Read Online Awakened in August (Spring River Valley Book 8) by Clarice Wynter - Free Book Online Page A

the noises his neck made when he tried to turn his head. Things were popping and cracking, and a dull pain settled in his forehead that would likely make it difficult to concentrate until it went away. He considered asking Brenda if she had an aspirin handy, but he feared she’d go back to lecturing him. Judging by her expression, there was no way to avoid it.
    “I’m sorry, but I’m dead serious. You look just like you did before you left for vacation. Why are you still here? Mitzi’s clients are under control for now, her cases have been reassigned. Is all this stuff on your desk so urgent you really needed to work all weekend?”
    “I was trying to catch up.”
    “Why don’t you go back to the resort and catch up on your sleep? That’s more important right now.”
    He sighed. “Not much point. Things are a little tense at the resort.”
    Brenda eyed him. “How can things be tense at a resort that teaches people how to relax?”
    “It’s complicated.” He wanted to go back, more than anything, but Lydia hadn’t returned the messages he’d left for her with the office, and she didn’t carry a cell phone while she worked. He honestly had no idea if she even had her own phone up at the resort. He had assumed she’d gotten his messages and didn’t want to speak to him, but he couldn’t know for sure without taking the five-hour trek back to Red Fork.
    Brenda leaned back and steepled her fingers in front of her. “By complicated you mean there’s a woman involved?”
    “Maybe.” How could he explain he’d thrown away yet another relationship in order to devote every waking moment to his job? How long could he survive that way?
    “I’ll take that as a yes. It’s none of my business, so I won’t pry any more, but all I can say is, when you first showed up here, you looked better than you have in months. If she’s responsible for that, don’t let her go.”
    Riley didn’t meet her gaze. Hadn’t he given Chase similar advice not long ago? The problem was, he had a lot more to apologize for than just rushing back to the office. He’d broken into her cabin to find his cell phone, assuming she would be angry if he’d just asked her for it. His go-to action was deception, and that was why she hadn’t bothered to return his calls. She didn’t trust him, and that trumped any other obstacle they might face as a couple.
    Fighting the stiffness in his neck, he reached up to straighten the pile of work in front of him, then he pushed back his chair and stood. “I’m going home to get cleaned up, and then…I’m going back to my vacation. If anyone is looking for me, tell them they can find me right here, next Monday morning.”
    Brenda’s smile lit the room. “Sneak out the back stairwell. I won’t even tell anyone I saw you this morning.”
    He considered the option for no more than a minute. He didn’t want to let another second go by with Lydia thinking he didn’t want to be with her. Fighting not to groan with each step, he grabbed his suit jacket and headed for the door. He paused on the threshold and glanced back at Brenda.
    “Thanks. Do me one favor, though, tell Chase…he’s a lucky guy.”
     
    * * * *
     
    “You’re a difficult woman to track down,” Drew Stiles told Lydia when they met at the Long House buffet line at lunch.
    She smiled flatly, though she was tempted to admit she’d been keeping a low profile since Riley left, spending most of her time on the resort’s nature trails. “You shouldn’t have any trouble finding me. I thought you were an Eagle Scout.”
    Carrying trays loaded with barbeque chicken wings and vegetable kabobs, they headed for a table on the breezy veranda overlooking the lake.
    “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you didn’t want to be found.” He slid into the seat opposite her and concentrated his knowing stare on her.
    Lydia cursed silently. “I wasn’t avoiding anyone. I just didn’t think I was any good company today, so I’ve kept