Lakeside

by Davis, Mary

  Audrey glanced at him then lowered her head. Zach put his arm around her. “I’m sorry. I know you wanted to wait.”

  “Baby?”

  “You’re pregnant?” The questions flew from all sides.

  “How far along are you?” Everyone gathered around the couple, congratulating them.

  Lori ached inside.

  “Eight weeks,” Audrey said.

  “Why didn’t you tell us?”

  “Because I knew you would all make a big fuss—like you’re doing now.” She was on the verge of tears. “This is supposed to be Garth and Lori’s day. I didn’t want to take the attention away from them.” She turned to Garth. “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be sorry. I think it’s great.” Garth gave her a hug and shook Zach’s hand.

  After the congratulations ceased, the struggle to get into snow gear continued.

  “Would you hold Elizabeth while I help Mary?” Ruth said, placing the three-month-old in Lori’s arms. Then she left to assist her oldest daughter.

  Lori cuddled the baby and caressed her fuzzy head. Garth came over bundled up for the outside and said softly, “That looks good on you.”

  She didn’t understand.

  “A baby in your arms.” Adoration sparkled in his loving eyes.

  Oh, Garth. She wanted to cry.

  He winked at her before following the others out the door, another bit of her hope going with him. Those left inside gathered around the windows to witness the event.

  Lori stared in horror as Garth and the younger children climbed over or through the deck railing and held on. The older ones, including Ryan and Gretchen, stood on top of the rail.

  Were these people crazy? They were a whole story up from the ground.

  Someone counted to three, and they all jumped. Lori gasped as they disappeared below. Hannah clapped her hands.

  Garth’s mom chuckled then touched her shoulder. “We should have warned you.”

  She saw soon enough that all were well. They had landed on a soft cushion of snow several feet below. Soon two snow forts were being constructed, and a snowball fight ensued.

  She watched as Garth played with his nieces and nephews. How could she be so foolish? She was living in a fantasy world; she and Garth were isolated up here, just the two of them. That wasn’t real life. Real life involved so many more people. She looked down at the sleeping baby in her arms, and the remainder of her hope died away.

  She felt gratitude mixed with reluctance when Ruth took the child from Lori’s arms. The women now wanted to talk wedding plans.

  “Have you set a date yet? I assume it will be sometime this summer.”

  “No, we haven’t.” Lori’s mouth went dry, her throat tight. She doubted there ever would be a date.

  “I think this is our cue to go downstairs, boys.” Blake headed for the stairs, the other men following after him.

  “I know it seems like a long time, but summer will be here before you know it. We should start making plans right away.”

  Someone took out paper and pen. Lori found herself nodding in agreement to almost everything the committee came up with. She didn’t care; her heart wasn’t in it. Could any of it happen?

  Gretchen and Mary came inside, and the conversation turned to babies. Lori didn’t know which topic was worse—weddings or babies. She moved back to the window, watching Garth as she listened to the women chattering.

  “Don’t you think Garth and Lori will have the most beautiful children? I hope they all have her hair. Isn’t it the most incredible color?” Gretchen prattled on.

  The outside crew was now building a huge snowman on the frozen lake.

  “Mom, I don’t know how you did it seven times,” Jeannie said.

  “One at a time,” her mother said. “I wouldn’t do it any differently. But I am glad you girls are the ones having the babies now instead of me.”

  Hot tears stung Lori’s eyes. She hurried to the bathroom and willed them away but knew they wouldn’t be put off long. Retrieving her coat, she had it on and buttoned before anyone noticed.

  “Are you going out to join the fun?” Garth’s mom came up to her.

  “I have a headache.” It was true; her head did hurt. “I’m going to walk home.”

  “I thought maybe you weren’t feeling well. All of us can be a bit much for someone who isn’t used to a crowd. Here—let me get George to take you,” she said.

  “Please don’t bother him. The fresh air will do me good. It’s not that far.” Lori hurried out the door, grateful she didn’t try to detain her.

  ❧

  Garth stomped off as much snow from himself as he could and began brushing off Dustin’s back and front and legs. The kid was covered. “Remember to leave your wet shoes and gloves outside on the porch. You don’t want Grandma getting after you for tracking snow all over the house.”

  They piled through the door with a roar and quickly shed their coats.

  “Garth.” His mother motioned him into the kitchen just inside the door.

  “Let me get my boots off.”

  “That can wait.” She led him into the kitchen, away from the flurry.

  “This must be important to risk tracking snow inside.” He glanced down at the snow melting from his boots. When he and his brothers and sisters were growing up, his mother had kept after them not to track the outdoors inside the cottage. In winter it was snow; the rest of the year it was sand from the beach.

  “Never mind about that. I wanted to let you know Lori left. She seemed a little upset and said she had a headache.”

  “When? Who took her?” She hadn’t waited for him?

  “About twenty minutes ago. She walked.”

  His stomach twisted. “She can’t walk that far.”

  “Garth, I know you love her and want to protect her, but she is a grown woman.”

  “She has a bad hip.” He touched his right hip. “The cold makes it hurt. She really can’t walk that far, not in the freezing snow.” Near panic, he donned his coat and raced to his truck. Whatever possessed her to walk in this cold?

