Listen to Your Heart

by Mona Ingram

  She unbuckled her seat belt and grabbed the empty water bottle. A few deadfalls littered the forest floor; thankfully she’d worn an old pair of jeans and a T-shirt. Vince hated her to dress casually. It had felt good to pull on the old jeans this morning knowing that she had a whole week without him harping at her for one thing or the other. It was going to be heaven. She reached the stream and filled the bottle. The water was cool, clear and sweet. She drank greedily, laughing at herself when some water dribbled down her chin. It doesn’t get any better than this, she thought, swiping at the drops with the back of her hand.

  Movement along the creek bed caught her eye and she stared for a moment, unsure of her eyes. It was a puppy. Cold and bedraggled, it appeared to be on its last legs, clambering over the rounded rocks at the creek’s edge.

  “Oh, you sweet thing.” She spoke aloud and the puppy looked up. It spotted her and wagged its tail.

  She was quite sure it was a spaniel. Even at this young age, its ears were droopy; even moreso since they were soaking wet. She picked it up and pulled it to her chest. The dog was a mass of movement, shivering, squirming with excitement and trying to lick her face all at the same time.

  “Are you lost?” she asked, burying her face in its fur. She raised her head and looked around. “That was a silly question, wasn’t it? Of course you’re lost.” She stroked the dog’s head and it calmed. “You can’t have wandered too far from home. I’ll bet the people at Loon Lake know about you. Come on, let’s get up to the road and start walking.”

  She wrapped the dog in her fleece jacket, grabbed her tote bag, locked the vehicle and climbed the bank. “Someone will come along soon,” she said, not sure if she was reassuring herself or the dog. “It may be remote up here, but it’s not the end of the world.” She started walking. The few times she’d come to the cottage she hadn’t been driving, but she knew that Vince used the sign to Loon Lake as a marker. Their driveway was a mile and a half beyond that, and led into Sandy Lake.

  She’d been walking for about fifteen minutes when a pickup truck came up from behind and stopped. The driver leaned toward her, one arm on the steering wheel and the other draped along the back of the seat. “You okay?” he asked, eyeing the bundle in her arms. “I’ll bet a deer jumped out in front of you.”

  She met his eyes. “That’s right. How did you know?”

  He gave her a gentle smile. “It happens a lot around here. Some people say you should just hit them.” He paused. “Thankfully, they’re in the minority. Can I offer you a ride?”

  She hesitated and looked ahead. “I’m going to Loon Lake. I can walk, thanks.”

  He shrugged. “I’m going there myself. It’s no trouble.” He leaned across and opened the passenger door. “My name’s Jackson. Hop in.”

  Vince had warned her against talking to strangers in this area. Sometimes he treated her like a child. But then she had to admit that she’d been acting like a child, letting him boss her around. “Okay,” she said. “I’d appreciate that.”

  She climbed up into the cab of the truck. “I’m Amanda.”

  “What have you got there?” He looked at the bundle again. “Is it a baby?”

  She cradled the puppy, which was being surprisingly quiet. “No. Yes. Well, sort of.”

  He frowned, but there was a glint of amusement in his eyes. “It either is or it isn’t.”

  The puppy chose that moment to shake free of her jacket.

  The man looked like he’d just won the lottery. “It’s Rocky”.

  “Rocky?” She started to giggle as the dog licked her face. “You know this dog?”

  “Sure do and I also know two kids who are going to be very happy to see him. He belongs to Hannah and Logan.” He reached out to pat the dog. “I work for their parents at Loon Lake Resort. The dog went missing a day and a half ago and we’ve all been looking for him ever since.” He put the truck in gear and pulled back out onto the road. “It’s a good thing he wasn’t gobbled up by a cougar.”

  Amanda instinctively covered the dog’s ears. “Don’t say that. You’ll frighten him.”

