“Oh, it’s beautiful, Joslyn. It’ll look lovely over the fireplace.”
“Yeah. I thought so, too.” Josie suspended the dream catcher on a screw on the fireplace and stepped back to admire her work. “It does look nice, doesn’t it? This is the first thing I’ve made for display out here.”
“You have your mother’s talent. She would be proud of you, and I don’t mean only because of your artistic abilities. What made you do it now?”
Josie thought for a moment, struggling to put her feelings into words. “I guess I’m ready to add myself to Mom’s living memory. I’ll never forget her, but I think I wanted to put something of mine next to hers to help remind me of her alive. I think I’m finally letting go of some of the pain of her loss.”
“I’m glad, honey. I’m positive she wouldn’t want you grieving for her so long and hard that you couldn’t move on with your life. It really is special.”
“Thanks, Nooko. I used a few of the last of her collection of eagle feathers. She taught me so much, and there isn’t a day goes by I don’t miss her.” Josie relaxed on the couch and rested her head on Nooko’s shoulder, the heat of her body a healing balm. “I guess I’ll try one more trip to the office and do my walk around the buildings. Do you want help getting to your room?”
“You go, dear. I can get myself to bed. I feel completely steady with my cane now.”
Josie watched Nooko stride out of the room. She was much more secure than she had been a few weeks ago. She sat for a few minutes lost in the memories Nooko had triggered. Her mother had loved to spend time working on her crafts, or cooking, or enjoying the outdoors. Mostly, she remembered how much she loved her father and how balanced her life had been. She was happy. Grateful. Maybe there were still things she needed to learn from her. She headed to the office. The door was still locked, but when she opened it an envelope lay on the floor.
I’m sorry I missed you, but that’s not important. I’m willing to offer you $30,000.00 cash for your property. It would be in your best interest to accept it. I’ll be in touch soon.
Josie secured the letter in her safe and considered what Abe meant by “soon.” She resolved not to miss him the next time, because she wasn’t selling, especially for that price. Her Realtor would laugh him out of her office. She locked the door behind her and turned toward the lodge when she heard his voice.
“There you are. Are you gonna accept my offer?” Abe stood just outside the range of the motion sensor light.
“No, Abe. The property is worth way more than thirty grand. That’s just absurd. If you give me your phone number, I’ll let you know if I ever do want to sell, and I know the Mulligans’ cabins and land are still available. Why do you want my property, anyway? There are much better waterfront pieces of land for sale. Talk to any local Realtor, and they’ll show you land that’s actually for sale. Although there’s nothing around here for thirty grand.”
“I told you, I want this property. My reason is my business, but I got plenty of reasons. I’ve been patient, but I don’t wanna wait no more, and I ain’t goin’ through no Realtor. We’ll settle this, just you an’ me. You obviously haven’t been shown how difficult it could be to stay yet.” Abe turned and retreated toward the woods.
Josie called after him hoping he’d give her his contact information, but he’d disappeared into the darkness. She trudged back to her bedroom wondering when she’d hear from him again, and just what “reasons” he had for wanting her property so badly.
* * *
The next morning, Josie finished sketching her design for the outbuilding she wanted to build to house her ski equipment. The old toolshed her father had used for his workshop was close to collapsing. Besides being dangerous, it was in the perfect spot to begin her proposed ski trails. She took her plans to the kitchen table where Nooko was seated drinking coffee.
“Good morning, Nooko.” She poured herself a cup of coffee and sat across from her.
“Good morning. The oatmeal is still hot. Help yourself.” Nooko leaned over to see the papers. “What’ve you got there?”
“It’s the shed I plan to build for the ski equipment. Remember I told you I was planning groomed cross-country ski trails this winter? I need a place to keep the equipment. Dad’s old toolshed is falling apart. I’m going to take advantage of not having any lodgers and tear it down, then replace it.”
Nooko sat back in her chair. “I thought maybe it was something from Abe. Did you hear from him?”
