The Inn at Misty Lake: Book Two in the Misty Lake Series (8 page)

9

Riley worked later than he had planned and Susan hung around helping when she could, but mostly trying to stay out of the way. She enjoyed watching the progress and was intrigued by the work that took the ideas she had envisioned and brought them to life. She asked a lot of questions of Riley and, to his credit, he was patient and explained the process in as much detail as she seemed to want. Sometimes he needed a hand holding something in place and she was more than willing to help. When he let her operate the nail gun and help erect a section of wall, she was thrilled.

Eventually, he began packing up and, taking a look at the time, started moving quicker.

“I thought maybe we could go grab something to eat,” Susan said.

“Sorry, I don’t have time tonight. I need to be somewhere.”

“Oh.” She wanted to ask where, whether he had a date, but decided it was really none of her business. She watched him for clues, to see if his eyes would give anything away, but he kept his back to her.

“Actually, I have a hockey game.”

Not at all what she had expected to hear, it was relief that hit her first followed quickly by curiosity. She’d have to give the feeling of relief some more thought later but for now, curiosity won out. “A hockey game? You mean you’re playing in a hockey game? Or you’re going to watch a hockey game?”

“I’m playing. Frank and I play in a men’s league, we have for years, tonight’s our first game of the season.”

“Ooh.” The idea of watching Riley play hockey fascinated her, something else she’d have to think about later, and she thought back to the articles she’d seen on the wall at his house. “Where do you play?”

“There’s a rink next to the high school. Usually we get stuck with the latest ice times, but somehow we got a pretty decent one tonight. I wasn’t really watching the time so I need to get moving if I’m going to be able to grab a sandwich and not be late.”

Susan watched him hurry to straighten up, no doubt wanting everything in order for the morning. He didn’t seem anxious to invite her along to watch and she vacillated between inviting herself and hoping he would do it. In the end, she figured waiting for a man to read her feelings was an exercise in futility so she asked, “Do you ever have an audience? I’d love to watch the dynamic duo in action.”

Riley struggled with how to answer. The only women who came to watch were wives or serious girlfriends. And even then, not often. He knew that if he brought Susan along he’d face a barrage of questions as well as heckling from the team. He wasn’t sure he was ready, or willing, to deal with it. But when he saw her waiting hopefully for his answer, he knew there was only one he could give her. “Sure, you can come watch if you want. I can’t promise great hockey, but you’re welcome to come along.”

Susan gave a little clap and beamed. “Wonderful. How about if I meet you there? I’ll drop off Gusto, grab a warmer jacket, and head over.”

“Okay, Red, game’s at eight.” With that, he headed out and mentally prepared for the thrashing he knew he’d face once the guys spotted Susan in the stands.

“You should have seen them,” Susan raved, “they were unstoppable.” She and Sam were in their pajamas, each curled up in front of the fire with a glass of wine and a blanket, their dogs dozing at their feet. “It was like they always knew where the other one was without even looking.”

Sam smiled. Susan had been telling her about Riley’s three goals off Frank’s three assists since she came home. “I’ll have to come watch some time.”

“I don’t know, I got the feeling they aren’t used to an audience. I think Riley took quite a bit of heat for letting me tag along.” She shrugged. “Whatever. I’m glad I went, but I took the hint when Riley said the team was going out for a beer and he
supposed
I could come along if I really wanted.”

“Subtle,” Sam said. “I guess they need their guy time.”

Susan brushed it aside. “Sure, I get it. Riley said it was their first game this season, I’m sure there was catching up to do.”

They talked a bit longer about the hockey game with Sam asking questions at the appropriate times before changing the subject. “Tomorrow’s Halloween. I don’t expect there will be any kids here so I’m going to Jake’s to hand out candy with him. Do you have plans or do you want to come along?”

“I hadn’t really thought about it. Time is going so quickly. If I had stayed in Chicago I’d have already planned out the holiday decorations at the Billingsley and instead I didn’t even realize that tomorrow is Halloween. A different way of life, that’s for sure.”

“But better, don’t you think?”

“Definitely better. You know, I thought I’d be homesick and that I’d miss the excitement of the city, but I don’t. Not at all. I love staying busy with the work at the B&B, working at It’s a Lake Thing is so fun it hardly seems like a job some days, and this fellow,” she gave Gusto a little nudge with her toe, “keeps me hopping. I’m happier than I’ve been in a long time.”

“How much of that has to do with one Riley McCabe?” Sam asked.

