âIâve never been skinny-dipping with anyone. Ever.â Then she poked Wils with her elbow. âI think it was all your fault.â
Wils laughed and wrapped an arm around her waist. Cherryâd noticed that the two of them had definitely hit it off. âCâmon, darlinâ. Your cabinâs just through here.â
âIt is? Mineâs next to Darnellâs?â
âYep. And Christaâs on the other side. Iâll see you to your door, poor thing. I mean, since youâre obviously so exhausted and all. Besides, then you can complain about me all you want since Iâll be your only audience.â
The two of them peeled off to the left and disappeared in the thick forest, though Cherry could hear them talking. Then she heard the sound of them walking up the steps to Stephâs cabin. The door opened and closed. There wasnât any sound of Wilsâs returning footsteps.
Ronan was watching the trail. A moment later he grinned. âIt appears Wils decided to escort Steph inside.â He started walking again.
âI thought we were more isolated, a lot farther from each other.â Cherry turned to Ronan.
âYouâre really quite close to one another,â he said. âYou can thank Brad for the sense of privacy. The design is all his baby. Heâs an architect who plans his structures to blend with the landscaping. Heâs pretty well-known, actually, but he has a personal interest in this place. Brad wanted guests to be more aware of the forest around them than of the other cabins, so the six cabins form a half circle behind the lodge, but each is hidden from the others, and the lodge.â
Theyâd only walked a few more steps before Ronan stopped and pointed to a small trail leading into the woods. âCherry, Iâm going to walk your sister to her cabin. Iâll be right back.â
Except Cherry had a feeling Ronan would much prefer to linger, and just as strong a sense that Christa hoped he would. âTake your time,â she said. âThe trailâs easy to follow and I think I know where I am. Thank you, Ronan. Today couldnât have been more fun.â
He really did have a beautiful smile. âYouâre welcome,â he said. âYouâre sure youâll be okay on you own?â
âNot a problem. Now if it was Christaâ¦â She grinned at her sister.
Christa groaned. âSheâs referring to my nonexistent sense of direction. I can get lost in the parking lot at Walmart.â
Ronan merely shook his head. âThen Iâm definitely walking you to your door. Thanks, Cherry.â
Cherry gave Christa a hug and whispered, âEnjoy yourself.â
Ronan grabbed Christaâs hand; she waved and followed him down the trail. Cherry took the wider trail that would take her directly to the lodge. Giving Christa time with Ronan was the least she could do for a sister who cared enough to trick her into coming along on this most amazing adventure.
Chapter 6
Cherryâd only taken a few steps before she saw the back side of the lodge through the trees. She decided to go that way firstâjust in case Brad or Cain was there. Brad was behind the bar making margaritas for Fred and Suni, but there was no sign of Cain.
âHey, Cherry. Youâre back!â
âHi, Brad. The margaritas look so good.â She slowly parked her butt on one of the stools at the bar. Her legs were really sore from all the hiking.
âTrust me, they are,â Suni said. âDid you have fun on the hike?â
âIt was terrific, though my muscles might disagree. Youâll have to ask Darnell about the dayâs activities. Ronan and Wils are better than any cruise directors for making things fun.â
Brad set the drinks on the counter for Suni and Fred. After they each took theirs and left, Brad smiled at Cherry. âWould you like one?â
Regretfully, Cherry shook her head. âIâd
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