A/N: This story is the prequel of one of my other stories called "Love is like a heatwave" at the Castle section. I hope you like it and want to read more of this work and the main story.

English isn't my mother tongue, but I hope it's not too bad for you to read.

Disclaimer: I don't own Dirty Dancing or Castle. No money is made with this.

Free

Chapter 1

My name is Martha Rodgers and I'm free for the first time in my life. I'm 28 years old and I feel great, even I just buried my husband Jackson Stewart. You have to know that he was way older and we were never in love. I married him when I just turned 21 since it was something my parents arranged. Jackson was a lawyer and a terrible person. He hit me whenever he wanted to.

Since I was a little child I wanted to become a famous actress and so I started to take dance and acting lesson while I was married. It was the only way I could get out of Jackson's way. I wasn't allowed to work or something like this. I was supposed to stay at home with his children, but thankfully we never had any children, not that Jackson tried to make some. I was pregnant a few times but I lost the baby each time. Of course was I hurt but it's way better for the child to never be born than to live with such a monster of a father.

So I started to take any course possible and I did my best to hide this fact in front of Jackson. I just made the best out of my life.

When we were married for seven years, Jackson got hurt in an accident and didn't make it. This was three weeks ago. Today was the day of his funeral and since my parents died a few years ago I'm alone, but free for the first time in my life.

I was on my way to Jackson's lawyer for the opening of the testament. "Good afternoon Mrs. Stewart. I'm sorry for your loss.", Hank Anderson, the lawyer said. He was a good friend of Jackson and we did spend some private time with him and his wife.

"Thank you, Hank. Can we please start with everything? I would really like to go home soon.", I said.

"Yes of course. Is there anything I can get you?", he asked, but I shook my head. I followed him into his office.

"So, you know that besides of you Jackson didn't have any family left. So you are his sole heir. You get the apartment you lived in, his money and half of this firm. You are a rich woman now, Martha. Not that this will help you over your loss. You two were such a great couple, but I'm sure you will find love again. You are still young and look beautiful."

"Thank you, Hank. But I need some time alone. I need to make some plans for my life. But I would like to ask you a favor."

"Of course Martha. I will do anything to help you.", Hank said.

"That's really sweet, Hank. I want you to sell the apartment and I'm no business woman so I don't have any use for the firm. I would like to sell my part and I would like you to have it."

"Oh Martha, are you sure about this. Where are you going to life? And thanks for the offer of the firm, I would really love to take it over. I'm sure Jackson would have liked this."

"I'm going to leave the city for some time. And I can't live any longer in this apartment, where everything has memories of Jackson. I will look for a new one when I'm going to come back to the city. But first I need some time away. I hope you understand."

"Of course, I understand you. I think I would do the same. Is there any way I can contact you while you are away?"

"I don't think so, since I don't know where I'm going. But I promise you that I will call you when I found a place to stay. And you try to sell the apartment in the meantime and I'm sure we are going to find a solution for you to take over the firm. I don't need much money for the moment, so there is no need to rush anything.", I said and stood up.

"I really hope you are feeling better soon, Martha. Let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.", Hank said showing me to the door. He kissed me on my cheeks and lead me out of the office.

"Thank you Hank and I promise to call you when I settled down."

I left the building without looking back. I already assumed that I would heir everything, but hearing it official was something else. But it gave me to opportunity to start living my own life. I went back to our apartment in lower Manhattan and started to pack some things. I just wanted to get away from everything. When I was finished I went down to the car, got in and started to drive out of the city. I really didn't know where I was going, so I just drove through the country, going where my gut feeling was telling me. About three hours out of the city I passed a huge brown sign, which was announcing a holiday resort by the name of Kellerman's Mountain house. I never heard about it but I started to get tired and I really wanted to lie down for a bit. So I followed the signs and soon I was in front of a huge with house. I got out of the car and went inside, where I assumed to find a reception.

"Hello and welcome to Kellerman's. How can I help you?", a young woman, not older than myself asked.

"Hello, I just saw your sign on the street and decided to stay here. Are there any free rooms?", I asked hopefully. It was just the beginning of May, so I supposed there wouldn't be much guests so far.

"You are lucky, Ma'am. It's just the beginning of the season so there are a few free rooms. How long do you want to stay?"

"I don't know for sure, but I think two weeks will be enough for now. Is it possible for me to stay here?", I asked.

"Will you be happy with a single room or do you need more?"

"No, I single room is enough and it doesn't need to be the best you have."

"I got a single room and as far as I can see the room is free for the whole season. But the room is not in the main area, so I hope you don't mind some quiet. But I can promise you, the sight is beautiful and it's not this far away to get to the main house or the activities we offer. Should I show you the room first or are you going to take it anyway?"

"I take the room. I really need some time away from the city and I don't mind the quite. What kind of activities do you offer?", I asked curious.

"Oh, we offer different kind of activities. There are several kinds of sports such as swimming, tennis or golf. This season we are offering dance lessons for the first time. Or you can learn to sing or act or how to paint. There is a list with everything in the main hall. There you can see when and where the courses are taking place. Would you please fill out this forms and then I can show you your room.", the woman said passing me a couple sheets of paper and a pen.

When I was ready the woman showed me to the room. It was a single white bungalow on the top of a small hill. But the view was beautiful, since you could overlook the whole resort and the lake. I was happy about my decision. The woman, Ann was her name told me a bit about the place and that dinner was offered at six o'clock in the main house. Soon after Ann left a bell boy was bringing my luggage and I started to unpack. I already felt better, just being out of the city with all the bad memories.

I had a quick shower and changed my clothes before I went to the main house for dinner. But first I had a good look at the offered activities and I found a lot I was interested in. There were a lot of dance, acting and singing classed offered. And the first dance class was about to start tomorrow morning at the gazebo.

A/N: So how did you like it so far? Do you want to read more? Please tell me, what you think.