Whispering Pines (Celia's Gifts Book 1)

by Kimberly Diede

  “Oh, Matt, I had no idea. I am so, so sorry. Why didn’t you tell me? I talked to you last week. And the week before that. You never let on anything was wrong.”

  He gave her hand another quick squeeze, then released it, sitting back farther in his chair. “There was nothing you could’ve done. I knew you would have wanted to help. Hell, you probably would have wanted to fly out yourself. With how hard you’d been working to get this place up and running, I knew there was no way you should be away from here. I didn’t want you to be distracted.” He looked at her. “I’m sorry I wasn’t more open with you, Renee. Really, there was absolutely nothing you could have done,” he repeated.

  How could I not sense something was wrong? Renee chided herself.

  After another pause to collect his thoughts, Matt continued. “We started to get his affairs in order and held a small graveside service. It was nice. Dad would have approved. It was a beautiful summer day and we didn’t make a big fuss. Dad would have hated anything fancy on his behalf. Then my sister and I had to deal with the farm and Dad’s house. Things were in pretty tough shape. Dad wasn’t able to keep up. Macy kept Henry, Dad’s basset hound. The poor little dude howled every night for a week, confused at Dad’s absence. We aren’t sure what we want to do yet with the property. So we cleaned things up, I hired a family friend to take care of the yard and check the house periodically, and we’re gonna take some time to figure out what to do long-term.”

  Renee reached out and took his hand over the table. “How are you holding up? That’s an awful lot to push through in a short amount of time.”

  He nodded. “It’s been tough. Honestly, Renee, I feel bad I wasn’t here for Dad these last few years. I knew his health was failing, but I got used to living on the island and never made the time to get back and see him often enough. Macy tried to tell me but I didn’t listen. I thought she was exaggerating. Turns out he was even worse than she thought. My only consolation is I know Dad would have been miserable if we had moved him off his farm. He lived out there until the end. That’s what he wanted.” He took his hand from Renee’s and cupped his head again. “I can’t believe he’s gone.”

  He was silent like this for a moment before sitting back up. “I guess I needed to see a friendly face. Thank you for being that bright light at the end of an awful month for me. Maybe I should have called first, but . . . I wanted to surprise you.” He grinned sheepishly.

  Renee knew there weren’t any words she could say that would be of much help. She held out her hand again and he took it, holding tight and staring off into the woods again.

  “What is that?” Matt suddenly asked, squinting at something out beyond the outer edge of her backyard.

  Renee couldn’t see what he was looking at. Just a bunch of trees. “What?”

  He pointed. “Why do you have a trail cam on that tree, aimed at the house?”

  “What? What do you mean?” Renee didn’t have a clue what he was talking about.

  Matt pushed himself out of his chair, still staring hard at something. He walked purposefully toward the woods, stopping ten feet into the trees edging the backside of her lawn. Renee followed him.

  “Right there,” he said, pointing up into a nearby tree. “That’s one of those trail cameras hunters use to take pictures of wildlife. They have a motion sensor, and when something walks by, it snaps a picture. They’re so quiet, animals don’t even know they are there.”

  “I had no idea it was up there,” Renee replied, gazing up at the small box. It was hard to see, blended in with the tree bark. “Maybe the old caretakers had trouble with deer or something eating their garden?”

  “Hmm . . . maybe. But this doesn’t look old. Doesn’t look like it’s been out in the elements through a Minnesota winter. Want me to take it down so we can take a closer look? I think I can reach it.”

  Matt was tall. He was able to unhook the strap holding the camera to the tree without too much trouble. Together they left the shade of the trees, walking back into the warm sunshine, and sat back down on the patio.

  He turned the camera around in his hands, examining it. The small camera was encased in greenish-brown, hard plastic with a lens on the front and various dials on the side. It looked complicated. “Looks like this one is a high-end version. These can take pictures day or night. Hmm . . . the SD card is missing.”

  “Wouldn’t we see a flash if it went off at night?”

  He shook his head. “It uses infrared. A flash would scare animals off.”

