Lies and Solace

by Jana Richards

  He made a spur of the moment decision. He’d tell her the truth, but not today. He’d tell her when she’d be able to understand his reasons for keeping the truth from her.

  When that would be, he had no idea.

  He cleared his throat before speaking, pushing aside the guilt. “I appreciate what you’re saying, but I don’t deserve your thanks. I’m just doing my job.”

  “You’re too modest.”

  He heard the smile in her voice and guilt piled on top of guilt. He suppressed a groan.

  “I’ll have the papers drawn up right away. When everything’s ready, I’ll be in touch. You and your sisters will have to sign.”

  “I’ll call them and let them know. Perhaps they’ll be able to come out here to the lodge for the signing. It’ll be nice to have a little family reunion.”

  Ethan was happy for her. Whether her sisters realized it or not, Harper was keeping the lodge alive as much for them as for herself. “I’ll be in touch.”

  “Thank you, Ethan. I appreciate everything you’ve done for us.”

  He was wrong. She would understand. He had to tell her. “Harper—”

  “Yes?”

  He couldn’t say the words. He couldn’t bear to lose her respect. “I’ll see you soon.”

  “I’m looking forward to it.”

  He hoped to hell she’d forgive him for lying when he finally came clean. He hoped even harder it wasn’t already too late.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  As soon as she heard a car pull up to the lodge, Harper threw open the front door, heedless of the February wind. She was too excited about seeing her sisters again to give a damn about the cold.

  Scarlet opened the door on the driver’s side and stepped out of the large black sedan, while Maggie got out on the passenger side. Harper didn’t know much about cars, but this seemed like an expensive one. Since Scarlet had flown into Minneapolis from Chicago, she’d thought Maggie would pick her up from the airport and drive them to the lodge in the red Toyota she’d bought second-hand after graduating from high school. If she could afford this new car, maybe things weren’t going too badly for her, and her worry for Maggie was unnecessary.

  But if Maggie had bought a new car, why was Scarlet driving it?

  They pulled their luggage from the trunk and made their way to the front door where Harper greeted them with hugs and kisses. “It’s so good to see you both. It’s been so long.”

  “Two Christmases ago,” Scarlet said. “Remember, Maggie couldn’t get the time off this past Christmas with those crazy hours she works at the restaurant.”

  “As I recall, Harper was working at Miller’s over the Christmas holiday, too. It’s not all my fault we didn’t get together, so quit blaming me!”

  Harper blinked at Maggie. She’d often acted as a peacemaker in her younger sisters’ squabbles over the years, but she’d rarely heard Maggie lash out with such force. And with such anger.

  Scarlet rolled her eyes. “What is your problem today? You’ve done nothing but bitch at me since I picked you up.”

  Harper stepped between them. “Maggie’s right. The opportunity to make a few extra bucks at the resort came up last Christmas, so I took it.”

  She didn’t add that she only did so after Maggie announced she couldn’t come to the lodge because she had to work, and Scarlet subsequently decided to go to Cancun for Christmas with friends. It had been one of the loneliest Christmases of her life. She’d felt completely abandoned.

  A recurring theme in her life.

  She shook off the disappointment. They were all together now, and she was determined to enjoy her family. She put her arms around their shoulders. “I’ve been baking. Are you hungry?”

  A hint of a smile touched Maggie’s lips. “What did you make?”

  “Your favorite, of course. Double chocolate chip cookies.”

  “What about my favorite?” Scarlet said with a pout. “Did you make something special for me?”

  “Of course I did. There’s a batch of lemon tarts just out of the oven for you.”

  Sometimes her sisters acted like a couple of three-year-olds. But she was willing to cater to a few whims in order to have them all together.

  “Why don’t you take your suitcases upstairs first? You can pick any rooms you’d like. Then, we can have tea and catch up.”

  While her sisters lugged their things up the stairs, Harper put the kettle on to boil and placed several tarts and cookies on a plate. When the water boiled, she spooned loose tea leaves into her pot and added water. A few moments later Scarlet and Maggie joined her in the kitchen.

