Misty Lake: Book One in the Misty Lake Series

by Margaret Standafer

  “It’s busier in the summer than in the winter although we get a fair number of people snowmobiling and ice fishing. We’ve got a few places worth checking out. The Hideout has a live band just about every weekend, some of them are pretty good. It draws those looking for a little more action. Mick’s has been Mick’s forever, I think. It’s a small bar usually filled with locals who all know each other. If you want a fancy drink, it’s not your place. You’ll get a beer or a whiskey, some peanuts, a game of darts or pool, not much else. Sally runs For Heaven’s Steak, hands down the best place for a nice dinner. But, if it’s pizza you’re looking for, you’re in luck because I haven’t found better than what you’ll get at The Brick.”

  “Wow, that’s quite an advertisement for your town, Sheriff.”

  “I guess when you live someplace your entire life it’s easy to advertise.”

  “So what’s our plan for tonight?”

  “I thought I’d leave that up to you. What are you in the mood for?”

  “The pizza sounds tempting, although you have to remember I’m from Chicago. We take our pizza seriously.”

  “I promise you won’t be disappointed.”

  She wasn’t. The pizza was delicious. They argued briefly over the merits of thin crust versus deep dish with Sam defending her city’s famous deep-dish pies but, in the end, admitting she actually preferred thin crust. “You have to promise not to tell,” she said, swearing Jake to secrecy.

  Later, they stopped by The Hideout for a drink. The band was good and the place was crowded. Jake seemed to know most everyone so there was a steady stream of people stopping by to say hello. There were several curious glances and some outright staring which Sam found entertaining. Apparently she was the object of much speculation, because of the house on the lake as well as for the fact she was out with Jake McCabe.

  Jake’s brother Frank stopped by with his date, a pretty blonde he introduced as Cynthia, a medical student. “I heard your cousin gave Riley a run for his money today,” he said to Sam.

  “I didn’t get too many details out of Susan but you’re probably right. She has a way of getting people to do what she wants. How mad was he?” Sam asked, cringing.

  “A lot less than he made out to be, I think. He went on and on about her endless questions about the cars, needing to test drive a dozen before making up her mind, and how she talked Kurt down so low on the price he looked a little dazed when it was all said and done. Riley acted annoyed but I think he was impressed.”

  “That sounds like Susan. You can tell Riley, though, she really was grateful for his help whether she admitted it to him, or not.”

  “So she’s really staying in Misty Lake instead of going back to Chicago? Does she know what winter is like here?” Frank joked.

  “I guess she’ll find out. I guess we’ll both find out.”

  Jake and Sam walked down the street hand in hand. It was a warm, humid night and the far-off rumblings suggested a storm was on its way.

  “It’s been quite a summer with all the heat and humidity. I really can’t remember one this bad,” Jake said.

  “I’m glad I’m here to experience one for the record books.”

  “I’m glad you’re here, too,” Jake said, stopping and turning Sam toward him. He leaned down and kissed her.

  Sam felt light-headed as she closed her eyes and melted into Jake. Desire warred with reason. She ran her hands up his back and into his hair, pressing closer, and taking the kiss deeper.

  Jake held Sam tighter, an involuntary groan starting somewhere in his throat escaped when she ran her hands over him. “Come home with me, Sam,” he breathed.

  Sam turned her head and rested it on his shoulder, suddenly very much aware they were in the middle of Main Street. Her heart was pounding with Jake’s matching hers beat for beat.

  “I can’t, Jake. I’m sorry. I…I’m just not ready.” She stepped back slightly, looking him in the eyes. “I’m sorry for…for making you think differently. I don’t know what to say. I don’t want to hurt you and it’s not that I don’t want to, I just can’t. I know that doesn’t make any sense but can you try to understand?”

  She seemed desperate, Jake thought, and on the verge of tears. He reigned in his desire and held her, kissing the top of her head. “I understand, Sam. I really do. You have to know how much I want you but not until you’re sure.”

