Chapter Five
Vanessa wasn’t giving up. Ever.
She managed to talk Emily out of another meltdown by promising they wouldn’t drive anywhere today.
Then they went for a stroll along the lake.
She bought a breakfast of bananas and yogurt at the convenience store, along with a bitter cup of coffee.
They explored the large campground, which had a swimming pool, laundry services, coin-operated showers, and restrooms. It also boasted free Wi-Fi, so Vanessa used the opportunity to text her brother and make plans for lunch.
She searched the internet for hotel vacancies in the area, just in case Paul Murphy refused to see reason.
The best option was in Eagle Pass, over an hour away.
When Emily noticed a group of children huddled around a picnic table, finger-painting with an adult, she tugged on Vanessa’s hand. “Can I do that?” she asked.
“Not today,” Vanessa said. “We’re seeing Uncle Jack.”
Emily loved arts and crafts, but she also loved her uncle.
She agreed to this deal and they wandered on.
Across from the campground, there was a designated swimming area with a wide, sandy stretch of beach.
Although visitors could take a dip anywhere along the shore, the beach offered a large communal space and a pleasant view.
By mid-morning, the temperature had climbed above eighty degrees.
Vanessa was hot, sweaty and tired. They watched rowdy teenagers jump off the boulder they’d stood upon this morning.
“I want to swim,” Emily declared.
Vanessa wanted to shower, more than anything, but they might as well swim first. They trekked back to her SUV for swimsuits.
Paul’s truck wasn’t parked in the opposite space. She felt a mixture of annoyance and relief at his absence. She’d made a fool of herself by asking for his help and she didn’t want to see him again. On the other hand, she still needed an ally.
“We can swim here,” Vanessa said. “It’s quiet.”
Emily nodded easily, eager to get in the water anywhere.
Vanessa helped her change in the back seat, and then wrestled into her own bikini.
She grabbed her floppy hat, along with the beach towels and sunscreen.
They took the path that led alongside the cabin to the lake.
The shoreline behind the cabin wasn’t a beach so much as a mix of sand and grass, interspersed with pine trees.
It was peaceful and private, guarded on one side by the hill they’d climbed earlier.
She felt another wave of resentment at Paul’s presence.
The perfect summer vacation she’d imagined was right here in front of her, but it belonged to someone else.
A wooden dock about thirty feet from shore offered the ideal swimming spot.
Vanessa trudged forward with Emily. Maybe after their swim, she could talk Emily into dozing in the shade.
At the end of the dock, they sat in the sizzling sun and dipped their toes in the water.
It was cool and inviting. Vanessa jumped in first, jarred by the cold shock against her overheated skin. She surfaced with a delighted gasp.
“Mommy, catch me!” Emily said.
When Vanessa nodded, Emily leapt off the edge of the dock, into her arms. There was a metal ladder to climb out, so the little girl did it over and over again, with the endless exuberance of an active four-year-old.
After nearly an hour of jumping and splashing, Vanessa called it quits.
They ascended the ladder and flopped onto the dock, side by side.
The sun beat down on her wet body, radiating heat and light.
It felt like a healing force, penetrating through her.
Relaxing her into a puddle of wax. Her mind was blank, her heartbeat a steady lull.
She relished the warmth of the day and the sound of the lapping water.
Then she forced her eyes open, because she couldn’t afford to fall asleep here with Emily. Motherhood was an exhausting job. It required constant vigilance and received little to no recognition.
“I’m hungry,” Emily said.
Vanessa sat upright with a groan.
“Were you dreaming, Mommy?”
“Just resting,” she said, stretching her arms over her head.
Then she gathered their belongings into the beach bag and took Emily by the hand.
As they turned toward the shore, she spotted a shadow among the trees.
She blinked the sun out of her eyes and caught sight of a retreating form.
It was Paul, who’d clearly been watching them enjoy his boating dock.
She imagined his stony expression and Clint Eastwood squint.
She smiled inwardly. As soon as they reached the shore, she donned her cover-up and flip-flops.
They walked to her SUV for a snack. Paul’s truck was gone again.
She was about to give Emily a granola bar when the sound of an approaching vehicle caught her attention.
“Uncle Jack!” Emily said.
Her brother parked his pickup truck beside her SUV and exited the vehicle. Emily ran toward him with her arms outstretched. Jackson lifted Emily up and tossed her high, making her squeal in delight.