  ❧

  Lori held on to the mailbox, gathering up the strength to move on. If she were normal, she would have been home by now; as it was, she was only at the top of Garth’s long driveway. Whatever made her think she could walk home in the cold? She should have had someone drive her, but she desperately needed to get away from them. All of them.

  She wiped the tears from her face and forged her way to her next point. Making it the five steps to the garbage bin, she hoped the wood-framed, wire-mesh box would support her weight as she leaned heavily on it. It was designed to keep little critters out of the trash, not hold the weight of a grown woman. She scooted her way to the other end, each step more difficult than the last.

  She heard a vehicle come up Garth’s drive and slide to a stop on the road. No doubt a dark blue SUV. She knew who was driving even without looking. His door opened, and the snow crunched under his feet as he hurried over to her.

  “Sweetheart, what are you doing?” He came up next to her and touched her arm.

  She jerked away from him. She didn’t want his endearment or his sympathy or him, for that matter, right now. She wanted to walk. To be normal. To be whole. “I’m walking home,” she said through gritted teeth.

  “If you want to go home, I’ll take you.” Concern etched his voice.

  “I want to walk. I just want to be able to walk. Is that too much to ask?” She pushed away his helping hand as she let go of the garbage bin. “I can do it myself!” After two painful steps she dropped to her knees in the snow and cried.

  “Please let me drive you,” he pleaded.

  She didn’t resist when he picked her up and put her in his truck. She couldn’t walk. She wasn’t normal and never would be.

  Seventeen

  Lori’s knuckles were as white as the snow falling down outside her car for the grip she had on the steering wheel. If she could just make it to the highway and get
off these slippery back roads, she would be fine.

  She had to leave. It was best this way. If she stayed, Garth would try to change her mind. Leaving was the only way. Late into the night she realized sooner was better than later.

  The flakes were getting bigger and falling more thickly. Slap, slap, slap. Back and forth went her wipers, but they did little good. She leaned forward over the steering wheel. Still she could barely see ten feet in front of the car.

  She questioned her logic in leaving the safety of the little cottage. Heading back was her best option even if it meant facing Garth with a false smile and enthusiasm. She slowed at the bend in the road, looking for a driveway or street to turn around in.

  The rear of the car fishtailed. She slammed on the brakes, and the car slid. No! Not again! Please, God, help me.

  ❧

  Garth had a spring in his step as he approached the Davenports’ cottage. It had been less than twenty-four hours since he had seen Lorelei, but the thought of seeing her caused his heart to beat so hard it threatened to leap from his chest. And he thought of her a lot. His family teased him mercilessly about his constant grin, but he didn’t care. Love was grand.

  She had looked so peaceful sleeping the day before and would be feeling better today.

  Josie opened the door. He had left Lorelei with her the day before and felt better having someone there with her. But Josie’s troubled expression did nothing to relieve him now.

  “Hi, Garth.”

  “Hi. How’s Lorelei?”

  “She asked if you could deliver this for her.” Josie handed him a small package wrapped in floral paper and tied with a pink ribbon, attached to a purple envelope. “She said she’s really sorry to miss Carie’s birthday party.” Her face was pale.

  An ominous sense of dread grew with each word. His smile wavered. Something was wrong. “Is it her hip?” he asked, tugging off his gloves. “Is it still hurting her?” He glanced in the direction of her room.

  “That’s not it.”

  “I’m going to check on her.”

  “Garth—”

  Something was wrong. He tried to swallow the rising lump in his throat. If he could just see her— “I won’t wake her. I promise.” He headed toward her bedroom door.

  “She’s not there.”

  Garth paused. What did she mean, she wasn’t there? He continued to the door and pulled it open. He stared at the neatly made bed with his two sweaters and sweatshirt stacked on it. All her stuff—gone. Where was she? Stunned, he turned and walked back to Josie, who still stood by the table where he had left her. “Where is she?”

  “She made me promise not to tell you.” Tears welled in her eyes. “She was really upset. What happened with you two?”

  “Nothing,” he said.

  “Something had to have. She’s gone.”

  He shook his head. He didn’t know. “Where did she go, Josie? Tell me.”

  “I can’t break my promise.” She sank down in a chair and fiddled with a blank envelope. “I hate being put in the middle of this.”

  He couldn’t believe it; she wasn’t going to help him. He would have to find Lorelei on his own.

  “I can tell you her car left thirty minutes ago.”

  “She left a half hour ago?” He looked at his watch. “She hates driving in the snow. Where was she heading?”

  “I can’t tell you that.”

  “But you just told me she left thirty minutes ago.”

  “No. I said her car left.”

  He raked his hands through his hair. This was a game of semantics. He hadn’t the patience for it. Time was wasting. He took a deep breath. “Was her car headed toward Grayling or Mancelona?” he said through gritted teeth, barely holding on to his temper.

  “Grayling.”

  The highway! “Was her car heading south from there?”

  “No. North.”

  “North!” He threw up his hands. “Why would she go north? I would think she would head toward warmer weather.”

  Josie stood there stricken, nodding her head.

