Spirit Lake

by Vickie McKeehan

  “I didn’t know that. Why?”

  “No idea, other than the car. Maybe we could just send everyone a text, you know, about Sam.”

  Lando shook his head. “No sense leaving a digital footprint with an accusation we can’t yet prove.”

  “Then let’s just have everyone meet at the shop. Although Leia probably won’t be able to get away from the restaurant.”

  “Or Luke from the clinic. Let’s just pack up and stop by Zeb’s office on the way out to the lake. We’ll let Zeb tell the others.”

  15

  Lando made a quick stop at his mother’s house while Gemma ran inside to pick up the bedding they’d need. Then they got sidetracked at Zeb’s rehashing their concerns about Sam Wells.

  Because of the late start, they didn’t reach the cabin until well after the sun had dropped behind Fire Mountain.

  A full moon helped light the way to the porch as they unloaded their stuff from the car and dragged it up the steps.

  Gemma filled her lungs with the night air, the scent of evergreen canopied around her. “I’d forgotten how beautiful it is up here.”

  “It’s changed a lot. One of my earliest memories about my granddad is him bringing us here, me and Luke. He loved to fish, loved the outdoors. Back then it was barely two rooms and an outhouse. Leia balked at spending any time here without indoor plumbing. But Luke and I would stay here for weeks during the summer, loving every minute of it.”

  “Who could blame Leia for wanting an actual bathroom?” Gemma noted, grabbing her own suitcase and lugging it into the house. “Not me.”

  The cabin had been in Lando’s family for four generations. Tucked away on the side of a hill, it had morphed from a two-room shack used by his grandfather on his fishing trips to a viable retreat with all the modern conveniences.

  It had cathedral ceilings, hardwood floors throughout, and dormer windows with stained glass. Two decks, one lower, one upper, jutted out over the forest with perfect views of the soaring pine and spruce.

  Sometime in the mid-90s Lydia had insisted on upgrading the kitchen to full size with all the bells and whistles a chef needs at her fingertips. Her desire for stainless-steel appliances turned it into a totally revamped prep area, complete with an island and room for her big family to gather around a farmhouse table.

  The living room had beams across the ceiling, a massive woodburning fireplace, and an indoor greenhouse off the back that doubled as a terrace filled with plants of all kinds. “I guess your mother comes up here and takes care of watering all that stuff.”

  “She insisted on planting that herb garden. I suppose it soothes her when she comes up here to escape from the pressures of owning a restaurant.”

  “Lydia needs to meet someone.”

  “You mean like a guy? Get real. My mom’s past all that. She isn’t interested in dating.”

  “Did she say that, or did you just get it in your head that you don’t want your mother to date?”

  “Mom is not interested in men. No way.”

  “Don’t be so quick to shut down the idea. She could get away here and avoid all the talk in town.”

  “Are you saying my mother meets men up here?”

  Gemma burst out laughing. “Not men. A guy. As in one special fella. Would that be so horrible?”

  “But you make it sound like she’s bringing guys up here all the time whenever she can spare a day off.”

  “Lydia playing the field? No way. And I didn’t mean that at all, but I get a vibe that she’s seeing someone. And she has been for a very long time.”

  “You’re kidding? You’re getting a read on that right now?”

  “Yep. It isn’t coming from Leia and Zeb. And it sure isn’t coming from Luke and Lianne because Lianne said she’s never even been up here. Maybe Luke with someone else?” Gemma stopped to ponder that and turned in a circle in the middle of the wide entryway. “Nope. The vibe’s definitely coming from your mom.”

  “I did not need to hear that,” Lando protested. “For a variety of reasons.”

  “Sorry. I guess I need to practice discretion whenever I get a…ping on my radar. Anyway, to me, the cabin has always had a peaceful, romantic quality about it. People using it for that isn’t so outlandish.”

