by Mona Ingram
“I can see why. It’s a great place to raise kids.”
“Do you think so?” Kathy frowned. “I sometimes worry that they aren’t getting much interaction with other children. Of course Logan starts school in a couple of weeks but it’s not the same as growing up in a neighbourhood full of kids.”
“Logan did say something about getting tired of playing with Hannah. He seemed disappointed that Jackson didn’t have time to teach him to fish.”
Kathy’s head came up and Amanda wondered if that was caution she saw in the other woman’s eyes. Kathy studied her for a moment before continuing. “Logan’s decided that Jackson is cool. I think it has something to do with the hair.”
“He’s cool all right.” Amanda couldn’t believe she’d said that. She shot a frantic look at Kathy. “Tell me I didn’t say that out loud.”
Kathy shrugged. “Don’t worry. I’ve thought the same thing myself.” A faraway smile softened her features. “There’s something about him, isn’t there? Whatever it is, he’s got it in spades.”
Amanda laughed out loud; it felt good. “Kathy Keane, shame on you, and you a married woman.”
Kathy nudged her. “Look who’s talking.”
They walked companionably along the dirt road. At random intervals, trails wide enough for a car led to cottages nestled among the firs.
There wouldn’t be a better time. Amanda turned to Kathy. “What do you know about Jackson? All he said is that he takes care of the boats for Dave.”
They continued in silence for a few moments. Kathy appeared to be studying the ground. Then she raised her head. “I don’t know much about him, actually. He and his brother and Dave all grew up together but I hadn’t met Jackson until he showed up earlier this summer. He stays in the boathouse and seems content with the little bedroom Dave set up for him. As to anything personal, I know very little.” She grinned. “Maybe that’s what makes him so intriguing.”
“It’s just...” Amanda searched for the right words. “It’s just that he seems to be over-qualified for the job.”
Kathy sighed. “I thought so, too.” She shot a quick look at Amanda. “Please don’t let on I told you, but I think he’s getting over some emotional trauma. And no, I don’t know what that is.”
Amanda nodded. “I shouldn’t even be asking about him.” She gave a little shudder. “If my husband knew...well...I don’t like to think what he would do.”
“I’ve heard about those jealous types.” Kathy’s tone was sympathetic. “But fortunately, I’ve never experienced it firsthand.” Understanding flooded her face. “That’s why you’re up in this neck of the woods, isn’t it? You’ve come to be alone, to get away.”
It felt good to talk about it; Vince had made sure she didn’t have any close friends. “Yes. Vince is away at a convention.” Tears flooded her eyes and she willed them back. “A week all on my own, with no one to criticize, or put me down.” She paused. “Well, I suppose it’s six days now. But I intend to enjoy every one of them.”
Kathy looked crestfallen. “I never should have asked you. Here you are, trying to enjoy a few days on your own. I’ll understand if you’d rather not stay....”
“No.” Amanda gave her a reassuring smile. “I’m actually looking forward to it, looking forward to being around people.”
“In that case, here we are.” Kathy motioned to a trail leading to the last cottage along the waterfront. “Your cottage.”
It was delightful. The compact kitchen contained a small cook top and a half-sized fridge. In the bedroom, a welcoming hand-made quilt covered the queen-sized bed. But the most appealing feature was the screened porch. It overlooked a private water access and Amanda could see a groove in the sand where a canoe had been pulled up. A pair of Adirondack chairs sat side by side at the water’s edge and she looked at them longingly.
“You could sit out here in the evenings if you like, but you’d probably get eaten alive.” Kathy tapped the screen. “That’s why the porch is screened in. People around here love to tell stories about the mosquitoes. My brother works at the airport in Williams Lake and he says a mosquito landed on the runway when they were refuelling and they got ten gallons into him before they realized he wasn’t a Cessna.”
Amanda laughed at the old joke. “Never mind, I love it.” She turned to the woman who had quickly become a confidant. “And now I’m going unpack before I head back to the kitchen. How do I lock up the kitchen when I leave?”
“Don’t worry. Dave checks everything before we turn in. Goodnight.”
Amanda stood in the doorway as the other woman walked down the path and disappeared from sight. Why hadn’t she told her about her own luxurious cottage just a few minutes away? Growing up she’d been a happy child thanks to the love of her grandmother but it struck her now how much she’d changed in the past few years. Since meeting Vince, her life had closed in on itself. Instead of helping her to expand her circle of friends, he’d insulated her. Theirs was an almost secretive existence. Why had she never thought about that before?
