Chapter Two

      Janelle followed Adam out of the garage and down a driveway that led toward the lake. Pine, fir and cedar trees lined the gravel drive. Ferns filled low-lying spots where water collected, and there were signs of late-blooming wildflowers.

      Off to the side of the driveway and visible from the garage was a swing set. Sturdily constructed yet not commercially made, the set included a slide and an exercise bar in addition to the swing. Beyond that sat a cute little playhouse no doubt designed for Hailey when she was a bit younger.

      After a hundred paces, the forest thinned, revealing an extended log cabin with a sharply sloped roof. More than a vacation house, it was set so far back from the road that the traffic noise couldn’t snake its way through the trees. The rustic log construction created an aura of permanence, as though the house had always been hidden there in the woods waiting to be discovered.

      Off to the right, a smaller cottage of log construction appeared. It fit so well into the environment, it made her think of Little Red Riding Hood en route to Grandmother’s house. Without the wolf, she hoped.

      Best of all, through a break in the trees, Janelle caught a glimpse of Bear Lake streaked gold in the late-afternoon sun.

      If location was everything in the real-estate business, Adam’s house served as a prime example of perfect placement.

      His arms loaded with suitcases, Adam pushed open the cottage door. “I warned you it was small.”

      “It’s perfect.” Grandma’s cottage featured a queen-size bed the two girls were already testing for springiness, to the disadvantage of a lovely quilt appliqued with alternating pine trees and birds. A maple chest of drawers sat against the pinewood wall and a matching rocking chair sat by the window with a reading light above it. The cushion covering matched the quilt. A medium-size fan was mounted near the ceiling in one corner.

      He was right about the kitchen, though. It held little more than a hot plate and a coffeepot. “I’m sure we’ll be very comfortable here.” Much more comfortable than a motel on a busy highway.

      With a touch of her hand and shake of her head, Janelle stopped Raeanne from jumping on the bed. Hailey slowed her bouncing, as well.

      “Come on, Peanut,” Adam said. “Let’s let Mrs. Townsend—”

      “Janelle, please.”

      Hopping off the bed, Hailey gave the quilt a quick swipe to remove the wrinkles the girls had created.

      Adam held Janelle’s gaze for a moment, his gray eyes assessing her before looking back to this daughter. “Let Janelle and her daughter get unpacked. Then they can come on over to the big house.” He turned to Janelle. “I’m going to grab a sandwich and get back to work. You can help yourself to whatever’s in the cupboard or fridge.”

      “Thank you again, Adam. We really appreciate—”

      He waved off her thanks, hooked his arm around Hailey’s shoulders and walked out of the cottage.

      She watched him go for a moment, thinking of the day she’d had, close encounters first with a sturdy tree and then with a man who seemed just as solid.

      Since she only planned to stay one night, she hung a few things in the closet but didn’t unpack the suitcases all the way. Raeanne put her backpack of games on the dresser and then sat on the edge of the bed to watch her.

      “You ready to go see where Hailey lives?” Janelle asked.

      Nodding, Raeanne headed out the door and ran down the boardwalk to the deck at the back of the main house. As though Hailey had been waiting for them, she opened the sliding glass door wide to admit them.

      “Come on. Let me show you my room,” Hailey said. The two girls ran off down a hallway.

      The moment Janelle stepped inside, she was struck by the open floor plan. The entire living room and formal dining area filled the lake side of this wing of the house. The sliding glass door to the deck provided a panoramic view of the lake and the opposite shore. A comfortable leather couch and chairs were arranged to take advantage of the view, and the flat-screen TV was mounted between the dining and living areas. Two large wagon-wheel chandeliers hung from the high ceiling.

      A coffee mug had been left on an end table, and some of Hailey’s toys and books were scattered about. A lived-in room. A room where friends would be welcomed.

      Adam was standing at the kitchen counter eating the last few bites of his sandwich.

      “What a beautiful place you have.” The space oozed potent masculinity and solid dependability, and Janelle had to remind herself that appearances could be deceiving. She’d learned that lesson too late to save herself from heartbreak. “Have you lived here long?”

      He leaned against the counter. “All my life. My dad built the basic house pretty much by himself. Later, when my brother and I were older, we helped him add on another bedroom and upgrade the kitchen.”

      “Are your parents still living?”

      “Yep. Living the good life in Arizona. Dad was having some breathing problems and arthritis. They thought the drier climate might help. Now he’s playing golf, though he says his handicap is about twenty and that’s for nine holes.”

      She chuckled. “Not quite ready for the senior pro tour yet, huh?”

      “Not likely. My mother has stuck with bridge and water aerobics. They seem to keep pretty busy.”

      “Does your brother still live here in Montana?”

      “Nope. Marc’s a big-gun contractor in Phoenix. He’s close enough to the folks to pop over to see them if there’s a problem.”

      Rae and Hailey came running back into the living room. Rae wrapped her arms around Janelle’s hips.

      “I’ve got some video games. Is it okay for Rae to play them with me?” Hailey asked.

      “As long as they’re not violent games, it’s fine with me,” Janelle said.

      “Trust me, they’re age appropriate, though they still might be a little old for Rae,” Adam assured her. “I make it a point to check ratings and ask other parents before I buy any game.” He dusted the bread crumbs off his hands. “Hailey, you can offer them a snack if they’re hungry, but remember, no going out on the boat on your own. You have to wait for me.”

      “I can drive the boat by myself,” she protested.

      “You can, but only when I’m with you.” He hooked his arm around his daughter and gave her a squeeze. “I’ll see you all about dinnertime. Bathroom’s down the hall, and there are fresh towels in the cupboard.”

      “Thanks. You’ve been more than generous, letting us stay in the cottage and have the run of your home. We’ll be fine,” Janelle said. It really was incredibly kind of him. Trusting, too, since she was as much a stranger to him as Adam was to her.

      He turned to leave, and she immediately sensed the vacuum he left behind, almost as though his leaving caused the vibrancy in the air to dim and the oxygen to be pulled from the room.

      With a shake of her head, Janelle thrust such fanciful notions away.

      * * *

      His head filled with thoughts of Janelle, Adam went directly to his office. Something about her stirred in him a desire to protect her, keep her from harm, although he