Look Behind You: Safe In His Arms, #3

By Lise Guilbault

Danger doesn’t always lurk in the shadows. Sometimes, monsters walk among us, learn our secrets, pretend to hold our hand when we need it the most. Claire unknowingly allows such a monster to enter her world, to become part of her life. Unfortunately for her, discovering his true identity might have come too late.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lise Guilbault
• Release date: May 15, 2015
• ISBN: 9798215083024

Lise Guilbault

Lise Guilbault was born in Ottawa, Ontario Canada. She and her husband of 41 years have one daughter and two lovely granddaughters. Since retiring, Lise has published four novels, and is currently working on another exciting romantic suspense/thriller. When she is not writing, Lise enjoys painting, sewing and gardening. She and her husband also share a love of travel. Lise currently resides in Mississippi Station, Ontario Canada.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Ow! Damnit! Claire was alone in the room, but never lonely.  She had a nasty habit of talking to herself.  Did it all the time.  She was told that as long as she didn't answer herself, all was not lost.

As she did every day since she purchased The Laughing Loon Lodge, Claire was trying to repair something which had been left in disrepair by the previous owners.  As a strong, independent and some would say strong-minded woman of thirty-four, she'd never  shied from getting work done, be it simple or darn right difficult.  She had a well-rounded education in business, and more specifically, hotel management.  Twelve years of working to fill  her employer's pockets had been the initiative she'd needed to take the plunge and buy her own business. 

Claire had put everything she had on the line and was determined to make it work.

The lodge was located five miles outside the town of Elmsmere, Virginia, on pristine Clyde Lake.  In the time since her arrival three months ago, she

had come to enjoy her short trips to town, usually necessary every second or third day, and more often than not including a visit to the General Store then a quick lunch at Rocky's Diner, where she would enjoy a brief chat with her friend, Sally.

Her first month at the lodge had consisted of scrubbing down the main lodge from floor to ceiling and back again.  Sally had offered to help, and what a blessing that had been!  Neither woman had ever seen quite as much dirt and grime in their lives.  The previous owners had obviously let things go before putting the lodge on the market.

Once the lodge was ready for business, Claire planned on organizing an open house and inviting her new friend, Sally and her husband, as well as a few new acquaintances from town. 

For the moment, however, Claire's single focus was on replacing the damaged screens on the lodge's double front doors.  Looked simple enough, but if she dinged any more fingers, she would have to resort to using her teeth.

Opening day was still a week away, but there remained so many things that needed doing, Claire worried she had bitten more than she could chew.

Why does the internet make it look so bloody easy when it's not? she said, to herself.  Busy with her one-person conversation, Claire did not hear a car pull up to the side of the building.  Nor did she expect the man who walked right up to the door and said, Because they enjoy frustrating people.

Claire jumped, dinging the only finger she had not yet injured.  Damn it!  You shouldn't scare people that way!  The second it was out of her mouth, she regretted her outburst.

I'm sorry about that, she said.  By way of apology, she raised her hand to show him what shape her fingers were in.  When you startled me, I stabbed the only finger I had left that doesn't look like ground meat.

No problem.  I don't offend easily.  He stood, hands on hips, and did a quick scan of the property.

Can I help you? Claire asked.  Hope you're not lost because I'm the last person to ask.  I just moved here myself.

No, not lost.  Found you on that cursed internet and wanted to come by to ask if you have any cabins available for a couple of weeks, maybe longer if I can swing it.

Claire was not expecting this.  What should she do?  The lodge was not open for business, but she sure could use the income.  Two weeks?  That would be great!

Well, I'd be more than happy to have you stay, but we're not open yet.  The cabins are ready, but the lodge's kitchen isn't.  My cook starts in two days.  Claire waited, hoping he would not let such a small detail as lack of food deter him.

After taking time to give it some thought, the man said, That's too bad.  I was really looking forward to a bit of down time.  Tell you what.  As unconventional as this sounds, how about you let me stay, you cut twenty-five percent off my bill, and I cook breakfast and lunch for the next two days.

Are you kidding?  You are kidding, right?  Claire was convinced she was being teased.  No one in their right mind would make such an offer.

No kidding.  I love to cook;  pretty good at it, too.  So what do you say?  Do we have a deal?

Tell you what.  I'll do you one better.  If you cook two meals a day for two days, I won't charge you for those two days in exchange.

He let out a short laugh, then said, Lady, you need to brush up on your negotiating skills. When someone makes you an offer, you never give more than what they're asking for.

Claire smiled, then said, I know, but I'm convinced you're just a figment of my imagination, which means I can make any offer I like because it's not real.

Funny lady,  the stranger said, a broad smile on his handsome face.

When he smiled, his entire face lit up.  And what a face it was!

