Red Truck Rendezvous

the year or to rent a room in the Old Inn for a quiet stay at Lake Michigan. They’re rentals, and they stay full most of the year. Jamie, that’s my sister-in-law, and her family has owned this place for years, and when she took over, she had the whole place renovated and modernized.”
“Modernized? They look as if they have always been here, like the train of the painted ladies gown.” She nodded toward the house as Pablo turned down the opposite side of the drive.
“I wouldn’t know,” Pablo said. “I only know what Gram says, and she tells some tales. Here’s your spot,” he finished pulling forward and preparing to back the trailer onto a concrete slab that faced the lake.
“This is where I’m going to stay?”
“That’s what Jamie says.”
“It’s perfect! This place is exactly what I was hoping for when I booked my stay at the state park.” The smile on her face made Pablo’s heart do something funny, and he turned away from the distraction focusing his mind on the job at hand.
“Hop out and help me get this thing situated,” Pablo chimed, avoiding meeting the beautiful woman’s eyes. For some reason, Portia Princeton did strange things to his head as well as his heart.
Fifteen minutes later, they had the trailer parked, leveled, and hooked up. The vintage red and white camper looked like a pretty bauble as the light from the water reflected off its metal skin.
“Let me know if you need anything,” Pablo said, heading back to his SUV. “You can also call over at the house or come to the office if you need anything. We serve dinner from five to seven if you need food, but Gram or Jamie can help you with pretty much whatever you need. ”
“Thanks,” Portia nodded absently as she opened a little door under the trailer. “I think I’ll get things set up here and then go from there.” She was practically thrumming with excitement as she began to pull items out of the storage compartment. Perhaps her lakeshore summer wasn’t over before it began.
Pablo chuckled as the woman grabbed a long metal rod and pulled a tiny awning out from above the door. In a matter of moments, she was hanging little lights along the edge of the awning. The rig wasn’t’ very big, but it sure was cute, just like its owner.
Pablo hurried back to his white SUV, jumping in and driving back toward the house. He still lived in the room he had been given when his brother had married Jamie all those years earlier, and though already twenty-six, he didn’t see himself leaving anytime soon. Why waste money, better used in building his business, on rent, if he didn’t have to. Besides, he enjoyed being with family, especially Gram and little Chris.
Although Gram was technically Jamie’s grandmother, and the original owner of the Old Inn, the woman had adopted all of the Jimenez children as her own almost immediately.
Besides, he couldn’t just leave Carlos to maintain the old place on his own. Not only had Pablo been working with his brother from a very young age, but he credited Carlos with keeping him out of any real trouble as a youth. His big brother had always been there, and he would do the same.
When the family had lost their parents one stormy Christmas Eve, Carlos had become mother, father, and guardian all in one go. He had never shirked his obligation, never complained about all of the dreams he had given up to care for his younger brother and sister.
Instead, Carlos had taken on the best job he could find as a house painter and managed to provide for them all. His chance encounter with Jamie right here at the Old Inn where he had been working changed everything for the family. Pablo was still grateful to his brother and would do whatever he could to help.
Additionally, Carlos and Jamie had both helped Pablo realize his dream of becoming a licensed mechanic, putting up with his crazy hours as he worked for his old boss and for the crazy cars he drove all over Michigan.  When Pablo had decided to set up a garage of his own, everyone had pitched in to turn the old barn into the perfect workspace. As a one-time gas station, the space had been easily outfitted as a full-time garage and was now keeping him busy as he grew his business.
Yes, Pablo’s life was perfect just the way it was. He didn’t need or want any changes. He was content.
The last rays of the evening sun slipped through the passenger side window of the Tahoe, spilling over the small package nestled in the box on the backseat. The red wrapping sparkled with a ruby’s glow, a touch of fire on a cold night.
Pablo flicked his sunglasses down over his eyes, trying to shut out the draw of the pretty present, and its irresistible glint. He had been able to ignore that draw before, perhaps if he focused, he could do so again.

Chapter 5
Portia spent a happy hour setting up her tiny home. She fussed with rolling out the outdoor mat and placing her two red and white folding chairs where they had a view of the sparkling water.
Once she was satisfied with the outside, she turned to the interior, checking that nothing had broken, come loose, or popped open during her wild ride. Checking the Coca Cola clock above the sink and noting the time, Portia hurried to her closet and pulled out clean clothes then hopped in the minuscule shower.
She would have plenty of time to tidy up her rig while she waited for her truck to be repaired, but right now, she was hungry and curious about the old house.
Portia had grown up in the glass and steel penthouse of her single father, surrounded by luxury and all things modern. Her business mogul father had given her a modern life, but she often thought