Lily followed Sarah out onto the wide front porch and slowed as a familiar vehicle came into sight over the crest of the road and pulled around to the front of the lodge.

The Ranger, as she’d come to think of her, stepped from the Jeep and stopped abruptly, locking eyes with her.

“Chase,” Sarah called down. “What’s the occasion?”

Chase stared up at the blonde on the top step next to her sister. She’d wondered if they’d meet again, and the quick surge of anticipation announced she’d been more than just hoping. She removed her sunglasses and slid them into her chest pocket. “Natalie said there was a meeting.”

“Oh,” Sarah said. “I expected her and Rob.”

Chase shrugged, still watching Lily Davenport, who had narrowed her eyes as if trying to work out some kind of puzzle. Thinking about her, maybe? Yeah. Right. Even her ego didn’t extend that far. Before Sarah could get wind of her interest in Lily, she got herself moving and headed for the porch.

“Lily,” Sarah said, “this is…”

“We’ve met,” Lily said in a tone that gave nothing away. “I’m afraid I never did get your name.”

“That would be Chase,” Chase said, extending a hand. Lily’s was soft and warm and firm as she gripped it for an instant and then let go.

“You’ve met?” Sarah said with a question in her voice.

Lily smiled. “Yes. On the…the road coming up here.”

Chase caught that tiny bit of irritation in her voice again and rather liked it. Far more interesting than the often false notes from women who desired to please or make a good impression.

“Lily—” Chase stopped. “Ms. Davenport was having a little trouble with her BMW.”

“Not what I’d call trouble,” Lily put in instantly. “Just checking my directions.”

Chase didn’t bother to hide a smirk, and Lily’s brows drew together in a little frown. Definitely still a little irritated.

Sarah looked from one to the other. “I don’t know why I expected you might recognize each other. Chase, you must have been, what, ten the last time you saw her?”

Chase shot Sarah a look. “Sorry?”

“Lily is my friend from college. The two of you met at the funeral,” she ended quietly after a moment’s hesitation.

“Oh,” Lily said quickly. “I’m sorry, I didn’t recognize you earlier. I never did get a good look—the sun and…” She made an exasperated sound. “I couldn’t see your name tag earlier.”

“I don’t remember you from before either,” Chase said, feeling at a loss and unaccountably uncomfortable. Her mother’s funeral was fifteen years in the past, but still not something she liked to think about. And finding out Lily and Sarah were friends—hell, too many complications, not that she expected anything to happen, of course. “So you’re one of the parents?”

Lily gave a quick laugh. The frown lines disappeared to be replaced by a sparkle in her eyes, the irises that Chase could see now were green, a true green like meadow grass at the first breath of spring. Beautiful.