LITMIR.BIZ

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view at night.

       But all that potential took work to be realized. What were now luxury cabins with all of the latest amenities had been shaped from a series of eight shacks in desperate need of repair. Everything from new plumbing to walls and new roofs were part of the renovations.

       Yet with all the extras, the cabins still maintained an intimate, homey feel to them that his guests loved.

       The Port had become his balm, a place to soothe his soul, a place to immerse himself in his efforts to get over Desiree. He poured all of his energies into creating this haven, praying that at the end of the day he would be too damned exhausted to think or feel. Some days his efforts paid off. Many times it did not, and she would creep into his thoughts, beneath his skin.

       Lincoln inhaled deeply the salt-filled air and he could almost feel her fill him as she had always done. But he knew how empty he truly was inside. When would the emptiness be filled? He closed his eyes for a moment as the images came rushing back.

       The sounds of laughter floated upward from the shore and pulled him from the thoughts that constantly engulfed him. He opened his eyes, turned and slowly walked back to the main house.

      * * *

       “Terri, I’m going into town,” Lincoln said as he approached the front desk. “I should be back in an hour or so. Is there anything we need—you need?”

       Terri put the guest register aside. “We’re pretty well stocked with everything. We had a shipment of supplies on Friday.”

       Lincoln nodded.

       “Are you okay, Mr. D.? You seem so out of it lately.”

       He chuckled. “Naw, I’m okay. Didn’t know it was that obvious.”

       She tipped her head to the side and smiled. “You’re pretty lousy at hiding your feelings, Mr. D.”

       “Guess I have to work on that.” He tapped the desk and walked toward the door. “See you later.”

       Driving always had a way of relaxing him, he thought, as he trotted down the four steps to the driveway and got behind the wheel of his black-on-black Lincoln Navigator. He had to do something to keep his mind off of Desiree’s impending visit. More than once, he’d thought about leaving The Port and staying at his place in Manhattan until he was sure she was gone. But he realized the only purpose it would serve would be to delay the inevitable. He always believed that at some point in life he and Desiree would meet again and be forced to confront their demons. That it would be here and now meant that the time had come.

       He took a turn onto the main two-lane road to be met by a speeding car that came right at him. He swerved violently to the right and onto the shoulder to avoid a head-on collision. Squealing to a stop, he looked in his rearview mirror. The tan Volvo continued down the road and turned off onto the same road he’d come from as if nothing nearly disastrous had just occurred.

       Lincoln spat out a string of expletives before pulling himself together and getting back onto the road.

       “Some people need to have their licenses taken away,” he grumbled.

      * * *

       “Idiot!” Rachel yelled.

       Desiree held her hand to her chest. “Jeez, Rae. That was close.”

       “It’s obvious that whoever was behind the wheel doesn’t practice any road courtesy,” she huffed, attempting to hide how shaken she was behind a blast of bravado. She gripped the steering wheel.

       “Well, just relax. It can’t be too much farther.”

       Desiree peeked into the passenger-side mirror and watched the magnificent black stallion of a ride disappear as Rachel turned onto the next road. An unsettling sensation floated upward from her belly and gripped her heart. She suddenly felt hot and cold as if something had passed over or through her. Her heart beat a little faster but she was no longer sure if it was a result of their recent scare…or something else. She glanced in the mirror again and saw nothing but road and trees. She took a deep, cleansing breath and pushed the odd feelings aside.

      Chapter 6

      Rachel pulled up to the main house of The Port, an imposing white structure, reminiscent of mansions in the old South, complete with pillars, a wraparound balcony and an enclosed porch all embraced by towering willows that swayed gently in the light breeze off the water.

       “Impressive,” Rachel said, easing the car to a stop.

       “Very nice.” Desiree opened her door and stepped out. She looked around and immediately felt a sense of ease and tranquility move through her.

       Terri opened the front door, came out onto the porch and waved. “Welcome to The Port,” she said, approaching the duo. “Did you have a good trip?”

       “Yes, except for a near mishap on the road,” Rachel grumbled.

       “Sorry about that. I’m Terri,” she said, extending her hand to Rachel and then Desiree.

       “Rachel Givens.”

       “Desiree Armstrong.”

       “Oh, Ms. Armstrong.” Terri smiled. “I know you’ll enjoy your stay with us.”

       “I’m sure I will.”

       “Leave your bags. I’ll have someone come and get them. If you’ll follow me, I’ll get you all checked in and set you up with your cabin.”

       They followed her inside. Rachel filled out all the appropriate forms.

       “Will you be needing special meals or anything, Ms. Armstrong?”

       “No, not at all. I’m easy.”

       “We have breakfast here in the main house in the dining room from seven to ten. Lunch is on your own. But the fridge is always stocked, so feel free to fix whatever you like. We offer dinner as well, but many of our guests choose to go into town for the evening. So just let me know if you decide to eat in.”

       “Sounds wonderful.” Desiree smiled.

       “Okay, well, let me take you to your cabin.” She looked toward the door. “Oh, Josh, would you please take Ms. Armstrong’s bags to cabin six?”

       “Sure.”

      * * *

       Terri unlocked the cabin and opened the door. “As you can see, you have all the comforts of home.” She opened a door and flipped on the light. “Full-size bath with Jacuzzi.” She walked across the room and opened the blinds. “This is one of my favorite cabins. It has the greatest view of the water. You have phone service, a wet bar—on the house—cable television, a business area with a fax machine and a computer should you need to use it.” She opened a side door. “This is your sitting room.”

       The intimate room had a fireplace, sliding glass doors that led to a flowered walkway, a small fabric-covered couch and love seat in a warm brandy color, a smoked-glass coffee table and a twenty-seven-inch television and stereo system.

       “Up at the main house we have a masseuse, full gym and heated swimming pool.” She took a breath and turned to them with a smile. “Anything you need, just call. I hope it meets with all of your expectations.”

       “This is incredible,” Desiree said, taking in the amenities. “Nothing like any ‘cabin’ I’ve ever seen.”

       Terri laughed. “That’s what all of our guests say. Well, I’ll let you get settled.” She walked to the door. “Should we expect you for dinner?”

       “That might be nice. Thank you.”

       “Great. Dinner is at eight.” She closed the door behind her.

       “Hey, girl, you hit the jackpot,” Rachel said, falling out across the queen-size bed.

       “I can’t thank you

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