Finding The Way Back To Love (Lakeside Porches 3) (13 page)

“Do you like the place?” Justin’s deep voice roused him.

“Are you kidding?” Peter straightened and faced the older man. “This is every bachelor’s dream. Nice place to have friends over, coffee out here in the morning. Plus there’s a room for my sister to visit. Wish I could afford it.”

“You cook for yourself?” Justin leaned casually against a porch pillar.

“If you could call it that. Meatloaf, stew, eggs, salads, burgers.”

“How much are you paying now?”

“Five hundred for a dingy one-bedroom in a basement over by the college.”

“Well, this is five seventy-five. Is that out of your range?”

Peter gave him a wide-eyed stare. “You’re kidding, right?”

“The only catch is there’s renovation below you that won’t be done until the middle of September. If you wanted to move in right away you’d have to contend with that from seven in the morning until seven at night for a few weeks.”

“Sir, I use ear plugs and noise-canceling headphones where I live now. I can’t believe it’s any worse than that.”

“What do you do for a living, Peter?”

“I joined the Tompkins Falls Police Department earlier this summer. Back in Syracuse I was on the force, too. After I was shot in the line of duty a year ago, I wanted a smaller city.”

“Welcome to Tompkins Falls. And to Lakeside Terrace, if you’re interested.”

“That’s a no-brainer.” Peter grinned. “When can I move in?”

“Give us the weekend to finish cleaning and painting. Anytime next week will be fine. Tony Pinelli has been handling the cleanup, and he’ll have the paperwork with him this weekend. You can stop by Saturday or Sunday to go over the lease with him. Leave a month’s rent and a one-month security deposit with him.”

“Great. I’ll do that. Pinelli. Related to my partner, Sam?”

“I have no idea, but it wouldn’t surprise me.”

“So you’re the landlord?”

“My nephew Joel Cushman owns and manages all of Lakeside Terrace.”

“I just met Joel last night, and his wife, Mandy.”

“Manda. Don’t call her Mandy,” Justin cautioned with a chuckle. “So you know Joel’s recovering from a serious accident? A few of us are helping out. He’ll be moving with his wife into the first floor flat when it’s ready.”

“If I understood Rick, you and your wife will be moving from the top floor to your own house soon. I’m glad to help any way I can.”

“Most kind,” Justin said in that formal way he had, with a trace of an accent.

Peter wondered if he’d lived in England for a while.

“We already have an army lined up,” Justin finished.

Peter grinned. “And a baby on the way, right?”

“Two. Twins, a boy and a girl.”

“Congratulations.”
Hope I’m not as old as this guy when I have my first kids.

“Glad you can move in right away.” Justin shook his hand. “The place shouldn’t sit empty.”

Peter wondered at the twinkle in Justin’s eye. Maybe it just went with being happily married and about to have twins.

Chapter 7

Rays of sun touched the cut-glass globe of Gwen’s bedside lamp, refracted around the room and teased her awake as they scattered across her eyelids. “Ohmigod, I never set the alarm.”

She dragged out of bed and made a quick stop in the bathroom, where she also brushed her teeth and ran a comb through her hair, just in case she encountered Peter on the willow path. Dressed in clean gray sweats and socks, she carried her sneakers through the silent house to the garage. After pedaling hard the full half-mile to the highway, she was winded, waiting for a break in the traffic.

Finally at the park, the empty willow path gave her two uninterrupted miles to reflect on the appearance of the Hahns in Haley and Rick’s life. The chain of events started in July when Justin married Gianessa who was then six months pregnant. Justin’s friends Syd and Danny came to the wedding, and the two couples’ conversation touched on another couple, the Hahns, who had tried everything to have a child. And yesterday, Haley shared a ride with Justin and Gianessa for her first doctor’s appointment. Who knew it would add up to the Hahns adopting Gwen’s grandnephew?
Why do I anguish when God’s got it all covered
?

With that thought, her shoulders relaxed, and the tightness in her neck released. A sudden breeze cooled her face, and she savored its caress on her cheeks as she pedaled on.

In less than a minute, though, little worries surfaced. Haley’s drinking. Rick’s anger. Haley’s interrupted college plans.
Deirdre would say I’m worrying about other people’s problems when I should take care of my own business
.

When she reached the town end of the path, she considered stopping at Lynnie’s Chestnut Lake Café for coffee and a chat with Deirdre. She hadn’t brought money, though, and she’d be seeing Deirdre tonight at the women’s meeting. Anyway, a newcomer was probably sitting down with Deirdre this morning, seeking a way out of her addiction, and Gwen wouldn’t interfere with that conversation.

As she maneuvered her bike back toward home, a movement by the shore caught her eye. Peter stood from a bench and signaled for her attention. He shrugged into his jacket and slung his running shoes over his shoulder, apparently finished with his run.

“Peter!” she hailed.

