Afraid (11 page)

“Donna Kirby. Sorry we're late. My brother's waiting in the van, and we're in a no-parking zone.”

“You're here to meet me?”

“You got it!” Donna grinned, but she still looked upset. “Your uncle sent us to pick you up. They had two busloads of tourists come in at the last minute, and everything's pretty hectic up there. Do you have any baggage?”

Julie nodded and pointed to the carry-on bag at her feet. “All I have is this. The rest has been delayed, but the airline promised they'd deliver it tomorrow.”

“Good luck! The airlines always tell you that to get you off their backs.”

“And you think they won't deliver?”

“They probably won't. At least, not when they say they will. But don't worry, Julie. I've got gobs of clothes you can borrow until yours come.”

Julie couldn't help it. She started to laugh. “I don't think your clothes will fit me, Donna. I have more height.”

“That's true.” Donna giggled as Julie stood up. “I guess my midis would be minis on you.”

Just then Julie saw Ross approaching through the crowd, and she waved. Then she turned back to Donna. “My uncle's assistant manager is here. He offered to take me up to the lodge if no one else came to meet me.”

Donna sighed and leaned closer. “You might know it! We're late and
he's
here! Did he try to pick up on you?”

“No.” Julie shook her head. “He said he wasn't here to pick me up. He came to the airport to talk to the people at the visitors' bureau.”

Donna raised her eyebrows and turned to face Ross. “Hi, boss. Paul and I just got here, so you don't have to bother with Julie.”

“You're a little late, aren't you?”

Julie glanced at Ross in surprise. He was very changeable. When she'd first met him, he'd been all smiles, flirting with her and joking. Then, when he'd found out who she was, he'd become almost paternal, treating her as if he were responsible for her welfare. Now he was different again. The moment he'd seen Donna, he'd become as stern as a professor whose favorite student had flunked a test.

“Saddlepeak employees are expected to be reliable, and you're over thirty minutes late.” Ross frowned at Donna. “Didn't you read that handout I gave you last week?”

Donna didn't look the least bit intimidated. “I read it. And we
are
reliable. We've got the best reason in the world for being late. We had a flat on the way down, and
someone
forgot to fix the spare tire.”

“Oh-oh.” Ross looked guilty. “Okay—you made your point. Tell your brother I said to take it down to the station the first thing in the morning.”

Donna nodded. “Yes, boss. Did you call the lodge?”

“I couldn't get through. The lines were busy.”

“Then you don't know?”

“Know what?”

“Two busloads of German tourists came in.”

Ross looked puzzled. “Are you talking about the RTL tour group?”

“That's right.” Donna nodded. “They got in an hour ago, and it's a real madhouse up there.”

“But they were supposed to spend two days in Salt Lake City and get to us tomorrow night. What happened?”

Donna shrugged. “Your guess is as good as mine. We can't ask them because they don't speak English.”

“No English at all?”

“Not that I could notice. And that interpreter you hired isn't coming until tomorrow afternoon.”

Ross frowned. “Doesn't anyone on the staff speak German?”

“Well . . . sort of. Mrs. Hudson had a year of German in high school, but I think you'd better get somebody to help her. She couldn't remember how to tell them that dinner would be served from seven to nine.”

“Es gibt Abendessen von sieben bis neun.”

Julie spoke without thinking, and Ross turned to her in surprise.

“Julie! You speak German?”

Julie nodded. “Yes. I have four languages, not counting English. My conversational German is quite fluent.”

“You're just what the doctor ordered!” Ross gave her a quick pat on the back, and then he turned to Donna. “Get Julie to the lodge as fast as you can. I'll run out to the university and see if I can round up some language students to help us out until the interpreter gets here. And Donna? I'm sorry I jumped all over you about being late.”

“That's okay, boss. Are you sorry enough to give me a couple of hours off tomorrow, so I can show Julie around Crest Ridge?”

Ross laughed. “Only in your dreams, Donna. You've got Sunday off. You can do it then. Now, hurry up, will you? Mrs. Hudson's probably pulling her hair out by the roots.”

