Page 14 of Red, White, and You

I nod and swing her away from me, then pull her back, holding her a little closer this time. With no space between our hips, I can feel every move of her legs as we dance. “When my father died—”

Brie winces. “Yes, about that—”

“Don’t,” I say, shaking my head. “I know why you didn’t call.”

She smiles sadly, but nods.

It’s the same reason I didn’t call when I heard about her brother’s passing.

Wecouldn’t.

Any contact, even just the smallest acknowledgment of loss or grief, and we’d have undone the hard work we’d put into our separation, into building our lives and finding success—whatever that meant for each of us.

“His life insurance, plus some savings I’d had no idea about, came my way, and with them…” I motion around me. “A land deed.” Laughing, I add, “You should have seen how run down this place was when I showed up to claim it.”

“Really? It’s so beautiful now.”

“Thank you. I’ve never worked so hard on anything in my life. This place is full of blood, sweat, and tears.”

Brie’s eyes widen. “You built this?”

“Not entirely,” I admit. “I hired people, of course, professionals who knew what they were doing, but I designed it. And I worked beside the construction crews every day.”

Her mouth opens, but no words come out, hazel eyes sparkling with a mix of wonder and pride.

Each stride of our dance presses her hips against mine. I ache for her in ways I can’t act on with all these people around.

She releases my hand and wraps both arms around my neck, as if I’m not the only one feeling the need to be closer, toeliminate both inches and years that separate us. Her fingers slide into my hair and she licks her lips.

Everything else falls away. The music. The band. The campers.

I lower my lips to hers, kissing her slowly as we rock in place.

When I pull back, her eyes remain closed for a minute and I study the soft spray of her eyelashes on each cheek.

“Come on,” I finally say. “Let’s go for a walk.”

She opens her eyes slowly. “You’re allowed to leave?”

Smiling, I reach down and squeeze her ass. “It’s my camp, Breezy, I can do whatever I want. And right now, I want to kiss you without all these onlookers.”

She bites her bottom lip and her cheeks pinken as her gaze flicks around the grand hall, then she nods. “Probably a good idea.”

She slips her hand into mine and we stride quickly to the doors, then out into the night. There are campers everywhere, mingling outside the hall, smoking cigarettes and whatever else on benches near the lake, splashing in the pool or sitting in the jacuzzi, but I have only one place in mind, and it’s usually empty. My secret hideaway behind the Camp Office.

I lead Brie through the campground, miraculously avoiding being pulled into any conversations, then we sneak along the side of the office cabin and find the trail out back.

“Where are you taking me?” she asks, the playful lilt of her voice unable to hide the underlying nervousness.

“We haven’t had a bear sighting in years, Breezy, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

Brie laughs self-consciously. “How did you know?”

I stop and turn around, tugging her into my arms. “Because I know you.”

She pulls in a shaky breath. “You always did.”

I kiss her nose and turn to continue leading her up the moonlit path. We reach the top of a small hill and the trees open up to my favorite spot. A park bench sits between two massive trees, overlooking the camp, the lake, and the mountains beyond.

---