Finding Me (Love's Not Easy Series Book 1) Read online

  “Yes, we know, Piper, and we are so happy for you.” Lexi replied in a monotone voice.’’

  “Lexi, be nice. Piper, this is so awesome. Your dad is going to love James.” Aimee loved playing the good, positive friend around Lexi.

  There was a gentle tap at the door; then, James entered, followed by Colin, who was explaining to James, in a way that only Colin could, that the dude don’t have to knock.

  James kissed Piper, then took her hand. She grabbed her coat from the chair. “Ok, we will meet you guys at the lodge around 7:00 p.m.”

  “Wait!” Lexi yelled. “What about your clothes?”

  “James packed them in his truck last night.” Piper turned and kissed James on the cheek as they left.

  “Young love.” Lexi rolled her eyes.

  “Don’t be jealous, Lexi, someday, sooner or later, we will be in love. And we too shall float through the air without a care in the world.” Aimee fanned her face.

  Lexi laughed so hard she was holding her stomach. “If I start floating girl, you better pull me back down.”

  “Me too.” Colin grinned as he put his arms in the air and act like he was floating.

  “Ok, we have everything.” LJ stopped dead to his feet. “Colin, what are you doing?”

  Lexi and Aimee held their sides from laughing so hard at Colin’s expression; finally, he stumbled to the door. “Let’s go.”

  “Ok, lover boy.” Lexi laughed.

  “Can you clue me in on lover boy and whatever that was he was just doing?” LJ was so confused.

  Aimee sat in the chair so she could pull her grey UGGS over her jeans as she told LJ all about lover boy.

  When they made it to the SUV, Lexi and Colin had claimed the back seat so Aimee sat up front with LJ. He opened her door for her. A roar of laughter came from Lexi in the back seat just as Aimee clipped her seatbelt on.

  “What?" Aimee turned her head and ask.

  “I just got a text from Aiden. It seems poor Ava’s plane has been delayed. It will be late tonight or early morning before they make it to the lodge.”

  Colin did a pretend gasp. “Her dad made her fly commercial. I bet she is so mad. I got a text from Josiah; he says he is staying in Ancaster, his band has booked some gigs.”

  “Well, that just leaves Sophia, I guess her and her man will be there tomorrow as well, unless...” Lexi said.

  “Actually.” Aimee bit her lower lip. “Her interview went awesome. When she arrived at the school, she discovered they are holding several free workshops. The woman who interviewed her told her about them. So, she is spending the next ten days at the Neahovia Culinary School.”

  “That really sounds like an awesome opportunity for her.” LJ added.

  “It is.” Her phone beeped signaling at text. She read it and typed a short response.

  “More bad news?” Colin asked in a concerned voice.

  “No. It was from my dad, wanting to let me know he hopes we have fun and to let him know when we make it to the lodge.” Aimee sighed as she put her phone down.

  LJ was entering the road that lead out of town. “It must be hard to be so far away from your family.”

  “At times. But, except for last year, I have always went to boarding school since my mom…” Aimee looked at her hands. In all the conversations she had with LJ over the past four months, she had not told him about her mom.

  “Are you ok?” He looked genuinely concerned.

  Aimee nodded as she fought the tears. Not now, she was not going to cry on vacation. “My mom was killed in a car accident when I was ten.”

  LJ took her hand. “I’m so sorry; I had no idea.”

  “It’s ok. A lot of people don’t know. It’s kind of poor conversation starter.”

  LJ put his hand back on the wheel. “So, are you an only child?”

  “Not now. My dad remarried when I was twelve. He and Deandre have three kids. Maddie is five and the twins, Grant and Carter, just turned one.”

  “Wow! Your dad like started all over.”

  Aimee laughed. “Yeah, he did. Lucky for him, I was born when he was twenty three. Your turn, tell me about your family.”

  “Ok, we are a close family. My mom and dad are high school sweethearts. You met my sister; but, I have four more siblings. You met my dad; but, he really isn’t as bad as he made himself look at the dinner. My mom works in design; she actually designs all of our businesses.”

  “Wow. I don’t think your dad liked me much.”

  “Are you crazy? He loved your spunk; he went on about it for days, my mom said.”

