Chapter One

Dr. Seth Hazlitt, MD sealed the large manila envelope, attached postage, and dropped it in the mailbox. It had taken several weeks but his income taxes were completed and paid for the year. It was always a huge relief when his taxes were finished. This year was special though. He was also officially debt free. He still had bills of course. He had car insurance, renters insurance, medical insurance, and life insurance. Once again he was grateful his utilities were included with his rent. He chuckled darkly. In two years his medical insurance will drop dramatically and his life insurance will be paid in full. Forty years of payments so his daughter Margie, as beneficiary, would have a boost in life.

His savings had grown so he wasn't worried about retirement anymore, well, not very worried. As long as he didn't live past eighty-five, he would have a good retirement. After eighty-five he hoped Social Security income increased enough that he could still lead a good life, whatever was left of it.

He couldn't believe the weight that was lifted off his shoulders. Now maybe he could drum up the courage to woo Jessica. He was never going to earn anywhere close to what she probably earned but he wouldn't be carrying around hundreds of thousands of dollars of debt on his back either. He could bring more to the table so to speak.

He walked back to his office and settled at his desk. Booting up his computer he looked over his budget. He had always been frugal and he learned his lesson about get rich schemes and now carefully plodded along, building up his savings, not spending or buying if he could help it. Cooking his own meals as often as possible, which also meant he could see Jessica more, and driving his cars until they died a natural death, he wondered if Jessica would like to take a trip with him.

She was always telling him about places she would like to see and once she even told him as much as she liked exploring, she didn't always want to do it alone. Of course, that wasn't an invitation for him to come along. She had mentioned it at Chris and Abigail's wedding last year. He noticed that weddings made women behave strangely. They cried, supposedly because they were happy or remembering being happy or something. He learned long ago to never go to a wedding without an escort. You may as well hang a 'fresh meat' sign on you.

No, he would like to splurge and go somewhere nice. They had gone digging in New Mexico and down to his relatives in South Carolina. Both had encountered murders unfortunately although Jessica solved them and seemed to have enjoyed the trips. The disastrous trip to visit his brother in Maryland didn't end well either but she knew Richard's death affected him greatly and although she solved his murder she didn't count it as an enjoyable visit. They had gone to visit their congressman from Maine so it wasn't an actual vacation although they had visited a few sites.

He thought about a trip to the Grand Canyon or maybe to the Rocky Mountains where it might be cooler in the summer. She loved the outdoors and there were plenty of things to do in Colorado. He would bring it up at dinner this evening and try to feel her out without issuing an invitation. He didn't like to be disappointed.

He studied his budget carefully. Without debt he could save a little more. Spending time with Jessica took up any extra funds he had. She probably didn't think about it but his gasoline consumption nearly tripled when she was in town. He also spent more on groceries and better food than when he was just cooking for himself. He didn't object though. He enjoyed spending time with her.

Dinner went off without a hitch and he told Jessica about possibly going to Colorado this summer and she appeared interested. Now he just had to drum up the courage to invite her. He might come off as tough but rejection from her would hurt, even if it was only going away for a few days.

Jessica sighed as she deleted several pages of her latest story. She was struggling with this chapter. She wanted it to go in one direction but it was a battle of wills. She needed a break. Getting up to put the kettle on, she filled it with water and turned on the burner. A glance at the clock told her it was lunchtime so she fished around in her fridge and took out the last of the salad she made yesterday. She didn't have any rolls or bread to go with it. She needed to pick up groceries too.

She wanted to finish her book by May so she could have a few weeks off this summer before a book tour in the fall. She was starting to get restless again. She didn't know why but lately after a book was finished, the desire to get out and away from Cabot Cove was strong. She loved her home, she loved her friends here but the call of the wild as she called it became stronger after being indoors for a couple of months.

