Home to Sparrow Lake (Harlequin Heartwarming)
Page 11
Glasstique took up the whole lower level, so it was large enough to display everything from stained-glass windows to hand-blown carafes to fused-glass jewelry. While Alex spoke to the owner, Kristen checked out the place. Aunt Margaret loved any kind of art, so Kristen looked for something that her modest budget would allow and found a thick, multi-colored glass teardrop that would look great hung in one of the windows that overlooked the lake.
She was taking it to the counter when the owner brought out the stained-glass transom for Alex’s inspection, and Kristen had a chance to admire the piece with its beveled glass and leading.
“Gorgeous,” she said.
“And a great job making it look new again,” Alex told the owner, who placed it in a protective frame.
A few minutes later, they were back at the car, carefully putting their packages in the trunk.
“Walk or drive to the lakefront?” he asked.
“Walk. That way I get to poke my head in all the stores.”
Alex was quite a good sport about it, Kristen thought. He came inside each store she wanted to check out. Not that she bought anything for herself. Still, she enjoyed the diversion as they made their way toward the lake.
They were getting along so well, she could hardly remember why they’d ever been at odds.
*
“THIS REMINDS ME of the view I had from my apartment balcony,” Kristen said with a sigh. They had just finished dinner on an outside terrace of Geneva Lake Manor, a century-old mansion that had been turned into a popular restaurant, and were coming down the stairs, facing the lake on the other side of the street. “I used to eat out there whenever possible. Of course, my apartment was quite a bit higher up. Eighteenth floor.”
“I can understand why you would miss it,” Alex said, though he thought this view was pretty spectacular.
They were crossing the street not far from the pier where the tour boats docked. Motorboats cut through the bay and farther out, he spotted several sailboats.
“I miss everything about Chicago,” Kristen said. “I wonder how long it’ll take me to find another job there.”
Alex couldn’t help wondering why Kristen was so hung up on getting back to the big city. He checked his watch. “How about a sunset boat ride before heading back to Sparrow Lake—that is, if you’re up for that sort of thing.”
“What? You mean drooling over all the fabulous lakeside estates from the water? Hmm. I think I can handle that.”
“Great.”
The sun was low over the far end of the lake as they approached the pier. Shards of gold and red cut through the sky. A breeze skipped over the water, ruffling her hair. Kristen lifted her face and Alex’s chest tightened at the thought of just being with her. A sunset cruise would be the perfect way to end a perfect day.
Their timing was perfect, too. The boat was scheduled to leave the dock in five minutes, and since it was a weekday there were tickets left. Alex quickly bought them and escorted her onto the half-empty boat as the crew got set to shove off.
They found two seats near the prow, and when the boat started its tour of the bay, Kristen sighed. “It’s like being in another world.”
Alex continued their conversation. “I’m not from a small town, Kristen. I lived my whole life in Chicago until two years ago. That’s when I moved to Wisconsin.”
He could see that surprised her.
“Why did you choose Sparrow Lake?”
“My grandfather was from Sparrow Lake. Our family used to visit him for a couple of weeks each summer. I always loved the town, but I never thought about moving there until a few years ago. My immediate family—my brother and his wife and kids included—lives in Chicago, and ever since I was a teenager, I wanted to be a cop behind the wheel of a blue-and-white.”
“What changed your mind?”
“Actually being on the job in the inner city. I worked in a gang unit, and I saw all those kids with wasted lives.”
She nodded. “That had to be tough.”
“More so than you can imagine. I wanted to make a difference, Kristen, and by the time we got to those kids, it was too late for them. They get on the wrong road young in gang territory. Nine. Ten.”
“You must have seen some terrible things.”
“Unfortunately. And when we caught the offenders, they’d crossed so many lines that it meant jailing them or worse rather than giving them a chance.” He couldn’t talk about the incident that had made him leave Chicago—it still made his gut clench and his heart pound every time he thought about that kid. “It became too much for me, and I started wondering what it would be like working in a smaller police department where I could actually make a difference.”
The farther they got from the dock, the more elaborate the lakeside homes became. Some were modest in size and architecture, but many were multimillion-dollar mansions with incredible landscaping. They overshadowed the homes on Sparrow Lake, making even Margaret Becker’s look humble in comparison.
“I thought about moving to Sparrow Lake because a local cop steered me back onto the straight path one summer when I was a kid headed for trouble.” And they hadn’t just been playing innocent pranks, he remembered. “The police chief was a friend of Grandpa’s. He took me in hand, straightened me out, made me want to be like him.”
Kristen said, “Growing up, my brother never had a male figure to set an example for him. Brian was a little kid when our father abandoned us. He was always a good kid, though. Then Mom met her new husband and I guess Brian resented a stranger suddenly in his life, telling him what to do, trying to father him. That’s why, after he graduated high school, Mom sent him back to Wisconsin to go to college. But if he really has gotten himself into trouble…”
Realizing Kristen was vulnerable where her family was concerned, Alex said, “Brian is lucky to have someone like you in his corner, but you need to be realistic about what is going on in town.” He hoped she was ready for some straight talk. He didn’t want to see Brian waste his life, and he didn’t want to see the heartbreak on Kristen’s face if her brother got into hot water. “If Brian is heading himself for trouble, then you may be the only one who can get him to straighten out.”
