Chapter 301: The Family ReturnsHalf an hour later, the pair made their way back across the lake to the lodge. Scott retreated to the office to work on plans for the wilderness school. Jackie toured the newly rebuilt cabins with the head contractor. About halfway through the tour, Blake and Amy joined them."You might as well get started on the reno of my cabin," he told Jackie.She frowned at him. "Are you sure?"He nodded. "By the time we get back, our house will be finished. Amy and I have packed everything. I'll get Scott to help me move the important things into storage."He gazed toward the cabin and sighed. "That place holds a lot of good memories." Wrapping an arm around Amy and planting a kiss on the top of her head, he continued. "But we'll make new memories. That cabin is larger than the others. It can be made into a premium rental.""If you're sure," Jackie reluctantly agreed. "Scott is in the office working on his business. I'm sure he wouldn't mind giving yo

Chapter 303: Camping TripThe following Saturday, Scott and Jackie loaded one of the larger skiffs with camping gear and set off with Grant and Emma toward the southern end of Lake Miranda. They stopped at a tiny sandy beach Scott had included on his map of solo campsites. Beyond the sand, the shore sloped up slightly to a clearing big enough to accommodate a large tent. Scott and Jackie worked together to quickly set up the tent over a bed of pine branches. Then he and Grant scoured the shoreline for large rocks to build a fire pit while Jackie and Emma gathered firewood.By mid-afternoon, the campsite was set up, and they decided to go for a walk through the woods. Scott took off the bracelet and allowed Grant to use the compass to guide their path. On the return trip, Grant eyed the bracelet's buckle curiously. "Is this the whistle?" he asked, pointing to a protrusion from the black plastic buckle.Scott nodded. "Yup. You can't blow it, though. It's for emergencies only.

Chapter 305: Our HouseThe next couple of weeks flew by. From time to time, they heard from Blake and Amy in California. Amy's movie shoot was doing very well. In fact, it was ahead of schedule, a coup for Amy's first time directing. They expected to be back at Lake Miranda the first week of October, a few days before the wedding. As far as the world was concerned, Shasta Pyke was happily engaged and planning a wedding for the following summer. Regular deliveries of supplies and furnishings for the renovation of Lake Miranda Lodge concealed the arrival of wedding supplies as well, including Amy's simple but beautiful gown.Before Jackie knew it, she and Scott were waving to Grant and Emma as the big yellow school bus motored away from Lake Miranda on its way to the first day of school.Clutching her blue ceramic coffee mug in both hands in the early morning chill, she turned to walk back toward the lodge, hoping Scott wouldn't notice the tears that threatened.As usual, though,

Chapter 307: Nielsen Outdoors SchoolJackie watched as Scott surveyed the island cabin once again. She tried to see it through his eyes. The completed renovations came out better than anyone had imagined. The addition at the back blended seamlessly with the original structure, with four bunks on either side and a row of eight wood cupboards at the end which would serve as storage for the guests.Each bunk had a thin mattress and pillow, topped with a green plaid bedspread. Obviously, the clients would be bringing their own sleeping bags, but the effect was to render the beds uniform in appearance, bringing a warm, homey feel to the cabin.The sleeping quarters were now separated from the rest of the cabin by the cast-iron stove in its original position. Between the stove and the refurbished lounge area in the front stood a new square wooden table flanked by benches on every side. It would serve as the place for meals and for instruction, although many of the classes would be cond

Chapter 309: First Official NightJackie sighed deeply as she gazed out the enormous window overlooking the lake. It had to be after two in the morning. The half-moon sinking toward the hills on the horizon left a silver stream reflected on the still water. She heard Scott stir in the huge bed behind her.His voice was sleepy. "Are you okay?"She turned to him and nodded. "Oh, yeah. I didn't mean to wake you. Go back to sleep."Nude, he slipped from under the covers and padded barefoot across the wide-plank floor, stopping behind her and wrapping his arms around her, resting his chin on her head. "It's a beautiful night," he murmured."It is," she agreed.He leaned around to press a kiss to her temple. "But you can't sleep?""I just can't get over how amazing the house turned out. I can't believe it's ours. It's like something out of a magazine." She turned, taking in the king-size canopy bed with its slender black iron posts, twisted decoratively and topped with ornate fi