Diamond Lake Series: Complete Series (Bks 1-7) Boxset

by T. K. Chapin

  “One of?” Serenah replied. “What do you mean?” Her voice was rattled, and when my eyes connected with hers I saw the fear buried behind them. Oops.

  “Sorry,” I offered. “I didn’t mean to worry you.” Raising my eyebrows, I tried to appeal to her more reasonable side. “I’m sure yours will be different.”

  Serenah nodded and then let out a deep sigh. “No, I’m sorry. These days are so stressful with trying to run the inn and coordinate the wedding. I know the stats on marriage. I was already married once before . . .” Her voice quieted. “Which is why I’m probably so crazy about making sure this one starts out perfectly.” Letting out another sigh, she took a deep breath and then smiled. “I know there’s no such thing as a perfect marriage. You know what I need? More prayer and less stressing over all the details.”

  “You’re a Christian?” I asked with a raised brow. Though it didn’t increase the chances of a marriage working out as much as one would hope, I noticed a trend that when people included God, they were more likely to succeed.

  “Yes. In fact, I recommitted myself to the Lord just over a year ago.” Her face held a glow that beamed of joy and thankfulness.

  A smile broke across my face. “Always nice to work with a fellow believer.” Looking at the folder in her hand, I continued, “I mean, if you decide to take me on.”

  She handed the folder back to me. “You’re hired. Charlie’s pretty excited to have you do the wedding.”

  Laughing, I said, “Really? We didn’t really know each other that much back in school.”

  “Yeah! He said the same thing, but said you took great yearbook photos.”

  “Oh, yeah? I didn’t know he knew I took those,” I replied, flipping to the back of the folder. I pulled out a sheet. Handing it over to her to her, I explained. “It’s a list of suggested shots my assistant photographer and I can take. Glance over them and see which ones you want to see and check them off.” Grabbing the pen I had clipped inside my jean pocket, I gave it to her. Staying organized and knowing exactly what my client wanted out of the wedding was important to me. Getting the particular shots they wanted was a sure-fire way to make them happy. Then, of course, grab a lot of extras. It was in these ‘extras’ that I always would find priceless moments. They were my favorite part of the wedding. A grandfather sitting on a bench with the ring bearer or the groom and his father praying in a dimly lit hallway right before the ceremony. These photographs were what made photography feel like it was no longer a job but merely a human attempting to catch the beauty of humanity. It was in these shots that I found myself most alive.

  As Serenah pored over the sheet and made marks by the ones she wanted, we continued to the door and went inside. Coming through the foyer and into the living room, she paused, looking at the paper. Lifting her head, she motioned to the French doors on the other side of the living room. “The wedding ceremony will be in the grass below the balcony. We’re using the gazebo that’s down there. You can go look around. I’m going to get a glass of water and keep going through this list. Did you want anything to drink?”

  I shook my head. “No thanks.” Going outside, I shut the door behind me. The lake left me breathless. The sun glinted off the top of the calm waters and the sounds of birds in the distance stirred a calming force inside of me. Walking over to a railing, I put my hands on it and looked out across the water. After a study of the water, I peered over the side and surveyed the grass below. A gazebo, paddle boat, canoe and a shed sat off to the side. The gazebo appeared newly-built, without a lick of paint, while the shed held a rustic feeling from a different time. That shed could do nice for a backdrop, I thought to myself as my eyes fell over to the tree line that separated the properties near the shed.

  Coming outside a few moments later, Serenah handed the paper back to me. “I’d like some photos done across the lake at this cool little church where Charlie proposed if we can do that too?”

  “He proposed here at the lake?” My eyes went to the water once again. “That’s kind of neat.”

  She nodded as her gaze joined mine. “There’s a neat little building straight across the lake. It’s a little old, rundown church. I’ll never forget the hike up there in the cold, but I didn’t mind. It was worth the cold. Sorry, I’m rambling. Anyway, is that something we could include in the photo deal?”

  Turning to her, I replied, “We can meet up and do pictures over there a couple of weeks before the wedding if you’d like.”

