by Lynn Patrick
“I like these,” said Addison, posing with one hand on her hip. “Don’t I look good?”
“Just like a movie star,” Rick told her.
The frames were so big, they immediately slipped right down the child’s nose. She pushed the glasses up to perch on her head. “Where’d Taylor go?”
Rick turned to see, and before he could take the sunglasses back, Addison sped off, shrieking, “Taylor! Kirby!”
“Wait...” Rick started to give chase, then decided against it. Hopefully, his glasses would survive and he’d get them back in a few minutes.
He looked around for the EPI staff. Heather and Tyrone were carrying boxes and tools to the edge of the veranda, where Amber loaded them in the wheelbarrow, probably to store them in the coach house. It was nearing the end of the work day. Rick waved when Heather glanced around, He wondered if he should offer to help, but she looked right past him, obviously more concerned with what her kids were doing. Rick gathered up the dog food and toys from the long grass, placing them in one spot so Heather could easily load them when she was ready to go.
Meanwhile, Addison had settled down beneath a tree and was piling up some of the loose rocks near its base and talking to herself. Rick couldn’t see Taylor or the dog, but some excited yips told him they were nearby.
He gazed back at the mansion, thinking about the security cameras he’d installed. He wondered if he should test them out, make sure they were hooked up correctly to the computer. And did he have enough devices? Maybe he should put one up by the rear door, just in case someone tried to sneak around the back of the house. He’d been concentrating on the lake side where Cora had claimed to see things after dark.
“Kir-r-by!” came a high-pitched yell, followed by delighted giggling. “Go, go!”
Rick turned to see the dog running at top speed across the lawn, right past Tyrone, who stood staring. Behind the dog and his tautly stretched leash came Taylor. Her feet were moving so fast, they seemed to glide across the top of the grass. She grinned ecstatically while making a w-h-e-e-e sound.
But Rick was concerned. As he’d pointed out to her, the dog weighed as much as the little girl. What if she fell? “Hey, too fast!” he shouted.
Taylor paid no attention. He frowned as the pair came toward him. Instinctively, he took action, jumping forward to grab the leash while at the same time scooping the child up by her middle.
Both the child and the dog were surprised and just about knocked breathless. The dog snorted and choked a little, dancing in place.
“Sit,” said Rick, and the dog actually followed orders.
But Taylor started flailing around. “Let go! Let go!”
“Hey!” said Rick, pummeled by small fists and feet. When she smacked him good in the face, he put her down. “Whoa!”
“Kirby’s my dog!” yelled Taylor. “You’re not my daddy! Leave us alone!”
“I’m not trying to hurt you,” Rick told her. “You were going too fast.”
“My dog!” Taylor screeched, trying to rip the leash out of his hand.
But Rick wouldn’t give it to her. “I think both of you need some obedience training.”
“Obedience training?” Suddenly Heather appeared, looking very concerned.
Tyrone joined the group, stopping next to Rick.
Taylor started to cry. “Mommy! He’s mean! He took Kirby away!” She ran to her mother and wrapped her arms around Heather’s legs.
Heather stroked her child’s hair, frowning at Rick. “What’s going on here?”
“He hurt me!” Taylor sobbed.
Rick wondered if Heather believed him capable of such a thing. He didn’t like her scowl. “I just caught her as she and Kirby ran by,” he explained. “Maybe knocked the air out of them a little, but they thought they were at the races. I was afraid she’d get hurt.”
“Little girls can be just as tough as little boys,” said Heather, sounding defensive. “Taylor’s a tomboy.”
“There’s a lot of rocks and cement around here to fall on.”
“She actually was running wild with the dog,” Tyrone said in Rick’s defense.
Heather appeared uncertain. Rick realized she might not know him well enough to trust him. And she was a mother, protective of her children. He couldn’t fault her for that.
Taylor continued to sob. “Kirby’s my dog.”
Heather crouched to take the child in her arms. “Mr. Slater was just trying to help you with him,” she told Taylor, though her glance at Rick remained doubtful. “Shh, shh. You’re all right. Let’s get ready to go home.” She stood, then asked Rick, “What did you mean by obedience training?”
“I was just talking. Honestly, I didn’t mean any harm,” he told her.
“Obedience training is for dogs, not for human beings!”
“Of course—”
Heather interrupted before he could apologize. “We’re leaving as soon as I can change clothes. The girls are tired. They’ve had a long day.”
“Sure.” Rick figured he needed to back off for now. Hopefully, Heather would be calmer by tomorrow.
She asked, “Tyrone, can you come here for a minute?”
“Coming, boss!” He jogged over to her and the twins.
“Girls, this is Tyrone. Tyrone, meet Addison and Taylor.”
He gave them an intent look. “You two aren’t twins, are you?”
“Yeah!” they both yelled.
“Could you keep a close eye on them for a few minutes?”
“Sure thing.”
“And the dog?” she added.
Rick handed Tyrone the leash as Heather gathered up Kirby’s supplies and walked over to her SUV.
“Hey, I got a game we can play,” Tyrone told the girls.
“Yay!” Addison said, “What game?”
“C’mon, I’ll show you.”