Donna grabbed Julie's carry-on, and the two girls hurried through the airport. Outside, Donna led the way to a van parked near the curb. A painted sign on the door identified it as a Saddlepeak Lodge vehicle. She tapped on the window, and the driver rolled it down to smile at them. He was blond and handsome, but his pleasant expression quickly turned to one of shock.

“You're Julie?!”

Julie resisted the urge to step back, he was staring at her so intently. “Yes. I'm Julie Forrester. And you're Donna's brother, Paul?”

“Right.” He got out of the van to shake her hand. His lips were smiling, but Julie could tell he was very upset as he took her carry-on and put it in the back of the van. “Why don't you two girls ride in the back? There's more room.”

“Good idea.” Donna motioned for Julie to follow her, and they climbed into the second seat. But when Paul came back to the driver's side again, he carefully avoided looking at Julie as he slid in behind the wheel.

Donna tapped Paul on the shoulder as he pulled out into traffic. “We have to get up to the lodge as fast as we can. Julie speaks German, so she can help Mrs. Hudson.”

“Great!” Paul smiled again. Julie could see him in the rearview mirror. But it was a polite smile with no real warmth. For some reason, Paul disliked her. And she hadn't done more than introduce herself!

Donna more than made up for her brother's silence. She kept up a lively chatter as they drove up the mountain, pointing out landmarks and telling Julie about the history of the area. Julie was still trying to figure out what she'd done to make Paul angry when they pulled up the driveway.

Julie stared out at the five-story building, nestled in the hollow between two towering mountain peaks, and gave a little gasp of delight. “Oh! It's beautiful!”

“It's the most beautiful building around.” Donna looked proud. “Saddlepeak Lodge was built by Mrs. Hudson's great-grandfather before the turn of the century. It's the tallest building in a twenty-mile area, and it's virtually unchanged, except for certain modernizations that were necessary for the comfort of our guests.

“Saddlepeak Lodge has forty rooms, twenty on the second floor and twenty on the third. The fourth floor has been set aside for the live-in employees and the owner's private quarters. The ground floor contains the lobby, a full-service restaurant, several conveniently located shops, and the grand ballroom, which is used for many community functions.

“This lovely lodge, located in the heart of the majestic Rockies, offers a wide range of leisure activities. Depending on the season, Saddlepeak guests can enjoy horseback riding on well-maintained mountain trails, hunting and fishing trips with local guides, skiing and skating in the midst of breathtaking winter beauty, nature walks to explore the flora and fauna of the area, and fine dining in our lovely restaurant.

“If you have any questions or require any item to ensure your comfort, please ask any of our friendly staff members. We're all dedicated to making sure you enjoy your stay with us at Saddlepeak Lodge.”

Julie turned to look at Donna in surprise. “You sound like a tour director.”

“I am. When we pick up guests at the airport, I ride along to point out the sights. And when we stop in front of the lodge, I get up and make that speech. Ross Connors wrote it.”

“I'll go tell the Hudsons you're here.” Paul stopped the van and jumped out. He grabbed Julie's carry-on from the back, and before the girls could say another word, he was rushing up the steps.

“Oh, boy!” Donna sighed as she got out of the van. “I bet you think he's pretty freaky, huh?”

Julie nodded. Paul
had
acted very strangely. “Your brother doesn't seem to like me. Did I do something wrong?”

“Not a thing. You can't help the way you look.”

“The way I look?” Julie was completely puzzled as she followed Donna up the steps to the lodge.

“I think I'd better clue you in before you meet your aunt and uncle—they might act a little weird, too.”

“Why is that?” Julie frowned slightly. Donna looked worried again.

“Because of Vicki. That's why Paul was so strange—he was in love with her, and she dumped him.”

Julie frowned. “You're talking about my cousin Vicki?”

“That's right. You look so much like her, you could be her twin.”

“I see.” Julie nodded. No wonder Paul had been upset!

“I was a little freaked, too, when I first saw you.” Donna looked slightly embarrassed. “It was almost like seeing Vicki's ghost.”

“I assure you, I'm not a ghost. And it's not really surprising that I resemble my cousin. You see, my mother and Aunt Caroline were identical twins.”