  “Do you still have Grandma’s teacups, the ones with the pretty roses?” Maggie asked.

  “Of course. Do you want to use them?”

  Her sister’s expression was wistful. “Yes, I think I do.”

  “The teacups are in the cupboard over the fridge, but I haven’t used them in ages. They’ll probably need to be washed.”

  “I’ll get them for you, Shortstuff,” Scarlet said, using one of Maggie’s old nicknames.

  Maggie rolled her eyes. “Go right ahead, Stretch.”

  Scarlet reached into the cupboard and retrieved three teacups and matching saucers. Maggie and Scarlet washed and dried them while Harper set napkins, forks, spoons and containers of milk and sugar on the kitchen table. Then she poured tea into the clean cups, using a strainer to catch the leaves.

  Maggie wrapped her hands around the cup Harper offered her. “This reminds me of Grandma. You remember how much she loved a cup of tea?”

  “Oh, yes,” Scarlet said with fond smile. “She always believed the world would be a better place if everyone sat down and talked over a hot cup of orange pekoe.”

  “Harper, do you know where Grandma’s Madeleine pans are? I used to love Grandma’s Madeleines, but I never learned to make them. She died before she could teach me.”

  A look of profound sadness crossed Maggie’s face. Harper reached across the table and took her hand. Being the youngest, Maggie had spent the most time with their grandmother and had been the one most affected by the heart attack that so suddenly ended her life.

  “I think they’re still somewhere in the kitchen, probably in the back of a cabinet,” she said. “I haven’t seen them in a long time. Do you want me to find them for you?”

  Harper, too, had fond memories of Grandma’s Madeleines, the little shell-shaped French cakes that she’d made in both chocolate and lemon flavors and served with tea. They had their own special pans that gave them their unique shape.

  “No, that’s okay. Someday I’m going to learn how to make Madeleines the way Grandma did, but not today,” Maggie said.

  “I miss her, and Grampa, too. This place seems so empty without them.” Scarlet sipped her hot tea. “Don’t you get lonely in this big old place all by yourself, Harper?”

  “Sometimes,” she confessed. “This place deserves to have people in it. And now that we have an investor, we’ll be able to bring it to life again.”

  “When will we be signing the papers?” Scarlet asked.

  “Ethan will be here tomorrow morning.”

  “Ethan?”

  “Ethan James. He’s the representative from Hainstock Investments I told you about.”

  Excitement flooded her at the thought of seeing Ethan again. She’d dreamed of the kiss they’d shared, both in her sleep and in her waking hours. She longed to see him, talk to him, hold him.

  “You’re smiling,” Scarlet said, her eyebrows raised. “This Ethan must have made quite the impression on you.”

  Harper carefully schooled her features into a bland expression. Scarlet had always been very perceptive. But she wasn’t ready to talk about her feelings for Ethan, whatever they were, even with her sisters.

  Especially with my sisters.

  “He’s very competent and knowledgeable. He’s done his homework and if he says the lodge can be profitable again, I know we’ll be successful.”

  “Okay, bu
t what is he like? That goofy grin you’re trying to hide says you appreciated much more than his real estate smarts.”

  “He’s very nice.”

  “Nice?” Scarlet rolled her eyes. “Come on, fess up, Harper.”

  “There’s nothing to fess up to.” She decided to change the subject. “I ran into Mike Hunter the other day. He said to say hi.”

  Scarlet lowered her gaze. “How’s he doing?”

  “He’s good. His oldest daughter is in kindergarten and his wife’s having another baby in a couple of months. Number three.”

  “That’s nice.” Scarlet pushed her tart aside, as if she’d suddenly lost her appetite. “It sounds like he has a lovely family. That was all he ever wanted.”

  “You did the right thing, Scarlet,” Maggie said. “If you’d gone through with the wedding, you wouldn’t have been happy.”

  Scarlet gave her a mocking smile. “And of course my happiness was paramount. Even if it meant dumping Mike at the altar.”