  Renee stared at the thing in his hands as if it were a live animal. “This isn’t good. Matt, I probably should fill you in on what’s been happening around here. I was going to tell you one of these days. Just like you didn’t want to worry me about your dad because there was nothing I could do, I didn’t want to worry you with this stuff.”

  Now it was Matt’s turn to be confused. He set the camera down. “What’s been happening that you didn’t want to tell me about?”

  Renee hugged her arms around her, even though it was warm outside. “At first, I thought it was my imagination. A feeling or niggling worry that something wasn’t right. Like when my friend Tabby was out here with me, and we were getting the cabins in shape. Remember, I talked to you when she was here? Anyhow, I heard something outside in the middle of the night but figured it was probably an animal or the wind. I wasn’t feeling brave enough to go check it out myself. And there were other times, too, when I felt like someone was watching. Something set Molly off a few times, times when I couldn’t tell what spooked her.”

  Matt looked around, having forgotten about Renee’s dog. “Speaking of Molly, where is she?”

  “Dad took her home with him earlier today to get her in for shots. Saves me a trip. Anyhow, a little over a week ago, we started having some . . . incidents.”

  Not liking the sound of that, Matt prodded her a bit. “What kind of incidents?”

  Renee took a sip of her lemonade, condensation dripping off the glass onto her shirt, as she tried to decide where to start.

  “I had three college boys renting one of the cabins the same week Julie had two of her girlfriends come out. Good group of kids. They all helped out, put some extra effort in cleaning up the lodge. Two days before they were set to leave, I made them a steak dinner here, in the backyard, to thank them for all their help. After all, the guys were paying guests. It was a fun evening. They played volleyball in the yard by the fire pit, and I brought Molly back here to give them some space.

  “Molly freaked when we came in. I freaked out, too, when I saw there was a dead squirrel lying in the middle of my kitchen floor. To this day, I have no idea how it got there. The doors were both closed tight. Earlier that same day, I came back here and the door of the other unit was standing wide open. No one was around, but I figured someone hadn’t pulled the door shut all the way. But that wouldn’t account for a dead animal on the floor in my unit. The kids helped me clean it up and checked the house, but we couldn’t find anything else.”

  Renee shivered at the unpleasant memory.

  Matt frowned. “Any other incidents?”

  Renee nodded. “The next evening, Julie and the other college kids all headed to a street dance in town. When the boys got back to their cabin, someone had done major damage inside while they were out. Slashed and busted the furniture, painted the walls, wrote a nasty message on the mirror, the whole nine yards.”

  “Wait, what? Somebody vandalized one of your cabins?” Matt glanced down at the camera lying on the small end table. “What the hell is going on? Did you call the police?”

  “I did. The sheriff and a deputy came out that night. Of course, whoever did it was nowhere to be found. The officers took pictures, talked to everyone, said they’d be in touch. I have some pictures, too. I can show you when I’m done telling you everything.”

  Matt raised an eyebrow. “You mean there’s more?”

  “Unfortunately, yes, and the last thing worries me the most. A couple of days ago,
my brother Ethan went over to work on the Gray Cabin.”

  “Gray cabin? I thought in the pictures you sent me they all looked pretty similar.”

  “Yeah, kind of, but there’s one last cabin we haven’t fixed up yet, tucked a little ways back into the trees. All faded and gray. I even had a few nightmares about it, for whatever reason.”

  Unpleasant premonition, Renee thought now with the value of hindsight.

  “Anyhow, we knew there was some water damage in a back bedroom. Ethan wanted to see what it would take to repair the wall. He’d already stopped the leak earlier in the spring. Maybe I would still be able to start renting it out yet this summer if repairs didn’t take too long. When he unlocked the cabin door and went back to the bedroom . . . what he found was bizarre and scary as hell. It looked like someone had been staying in there. The bed was rumpled and there were stubby white candles sitting on the two dressers, wax dripped down onto the wood. The window was unlocked.”

