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

by T. K. Chapin

  Wiping my eyes, I sniffled and nodded to her.

  Walking through the dining room, I caught a glimpse of snow falling outside as the light of the day was dwindling. Wonder if that’s the storm we were in? I thought to myself as we went up a singular step and into the kitchen.

  Watching Serenah as she went over to the cupboard, I saw her pull down coffee mugs. One was a candy cane mug, and I felt my pocket where I had placed the candy cane the stranger had given me. I thought about telling her what happened. Sitting down on a stool at the island in the kitchen, I was about to speak when Charlie came in.

  “We’re going to get dumped on pretty good tonight,” Charlie said as he walked through the kitchen and over to Serenah.

  “Oh, yeah? How much?” Serenah said as she poured milk into the mugs. He came over and planted a kiss on her cheek, causing her to light up with a smile. Pulling up his sleeves on his sweater, he crossed his arms and leaned against the doorway that led down a back hallway.

  “Couple of feet,” he replied. “I told Dylan if it’s a good amount, I’ll help him build a fort for the boogers in a couple of days.”

  “Boogers?” I asked.

  Serenah laughed and threw a fake swat Charlie’s way. He dodged it with a smile. “Children. He means children.”

  “That’ll be fun for them.” The warm smell of chocolate rose into my nose, warming the cold that still lingered from my trek down the driveway.

  Charlie came over to the island in the middle of the kitchen and leaned his arm against it as he talked to Serenah and me. “My dad, when we were kids, would build us igloos and slides out of the snow all the time.”

  “Really?” Serenah asked. “My dad worked all the time.”

  Charlie nodded. “Mine too, but he’d get home from work and change before going outside. He’d work outside on the slide until late into the night.”

  “Wow . . . seems like a dedicated dad.” Serenah took a drink of her cocoa.

  Shrugging a shoulder, Charlie smiled. “I think he enjoyed the slides and igloos just as much as we did.” Laughing, he went over to the cupboard and pulled down a cup. Taking it over to the coffee pot in the kitchen, he poured himself a cup.

  As the warmth worked down my throat and filled me with heat, I began feeling the drowsy effects of riding on planes all day. Letting out a yawn, I glanced over at Serenah. “I’ve got to get some sleep. I’m jet lagged.”

  “Really? Charlie was going to build a fire here in a few.”

  Charlie shook his head. “That’s fine. Let the girl sleep. She’s been through a rough day in the air, I’m sure.”

  Serenah led me to my room downstairs after a tour of the inn. Walking into the room that would be mine over the course of the next five weeks, I was overwhelmed by the size and amenities that filled it—bath salts near the Jacuzzi, candles strategically placed around the room, a large bed, and a breathtaking view of the ice-covered lake. I was floored with the extravagance. “This is amazing, Serenah,” I said as I walked over to the bathroom door and peeked in, flipping the light switch on. A standing shower and high ceilings made the bathroom feel spacious.

  “Hope you enjoy it. There’s Netflix on the TV if you get bored.” Serenah went to leave the room, but I stopped her.

  “Serenah?”

  “Yeah?” she replied, turning at the doorway.

  Walking over to her, I looked into her eyes. “Thank you for having me come here. Since I’m going to be staying until after Christmas, is there any chance there’s some kind of part-time work or volunteer stuff I could do around here or with Charlie and his construction business? I don’t want to be cooped up all day like I was in Tampa.”

  “We’re glad you came. Don’t you have a business in Tampa to run remotely?”

  Shrugging, I shook my head. “Not really. Robert is the V.P. and runs the operations entirely. I don’t do anything. That’s how Ted had it arranged in his company succession plan. Anyway, a daily distraction would help.”

  Slowly nodding, Serenah looked up at the ceiling as she appeared to contemplate. “I would suggest helping out at the inn, but that would still be cooped up.”

  “You know me too well.”

  “Yes I do. I’m sure Charlie can find something. I’ll talk to him about it. Okay?”

  “Thank you. If you do need any help day to day around here, just let me know. I’m not opposed to helping out.”

