by Nancy Pirri
“You won’t get any argument from me. I’ll be back around five.”
Cassandra’s eyes widened on Maxie who headed for the front door. “Where are you going?”
“Home. I live five miles down the road in Crane Lake with my husband and son.”
“I see.” Cassandra bit her lip and followed Maxie, more than a bit insecure about being left alone, but she kept her thoughts to herself.
Maxie paused on the steps leading down to the dock and turned to Cassandra.
“Now, don’t you worry, you’ll be safe here on your own. If something’s wrong Shep will let you know.”
That was a comforting thought! Cassandra watched Maxie until she ducked inside her car that sat parked alongside the store. After Maxie drove away, Cassandra wandered back to the kitchen, peered out the back door, and saw two yellow circles gleaming in the dark.
Startled, she backed up, then leaned close again, grinning when Shep ambled near and gave her a commiserating look through the screen. She opened the door, reached out a tentative hand. Shep licked it, then plopped down on the stoop.
Somehow, Cassandra had a feeling old Shep might not be too dependable in an emergency, but then again, his easy, lazy way might just be the thing to fool a burglar.
~ * ~
Three nights later, Cassandra sat on the top step of the deck with Shep, sipping a glass of lemonade as she enjoyed the quiet night. With the passing of each day, Gateway felt more and more like home. At first, the tranquility had spooked her, but she’d grown used to it. The lack of traffic noise was the most difficult thing to adjust to, but eventually she learned to listen and appreciate other sounds of the night—calm, peaceful sounds of water rushing against the shoreline and the calling of the loons.
The stars in the sky were big and bright, and too many to count. They appeared so close at hand she imagined she could reach right up and pull one down. Constellations she hadn’t seen since her childhood twinkled above her head, inviting her to decipher them. To the north, a faint glow appeared on the horizon--green and red flames of light stretched across the sky.
Searching her memory for things she’d learned in school so long ago, she finally decided these must be the Northern Lights.
Sometime around midnight she left her perch and meandered over to the hammock. Sighing contentedly, she lay down and closed her eyes, and started thinking about her partner and his guided fishing trips. If it hadn’t been for Maxie, she wouldn’t have known a typical trip would last three or four days. He hadn’t told her how long he’d be gone. That would have to change. She understood he enjoyed his independence but while she was living there she’d insist he at least be accountable to her.
After awhile, the gentle sounds of nature were broken by the steady droning of a plane’s engine drawing nearer. She lifted herself onto her elbows and saw lights just above the lake’s horizon. The headlights bobbed as the plane came closer, then landed with a splash.
Leif was home.
Chapter Three
Leif killed the engine, sat in his seat a moment and listened. All was quiet, as it should be since it was after midnight, until he heard Shep’s welcoming bark and wondered why he wasn’t out back behind the fence. He jumped from the pontoon to the dock, his duffle bag slung around one shoulder just as a dark shadow ran toward him. He sank down on his haunches and briskly rubbed Shep’s coat.
“How you doin’, friend? I can see you’re excited to see me. I don’t blame you after spending four days with only women for company.”
“I’ll have you know he enjoyed every single minute with the ladies.”
Leif straightened and focused on another shadowy figure heading toward him, recognizing Cassandra. As she moved her blonde cap of hair appeared silvery beneath the rays of the moonlight. When she reached his side the moonlight shone down on her face. He caught his breath at her welcoming smile.
“He did, did he?” At Cassandra’s nod he said somewhat gruffly, “What are you doing up this late? You know we open early.” He snatched up his bag with one hand, took her elbow with the other, and guided her up the steps. He opened the door, held the frame above her head, then followed her inside, pausing to frown down at the new screening on the door.
“I was just turning in for the night when I heard your plane.”
“Good plan,” he said as he lightly brushed past her, moved behind the curtain and ambled down the hallway. He tossed his duffle bag onto his bed, pulled out his dirty laundry and threw it into the hamper. He looked up to see her standing in the doorway. Her deep purple-colored sundress looked great against her pretty complexion. She looked good—so darned good he couldn’t tear his eyes away from her.
