She still seemed hurt, but now some of the hurt was replaced by the all-familiar fighting spirit. “I look at it this way. Having family here means if I make a mistake or two I won’t have disappointed guests leaving bad reviews on my website. With family, I’d like to think I’d be allowed a misstep without ramifications. What better way to test everything out?”
“Who’s going to do all the work? You’re the maid of honor. I would guess there are some things in that job description that will require your attention.”
“True, but I’ve already thought about that. Obviously I’ll need to hire some help here, someone who knows the hotel business, who knows her way around a kitchen, and who’s good with people. I talked to my friend Cassie when I was back in Chicago. She’s interested. I think.”
Again, her ability to look forward and plan left him impressed. “You’ve already talked to someone about working for you?”
“Sure. Cassie is amazing, I need her here so I’m not going to wait around too long. She has experience working at both small and large hotels. She more or less ran a resort for a couple of years where she did everything from working in the kitchen to tracking and ordering inventory to planning guest activities to cleaning rooms. She’s still at the Billingsley right now and hates it as much, or more, than I did. She’s admitted she wants out, I just have to convince her Misty Lake is the right place for her.”
“That might not be so easy if she’s used to Chicago.”
“Oh, I know, but I’m persuasive,” Susan grinned.
“That, I’ll give you. But back to my original argument. There will be bugs to work out during your first run at hosting an event. Is Sam going to be okay with that? It’s her wedding, after all.”
“Sam’s pretty easy going, but I don’t plan on taking advantage of that. I’ll have everything running smoothly, you’ll see.”
He wanted to argue more, to get her to see she was putting too much pressure on herself, but could tell she wasn’t going to back down. Maybe Sam would have something to say about her plans. Deciding to change the subject to something he knew would catch her interest he said, “Frank didn’t have any luck finding old pictures of this place. He looked through his files from when he did the research for the town’s anniversary celebration and also checked out a few other sources. Sorry, I know you were hoping for some photos.”
“He did all that? That’s so sweet of him. Too bad he couldn’t find anything, though. I read through the journal and am more curious than ever. I haven’t had a chance to tell you everything I learned.” Her eyes were sparkling and thoughts of wedding receptions were forgotten for the moment.
“Did he turn out to be a bank robber or something equally as exciting?”
Susan gave him a condescending look and a tsk before continuing. “No, it would seem our Charlie Walker was a pretty normal teenager. He wrote about life on the farm, about school, and about his girlfriend Rosemary. It sounded like they were so much in love. There were entries about their dates, about sharing ice cream at the church picnic, and about his plans to save up enough money to marry her after she graduated from high school. Then the entries just stop until one last entry scribbled in the back of the book where he talks of leaving Misty Lake and moving to California with his new wife Martha. There’s no date so I don’t know how much time passed, but somehow it seemed it was months rather than years. The entry is short but so sad. I could tell he was heartbroken. He wrote about how he hated leaving everything behind. I know it was more than his home and the town, I know he was thinking of Rosemary, although there’s no mention of her by name. I wonder what happened?”
“I don’t know. I guess people can fall in and out of love. Maybe Rosemary found someone else.”
Susan shook her head. “I didn’t get that feeling. I don’t suppose I’ll ever know what really happened, but it seems like there’s more to the story. The fact that he left the journal behind is telling, too, I think. Something must have happened that left him changed somehow and not wanting to document his life any longer. Almost like he was starting over but not necessarily in a good way.”
“Or maybe you’re just reading too much into it?”
Susan snorted. “Men. You’re all hopeless.”
Riley laughed. Gusto chose that moment to decide it was time to go outside and began racing from Riley and Susan to the door. Obliging, the two followed the rambunctious dog out into the yard and watched as he chased leaves in the waning daylight.
“I guess I need to be careful what I wish for, it’s freezing out here.” Susan pulled her jacket tighter around her neck. The wind was strong off the lake and was forcing loose many of the leaves still clinging to the trees, sending them twirling through the air.
Riley watched as the wind took hold of Susan’s hair and lifted it, swirling it wildly, like golden flames unable to settle in one spot. As she chased the puppy around the yard, the color rose in her cheeks and her eyes danced. She gathered leaves into a pile and tossed them in the air for Gusto to chase. Riley simply couldn’t resist. Sneaking up behind her, he grabbed her by the waist and dumped her in the leaves. Susan squealed as she went tumbling, coming to rest on top of Riley in the pile of leaves.
She pulled leaves from her hair and sputtered, “What, may I ask, did I do to deserve that?”
“Nothing in particular. It just seemed like it needed to be done.”
She couldn’t hide her grin. “Just needed to be done. I see. Keep that in mind if you happen to find yourself suddenly going for an unplanned swim or, better yet, face down in a snow bank.” She held up her arm as the first few snowflakes settled on her jacket sleeve.
“I’d like to see you try.”
“Oh, you’ll do more than see me try, McCabe,” she warned. Then, curious, she asked, “Does it always snow here before November? Seems like that would make for an awfully long winter.”
“Not always, but often. And yes, winter can be long. Very long. But there are good things about winter in Misty Lake. Ever been ice fishing?”
“Can’t say as though I have. It sounds horrible.”
“Actually, you’d be surprised. A nice fish house, some music, a stocked cooler, and a good stove? Magic. If the fish are biting it’s a bonus.”
“Hmmm. That’s all you’ve got? Ice fishing?”
“No, there’s snowmobiling, cross country skiing, snow shoeing, pond hockey, broomball…the options are endless.”
“I think you’ve lived here too long.”
“You’ll see. Besides, you’re going to have to believe in all the fun Misty Lake has to offer in the winter if you expect to attract guests year round.”
“I guess you’re right about that.” Then, getting a devilish look in her eyes, she added, “Well, then this is probably a good time to tell you about that page in my notebook I didn’t show you at The Brick.”
Riley drew back and said, “Now wait a minute, I specifically asked and you promised me you showed me everything.”
Susan fought mightily to keep the smile off her face and said timidly, “Just one page, at the back, that I was afraid to show you.” Riley’s eyes darkened as he sat up straighter. “It was just the page I called ‘Riley teaches Susan how to love winter in Misty Lake.’” With that, she scooped up a pile of leaves, tossed them in his face, and was off like a shot before he could fully grasp that she’d only been yanking his chain.
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 to
wards 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?”
The Inn at Misty Lake: Book Two in the Misty Lake Series Page 7
