Chapter 328: Epilogue"Just one more push, you're doing great," the doctor said."How are you holding up, Dad?"Bleary-eyed, he nodded to the pink scrubs-clad nurse. He was ready for this long night to be over.He felt her starting to squeeze his hand again. "You've got this, babe," he murmured, kissing her forehead.Eyes closed and teeth clenched, she bore down, releasing a grunting squeal with the effort."Stop! There we are, Mom. The head is out. Now don't push, just breathe for a moment."Still holding her hand, he leaned over to see the back of the baby's head. His heart was in his throat and tears streamed down his face."Now this is it. On the next contraction, go ahead and push."He turned back to her. Eyes wide, she panted, gripping his hand for dear life."Oh, God, here it comes," she cried."You're doing great, I'm so proud of you," he murmured, turning to watch as their child was born.Fifteen minutes later, he strode down the hospital corridor to the family waiting
Chapter 1: The Beginning…She was excited. And nervous. Which she felt more she couldn't say. Anything to get out of Akron. Not really. Not just anything. The most amazing opportunity she'd had.Is this really happening? Or will I wake up and realize it was only a dream?Bella Grant checked her trunk again. Three months was a long time. What have I forgotten? She frowned. Don't be stupid. You can get anything you need. You aren't going to the Amazon rain forest.After calling down to the front desk for bell service, she made one last tour of the suite to make sure she wasn't forgetting anything. Hearing the knock, she opened the door to find the bellman waiting in the hallway. She stepped back and admitted him to the suite. "It's just these," waving her hand to indicate her trunk, cosmetic case, and camera bag.The bellman hesitated when he saw the trunk. Inwardly, Bella smiled. It was huge, a vintage Louis Vuitton steamer trunk that had once belonged to her grandf
Chapter 2: Meeting Destiny?Bella walked up to the Virgin Atlantic First-Class ticket counter. "You should have a reservation for Bella Grant?" she asked."Ms. Grant. Yes, your tickets are not available at this time. I've been instructed to ask you to wait in the First-Class lounge. Your party is already there," replied the clerk."Thank you," she said. Approaching the door to the lounge, to herself, "Here we go…"She walked in and glanced around. There were several men waiting alone. None was immediately apparent as a television photographer. "Crap…" whispered to herself. Then she heard a deep voice behind her."Bella?" She turned to see a man with deep brown eyes looking her way, his closely cropped salt and pepper hair matching his mustache and goatee. He was tanned as though he spent a great deal of time outdoors. She smiled her best TV anchor smile and moved toward him with her right hand outstretched. "Hello! Bella. Isabella. Um, just Bella. Grant. And you are?"
Chapter 3: A Job Offer(One month earlier)Luke awoke, a sharp pain pulsing over his left eye. I should have had more water, he thought reproachfully. He tossed off the covers, glancing back at the sleeping form on the other side of his bed. The brunette shifted in her sleep, the sheet falling away to reveal an ample left tit with a dark erect nipple. And no tan line, he noticed. What was her name again? Martita? Marina? He vaguely remembered chatting her up at the bar last night. God, I do stupid things when I drink Scotch.He pulled on some shorts and went up on the deck of the boat to smoke and think. Lighting his cigar, he reflected on his life. Six months ago, he'd retired from being a news photog, moved back to Tampa and was living on a boat he rented from a buddy. He'd finally had enough.Charlie had said it would happen, that he'd get sick of all the war and blood and tragedy. At the time, he'd considered the old man jaded, just plain tired. After all, Luke was a
Chapter 4: I Loved That Glass"Good to know you still have a way with the ladies," Charlie quipped."Yeah, fuck you!" Luke laughed. "Why are you calling?""I'm executive producing a new show," said Charlie. "I need a first-rate photog.""If I come across one, I'll let you know.""I'm talking to one right now.""No, no, no," Luke replied. "I am loving life right now. No responsibilities. No commitments. I'm living on a rented boat. Fish all day, drink all night, plenty of beautiful women. I'm quite ok, thanks.""You sound bored, you ask me.""Notice I didn't ask you.""You don't even know the concept. It's not news, no blood and guts and shit. I'm working for TLC—the This is Living Channel. It's a travel show…""Ooohhh, not no, then. It's oh, HELL NO!""Just wait. I want this to be different from anything else out there. You'd co-produce. I'm going to tell you where to go, my office will make the travel arrangements, then you find the stories, make it what you think peop
Chapter 5: Last Chance to Change Your Mind(An hour ago)Luke arrived at the airport slightly hung over. Should have known better than to go out drinking with Charlie, he thought. The two men had barhopped for a while, finally landing at Luke's favorite Manhattan pub, Paddy Reilly's on the lower east side. They'd been in luck and caught the Prodigals' set at eleven.Charlie had been in chat mode all evening. "So tell me about the dame you were with when I called you that day," he probed.Luke rolled his eyes. "Just some chick from a bar. I don't know. What do you want me to say?""What you need is to find a nice girl, settle down," Charlie slurred. "Bella is a nice girl.""Bella?" Luke asked."Aw, dammit, I didn't mean for you to know her name before you met her," Charlie shook his head. "Bourbon loosens my lips." He blew a raspberry for emphasis.Luke had felt a flash of irritation at the notion of settling down. "I've been married, and you saw how that turned out.""You ma
