Truth and Solace (Love at Solace Lake Book 3)

by Jana Richards

  “All right.” She pointed to a bookcase across the room. “There are some old photo albums on the bottom shelf of that bookcase. Can you bring them to me?”

  He hauled six albums over to her and together they leafed through the pages until she found the picture she wanted. “That’s the one. I was pretty sure Miranda was wearing the earrings in this picture.”

  She pointed to a studio picture of Miranda with a baby on her lap. “I think Maggie is about a year old in this picture. Isn’t she a beautiful baby?”

  Maggie was as beautiful then as she was now. Luke’s throat constricted and all he could manage was a single syllable. “Yeah.”

  Abby turned the page of the album. There was another studio picture, this one with Miranda and all three of her daughters. Luke flipped to the first picture and then back again to the second. He pointed to the photo of Miranda and the three girls. “She’s not wearing the earrings in this picture. Her dress is the same, and so is Maggie’s, so obviously the photos were taken on the same day. Why would she take off the earrings?”

  His mother shrugged one small shoulder “I couldn’t say.”

  Luke looked at her sharply. Interesting choice of words. I couldn’t say.

  “I don’t think the girls have ever seen these pictures. She died not long after they were taken,” she said, running her finger over Miranda’s face.

  “Can I borrow them, Mom? I’ll make copies for Maggie and her sisters.”

  “Of course. But please bring them back and put them in the photo album when you’re finished. I wouldn’t want to lose these pictures. They’re important to me.”

  “I’ll make sure to put them back.”

  Luke removed the photos and set the two side by side. Why was Miranda wearing the earrings in only the picture with Maggie? And if his mother knew the reason, why wouldn’t she tell him?

  Another mystery in Miranda Lindquist’s mysterious life.

  Luke met with Ethan and Harper the next afternoon to go over details of the new reservation system. The company installing the system was also providing the point of sale software for the bar and the restaurant.

  “The hotel I work for in Napa uses the same system and we’ve been very happy with it. It’s easy for staff to use and whenever we’ve had problems, the company’s been great about helping us work them out.”

  “That’s a good enough endorsement for me. How soon do you think we’ll have all our servers in place?” Ethan asked.

  Luke checked the calendar on his phone. “Harper and I are doing second interviews for the front desk staff on Monday, and I should have all our servers hired by the middle of next week. Then, I’ll hold training sessions on using the new systems to get people up to speed.”

  “Sounds good. It feels like things are really coming together.”

  “Yeah.” Luke cleared his throat. “There’s another matter I need to discuss with both of you.”

  “That sounds ominous. What is it?” Harper asked.

  “It’s nothing bad.” How did he say this without revealing Maggie’s financial predicament? “I think it’s time for the family to be on the payroll.”

  “Why?” Ethan asked, obviously confused. “I certainly don’t need to take money from the lodge, not that we’re making money right now anyway.”

  “It could be a financial hardship to wait for the lodge to make money. I think it would be good practice for the family to begin to draw a salary now. No one should be left in a tough cash flow position.”

  Harper regarded him solemnly. “You’re talking about Maggie, aren’t you?”

  So much for his promise. “I didn’t say that.”

  “I should have realized she was having financial troubles. I shouldn’t have expected her to go without a paycheck for so long. I was stupid and inconsiderate.” Harper moved past him to get to the door. “I’ll go talk to her.”

  Luke grasped her arm. “Don’t do that, Harper. She didn’t want you to know.”

  Anguish filled her eyes. “She’s so stubborn, and so damn proud.”

  “Yeah. She is.” He squeezed her arm before letting go. “Which is why I’m going to add all three of you to the payroll system, and you’re not going to say anything about this conversation to Maggie.”

  Reluctantly, Harper nodded. “All right.”

  “Can I ask one more favor?”

  “You mean there’s more?”

  “Nothing bad. I was wondering if I could borrow your parents’ wedding picture, the one you found with your grandmother’s things. I’d like to make a copy for Maggie.”

  “That’s a lovely idea, Luke. I’m sure she’ll treasure it.”

