Shadows On The Lake

“There was such pleasure in your face, I couldn’t help picturing you at an elegant tea party, offering gold-rimmed cups to fashionable guests.”

She laughed. “Nothing could be further from the truth. I don’t think we ever had cups that weren’t chipped, and no two alike. Every time we moved, which was often, we had to start from scratch replacing what we’d broken or left behind.”

“What did your father do?”

“He was a welder. Not a very good one, I’m afraid,” she said sadly. “He tried hard, but never stayed with any job for very long. I put myself through business college, and was working as a secretary for a construction company when I met my husband, Clyde.” She paused. “Our marriage had its challenges.”

“Well, I decided a long time ago I’m not husband or father material.”

Undoubtedly, more than one unattached female considered him a good catch, Courtney thought. She wanted to assure him that she wasn’t looking for a man to complicate her life. Even though she had married out of loneliness, there had been very little companionship in her marriage, and the tender love she’d desperately sought had evaded her. She certainly wasn’t about to open herself to that kind of heartache again.

She gave her attention to the delicious pudding steeped in brandy sauce, and finished the last bite when she glanced at her watch.

“Oh, my goodness, I’ve got to get back. Jamie is always fussing after his noontime nap.” She instantly felt a sense of guilt for putting her son completely out of her mind for nearly three hours.

“He’s in good hands,” Neil reassured her. “While you were getting dressed, your aunt told me how much Jamie means to her. I guess she’s never had children of her own. Anyone can see she feels very possessive about him.”

“I’m beginning to think Jamie is the only reason she invited us to come,” Courtney said honestly. “It’s been quite a disappointment. I thought she and I would become friends and enjoy a special companionship this summer. But it’s not happening.”

“You’ve only been here a few days,” he reminded her. “If she’s not used to living with anyone, it may take a little time for her to adjust.”

“I suppose so.”

“You’ll win her over.”

Courtney wished she could be that optimistic. She couldn’t understand her aunt’s baffling behavior, let alone find a way to change it. She dreaded returning to the houseboat’s oppressive atmosphere and negative energy, but her son was her first priority. She had no business running around, thinking about her own pleasure.

When they docked beside the houseboat, Courtney thanked Neil for the outing.

“Maybe we should do this again,” he suggested.

“I don’t think I should make a habit of being away from the baby, but thank you for today.”

There was a finality in her refusal that surprised him because she’d given him every indication that she had enjoyed his company. Obviously, she wasn’t as taken with him as he had been with her, he decided, his pride smarting just a little. He wasn’t used to having women turn him down.

“Enjoy your visit,” he said in a polite tone. As he waved goodbye from his boat, he didn’t think he’d give her a chance to reject him again.

Courtney stood for a moment on the deck and watched the wake of the boat disappear in the distance. They were from two different worlds, and she ought to have the sense to realize it. Sighing, she turned into the houseboat.

“I’m back.”

A haunting emptiness echoed her words.

She stiffened as an undefined apprehension assaulted her from the dark gloom of the houseboat. Something was wrong. She could feel it.

Her heart was suddenly pounding as she bounded to the sleeping compartment to check on her baby.

She froze in the doorway when she saw Jamie’s bassinet was empty, and the diaper bag she kept at the front of the lower bunk gone.

She spun on her heels. The only place left was her aunt’s compartment. Maybe her aunt had taken him into her sleeping room. Anxiously, she opened the door and looked in.

Empty.

No sign of Jamie or Aunt Devanna anywhere in the floating house.

Chapter Three

Fighting back rising panic, Courtney dashed around the narrow deck to the stern end of the houseboat. Sometimes her aunt spent time sitting there, but her chair was empty and no baby things in sight. The houseboat creaked with emptiness as Courtney checked again, inside and out. Then she took the narrow steps two at a time up to the parking area.

Her aunt’s gray van was gone.

Courtney couldn’t believe it. Devanna had taken Jamie somewhere! For a moment, anger overrode Courtney’s anxiety. She was furious! Her aunt had no business taking the baby anywhere without her permission.

Courtney started for her car and then stopped. Get hold of yourself! Common sense mocked her impulse to go chasing after the van. What good would it do, driving around blindly, trying to find them? She hadn’t the foggiest idea where her aunt might have gone. I shouldn’t have left my baby, Courtney mentally lashed herself.

Pacing up and down, she fought to calm a hurricane of fear. It was time for Jamie to have another feeding. Had Devanna taken a bottle with her? How long had they been gone? A few minutes? Or had Devanna driven away with Jamie as soon as Courtney and Neil had been out of sight?

Her eyes kept searching the lake road in both directions, and all types of scenarios filled her mind. There’d been an accident! The van had developed engine trouble! Jamie had gotten sick and Devanna had rushed him to the hospital! There was no telephone in the houseboat. Should she go somewhere to call someone? But who? Every time a car came into view, Courtney’s hopes rose, and then quickly fell. She even walked a short distance up and down the road as if that might hurry their return.

When the gray van finally came into view, Courtney thought she might be hallucinating until it slowed and pulled into the parking area.

Letting out a cry of relief, she rushed over to it. Her aunt gave her an innocent smile as she jerked open the front door and settled her frantic gaze on Jamie.

Thank God! The baby was securely fastened in his carrier and sound asleep. His little face was peaceful and content, and Courtney was weak with a combination of relief, frustration and anger.

“He was fussy, so I took him for a little ride. You weren’t worried, were you?” Devanna asked. The funny little quirk to her lips might have been a suppressed smile.

“What do you think?” Courtney snapped. “You scared me half to death, taking him off like that.”

Devanna looked surprised. “You should have known I’d never let anything happen to Jamie. You don’t have to worry when he’s with me.”

As Courtney took the baby out of the car, he opened his eyes and gave her one of his toothless smiles. She blinked back tears of thankfulness. He was all right. She’d been worried for nothing.

“He’s precious, isn’t he?” Devanna cooed. “And such a good baby. He settled right down once we were in the car. I brought his diaper bag along just in case.”

Her aunt seemed so sincere that Courtney felt guilty about lashing out at her. She should have known that her aunt was responsible when it came to taking care of Jamie. Her love for the baby was undeniable.

“And how was your lunch with that handsome fellow?” Devanna asked when they were back inside the houseboat.

“Very nice,” Courtney said honestly.

“I guess he’ll be coming around again?”

“I don’t think so.”

“That’s too bad,” Devanna answered, thoughtfully. “I thought you’d enjoy getting out, now and again.”

Courtney looked at her in surprise. Usually Devanna ignored her unless the situation had something to do with the baby. This was the first time her aunt had expressed any interest in her well-being. Maybe things were going to smooth out between them after all.