Redemption at Shadow Lake

by J E Grace

  A tap on the window made her jump. Jonathan stood on the other side, a broad smile filled his face. He pushed through the door and swept her up into his arms giving her a hug and a soft kiss.

  “Mr. Williams, must I remind you that you are in a place of business,” said Samantha giving him a slight shove.

  “Sorry, you’re so beautiful, that I just couldn’t help myself.”

  Beverly stood not too far away chuckling to herself. “Hi, Jonathan. I’m glad to see that true love is still alive. You don’t have a brother, do you?” she asked giving him a wink.

  “Nope. I’m the last.”

  “You do seem to be happy. What’s going on?” said Samantha wondering what he was hiding.

  “I just confirmed our wedding date with the Pastor. Everything is scheduled.”

  “Wonderful. I talked to my sister, Gabrielle, earlier and made tentative plans to see them Christmas. Will that work for you? I thought we could be there a couple of days before Christmas.”

  “Sounds good. Maybe we can talk Beverly into swinging by and checking on the place while we’re gone.”

  “I heard that. I’d be happy to,” said Beverly handing him a cup of coffee.

  “Thanks, Beverly for that and the coffee. I needed this. It’s been a busy morning. I’ve been framing, and then Mark dropped by for a couple of hours. He’s a great kid, and he has a fire in his belly for photography.”

  “Have you seen any of his photographs or is he just starting out,” asked Samantha.

  “Mark just got a new camera, but I’ve looked at his other work, and he has a lot of potential. If he progresses like he is, he should be able to a show this next year,” said Jonathan taking a sip of his coffee. “I’m thinking of setting it up at my gallery to give him a kick start.”

  “That would be great. I’m sure Mark will be over the moon if that happened. His dad will be so proud of him.”

  “Mr. Hastings dropped Mark off the other day. He’s a nice man and supportive of his son’s interests. That makes a world of difference. He’s lucky he has two very artistic parents.”

  “Mrs. Hastings is quite the author. She writes under E. H. Montgomery, that’s why I couldn’t place her. It’s nice having a successful author living here in Shadow Lake,” said Samantha wondering what she was writing now.

  “Well, can I whisk you out of here and take you to dinner?” asked Jonathan. “How about you, Beverly, would you care to join us?”

  “I can’t Jonathan. I’m cooking dinner for my dad. Maybe another time,” she said putting on her coat. “See you tomorrow. Have a good time,” she said leaving the building.

  “Well, do you have anywhere in mind for dinner?”

  “Maybe Abbot Cove Marina for some fish and chips. I need to talk to Ed if he’s there,” said Samantha as Jonathan helped her on with her coat.

  “Sounds great. We can drop your vehicle off at your house on the way. I’ll drive,” he said turning out the lights by the door.

  Samantha set the alarm and pulled the door shut, making her way to her car. She started the engine and hit the windshield wipers to remove the snow from the front window. A layer of ice gleamed underneath, and she flipped the switch on the defroster to clear it.

  Jonathan waited for her in his vehicle, and when she backed out a few minutes later, he pulled onto the roadway behind her.

  Samantha drove along the snowy roadway being careful to leave enough stopping distance. It was going to be a harsh one this evening with temperatures dropping into the single digits. She would have to turn on the gas fireplace so it could warm up while they had dinner.

  Within a few minutes, she had parked in her front yard, set the fireplace thermostat, and was entering Jonathan’s Jeep.

  They enjoyed each other’s company and had a lot of the same interests. She finally understood why God had brought them together. They helped each other heal from their past with God’s help, and now they had their whole future ahead of them.

  Chapter 44

  J onathan stood looking out the window at the street below. The trees once filled with Autumn leaves were now gone and had taken on the stark dead look of winter. Snow was falling in large flakes blanketing the ground with mounds of white. Cars up and down the street slowed to a crawl.

  December would soon usher in the New Year. A time for new beginnings. This year it would be different. God had sent him an angel. A smile crossed his face as he thought about Samantha. God sure knew how to pick them.