  “My spunk. Ok. Hey, Lexi, I am spunky.”

  “We know, Spunky, keep it down.”

  “Seriously, he was impressed with you. Honestly, other than my mom, I have never known him to be so impressed with someone.”

  “Hey. Stop trying to turn on the charm and turn the heat up, I am cold.” Colin yelled.

  “Pipe down, lover boy.” LJ laughed as he adjusted the heat for the back.

  “Uh, Dude, that sounds horrible coming from you.”

  “Yeah, I realized that as soon as I spoke the words.”

  Aimee turned and looked at Colin. “Next time, try using the controls above your head.”

  Colin looked up. “Ok. But then I can’t interrupt LJ.”

  Aimee turned to LJ. “So, is your family from Normark?”

  “My parents live in Concord, about forty-five minutes outside of Ancaster. My grandfather owns the Normark resorts.”

  “So, you must see your family a lot?”

  “Every Sunday.”

  “I bet that’s nice. So, will we see your grandparents?”

  “Yeah. Not the first few days because they are on vacation. But, Sunday they are having us over for dinner.”

  “Cool.”

  “Dude, I am starving; how much longer before we get to Lake Savannah?” Colin asked in a fake, whiny tone.

  “About another half hour.”

  Aimee turned to Lexi. “You ok?”

  “Yeah, I am trying to watch a movie on my tablet; but, somebody back here is being a total whine bag.”

  Colin took out his earphones. “If that is how you are going to be, I am taking a nap.”

  Aimee laughed and turned back around. “How long does it take to get to Normark from Lake Savannah?”

  “About two or three hours. It depends on traffic and how many times we have to stop and let Colin eat.”

  “If we don’t limit him, the others may beat us.” Lexi sarcastically commented.

  “Not funny.” Colin grinned.

  ♥ ♥

  LJ pulled the SUV into the parking lot of a huge log cabin style steakhouse. The view was of the Savannah Lake, with the Loopy Mountains in the distance. Aimee looked out the window and gazed at the view. “This is gorgeous.” The very instant she stepped out of the vehicle a blast of cold air hit her face.

  “Wow, it’s chilly.” Aimee reached for her coat.

  “Just wait until we get started up Loopy Mountain.” Lexi pulled on her coat.

  “Well, I guess it is a good thing I wore a thermal Henley under my shirt.” Aimee pulled at her burgundy, plaid top.

  The restaurant was decorated in a Neahovian version of Americana style decor. They waited at the front, while LJ went to find the hostess. When they returned, she escorted them to a private room in the back of the restaurant. The room was so cozy. On the back wall, was a huge fireplace and the two other outside walls was made from glass like in a sunroom. There was no need for a lot of decorations back here. The beauty God created outside was decoration enough.

  In the center of the room was a table setup for the four of them. Aimee took the seat LJ pulled out for her. He leaned over and whispered in her ear. “Welcome to Lakeside Steakhouse. This was the first business my family started.”

  “It is very beautiful. I can’t wait until I see the lodge.”

  Colin took the liberty of ordering drinks for everyone. Sami’s Sweet Teas. LJ informe
d the girls it was his grandmother’s secret recipe.

  When the waitress returned with the sweet teas, LJ recommended the T-Bone steaks, house salad with house dressing, and a baked sweet potato. He informed them that the sweet potatoes had a delicious brown sugar topping.

  Lexi and Colin saw some old school friends when they walked in; and, they excused themselves to go back and talk to them for a few minutes. LJ wanted to take Aimee to show her the balcony view. The air was cool; but, the view was so worth it. The water from the lake was sky blue. The snow on the trees glistened in the water below them.

  “The view is simply breathtaking.”

  “The view is why my grandparents chose this spot for their business.”

  “I can totally tell why. Do you bring a lot of girls here?”

  “No, just my favorite ones.” LJ laughed as he placed a hand on Aimee’s mid back.

  Aimee nervously coughed. “You barely know me.”

  “I know, but I would like to change that.”

  Aimee suddenly felt hot. “I am a rather boring person.”

  “Let me be the judge of that.”

  Aimee’s stomach had butterflies going crazy. “Ok.”

