Out of the Depths

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

PROLOGUE

“She’s the last one.”

“I told you she would be. She’s real stubborn. We’re gonna have more trouble with her than we did with the others.”

“Nonsense. She’s a woman. Alone.”

“Not exactly. She’s got a lot of friends.” He winced at the string of curses that erupted from his surly companion. “Well, she does. And folks around here stick together. You oughta know that.”

“I don’t want to hear any more lame excuses. If you can’t handle this job, I’ll hire somebody who can.”

“You threatening me?”

“I never threaten. I promise.”

“Give me a few more weeks. I’ll up the pressure. She’ll cave. I know she will.”

“She’d better. I’m sick of waiting.”

“I don’t know why you’re in such a big hurry all of a sudden. It’s gonna turn out just the way I said. It’s a sweet setup. She doesn’t suspect a thing.”

“Yet.”

“Hey, don’t talk like that. She’ll be ready to pack her bags and head for the hills before much longer. She’s already jumpy as a cat.”

“She should be,” the man said with a self-satisfied snort. “She has plenty to be scared of.”

“You said there’d be no rough stuff.”

“That was before. Things are different now. I’m running out of patience. And time. I’ll step in and clear up the problem myself, once and for all, if I have to.”

“You wouldn’t!”

“Try me.”

“Whoa. Don’t get all het up.” He waved his hands in front of him, palms out, in a placating gesture. “You won’t have to do a thing. Two or three more weeks and Trudy Lynn Brown will be finished. She’ll be so down in the dumps she’ll be beggin’ for a chance to sell out.”

“Selling’s not enough. I want to see her business closed. Period. End of story.”

“Yeah, that’s what I meant.”

“Good. You’d better make sure that’s exactly what happens or she won’t be the only one in deep trouble.”

“I know, I know. But don’t forget about those kids she’s got workin’ for her. If they get in my way it might slow down our plans a tad.”

“Humph.” He raised his boot and brought it down on a passing beetle. Its shell collapsed with a sickening, deadly crunch. “Anybody who causes too many problems for me gets the same treatment as that bug. Including you. Best you remember that when you’re dealin’ with the lady.”

“Just promise me you won’t hurt her.”

“I’m through making promises, especially to you. Get her out of my way—or else.”

ONE

“Good morning! What a beautiful day,” Trudy Lynn said, stepping out onto the porch of her cabin to greet her elderly hired hand. “Don’t you love the Ozarks this time of year?”

“Yes’m.” Will took off his sweat-stained baseball cap and held it in front of him. “Morning, Miz Brown. Can’t say it’s too good, though. Maybe you’d best sit down.”

She shaded her eyes and braced for the worst. “What now?” The look on Will’s leathery face made her heart sink. “Not more of the same?”

“’Fraid so.”

“Oh, no.”

It wasn’t fair. Not after all the sacrifices she’d made to keep this business going. She’d hung on and finally prospered when other campgrounds and canoe rentals around her had closed. This year, she’d even managed to buy a bit of new equipment.

“What did they do this time?” Trudy asked nervously.

“Took out three more of them new red canoes. Looks to me like we’d best put ’em in storage and use the old ones for now. You can’t keep buyin’ new ones if somebody’s gonna go knockin’ holes in ’em.”

“I know.”

Pensive, she stood at the porch railing and gazed fondly at the neat campsites arrayed beside the Spring River. Oaks and hickory had greened up, while dogwoods were almost done with their blooms. Every day, new varieties of wildflowers appeared, some with blossoms so tiny they could hardly be seen. The only thing spoiling the picture was the knowledge that someone despised her enough to try to ruin her.

“Okay,” Trudy told Will. “Take Jimmy and have him help you load what’s left of my best canoes on the spare trailer. I’ll tow it down to Serenity and rent a storage spot to park it. I just hate to back down like this.”

“What else can we do?”

“Nothing. We can’t stay up every night to stand guard and still hope to function well during the day, especially not when peak season gets here. Besides, it’s too dangerous for amateurs like us. And hiring a real security man would cost way too much.”

“How ’bout that ornery little dog of yours? We could tie him down by the boats. He’s sure to make a racket if anybody strange comes around.”

Trudy Lynn laughed softly and shook her head. “You know Widget barks at everything, including rabbits and deer. He’d sound false alarms and keep us running all night long.”

“Prob’ly.” The stooped old man nodded sagely. “Okay, Miz Brown, I’ll fetch Jimmy and we’ll load up them new canoes for you. He’s not gonna like doing it, though.”

“What my cousin likes or doesn’t like isn’t your problem, Will. It’s time he learned that his brains aren’t the only reason I hired him. It shouldn’t take all day to keep our accounts current. When he’s not busy in the office I expect him to lend a hand outside, not sit around playing computer games.”

“That, I gotta see.”

“You will. I promise,” Trudy Lynn said, smiling. “He’s my kin. I can always threaten to tell Grandma Earlene if he doesn’t behave. Otherwise, I’ll fire him, just like I did that Randall boy.”

The old man put his cap back on and hesitated, squinting against the bright sunlight. “You be careful who you rile up. So far, all we’ve lost is a few boats. I don’t want to lose you, too.” Smiling wryly he added, “I’d never find another job as easy as this one. Not at my age.”

She chose to take him seriously in spite of his jesting tone. “You be careful, too, you old coot. I’d never find another helper as savvy and hardworking as you are.” Will’s throaty chuckle warmed her heart. “Now get going.”

“Yes, ma’am. You gonna be tending the camp store?”