Lake Season

by Denise Hunter

  Molly made small talk with Nonnie, asking after her grown children and grandchildren by name. She had such a warm way with people, putting them immediately at ease and making them feel important. He wondered if she knew what a gift that was.

  After Nonnie inquired about the inn and Molly’s siblings the woman got to the point. “So what brings you by, honey?”

  “Well . . .” Molly looked at Adam for the first time since they’d sat down, then she turned back to Nonnie. “I was wondering if you could tell me anything about a girl you went to school with—Lizzie Van Buren.”

  Nonnie’s sparse eyebrows shot upward. “Well, there’s a name I haven’t heard in a month of Sundays. We were best friends back in the day, you know. She was my partner in crime.” Nonnie laughed, her eyes staring off into the distance as if remembering her friend fondly.

  “Sounds like you have some wonderful memories of her.”

  “Oh, I do. I surely do. Now, where on earth did you hear about Lizzie? And how did you know we were friends? She’s been gone for years—before you were even born, I’m sure.”

  “We saw a picture of you together in your senior yearbook.”

  Then Molly told her the whole story, starting at the beginning. About finding the love letter behind the wall, about discovering Lizzie had passed, and about their search to find Benjamin and give him closure.

  The woman’s face went from wistful to sad as Molly shared the story.

  Adam’s stomach filled with lead as he realized she might have bad news for them. If Benjamin was already deceased, the search was over. There would be no closure at all—for any of them.

  “I’m sorry,” Molly said. “I should’ve thought to bring the letter with me.”

  Nonnie waved the words away. “Oh, I know all about that letter, honey. Lizzie fretted over it for months after she sent it. So that’s what happened to it. How tragic. How very, very tragic.”

  “She never heard from Benjamin again, after he left Bluebell?”

  Nonnie shook her head. “Never did. Surprised me too. That boy was madly in love with her.”

  “Do you know what happened to him?” Adam asked, speaking up for the first time.

  “I know he went off to war. When she didn’t hear back from him, Lizzie went after him—much to her folks’ dismay. But he was already gone.”

  “She must’ve been devastated,” Molly said.

  “Oh, she was. Hard enough having a fella at war, but to have been so thoroughly rejected and not know how he was faring or how he even felt about her. It was hard.”

  “And after the war?” Adam asked.

  Nonnie gave a rueful smile. “Lizzie moved on best she could. She still hoped to hear from him, but she went on to college—nursing school.”

  “Did she fall in love again?” Molly asked. “Get married, have children?”

  “Eventually she met a nice young man and settled down. But . . . I’m afraid she wasn’t able to have children.”

  “That’s too bad,” Molly said.

  “We kept in contact over the years, but she never did come back to Bluebell. Her folks owned the market in town, but it burned down in the late sixties. Instead of rebuilding they decided to move closer to Lizzie.”

  “It sounds as if she got over Benjamin, eventually.” There was a hopeful note in Molly’s voice. “Like she went on to have a good life.”

  “She did the best she could under the circumstances.” Nonnie got a faraway look in her eyes. “Sometimes that’s just all we can do.”

  “But what happened? If they were so in love, why did he leave like that?”

  “I don’t know the whole story—and it was all so long ago. By the end of that summer, they were so in love. Then there was some kind of big blowup. I don’t remember exactly what happened or what all was said, but Lizzie was a wreck afterward. And Ben left town—the very next day, I recall. Lizzie was beside herself with regret. She was a very smart girl, but she was impulsive. I’m sure she said things she didn’t mean.”

  “That was the gist of her letter,” Molly said. “She was trying to make it right. But he never got the letter.” Her eyes went glassy.

  It was all Adam could do not to take her hand. He dug his nails into his palms. “That’s why we’re trying to find him. We want him to know she regretted her words and ultimately wanted to be with him. I know a lot of time has gone by, and it might not even matter to him. But we feel he has the right to know what happened.”