  “Oh, Jake.” She buried her face in his shoulder and wondered when, or if, she’d ever feel normal again.

  They started walking again, the booming thunder growing louder. “I’m driving you home,” Jake said. “The storm’s getting closer, I don’t want you out by yourself.”

  “Don’t be silly. I can drive myself home. Besides, if you drive my car then you’ll be stuck out there without a car.”

  “I’ll call Marc and have him swing by and pick me up. He’s on duty tonight and he should be out patrolling around the lake about now. Don’t argue, Sam,” he said firmly as she started to do just that.

  They hadn’t discussed Jake’s investigation all evening but Sam brought up the subject on the drive home. “What’s your feeling on my case? Nothing has happened for a while, do you think it’s all over?”

  Jake debated with himself on how to answer. He didn’t want to scare her but he didn’t want her to become complacent, either. “Honestly, I don’t think it’s over. I wish I did but it seems too easy. I’m inclined to believe Jimmy’s brother didn’t have anything to do with the vandalism, he just happened to show up in the middle of everything.”

  Sam wanted to believe the opposite, that Blade was responsible, and that it was all over. “Well then, who?”

  “I don’t know. We’ve broken up a few parties around the lake recently. We showed Tyler’s picture around, got a few people to admit to seeing him there a couple of times. If he was there and if Zach wasn’t, we still don’t have a good explanation for where Zach went.”

  “He didn’t give you anything when you talked to him?”

  “He hardly said a word. About all we got out of him was that he admitted to leaving with Tyler and that he had something he needed to do. He swore he wasn’t anywhere near your property but he wouldn’t tell us any more than that. He’s a tough kid. I get the feeling he needs help, wants, in a way, to ask for it, but won’t.”

  “I wish he’d ask,” Sam said sadly.

  “I wish I could feel completely confident that there was no way for Zach, or any of them, to get away from the camp undetected. There haven’t been any problems in the past that I’m aware of but I think that if one of them wants it badly enough, he, or she, will find a way to get around the security measures.”

  Sam didn’t respond, just stared into the dark, lost in her thoughts.

  “How did the week go with all of them? How is Jimmy doing?” Jake asked after a few minutes.

  “Things were pretty normal. Jimmy was quieter than usual the first part of the week but he seems to be himself again.”

  “Only a few more weeks and they’ll all be heading home.” Jake glanced at Sam to judge her reaction.

  “I know,” she sighed. “In some ways it seems like the summer has gone by so quickly. Even with the problems, it’s been wonderful. I hope they’ve gotten at least half as much out of the program as I’ve gotten working with them.”

  “I think you can count on it.”

  “If you believe that then how can you continue to think one of them is behind everything?” Sam tried to keep her voice casual but knew the frustration she felt was coming through.

  “I need to look at all the possibilities, Sam. Zach’s story is suspect and he’s not doing anything to help his cause. You can’t deny it makes him look guilty.”

  “We’ve been over this so many times. Just because they have problems in their past doesn’t mean these kids are bad kids or that they’re going to be in trouble for the rest of their lives. They just need help, need people to believe in them.”

  Jake debated but decided it was
only fair to let Sam know what Kyle had told him. “Like Danny?” he asked gently.

  Sam whipped her head around to look at Jake with wide eyes. “What about Danny?”

  “Kyle told me about him, about how he died. I’m so sorry, Sam.”

  “I didn’t know he told you,” Sam whispered. “I should have told you a long time ago.”

  “You didn’t owe me any explanations.”

  “No, but it wasn’t really fair of me to get so upset with you and never try to explain.” She paused a moment then added, “Can you understand, even a little, why I want to help these kids? Why I need to believe in them?”

  “Of course I can. I want to see them succeed, too, but I can’t ignore the facts.”

  “I know, and I can’t stop believing.”

  “And you shouldn’t. You’re good for them, Sam,” he said, taking her hand and lifting it to his lips.

