Shadows On The Lake

Courtney’s expression must have registered her irritation because her aunt quickly opened the door of a small cupboard under the sink. “You can put your stuff here. And there are some extra towels for the baby—and you.”

Devanna smiled with such satisfaction that Courtney was taken aback by the sudden warmth in her eyes. Maybe everything was going to work out after all.

“I’ll get Jamie bedded down for the night, and then we can talk.” Courtney said, anxious to keep her aunt in a good mood. Even though she was dead tired, she knew it was important that they get off to a good start.

Her aunt’s behavior was not at all what Courtney had expected from her friendly letter. Except for her loving attention to the baby, Devanna seemed totally indifferent to Courtney’s presence. Her responses to questions were vague and noncommittal. Even though Courtney knew her aunt had been a recluse most of her life, her lack of social skills was startling.

As soon as Jamie nodded off to sleep, Courtney returned to the sitting room to have some quiet time with her aunt, but she wasn’t there and her sleeping compartment door was closed.

Courtney made a cup of tea, hoping it would help her stay awake until her aunt returned and they could chat. She eased down in a recliner chair that was as well worn as the couch.

The dank, musty smell that Courtney had noticed before seemed even stronger as she sat there in the muted light. The constant sound of a mooring chain clanking against the dock scraped her nerves. As the wind battering the houseboat grew stronger, the ever-present movement of the floors increased under her feet. A sharp peppering of rain against the black windows created a trapped feeling that finally brought her to her feet.

She’d waited long enough. The get-acquainted conversation with her aunt would have to wait until tomorrow. Jamie was sleeping peacefully as she kissed his warm cheek. Just looking at him, she had a sense of purpose in her life that she’d never had before.

As she settled in the upper bunk, a cacophony of weird noises echoed across the water. They were like voices rising and falling in warning. Courtney tried to close her ears to them. Tomorrow in the sunshine, everything would feel different.

Wouldn’t it?

Chapter Two

Courtney spent a restless night, and it seemed to her she’d just dropped off to sleep when Jamie made his presence known and demanded his early-morning bottle. She threw on a robe and picked him up.

His demanding cries would surely wake her aunt at this ungodly hour, she thought as she tried to hush him, but as she hurried past Devanna’s closed door, muted sounds of someone talking and laughing were faintly audible.

Did she have someone in the room with her? The idea was so preposterous, Courtney quickly shoved it away. A radio! Of course. Devanna must be an early riser, listening to an early wake-up program, Courtney decided as she hurried to the kitchen.

Having some company at this early-breakfast hour would be a pleasant change, Courtney thought as she laid the baby on the sofa, changed his diaper, and braced him with pillows while she heated his bottle. She expected her aunt to join them at any time, but Jamie finished his bottle and dropped off to sleep, and still Devanna hadn’t come out of her room.

As Courtney passed the closed door on her way to put Jamie in his bassinet, she listened for the earlier sounds, but there was only silence. Apparently her aunt had fallen back asleep.

Courtney eyed the top bunk, but decided to get dressed instead of going back to bed. She debated about taking a shower before she dressed for the day. If Devanna had gone back to sleep, she didn’t want the sound of the water to awaken her. Better wait until later, after they’d established some kind of mutual routine, she decided.

A displaced feeling was steadily growing in spite of the fact she’d only just arrived. It was probably fatigue that was making her feel jumpy, she reasoned as put on her last pair of clean jeans and a comfortable summer knit top. She’d quickly lost the weight she’d gained with Jamie, and her wardrobe was very pragmatic, mostly denims and summer cottons. She doubted that she’d need anything more during her visit. Her one good outfit would do if Devanna wanted to go out somewhere.

The rain had stopped during the night, leaving a moist fog behind. As the sun began to break through lingering gray clouds, wispy tendrils of a mist rose from the lake. As Courtney looked out the windows, she felt as if the houseboat were floating away into an unknown dimension of nothingness.

It was midmorning before Devanna emerged from her room. She wore dark slacks and a plain green blouse. In the daylight, her complexion looked ruddy, and the deep creases in her forehead showed.

“I made coffee,” Courtney told her quickly, wanting to get the day started off right. “And I could fix you something.”

