by Barbara Lohr
“You two stay away from the glass.” Still muttering, Cole began picking up the larger pieces. “This isn’t funny.”
“I’m not laughing,” Kate protested but when she met Natalie’s eyes, they both burst into giggles.
~~
Night falls in slow motion during a Michigan summer. That evening, Kate took a peanut butter and orange marmalade sandwich down to the beach and perched on the last railroad tie of the steps. Her favorite time of day. She stretched her long legs out. Some evenings, the lake could be crazy wild, slapping the shore with angry, gray waves. She never ventured into the water on nights like those. Tonight was peaceful, timid waves lapping the shore with quiet ripples. A green pail and one blue frisbee had been left on the sand. Didn’t bother her a bit that people had used their “private beach,” as some Gull Harbor owners referred to the strip in front of their house. People could get crazy trying to keep renters off their square of sand. Not the Kennedys. Her parents had always felt the beach was for everyone.
Kate licked one final blob of marmalade from her thumb and adjusted her sunglasses. The light could be blinding as the sun sank. Looking at the water restored her sense of calm. Might be a good time to introduce Gator to Lake Michigan. The boathouse smelled musty when she wrestled the kayak from the dim enclosure. Grabbing the tow handle on the stern, she dragged Gator to the water’s edge before running back for the life vest and lightweight paddle that had cost her a fortune.
How Brian had complained. Golf was his game. Better for developing business relationships. At least, that was his excuse for spending wildly on golf equipment.
After snapping the paddle together, Kate zipped up the vest. She pushed the kayak through the cool shallow water, jumped into the back seat, and grabbed the paddle. No need to drop the rudder on such a calm night. The rowing rhythm came back so naturally, right to left and back again. Took so much work to kayak in Boston. She bought the two-seater so Brian wouldn’t feel overlooked, but he never took to it. Her friend Lisa ended up going with her most of the time.
But here in Gull Harbor, she could just grab the boat and go. Settling back in the webbed seat, she chuckled at the gulls circling and diving for the last bites of dinner before settling in clusters along the shore. Today’s cookie fiasco at the main desk came back to her. The look on Cole’s face made her laugh until she had to set the paddle across her lap to wipe the tears from her eyes. How amazing. She’d never liked dogs.
Out past the sand bar, Kate turned north. The easy paddling settled her mind and she was glad she’d come home. The whine of a motor drifted over the water from a speedboat heading toward the Gull Harbor Marina. Was that where Cole kept his sailboat? Wasn’t that what he’d said that first day as she wrestled with Gator? He preferred sailing.
They’d all learned to water ski on this lake. Back then, Cole had cut quite a figure. He’d also been an idiot, spinning out way too close to boats, even trying to ski on his bare feet. Kate would crouch at the top of the stairs, spying on Mercedes and her friends. In their boat Sea Mischief, Jamie Pickard’s older brother Ryan would circle back again and again until Mercedes was on her feet. Kate’s sister would give that girlish squeal, as only Mercedes could. Sometimes Cole would be in the boat, tan as all get out, tall and skinny as a rail back then. Standing, he’d pull in the tow rope and spin it again like a lasso to the next person waiting on the sand bar.
She’d wanted it to be her, but that didn’t happen until she was a freshman.
Well, Cole’s skinny days were obviously over. Kate shivered as a cool night breeze whipped over the water. Time to turn around. All the way back, she battled the whitecaps that had come out of nowhere and thoughts of Cole Campbell that were just as disturbing.
Chapter 8
“Leave the umbrella on the porch. So it's raining. What do we care, right?” Sarah’s cheerful voice met Kate when she arrived for book club.
Shivering when rain gusted onto the porch, Kate plopped her Monet umbrella next to the porch swing and rushed inside, glad to be here. Her divorce papers had come. She signed them and took them right back to the post office. Now it was time to move on.
“What you need is some hot tea.” A warm hand on Kate’s back, Sarah guided her into the living room.
Light glowed from two stork neck lamps Kate recognized from their childhood. Stepping into this room was like entering a time machine. Sarah’s green plaid sofa and brown overstuffed chair were just as Kate remembered, maybe a little worse for wear.
