by Leona Karr
Chuckling, he shook his head. “No, but my company handles the rental on most of the houseboats in Hidden Cove.”
“You’ve got to be kidding.”
“It’s true.” He launched into the explanation he’d mentally prepared. “Since all the arrangements for Nevermore were made by mail, I thought I’d introduce myself to Devanna Davenport and see if the accommodations were satisfactory. She must be the aunt you told me you were joining for the summer. What a coincidence.”
“I’m afraid she isn’t here right now.”
“Oh, that’s too bad. I didn’t see a phone listing or I would have called ahead.”
“If you’d like to wait…?” She felt heat rising in her cheeks as she suddenly realized she was standing there in a very brief, hot-pink swimming suit that had never touched water. She’d bought it at a secondhand store, just for sunbathing.
“Thanks, I think I will. If it’s no trouble?”
“I was enjoying the sun, but I’ve really had enough for the first time out,” she lied. “Would you like to come inside? I think there’s some lemonade in the fridge.”
“Sounds great.”
As Neil followed her inside, he mentally patted himself on the back for orchestrating a way to see her again. Her slender figure was perfection in the revealing two-piece bathing suit, and the way she moved was sexy enough to stimulate his masculine desires. The pleasure of cupping her enticing backside with his caressing hands crossed his mind as she walked in front of him. She was every bit as physically attractive as he had remembered, but there was something more that had captured his interest from the beginning.
Ever since their casual meeting, he’d been asking himself what it was about her that intrigued him. Maybe it was a kind of melancholy vulnerability, or a challenging independence that reminded him of a frightened child bowing her neck to fight the world. Whatever the attraction, he only knew she touched some responsive chord deep within him, and he was drawn to her in some undefined way.
“Excuse me for a minute,” she said apologetically. “I need to check on Jamie. I’ll just be a minute.”
“No problem.” He sat down on one of the counter barstools to wait.
As Neil glanced around the clean and tidy room, he was satisfied he could reassure the owner that Devanna Davenport was a satisfactory renter. He was anxious to meet the aunt. Was she anything like her niece? he wondered.
When Courtney returned a few minutes later, he saw she’d draped a saronglike garment over her swimming suit. As far as Neil was concerned, the soft, clinging material only heightened the tantalizing lines and curves of her figure. He indulged in a fleeting masculine fantasy of drawing her close and feeling her loveliness pressed against him. Regretfully, he forced his thoughts back to reality and inquired politely about the baby.
“He’s still asleep,” she said, smiling. “He’s settled into the change nicely.”
“And what about you? Is living on the water to your liking?” Something in her bright tone seemed slightly false.
“I’m not sure.” Faint worry lines marred the smoothness of her brow.
“It may take some getting used to,” he offered.
“I guess so.”
Something in the situation was weighing heavily on her, Neil was sure of it. Even though he knew he should distance himself from any concerns about her private life, he couldn’t. The fact that he’d gone to such lengths to see her again mocked any indifference to her welfare.
“I hope this is sweet enough for you,” she said as she set down a pitcher and two glasses, and then took a stool beside him.
He took a sip. “Perfect.”
“You’re easy to please,” she said, smiling at him.
“Nope, to the contrary. My family accuses me of being the worst perfectionist in the world.”
“Tell me about your family,” she urged. In her childhood, she’d been the little girl looking through a fence, watching the extended family next door gathered for a family celebration. “I know you have a lot of nieces and nephews.” He’d referred to himself as “uncle” at the restaurant.
“I have four brothers and two sisters. They’re all great. One sister, and my younger twin brothers live in Manitou.”
She listened, captivated, as he talked about a large overflowing family, with deep roots planted in this community where he was raised.
“My parents are retired and enjoy traveling without a parcel of kids underfoot. All of my siblings are married and I’m the only single one left.”
“Why is that?”
“Oh, I’m not a good candidate for marriage,” he replied lightly, but there was a flickering of shadow in his dark brown eyes, and Courtney wondered what had put it there. “Of course, everyone tells me I haven’t met the right woman. What do you think?”
“I don’t know,” she answered honestly, at a loss when it came to understanding the desires of the heart. “There are a lot of reasons for getting married, I guess.”
“And divorced?” he asked pointedly.
She knew what he was asking. “I’m not divorced.”
He listened attentively as she told him about the unexpected death of Jamie’s father several months before the baby was born. “He was a construction worker. A faulty beam fell six stories, and killed him.”
“I’m sorry. How long had you been married?”
“A couple of years.”
When she didn’t volunteer any more personal information about her marriage, he refrained from asking any more questions. He hated it when people tried to dig around in his past. It wasn’t anybody’s business why he’d decided to forgo marriage.
They sipped their lemonade in silence until Courtney offered quietly, “I’m trying to get my life back together. I thought spending the summer with my aunt would help, but…” Her voice trailed off.
“Things aren’t working out the way you thought?”
She shook her head. “Maybe it’s me, but…” She might have said more but they heard the sound of footsteps on the deck.
Her aunt was back.
Neil instantly rose to his feet as Devanna came in. “Mrs. Davenport. How nice to meet you. I’m Neil Ellsworth. I handled your rental through the Ellsworth Real Estate and Investment Company.”
