Sister

Brad heard the women telling one another good night. He’d really enjoyed all of them, but Anne called to him. He wasn’t quite sure what it was about her, but both he and Cain had felt drawn to her from the moment she crawled out of the car looking tired but delicious. Thinking about her swollen lips and the soft sounds she made when he kissed her, he finished wiping down the bar and checking the kitchen to make sure the stove was off and everything was ready for morning.

He’d just hung up the damp towel to dry when he sensed someone near, looked out the front window, and saw Anne standing on the deck, staring at the twinkling fairy lights in the forest. She looked lost in thought, leaning against the railing, her hands clasping the top rail.

He realized he wasn’t nearly as tired as he’d thought and spending some quiet time with Anne was just what he needed. She had absolutely no idea how she affected him. Why was that so refreshing? It was definitely attractive. She wasn’t a doormat as far as he could tell, but she wasn’t hitting on him like he was some sort of male stud. She was more reserved than her friends, but he already knew she had a wicked sense of humor—he’d eavesdropped, and her story about the wolf in her cabin had cracked him up. He hoped Cain had heard her telling it.

Tucking some chocolate in his pocket, he poured a couple of glasses of dark port and carried them outside. Anne glanced up and smiled at him, and he knew he’d never seen a lovelier woman. Her thick dark brown hair hung in glossy waves past her shoulders, and while she looked tired, he could tell she was still wound up, still excited about her first night here at Feral Passions.

He hoped she was having a good time. Hoped she didn’t feel bad about him kissing her earlier tonight. He honestly hadn’t been able to help himself. Kissing Anne felt right, as if the wolf side of him wanted to claim her in some small way.

He’d heard a few of her comments, subtly self-deprecating, enough to know she thought she was overweight. She’d eaten very little tonight, and that bothered him. He hated to think that, even on vacation, she would be depriving herself. How did a guy tell a woman he barely knew that he thought she was absolutely perfect?

He walked out and leaned against the railing beside her. “Here. I brought you something.” It was a dark, rich wine, sweeter than the Chardonnay the women had been drinking earlier.

“Thank you.” She held up the goblet, admiring the dark, dark color, more purple than red. “What is this?”

“It’s late harvest port—a friend of Trak’s makes it. He’s got a vineyard near the coast.”

She took a small sip and sighed. “Delicious.”

He pulled the chocolate out of his pocket—two small bars wrapped in a napkin from the bar. “Try this with it.”

She reached for the chocolate, paused, and curled her fingers into her palm. “I can’t. But thank you.”

“You don’t like chocolate?” He took a small bite of his bar and then sipped the wine. The melded flavors exploded on his tongue, and he wanted to share the taste with Anne.

“I love it, but it likes me too well.” She patted her hip. “It likes to stick around.”

“I don’t see that as a problem for you. I think you look pretty amazing.” He gave her a long look when what he really wanted to do was pull her into his arms, hold her against his chest so he could feel those full, tantalizing breasts, bury his hands in her beautiful dark hair. And kiss her. Kiss those luscious lips, nibble on her throat—tell her what he was, that he already knew she was perfect for them.

That he and Cain wanted her as their mate.

Except that wasn’t going to happen—couldn’t happen, at least not yet—though he loved the way she blushed over his simple observation.

They stood there, leaning against the deck, just talking. She told him a little about her life in San Francisco, he told her about going to college in Southern California and getting his degree in architecture, how he’d been asked to design the resort when Trak decided he wanted to build one on the preserve. Anne seemed interested in everything. She was easy to talk to, with a sense of humor that synced way too closely with his.

He’d never met a woman before that he’d felt this comfortable with so quickly. He wondered what Cain thought of her, if he’d had time even to form an opinion.

He sensed movement, and turned just as Cain stepped out of the forest. He wore his faded blue jeans, beat-up moccasins, and no shirt. Brad knew the exact moment when Anne noticed him walking toward the lodge.

Her heart rate picked up and the sweet scent of her arousal filled the air. He’d sensed it a while ago when he’d walked out onto the deck, and now for Cain? This was looking better by the moment.