“Shep kept an eye on you, didn’t he?” he managed to ask after swallowing the lump in his throat. Jeez, the woman affected him.
“Oh, he certainly did.” She grinned. “He’s a wonderful dog.”
“He sure is,” he agreed. “He’s been with me a long time. Your grandpa gave him to me for my fifteenth birthday.”
“And that makes him how old?”
“Fourteen. He’s getting old. I’ll miss him when he’s gone.” He met her eyes, wondering at the melancholy expression on her face.
“I had a dog for eight years. When he died I cried for days. I still miss him.”
“Did you get another dog?”
She moved closer and shook her head. “Shortly after Dandelion died, I moved away from home and into an apartment. I could have had a pet there, but it wouldn’t have been fair to the animal since I often traveled for business.”
“What sort of dog earned the name, Dandelion?” He shoved his hiking boots under the bed.
“Dandelion was a cream-colored, standard poodle.”
Leif smiled. “A poodle, huh?”
She narrowed her eyes. “You got a problem with that?”
His smile widened. “Poodles are okay. It’s just that I’d never own one.”
“Of course, you wouldn’t,” she retorted. “But maybe you don’t know poodles. Did you know they’re natural retrievers and water dogs? They even make decent bird dogs, right behind labs.”
“You sound like you know dogs, Miss Thompson. I like that.”
She lifted her nose and glared at him. “Think I’ll turn in.”
He watched her start to walk away, deciding it was a good thing she was going to bed. He had a feeling if he spent much more time with her now they’d get into an argument. Leif enjoyed a good fight, with an equal opponent. Somehow, the thought of fighting with Cassie left him feeling slightly ill. He had a good hunch he’d lose.
“‘Night, Cassie. “Be sure and set your clock.”
She stopped in the hallway and looked at him. “I’ve had no problem waking early. What about you? Aren’t you going to bed?”
“Not yet, but don’t worry. I’ll be up before you.”
“Good night, then,” she said softly as she turned and left the room.
He’d had one heck of a time keeping his hands to himself while she stood in the doorway talking with him. Temptation had struck him fast and hard, least of all was the urge to yank her across the threshold and kiss her pouting lips. It was a miracle he’d managed to control himself.
He scowled at his reaction, unhappy with himself. What was he thinking, anyway? He didn’t have much time for women, especially now with Roy gone and the burden of running Gateway on his shoulders. That was the reason for his interest in Cassie, he decided—lack of women in his life. It had nothing to do with the fetching blonde down the hall. Uh-uh. No way.
He left his room and headed for his office, making a mental note to do some socializing with women friends on the weekend. Taking in a movie and grabbing a bite to eat with Mary Ann Janusek sounded good. Maybe then he’d get Cassie off his mind. He entered the office, moved to the desk and switched on the lamp, frowning when he saw that Roy’s computer had been uncovered.
His gaze moved across the desk and he tightened his jaw when he realized th
at one of the two women had cleaned up the paperwork he’d left scattered across the desk. He found it hard to believe Maxie would do such a thing, but guessed Cassandra wouldn’t hesitate to invade his space. She already had.
He opened the desk drawers and discovered they were lined with clearly marked hanging files. It was okay she’d straightened up a bit, he thought grudgingly, but after searching further he cursed when he couldn’t locate his current ledger and checkbook. He’d speak to her in the morning. When he opened the last drawer he found the items. He flipped open the checkbook and his mouth gaped at the checks that had been neatly ticked off. Someone had balanced the book.
Inside the drawer was the latest bank statement. He checked it over, noticing the checks had been checked off there as well. A flash of heat rushed through him. Cassandra had no business going into his checkbook. He slammed the drawer shut. Never mind the fact he hadn’t balanced the thing in over six months. He’d straighten her out first thing in the morning about what she could and couldn’t touch. This was his home—hers temporarily. The sooner she understood that the better.
