That Unforgettable Kiss

by Tamara Ferguson

  Finally managing to ease away from her arms, Murphy studied the lovely woman standing before him. It was hard to believe that Jenny, who’d always appeared ageless, was actually the same age as his mother. “Jenny. How’ve you been? You’re looking great, as always.” Shoulder-length, strawberry-blonde hair was feathered back, flattering the delicate features of her lovely heart-shaped face. And, as usual, her bright blue eyes appeared to be twinkling.

  “It’s been a couple of years, at least, since I’ve seen you, Murphy. You’ve grown as tall as your father! C’mon. Let’s get you settled.” Grabbing one of his bags and reaching for his hand, she impatiently waited for him to scoop up his remaining luggage. After dragging him into the house, she led him up a long flight of stairs beginning beyond the entryway.

  Following her up the gleaming oak staircase, Murphy surreptitiously studied the rambling interior of the immaculate craftsman-style home. He was aware that the entire house had undergone fifteen years of renovations before it’d become the showplace it was now.

  Reaching the landing at the top of the staircase, Jenny turned right into a spacious hallway and carried his bag into a room situated at the very end.

  “This is actually my daughter Kate’s room. She’s been living in the family cabin over the summer. She wanted more independence – along with some peace and quiet – since she’s been working more closely with her father. We have a couple of guest rooms upstairs on the fourth floor, but they can get a little warm through July and August. This room’s larger and has a bathroom attached. You’ll have more privacy from the younger kids, too. Kelly and Jeff have a lot of friends coming and going during the summer, so it does get rather noisy around here.”

  Murphy’s eyes wandered across the open, airy suite. He’d definitely be comfortable here. Two inviting chairs with ottomans, sat on a thick-piled area rug that lined up with the fireplace, covering lustrous wooden floors. Carved in oak, the antique furnishings were simple, yet elegant. Appearing only subtly feminine, the fluffy smoke-blue comforter and matching draperies were striped in cream and laced with buttery yellow.

  Apparently noticing how Murphy’s eyes widened when he observed the enormous four-poster bed, Jenny laughed. “We’ve inherited all of these pieces from my great-grandmother. At one time, her home was a bed and breakfast. Before we sold off her property, we moved a lot of her furnishings here. Lucy, Dan, and Kate all got to pick out their own bedroom suites.” Approaching a highboy at the opposite end of the room, she motioned with her hand. “I’ve rearranged Kate’s clothing. You should have plenty of space in the closet as well as in her chest of drawers.”

  Murphy laid his duffel bag on the bed. “Thanks for having me, Jen.”

  “You’re welcome, Murphy. We’re so thrilled to have you here. We were surprised to hear you wanted to complete your internship so far away from home.”

  “I’ve heard so much about Crystal Rock from Dad – and I’ve always wanted to visit. My advisor, along with my contact at Ryland’s, suggested I’d learn more about construction if I worked in a simpler setting. A lot of the larger companies in Chicago aren’t exactly hospitable when it comes to taking on inexperienced interns, anyway.”

  “Then you’re exactly where you belong, Murphy. Cal and I were so impressed to hear you have a job awaiting you once you graduate.” Jenny’s eyes searched the room. “You should have everything you need. There’re plenty of towels in the bathroom. Just make yourself at home. We thought we’d take you out for dinner tonight at the Riverbend Lodge. Dress is casual. Say six-o-clock? Just come on downstairs to the kitchen when you’re ready.”

  Murphy grinned. “Sounds good to me.”

  With a smile, Jenny turned, pulling the door closed behind her as she left the room.

  Snatching up his largest suitcase, Murphy propped it up on an ottoman and snapped it open. After sorting and unpacking his clothing into the empty drawers of the tall bureau, Murphy opened the door of the huge walk-in closet. The lightly scented fragrance of cedar and citrus swirled appealingly through his senses. Women’s clothing was hung neatly and precisely along one end of the closet, while sweaters and sweatshirts were folded and stacked on the shelves above. Unzipping his clothing bag, Murphy hung up some dress clothes he’d decided to bring along.

  Moving on into the bathroom, he laid out his shaving kit, quickly taking the opportunity to shower and shave.

