CHAPTER NINETEEN #2
She helped herself to an egg and then took a bite of salad.
Both Hazel and she had been quiet as they paddled.
Being out on the water, moving smoothly through it was humbling.
She thought of native tribes traveling like this many years ago and realized what a precious thing it was to enjoy nature.
Now, looking out at the water and the Inn on the other side of the lake, she felt a peacefulness fill her.
“It’s nice that Mrs. Graham allows us to use their property like this,” said Hazel. “You’re lucky, Misty, that she likes you so much. That’s one of my problems with the man my mother would love me to marry back home. His mother is nice to me, but we don’t have a warm relationship.”
“Oh, that’s too bad,” said Misty.
“In truth, I think Ron is a bit of a mama’s boy,” said Hazel. “There’s more to it than that, but it’s another reason I’m not interested in him.” She indicated the area around them. “Here, I feel free to be myself.”
“In the end, that’s all you can be,” said Misty. “And, Hazel, I’m very happy you’re here.”
“Me, too,” said Hazel, beaming at her.
They looked up as Susie Graham approached. “I hope you saved some room for a piece of warm carrot cake. It is a favorite of my men.”
“A favorite of mine, too,” said Misty. “Come sit with us.” She patted a place on the blanket next to her. “Susie, this is my friend, Hazel Belmont. Hazel, this is Susie Graham.”
“Lovely to meet you, Hazel.” Smiling with pleasure, Susie handed her the plate with two pieces of cake and lowered herself to the blanket. “It’s good to see you, Misty. What’s new?”
“Did you hear about the wedding?” Misty asked. “Crystal looked like a golden angel.”
“You’ll have to show me pictures when you get them,” said Susie. “When he stopped by to talk to his dad about the business, David mentioned something about Emmett’s father showing up late.”
Misty and Hazel filled Susie in on all the details and Susie, like many others, agreed Senator Chamberlain was a jerk.
“And guess what? Emmett surprised Crystal with a trip to Paris for their honeymoon,” said Misty.
“Rod and I went to Paris for our twentieth anniversary, and it was so much fun. Delicious too. We went to a couple of fancy restaurants that still are my favorite meals.”
Misty knew Rod and David worked hard with the landscaping business, digging and sweating as they completed their jobs. So, an image of Rod eating in restaurants in Paris seemed incongruous. But she loved the idea.
During the course of the conversation, Misty brought up seeing Brody and his father. “Seeing Brody cry while his father called him names, my heart went out to him. I tried to talk to Brody’s father, but he got mad at me and told me to mind my own business. The whole situation is very wrong.”
“Where was Brody’s mother?” asked Susie.
“Apparently, she’s out of the picture. Brody’s father, Harley, told me he’s a single dad.” Misty sighed. “I feel helpless, and yet, when I see and hear what’s happening, it makes me sick.”
Susie reached over and patted her hand. “I understand, but be careful when dealing with a parent’s handling of his child. But, as we’ve talked about, you need to keep an eye on Brody. And certainly, if any physical signs of abuse or neglect are apparent, you must report it to the authorities.”
They talked of other things. Then, with Sugar panting beside her, Misty said, “We probably should head back. Thank you, Susie, for letting us picnic here.”
“It’s my pleasure,” said Susie, standing. “It’s always a pleasure to see you.” She accepted the empty plate she was given and headed toward the house.
“Susie’s cool,” said Hazel, carrying the basket to the canoe.
“Yes, she is,” Misty said, realizing once more how lucky she was to have such a warm, caring woman in her life.
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That evening, David picked Misty up for dinner. “Sugar can come with us. It’ll be good for her to get out of the house.”
“She was running around your parents’ house chasing squirrels when Hazel and I stopped there for a picnic on their property. Your mother gave us warm pieces of her carrot cake,” said Misty. “It was delicious.”
“It’s one of my favorites.” He waited while she set the alarm and locked up. Then, he helped both Misty and Sugar into his truck.
“Do you have tomorrow off work?” she asked.
“Yes. Finally,” said David. “It’s been a real Labor Day weekend for me. This is when people realize what work they want done before winter.”
“I understand. It’s as if autumn is suddenly here, and winter is not far behind.”
“It’ll be nice to relax and enjoy the day.”
“We have more and more people in our group,” said Misty. “It makes it fun.”
“I like it too,” said David. “I’m especially glad you came back to Lilac Lake.” He gave her hand a squeeze.
“Me too,” she said, satisfied she was moving forward with her life.
###
They’d just arrived at David’s house when the neighbor’s dog, Homer, appeared. Sugar and Homer touched noses and, tails wagging, started to chase one another around. Misty was proud of the way Sugar handled herself with the black lab, who was much bigger.
Chuckling to herself, she wondered if it was parental pride to feel that way.
David led Misty into the house. “Let’s let the dogs work off some of that energy before coming into the house.”
In the kitchen, David offered her a glass of wine. “Sorry, I didn’t have time to do anything fancy. I picked up a cooked chicken and some other stuff for dinner. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Not at all,” said Misty. “It’s nice to be out of the house and not to have to worry about a meal. I’ll help you put this together.”
David studied her. “You’re such a great person.”
“Thanks,” said Misty, knowing it sounded lame, but she couldn’t remember Vince ever saying that to her.
“I mean it,” said David softly, drawing her into his arms.
Everything felt right with David. She gazed up at him and closed her eyes as his lips met hers. It was never like this with Vince.
When they pulled apart, they both were smiling.
Homer barked to come inside. David opened the door, and both dogs came in.
Sugar came right over to Misty and, panting, sat at her feet.
Misty laughed at her. “You’ve had more exercise in one day than in maybe forever.”
“It’s good for her,” said David. “Want to watch the sunset from the porch?”
“Yes. I love this time of day.”
The four of them moved to the porch, and while the adults sank into chairs, the two dogs flopped on the floor.
Misty enjoyed the quiet moments that she and David shared, watching the colors in the sky change from orange to pale yellow and finally gray.
She usually used this time for reflection and found her thoughts returning to him and how his kiss had made her both excited and calm, as if she was where she was supposed to be.
As if he sensed her feelings, he reached over and took hold of her hand, letting his smile speak for him.
She returned it, aware of how special this moment was.
They enjoyed another small glass of wine and then went inside. While David carved the chicken, Misty put together a green salad and set out the potato salad David had bought.
They sat at the kitchen table and helped themselves to food. After working hard all day, David proved he needed a substantial amount of it.
They cleaned up the kitchen and relaxed on the couch. Sugar fitted herself between them and snored softly as they watched a suspense movie that forced Misty to close her eyes from time to time.
“That was great,” said David when it ended.
“Scary,” Misty commented. “I’m lucky I have Sugar to keep me company at home.”
They both looked at the dog sleeping on her back, oblivious to the world and couldn’t help laughing.
“I think the security system is a little safer for you,” said David. He stood and pulled her to her feet. They stood staring at one another. David’s steady look sent heat through her, and she knew he wanted to kiss her. She lifted up on her toes and sighed as he brought his lips to hers.
David glanced at the bedroom door and said, “Guess I’d better get you home.”
“Yes, it’s been a long day. A lovely one.” She knew he wanted more from her but wouldn’t push until she was ready.