Page 30 of Seduced By the Mountain Man

As the workshop wound down, I thought about kaleidoscopes again. How you had to turn them to see the new pattern. How staying in one position meant missing all the other beautiful possibilities.

Maybe it was time to turn the kaleidoscope of my own life.

***

The afternoon passed in a haze of relaxation. We lounged by the lake, read books in the shade, dozed in hammocks strung between trees. The kind of perfect summer day that lived in memory long after it was over.

As evening approached, the resort came alive with preparations for the Fourth of July celebration. Red, white, and blue decorations appeared on every surface. The smell of barbecue drifted from the beach, where staff were setting up long buffet tables for the evening feast.

I changed into denim shorts and a red tank top with tiny white stars—casual but still patriotic. My friends were getting ready with the kind of enthusiasm that suggested they expected this to be a memorable night.

"You look cute," Whitney said, adjusting her own outfit—navy blue shorts and a white off-shoulder top. "Very all-American girl. Perfect for catching a certain mountain man's attention."

"I'm dressing for a lakeside barbecue," I protested, though my cheeks warmed.

"Uh-huh. And I suppose it's a coincidence that you spent twenty minutes on your makeup?"

"Fifteen," I corrected, then realized that didn't help my case.

Amber laughed. "Just admit it, Dee. You're hoping to catch a certain someone's eye tonight."

I was saved from answering by Kayla's appearance in the doorway. She'd chosen khaki shorts and a red baseball tee, her braids swept up in a casual ponytail.

"Ready, ladies?" she asked. "I heard they're setting up the buffet tables down by the lake."

We made our way down to the lakefront as the sun began its descent toward the mountains. The scene was perfectly festive—long buffet tables set up on the beach with red, white, and blue tablecloths fluttering in the breeze, families spread out on blankets with coolers and lawn chairs, kids splashing in the shallow water while parents watched from the shore. The bluegrass band had set up on a small wooden platform near the dock, their music drifting across the water.

I spotted Jace almost immediately, not because I was looking for him (okay, I absolutely was), but because he commanded attention even in the casual crowd. He'd traded his usual resort uniform for khaki shorts and a navy polo that made his eyes look even more intense. He was helping staff set up the buffet line, his sleeves rolled up, looking completely at ease in the relaxed atmosphere.

"Go talk to him," Whitney murmured in my ear.

"He's working," I said, accepting a cold beer from a server circulating with drinks.

"He managed to find time for a private conversation last night," she pointed out. "I'm sure he can spare a few minutes now."

She had a point, but before I could work up the courage to approach him, Ruth called everyone's attention with a small bell.

"Folks, the buffet is ready! We've got all your Fourth of July favorites—burgers, hot dogs, all the fixings, plus Ruth's famous potato salad and coleslaw. Kids, don't forget to save room for s'mores later!"

The crowd began moving toward the buffet tables, families with children getting in line first while others continued lounging on their blankets or wading in the lake. We joined the line, the conversation flowing as easily as the cold drinks while we loaded our plates with perfectly grilled burgers and hot dogs, corn on the cob, potato salad, and coleslaw.

As the meal wound down and the sky deepened to purple, Ruth stood on the platform with the band's microphone.

"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, in just a few minutes we'll be launching our Fourth of July fireworks display over the lake. This year's show is extra special—choreographed to music and designed to celebrate not just our nation's independence, but the personal freedom we all seek in our own lives. Find your spots on the beach or grab a blanket, and get ready for a spectacular show!"

Families began claiming prime spots along the shoreline, parents setting up lawn chairs while kids ran around with sparklers. Whitney headed off with her doctor toward a quieter section of beach, while Amber and Matt found a spot closer to the water. Kayla spread out a blanket with the older couple fromour painting class, already deep in conversation about the day's art workshop, leaving me to find my own place to watch.

The first firework exploded just as I found a spot on the sand—a golden starburst that reflected perfectly in the lake's still surface. Families around me "ooohed" and "aaahed" as more followed, children pointing excitedly while parents tried to capture the perfect photo.

I was so mesmerized by the display that I didn't notice him approaching until he spoke.

"Mind if I join you?"

I turned to find Jace beside me, having changed from his work polo into a gray t-shirt and the same khaki shorts. The casual look suited him perfectly, making him seem more approachable somehow.

"Beautiful night for fireworks," he added, settling onto the sand beside me.

"It is," I agreed, my voice steady despite my racing pulse. "The whole day has been... illuminating."

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