The Inn At Shadow Lake. Janet Edgar
behind her ear. “It’s been a while, Zach,” she said, leaning one hip against the top of her desk.
“Yeah.” Zach scanned the office before his penetrating gaze returned to meet hers. “About eight years, Jewels.”
He called her by his old nickname for her. The one she hated. Yet, hearing it now brought forth a rush of precious memories. She forced the sweet thoughts from her heart and mind. “Has it been that long?” Though she knew all too well exactly how long ago it had been.
“Yeah. So, what have you been up to?” he asked.
Julie smiled. “Running the lodge, for one thing.”
His gaze locked on hers. “You really own this resort?”
“Yes.” She nodded and took in another quick breath. It was good to see him. Zach had meant the world to her once. “My husband and I bought it and—”
“Right.” His sudden, cool gaze confused her. “You look great. You haven’t aged a day.” He pushed off the doorway and backed up a step.
“Thanks.” Why was he deliberately making her uncomfortable? It wasn’t like him. At least not like the Zach she used to know. She lowered her gaze so he wouldn’t notice the moisture in her eyes. “I’d…better let you go,” she said once she composed herself. She lifted her gaze to meet his.
“Yeah, I’m off to do some exploring.” He ran a hand through his hair. “You know. Take a drive around the lake, find a couple of places to fish.”
Julie ached to do a little exploring of her own and run her fingers across the roughness of his jaw. It was good to hear his deep, familiar voice. She had to get a grip on the overpowering emotions coursing through her. Seeing him again, old feelings resurfaced, stronger than ever.
A strand of hair fell across his forehead and she fought the overwhelming impulse to smooth it back, as she used to. “How long are you staying, Zach?” Surely, he couldn’t be their “mystery man,” the one who had insisted on main level accommodations with a view of the lake. But the way her day was going…
Julie wished she’d made more time to be involved with the lone guest who had mysteriously booked a room for an extended stay. If she’d seen his name, she would’ve had some warning. “Are you with your family?” she asked, hoping he would say yes.
“No. It’s just me.” He smiled, but it wasn’t real.
Julie studied his face. Something was wrong. He was their “mystery man,” all right, in more ways than one. “Is your room okay? We wanted to make sure that you’d be comfortable. You know, for such a long…vacation.”
“Yeah. It’s great.” His distant gaze held hers. “You and your husband must love it here.”
Julie walked to stand at the open door with him. Through the floor-to-ceiling windows at the far end of the lobby, she surveyed the silvery lake and the tall evergreens of the densely treed property.
Her heart felt as heavy as the thick morning mist that rose from Shadow Lake. The steely gray presence curled up the vast, manicured lawn near the back of the lodge, lingering at the tall windows until it enveloped the building in a translucent cocoon.
Eerie, yet beautiful. Peaceful, but lonely.
Just like her heart.
Dragging in a deep breath, and wondering about her sudden case of melancholy, she turned to face Zach. “My husband…Tim—” she blinked and cleared her throat “—he…he died suddenly. Three years ago.” She still found it hard to discuss Tim’s death and the virus that had weakened his heart in a matter of weeks.
Zach reached out and gently lifted her chin so her gaze would meet his. “I’m sorry, Julie.” His words, so sincerely spoken, revealed the tender man she remembered. The gentle touch of his long fingers brushing her cheek stirred emotions she’d tried to bury along with their past.
He took her hands in his. His gaze connected to her soul this time and a glimmer of sunshine filtered into the fogginess of her heart. His strong, warm hands felt so good around hers. They stood only inches apart. “You sure you’re all right?”
Thoughts of their past raced through her mind and she wondered what it would be like to kiss him again. Clearing her head, she pushed the thought away. “I’m fine.” In Zach’s strong arms, she felt like a college girl all over again. Could he feel how her hands trembled in his?
“Okay. I’m off to do some sightseeing.” Gently, he released her hands from his.
“Thanks for saving me from an embarrassing fall.”
“Yes. Catch you later.” Zach chuckled. He winked and for a split second, his teasing gaze held hers.
She’d always loved his sense of humor. In seconds, he was out the door with no plans and probably no map. He hadn’t changed at all. But something in his life had left the emptiness she saw in his eyes. After all these years, why would God bring Zach back into her life now? Circumstances at the lodge couldn’t be worse.
Zach would never admit it, she knew, but he looked as if he could use a friend.
Placing a hand to her heart and reeling from the deep emotions swirling inside, Julie suddenly realized, so could she.
Especially since…the murder.
TWO
Zach pulled his vehicle into the small parking lot across from Shadow Lake Inn after having spent the last four hours mapping out the perimeter around the lake and meeting with team members on the case.
Senior Agent John Castlerock hadn’t been at the rendezvous point as planned, and none of the other agents knew his whereabouts. Zach didn’t like the troubling thoughts running through his mind.
Was John keeping something from the team? From him?
He’d never worried about John’s loyalty before. So why was there a sudden feeling of apprehension creeping its way through his gut? Why wasn’t John here yet?
He crossed the narrow road to the inn and his thoughts turned to Julie. Zach hadn’t expected the sudden rush of affection he felt when he held her in his arms again. He thought he had braced himself for the impact of seeing her when he studied the pictures the Bureau had shown him. Blue eyes, silky blond hair, her killer smile—it was enough to bring a man down. Her slim, well-toned body and feminine curves didn’t help matters, either.
Muttering a curse, he mentally repaired the protective wall he’d built around his heart and forced his concentration back where it belonged.
On his assignment.
Julie—the suspect.
He made his way along the hallway leading to the business section of the inn. The door to her office was slightly open giving him a perfect opportunity to sneak a quick look at her books and gather more information on the nosy Brit. Checking to make sure no one saw him, he quietly slipped into the room.
The suspicious box still sat in the corner. Obviously there was something inside that Julie didn’t want him to see. Heading toward it, he came to an abrupt halt when he noticed a small figure sitting in the brown leather chair. He could hardly see her over the top of the desk.
“Hello.” She jumped from the seat and scooted around the desk to face him. “Are you the misty man?”
Zach swallowed. “Uh, the what?”
“You sure look like the misty man to me.” The little girl tilted her head, placed her hands on her hips and gave him a quick once-over.
What in the world was a misty man?
Light blond hair, combed into a neat ponytail, bounced with every move she made. One strap of the denim jumper she wore slipped over her shoulder and the white turtleneck underneath the dress. Tennis shoes, laced in red, had matching frilly things centered in the bows. One of the laces