“Hey, Cain. I wondered when you’d show up. Where’ve you been?”

“Checking on the den by the creek. Mama wolf has three beautiful new pups. Two females and a male.”

“Really?” Anne’s eyes actually sparkled. “Did you see them?”

“I did, sweet Anne.” He took the steps up to the deck two at a time and stopped in front of Anne. He looked to Brad and they shared a look; sometimes it was like Cain could read his mind. “I might even tell you about their birth and my heroic, lifesaving rescue … for a kiss.”

“A kiss?”

Her eyes went wide. Brad inhaled the addictive scent of her arousal. From the look of surprise on Cain’s face, he’d caught it, too.

“Just a simple kiss,” he said. Then he leaned close and kissed her before she had time to duck, even if she’d wanted to. Brad didn’t think she wanted to miss Cain’s kiss, but he couldn’t help throwing a rather possessive arm around her waist.

She gave him a sidelong glance that told him she knew exactly what he was doing, but she smiled.

Anne was smiling, and Brad was falling hard and fast. But what if she wasn’t right for them? What if he was reading all the signs wrong? It wasn’t as if they’d had much contact with human women or even mated couples. Even in the old days, mated members of the pack lived in their own communities, raising their sons and doing their best to fit into the human population. That left the single males on their own. Now, except for a few much older mated couples, the guys here—both young and old—were all that were left of the Trinity Alps pack. Single males, surrounded by a whole pack of other single males.

“Thank you, Cheraza.” Cain stepped back after their kiss and leaned on the railing beside Brad. “I helped her deliver the first pup. It wasn’t ready to leave such a nice, warm place.”

Anne sighed, but Brad caught Cain’s fear, the sense that if he’d not been there, they might have lost the pup, possibly the mother, and the entire litter. “She okay?”

Cain nodded. “She’ll be fine. The pups look good.” Frowning, he said, “I did a little chest compression and mouth-to-snout resuscitation, and by the time the first one was breathing and squirming to find Mama she’d delivered the other two.”

“I’m glad you were there.” Brad clapped Cain’s shoulder.

“Me, too.” Anne watched him with her heart in her eyes. It appeared she was as big a softy as Cain. At least when he wasn’t acting all badass. “How did you know she needed help?”

Cain merely shrugged. “We keep an eye on them, make sure everyone’s healthy. This is her first litter, so I’ve been checking on her. Plus, they’re used to us. We can get close enough to help when there’s a problem.” He described the den under a fallen tree near the creek, the way the mother had licked her pups and nuzzled them close against her to nurse. Anne hung on every word.

Brad leaned close and kissed her cheek. “Be right back,” he said, and stepped inside the lodge to grab a goblet for Cain. When he got back, Cain and Anne had moved to the big picnic table, Anne at the end, Cain on her left. Brad sat on the other side, across from Cain and next to Anne, and poured a glass of port for Cain.

“Here’s to new life,” he said, raising his glass. Anne and Cain raised theirs. The crystal chimed softly when they touched glasses.

“Where’s the chocolate?” Cain stared at Brad and shook his head. “Don’t tell me you shared some of Trak’s port with Anne and didn’t offer chocolate!”

Brad shrugged. “I did, but she didn’t want any.” He dug it out of his pocket—only he’d added a couple of extra pieces and put one in front of Cain, another in front of Anne, and kept one for himself.

“You’re trying to sabotage my diet.” Anne sipped her port, but she stared at the small piece of dark chocolate in front of her.

Cain picked up the chocolate and held it in front of her lips. “You don’t need to diet. I love the way you look. Your breasts are begging for my attention and my hands really want to clasp those incredible hips. You are a voluptuous woman, Cheraza DuBois. You would not be the same without your curves. They make you absolutely perfect.”

No man had ever said she was perfect. Not ever. Now, tonight, two hot-as-hell men had told her just that. “Just a taste,” she said, and she wasn’t sure what gave her the courage, but she nibbled at the piece Cain held for her.

