River's Song - The Inn at Shining Waters Series (18 page)

To Anna's surprise, Clark managed to get a fence up before dinner the following day. She walked around admiring his workmanship of solid posts and wire fencing going all around the perimeter of her garden. "How did you do this?" she asked as they walked back to the house.

"I've gotten rather good at snooping around the property and finding materials and things. As you can see the wire is a bit rusty. It was nearly buried in the outbuilding by the meadow, and the poles were piled out in the back. I suspect your father got it quite some time ago."

"Well, you are like a real pioneer," she told him. "You have no idea how much I appreciate it, but I do hope I'll be able to cover the bill. Perhaps you'll consider allowing me to make installment payments."

"And then I'd have to have you bill me for lodging and food." He smiled. "Don't you see this is like a working vacation for me? And getting to spend time with my mother like this has been worth a lot."

"Still, I'm sure I owe you—"

"Let's not talk about that." He pointed over to the dock now." I'm curious if that boat is operable."

She sighed, shoving her hands into her jeans pockets. "Not at the moment. I keep meaning to ask Henry to take a look at the motor. But there's just been so much to do."

"Do you mind if I take a look?"

"Not at all."

"I noticed you went out fishing this morning."

"Yes. But without luck. Not that I'm giving up."

"Well, I got a little envious. I was wishing I could go too. I thought if that boat was running, I might try my luck."

She waved her hand. "You are welcome to it." Excusing herself, she explained she needed to get back to the house to work on dinner.

"Mind if I join you?"

She tried not to look surprised. "Not at all."

As they went into the house, he told her that he'd made a rough drawing of a bathhouse. "I'm trying to come up with an economical but functional plan," he explained as he followed her into the kitchen.

"That's nice," she said a bit stiffly as she washed her hands.

"I want to talk to you about that too."

"I know . . . I know . . . you're worried about the money." She simply nodded as she dried her hands then reached for an apron.

She looked at him. "I thought you said you didn't want to talk about money."

"I don't want to talk about you owing me money," he clarified." But what if someone owed you money?"

She gave him a skeptical look as she checked the pot on the stove, turning the flame up just a bit. Since today had been cloudy and cool, she had decided to make stew, or what Babette would call beef bourguignonne. She was even using the bit of Babette's leftover Burgundy from last night to flavor the broth.

"Hear me out," he said as he pulled out the kitchen stool and sat down. So while she attended to dinner, he explained his plan to go to Pine Ridge and speak to the attorney about what Anna might possibly have coming to her. She couldn't quite believe her ears, but she felt a tiny bit of encouragement to think that someone wanted to look out for her financial interests—that is, if she had any.

"I'd hate to waste your time," she told him as she sliced into a loaf of bread that she'd made earlier.

"I feel fairly certain that it won't be a waste of anyone's time," he assured her.

"What makes you so certain?"

"Remember, I did graduate with a law degree," he reminded her.

"Yes . . ." She nodded as she began to set the table.

"And I was in the service. I learned a bit about the benefits and insurance plans that were available to war widows."

"But I wasn't a war widow."

"Not technically. But I still think you have a case to make."

"You know I can't pay you for your service," she told him.

He held up his hands. "I expect no payment."

"And how can I let you do this for free? Already, you've done so much for me. I know I'll never be able to repay you and—"

"There you go again," he said.

"Put yourself in my place."

"OK. If you'll put yourself in mine."

She frowned.

"I've had a great time being out here on the river, Anna. It's been like . . . I can't even explain it . . . like a healing experience."

She stopped setting the table, looking curiously at him." Really?"

He nodded. "Really."

"It's like that for me too."

"And for my mother." He sighed. "How do you put a price on that?"

"I don't know." She set another plate down.

"If it will make you feel better, we can keep an account. I'll charge you for my work to be paid by free stays at your inn."

"Really?"

"Absolutely. It would be a completely fair trade." He chuckled." Probably more than fair because I suspect your inn will grow in value after a few years. So, really, I'll be making a pretty good deal."

She stuck out her hand now. "You want to shake on that?"

He grinned and reached for her hand. "You bet I do!"

As they were shaking hands, Hazel walked in. At first she looked surprised but then she simply laughed. "Caught you two, didn't I?"

Embarrassed, Anna pulled her hand away and Clark quickly explained their little deal. Then he went on to tell his mother about his plan to see if Anna might have more funds coming to her.

"Yes," Hazel said eagerly. "I have been wondering about the very same thing myself. How is it possible that her widow's pension and everything could've possibly been used up?"

"The problem is that I'll need Anna to come to Pine Ridge with me," he told Hazel as Anna ladled out the stew.

"Why is that a problem?" Hazel asked.

"You'd be here alone."

"Oh, pish posh, that's not a problem."

"Wait a minute." Anna set their bowls on the table. "What are you saying, Clark?"

"That you'll need to come and talk to the lawyer too. I'm sure he'll have lots of questions and—"

"But I can't just up and leave this place,"Anna told him.

"Of course, you can," Hazel assured her. "I'll be here to see to things. If there's anything that needs seeing to."

"But who will get your meals and—"

"I will get my own meals." Hazel waved toward the kitchen." I know how to cook. And maybe Babette will come over and join me for dinner and—"

"But you are my guest,"Anna protested. "I can't just abandon you."

"We are talking about your life," Hazel said firmly, "And your livelihood. I insist you do as Clark is recommending. Go to Pine Ridge and straighten things out, Anna. Good grief, what if you are entitled to money? What if your mother-in-law has been deceiving you somehow? Do you want to simply sit back and allow her to take everything? And what about your daughter? Don't you owe it to her to look into these things?"