  “Do you think maybe someone used the room for privacy?”

  “It’s possible, but I don’t think so. We called the sheriff back to let him know, given the vandalism the week before, and he asked that same question. Thought maybe some kids had gone in there.”

  Matt nodded, trying to wrap his head around everything. “So the fact someone might have been staying here without your knowledge has you freaked.”

  “Of course, but there’s more.”

  “Jesus,” Matt said.

  “Dad found a picture of Julie tucked in one of the dresser drawers. None of us had been in there much up to that point. Why in the hell would there be a picture of my daughter in a drawer?”

  “Have you asked her about it?”

  Renee shook her head. “She doesn’t know it was there. I need to tell her, but I haven’t yet.”

  “Renee, you shouldn’t have kept this from me. I don’t want to scare you, but . . . if my years in law enforcement have taught me anything . . . this could be serious. You know I care about you, and your kids are great. I hate the thought of you alone out here with all this happening. Do you have any idea who might be behind this?”

  Renee shifted in her lawn chair, trying to get comfortable as a bead of sweat rolled down her back—whether from the heat or from fear, she couldn’t say.

  “I’ve thought long and hard about it. I’m at a total loss. We haven’t met many people around here yet except our renters. Other than one couple complaining constantly, all my renters have been great. I don’t have any enemies that I know of.”

  “Do you mind if I visit with the local sheriff about all this? Maybe I can help.”

  “Matt, with everything you shared about your dad, you don’t have time to take any more on. Besides, when do you have to go back?”

  Matt shrugged off her concerns. “I was hoping to spend a few days here, before flying back to Dad’s for a day and then catching my flight back to Fiji. That is, if you’re OK with me hanging around?”

  “Absolutely! It’s great to have you here. I still can’t believe you actually are here. If you want to go talk to Sheriff Thompson, I don’t mind. Anything to get some answers. And by the way, I’m not going to be out here with just the kids and an evolving stream of renters I don’t know. My sister sprang it on me this morning that she told her husband she wants a divorce and she and her teenage daughter are staying in my extra unit for the next month or so. I also have one of our cabins rented out to Grant and Grace. Remember me telling you about the brother-in-law I never knew about and his sick daughter? Well, they needed to go someplace quiet so Grace could recuperate. They decided to rent a cabin from me for a month, too.”

  Matt grinned. “Sounds like you don’t have room for me.”

  “Don’t be silly, you can stay in Julie’s room. She can bunk with me. Sorry I don’t have a cabin open to put you in. Unless you want to stay in the grungy old Gray Cabin,” Renee teased.

  “If you’re sure you don’t mind, I’d love to stay here with you. It will be fun to meet more of your family. I don’t suppose we can arrange to have them all gone for about an hour each afternoon like they were today? I don’t think spending only one short hour in bed with you will be enough for me.”

  Feeling herself blush for the umpteenth time, Renee had no comeback for that comment. But she was saved from further embarrassment by the sound of a vehicle out front. Renee stood and Matt rose to stand beside her.

  “Sounds like it’s time to meet the family,” Renee said, reaching for Matt’s hand.

  Matt took it and used it to pull Renee up tight against him to steal a quick kiss and then released her, scooping up the camera. “Maybe you want to go put this somewhere safe until we can figure out what to do with it. Probably don’t need the others to see it until we know more.”

  “Good idea.”

  Renee ran the camera into the house and joined Matt back on the patio seconds later. Footsteps pounded up the trail toward them.

  “Give me that back, you little shit,” Julie screamed, hot on Robbie’s heels. He had something clutched in his hand as he ran out ahead of his sister. Lauren wasn’t far behind. None of them noticed Renee and Matt at first.

  “Give me back my phone right now!”

  All three teens slid to a stop in front of Renee.

  “Whoa, what’s up, guys?” hollered Renee.

  “Robbie thinks he’s being cute, taking my phone and texting Ben, pretending to be me. So now I’m going to kill him!” Julie lunged at Robbie, attempting to grab her phone out of his outstretched hand.