“That explains it. At least you don't sound like Vicki. She didn't have an accent.”

Julie was amused as she followed Donna into the huge lobby of the lodge. She thought Donna had a very peculiar accent. And Donna thought Julie's accent was strange. Accents were indeed in the ear of the listener. But it was disturbing to learn that she looked so much like her cousin Vicki. She hoped that Aunt Caroline and Uncle Bob wouldn't be too upset when they saw her.

Donna walked over to the desk in the lobby and pressed a buzzer. Then she smiled at Julie again. “They must be busy, or they'd be here already. Mrs. Hudson was so excited about you coming to live here, she repainted Vicki's room for you.”

“That was very kind of her.” Julie glanced around the huge lobby, and then she moved closer to examine the wall of pictures behind the desk. “Is there a photograph of my aunt and uncle?”

Donna pointed to a large framed photograph. “Right here. This was taken a couple of years ago. Your aunt's hair is shorter now, but your uncle looks just the same.”

Julie moved closer to examine the photograph. Uncle Bob was a well-built man, with dark brown hair and blue eyes. Her mother had once told her that Aunt Caroline had married the best-looking boy in Crest Ridge, and Uncle Bob was still very handsome. Julie also had a vague memory of something else her mother had said, something unpleasant in connection with Aunt Caroline's visit. But since Julie had been only four at the time, she couldn't quite recall the details. “Did your aunt ever come to visit you, Julie?”

“Yes.” Julie nodded, but didn't elaborate. She didn't trust her voice. She was still staring at the picture of Aunt Caroline, and it was exactly like looking at a picture of her mother. They'd had the same blond hair, the same green eyes, and they'd smiled at the camera in exactly the same way. Julie was almost sorry her aunt had invited her to come to Saddlepeak Lodge. Living with Aunt Caroline and seeing her every day might make her miss her mother even more.

Suddenly Julie had another thought, and she turned to Donna in alarm. Donna had said she looked just like Vicki. “Do you think that seeing me will upset Aunt Caroline and Uncle Bob?”

“I guess it might . . . at first. But maybe it'll make them feel better. Since you look so much like Vicki, it'll be almost like having her back again. It'll be sort of like giving them a second chance to set things right, you know?”

Julie felt a sense of foreboding. “Set
what
things right? I don't understand.”

“Uh . . . well . . . you know about Vicki, don't you?”

Now Julie was confused. “What do you mean? My cousin died in an automobile accident, didn't she?”

“In a way. Her car went off the cliff.”

Julie nodded. It was exactly what her mother had told her. “Poor Aunt Caroline and Uncle Bob. It must have been a very difficult time for them.”

“It was. Especially with all those unanswered questions. Our neighbor's the sheriff, and he searched Vicki's room. He's the one who found the note.”

“The note?”

“Yes. But it didn't really say why. That's what was so terrible for your aunt and uncle.”

Julie began to harbor a terrible suspicion. “I think you'd better tell me everything, Donna.”

“Well . . .” Donna looked around the room nervously as she heard approaching footsteps. “They're coming!”

“Then tell me now.”

Donna was clearly anxious. “Okay. I guess you have to know. And I'm not sure that anyone else'll tell you. You see, Vicki had a mental breakdown. She was acting so weird, her parents sent her to see a shrink down in Denver. That's where she was supposed to be going when she . . . uh . . . died.”

“I understand.” Julie nodded, but there was clearly more to the story. “And . . . ?”

Donna winced. The footsteps were getting louder. “Put a smile on your face, Julie. I don't want them to know I told you.”

“But you
haven't
told me!”

Donna frowned as she leaned closer and lowered her voice. “Nobody's supposed to know, but I heard Sheriff Nelson tell my Dad that Vicki committed suicide.”

J
ulie's head was still whirling from Donna's shocking news when her aunt rushed in. Aunt Caroline's arms were outstretched as she hurried across the lobby. But when Julie turned to face her, she let out a startled cry and stopped short.

“Hello, Aunt Caroline.” Julie crossed the distance between them and gave her aunt a kiss. “I hope I didn't alarm you. Donna told me that I look like my cousin Vicki.”

