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Brooke

I’m pacing in front of my apartment waiting for Dylan to pick me
up for our weekend.  Once again, I can’t believe how plans just fell into
place. When I told Alex that I had another conference, she just told me that I
should get paid more for them ruining my weekends. No questions asked, thank
God.  Even at the office, I had no problem getting a couple of days off. Though
they are kind of lenient since all our case loads are crazy full. I hate having
to lie to everyone, but I need this time with Dylan. We both need just a couple
of days to put aside the secrecy and just be us. We don’t have to be back until
Tuesday morning, and she even allowed me half a day today. Pretty damn close to
perfect.

Dylan also had it easy on his part getting away considering the
client that he’s meeting is someone Jax wants on board. So he’s promised the
kids all kinds of excitement this weekend, and they didn’t even bother to ask
questions.

I stop pacing and grab my bag when I see Dylan pulling in. “I told
you I would come up and carry your bag down for you."

I give him a quick kiss on the lips before we hurry off to his
car, "I know, but I was too excited and came out early."

I stop and look at the SUV Dylan has rented for the trip. After
putting my bag in the back, he opens the passenger door. Dylan gets into the
driver’s seat, and we’re off. As soon as we clear the parking lot we look at
each other and smile. About an hour out of town Dylan asks if I'm hungry. Since
neither of us had had lunch, we decide to stop at a roadside diner for a quick
bite. Both of us are anxious to get to our destination.

We sit down at a small table and both order cheeseburger and
french fries with chocolate milkshakes. When our food arrives, I sip the thick
milkshake, "Yum."

Dylan smiles and takes a bite out of his burger. "So Alex was
cool with you being away all weekend?"

"Yeah, she's been busy with work lately. She’s barely home at
all, so I’ve been wondering if she’s been with Jackson.”

He shakes his head, "I don't think so. Jax hasn't said
anything about it."

Hopefully,
he's right, even though
I don’t say anything about it, I don't want Alex to get hurt. "I bet the
kids were happy to spend some time with Jax, I know they adore him. Are you
worried?"

"No, Jax will take good care of them, but that doesn't mean I
won't check up on them."

I smile, loving how protective Dylan is of the kids. After we are
both stuffed, Dylan settles the bill, and we’re back on the road. We make small
talk and listen to music for the rest of the trip, then finally at around 5:30
we are in the Ozarks. I look out my window as we travel around the large lake’s
winding roads until we pull up in front of a large house. I look out of the
windshield and up at the rustic two-story log lake house with a huge
wrap-around porch. "Oh wow, this is gorgeous."

After we stretch from the long drive, Dylan gets our bags and
leads to the huge front doors.  The place reminds me of an HGTV dream home.
Whoever built this place obviously took the time to put quality work into it
and spared no expense. I literally can’t decide where to land my eyes next to
take it all in.

We enter straight into a huge room that’s divided into a gourmet
kitchen, two seating areas.  A 20-foot long table sits in the middle of space. Several
doors lead from the room that I assume lead to bedrooms or bathrooms. I want to
explore every last thing here. Logs and stone make up the walls.  Looking up, I
can see a large loft that hangs out over half the downstairs great room. It’s
stunning, and I have no desire from this moment on to return to my tiny little
apartment and leave this place.  From every space on the sides and the back,
all look out over the lake. It’s breathtaking in all sense of the word. "This
is so great! I had no idea you were going to rent an entire cabin."

He puts the bags down by the door, "So I guess this is better
than a hotel suite?"

I walk to the French doors in the kitchen overlooking the lake
just as the sun is slipping down over it. "So much better. I mean don't
get me wrong, the suite was wonderful, but this is like my dream. You do
realize you’re going home without me.  I’m staying here.  This is what I’ve
always dreamed of to wake up every day to a view like this in a house like
this. Maybe after I retire.  There wouldn’t be any need for social workers in a
place like this because everyone would be happy living here.”

He walks up behind me and wraps his strong arms around my waist. Nibbling
at my neck, he says, "That's a long way away, but I think it can be
arranged."

I lean into him and absorb all the beautiful colors of the sun as
it sets. "One just like this one?"

"Exactly like this one. I didn't rent this; I own it."

I turn to face him. Did he buy this house just for this weekend? I
shake my head, no that's crazy. "You own it?" I ask disbelievingly.

He nods, "Yeah, my great-grandfather on my dad’s side built
it. He was a carpenter.”

“A good one obviously.”

“He was good, but it didn’t start out like this.  Come here.” He
leads me to a row of pictures hanging between two floor-to-ceiling picture
windows. “This is what it started out as.” The first is a drawing of a small
one-room shack. “If you look you can see how he built on, and it ended up being
this before my grandfather inherited and built it to this.” He points out
picture after picture showing me how the small one-room shack transformed into
larger and larger cabin structures. “My grandfather was a builder as well and
good at his craft.” The last picture he points to is of the cabin in its
two-story phase. “Finally, my dad inherited.  He was less of a structural
builder and more of a finisher, so everything on the inside is basically his
doing.  Looking around I can see changes since the last time I was here. 
Mostly the kitchen, which I’m sure is Sylvia’s influence.  The furniture and
décor are all Sylvia’s touch. Before her, it was only men who came here, and
you could tell because it was kept pretty rustic.”

I look up at him a little confused. “Wasn’t your dad a mechanic?”

He nods, “He was. But he was a Monroe and very skilled at finish
carpentry.  He just happened to be really good with motors too.”

I look around the house in amazement, "Wow, so your great
grandpa built this, passed it to your grandfather who passed it to your dad,
and then finally you got it?”

“It’s always been passed to the first-born son.”