“I don’t eat breakfast,” she answered ungraciously. “Where’s the baby?”

“Asleep, but he should be waking up anytime now. I’ll be giving him his bath.” Courtney smiled. “He likes it. Splashes water all over the place.”

Devanna just gave a dismissing wave of her hand. “I’ve got business this morning.”

Clearly, her aunt had other things on her mind as she walked over to the counter and picked up a notepad. “Here’s the grocery order. The delivery boy will pick it up when he makes today’s delivery. Make a list of what you want, and he’ll bring it next time.”

“We don’t have a phone?”

“Not unless you’re to fork up the deposit and pay the monthly charges. Not worth the money to me.” She added, “Paying the city for electricity and water hookups isn’t cheap, either.”

“I’ll pay my share of everything.”

“Then I think we’ll get along.”

After she left, Courtney realized that her aunt hadn’t left any money on the counter for the grocery order. When the boy came, she paid for the delivery and gave him both grocery lists.

“Thanks,” he said when she gave him a tip, and looked surprised, as if he hadn’t expected one.

Her aunt was gone for most of the day. A poignant loneliness mocked Courtney’s high hopes for the summer. How she had looked forward to enjoying a sense of “family,” instead of facing the world on her own! When Aunt Devanna had reached out to her, she felt that she wasn’t totally alone anymore, but nothing could have been further from the feelings that plagued her now.

Ever since she’d arrived, her aunt’s welcome would have been totally without any interest or warmth except for the baby. Why? What had happened? Was Devanna regretting the invitation she’d extended in her letter?

As the hours crept by, Courtney struggled to understand her aunt’s behavior. Living as a recluse for years had made her aunt a loner. No doubt about it.

I’ll just have to be patient, she told herself, entertaining a pang of sympathy for her aunt. I’ll win her over. Instead of judging her, I’ll find ways to make her life a little happier, and, hopefully, change some of her eccentric behavior.

DESPITE COURTNEY’S valiant efforts, several days passed without much change in her aunt’s behavior. Her disinterest in Courtney continued, at the same time her growing devotion to the baby intensified. Devanna quickly learned Jamie’s schedule, and was eager to feed him, change his diaper and lull him to sleep.

Courtney couldn’t have found a better nursemaid. With time on her hands, getting the houseboat in shape fell to Courtney. She organized her aunt’s belongings as best she could, and was puzzled at Devanna’s disinterest in the books she’d brought, and the unfinished embroidery in her sewing basket.

When Devanna wasn’t caring for the baby, she spent a lot of time in her room with the door shut. Other times, she left the houseboat in her gray van without offering any explanations as to where she was going, or where she’d gone. She had a habit of bringing back fast food for herself, but never any for Courtney.

“I didn’t know what you’d like.”

Why didn’t you ask? Her aunt’s lack of interest in any open communication between them baffled Courtney. Devanna never reminisced about the past, nor shared any childhood memories of growing up with Courtney’s mother. Any attempt to engage her in casual conversation fell flat.

Even though they were docked, Courtney felt isolated from everything and everyone by water, so she spent uninterrupted hours on the narrow deck encircling the houseboat. The weather had turned clear and warm, and the view of the surrounding mountains and the ever-changing water of the lake was a balm to her growing discomfort.

She loved watching the activity on the lake. Private boats, large and small, dotted the dark blue waters. Water-skiers created white wakes like rooster tails as they skimmed by, and two commercial tourist vessels made many runs a day. Sandy beaches were filled with swimmers of all ages, but Courtney never had the urge to get into the water herself.

She spent time reading some of her aunt’s books, but when she spied a small ladder leading to the flat roof of the houseboat, she welcomed a new way to spend her idle time. A perfect place for sunbathing!

Her spirits rose as she quickly changed into her swimsuit and grabbed her suntan lotion. Since her aunt had disappeared on one of her mysterious drives, and Jamie was taking a morning nap, she was free to have a pleasant time in the sun.

She climbed up the ladder, and was getting ready to stretch out on the roof when the noise of an approaching boat caught her attention. A sleek cruiser skimmed the water with a foamy wake, and she watched as it docked at another houseboat a short distance away.