“Glad to see you again, Kate.” Carolyn gave her a sweet smile from where she sat in the blue bean bag chair.
“We were afraid we’d scared you off.” Phoebe giggled.
“New hair color?” Kate could swear Phoebe’s curls had been blonde.
Phoebe primped her mauve hairdo. “Always. Stop in, Kate. I could do the same for you.”
“Maybe I will.” Kate sank onto the sofa next to Phoebe and fanned the pages of her book, yellowed at the edges “Do you believe I actually found a copy of ‘And Then There were None’ on my book shelf? Even has notes in the margins.”
“Short chapters. Lots of dialogue.” Light brown hair in a ponytail, Carolyn looked girlish. “I teach a class called The Novel for juniors and seniors. Some of my students aren’t great readers, but they like this book.”
How old was Carolyn, anyway? Since Kate was nearing thirty, she’d become sensitive about age. Had Carolyn ever been married? Was it hard to date in Gull Harbor?
She glanced around. “Where are Diana and Chili?”
“Oh, Diana had something to do first. Tea or coffee, Kate?” Sarah asked. “Chili should be here any minute. Kids, you know.”
No, Kate didn’t know. A hole opened in her heart. “Tea sounds great. Especially if it's decaffeinated.”
“I have a great peach tea. Very comforting on rainy nights.” When Sarah bustled back into the kitchen, Kate jumped up and followed her.
“Mom! Mom!” A little voice sounded at the top of the stairs. With his dad’s curly blond hair, Justin was terminally cute. “Nathan says he’s the boss! Tell him I’m boss.”
“No, Mom. I’m the boss, right?” Older Nathan fisted his hands on the hips of his dinosaur pajamas. He reminded Kate of Mercedes, smug in the role of first born.
Justin wasn’t having it. “No, me. Me.”
Sarah pumped one arm like Rosy the Riveter. “Boys, don't make me come up there!”
“Okay.” Nathan backed away, followed by his brother.
“Sarah, how do you handle all this?” They continued to the kitchen.
“You do what you have to do.” Sarah’s gaze drifted to the photos of Jamie on the refrigerator. Dressed in uniform, he had one foot on a tank and the other on his rifle. Kind of like their senior yearbook, only then his foot had been on a basketball. Fierce. Proud.
Pictures of their little boys with Jamie formed a patchwork on the harvest gold refrigerator. Dishes crowded the sink, but two pairs of tennis shoes sat neatly at the back door, jackets hung on hooks above. Smelling of tomato soup and grilled cheese, the cluttered room felt comfortable and very Sarah.
“Can I help you with anything?”
Sarah nodded to a box of pastries while she plopped a tea bag into a mug and poured the steaming water. “You could take those out and cut them in quarters. You know where the plates are. I never changed a thing after we took this house over from my folks. Boring, right?”
“Not to me.” With a knife, Kate sliced cheese crowns and sticky pecan rolls into quarters. An enticing wave of sugar made her stomach rumble. Often dinnertime came and went, but she just wasn’t hungry. She grabbed a hunk of pecan roll.
“Feel free to take more than one. Since just about everyone is on a diet, I cut the pastries into easy bites.”
“Works for me. I can’t believe I’ve gained three pounds since I got home.”
Home? Was Gull Harbor home now, not Boston?
“Kate, you needed a little extra weight,” Sarah chi
ded, handing her the mug.
The doorbell rang, and Carolyn called out. “I’ve got it, Sarah.”
The sound of Chili’s voice bubbled from the living room.
Sarah scooped the plate from the counter. “How is your mother doing?”
“She has a roommate now, which might help. Cole's mother-in-law.”
Sarah's eyebrows arched and she handed Kate a small stack of napkins. “Should be interesting.”
Kate smiled. “Oil and water, those two. At least, they used to be. Now? I don’t know. Anyway, I just want Mom to be able to come home.”
“Of course you do and that will happen.” Plenty of troubles of her own but Sarah’s eyes brimmed with compassion.
The two trailed back into the living room. “Hey, Chili.” Sarah slid the platter on to the coffee table, and Kate placed the napkins next to it, nudging the Fisher-Price toys to the side.