“Of course,” she responded with only the slightest hesitation. Her eyes lowered just slightly as if her thoughts were racing ahead. “Is there some problem?”
“Oh, not at all,” Neil assured her. “Just making a routine check on all the rented houseboats. I want to make sure everything is satisfactory.”
“How nice of you.” She visibly relaxed and smiled. “We don’t have many handsome men calling on us, do we, Courtney?”
“I find that hard to believe,” Neil responded gallantly.
Courtney couldn’t believe the metamorphosis in her aunt’s behavior. She was all smiles and began gushing about how wonderful it was to have her niece and the baby staying with her.
“I’m glad the houseboat is working out for you.”
“Oh, it is,” she assured him. “Lots of privacy. No nosy neighbors gawking at you. We don’t have even one complaint, do we Courtney?”
The ease with which her aunt was able to change her persona so dramatically disturbed Courtney in a way she didn’t understand. She was glad when Jamie’s protesting wail alerted her and she quickly excused herself.
She left Neil and Devanna chatting pleasantly, and when she returned with the baby a few minutes later, she was surprised to find that Devanna had already heated his bottle.
“Here, let me have him,” Devanna ordered. “He likes to have Auntie feed him, don’t you, sweetheart?” She took the baby out of Courtney’s arms and sat down on the couch to give him his bottle.
“Your aunt tells me you haven’t been away from the houseboat at all, Courtney. I was wondering if you’d like to have lunch with me at the marina?” Neil asked, giving her one of his people-management smiles.
“Oh, I’m afraid I couldn�
�t,” Courtney responded quickly. “The baby—”
“Is obviously in good hands,” he finished for her. “You really should take some time for yourself.”
“I agree,” Devanna said firmly. “She’s been much too gloomy to be good company.”
I haven’t been the only one, Courtney wanted to snap back, but restrained herself.
“The baby will be fine. Won’t you, darling?” Smiling down at Jamie, Devanna cooed, “Such a sweet, sweet, sweety pie. Auntie loves you.”
Courtney’s feelings were mixed. Should she leave the baby? Her aunt had taken enough care of him to reassure her that he’d be in good hands. It was true she’d slipped into a funk since her arrival. Getting away for a few hours might put some life back into her. Just thinking about being with other people tempted her to accept the invitation. She had no idea why Neil wanted to bother himself like this, but could she refuse?
“It’s settled then,” Neil said hopefully.
She nodded. “Give me a few minutes to change.”
When she returned, Neil smiled appreciatively at her nicely fitted denim slacks and yellow knit top that brought out the golden highlights in her hair. Her skin was lightly burnished from her time in the sun, and an excited sparkle in her eyes matched the lightness of her step.
She kissed the baby, gave her aunt some instructions about baby food and then turned to him. “I guess I’m ready.”
“Would you like to take a spin around the lake before we head for the marina?” he asked her as they settled themselves in his speedboat.
“If you have the time. I don’t want to interfere with your work.”
“Pleasure before business anytime,” he assured her, grinning.
His relaxed good humor was infectious. As the boat skimmed over the water, Courtney became a part of the scene she’d been watching from the deck of the houseboat. She lifted her face boldly to the wind and let her hair fly free. She laughed with Neil when the spray from a nearby boat bathed both of them.
She couldn’t believe she was actually going to lunch with such a charming, attractive man. He’d made it clear that he wasn’t interested in any serious commitments, and that was fine with her. She’d never felt such freedom to enjoy the moment and put aside any thoughts about the future.
Neil was delighted with her childlike pleasure. She was different from the women he was used to dating. Most of them were concerned about how they looked while they role-played the femme fatale. He was pleased that once Courtney seemed secure enough to lower her guard, there was no pretense about her. He wondered about her background, and was determined to know a lot more about her before their lunch date was over.
As they headed for the far end of the lake, Hidden Cove disappeared behind them and the brown houseboat was lost from view.
AS SHE SAT IN FRONT OF Buzz’s photo, her eyes sparkled with happiness. Laughing joyfully, she held up the baby for him to see.
“Look, darling. Just like we always planned. Our very own baby boy. Remember how you promised me a child of my own some day?” She snuggled against Jamie’s soft cheek. “And here he is. The moment I laid eyes on him, I knew he was ours.”
Her expression sobered as she cocked her head and listened. “Yes, I know, Buzz. But don’t worry. I’ll make another hit, and then I’ll have money to travel. I’ve been checking out some of the banks.”
She listened again, frowning. “It’s okay, Buzz. Relax, honey. I have plans to take care of the woman soon.”
Cuddling the baby in her arms, she began to hum a lullaby.
NEIL DOCKED THE BOAT at the marina in a recreational area that stretched several blocks along the lake. The beautifully landscaped area was inviting with clean, sandy beaches, winding paths, park benches and nearby colorful shops. With Courtney walking beside him, Neil was surprised how her presence made him view everything with a fresh eye.
She commented on flower beds, fountains and lush green lawns, and when she saw mothers pushing baby carriages and strollers, she exclaimed excitedly, “I’ll have to bring Jamie here.”
