Montana Love Letter. Charlotte Carter

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      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 СКАЧАТЬ