Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 251 - Chapitre 260

Chapter 252: Disneyworld AdventureGrant and Emma hugged their grandparents tightly, then clambered into the back seat of the rented Chevrolet Cruze. Jackie winced again at the metallic orange hatchback. We're going to look like a piece of fruit rolling down the highway, she thought."You all have a wonderful time in Orlando," Ann said, leaning into the window for one more kiss."We will!" the children chorused."Thank Grandma and Grandpa again for the money," Jackie prompted. Her parents had pressed a crisp twenty-dollar bill into each child's hand at breakfast that morning."Thank you for the money!" they sang."You're welcome," Jim answered. "Spend it on something you want."Jackie turned to hug her parents one last time. "Thank you for having us. Thank you for everything.""Oh, sweetie, you know you're welcome here anytime." Her mother hugged her fiercely. "We're so proud of you.""I love you!" Choking back the lump in her throat, she kissed her father's cheek and got into

Chapter 254: Jackie's 'Me Time'Perched on a rattan bar stool at Trader Sam's, Jackie sighed contentedly as she sipped an ice-cold fruity rum concoction and considered her day.With the children in Daphne's capable hands, she'd relished her time at the spa, enjoying a two-hour massage, a complete mani-pedi, and a couple of other treatments she'd never heard of before. By the time she'd left, her hair and make-up had also been done.She'd entered the hotel suite feeling like a completely new Jackie. Seated at the table making their own glow-in-the-dark play dough, the children had oohed and ahhed appreciatively."Oh, Mommy, you look beautiful!" Emma had scanned her up and down. "But they didn't give you a princess dress?""Nope. I'll just have to wear my own dress.""We're going to pop popcorn and watch a movie," Grant had informed her. "And, we're going to watch the boat parade from our balcony."Jackie had smiled at Daphne. "That sounds amazing!""Your mum is going to have lots

Chapter 256: TrespassersA warm mug of coffee in hand, Jackie quietly let herself out the kitchen door and onto the wide deck overlooking the lake. The deck stretched across the entire western side of the lodge, affording a great place to enjoy glorious sunsets.But early in the morning, before anyone else woke up, was her favorite time of day. The sky was just beginning to lighten, rendering the trees merely shadows against one another, and a low fog hung over the lake, creating an eerie effect on the water. Somewhere down the way, a loon called, adding to the lonely ambiance. Leaning a hip against the railing, Jackie smiled to herself. Vacation had been great, but in truth, she'd missed home.She sipped her steaming coffee and gazed down the shoreline in the direction of her brother's cabin at the opposite end of the property. Between where she was in the main lodge and Blake's place, a dozen small cabins dotted the property, all blissfully vacant right now. Normally she'd be

Chapter 258: Protective Mama BearAfter Blake left for town, Jackie called the kids inside, with promises they could return to their minnow hunt later.Together, Jackie and Amy spent some time inventorying bed linens for the various cabins. As they worked, Amy described the day she'd gone with Blake to help set up one of the remote guest cabins. Having grown up in the spotlight, she had precious little experience with such a mundane domestic task as making beds and had struggled hilariously to get the job completed. The pair laughed amiably as they completed the inventory.Ready for a break, Jackie called the children to go back outside while she and Amy sank onto a pair of deck chairs overlooking the lake."I have so many ideas for this place," Jackie said, stirring artificial sweetener into her iced tea.Amy sipped her tea just as it was, then set her glass on the small table between them."I can't imagine what it was like to grow up here," she said. "It's such a legacy for you a

Chapter 260: Adult TimeHalf an hour later, Jackie and Scott sat in companionable silence on the back deck of the lodge. The full moon reflected in the ripples that the gentle summer breeze stirred on the lake. Jackie sipped her Merlot and fixed her gaze on the end of the dock. "Again, I'm sorry about the less-than-welcoming reception I gave you when you first arrived. Those guys who are after Amy have me on edge. But that's no excuse.""No apology necessary. I understand." He looked at her, grinning. "You were ready to take my head off. I was impressed. You're a bold, strong lady.""I don't know about that." She swirled the wine in her glass, embarrassed."I do." Jackie met his intense gaze. "Well, it's nice of you to say.""So, tell me about running a lodge on the lake." He leaned back in his lounge chair and watched her expectantly.Jackie shrugged slightly. "It's my life. Blake and I grew up here, you know. I moved away for a while, but I think I always knew I'd