Uncle Bob came through the door just in time to hear Julie's comment. He seemed just as shocked as Aunt Caroline, but he recovered much more quickly.

“You
do
look a lot like Vicki.” Uncle Bob walked over to shake Julie's hand. “I'm glad to meet you, Julie. Welcome to Saddlepeak Lodge.”

Aunt Caroline's face was still white, but she hugged Julie and managed to smile. “We're very glad you're here, Julie.”

The moment was awkward, and Julie took a deep breath. It was time to set her aunt at ease. “I can understand why you're upset, Aunt Caroline. I'd be upset, too, if I hadn't seen a picture of you. You look just like my mother.”

“Oh, dear!” Aunt Caroline hugged Julie again, and when she stepped back, there were tears in her eyes. But the color was beginning to come back to her face.

Julie crossed her fingers, and hoped her aunt had a sense of humor. “What do you think we should do, Aunt Caroline? Dye our hair so we don't walk around shocking each other?”

It took Aunt Caroline a moment to realize that Julie was joking, but then she smiled. “What a wonderful idea! I've always wanted to be a redhead.”

“Hey . . . wait a minute.” Uncle Bob frowned as he turned to his wife. “You're not serious, are you?”

Donna laughed. “Relax, Mr. Hudson. They're just putting you on. It's a joke.”

“That's a relief. I've got enough troubles with our new guests. Somebody in 204 wants an extra
Decke,
and I don't have any idea what that is.”

Julie turned to her uncle. “It's an extra blanket. I speak German, Uncle Bob—I'll be happy to help you translate.”

“Good!” He looked relieved as he nodded. “I'll start you off at the front desk. You can handle the calls from the rooms, and translate for the staff. And then, during dinner . . .”

Aunt Caroline put her hand on her husband's arm to interrupt him. “Perhaps Julie's tired, Bob. Most people start yawning when they come up to this altitude for the first time.”

“It's all right, Aunt Caroline.” Julie smiled at her aunt. “My school was in the Alps, and I'm used to high altitudes.”

“But, Julie . . .” Aunt Caroline looked distressed. “You just got here. It wouldn't be fair to put you to work so soon.”

“Of course it would! I'd be
happy
to help you and Uncle Bob.”

“Well?” Uncle Bob turned to his wife. “I think we'd be foolish to turn down an offer like that.”

Aunt Caroline hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “You're right. As usual. I'll get Julie started. Will you go out to the kitchen and tell Mrs. Robinson to start frosting that cake?”

“Whatever you say, Caro. You're the boss.” Uncle Bob glared at his wife for a moment, turned abruptly, and walked toward the door. Then he seemed to remember his manners, and he turned back to smile at Julie. “Thanks, Julie. You came at just the right time. See you at dinner.”

Aunt Caroline watched him go with a frown on her face. Then she sighed. “Sorry, Julie. He's been a regular bear today, but it has nothing to do with you. Right, Donna?”

“Right.” Donna nodded. “Tell us what you want us to do, Mrs. Hudson. We're your willing slaves.”

“That's the best offer I've had in years.” Aunt Caroline laughed, and Julie drew in her breath sharply. It was an exact duplicate of her mother's laugh. “I'll show you how to operate the intercom, Julie. We need to tell our guests that dinner will be served from seven to nine in the restaurant.”

“I'll be glad to do that, Aunt Caroline. Is there anything else you want me to tell them?”

“Well . . . you could welcome them to the Saddlepeak Lodge and tell them some of the activities we have planned for them. Donna can brief you on that. And if you're not too tired, you could table-hop a bit during dinner.”

Julie looked confused, and Donna explained. “Mrs. Hudson wants you to go from table to table to help them order. The menu's in English.”

“I'll be glad to table-hop. But are my clothes suitable for dinner? My luggage won't be delivered until tomorrow, and the only other things I have with me are jeans and a sweatshirt.”

Aunt Caroline raised her eyebrows as she considered Julie's outfit. “You look lovely, Julie. And very sophisticated. What do you think, Donna?”

