Lakeside Reunion

by Lisa Jordan

Mom took the quilt. The multicolored patterned squares faded with age and many washings still held together. She traced the tight stitching, then hugged it to her chest. “Lindsey, why are you doing this? All of this?”

  Lindsey threaded her fingers through her mother’s. “You have beautiful hands, Mom. They deserve a little bling. From a guy who can make you happy again. I had no right to complicate that. What you and Dad had was wonderful. Nowadays, a strong marriage is becoming a rare thing. But you and Dad made it. Especially with a job like his. Someday I hope to have that same kind of marriage.” Lindsey reached for Max’s hand and squeezed lightly. “But what you and Max have is wonderful, too. Max, I appreciate you not trying to replace my dad. You two deserve your second chances.”

  Max returned the squeeze. “I appreciate that, Lindsey, but I don’t think it’s fair to accept your apology unless you accept ours. Your mom wanted to wait, but I was so excited—the second those words flew out of my mouth, I realized we had shocked you. I’m sorry for blurting it out like that. We hid our relationship from you, not giving you much of a chance to get to know me or my family. Your reaction was understandable. I’m sorry. Please forgive me.”

  “Honey, Max is right. I handled all of this badly from the beginning. I should have respected you as an adult and told you about him from the very beginning. I was afraid, you see.” Mom’s eyes filled with tears. She cupped Lindsey’s cheek. “You were always your daddy’s little girl. I didn’t know how you’d react.”

  “Mom deserves the best, Max, and I believe you will treat her right. No more secrets, from either of you. And please don’t run off and do something crazy like eloping. Mom, give me a little time to get used to the idea you’ve fallen in love with someone else.”

  “No problem, honey. Listen, this quilt has always been my favorite because, well, my mother made it for your dad and me as a wedding gift. I have beautiful memories of your father, but I believe it’s time for new memories to be made. I want you to have the quilt, honey. Maybe it will bring you the same comfort it brought me through the years.”

  Lindsey’s nose prickled. She choked back tears. “Mom, but the quilt…are you sure?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “Thanks. I’ll treasure it.” Lindsey buried her face in the cotton fabric and inhaled the scent of fabric softener. Would she ever find someone to share her life? To have the kind of marriage like her parents did? Stephen’s face flashed through her thoughts, spiraling her back to the night he kissed her. The only way to find out was to risk her heart. But was she ready to take a chance?

  Somewhere between the blurred edges of sleep and awakening, Lindsey stirred, hearing her mother’s voice. “Lindsey, telephone.”

  Lindsey peered through one half-opened eyelid until her mother’s shadowy form focused. She stifled a yawn and reached for the phone. “Hello.”

  “Miss Lindsey, this is Ty. Tyler Chase. Would you like to, um, go pick out a puppy with me and my dad?”

  She flung off the afghan and pushed herself to a sitting position on the corner of the couch. She shivered as she crossed her legs Indian-style. “Ty, that’s sweet of you to ask. Are you sure? I don’t want to intrude.”

  “What does intrude mean?”

  “Are you sure I won’t be in the way?”

  “Uh-uh. Please say yes.”

  “Thanks, I’d love to.”

  “Okay, here’s my dad.”

  “Lindsey?”

  “I’m here.”

  “Sorry to bother you. Ty and I were riding bikes in the park and came across some Pets on Parade show put on by the animal shelter. Ty begged. I gave in. The rest, as they say, is history.”

  “Where should I meet you?”

  “I can pick you up. It’s on the way. I’ll be there in ten.”

  Lindsey hurried upstairs. Because sleep had been a stranger last night, the couch beckoned when she returned from Cuppa Josie’s. A glance in the mirror showed a textured imprint on her cheek—one that matched the couch pillows. Not much she could do about that except splash some water on her face and hope it faded before Stephen arrived. She ran a brush through her hair and crossed the hall to her room.

  She changed out of her yoga pants and T-shirt into a pair of butter-soft worn jeans, an ivory cable-knit turtleneck and slipped into a scarlet down vest. She pulled on her new black boots. Heading down the stairs, she heard a vehicle pull into the driveway.

  “Mom, Stephen’s here. I’ll be back soon.” She grabbed her denim jacket and headed out the door.