  “Could we just do it the day before? Maybe?” Serenah shrugged as her eyebrow raised. “Maybe you can get some shots of the rehearsal too? I just don’t see going over there very plausible before then. Balancing work with the inn and getting ready for the wedding is already too crazy. Sorry. The day before would just be better.”

  “No need to apologize.” I reached out and touched her arm. “It’s fine with me, but totally up to you.”

  “You can have a room here that night too!” Her eyes lit up. “Complimentary, of course. You’ll love it.”

  “Oh, that’s okay. I’ll just drive out twice. No big deal.”

  “I insist that you stay. That way, you can just be part of all the fun and festivities. You’re from here anyway, aren’t you? A lot of the guests will probably be people you know.”

  “Yeah, I am . . .” I rubbed my neck as anxiety began rising up in me thinking of the ones from the past I didn’t want to see.

  Suddenly, a couple of men came around from the side of the inn and were chatting as they walked toward the grass area near the shore. Looking over, I jumped as I saw Joe and Charlie walking together. Crouching down, I watched as they continued walking.

  “What are you doing?” Serenah asked, still standing beside me.

  Glancing up at her, I said in a whisper, “That’s an ex-boyfriend of mine.” My eyes went back on the two of them.

  “Joe’s your ex?” Serenah asked.

  “Shh . . .”

  Serenah bent down beside me and looked out at them.

  “Why on earth would Joe be hanging out with Charlie? They hated each other.”

  Serenah nodded. “They patched things up between them not long ago. They’re best buds ever since they put the childish things in life behind them.” Serenah touched my shoulder. “Can you still do the job with an ex-boyfriend around?”

  “I don’t know, Serenah. We have a past.” My eyes turned back to the men as they went into the shed. My eyes followed Joe as he came out of the shed with a bucket of paint and headed over to the gazebo. Recalling one of our last nights together over a decade ago, I remember how passionate he was about the future. About us. He had a way of speaking right into my existence and making me feel like his everything.

  “You could just ignore him.”

  I couldn’t let Joe be the one to deter me from taking this gig. We were both adults now. We could act like it, and I’m sure it’d all be fine. Rising to my feet, I looked at Serenah and nodded. “I’ll do it.” Spending a couple of days with a client wasn’t something I had ever done, but if she was willing to pay for it, I couldn’t say no. We went over all the costs, and I drew up a contract on my laptop that she signed. In one month, I’d be coming back to stay at the Inn at the Lake for the weekend and would be shooting the Dillard wedding.

  Chapter 2

  One Month Later . . .

  Without anything on the schedule slated for the day, I was due out to the Inn at the Lake. I decided to head out early and explore the town of Newport. Having a month to dwell on it, I had become quite curious how the town had changed. My parents hadn’t lived there since I graduated, and before today, there was no reason to come back. Memories of my old life danced through my mind on the drive out, but one person rested primarily in my thoughts—Joe. Seeing him last month at the inn reminded me of the love we had once shared in our youth. Though it had been over a decade, the memories couldn’t help but surface. Memories of the late night walks around my block as our parents visited over coffee. The hikes he’
d take me on so we could enjoy a Saturday afternoon picnic. We might have been teens at the time, but Joe had treated me like a princess.

  Arriving in town, I parked along Main Street near where Mr. Denning’s butcher shop used to sit. It was now closed and abandoned. What happened? I thought to myself. Taking my camera and lunch, I went and found a bench down the sidewalk.

  The sun beat down on the back of my neck, but it was a welcomed warmth. With such a busy schedule lately, mostly consisting of indoor events, I hadn’t been outside much that summer. As I prepared my salad, a few girls who couldn’t be more than thirteen or fourteen years old walked by. Overhearing only a few words of how one girl was going to ask out Brad if he didn’t ask her out soon, I couldn’t help but smile. So many tears, words and years were wasted in my youth on the pursuit of boys—especially Joe Maxwell. He was my high school sweetheart throughout our senior year.

