struggled to find her footing ever since.

  So many lies.

  So many surprises.

  She didn’t really know what to do. But one thing was sure. She was going to find out the truth.

  An ache filled her chest with a pain so raw it made her knees go weak. She sank onto the colorful quilt on the bed and lowered her head into her hands.

  She sat there for long minutes, waiting for the ache to subside, waiting for the strength to stand and finish unpacking. She had plans for her stay in Sweet River Falls, and she needed to get started on them.

  But still, she sat.

  Harrison sorted through the papers he’d placed on the table in his cabin. Other real estate deals in the area. Land prices. Housing market info. No matter how he looked at the deal Walt had sent to his mother, it just didn’t seem like a good price for the land and cabin. It was prime lakefront property.

  And for the life of him, he couldn’t believe that Walt wasn’t sharp enough to get top dollar for the property.

  He looked at the offer again and all the paperwork Walt had sent to his mother to sign. Did Walt think that his mother was a doddering old fool who would sign anything? Did Walt think that he wouldn’t look after his own mother on this deal?

  Well, he knew what his cousin thought about him. Walt thought he was some stupid loser.

  Well, his cousin had a surprise coming. He wasn’t the same person Walt had last seen what seemed like a life time ago.

  He set the paper down on the table and rubbed his eyes. The room had grown dark while he worked. He glanced at his watch as his stomach rumbled. He’d fully intended to head into town to eat dinner… if only to avoid running into that woman again. What a weird coincidence that she worked at the very place he’d picked to stay.

  But now his hunger was overcoming his decision to avoid her. He’d only grabbed a breakfast burrito at the airport and skipped lunch.

  It sounded so easy to just walk over to the dining lodge and grab something to eat. With any luck, she would still be working the front desk and he could slip into the dining room unnoticed.

  He frowned. He didn’t even know her name. Only that she worked at the lodge. His sum total of knowledge about her. That, and he knew she had remarkable eyes that still haunted and taunted him.

  He grabbed his jacket and walked down to the trail beside the lake. The end of the sunset tossed rays of shimmering gold across the water. He paused, remembering the sunsets when he was a young boy. His mother had loved to watch the sunsets here. How many times had he sat out with her on the large boulder at the water’s edge in front of his grandparents’ cabin? He stood silently, lost in memories, and watched until the sun finished slipping below the horizon, then he headed toward the lodge.

  The dining room bustled with activity, and a man walked up to him, menus in hand. “Hi, table for one?”

  “Yes, just me.”

  “Follow me.”

  He followed the man to a table on the far side of the dining room. He looked left and right as they walked, glad to see no evidence of the run-in woman. He took his seat and the offered menu.

  “You staying here at the lodge?”

  “I am.”

  “Mom said we got a couple more guests this afternoon.”

  Mom?

  His confusion must have been evident.

  “My mother. Nora Cassidy. She and I own the lodge.” The man stretched out a hand. “I’m Jason Cassidy.”

  “Nice to meet you.” He said the words automatically, still processing the information.

  Nora Cassidy. The run-in woman had a name. And she owned the lodge.

  “I’ll send your waitress right over.”

  He nodded and opened the menu, not really reading the words. It was probably going to be really hard to avoid the woman—Nora—if she owned the lodge where he was staying…

  Chapter 4

  Nora served the customers in the dining room the next morning, looking up every now and then to see if that Harrison Stanworth fellow was going to come in for breakfast. Jason had said he’d been in for dinner last night, but she’d been busy in the kitchen helping Judy with the cooking.

  She smiled at—what was her name? Linda something. The woman from Baltimore who had checked in yesterday afternoon. “More coffee?”

  “Yes, please.”

  Nora filled Linda’s cup. “You have plans for the day?”

  “I thought I might go into town. I wanted to visit the town’s historical society.”

  “Good day for that. It’s only open three days a week, but today is one of them.” Nora paused. “Any particular history you’re interested in? I grew up here. Know a lot about the area.”

  Linda’s eyes lit up. “You did?”

  “Yep, born and raised here. Raised my kids here, too.”

  “So you know most of the people who own property on the lake?”

  “Most of them, why? You looking for lake property?” A waitress came by and took the coffee pot from Nora and walked over to an adjacent table to refill another customer’s cup. All her employees knew that she liked to take time to chat with the guests and get to know them. So many of them came back as repeat guests and became almost like family.