  North, north. What was north that would interest her? Mackinac! But the island’s season was over. But there was Mackinaw City, and she had wanted to go across the bridge to—St. Ignace! That’s where she was headed. “I’m going after her.”

  “Her car doesn’t like snow and goes slow.”

  He could see the worry for Lorelei etched on Josie’s face. “I know. I’ll find her.” He turned to leave.

  “Oh, Garth—”

  He stopped.

  She stared at the envelope she had been fidgeting with, though she had turned it over. His breath caught at the sight of his name on it in Lorelei’s neat script. He reached for the envelope, but Josie would not release it.

  “I’m not supposed to give this to you until tomorrow,” she said, still looking at the envelope.

  He wanted to give her a good shake. His patience had run out. He could yank it from her hands so she didn’t have to break her word. Instead he looked directly into her eyes and gave her a half smile. “It’s tomorrow somewhere in the world,” he said quietly. He could play word games, too.

  Much to his relief she released the envelope—though he wasn’t sure if he wanted to open it. It held something other than paper. Something small but bulky.

  He slid his finger under the seal. He could feel his heart pounding in his throat as a sense of dread overcame him. He pulled out a folded slip of paper and dropped the rest of the contents into his hand. He squeezed his eyes to shut out the vision of Lorelei’s engagement ring then closed his fingers around the diamond band, pressing it into his palm.

  Suddenly he realized more than physical pain had caused her tears yesterday. But what was wrong? Obviously something serious.

  “I’m sorry, Garth,” Josie said, touching his arm lightly. He opened his eyes to see compassion in her warm brown eyes. “She didn’t tell me anything. Maybe her letter will explain her reason.”

  He unfolded the paper cautiously, knowing what he would find. She was saying good-bye—it was the only explanation for the ring—but at least he would know why.

  Garth, it read. No endearment, just Garth. He took a calming breath.

  As you can see I’m returning your ring. Things just won’t work out with us. I knew almost from the start but fooled myself into thinking they could. I should have stopped this relationship before it began. I’m not the right person for you. I am so very sorry for hurting you. I hope someday, in your heart, you can forgive me. Lorelei.

  He folded the note. This isn’t right. There has to be more. He slipped the ring on his little finger as far as it would go, then put on his gloves. Picking up the gift for his niece, he walked out.

  ❧

  How long, Lord? How long am I to be stuck on the side of the road before someone comes along to help me? I admit it was crazy to drive off in the snow. Even more crazy to slide off the road into a ditch.

  She watched the large fluffy flakes blanketing her car. Who would be foolish enough to be out in this storm—other than her? No one. Would she freeze to death out here? She rested her head against the steering wheel. Lord, I was foolish. Please send help.

  She heard a car engine approach and stop on the road. She glanced upward. Thank You. She tried to open the car door, but it wouldn’t budge. Pushing harder, she almost fell out of the car when the handle was yanked from her grasp. Strong arms caught her from hitting the snow. She looked up into Garth’s concerned face.

  No, not Garth, anyone but him!

  “Are you all right? You’re not hurt, are you?” He set her back in her seat and pushed her hair back, searching her face.

  “I’m fine, just a little cold.”

  He wrapped her in his strong arms and held her tight. “When I saw your car in the ditch, I was so afraid you were hurt or worse.”

  “I’m fine, really. I was going slow. I only slid off the road.” She did not push away from him, not wanting to look him in the face.

&
nbsp; He scooped her up in his arms. “Let’s get you out of the cold.”

  “I can walk.”

  “You’ll get snow in your shoes,” he said as if he were talking to a little child.

  A child is just what she felt like, running away from him as she was. Why did he have to be the one to rescue her? How did he find her anyway? By accident, or did Josie tell him?

  If Josie had told him more than she was supposed to, he wouldn’t be this nice. Maybe he’d been sent to the store for some ice cream or something and just happened—no, that wasn’t in this direction.

  The driver’s door was open. He put her in and reached across her to turn on the heater full blast. Then he closed the door and went back to her car.

  She got a sinking feeling when she had to move her gift for his niece to scoot over to the passenger side. She prayed Josie still had the note. Her heart dropped to her stomach when she noticed a crumpled white paper on the floor of the truck. An envelope.

  That didn’t mean it held her note to him. But she knew Garth didn’t leave trash in his truck. Ever. She reached down and plucked it off the floor. She looked out the windshield to see where he was. He had her purse in his hand and was closing the door.

  She unfolded it quickly and caught her breath when she saw Garth’s name in her handwriting. She felt the envelope, but the ring was gone. He climbed in and handed her purse to her, glancing at the gift on the seat between them. “I’ll come back later to pull your car out. Is there anything else you need right now?”

  She dared not look at him. “No.”

  The ride back to the cottage was painfully silent. She wanted to say something to him, but no words came.

  He drove past Josie’s driveway and headed for his own. “Where are you taking me?” Even as the question came out, she knew the answer.

  “You promised a little girl you would be at her birthday party,” he said coolly. “It’s a promise I intend to see that you keep.”

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  “Don’t ruin today for her, too. She’s so excited about your coming. Every year for the past three years she chose to go skiing, but not this year because you don’t ski.”