  Jackson’s lips twitched and she studied him as he drove. He hadn’t shaved for a day or two but it wasn’t the look affected by celebrities these days; it was the beginnings of a real, honest-to-goodness beard. He wore his dark hair tied back at the nape of his neck. The only thing missing was an earring. He glanced over and seemed about to say something, then changed his mind. Amanda was disappointed; there was something about this man that made her want to get to know him. He was nothing like Vince, she knew that instinctively. Her husband was a slick, perfectly groomed city type who wore suits that cost enough to feed a third world village for a month.

  Deep down she sensed that the man beside her didn’t need the outward trappings of success. He exuded a powerful aura of masculinity that made her light in the head. She studied his hands on the steering wheel and for a wild, heart-pounding moment she wondered what they would feel like on her body.

  Enough. She couldn’t think like this. She was a married woman, and although Vince had been treating her like dirt recently, he was still extremely jealous. She hated to think what he would do if she was ever foolish enough to get involved with another man. She shuddered and turned her attention back to the dog.

  “Why is this little guy called Rocky?”

  “Because he’s a fighter.” Jackson chuckled. “He’s got lots of spunk, that one. You should see him attack Jesse.”

  “Jesse?”

  “Yeah, Dave’s old lab. This little guy is all over him like a bad rash.” They passed a driveway leading to one of the other resorts on the lake. “And before you ask, Jesse is named after Jesse James. When he was a pup, Dave used to hang one of those western scarves around his neck. We all thought he looked like a gunfighter and the name stuck.”

  She nodded. It sounded like something out of a fairy tale. She pictured dogs and children growing up together, the way it was supposed to be. A jolt of longing made her look away.

  “Hey, are you okay?” She couldn’t believe that he’d picked up on her mood. She’d known Vince for two years now, been married for almost as long, but he’d never shown this type of sensitivity. It was unnerving.

  “I’m fine,” she said and turned back toward him just as they drove into a clearing. Sunlight flooded the cab of the truck, lighting his eyes. Slate grey, shot through with slivers of blue, they watched her, and for an irrational moment she wondered if he could read her thoughts. Because in spite of his appearance which was scruffy at best, he struck her as highly intuitive. Now where did that come from? she wondered and buried her face in Rocky’s fur.

  Her husband’s cabin was on the adjoining lake but Amanda had never been to Loon Lake Resort. She’d been curious about it last year and had looked it up online, learning that it comprised twenty rental cottages, thirty fully serviced camping spaces, boat rental and a convenience store with attached coffee shop. The most popular of the fishing resorts in the area, it was now being operated by the grandson of the original owner, along with his wife.

  The resort was in an uproar when they arrived. A middle-aged Asian man sat on the arm of an Adirondack chair, rocking back and forth, his arm swathed in white gauze. Customers stood in random groups, looking back toward the building as the last few people scurried out.

  “Uh-oh.” Jackson pulled into a spot below the ‘Office’ sign, jumped out of the truck and raced through an open door at the back of the building. Amanda petted the dog nervously, waiting for him to re-appear. When he hadn’t come out after several minutes, she settled the dog into her jacket and climbed down, closing the door quietly behind her. She poked her head inside. Judging from the supplies stacked on shelves lining the hallway, it was the back entrance to the kitchen.

  “Hello?” she called tentatively. “Jackson?” She stepped into the kitchen.

  “Sorry Senora, you can’t be here.” A young man accosted her.

  “It’s okay, Carlos. She’s with
me.” Jackson stepped forward.

  Amanda looked around and surveyed the damage. There had obviously been a kitchen fire. “At least you had a K class fire extinguisher,” she said. “Looks like you caught it early.”

  Carlos raised his eyebrows. “Si, but Tran is badly burned.” He looked back at the mess in the kitchen. “I’m not surprised.”

  Amanda could see what he meant. Grease coated the ceiling and the walls weren’t much better. She was afraid to even look up the exhaust hood or in the grease box. It was a miracle the whole place hadn’t burned to the ground.

  Jackson narrowed his eyes. “You know about K class fire extinguishers?”

  She nodded. “Yes. I worked in a kitchen for a few years.”

  A young woman with flyaway blonde hair came into the kitchen.

  Jackson stepped forward. “Kathy, I’m glad you’re all right.”

