Chapter 46: A Lot to Talk AboutShe stretched lazily and opened her eyes. They'd slept late, she was alarmed to see. They had an appointment with the dive boat at…what time? She knew she should feel stressed but just couldn't work it up. Images and impressions from last night were swirling around in her mind.She looked over at Luke and he smiled at her. "Good morning, Cowboy. How long have you been awake?" she asked, smiling back."Not long," he replied. "I was just enjoying the view."She reached to stroke his face and he took her hand, kissing her palm. "How are you feeling about last night?" he asked quietly.She smiled and flushed a little. "I feel really good about last night.""We need to talk about it, what went well, what didn't. You know, debrief," he said. "We can do that in a while. We should get ready for the day."Over breakfast they discussed their plans for diving today and possible locations for finishing filming the next day. "I'd really like to get over
Chapter 47: Next AssignmentThey arose early the following morning, ready to get down to business. They needed to finish up with Mykonos today, get the intro and the tag done, and touch base with Charlie to find out where their next adventure would take them.They took a taxi to a beach near a group of several of the island's centuries-old windmills. Luke made sure to get as many of them as possible into the shot. As he clipped Bella's mic to her bra, he fixed her with an intense gaze, taking the opportunity to caress her breast gently as he did. She felt a ripple that radiated from her sex to her head and toes. She flushed and tried to catch her breath, suddenly feeling damp…there.After a deep breath, she began. "Three, two, one…Welcome to Two Streets Over. I'm Bella Grant, and this is beautiful Mykonos, Greece. Mykonos is part of the Cyclades islands located in the South Aegean Sea. Its population is about 10,000, but every year thousands of travelers add to that number."
Chapter 48: A Phone Call From HomeLater in bed, they curled on their sides, Bella with her back to Luke, his body curved to hold hers. After he'd untied her, he'd spent time massaging her wrists and backside with lotion. Aftercare, he'd called it. She felt peaceful and marveled that he did that to her. Absently she stroked his arm as he held her close. "I love you, too, Cowboy," she whispered.They slept late the following morning, knowing that their flight to Morocco would be later in the afternoon. When they finally got up, Luke ordered breakfast while Bella checked her phone. "Hmm," she muttered."What's up?" he asked."I missed a call from Bubba last night," she said. Playing the message, she heard her brother's voice: "Hey, Sissy, it's me. Listen, can you give me a call when you get this? Okay, I'll talk to you soon." The phone beeped to signal the end of the message.She disconnected, looking puzzled. "He just said to call him, didn't say why…""Do you think somethin
Chapter 49: A Change in PlansAs soon as the words left her mouth, she regretted them. She worried about what he thought. They'd known each other for such a short time. Sure, they were in love. But spring the whole fam-damily on him?She thought about the townhouse in Birmingham. She'd love to take him there, walk the block to Pale Eddie's for cocktails, return to enjoy the fireplace, make love to him in that huge featherbed… She sighed. Except it's not a vacation. It's not even work, which has been like a vacation. We go to Birmingham, shit gets real.Still deep in thought, she said, "We would just put in an appearance. Visiting hours are probably very restricted. It would be great to see Bubba, even Cornelia. Okay, maybe not Cornelia so much, but T-Nathan will probably come home from school. I haven't seen him since…" She looked at Luke and wondered what he'd think of them, and she sighed again."Well, Cowboy, are you scared off yet?" She laughed halfheartedly, afraid
Chapter 50: CopingIn her dream, her father was standing over her mother's casket, pointing at Bella. "You did this!" he screamed. "She died because you broke her heart!"She woke with a start, Luke dozing beside her. "I need more as alcohol," she muttered to herself, and she motioned to the flight attendant.They landed in Philly, the second layover before the last leg in the eternity that was their journey to Alabama. Waiting at the gate, Bella was restless. "Do you want anything? I can't tell if I'm hungry or thirsty…maybe I need a magazine…I'll be right back."Luke watched as she walked toward a shop down the concourse. She returned with two Diet Pepsis, a bag of Jelly Bellys, and the latest issue of Vanity Fair."I got you a drink," she said, handing it to him. She sat and thumbed through the magazine without reading. "How long to boarding?" she asked."Not long now," he answered. He regarded her carefully, noticing that the closer they got to Birmingham, the more agitat
Chapter 51: Waking Up in AlabamaShe stirred, then woke with a start. Her first thoughts were muddled. What time is it? Where am I? She remembered suddenly, seeing the familiar sight of her own bedroom in Birmingham. She glanced over at Luke who was still sleeping. She smiled to herself. I like the way he looks here, Bella thought. She slid out of bed and hurried to shower and get ready to leave.Freshly showered and wrapped in a fluffy cream-colored towel, she returned to the bedroom and kissed Luke lightly. "Wake up, sleepyhead. We need to go soon." He groaned softly before kissing her and rolling out of bed. She watched him stumble to the shower. "Jetlag is a bitch," she commented, laughing softly.While he showered, she finished getting ready. A few minutes later, her phone rang and she picked up. "Hello?""I'm out front, Sissy," Bubba said."Hey, Bubba. We were expecting Solomon," she said."He doesn't drive after dark these days," Tre explained."I see. Okay, we'
Chapter 52: Family DramaBack in the car on their way back to the house, Tre apologized again. "I didn't think he'd be that bad. Sissy, the cancer is making him more unpleasant."Bella snorted. "Seems the same to me."After riding in silence for a few miles, she said, "Luke, wait'll you get a load of the house. Growing up, I had no idea how incredibly obscene it is." Glancing at Tre, "No offense." Tre shrugged. "None taken." They all laughed.Pulling into the drive, they could see the house situated at the end of a long straight lane shaded by centuries-old oak trees that were draped with Spanish moss. The white antebellum home was two stories tall and fronted by six white columns. There was a broad front porch running the width of house with a matching veranda on the second floor. Bella felt a perverse sense of pride. Bad memories and associations aside, the plantation house was undeniably beautiful. Still, she was glad that Tre and his family lived there. She was perfect
Chapter 53: Karaoke Night at Pale Eddie'sBella closed her eyes for a moment. "I'm sorry, Bubba. I'll go apologize. Then let's head back to town." She left the table to find Cornelia.The three men look at each other. Tre cleared his throat. "Sometimes I think that Bella and Daddy don't get along because they're so much alike. They have that same stubborn streak."Luke pursed his lips. "I have noticed a bit of hard headedness." Smiling to himself, he thought of the bar in Edinburgh where she tried to match him shot for shot.T-Nathan scowled. "I think she's the only real person in this family," he said before stalking away from the table.Tre shook his head. "It's always…interesting…when she's here."Returning to the dining room, Bella said, "I apologized. I was out of line, I know it. Let's go. I want to hit Pale Eddie's." Tre looked at her incredulously. "Really? Don't you think you've had enough?"Bella laughed. "I have not yet begun to drink! Come on, Cowboy," ta
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