  A sparrow suddenly flew overhead and landed on the sculpture of the iron horse. Setting my salad down, I picked up my camera. Seeing the bird make a few quick movements through the view finder, I was about to take a picture, but it flew away. Though the bird was gone, my eyes remained on the iron structure, noticing the details of the horse and marveling over its intricate design. I don’t recall seeing those details as a child. Taking a few pictures, I set the camera down and continued eating my lunch as I recalled how Joe had put me up there once for a picture. After the picture, though, when I jumped, I twisted my ankle. Joe carried me all the way home that night. He was in the forefront of memories, for he was the one who first stole my heart.

  An old couple came around a corner of a building across the street and broke me out of my nostalgia. My gaze followed the unique pair. They were matching in baby blue pants and white tee shirts and were too cute. Hand in hand, they walked gleefully down the sidewalk. My heart desired not only a spouse someday, but someone I could call my best friend. Continuing to watch, I saw them go into Dixie’s Diner.

  Tossing what was left of my lunch into a nearby garbage can, I decided to go for a walk. Peering through shop windows as I went, I recalled being younger and clasping onto the hand of my mother as we traversed down the same sidewalk. Such a simple time in my life. As I came around the corner of the pet store, I spotted a dog with its hind leg stuck in a storm drain. My panic overlooked the irony of the situation.

  “Help!” I shouted as I leaped off the sidewalk and over to the dog. Down on my knees, I attempted to dislodge the poor animal’s leg but it wouldn’t budge. My heart began to race at the sight of the poor animal’s blood as it mingled with fur. Praying for God to help the animal, I cupped the small dog’s face in my palms. Trying to soothe the animal’s worry, I rubbed its ears. “It’s going to be okay.” Turning my head over my shoulder to see if anyone heard me, I shouted again. “Someone help!”

  There was still nobody coming to the rescue.

  A truck driving by came to a sudden stop in the road. A man jumped out. Hurrying around the front of his truck, he knelt on the pavement where the dog and I were. “What happened?” he asked as he gently touched the dog’s leg.

  Without taking my eyes off the dog, I replied, “I’m not sure how he got himself in this situation.”

  A moment more passed before we looked at each other.

  “Joe.” Soaring, my heart began to beat rapidly. He broke eye contact and got up, heading toward his truck. He might have been dirty, but he looked gorgeous in a pair of worn out jeans and a red flannel cut off shirt. It was apparent his physique had definitely improved. His arms were toned, and the muscles in his neck were easy to spot. He had grown into a man. Fearing he was going to leave the dog and me, I rose. “You’re just going to leave this poor dog here?”

  He ignored my question. Instead, he opened the passenger side door of his truck and reached behind the bench. As he rummaged around, I saw the decal on the side of his truck, Joe’s Construction. Explains the muscles, I thought to myself. Retrieving a bottle of dishwashing soap moments later, he shut the door and came back over to the dog. Pouring it onto the canine’s leg, he lathered it on. Watching, I admired the strength and gentleness in his hands as worked the soap on and around the dog’s hind leg. Unable to keep my thoughts in check, I remembered just how those hands had once held me. Come on, Katie! Get it together. Within a few minutes, Joe was able to work the leg free.

  “Wow! Awesome!” Watching the dog, Joe set it down on the pavement. The dog attempted to walk but limped.

  Joe narrowed his look on the dog. “He needs to go to Dr. Longfellow.”

  Turning to him, I shook my head. “Who’s that?”

  He looked over at me. At the moment our eyes collided and I peered into his chestnut brown eyes, I felt as if the past was coming back to say hello, a spark flickering to the depths of my soul. “You’ve been gone for a while, Katie. Dr. Henry isn’t there anymore. It’s a new guy in the same building. I’ll meet you over there.” He scooped the dog up into his arms and went over to the truck. I followed behind him. Placing the dog on the seat, he grabbed towels and wrapped them around the dog and buckled it into place. Turning to me as he shut the door, he wiped his dirty hands on his jeans.

  My eyes on his, I said, “Joe.”

  “Yeah, Katie?”

  Tilting my head past him at the truck, I looked for a moment before returning to his eyes. “Is he going to be okay?”