  Going over to my suitcase against the wall, I pulled it onto my bed and opened it. I’m so tired, I thought to myself, pulling out my pajamas.

  CHAPTER 3

  Rolling over in bed the next morning, I looked out to the lake. The image of the snow falling just outside the frosted window with the lake in the backdrop filled me with awestruck wonder of God’s beautiful design. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw my suitcase leaning against the wall near the window. That gift the stranger had given me that I had yet to open was calling out to me. How did I forget about that?

  Slipping from underneath the covers, I scurried over to the suitcase. I grabbed it and tossed it on top of the rumpled comforter and sheets. Unzipping the suitcase, I opened it up and grabbed the box from underneath my favorite pair of jeans. I slipped a finger under the flap until it met a piece of tape, which I ripped off.

  Opening the box, I pulled out the card and looked at it.

  Gordon Housewares.

  No name for the stranger. I set the card to the side and looked into the box and saw the gift as it hid in the shadow of the cardboard construct. As I slid it out, I tilted my head and marveled. It was a clear glass ornament with two children ice skating on a frozen lake. One child was in a blue pair of snow gear, the other in pink. Smiling, I lifted it up and turned it in my hand as I inspected the craftsmanship.

  Suddenly, a knock came from my room’s door and Serenah opened the door an inch.

  “Can I come in?” she asked. Her eyes widened as it caught the oversized ornament in my hand. “What’s that?” she asked, walking in and over to the bed.

  “An ornament.”

  “Well, duh,” she said with a laugh. “Where’d it come from?”

  I told her all that had happened on the plane—the man, the near-death experience, and the prayer. “And he gave me this as a gift.”

  She reached her hand out for me to give it over to her to inspect. “Wow . . . this is awesome. We’ll have to hang it up when we decorate the tree after Thanksgiving.”

  “No,” I replied, my heart clinging to my ribcage at the notion. “I don’t think that’d be good. I know he died a while ago . . .”

  Serenah remained quiet.

  I took it as a sign of disapproval. “Ted wouldn’t like it.” Taking the ornament back from her hands, I looked at it. “It just doesn’t feel right.”

  She stood up and raised her hands. “I didn’t say anything.”

  “You didn’t have to.” Carefully placing the ornament back into the box, I closed the lid and set it on the nightstand beside my bed. I stood and went over to the window.

  “Just because we hang the ornament from another man, it doesn’t mean we’re forgetting Ted ever existed.” Serenah’s words were gentle, caring.

  Watching the snow fall, I said, “I know I’ve hung on longer than I should . . .”

  Walking up to my side, she put her hand on my shoulder. “You should get out there and meet new people. Mingle around a bit. You mentioned the man gave you his card and number. It wouldn’t be the worst thing to text him.”

  I looked at her as my eyes glistened with a layer of tears. Why, after all these years, do I still feel like he would be disappointed? I wondered. “I still think about Ted, Serenah.”

  “Maybe it’ll help if you try to hang out with new guys.” I knew her intentions were pure. She was just trying to help, and the idea of getting out there in the dating world both terrified and excited me.

  Shrugging, I replied, “Maybe you’re right.”

  “I’m not trying to downplay your situation if you�
�re still grieving.”

  Shaking my head, I said, “I know. I’m not still grieving. There’s just a strange void in my life now. I want to date. I want to get out there . . . I just don’t know how. It’s been so long. I’m sure I would be very awkward going out nowadays.”

  “You know who you might want to have a chat with sometime?” she asked, her voice gentle.

  Looking over at her, I raised my eyebrows. “Who?”

  “Emma. She lost her husband quite a while ago. I’m sure she has a bit of wisdom she’s gleaned from the experience. She’s helped me a few times.”

  Nodding, I looked back at the lake. “I’ll keep that in mind.” My eyes couldn’t help but keep looking outside as snow and ice weren’t something I was accustomed to back in Tampa. They had a peaceful way about them, and even though I didn’t care for the blistering cold experience I had coming out of the airport, I enjoyed them from the inside looking out. “I knew you had snow up here, and I’ve seen pictures you’ve put on Facebook, but I had no idea how beautiful it truly is in person.”

