Chapter 1

The air in the mountains was warm even for the middle of the summer and Beth Castle pulled at her shirt that was stuck to her skin. To be perfectly honest she wasn't even sure why she was there in the first place. Kellerman's was a summer resort for old blue hairs that had too much money for their own good. The only reason she had agreed to come was because she wouldn't have to spend time with her overbearing grandparents. They were great people but they didn't give her the space she needed.

"Uncle Bill, how many people are staying here this summer," she asked looking down on the large lawn between the main building and the guest quarters. There were people everywhere. Some were playing volleyball and there was a group getting a tour of the large property. From the top of the hill all the guests looked liked a colony of ants.

"Close to a thousand guests over the whole summer. Some stay longer than others." They both leaned against the fence feeling relieved to be out of the vehicle. It had been a long drive from her grandparent's house and the only stop they had made on the way there was to have lunch. "The guests are going to keep you pretty busy."

"Why did I agree to be part of the wait staff?"

"So you wouldn't be under my foot all day," he joked rubbing the top of her head.

She hated when he did that. Her whole family seemed to use kid gloves on her. For some reason they thought that she was going to fall apart at any moment. It had been five years since the accident and she was ready to move on. Why couldn't they?

"Did you say that the staff meeting was at three," she asked peering down at her watch.

"Yeah, I guess we should be going. We need to get you settled in before then."

Her uncle trudged back to the car leaving Beth standing at the fence. Looking down on the vacationers Beth sent a prayer up that all would go well. Kellerman's had special meaning to her family not to mention the fact that she wasn't sure how long she could keep it a secret that she was Johnny Castle's daughter.

"Hey, sweet pea, you coming?"

Beth turned to her Uncle and smiled. Out of all her family members he was her favorite one. She could be herself around him and he didn't push her into doing things she didn't want to do. Truthfully, he wasn't really her Uncle, he was a cousin but he had been like a brother to her dad. She had started calling him Uncle Bill when she was three and it stuck. "I'm coming."

With one last glance at the scene below her she stepped away from the fence and plopped herself down in the sweltering vehicle.

"Everyone is to come dressed and prepared to work at their appointed schedules. Tardiness will not be accepted unless it is manager approved."

Beth sat towards the back of the dining room listening to the owner, Todd Kellerman; go over all the rules of the summer. The pamphlet he had handed out was more like a novel and he seemed to want to go through the whole thing from cover to cover. Around the room she saw small groups huddled together softly whispering after every few comments the speaker made.

The group closest to Todd was made up of girls around her age and she knew exactly what they were talking about. She had to admit that Todd was very attractive. He wasn't overly tall but had a great tan and green eyes that seemed full of laughter. His blond hair wasn't much of a turn on for Beth since she liked darker hair but overall she would give him an eight out of ten.

"Ten bucks says he sleeps with all of them by the end of the summer," Audrey, she could see by her nametag, whispered to her.

"I'll take that bet but I think he will only have time for half," we shake hands before remembering that we should be listening.

"Dress code is on page twenty and needs to be followed to the letter. If you do not pass nightly inspection you will be dropped from the nightly service and you will lose one nights pay."

Beth heard low music come over the speakers and noticed two dancers take the dance floor. The girl sank into a split and leaned over her leg stretching before her partner walked over and helped her to her feet. He pulled her into his arms and they swayed back and forth reminding Beth of a tree swaying in the breeze. The man was being so gentle with his partner as he cradled her head on his shoulder. Beth was mesmerized.

They swept across the floor and halted only long enough for him to twirl her around then headed back to their opening position. The music beat changed and the girl pulled away and did a funky dance that made the man laugh out loud.

"Trent," Todd called out. "I should hope that you have better things to do then annoy me in the middle of a staff meeting."

Trent took his partner's hand and strolled over to Todd. "Sorry old boy but I didn't know this was a staff meeting. I thought you were trying to put all these poor people to sleep." Trent looked over the crowd and his gaze fell on Beth before she looked away. "It seems as if you already have. Quick we must resuscitate."

Beth laughed when Trent started running around the room, slapping people on the head.

"I don't find you the least bit amusing and if you want to keep your job I would recommend keeping the entertainment staff under control this year."

That comment caused Trent to stop and walk back up to Todd. For a moment Beth thought he might hit him but instead Trent put on a smile and nodded at him before walking back to the dance floor.

"Now where were we," Todd mumbled. "Oh, yes, the most important rule that must be followed is there is no fraternizing with the guests. Punishment is immediate termination."

"Darn, and I had my eye on one handsome piece of male today," Audrey whined.

Beth thought back to the story her mother had told her a million times and could attest to the fact that fraternizing with a guest was never a good idea for the employee.

"I know we are going to have a great summer together," Todd finished causing everyone to stand to his or her feet.

Beth stayed back and watched Trent move around. He was very good. She could tell that he was light on his feet and had good body alignment. If she knew anything, it was dance. You couldn't be Johnny Castle's daughter and not know how to dance.

"Don't even think about it," Audrey interrupted. "The entertainment staff sticks to their own and rumor has it that they are dating."

"Who are they," Beth asked.

"Well, Trent is the dance instructor and Lexie is his play thing," she answered dramatically.

"How do you know that," Beth picked up her pamphlet and headed towards the door.

"Word gets around. So what room are you staying in," Audrey changed the subject.

They stepped out onto the wraparound porch and Beth inhaled the sweet smell of fresh cut grass. The sun was setting in the distance and she had to squint to see where she was going. All around her it felt like summer and excitement.

"I haven't got my bunk assignment yet. My Uncle and I were running late so I just dropped my things off in his room."

"Who's your Uncle?"

"Bill Kostecki," she answered.

"Wow, he's your Uncle. He's been here a long time."

Beth nodded to her but she was distracted. Her mind was back on Trent. He was the most handsome man she had ever seen. He seemed tall with dark hair and the most beautiful brown eyes she had ever seen. His body screamed of years of dancing with his muscled arms that could probably squeeze the life right out of her.

"I'll see you later Beth. Depending on my schedule this may be the first and only time I get to the lake this summer."

Beth watched Audrey walk away before walking over to the announcement wall to find out which bunk she was staying in. On the wall there was an array of colored papers announcing various events that would take place over the summer. At the top was a bright green one inviting people to sign up for dance lessons with Trent and Lexie that said a half hour was forty dollars and an appointment had to be made with the front desk. Below that on a plain white piece of paper was the bunk assignment; which told her she would be staying in bunk three.

"Beth Castle." She heard someone call her name and turned to see Todd standing beside her. "I'm glad you could join us this summer. Despite the rocky start my grandfather had with your dad he appreciated the revitalizing he brought to this place."

"Thank you. Um, I haven't settled in yet so if you will excuse me," she backed away.

"If you need anything you just ask."

"Did you hear that Lexie? Boss man just made a pass at one of the wait staff. How do you think his dad would feel about that," Trent walked by with Lexie hanging off him.

"I don't think he would like that one bit," Lexie laughed as they walked down the stairs.

Beth had to admit that they looked good together. Lexie was what every dancer wished they were. She was rail thin with perfect feet and when she walked she gave off the impression that her turnout would be just as flawless as her skin.

"I'll see you later Todd." She walked away heading in the direction of her Uncle's cabin. If nothing else the staff meeting had been interesting.

Thanks for reading. I am in the bargaining mood. Five reviews for the next chapter? Tell me what you thnk.