Chapter 6: Bundt Cakes and Personal History(Now)Luke motioned to the bartender, ordering another round for both of them. To Bella he joked, "So Bundt cakes, huh? I like Bundt cakes.""Hmm, what? Oh! Bundt cakes. Well, you know how morning shows go. Recipes, fashion, pets, don't hold fireworks in your hands…True story—we once had two guests nearly come to blows arguing over whether potato salad should be hot or cold," she laughed. "No, seriously, you can't make that up!"Luke shook his head laughing. "Wow! And I thought my job was dangerous."Bella raised her wine glass to his Scotch. "To dangerous jobs!" They toasted, chuckling as they did so. Just to fill the silence, "So you've been in news since 9/11? What did you do before that?"He smiled slightly. He'd noticed her eyes glaze over as he was talking earlier, figured she wasn't listening. "Well, like I said," slowly, as if speaking to a child, "I was in the Navy. Special Ops. I was a photog, and a lot of times they
Chapter 7: In DreamsShe leaned her head back and bit down on her lower lip, attempting to stifle the moan that threatened to burst out. He was down there, pressing his lips to the mound between her thighs. "Oh, God!" she moaned.Her hands moved to her breasts, at first simply trying to hold herself together, then squeezing, pulling hard on her erect nipples. She was so wet for him. His tongue began to flick in and out of her and she felt like she would burst out of her skin. "Oh, Luke, oh God!"He moved up her body, kissing and licking as he went. When he reached her face, he covered her mouth with his. She could taste herself on him and that made her even wetter."I want you," she growled, reaching down to take him in her hand and guiding him into her. At first he started moving in and out, excruciatingly slowly, then building to pound harder and faster…Bella woke up with a gasp. She was reclined in her First-Class seat on her way to Edinburgh. When she looked anxiously o
Chapter 328: Epilogue"Just one more push, you're doing great," the doctor said."How are you holding up, Dad?"Bleary-eyed, he nodded to the pink scrubs-clad nurse. He was ready for this long night to be over.He felt her starting to squeeze his hand again. "You've got this, babe," he murmured, kissing her forehead.Eyes closed and teeth clenched, she bore down, releasing a grunting squeal with the effort."Stop! There we are, Mom. The head is out. Now don't push, just breathe for a moment."Still holding her hand, he leaned over to see the back of the baby's head. His heart was in his throat and tears streamed down his face."Now this is it. On the next contraction, go ahead and push."He turned back to her. Eyes wide, she panted, gripping his hand for dear life."Oh, God, here it comes," she cried."You're doing great, I'm so proud of you," he murmured, turning to watch as their child was born.Fifteen minutes later, he strode down the hospital corridor to the family waiting
Chapter 327: No Time Like the Present"You should go home and get some rest, Jackie."Without taking her eyes off Scott, asleep in his hospital bed, she reached for Blake's hand. "I can't. I need to be here when he wakes up.""You're sure?"She nodded, then looked to her brother. "Can you take care of the kids? I hate to impose, but…""No worries, Jackie. Now that the storm's over, we'll take them back to our house. Amy's more comfortable there, anyway. We'll have a sleepover party."Jackie sighed. "I know they're ready to be back in their own beds. But I'll be home tomorrow, for sure, at least overnight.""Okay, sis." He kissed Jackie on the cheek. "Keep us posted."In the quiet of the hospital room, Jackie pulled a chair beside Scott's bed. As soon as they'd arrived back at the lodge, Blake and some of the others had carried Scott to the battered Suburban, laying him on the back seat.At Amy's insistence, Blake had driven Jackie and Scott to town. By the time they reache
Chapter 326: Dream Versus RealityHe was staring up at an azure sky. A warm summer breeze caressed his face. He turned his head and Jackie smiled at him, her deep blue eyes sparkling. "Where were you?" she asked.Scott shrugged. "I don't know.""Well, you're back now. That's what counts." She took his hand and led him to a bed in the middle of a sun-drenched field full of flowers. The bed's sheer white canopy billowed in the breeze. Kissing his hand, she released it, reaching up to slide first one, then the other spaghetti strap of her filmy white dress, allowing it to slide down her body and pool at her bare feet. His gaze slid from her sapphire eyes to her succulent lips. Then it traveled over the firm globes of her breasts with their pert pink nipples, to the flair of her hips, to the junction between her thighs where tight black curls were neatly trimmed. When he met her eyes again, she smiled knowingly and sank to her knees, bowing her head and resting her hands palm