  “Hey, settle down. Robbie, give your sister back her phone right now. You know better than that. If you two are done acting like you’re three years old, I have a surprise for you. Remember Matt?”

  Both Robbie and Julie finally noticed the man standing slightly behind their mother. Both looked equally confused.

  Robbie was the first to speak. “Oh, hey there. Didn’t expect to ever see you again.”

  Julie elbowed Robbie in the stomach as she stepped past him toward Matt. She gave Renee a sideways look, as if silently asking her What the heck? But she was gracious to Matt, extending her hand in welcome.

  Matt gave Julie’s hand a shake. Before he could explain his presence, Jess approached on the trail and came across the grass to join them all in the backyard, glancing between Renee, Matt, and the kids.

  “Matt, I’d like to introduce you to my sister Jess and her daughter Lauren,” Renee said, motioning to the two. “Matt is a good friend I met when we were in Fiji last winter.”

  Ever the calm, cool, collected sister, Jess eyed Matt skeptically, taking her time before replying. “Well, hello, nice to meet you, Matt. My sister didn’t tell us she was expecting company.”

  Matt glanced between Renee and her sister. The family resemblance was noticeable, but Jess seemed more reserved. “Nice to meet both of you, too,” he replied, nodding toward Jess, then Lauren. “Unfortunately, I had a death in the family so I had to fly home. I had some extra time before I’m due back, so I thought I would surprise Renee.”

  An awkward silence followed introductions. No one but Renee seemed to understand why Matt was there. The kids hadn’t known she kept in touch with him after they got back. She had never talked about Matt to Jess. Other than telling Tabby about him, she had kept her friendship with Matt to herself. She was finding it entertaining that everyone was having such a hard time comprehending why a man would come to visit her.

  “I bet everybody is getting hungry. I don’t have anything fancy planned for supper. Why don’t I throw in some frozen pizzas?” Renee suggested, not wanting Matt to feel too uncomfortable.

  With that, everyone dispersed. Julie mumbled something about calling Ben to explain her imbecile brother. Robbie wandered over to the house. Jess and Lauren said they wanted to go freshen up before dinner.

  “Well, that was a little awkward,” Matt said, exhaling. “Apparently your sister has never heard my name?”

  Renee grinned. “You noticed th
at, huh? Honestly, I didn’t want to tell anyone about us. At least, I didn’t want to when I didn’t know if I would ever see you again. I so enjoy our talks. Normally I’m an open book and my family pretty much knows everything about me, so it’s been . . . kind of fun having a little piece of my personal life stay personal, ya know?”

  “But then all of a sudden I show up on your doorstep . . .”

  “Yep, the cat is out of the bag now! And believe me, I am going to get grilled for this. If it was anyone other than Jess, she would be inside right now calling my mother and sister to tell them I have a man here. But Jess isn’t like that. She will ask me about you, but she’ll leave it up to me whether or not I want to tell anyone else. The kids, on the other hand . . . no promises there.”

  “So, how do you want to play this? Like platonic friends? Or hot lovers? Because I gotta tell you, hot lovers sounds like a whole bunch more fun,” Matt teased, stepping close enough now to be in her personal space.

  “Believe me, if Jess hadn’t kicked her husband down the road last night and my kids weren’t at such vulnerable ages, I would be all in for the ‘hot lover’ approach. But we are probably going to have to try for some discretion this time.”

  “I understand,” Matt said, flashing his cute dimples. “But maybe we could sneak in a midnight swim or something when they’re all asleep.”

  Renee frowned suddenly as images flashed through her head of hidden cameras, a trashed cabin, and a mystery person hidden away on the property.

  “Normally I would be intrigued by your suggestion—I have to admit I’ve never had the opportunity to skinny dip. But now I’d be afraid someone was watching. There’s been too much crap going on around here lately for me to be comfortable outside at night like that.”

  “Oh jeez, Renee, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t even kid around about stuff like that until we figure out what has been going on. I promise you, I’ll help you get to the bottom of this, OK?”