“Treats,” Phoebe crowed, reaching for a sticky bun.
“Calories. Let's get to it. I have class in the morning.” Carolyn slipped a pair of readers into place.
“First of all, I think the idea of a murder taking place on an island is downright scary.” Phoebe dove right in.
Carolyn smiled. “My students would agree.”
“And the guests get killed off, one by one,” Kate added. “Not exactly party perfect.”
“The more murder, the better.” Carolyn’s mouth twisted. “High school kids love it.”
“I only read half the book,” Chili admitted. “We’re crazy busy with plans for the vegetable stand. Where's Diana? Not coming?”
“Oh, she'll be here,” Sarah assured her. “Dinner date, you know.”
“No, I don't know,” Carolyn burst out with a little laugh. “Not in this town.”
“Is it tough being single in Gull Harbor?” Kate tried to keep her tone casual.
“Not exactly a mecca for single women.” Phoebe took another sip of her peach tea. “But I'm pretty new at this divorce thing.”
“Me too,” Kate said quietly, cupping her warm mug. But she didn't want this to become a pity party. “So, who's the first guest on the island to get knocked off?”
For a while they discussed the classic murder mystery. They were arguing about one of the “red herrings,” misleading clues, when the doorbell rang. Diana swirled through the front door in a wave of perfume. “Sorry I'm late.” The pretty blonde carried the excitement of a woman who'd been on a date as she shook the raindrops from her long hair.
“So, did you have fun?”
Trust Phoebe to get to the heart of the matter. Kate liked her candor. She pictured women gathering in Phoebe’s hair salon, talking about a lot more than hairstyles.
A secretive smile danced across Diana's lips as she sat on the floor, pulling her legs under her. “Yes, we did.”
“So who’s the lucky guy?” Phoebe closed in for the details.
The apples of her cheeks reddening, Diana never answered Phoebe’s question.
“We’re talking about how Agatha Christie builds suspense,” Carolyn began in her teacher-like voice. Had Diana even brought a copy?
“Oh, that.” Diana began to root around in her multicolored bag. “Thought I threw my reader in here somewhere.”
“Maybe you were preoccupied.” Phoebe’s eyes sparkled.
“Phoebe, you are a dickens.” Chili shook her head.
“Hey, I like the way Diana is building suspense a lot more than Agatha Christie's techniques.” Phoebe threw them a defensive look.
Everyone laughed but Diana kept her cool, obviously not a woman to be intimidated. “Finally she whipped out her reader. “That island bit. So scary.”
“So lonely.” The words were out before Kate could call them back.
“You can always work more hours in the library,” Sarah suggested, handing Diana a mug of tea.
Kate thought of Natalie, looking so lost in the stacks and wearing that blouse from her grandmother. “I enjoy the library, always have, but it’s pretty quiet. I might have to do more than that…”
“Sounds like you might be here for the summer?” Phoebe pressed her.
“Oh, please say yes.” Chili clapped her hands.
Gull Harbor felt safe for Kate right now. If she returned to Boston, she’d have to find an apartment in the summer heat. Since she hadn’t heard from many of their former friends, she figured they’d sided with Brian. Kate’s face heated up, remembering the silent disapproval.
Here, no one seemed to judge her. Books had closed, fingers tucked in to hold the place. Outside, a tree branch knocked against the gutters.
Chili tapped one finger against her full lips. “Ignacio is opening a vegetable stand. He's looking for workers.”
“Me too,” Sarah said, her voice matter-of-fact. “I'm thinking of hiring someone this summer myself, but I won't be able to pay that much.”
“I work in Clancy’s deli every summer,” Carolyn said in a quiet voice.
“Aren't you embarrassed to see your students in that store?” Diana looked totally horrified. “Everyone shops there.”
Carolyn waved the comment away. “My students all have summer jobs. Why shouldn’t I?”
“Any chance we can keep you here for the whole summer?” Chili turned to Kate.
She swirled her tea bag in her almost empty mug. “Looks like I’m going to be around. My mother can’t manage for herself yet, and Mercedes is busy with her company.”
“I’m excited we’ll have you a little longer.” Reaching over, Sarah gave her arm a squeeze. “Mercedes coming to visit soon?”
