Page 1 of Lucky in Love
CHAPTER ONE
“Phew. Last one.” Alex Gray signed the final page of the contract with a flourish, laid the pen on the desk, and rubbed her cramping hand. “And thank goodness. No one tells you getting a loan requires such finger stamina.”
“Great things require great sacrifice,” Alex’s grandfather said.
“You’re worth hand cramps, Gramps.” When he didn’t even crack a smile at her rhyme, she turned to him. “Hey. You’ve owned these cabins a long time. You sure you’re okay with me buying them? It’s not too late to put the brakes on this.”
“It’s a little surreal. But I’m fine,” Pops insisted. “You’ve been managing the place for years. It’s about time we did this. Whispering Pines is officially yours, and I couldn’t be happier for you.”
“Not quite,” the mortgage broker interrupted, tapping the stack of paper to square the corners and securing it with a binder clip. “But I’ll file the paperwork with the county this afternoon. Should be final by tomorrow. Congratulations, you two.”
“Thanks, Hank,” Pops said, thrusting out a hand. “Appreciate your time. Come on, Alex. I’ll buy you lunch to celebrate.”
Alex and Pops said their goodbyes and walked out to her Jeep.
“The Rusty Nail or Karla’s?” Alex asked.
“Rusty Nail sounds good.” Pops climbed into the passenger seat. “I want to hear all about these newfangled plans you’ve got for the cabins. But before that, I gotta get the scoop on your trip to New York City. Somethin’ tells me there’s a story behind thatcat-eating grin you’ve been wearin’ all morning that has nothin’ to do with becoming a property owner.”
Alex couldn’t deny that. And even after her grandpa called her on it, she still couldn’t wipe the smile off her face.
“What’s his name?” Pops asked.
“What makes you think it’s a man?” At the stop sign, she glanced over as he shot her an I’ve-known-you-since-you-were-born look.
“Hah. I never could hide anything from you.” Alex laughed. “His name’s Drake.”
“He sounds real dreamy.”
“Are you making fun of me, old man?”
“I would never.” He feigned indignation.
“Oh yes you would.” Alex pulled into the restaurant parking lot. One good thing about their small town, you could get almost anywhere in under five minutes. “And dreamy doesn’t begin to cover it. I’ll tell you about him over a shrimp cocktail.”
Alex had returned the night before from a weeklong vacation visiting her friend Holly and her husband, Cole. Where she had indeed met a man.
After the waitress brought their drinks and took their orders, she filled Pops in on her trip.
“You know Cole’s a police detective. Well, he works with Drake. The first night I was in town, Holly and Cole set us up. And after that, Drake and I were basically inseparable.”
“Sounds almost serious. I don’t have to worry about you ditching me for big city lights, do I?”
“No.” Alex shook her head vigorously. “I’m made for the country. But…we did decide to try a long-distance thing. He’s planning a trip out here soon.”
“Wow. That’s huge. I’m happy for you, baby girl.”
“Thanks. It’s helping take my mind off how nervous I am about the grand reopening next week.”
“It’s exciting to see you try something different. Tell me the details of this new plan you’ve got.”
The food came, and as her grandpa dug into his ribs, Alex picked at her salad and gave an overview of her vision for the family cabins.
“So, we’re advertising it as a ‘digital detox.’ When someone makes a reservation, they commit to staying off the internet. It’s geared toward families, couples, women’s groups, writers.” She shrugged. “Pretty much anyone who wants to unplug and relax.”
“I love the notion, but with everyone so hooked on their phones, how will you enforce the rules?”
“Well, ideally, they’re on board with the idea and will self-regulate. I left the Wi-Fi routers in each cabin, but they’re useless without a password. If someone’s dead set on cheating, they could rely on cell data, but you know how iffy the reception can be out there.”