  If someone had told him that this coming year he would be married, he would have laughed. He believed his heart wasn’t even ready for such a thing. But, then he met Samantha. She had stolen his heart almost from the beginning.

  She was a warm, loving, gentle and compassionate woman. A strong Christian woman and they would become equally yoked. His heart pumped faster in his chest when he pictured Samantha walking down the aisle in her wedding gown. Wow, how am I going to get through the real thing?

  Jonathan hated that his family wouldn’t be there for that particular day, but he believed in his heart that his mom and dad were smiling down on him.

  He walked into the gallery and stared at the photograph of his mom and a thought hit him. He would bring her photo and place it on a seat during the wedding. Would Samantha think it was a crazy idea or a beautiful sentimental one? Maybe she would want to bring a photo of her Dad too. God, am I being ridiculous?

  The doorbell sounded out front signaling that someone had entered the shop. Jonathan walked out front. The color drained from his face when he saw who it was. Please Lord, help me keep it together. Make me slow to anger.

  Calvin Benham removed his coat and hung it on the coat rack next to the door. The snow dripped onto the mat below soaking it.

  “Mr. Williams, I was hoping I could catch you at home. I have something I wish to discuss with you.”

  Jonathan knew full well why he was here, but he had no intention of selling the McClure Mansion to the likes of him. He felt the anger building inside for what Calvin had tried to do to Samantha. He took a deep breath before he spoke hoping to ease his tension.

  “Mr. Denham. I know why you’re here, but you could have saved your time and a trip out in this weather if you would have called,” said Jonathan, his eyes drilling into him.

  “I find conducting business in person is the best way,” he said almost smirking. “I’m prepared to make you the same offer on the McClure Mansion that I offered Mayor Prescott. It’s a large sum of money, and I think you’ll find it most generous.’

  “It doesn’t matter what amount you offer. I’m not interested in selling to you or any developer for that fact. The mansion has historical value and is part of my heritage. I’m afraid you’ll have to find a different location for your resort.”

  “You’re making a big mistake. Think of what you could do with all that money. You’re not exactly rich. It could change your life forever.”

  “It’s my so-called mistake to make, but I don’t feel it’s a mistake. And as far as being rich, there are other ways of being rich, and I guarantee they last longer than any money,” said Jonathan his patience wearing thin. God give me the strength to not say anything I’ll regret.

  “I guess we have nothing left to discuss then. Have a nice day. Tell Samantha I said hello,” he said wetting his lips as he turned to put on his coat.

  That last remark made his blood boil. A flash of anger rushed through Jonathan. His fists balled and his brow furrowed. It took everything he could muster not to want to knock him out.

  The door slammed, and Calvin was gone.

  Lord, forgive me for my thoughts, but he’s a hard man to take. Hopefully, he will leave town now, and that’s the last he would hear of him. I need some strong coffee.

  Jonathan locked the front door and flipped the sign over to closed and went upstairs to put the coffee on. As he left the living room, he could hear the drip, drip as it filled the canister.

  To calm his frazzled nerves, he reache
d for the one thing that never failed him-his Bible.

  Chapter 45

  J onathan opened his eyes. He missed the sun shining on his face first thing in the morning but with the onset of winter the days of sun were hit and miss. He got out of bed and padded to the bathroom for his morning shower, stopping on his way to make a pot of coffee.

  As he showered, he let the hot spray roll across the muscles in his neck and back, and after a few minutes, the tension started to release. Jonathan shut off the shower and toweled off. The smell of fresh coffee hit his nostrils as he made his way to the bedroom to get dressed.

  He slipped on a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt stopping briefly to view the snow as it fell floating softly to the ground below. It appeared that there had been another six to eight inches overnight. His neighbor across the street was out shoveling their driveway, and a large blonde colored Lab rolled in the snow nearby.

  Jonathan hit the remote, and the gas fireplace kicked on. Flames bounced as the heat started to fill the room.