Okay.  Great!  Let's get you checked in, then.  Claire led the way to the reception desk and went about registering her very first client.

Claire was thankful - and proud of herself as well - that her booking system was up and running, as was her bookkeeping software.  It was a matter of pride to her that every task she undertook be completed before starting another.  Having studied hotel management, she knew the importance of a

well-run front desk.  As a new business owner, Claire would be wearing many hats and would have no time for tweaking and fixing once her business took off.  There was also the small matter of a limited budget which did not allow for a large staff complement.  The woman she had hired as Manager had been trained and was ready to start work on Monday.  It would be a relief to know she could share the burden with another person.

Walking towards the cabin she had assigned to her new client, Scott Chambers, Claire could not resist asking a question which had been gnawing at her since his arrival.  So Mr. Chambers, what—-

Scott, please.  No need to be so formal around me, Claire.  Unless you prefer I address you as Miss or Mrs. Watters?  He waited expectantly, hoping she would tell him what he wanted to know.

Scott.  Alright, then.  And no, not Miss or Mrs. Watters.  Just call me Claire.

Ah ha!  So you're a master at this game, Claire, he teased, knowing full well she had bested him at his own game.

Fine.  I'll let you off the hook, she said.  It's Miss Watters.  She shook her head and smiled, just as they reached Cabin 2, the one with the best view of the lake.

So what do you think, Scott?  Claire asked as she swung the door wide open.

The cabin had been freshly painted in pastel sea foam green and contained a double bed covered with an old-style quilt, a small wooden round table with two chairs, a small coffeemaker and mugs, and a small bathroom painted in the same muted

tones as the main room.  Two rockers sat just outside the door, facing the dense woods surrounding the lodge and cabins.  The cabins were offset from one another, offering each one a good measure of privacy.

It's nothing fancy, but I'm told it's what outdoorsmen and women need.  Simple comfort.

You've got that right.  Everything suits my needs just fine.  Thank you.

Suddenly self-conscious, fearing she had perhaps gone too far in escorting him to his cabin, Claire quickly turned to leave. 

I'll head back to the lodge, she said, then remembered something and turned back to face him.  So our cooking deal is still on?

Of course.  I'm a man of my word.  I'll start dinner in about an hour, if that's good? he asked. 

Yes, yes, that's fine.  See you then.  Claire turned and walked briskly back to the lodge.  As she reached the main door, she realized she'd never gotten to ask him her question.  Not a big deal.  I'll ask him later. she said out loud.

CHAPTER TWO

Claire returned to the job she'd abandoned earlier, determined to get it finished today.  Her persistence paid off when, thirty minutes later, Scott walked in to find her grinning her satisfaction at a job well done.

You did it, he said, smiling broadly as he inspected her work.  And you did a very good job of it, too.

Why, thank you.  Unfortunately, I can't take too much time to admire it;  there are too many other things that need attention before Saturday.  I'll give you a quick tour of the kitchen and pantry, then I'll leave you to it.  I've got a few loose boards on the dock which I want to secure before anyone trips and sues me.

Ah, the American way!  he chuckled.

From what she could gather in the few minutes she spent with him in the kitchen, Scott seemed to know his way around pots and pans.  When asked if he'd ever worked at a restaurant, he said no, but loved to cook as a hobby.  I have to do some honest work every once in a while, and cooking is it.  It's my way of ridding myself of all the stressors of day-to-day stuff.

Mine is hiking.  My favourite thing is preparing a light lunch, then spending the day in the woods.  Good for the soul, she said.

Claire left the kitchen looking forward to a nice home-cooked meal.  Who knows, he just might  impress her with his culinary skills.

Impress, he did.  They enjoyed a dinner of beef stew with fresh-baked bread and coffee cake for dessert.  For Claire, it was the best meal she'd had in ages.  Her tiny five-foot, one-hundred-twenty-pound frame did not stop her from having a second bowl.  She could always walk it off after dinner.

So Scott, what are your plans for tomorrow?  Do you know the area at all?  If not, I can dig up some brochures which might help you.

I don't know the area that well, no, but I'm thinking of doing a bit of hunting.  Small game, he added.

Oh.  For some reason, I pictured you as more of a fisherman than a hunter.  Well, this is the place to do either, if you're so inclined.  Hope you enjoy your hunt.

Oh, I don't doubt I will.  I'm pretty good at it.  He grinned, then stood and began clearing the dishes.  Claire helped and within minutes, the kitchen was spotless and they each went their separate ways.

On her way to her room, Claire stopped by the front desk to check for online bookings.  She was thrilled to see two bookings:  One for the following week - a two-week visit - and the other for this coming Friday - a weekend visit.

She practically floated upstairs to her bedroom.  If reservations were already coming in, she just might stand a chance of making this work.

Claire's family had been skeptical when she'd shared her decision with them.  Her