Chapter 325: Warrior Princess"Jacks, you can't go out there." Blake's face twisted with concern."He won't come back until he finds Pierce. But he won't find Pierce, because Pierce is here. You can't leave Amy. I'd never even ask. And if Ned Hart won't go out there, I have no other choice." Her voice was deadly calm.She grabbed her grey coat, then put it back on its hook, heading into the dining room. Blake followed. "Jackie, seriously, I don't want you going out there." He grabbed her hand, stopping her. "Scott wouldn't want you going out there.""He can tell me that when I find him. Can I borrow Amy's pink parka? It's brighter than mine, easier to see."Blake exhaled sharply, his tone resigned. "I've known you long enough to know that once you've set your mind on something, that's it. At least let me put together a pack for you."While Blake scavenged from the survival students, Jackie put on Amy's parka and spoke to Grant and Emma. "I'm going out to let Scott know
Chapter 324: From Bad to WorseAway from the wide-open expanse of the lake, the trees blocked a certain amount of the wind, but plenty of snow filtered down. Try as he might, Scott couldn't make out any tracks left by Pierce. He continued up the trail, slipping and sliding as he made his way up a steep ridge. The designated campsite was the clearing at the top, but once he arrived, the area was empty. Even the snow was thin, having been blown into drifts against the bases of the trees surrounding the clearing. Where are you, you little shit? Scott turned in a circle, considering the most likely way Pierce might have gone. The clearing was exposed. He'd have wanted to find a spot that afforded more shelter. Which meant he would have gone lower. But in which direction?Rolling the dice, Scott headed west, where the clearing dropped off in a bluff about thirty meters above a ravine created by a now-frozen creek. He peered down into the gully, willing Pierce not to be there at
Chapter 323: Who's Missing?An hour later, Scott sipped his coffee and gazed out over the room. A handful of his campers had volunteered to help with lunch, and they'd all enjoyed potato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. Now, a group of guests was working on chili for dinner.Out of habit, he mentally counted his group. Tom and Patty Payton, who'd headed up lunch, were playing cards with Justin Sapp and Paula Martinez. Dan Spinelli was talking fishing with the father and sons from Cherub Lake. Not finding Pierce, Adams, or Bennet, he frowned slightly. A trip to the restaurant kitchen revealed Brian Bennett and Keely Adams working on cornbread to go with the chili.That leaves one. Scott returned to the dining room. Jackie was across the room checking on Amy. He cruised by the table where Dan was swapping fish stories. "Sorry to interrupt, but have you seen Pierce?"The younger man frowned. "Not since we ate. But you know, now that you mention it, his backpack is gone." H
Chapter 322: Everyone Shelter at the LodgeAs Jackie and the children hiked toward the main lodge, they heard the snowmobile returning from the island. Jackie sent Emma and Grant ahead with their backpacks, Max galumphing along behind them, while she waited for Scott to secure the snowmobile."How'd it go?"Scott's lips were a grim line. "About how you'd expect. There's nothing we can do about it with the storm coming. Everybody understood, really. Except for Pierce. He's such an asswipe."Jackie's eyes widened but her lips curled impishly. "Oh my, Sire. Language."He popped her ass lightly. "And now my Princess requests a spanking. My day is complete."They both laughed as the entered the lodge. Trina had a huge fire going in the dining room's fireplace, and she'd already been to the cabins to invite guests to gather in the main lodge, where there would be food and heat."Hi, guys," she greeted Jackie and Scott. "I called the crew to let them know to stay home today. Then
Chapter 321: Blizzard WarningFrowning, Scott watched the latest weather report on the early morning local news, his mouth set in a grim line. Beside him, Jackie stirred. "What is it?" she murmured."It's alright," he answered softly. "Go back to sleep. It's not even 5:00 yet."She sniffed loudly and yawned. "I'm awake now. What's the matter?" She pushed up on an elbow and rested her head against his shoulder.He shook his head derisively. "The blizzard. They're predicting the storm to hit by this afternoon.""I thought it was supposed to skirt us to the south.""I hoped it would. But now we're under a blizzard warning." He kissed her temple and slid out of bed."What are you going to do?"He stepped into a pair of fleece-lined jeans and shrugged into a grey thermal Henley. "I'm heading to the island to let the campers know. Obviously, we're postponing the solo outings. I'll offer them the chance to return for free to finish their second week of this session." He glanced
Chapter 320: Winter SessionPulling the hood of his black parka lower over his head, Scott ducked behind the windscreen of his snowmobile and headed back to the lodge. At the bunkhouse cabin, he'd just welcomed Tom and Patty Payton, the only married couple he'd had thus far in his wilderness school.Having checked in with Jackie in the reception area of the lodge, the pair had made their way on foot across the ice to the island where they joined fellow survival students Justin Sapp, a stocky young man with an infectious sense of humor, and Paula Martinez, an attractive thirty-something Latina who wrote a Spanish-language adventure blog.Everyone in this session had broad outdoor survival experience, including the Paytons, who had once spent a year in the Amazon cataloging wildlife. They'd told Scott they were excited to learn winter survival skills in the wilderness of Ontario.That leaves four more clients yet to arrive, Scott mused as he pulled up the slope to park beneath the lodg