  It was when he began to open the drawers of the vanity that, yanking too hard on one of the handles, he mistakenly came upon a few secreted items obviously belonging to Kate Callahan. The entire drawer had slipped out from the vanity, revealing a compartment attached to the end of the drawer.

  His face turned ruddy immediately recognizing the contents of the compartment for what they were. Murphy grimaced. Rubbers...birth control pills? Wasn’t Kate Callahan only nineteen?

  Come to think of it, Kate was the exact same age as his younger brother. And look at the number of Kyle’s conquests, he reminded himself.

  Rolling his eyes, Murphy quickly shoved the items back into their compartment and slid the drawer onto its track. “Talk about having a double standard. I’ve never had a sister,” he muttered. “What the hell do I know? At least she obviously practices safe sex.”

  Even his youngest brother Ethan, at sixteen, was definitely attracting a shit-load of women. And Murphy had to admit wryly, he’d been in the same position himself since junior high – he wasn’t exactly handsome. He was living proof that women were usually attracted to the guys who played sports.

  Wearing faded jeans and a striped navy sport shirt, Murphy made his way downstairs fifteen minutes later. He followed the sound of laughter through an extended hallway. Completely modernized, the kitchen was bright and cheery with its high-quality appliances and gleaming mahogany cabinetry. A seamless addition to the original craftsman-style structure, the vaulted family room had been attached to the kitchen. Noticing the comfy furniture grouped around the towering stone fireplace, Murphy figured that the Callahan family spent most of their time together here.

  Crossing through the kitchen into the family room, Murphy grinned. “Cal – Dan – it’s great to finally see you guys again.” With ash-brown hair and silvery-blue eyes, Mike and Dan Callahan could never be mistaken for anything other than father and son. Plus, they both stood over six-feet tall. After enthusiastically pumping Cal’s hand, Murphy yanked Dan into his arms, thumping him hard on his back.

  Both Murphy and Dan were active in sports and about to enter their senior year in college. Since Michael Murphy’s jump to starting wide receiver at Northwestern, Dan and Mike Callahan frequently drove to Chicago to attend his football games with Murphy’s father, Sean. Alternately, Murphy and his buddies made regular road trips cross country, following Dan’s baseball team. Dan had been a starting shortstop for Wisconsin for the last couple years.

  “Damn, Murph.” Dan chuckled, looking him over. “Lookin’ kinda beefy these days – aren’t cha?”

  “Gee, thanks.” Murphy muttered, rolling his eyes. “Admit it, man – you’re just jealous. You’ve always been so frickin’ scrawny.”

  Dan snorted.

  Aware of two pairs of eyes peering up at him from the couch, Murphy grinned. “You guys must be the twins.

  Their father began the introductions. “Kelly. Jeff. This is Mike Murphy.”

  The youngest Callahans were almost identical, with beautiful big blue eyes and white-blonde hair. It was obvious that Kelly, already exceptionally lovely, was destined to stop hearts, while Jeff, with his angelic face, would more than likely break them.

  Kelly smiled immediately, as she scrambled up from the couch. “Hi, Mike. Mom says if we don’t bug you too much, you might even take us out to the beach or a movie sometime.” Wearing a belted lavender skirt paired with a printed cropped top, although Murphy knew little about women’s fashion, she seemed to be dressed rather stylishly for a ten-year old.

  “Sure, Kelly. I’d like that.” Murphy grinned. “
And feel free to bug me as much as you want. Even though I’d never admit it to them – I’m gonna miss my brothers. I’ve already told your mom that I’d help out whenever you guys needed me to.” Murphy’s eyes met Jeff’s. “It might be easier if everyone just calls me Murphy, too. All my friends do. Plus, it’ll be less confusing since I’ve got the same name as your dad.”

  “You were named after my dad,” Kelly informed him, solemnly.

  “And I’m awfully proud of that,” Murphy responded, agreeably.

  Both Dan and Cal laughed.

  After jumping up from his seat on the couch, Jeff had been busy admiring the size of Murphy’s arms. “Whoa, Murphy. How’d ya get to be so ripped? You gotta be as big as anyone in the pros.”