Automatically, Susan opened her mouth to deny Sam’s insinuations but then closed it. She couldn’t fool her cousin any more than she could fool herself. Probably less so. “I’ve been trying to figure that out. Tonight I asked him if he wanted to go get something to eat when he finished working and when he told me he had plans, this weird feeling hit me. I’m not sure if it was jealousy, hurt, or just plain curiosity, but whatever it was, it wasn’t something I’ve felt before and I didn’t know what to do with it.”

Sam nodded knowingly. “I think it’s called love, sweetie.”

“Oh, I don’t think so, I hardly know him and mostly we drive each other crazy.”

“There’s no set time frame, these things just have a way of happening.”

“Listen to you, all of a sudden you’re an expert? I seem to remember just a few months ago I was trying to get you to believe you were in love with Jake and you were denying it.”

“See? My point exactly. These things have a way of just happening whether we’re ready for it or not.”

Susan turned and watched the snow fall. She definitely had some things to think about.

10

The autumn that had taken its sweet time arriving in Misty Lake chose not to stick around for long. Winter took a firm grasp and showed no signs of letting go. As Thanksgiving approached, the snow piled up and the temperature dropped. Thankfully the roof was completed and enough electrical and plumbing work done that the house was relatively comfortable in spite of the weather. Progress moved quickly and there were changes every time Susan stopped by. She had started narrowing her choices on appliances, linens, and stain colors. The whole process was more real with every passing day.

Susan had kept in touch with Cassie and felt like she was getting closer to convincing her to make the move. According to Cassie, Stephen Billingsley had become even more impossible and Cassie had to force herself to go to work each day. Susan was confident it wouldn’t be long before Cassie at least agreed to come and check out Misty Lake.

Susan’s family arrived the day before Thanksgiving and, with the exception of Kyle who had seen Sam’s home the previous summer, were all amazed and somewhat dumbfounded at the place William Taylor had built without letting any of them in on the secret. There was a great deal of reminiscing about times spent on Misty Lake. At that time, there was nothing more than a small cabin on the lot but, for the joy it brought, it could have been ten times the size of the home now occupying the spot. Susan could tell Sam enjoyed the trip down memory lane and, unlike it would have done just months ago, it brought her much more happiness than pain and sadness. She watched as Sam leaned into Jake and smiled, relaxed and in love, and free from the nightmares that had haunted her for so long.

Thanksgiving. The house was full of people, laughter, and food, exactly as it should be, Riley thought as he took in the crowd around him. Dinner was over, the dishes washed, the television tuned to football, and every available seat filled. He made his way across the room to Susan who was standing slightly outside the group, seemingly taking in the surroundings much as he had been doing. As he approached, she waved her arm to encompass the room.

“Didn’t I tell you? Exactly as I predicted.”

Riley had been thinking the same thing. The men, with the exception of Joe and Brad, were all glued to the football game and had begun a friendly argument over their Super Bowl predictions. A laugh broke out from the corner of the room and he turned to see Karen and Mia with their hands on one another’s baby bumps. Nodding towards the women he said to Susan, “You were right about those two, that’s for sure. They’ve hardly talked to anyone else.”

“They have a lot to discuss. First baby for each of them, I’m sure it’s comforting to talk with someone who’s in the same position.” She lowered her voice. “And even though they both refused to tell their baby’s gender or give any hint as to names they’re considering, I’m pretty sure they told each other.”

Riley gave her a doubtful look. “I don’t know, they were both pretty adamant during dinner. Shauna tried every trick in the book to get them to spill the beans.”

“They told each other, I can tell. Some kind of pregnant woman bond of secrecy, I suppose.” Then, pointing subtly to Joe and Brad who were standing as far away from the rest of the group as possible, she said, “Look at those two. Sometimes I think they seem a little more relaxed then it’s as if one brings up something the other hadn’t thought of yet and panic sets in again.”

Riley watched as the fathers-to-be both sipped nervously on their drinks, glanced over at their wives, then lowered their heads together again, apparently discussing some newly realized terror. Riley laughed when Joe’s head jerked up, his eyes wide as he looked over at Karen and Mia, then ran a hand through his hair and tipped his glass to his lips only to realize there was nothing left but ice. He snagged Brad’s glass and headed to the bar.

“Our moms are in the kitchen with Sam looking at catalogs and talking wedding plans.” Susan gave Riley a satisfied grin and repeated, “Exactly as I predicted.”