Her sigh was filled with envy. The old rowboat that her aunt had said came with the rental of their houseboat didn’t appeal to her, and she doubted that she would ever try to take it out on the lake.

Keeping a motherly ear for any sound of Jamie, Courtney let herself relax for the first time since her arrival. The warm sun felt lovely. After a few minutes, she sat up, preparing to turn over on her back, but as she glanced across the water, she was startled to see the sleek cruiser heading in her direction.

As it came closer, she could see a man wearing a nautical cap and white sports clothes at the wheel. She couldn’t believe it when he eased the boat into their dock, next to the rowboat.

Who in the world?

Hurriedly, she descended the ladder and made her way around the deck to the dock side. She was absolutely stunned when she came face-to-face with the man she’d encountered at the restaurant the night of her arrival. She couldn’t find her voice to even say hello.

Neil pretended to be as totally surprised to see her. “Well, I’ll be! Can you believe it? Remember me? The rescuer of baby bottles and maps?”

More than once the helpful stranger had been in Courtney’s thoughts as she’d wondered what would have happened if she’d only seized the opportunity to get to know him.

He laughed deeply at her astonishment and held out his hand. “Neil Ellsworth. It’s nice to see you again. I guess it’s a small world, after all.”

“Yes it is,” she echoed. “Courtney Collins.”

Her hand felt soft, yet firm in his. “Nice to meet you, Courtney.”

“Why—?” she stammered. “I mean I don’t understand. What brought you here?”

“Business,” he answered with a solemnity that contrasted with the twinkle in his eye and the curve of his lips.

She smiled back. “What kind of business?”

“I’m your landlord.”

“What?” she gasped in total surprise. “You own this houseboat?”

Chuckling, he shook his head. “No, but my company handles the rental on most of the houseboats in Hidden Cove.”

“You’ve got to be kidding.”

“It’s true.” He launched into the explanation he’d mentally prepared. “Since all the arrangements for Nevermore were made by mail, I thought I’d introduce myself to Devanna Davenport and see if the accommodations were satisfactory. She must be the aunt you told me you were joining for the summer. What a coincidence.”

“I’m afraid she isn’t here right now.”

“Oh, that’s too bad. I didn’t see a phone listing or I would have called ahead.”

“If you’d like to wait…?” She felt heat rising in her cheeks as she suddenly realized she was standing there in a very brief, hot-pink swimming suit that had never touched water. She’d bought it at a secondhand store, just for sunbathing.

“Thanks, I think I will. If it’s no trouble?”

“I was enjoying the sun, but I’ve really had enough for the first time out,” she lied. “Would you like to come inside? I think there’s some lemonade in the fridge.”

“Sounds great.”

As Neil followed her inside, he mentally patted himself on the back for orchestrating a way to see her again. Her slender figure was perfection in the revealing two-piece bathing suit, and the way she moved was sexy enough to stimulate his masculine desires. The pleasure of cupping her enticing backside with his caressing hands crossed his mind as she walked in front of him. She was every bit as physically attractive as he had remembered, but there was something more that had captured his interest from the beginning.

Ever since their casual meeting, he’d been asking himself what it was about her that intrigued him. Maybe it was a kind of melancholy vulnerability, or a challenging independence that reminded him of a frightened child bowing her neck to fight the world. Whatever the attraction, he only knew she touched some responsive chord deep within him, and he was drawn to her in some undefined way.

“Excuse me for a minute,” she said apologetically. “I need to check on Jamie. I’ll just be a minute.”

“No problem.” He sat down on one of the counter barstools to wait.

As Neil glanced around the clean and tidy room, he was satisfied he could reassure the owner that Devanna Davenport was a satisfactory renter. He was anxious to meet the aunt. Was she anything like her niece? he wondered.

When Courtney returned a few minutes later, he saw she’d draped a saronglike garment over her swimming suit. As far as Neil was concerned, the soft, clinging material only heightened the tantalizing lines and curves of her figure. He indulged in a fleeting masculine fantasy of drawing her close and feeling her loveliness pressed against him. Regretfully, he forced his thoughts back to reality and inquired politely about the baby.