  “Well,” Nonnie said, looking between the two of them. “That’s surely a noble endeavor. But Lizzie turned over every stone trying to find him back then. I don’t know how in the world you’d go about finding him all these years later, if he’s even still alive.”

  “We have the internet today, though,” Molly said. “We just need more information about him.”

  Nonnie’s head tipped back. “And you were hoping I might have that information.”

  “His middle name or birth date would be particularly helpful,” Adam said. “But anything you remember might be important.”

  “Oh, honey. My memory’s still pretty sharp, but that was a long time ago. If I ever knew those things, they’re long gone by now.”

  Molly’s shoulders sank, but she gave Nonnie an encouraging smile. “Is there anything else you might remember? The letter was addressed to a town in Tennessee.”

  “That sounds about right.” Nonnie’s forehead wrinkled as she appeared to search her memory banks. “All the things I remember about him seem so inconsequential. He was here in town with a friend. I can’t even recall the boy’s name. Ben was a blue-collar worker, I believe. I can’t remember exactly what he did. I’m sorry, honey. I’m no help at all.”

  Molly patted Nonnie’s hand. “It’s all right. Maybe something will come to you later.”

  Adam was touched by her desire to comfort the woman when she must be so disappointed herself.

  “I’ll give it some thought. Maybe go through some of my old boxes and see if I can find anything that jogs this old brain of mine.”

  “Thank you,” Molly said. “That would be very helpful.”

  sixteen

  By the time Molly and Adam arrived back at the inn, her mood had lifted. They’d spent an hour listening to Nonnie reminisce about the shenanigans she and Lizzie had gotten themselves into back in the day.

  Though Molly was disappointed by the lack of information they’d gleaned on Benjamin, she felt as though she knew Lizzie much better. She didn’t know why that was important to her, but it was. She and Adam rehashed the stories on the ride back.

  Nonnie had taken to Adam, almost flirting with him as the evening wore on. Molly delighted in the way he’d ducked his head, a flush crawling up his neck. He was such a breath of fresh air. In high school and even after she’d been attracted to the heartbreaker types. But she’d learned her lesson there.

  The stars were out in full force as they made their way up the walk, and the scent of jasmine hung heavily in the night air. The porch was lit with golden light, making the inn look homey.

  “You know you have to show up at book club now, right?” Molly continued their conversation from the car. Once Nonnie had found out Adam was an avid reader, it had been a full court press.

  “I thought you said it was all women.”

  “Well, it is, but only because we haven’t been able to rope a man into coming yet.”

  He chuckled wryly. “Well, when you put it like that . . .”

  “You have a whole week to read the book.”

  “That would be the novel titled Hot Flashes and Cold Cream?”

  “It’ll be educational for you. Besides,” she added, tossing a coy look over her shoulder as she hit the porch, “Nonnie will be so disappointed if you don’t come.”

  He gave her a look.

  She was laughing at his discomfort as she pushed through the front door. “You know it’s true. She was hanging on your every word.”

  Molly spotted Levi behind the fron
t desk, hanging up the phone. He pinned them with those perceptive blue eyes. “Hello.”

  “Hey, Levi.” She’d taken Adam through the back door earlier just to avoid the look her brother was giving her now.

  “Hello.” Adam shifted. Poked his glasses into place.

  Levi crossed his arms, that bland smile she recognized so well barely curving his lips.

  Adam cleared his throat. “I, uh, think I’ll head on up.”

  “Take a cookie with you.” Molly lifted the glass dome on the counter. “Oatmeal raisin—one of Miss Della’s best. You won’t regret it.”

  “My favorite.” Adam took one, offering her a brief smile. “Thanks.”

  She replaced the dome as he turned toward the stairs. “Good night, Adam.”

  “Good night,” he said to both of them before heading up.

  Molly prompted Levi with a pointed look.

  “Good night,” Levi said belatedly.

  Adam’s footsteps receded, the stairs creaking in familiar places. Molly crossed her own arms, staring Levi down as the footsteps continued overhead all the way down the hall. A few seconds later Adam’s door closed with a quiet click.