“Me?” Donna grinned. “Personally, I'd kill to be able to wear an outfit like that. But you have to be tall and thin, and I strike out on both counts. It's pretty fancy, though . . . especially when the rest of us'll be dressed in sweaters and skirts. Do you want me to see what I can scrounge up, Mrs. Hudson?”

Aunt Caroline hesitated, then shook her head. “Never mind, Donna. I just remembered that I've got the perfect thing for Julie to wear. I did my Christmas shopping early last year, and I bought some sweaters and skirts for Vicki. You're welcome to them, Julie.”

Donna nodded. She was obviously pleased. But Julie turned to her aunt with concern. “Won't it bother you if I wear them?”

“No.” Aunt Caroline smiled at her. “You'll be doing me a favor, honey. Bob'll be terribly upset if he sees them in my closet and finds out I never got around to returning them.”

 

It was after ten by the time the last of the guests had left the dining room. Julie sighed and pushed her hair back from her forehead. It had been a long evening, but luckily, Ross had arrived, halfway through dinner, with two German-speaking language students in tow.

“Nice job, Julie.” Donna patted her on the back. “And everybody enjoyed the cake Mrs. Hudson made for you.”

“It was delicious. And it was also very nice of her. I had no idea she was planning a surprise party for me.”

“I did.” Donna looked smug. “And the German guests loved it, after you explained it to them. Cake is
Kuchen,
right?”

“That's right.”

“I learned a lot just listening to you. Chicken is
Hahnchen,
ham is
Schinken,
and roast pork is
Schweinebraten.”

Julie smiled at her. Even though she'd just met Donna this afternoon, it was clear that she would be a good friend. “That's very good, Donna. And I'm sure you know how to say ‘roast beef' in German.”

“But I don't. Mrs. Hudson didn't have roast beef on the menu tonight. How do you say it?”

“Roastbeef.”

Donna nodded “That's right. I want to know how to say ‘roast beef' in German.”

“I just told you:
Roastbeef.
Most of the fine restaurants in Germany use the English word now.”

Donna laughed. “Okay. I guess that's what I'll order if I ever go to Germany. Of course, I could always have
Wienerschnitzel.
I just love hot dogs.”

“But you won't be served hot dogs.
Wienerschnitzel
is a breaded veal cutlet prepared in the Viennese style.”

Donna sighed. “Maybe I should've taken German for my foreign language this year. What's your schedule like, Julie?”

“I'm not sure. I'm enrolling on Monday, but I don't have my classes yet. Do you think I'll have any trouble? I'm over three weeks late.”

Donna shook her head. “I'll help you catch up. Ask Mr. Zimmerman if he'll put you in my classes and I'll introduce you to everybody. Tell him you've simply got to have first period algebra.”

“Thank you, Donna. I'm glad you want me in your classes.”

Donna grinned. “Well . . . I
do
have an ulterior motive. You see, your aunt told me you were at the top of your class, and I'm a total airhead when it comes to math.”

 

Aunt Caroline and Julie were about to step into the elevator when a rugged man with a full reddish-blond beard rushed up. He was in his early thirties, and he was wearing a green-and-black checked shirt, blue jeans, and a soft deerskin vest. He smiled at Aunt Caroline, and Julie's eyes widened. She'd seen a lot of American movies in Europe, and this man looked just like Brad Pitt in
Thelma and Louise.

But the moment he turned to look at Julie, his face turned pale. He blinked, put his hand on the elevator door to steady himself, and blinked again.

“Easy, Red.” Aunt Caroline reached out to take his arm. “This is my niece, Julie Forrester. Julie? Meet Red Dawson. He's one of our hunting and fishing guides, and he runs the taxidermy shop in the basement.”

Red Dawson began to recover, and a little color came back to his face. “Sorry. For a second there, I . . . I thought . . .”

He seemed to be searching for the right thing to say, and Julie felt sorry for him. He was obviously upset by her resemblance to Vicki. “It's all right, Mr. Dawson. I know I look like Vicki, and you must have been startled.”

“Yes.” Red nodded, but he didn't smile at her. “Mrs. Hudson? I just wanted to tell you now that I finished that trophy buck tonight. They can pick it up in the morning before they leave.”

