by Nancy Pirri
“Now remember, you’re invited to come for the holidays when everyone’s home. No excuses. And bring your mom and her husband.”
Leif nodded. “I will.” He smiled and added, “We’re all looking forward to it.”
Facing his uncle, Leif realized they were the same height because he looked him straight in the eye. Feeling awkward, Leif stuck out his hand, even though he wanted to hug his uncle. But his uncle had no qualms about taking Leif’s hand and dragging him into his arms. A prolonged hug, then a slap on the back and their visit ended, though Leif wanted to stay longer. But he needed to get back to Gateway to see Cassie.
~ * ~
As he flew his seaplane northeast, heading for Crane Lake, he smiled at the thought of being holed up over the winter months with basically only Cassie for company. They’d cocoon together beneath warm woolen blankets and make love in front of a roaring fire.
Suddenly, Cassie appeared in his mind, pregnant and beautiful and happy. He frowned. Maybe this was a sign that he was ready for parenthood. Or, maybe it was a vision of things to come. The thought of being a father made him feel sick to his stomach. He didn’t know how to be a father! He’d never had one of his own. But then he thought about Roy, his surrogate father, and their years together. What in the hell was he thinking? He’d had the best role model father for fourteen years of his life.
His heart pounded with excitement when he saw Crane Lake up ahead, and then Gateway appeared, nestled within the tall white pines. Home. He’d missed the place, and Cassie.
As soon as he landed and the seaplane floated to a stop, bumping against the dock, he slid from his seat. It was nine in the morning and things were quiet, as it usually was this time of the day. He paused on the dock, hands on hips, smiling, waiting for Cassie to come running out. When she didn’t he frowned, thinking it unusual since she always was there to greet him.
He ran down the dock and up the steps, bag in hand, shouting, “Cassie! Hey, Cassie-girl! I’m back.”
He entered Gateway, slammed the door shut behind him and dropped his bag on the floor. He strode around the counter and headed down the hallway to the living quarters. Pausing in front of Cassie’s door he knocked but received no answer. He opened the door and stood in the opening. The bed had been neatly made and it appeared as though no one was using the room. With two long steps he reached the small closet, turned the knob and yanked open the door. He got butterflies in his stomach when he saw the closet was empty, devoid of all of Cassie’s pretty city-woman clothes.
Shep started barking out back so he headed back down the hallway. Maxie came in carrying the trash basket, looking down at the stairs. When she looked up at him, she gasped in surprise.
“Heaven’s, son. You scared the daylights out of me! How’s your ma?”
He held the door open and she passed by him. “Ma’s fine. Where’s Cassie?”
Maxie turned and frowned at him. “Didn’t she call you this morning?”
Leif shook his head, and then that pounding heart thing started again. “Why was she supposed to call me?”
“To tell you she was going back to Chicago, that’s why. I had a feeling she’d chicken out.”
“I didn’t hear a word from her,” Leif growled as he followed Maxie toward the front of the store. “Why in the hell did she leave?”
Maxie removed her coat and hung it on the hook beside the counter. “‘Cause she said you won Gateway fair and square.”
“What!”
“Wasn’t that the bargain you made with her? You know, Leif, you are a foolish man. To let a treasure of a woman like her slip away is something you’ll regret for the rest of your life.”
Leif went on the defensive. “She had big plans for Gateway that I didn’t want any part of. Roy wouldn’t have wanted the changes.” He bent down to the small refrigerator beneath the counter, pulled out a beer and popped the tab. “She didn’t fit in around here, either. I mean, think about the way she dressed. Those ridiculous high heeled shoes!”
“Which she’d abandoned almost immediately upon her arrival here and you know it.” Maxie leaned her elbows on the counter. “Maybe you’re right. And those short little tops that bared her tummy. Oh, and don’t forget those flimsy sundresses. And the pink lipstick—”
“Enough!” Leif shouted. “Let’s get to work,” he said gruffly, thankful when the door banged open and a tourist entered the store.
~ * ~
Leif spent the next week feeling miserable.
The fish-guiding season had ended now that October had arrived, and they’d experienced a hard frost already. Most of the leaves had fallen from the trees. It wouldn’t be long before the snow would come in all of its frosty majesty.
Cassie had made a list of all the things that needed repairing at Gateway. He’d worked steadily on those projects, and was rather proud that he’d whittled down the list. Initially, he worked out of anger and boredom. But as the week passed everything he did he did for Cassie. Finally, he called the airport and purchased a ticket to fly to Chicago to fetch Cassie-girl home, where she belonged. He managed to secure a one o’clock daytime flight to Chicago. Three and a half hours later he arrived, stepped off the plane to a bitter cold wind blowing across Lake Michigan as he walked outside to catch a taxi to his hotel. He’d made reservations for a hotel on Michigan Avenue, close to where Cassie’s condo was located.
After unpacking, he changed into a pair of khaki slacks and a navy polo shirt. He dug out the slip of paper with Cassie’s address and smoothed a street map out on the dinette table in his suite.