Anna set down her own bowl of stew. "Now that you put it that way, I suppose you're right."

"Of course, I'm right."

So it was settled. On Monday, Clark would call the attorney at Pine Ridge first thing in the morning and make an appointment to discuss Anna's financial affairs.

"Oh, I'm so thrilled," Hazel said. "It's almost as if you are practicing law, Clark."

"I'm not practicing law, Mother. I don't have a license to do that. I'm simply assisting a friend."

"Well, yes. I understand that. But it is exciting just the same."

On the following Monday Clark and Anna put their bags in the back of his pickup and set out for Pine Ridge. Feeling nervous about seeing Lauren and Eunice again, Anna had dressed in her best suit. It felt strange to wear hosiery and good shoes again and she could tell that Clark was looking at her curiously." You look nice," he'd said as he helped her into the pickup.

"Thank you," she'd replied a bit crisply.

"But just for the record, I think you always look nice." He grinned and started the engine.

She made nervous small talk as Clark drove them down the bumpy back road to the main highway. She wanted to appear relaxed and comfortable, but all she could think about was how her mother-in-law would probably intervene in their meeting. She could imagine Eunice swooping in, talking fast, and convincing everyone, including Clark, that Anna was a half-wit who didn't know up from down. "Hasn't she told you that I've taken care of everything for her?" Eunice would declare in an aggrieved tone. "Hasn't she explained that I've given her a beautiful place to live, food to eat, fine clothes to wear, that I've provided generously for every possible need for both her and her daughter? And now she expects something more from me? How ungrateful!" Then Anna would want to slip out the door with tail between her legs and run.

"I'm worried I've painted the wrong picture of my motherin-law,"Anna began uneasily.

"How so?"

"Well, I may have made her seem like an evil, selfish, witchlike sort of woman."

Clark laughed.

"And now I'm concerned you'll meet her and think that I've been unfair."

"Why would I think that?"

"Because my mother-in-law is very smooth,"Anna explained." She is well spoken, well groomed, and well liked in the community. She is used to getting her way, but she does it in such a way that no one really seems to notice."

Clark nodded. "I'm well acquainted with people like that."

"Oh." Anna looked down at her hands in her lap now. She had on a pair of summer weight gloves, something Eunice would approve of, but they felt constrictive and uncomfortable and, feeling aggravated at herself for wearing them, she peeled them off, tucked them in her handbag.

"A lot of people couldn't understand why my marriage failed," Clark said quietly.

Anna turned to look at him. His eyes were directly forward, looking intently at the rough road ahead. He had an attractive profile, high forehead, straight nose, strong chin. She felt it was the sort of face she could enjoy looking at from all angles and that it would probably remain handsome into old age.

"Your description of your mother-in-law reminds me a bit of my ex-wife."

"Oh?"

He nodded, adjusting his grip on the steering wheel." Roselyn was very smooth too. She still is. And like your mother-in-law she's a smooth talker too. And trust me. No one is quite as stylish as my ex-wife. All her friends, and she has plenty of them, say so." He made a sad smile. "I'm sure we looked a bit mismatched at times."

Anna didn't know how to respond to that.

"Even so, people were surprised when Roselyn left me. I'm sure many of them reached their own conclusions. And I've never been particularly concerned, but I suspect that based on appearances, I look to be the reason our marriage fell apart." He sighed.

"Your mother told me a bit about it, Clark. I hope you don't mind."

He shrugged. "No, not at all. It's not something I enjoy rehashing. But what you said about your mother-in-law . . .well, it struck a familiar chord with me. Roselyn was an expert on keeping up appearances when others were looking. But when it was just her and me and Marshall, well, she let her hair down so to speak."

Anna nodded. She could imagine. "That does sound like Eunice."

"So I just want you to know I understand. And I know better than to go by outward appearances."

She sighed in relief. "Thanks for telling me that."

Now, and perhaps to change the subject, Clark told her about his childhood and young adulthood, sharing some interesting tales of wild youth and crazy experiences. He even told her about the time he'd built a tree fort in the backyard and, wanting all the comforts of home he'd "installed a toilet," which was simply an old toilet seat attached to an apple crate with a hole through the floorboards. "I'd yell 'look out below' whenever it was in use," he told her between chuckles. "I suppose that was my training to become a bombardier." They both laughed so hard that Anna had tears in her eyes. Not only did Clark's antics prove a good distraction from her worries, his stories helped to pass the time. And it seemed like the fourhour trip passed quite quickly.

"Our appointment with Mr. Miller isn't until three o'clock," Clark informed her as he drove into town.

Anna was staring at the businesses along Main Street as if she were a stranger, feeling as if she'd been gone for years instead of just a few weeks. Her throat felt dry and she was nervously twisting the handle of her handbag. Was this all a mistake?

"So I thought perhaps we could get some lunch. Do you have any recommendations?"

She couldn't help laughing. "You may not believe this, but the last time I ate in town was before the war."

"Then I'd say it's about time you gave it another try." He pointed to the Checkerboard Café. "What do you think about that place?"

"I'm sure it's perfectly fine." As he parked, she looked around to see if there was anyone she recognized nearby. Not that she knew so many people in this town. Although she did know Lauren's and Eunice's friends—only by name and from waiting on them at the house. The truth was, Anna had very few friends of her own.

"May I tell you something," she asked suddenly, "before we get out?"

"Certainly." He turned off the engine then looked at her.

"This is difficult to say." She took in a deep breath. "But my mother-in-law didn't approve of me, probably for many reasons, but also because of my—my Indian heritage."