Chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE

HALLIE

The path through the woods curved as I trudged forward aimlessly. Brown pine needles and sticks littered the path as I tried not to trip on a wayward root or fallen log. The forest was not my natural habitat. Bushing my forehead with my forearm, I could feel the moisture as the humidity hung heavy in the air. I missed New York. The concrete and skyscrapers may not be as pretty as this place, but it had its own charm. The rush of water caught my attention, and I stopped in my tracks, turning toward the sound. I made my way over a large fallen tree and within a couple of feet, I found a break in the rows of trees.

“I’ll be damned,” I said, mesmerized by the rapid flow of water coming off a ledge high above, collecting into a pool of water, dotted with large rocks. As I got closer, I noticed the water was clear as if it had never been touched by a pollutant or toxin. Without overthinking it, I stripped down to my bra and panties, throwing my t-shirt and tattered jean shorts over my head then bending down to remove the socks and hiking boots I’d borrowed from Aunt Caroline. Leaning over, I reached my fingertips into the water, and almost shouted my delight at how cool the liquid felt against my overheated skin. I’d never mastered diving, so I stepped in and immediately sunk down, water covering to just above my shoulders. The natural pool felt like heaven as I dunked my head back to get my shoulder length hair wet and off my face. Time seemed to stand still as I swam the length of the pool, enjoying the peacefulness of the place. Over by a collection of rocks, I realized there was a ledge of sorts, so I made my way over to sit and relax for a bit. That’s when I noticed the water also diverted into a stream down the hill.

I arrived in Willow Springs two weeks ago, after learning about the father I’d never known. If I didn’t need the money for my last year’s tuition, I’d have not traveled here at all. The beauty of these mountains was not lost on me. I’d have to be a real bitch not to appreciate my sperm donor either, plus I was trying to find some common ground with him. But it was hard when we were so different and all he wanted was for me to transfer to a college nearby. Leaving NYU wasn’t my first choice as I’d enjoyed my time there. My father had been hinting he’d be willing to pay for a summer trip after graduation to Europe if I’d consider transferring. The thought of traveling before I started work at what I hoped would be one of the top PR firms in the city was tempting. The little time I’d spent with my father so far had been awkward. The only real comfort had been Caroline, my aunt. She and I hit it off almost immediately. I still couldn’t believe that my mother, who was uptight on the best of days, had relaxed long enough to have a fling with a boy who could never hope to fit into her civilized world. Somehow, they’d worked in a way I just couldn’t picture now.

Hearing a snap, I opened my eyes and saw a tall figure coming out of the trees from the opposite side of the forest.

“Who the hell are you?” I snapped, nervous finding myself with a stranger so far from anyone else, as well as being interrupted in my private little oasis. Why did I feel like this area should be mine?

“I could ask you the same thing?”

His accent was local so that much was obvious, and I placed him around my age, give or take a few.

“I’m asking the questions here,” I said, feeling behind me for a loose rock as I tried to keep my posture as relaxed as possible, not wanting to give away how nervous being alone with him was making me.

“Are ya now?” He smiled and began tugging his t-shirt over his head. My mouth was suddenly dry as I couldn’t help but appreciate the chiseled abs and chest on display now that he’d tossed his t-shirt to the ground. Damn, this man was pretty. His chestnut brown hair caught in the sunlight causing it to glisten. As he unbuttoned his jeans, I almost flung myself across the water, but caught myself just in time. The last thing I planned to do was show how vulnerable I felt. Good looks or not, he was still a stranger in a place too far away for anyone to hear me scream.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” I gasped as he had his underwear and jeans on the ground before I could blink. I wasn’t mad at him for showing off his beautiful body, but my pulse was starting to raise as goosebumps dotted my skin. Without hesitation he was splashing into the water as I remained in place, shocked by this new circumstance. Just as he dunked his head back, I got a hold of my better judgment and clumsily turned toward the opposite bank and hoisted myself onto the grass. My cheeks were burning, and I imagined they were bright red. Why did I pick this bra and panty set out of my drawer this morning? Not only were they old with my panties riding up my ass, but I could only imagine the potential transparency of the white fabric.

“Hey now, where are ya goin’? No one said you had to leave,” he drawled lazily as he floated onto his back, smirking. I hurried over to my jean shorts and t-shirt, haphazardly putting them on as I turned my back to the gorgeous stranger.

“Who are you?” I said, louder than I intended as I whirled around once I had my clothes in place.

“I’d tell you, but then I’d have to kill ya,” he said and turned away from me so he could swim deeper into the pool closer to the cascading water.

“Unbelievable!” I grabbed the boots and put them on, knowing I looked like a drunk lunatic as I finagled each foot trying not to fall on my ass.

“Ah, c’mon, darlin’, where’s your sense of adventure?”

“I must have left it back at the house. You do realize you're on private land, right?” I crossed my arms, feeling exposed as the water from my body saturated my t-shirt.

“Private land, you say?” Is your last name Williams?”

“No!” My voice raised a bit as I stressed my response.

“Well, this is Williams’ land and has been since, oh I don’t know if the stories are true, then the mid-1800s.”

“That can’t be right. My father told me that his land went well into the mountains, and I could walk wherever I wanted.” I said, getting a bit flustered.

“Lance Michaelson is your father?” Naked boy said, his smile vanishing as he came over to the side of the pool where I stood, not quite sure what to do with my hands as I watched his expression sour.

“Yes, and you’re trespassing,” I said, with more confidence than I felt.

“Well, I’d say it was a pleasure to meet ya, but if you're a Michaelson then that would be a lie.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I said, clenching and unclenching the hand not holding my socks.

“Why don’t you go ask your daddy, and don’t forget to let him explain where the property lines are. You're lucky it was me who found you here. Someone else in my family wouldn’t have been as nice,” he said as he dived into the water. I didn’t like him having the last word, but being here alone was starting to make me feel edgy. So, I scurried off toward what I hoped would be home. The sound of a deep chuckle followed me as I started venturing down the slope once I was in the trees.