Page 48 of Serial Love

Bethany headed out to the shed early to try to get some work completed before the madness began. Labor Day weekend was almost upon her, and she was booked solid. Approaching the door, she found it unlocked.I know I locked it yesterday.Opening the door, she yelped and jumped back as Roscoe was coming out.

“Lordy, you scared me,” she explained.

“Sorry, Bethany,” he said, moving forward with his tool belt buckled around his waist. “I got here early so I could get started on a few repairs.”

“Me too,” she said. “Are you going to take down those branches over cabin six?”

“Yep, and shore up the gutters on cabin eight.”

“What happened?” she said, dismay in her voice.

“Not to worry,” he assured. “I just noticed after the last storm, one side was hanging a little. Won’t take but a bit of banging to make it right.”

He moved past her, smiling as he went. She felt hiseyes on her as she went into the shed. Turning, she saw him still watching her. “Was there anything else, Roscoe?”

“I was just wonderin’ if you and that neighbor man were seeing each other now? He’s been around more, and I noticed you skedaddling off as well.”

Laughing, she said, “Yes. His name is Jack Bryant, and we are seeing each other.”

Roscoe nodded, then added, “Well, your grandmother would want you to be happy. You always were such a good girl.”

He moved on down the path and she grabbed the dock cleaning supplies.Time to start the day before they all come in.

Later that afternoon, Jack made sure he came by to check on things. As he pulled up, he noticed several trucks full of men with fishing equipment at the lodge. Jaw tight, he jogged up the steps and into the room. Seeing Bethany all alone, checking them in, he moved directly behind the counter and kissed her before turning to face the men in the room. He knew it was a caveman move, but he did not care.And from the glance to her beside him, wide eyed and jaw dropped, he’d have to explain later.

“Gentlemen,” he called out loudly. “Last time there was a group here, there was unpleasantness that required the entire group to be ejected and no refunds were given. I trust there won’t be those problems with any of you.”

The men quickly assured the large man standing infront of them that they were there to fish in the fishing contest at a nearby lake and promised there would be no difficulties.

“And furthermore, this lodge is locked, secured, and alarmed after eight p.m.”

“Yes, sir,” they hastily agreed, before signing the register and moving back to their trucks with their cabin assignments.

As the last one left, he took a deep breath and turned to face the seething woman glaring at him.

She opened her mouth, but before she could utter a word of censure, she found his fingers on her lips.

“Beautiful, I get that you’re pissed, but hear me out first and then decide if you’re still pissed.”

She glared but kept quiet.

“Just like with children, it’s better to let guests know up front what your expectations are. You’ve got rules on your website, posted in each cabin and there’s no reason not to reinforce them.”

“Yes, but?—”

“And those men don’t want to lose their cabin in the middle of their vacation when there’s no other hotel in the area with a Labor Day opening. One of them drinks too much and even thinks about getting rowdy, the others are more likely to reign him in.”

She had to admit to herself that his explanation made sense. Huffing, she said, “Okay, but what about the?—”

“Same thing. Expectations, baby. No way in hell are you still leaving this door unlocked during the evening.”

Okay, he’s right there too.

Then her eyes narrowed, and she said, “How about the way you?—”

He stepped closer, gazing down into her blue eyes, watching them widen the nearer he came. “That was because when we’ve been apart, I want to feel your lips on mine. Here, my place, alone, in a crowd. Wherever.”

He stood directly in front of her, the toes of his boots touching the tips of her sneakers. Her head leaned way back so she could see his face.

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