The Inn at Misty Lake: Book Two in the Misty Lake Series

by Margaret Standafer

  “Hey, Ryan, I’ll be sitting right over on that bench if you need anything.”

  Ryan looked up at him, confused for a moment but then accepting the plan. “Okay,” he answered easily before tearing after a boy in a purple jacket.

  Riley watched him run, jump, climb, and, best of all, laugh. The boy appeared to be overjoyed with the park and with the kids. After about thirty minutes, a few of the kids left and the group grew smaller. Ryan made his way through the sand to Riley.

  “How long are we stayin’ here?”

  “How long do you want to stay?”

  Apparently it wasn’t the response Ryan had expected. He looked positively ecstatic. “You mean we can stay a long time?”

  “If you want.”

  “Cool!”

  “Are you hungry? Your mom said you didn’t have lunch.”

  Ryan seemed to consider. He turned back to the playground then back to Riley. “I’m kinda hungry. Can I eat and then play more?”

  “Sure. What do you want to eat?”

  Ryan pressed his luck. “Pizza?”

  “Sounds good, pizza’s my favorite.”

  Ryan seemed delighted with the news and his face broke into a wide grin. “Mine too. But I don’t like any green stuff on it.”

  “No green stuff then, I promise,” Riley answered with a grin of his own.

  As they headed across the park and towards The Brick, Ryan reached up and took hold of Riley’s hand. Riley’s heart swelled with the simple gesture. When Ryan sheepishly asked if he could have orange soda with the pizza, Riley could only nod over the lump in his throat but he knew he’d give him the moon, if he could.

  Their waitress was Megan, the younger sister of one of Riley’s buddies. She looked at Riley questioningly as she delivered their menus. “Who’s your friend, Riley?”

  “This is Ryan. He’s visiting for a few days.”

  “Hi, Ryan.” She was curious, but Riley’s look made it clear he wasn’t anxious to answer any more questions. “Can I get you guys something to drink?”

  “Two orange sodas, please. And we’ll have a large pepperoni.”

  “Coming right up.” She smiled at the two before bouncing off to fill their order.

  Riley watched as Ryan held a blue crayon tightly in his hand and concentrated on tracing the outline of a pizza on the kids’ menu Megan had placed in front of him. His tongue slowly worked its way out of his mouth and moved from one side to the other as he drew. Riley couldn’t help but wonder if he’d done the same thing as a child.

  When he finished his task and was choosing another crayon, Riley asked him, “Do you have a big playground at home?”

  “Um, yeah, I think so.”

  “How about friends? Did you have a lot of friends by your house?”

  “You mean my cousins? They’re older than me.”

  “You live with your cousins?”

  “I used to. Mommy said we might not go back.” He seemed sad as he thought about it and Riley was curious.

  “Why not?”

  “I dunno. Sometimes Mommy and Aunt Jenny fight.”

  Riley felt a little guilty pressing the boy for details, but he was curious. And, he felt he had a right to know what his son’s life was like. “What do they fight about?”

  “Dunno. Mommy leaves sometimes and Aunt Jenny gets mad, I think.”

  Riley watched as Ryan chose a red crayon and went back to work on the placemat.

  “Did you leave your Aunt Jenny’s house a long time ago?”

  Ryan pulled his attention from the placemat to Riley. He seemed to mull over Riley’s question and Riley wondered if he didn’t remember how long it had been since they’d left, or if he just didn’t want to answer. Maybe was afraid to answer.

  “Yeah, it was a long time ago. I wanted to go back so Santa could find me, but Mommy said we couldn’t.”

  Again, Riley thought Ryan looked sad when he talked about his Aunt Jenny’s house. Lissa was going to have to do some explaining whether she liked it or not. Riley figured if Ryan was worried about Santa not finding him if he wasn’t at his aunt’s house, they must not have left too long before Christmas or he probably wouldn’t still consider it his home. He couldn’t help but wonder what kind of life Lissa had been giving him.

  “Where does your Aunt Jenny live?”

  “She lives at her house.” Riley could almost hear the unspoken ‘Duh!’ and it was clear Ryan was starting to wonder how smart Riley was.

