by Barrett
Another big plus, she would not have to worry about entertaining Melissa who was absolutely gobsmacked by one of the vets. She’d always had a thing for uniforms, and the poor woman didn’t stand a chance.
“Glad to see you made it. I’m Dawn. My friends call me Riz. Please make yourself at home.” She held out her hand.
Kirin shook her hand. “Thanks for inviting me. I don’t want to be rude, but would you be willing to give me about five minutes for my magazine?”
“Hell, I’d love to. Should I stay in uniform, or can I change?”
Kirin laughed. “Go ahead and change. It’s your party. Besides I have a few pictures I can use from the parade.”
The screen porch held most of the partiers and the bar. Kirin pulled a beer bottle from a large tub filled with ice. As the sun went down, the outside lights illuminated a large yard sloping down to the bay. Light stringers ran along the railing of the pier. She spotted Silke seated in an Adirondack chair near the screen door, and mostly hidden in the shadows.
“Mind if I join you?” Kirin’s pulse raced.
Silke looked up and smiled warmly. “I would be thrilled. You turned out to be a pleasant surprise at the parade.”
Kirin pulled over a lawn chair and placed it in Silke’s line of sight. “I couldn’t believe it when I looked across the street and saw you sitting there. What are the chances?”
Silke shook her head. “I had no interest in coming up here, but Rachel came home early Friday with this great idea to go away for the weekend. Let’s just say it was easier to agree and keep the peace. What about you? This doesn’t seem like your normal exotic locale.”
They laughed.
“One of the other magazine’s writers needed emergency surgery, and Esther begged. When Melissa found out, there was no turning back. Turns out military parades are a good thing. She’s already set her sights on the vet with the curly gray hair. The way I figure it, if she can fight terrorists, she should be safe with Melissa.” Kirin looked around. “I couldn’t believe when your partner introduced me to you. I’m not gonna get you in trouble am I?”
“I seriously doubt it. Rachel is distracted. She’s in her element, smiling and flirting with everyone. I suspect one of the other houseguests was the real reason she wanted to come up here. I don’t really care, but it’s humiliating. I wish she had let me stay home.”
Kirin noticed the empty bottle on the ground. “Can I get you another beer?”
“Thank you. That’d be great. I’m sorry. I’m not gonna get all maudlin on you.”
“I don’t think you’re maudlin. Besides, that’s what friends do.” Kirin picked up the empties and trotted back to the house. The day had improved already.
With two beers in one hand, Kirin turned.
Riz came around the corner with a huge bowl of popcorn, nearly colliding with her. “If you’re ready to interview me now, why don’t you meet me in the living room? It’ll be quieter.”
“Sure. Let me drop this off.” Kirin hustled outside and handed Silke the beer. “Will you still be here for a while? I asked Riz for a five-minute interview, and she’s ready. But I’d like to talk some more, if that’s okay?”
Silke smiled. “I’d like that, too. I’m not going anywhere. Thanks for the beer.”
SOME INTERVIEWS WERE tough to get started. Dawn Rizzoli made it easy. A couple of questions about serving under Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, and she ran for ten minutes. She was a good storyteller. She’d be a great subject for a whole article, sadly not this one.
“I really appreciate your time.” Kirin handed her a business card. “I’ll send you a copy of the article when it’s ready. And thanks for your service.”
“Happy to do my part and I’m glad your magazine took the time to cover our little parade. It isn’t much as parades go, but it meant a lot to those of us who served to have our neighbors recognize our service.” Her voice cracked. “If you want some really good stories, corner Steffi after she’s hit the brandy.”
The crowd had thinned when she got back outside. She stopped when she saw Rachel sitting with Silke. The conversation seemed serious.
Kirin edged over to the other side of the yard and chose a bench under a tree. From there, she had a good view of the inky black bay glazed by moving reflections of moonlight. Three or four women’s voices echoed up the hill from the moored pontoon boat. The music from the house muted along with small pockets of conversation.
Kirin leaned back against the large oak and stretched. It had been a good day’s work, and she was tired. The drive back to Sturgeon Bay wouldn’t take long, but she didn’t want to leave yet, not without talking to Silke again. Who knew when they would have the next chance to meet? She glanced back. Rachel was standing with her hands on her hips. Suddenly she wheeled around on her heel and marched back into the house.
Silke remained seated, but wiped both cheeks with her hands. Was she crying? Kirin watched for a few more minutes to make sure Rachel wasn’t coming back. On impulse, she walked back to the house as though she were going for another beer. In the hall near the dining room, she could see Rachel whispering to the young woman with the red hair who was laughing.
Okay then. She grabbed a beer and headed back outside.
“Good time or bad?” Kirin said softly.
Silke looked up, surprised. “Both. I’m glad you came back. I was afraid you wouldn’t with Rachel here.”
“Would you like to take a walk?” Kirin looked around then set the beer on the table.
Silke stood. “I’d like to walk. There’s a path along the lake which might be visible in the moonlight, not that it matters. I can’t see it anyway.”