  “I guess that’s why people dream of a white Christmas, as the song goes.”

  Serenah left to go make us breakfast, and I stayed a little longer in my room. I fetched my Bible from my suitcase and sat in the nook below the window to read my daily Scriptures, and then I prayed. Thank you, Lord, for Your Word today. Thank You, Lord, for having me come up here. Help me to understand Your will for my life. Thank You for keeping me safe during the flight. Even though my faith faltered, You did not. Thank You for placing amazing people in my life like Serenah. I pray that you keep my paths aligned with Yours. In Your heavenly name, I pray, Amen.

  That evening, guests arrived at the inn for a dinner that Serenah had told me about earlier that day. They were not guests to the inn per se, but instead friends of Charlie and Serenah. They all had agreed to meet to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday a couple of days prior to the actual day since so many had family obligations on the day of. A traditional turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, and my personal favorite—stuffing— were all in the works throughout the day leading up to dinner.

  Snow had lightly begun to fall outside just before the five o’clock hour when everyone was due to show up. My nerves were rattled in anticipation of meeting everyone Serenah had grown to love over her time here. I took a hot shower and dabbed frankincense oil on my wrists and neck. I was relaxed as much as possible by the time people began showing up.

  “This is my cousin, Angie,” Serenah said, introducing me to a woman with blonde hair and a man with brown hair.

  Extending a hand and a smile, I greeted them both. The warmth that radiated from the couple was pure, and I instantly felt at ease with the two of them.

  “I’m Katie, and this is my boyfriend, Joe.”

  “Katie and Joe,” I repeated back to them to help me remember their names. Repeating names was a trick I picked up along my travels in my early twenties while studying business in college.

  I walked beside Katie as we all followed Serenah into the dining room. Serenah split off back to the kitchen while Joe went over to Charlie to help organize the tables to form one big table in the center of the dining room.

  “You’re from Florida, right?” Katie’s eyes were on the guys as they worked.

  “Yeah. I wanted to get out of the house for the holidays.”

  “Don’t be bashful. Be real. Your apartment caught fire,” Serenah hollered with a laugh from the kitchen. Katie covered her mouth and her eyes widened. Her and Serenah’s eyes met. “Where’s your brother, Katie? We can’t eat until everyone is here.”

  “He couldn’t make it—some business meeting or something.” Katie turned back to me. “I moved out to Newport to live a couple of months ago. Serenah convinced me it was only smart to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.”

  Smiling, I asked, “Do you like it out here?”

  Katie nodded. “I love the people. It’s where I grew up. Outside of that, though, it’s a peaceful area and doesn’t have a lot of crime like in Spokane. I do miss the Spokane Falls just outside my window, but I have a lake a few minutes away now.”

  “And you have me pretty close,” Joe added with a grin in our direction.

  Katie smiled. “Very true.”

  Charlie and Joe finished with the tables and headed into the kitchen. We could faintly hear them over the Christmas music playing. They were inquiring about a tablecloth of some sort from Serenah. Knocks echoed from the front door moments later, pulling Serenah from the kitchen once again.

  More friends arrived.

  Soon, the table was set, the food was out, and eating had commenced after a prayer led by Charlie.

  Conversations flew back and forth across the table between the friends they had invited, with me contributing little. I didn’t know these people, and I wasn’t exactly a social butterfly for group settings anyway. It wasn’t long after the meal started that someone took notice and pulled me in.

  “Serenah tells me you’re in the market for a date,” Charlotte said as she grabbed a roll from a basket beside the turkey.

  Flush with embarrassment, my cheeks went bright red. “Oh yeah? Did you hear that?”

  Katie put her arm on my shoulder. “You should get out there. It can be fun getting to know different people.”

  Finishing her bite, Charlotte wiped her mouth with a napkin as she nodded. “My husband didn’t die, but he did leave me. I got lucky and met Dylan when he moved next door, but I should have been putting myself out there. Not dating, really, but just getting to know people.”

  Taking a sip of my lemon water, I set the glass down. “I’m only here for five weeks. It wouldn’t be fair to get into a relationship.”

