“Get those fliers done,” Cooper told her, before turning to talk to the guests.
Daron joined Phoenix in Maris’s small office space, giving her info on evening bingo for the adults and special games and crafts planned for the kids throughout the day. She had to admit, it did sound fun—though she’d never played bingo before and had no real interest in starting now.
In no time, they had the fliers out. Daron headed off to help Joy set up, Baxter stuck around and helped take orders from a big morning crowd, and Phoenix happily ducked away to the kitchen to help with prep.
Cooper seemed to be everywhere, in and out of the rain as often as he was in the store, often helping campers with one problem or another. Each time she saw him, he’d obviously gotten drenched again with his hair plastered to his head, his shirt to his back. A look of deep concentration darkened his face, yet he remained friendly to all the campers.
Still, she couldn’t help but notice that there was something different in how he spoke with others compared to how he spoke with her. She couldn’t pinpoint the distinction, but she sensed it all the same.
Was he as interested as she was?
If so, would she be able to do anything about it? Given her recent history, she didn’t know.
By midafternoon, the rain had finally let up, but the skies stayed dark and the lightning continued as muted flashes behind thick clouds in the distance.
While she could, Phoenix went out to remove fallen branches from the road. That proved to be a bigger job than she’d anticipated, keeping her busy right through dinner. She was just storing the wagon when her phone buzzed.
Knowing it’d be Ridley, she pulled it out and read the screen.
You sent the shitty weather my way.
Sorry, she typed. It’s still drab here, too.
Does big sexy like the rain?
Grinning at the nickname Ridley gave to Cooper, she replied, Probably not, since it brings a lot of unique issues to the park. He’s been running all day.
So no time to woo you, huh? That sucks.
Phoenix bit her lip in indecision, but this was Ridley, the person she was closest to in the whole world, and damn it, she wanted to share. She took a breath and typed, Actually, he touched my chin.
As the seconds went by without a reply, her tension mounted. Finally, her screen blinked with ::Gasp:: Your chin? Seriously? That lecher.
Laughing, Phoenix replied, Shut it.
Does he need me to give him pointers on better places to touch? Your big sis is here for you so just let me know.
Telling the truth, Phoenix replied, It was... She had to stop to think of the right word.
Yes?
Intimate. After sending the text, she waited in an agony of suspense.
Like a prelude to a kiss?
Yes. Thrilled that Ridley had understood, her fingers flew as she texted, But we weren’t alone.
So no kiss? Ridley included a sad face.
No kiss, Phoenix confirmed. And I’m not sure I’m ready for that anyway.
Ten speed, Ridley shot back. Lots of pedaling. You’ve got this!
In the off chance a kiss became an option, Phoenix hoped her sister was right. She didn’t relish the idea of freezing up and making a fool of herself in front of Cooper.
While locking up the maintenance shed, she replied, Thank you for always being my cheerleader, but now I have to get back to work.
If a kiss happens, I want to be the first to know. Promise me.
Laughing again, more than she had in months, Phoenix typed in, I promise! Now I really do have to go. Love you, byeeee...
Still grinning, she returned the phone to her pocket and stuck her head out the door to peer up at the thick clouds in the sky. It was getting darker by the minute, but the rain continued to hold off. Deciding she had enough time to grab a quick sandwich and a five-minute shower before heading to the lodge, she hurried to her cabin.
On her way in, she noticed the smeared clumps of muddy footprints on the small porch and frowned. She checked the bottoms of her own shoes, and while she had a few leaves stuck to the soles, she’d avoided the mud.
Cooper, maybe? Had he looked for her? The thought added to her aberrant bubbly mood, sticking with her while she ate and rushed through a shower and a fresh change of clothes.
The outside lights flickered on as she made her way to the lodge. Long shadows followed her. Very few people were around the usually busy lanes, but those who were outside waved at her and offered greetings, undaunted by the miserable weather.
Only one man, probably in his early thirties, continually gave her sly glances, making her uneasy with his furtive interest. She tried a friendly smile but he quickly looked away rather than speak to her. For a moment that stymied her, but he went into his camper, so she dismissed him from her mind and continued on her way.
Hugging her arms around herself, Phoenix looked over the park. Many people had set out lights to counter the gray day, or they had small blazes going in their fire rings. Music carried on the humid air, not intrusive but rather soothing. She could see the lake in the distance, turbulent from the storm. Lights from the shore danced over the surface. Two men hidden inside rain slickers fished off a dock. The buoys bobbed wildly in the water.
On impulse, Phoenix captured the scene with a photo and loaded it to her Facebook page, tagging her sister in it. She captioned it with: Even on rainy days, Cooper’s Charm is beautiful. It was the first post she’d made in a while, and it felt good to do something so mundane.
As she continued on to the lodge, the wind buffeted her face and shook rain droplets from the wet leaves overhead. A couple of kids ran past her, followed closely by more sedate adults. She watched them go into the lodge and a few seconds later, she did the same.
Without realizing it, as soon as she stepped inside she looked for Cooper—and didn’t see him in the crowd. A little deflated, ridiculous as that seemed, she edged around the perimeter of the room to avoid the most congested area.
She was in a good mood and didn’t want to risk the usual tension-coiling effect she got from crowds. She should have been over it by now, but large groups still brought back memories of that eventful day on the lot, with so many people coming and going as they purchased holiday supplies and Christmas trees. After closing, she’d been rejoicing over the profitable day, happy at her success, oblivious to everything else...until the door to her small shop had crashed open and the armed men had rushed inside.
She assumed they’d been there earlier in the evening, when one of them rasped, “You did a lot of business today, didn’t you, honey? Should have a full cash drawer, so hand it over.”
Of course, terror-stricken at the sight of the weapons and masked faces, she’d done so immediately. She hadn’t given a thought to the money she’d lose. They’d also taken the engagement ring off her finger and the beautiful, delicate necklace that her sister had given her, and still she hadn’t protested.
Unfortunately, they weren’t satisfied with those things.
One of the men had stood in front of her, lingering, leering, until finally he’d said, “Take off the sweater.”
With his face hidden, all she’d seen was the icy anticipation in his eyes. His cohort’s laugh sent terror up her spine. She’d tried to run, but—
“Hey, Phoenix.”
Snapped back to the here and now, Phoenix realized that she’d been standing near the wall, staring blankly as she rehashed events she’d dearly love to bury.
“I didn’t mean to startle you.” Joy stood before her, compassion and concern reflected in her gaze. “Are you okay? You look a little...dazed.”
Mortification sent a rush of burning heat into Phoenix’s face. Happy commotion churned around her as people jostled for seats to play bingo; they were enjoying the night, talking with neighbors, making new friends...and she’d been reliving a nightmare.