“Memorial Day.” Kate had a few issues to settle with her sister.
“Think about the vegetable stand.” Chili nibbled on a tiny cheese pastry. “Ignacio would love to have you there, and Cole is helping him set up shop.”
Excitement kicked up in Kate’s chest. “Where are people getting their flowers now that Joe Jackson's is closed?”
She’d been looking for some flowers for the house, but they hadn’t been easy to find. Jackson’s stand had closed to make way for more condos, but then the recession hit and that project was abandoned. Now the town had no vegetable or flower stand.
“Good question,” Diana said, scanning the circle. “I miss those fresh bouquets of snap dragons and bachelor buttons.”
Chili's eyes lit up. “Why don't you open a flower stall, Kate? You know, with us. People would have two reasons to stop.”
“Where are you planning to open your store?”
“Remember the Dairy Queen near St. Mary’s Church? Right across the highway, there’s an old cinderblock gas station. Cole’s going to help Ignacio convert that. How hard could it be to add a flower stall?”
“Please. Let’s not talk about Cole Campbell as if he’s the second coming, okay?” Diana raked long nails through her hair.
“But, Diana, he’s done so much for Gull Harbor.” Chili put her mug down.
“That’s your opinion, Chili. I’m glad he’s helping Ignacio with the stand, but he’s making other changes that, well, I’m not sure are in the best interest of Gull Harbor.”
Sarah’s chin was cradled in her hand. “Then you should come to the town meeting next Tuesday night. Speak up.”
“Already on my calendar.”
“Like what changes, Diana?” Kate cringed when she thought back to finding Cole on her mother’s property.
“Michiana Thyme. The buyer is Campbell Construction.” Diana’s face flushed, while Phoebe and Carolyn grew pale.
“Cole always has the good of the town at heart,” Sarah persisted. “You know that.”
“I think Cole Campbell always has Cole in mind.” Diana was not backing down.
“Oh, Diana.” Sarah gasped.
A cold hand squeezed Kate’s heart. Was this sour grapes or did Diana know something?
Diana grimaced. “Word is that he’s going to tear down the buildings. There are three lots in a row you know. That was a big shop. People say he wants to put
up a hotel.”
The only sound was the howling wind outside and the clink of Carolyn’s spoon as she stirred more sugar into her mug.
“That will radically change the look of the town.” Kate’s eyes circled the group.
“But a hotel might bring more people to Whittaker Street. More foot traffic.” Sarah always saw the glass half full. The others didn’t look convinced.
The thought of a hotel looming over the street sent nausea swirling through Kate’s stomach. “Might accommodate more summer people. Those who haven’t bought the condos and want to sleep off the boat for a couple of nights.”
“Yeah, the summer people will be here soon.” Sarah's eyes gleamed with anticipation. Her bakery business picked up when the tourists arrived.
“Summer people need a reason to come into town, and that means shops.” Diana took a sip of her tea. “We don’t need a small hotel that will have trouble filling rooms every winter. We need reasons to explore, shop and spend.”
Determination throbbed in Kate’s temples as she drove back to Breezy Point that night. She hadn’t come home to have the Gull Harbor she knew and loved disappear before her eyes.
Debate points were lining up in her head. And this time, Kate and Cole wouldn’t be on the same team.
Chapter 9
After the bus picked up Natalie, Cole grabbed a mug of coffee and was out the door. He was late. Priscilla jumped into the pickup next to him. “Be a good girl, you hear? No more cookie capers.”
Priscilla’s forehead wrinkled. What? Me, Cole? Then she returned to licking her paw. Poor neurotic dog. Prissy had been Cole’s attempt at filling the hole left when Samantha left. Votes still weren’t in on how that had worked out.
Moisture beaded the windshield, and he turned on the wipers. Man, summer couldn't come soon enough. So many projects but he had the best crews in the area. Recently he’d brought Kevin Corbin on board to help out as a project manager. Marie’s broken hip had left him without a babysitter. Always something.
He downed another slug of coffee and cracked open his window. About time it smelled like spring. White dogwoods had started to bloom behind his house. Samantha used to float them in a shallow green bowl they’d picked up at a gas station.