~ * ~
Even before the sun rose the next morning on Gateway to Paradise, the air was hot and muggy. Cassandra was thankful for the breeze that billowed the tattered red gingham curtains, cooling her off as she sat on the stool behind the counter.
She leaned her elbows on the countertop, her eyes bleary as she gulped down her third cup of coffee. Six in the morning was an ungodly time to face the day. Admittedly, it was peaceful, but the early hour was something she doubted she’d ever get used to. The morning crew of fishermen had come and gone, and the thought of returning to bed appealed to her.
Leif strode into the store, looking handsome and rugged, awake and disgustingly cheerful. He’d swept his hair back from his forehead, and she scowled when his lips twitched a threatening smile. He’d donned his standard work uniform, a pair of khaki pants with lots of pockets, a long-sleeved denim shirt with the cuffs rolled back, and hiking boots.
“Awake yet, Princess?”
She grumbled, “Princess, huh? I thought royalty got to sleep in, not to mention having breakfast served in bed.”
He chuckled as he stepped around the counter.
She watched him with interest when he bent down and rummaged through some boxes on a shelf. “You know, you could straighten up. Then you’d be able to find things when you need them,” she suggested.
“Things are sorted,” he muttered. He looked up and met her eyes. “And don’t go doing me any more favors, either. Leave my stuff alone.”
Uh-oh. He was mad about her office cleaning and she braced herself for his anger. Since her arrival at Gateway she’d learned he had lots of ‘stuff’ located in various nooks and crannies of the store, and in the living quarters, too. Maxie had pointed them out to her. She couldn’t help that it was part of her nature to want to sort, organize and throw while Leif seemed content with collecting, saving, and not throwing a thing.
Cassandra’s rule for maintaining control of clutter was easy. If she hadn’t used an item, or worn it in a year, she pitched it. She stared down at his hunched figure. “What are you looking for, anyway?”
“My Phillips screwdriver. I always keep it in this bucket, but it’s not here.”
“You mean this one?”
He looked up and focused on the screwdriver in her hand. “Where did you find it?” He grasped the handle and took it from her.
She opened a drawer beneath the counter, displaying a neatly compartmented tray of tools. “In here.”
He looked stung. “You were using my tools?”
“Well, I had to pry off the screen in the door in order to take it down to the hardware store to be fixed. Then I sorted through them and did a little organizing.”
“You had the screen fixed at the hardware store?” At her nod, he snapped, “They charge a fortune!”
She shrugged. “No they didn’t.”
“I was going to fix it sooner…”
“…Or later,” she inserted. “Right. But when would you do that since you’re guiding all the time? They needed fixing and now they’re done.”
After a long moment of uncomfortable silence, he said gruffly, “Next time, ask me before making any decisions about stuff around here, and no more moving things on me.”
Cassandra opened her mouth, ready to blast him about the poor condition of the store, but managed to hold her tongue. “Uh, Leif? About Gateway. I’ve started a list of repairs. I’d like to start working on them soon.”
He gave her a long, cool look. “Your grandpa and I usually work on the place after the season ends, which isn’t for another eight weeks. Talk to me then.” He started to leave but paused and looked at her over his shoulder. “If you decide to tackle any repairs, make no fancy changes, got that? Just the basics, is all we need.”
She opened her mouth, but before she could utter a word, he strode outside. Darn it! She hated not having the last word. As she sipped her coffee, she thought the least he could do was show her some gratitude.
Maybe he was one of those people who let things build up, and up, until he exploded. God, she hated guys like that! Next time she saw him she’d bring up the idea of her managing the books for Gateway, instead of him. From what she’d found last evening he appeared to have no interest in that end of the business anyway.
The rest of the day passed as an occasional vacationer entered the store to purchase souvenirs and bait. Cassandra had plenty of time between the infrequent customers to inventory supplies, noting certain things that were purchased more often than others. She flipped through catalogs and found little to interest her, and thought again about the possibility of buying unique items from local artisans.