  “Romantic?” He’d never considered the cabin a make-out spot, at least not for anyone else but him and Gemma. “It does have a fireplace. And at night you can hear the stream that runs along the bottom of the hill bubble over the rocks. Lots of runoff in the spring from Fire Mountain when the snow melts. Not so much this time of year, though.”

  “Wow, we haven’t gone fishing here since we were kids.”

  “Didn’t we come to fish?” Lando said with a deadpan stare.

  She poked him in the ribs. “Sure. That too. Let’s take a walk when we get unpacked.”

  They started up the stairs and picked the largest bedroom with a queen-sized bed, bypassing a smaller loft sleeping area that had bunk beds suitable for kids.

  “Why the twin beds out here?” Gemma asked.

  “I think Mom secretly hopes she’ll fill this place up with grandchildren one day.”

  “Just how optimistic is Lydia?” She peeked into one of the other rooms just to check out the décor and saw another queen-sized bed. “This entire cabin could easily sleep ten people, maybe twelve, including kids. I’d say Lydia is counting on each of you producing at least three grandkids.”

  “That sounds about right.”

  They traded quizzical looks.

  Gemma plopped the overnight bag on the bare mattress and zipped it open, began to organize her things into a couple of dresser drawers. “How do you feel about that?”

  On the other side of the bed, Lando began to unpack. “Kids? I thought we agreed to…you know…wait.”

  “That’s fine by me. Just making sure we’re on the same page. Let’s make up the bed now so we don’t have to do it later.”

  “I’m for that, then we’ll head down to the little jetty where we used to swim.”

  After getting the clean sheets on the bed, they put away the rest of their toiletries in the bathroom, and then headed back downstairs.

  “I’ll unload the cooler from the car later, unless you’re hungry now.”

  “Just for a snack maybe. But right now, I’m anxious to take that walk around the lake.”

  “There has to be a flashlight around here somewhere,” Lando grunted as he began opening kitchen drawers in search of one.

  Gemma made a face. “Maybe we should wait until morning.”

  In the utility room, a catchall space used for the washer and dryer and shelves of canned goods, he held up a lantern he’d used for camping. “Nah. I’ll get you there. This’ll do just fine.”

  They headed out the front door toward a well-worn path that led down to the shoreline. With help from the lantern and the moonlight that streamed through the trees, they were able to find their footing along the winding trail.

  Like kids embarking on an adventure, once they reached the sand, they darted toward the lapping water. Gemma kicked off her shoes and waded out a few feet. She looked back and sent multiple waves his way, splashes that drenched him.

  He dropped the lantern and headed in after her. Scooping her up into his arms, he tossed her further out into the lake.

  She used the distance to try to swim out of his reach. But he caught up with her in two strides, wrapping her up under the water. They floated to the surface, arms around each other.

  Lando blinked water out of his eyes. “Since when do we go swimming fully clothed?”

  “Since we decided to relive our childhood. That felt great.”

  “We could’ve at least brought a towel.”

  “When did you turn into such a fussbudget?”

  “Since I didn’t take my wallet out of my britches before jumping in after you.”

  “Which means now we have to take our clothes off to dry off,” she pointed out.

  “There is that. But
I’d rather be back at the cabin where there’s a nice hot shower waiting.”

  “You convinced me.”

  They began swimming toward shore and then walked back, dripping wet.

  Gemma turned to face Lando as she kept walking backward. “I need to say this to make it official. Here’s a promise from me. I’ll never again act like Lucy Ricardo and go behind your back just because I’m looking for information, information that you aren’t allowed to share with me.”

  Lando’s eyes widened. “What am I missing here?”

  “Nothing. It isn’t a trick. I’m serious. No more meddling on my part. From now on, I’ll respect your boundaries. No more snooping on my own. No more breaking into houses for whatever crazy reason. I’m done acting like a cartoon character. I’m not even sure how you put up with me like that.”

  “It’s this crazy thing called love.”

  “Right back at ya.”

