“You son of a bitch! Get the hell out of my house!”
Jon tucked his hands into the cargo jacket he was wearing and veered to the left. He’d been walking through the wooded area along the back of the cabins, trying to get away from people in general. He really didn’t need to get involved in some domestic dispute. He’d come up here because it was off season and he’d thought no one would be around.
He didn’t hear the reply of whomever the woman was screaming at, but he did know a woman’s fear when he heard it. He stopped, fisting his hands in his coat. “Shit,” he muttered under his breath. He just wanted to be left alone. He wasn’t the hero type for fuck’s sake. He glanced through the trees and saw a woman’s form scrambling up the stairs to one of the rental cabins. Her voice was full of bravado, but tinged with fear.
“I said get out of here! I told you it was over, Lucas.”
Again, he couldn’t hear the man’s voice, but from what he could gather, the man certainly didn’t belong in the
He watched as she backed up and bumped into the post at the top of her stairs. “How did you find me?”
“I’ll always find you,” came a smooth and cultured voice.
Jon didn’t even realize he’d moved closer. He could make out the carefully modulated tone of the man’s voice now. He told himself he was just making sure the woman was alright. He stepped closer and ducked behind one of the massive oak trees that littered the grounds of
“I was hoping the lack of my belongings in your house would be a clue that I didn’t want you to come looking for me.” Her voice fairly vibrated off the wooded cove that made up the secluded area of the park.
“It’s our home, and it’s where you belong. Come home,” Jon couldn’t make out the woman’s name that he said, but he could make out the apprehension in her face. She was lovely in that sort of way that made a man stop on the street. Wild gold hair whipped around her face in the fall breeze off the water. Her cheeks were pale, but had a high color that could only be a mix of fear and cold.
He stepped forward again as the man headed up the stairs to her. “I’m only doing what’s best for you,” the man said patiently.
“You mean what’s best for you, Lucas, not me.” She shrank back as he moved in. She backed against the door and fumbled for the doorknob.
He gripped her upper arms and Jon found himself beside the Mercedes before he could stop himself. “Are you alright, Miss?”
Wide, blue eyes darted from the Lucas guy, then to him. “Yes, I’m fine.” She gave him a grateful smile. Lucas’ grip lessened, but he still kept her beside him. She winced as his fingers dug into her side. “I’m sorry we bothered you,” she said softly.
Jon watched as she tried to move away from the man. “It’s no problem, I just heard you yelling from the woods. Are you sure you’re okay?” he implored.
“Absolutely. Lucas was just going, weren’t you, Lucas?”
“No, I wasn’t.” The man turned on the slick charm Jon was used to with record execs and lawyers. “My wife and I are just having a disagreement. You know how women can get,” he said with a glossy smile.
Jon’s eyebrow rose. “Sure,” he said genially but continued to watch as the woman tried to slip away and the man dragged her back, each time just a little rougher. “I guess I’ll just let you guys get to finishing your argument. If you’re sure,” he said directly to the woman.
She nodded, but Jon could see the glassy fear starting to creep into her eyes.
“Get inside, Cameron,” the man said coolly.
“Um, it would be rude not to say goodbye to the nice man, wouldn’t it?” she rounded Lucas this time and headed down the stairs two at a time. Her voice quivered, but her eyes wouldn’t land on his as she spoke. “Are…uh, are you staying in one of the cabins?” she asked as she shot a quick look over her shoulder at the man as if to see where he was.
Jon took off his sunglasses and tucked them into the neck of his sweater. “Just doing a little vacationing,” he said and used his easiest smile.
Her eyes widened as she realized who he was. He softened his smile when she focused on him. Her fear was a live and vibrant thing, this close up. “I’m Jon.” He looked over her shoulder and felt his belly tighten as the man went very still and his near black eyes locked with his. Jon could feel the menace coming off of him, and the eerie feeling intensified as he gripped her soft hand. Smoothly he pulled the woman behind him. “Hey buddy, why don’t you get out of here? I’ve heard enough to know she doesn’t want you here.”
“This is none of your business.” His dark eyes glittered.
Jon nodded, “You are absolutely right, but my Mom taught me manners, unlike yours. Why don’t you head out before I flag down the Park Ranger I saw down by the lake?”
The man’s eyes narrowed as he scanned the lake and sure enough the Ranger was down there. “This isn’t finished, Cameron,” he said tightly. He opened the door of his car and peeled out, showering them both with woodchips and leaves.
Jon brushed the debris off his jacket and turned to the woman behind him. “I’m sorry if I overstepped myself, you just seemed like that guy was…” he trailed off.
Her blue eyes were shuttered now and he couldn’t read them at all. She lifted her chin and looked at something just over his shoulder as if she couldn’t look at him. “Thank you for that.”
“Are you going to be alright?”
Her eyes followed the gunmetal grey of the car as it looped around the site and down toward the main road. “I will be once I get out of here,” she said more to herself than him. “I’m sorry you had to get involved.” Eyes that matched the center of the lake met his and he swore in his own head softly. Do not go there, Jonny boy.
“He’s not my husband by the way. I was smart enough not to marry the jerk.” She slowly unclenched her fisted hands and he felt the oddest need pull her into him. That, in itself, should have sent him running. He valued his space and because of his lifestyle, he kept strangers at an arms length because people took it upon themselves to touch him constantly, whether he wanted it or not.
Her hands shook a little as she tucked them in against her body as she crossed her arms. “So you sing and rescue woman, huh?” she said with a tiny spark of humor.
He laughed, “Jack of all trades.”
“Well, I really appreciate what you did, but I have to go pack up my stuff.” She pressed a hand on his arm. “I hope you enjoy the area, it’s so beautiful here,” she said almost wistfully.
Before he could catch himself Jon clasped a hand over hers. “I don’t know if you should head out this late. There’s a storm heading in.”
“I’ll be fine,” she smiled up at him and it almost reached her eyes. She pulled her hand away as she backed up again, “Thanks again for what you did.” She ran up the steps and had her hand on the doorknob before Jon could figure out what to say.
“If you need anything, I’m in the Eagle Cabin by the water’s edge,” he called out.
She pushed her hair out of her face and nodded. “I won’t, but thanks.”
And she was gone. The door firmly shut behind her. Her cabin was a smaller version of his and he admired the Adirondack style to it, just like the rest of them that dotted
He headed back to his rental, but looked back one more time at the small cabin and caught a glimpse of the woman…
He didn’t like it one bit.
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