Misty Lake: Book One in the Misty Lake Series (20 page)

Susan laughed. “Okay, I guess it’s not perfect but if you’re happy, at least most of the time, then I’d say you’re pretty lucky.”

“What do you do that you think my job is so wonderful?”

“Oh, hospitality stuff, hotel management. Nothing exciting, trust me.”

“Sounds interesting to me. I would imagine you could tell lots of stories.”

“There’s really not much to tell,” Susan answered quickly.

Obviously, she didn’t want to discuss her job so Riley let the subject drop. “I suppose we should head back up.”

“Right. So what do you think about becoming an uncle?”

“You know, I’m pretty excited about it. The idea of a little guy running around here sounds kind of cool. And thinking about Joe trying to handle him after I’ve spent the day getting him all wound up with candy and roughhousing? Priceless.”

“It could be a girl, you know.”

“That works. I’m sure I can find a way to get a girl wound up, too.”

Susan studied him. I bet you can, she thought. I bet you can.

18

Sunday afternoon Sam was sitting on the dock with Susan and Kyle willing the time to pass slowly. They had gone to church that morning at Susan’s insistence with her cousin telling her it was time for her to go back. Susan had been right. Sam felt good, at peace. And if she was going to follow through on the promise she had made to Anna, church was a good place to start. Seeing the McCabe family all seated together in what Sam assumed was their regular pew had been a comforting sight. And watching Susan watch Riley McCabe had been interesting, to say the least.

Sam had spoken briefly with Kathleen Melby after mass. The realtor was even more bubbly than usual since an old house on the lake was finally going on the market and she had the listing. She had explained the location, telling Sam it wasn’t far from her house, but Sam wasn’t familiar with the property. Kathleen had hinted she might stop by on her way to take pictures of the property.

Now, though, Sam was dreading the fact that her cousins would be leaving after lunch. The house was going to seem so empty and she wasn’t sure how she was going to fill the void.

“I guess I better head in and get packed,” Kyle said pulling his feet from the water and standing up. “Suze, I’ll leave you to talk to Sam.” He gave Susan an odd look, Sam noticed, as he headed for the house. 

“What was that all about?” Sam asked.

“I’ve been wanting to talk to you about something. Tell you something, I guess.”

“What is it? You know you can tell me anything,” Sam said, growing worried.

She looked nervously at Sam. “I quit my job. My last day was right before we left to come here.”

“You quit The Billingsley? Why? I thought you were happy there.”

“I was, for a while, but not lately. You know Stephen Billingsley took over the management of the hotel from his father last year?” When Sam nodded, she continued. “He’s insufferable. He’s always asking me out, hinting that I could be in line for a promotion if I agree.”

“Susan, that’s sexual harassment. You don’t have to put up with that and you definitely shouldn’t have to quit because of it.”

“I know. Believe me, I considered talking to someone about it but, in the end, I figured, why? I hadn’t enjoyed working there for a long time and I really didn’t want to fight to stay. Stephen is such a pompous ass, it was really quite enjoyable slamming my resignation letter on his desk.” She was grinning at the memory.

“Okay, if that’s what you wanted. Do you have something else lined up?”

At this, Susan looked uncomfortable. “Not exactly. Well, it’s not really not exactly. It’s just no. And don’t bother lecturing me because Mom and Dad have already done plenty of that.”

“I wouldn’t lecture you, Suze. I’m just concerned, I guess. What are you going to do?”

Now she looked even more uncomfortable and was quiet for what seemed like a long time. “I was sort of thinking about staying in Misty Lake for a while.”

“In Misty Lake? Really? That’s…that’s wonderful!”

“Do you really think so?”

“Of course, I’d love to have you here.”

“Oh, no, I don’t mean I expect to stay here. I’ll look for a place, for a job. I’m tired of Chicago, I need a change of scenery. I have some money, I can afford to rent a place.”

Susan had always been a little rash. She had switched colleges twice before graduating, had once bought a car then sold it and bought another within a month, and had broken up and reconciled with boyfriends more often than Sam could possibly remember. Now, Sam worried she hadn’t given this decision enough thought.

“Susan, don’t be ridiculous. Of course you’ll stay here. If you’re sure Misty Lake is really what you want. It’s a much different way of life than Chicago.”