  “Mind me asking what caused this change of heart?”

  “Well, I’ll tell you. I’m feeling a tad more confident these days. I think I’m finally beginning to realize my responsibility to everyone else. It was something Paloma said after so many people showed up at the shop. I need to start acting more like I know what I’m doing, like I should put the needs of others first and start making my grandmother proud. That’s Marissa, not Paloma. Although I’m certain Paloma would like to see me rise above some of the things I’ve done.”

  She stopped walking. “I need to start acting more like Mrs. Lando Bonner and not some psychic kook with an agenda. I need to show the world, or at least the town, that I’m not any of those things. I’m a serious-minded woman with psychic talent trying to help find answers and solve life’s mysteries along the way. Is that so awful?”

  “I don’t think you’re awful.”

  She grinned and looped her arm through his. Wet and getting chilled from the night air, she took his face in her hands. “After everything we’ve been through together, after everything I’ve put you through, that’s probably the nicest thing you could’ve said. Because the bottom line is I don’t ever want to be without you again. We were friends long before we became lovers. And I’ve missed that deep down connection more than I cared to admit. We had an unwavering bond once, it was wrong to think we could just pick it up where we left off. I know that now. I should’ve nurtured that bond. Instead, I took it for granted, stomped on it, then tossed it away. But all those long, lonely nights sitting in my apartment down in the Bay gave me plenty of time to think about all the stupid decisions I’d made over the years. Leaving you that day tops the list. Hands down it was the worst thing I ever did.”

  Damp clothes and all, Lando picked her up and swung her in a circle. “We should’ve cared for each other more, put each other first more often. We took each other for granted. We won’t make those same mistakes again. We won’t let it happen again.”

  “I love you, Lando. I want you more than I want anything or anyone else.”

  He nuzzled her throat. “Then let’s get out of these wet clothes and into that hot shower.”

  She jumped out of his arms and raced off. “You smell like fish. Last one there, does the laundry.”

  16

  Not everyone could fall asleep in strange places. Gemma was one of those people who didn’t mind traveling but took a while to settle in for the night in new surroundings.

  After going to bed, she had a tough time with the pillows and getting comfortable. She didn’t seem to be able to find the right position to fall asleep. It took her almost an hour to drift off. The last time she glanced at the clock had been almost midnight.

  She hadn’t been asleep for long before she woke to the smell of smoke. Sniffing the air, she drowsily had to figure out if she was dreaming. Deciding it was real, she glanced toward the bedroom door, which Lando had closed right before going to bed. The door was now standing open. The odor of smoke began to get stronger. She could see wisps rising from the landing.

  Next to her, Lando was fast asleep. She shook him awake and threw back the covers. “There’s a fire downstairs. We need to get out of here.”

  “What? Huh?” Lifting his head briefly, he then plopped back down into the pillows.

  Darting around to his side of the bed, she grabbed his arm and helped him get to his feet. “Move! Now!”

  His cop instincts finally kicked in and got him out of bed.

  She was heading toward the deck when Lando stopped her progress and pulled her back toward the hallway. “Unless you want to jump thirty feet and hope the trees break your fall, we can’t go out that way.”

  He ran into the bathroom and filled the sink full of water, soaking two towels to put around their heads.

  “Hold this up to your nose and mouth and try not to breathe too much. We’re making a mad dash for the front door.”

  They worked their way down the stairs but saw no flashes of fire. Yet. Once they reached ground level, Lando pulled her outside and into the driveway. Looking back up at the house, he decided to go back in to see where all the smoke had originated.

  But before he could move, shots rang out, kicking up dirt around their feet, and forcing them to dash back up the porch steps. They ducked down and opened the front door, scuttling back into the house for cover.

  As soon as they crawled into the entryway, the gunfire suddenly stopped.

  “There’s still no sign of a fire in here,” Lando whispered. “Let’s take off toward the kitchen and go out the back door.”