“Now the port,” Brad said, smiling at her over the rim of his glass.

She took a sip, closed her eyes, and moaned. And to think she’d almost missed this. “Amazing,” she said. Brad held a piece to her lips, and she nibbled that one as well, sipped her port, and then yawned. And blushed. Damn. She so wished she didn’t blush over everything.

“I think someone’s sleepy.” Cain stood. “I’m going to find one of the wolves, have him walk you to your cabin. Is that okay? I need Brad to help me with some stuff before he gets too cozy with the rest of Trak’s port.” He leaned over and kissed her and, just as quickly, disappeared around the back of the deck.

Brad wrapped a curl of her long hair around his little finger.

Anne’d never been with men who kissed and touched so easily, so naturally. She took a sip of port and merely enjoyed the slight tugging as Brad played with her hair.

“I hope you don’t think we’re running you out,” he said. “Cain asked me earlier to help him with a couple of projects tonight, and I totally forgot.”

“No. I think I just hit the wall, anyway.” She yawned again, covering her mouth with her hand, her skin flushing hot and probably beet red. Again. “Trak’s port is better than sleeping pills.”

The silver and gray wolf trotted up the steps and sat beside Anne and she quit worrying about blushing.

“It appears Cain found my escort. He’s so beautiful.” She stroked her hand over his head and down his shoulders. The wolf rested his chin on her knee, but Brad leaned close and kissed her, pulling her to her feet with his strong arms wrapped around her, his lips moving over hers.

He tasted of chocolate and wine.

After a moment, he broke off the kiss and rested his chin on top of her head. Her heart was pounding in her chest, her breasts felt as if they might burst from the bra she wore, and she knew the taut points of her nipples were obvious even through the fabric.

“I think you’re right,” he said. “I’m tired, too. I just hate to think of you leaving.”

She laughed. “I’m only going about fifty yards, and I’ll see you in the morning. Does my escort have a name?”

“This guy?” Brad scratched behind his ears; the wolf leaned against his thigh and moaned. “He may not act like it, but he’s a wild wolf. We don’t name them. We’ve all learned to recognize the ones who like to hang around the lodge, but it doesn’t seem right to give them names. I’m sure they have their own.”

“I like that.” She stared at Brad for a moment, losing herself in his dark brown eyes, thinking of what he’d just said. He was telling her they had enough respect for the wolves not to treat them like pets.

She had a horrible feeling she was falling for a guy she’d only known for a few hours.

But then she thought of Cain and realized she felt almost as drawn to him after merely a few minutes in his company. She wanted to laugh at the surfeit of male riches suddenly thrust into her life. She couldn’t wait to tell Christa and Steph what they’d missed by leaving early. “Go help Cain, Brad. This guy will get me back to my cabin. Thank you for the port.” She glanced away. “And the chocolate. That was amazing.”

“I’m glad.” He rested his hands on her shoulders. She had no idea what he was thinking, but she was almost certain it had something to do with kissing. The fact that he seemed to enjoy kissing her so much sent a small jolt right through her midsection.

When he kissed her again, when those talented lips molded hers and his tongue made a swift foray across her lower lip, she didn’t even try to suppress her needy moan. He nipped gently at her lower lip and ended the kiss.

Tonight had been like a fairy tale, but she had absolutely no idea what to say. Brad and Cain were unbelievable, and—The wolf caught the hem of her dress in his teeth and tugged. “It looks like my chaperone wants me to go to bed.” She smiled at Brad and wished she could just invite him to join her in that big bed.

“Good night, Anne. Sleep well.”

The wolf tugged. “I’m coming.” Laughing, she glanced once more at Brad and then followed the wolf down the steps. When they reached the edge of the forest, she looked back, hoping to see Brad once more.

The deck was empty.

Sighing, she followed the wolf along the path lit by sparkling fairy lights.

They were almost to the cabin when a second wolf joined them. He was big and dark, his coat streaked with russet and gold, and he planted himself in the middle of the trail, blocking their way. Anne let out a startled squeak and buried her fingers in her companion’s thick ruff of fur. “I really hope you’re friendly.”