She’d fallen in love with Gateway, and had come closer to making a decision to remain permanently. Even though he’d left this earthly place, she felt her grandfather’s presence. Besides, she’d had an offer this morning for Pretty Woman Cosmetics from Saunders Carlisle, heir to Pandora’s Cosmetics that she truly contemplated accepting.
Thirty-one and single, she had no ties. It was a perfect time for her to make changes in her life. Tears gathered in her eyes. The death of her grandfather had cheated her from ever getting to know him. But, the fact that he’d given her half of Gateway before he died told her he’d loved her and had wanted her to move here permanently.
Night had fallen and Leif hadn’t appeared yet. He’d been called to guide a fishing group for the evening. It was after eleven and she’d just finished cleaning up the kitchen and dropped into the hammock when she heard a boat engine heading toward the dock. It slowed, then stopped. Soon footsteps pounded across the wooden decking. She sat up in time to see Leif step onto the first step.
“We’re you successful?”
His footsteps stopped. Even though it was dark and she couldn’t see his eyes, she could feel him staring at her. “Yep, we killed them,” he finally said.
He took the rest of the steps and stopped beside the hammock, the light from inside the store silhouetted his face. “How come you’re not in bed?”
“I guess I drank too much coffee today.” He worried about her bedtime hour way too much. “Besides, it’s only eleven. I’m used to staying up until one and sleeping until seven. It’ll take me a while to change my sleep-wake pattern.” She looked at his hands. “Where are all the fish?”
“The paying customers took them.” He sank down on the top step. “If I fish for myself I keep the bare minimum for a meal and throw the rest back. It’s called ‘catch and release’ and helps maintain a lake’s fish population.”
She dropped one foot over the side of the hammock and pushed herself back and forth. “Sounds like an ecologically sensible thing to do. Will you fry a meal of fish for me some time?”
“Sure. How about tomorrow night? It’s the slowest night around here.”
“Sounds great. But you said you just gave away all the fish.”
“I’m fishing to
morrow so I’ll catch enough for us.”
She kept her eye on him, noting the direction of his gaze as he looked up at the sky. “I don’t believe I’ve ever seen so many stars,” she said softly.
“You really are a city-bred woman, aren’t you?”
“Growing up in Chicago had many advantages. Unfortunately, the only time I saw any wildlife was when I visited the zoo. And with the bright city lights and smog its difficult seeing stars.”
“I feel sorry for you. I think I’d die if I had to live in a big city.”
“Why do you think that?” she asked, curiously.
He pointed at the lake and at the stars overhead. “You like what you see, don’t you?”
“Yes.” She sighed. “It’s lovely here.”
“There’s your answer.”
She pondered his simple response. “Yes, well, don’t you ever get bored? The inactivity and lack of stimulation might drive me insane after awhile,” Cassandra added. “But only time will tell. Don’t you miss cultural things like going to plays and to the ballet? Or even a football game.”
“Hold on a minute. I’ve been places and done the things you’re talking about. I’ve seen enough plays, although I’ll be the first one to admit I wouldn’t be caught dead at a ballet. And since business is slow in the fall I travel to Minneapolis whenever I feel like seeing football games.”
“Even if you loved a woman and she wanted to see the ballet, you wouldn’t go with her?” Cassandra asked curiously.
He sat in thoughtful silence, his hands clasped between his legs as he focused on the lake. “I guess I might make an exception in that case.
“Your grandfather sent me away to college in. I lived there for five years, earning my degree in Natural Resources. Believe me. I saw plenty of culture there. The whole while I couldn’t wait to come home. I guess I can understand why you would find Gateway boring,” he continued, “so don’t feel bad about wanting to go home some time soon. Any idea when that will be?”
Cassandra heard the hopeful sound in his voice. She stiffened her shoulders, readying herself to give him her news. “I’ve already told you I plan on staying awhile.”