  She smiled up at him. “I wish I could say as much for my kitchen.” She looked from Jackson to Amanda. “Sorry, do I know you?”

  Jackson put a hand at her waist and guided her forward. “I’d like you to meet Amanda. She has some good news for you.”

  Kathy looked distracted. “I could use some.”

  “She found Rocky.”

  “You did?” She looked around the room. “Is he okay?”

  “Yes, he’s fine. He’s in the truck, sleeping I hope.”

  Kathy’s shoulders dropped down a notch and she smiled. “The kids are going to be so pleased. They’ve gone into town with Dave for supplies. Thank goodness Carlos was here; he grabbed the fire extinguisher right away.” Worried eyes surveyed the damage. “I hope the Health people don’t close us down.”

  Amanda surprised herself. “Not if you clean this place up. She did a more thorough assessment of the mess. “What you see is residue from the fire retardant. That can be cleaned up, but beyond that this entire kitchen needs a good cleaning.” She stopped, realizing what she’d said. “I’m sorry. This isn’t my business. Sorry I was so blunt.”

  “No, you’re right.” Kathy nodded. “I’ve been telling Tran to clean up for months now, but every time I bring it up he conveniently forgets how to speak English.” She gave a wry smile. “It was my own fault for letting him get away with it, but cooks are so difficult to find up here.” She glanced at Carlos. “Carlos is a great help, but he doesn’t have enough experience.”

  “Cooks!” Amanda knew what she meant. “Listen, I’ll just go out and get the dog and then if you can give me the name of the nearest garage I’ll call a tow truck and get out of your way.” She hoped she could get cell service up here; she’d never tried before.

  The dog snuffled a little when she picked him up, then burrowed down into her arms. “You’re home, little guy,” she said and kissed the top of his head.

  She looked up to find Jackson watching her. “You’ve become attached to him, haven’t you?”

  She was about to deny it, but that seemed pointless. “I confess, I have. It’s that puppy smell, you know?”

  “Yeah, I know.” Jackson reached out and patted the dog on the head. “They’ll have to keep him on a leash for a while. A terrible fate for a curious puppy, but better than getting lost again.”

  Amanda knew how the dog would feel. After all, she’d been on a leash for the past couple of years. It wasn’t fun. She nodded in agreement.

  “There you are, you naughty puppy!” Kathy gave Rocky an affectionate shake. “Would you mind waiting a minute?” she said to Amanda, then took the dog and placed it in an enclosure at the back of the building.

  She pushed her hair out of her eyes and addressed Amanda. “Jackson says you have some experience in kitchens.”

  Amanda shot a look in his direction, but couldn’t read anything in his expression. “I’m not a chef by any stretch of the imagination, but I know my way around a kitchen.”

  “I was wondering...” Kathy raised her shoulders. “Would you be interested in working here for a while? I mean, I don’t know where you were headed. You probably have somewhere to go, but I thought I’d take a chance...” She looked at Amanda beseechingly. “I could offer you free accommodation in one of our cottages. It’s an older one and fairly small, but it’s quiet. And of course I’d pay you.”

  Amanda thought about the luxurious cottage waiting for her only a couple of miles away. Suddenly the idea of being alone didn’t seem so appealing.

  Kathy glanced toward the front of the property. Most of the people who had been milling around when Amanda and Jackson arrived had gone back to their cottages. “A lot of our guests rely on the restaurant for meals. They come here to relax and fish; they don’t want to be bothered cooking.”

  Amanda nodded. “I can understand that.” She made a snap decision. She would offer to help for a week. Hopefully Kathy could find a replacement in that time. “Okay, I’ll give you a week.” She glanced at Jackson and her breath caught in her throat. Her decision had nothing to do with him. Nothing at all.

  Carlos had been hovering in the background. She turned to him with a smile. “Will Carlos stay and help? I have a feeling we could work well together.”

  “Si, Senora.” He stepped forward. “What about dinner tonight? These people need to eat.”

  Amanda thought for a moment. “We can’t use the kitchen the way it is.” She turned to Kathy. “Do you have a barbeque?”