“No, but I can,” Kirin said. “You can relax and enjoy the water in the moonlight. And the quiet.”
Silke took her arm, and they navigated down to the water’s edge. Between the moonlight and the reflection of the water, the gravel pathway was visible.
Kirin didn’t want to mention seeing Rachel inside—or that she was not alone. But she was curious about their argument even if it was none of her business. Silke held tightly to her arm and walked slowly.
Kirin whiffed the shampoo scent mixed with insect repellent. It was nice. It reminded her of youthful summer days and all those years piling in the car before dawn to get up north and open their cottage. Right now, her parents were up there. She felt a little selfish for choosing a work assignment to avoid going. She glanced at Silke and thought how fun it would be to take her up there to meet her folks. They’d like her as much as she did.
“Do you think a lot of people saw us arguing?” Silke said.
Arguing? “No. There weren’t that many people outside, and I don’t think anyone heard you. But is everything all right?”
Silke stopped and turned. “Not really. I didn’t want to come up here, and I had no idea Dawn was planning this big party. I thought it was just going to be a few of us. You know how uncomfortable I get in crowds. So I asked Rachel if we could go home early tomorrow. She was furious, said she did this for me and how could I be so ungrateful.” Her voice cracked. “Dawn invited a group of people to bring their boats over tomorrow for a big pontoon boat party.” She sighed and wiped her eyes. “Rachel blames me for ruining the fun for everyone else. And the truth is, the only reason I can’t enjoy myself is because of her erratic behavior.” She started to cry.
Anger tightened Kirin’s throat. How could anyone be so insensitive? Silke was nearly blind because of Rachel’s temper, and she had the gall to blame Silke for it.
She stepped closer and put her arms around Silke’s shoulders. “You’re right. It isn’t fair. I wish there was something I could do.”
Silke held on to her waist. “Listening helps, believe me. I haven’t been able to talk to anyone about this because it’s so embarrassing.”
Kirin held her by the shoulders. “You have nothing to be embarrassed about. You’re the injured party. It makes me crazy that she treats you so badly. It’s too late tonight, bu
t if you want, I’ll come out early tomorrow morning and drive you back to Milwaukee.”
Silke looked up at her, and the moonlight reflected off her tear-filled eyes. “Are you serious? You’d really do that?”
“Of course. I finished my assignment. I thought I might hang around to see some of the sights. I’ll check, but I’m pretty sure Melissa has no intention of going back right away, and if so, I think someone will be more than happy to give her a ride.”
Silke hugged her. “I feel like I’m always thanking you for saving me. I hate being such a pain in the ass, but I’m really glad you’re here.”
Kirin pulled her close and stroked the back of her head. “Trust me, you’re no imposition. I enjoy being with you. Why don’t we get you back to the cottage, and you can decide how early you want to get up and leave. You have my cell number you can always call. Always.”
Chapter Twenty-six
KIRIN SET HER backpack on the floor in the backseat, pulled off some paper towels, and wiped the dew from the windshield. Silke had suggested meeting at the end of the driveway at six-thirty, before the partygoers were up and about.
Third Street was empty, and the flags hung limp on the lampposts in the still air. The sleepy little town had done her veterans proud the day before, and Kirin was glad she made the trip—for a couple of reasons. She followed route 57 back across the bridge, and then turned west to Riley’s Bay.
Before leaving the night before, she caught up with Melissa outside on the front porch. She smiled at the memory of her disheveled-looking ex.
“Kirin. Oh. My. God. Did I ever peg that woman wrong. She’s got some serious stamina. Damn.” Melissa leaned against the railing and laughed. “You go on home. I have no idea when I’ll be back. Hey, thanks for bringing me along.”
SILKE EASED THE screen door closed and stepped out on the front step. She listened. Muted songbirds and cicadas were the only sounds on the densely wooded property. Toward the water, she could hear the waves lapping on the gravel at the shore and the call of a gull. The pine needles muffled her footsteps.
Once she distanced herself from the cottage, her breathing returned to normal. The main road was about six-hundred feet further. Narrows streams of light filtered through the tree branches animating the fog. The driveway was graded, but she used her cane just in case.
The tension eased the further she walked. Not surprisingly, Rachel had come in late or early in the morning. Silke had no way of knowing except that she turned on the light to look for her things then pitched a fit about the twin beds. When she settled down, Silke told her that one of the guests had offered to give her a ride back, so Rachel could feel free to stay and enjoy herself. She thought she delivered the news in a way that would make Rachel happy. Of course, it didn’t. The argument died quickly when Silke refused to discuss it.
When the large cement gate markers were visible, Silke thought she could see the silhouette of a car and picked up her pace. It was Kirin’s car.
“Good morning. Thank you so much for doing this,” Silke said.
Kirin took Silke’s bag and opened the car door. “I was afraid I might be late, but there certainly isn’t much traffic at this hour. I thought we could stop for breakfast in a little while, if you’re interested.”
“I’d love some coffee, so whenever you want to stop is fine with me.”