  Realizing that no one in the Callahan family appeared to be particularly shy, Murphy observed, somewhat drolly, “Oh. I’m not so sure about that. But we actually do have a trainer for our team. He puts us each on a special diet and he expects us to stick to a strict workout – even over the summer.” He turned back to Cal. “I’m sorry that I’ll have to return to Chicago in early August, for football practice.”

  “That’s not a problem, Murph. At least you’ll be able to get your eight weeks of work in. That’s all that’s required for your internship, anyway.”

  “That reminds me,” Dan said. “We’ve got passes for the new gym at Dragonfly Pointe. I knew it was important for you, to stick to your workouts.” Pulling out his wallet and digging out a laminated card, he handed it over to Murphy. “But we’ll need to work out either before seven a.m. or after eight p.m., though – to avoid all the guests. The inn’s booked solid through September,” he added ruefully.

  Cal raised a brow. “Since both of you need to be on sight at seven in the morning, anyway...that shouldn’t be a problem. Right?”

  “I’m never been much of an early riser,” Dan grumbled, wryly.

  Agreeably, Murphy slapped him on the back. “Well, as it just so happens, you’re in luck, man – because I am.”

  Cal checked his watch. “Now - if your lovely mother would just hurry herself up – I’d like to get to the restaurant early. I thought we’d sit outside tonight while we have a few beers. The Riverbend Lodge has a great view, and Murphy might appreciate it.”

  Murphy nodded agreeably.

  Wearing a denim skirt and blazer, Jenny suddenly swept into the room with a sweater draped over her arm. “I’m ready. Kelly – Jeff – have you got your jackets?”

  “Mom,” Jeff groaned. “It’s warm out.”

  Deliberately, Jenny turned to her son with a mulish stare.

  Silently, Jeff led the way outside through the mud room. He grabbed his zippered sweatshirt from a hook before he headed out the door.

  Complete with patio furniture and a huge gas grill, the large courtyard paved the way into the detached garage.

  Dan grabbed Murphy’s arm. “I thought we’d take my truck. I’d like to show you around town after supper.”

  “I don’t know.” Murphy sighed. “I’m kind of beat from driving all day. It took me a little longer to get here than I’d planned.”

  “Hey – it’s Saturday night. Besides, it’d be easier if you knew your way around town since we won’t be working together.”

  Somewhat reluctantly, Murphy agreed.

  As Jenny, Kelly and Jeff prepared to go along with Cal in the family’s SUV, Dan glanced over at his younger brother, who was staring longingly towards his beat-up pickup. As he hopped into the driver’s seat, Dan called out, “Come on squirt – you can come along with us.” Cupping a hand over his mouth, Dan muttered to Murphy, “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I actually missed the kid after I went away to school.”

  Murphy smiled. “Didn’t I hear that Jeff gets to go along on all the road trips this year?”

  “Yeah. Believe it or not, Jeff’s even more into sports than I was at his age. And just like you, football’s his game. I’m worried about his size, though, since, looks-wise, Jeff and Kelly take after my older sister, Lucy. And she’s only five-feet tall.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah. Supposedly, Lucy looks just like my grandma.”

  “Genetics are still in the twins’ favor, though – considering your parents.”

  “Yeah. Plus, my sister Kate’s pretty tall, too.”

  Once Jeff had scrambled into Dan’s pickup and hooked up his seatbelt, Murphy squeezed into the seat beside him. “We could take my truck, you know. At least I’ve got a back seat.”

  “Next time you can be the designated driver.” After backing out from the driveway, Dan followed behind his parents’ SUV.

  The town of Crystal Rock was surrounded by an extensive chain of lakes. After heading north through town, they were on the road for another fifteen minutes. Crossing over a pictorial bridge separating Crystal Rock Lake from Stone Lake, they traveled over another more modern bridge before arriving in the parking lot of the Riverbend Lodge.

  Enthusiastically, Murphy hopped out from the truck as he took in the scenery. “This is really great, Dan.” Densely shaded, the parking lot was situated near a rest area and hiking trail. Amidst a stand of towering, white pines, the lodge stood nestled near the junction of the lake and river.

  Scrambling out from his seat, Jeff stared expectantly at Dan as he stood with Murphy in the parking lot.

  “You can go on ahead, Jeff. Tell Mom and Dad that we’ll be there in a few minutes.”

