“Normally I would be, and I’ll admit Kane is very sexy in that macho way you seem to go for. Not my type, but seriously hot.”
“Do you have a point?”
“I was getting to it. Nolan told me all about Kane, and he doesn’t sound like someone you want to be involved with at the moment.”
She sat down at the table across from her sister. “Why not? He seems nice.”
“He is, and Nolan has a lot of respect for him. But Kane has some problems. He was involved in a shooting that left his partner and a sixteen-year-old kid dead. Kane was wounded. Their lieutenant ordered him to take some time off to get his head together. Which means he isn’t the ideal candidate for a relationship.”
“That’s awful. I thought I had problems.”
“You do. So find a nice, uncomplicated man who’s good in bed and isn’t an emotional mess. Kane is probably more trouble than you want to tackle right now.” Grace reached over and took Rachel’s hands. “I don’t want you to get hurt again. You aren’t tough like me, and taking on a project the size of Kane Lafferty seems like more pain than it’s worth.”
“You’re probably right. It’s too bad, though, because I really did like him.”
“Hey, if you could have a fling with the guy and walk away, I’d say go for it.”
“What makes you think I can’t?”
“Come on. I know you. You’d do something stupid like falling in love.”
“I slept with Alan, and I didn’t fall in love with him.”
Grace wrinkled her nose. “Let’s face it, Alan was a little on the boring side. He was certainly no Kane Lafferty.”
“True.”
Outside a vehicle slowed and idled, its headlights illuminating the empty street.
Rachel stepped to the window to peek out. “I wonder who that is.”
Grace joined her as the pickup drove away. “Someone must be lost.”
“I suppose.” The timer dinged, and Rachel pulled the muffins from the oven. “Let’s go to bed. I’m really tired. Plus, tomorrow I have to break the news about the camping trip to Lark.”
“Do me a favor and wait until after I’ve left to talk to her. I don’t want to get hit by the fallout.”
Grace ducked when Rachel threw a potholder at her.
“Aren’t you sweet and supportive. Good night, Gracie.”
Chapter 4
The early morning sun was just peeking over the hills as Rachel and the girls left Vine Haven. Traffic heading east was light, putting Rachel in a good mood. She sang softly with the radio as the miles passed. In the back seat, Jade and Ivy told jokes, played games and consoled Daisy, who moaned pitifully.
Lark turned around in the front passenger seat and frowned at her sisters who were giggling helplessly at one of Jade’s jokes. “They won’t think it’s so funny when Daisy throws up on them.”
“That’s a cheerful thought.”
“You can’t expect me to be happy. I didn’t want to come on this stupid camping trip.”
“Lark.” Rachel’s tone held a warning.
Her daughter retreated into sullen silence. She’d been sulking all week. After her initial explosion, she was punishing the rest of the family with her long face and dramatic sighs.
Jade leaned forward between the seats. “What’s so bad about going camping, anyway?”
“Everything. When are we going to get there? I’m sick of sitting in the car. We’ve been driving for hours.”
“It’s not too much farther.”
“I still don’t see why I had to come.”
Rachel sighed. “We’ve been through this already. This is a family camping trip, and like it or not, you’re part of the family.”
“Not. Definitely not.”
Jade bounced and squealed. “Mom, this is our exit.”
Rachel drove down a two-lane road lined with pine trees. Here and there piles of dirty snow lay in shady patches. The girls sat quietly, watching for the signpost that marked their destination.
“There it is.” Jade pointed at a weathered sign with the camp’s logo.
The car bumped along a rutted track as Rachel pulled to a stop in a makeshift parking lot.
A battered wooden fence lined the parking area, separating it from a stable and corral. A couple of horses and several mules dozed in the sun. Every now and then one switched its tail to shoo away a fly.
“This rocks. They have horses.” Jade climbed out of the car.
“Do we get to ride them?” Ivy ducked as the dog leaped over the back of the seat in a scramble toward freedom. She ran to the fence. “Look at the donkeys. Aren’t they cute?”
“Actually, they’re mules.” A young man with dark blond hair, glasses and an engaging smile approached, his hand outstretched to shake Rachel’s. “I’m Jason, and you must be the Carpenters. Welcome to Granite Lake Retreat. I’ll be your guide for the hike up to the actual camp.”
Rachel introduced the girls as he made short work of unloading their gear.
“Is that it?” He pointed at the pile of suitcases, sleeping bags and guitar case at his feet.
“Maybe we over-packed.” Rachel frowned. “It looks like an awful lot to carry.”
“This is nothing. You should see the stuff some people bring.”
She glanced down at her dog, who sat nearby keeping an eye on the horses. “Oh, where’s Daisy’s food?”
“It’s right here.” Ivy pushed a heavy burlap sack off the backseat floor. “Jade moved it up here so Daisy wouldn’t eat it while we were driving.”
Rachel smiled at her daughters. “That was smart thinking.”
“I didn’t want her to throw up on me.”
Jason laughed. “That would motivate me. If we have everything, I’ll load your gear onto a couple of the mules.”
Ivy climbed out of the backseat, clutching a dark-haired doll to her chest. “I can’t believe I almost forgot Samantha.”
“Mom, she’s not taking a doll with her, is she?” Lark rolled her eyes. “How embarrassing is that?”
Rachel rested a hand on her youngest daughter’s head. “I don’t mind as long as she carries her.”
“Geez, Lark, she’s nowhere near as big as your guitar.”
“I can’t leave it. I have to practice.”
Their guide smiled at her. “Sometimes at night we sing around the campfire. Maybe you could play for us one evening.”
Lark responded with a shy smile of her own. “I’d like to, but I’m not a professional or anything.”
“Don’t worry. We aren’t picky. Jed plays the fiddle, and you can accompany him. Jed’s the owner of Granite Lake Retreat. He’s a great guy, but be careful.” His grin was teasing. “Most of the single girls fall crazy in love with him before they leave.”
“He must look like his brother.” Rachel grabbed two suitcases and followed Jason toward the corral.
“Do you know Kane?” He turned to look at her.
Her