Shadows On The Lake

Unfortunately, the next few days Devanna seemed more preoccupied than ever, and in a world of her own. She left the houseboat frequently, and Courtney continued to hear radiolike talking and laughing in the middle of the night.

Devanna’s only consistency was her attention to Jamie. She was ready and willing to take over his care as much as Courtney would allow. The baby provided the only real sharing between the two women. Most of the time, Devanna seemed lost in her own world, and Courtney’s hope that a friendly companionship would develop between them quickly died.

A greater sense of loneliness than before settled on Courtney, especially when she thought about Neil. She relived over and over the time they’d spent together. Clearly, he was content with his single life, and a lonely widow wasn’t in his future. She’d never been one to lie to herself, and trying to make a Cinderella story out of their relationship would be pure stupidity. Neil might be interested in a light summer flirtation, but she didn’t want to go there. She’d never been able to center her life for momentary pleasures, and now, more than ever, she had to think about the future because of her precious Jamie. Yes, she’d done the right thing turning down his tentative suggestion of another date.

During one of Devanna’s absences from the houseboat, Courtney was lounging on the couch, reading one the books her aunt had brought—and never looked at—when there was a knock at the door. Her heartbeat instantly quickened.

Neil! Maybe he’d come back to see her.

Nervously she smoothed her hair, straightening the collar of her summer blouse, and took a deep breath as she opened the door.

It wasn’t Neil.

A gray-haired gentleman stood there, peering at her through gold-rimmed glasses. Slight of build, his hair was thinning at the temples, and a summer jacket hung a little loose on his shoulders.

“I’m sorry to bother you,” he apologized quickly. “I’m looking for an old friend of mine, Devanna Davenport.”

“That’s my aunt,” Courtney assured him quickly.

His face brightened. “Oh, good. I was afraid I might have the wrong houseboat. I’m Harold Jensen.”

“I’m sorry, she’s not in right now, Mr. Jensen. But I’m expecting her back any time. Would you like to come in and wait for her?”

“Yes, thank you. I’m looking forward to seeing Devanna again. It’s a pleasure to meet her niece.”

The use of her aunt’s first name and his warm tone suggested a personal acquaintance. Courtney was curious how “personal” it might have been. Her aunt had still been a young woman when her older husband died. Maybe there had been some men in her life during those years she chose to live away from the family.

“Please have a seat,” Courtney offered, glad that she’d straightened up the room before she sat down with her book. Jamie was kicking happily on a baby blanket she’d spread out on the floor beside the couch.

Mr. Jensen smiled at the baby as he took a nearby chair. With old-fashioned politeness, he made all the proper inquiries about Jamie’s name and how old he was. She was glad she’d dressed Jamie in a pretty blue romper suit with matching booties. She didn’t have many chances to show him off.

“May I get you something to drink?” Courtney offered.

“No, thank you. I’m fine.”

“I’m sure Aunt Devanna will be happy to see you,” Courtney told him, even though she knew better than to try and predict Devanna’s behavior. Her aunt might react to Mr. Jensen the way she had to Neil, all friendly and outgoing, or she might give him that cold, vacant stare that sent shivers rippling up Courtney’s back.

Mr. Jensen sighed. “To tell the truth, I lost track of Devanna years ago. I worked for her late husband, and spent a lot of time in their California home. I was his personal accountant until he died,” he said with a hint of pride. “I’ve always remembered how nice she was to me.”

As Mr. Jensen shared his memories of Devanna, Courtney realized how much her aunt had changed from those happy days when her husband was alive.

“I was sorry when Devanna sold the California company after her husband’s death, and moved to Seattle. I often wondered what happened to her.” He pushed back his glasses. “I’m now an accountant for Ellsworth Real Estate and Investment.”

“You are?” she asked in surprise. “I just met Neil Ellsworth a few days ago.”

“A very nice young man. I worked for his father until he retired. Anyway, yesterday I was handling some papers on houseboat rentals. Imagine my surprise when I came across Devanna’s name. I guess there’s no question about it being the same Devanna Davenport?”

Courtney assured him that her aunt’s personal history matched the one he’d described. Because the man seemed sincerely interested, Courtney shared a little bit about her aunt’s withdrawal from family contact and her tendency to be a recluse. In a way, she wanted to prepare him for meeting the withdrawn, strange woman her aunt had become.

After waiting nearly an hour, Devanna still hadn’t returned and Mr. Jensen decided not to wait any longer. Since Courtney had no idea where her aunt had gone, it was anybody’s guess when she’d be back. Obviously disappointed, Mr. Jensen prepared to take his leave.

“Please tell her that I dropped by, and I’ll be back to see her another time,” he said. “It’s been a pleasure chatting with you. Your aunt must be proud of you and the baby.”

“Aunt Devanna loves Jamie,” Courtney responded, wishing she could say the same affection extended to her. “I’ve enjoyed meeting you, Mr. Jensen. Please come again.”

“Thank you. I certainly will.”

She stood on the front deck as he crossed the narrow dock and climbed the steps. He drove away in a small white car. What a nice man. He’d helped her pass a lonely afternoon, and she looked forward to seeing him again.

When her aunt came back, nearly two hours later, Courtney eagerly told her about Mr. Jensen’s visit.

Devanna just shrugged. “I don’t even remember the man. And I doubt he remembers me that well, either.”

Her aunt’s crude dismissal startled Courtney. Several times her use of coarse expressions seemed incongruous with her aunt’s background, and Courtney wondered where she’d picked up the roughness.

NEIL’S PRIDE CONTINUED to smart from Courtney’s lackluster response about a second date. He concentrated on business and tried to shove her to the back of his mind. After all, there were plenty of numbers in his little black book if he got in the mood to date someone. Unfortunately, he had to pass by the houseboat on the lake road both coming and going to work, and he couldn’t help thinking about her.

When his sister Maribeth provided the perfect excuse to see her again, he thought, why not. There was always the chance that if he saw her again, he’d get over the ridiculous attraction that kept her at the edge of his mind.

She was sitting alone on the front deck reading when he drove to the houseboat to see her. A sudden glow in her eyes when she saw him was encouraging. Maybe she regretted her cool reaction about a second date after all.

“How have you been?” he asked as he dropped into a chair beside her.

“Fine,” she assured him after a slight hesitation.

“And Jamie? How is the baby?”

She brightened. “Great. I just put him down for his nap.”

“And your aunt?”

Once again Courtney hesitated. “Devanna seems to keep busy. I’m not sure exactly what she finds to do, or where she goes.”

“So you’re here pretty much by yourself?”

She gave him a faint smile as if she knew exactly what he was leading up to. Maybe it was no surprise to her that he was back again. Was he as apparent as all that, Neil asked himself.

Aloud, he asked, “How would you like to make my sister, Maribeth, happy?”

She raised an eyebrow. “Your sister?”

“She’s giving a birthday party for our twin brothers, Alex and Allen. They’re both married with families, but Maribeth is the one who organizes all the parties. She asked me to bring someone, and I was hoping you and Jamie might be my date. It’s the day after tomorrow.”

“Oh, I don’t know,” Courtney responded quickly. A dozen reasons why she shouldn’t go flooded her mind as quickly as her next breath.

“There’ll be kids and babies all over the place. Utter confusion. Lots of food. Good humor and teasing. What do you say?”

For a minute, Courtney couldn’t say anything. She was completely taken aback by the invitation. Family birthday parties were completely outside her sphere of experience. How would she fit in at such a gathering? The way Neil was smiling at her, she wanted to go more than anything. It wouldn’t be a romantic date, she reassured herself, and she wouldn’t have to leave Jamie.