She had a strong sense of self-discipline though and the months it took to write a book had her ignoring the outdoors, as much as she loved it. She missed riding her bike, fishing, even gardening. Seth took care of her though. He bought groceries, cooked for her, and chivvied her out of the house for an hour or so every few days. He claimed she was too pale but she knew he missed their talks so she always went along with him without too much fuss.

Jessica also had invitations for visits this summer. She would have to sit down and make plans. Friends she made all over the world were inviting her to weddings, birthday parties, or just a few days rest if she wanted. Her publisher, Vaughn and his wife, Olga were inviting her down to Miami for a week to relax and fish. Martin, her agent, had a condo in Hawaii he would let her use for as long as she wanted. Another friend in Seattle kept telling her fishing in the Pacific was something she needed to try. She was undecided.

No, it wasn't indecision. All of her friends were married, coupled up as she called it, and while they were always gracious and inviting, they had to come up with another male to round out their dinners and she felt like a burden at times. Oh, they always assured her it wasn't a problem but it was becoming one for her. There were times she didn't want to be a third wheel. As much as she loved her husband, Frank, there were times she was angry with him for leaving her. Not that he would have chosen to do so given the option and she usually felt guilty for feeling lonely but lately her dissatisfaction was growing. Seth had mentioned possibly going to Colorado on vacation last night but he didn't invite her along. She thought about asking Seth to join her for at least one of her trips but he always got fussy if she spent money on him.

Late at night she thought about Seth often. She finally admitted to herself that she had fallen for him. She wasn't going to interfere in the status quo however. Losing a friend like Seth, a once in a lifetime friend, would be the end of her.

It took Seth a couple of weeks to plan out a trip to the Rockies. It probably would have only taken a couple of hours for Phyllis Grant to do it. She was Cabot Cove's travel agent but she was also one of the gossips in town as well. Everyone would know their itinerary before they would.

There was a two bedroom cabin available. There was plenty of fishing, hiking, and water sports to be had. You could ride bikes on the trails and there was a huge lake where houseboats could be rented if she would prefer to sleep on the water. He would ask her tonight if she would like to go in July.

Jessica looked over her weekly planner. She would be able to attend two weddings in June, she could spend the Fourth of July in Cabot Cove before spending a week in Miami with Vaughn and his wife. She would also be able to make it to a birthday party that week down in the Keys too. She could spend the last two weeks of July in Cabot Cove before going to Germany and Belgium in August. A month home and then off on a book tour.

Her plans made, she began looking through her closet for appropriate clothing. She would have the horrible task of buying a couple of bathing suits as well as a few dresses. Why did the designers not want anyone over thirty on the beach?

Seth was coming over to make dinner again tonight so she tidied her kitchen and set off on her bike to get groceries. It was two hours before she returned home. She was stopped repeatedly by friends wanting to chat for a few minutes. Of course, she stopped by Loretta's to make an appointment for the following day and catch up on a little gossip. She wanted a tidbit to be able to tell Seth that evening.

Said man was whistling as he bustled about his bedroom. He would never admit it to anyone but he always showered and shaved before visiting Jessica, if he had the time. He didn't think she paid him any attention but he wanted to look his best tonight. She might not agree to go with him. It was three months away though. Plenty of time to make room in her schedule. He was nervous though. Just because he wanted to spend time alone with her didn't mean she wanted the same thing.

It was a fine spring afternoon and the sun would be setting soon. The morning rain shower had been mild. Flowers were budding and the sun shone brightly. It was a day for lovers. Seth hadn't been a monk when he was younger, before Ruth, before he knew what love was. Once he married and built a strong loving relationship with his wife, he knew he would never settle for less. Sex without love was empty, a temporary fix, a band-aid, and he didn't want to scratch any itches.

He wanted to nurture a relationship to its fullest. He wanted that relationship with Jessica and a trip away from the prying eyes of Cabot Covers would give him the chance to try. She might not agree. She loved her husband, knew there were times she was misty-eyed over him even now. He splashed a new aftershave on his face before gathering his things and heading over to Jessica's house.