Vince had assured her that she would soon find friends among the neighbourhood women when they’d first moved into the posh neighbourhood on the North Shore of Vancouver. She’d made several attempts, but doors remained closed to her. At social functions she got the impression that they were talking about her when she approached. Vince had dismissed her comments as nonsense, but looking back, he’d had that cold, predatory gleam in his eye. He’d been isolating her even then. Why hadn’t she recognized what he was doing? More importantly, what was she going to do about it now?
* * *
It was dark by the time the kitchen was usable. Amanda made a mental note of several things she’d continue working on during the week, but she was satisfied that it would pass inspection if they should happen to get a surprise visit from the Health Inspector. She stepped outside and blinked, adjusting slowly to the darkness. A few sodium vapour lights on poles stood at strategic spots on the property, but didn’t light the entire area.
“Should have looked for a flashlight” she muttered to herself, feeling her way along cautiously. The trees around here were massive and sent roots in every direction; she didn’t want to trip and break a leg.
“You are a sucker for punishment.” The hair on the back of her neck came erect at the sound of his voice. “When you say you’re going to do something, you’re not kidding, are you.” It was more of a statement than a question.
He came from the direction of the boathouse, preceded by the glow from his flashlight.
“Hi Jackson,” she said breathlessly. “I’m glad to see you.” He was close enough to touch.
“Should I be flattered?”
Was he teasing her? She couldn’t see his eyes properly in the muted light. “That depends.” She looked toward her cabin. “Can you tell me where I can find a flashlight? My cottage is right at the end.”
“I know.” He waved the flashlight and beams of light bounced off trees and disappeared into the darkness. “I’ve come to walk you home.”
Her pulse raced. “You don’t have to do that. I can find my way if I have a flashlight.”
He lifted his shoulders. “Sorry, can’t help you.” He didn’t look sorry. “Come on, I don’t bite.” He started walking and she scurried to catch up.
He slowed and waited for her. She had the most outrageous inclination to reach out and touch his face. What did that beard feel like? Was it hard and scratchy, or soft to the touch? She tore her eyes away and forced herself to concentrate on the road.
“How did you make out?” His voice cut into her fantasy. “In the kitchen?”
“Oh, fine. We’ll be ready for breakfast.”
“That will be nice.” She caught the irony in his tone and raised her eyebrows.
“Don’t get me wrong. Tran always showed up on time, but he was not a breakfast cook by any stretch of the imagination.”
Amanda wanted to laugh. “I’ve never done breakfast in a restaurant. You m
ight not be much better off with me.”
He hesitated for a moment and something glittered in his eyes. “I doubt that.”
Was he saying what she thought he was saying? She’d better change the subject.
“Did you get something to eat tonight? Kathy said Carlos did a great job with the barbeque. He stepped right up and took over.”
“No. After I dropped Tran off I had dinner with some friends in town.”
“Oh.” Of course he would have a girlfriend. The idea was unsettling, but it had to be faced. With his looks and physique, he was probably beating women off with a stick. A big stick.
“So will he be okay?”
“Who, Tran? He’ll be fine. His wife came to pick him up from the hospital.”
“Did he seem upset that he lost his job?”
“Not a bit.” Jackson played the light over the ground, indicating the driveway leading to her cottage. “I got the impression it wasn’t the first time he’d been let go.”
They walked in silence for a few moments.
Amanda finally spoke. “I hope Kathy can find someone to replace him.”
“I don’t.” They’d stopped by the rear door to the cottage. Amanda had left the outdoor light on. It was enough to see by without disturbing anyone in the neighbouring cottages. Insects drawn by the light batted their wings against the fixture. Their frantic motion echoed the beating of her heart.
“Why not?” She knew what he was going to say but she had to ask.
“Because then we’ll lose you.” His face was partly in shadows but she could feel the intensity in his gaze.
She couldn’t form a coherent thought. “Yeah...well...”
“But in the meantime...” his words trailed off. If he was waiting for her to say something, he was going to be disappointed.
A faint smile lifted the corners of his mouth. “Good night, Amanda.” He stepped forward and for a moment she thought he was going to kiss her. Instead, he opened the screen door and held it for her. She nodded, slipped the key into the lock and went inside without looking back. It had to be that way; otherwise she would have thrown herself at him.
She leaned back against the door, fighting to catch her breath. And then she remembered the small window in the door. She whirled around, looked out and caught a glimpse of him at the end of the trail. The light from the flashlight bobbed along and then disappeared as he turned right, headed back toward the boathouse.
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