  Serenah spoke up. “Since you’re not in Tampa, you could go on dates and have zero long-term commitment.”

  “But really, what’s the point of that?" I asked. “As Christians, we’re supposed to date in anticipation of marriage.”

  “True,” Miley said. “But you can at least get out there and see what the dating world is like nowadays. If you find a guy you really like, you could figure out a long-distance relationship. But honestly, this will just be a trial run to get you used to meeting new people again. Believe me . . . I’m still single, and it’s difficult to converse with strangers.”

  Charlotte stood up and came around the table to me. Bending down on her knees, she showed me a picture. “This guy is a buddy of Dylan’s. Really cute, quiet, and he likes to read.”

  Nodding, I forced a smile. “I see.”

  Katie pulled her phone out and showed me a picture. “This is the youth pastor at Pines Baptist. I don’t know much about him.”

  Taking a deep breath, I let out a sigh.

  Serenah grabbed everyone’s attention. “Hey now, leave her be. Just send her their names on Facebook and she’ll look them up or something if she wants to.”

  Glancing over at her, I smiled and mouthed the words, ‘Thank you,’ almost forgiving her for even telling her friends I needed to date in the first place. Sometimes, Serenah was too helpful.

  As dinner wound down and everyone left, I was feeling a bit over-stimulated by all the conversations around the dinner table—especially the one about me dating. Going out on a date sounded humorous. I hadn’t dated in years, and the idea of getting to know someone all over again sounded exhausting, yet I know I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life alone. Could I really go on dates? I wondered as I sat on the couch drinking a cup of coffee as Serenah and Charlie recounted the dinner and how everything turned out delicious.

  “I found something for you to do to keep busy if you’re still interested,” Charlie said, breaking into my thoughts.

  Raising an eyebrow as an indicator to continue, I looked over at him.

  “The Christmas tree lot. You could start the day after Thanksgiving. It’s at the grocery store, right up the road in Newport.”

  “I’ll do it,” I replied, beaming with a smile as I t
hought about helping families pick out trees for their homes.

  CHAPTER 4

  Arriving at the Newport grocery store’s tree lot the day after Thanksgiving, an older gentleman, probably in his late sixties or early seventies, was fastening a plank of wood to the wire fence just outside the lot. As his arm moved, I could see the word, OPEN, painted crookedly but clearly on the wood. A few Boy Scouts could be seen through an opening in the fence in the distance. They would be helping out too. It was all volunteer work, according to what Charlie had explained over eggs and hash browns earlier that morning. All the proceeds, after the costs of operation, went to the Toys for Tots foundation that operated in Spokane and the surrounding area, a local charity that helped the poor and needy during the holidays.

  Pulling into a parking stall near the gate’s entrance, Serenah put the car into park and pointed out the old man. “That’s Mr. Atkins. He’s part of the founding families of Newport and will be your boss.”

  As he turned to acknowledge our vehicle, he broke into a wide grin at the sight of Serenah. She seemed to have a lot of pull around here with the locals even though she hadn’t lived in the area very long. It was easy to tell she had grown on anyone and everyone she came into contact with. That was what she had always been like, though. Even as kids, on the playgrounds at the parks, she’d be the first to make friends with everyone around.

  Fidgeting with the corner of my coat as my anxiety rose inside my chest, I wondered if I really had what it took to work again after years of not lifting little more than a few fingers on a keyboard to reply to a simple email from the VP.

  “You okay?” Serenah asked, looking over at me.

  Glancing over, I flashed her a curt nod. “Just nervous.”

  “You’ll do fine. They appreciate any help they can get. In their mind, you’re a blessing.”

  Peering back at the Boy Scouts who couldn’t be a day over thirteen, I knew I would be. “I know.” Pulling on the door handle, I got out. Serenah provided me with all the clothing I could imagine to help keep me warm at the tree lot—a couple of layers of shirts underneath a coat, gloves, jeans, and a pair of snow pants. It wasn’t snowing that morning, but there was a bite in the air from the coolness that gnawed at my exposed face, reminding me of my Florida roots. Slush moved loosely beneath my boots as I made my way over to the gentleman at the gate.