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 8: The Adventure BeginsIt was 8:00 am local time when they landed in Edinburgh. They moved quickly through customs and headed down to Baggage Claim. A short man in a driver's uniform held a sign lettered "McGillicutty." Luke strode up to him, right hand out. "I'm Luke McGillicutty.""Yes, sir, my name is Stewart. I'm here to take you to the Balmoral," the driver replied. "Shall we collect your bags?"Luke lifted his battered duffels. "These are my bags, but I believe the lady has a cargo container or something."Bella smirked at him. "Ha-ha! Maybe you could make yourself useful and get some footage." She wandered in the direction of the baggage carousel and Stewart followed, cart in tow.Good idea, Luke thought to himself. Since the moment he'd first seen her in the airport lounge, he'd been itching to see her through his lens. Life itself was all too often neither contained nor controlled. Things in his camera lens were precisely contained and exactly controlled,
Chapter 9: A Slight SnafuAs the cab drove from the airport and through town, Bella felt giddy, not at all like the sleek sophisticate she hoped to show to the world. It wasn't as if she hadn't traveled before. God knew, Nathan Epperson Grant, II, made sure he took his family to all the prestigious vacation spots—skiing at St. Moritz, Christmas in Paris, summers in the Caribbean… Couldn't let the guys at the club outshine him. Her father had always had something of an inferiority complex. It only served to make her respect him less.But this was different. She'd never been to Scotland before. More than that, though, was the idea that this was her job. She was about to create something new. Well, she and Luke. She glanced over at him.He was looking out the window on his side of the car. A tuft of salt and pepper chest hair peeked out of his shirt where it was unbuttoned at the top. Bella felt a hitch in her chest, thinking to herself, Those twenty-something girls who want t
Chapter 10: Settling InBella followed Luke to the elevator without further conversation, feeling sheepish, knowing she hadn't handled the situation professionally. Luke generously let the matter drop, casually engaging the bellman in polite conversation. At the door, the man paused allowing the pair to enter the suite first, bringing in their bags after them. The decor was beautiful, all blues and creams. The view out the window was breathtaking. "I'll get my duffels. If you could just take the lady's things into the bedroom," Luke said. The bellman did as he was asked and was rewarded with a generous tip. "Thanks so much," Luke said before closing the door.Bella finally spoke. "I'm sorry I was such a dumb ass. It seemed important at the time. I really can be professional, I promise," she swore."No worries," Luke responded. Heaving a large sigh, he dropped down onto the sofa across from the suite's fireplace. "Obviously, the bedroom is yours. This can be my bed while
Chapter 11: Bella's Edinburgh ExcursionShe exited the elevator on the ground floor and strolled through the lobby. Glancing around, she spied a copy of today's newspaper someone had left on a chair. She picked it up, put it in her bag, and headed through the revolving door to the sidewalk outside.The street seemed to be busier to her left, in the general direction of Edinburgh Castle. It seemed likely to Bella that the tourist area would be that direction and she wasn't disappointed. She was passing all manner of souvenir store, several tea shops, and even a tartan dealer. Removing the GoPro from her bag, she began to shoot footage of the street, the hotel from this perspective, and the people milling about. She made the decision to grab a cup of tea and sat at an outdoor table, watching the action, getting a feel for the area. Sipping her tea, she realized that she heard more different languages than she could recognize. Clearly there were visitors here from all over the wor
Chapter 12: Edinburgh 2.0Consciousness slowly began to wash over him. He stirred and for a moment couldn't remember where he was. Oh yeah, he thought. Edinburgh. The couch was comfortable enough, but he needed to move, to stretch. He eased himself into a sitting position, rubbed his face with both hands, and sat blinking, trying to get rid of the fog in his head.Humph, Edinburgh. It had been, what? Five years since he'd been here. That had not been a happy time. The accommodations hadn't been this sweet, either. He glanced around the room. It was beautiful. Definitely not the kind of digs he usually had.And this time he wasn't traveling alone. He was with…her. His gaze fell to the coffee table in front of him. There was a sheet torn from a reporter's notebook, feminine scrawl across the paper. He'd forgotten. She'd gone exploring."Luke, I'm out wandering. Call if you need me. Bella"If I need her, he thought, smirking and willing his thoughts not to go there. S
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