  “You were rude to him,” Molly said quietly. “And in case you forgot, he’s a guest.”

  Levi snorted. “I’m not the one who’s forgotten that.”

  “I’m a friendly person,” she said with a thrust of her chin.

  “You’re getting awfully personal with him, Molly.”

  “Inns are personal. That’s one of our many draws.”

  “This is beyond professional hospitality, and you know it. Hiding out in the library, running around with him at night . . .”

  Oh, for— “We’re working on a project together.”

  He rolled his eyes. “That’s another thing. You and that letter. It’s taking up too much of your time. There’s stuff to do around here. We have a full house this weekend and—”

  “Don’t you dare accuse me of neglecting my job. I’ve been working my butt off around here. I’m allowed to take two minutes to myself.”

  “We’ve already run out of complimentary shampoo—”

  “A simple oversight. I’ve ordered more.”

  “And you never replaced the bulb in room three.”

  She huffed. “I’ll do it now.”

  “Don’t bother, I already did it.”

  Warmth prickled under her arms. Just because Levi was older and possessed a business degree didn’t mean he was the boss.

  “You’re going to have to maintain some healthy boundaries with the guests, Molly. You can’t get so involved in everyone’s life.”

  She lowered her voice. “He’s just helping me with the letter, Levi. That’s all.”

  “Why does that letter matter so much to you anyway? Furthermore, why does it matter so much to him?”

  “He’s paying back a debt. He didn’t like freeloading off us while we waited to get our permit—which was your idea—so he offered to help me. That’s an honorable thing, Levi. Sheesh.”

  “I thought he came here to work. Don’t you find it a little strange that suddenly he has so much time to dig around on a personal project for you?”

  “He’s only doing this on the side. Of course his work comes first.”

  “And what is that exactly? Why is he here, other than to usurp all your time?”

  “He does research.”

  “Research? What kind of vague answer is that?”

  She narrowed her eyes. “I don’t know, Levi. The kind he gave when I asked, and I was so busy keeping those boundaries in place that I didn’t pry any further. Why are you so suspicious of him anyway? He’s been nothing but kind.”

  He gave her a long, knowing look. The hall clock ticked in the silence.

  Dread dropped like a pebble into the water, the ripples spreading outward, unstoppable.

  Levi’s left eye twitched. “I’m worried about you, Molly. You don’t exactly have the best judgment where men are concerned.”

  Her chest constricted painfully. “Low blow, Levi.”

  She wanted to walk away, but she knew she’d regret it. She’d lie in bed stewing, feeling that clamp tighten around her heart until she was forced to go to her brother and make things right between them again. It seemed to be the way of things these days.

  She drew a deep breath and blew it out, determined not to say anything that would drive a wedge between them.

  “I’m just trying to look out for you, Molly.”

  The warmth in his tone made it a little easier to hold her tongue. “I know you are. But I don’t need a babysitter, Levi. All right? I’m an adult. And I’m not going to shirk my duties around here.”

  He looked at her for a long moment, then finally gave a nod. “Fair enough.”

  Molly felt her chest loosen a bit. “All right. I’m going to bed now.”

  “Good night.”

  “Night,” she said. Then, compelled by that inner nagging voice, she added, “Love you.”

  Levi gave her a strange look. “Love you too.”

  She’d been saying that more often since their parents’ death, but it was an important thing to say. Because you never knew when it would be your last chance.

  seventeen

  A week and half later Adam was finally making some headway with his outline. He had a plucky heroine and an inciting incident. Perhaps the hero was still a little flat, but Adam would develop him as the story unfolded.

  He shifted on the Adirondack chair, staring out at the still lake as he pondered the next plot point. A robin tweeted overhead, and a breeze ruffled the leaves. If he closed his eyes he could smell the damp earth from last night’s rain and a charcoal grill someone had fired up nearby.