“I did. You were already asleep, and I was out locking up for the night when he showed up. He offered thirty thousand dollars, cash. I turned him down, and he left without giving me his phone number. I’m not sure if or when I’ll hear from him again, but it doesn’t sound like it’s over.”
“Did he say why he wanted the property so badly?” Nooko leaned forward in her seat.
“I asked him, but he basically said it was none of my business. I’ll let Barb and the police know what happened.”
“I sure hope he goes away.”
“He couldn’t have checked with a Realtor if he thought thirty thousand was enough.” Josie took a sip of coffee.
“I’m going to finish the paper and let my food settle before my hot tub exercises. The authorities will take care of Abe, honey.” Nooko rested her hand on her shoulder before leaving.
“I’m going out to do some measurements after I eat. Then I’ll be back to help you.” Josie’s unsettled feeling after her meeting with Abe hadn’t subsided, and her anxiety sat like a lead ball in her belly at his insinuation at how difficult things could be. She checked every cabin and the grounds before starting work on the shed. She removed the caution tape from the shed and began separating pieces of rotted wood from salvageable ones. She planned to replace the original wooden floor with cement, so she concentrated on clearing a space for the footings.
“It’s getting hot out here, and Ruth wants to know if you’re ever coming back inside?”
Josie turned toward the voice and set her shovel aside when she saw Kelly standing a few feet away holding out a bottle of water. She looked at her watch and realized she’d been working nonstop for two hours. She shook off her disorientation and took the bottle. “Thanks. I guess I lost track of time. I was only going to measure. Damn. I’m supposed to be helping Nooko.” Kelly looked sexy in a pair of khaki cargo shorts and a T-shirt, but then, she’d look sexy in anything. Or nothing. She erased the image from her brain and followed her inside.
“I’m sorry I left you so long.”
Nooko shrugged and waved as if to say it was no big deal.
“I’ll get cleaned up a bit and we can do your tub exercises.”
“Kelly helped me with them already, dear. She arrived just as I was on my way to find you, and we decided to get them done while you were working.”
“I hope you don’t mind. I stopped by to see how it went with Abe yesterday.” Kelly settled into the seat next to Nooko on the couch.
“No problem.” She didn’t want to talk about his threats in front of her nooko. There was no reason to upset her. “Thanks for coming by, but aren’t you supposed to be working?”
“I took off early. Things are starting to run smoothly, so I’m playing hooky. Was one of your lodgers watching you work out there?”
“I didn’t see anyone.” Josie felt her uneasiness settle back into her gut. “The last group checked out long ago.”
“Strange. I thought I saw someone rustling in the brush.” She shrugged. “Maybe I was mistaken. Or it could’ve been a deer. Can I take you two to lunch?”
“You know, it could’ve been a deer. I’ve seen several out there lately. Lunch sounds good to me if Nooko’s willing. I have to clean up and put the caution tape back, and I want to let Barb and the police know that Abe showed up.” The tightness in her chest told her she didn’t believe a deer was watching her. Damn it, Abe. Get out of my life!
Josie took a quick shower, changed into shorts and a T-shirt, and phoned Barb fro
m her bedroom. A niggle of concern prompted her to check her office and safe before going to join Kelly and Nooko. Abe wouldn’t run her off, but he was starting to scare her.
Chapter Twenty-six
“I suppose you think I’m boring, but do homemade pasties sound good to you?” Kelly had decided against the Teepee since she had come to think of it as her and Barb’s place. Except for the ice cream trips.
“I’m fine with wherever you want to go. And you could never be boring, dear.” Ruth stood by the door waiting.
“I agree,” Josie said.
The small family restaurant had a few people waiting to be seated when they arrived, so Nooko sat on a wooden chair to wait their turn. The young attendant led them to a table by the window, and Kelly smiled at the owner when they passed her. She’d wondered if she was going to get to know people on the island and now she greeted many of them by name. She’d miss that when she left. “Hi, Claudia. I brought a couple of friends today.”
