Rena's Summer Vacation

By Miriam Newman

~ A Contemporary Romance Novella with a twist of Suspense ~
Rena Caldwell heads to River Cove on the banks of the wild Chattooga River for a much-needed vacation and to help her cousin with her business during the Fourth of July holiday.

Travis Benchley needs to beg, plead, or wheedle his way into the lives of two cousins, Rena and Katie Caldwell.
What is behind the handsome man working his way into their lives?

When Rena is almost run down by a truck, will the truth come out? Does Rena really want to know who is to blame?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rebecca J. Vickery
• Release date: Oct 10, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386403548

Book preview

Chapter One

My goodness, I don't remember it being this humid. Rena stepped from the air-conditioned car onto the driveway and almost wilted at the blast of direct sunlight and stifling heat.

Not always this bad, ma'am. But we're in for a storm later this evening. The driver removed her luggage from the trunk, and then swiped at his forehead with his shirtsleeve. Do you want me to carry these in for you?

Just onto the porch, please. I can get them from there. She dug around in her large handbag until she found the house key and her wallet. A low beep indicated a call on her cell phone, but she ignored it as she led the way to the front door.

Thank you, ma'am. Hope you have a nice stay, the hired driver said, tipping his baseball cap as he accepted his fare and generous tip. Be mindful of getting caught out in the storm later. Promises to be a real gully-washer. Then he walked back to his car and drove away.

Rena breathed in the cooler, far less humid air released from the house as she opened the front door. Thank heaven for central air. She rolled her large suitcase into the foyer, carried in her tote and garment bag, and then allowed herself to take in her surroundings.

Childhood memories of tossing wet swimsuits and towels aside while racing through to the kitchen and the subsequent scolding from Aunt Bertie, her father's sister, made her smile. She ran her hand over the smooth walnut of the antique deacon's bench as she put down her purse. Still in the exact spot as when she last visited.

Her smile faded when she saw there were no fresh flowers on the hall table. With their aunt gone, Katie hadn't bothered, and Rena experienced a slight twinge of sadness. Funny how such a small thing means so much. She shrugged one shoulder and reminded herself of how busy Katie's life had become.

The low beep of the cell phone distracted Rena from her thoughts, and this time she answered. Hello.

Rena, are you at the house? Sorry I couldn't be there when you arrived, but you're in your old room, if that's all right. Her cousin's voice sped through the words without waiting for an answer. Cold drinks and sandwich stuff are in the fridge. Sheesh, they're calling for me again – gotta go now, but don't forget to be in work clothes at six and I'll pick you up.

My old room's fine and I'll be ready, responded Rena, unsure how much Katie actually heard as the line went dead. Chuckling a bit at her never-changing, always energetic relative and best friend forever, she began the task of settling into the familiar old house.

* * * * *

Travis watched people of various ages, sizes, and race as they passed his location, skirting carefully around him, not getting too close. He couldn't blame them since he'd not showered or shaved in a couple of days. With the high humidity and the heat, he offended even himself.

The scent of grilling burgers, sausages, and onions reached his nose and his mouth watered in response. His stomach growled. He'd have to find something to eat soon, or he wouldn't be up to thinking about the task ahead.

His gaze skimmed past his target without stopping until his brain recorded and recognized her image, then he focused his eyes directly upon her. She laughingly spoke to Kathryn Caldwell as she closed a car door. Katie had parked the SUV across the road and about a half-block south of him.

Serena Caldwell looked better in her current attire than in the expensive suit she wore in the photo he'd seen a couple of days ago. A pink knit tank top covered shapely breasts while revealing tanned arms and shoulders, and faded denim hugged her slim thighs. A plaid cotton shirt was tied casually around her waist by the sleeves, obviously in hope the evening would be cooler. Her riotous dark curls were drawn back into a ponytail, but unruly wisps escaped to frame her face and neck.

Travis pushed away from the concrete wall and sauntered across the road, turning to follow the two women along the sidewalk. Keeping a safe distance behind, he trailed Rena and Katie to a large warehouse where huge double doors hung open. Several small groups stood around talking and he slipped inside, almost unnoticed.

The long building contained a tow motor and two forklifts near odd platforms and scaffolding erected beside parade floats in the early stages of construction. Building materials, artificial flowers, and bolts of bright fabric were stacked along the walls with the predominant colors being red, white, and blue. Large industrial fans provided extra ventilation, but did little to cool the muggy air.

Tables in one corner held bottled water and tubs filled with ice and canned drinks, but the covered containers of sandwiches and snacks were what caught his eye. Travis put a hand to his stomach as it growled yet again.

He temporarily lost sight of Rena, but soon found her when she and Katie, along with several other people, climbed