He arrived at her sterile-appearing condo painted a cool white. He stepped into the entrance, reached for the handle of the door leading to the apartments and pulled. He frowned when the door wouldn’t open. Then he smiled, glad she had security. He found the phone on the wall. Once he dialed the number provided in the display, he waited for Cassie’s sweet voice. No voice, but the door buzzed and he reached for the handle, opened the door and entered.
He took the elevator to Cassie’s floor, wondering why she’d opened the door without finding out the identify of her visitor. Trepidation filled him then as he thought she might be expecting a date. Too late now to turn back for soon he stood outside her door, forming the right words to convince her to marry him and return to Gateway. The pulsing sound of music, laughter, and voices made him pause, his finger near but not pressing the doorbell. Finally, he did.
After a few moments, when no one opened the door, he pressed it again. He heard more raucous laughter and the music grew even louder. Hell, no one would hear him at this rate so he turned the knob and found the door unlocked.
Slowly, he shoved open the door and the smoky haze in the place caused him to cough. His eyes burned as he searched through the swarm of humanity. No one seemed to notice him, except for the shadowy shape of a woman moving toward him. He started when a hand brushed against his groin and a soft, feminine voice said, “Hey, darling, come with me.”
The woman wasn’t Cassie so he muttered, ‘No thanks’, and moved quickly away, his face burning when he passed more people—more groping hands. The place was so dark he decided he’d never find Cassandra. He found a light switch in the hallway and flicked it on. Moans and groans from the partiers and shouts of ‘turn off the damned lights’ bellowed through the apartment.
Then the music stopped and once his eyes adjusted to the brilliant lighting he saw he’d attracted the partiers’ attention.
One guy said, “Hey, Mack, you’re spoiling the mood, here.”
From across the living room, Leif saw a woman unwind herself from the arms of a man and rise to her feet. She stood there, staring at him. Leif’s heart thundered in his chest when he realized it was Cassie, his Cassie, in the arms of another man. That gave him pause, but he moved toward her anyway. She started moving in his direction, but stopped when the man who’d released her spoke.
“Hey, babe, where you going? We’re not finished yet.”
The
man reached out, grasped her arm, stopping her from moving toward Leif.
“Let her go,” Leif growled, his voice sounding low and dangerous even to his own ears as he came to an abrupt stop in front of Cassie.
“Leif? What are you doing here? I was going to come—”
“Who is he, Cassie?” Leif said. “A new boyfriend who’ll leave you standing at the altar?” Leif heard the murmurs and tittering and immediately regretted his words.
“No!” she shouted, her voice ringing loud and clear in the silent apartment.
She’d moved up to his side but he hadn’t realized it until he felt her light touch on his arm. Then she slid her hand down his arm and took his hand.
“We need to talk. Follow me.”
He relaxed when she tugged on his hand and pulled him down a hallway. He followed, his body suddenly feeling alive from her hand’s contact. He’d missed her sweetness, her gentleness, and he could do nothing but allow her to lead the way.
She reached a door, opened it, and pulled him inside, closing the door behind them. The room was dark and he heard her moving away, then a dim light came on.
He leaned back against the door and watched her as she bit her lip. As far as he was concerned it was her move next; he expected an answer as to why she’d been in the arms of another man.
He glanced around and decided they were in her bedroom. It had to be because the room reeked of Cassandra. The first clue was that the room had been painted pure white, but all the furnishings were pink, from the lacy coverlet on the bed to the curtains hanging at the window.
“Why did you come, Leif?”
He scowled and folded his arms across his chest. “To find out why you left your grandpa’s place, that’s why.”
“Your place, you mean.”
He shook his head. “Our place.”
Leif saw a small grin slit across her lips and gave a relieved sigh that he’d said the right words. He’d admitted Gateway was for the both of them. His confidence returned now that he had said those two little words, hoping she’d return to Gateway.
“Yes, our place. And what about my ideas?”
“Build your restaurant,” he said carelessly. “The coffee shop did fine. Can’t see that a full-fledged restaurant would fail.”
Her smile widened. His head started spinning.
“And the tourist cabins?”
He unfolded his arms and headed for her. “We’ll talk about that later, after the restaurant takes off.”
Leif paused in front of her, took her face in both hands, and gazed into her surprised expression. Just as he touched her lips he heard her murmur, “And us?”
Leif brushed her lips with his, taking in the spicy scent of her perfume. Her hair smelled like raspberries. He moved his lips from hers and he nuzzled a path down the side of her neck as he pulled her into his arms. The feel of her body pressed against his made all thoughts flee from his mind, including the last question she’d posed, and the other people in Cassie’s house. Damn, he wished he could feel her right against him, but his jacket prevented closer contact.
He frowned when she leaned back and shoved her hands against his shoulders.
“Did you hear me?”
Disoriented, he released her and stepped away, unzipping his jacket, suddenly heat swarming through is body from the heat in her condo. Then he recalled her words, just as she asked again.
“What about us?” He strolled to a window and looked down into the street, still busy with traffic, even at midnight. Finally, he murmured, “I’m not sure about us, yet, Cassie-girl.”
“I am,” she boldly replied, stunning Leif.