She was already in the kitchen when he tapped on her back door with his foot while holding bags of food.

"Seth, come in. Let me grab one of those bags," she offered.

"I have it, woman. Just hold the door open." He entered and headed straight for the stove. He unpacked a few items before putting a casserole dish in the oven. Dinner would be ready within the hour. He efficiently tossed a salad and put it in her fridge to chill.

"Why not pull out a bottle of wine?" he asked. "Red, if you have any."

"I do," replied Jessica. "What's the occasion? Wine with dinner and you're wearing a new aftershave." Jessica smiled at him. "Is there someone I need to know about?"

Seth cleared his throat. "Well, it's not a special occasion. I just wanted to ask you something and felt like I should spruce up a little." Jessica looked puzzled. "I know you get lots of offers and I want mine to be appealing to you, woman."

"What kind of offers?" she asked, looking at him shrewdly.

"I've been working harder lately and thought a vacation would be just the ticket. You're almost finished with your book and I thought we could go to Colorado for ten days." He began to rush his words. "There's hiking and fishing and we can rent a cabin or a houseboat. It would be up to you."

Jessica was stunned. When he mentioned it earlier, he didn't say anything about her going with him. She was delighted.

"When did you want to go?" she asked. "Let me get my calendar. She brought out her planner and went over dates with Seth.

He looked at her planner in dismay. "You're going to be away most of the summer."

"No, most of July is free. I'll be here for the Fourth and only a week away and then I'll be here for nearly three weeks. We can take ten days then. Did you plan to fly?"

"Fly or drive, it's up to you. We can take our fishing gear if we drive and put bikes on the back of the car. Do you still have that extra bike in your shed?"

Jessica's mind was swirling. She would prefer flying but then they'd have to rent bikes and fishing rods and tackle. Boat rentals plus the cost of the cabin or houseboat. A car rental, eating, and other expenses were adding up. Seth was always sensitive about money and even when she paid her half of things, he tended to grumble about the cost.

If they drove, there was the cost of gas, hotels, and eating. She wasn't sure which was more expensive. Driving would mean more time alone with him though and she found the idea appealing.

"If you could take a full two weeks, fourteen days, we could drive and enjoy the trip without having to hurry to get there, relax for a week, and drive back without rushing," suggested Jessica.

Seth's eyebrows rose. This was more than he dreamed. "If we left on Thursday, the seventh of July, we would get there on Sunday, which is when we have to check in. Leave the following Sunday and I'll have the whole week to return home." He looked at her planner, checking dates.

"I'd rather stay in a cabin and not a houseboat. I prefer hot showers," commented Jessica. "Especially if it's for an entire week."

"Okay, I'll rent us a cabin." He looked up and saw the slight apprehension on her face, along with a slight reddening of her cheeks. "They have two bedroom cabins, Jess, even three bedrooms in a few. Families stay in them."

"Oh, well…" Jessica blushed. She didn't want to take up a separate cabin that was set up for a family.

Seth touched her arm briefly. "If you want your own cabin, I can look into it." He didn't look her in the eye. He wasn't offended, not really, but did she think he was going to make the moves on her?

"Seth, separate bedrooms is more than enough." She looked at him. "I don't want you to be uncomfortable about the arrangements."

"As long as you aren't parading around in your scanties, I'll be fine, woman," he grumped.

"And if I do?" she challenged.

"Try it and find out," he smiled.

Jessica laughed, which broke the tension that was creeping into the room. "Not a chance. I know you doctors see a body and the urge to give a physical overwhelms you. I'll have mine in October, as usual."

Seth put a basket of rolls on the table and opened the wine bottle. He examined the label before he poured it into glasses. "So, two weeks, driving to Colorado by car, taking our own fishing gear and bicycles, and staying a week before driving home, stopping along the way since we're in no hurry."

"Are you going to have Phyllis make the arrangements?" asked Jessica. "I prefer the whole town not knowing before we leave at least."

"I'll plan the whole thing, Jess," assured Seth.