“We have to throw this one back,” he said, as if Emily were a fish. “Too small.”
“I am not,” she yelled. “I’m big!”
He tossed her again, his teeth flashing white against his bronzed complexion.
Her little brother wasn’t so little anymore.
With his athletic build and dark good looks, he’d become a younger version of their father.
Jackson put Emily down and hugged Vanessa.
She almost expected him to toss her in the air, as well.
“You’re a sight for sore eyes,” he claimed, releasing her.
Vanessa touched her damp hair. “I feel like a wreck.”
“You don’t look like one.”
“Are you on duty?” she asked, because he was still in uniform.
“I just got off,” he said. “Who’s ready for lunch?”
“I want ice cream!” Emily said.
Jackson laughed and ruffled her hair. He grabbed a cooler from his truck and they returned to the shoreline, where they sat down at the picnic table in the shade.
“What do you like better?” Jackson asked Emily. “Slug sandwich, or slug sandwich with worms?”
She giggled and shook her head.
“Sorry, I forgot to ask for smashed frog.”
Jackson passed Vanessa two sandwiches with a wink.
Vanessa handed the plain cheese sandwich to Emily and kept the turkey for herself.
It was from her favorite deli in town, smothered in avocado and bursting with sprouts.
When Emily asked for a soda, Vanessa shook her head.
Jackson gave her juice. Emily chattered happily with her uncle as they ate.
As soon as they finished lunch, the little girl curled up against Vanessa and closed her eyes.
“Someone needs a nap,” Jackson said.
“Two someones,” Vanessa murmured. She spread out her blanket under the nearest tree. Instead of telling Emily to lie down, she put Penelope on the blanket with a picture book.
“Read Penelope a story, Em.”
Emily insisted that Jackson join her, which he did. He flipped through the picture book with her. Within minutes, Emily was asleep in his arms. Jackson extricated himself and joined Vanessa at the picnic table.
“I’ve got the magic touch,” he said.
Vanessa smiled in agreement. He was a great brother and a damned good uncle. “I need your help with something.”
“All right,” he said, before he even heard the details.
She explained the situation with the summer rental, the large deposit she’d paid, and its current occupant.
Jackson frowned at the tale. “I’ve met him.”
“You’ve met Paul Murphy?”
“Yes.”
“What do you think of him?”
Jackson shrugged, indifferent.
“He’s a jerk,” Vanessa said.
“Who’s the owner of the cabin?”
“Frank Wilson.”
“Ralph Wilson died of a heart attack a few months ago.”
“So the story checks out.”
“It does.”
“And I can’t fight this?”
“I don’t know,” he said. “You might be able to get your money back, depending on the terms of the agreement.”
“I don’t want my money back. I want the cabin.”
“Right.”
She narrowed her eyes in anticipation of his next statement. He wore a diplomatic expression that didn’t bode well.
“You know you can stay with us.”
She rose to her feet, annoyed. “No, I can’t.”
“Dad would love to see you and Emily.”
“Dad is an asshole.”
“When are you going to forgive him?”
“Never.”
Jackson lumbered to his feet and stood with her on the shore.
They both stared out at the blue water. She picked up a flat stone and attempted to skip it.
Jackson did the same, with more success.
He didn’t usually mention their father in her company.
He’d accepted the situation as it was, and refused to pick sides.
“What do you want me to do?” he asked.
“Talk to Paul Murphy. Convince him to give me a cabin.”
“Vanessa … be reasonable.”
“I am being reasonable,” she said. “There are two cabins. He doesn’t need both. He claims he does, because of paint fumes and dust or whatever, but I don’t believe it. He just doesn’t want to be inconvenienced.”
“You already asked him?”
“Yes.”
“And he said no.”
“That’s why I need you.”
“To do what?”
“Lean on him,” she said. “Flash your badge, act intimidating. Do whatever cops do to get results.”
Jackson’s brows rose. “You’re asking me to use my influence and authority as a peace officer for your personal gain?”
“Why be a cop if you can’t scare people?”
He gave a wry smile. “This situation is incredibly ironic.”
“How?”
“Because Dad would do it in a heartbeat.”
She crossed her arms over her chest, unable to deny this truth.
Eric Nava would perform this task with relish.
Jackson was capable of intimidating people, but preferred to use his charm.
Or better yet, avoid conflict altogether.