  Stephen met her halfway to the door. He waved and gave her that half grin that sent her heart spiraling down to her toes. His navy V-neck sweater worn over a white T-shirt darkened his eyes like sapphires. He jogged backward to the passenger door and opened it, bowing low and making a sweeping motion as if she were a queen entering the royal carriage. She laughed and stepped inside. He shut the door and rounded the front of his SUV.

  “Thanks.” She smiled at Stephen once he slid behind the wheel. She twisted in her seat. “Hey, Ty. Are you excited?”

  Hair hanging in his eyes, he nodded and grinned. He poked his front tooth. “Look, I have a loose tooth.”

  “Wow, look at that. First one?” He nodded again, then turned back to his handheld game.

  As Stephen backed out her mother’s drive, Jeremy Camp’s “Take You Back” blared from the radio. Even though the song was about worship, as Lindsey listened—really listened—to the words, she realized he could have been singing about her relationship with Stephen.

  Could she take Stephen back? Too crazy to even think about. No way possible. She lived and worked two hours away. Stephen deserved more than a long-distance relationship. Ty was settled in school here, and with Stephen’s job with the police department, asking them to move to Maple Valley was out of the question. Things were better left as they were, weren’t they?

  Within minutes, Stephen parallel parked his SUV along the river. Cars lined both sides of the street near the park.

  They jogged across the street. Yips and barks bounced off the tree limbs and settled over them like falling leaves. Ty ran ahead as Lindsey and Stephen ambled across the mottled grass where different breeds of dogs greeted them with wagging tails and wriggling bodies. Cats lifted their heads as people paused in front of their kennels, but otherwise they couldn’t be bothered.

  Tyler dropped to his knees in front of the small fenced-in area where three chocolate-colored puppies tumbled over each other. They ran over to Ty and barked at him.

  “Can I pet one, Dad?”

  Stephen knelt beside him. “Let’s make sure we have permission first.”

  A lady with silver-frosted hair who wore jeans and a denim shirt embroidered with animals came over to them. She tucked her hands between her knees as she leaned over to talk to Ty. “Have you had a pet before?”

  “A goldfish once, but it died. Dad flushed it. Besides, fish don’t count. You can’t pick them up and play with them.”

  “No, that would be a bad idea. If your parents don’t mind, you’re welcome to step inside and play with the puppies, but they are frisky.” She placed her hand on the play-yard gate.

  “Can I, Dad?” Tyler stared at Stephen with such a hopeful expression that only an ogre could deny the kid.

  Stephen slung an arm around his son’s shoulders. “Remember our talk on the way over?”

  Ty nodded, his hair flopping across his forehead. “Let them sniff my hand first and get used to my scent. Be gentle.”

  Stephen tousled Tyler’s curls and stood. He stepped next to Lindsey to watch Ty. One of the puppies bounded over to Tyler’s feet and tugged on his shoelaces with its little teeth. Within minutes, he rolled in the grass with the three puppies jumping on him, trying to lick his face. His giggles rivaled the finest symphonies.

  The denim-shirt lady stood by the fence, watching Tyler with the puppies. She turned to Lindsey and Stephen. “He looks like he’s enjoying himself.”

  Lindsey leaned into St
ephen. The softness of his sweater caressed her cheek. “You know there’s no going back now.”

  “I wouldn’t have it any other way.” He threaded his fingers through hers and squeezed before kissing the top of her head.

  She looked down at their hands and wanted to correct him—let him know she was referring to Tyler and the puppies. Stephen’s fingers, strong and calloused, marred with nicks, gave her a feeling of security.

  An elderly couple sat on a nearby bench throwing bread-crumbs to the birds. Lindsey recognized them as Mom’s neighbors. They had been married for almost sixty years. And still holding hands. If she closed her eyes, she could imagine she and Stephen doing the same thing in the future.

  The dogs stretched on their hind legs, clawing at their metal kennels, begging her with their eyes.

  Freedom.

  To run. To play. To discover beyond the cage.

  All of those emotions she had kept locked away for years rattled against her heart like the puppies pawing the sides of their kennels.

  She wanted that same kind of freedom.