Dylan leads me over to the couch, and we cuddle up together. “Can
I just say how happy I am that you’re older than Luke.”

“Absolutely,” he says with a laugh. “But I was surprised to find
out that I’m the one who inherited it.”

I look over at him, "Why, you’re the oldest.”

"True, but after our estrangement, I assumed he would leave
it to Luke. I was surprised when the lawyer told me I inherited all the houses
and the cars. He and Sylvia had updated their will a year before they
died."

Dylan's relationship with his father has become clearer since we
began dating, but I know there is still more to tell. I don't push him, though.
"Then, I’m sure he wanted you to have it.”

He nods, "I still plan on it being all of ours, though. As
they all get older, I'll make them each a key."

"I get that.  This place should be enjoyed as much as
possible. Did you get to come here a lot when you were younger?”

He gets a nostalgic smile on his face, "Every damn summer. My
dad wasn’t wealthy, but he was comfortable. My business absorbed his mechanic
shop after the accident. It’s still in the same location with the same customers.
I made his head mechanic shop manager, and he’s more than capable of running
it. We spent a month each summer here as well as some Thanksgivings and
Christmases. Sylvia loved it here as well. She loved putting her touch on everything,
though. The lady had style.”

"You can certainly tell that.  Just so you know, we’re going
shopping because I’m cooking in that kitchen.”

He laughs, "Wait until you see the outside kitchen. It is
awesome man space. And I plan on cooking out there one night.” He stares around
the room like he’s searching his memory bank. “Some of the best times I ever
spent with my dad were here. This is where he was truly happy.”

“Do you remember your mom coming here at all?”

“Never. I remember coming just before she died. While we were
packing up my dad’s old truck I asked her if she was coming with us, and she
wrinkled up her face like I was crazy. So no, she never came here that I
remember.”

This lake house is truly important to him, and he brought me here.
"Thank you for sharing it with me."

He pulls me in and kisses me, "Thank you for coming with
me." He stands up and pulls me with him. "Time for a tour.”

"Bedroom first?" I ask seductively.

He leers down at me, "You read my mind, baby." Then
hoisting me over his shoulder he carries me carries me to the master suite.

After we finish "touring" the master bedroom we get
dressed so he can finish showing me around the house. That’s of course
following a more thorough investigation of the room we just christened. 
Holy
hell.
I fall in love with the private balcony that has the most beautiful
view of the lake. The shower is big enough to hold five comfortably, and it has
a bench seat along one whole wall. Each discovery makes me fall in love with
this place even more. After finally dragging me from there, I’m surprised to
find four more bedrooms and three more bathrooms.
I’m in love with
everything about this place.

Finally,
he leads me back to the
kitchen, “I’m starving, how about you?"

"I believe we’ve burned off sufficient calories to replenish,
what do you have in mind?"

"I brought steaks in a cooler for tonight with some baking
potatoes, so I’m grilling tonight. In the morning, we can go to breakfast and
then shopping. Sound good?”

"Sounds like a plan. But I’m picking for tomorrow night
because I’m using that kitchen.”

He grabs the steaks and passes me the potatoes so we can do
preparation for grilling, and as always music plays our favorite playlist as we
flirt around the kitchen driving each other crazy. Everything about Dylan and
me, though we are a huge secret, is still so comfortable.

After dinner, we go back into the living room, and Dylan builds a
fire. He calls and checks on the kids before getting comfortable with me on the
couch.  It’s been a perfect day, and after taking me to bed, he gives me an
even better, if that’s even possible night.

I wake up in Dylan's arms without the fear of discovery. It’s slow
and lazy, and I take my time looking at him while he sleeps.  He looks so young
and relaxed without a care in the world, which is the complete opposite of his
life.  He’s a 26-year-old young man who’s suffered such great loss. He’s also
part owner of a business that is almost impossible to make the success that he
and Jackson have made, and not just in one state. I’ve read the magazine
articles on them, and they’re respected internationally, but neither one of
them flaunt their success like most men their age would do.  Just looking at
him and being with him completely fills my senses. I’m in love with this man,
and that comforts me as much as it scares me to death.

I guess he senses me staring and rolls over with a sleepy grin,
“Good morning, babe. Sleep well?”

"Never better. So, what’s the plan for today?” I know his big
meeting isn’t until tomorrow morning, and we have the whole day to play.

He pushes me to my back and leans in giving me a deep kiss before
pulling back only slightly, “Hmm, you mean you want to leave this bed?"

I laugh as his hands begin to roam over my body, "Not really,
but we probably should eat and shop for some food. And then maybe enjoy the
scenery a little bit since I’ve never been here before.”

"You’re probably right. Let’s shower, head into town, and
then hurry home.  I’m taking you on a hike on this side of the lake.”

"That sounds fantastic."

After our lengthy shower together we finally make our way into to
town for more of a brunch before stopping at a small grocery store so I can
pick up food for dinner tonight. Once back at the house, we change for a hike.
He promises to show me some places he knows I’ll love seeing. The views are breathtaking. 
Hand in hand he takes me along different trails.

When we make it back to the house, we still have a couple of hours
before I need to start dinner, so I suggest going back to town so we can
explore the shops I spotted earlier.  Dylan buys souvenirs that we pick out
together for the kids. We find a baseball cap for Luke and a t-shirt for
Michael.  The girls are going to get some beautiful bracelets we found. Finally,
we head back so I can cook in that dream kitchen.

Later that night, lying in bed with Dylan with my head on his
chest, I listen to his heartbeat and the crackling from the fireplace. The
house doesn't have central heating or air, just fireplaces, and I adore the
simplicity as well as the elegance of the place. So many thoughts whirl through
my head even though I feel at peace.