  “Yes, we have a couple.” Her eyes lit up. “Are you thinking barbeque for tonight?”

  Her mind was racing. “Yes. I don’t know what you think of the idea, but what if you offered hamburgers or hot dogs with a bag of potato chips and a drink and an ice cream bar for dessert, and made it free? It won’t cost you much and you’ll have a lot of happy campers.” She laughed at her own joke. “Literally.”

  “Brilliant.” Can you pull it off?

  Amanda shook her head. “Not me...Carlos.”

  The young cook beamed.

  “I’ll be cleaning the kitchen. It’s a big job, but I’m confident that I can get it done if I start right away. We’ll be ready to serve breakfast in the morning.”

  Kathy gave her a quick hug. “You’re amazing, you know that? I don’t know where you came from, but you saved the day. Now I’d better get out there and deal with Tran. He needs to get to the hospital so they can check out his burns. I have him slathered with antibiotics, but I’d rather be safe.”

  Jackson spoke up. “I’ll take him.”

  Kathy looked at him gratefully. “Thanks, Jackson. If you see Dave in town, ask him to come home, would you?”

  Chapter Two

  The kitchen was even worse than she’d thought; by her best estimate, it hadn’t been cleaned for several months. What really angered her was that there was plenty of commercial de-greaser on hand. She took a deep breath, pulled on some gloves and started to work.

  She was taking a break when Kathy came in several hours later accompanied by two blonde children.

  “Kids, I’d like you to meet Amanda. She found Rocky wandering in the woods.”

  The girl clutched at her mother’s slacks and hid behind her leg, but the boy came forward. “Thank you for finding him.” He looked at her curiously. “Do you have any kids?”

  The question caught her off guard. She shook her head. “No, I don’t. Why do you ask?”

  Wide blue eyes like his mother’s looked up at her. “Hannah’s a girl. I’d like to have a boy to play with.”

  Me too, thought Amanda. She squatted down. “Sorry about that. What do you like to play?”

  “I like to fish,” he said proudly. “Jackson says he’ll teach me, but he gets busy sometimes and has to go away.” He looked toward the freezer. “Can I have some ice cream? Mom says I have to ask you now.”

  Kathy nodded and Amanda dug out an ice cream bar for each child.

  “You know the rules,” Kathy called after them as they ran out. “Stay away from the dock.”

  “Okay, Mom.” The children ran off.

  Amanda watched them disappear
then turned to their mother. “So, how did the barbeque go?”

  “It was a hit.” Kathy was looking around the kitchen in amazement. “I’d forgotten that the kitchen was so bright.”

  Amanda glanced around. “I’m not finished yet, but we’ll be ready for breakfast.” She pointed to a list. “I took a break and checked the cooler. You have a lot of out-of-date items in there that have to be thrown out. Tran obviously never heard the old expression ‘When in doubt, throw it out’.”

  Kathy glanced at the list, put it down without reading. “I trust you. Do what you have to do.”

  Amanda pushed another piece of paper across the counter. “I checked your supplies against your menu and I’m starting a list of what needs to be purchased. Do you have a preferred wholesaler?”

  “Yes, I have a binder with all that information. Is it okay if we do that in the morning? We can’t call them until then anyway.” She looked around the kitchen again. “You’ve done an amazing job already, Amanda. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” Amanda got up and stretched. “Do you mind showing me the cabin? I’ll dump my stuff and then I’d like to clean for a couple more hours.”

  As they crossed the property Amanda could see why it was so popular. Located on a scenic bay, it curved around on itself, so that the cottages looked back toward the common area and the two boat docks that stuck out into the water. A sandy beach was clearly marked off from the boating area.

  Kathy stopped and looked out over the lake. A few clouds hugged the distant horizon, their undersides painted pink by the setting sun. “I like to walk along the lakefront at this time of day,” she said, almost to herself. “And I’m always thankful that Dave’s grandfather had the foresight to buy this piece of property.” A small sigh escaped her lips. “We love living here.”