Aunt Caroline nodded. “Thank you, Red. That'll save us the shipping costs. How's the bearskin rug coming along?”

“It's a tough job. The hunter panicked, and there's a whole lot of holes in that skin. The head's okay, though, and I think I can pull it out.”

“If anybody can do it, you can.” Aunt Caroline patted him on the shoulder. “Keep at it, Red. It's his first bear.”

“And it'll be his last, if I have anything to say about it! That man's a menace with a rifle, and he couldn't hit the broad side of a barn. He's just lucky that Bob's shot went through the eye. If your husband hadn't bailed him out, that bear would've got him, instead of the other way around.”

“I know. Bob told me.” Aunt Caroline chuckled. “That's why I talked him into a fishing trip for next year.”

Red laughed. “Good for you, Mrs. Hudson! We might have to take a couple of hooks out of him, but it'll be a lot safer.”

“Will you give Julie a tour of your shop? She'll be helping out on the switchboard and she should be familiar with all the services we offer.”

Red didn't look delighted, but he nodded. “Anytime, Mrs. Hudson. Is there anything left in the kitchen? I didn't have time for dinner.”

“I'm sure Mrs. Robinson saved a plate for you.” Aunt Caroline smiled. “Go ahead, Red. And I'll send Julie down to see you sometime tomorrow.”

Red Dawson nodded and headed for the kitchen. Then he seemed to remember his manners, because he turned to wave at Julie. “Nice meeting you.”

Aunt Caroline smiled as they got into the elevator. “Red's a little rough around the edges, but he's got a good heart. He's a little skittish around women, though, and I'm afraid we have Vicki to thank for that.”

“What do you mean?” Julie turned to stare at her aunt as the elevator doors closed and they began to rise.

“Red thought the sun rose and set in Vicki. Whenever she came into his shop, he used to follow her around with those sad, puppy dog eyes.”

Julie was curious. “Did Vicki ever date him?”

“No, but poor Red was so preoccupied with her, I had to have a little talk with Vicki and ask her to stop flirting with him. Bob and I were afraid he'd start thinking about her out on the trail, and have an accident.”

Julie nodded, but she didn't ask any more questions. Aunt Caroline looked distressed. Instead, she changed the subject. “Is there a lot of game in the mountains, Aunt Caroline?”

As Aunt Caroline began to tell her about the hunting trips they offered, Julie thought about Red Dawson. She'd have to be very careful around him. She looked like Vicki, and if she gave Red any encouragement at all, he might think she was flirting with him, too.

 

It was almost midnight, but Julie was too excited to sleep. Her room was beautiful, and it was decorated in her favorite color, delft blue. The furniture was white and it looked lovely against the soft, smoky blue walls. There was a canopied bed, a white vanity with an oval mirror, and a desk where she could study. There was even a white wicker chaise lounge with delft blue cushions where she could stretch out to watch the color television set which was perched on a shelf in the white entertainment center.

Julie walked over to the entertainment center and turned on the stereo. It was tuned to a classical music station, and she wondered if Vicki had preferred classical music. She hadn't wanted to ask her aunt, but she assumed that the contents of the entertainment center had belonged to Vicki.

It was the perfect room for a teenage girl, and Julie wondered if her cousin had been happy here. Obviously not, or she certainly wouldn't have committed suicide! But why
had
Vicki killed herself? It was a mystery, and Julie shivered a bit as she imagined her cousin pacing the floor of this lovely room, attempting to exorcise the demons that had driven her to her death.

It was useless to dwell on a mystery she couldn't solve. She might never know why her cousin had committed suicide, but perhaps she could learn more about Vicki's life. Julie found a jazz station on the radio and set out to explore her new surroundings. The desk was first, and she pulled out each drawer. But there was nothing inside, no trace of her cousin or the life she'd lived within these walls.

The closet was next. Julie found a soft velour robe in a beautiful shade of forest green, but it was brand new. And the matching slippers were still in the box from the store, wrapped in tissue paper. The only thing that might have belonged to Vicki while she was alive was a lavender windbreaker jacket tucked up into the corner of the top shelf.