Her wolf wagged his tail and yipped, and the new wolf went down on his front paws as if he wanted to play. “That looks promising. C’mon, boys. Take me to my cabin, and then the night is yours.”

The porch light was on, but the cabin was dark. She opened the door and the russet-colored wolf walked in first, almost as if he was checking to make sure she’d be safe. Anne followed him, flipped on the light by the door, and stepped inside.

She left the door open in case the wolves wanted out, grabbed her nightgown, and took it into the bathroom. After she’d changed and brushed her teeth, she stepped back into the main part of the cabin.

Both wolves were curled up on the braided rug beside the bed, almost as if they planned to spend the night. She sat on the rug between them and looped her arms over their backs. “Boys, I would love to have you stay with me, but I know you’d probably want out in the middle of the night, and I’m tired.”

The russet wolf whimpered and rested his chin on her knee so he could stare at her. It was unnerving, to say the least. His eyes were dark brown, darker than the chocolate she and Brad had tonight, just as dark as Brad’s beautiful eyes.

She glanced at the silver and gray wolf. His eyes were green. The same color as Cain’s.

No. She was just tired, and these were merely wolves. Beautiful wolves. Wolves who, somehow, reminded her of two very sexy men.

It had definitely been a long day. Anne stood and walked to the open door. The wolves watched every step she took. When she stood by the door, she could have sworn they glanced at each other, but then both of them slowly stood.

Anne held the door open. “Time for bed, fellas. You two need to go out.”

Tails and heads down, the two of them slowly walked out the door.

The russet one glanced her way as he stepped onto the front porch. She heard him sigh. The other wolf was right behind him. Anne waited, watching as they faded into the forest.

She closed and locked the door but left the porch light burning and crawled into the big comfortable bed. The big lonely bed. But she couldn’t get her mind off the wolves. That was just too weird for words. The feeling they were more than they appeared would not leave her.

She picked up the romance she’d been reading. Dying Room Only—not a sexy title, but the werewolf and vampire heroes in the story were two of her favorites. Actually, the werewolf was her favorite, but she loved the ménage fantasy. Funny, how she loved stories where two sexy men fell in love with the woman. She didn’t even have one.

She stared at the cover for a moment, at the wolf standing beside a woman with his amber eyes glowing, and thought of her two wolves. Yawning, she set the book aside. It had been a very long day. Dreams were about all the excitement she could handle tonight.

They did not disappoint. Dreams so graphic, so real, that when she awoke she was actually surprised she didn’t have four legs and a tail. She’d spent the night racing through dark forests and moonlit meadows with the two wolves—wolves her dream self knew as Brad and Cain in their human form.

It might have been a bizarre night of crazy dreams, but the sense of running beneath a full moon with the granite mountaintops gleaming silvery beneath its light, the steady thunder of wolven feet racing beside her along the hard-packed, shadowed trails, had felt so real.

They’d even howled, all of them standing on a hilltop, howling at the moon. She’d awakened with tears on her cheeks, overcome by a sense of belonging.

She’d come awake a number of times throughout the night, sometimes breathing hard, as if she’d truly been part of a small pack of three, the two familiar wolves on either side. The last time before dreamless sleep finally claimed her, Anne awoke sprawled crosswise on the big bed with pale moonlight slanting across her body.

It was only a quarter moon. In her dreams, the moon had been full, hanging directly overhead. That slice of moon left her sighing in relief. She hadn’t run as a wolf. No, that had all been the result of an overactive imagination, thank goodness.

Relieved, yet oddly disappointed, Anne straightened out on her bed, punched the pillow a couple of times for effect, and finally rolled over and went back to sleep.

CHAPTER 5

Monday

Anne was actually disappointed when she finally crawled out of bed, dressed, and realized she’d be walking to the lodge without her wolf escort. They’d certainly been busy last night, escorting her through her dreams. There weren’t any wolves at the lodge to greet her, either, but Christa and Steph were on the deck having coffee, the sun was barely peeking over the tops of the pine trees, and it was an absolutely breathtaking morning.