  He was filling his cup with coffee when his phone rang. He sat down in his recliner in the living room to answer it.

  “Are you out in this snowstorm or nice and cozy at home?”

  “I’m at home. Beverly and I decided to take a snow day. How about you?”

  “I’m sitting here at the house watching the snow come down thinking about the opportunity I’m missing to take some gorgeous photos of the lake trails. Are you up for a short hike? I’d love the company,” said Jonathan thinking how he missed the smell of her hair as he nuzzled her neck. “I’ll stop by Subway and pick up a couple of breakfast sandwiches.”

  “It sounds like fun. I’ll fix a thermos of hot chocolate to take with us,” said Samantha wondering where she had put her snow boots. “I’m going to check the weather, so I know how much I need to bundle up.”

  “Dress warmly. You never know when the temperature can drop suddenly. I love you. See you soon,” Jonathan said hanging up the phone.

  Jonathan rinsed out his cup and shut the coffee maker off. He walked into the bedroom grabbing his keys from the bedside table and then stopped downstairs to grab his down jacket and boots from the closet.

  Ready for the cold, he went to his Jeep and started it letting it warm up as he shoveled the driveway. The deep snow gave his arms and shoulders a workout. When he finished, he ditched the shovel next to the garage and backed out watching for oncoming traffic. Everything seemed to move at a crawl as he followed a few vehicles down the street.

  As he passed Shadow Lake’s business district, many of the shop owners were shoveling their entrances and spreading salt down. The locals all knew what to expect from winter but some years were worse than others.

  He followed the lake road slowly around the curves, taking time to glance out at the lake as he drove. On the side of the road, snow piled up into large mounds and hung from trees like Christmas flocking. Along the banks below, snow covered the landscape leading up to the water’s edge which appeared partly frozen.

  As Jonathan rounded a curve, the mountains came into sight. The majestic snowy peaks rose into the horizon to meet the cloudless sky. Just the look of them made his heart swell. The west coast could have their ocean. He wouldn’t trade Shadow Lake’s mountain landscape.

  Within fifteen minutes, he was pulling into Samantha’s driveway. She opened the front door and waved as he got out.

  “Hi, beautiful. All ready to go,”

  “Just let me grab my stuff, and I’ll be right out,” she said disappearing inside.

  Jonathan got back inside the vehicle, turned on the radio, and waited. A few minutes later Samantha was loading her stuff into the Jeep, and they were on their way.

  Chapter 46

  I t was mid-morning when they pulled into the graveled parking area at the beginning of the trail. The ground and the rocks around the lakefront powdered with accumulations of newly fallen snow. The air was crisp and clean.

  Jonathan grabbed his backpack and tripod out of the back of the Jeep and joined Samantha. She wrapped the wool scarf around her neck tucking the ends inside her insulated jacket.

  “Are you warm enough?” asked Jonathan. “The air is colder with the breeze blowing off the lake.” He wrapped an arm around her drawing her close to him.

  “I’ll be fine. I dressed warmly. Insulated jacket and jeans. I’m glad I bought them a few weeks ago,” she said giving him a quick peck on the check.

  Samantha glanced out across the lake as she walked along the edge. She realized at that moment, why Jonathan loved being out photographing nature. She felt closer to God than she had ever felt before.

  “It is beautiful. I have been missing out. I’m so glad you asked me to come with you,” said Samantha gazing out at the lake.

  “I thought you would enjoy it. I’m going to set up my tripod over there so I can get a photograph. You might want to pour yourself some of that hot chocolate and warm up a little,” Jonathan said laying down his backpack.

  Jonathan positioned his camera on the tripod and glanced through the viewfinder. The sun was starting to peak out behind the clouds casting a glow on the water. He quickly snapped a couple of photos.

  Samantha brushed some snow off one of the gigantic boulders and leaned against it pouring herself a cup of the hot liquid. She took small sips as she watched Jonathan.