“Hey, Kelly. I know Josie, but who’s the lovely lady with her?”
Kelly introduced Ruth, grateful Josie allowed her the honor.
“I’m privileged to have you in my establishment. Please order anything on the menu, on the house.” Claudia went back to her kitchen with a wave.
“Tell me about Abe, Josie.” Kelly sipped the water Claudia had set in front of her.
Josie flicked a quick glance at Ruth before answering. “He showed up late last night, made a lowball offer which I refused, and left. I’m not sure if or when he’ll be back, but I expect he’ll keep trying.”
“Are you worried about him? Being dangerous, I mean.”
Ruth was looking at her menu and missed Josie’s slight shake of her head. “He makes me nervous for sure, but he hasn’t threatened me.”
Kelly decided to drop the subject. Clearly, Josie was concerned it would worry Ruth. They ate their lunch and discussed Kelly’s job and Josie’s plans for the resort. “So, what were you working on so diligently this morning?”
Josie swallowed a sip of water before replying. “I’m replacing an old shed my father used for tools with one I can store cross-country ski equipment and snow shoes in. I’m hoping it’ll be a draw for guests to have ski trails available, but not everyone has skis, so I plan to keep a few pair available for rental.”
“Sounds good. Maybe I’ll have to come back this winter and give it a try.”
“You come back anytime you want to.” Josie blushed slightly and kept her focus on her plate.
Kelly watched Josie’s reaction closely. She was sure Josie would want her to return, but was it for the same reason she wanted to?
The trip back to the lodge was quiet. Ruth’s head bobbed as she nodded off in the passenger seat, and Josie appeared lost in thought. She parked in front of the lodge in a handicapped space she hadn’t noticed before. “When did you add this?”
“The other day. It’s a good idea to have at least one,” Josie said. “I’ve got a ramp ordered for the porch, too, and I’m renovating cabin five.”
Kelly appreciated Josie’s attention to the potential of a disabled lodger. It was easy for property owners to inadvertently disregard that aspect. She helped Ruth out of the vehicle and into the building, aware of Josie following behind her. She was going to have to make a decision about what she wanted soon. Her required presence at the facility was ending, but she hadn’t told Janis yet. Her schedule allowed her to stay through October, and she’d begun to think of it as a short time. She told herself it was because she was dating Barb but suspected it was due to her growing feelings for Josie. She got Ruth settled with a cup of tea in the kitchen before she headed back to the main room to say good night to Josie.
“Hello?” Barb said as she opened the front door. “Kelly. What a nice surprise.” Barb kissed her lightly on the lips.
Kelly froze, feeling as if she were caught in a lie. She glanced at Josie standing motionless, watching the exchange.
“Hey, Barb. Come on in.” Josie spoke without looking at her and turned away.
“How’d it go last night? You didn’t elaborate in your phone call earlier.” Barb wound her arm around Kelly’s waist possessively.
“When he finally showed up, he made a super-low offer. Would you like a cup of coffee or something?”
“No, thanks. I’ve got to get back to work soon, but I worried a little when I didn’t hear from you until this morning.” Barb pulled Kelly closer. “A low offer, huh? Makes me wonder how much he wants the property. I would think he must’ve checked on the land values around here.” Barb furrowed her brow. “Did he ever say why he wanted to buy you out?”
“He told me it was none of my business. I asked him for his phone number, and he said no to that, too. He said something about me not realizing how difficult it could be to stay, though.”
“Makes me think he’s behind all the vandalism you’ve experienced. I worry he may escalate, so I’ll make sure the police are on alert. It sounds like they may have enough to pick him up for questioning.”
“If they can find him.” Josie looked frustrated.
Josie still hadn’t even glanced at Kelly, who gently slipped out of Barb’s embrace and retreated to the kitchen. She wished she’d mentioned she was seeing Barb to Josie and questioned her motives to keep it to herself. Was she holding out hope for Josie? She knows now. She felt as if she were in the middle of some kind of match where she was the prize, and she didn’t like it. She plopped into the chair opposite Ruth at the kitchen table.