Taylor looked torn between wanting to play and wanting to continue sulking. When she looked at Rick, her little features pulled into a stormy expression before she stalked off to follow the others.
Leaving Rick to wonder whether her dislike for him would rub off on her mother.
He hoped not.
He liked Heather Clarke. A lot. Maybe a little too much.
Even though Tyrone was in charge, Rick kept an eye on the girls and dog. Tyrone seemed to be good with them, especially with Taylor, who settled down quickly. Rick couldn’t help but feel inadequate, remembering how the little girl had gone hysterical on him.
He turned away, his mood altered, but before he could head for his digs, the phone in his pocket alerted him, the signal telling him someone had triggered one of the security cameras, which was virtually impossible since it was broad daylight.
Unless someone was in the boathouse.
* * *
BECAUSE THE BATHROOM available to EPI was small and only had a sink for washing up, Heather had decided to find another place to clean up and change into her clothes for Kristen’s bridal shower. She knew the boathouse had a shower, but once she entered the place, she was a little dismayed. The interior of what was in reality a nearly century-old boat garage was dark and dingy, and if there was any place to hang up her dress, she couldn’t tell. But once she’d trekked across the grounds—making sure to look nowhere in Rick’s direction because she now felt so conflicted about him—then raced along the dock and entered the building, she was committed. If she didn’t hurry, she would be late.
The old boathouse had been built over the water alongside the dock. The planks of the dock were in questionable shape, and one had even snapped when she’d stepped on it. Probably the reason a sign indicated this was for family only use. Mr. Phillips had said repairs were scheduled once the landscaping was finished.
Once inside, she looked around and noted three
boat slips with lifts and an open area in back where ropes and cushions were still stored. The canvas-covered motor boats now hung a few feet over the water, and she could hear the waves below lap against the piers.
Spider webs decorated the interior, giving the place a haunted feel. Probably no one had used the building since last summer. If then. Making for the bathroom area in back where, after swimming or boating, family members could clean up before going to the main house, she almost walked into a web that stretched several feet across. Once inside the bathroom, she hung her dress on a hook in the wall.
The place gave her the creeps and the faster she got out of there the better.
Unzipping her jeans, Heather dropped them and managed to get her feet free. No way was she taking off her work boots in here. A little water wouldn’t kill them. She took a fast shower, after which she turned her shirt inside out and used it to dry herself since she’d forgotten to bring a towel. Then she slipped into one of her favorite dresses, powder blue with a scoop neck and uneven hemline.
Looking down at her now wet boots that she’d have to wear until she got back to her SUV, Heather laughed.
Feminine.
Right.
Maybe she should fix her hair in an upsweep. She had a fancy clip in her purse.
Either the bathroom light switch wasn’t working or the bulb was dead. She took her things back into the boathouse proper, where she was able to turn on a single bare bulb hanging from a wire in the ceiling. It would have to do.
From her purse, she took a hand mirror and set it on a wall ledge. Then she brushed her hair and pulled it up. She was having a hard time seeing what it looked like, so she held up the mirror and turned this way and that, making silly faces as if posing for a photo. Good enough, she guessed, trading the mirror for the hair clip so she could fasten her hair. Peering in the mirror again, she pulled little tendrils around her face. A swipe of lipstick and she gave her reflection an air kiss and was done.
Good thing because she suddenly got a weird feeling, like someone was watching her. She took a fast look around but saw no one and heard nothing.
The place itself was spooky enough to ignite her imagination.
She picked up the discarded clothing and gladly left the boathouse, making a quick escape along the dock. As she headed back across the grounds, she smiled when she saw Taylor sitting next to Tyrone and hugging the dog. Then Addison had to take a turn.
She couldn’t help herself. She looked for Rick.
He was still out there, leaning against the tree. He slipped what must be his phone into his pocket and then looked her way. His instant smile seemed appreciative, the dress undoubtedly surprising him. When his gaze dropped down to her work boots, the smile morphed to a big grin.
Flushing, Heather yelled, “C’mon, girls! We’re leaving now. Keep the dog on his leash.” She’d already packed his bowls and toys in the back of the SUV. “Thanks for keeping an eye on them, Tyrone.”
“No problem, boss. See you in the morning.” He waved and jogged to the parking lot, where Amber waited for him in the truck.
Arriving at the SUV before the girls, Heather threw in her jeans and T-shirt and traded her work boots for some strappy sandals with modest heels. She wasn’t into four inchers like her sister wore. Another glance out at the coach house and tree told her that Rick had left the area.
Leaving her with a flicker of disappointment.
She’d barely closed the hatch before the dog and kids surrounded her.
“I’ll take the dog’s leash,” Heather said. “You two get into your seats.”
The twins now insisted they be allowed to do it themselves. Of course, after getting the dog in the front passenger seat, Heather checked to make sure they were strapped in safely before sliding behind the wheel.
Addison was trying to set a familiar pair of mirrored sunglasses over her little face. They barely perched on her nose but she flung her head back and put one hand behind her head, trying to look glamorous.
“Ooh, I’m a movie star,” she said.
Heather asked, “Where did you get those?”
“From Rick. He’s real nice and let me try them on.”