“Good morning. When did you guys get here?”

“About five minutes ago.” Christa held up her coffee cup. “Coffee’s inside, and it looks like Trak’s cooking breakfast.”

“As long as it’s not me. Morning, Steph.” Anne and Christa both laughed when Steph merely grunted. She was most definitely not a morning person. Anne opened the door and walked into the lodge. Trak was visible through the pass-through window, standing at the stove in the kitchen with an apron tied around his trim waist, and the dining area was filled with delicious smells. Inside, the lodge was like an old-time café, with a bar for a quick meal or drinks, and the big pass-through window into the kitchen. A couple of small tables were placed by windows at one end, and there was one long table in the middle, where they’d eaten last night.

There was no sign of the other three women, but Brad smiled from behind the bar. “Good morning, Anne. Coffee?”

Anne nodded and took a seat on one of the barstools. “Yes, please. Good morning.”

“You’re up early.”

“Blame the day job. I’m usually in the office by seven.”

Brad handed Anne a big mug of coffee, black, just the way she liked it. Then he propped his elbows on the bar with his own steaming cup between his hands. “What do you do in the day job?”

“Statistics and market analysis, which sounds really high-tech and boring, but it’s not.”

He laughed. “Yeah, but what do you do?”

She was used to this part of the question. “Figure out what ads work best for companies and why. I research algorithms and how to optimize ads, create methods for measuring the effectiveness of ads, that sort of thing. Essentially I try to help people use the most effective advertising for a particular product. It’s fun. I love my work.”

Brad just laughed. “If you say so. How did you end up doing something like that?”

“I love numbers and majored in statistics, with a minor in computer science.”

She heard the door open and Christa added, “And she’s actually Dr. Cheraza DuBois.” Christa plopped her butt down on the stool next to Anne and draped an arm around her shoulders, laughing. “It is so easy to make you blush.”

“You’re a pain in the ass, Cissy.” And Anne might be embarrassed by Christa’s praise, but she was damned proud of that PhD, even if it ran men off, if they’d even gotten past her plus-size body. But Brad actually seemed impressed, not put off by it. Now that was interesting.

“Hey Trak,” he said, calling out to the cook. “You’ve got to come out here.”

Trak poked his head through the window. “Morning, ladies. What do you want, Brad? The chef’s at work.”

“Yeah, I know, but do know what this lovely lady does?” And without waiting for an answer, Brad said, “She’s a statistics and computers expert, and there’s a ‘PhD’ after her name. Her focus is marketing.”

“Really?”

Trak’s eyebrows went up and he and Brad exchanged a very quick but obviously meaningful glance. Anne had no idea what the meaning was.

“I need to get back to work,” Trak said. “But Anne? I’m impressed. I’m going to want to hear more about your work.”

“Anytime.” That was interesting, but obviously all he was going to say, at least for now.

The door opened once again. “Where’d you guys go?” Steph wandered in and took the barstool on the other side of Anne. “It was lonely out there.”

Christa glanced at Anne. “What that means is, she just woke up enough to realize we weren’t sitting with her.”

“I know.”

“Poor baby … are they picking on you?”

Steph’s eyes lit up as Brad took her cup for a refill. “Yes. Do you have any idea what I put up with?”

He set the freshly filled cup in front of her and sighed. “I can only imagine.”

“Milk it, Steph. Go for the sympathy.” Anne nudged Steph’s shoulder, but she really loved the fact that Brad looked directly at her and winked. He’d singled her out while teasing Steph. Silly, that such a small thing made her feel warm inside.

They were all laughing and picking on Stephanie, who’d had enough caffeine to tease them right back, when the L.A. contingent wandered in looking for coffee, but the three of them took one of the smaller tables, all of them half-asleep and not saying much. Brad carried a tray over with filled cups, cream, and sugar. The women thanked him but kept their conversation low.

Two men Anne hadn’t seen before walked in a few minutes later. Christa poked her in the shoulder and whispered, “Are all of the guys who work here drop-dead gorgeous?”