  LJ moved in closer, Aimee’s heart rate speeding. She wasn’t ready for this. Thank God Lexi came out and saved her.

  “Oh, sorry.” Lexi went to back away, but could tell Aimee wanted her to stay.

  “Our food’s here.”

  Aimee walked toward the door. “Thanks, Lexi.”

  LJ followed. “We have two weeks to get to know one another.”

  Aimee felt so out of place right now. She knew Colin would fight her; but, she was riding in the back, with Lexi, on the way to the lodge. Colin excused himself from the table early and, as if he knew what Aimee was up to, he was already in the backseat.

  Chapter Eight

  Normark Resort was amazingly beautiful. The snow was so white with the perfect powder texture. The group was staying in a penthouse room in the resort’s most pristine lodge. It was decorated in Neahovian Mountain decor. The rooms for the ladies were the two on the left side of the staircase.

  Aimee and Lexi took their small luggage and walked up the stairs. The guys said they would get settled in, before bringing the rest of the girls luggage up. Aimee laid her bag on her bed and went to look at the fresh snow covered slopes.

  “Aimee, what’s on your mind?” Lexi asked as she started unpacking.

  “Nothing. Why?”

  “You are being unusually quiet.”

  “I am just taking in the mountain view.”

  “Well, you and LJ seemed to be getting along very good.”

  Aimee moved over to her bed. “Thanks for the setup.”

  “Me? Never.”

  “Yes, you and Colin.”

  “Hey, Colin came to me with the idea. Actually, LJ wanted him to make sure you rode the front with him.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes. So, what do you think of him?”

  “Are you doing research for him and Colin?”

  Lexi sat down on her bed. “No. I am asking, as your friend.”

  “He seems nice enough.”

  “That’s all… he is nice enough? I am pretty sure I almost walked in on a kiss at Lakeside.”

  “And I thank God you did, before I made a complete fool of myself.”

  “How?”

  “Never mind.”

  “Aimee, do you honestly think he is hanging out at our flat so much because of Colin?”

  Aimee shrugged her shoulders.

  “Ok, let me lay this out for you. I have known LJ my entire life. Granted, he has probably been more of Colin’s friend than any of the rest of us; but, he has never arranged a ski trip for all of us. We have all been here, but with our families, not with LJ.”

  “Ok.”

  “Ugh. Aimee, are you blind? The guy is majorly hot. He has treated you nicer than I have ever seen him treat anyone. And he arranged this trip to get to know you.”

  “Wow.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Oh, Lexi, he is so hot and have you noticed his physique? He has lovely eyes too. But, guys like him are not into girls like me.”

  “What do you mean girls, like you?”

  “Lexi, I am so plain. Guys like the supermodel type, like you and Piper.”

  “Oh, honey, you are not plain. Go over and stand in front of the mirror. You have the most beautiful hair. No matter how you fix it, your hair looks great. Even in a messy bun. You have a gorgeous face.”

  “Ok, stop. It’s more than how I look. When you’re a Christian, it is hard to find a guy that respects you and how you believe.”

  “Ok, that is just dumb on their part.”

  “Maybe. But, it is probably why I have never had a boyfriend.”

  “Never?” Lexi looked shocked.

  “Never.”

  “Well, maybe the fact you can’t tell when a guy is flirting with you, has something to do with that.”

  Aimee laid back on her bed. “When it comes to guys, I am dumb.”

  “No, you’re not. You just need to be taught the art of flirting with guys; and, the art of knowing when a guy is flirting with you.”

  “Really, and who is going to teach me?”

  “Me, of course. And Piper, if she wants to.”

  “Ok.” Aimee laughed.

  “I have one more question before we get started.” Lexi looked her dead in the eyes.

  “Ok."

  “Have you ever been kissed?”

  “Once, eighth grade. It was horrible.”

  Lexi roared with laughter. “Oh, honey, all middle school kisses are horrible.”

  Aimee sat up. “Ok, what is your story? You tell me I need to learn to flirt; but, you are just as single as I am.”

  “Well, I guess that depends on who you ask. My sisters say I am too picky. My friends say I expect too much.”

  “Get with it, Lexi. What is the reason you are single?”