“Fine,” she said. “Don’t lean on him. Just tell him I’m not going anywhere until I speak to the owner. ”
“What does that mean? You’re going to camp in his front yard?”
“Why not? No one will remove me. I’m a Nava.”
“You’re diabolical.”
“I need to borrow your tent.”
“You can borrow it for the campground. I’ll buy you a space.”
She made a noncommittal sound. The campground was only a quarter of a mile away, with flush toilets and hot showers. If her campaign to wear Paul down didn’t work, she could always stay at a campsite. It would be more comfortable than the back seat of her SUV. “I’ll think about it.”
Jackson sighed and shook his head. “You should just come home with me.”
“No,” she said. “I can’t talk to Dad right now. I can’t forget what he did.”
“That was fifteen years ago.”
“He split up our family. It’s a big deal to me.”
“The rest of us have moved on. Mom has moved on.”
Vanessa wasn’t swayed by this argument. Some offenses were unforgivable. “Maybe you can give him a pass for lying and cheating, but I can’t.”
“I haven’t given him a pass.”
“You live with him. You don’t object to his womanizing.”
“I’m not his keeper,” Jackson said. “It’s none of my business.”
“You probably high-five him after every conquest.”
“No, I don’t,” he said in an annoyed tone. “But I also don’t judge him.”
“Saint Jackson.”
“Believe it or not, he’s changed. I think the hostage standoff really got to him. He’s been coming home alone.”
Vanessa had heard about the hostage situation a few months ago. A gunman had taken over the Crazy Horse Saloon in downtown Lost Lake. Sheriff Nava had shot the perpetrator. “He’s lucky to be alive.”
“Yes, he is. And he wants to repair his relationship with you.”
She frowned at this unexpected news. She hadn’t spoken to their father in years, and he hadn’t reached out to her. Instead of pursuing that subject, she dropped it. “You know about Bennett’s shady business deals.”
“Yes.”
“He wiped us out, financially. The legal fees took the rest.”
Jackson’s jaw hardened. He wasn’t a fan of Bennett’s. “I can loan you money.”
“I appreciate that, but money isn’t the only issue. There are no hotel rooms within fifty miles of here. I’ve checked.”
“You don’t have to stay at the lake.”
Her heart hitched in her chest. “I want to.”
“I know you do,” he said in a softer tone.
She turned away from him, her heart aching.
As kids, they’d spent summers at the lake.
It had been a family tradition. Now all of the Navas lived separate lives.
Her mother was currently on a spiritual retreat in Mexico with her new husband.
She wasn’t the most involved grandparent even when she was around.
Vanessa had a strained relationship with both of her parents but she was still close with Jackson.
She’d wanted to wrap herself in a quilt of comforting memories and share them with her daughter.
Jackson gave her shoulder a sympathetic squeeze. “It was a nice idea.”
“I’m not giving up yet.”
“Of course you’re not.”
She turned to face him. He made her persistence sound like a flaw. “Will you help me?”
“I don’t even understand your strategy,” Jackson said.
“My strategy is to stand my ground and insist that my reservation be honored.”
Jackson regarded her with suspicion. “Are you trying to annoy this guy or make him feel sorry for you?”
Vanessa considered her opponent, tapping her chin. “I’m not sure.”
“You’re being difficult.”
“I paid a deposit to stay here,” she said in a low voice. “I can’t afford to lose it, and I refuse to get swindled.”
“Paul Murphy didn’t swindle you. He doesn’t even own the cabin.”
“So I’m supposed to give up without a fight? Because he’s just a simple cowboy and it’s not his fault?”
“I didn’t say he was simple.”
“You think he’s complicated?”
“I think your anger is misplaced.”
The calm statement deflated her, leaving her empty.
Jackson was right; she couldn’t launch a vendetta against Paul, no matter how rude he was.
Paul hadn’t wronged her. He hadn’t lied to her, cheated on her, or taken her money.
He was an obstacle, not an enemy. She had to find a way to work with him and win him over.
It would be difficult but not impossible.
She sensed that he had a heart buried beneath that facade of stone.
She also got the impression that he wasn’t indifferent to her as a woman.
She glanced at Emily, who was still sleeping peacefully in the shade.
“Why don’t you get some rest?” Jackson said. “I’ll watch over you two.”
She gave him a wobbly smile. “You’re a good brother.”
“I know.”