“It appears so.” These two were big and brawny and absolutely beautiful, but Anne was surprised when she didn’t feel that same little flip in her midsection that she’d gotten from both Brad and Cain. Obviously it wasn’t her reaction to sexy men in general—just those two sexy men.

Steph, however, had finally come awake, tracking the two with her gaze as they stepped up to the bar beside her. “Good morning.” She smiled, and the one closer to her nodded.

The other man shot her a bright grin. “Don’t mind Ronan. He’s just grumpy because we were out of coffee.”

Brad set two cups in front of them. “Ladies, the sparkly one is Wils and the grump is Ronan. Behave, gentlemen.”

Ronan planted his butt on the stool beside Steph, gave her a long look, and dipped his head. “My apologies. I had a late night and then the shmuck with the pretty blue eyes forgot to stock up on coffee.”

Steph took a swallow of hers. “That’s absolutely unforgivable. The fact that his pretty blue eyes aren’t black is an obvious tribute to your good nature.”

Ronan nodded seriously. “That’s what I was trying to explain to him.”

“You weren’t very nice about it.” Wils glanced at Anne. Easy to see where Ronan’s reference came from. Wils had the most brilliant blue eyes she’d ever seen. “He turned the hot water off when I was in the shower.”

Anne almost snorted her coffee. “You didn’t?”

“I did.” Ronan actually smiled at this point. “He screamed like a little girl.”

“I’d be careful about insulting the women if I were you, Ronan.” Brad walked around the bar with a couple of large serving trays that he set under the heat lamps in the buffet counter. Trak was right behind him with more trays of food. Both Wils and Ronan went back to the kitchen and carried out baskets of rolls and bowls of fresh fruit.

Within a couple of minutes, the buffet was loaded and even the three from L.A. managed to find a spot in line. Once the women had served themselves, the four men loaded their plates.

Brad sat next to Anne.

“Where’s Cain this morning?”

“Checking on mama wolf. He’ll be here any minute.”

“Mama wolf?” Steph leaned around Christa. “There’s a new litter?”

“Yep.” Brad slathered butter on a piece of toast. “Cain helped the female last night. She was having a tough delivery and he pulled the first pup.”

“And then he did chest compressions on the pup and said he gave it ‘mouth-to-snout’ resuscitation.” Anne couldn’t stop smiling. “Now that’s something I’d like to have seen.”

Conversation flowed as the food disappeared. Anne enjoyed her meal and realized she’d actually eaten breakfast without feeling self-conscious about putting food in her mouth. Of course, the amount she ate didn’t come close to what the men put away, but they were so busy talking and planning the day that she hadn’t had a chance to feel as if anyone noticed or cared what was on her plate.

She’d have to think about that. She was so used to looking for problems, for perceived insults. Was she creating an issue where none existed?

“So it’s agreed?” Brad glanced about the group.

Agreed? “On what?” She hadn’t been paying attention.

“Ronan and Wils are going to lead a hike up to Blackbird Lake,” he said. “It’s only a couple of miles from here, but there’s a bit of a climb, so you’ll need hiking boots, and long pants would be best. We’ll have daypacks ready for you with water and a bag lunch. If you’ve got cameras, take them. You’re sure to see wildlife along the way, possibly a wolf or two.”

“I’m going.” Anne didn’t even have to think about it. “What about you guys?”

Steph shrugged. “That’s why we’re here. To get some exercise and see new country. Christa?”

“I’m in. What time are you leaving?”

Wils glanced at Ronan. “Can you ladies be ready in half an hour?”

“I think I’m going to stay here.” Fred yawned. “I had a really rough week, and that swimming pool looks awfully appealing. Darnell? Suni? What are you guys up to?”

“I’m with you.” Suni gathered up her plate and utensils.

“Leave it, Suni. We’ll take care of that.” Brad glanced at Darnell. “What about you, Darnell? Are you up for some hiking?”

“I am.” She glanced uncertainly at her friends. “Fred? You’re really not going?”