“I know and that’s what I love about it. I don’t know that I’ll stay forever, but right now I need to try something different.”

“Do Uncle Ben and Aunt Caroline know your plans?”

“I told them before I left. They’re not crazy about the idea but they’ll get used to it. I’m going to call them and ask them to ship some of my things I packed up before I left. The hardest part is the fact that Brad and Mia are going to have a baby. I almost changed my mind when they told us the news but I really think this is the right thing to do.”

“Okay, then it’s decided. Welcome to Misty Lake, roomie.”

As they made their way back to the house Susan asked, “Since I’m going to be a Minnesotan, how about a trip to the Mall of America?”

Later that afternoon, as Sam and Susan were playing in the yard with Rigi, Kathleen arrived as she had hinted she might. Sam was surprised to see her in jeans and looking almost casual. As she got closer Sam noted the jeans were designer and neatly pressed, the blouse a pretty, filmy silk, and the tennis shoes Gucci. Gold dripped from her ears, wrists, and around her neck, as usual. Even when she attempted casual she was dressed to the nines. Sam quickly corralled Rigi before the dog could slobber her hello all over Kathleen’s five hundred dollar shoes.

“Hi, Sam. Hi, Susan. What a beautiful day! You must be loving the fact you’re living at the lake this summer with as hot as it’s been. Have you gotten yourself a boat yet? That seems to be the first thing everyone does when they move here. If you haven’t and you’re interested, I know someone who could help you out, just let me know.”

Sam had gotten used to the rapid fire pace at which Kathleen spoke so just smiled and answered, “Okay.”

After talking a few more minutes about the weather, the latest news from town, and quizzing Susan on her plans, Kathleen grew more serious.

“Sam, are you doing all right? I mean, really all right after everything that happened here last week?”

“I’m fine, Kathleen. Thank you for asking.”

“I want to offer a proposition. I spoke with Tom Lindahl and told him I could take a couple of your kids if you don’t think you want to continue with the classes.”

“Oh, that’s—” Sam started but Kathleen kept talking.

“I can only imagine what a scare you had last week. Tom and I agree it’s perfectly understandable if you’d like to end your involvement with the camp, at least for the time being. Now, I can’t take all five of your students, but I can talk to some of the other volunteers and it won’t be any problem to place them with someone else. I’ll work it all out, you don’t need to worry about a thing.”

When she finally stopped for a breath Sam said, “Kathleen, I appreciate the offer but everything is fine. I’m fine. I want to continue working with the kids. I love the time I spend with them and there’s just no reason to stop.”

“Sam, no one will think any less of you if you want to step back. What happened would be enough for anyone to make that decision.”

“Kathleen, I don’t want to step back.” Sam was starting to get frustrated and took a breath, trying to keep her temper from flaring. “I want to work with these kids. I am going to finish out the summer and, if Project Strong Start will have me, I will volunteer again next summer. I haven’t for a minute considered quitting and I’m not about to consider it now. I really do appreciate you and Tom trying to help but nothing is going to change. I am going to do all I can to help these kids.”

Kathleen looked to Susan who had stayed quiet up to this point. Susan just gave a shrug and said, “I think her mind’s made up.”

Turning back to Sam, Kathleen said, “Well, okay, if you’re sure. Just remember the offer is still on the table. If you change your mind you only have to call.”

“I’ll do that.”

Kathleen paused a beat. “Well then, I’d better get going. I’m heading down the road to check out that property I was telling you about. It’s an old farmhouse, the only one left around the lake. It hasn’t been inhabited for years. The family that owns it sold most of the property but kept the house and a few acres. Now, it’s been handed down to a great granddaughter who lives in Texas and just wants to be rid of the place. I have to get inside, take a look around, but I’m betting whoever buys it will want to tear it down and rebuild. It has to be in terrible condition.”

“Thanks for stopping by, Kathleen, I really do appreciate your offer to help,” Sam said sincerely, hoping to soften her earlier comments.

Kathleen smiled, gave a little wave, and started heading for her car. All of a sudden Susan bounded after her. “Would you mind if I ride along? I’d like to see more of the area and Sam’s heading to work in the shop. I need something to do.”

“Of course I wouldn’t mind. I’ll give you a tour of the lake, it will be fun.” And hopefully she could ferret out a little information about Sam. Sam’s latest reaction had Kathleen more worried than ever.