  Harper left to get the picture. Luke decided he’d make a copy for Scarlet, as well, and have all three put in nice frames under glass that would keep the colors from fading.

  Even if he couldn’t find the earrings, he owed Maggie at least that much.

  Maggie had to restrain herself from doing a little happy dance as Luke handed her a pay stub on December fifteenth.

  “The money’s been directly deposited into your account as of this morning.”

  “Thanks, Luke.” The thought of having a few dollars in her bank account made her giddy with relief. “Are you still interested in going Christmas shopping?”

  “Absolutely. Let me finish a couple of things and we can go right after lunch.”

  True to his word, Luke was waiting for her at the front door of the lodge at one o’clock. They drove to downtown Brainerd and parked near an area with some small, quirky shops. Maggie unbuckled her seat belt. “I’d like to get something for Ethan, but what do you buy for the man who literally has everything?”

  “Give him something from your heart. I’m sure he’ll love it because it came from you.”

  With that thought in mind, they entered an antique store. In a matter of moments, Maggie found some pretty glass paperweights for Harper’s office, a lovely cut glass perfume bottle for Celeste, and a silver hand mirror and a couple of silver combs for Scarlet. She paused over an antique desk set with a letter opener, an inkwell and small clock, which was ticking and had the correct time. The set was made of polished brass and had lovely engraving that was decorative while maintaining a masculine vibe. She picked up the ink well and examined it from every angle. The piece was solid and substantial, like Ethan.

  She checked for a price sticker on the bottom and smiled in relief. The piece was within her budget.

  “That’s a nice piece,” Luke said over her shoulder. “Are you thinking of getting this for Ethan?”

  “Yeah. Someday, once he has his own office, he can use it there. I want him to know how much he’s changed my life, and how grateful I am.”

  “He knows.”

  She paid for her purchases and then went next door to a yarn and fabric arts store while Luke went shopping on his own. Maggie bought Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls for Hope and a family of teddy bears for Tessa. She found gorgeous hand knit sweaters for both Reese and Luke, a tea cozy and pot holders for Phyllis, and a lovely afghan for Abby. She stroked the soft wool of the afghan and wondered how long Abby would be able to use it. She didn’t have much longer…

  She couldn’t dwell on it or she’d cry in front of all the Christmas shoppers. Blowing out a breath, she shook off her sadness. For now, Abby was with them, and Maggie would do everything in her power to make this the best damn Christmas any of them had ever had.

  No matter how hard it might be to hide her sorrow.

  At a frame shop down the street, she found a couple of interesting wooden frames that she hoped Cam could use for his artwork.

  As she was paying for Cam’s gift, a wonderful art deco frame on a shelf behind the counter caught her eye. She pointed to it. “Could I see that one, please?”

  “Of course.”

  The salesclerk pulled the frame off the shelf and handed it to her. Maggie loved the silver and black geometric design that somehow reminded her of Luke. Strong, steady, forthright, honest. S
he knew exactly the picture she wanted to put in the frame. “I’ll take this one, too,” she said.

  The salesclerk carefully wrapped it in tissue and placed it in the bag with the other two frames. After getting Cam a couple of blank canvasses to go along with the frames at an art supply store, she was done. Fortunate, because according to her calculations she’d spent most of her paycheck.

  Before leaving the art supply shop, she pulled her cell phone from her purse and called Luke.

  “Hey. All shopped out already?” She heard the amusement in his voice.

  “Completely. I’ve got gifts for everyone. How about you?”

  “I’m paying for the last ones now. Would you like a coffee before we head home?”

  “I’d love one. But do you think we can stow all my stuff in your truck first? I can barely carry it all.”

  He chuckled. “Sure. I’ll meet you at my truck in a couple of minutes.”

  They put all their shopping bags in the back seat of the truck and locked it up before heading to a coffee shop. Before finding a table, they put in their order at the front counter.

  “What will you have?” he asked her.

