LITMIR.BIZ

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got up and crossed to the doorway, wishing she could hear their conversation.

      As soon as she stood up, however, Angie popped up off the bench, too, and asked if she could get a drink from the water cooler out in the reception area.

      Damn.

      Taking the little girl by the hand, Isabel led her out to help her fill a paper cone. A moment later, Sam returned. Alone.

      “Sorry I was gone so long,” he said. “It was Darla on the phone, telling me about her mother’s visit with the oncologist. She also explained the situation with your friend. It slipped her mind until I told her you’d arrived.” He shook his head. “Our bustling summer’s already taking its toll on her.”

      “I am so sorry to hear that,” Isabel said. “And I hope we haven’t caused too many problems.”

      “What problems?” Sam asked, extending her the graciousness she’d sought from Trevor. “You have a choice to make, though. The Woodland room, here at the lodge, is vacant now. It’s big enough for several people. Only problem is, the counselors and camp kids meet to party in the community room next door sometimes. It can get loud.”

      “And the other choice?”

      “There’s the spare bedroom up at the house. It’s small, you’d be a little squeezed with an added cot, but the little girl might feel more at home.”

      “Where’s Trevor staying?”

      “After the camp starts, he’ll stay at the lodge.”

      “Well, Angie and I would love to stay at the house.”

      Sam shoved backward out the screen door. “Follow me,” he said, his lazy grin making Isabel feel much better. “It’s a bit of a walk. I’ll have Trevor grab your things and drive them over.”

      Isabel frowned. “But weren’t we going to carry it?”

      “That was before I knew you had luggage for two,” Sam said, in a way that didn’t make her feel as if she had messed up.

      Isabel didn’t want to be waited on, especially by Trevor. “If you’d give me directions to the house, I could load it back up and drive it over,” she suggested.

      Sam glanced at the boxes, bags and cases lining the drive. “We’ll get them, really. I insist.”

      Isabel gave in.

      As they made their way down a wood chip path lined with evergreen trees, Angie skipped along, singing a made-up song about hummingbirds. Isabel knew she should be enjoying herself, too. She was too upset.

      She’d come with such high hopes. Bringing Angie along for a few weeks had seemed a minor snag. Trevor had burst her bubble in no time. She’d give her brand-new shoes and gingham suit to know what he’d said about her out there on that porch.

      The woods opened out to a circular drive, and beyond that sat a house with tons of windows. Sam led Isabel in through a side entry. “This is a shortcut to your room,” he said. “If you’ll find me at the lodge after you’re unpacked and rested, I can show you around. We have snacks in the kitchen and in the community room.” He glanced at Angie. “There’s plenty for a kid to do.”

      After turning down a hallway containing some beautiful wildlife prints, Sam opened another door. “This is the Ripple River room. Hope you’ll be comfortable.”

      As Isabel had suspected, her own Ripple River quilt lay on the full-size bed. She was thrilled to see the way Darla had decorated the rest of the room using colors from her design. A small, natural wood desk and matching rocker invited relaxation, and two windows provided incredible views of the trees.

      “This is gorgeous. Thanks.” Impulsively, Isabel gave Sam a quick hug before he left her and Angie alone.

      Trevor walked in two minutes later, his arms bulging from the weight of the two largest suitcases. Angie had already flopped down on the floor to watch cartoons on a wall-mounted television.

      “Thank you,” Isabel said as he set them inside the doorway. “I’ll help you bring in the rest.” She started to follow him out, but he stopped and turned around.

      “Relax. Sam’s helping me.”

      The set of his jaw said the rest.

      Had Isabel gone through a reality warp out in the plains of western Kansas? She was the woman who took care of everyone around her. Always had. Always would. Why were these men expecting so little of her?

      She didn’t like it. As soon as possible, she’d make it clear that she was here to help.

      She opened one of her suitcases and got busy, pretending she didn’t notice when Sam and Trevor came and left again. Forty-five minutes later, she’d finished unpacking and setting up the room. She turned off the television and took Angie with her to find Sam, for that tour.

      The offices were vacant. Isabel led Angie through the same hallway that led to the bathroom. Halfway down, they ran into a middle-aged woman with a laundry cart, who introduced herself as Edith, the head housekeeper. She said she thought Sam might be checking the bus at the side of the lodge, and directed Isabel and Angie to follow the exit signs.

      On their way, they passed by the laundry room, where Angie saw an electronic game that had been shoved into a corner. “Hooh! I love this game,” she said, galloping into the room to take a closer look. “Can I play? The Git-n-Go has it, and R.J. never gives me a turn.”

      “You don’t want to see the kitchen or community room?” Isabel asked. “Sam said they have snacks and other games.”

      “I want to play this game!” Angie said, her brown eyes pleading.

      Isabel studied the game, which appeared innocent enough. Some thoughtful person had even left a bowl of tokens on the floor next to it. She glanced over her shoulder and realized the housekeeper was waiting to make sure they found their way out.

      “Of course she can play,” Edith said. “Go on out and talk to Sam, if you want. I’ll be working in this hallway, anyway.”

      Both women smiled at Angie’s joyful whoops. “You be good,” Isabel told her young friend. “I’ll go tell Sam we’re unpacked but not ready for a tour, then come right back to see how you’re doing.”

      The little girl had already plugged a token into the game and didn’t answer.

      “Angie,” Isabel said, and waited until the little girl had stopped and turned around. “Did you hear me?”

      “Yes, Izza-bell. I’ll be good and teach that ee-bil ol’ grouch a lesson.”

      Apparently, Isabel wasn’t the only one with that goal.

      Right outside the laundry room, she found the exit and walked out onto the opposite side of the porch. Trevor’s Jeep was parked in the drive again, but Sam was nowhere in sight. As she stepped off the porch to search for him, Isabel felt a rush of excitement about being in such a great place, so far away from her everyday world. The warmth of the sunshine on her bare arms felt good, and the spicy scent of the pine trees enveloped her.

      Isabel paused, hearing rushing water somewhere nearby. That was right. Darla had told her the property backed on to the St. Vrain River. She couldn’t wait to explore.

      But Sam wasn’t out here. A big blue bus was parked adjacent to the building, and beyond that Isabel could see a dirt road and a gated pasture. She’d just turned around, thinking she would wait to talk to Sam later, when his voice drifted to her from the direction of the lodge.

      Isabel hastened around the rear corner of the building, until Sam’s next statement stopped her in her tracks. “That doesn’t matter, bud. She’s Darla’s guest, and she drove all the way from Kansas to help out.”

      He called Trevor “bud,” didn’t he?

      They were together, talking about her!

      “She

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