“Are you two dating?” Ruth asked.
Kelly sighed. “I guess we are.”
“What’s it mean if you have to guess?” Ruth looked at her with that wise, knowing smile she used when she already knew the answer.
“I don’t know what it means, Ruth. Barb’s special and she treats me well, but I don’t know if it’s going anywhere.” Kelly relaxed in Ruth’s presence, surprised at how easy it was to confide in her about something so personal.
“You’re the only one who can figure it out. This is none of my business, but Joslyn means the world to me, and I don’t want to see her hurt. We are all part of nature’s plan. The Creator’s plan. And when we find someone who fits that plan, I believe we need to respect it and explore what it means for us. You young folks call it dating. In my day, when someone touched us deeply, we just accepted the offering and gave thanks. I’m not saying it’s not important to be treated with respect and caring. Never allow yourself to be discounted, but you must follow your heart. You must listen to its call. Don’t settle for something your spirit doesn’t feel.”
Kelly hugged Ruth and slipped out the back door, unwilling to have another awkward moment. She thought about Ruth’s words as she drove to her apartment. She poured herself a glass of iced tea and settled into her Adirondack chair to watch the birds. Did Ruth see or know something she couldn’t? Was there a chance Josie wanted to commit? Whose touch was her heart feeling? Josie’s or Barb’s? She closed her eyes and willed answers to come.
* * *
“I’ll be out back working on the shed.” Josie slipped out the back door, not waiting for an answer. She put on her leather gloves and began flinging pieces of wood into a pile away from the lodge. She stopped when she realized she’d run out of things to throw. She took a drink from her water bottle, grabbed her shovel, and began digging. She lost track of time as she used each thrust of the shovel as a release for pent-up anger. She scooped dirt until her arms ached and her legs shook from fatigue. She dug to blot out the sight of Barb’s arm around Kelly’s waist like it belonged there. She heaped soil into a pile to bury her frustration and confusion. Why did she care if Kelly and Barb were together? She wanted to be happy for Kelly. To feel relief she’d found someone willing to commit to her, but all she felt was regret. The hole she was digging in the ground felt tiny compared to the crater in her heart at the thought of Kelly leaving the island. Or, possibly worse, staying on the island and committing to Barb. She didn’t know w
hat she was going to do, so she kept digging.
“Joslyn! Are you going to work all night? Dinner’s almost ready.” Nooko stood in the doorway.
“I’m coming. I’m done for the night.” Josie put away her shovel and dragged herself into the lodge. “I’m going to take a shower before dinner.” She stood under the spray until the hot water ran out. No answers came and neither did peace. She dragged herself to the kitchen, the weight of unwanted emotions pushing at her.
“I reheated the leftovers. Are you all right, dear?”
“Thanks. I’m fine. Just a little tired.”
“Let’s eat. I have something to say to you.”
Josie frowned. She knew from experience when Nooko had something to say, it was serious. She set out plates and silverware and helped serve dinner. “What do you have to say?” She poked at her food and sipped her water.
“It was hard for you to see Kelly and Barb together, wasn’t it?”
Josie knew better than to try to lie to Nooko. “I suppose it was a little, but I’m happy for them.” Just a minor untruth.
“Honey.” Nooko patted her hand. “I can see you have strong feelings for Kelly, and I believe she does for you, too.”
“I can’t, Nooko. I’m terrified. Look what Mom and Dad had, and how quickly it was taken away. I can’t bring myself to take that chance.”
“Oh, honey. Life is full of chances. Where would we be if we never took a chance on anything? In my opinion, that’s how we learn and grow.” Nooko took a drink of water before pushing away from the table. “I’m going to read for a while before bed. Why don’t you join me? We’ll have a cup of tea, a fire in the fireplace, and you can relax and forget your problems for an evening.”
Love Came Calling Page 16