  She smiled, happiness filling her heart. It had been a wonderful day. She’d been able to find nice gifts for her family and friends, and she’d paid for them with money she earned. It felt good.

  “I want to celebrate. I’ll have a hot chocolate and one of those,” she said, pointing to a chocolate covered donut in the glass display case.

  Luke’s lips turned up in a grin. “You celebrate with donuts?”

  She smiled back. “You celebrate your way, and I’ll celebrate mine.”

  He ordered coffee and then led the way to a table near the front window. After sitting down, Maggie touched her mug to his. “Here’s to a good day of shopping. I hope everyone likes the gifts I got them.”

  “They will, because they came from you. Everyone loves you.”

  She found herself drowning in his beautiful gray-green eyes. When he said everyone loved her, was he including himself? Despite her fears, she hoped he was.

  But if he was, why wouldn’t he tell her?

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  Maggie sat in the chair next to Abby’s bed. Abby didn’t feel well enough to get up, but she’d insisted on the visit. Maggie still didn’t understand why talking to her about her mother was so important to Abby. Nor why she couldn’t tell her sisters.

  Patience, she told herself.

  Abby’s soft snores indicated she was sleeping peacefully. Maggie closed her eyes and exhaled slowly. She had to trust Abby to reveal her purpose in her own way.

  Paula entered the bedroom and straightened Abby’s blanket. She smiled at Maggie. “Abby had a tough night. The night nurse said the coughing was particularly bad. It kept her awake. She’s exhausted, poor thing.”

  “I should go and come back tomorrow. I want her to rest.”

  “I think that would be best.”

  Abby’s eyes fluttered open. “Maggie?”

  Maggie reached for Abby’s hand and squeezed. “I’m right here.”

  “Your father loves you. Always.” Abby’s eyes blinked, and finally closed, as if she was too tired to keep them open. “Don’t be angry with him.”

  Maggie thought it odd that Abby used the word love in the present tense. But she was exhausted, and not entirely lucid.

  Her grip on Maggie’s hand, however, was surprisingly strong. “Forgive.”

  “I will. I promise.”

  That seemed to satisfy her and her grip loosened. “Good, good.”

  In a few moments, she was asleep once more. Maggie carefully pulled her hand away and left the room. Paula gave her a smile and brief wave as she closed the door.

  Forgive. What did Abby want her to forgive her father for? The murder of her mother? His blatant disregard for his daughters’ futures when he ended both their lives?

  Forgive.

  Anger bubbled in her chest. Maggie wasn’t sure she could keep that promise.

  December twenty-third, open house day, dawned sunny and cold. Frigid, actually. As Maggie walked from the cottage to the lodge, her lungs threatened to freeze inside her chest. She pulled her thick scarf higher to protect her face from the bitter cold.

  Once inside, she glanced out the French doors of the dining room to the frozen lake. The snow twinkled in the sun, and she was reminded of her grandfather’s stories about diamonds in the snow.

  She smiled at the memory of her grandfather. Despite the sadness and loss, she had some good memories of her childhood. She locked that thought away in her heart as she prepared for a busy day.

  At least, she hoped it would be busy. If it wasn’t, it wouldn’t bode well for the future of the lodge.

  She needn’t have worried. From the moment they opened the doors to the public at one in the afternoon, they were inundated with people wanting to see what they’d done to the lodge. Most were curious locals from Minnewasta and area, but many came from farther away. Scarlet had contacted newspapers and radio stations from around the state and several reporters showed up to take pictures and do interviews, a couple from as far away as Chicago. Maggie and Celeste were too busy refilling coffee urns and setting out plates of cookies to pay much attention to the reporters, but Scarlet was thrilled with the response.

  So were Ethan and Harper. Despite the cold, the sleigh rides, skating and dog sled rides Ethan organized were big hits. Harper led groups of people on tours of the renovated parts of the lodge, the newly completed guest wing and partially constructed event center. Everyone was impressed and encouraging.

  As Maggie came out of the kitchen with another tray of cookies, a blonde woman approached her. “Hi. You’re Maggie Lindquist, aren’t you?”