“He’s still asleep,” she said, smiling. “He’s settled into the change nicely.”

“And what about you? Is living on the water to your liking?” Something in her bright tone seemed slightly false.

“I’m not sure.” Faint worry lines marred the smoothness of her brow.

“It may take some getting used to,” he offered.

“I guess so.”

Something in the situation was weighing heavily on her, Neil was sure of it. Even though he knew he should distance himself from any concerns about her private life, he couldn’t. The fact that he’d gone to such lengths to see her again mocked any indifference to her welfare.

“I hope this is sweet enough for you,” she said as she set down a pitcher and two glasses, and then took a stool beside him.

He took a sip. “Perfect.”

“You’re easy to please,” she said, smiling at him.

“Nope, to the contrary. My family accuses me of being the worst perfectionist in the world.”

“Tell me about your family,” she urged. In her childhood, she’d been the little girl looking through a fence, watching the extended family next door gathered for a family celebration. “I know you have a lot of nieces and nephews.” He’d referred to himself as “uncle” at the restaurant.

“I have four brothers and two sisters. They’re all great. One sister, and my younger twin brothers live in Manitou.”

She listened, captivated, as he talked about a large overflowing family, with deep roots planted in this community where he was raised.

“My parents are retired and enjoy traveling without a parcel of kids underfoot. All of my siblings are married and I’m the only single one left.”

“Why is that?”

“Oh, I’m not a good candidate for marriage,” he replied lightly, but there was a flickering of shadow in his dark brown eyes, and Courtney wondered what had put it there. “Of course, everyone tells me I haven’t met the right woman. What do you think?”

“I don’t know,” she answered honestly, at a loss when it came to understanding the desires of the heart. “There are a lot of reasons for getting married, I guess.”

“And divorced?” he asked pointedly.

She knew what he was asking. “I’m not divorced.”

He listened attentively as she told him about the unexpected death of Jamie’s father several months before the baby was born. “He was a construction worker. A faulty beam fell six stories, and killed him.”

“I’m sorry. How long had you been married?”

“A couple of years.”

When she didn’t volunteer any more personal information about her marriage, he refrained from asking any more questions. He hated it when people tried to dig around in his past. It wasn’t anybody’s business why he’d decided to forgo marriage.

They sipped their lemonade in silence until Courtney offered quietly, “I’m trying to get my life back together. I thought spending the summer with my aunt would help, but…” Her voice trailed off.

“Things aren’t working out the way you thought?”

She shook her head. “Maybe it’s me, but…” She might have said more but they heard the sound of footsteps on the deck.

Her aunt was back.

Neil instantly rose to his feet as Devanna came in. “Mrs. Davenport. How nice to meet you. I’m Neil Ellsworth. I handled your rental through the Ellsworth Real Estate and Investment Company.”

“Of course,” she responded with only the slightest hesitation. Her eyes lowered just slightly as if her thoughts were racing ahead. “Is there some problem?”

“Oh, not at all,” Neil assured her. “Just making a routine check on all the rented houseboats. I want to make sure everything is satisfactory.”

“How nice of you.” She visibly relaxed and smiled. “We don’t have many handsome men calling on us, do we, Courtney?”

“I find that hard to believe,” Neil responded gallantly.

Courtney couldn’t believe the metamorphosis in her aunt’s behavior. She was all smiles and began gushing about how wonderful it was to have her niece and the baby staying with her.

“I’m glad the houseboat is working out for you.”

“Oh, it is,” she assured him. “Lots of privacy. No nosy neighbors gawking at you. We don’t have even one complaint, do we Courtney?”

The ease with which her aunt was able to change her persona so dramatically disturbed Courtney in a way she didn’t understand. She was glad when Jamie’s protesting wail alerted her and she quickly excused herself.

She left Neil and Devanna chatting pleasantly, and when she returned with the baby a few minutes later, she was surprised to find that Devanna had already heated his bottle.

“Here, let me have him,” Devanna ordered. “He likes to have Auntie feed him, don’t you, sweetheart?” She took the baby out of Courtney’s arms and sat down on the couch to give him his bottle.