He whipped around and found her right there in front of him. She wound her arms around his waist and pressed a kiss to his chest, visible in the V of his polo shirt. His arms had been hanging loose at his sides, but he lowered them then wound them around her narrow waist.
“We’re meant to be together, Leif. Stop fighting it. It’s what Grandpa wanted.”
“How can you be so sure?” he said, shaking his head in wonder.
“I just know. And if it takes you longer to figure it out, I’m willing to give you a bit more time, but not too long. I won’t wait forever.”
With one hand he reached up and raked it through his hair. Then he pierced her with a hard look. “Geez, Cassie, we don’t agree on a damned thing. Do you know that?”
Her eyes twinkled as she gazed up at him, held him close. “Of course I know, which makes for an interesting relationship, doesn’t it?”
“Relationship? You mean marriage. Right?”
She frowned. “Well, of course. Isn’t that what we’re talking about? I mean, for the future?”
He pulled her arms from around him and moved back to the window again. “Before we take that big step, I think we need to be with each other more—get to know each other better.”
“You’ve said that before. I think I know you well enough already. And really, have I been a closed book all this time? I’ve told you how I feel about you, haven’t I?”
“You want to get married. I don’t, at least, not right now. We don’t know each other. We need time together. I need time.”
“Of course you do,” she said, smoothly.
Leif groaned when he heard the sadness in her voice and had no idea how to reply, how to reassure her that eventually he’d marry her.
“Just like my other fiancés. I gave them plenty of room and time, and then they left me. You’ve one thing going for you that they didn’t. You’re honest about your feelings.” She moved to the door.
Leif followed her, clearing his throat, feeling guilty. “Cassie. Where are you going?”
“Showing you the way out.”
He had no idea what to say. She was throwing him out, and could he blame her? They maneuvered through the quiet partiers and he felt his cheeks heat up. Had they been listening outside the damned door? God, the worst thing for Cassie now was if they’d heard their conversation. When they reached her front door she opened it, stepped out into the hallway and Leif followed her.
She held out her hand. “Good-bye, Leif. Take care of yourself and Gateway. My lawyer will contact you about settling up my half of the shop.”
He looked at her, stunned.
“You do plan on buying out my half, right?”
“Of course not!” he shouted. “You’re returning to Gateway. And once we’ve had time together we’ll take the next step. And what about all those changes you want at the shop?”
“What about them?” she snapped. “You’ve never wanted them anyway. And you certainly don’t want me around the place. You can’t make a commitment to me, and I need that, Leif. I can’t afford to give you time since time is something I’ve little of. Besides, I love you.”
Leif gulped, he felt a trembling sensation in his body as he reached for her. The gladness rushing through him stopped immediately, drenched in its wake at her next words.
She stepped back. “Don’t touch me,” she choked out. “I hate myself right now. Hate myself, and you, for confessing those three little words. Words I vowed to never say to a man again—first.” She shook her head and swiped at a lone tear streaking down her cheek. Her pleading eyes looked deep into his. “Why can’t a guy say those words to me first, and mean them? Why can’t he love me?”
Before he could even think to form a reply she ducked inside her apartment and slammed the door. He stared at it for the longest time, wanting to go back inside and drag her out, wanting to confess his love for her, but he couldn’t. Not now. She wouldn’t believe him because he’d hesitated to say the words when he should have. Had a woman ever before told him she loved him? No, he would have remembered something that important. But Cassie had, even through all the hurt she’d experienced at the hands of two other men.
He decided to return home, giving her a few weeks reprieve from him—enough time that she’d miss him and want him. Damn. He should have told her he’d marry her, he mused, wondering why h
e’d been uncertain, especially since he’d traveled all the way here to tell her…to tell her what? That he loved her and wanted to marry her? So why hadn’t he said so?
He’d take the time at home to really think about them, about what she wanted and what he wanted. All the way home he thought about them and knew, once he got in the door, he’d call and beg her to come home. He’d find the most beautiful ring to grace her delicate finger, and he’d ask her to marry him, kicking himself for chickening out at her place. And if she didn’t return soon to Gateway after proposing, he’d come for her. He’d come with the ring in hand, and those three little words.
And he’d say them first.
Chapter Twelve
Northern Minnesota had a record cold Thanksgiving and a snowstorm that managed to close down the community of Crane Lake and surrounding towns for two days.
Leif spent the morning after Thanksgiving plowing streets with his huge plow attached to the front of his truck. He’d always enjoyed and looked forward to the changing seasons, but winter could get dreary and long.
Light frosty flakes drifted down from thick-clouded skies and all the children in Crane went out to play. The first snow of the year was always special. But, by early afternoon the flakes had grown larger and they began to fall more quickly.
He finally finished the last driveway and headed up the newly plowed road leading to home, all the while wondering why he’d plowed in the first place since the snow continued to fall. It meant he’d need to get out and plow before bedtime again. But he’d kept busy for the past several weeks in order to keep thoughts of Cassie from his mind.
His intentions had been, once he arrived home from seeing her in Chicago, to call and ask her to marry him. But then, once home, he decided he’d give her time to miss him, guessing she’d turn down his proposal if he proposed right after seeing her.