  “Right. I just wondered where her house is. Do you know?”

  “Um….” His eyes looked to the ceiling and his forehead wrinkled as he concentrated. “I think Cal…Cal-for-na?”

  “California?”

  The big grin was back in place. “Yeah, that’s it,” he answered, clearly pleased Riley had figured it out.

  Their food arrived and Riley dropped the interrogation. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been alone with, and responsible for, a kid during mealtime. Never, he decided, he would have remembered. Between cutting and trying to cool the hot pizza, cleaning up spilled soda, wiping messy hands, and flagging down Megan three times for more napkins, Riley barely managed to feed himself. It was alternatingly hilarious and terrifying. At one point Ryan tried to get to his knees to watch a dog passing outside the window and managed to fall right out of the booth. Riley was sure he was going to start to scream as his head knocked against the side of the table, but Ryan just rubbed his head and looked around as if trying to figure out what had happened.

  Once Ryan had eaten his fill and Riley had done his best to clean him up, Ryan announced he needed to go to the bathroom. As Riley guided him to the restroom at the back of the restaurant, he couldn’t miss the curious glances from some of the other diners. Riley did his best to ignore them, keeping his attention on the boy who had started to squirm. Recognizing the sign, Riley doubled his pace. Quickly ushering him into a stall, Riley pulled the door closed and, holding the top, said, “I’ll be right here.”

  “But there’s no step.”

  “Huh?”

  “There’s no step. I can’t reach.”

  Riley opened the door to find Ryan staring at the toilet. The squirming had escalated. Not knowing what he was supposed to do, he started to panic.

  “How do we do this?”

  “You have to lift me.”

  “Lift you?”

  “Yeah. And hurry. Please?”

  How many times had he let Megan refill their glasses? Probably too many, he decided, as he finally just unbuttoned, unzipped, then lifted Ryan and sat him down on the toilet.

  Ryan looked at him and wrinkled his nose. Clearly Riley had done something wrong, but at the moment he was just thankful their next stop wouldn’t have to be a clothing store.

  “You’re spose to put toilet paper on the seat,” Ryan said shaking his head at Riley.

  “Sorry, I didn’t know that.”

  “Mommy says there’s germs.”

  “She’s right, I should have put toilet paper down.”

  “I guess it’s okay. I won’t tell.”

  “Thanks.”

  Once they had everything buttoned and zipped, hands washed and dried, and shoes retied—because apparently when you use the bathroom you also need to take off your shoes and make sure your socks aren’t twisted—they headed back to the park.

  Once again, Ryan took hold of Riley’s hand as if it were the most natural thing in the world and once again, Riley’s heart swelled. He couldn’t help but think about his brother Joe and about all he had to look forward to with Dylan. Joe grumbled at times about the sleepless nights and unexplained crying, but Riley found he was envious of even those not-so-great parts. How could a few hours with this little boy have changed his perspective so drastically? He recalled how he had mercilessly teased Joe about having to deal with all the things, that now, he found himself longing to have experienced. Weird.

  “Can you push me on the swing?” Ryan asked, yanking Riley back to the present
. Ryan was looking up at him hopefully.

  “Sure I can.”

  “Yes!” Ryan shouted victoriously as he made a beeline for an open swing. Riley chuckled and jogged after him.

  They played on the swings, climbed on the pirate ship play structure, and joined in on a basketball game on the kid-sized court. Lissa was right, the kid was a natural and feelings of pride coursed through Riley. Ryan dribbled the ball around kids Riley was sure were older and made more shots than he missed. And he loved every minute of it.

  Riley checked the time and figured they had about another thirty minutes until Lissa arrived. “Is there anything else you’d like to do before your mom gets back?”

  “I kinda need to go potty again.”

  Riley surveyed the park and spotted the port-a-potty but after the experience in the restaurant, decided to try to find something that would hopefully be a little cleaner. Unless this was another emergency.

  “Do we need to hurry?”

  Ryan pursed his lips and considered. “No, I don’t think so.”

  Riley swallowed his laugh. “Okay, then let’s take a walk.”