  The woman looked vaguely familiar, but she couldn’t quite place her. “Yes, I’m Maggie.”

  “I’m Cheryl Johnson.” She extended her hand. “Used to be Cheryl Bradley. I married Tim Johnson. He went to school in Minnewasta, too.”

  Maggie set down her tray and tried to mask her shock as she shook Cheryl’s hand. “Hello, Cheryl. Welcome to Solace Lake Lodge.”

  “I think what you’ve done here is remarkable. I’ve been following the progress on your website and Facebook page, and I’m really happy the lodge will be a going concern again. It’s wonderful for your family and for the whole community.”

  “We’re excited to bring it back to life.” Maggie searched Cheryl’s face, looking for evidence that she was laughing at her, but she saw nothing but sincerity.

  “I’m a chef myself.” Cheryl smiled nervously and flipped her blonde hair over her shoulder. “Tim and I were living in Minneapolis and I was working as a sous-chef.” She named a well-known, and well-respected Minneapolis restaurant. “But Tim really wanted to come home to the country, so when he was offered a teaching position here, we moved back. But it’s been hard for me to find work.”

  Maggie nodded. “I know how that is.”

  “I was wondering if all your sous-chef positions have been filled.”

  “You’re asking me for a job?”

  “Yes.” Cheryl straightened her shoulders. “I know I’m the last person you want to hire. I was mean to you back in high school. But I’m not that girl anymore, thankfully. I managed to grow up a little.”

  “You married Tim Johnson?” Maggie remembered Tim as shy and smart and something of a nerd. He and Cheryl hadn’t run in the same circles back then.

  “Yes.” Cheryl’s smile was completely genuine and happy. “Tim is kind and funny and crazy smart. He’s the best husband a girl could want. He wasn’t what I was looking for, but he’s everything I need.”

  “That’s wonderful.”

  “I thought I wanted someone like Luke, the handsome, bad boy type.”

  Funny, Maggie had never thought of Luke as a bad boy. To her, he was simply…Luke.

  “I chased him all through our last year of high school. He’d never shown me any interest until, out of the blu
e, he asked me to meet him at the bleachers. He kissed me, and then you were there, and it got very weird.”

  “Yeah, it did.” Maggie fidgeted, uncomfortable with the conversation. She glanced at the door to the kitchen, trying to come up with an excuse to politely extract herself.

  “That was my first and last kiss from Luke. I never heard from him again.”

  Cheryl’s admission brought Maggie’s focus back. She looked at her carefully. For some reason, she believed her. But if there hadn’t been anything going on between Luke and Cheryl that summer, why stage that scene with her? To get rid of her? The thought of it continued to hurt.

  “I would really like to work in your kitchen. I hope we can put the past behind us, but if you can’t, I understand.”

  Maggie looked into her blue eyes and decided to go with her gut. “Send us your resume along with some references, and we’ll see what happens. We’re looking for at least one more sous-chef.”

  Cheryl let out a breath and smiled in relief. “I will, thank you. Tim’s going to be so pleased. I was afraid to talk to you, but he said high school was a long time ago and you’d be reasonable.”

  Maggie smiled at that. High school was a long time ago, but sometimes it seemed like yesterday.

  The last visitors were preparing to leave when Maggie saw Willy Eklund stumble through the front doors, his gait unsteady. Her heart sank. It appeared his sobriety was short-lived.

  “Harper! Harper, where are you? I need to talk to you.” Willy’s slurred voice echoed through the lodge. “I need to tell you the truth!”

  Harper hurried toward him, and Maggie and Scarlet followed closely behind. While Scarlet ushered the remaining guests out the door, Maggie and Harper each grabbed one of Willy’s arms and guided him to a far corner of the dining room, some distance away from the front entrance. He reeked of stale booze, his hair as wild as his eyes.

  Harper’s face was full of disappointment. “Oh, Willy. You were doing so well.”

  He hung on her arm as she made him sit on a chair. “I can’t live with the shame anymore, Harper. I just can’t.”