  20

  It was amazing what a couple weeks of calm, ordinary days could do for a person, Sam thought as she made her way to the shop. She and Susan had settled into a routine sharing household duties, finding time to have fun together, and knowing when to stay out of the other’s way. Susan had taken a part-time job at It’s a Lake Thing, the home décor and gift shop in town. When Sam had questioned her on why she hadn’t looked for something more along the lines of what she had been doing in Chicago, Susan had shrugged saying for now, she just wanted something fun. Sam had swallowed her opinions and let it go.

  Classes with her students couldn’t be going better. The kids were completing their projects and gaining confidence in their abilities by the day. A couple, who had already finished, were working on picture frames and learning how to use a mitre box. Sam was proud of them all.

  She and Jake were dating. The thought still made her a little giddy and she felt like a teenager as she skipped through the yard with Rigi at her heels. They had gone to a movie, had dinner at For Heaven’s Steak with Joe and Karen, took in a Misty Lake Renegades baseball game, spent a Saturday shopping for groceries and making their own dinner, and even attended an informal class reunion with some of Jake’s high school friends. Things a real couple did.

  Perhaps best of all, though, was the fact that there hadn’t been a hint of trouble for over three weeks. Sam had forgotten ordinary could feel so good.

  She made her way into the shop with a spring in her step, determined to get a couple hours of work done before the kids arrived. When she spotted the Renegades cap on the hook inside the door she tenderly picked it up. Jake had bought it for her at the game, along with a huge bucket of popcorn and a sticky poof of pink cotton candy. He had been so sweet when he dropped the cap on her head telling her he didn’t want her to burn her nose. He’d tugged a little on her ponytail then kissed the nose he had professed concern over. If she had had any doubt left that she was in love with him, that simple gesture had erased it. Smiling, Sam pulled the cap on and got to work.

  She stood back a little and watched Jackson work. His concentration was intense as he measured for the placement of hinges on his nearly-completed jewelry box. It was truly a work of art. Sam doubted she could have done better herself. True, she had guided and assisted but he had done the work and the modifications to the original design were all his. She had been giving him as much space as possible for weeks but couldn’t help herself today.

  “Jackson, I have to tell you, I am so impressed with your work. This jewelry box is as well made as anything you’d find in an expensive store. You should be very proud.”

  “Thanks, Ms. Taylor. I guess it turned out pretty well, didn’t it?”

  “That’s an understatement. It’s fantastic.”

  Embarrassed by the praise, he dropped his head and mumbled a reply.

  “I was talking to Mr. Lindahl the other day,” Sam continued. “I asked him a little about your school. He said woodworking classes are offered.” She let the thought hang.

  “Yeah, I guess.”

  “Do you think you might give it a try at school? I know you’d do well.”

  Now he looked up at her. “Maybe. I talked to one of the counselors at camp the other day—we all had to—about school. I guess there are a couple classes I need to re-take in order to graduate. I don’t know if I can fit a wood shop class in my schedule.”

  He seemed ashamed by the admission and Sam couldn’t help but think that if they had had the same conversation at the beginning of the summer, his attitude would have most likely been one of defiance, instead. It was humbling to think she may have made an impact on him and she fought to keep her voice steady as she answered him.

  “I had to re-take a class in high school. It was an English class. I didn’t like the teacher and didn’t like the assignments. I couldn’t understand why I needed to pretend I was a piece of fruit and write a poem about my feelings.”

  Jackson gave her a doubtful look. “It’s the truth,” Sam said, tracing a cross over her heart. It was ridiculous,” she said, laughing. “I had to go to summer school and write poems that year instead of taking driver’s ed.”

  Jackson chuckled and Sam’s heart melted. It was the first time she’d heard him laugh.

  “Hopefully, if you want, you can fit in a woodworking class. If I can remember that far back, it seems senior year tends to have some room for electives. If I can help in any way, just let me know,” she added.

  Jackson nodded and bent over his jewelry box once more.