Taylor scowled at her sister. “You look like a big bug.”
“Do not!” cried Addison, shoving Taylor.
Taylor shoved her back, nearly dislodging the glasses. “Do too! A creepy, stinky bug!”
“Hey, stop that right now!” Heather demanded, reaching a hand back to separate the twins. “You’re going to break them.”
Thinking she should get the glasses back to Rick, Heather was a little relieved that he was nowhere in sight. He didn’t need them now anyway, and she would be sure to return them in the morning.
Addison placed the sunglasses back on the top of her head and Taylor scowled.
“All right,” she said, “Make sure you leave those in here, Addison, so I can give them to Rick in the morning.
“’Kay. Can’t Kirby sit back here?”
Heather eased the SUV out of the parking spot. “There’s not enough room for the dog back there, sweetheart.”
“I want Kirby!” Taylor whined.
Heather glanced back to see her daughter’s stormy face.
The dog whistled through his nose and stared at her. She gave him a comforting pat and drove off.
“You don’t want Kirby to be uncomfortable, do you?”
Taylor gave a dramatic little sob. “No-o-o.”
Heather sighed and hoped that was the end of that. Taylor could be impossible when her will was thwarted. And the little girl was undoubtedly still upset from her go-to with Rick. Heather wondered what had really been going on, but Tyrone had stood up for Rick, so she had to believe he had been worried that Taylor would hurt herself. It was difficult not to side with her child, but it seemed that in this case, she shouldn’t. Rick had done the right thing in keeping her safe.
She headed the vehicle toward the highway and thought maybe she needed to apologize to him in the morning when she returned the sunglasses.
Luckily, as she drove, Addison distracted her twin, Kirby sat staring out the passenger-side window and the ride back to Sparrow Lake proved to be uneventful.
Heather drove straight to Aunt Margaret’s. Brian had agreed to watch the twins and the dog as long as it could be at their aunt’s place with the new 44" LCD television he’d bought for her with his earnings from the store. Not that Aunt Margaret watched much TV. But now that Brian was in college, he had to catch every game so that he could discuss the results with his new friends.
“We’re here, girls,” she said, pulling up to the lakeside house with the brilliant chartreuse front door.
“Yay!” Addison shouted. “There’s Uncle Brian!”
The dog got to his feet and barked.
“And Aunt Margaret!” Taylor yelled.
Brian was halfway down the walkway, and Aunt Margaret was getting up from one of the comfy cushioned chairs she’d set on the front lawn. Always colorful, she was wearing white pants with a chartreuse tunic that matched her door but was at odds with her spiked red hair. The large rectangular box she picked up—her shower gift for Kristen—was equally colorful with artfully wrapped ribbons of different colors. Heather grinned and waved to her aunt and little brother before getting out of the vehicle. The dog tried lunging past her, but she caught him by the collar.
“Not so fast.”
“Here, I’ll take him,” Brian said, grabbing the dog’s leash. “Neat-looking dog.”
“He’s real nice, too,” Addison said.
Taylor added, “And he’s mine.” She gave her mother a defiant look. “His name is Kirby.”
Heather wasn’t about to contradict her now. No time for an argument. “You two be good for Uncle Brian. Help him make dinner and clean u
p, okay?”
“’Kay,” Addison said, running to get a big hug from Aunt Margaret.
Taylor was busy wresting the leash away from Brian.
“Don’t worry, sis, I’ll get it under control.”
Heather knew he would. He’d changed a lot from the irresponsible boy he’d been the summer before when he’d moved back to Sparrow Lake from California to live with Aunt Margaret. The plan had been for him to go to the university, but community college was a better fit for now.
“I have confidence that the twins will find a way to either entertain you...or drive you crazy.”
Brian winked and got Taylor and the dog in hand.
Heather hugged Aunt Margaret, took the present from her and put it in the back of the SUV next to her own.
“This should be fun,” Aunt Margaret said once they were on their way.
“I hope so. I could use some fun.”
“The twins aren’t fun?”
“I mean away from the girls.”
“I have something that will give everyone a little lift.”
“Everyone? Aunt Margaret, you didn’t hire a male stripper, did you?”
Her aunt whooped. “Now why didn’t I think of that?”
Thank goodness! “Whew!”
“You’re relieved? Not disappointed?”
“At least I know I won’t be embarrassed.” Heat flushed her neck just thinking about it.
There’d already been a larger shower with townspeople and a few relatives who lived outside Sparrow Lake, but tonight’s gathering was simply to have a good time, with the women closest to Kristen—her aunt, her sister and the other bridesmaids. Heather had bought her sister a pretty red negligee and a certificate to have a glamour photo taken while wearing it. That was all the rage now and a memory that the groom was sure to appreciate in years to come. She couldn’t wait to see what the others had chosen.
A few minutes later, they were inside Sew Fine, the last to arrive.
“There they are now!” said Shara Lessley, a beautiful young African-American woman, her hair in narrow braids with tiny sparkling beads woven into the ends.
“Come get some punch, ladies,” Gloria Vega said. “No one makes tastier punch than me. Fruit juices and seltzer and sherbet.”