  The lake lapped quietly at the shoreline. The boat was missing from its usual spot on the pier. Molly had taken an older couple for a ride a while ago. He realized he’d been anticipating her return and forced his eyes back to the screen.

  Maybe he should work on a captivating first line. He really shouldn’t be thinking about that so early in the story’s development, but he did love a good opening line. If he could come up with something great maybe it would even inspire more material.

  A text buzzed in, and he reached gratefully for the distraction. It was from his friend-turned-pesky-agent, Jordan.

  Hey, how’s it going? What are you up to?

  Since the outline was finally coming along, he didn’t prevaricate. Don’t worry. I’m working as we speak. Outline is progressing.

  He got a reply almost immediately. Finally, some good news. For a minute there I was starting to believe in writer’s block.

  Oh, trust me, it’s a thing.

  “Sounds like a convenient excuse to me.”

  Adam turned to see Jordan striding down the slope of the lawn, wearing jeans, a black T-shirt, and a smug grin.

  Adam blinked, wondering for a second if his imagination had conjured up his friend. He set his laptop on the table and rose to his feet. “No way. What are you doing here?”

  “Just checking up on my favorite author.” Jordan grabbed Adam’s hand and pulled him in for a shoulder bump.

  But his friend was a good four inches taller, so his shoulder bumped Jordan’s bicep instead.

  “Lower your voice,” Adam said, even though there was no one else outside. “When did you get here? How long are you staying?”

  “Through the weekend. I’m here to crack the whip.” Jordan made a whipping motion with his arm along with an impressive sound effect.

  “No need. I’m well on my way to a solid story.”

  Jordan moved in for a closer look at the laptop.

  Adam slapped it closed. “Not yet.”

  “You writers are a strange bunch.”

  “Tell me something I don’t know. Where are you staying? Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”

  “I’m staying here, and you would’ve told me not to.”

  Adam scowled, mainly because Jordan was right.
Sometimes he questioned the wisdom of having a friend for an agent, but other than the fact that Jordan took certain liberties, he couldn’t complain. His friend had gone to bat for him with Rosewood Press many times. That took guts. And loyalty.

  The quiet hum of a boat engine drew Adam’s attention to the water, where Molly was directing the boat toward the pier. Once it was in place she secured it and began helping the couple disembark. Their voices carried across the space, but he couldn’t make out what they were saying.

  “Did you hear a word I just said?” Jordan swung around to see what had distracted Adam.

  “Of course.” He’d been telling Adam about his delayed flight and the ensuing hassle with the rental car company.

  “Is that boat available for inn guests?” Jordan asked. “Do they have fishing gear?”

  “Yes . . .” Adam already knew what was coming.

  “We should go fishing in the morning. I’ll bet there are some nice bass in there just waiting for us.”

  “I’m here to work, remember?” Adam said pointedly.

  “Who are we kidding? Your brain doesn’t get into gear until at least nine o’clock, and we’ll be done well before then. Come on, I can fry up our catch for supper on their grill.”

  Jordan was a beast at all that guy stuff. Gut the fish. Bag a deer. He might live in New York now, but he was a Montana boy, born and bred.

  Adam wasn’t even keen on fresh fish. But his friend had come all this way just to check on him. “Fine. But I’m not getting up before six.”

  Jordan tilted his head. “How about five?”

  “Five forty-five.”

  “Five fifteen?”

  “Five thirty,” Adam said. “Final offer.”

  Jordan grinned. “Done.”

  Molly and her guests were coming up the walkway, still chatting.

  Adam glanced at Jordan, who had obviously noticed Molly. It was impossible not to notice her infectious smile and melodious laugh. Or her long dark hair and shapely legs, which were currently exposed by a pair of crisp white shorts.

  Adam wanted to rush her inside the inn, hide her from the interest in Jordan’s eyes. But she’d already caught sight of his friend. Of course she had. Jordan might be as cerebral as Adam, but somehow he didn’t wear it like a garish three-piece suit.