  They wandered down Main Street for a few minutes with Riley thinking they could duck into The Whole Bean and use the bathroom. Before they made it there, Ryan stopped in his tracks. The Toy Box’s current window display featured just about every super hero Riley had ever heard of, and then some. It was hard not to be impressed even if his days of action figures were behind him.

  In one corner, Captain America was wielding his huge shield while Thor stood along side him with his hammer held high. Iron Man and Hulk were doing battle with a slew of evil-looking bad guys. Batman was rushing to the scene in a Batmobile that appeared to be equipped with all the latest gadgets befitting such a venerable crime fighter. High above the fray, Spider-Man was swinging into action on the end of his web.

  Ryan’s eyes were huge, and as Riley watched, he began to move his lips and weave from side to side, clearly imagining joining in the on-going fight against evil. Riley almost felt like doing the same. It didn’t take much for Riley to make up his mind.

  “How about we go inside and take a look around? I bet they have a bathroom, too.”

  “Really?”

  “Really. But the bathroom first.”

  Riley got Ryan’s nod of approval on how he handled the bathroom trip the second time around. He congratulated himself for being a quick learner.

  The store was filled with games, art supplies, and all sorts of toys, but Ryan only had eyes for the action figure display.

  “Who’s your favorite?”

  “Well, I like Spidey a lot, he’s cool cuz he can shoot webs.” Ryan mimicked blasting a web to the ceiling. “Capin Merica is cool, too. I like his shield. Did you know Hulk turns green when he gets mad?”

  “I did,” Riley said with the appropriate amount of respect.

  “Sometimes they used to be on TV but I don’t think they are anymore. Maybe it was only in Calforna.” He looked as if he were trying to work something out but quickly gave up and returned his attention to the scene in front of him.

  Riley felt an inexplicable urge to buy him everything in sight, to make up for all the missed birthdays, Christmases, trips to the doctor or dentist as, he remembered, his mom would sometimes reward them with a small toy or treat after particularly harrowing visits. Easter was only a week away. He’d have to see what Lissa had planned and hoped she didn’t balk when he stuffed the biggest basket he could find with everything he thought Ryan would like.

  “Do you have any of these guys?”

  “I have Spidey, Santa brought him.”

  “Why don’t you pick two more? Spidey can’t always fight the bad guys by himself.”

  “You mean you’re gonna buy them? For me?”

  “Yeah. Spidey definitely needs some helpers. Who do you want?”

  Ryan was eyeing him suspiciously. “Are you my mom’s friend?”

  “Yes, I am.”

  “Did you ask her if I could get one?”

  “No, but it will be okay.”

  Ryan still looked unsure, but it didn’t take long for excitement to win out over doubt. He carefully considered, rejected, and reconsidered before settling on Thor and Captain America. He was bouncing with excitement as they began heading for the register. Riley stopped.

  “You know, I’m thinking you probably need a couple of bad guys, too. Who are these guys going to fight?”

  This time Riley didn’t have to do much convincing. “Okay!” Ryan almost shouted as he dumped Thor and Captain America into Riley’s arms and dashed back to check out possible villains.

  In the end, they left with bad guys Loki and Ultron, good guys Thor and Captain America, as well as a Spider Cycle for the Spider-Man figure Ryan already had, and a Spider-Man glove that fit Ryan’s hand, shot webs, and made all sorts of sounds that, Riley figured, would drive Lissa crazy. Ryan seemed a little dazed. Riley wondered if he’d overdone it, decided he probably had, and then decided he didn’t care.

  They returned to the park just in time for their scheduled meet-up with Lissa, but she was nowhere in sight. Riley didn’t mind. They took a seat at a picnic table and he began unboxing and assembling and soon the two were engaged in an epic battle between good and evil complete with a surprise attack from behind a garbage can, a close call when it looked as though Loki might be able to wield Thor’s hammer, and a dramatic rescue featuring Captain America leaping from the top of the picnic table to save the fine citizens of Misty Lake who were in danger of being vaporized…and who were being portrayed by a pile of pinecones. Riley hadn’t had so much fun in years.

