Page 1 of Tangled Passion

Chapter One

Madelyn waited in the long line of vacationers at the lodge’s front desk as they checked each family in. The three-story lodge was massive. It had the same rock on the foyer walls as on the outside of the lodge. She saw regular Sheetrock walls painted a dark cream color when she looked into what she thought the main room was. She could just make out a few large sofas and chairs and a few game tables.

Wherever her gaze landed, she saw something interesting that she’d like to study further after checking in and unpacking.

“Can I help you?”

Madelyn jerked her head around at the voice and smiled at the young woman behind the tall counter.

“Yes, I’m sorry. I’m Madelyn Sawyer.”

The girl smiled and looked at the large book in front of her.

“My name is Daisy. You’re the woman who plans on staying for the summer?”

“Yes.”

“We don’t get many people who want to stay that long.”

“Living in a rustic area, hiking, riding horses, and camping are things I’ve wanted to do for a long time. I have thetime now, so I decided to treat myself to a few months.”

This was the time to splurge on herself. She would take the time she spent there to decide her next step.

Madelyn thought about all the years she’d spent caring for others and had only recently been able to live her life for herself. She spent the last three decades taking care of her children, father, mother, husband, and mother-in-law, who had just passed on a month before.

It had taken a lot out of Madelyn, but she wouldn’t have changed anything. She felt she’d been put on this earth to care for others and felt blessed to have the means to do so. But now, she was free to do whatever she wanted. No one depended on her for anything.

Daisy smiled and slid a few papers and a key across the counter for Madelyn to sign.

“You’re in the right place. You’ll have all of that here. Welcome to Walsh Forrest Lodge. I can help you with whatever you need. Just ask for me.”

“Thank you, Daisy.”

“Matt will show you to your room now. If you need anything, just dial zero on the phone in your room by the bed.”

“Thanks again.” Madelyn turned and watched as a young man picked up the two heavy suitcases. “Let me get one.”

“No, ma’am. I’ve got them. Follow me, and I’ll show you to your room.”

She followed the young man up the wide steps and down a long hall.

Matt slowed and waited until she was abreast of him.

“You’ll be in the last room. It’s the most private.”

She walked through the doorway into a small oasis. It was a large bedroom with a small sofa and TV off to the side. In the middle stood a king-size bed. On the other wall, there were two doorways. She assumed one was the bathroom and the other acloset.

It was beautifully decorated in creams and soft blues. The walls, carpet, and sofa were cream, and the bedspread, sofa pillows, and little decorative accents were dusky blue.

She pulled a few bills out of her purse and handed them to Matt.

He held a hand up. “No, ma’am. You surely don’t have to do that.”

“Is it against policy?”

“No, it’s about doing my job,” he said and grinned.

She reached for his hand and placed the bills into it.

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