Silent for a moment, she hesitantly said, “You can’t ever let him know I did this, but…” She took a big breath and went on. “I got hold of his computer and looked at his BS page.”
“He admitted to something in writing?”
Shaking her head, she said, “The conversation with his friends was vague, full of boasting and seemingly empty threats, but it was enough to make me uncomfortable. And concerned. I realized something weird was going on. So I waited up for him. He didn’t come home until three. I asked him where he’d been, what he and his friends had been doing out so late.” She sighed. “Of course he gave me nothing but vague answers. I told him that I was concerned, and that if he needed to talk, I would be there for him.”
Alex was glad she’d finally believed him enough to pursue it. “Sometimes being there is all you can do. That and keeping an eye on Brian and his friends. You can always let me know if you suspect something might be wrong before the situation gets worse.”
She thought about that for a moment before saying, “They’ve just been playing pranks, though, right?”
“So far. My fear is that they’re going to cross the line, and because there are some truly bad people around, even in the small towns in this neck of the woods, I want to channel those negative energies into something positive before anyone gets into serious trouble.”
“I’ll do what I can. I just don’t know what’ll happen to my brother once I move back to Chicago. Heather already has too much responsibility. And it wouldn’t be fair to heap this on Aunt Margaret’s shoulders.”
There it was again—Chicago—the thing that threatened to stand in the way of developing a real relationship with her. Alex would never return to the gang violence and misery he faced in the big city, but Kristen seemed determined to go back.
That idea threatened his good mood.
He couldn’t let it happen, Alex thought. To his surprise, he realized he was developing feelings for her, and he thought they could have something good together.
He would just have to find a way to convince Kristen she didn’t want to leave Sparrow Lake.
Or him.
*
WHEN THE BOAT circled the bay to run along the bluff on the opposite shore, Kristen moved to the railing for a better look at the estates. Alex joined her. The occasional fine spray of lake water felt great. So did Alex’s arm casually draped across her back. Being in the shelter of his arm felt so right. Why had she been keeping him at a distance?
She gazed up into his eyes. “I want to thank you, Alex. This has been a beautiful day. The most relaxing that I’ve spent in a long time.”
“No regrets?”
“What’s to regret?”
He grinned at her. “Playing instead of working.”
Kristen laughed. “I do occasionally take time off to play. I mean, I used to in Chicago.”
“Alone?” When she gave him a puzzled look, he said, “I was just wondering if the reason you’re so anxious to get back to Chicago is that you have someone special waiting for you.”
A few weeks ago, that question might have bothered her. “Not anymore.”
“Oh. Sorry. Sounds like it was serious.”
“I thought it was. And I mistakenly believed Jason thought so. But someone who cares about you stands by you when you’re in trouble. My worries about not finding a job, going through my savings and losing my condo were all too much for him.”
“This Jason broke it off with you because you were in trouble? Not much of a man. You’re well rid of him.”
“Especially since he said it was for my own good, because I was simply too dependent on him.”
“Wow. Nice guy. You, dependent? You’re the most independent woman I’ve ever met.”
“Thanks.” She grinned at him. “I think. What about you?” She knew he wasn’t married, but she had no idea if he was seeing someone else.
“Unfortunately, my wife divorced me over the job.”
Kristen started at that. She searched Alex’s face, but his expression remained neutral. To hide his feelings? Or because it didn’t matter anymore?
“So you were married,” she said, keeping her voice even. “Did you…do you have kids?” Is that why he’d been so natural with her nieces?
“No, Emma couldn’t handle being a cop’s wife. The marriage only lasted five months.”
“I’m so sorry, Alex. That had to have been devastating.”
“I’ve been over it for a long time. Over Emma. It was one of those whirlwind romances. We married too fast, before we really knew each other. I’m not interested in the past. I’m looking to my future.”
And he was looking directly into her eyes.
Kristen’s pulse began to thrum as his head inched closer and his features went all blurry. Her heart bumped against her ribs and her throat felt tight.
Why had she fought this? she wondered again, even as she wet her lips and parted them. She’d thought she couldn’t get involved with someone who lived in Sparrow Lake when she was planning on leaving at the first great job opportunity. But why not?
Her thoughts got muddled when his mouth found hers.
Her breath stopped for a moment. Then she sighed and lifted her arms and wrapped them around his neck. She gave over to the moment and kissed Alex back. She indulged in a long, sweet, warm, tantalizing kiss.
What was the harm in dating a man she genuinely liked? She wasn’t gone yet. She had time before she made another change. Why spend it alone?
Something that felt so good…so right…just couldn’t be a mistake.