  “Ok. I am tired of dating jerks and losers. I had enough of that in high school. The guy I dated last year took the cake. It was our Senior Prom and he went missing; so, I went to look for him, and found him and my, so called, best friend doing a little more than kissing. They are parents now.”

  “Wow. Major jerk. I thought my prom date was bad.”

  “Well that day I decided, from that point on, I will date with caution. No more jerks.”

  Aimee laid back down. “Lexi, love’s not easy.”

  “No, Aimee, it’s not. What did your prom date do?”

  “His name was Morgan, and he is the son of one of my dad’s campaign people. He kept the dance floor hot, just not with me. I got the first dance and last dance.”

  ♥ ♥

  It was just before seven p.m. when James and Piper arrived. James went to put his stuff away and Piper joined the girls in their room. Aimee sat Piper down and told her all about the conversation she had with Lexi. Lexi added her own dramatization from time to time.

  Piper just laughed at them. “The two of you are hopeless. Aimee, LJ has been flirting with you forever and, Lexi, you are going to pass up Mr. Right if you don’t narrow down your requirements.”

  Lexi acted shocked. “What requirements would you like me to get rid of, Piper?”

  “Start with hair color. Not just blondes, ok?”

  Aimee shook her head. “You required they be blonde. Man, Lexi.”

  “Oh yeah, at least I know when a guy flirts with me.”

  “Ok, LJ has been flirting with me. That doesn’t mean he wants to date me. Some guys are just flirts.”

  “Oh, he wants to date you.” Lexi grinned.

  Aimee set in the floor and pulled her knees to her chest. “Lexi, since I have now confessed my lack of dating experience to you, both of you know that I have never been in a relationship. My dating experience consists of a few bad blind dates and the horrible Prom date.”

  “If it makes you feel better, Aimee, Colin told me he had a
long talk with LJ. He told him you are like a sister to him; and, if he was not serious about you, to back off.” Lexi sat beside her.

  “I know it sounds stupid, but sometimes when guys like LJ give me attention, I feel like I am a project of some sort or a joke.”

  Piper joined them on the floor. “You’re not. Colin would not let him do you like that.”

  Lexi stood up. “Alright, Aimee, let’s make a deal. I will be less picky, if you promise to have more confidence in yourself when it comes to guys.”

  “Ok, but one other thing concerns me. He is not a Christian.”

  Lexi shrugged her shoulder. “Does he have to be?”

  “It definitely helps. A Christian guy would already know my boundaries before I would have to mention them. I am not sure LJ will.”

  Piper stood. “If he likes you, he will. If he doesn’t respect you, then Colin and Aiden will beat him up.”

  “I guess you’re right. There is just something in my brain telling me to be careful.”

  “If I said that, Aimee, I would be told I am being too picky.” Lexi laughed.

  Piper stood on the bed. “Ok team, here is the game plan. Lexi, stop being so picky. You are not allowed to search for flaws in a guy; if they are not obvious, don’t look until you find one; like, one eyebrow is thicker than the other.” That caused Aimee to laugh.

  “Aimee, this is no laughing matter.” Piper had to regain her composure so she would not laugh. “You need to accept that guys think that you’re hot; with your long legs and gorgeous hair, you are so many guys’ dream woman. When guys flirt with you, flirt back. Got it?”

  Aimee and Lexi laughed. “Yes, coach!”

  “Ok, girls, I want you to go out there flirt, giggle, talk, and dance. I want to see you both having good, clean fun on this vacation. Do I make myself clear?”

  This time they saluted her. “Mam, yes, mam!”

  Lexi yelled out. “But, I don’t have a man.”

  Aimee patted her shoulder. “Oh, we will find you one.”

  “That’s what I am talking about; now, get out there flip, that hair back, and flirt.”

  Piper jumped down off the bed and opened the door. She could contain her laughter no longer, so all the girls went down stairs, laughing hysterically.

  The next morning everyone, went to the main lodge for breakfast. Then, the girls hit the shopping stores for ski and snowboarding gear. While the guys went to the men’s sport shop to get their gear. Lexi text Ava to see if she wanted them to get her anything. Ava text her back, stating she was fine; if she decided to go on the slopes, she would purchase her stuff at that time.