“Do you mind, Sam? I can stick around if you don’t want to be alone.”

“Not at all, take your time. I’ve got plenty of work to do. I took a little too much time off this past week. And I’m not afraid to be here alone.”

He watched the two women drive off and knew that meant she was alone. Maybe now was his chance. No cop or dumb jock to save her this time. He could get into her shop, he’d done it before. She’d never have time to call for help. Then, once he’d taught her a lesson, everything he deserved would be his.

He started to climb out of the culvert where he had been hiding, well out of sight. Suddenly, the dog started barking and racing back and forth along the driveway, never taking her eyes off of him. He threw himself back down onto the damp ground just as the woman came out of the shop to quiet the dog.

“Rigi! That’s enough! Sam looked around, didn’t see anything, and was just ready to walk across the road to take a closer look when she saw two deer, a doe with a fawn closely behind, zip quickly back into the trees.

“Okay, girl. Everything is fine, you silly thing,” she said, rubbing Rigi’s ears. “It’s just deer, and I think they’re cute, so be nice. Besides, you’re going to have to get used to sharing the area with them. They were here first, you know.”

He watched as she petted the dog for a minute then headed back into her workshop leaving the dog outside. He’d never get close now, he knew. Well, there’d be another chance. His hands trembled slightly as he clicked the safety back on the gun and stuck it deep into his pocket.

19

“I need to buy a car,” Susan announced over breakfast.

“I told you, you can use mine.”

“I know, but that’s not a long term answer. I need my own car.”

Sam studied her cousin and worried that she was making another rash decision. “Why don’t you just keep using mine until you’re sure you want to stay in Misty Lake,” Sam answered carefully, not wanting to upset Susan.

“Sam, would you stop worrying about me? I told you, I gave this decision plenty of thought. I didn’t just up and quit my job and decide to move here, it was something I was tossing around for a long time.”

“Okay, okay, I’m sure you gave it a lot of thought. But do you really think you want to buy a car so soon? What did you do with the car you had in Chicago?”

“I sold it right before Kyle and I left so I have that money to use to buy something here,” she said with a bright smile. “Do you mind if I take your car this afternoon and go look around, see what’s for sale at the car lot in town?”

“No, of course not. I’ll just be working. I have a couple jobs I need to get started.”

“Great. I’m going to do some laundry this morning, thought I’d take Rigi for a run, then I’ll head into Misty Lake later.”

“Sounds good,” Sam replied. “I was thinking, it’s Friday, do you want to go out tonight? See what the nightlife is like in Misty Lake? I still haven’t been in town on a weekend night, it’s probably time.”

“Um, I don’t know. Let’s see how the day goes. I might be a while looking at cars.” She seemed reluctant, frowning a little at the idea.

Strange, Sam thought. Usually that conversation went the other way with Susan badgering Sam to get out of the house. “Okay, let me know later.”

“Will do,” Susan answered, her smile back in place.

Several hours later Susan walked into the sheriff’s office with a purposeful spring in her step. After being directed to Jake’s office, she knocked lightly on the door that was slightly ajar and peeked inside. Jake was seated behind his desk with Riley across from him. Both men looked up as Susan entered.

“Hi!” She said brightly. “I hope I’m not interrupting.”

“Come in, Susan,” Jake said getting up to pull another chair up to his desk. “What brings you here? Is everything okay?”

“Oh, everything is fine, I didn’t mean to worry you,” she answered, noting the concern in Jake’s eyes. Perfect, she thought.

Jake let out the breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding since seeing Susan at his door. “Riley’s just here bugging those of us who actually work for a living so, no, you’re not interrupting anything.”

Susan looked at Riley, leaning back casually in his chair, his long legs stretched out and crossed at the ankles. He was looking her up and down, his eyebrows raised. A little arrogant, she decided.

“Day off?” she asked sweetly, looking at Riley. Without waiting for a reply, she turned to Jake. “I’m actually here for some advice, if you have a minute.”

“Sure.”

“I need to buy a car. What do you know about the people who run the car lot in town? Honest? Am I going to get a fair deal?”

“Yes, I think you will. One of Riley’s best buddies runs the place.” Then, looking at his brother, “You’re not doing anything, why don’t you take her over there, talk to Kurt, and get her a good deal?”