CHAPTER TWELVE
LATE ON WEDNESDAY night, Brian waited for his friends in a small park on the south side of town. He sat on one of the swings and toed his sneaker into the dirt, moving himself back and forth. He was still angry about the confrontation he’d had with Kristen a couple of nights ago and wondered if it had anything to do with that cop she’d been hanging out with. He’d seen Novak drop his sister off at the house yesterday. The police chief was probably filling her head with lies, just as his stepfather filled his mom’s head with them. Just thinking about that had made him want to pull another prank as soon as he and his pals had a chance.
At a scuffling sound, he stiffened, then saw Matt’s bulk slip out of the shadows followed by the skinnier form of Andy. “Hey, dudes.”
“Hey, man,” said Matt.
“Have any idea where we’ll hit tonight?” asked Matt.
“I noticed that the Richardses don’t even have a deadbolt on their diner. It’s not far from here.” Off the main drag, too. Maybe the cops wouldn’t be driving by so often.
“What are we going to do? Spray the place?” Andy asked.
“Nah, just move some things around.” Brian always tried to limit the vandalism. Annoy and confound, not infuriate or scare. “Maybe help ourselves to a piece of pie.”
“Let’s go.” Andy took off, keeping to the shadows.
They traveled the alleys, as usual, and the shady areas unlit by streetlights. Being on foot was better than driving a car. In a small town, late at night, it was far easier for the police to notice a car driving past than three young guys running or walking. Luckily, the cops of Sparrow Lake weren’t too smart and were never going to catch them, Brian told himself. Besides, he and his posse were just having a little fun and showing everyone they could do what they wanted.
When they got to the diner, Brian used a plastic card on the back door. It took a couple of swipes to get it open.
“Whoo!” yelled Matt, dancing around when they got inside. “This place looks like Happy Days or something.
“A shabby version,” Brian agreed. Paint peeled on one of the walls and some of the chrome chairs were patched in places. Even in the dim light, he could see permanent scuff marks on the linoleum floor. But the long lunch counter was clean and the dishes and menus and other items were all stacked neatly on shelves. “Richards and his wife are both old enough to retire. I heard they just keep this place open to have something to do.” According to Aunt Margaret, anyway.
“I wish they had a jukebox,” said Matt.
“Yeah, right, all we’d need is more noise,” said Brian, disapproving of Matt scraping a chair around. “Settle down, will you?”
“So what shall we do? Break dishes?”
“No!” Matt could be a real bonehead. “Just take ’em and stack ’em somewhere else. Maybe let’s set the tables. Something they don’t expect. Move the glassware to the other side of the restaurant.”
They got busy setting the tables.
Matt grabbed a ketchup bottle. “How about emptying some of this on a table?”
“Too much of a mess.” They’d caused more trouble at the service station than he’d intended, and he didn’t want things getting out of hand. He looked around. “Where’s Andy?”
“I dunno. Andy?” Matt called.
“Shhh!” Brian cautioned him.
Matt lowered his voice to a hoarse whisper, “Andy? Where are you?”
Now Brian could hear the splatter of grease, like something was cooking. He took out his flashlight and moved around the counter, deeper into the kitchen. “Andy?”
A grunt answered him and his flashlight beam slid across the back of his pal standing at the grill. More grease spattered.
“What are you doing?”
“Cooking some burgers. Want one?”
“No, we don’t have time to cook burgers.” Sheesh, food always seemed to be the number one item on Andy’s mind.
“They’re almost done.” Andy picked up a plate with an open bun. He used a spatula to
flip the patties onto it. Then he picked up the burger and took a gigantic bite.
Matt came up behind Brian. “Food. All he’s going to do is eat now.” He asked Brian, “What else should we do?”
Brian watched Andy annihilate the burgers with a few more bites. As before, he was amazed anyone could eat so much, so fast. He whispered, “Is he starving or something?”
“Well…” Matt seemed reluctant to explain. “I don’t think he gets enough to eat, ya know? When he comes over to my house, he scarfs just about everything in the refrigerator.”
Brian had noticed that when Andy was at his place. “He acts like he has a tapeworm.”
Andy opened the refrigerator and rummaged around. He took out some potatoes, which he munched on, skins and all. Then he ducked into the refrigerator again.
Matt kept his voice low. “His family is homeless.”
“Homeless?”
Shocked into silence, Brian remembered Andy’s family lived in a small but adequate house. But he’d never visited the place since returning to town. He’d just assumed things were the same.
“Next thing to homeless anyway. His dad left Sparrow Lake looking for a job and his mom works part-time at the motel over by the highway,” Matt explained. “They live in a room there, too.”
“All five of them in a motel room?” Andy had two sisters and a younger brother, Brian remembered.
“He says they like it. They get all the old rolls and stuff after the motel breakfast is over. Hey, it’s better than the car, especially in winter.”
“Were they living out of a car?”
“For a while.”
“Why didn’t you mention this before?”
“He don’t like to talk about it.”
So the family was virtually homeless and living in a motel on part-time wages. No wonder Andy was always so hungry.
A pair of passing headlights suddenly flitted across the wall, making Brian jump. “The police?”