  As they changed direction, they noticed the black smoke had gotten thicker. They dropped down on all fours, slinking toward the kitchen. They found the back door jammed from the outside. Unable to get it to budge, they reversed their path one more time.

  “Looks like someone wants us to stay in here with the toxic fumes,” Lando muttered, creeping along the floor to the other side of the house. Feeling their way to the nearest escape, they both began to cough, the smoke burning their lungs. Their eyes began to water.

  “There’s a window in the bathroom,” Gemma grunted. “We could climb out that way.”

  “Good idea.”

  They inched their way along the baseboard until finally reaching tile. Lando shoved Gemma into the room and shut the door. Using the wet towel from around his head, he stuffed it under the door to hold the smoke back.

  Gemma had already lifted up the narrow window. “Will I be able to fit through that?”

  “It’ll be easier when I hoist you up and over the ledge. Once you’re out, go around to the back door and see what’s jammed against it.”

  “I’m not leaving you.”

  “Yes, you are,” he said sharply, as he abruptly picked her up and shoved her through the window.

  Holding onto the sides for as long as she could, she dropped the few feet to the ground. She stuck close to the side of the house, slowly making her way around to the back porch.

  There she discovered a length of rope tied to the doorknob and the other end secured to the railing. She did her best to untangle the knot but couldn’t work it loose. Looking around for anything she could use to break the hold, her eyes landed on the axe left in one of the tree stumps used as a chopping block.

  Pulling it out took some muscle, but she finally worked it free. She started swinging at the rope. When she decided that would take way too long, she aimed for the knob instead. One blow after another hit the metal until she heaved the axe with one mighty swing and broke it loose. The knob clattered on the wooden deck and the rope went flying.

  In a ball of flurry, Lando came tumbling out the door. “Head for the woods,” he said in a muffled voice.

  They took off running into the copse of trees for cover and didn’t stop until they’d reached the next hilltop. From the ridgeline, they scanned the area for any movement, looking to see if they could spot their attacker.

  After sitting in bushes for what seemed like an eternity, they heard a car start up and then take off in the distance.

  �
��I didn’t even grab my cell phone or my weapon. I need to get to the cruiser and radio this in. You stay here just in case he’s still out there.”

  “No way. You aren’t leaving me behind. I’m coming with you.”

  “Okay, but stay close behind me and keep your head down.”

  They snuck through the underbrush on their bellies, undetected except for the family of raccoons they surprised foraging through a neighbor’s trash can.

  After Lando made the call, they huddled in the cruiser, waiting for help to arrive.

  Sometime during their ordeal an eerie fog had rolled in over the lake. The full moon had disappeared, leaving behind nothing but a gray blanket as far as the eye could see.

  What should have been a twenty-minute trip seemed like it took hours before two squad cars came zipping up the lane, stopping at the driveway in a cloud of dust, brakes squealing to a stop.

  Dale and Payce emerged, leaving their headlights aimed at the cruiser, where they could make out Lando and Gemma inside.

  “We radioed the fire department, they’ll be here in ten,” Payce said, handing Gemma a blanket to wrap around her shoulders.

  In the beam from the headlights, Lando finally got a good look at the bullet holes that had ripped into the SUV. Running his hand over the damage, he shook his head. “From the size of those holes, I’d say the shooter used a 30-30.”

  Payce followed the track all the way to the front porch. “Unfortunately, everybody in the county owns one of those.”

  “Why didn’t the smoke detectors go off?” Dale asked on his way up to inspect the front door.

  “Probably disconnected,” Lando grumbled.

  While Payce and Dale walked the perimeter and back again, two fire trucks pulled up, letting off a stream of firefighters wearing air masks and carrying air tanks, who disappeared into the interior of the cabin.

  Ten minutes later, Tully Beacham, the fire chief, came back out. “Hey, Lando, the good news is, there’s no fire. Looks like the chimney might have an obstruction in it though that created all that smoke.”