  Stephen dropped into his desk chair with its cracked vinyl. He ran his hands over his face and leaned his head against the back of the chair, the metal frame cooling the back of his neck. He shoved a stack of papers away from the corner of his desk with the heel of his shoe and rested both feet, crossed at the ankles, on the corner of his desk. He laced his fingers behind his neck and stared at the stained ceiling tiles in the squad room. The phone rang on Reba’s dispatch desk. Another day, another round of issues.

  A shaft of morning sunlight splintered through the sagging blinds, spearing his desk with warm rays. Eyes burning from lack of sleep, Stephen squinted against the light and turned his head away. A yawn escaped before he could smother it. He hated working the graveyard shift, but with the department’s rotating schedules, he had no choice.

  He prayed Toby—the chocolate Lab Ty picked out—would sleep through the night tonight. When Stephen put Ty to bed and tried to catch a two-hour nap before duty, the puppy’s whimpering kept Ty awake, constantly asking Stephen if the puppy was okay. Stephen assured him Toby was fine—just missing his mama and siblings. Stephen managed to doze off, only to awaken and find Ty curled up on a blanket next to Toby’s kennel.

  Instead of taking Ty to his parents’ as he usually did when he worked graveyards, Dad spent the night. Maybe he could con Dad into taking Toby so Stephen could get some shut-eye, especially after last night.

  Kendall entered the squad room and dropped his keys on the metal desk butted against Stephen’s. “Rough night?”

  Stephen dropped his feet with a thud and sat up in his chair. He rested his elbows on his desk, raking his fingers through his hair. “Kirk Green beat up his wife again. His mother called 911, but the wife refused to press charges. Said she tripped over his work boots and hit her face on the kitchen counter. She was angrier with her mother-in-law than her husband. What kind of jerk gets his kicks from hurting women? And with their young daughter there.”

  “The dude’s messed up. Until his wife realizes she can’t be his punching bag for the rest of her life, there’s nothing you can do to change it.”

  Stephen’s phone rang, the jarring sound echoing inside his skull. He grabbed the receiver to stop the obtrusive noise. “Chase.”

  Chief Laughton’s voice growled in his ear. “My office. Pronto. If Kendall’s there, grab his sorry hide, too.”

  “Will do, Chief.”

  Stephen replaced the receiver in the cradle. “We’ve been summoned to the big man’s office.”

  “Me, too?”

  “You, too. Let’s go.”

  Stephen rapped on the chief’s open door. Without looking up, he waved them in.

  “What’s up?”

  Chief Laughton leaned back in his chair and cradled his head the same way Stephen had a few moments ago. “Got a call from Moose Run P.D. Seems Hank Earle got wind of our investigation and hightailed it out of there.”

  The charred coffee Stephen downed upon returning to the station soured in his stomach. “Where is he now, sir?”

  The chief held up his hands, palms to the ceiling. “Current location unknown. A BOLO has been issued. Right now, Earle is under the radar.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Lindsey scowled at her reflection in the full-length mirror. The emerald strapless gown clung to her slim figure. She ran a finger along the wide black band that edged the sweetheart neckline and tugged on the bodice.

  “Oh, honey, you are a vision.” Mom sat on the cedar chest at the end of Lindsey’s bed.

  “I look like a satin-covered stick.” Lindsey ran her hands over her hips.

  “Willowy. I love your hair. Your neck looks even more graceful.” Mom twirled her finger through one of Lindsey’s loose ringlets.

  “Remember when I told you I had the perfect necklace to match your dress?” Mom withdrew a rectangular black velvet jeweler’s box from behind her back. “Your father bought these for me the day you were born. He said they matched your eyes. I want you to have them.”

  Lindsey took the box and opened it with a creak. On a bed of aged ivory satin lay a white-gold pendant with a heart-shaped emerald and matching heart-shaped dangle earrings. “Oh, Mom. Seriously? They’re gorgeous, but I couldn’t possibly keep them. They were a gift from Dad.”

  Mom grabbed one of Lindsey’s hands and squeezed. “A reminder of him close to your heart.”

  Her throat swallowed words too large to speak. Mom wasn’t offering her only a necklace, but also a piece of her father. She removed the necklace, turned back to the mirror and hooked it in place. The emerald lay in the hollow of her throat and glistened in the light. She touched the stone.