  Riley checked his watch and realized Lissa was over forty minutes late. He was just considering loading Ryan into his truck and taking him home as he’d noticed Ryan starting to yawn, but spotted Lissa idly wandering in their direction.

  Ryan spotted her too, and any signs of tiredness vanished as he sprinted for her, his arms loaded down with his treasures. The look on Lissa’s face when she reached the picnic table was less than pleasant.

  “What’s all this?” she asked, waving her hand at the pile of toys.

  “Just some things we found at the toy store in town. Is there a problem?” Riley knew his tone was frosty, but it irked him to have to defend his actions where his son was concerned.

  “Ryan, put your things down here and take another turn on the slide before we have to leave,” Lissa ordered.

  Ryan looked between the two but did as his mother said.

  “What are you trying to do? Swoop in and be some sort of hero? Buying him a pile of things that I couldn’t possibly afford?”

  “A hero? No, I’m not trying to be a hero. And I wasn’t trying to show you up, if that’s what you’re implying. I haven’t been able to buy him a thing…ever. Consider this a start at making up for lost time.”

  “It’s too much.”

  “He said he doesn’t have many toys. I’m not judging or trying to change the way you’ve been parenting, I just wanted to buy my son a few things. I don’t think that should be a problem.”

  “Fine. Just clear it with me the next time. There are things he needs more than a pile of toys.”

  “What sort of things?”

  “He’s a growing boy, Riley. He needs shoes, clothes, haircuts, he hasn’t been to the dentist in a while…it’s all expensive.”

  Riley figured she was probably right, but at the moment his frustration and anger won out. “If I’d known about him years ago I would have helped, I would have done what I could to see that he had what he needed. As it is, I felt like buying something he wanted and that he’d enjoy…enjoy a hell of a lot more than a shirt or a trip to the dentist.”

  Riley’s tone said it wasn’t the time to push. “Sorry, you’re right. Thanks for the toys, I know he’ll have fun with them.”

  “About the other stuff, if there’s something he needs right now I can help with the expenses.”

  “You gave me the c
heck, that’s enough for now. Maybe we can try to work something out…I don’t know, some kind of arrangement?”

  “Sure. Have you talked to Courtney about staying at her place for a little longer?”

  “She’s okay with us hanging around for a while. We didn’t talk specifics, but she seems cool with us being there for now.”

  “My parents would like to meet Ryan. Is that all right with you?”

  Lissa tensed and was slow to answer. “I don’t know, he’s been through a lot already. Maybe we can give it a little time? Let him get more comfortable with you before we spring too many more people on him?”

  Riley wanted to argue. Ryan seemed like a pretty well adjusted kid. He hadn’t balked in the least when Lissa left him at the park, and he had seemed plenty comfortable at the restaurant and the toy store, talking when spoken to. But giving him some time probably wasn’t the worst idea.

  “Okay, we can take it slow. Next weekend is Easter. How about if I bring him over to my parents’ house for dinner? You’re welcome too, if you’d like,” he added.

  “No, I’m not ready to meet your family.” She was emphatic. “I’ll let you introduce Ryan without me. It will probably be easier for your family that way, too. Easter will be fine.”

  “I’d like to get him something…an Easter basket, some candy, toys, and, if you give me sizes, I can add in some of the things he needs.”

  Lissa nodded. “Okay.” She looked over to the playground where Ryan was climbing the slide again. “We should probably get going, it’s been a long day and I’m guessing he’s tired.”

  “There are some more things we need to discuss.” Riley was uncomfortable, but it was a talk they needed to have. “I don’t know any details of when and where he was born. When is his birthday? Do you have a copy of his birth certificate? I’d like some proof he’s really my son.”

  A shiver shook Lissa and Riley eyed her warily, afraid she was going to crumble…or run.

  “I don’t carry his birth certificate with me, but his birthday is May eighth. The math works. You may not remember dates, but I do. We were at a big bonfire out at the lake. The music was loud, there were people everywhere, but we just wanted to be alone. We snuck away far enough that we could barely hear the music, the moon was full and it was all so romantic, we had that crappy bottle of wine…” She gave a small laugh and turned away.