“I remember stopping for gas at a truck stop near Brussels. It shouldn’t be too far.” Kirin steered the car onto the highway and set the cruise control. “After I left you last night, I ran into Melissa.” She laughed. “I think she has met her match. She thought that the soft-spoken vet, Steffi, was shy. Evidently, the military trained her well. In addition to other skills, she seems to have indefatigable stamina.”
Silke couldn’t help it. She laughed as she thought about Dawn’s stiff, stocky military buddy and Kirin’s lascivious blond ex. “So I gather she wasn’t disappointed that she had to stay a little longer.”
“Honestly, I’ve never seen her that way. She could barely focus. Her eyes were glassy, and she had a smile about a mile wide.” Kirin continued to chuckle. “In fact, she told me she didn’t know when she’d be home.”
They rode in silence for a while, and Silke thought about Kirin and her ex. It made her sad when she realized the heady sex-filled days early in her own relationship had been short lived. And even then, it had never been about pleasing her. It had always been about Rachel. Why had she stayed so long?
Kirin pointed. “There’s the turnoff. Are you ready to eat?”
“Absolutely.” Silke’s stomach gurgled in response.
THE WAITRESS WROTE down their order and filled their coffee cups. Silke slid closer to the window, glad that the booth behind them was unoccupied. The small truck stop was busy for a Sunday morning, and the loud voices made her edgy. When she looked, she saw a curious expression on Kirin’s face.
“Sorry. I guess I’m still a little nervous in public.” She swept her hair back behind her shoulders.
“What happened to your arm?” Kirin pointed at her wrist where several dark bruises had blossomed.
Silke felt the heat rise in her neck. “When we were arguing last night, I tripped over my bag, and Rachel grabbed my arm.” She wasn’t sure, but she thought that’s when it happened.
Kirin nodded but didn’t look convinced. “Looks like it hurts.”
She put her hands below the table, feeling self-conscious. “Not really. I get banged up worse than this when I’m sculpting.” She shifted position and leaned back. “Which reminds me. I ordered the white cedar for my commission project, and hopefully it’ll be here next week. I’m really excited to get started.”
“So you finished the designing?”
The lanky, leggy waitress delivered two plates. “Who had the sausage and eggs?”
“I did.” Silke smiled and put her napkin in her lap.
The server set the plate down in front of Silke and the other in front of Kirin. “Can I get you ladies anything else?”
“I don’t think. This looks great,” Kirin said.
Silke busied herself, mixing her eggs and hash browns then added ketchup. It smelled wonderful. “Yes. I finished the design last week, and the client loved it. He has a home on the bluff overlooking the lake off Lake Drive. He wants a lighthouse for his patio. I’m pretty excited about it.” She chewed her first bite and savored it—the spicy combination warmed her stomach. She thought Kirin’s French toast looked yummy, too.
“Sounds daunting. How do you sculpt a lighthouse?” Kirin drizzled a generous amount of syrup.
In between bites, Silke described the process of drilling a hole through the log for the galvanized pipe to hold electric wiring. She drew on a napkin to show how to connect the two log sections. “I’ll construct a scale version of a widow’s walk, then use a commercial-size street light with copper roofing.”
“It sounds awesome. How big will it be when you’re done?” Kirin wiped her mouth then put the napkin on her empty plate.
“The lighthouse itself will be eight feet, with two more feet for the lamp fixture. But it will be sitting on a square cement base about twelve inches high. I’m hoping that will keep it from blowing over.” She laughed, visualizing the epic project tipping over in the wind. Not really funny.
Kirin shook her head. “You’re a remarkable woman, do you know that?”
Silke felt herself blushing. “I sure don’t feel that way.”
Kirin picked up the check, and Silke snatched it from her. “Please let me get this. It’s the least I can do since you rescued me. I’d also like to pay for the gas next time we stop.”
“That’s not necessary. Remember, I’m being reimbursed for this trip.”
Back on the highway, Silke felt sated, comfortable, and safe. She put her hand on Kirin’s arm. “I can’t thank you enough for this.”
Kirin smiled and squeezed her hand.
For the next hour, they remained hand in hand with the radio playing softly.
Silke closed her eyes and enjoyed the warmth of the sun on her lap and Kirin’s warm hand in hers.
Chapter Twenty-seven
KIRIN CHOSE THE lake route, which was beautiful on a bright Sunday morning. The wind was calm and only a few high clouds streaked the sky. A variety of small boats dotted the water along the shore. The smell of the lake blew through the open car windows. Silke couldn’t remember the last time she’d enjoyed a Sunday drive. It was different with Kirin, who didn’t seem uncomfortable with long silences. And it felt good to let her mind wander rather than be on alert and defensive.
She gazed at Kirin’s silhouette outlined by the morning sun. She liked the strong features and the way she jutted her chin when she was concentrating. Their curious introduction in a Dallas Airport seemed like such a long time ago, and Kirin seemed so different from that woman. At first, she thought she was imagining things, but, in fact, Kirin’s voice was softer and much lower. She found it hard to imagine how much stress she must have been feeling for her voice to have sounded so strained.