  She admired his dedication to doing what he loved and couldn’t wait to become his wife. It was becoming harder and harder not to want to spend every waking hour with him. Deep in thought, she sat there sipping on her cocoa. Little did she know that Jonathan had removed his camera from the tripod and began snapping photos of her.

  “Jonathan, you could warn me before you start photographing me,” she said making a face at him.

  “Why? It would ruin the shot. You look so natural that way,” he said snapping a few more. She put her cup down and playfully stuck her tongue out at him.

  “Okay. Now you’re in trouble,” Jonathan said returning the camera to the tripod as he walked over and took her down on the ground and began tickling her.

  Samantha rolled around on the ground laughing. Jonathan pinned her arms above her and lowered himself down to meet her lips stealing a kiss. Enjoying the moment, she returned the passion.

  “Wow, I don’t think I need the cocoa to warm up now. It is getting colder though. I’ve got the photos I wanted, so what do you say we head back.”

  “I’m with you. The wind seems to be picking up,” said Samantha as Jonathan helped her up.

  Jonathan removed the camera and hung it around his neck and picked up the tripod. He held Samantha’s, hand and they trekked back to the parking area.

  They had just reached the Jeep when Jonathan’s cell phone buzzed. Jonathan answered it. He cast Samantha a smile as he ended the call.

  “Good news?” she asked.

  “The Preservation Committee has approved the McClure Mansion as an individual landmark. It protects the property from local zoning and developmental laws. Since I was considering selling the property to the city, they pushed the application through.”

  “That’s great. What are you going to do?”

  “I thought I would have you go with me to the Mayor's office this next week. I would like you to handle the sale of the property if that’s okay with you.”

  “I can do that if you’re sure, that’s what you want.”

  “I’ve given it a lot of thought, and I can’t think of a better way to preserve my legacy. I can’t afford to do the renovations on my own, and with the new status I don’t have to worry about it being torn down,” said Jonathan kicking the snow from his boots before getting into the car. Samantha did likewise and got in.

  The property would be out of the hands of Calvin Benham. Maybe now he would leave town and be out of their lives.

  Chapter 47

  C alvin Benham was an unhappy man. First, that dark-haired beauty of a real estate agent, thwarted his affections and now her boyfriend refused to
sell him the property he needed for his resort. He should have filed assault charges against Samantha, but that would have made him appear weak and not the impression he wanted Mr. Donatello to have. It could have jeopardized his job.

  He dreaded the next call from the man. He was sure John had filled him in by now. Worst case scenario, he would have to grovel to get his job back at McCallister Investments.

  Oh, sure they would be glad to have him back, but he wasn’t a big fan anymore of his nine to five mundane existence. He had hoped he would make enough from the job in Shadow Lake to finally retire, but now he could kiss that idea goodbye.

  Calvin would be glad to get out of this boring town and its self-absorbed citizens. They were a close-knit bunch of country bumpkins living what they thought was a good life. He had lived more good life more than they could ever imagine. Thanks to his wife’s money and his talent for negotiations, he had done all right since her death.

  The life insurance policy he talked her into taking out left him able to pick and choose his projects and investors. He was slipping though thinking Mr. Donatello would be the right business partner. The man was cunning, and nothing much got past him. But then they had that in common.

  Now he would have to go back to his luxury apartment in Denver. How long can I keep up my lifestyle on an investment brokers salary? I might have to do some creative accounting again.

  No one knew the sins he had committed and the people that did, weren’t among the living. He faced the inevitable and packed his suitcase to go home, glad to leave Shadow Lake behind.

  Chapter 48

  J onathan and Samantha packed their bags and headed for Pigeon Bay. They took turns driving the twenty-four-hour trip.

  Samantha sat in the passenger’s seat staring out the window as the city of Pigeon Bay came into view. It was a fishing and tourist town situated along the oceanfront with a large bridge running from the city center out to the bay. She gazed at the shoreline and noticed a few people walking their dogs along the surf.