Riley scowled and practically burned a hole in Jake with his eyes. “I might have to get back over to the jobsite if that inspector ever gets his act together,” he mumbled.

“You said he was at least a day behind schedule. I’m sure you can find time to help Susan.”

Susan watched the exchange between the two and bit her lip to keep from laughing. Riley looked from Jake to Susan and back again before spitting out, “Fine, sure, I have time.”

“Well, thank you very much, Mr. McCabe. I’m sure your time is valuable, I’ll try not to take up too much of it,” she said sweetly.

When Jake smothered a laugh, she turned to him. “As for you, Sheriff McCabe, I guess I’ll be needing a favor of you, too. Since I’m sure with such excellent assistance I won’t have any trouble finding a car, and since I obviously can’t drive two cars, Sam’s car will need to be driven back out to the lake.” She handed Jake the keys. “She mentioned this morning that she wants to go out tonight so how about if I tell her you’ll be there around seven? You can pick her up, take her to dinner, show her the nightlife in Misty Lake. Then later, she can drop you at your place and drive herself home.”

She turned a radiant smile on the brothers who both looked a little shell-shocked. Jake was the first to recover.

“I think I can manage that,” he said, quickly warming to the idea of a night out with Sam, even if it hadn’t been his idea.

“Perfect.” Then, turning to Riley, “Shall we, Mr. McCabe?”

Riley slowly got to his feet, glaring at his brother as he did so. Susan stood at the door waiting, her bright green eyes sparkling with laughter.

“Well, then, let’s go. And for God’s sake, call me Riley,” he grumbled.

“So was this your idea or Susan’s?”  Sam asked as Jake maneuvered her car down the driveway.

“Well…”

Sam laughed. “Don’t worry, I know how Susan works. She wouldn’t admit it to me but I figured she had something to do with this.”

“It’s not like I didn’t want to do it,” Jake protested. “I probably would have thought of it myself, eventually. Maybe,” he added, realizing the conversation wasn’t going at all as he had intended. “It was a really busy week.”

“I said don’t worry,” Sam reassured him and laid a hand on his arm. “Tell me about Friday nights in Misty Lake.”

Jake glanced at her to make sure she didn’t seem upset. When he saw her smiling, looking happy and relaxed, he relaxed, too.

“It’s busier in the summer than in the winter although we get a fair number of people snowmobiling and ice fishing. We’ve got a few places worth checking out. The Hideout has a live band just about every weekend, some of them are pretty good. It draws those looking for a little more action. Mick’s has been Mick’s forever, I think. It’s a small bar usually filled with locals who all know each other. If you want a fancy drink, it’s not your place. You’ll get a beer or a whiskey, some peanuts, a game of darts or pool, not much else. Sally runs For Heaven’s Steak, hands down the best place for a nice dinner. But, if it’s pizza you’re looking for, you’re in luck because I haven’t found better than what you’ll get at The Brick.”

“Wow, that’s quite an advertisement for your town, Sheriff.”

“I guess when you live someplace your entire life it’s easy to advertise.”

“So what’s our plan for tonight?”

“I thought I’d leave that up to you. What are you in the mood for?”

“The pizza sounds tempting, although you have to remember I’m from Chicago. We take our pizza seriously.”

“I promise you won’t be disappointed.”

She wasn’t. The pizza was delicious. They argued briefly over the merits of thin crust versus deep dish with Sam defending her city’s famous deep-dish pies but, in the end, admitting she actually preferred thin crust. “You have to promise not to tell,” she said, swearing Jake to secrecy.

Later, they stopped by The Hideout for a drink. The band was good and the place was crowded. Jake seemed to know most everyone so there was a steady stream of people stopping by to say hello. There were several curious glances and some outright staring which Sam found entertaining. Apparently she was the object of much speculation, because of the house on the lake as well as for the fact she was out with Jake McCabe.

Jake’s brother Frank stopped by with his date, a pretty blonde he introduced as Cynthia, a medical student. “I heard your cousin gave Riley a run for his money today,” he said to Sam.

“I didn’t get too many details out of Susan but you’re probably right. She has a way of getting people to do what she wants. How mad was he?” Sam asked, cringing.

“A lot less than he made out to be, I think. He went on and on about her endless questions about the cars, needing to test drive a dozen before making up her mind, and how she talked Kurt down so low on the price he looked a little dazed when it was all said and done. Riley acted annoyed but I think he was impressed.”

