Love at the Lake by Tina Scott

Author:Tina Scott
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Sweet Contemporary Romance, Opposites Attract Romance, Romance with Humor, Love After Heartbreak, Jilted Fiancée, Christian Romance, Boss & Employee Romance
Publisher: Tina Scott
Published: 2023-02-02T00:00:00+00:00

Eighteen

Shayne made his way toward the lake, trudging through the ancient fir and pine trees. His shoes padded against a blanket of pine needles, bringing to his senses the dusty-sweet scent of dry pine, while the breezy midnight air worked its way through his coat. The day had been a whirl of activity and he’d barely had time to take a breath.

Though he and Jamal were bunking together, Shayne had been unable to talk to his friend about what was troubling him, and he could usually talk to Jamal about anything. But the way Chad had hung around Mercedes all day left Shayne with little hope regarding his chances with her. So, there wasn’t anything to talk to Jamal about. Except he was driving himself crazy thinking about her.

Shayne wiped his chilled hands over his face. Hope? Why would he hope for a personal relationship with his timid employee? Shayne hadn’t been in a serious relationship since Veronica, and he’d promised Brenda at the comedy club that he wouldn’t toy with Mercedes. He needed to be sure before he started anything with her, and he was anything but sure.

The way Jacey treated Mercedes kept Shayne wondering if there was some ongoing argument between them. One minute they acted like friends and the next minute he thought they might scratch each other’s eyes out. Or at least Jacey would. Mercedes seemed to take Jacey’s attitude in stride, and that was the mark of an extraordinary human being.

He paused at movement up ahead and watched as the silhouette of a caped person approached the lake. The slow but purposeful strides made him wonder if the person was sleepwalking. When the person was still several yards from the water, they stopped. He then saw, by the light of the moon’s reflection, that this ethereal figure wasn’t an apparition. It was Mercedes. She crumpled onto the dirt, the loose fabric over her shaking.

There was something terribly wrong. Shayne hesitated a moment, wondering if he should check on her, but couldn’t stop himself. He started forward with full strides, a feeling of dread pulsing through his veins as he considered what might be wrong. He then ran the remaining distance, jumping over a fallen tree, and knelt in front of her. “Are you hurt?” His heart pounded as he awaited her response.

When she looked up, her face was wet with tears, her eyes haunted with an unknown sorrow. “I thought I could do it.” She closed her eyes, the action squeezed more tears onto her cheeks. “I thought I was strong enough, but I’m not.”

He placed his hands on her shoulders. “You’re wrong; you are strong.” If he’d ever thought otherwise, he had been mistaken.

“I shouldn’t be here. It should have been me.” She sighed, and then her teeth started chattering.

“You’re cold.” He drew closer, unable to restrain himself, wrapping her with the blanket and letting his arms linger. “Let me help you back to your cabin.” He started to help her up, but she shrugged away.

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