“I’m sorry, hon. I’m beat. Too much time on my feet last week.”

Suni shook her head. “Same here. I just want peace and quiet and a long nap.”

“Darnell, come with us. It’ll be fun.” Anne stood and stretched. “Trak, that was absolutely delicious. Thank you.” She checked her watch. “Half an hour? I’ll be here.”

* * *

It was almost four when they finally returned to the lodge. Darnell broke off from the group first when they paused near her cabin. She claimed she was exhausted, but she couldn’t stop laughing.

“I have never worked so frickin’ hard in my life, or had that much fun. If that’s what you call a moderate hike, Ronan, I don’t even want to imagine your idea of a tough one. And believe me, if anyone had told me a few days ago that today I’d be skinny-dipping in an ice-cold mountain lake with three white girls and two dudes I’d known all of a couple hours, I would have said, you are shittin’ me! No way!”

She and Steph did a fancy knuckle-bump that included bumping hips at the same time.

“She’s right, you know.” Christa waved to Darnell as she turned off toward her cabin. “Today wasn’t like anything I’ve ever done in my life.”

“Me, either.” Anne’d gotten naked in front of everyone; she’d stripped out of her dusty clothes on the edge of the crystal-clear lake and gone into that icy water, gasping and screaming with the rest of them. Not only hadn’t she even thought about her weight; she’d also been well aware that both Ronan and Wils were giving her what could only be described as admiring looks.

Definitely an amazing day, though she’d laughed hysterically when Christa complained about “freezing my ass off.” If only!

“Certainly not me,” Steph said. “I’ve never been skinny-dipping with anyone. Ever.” Then she poked Wils with her elbow. “I think it was all your fault.”

Wils laughed and wrapped an arm around her waist. Anne’d noticed that the two of them had definitely hit it off. “C’mon, darlin’. Your cabin’s just through here.”

“It is? Mine’s next to Darnell’s?”

“Yep. And Christa’s on the other side. I’ll see you to your door, poor thing. I mean, since you’re obviously so exhausted and all. Besides, then you can complain about me all you want since I’ll be your only audience.”

The two of them peeled off to the left and disappeared in the thick forest, though Anne could hear them talking. Then she heard the sound of them walking up the steps to Steph’s cabin. The door opened and closed. There wasn’t any sound of Wils’s returning footsteps.

Ronan was watching the trail. A moment later he grinned. “It appears Wils decided to escort Steph inside.” He started walking again.

“I thought we were more isolated, a lot farther from each other.” Anne turned to Ronan.

“You’re really quite close to one another,” he said. “You can thank Brad for the sense of privacy. The design is all his baby. He’s an architect who plans his structures to blend with the landscaping. He’s pretty well-known, actually, but he has a personal interest in this place. Brad wanted guests to be more aware of the forest around them than of the other cabins, so the six cabins form a half circle behind the lodge, but each is hidden from the others, and the lodge.”

They’d only walked a few more steps before Ronan stopped and pointed to a small trail leading into the woods. “Anne, I’m going to walk your sister to her cabin. I’ll be right back.”

Except Anne had a feeling Ronan would much prefer to linger, and just as strong a sense that Christa hoped he would. “Take your time,” she said. “The trail’s easy to follow and I think I know where I am. Thank you, Ronan. Today couldn’t have been more fun.”

He really did have a beautiful smile. “You’re welcome,” he said. “You’re sure you’ll be okay on you own?”

“Not a problem. Now if it was Christa…” She grinned at her sister.

Christa groaned. “She’s referring to my nonexistent sense of direction. I can get lost in the parking lot at Walmart.”

Ronan merely shook his head. “Then I’m definitely walking you to your door. Thanks, Anne.”

Anne gave Christa a hug and whispered, “Enjoy yourself.”

Ronan grabbed Christa’s hand; she waved and followed him down the trail. Anne took the wider trail that would take her directly to the lodge. Giving Christa time with Ronan was the least she could do for a sister who cared enough to trick her into coming along on this most amazing adventure.