  “Don’t be so hard on yourself. You didn’t dump him at the altar. It was two weeks before the wedding.”

  “Oh, well. It’s all right then.” Scarlet’s sarcastic tone didn’t hide her obvious pain.

  Harper felt bad for reminding her of her failed engagement. She should have known it would upset her, even after all this time. Judging from her sister’s expression, she still experienced guilt for what had happened between her and Mike. They’d both been very young, not long out of high school, and Scarlet hadn’t been ready for such a big commitment. But Mike hadn’t been the only man she’d jilted after promising to marry him. Scarlet had met Owen in Chicago, but hadn’t been able to go through with a marriage to him, either.

  She touched Scarlet’s arm. “Mike really is happy. He told me so himself.” She had to change the subject, again. “How’s work going, Maggie?”

  Maggie shrugged. “It’s fine.”

  “Do you enjoy working at the restaurant?” She wasn’t even sure of the name of the restaurant.

  “Yeah. It’s good.”

  Her sister avoided looking her in the eye. Something was going on with Maggie, and it worried her. It hurt to know her sisters had secrets they didn’t want to share with her.

  But then, she was being just as secretive.

  “Quit trying to change the subject,” Scarlet said. “I want to know what Ethan James is like.”

  Harper lifted her teacup to avoid Scarlet’s sharp scrutiny. “You’ll find out for yourself when you meet him tomorrow.”

  The moment Harper answered his knock, Ethan knew the feelings he’d experienced during the blizzard were real and not simply a result of their enforced togetherness. And judging from the expression on Harper’s face, her welcoming smile and the warmth in her eyes, he knew the feelings were mutual. There was something extraordinary growing between them, something he wanted to explore further.

  “It’s good to see you again, Ethan,” she said, her eyes smiling into his. “Please, come in out of the cold.”

  He stepped inside and grasped her outstretched hand. “I’m glad to be back.”

  He wanted to take her in his arms and kiss her, but before he could say or do anything, she let go of his hand and closed the door. “My sisters are here to sign the final papers.”

  Ethan had been so focused on Harper he hadn’t noticed the two young women standing in the foyer. The tall redhead and the petite brunette examined him with open curiosity, the redhead with a hint of suspicion. He stepped toward her and extended his hand. “Hi, I’m Ethan…James.”

  He cursed himself for his stumble. Unaccustomed to using his middle name, or to lying, he’d almost said his real last name. Fortunately, Harper’s sister didn’t seem to notice.

  She shook his hand briefly, her grip strong and confident. “Hi, I’m Scarlet Lindquist. Harper tells us you believe this place can be profitable again.”

  “Yes, I believe it can be, given the proper upgrades and marketing.”

  “I’d be interested in discussing the marketing plans for the lodge with you and Harper.”

  “Harper said you were a marketing whiz. I’d love to get your input on our ideas.”

  Scarlet’s eyebrows rose at his choice of words. Our ideas. He’d already come to see himself and Harper as partners in this endeavor. Harper touched his elbow.

  “And this is my sister Maggie. She’s a chef in Minneapolis. I’m trying to convince her to help us choose the equipment we’re going to need for the new kitchen.”

  The shape of Maggie Lindquist’s face, her fair skin, the contour of her nose, and the small cleft in her chin, echoed the facial features of her sisters, and even though her hair was darker and she was more petite, there was no mistaking their sibling relationship.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Maggie. The lodge could use your expertise in designing the kitchen.”

  A blush stained her cheeks, and she looked distinctly embarrassed. An odd reaction, Ethan thought. She quickly schooled her expression into a pleasant smile, but avoided his gaze as she shook his hand. “I’ll do what I can.”

  “Why don’t we go into the dining room? Lunch is ready,” Harper said.

  Ethan followed her and sat down at the table she’d already set. Everyone was silent as Harper tossed a green salad and cut a quiche into four even pieces. He sensed the tension simmering between the women and wondered if they were angry Harper had pushed ahead with the deal. She’d said she’d consulted with them, but perhaps they weren’t happy with the terms.

