Page 144 of The Lumberjack and the City Slicker

“Have you looked at new places yet?”

“No, but it’s Woodhaven.” She shrugs. “Evan loves the mountain. I thought maybe we’d rent one of the log cabins for the summer. There are a couple folks who lease them for holiday weekends.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. They’re rustic, though. No heat. They stay empty most of the winter. But in summer?”

She pauses and smiles faintly. “The mountain is magic.”

Magic.

The word presses against something tender in my chest.

Summer.

I won’t be here in the summer.

At least… I don’t think I will.

The thought lands like a bruise.

I nod, pretending that didn’t just shatter something inside me.

We talk a little more.

Kelly excuses herself when her phone rings, and I assume it’s her lawyer.

Or Mike.

Or some new disaster waiting to unfold.

I’m still standing by the door when there’s a knock.

It’s late.

Too late for visitors.

I don’t check the window. I just open it.

And my world tilts.

Geoffrey.

Here.

Standing on the porch like he has the right.

“Clara!” he says, relief flooding his face. “I found you. Oh, thank God. This place is awful.”

He tries to push past me, and I plant my feet.

“What on earth are you doing here?”

He exhales dramatically.

“It’s time you stop this ridiculous temper tantrum.”

Temper tantrum.