  “Okay, Dan.” Jeff began running to catch up with his parents.

  “This area of the country is sure scenic, Dan. Everywhere I look, there seems to be water. I bet you guys spend a lot of time out on the lake.”

  “The river, too.” With a jerk of his head, Dan motioned at the bridge they’d just crossed. “My sister Lucy used to work here at the lodge giving canoeing lessons. Occasionally, she still books trips as a guide down the river.”

  “Canoeing? Sounds like something I’d like to do while I’m here.”

  “I’m pretty sure that a canoeing trip can be arranged.” Dan hesitated. “Wanna go take a closer look at the river?”

  “Sure.”

  Murphy followed Dan as he began to hike down a shaded scenic pathway lined with ferns and foliage. The earthy fragrances of moss and pine scented the air as they traveled deeper into the woods. The roaring of the falls grew thunderous as they approached the river.

  When they reached a platform overlooking the river, Murphy was awestruck. Actively raging for at least a quarter of a mile, the falls dropped down treacherously from beyond the bridge. “Wow, Dan. This is beautiful. Dangerous, too, I’ll bet,” he added, studying the current warily.

  “Yeah. But Lucy’s an expert on handling the current on this river. She knows all the safe spots for canoeing, too. We’ll have to make a day out of it while you’re here. It’s been a couple of years for me, too.”

  Still staring at the falls, Murphy muttered, “What in the hell am I getting myself into?”

  Dan barked out a laugh, slapping Murphy on the back. “It’ll be great.” After stepping down from the steep steps of the overlook, Dan steered Murphy away from the river. Soon, they were traveling along another pathway. “C’mon. Let’s go have a beer.”

  This time following the path south, they quickly came upon the lakefront entrance leading up to the restaurant. The long extended pier was packed with boats of all shapes and sizes.

  “Wow,” Murphy said, staring out at the traffic on the water. “This lodge is in a great location, isn’t it?”

  “Sure is,” Dan answered. “The lodge does a booming business year-round – especially with fishermen – since there’s access to both the lake and the river.”

  Towering pines framed the picturesque Riverbend Lodge. According to Dan, when it had been built in the fifties, river rock had actually been dredged from the Crystal Rock River and used to construct the framework for the lodge as well as the massive fireplace vaulted through the ceiling inside.

  Dan led Murph
y up the steps to a huge wooden deck which was packed with customers. After a quick wave of acknowledgement at his parents, who were seated in the back corner, Dan steered Murphy over to the bar. Once they were served their beers, they strolled along the edge of the deck to a vacant corner and leaned alongside the railing.

  Contentedly, Murphy gazed out across the lake. “I can see why you love it here, Dan.”

  Dan hesitated, and Murphy noticed him grimace. “What?”

  “I’m pretty certain that I’m not gonna come back here once I graduate. And I’m not exactly sure how to tell my parents.” Dan’s eyes met Murphy’s. “Or even Jeff.”

  Murphy was thoughtful as he answered, “I don’t know, Dan. I think your Dad already suspects it. You’re not exactly enthusiastic about the family business.”

  “Yeah. But I’m not so worried about that, since he’s already got Kate.”

  “Kate?”

  Dan laughed. “Yeah. Crazy, huh? She and Dad are so much alike. There’s nothing she can’t do. But don’t ever let her know that I actually admitted it to you. If she had to, she’d be able to take over Callahan Construction today.” Dan’s smile vanished. “It’s actually my mom that I’m worried about. She didn’t even want me going away for college.”

  “Because of what happened to Lucy?”

  “I don’t know – maybe.”

  “The sooner you tell your family, the sooner they’ll begin to accept it.”

  “Yeah. That’s what I’ve decided, too. But every time I start to talk seriously to mom, she changes the subject.”

  “Then she probably suspects it anyway.”

  Dan sighed. “Yeah – probably.”

  “So it’s investigative journalism, for sure, then – huh?”

  Dan nodded. “Yeah. I want to see things, Murph – other places, other countries, even. It’s not that I don’t love Crystal Rock, and my family, too. But there’s nothing for me here. I have a feeling that if I don’t follow my dreams now, I may never get the chance to.”