Page 154 of Banter & Blushes

JC laughed. “I’m not allowed to touch my girls’ hair. Stella said I’d need professional lessons before I came near her again with a brush.”

The girls giggled, and JC turned back to Arwyn and me. “We’ve got you all set up in Cabin 21, also known as Salt Mist Cottage, in our new expansion off Blueberry Lane. By Friday, most of the new cabins will be occupied by your teammates and their families. Should be a fun time.”

“Totally. Thanks for putting us all together,” I said.

“Anything for Flynn and Meggie. She’s worked here at the resort since she was a teenager. They met when his team at the time was playing the Acadia Harbormasters, and it was love at first sight for those two. That dude was so smitten and didn’t care who knew. He’d come to town to visit every chance he got, and he’s worked here for a month or so every summer since, in between hockey camps and visiting his family. Of course, if I was from Vermont, like him, I’d come here every chance I had, too, just sayin’.” He flashed his wide grin again. “No shade to Vermont. I’m just a coastal guy through and through.”

Now it was my turn to snort. Flynn had stated on more than one occasion that unless you loved to ski and/or grow your own crops, Vermont probably wasn’t the place you’d want to settle down in. We planned to make a few stops in the state on our way to Montreal for teddy bears, maple syrup, and cheese.

“He’s a great guy and a heck of a player,” I said. “I haven’t spent much time with Meggie, but she seems like the perfect match for him.”

“For sure,” JC agreed.

“She’s incredible,” Arwyn praised. “And an angel with animals, I hear.”

JC nodded. “She’s been invaluable to my brother Easton as his assistant the past few years. We’re sure going to miss her when she joins Flynn permanently in Colorado.”

“From the way Flynn talks about Crane’s Cove, I have no doubt he’ll retire here,” I said. “I give him eight, maybe ten more years on the ice if he can keep from getting injured.”

JC grinned. “At least. All right, I won’t keep you all any longer.” He pointed out the front window. “Follow this driveway back to Cliff Walk Lane and follow that road until you come to the fork at the Fitness Center. Turn right and then take another right onto Blueberry Lane towards the new cabins. Circle around until you find the driveway marked twenty-one. Your key code was texted to you this morning.”

“One-four-three-one-four-three!” Isla blurted.

JC laughed. “You got it. And you can always change it if needed. If you have any trouble, just call the main number and we’ll get it fixed.” He handed Arwyn the folder he’d been carrying. “Here’s your personalized Folder-O-Fun. Camp starts at 9a.m. sharp. Anything else I can do for you?”

Arwyn and I shook our heads. “Nothing I can think of,” I said.

JC saluted us. “Then I’ll leave you to it. Have fun, girls!”

“We will!” Isla and Amelie chimed.

Once he left, I followed his directions to a canopied lane that led to the new cabins. Flynn had recommended we book our stay in this section of the resort where the cabins were set up in a circle, facing each other wagon-style. In the center was a playground, a covered pavilion with grills and picnic tables, a grassy area, and a kiddie splash zone.

As we rounded the circle clockwise, Isla read their names. “Sea Glass Haven, The Gull’s Nest, Moss and Moose … What’s a chall-let, Wynnie?”

“It’s pronounced sha-lay,” Arwyn said with a smile.

“Oh!” Amelie exclaimed. “It’s French!”

I grinned. They were fluent speaking their mother’s language. Reading and writing it would come later.

“Driftwood Loft, Tidepool Hollow, Cranberry Knoll. I know it’s knoll and not kah-nole from our fairy house art class!”

“That was so fun!” Amelie agreed. “Are we almost there?”

“Almost,” Arwyn assured her. “According to the map in the folder, it’s almost all the way around.”

“Okay.” Isla sighed. “Blueberry Hill Getaway. Sandpiper Sanctuary. Maine Squeeze Honeymoon Hideaway, Lighthouse Lookout…”

“Here it is, girls!”

“Finally!” Isla huffed. “Oooooh, it’s pretty. Salt Mist Cottage!”

It was. Tucked under branches of tall trees and framed by lush greenery and wildflowers, this place looked like it was pulled right out of a storybook. The cedar shingles and crisp white trim give it a classic charm, but it was the peace and quiet that hit me first. No cars. No city hum. Just birdsong and the distant sound of a boat horn. Any doubts I had about this being the perfect place to spill my secret were completely erased.

I recalled the photos of the property from the website when we booked. Inside was the perfect mix of cozy and quaint. A total Pinterest dream, Arwyn called it, with its big windows and throw pillows. Master bedroom on this level and a cozy loft with bunk beds and a pullout sofaupstairs, which was a step up from the sleeping bag I’d been nesting in during the trip. Occasionally, we’d stayed overnight at hotels along the way, but like I told Arwyn, I would have slept outside in a tent if she insisted.

“Wynnie, can I have the map later?” Amelie asked. “I want to make a list of all the cabins in my vacation diary.”

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