“Speaking of wedding plans, I thought you were going to bring up the reception. Aren’t you worried they’re making plans for it right now?”

“Soon.” She glanced at the television. “Actually, just a few minutes now. Halftime, when I have everyone’s attention.”

“I hope you know what you’re doing.”

“I always do.”

Riley gave her a skeptical look but refrained from commenting. Instead he pointed to a sunny spot in front of the windows where his great aunts Kate and Rose had made themselves comfortable. “Maybe we should give Shauna a break.”

“You’re probably right.”

Shauna had been sitting with the women, attempting to keep up with their stories and serving as waitress, refilling their drinks when requested. She looked up gratefully when Susan and Riley approached and made a speedy exit.

“Did you enjoy the dinner?” Riley asked as he and Susan sat down.

“It was nice, dear,” Rose answered, then turning to her sister said, “A turkey dinner is never quite the same without Mother’s stuffing though, don’t you agree?”

“I know how to make Mother’s stuffing, you just won’t admit that it’s just as good.”

“There’s something different when you make it, I’ve told you that countless times.”

“It’s exactly the same, Rose, you just don’t remember what Mother’s tasted like.”

“Of course I remember what Mother’s tasted like!”

“It’s been almost forty years.”

“I remember it, Kathryn,” Rose said slowly and forcefully, eyeing her sister as if daring her to contradict her again.

Riley spoke up, not wanting to have to mediate an argument between the two. “Susan found some recipes at the old house she bought.”

“What’s that, dear?” Kate asked looking at Riley as if trying to figure out when he had arrived.

“I was just saying that Susan found some recipes and some other things left behind at the house she bought. Remember I told you I’m working there doing the remodel?”

“That’s right, you said you have a big job ahead of you.” Kate turned to Susan and asked, “Now, where is that house? Is it on the lake?”

“Yes, not too far from here. It used to be a farm. The house is big and there’s a barn, as well. I have plans to turn it—”

“Rosie, do you remember that big house that used to sit on the corner of Main Street? What was the family’s name?”

“Do you mean the Meachams?”

“That’s it. Oh, remember that nasty Doris Meacham? She thought she was so much better than the rest of us with her shiny shoes and her silk hair ribbons.”

“I remember the time you pushed her in the mud puddle after school and she ran all the way home crying. When her mother came marching up to our door I thought for sure you were going to get whooped,” Rose laughed at the memory.

“I’ll never forget how Mother told Mrs. Meacham that if she would teach her daughter some manners maybe things like that wouldn’t happen.” Kate gave a hoot and slapped her hand to her leg. “Mother was strict but she didn’t let anyone take advantage of us, no matter how much money they had.”

“And mother made the best turkey stuffing,” Rose mumbled.

Riley intervened before Kate could respond. “Maybe you remember who used to live in the house that Susan bought. She’s curious about the family that lived there.”

“What house is that, dear?” Kate asked Riley.

Patiently Riley replied, “Susan bought an old farmhouse on the lake, I think it’s the last farmhouse still standing out here. It’s just a couple of miles west. Do you know who used to live there?”

“I found an old journal,” Susan added. “It made me curious about the history of the place. The boy who wrote the journal was named Charlie Walker. Does that sound familiar?”

Rose seemed to tense and Kate looked down at her hands clasped tightly in her lap before looking back up at her sister. “I don’t recognize that name,” she said quickly.

“How about you, Aunt Rose, do you remember anyone with that name?”

Rose stared straight ahead then said, “I wonder whatever happened to that Doris Meacham? She probably ended up marrying some rich man who bought her everything she could ever want. But I’ll bet she’s never been happy a day in her life.”

Susan gave Riley a questioning look but before either could ask anything else, Rose pushed slowly to her feet. “Excuse me for a moment, won’t you?”

“Sometimes Rosie gets mixed up,” Kate said forcing a laugh. “Be a dear and refill our drinks, Riley. That will give me a chance to tell Susan about the time your mother was under the weather and I took you to the dentist.” Turning to Susan she continued, “He got mad at me and threatened to jump out of the car. He fiddled with the door handle long enough that it finally opened and he fell right out while we were moving.” Kate continued telling her story, but kept an eye on her sister as she slowly made her way across the room.  

Susan wanted to ask more questions about her house but just as Riley returned with fresh drinks, the group watching football started moving from their spots, stretching, and some heading to the kitchen in search of leftovers. It was halftime and Susan was the halftime act.