  “No
, I… no. Not looking for property. I just…” Linda looked down at the coffee and traced a finger along the edge of the mug. “No, I’m just interested in… history.”

  “Ah, a history buff.” Nora smiled.

  Linda nodded, but Nora got the feeling it wasn’t really a nod of total agreement, more of a nod of don’t-ask-more-questions. Okay, she wasn’t here to pry into her guests’ lives.

  “Well, I hope you enjoy yourself. There are copies of old newspapers—not many have been scanned in yet, but they are working on it. Some books about the early people in the town. Lots of photographs. Eleanor is the historian there. I’m sure she’ll be able to help you.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Sure thing. Let me know if you need anything else.”

  Nora walked away, a frown tugging the corners of her mouth. There was something about Linda, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on what was bothering her about the woman.

  Harrison was hoping his luck from last night would hold and he wouldn’t run into Nora at the dining room this morning. He was starving, and he’d seen the menu for breakfast in his cabin. Probably set there to entice the guests. And entice it did. He rarely had time for breakfast at home, but either the mountain air or something made him ravenous here in Sweet River Falls.

  A woman with brown, shoulder-length hair passed him as he entered the lodge. Her sky-blue eyes searched his face quickly as she walked past. He frowned and turned to watch her leave. Something about her… He didn’t know her. At least he didn’t think he did. But something about her seemed so… familiar.

  He shrugged away the thought and concentrated on the wonderful aroma that swirled around him. Maple. Cinnamon. Fresh baked bread.

  He strode across the last of the distance in anticipation, entered the dining room, and froze.

  She was here. Nora Cassidy.

  She looked up, and he knew she saw him standing there. Electricity crackled between them. No way to deny it. No time to change his mind and head into town for breakfast.

  He plastered on a weak smile. The woman made him feel foolish and awkward, and those weren’t emotions he was used to feeling. She motioned him to cross the room, and he did as he was beckoned.

  “Good morning.” Nora smiled at him, but the smile was that of someone who was used to greeting her guests, not a smile that said she was truly glad to see him.

  And why would she be glad to see him? He’d run into her, ruined her clothes, and then hadn’t apologized. Well, he’d apologized yesterday afternoon, but even he knew that was too little, too late.

  “Good morning.” He slipped into the chair at the table she motioned to. “Lovely day here.” Lovely day? What kind of greeting was that? That didn’t even sound like him. She threw him off balance, and he didn’t like that one bit.

  “Supposed to get a long string of wonderful autumn weather. You should go hike some trails—if you’re into that kind of thing—the aspens are glorious this time of year.”

  “I might just do that.” But he’d have to find some hiking boots and something to wear. He hadn’t really packed appropriately, he realized. He’d just been thinking about doing some research, meeting some people, getting some facts and figures. He hadn’t thought about actually getting out and enjoying the beautiful scenery while he was here. He’d forgotten just how breath-taking the views were.

  He looked down at his precisely creased slacks and light blue, button-down shirt. Not really lodge and hiking apparel.

  “Say, do you know where I could go and get some other clothes?” He unbuttoned his cuffs and rolled up his sleeves, striving to do so nonchalantly.

  “Sure do. Alpine Outfitters. Tell Chuck I sent you. Chuck Smith. I’m Nora Cassidy by the way.”

  “Nice to properly meet you, Nora.”

  She gave him a small smile. “A better meeting than our first one.”

  “I am sorry. I apologize again.”

  “It wasn’t a big deal.” Nora started to turn away. “I’ll send your waitress over. I’d suggest the pecan pancakes. Judy makes fabulous pecan pancakes.”

  He watched her walk away and disappear through the doorway to the kitchen. He frowned and turned his attention back to her remark about Alpine Outfitters.

  Chuck Smith. It couldn’t be the same Chuck Smith, could it? Not the one he’d known as a kid when he’d come to visit his grandparents?

  Nora puttered around the kitchen, letting the two servers deal with the customers.

  “You look a little flushed.” Judy, the cook, took another batch of cinnamon rolls from the oven and set them on the counter.

  “I do?”

  “You do.”

  Well, that annoyed her. She wasn’t overheated in the least bit, but she could feel a slight flush to her cheeks. She wanted to blame it on the oven that was just opened, but she knew the truth.

  Harrison.

  He’d unnerved her again when he’d looked at her with those sparkling clear eyes of his. Eyes that seemed to look right inside of her. She shivered.

  “You coming down with something?” Judy frowned.

