Elisabeth Naughton - Hold On To Me

“Wow,” Simone whispered.

“This more what you were expecting?” Mitch asked her.

Simone’s gaze skipped over the two-story monstrosity. Pine trees rose to the gray sky, and around the side of the building, Mitch could see the beach and lake beyond.

“I guess,” she answered. “This is insane. No one can even tell this place is back here from the road.”

“That was the goal.” Ford stopped at the front door and slid a key into the lock. Mitch and Simone waited while he unlocked the door, then pushed it open. “After you.”

Mitch followed Simone into the house. The walls were decked out all in wood, the ceiling with rounded beams. He glanced around while Ford typed a code into the security system, his gaze skipping from the wide staircase that led up to the second floor, to the archway that opened to an office on his left, then ahead to a short hall that opened to an enormous great room and kitchen with a two-story rock fireplace that rose all the way to the ceiling and a wall of windows that looked out over the lake.

Ford led them into the kitchen. “I stocked the fridge earlier. If there’s something you want that’s not here, just let me know, and I can get it for you. The bedrooms are all upstairs. There are four. All have views of the lake, so use whichever one you like best. Every door and window is wired, so be sure to use the code before you go in and out. There’s a hot tub on the patio and a small pier accessible from the yard, but keep in mind that there are sensors that alert us when someone moves from the beach to the yard, so if you plan to go down to the pier or the beach, be sure to deactivate that sensor or let me know so I don’t think we’ve had a breach.”

Simone turned a small circle, taking it all in. “Which bedroom do you use?”

“I don’t stay in the house,” Ford answered. “Security’s set up in an apartment over the garage. You’ll barely even know I’m here, unless we have an issue.” He looked from Simone to Mitch, then stepped back and motioned with his hands. “Follow me.”

He led them through an archway and into a library. Bookshelves lined two adjacent walls. A couch and two plush chairs filled the space, angled toward the fourth wall and built-in entertainment center. But instead of pointing out the features, Ford pushed on a section of the bookshelf molding. A click sounded, then the entire middle shelving unit opened outward with a hiss, revealing a thick steel door. Lights came on in the room behind.

“This is the safe room,” Ford announced, stepping into the small space no bigger than Mitch’s laundry room at home. The walls were all concrete. Three were bare. The fourth was decked out with a counter holding a computer keyboard and joystick, cabinets below, and a series of monitors mounted to the wall above. “If an unauthorized person steps foot on the property, you’ll hear my voice on the intercom instructing you to go to this room. Once inside, lock the door and wait for my instructions. These monitors are linked to mine in the security center so you can see what’s happening on the property.”

“What about the joystick?” Mitch asked. “Doesn’t look like Nintendo.”

Ford moved the joystick and pushed a few buttons on the keyboard. From somewhere in the house, a door slammed. “You can close and lock any doors in the house with this. Comes in handy in case we do have an intruder.”

Mitch looked over at Simone, and flashed her a See? Nothing to worry about look. Her expression said she didn’t agree.

“Impressive,” Mitch said, refocusing on Ford. “Has Kendrick had to use any of this?”

“Not yet. Directions for everything are in the cabinets, along with supplies should you find yourself in here longer than a few minutes.”

“Let’s hope that doesn’t happen,” Mitch muttered under his breath.

Ford led them out of the safe room and closed the bookshelf door. “It’s just a precaution. Things have been quiet here.” He turned to face them. “Do either of you have any questions about local activities, rentals, etcetera? We’re kind of between seasons now, but I can get a list of restaurants and spas in the area if you’re interested.”

“No,” Simone said quickly. “We won’t be leaving the house.”

A slow smile spread across Ford’s face. “A cozy romantic vacation. I totally understand.”

Simone opened her mouth to correct him, but Mitch cut her off by sliding an arm around her shoulder and pulling her close. “Yep. Just that.”

She flashed him a startled look, but Mitch only tugged her in tighter and lifted his brows, telling her to play along. She was the one who’d said she didn’t want to give Ford any personal info, just in case. Admitting they weren’t a couple would only raise flags for the security guard. If he thought Kendrick had loaned the house to friends for a romantic getaway, then Mitch wasn’t about to give the guy any reason to wonder about the contrary.

“We drove down from Klamath Falls,” Mitch said. “It’s nice to get away, isn’t it, sweetheart?”

