She would put on some coffee, have some toast and head out. The work wasn’t going anywhere, but she was! Passing by the coffee table on her way to the kitchen, Ronnie’s gaze dropped to the book she had been reading last night and the chapter about learning to trust again.
She stooped to pick up the book, then changed her mind and continued on to the kitchen. She didn’t want to think about trusting, or taking chances, or anything that had to do with contemplating a new relationship. There was no contender presently in her life, nor was there the possibility of anything changing soon. After the weeklong stay at Franklin’s Resort, she would be starting a job that would require some traveling back and forth to Toronto, and when she wasn’t doing that, she’d be at home in Parry Sound. Hopefully, once she was in a routine, and after the snow melted, she could start looking for a place of her own.
Casson and Justine had actually offered to sell her the cottage she was staying in…and she was seriously considering it. It would be great to be close to family. By spring, Justine’s mom and dad would be back from their three-month vacation in Arizona, and Justine had already told Ronnie that her parents would also be happy to babysit Andy when Ronnie was out of town.
And Winter’s Haven was a fabulous property. Cottages were in high demand in Parry Sound and Georgian Bay. Cottagers who lived in Toronto and tourists caused the town’s population to soar in the summer. Casson had mentioned that the few property owners who were willing to sell their cottages, were getting their asking price or even higher. Buyers were willing to pay the big bucks for cottages on the pristine waters of either Georgian Bay or the many inland lakes. They could enjoy the natural beauty of mixed woodlands, smooth or granite shorelines and breathtaking sunsets under a canopy of stars on a sultry summer night.
She had it made, she thought, putting on the coffee. Her little boy was in good health, her family was close by and so supportive, and she was about to start a big new job. What more could she want?
A man, maybe? A little voice edged its way into her thoughts. Companionship? Love?
The two slices of bread she had plunked in the toaster popped up, startling her. She brushed away her thoughts and focused on buttering her toast and filling her mug with coffee.
As she ate her breakfast, Ronnie’s gaze took in the cozy ambiance of the cottage. Maybe she would stay put here for a while. Enjoy the seasons as they changed. Go cross-country skiing, ice fishing, swimming, blueberry picking, hiking… And in a few minutes, a glorious walk through the forested property.
Ronnie put her dish and mug in the sink and went to change out of her pajamas. She was moving forward, like the blurb said on the back cover of her book, and embracing the new chapter in her life.
The only thing she didn’t have in her life was someone to embrace…
* * *
Red thanked Casson and Justine and put on the snowmobile helmet. Casson had said he could try his snowmobile out, and he had, several times since he had arrived in Parry Sound. Red had enjoyed riding along the Seguin Trail, which, Casson had told him, linked sledders all across Ontario. Red was happy to have been introduced to a new adventure into a winter wonderland of snow-frosted forests and ice-etched lakes and rivers, a magical place when the sun glinted through the evergreen canopies onto the smooth trail route. Red planned to purchase a sled of his own to enjoy on winter weekends in Parry Sound in the future.
He had woken up this morning with the intention of getting some fresh air on the trail. Once he had arrived at Winter’s Haven, he had had a coffee with Casson and Justine, and as he was getting ready to head out on the sled, Justine had innocently suggested that he ask Ronnie to go sledding with him.
He had looked blankly at Justine for a moment and then at Casson, who had shrugged and given him a silent I don’t know what that’s all about look.
“Um… I don’t know if she’d even be interested in—”
“She needs a little fun in her life,” Justine urged. “It’s a double seater, and she can borrow my helmet.” And she had swiftly pulled it out of the hall closet before handing it to Red.
After thanking them, he climbed aboard the red-and-black snowmobile and headed to Ronnie’s cottage. How had he allowed himself to be roped into this situation? Could he not have just said “No”?
He stopped the machine and in a few strides he was at her door. He gave a couple of knocks, and then another couple of knocks, and when she didn’t answer, he figured she was either sleeping or pretending she didn’t hear the door. And then he noticed her boot prints on the steps leading in the opposite direction from the way he had come.
Red considered his options. Return the helmet to Justine or head out in the direction of the tracks Ronnie had left.
Another mental tug of war…
He sighed, put his helmet back on and moments later was following Ronnie’s trail.
A mile down the road, he spotted her. She was staring up at something in a tree, and as he approached, she turned to watch him. Red brought the machine to a stop and pulled off his helmet.
“Oh! I thought you were Casson!” She frowned.
“Understandable mistake,” he drawled. “Are you enjoying your walk?”
“I am,” she said. “Actually, I was enjoying the solitude and quiet of the forest…”
“Forgive me for the raucous intrusion.”
At that moment a blue jay let out a squawk. “Hey, it’s getting really noisy out here. Want to go for a ride?” Red gave her a tentative grin.
Ronnie looked at him as if he had suggested something improper.