  The doorbell rang.

  Her stomach fluttered. Lindsey did a quick scan in the mirror. She gave the bodice a final tug and reached for the black pashmina evening wrap and satin handbag she borrowed from Aunt Claire. Sliding her feet into the black satin peep-toe heels found on clearance, she faced Mom. “Are you sure I look okay?”

  “You’re gorgeous. Stephen won’t be able to keep his eyes off you. Or was that the point?”

  “Don’t get any ideas. We’re going as friends. Nothing more.”

  “If you say so.” Mom winked.

  “I need to go. I’ll send Max up to help you down the stairs.” She kissed Mom’s cheek and left the room.

  She lifted the hem of her dress so it wouldn’t get caught in her heels on the way down the stairs. She didn’t want to leave Stephen waiting. At least not too long.

  Halfway down, she saw Stephen standing in the foyer with his hands in his pockets.

  Her mouth went dry.

  She took a quick minute to study him wearing a black tuxedo with a white shirt, black tie and matching black vest.

  Still talking to Max, he turned and didn’t complete his sentence. The warmth in his eyes sent a shiver down her spine.

  For a split second, her imagination pushed aside common sense. Instead of the green gown, she was dressed in white, walking down the aisle on her father’s arm.

  But she wasn’t in white. Her father wasn’t here. And Stephen wasn’t waiting to marry her. She refused to let reality spoil her evening.

  Stephen stepped forward and took her hand. He brushed a kiss across her knuckles. “You look incredible.” He looked as if he wanted to say more, even flicked his gaze over her shoulder to Max, but stayed silent.

  “Thanks. You clean up nicely yourself.”

  “Max, grab my camera off the table and take their picture,” Mom hollered from the top of the steps.

  “Mom, we’re not going to the prom.”

  “One picture.”

  Lindsey rolled her eyes. “Sorry, do you mind?”

  He raised an eyebrow and gave her that dazzling half smile. “With you dressed like that? Are you kidding?”

  Warmth rushed through her veins as Stephen drew her close. Once the picture was taken and they said their goodbyes, Steph
en held the door.

  Lindsey stepped outside and pulled her wrap tighter. He took her elbow and led her to his SUV.

  “Things seem better with Max.”

  She told him about meeting her mom and Max at Cuppa Josie’s. “Since then, he, Josie and her daughter, Hannah, have been to dinner a couple of times. I’m accepting Mom has a new man in her life.”

  Stephen turned off the highway onto a road that sliced through the national forest. Stately pines tented over them, blocking out the sighing sunlight. Lindsey clenched the ends of her wrap between her fists. She had forgotten where the gala was held each year.

  The trees gave way to a clearing that hugged the lake. Lakeside Lodge came into view, tiny as one of Ty’s Legos. The Old English Tudor-style building grew as Stephen wound his way along the paved semicircle drive and stopped at the wide double doors.

  Lindsey closed her eyes and allowed locked-away memories from past celebrations flicker through her head like a silent movie. Birthday cake for breakfast. Making wishes that always seemed to come true. Arm-in-arm walks around the lake.

  “Lindsey? Are you okay?” Stephen cut the engine and turned to her.

  She released a sigh and nodded. “I forgot the gala was being held at the Lodge.”

  “Is that a problem?”

  “Dad brought me here every year for breakfast. On my birthday.”

  He grabbed her hand. “I’m sorry. I forgot all about that. Would you like to leave?”

  “We can’t leave.”

  “Sure we can.”

  “You’d do that for me?”

  “Of course.” He pulled his hand away and started the engine.

  She laid a hand on his arm. “No, let’s stay. I can’t avoid all the places I used to go with him. Besides, I can’t really wear this dress to check in guests at the inn.”

  “Bet you’d always be full if you did.” Stephen gave her a wolfish grin that slammed her heart against her rib cage. He shut off the engine and opened his door, allowing the warmth to escape. Opening her door, he took her hand to help her step down.

  A red-vested valet parking attendant took Stephen’s keys and gave him a ticket that he shoved in his pocket. A uniformed doorman opened the door as they stepped onto the veranda, greeting them as he held open the door.