Confusion flashed in Simone’s eyes, but it quickly cleared. She fixed a pleasant look on her face and slid her arm around his waist. Heat flared wherever she touched, but her body remained taut, as if just being close to him put her on the defensive. “Yes, it is. Kendrick was so nice to let us use his house. Your childhood friendship has finally paid off.” She focused on Ford. “We just want to relax and not have to worry about other people. At all.”

“Well, you picked a perfect place. This is one of the most romantic spots on the planet. And if you get the urge to tie the knot, there are even a few wedding chapels down in South Lake Tahoe.”

Simone released a startled choking sound, and Mitch just couldn’t help himself. He rubbed her shoulder and smiled down at her. “Hear that, honey? We could avoid the whole engagement thing and just run off and elope. Sounds like a plan to me. Saves me from having to buy a ring.”

Simone’s fingers dug into his side, and Mitch bit back a wince as she laid her head sweetly against his chest. “Now, honey. That wouldn’t be fair to your three ex-wives considering all they got was a civil ceremony at the county courthouse, and here I would be getting an actual wedding in a real fancy chapel. And you know how disappointed your mother would be if we ran off and eloped. She said this time she was really hoping you’d finally wear that baby-blue tux she saved from your high school prom.”

A smile cut across Mitch’s lips, even with the pain radiating from his side where Simone was still pinching him. This was the woman he remembered before things had gone to hell between them. The one who could take his crap and dish it right back.

Ford glanced between them with a confused expression, then dropped his arms. “I, ah, think I’ll just go get your bags.”

“Thank you,” Simone said in that saccharin sweet voice.

When he disappeared down the hall and they heard the door open then close, Simone quickly pulled her arm from Mitch’s waist and stepped away. “A wedding chapel? You’re hilarious.”

He rubbed at his side. “You’re the one who said you didn’t want to give him any personal info.” Damn, the woman was strong. “And how did you know I wore a baby blue tux in high school?”

Simone rolled her eyes and crossed to the fireplace, which was already roaring with a generous fire. “It’s no surprise you wore an ugly tux to your prom. You have nonconformer written all over you.”

Mitch chuckled, feeling more relaxed than he had in days. “The shirt was the best part. It had ruffles.”

“Why does that not surprise me?”

The door opened and closed again, followed by Ford’s voice from the entry. “I’m just putting your bags upstairs.”

“Thanks,” Mitch called.

Ford’s footsteps echoed up the stairs. While Simone stared at the fire, Mitch moved into the kitchen. He glanced over the contents of the fridge, and his stomach rumbled, reminding him he hadn’t eaten since last night.

“Y’all have a good night,” Ford called from the entry again. Before either of them could answer, the door opened and closed behind him.

He’d said he’d be scarce. Mitch scratched his head beneath the back edge of his knit cap and told himself he should be happy. But one look at Simone’s rigid shoulders, and he could already see the tension returning.

He needed to keep things light. Yeah, she was uncomfortable around him, but she didn’t have to be. The last few minutes had proved they could still get along like they used to. “How about some dinner? I could cook a couple of steaks.”

“I’m not hungry.”

That cold, emotionless tone was back in her voice. The one he’d heard the whole drive up here. “You should eat something.”

“I’m not interested.” She dropped her crossed arms and turned for the entry. “It’s been a long day. I’m going to bed early.”

Running. She was good at that. She’d run from him the night she’d shattered his heart, had run from him last night when she’d found that earring, and she was doing it now.

He quickly stepped out from behind the counter so he could look after her down the hall. “You can’t hide from me the whole time we’re here, you know. You’re gonna have to talk to me at some point.”

She paused with one hand on the newel post, one foot on the first step. But she didn’t look his way, and the tightness in her shoulders told him loud and clear that she’d keep on running until he forced her to stay. “Not if I can help it.”

Simone awoke to the tantalizing scent of frying bacon.

Her stomach rumbled, reminding her she hadn’t eaten much yesterday. Blinking several times, she sat up and looked through the tall glass windows over the clear blue lake and the snowcapped mountains beyond. Awe rippled through her. It had been nearly dark when they’d arrived last night, so she hadn’t gotten a good view of Lake Tahoe, and now that she saw it for the first time she couldn’t help but be impressed. For years she’d been meaning to bring Shannon up here but kept putting it off. Like she kept putting off a lot of things.