  “No, I’m fine.” Or she would be if she could just avoid Harrison. Or at least find a way for him to not get under her skin.

  It had been a long time—a very long time—since a man had affected her like this. And she was pretty certain she didn’t like it. Not one bit.

  Chapter 5

  Harrison returned to his cabin after breakfast without seeing Nora again. He wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing.

  He sat at the table and started doing more research on his laptop. After a while, he closed the computer and decided to take a break. He drove into town and passed by Alpine Outfitters. He did want to get some more appropriate clothes but really didn’t want to run into Chuck Smith. If the owner Chuck was the same Chuck he’d known. And if Chuck recognized him. It had been over forty years. But he’d have to give his credit card with his name on it. And Chuck would recognize his name. If it was that Chuck.

  He frowned. And if Chuck was still friends with Walt, then he might mention to Walt that he was in town. With a split-second decision, he decided to drive over to the neighboring town of Mountain Grove and see what stores they had there. Surely he could get what he needed there.

  He drove the short distance to Mountain Grove, marveling at the scenery as the roadway threaded its way around mountains and dipped down into the large valley between the two towns. He found a store in Mountain Grove and twenty minutes of shopping later, came out with flannel shirts, a couple pairs of jeans, and a pair of shoes that seemed to be a hybrid of hiking boots and tennis shoes. He’d been tempted to buy a cowboy hat because he’d always wanted one when he’d come to Colorado to visit. But he’d been too much of a dork then to pull it off. He still didn’t think he could pull it off now without looking ridiculous.

  And once again he was ravenous. He’d spied a tavern on the edge of town, Mac’s Place, and decided to go grab some lunch there. He really was going to have to go on some hikes while he was here, if for no other reason than to burn off all the calories he was consuming.

  He pushed through the door to the tavern and walked up to sit at the long, wooden bar. The man behind the bar greeted him. “Afternoon.” He pushed a menu his direction. “Can I get you something to drink?”

  “Iced tea would be great.”

  “Coming up.” The man walked away, and Harrison looked at the menu. A double bacon cheeseburger and fries called his name. So much for his usual healthy eating habits.

  The man returned and slid a tall glass of tea to him. “Just passing through?”

  “I’m actually staying in Sweet River Falls for a week or so.”

  “Really? Where?”

  “At Sweet River Lodge.”

  The man grinned. “Great choice. My wife’s mother owns it. Nora Cassidy. Have you met her?”

  Man, he just could not get away from her. He smiled weakly. “Yes, we’ve met.”

  “She’s great.
Wonderful mother-in-law. I’m sure you’ll enjoy your stay there.” The man extended a hand. “I’m Mac McKenna.”

  “Harrison.” He shook the man’s hand.

  “What brings you to Mountain Grove?”

  It wasn’t like he could tell the man why he’d come here… to avoid being recognized. “Just touring around the area. Seeing the sights.”

  Mac nodded. “Can I take your order?”

  Harrison ordered his definitely-not-on-his-usual-diet meal only feeling slightly guilty. Okay, he felt pretty guilty, but he ordered it anyway.

  Mac soon returned with the lunch, and Harrison eyed it hungrily. “Here you go. Enjoy.”

  “I’m sure I will.”

  And he did. Every last bite of it. Almost guilt-free. Almost.

  Harrison pulled back into Sweet River Falls late that afternoon. He spied Bookish Cafe—the scene of his run-in with Nora—and decided to stop in again. He wanted to see if they had some books on the history of the town. Especially any that mentioned his ancestors and the history of the area around Lone Elk Lake. He needed to be totally prepared before he confronted Walt.

  He found a parking space and headed into the shop. The same friendly woman who had greeted him yesterday welcomed him. “Welcome back to Bookish Cafe. Can I help you? Coffee again?”

  “No, I’m actually book shopping today. I’m looking for books on the history of the town. Do you have anything like that?”

  “Sweet River Falls? We do have a few books over here in the Colorado section.” The woman smiled at him. “I’m Annie, by the way. I’ve lived here my whole life if you have any questions about the area.”

  “Thanks, Annie. I’m Harrison, and I might just take you up on that offer.” First, he’d do more research on his own.

  “Are you staying here in Sweet River Falls very long?” Annie made small talk as she led him over to the book section.

  “I’m at the Sweet River Falls Lodge for a week or so.”

  The woman smiled. “Oh, my best friend, Nora, owns the lodge.”