“Maybe you and my sister Maribeth could arrange a play date. She has two little ones.”
Courtney gave a vague nod of her head. She thought it wasn’t likely that his sister would follow through on the idea.
“You’d like her,” he added with a smile. “She’s my youngest sister. There’s only a couple years difference between us, and I guess I’m closer to her than the others. I can always tell when she’s feeling down, and needs a pick-me-up.” He grinned at Courtney. “She has eyes that give her feelings away—just like you do.”
“I’m that easy to read?”
“Not entirely,” he assured her.
“Well, thank you for rescuing me.”
“My pleasure. What kind of food do you like?”
“Any kind I don’t have to cook,” she readily replied. “A hot dog would be just fine.”
“Oh, I think I can do better than that.” He boldly slipped his arm through hers.
They walked several blocks to a small café in a Victorian house, complete with an old-fashioned cupola and gingerbread trim. A plump hostess dressed in old-fashioned costume greeted Neil with a welcoming smile and gave Courtney a quick assessing glance as if interested in seeing whom he was squiring for lunch.
“A nice table outside?” she asked Neil as if the question were rhetorical. Courtney suspected the hostess was asking if he wanted his usual table.
“What would you like?” he asked, deferring to Courtney. “Inside or out?”
“Outside sounds nice,” she readily replied. She’d had enough of being cooped up in a houseboat, eating meals at a counter.
A canopy of trees shaded the wide veranda, and the hostess led them to a table near a fountain spilling water into a small pond circled by feathery green ferns. The faint perfume of roses touched Courtney’s nostrils and she drew in the heavenly scent. The fragrance was a sharp contrast to the musty, dank smell of the houseboat.
Neil held Courtney’s chair and then took a seat opposite her. The hostess handed them an ornate menu decorated with cupids and flourishes of flowers and birds.
“Thank you, Harriet.”
“My pleasure.” She gave Neil a knowing smile. “Please enjoy.”
Courtney took one look at the prices and knew the Victorian café would never be mistaken for a fast-food establishment.
“See anything you like?” Neil asked, seeing her frown as she studied the elaborate selections.
How could she make a choice when every single entrée stimulated her taste buds? “What do you usually have?”
“Well, let’s see.” He readily pointed out several selections, confirming that he dined there often.
She didn’t know about his usual luncheon dates, but if he expected her to order something dainty like a watercress salad, he was in for a surprise.
After a careful job of elimination, she said, “I think I’ll have lentil soup, baked pork with apple-sauce, creamed asparagus and scalloped potatoes. Raisin bread pudding for dessert.” She closed the menu and leaned back in her chair.
“Good choice.” He chuckled silently. Her frank appetite appealed to him. It was refreshing to date a woman who enjoyed good food and made no bones about it. “I think I’ll have the same. Would you like a drink while we’re waiting? I recommend an English beer. It goes great with pork.”
His twinkling eyes challenged her, but she shook her head. “I’ll settle for a pot of tea, please.”
As they waited for their orders, he entertained her with stories about the community and his family. “I took over the Ellsworth Real Estate and Investment Company when my dad decided to call it quits.”
“And you like it?”
“Most of the time. I’ve made some mistakes. Trusted some people I shouldn’t have.” A shadow flickered in his brown eyes, and Courtney waited for him to explain but he changed the subject.
When their food arrived, conversation petered off into brief comments
about the delicious fare. He smiled as she lifted a delicate china teapot and poured the fragrant brew into a gold-rimmed teacup.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“Then why are you smiling?”
“There was such pleasure in your face, I couldn’t help picturing you at an elegant tea party, offering gold-rimmed cups to fashionable guests.”
She laughed. “Nothing could be further from the truth. I don’t think we ever had cups that weren’t chipped, and no two alike. Every time we moved, which was often, we had to start from scratch replacing what we’d broken or left behind.”
“What did your father do?”
“He was a welder. Not a very good one, I’m afraid,” she said sadly. “He tried hard, but never stayed with any job for very long. I put myself through business college, and was working as a secretary for a construction company when I met my husband, Clyde.” She paused. “Our marriage had its challenges.”
“Well, I decided a long time ago I’m not husband or father material.”
Undoubtedly, more than one unattached female considered him a good catch, Courtney thought. She wanted to assure him that she wasn’t looking for a man to complicate her life. Even though she had married out of loneliness, there had been very little companionship in her marriage, and the tender love she’d desperately sought had evaded her. She certainly wasn’t about to open herself to that kind of heartache again.
She gave her attention to the delicious pudding steeped in brandy sauce, and finished the last bite when she glanced at her watch.
“Oh, my goodness, I’ve got to get back. Jamie is always fussing after his noontime nap.” She instantly felt a sense of guilt for putting her son completely out of her mind for nearly three hours.
“He’s in good hands,” Neil reassured her. “While you were getting dressed, your aunt told me how much Jamie means to her. I guess she’s never had children of her own. Anyone can see she feels very possessive about him.”
“I’m beginning to think Jamie is the only reason she invited us to come,” Courtney said honestly. “It’s been quite a disappointment. I thought she and I would become friends and enjoy a special companionship this summer. But it’s not happening.”