  When Sam stood up she noticed Zach was watching and listening intently. He seemed troubled but quickly looked away when he caught her looking his way.

  Hmmm, Sam wondered. Could she get through to two of them in the same day? She made her way over to Zach’s spot and studied his hunched shoulders and bent head. Something was definitely wrong, he had been even more withdrawn than usual and this wasn’t the first time she had noticed him looking at her as if he wanted to ask her something.

  “How’re things going today, Zach?” She tried to sound as casual as possible.

  “Fine,” he mumbled without looking up.

  “It looks like you’re just about finished. You’ve done a good job.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Do you need any help with the finishing work? With…anything?”

  He hesitated and glanced up at her then quickly around the room before putting his head back down. “No.”

  Feeling helpless, Sam sighed. “Okay, but all you have to do is ask if you need anything, Zach.” She waited a moment. When he didn’t respond she moved on, desperately wishing he would ask for help.

  Sam showered quickly after the kids left and was rushing to get her hair and makeup done when Susan stuck her head in the bathroom.

  “Going out?”

  “I’m meeting Jake for lunch.”

  “Another date? What’s that, about ten in the past two weeks?”

  “Maybe.”

  “Wow, I just moved in and now you’re going to go and get married and kick me out,” Susan whined.

  “No one said anything about marriage. It’s just lunch. I mean, really, married? I don’t think so.” Sam was shaking her head.

  “Hey, calm down. I was just kidding,” Susan grinned. “I…” she studied Sam in the mirror. “OH MY GOD! You’re in love with him!”

  Sam whirled around. “What? No. It’s just…” She put her hands over her eyes and peeked at Susan. “How did you know?” she squeaked.

  Susan grabbed her and hugged her tight. “I guessed from the first time you talked about him. Then when I saw you two together I was even more certain. I’ve just been waiting for you to catch up!”

  “It’s kind of scary,” Sam admitted. “What if he doesn’t feel the same way?”

  “He’s crazy about you, Sam.”

  “I know he cares about me, we have fun together, and I know he’d like to take our relationship to the next level, so to speak, but love? I don’t know.”

  “I’ve seen the way he looks at you. I don’t think you have anything to w
orry about.”

  “But how do I know? And am I supposed to tell him? Or do I wait for him to tell me first? I don’t know how this works.”

  Sam was pulling her hands through her hair and looking utterly distraught. Susan took pity on her cousin. “Oh, sweetie,” she said, hugging her and rubbing her back. “Calm down. This is a good thing, a happy thing. Now, I can’t claim to have a lot of experience in this particular area but if we can believe the movies and novels, you’ll know. You’ll just know.”

  Sam sat across from Jake and looked at him over her burger and fries. “They really tried to tell you it was oregano?” she asked, referring to the two teenagers Jake stopped to help earlier in the day.

  “They did. They claimed their grandmother was Italian and cooked a lot. When I said it didn’t look or smell like oregano they changed their story and admitted it was marijuana but said it was from Colorado so it was legal.”

  “Did they realize they were in Minnesota?”

  Jake gave an eye roll. “They started talking over each other trying to come up with a plausible story. It was all I could do not to laugh. Possession of that much marijuana with intent to sell is a crime, of course, but at that point I was almost thinking their bigger crime was stupidity.”

  “So they told you to get the jack out of the trunk?”

  “Yes,” he said, having a hard time believing it himself. “When I stopped to see if I could help them with their flat and asked them if they had a jack, they told me to grab it from the already opened trunk. There were six bags of marijuana just lying there in plain sight.”

  “And they were just kids?” she asked, looking a little sad.

  “Brothers, sixteen and seventeen. You know, though, the only thing they said that I really believed was that this was the first time they had done anything like this. They claimed they’ve never even smoked pot and I believed them. They seemed so naïve—clueless, really. I mean, they sent me to the trunk for the jack! These aren’t hardened criminals by any stretch. They want to buy a fishing boat and said a friend told them that he had a way they could make some easy money.”