Shadows On The Lake. Leona Karr
“I have four brothers and two sisters. They’re all great. One sister, and my younger twin brothers live in Manitou.”
She listened, captivated, as he talked about a large overflowing family, with deep roots planted in this community where he was raised.
“My parents are retired and enjoy traveling without a parcel of kids underfoot. All of my siblings are married and I’m the only single one left.”
“Why is that?”
“Oh, I’m not a good candidate for marriage,” he replied lightly, but there was a flickering of shadow in his dark brown eyes, and Courtney wondered what had put it there. “Of course, everyone tells me I haven’t met the right woman. What do you think?”
“I don’t know,” she answered honestly, at a loss when it came to understanding the desires of the heart. “There are a lot of reasons for getting married, I guess.”
“And divorced?” he asked pointedly.
She knew what he was asking. “I’m not divorced.”
He listened attentively as she told him about the unexpected death of Jamie’s father several months before the baby was born. “He was a construction worker. A faulty beam fell six stories, and killed him.”
“I’m sorry. How long had you been married?”
“A couple of years.”
When she didn’t volunteer any more personal information about her marriage, he refrained from asking any more questions. He hated it when people tried to dig around in his past. It wasn’t anybody’s business why he’d decided to forgo marriage.
They sipped their lemonade in silence until Courtney offered quietly, “I’m trying to get my life back together. I thought spending the summer with my aunt would help, but…” Her voice trailed off.
“Things aren’t working out the way you thought?”
She shook her head. “Maybe it’s me, but…” She might have said more but they heard the sound of footsteps on the deck.
Her aunt was back.
Neil instantly rose to his feet as Devanna came in. “Mrs. Davenport. How nice to meet you. I’m Neil Ellsworth. I handled your rental through the Ellsworth Real Estate and Investment Company.”
“Of course,” she responded with only the slightest hesitation. Her eyes lowered just slightly as if her thoughts were racing ahead. “Is there some problem?”
“Oh, not at all,” Neil assured her. “Just making a routine check on all the rented houseboats. I want to make sure everything is satisfactory.”
“How nice of you.” She visibly relaxed and smiled. “We don’t have many handsome men calling on us, do we, Courtney?”
“I find that hard to believe,” Neil responded gallantly.
Courtney couldn’t believe the metamorphosis in her aunt’s behavior. She was all smiles and began gushing about how wonderful it was to have her niece and the baby staying with her.
“I’m glad the houseboat is working out for you.”
“Oh, it is,” she assured him. “Lots of privacy. No nosy neighbors gawking at you. We don’t have even one complaint, do we Courtney?”
The ease with which her aunt was able to change her persona so dramatically disturbed Courtney in a way she didn’t understand. She was glad when Jamie’s protesting wail alerted her and she quickly excused herself.
She left Neil and Devanna chatting pleasantly, and when she returned with the baby a few minutes later, she was surprised to find that Devanna had already heated his bottle.
“Here, let me have him,” Devanna ordered. “He likes to have Auntie feed him, don’t you, sweetheart?” She took the baby out of Courtney’s arms and sat down on the couch to give him his bottle.
“Your aunt tells me you haven’t been away from the houseboat at all, Courtney. I was wondering if you’d like to have lunch with me at the marina?” Neil asked, giving her one of his people-management smiles.
“Oh, I’m afraid I couldn’t,” Courtney responded quickly. “The baby—”
“Is obviously in good hands,” he finished for her. “You really should take some time for yourself.”
“I agree,” Devanna said firmly. “She’s been much too gloomy to be good company.”
I haven’t been the only one, Courtney wanted to snap back, but restrained herself.
“The baby will be fine. Won’t you, darling?” Smiling down at Jamie, Devanna cooed, “Such a sweet, sweet, sweety pie. Auntie loves you.”
Courtney’s feelings were mixed. Should she leave the baby? Her aunt had taken enough care of him to reassure her that he’d be in good hands. It was true she’d slipped into a funk since her arrival. Getting away for a few hours might put some life back into her. Just thinking about being with other people tempted her to accept the invitation. She had no idea why Neil wanted to bother himself like this, but could she refuse?
“It’s settled then,” Neil said hopefully.
She nodded. “Give me a few minutes to change.”
When she returned, Neil smiled appreciatively at her nicely fitted denim slacks and yellow knit top that brought out the golden highlights in her hair. Her skin was lightly burnished from her time in the sun, and an excited sparkle in her eyes matched the lightness of her step.
She kissed the baby, gave her aunt some instructions about baby food and then turned to him. “I guess I’m ready.”
“Would you like to take a spin around the lake before we head for the marina?” he asked her as they settled themselves in his speedboat.
“If you have the time. I don’t want to interfere with your work.”
“Pleasure before business anytime,” he assured her, grinning.
His relaxed good humor was infectious. As the boat skimmed over the water, Courtney became a part of the scene she’d been watching from the deck of the houseboat. She lifted her face boldly to the wind and let her hair fly free. She laughed with Neil when the spray from a nearby boat bathed both of them.
She couldn’t believe she was actually going to lunch with such a charming, attractive man. He’d made it clear that he wasn’t interested in any serious commitments, and that was fine with her. She’d never felt such freedom to enjoy the moment and put aside any thoughts about the future.
Neil was delighted with her childlike pleasure. She was different from the women he was used to dating. Most of them were concerned about how they looked while they role-played the femme fatale. He was pleased that once Courtney seemed secure enough to lower her guard, there was no pretense about her. He wondered about her background, and was determined to know a lot more about her before their lunch date was over.
As they headed for the far end of the lake, Hidden Cove disappeared behind them and the brown houseboat was lost from view.
AS SHE SAT IN FRONT OF Buzz’s photo, her eyes sparkled with happiness. Laughing joyfully, she held up the baby for him to see.
“Look, darling. Just like we always planned. Our very own baby boy. Remember how you promised me a child of my own some day?” She snuggled against Jamie’s soft cheek. “And here he is. The moment I laid eyes on him, I knew he was ours.”
Her expression sobered as she cocked her head and listened. “Yes, I know, Buzz. But don’t worry. I’ll make another hit, and then I’ll have money to travel. I’ve been checking out some of the banks.”
She listened again, frowning. “It’s okay, Buzz. Relax, honey. I have plans to take care of the woman soon.”
Cuddling