  Harper took her seat, and though she took some of the food as it was passed to her, he noticed she didn’t eat much. She appeared ill at ease and worried. From what she’d told him, she adored her sisters. He looked from one sister to the other, wondering what he could do or say to diffuse some of the strain.

  “Harper told me you all grew up here.” Ethan hoped that childhood memories were a safe place to begin a conversation.

  “Yes, we did,” Scarlet said. “After our parents died.”

  The table went silent again. Not a safe topic after all. He tried again. “The lodge is on a beautiful spot. I’m looking forward to spending the summer here and helping to make it something special again.”

  Scarlet looked up sharply. “You’re planning to spend the summer here? You mean, you’re going to live here?”

  He caught the worried look in Harper’s eyes, and he cursed himself once again. He wanted to be involved with every aspect of the lodge project and to do so, he needed to be on site. He’d told her he wouldn’t leave her on her own, but he’d meant to talk to her privately to work out the details of his stay.

  And he wanted to convince her they needed to further explore the attraction that had blossomed between them during his storm-stay.

  “My, umm, employer,” God, now he was lying to all of them, “wants to remain in touch with everything going on in this project. He wants me to represent Hainstock Investments’ interests here at the lodge during construction.”

  “Don’t you think that’s something you should have asked us about before you sprang it at lunch?” Scarlet said, her eyes flashing. “I thought we were supposed to be partners in this project. You can’t make decisions like this without consulting us.”

  “Hainstock Investments is putting a significant amount of money into the lodge. This is going to be a massive undertaking with dozens of different trades and hundreds of workers. It’s going to take a lot of coordination and expertise. Mr. Hainstock wants to protect his investment.” Did Scarlet object to Hainstock Investment’s participation in the project, or was it his presence at the lodge she didn’t like?

  “Where do you plan to stay while you’re here?” she asked.

  Harper shot her sister a warning stare. “Scarlet.”

  “I thought I could stay in one of the cottages or perhaps bring in a motorhome.”

  “Ethan’s right.” Harper’s fork clattered onto her plate. “I’ve never dealt with a project of this magnitude before. I’m going
to need help.”

  Scarlet leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms, her blue eyes narrowed at him. “Fine. But from now on, no surprises. As your partners in this venture, we deserve to know your intentions.”

  “You’re right. I should have talked to you all about staying at the lodge. I promise in the future to keep all three of you fully informed.” He paused, turning to Harper. “I hope you can chalk it up to over enthusiasm. I’m really excited about the project and can’t wait to get started.”

  Harper placed her warm hand in his, her eyes full of trust. Ethan squeezed her hand and then released it before shifting his attention to Scarlet once more. “I want all of you to know that even though a lot of changes are going to happen here, we’re going to make every effort to ensure this building remains the jewel of Solace Lake Lodge. We want to honor what your family accomplished in the past while moving the lodge into the future.”

  “I know you will.” Harper’s words were spoken with complete conviction. Ethan was grateful she believed in him. He hoped he could live up to her expectations and trust.

  He already had a lot to make up for.

  “The architect should have preliminary drawings for the other buildings ready in about a week. Our first step after that is to put our project out to tender and have general contractors bid on it. We’re looking for someone with experience working on projects of this scale.”

  Harper nodded. “I’d like a voice in choosing the general contractor.”

  “Of course.” It didn’t surprise him that Harper wanted to be involved. The success of the lodge meant everything to her. “We’ll do it together.”

  She covered his hand with hers. Everything that was in his heart reflected back to him in her beautiful blue eyes. The wonder and excitement of a new relationship, the hope for the future, and a touch of trepidation. He winked, wanting to reassure her that he had the same hopes and fears about their blossoming relationship.

  Someone cleared her throat and Ethan blinked. Harper’s face flushed as she lowered her gaze and snatched away her hand. He’d been so focused on her he’d forgotten her sisters were watching and listening to their exchange.