“Your aunt tells me you haven’t been away from the houseboat at all, Courtney. I was wondering if you’d like to have lunch with me at the marina?” Neil asked, giving her one of his people-management smiles.

“Oh, I’m afraid I couldn’t,” Courtney responded quickly. “The baby—”

“Is obviously in good hands,” he finished for her. “You really should take some time for yourself.”

“I agree,” Devanna said firmly. “She’s been much too gloomy to be good company.”

I haven’t been the only one, Courtney wanted to snap back, but restrained herself.

“The baby will be fine. Won’t you, darling?” Smiling down at Jamie, Devanna cooed, “Such a sweet, sweet, sweety pie. Auntie loves you.”

Courtney’s feelings were mixed. Should she leave the baby? Her aunt had taken enough care of him to reassure her that he’d be in good hands. It was true she’d slipped into a funk since her arrival. Getting away for a few hours might put some life back into her. Just thinking about being with other people tempted her to accept the invitation. She had no idea why Neil wanted to bother himself like this, but could she refuse?

“It’s settled then,” Neil said hopefully.

She nodded. “Give me a few minutes to change.”

When she returned, Neil smiled appreciatively at her nicely fitted denim slacks and yellow knit top that brought out the golden highlights in her hair. Her skin was lightly burnished from her time in the sun, and an excited sparkle in her eyes matched the lightness of her step.

She kissed the baby, gave her aunt some instructions about baby food and then turned to him. “I guess I’m ready.”

“Would you like to take a spin around the lake before we head for the marina?” he asked her as they settled themselves in his speedboat.

“If you have the time. I don’t want to interfere with your work.”

“Pleasure before business anytime,” he assured her, grinning.

His relaxed good humor was infectious. As the boat skimmed over the water, Courtney became a part of the scene she’d been watching from the deck of the houseboat. She lifted her face boldly to the wind and let her hair fly free. She laughed with Neil when the spray from a nearby boat bathed both of them.

She couldn’t believe she was actually going to lunch with such a charming, attractive man. He’d made it clear that he wasn’t interested in any serious commitments, and that was fine with her. She’d never felt such freedom to enjoy the moment and put aside any thoughts about the future.

Neil was delighted with her childlike pleasure. She was different from the women he was used to dating. Most of them were concerned about how they looked while they role-played the femme fatale. He was pleased that once Courtney seemed secure enough to lower her guard, there was no pretense about her. He wondered about her background, and was determined to know a lot more about her before their lunch date was over.

As they headed for the far end of the lake, Hidden Cove disappeared behind them and the brown houseboat was lost from view.

AS SHE SAT IN FRONT OF Buzz’s photo, her eyes sparkled with happiness. Laughing joyfully, she held up the baby for him to see.

“Look, darling. Just like we always planned. Our very own baby boy. Remember how you promised me a child of my own some day?” She snuggled against Jamie’s soft cheek. “And here he is. The moment I laid eyes on him, I knew he was ours.”

Her expression sobered as she cocked her head and listened. “Yes, I know, Buzz. But don’t worry. I’ll make another hit, and then I’ll have money to travel. I’ve been checking out some of the banks.”

She listened again, frowning. “It’s okay, Buzz. Relax, honey. I have plans to take care of the woman soon.”

Cuddling the baby in her arms, she began to hum a lullaby.

NEIL DOCKED THE BOAT at the marina in a recreational area that stretched several blocks along the lake. The beautifully landscaped area was inviting with clean, sandy beaches, winding paths, park benches and nearby colorful shops. With Courtney walking beside him, Neil was surprised how her presence made him view everything with a fresh eye.

She commented on flower beds, fountains and lush green lawns, and when she saw mothers pushing baby carriages and strollers, she exclaimed excitedly, “I’ll have to bring Jamie here.”

“Maybe you and my sister Maribeth could arrange a play date. She has two little ones.”

Courtney gave a vague nod of her head. She thought it wasn’t likely that his sister would follow through on the idea.

“You’d like her,” he added with a smile. “She’s my youngest sister. There’s only a couple years difference between us, and I guess I’m closer to her than the others. I can always tell when she’s feeling down, and needs a pick-me-up.” He grinned at Courtney. “She has eyes that give her feelings away—just like you do.”