  He gently caressed both my arms at the same time as he looked at me and stepped closer. I couldn’t help but get a whiff of his scent. A musky and invigorating smell filled my nostrils and took me back to the young love we’d once shared. “He’s going to be okay, Katie. Go get in your car, and I’ll meet you over at the vet.”

  Hurrying back to my car, my camera swung from the strap on my shoulder. What was with my strange reaction to Joe? We haven’t been an item in over a decade. I glanced back. He wasn’t there though. His truck was already gone. My mind pelted memories I had tried to suppress from a different part of my life. Joe and I had our whole life planned out. We were going to get a boat and live out on the water. He was going to write novels and I was going to be a nurse. I remember one late fall evening under the football stands, Joe told me he loved me more than life itself. He was a little on the corny side, but we were madly in love. C’mon, Katie! I told myself. He’s just someone I used to know. Getting back to my car, I got in. I paused and took a deep breath. We’re both adults now, and that was a long time ago, I told myself. Turning the key, I hurried to the vet.

  As I arrived in the parking lot, I saw Joe. The dog was securely wrapped between Joe’s muscular arms as he carried it into the clinic. What a sweet man, I thought to myself as I parked. I made my way into the office. A nurse led me into the back, where Joe and the dog were waiting for the veterinarian. Lying down on Joe’s lap, the dog appeared rather calm for having gone through what he did.

  “You made it,” he said with a smile as I shut the door and came and sat down beside him.

  “I did.”

  I noticed a distinct wet dog smell coming up from the furry injured friend. “He kind of smells. Doesn’t he?”

  Joe laughed. “He’s a dog. What do you want him to smell like?”

  “My Princess doesn’t smell. In fact, she smells quite lovely. Or did. She passed a few months ago.”

  “Oh . . . sorry for your loss.” Joe rubbed the dog’s head. “His name’s Wagner.”

  “Wagner?” I replied with a raised eyebrow. “Already picked out a name for him?”

  Adjusting in his seat, he leaned my direction. “Actually, Becky, the nurse out there said it was Donald Atkins’s dog.” Rubbing the dog’s head again, he continued, “Which means this is Wagner, the chicken chaser. You know Atkins’s fence has always been bad for keeping dogs in.”

  “Over ten years later and he still hasn’t repaired it?” Laughing, I shook my head. “Go figure.”

  Joe looked over at me. “What brings you back to Newport, Katie? We all figured we’d never see you again.”<
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  “I’m the photographer for Charlie’s wedding.” Fidgeting with the corner of my purse’s flap, I continued. “Which kinda starts tonight.”

  “He mentioned he was going to request you.” Raising an eyebrow, he continued. “Didn’t think you’d actually come though. You’ll be at the rehearsal?”

  “Yep. I heard you patched things up with him.”

  Smiling, he nodded. “Yeah, we’re buds now. We kind of bonded over carpentry. We also realized that we were both men of God and it was time to be adults.”

  Raising an eyebrow, I said, “Wow, you guys used to go at each other about everything.”

  “Yeah.” Nodding, he continued with a laugh. “He’s become my best friend. We meet for coffee on Monday mornings at Dixie’s for a men’s study group we started up.”

  “That’s awesome, Joe.”

  Hearing about Joe and Charlie making amends and drawing closer in their relationship with God was impressive. The world is always in need of good men who love God and are accountable to other men.

  After getting Wagner’s leg bandaged up, we left. On the way out to the parking lot, Joe turned to me. “I’ll get Wagner home to Mr. Atkins. You should come hang out tonight. There is a rehearsal dinner at Kelly Cove on the north side of the lake. Right after the rehearsal itself.”

  Raising an eyebrow, I said, “Oh yeah? Maybe.”

  He shrugged and smiled. “All right. I’ll take a maybe. It was nice seeing you again. See you later tonight.” He turned and headed over to his truck while I went to my car. Hanging out with my ex-boyfriend wasn’t something I really wanted to do—especially with my weird attraction to him earlier. My mama taught me to leave the past where it was—in the past.

  Leaving the vet, I went back through town and parked. There was still time before I was due at the inn. Walking sidewalks, I saw familiar faces everywhere, but I couldn’t place most of them. Seeing the candy shop was still open, I went inside.