“That sounds like Susan. You can tell Riley, though, she really was grateful for his help whether she admitted it to him, or not.”

“So she’s really staying in Misty Lake instead of going back to Chicago? Does she know what winter is like here?” Frank joked.

“I guess she’ll find out. I guess we’ll both find out.”

Jake and Sam walked down the street hand in hand. It was a warm, humid night and the far-off rumblings suggested a storm was on its way.

“It’s been quite a summer with all the heat and humidity. I really can’t remember one this bad,” Jake said.

“I’m glad I’m here to experience one for the record books.”

“I’m glad you’re here, too,” Jake said, stopping and turning Sam toward him. He leaned down and kissed her.

Sam felt light-headed as she closed her eyes and melted into Jake. Desire warred with reason. She ran her hands up his back and into his hair, pressing closer, and taking the kiss deeper.

Jake held Sam tighter, an involuntary groan starting somewhere in his throat escaped when she ran her hands over him. “Come home with me, Sam,” he breathed.

Sam turned her head and rested it on his shoulder, suddenly very much aware they were in the middle of Main Street. Her heart was pounding with Jake’s matching hers beat for beat.

“I can’t, Jake. I’m sorry. I…I’m just not ready.” She stepped back slightly, looking him in the eyes. “I’m sorry for…for making you think differently. I don’t know what to say. I don’t want to hurt you and it’s not that I don’t want to, I just can’t. I know that doesn’t make any sense but can you try to understand?”

She seemed desperate, Jake thought, and on the verge of tears. He reigned in his desire and held her, kissing the top of her head. “I understand, Sam. I really do. You have to know how much I want you but not until you’re sure.”

“Oh, Jake.” She buried her face in his shoulder and wondered when, or if, she’d ever feel normal again.

They started walking again, the booming thunder growing louder. “I’m driving you home,” Jake said. “The storm’s getting closer, I don’t want you out by yourself.”

“Don’t be silly. I can drive myself home. Besides, if you drive my car then you’ll be stuck out there without a car.”

“I’ll call Marc and have him swing by and pick me up. He’s on duty tonight and he should be out patrolling around the lake about now. Don’t argue, Sam,” he said firmly as she started to do just that.

They hadn’t discussed Jake’s investigation all evening but Sam brought up the subject on the drive home. “What’s your feeling on my case? Nothing has happened for a while, do you think it’s all over?”

Jake debated with himself on how to answer. He didn’t want to scare her but he didn’t want her to become complacent, either. “Honestly, I don’t think it’s over. I wish I did but it seems too easy. I’m inclined to believe Jimmy’s brother didn’t have anything to do with the vandalism, he just happened to show up in the middle of everything.”

Sam wanted to believe the opposite, that Blade was responsible, and that it was all over. “Well then, who?”

“I don’t know. We’ve broken up a few parties around the lake recently. We showed Tyler’s picture around, got a few people to admit to seeing him there a couple of times. If he was there and if Zach wasn’t, we still don’t have a good explanation for where Zach went.”

“He didn’t give you anything when you talked to him?”

“He hardly said a word. About all we got out of him was that he admitted to leaving with Tyler and that he had something he needed to do. He swore he wasn’t anywhere near your property but he wouldn’t tell us any more than that. He’s a tough kid. I get the feeling he needs help, wants, in a way, to ask for it, but won’t.”

“I wish he’d ask,” Sam said sadly.

“I wish I could feel completely confident that there was no way for Zach, or any of them, to get away from the camp undetected. There haven’t been any problems in the past that I’m aware of but I think that if one of them wants it badly enough, he, or she, will find a way to get around the security measures.”

Sam didn’t respond, just stared into the dark, lost in her thoughts.

“How did the week go with all of them? How is Jimmy doing?” Jake asked after a few minutes.

“Things were pretty normal. Jimmy was quieter than usual the first part of the week but he seems to be himself again.”

“Only a few more weeks and they’ll all be heading home.” Jake glanced at Sam to judge her reaction.

“I know,” she sighed. “In some ways it seems like the summer has gone by so quickly. Even with the problems, it’s been wonderful. I hope they’ve gotten at least half as much out of the program as I’ve gotten working with them.”