He made a megaphone of his hands. “I’ll call you around three.”

She waved in happy agreement and watched him lope across the grass to his Jeep, strong legs rippling with muscles, sweaty shorts showing off his tight butt.
That is one sexy man
. Gwen fanned the sudden heat on her face and neck.

Once his green Jeep merged into traffic, Gwen started back on the two-mile gravel path. Hundreds of willows lined both sides, their fronds waving lazily in the morning breeze. With nothing to distract her or demand her attention, Gwen’s mind lingered on Peter and the rush she’d felt a few minutes earlier.

When she’d first talked to Deirdre about him, she’d acknowledged the intense physical attraction, but she’d felt, even then, it was more. There was something right about them together. Some synergy in the way they handled things with Haley and Rick. Something intuitive about their connection with each other.

She wanted time alone with Peter to explore this relationship. They were so far apart on issues like alcoholism and recovery. They needed time to talk, to argue, to find common ground that would serve them both. But with their crazy schedules, his night shifts, her clients, Haley’s fulltime presence, how could they work it out?

A group of six spandex-clothed racers approached, running three abreast. Rather than break their strides, Gwen dismounted and rolled her bike to the water’s edge for a minute’s rest. A flat rock beckoned. Knees drawn up, chin on her hands, she breathed in the clean, moist air off the lake. It was so different today from yesterday. Small boats, each with one or two fishermen, dotted the water’s calm surface. The rising sun flashed on the aluminum hulls and intensified the colors of the fishermen’s hats—every shade of green, a few red, one blue. Kayaks scuttled out of the marina, one or two at a time.

Maybe Rick will help me test the canoe this morning
.

She grinned at the thought and scrambled off the rock. Once she knew the canoe was solid, she and Peter could go for a paddle, just the two of them. If not today, then soon.

As she reached for a colander of fresh-washed blueberries, her phone jangled and displayed Justin’s cell number. She said a quick prayer that the Hahns had not changed their minds.

“Hi, Justin. What’s up?”

“Gwen, glad I caught you. Can you talk for a minute?”

She surveyed the counters and range top. Everything would keep for a minute. “I sure can.”

“I heard back from the attorney I had in mind to handle the adoption for Rick and Haley. She’s available and interested and wants to meet with them soon. She’d like you to call her office today to schedule. Her assistant will have questions for Rick and Haley to work on before the meeting.” He gave her the firm’s Rochester phone number and the attorney’s name.

“Wonderful. And the Hahns?” She held her breath.

“Very excited. They want to meet face-to-face and are willing to come here at everyone’s convenience, the sooner the better.”

“It’s real, isn’t it, Justin?” Gwen clutched the phone and let out a sob. “Sorry.” She tried and failed to hold back the tears. “These are happy tears, nothing more.”

“No call for apology. Gianessa and I shed a few tears ourselves, when Rick and Haley called last night with their go-ahead and again this morning when Syd and Danny reported they’d reached the Hahns.”

Gwen collected herself. “Will the attorney need the fee upfront?”

“No, but I intend to handle that myself, Gwen, if you’ll allow me to.”

“Why?” She backed up to the counter for support.
Is it some outrageous amount?

Justin cleared his throat. “Because we all know I would not be happily married and on the threshold of fatherhood without your expert therapy a few months ago.”

When she’d thought earlier about all the coincidences leading up to the Hahn’s decision to adopt Haley and Rick’s baby, she had jumped over the part she’d played in making Justin’s marriage to Gianessa possible.
That’s why I do the work I do
. She wished she could share that with Peter. She wanted him to believe in her work.

“Justin, that’s exceedingly generous and completely unnecessary. I do appreciate the offer, but no.”

He lowered his voice. “This is not a hardship for you or the young parents?”

Gwen lightened the mood with a laugh. “For them, sure it is. But I have no problem handling it, and I think it’s most appropriate for me, as Haley’s aunt and stand-in mother, to worry about that detail.”

“Of course.” Justin’s brusque tone signaled his readiness to drop the matter.

“Justin, thank you for all that you and Gianessa are doing for these kids. It means the world to them and to their baby. And to the Hahns. None of us could have made this happen without your compassion and skill. I’m most grateful.”

“Now you’re embarrassing me.” Justin chuckled. “I’m glad to help and glad that things are working out. I know Gianessa feels the same.”

“I need to spend some quality time with your wife very soon. She’ll be swept up in moving and motherhood in no time.”

“She’d be thrilled to have lunch anytime. Even better, perhaps the two of you would like a day at the spa in the next week or so?”

“Justin, you know how to treat a woman.”

“Do I smell blueberry pancakes?” Rick croaked as he rubbed sleep from his eyes. “I thought I was dreaming.”

“I couldn’t wait any longer.” Gwen laughed and motioned him to the coffee pot. “I took a twelve-mile bike ride at dawn, and I’m famished.”

Haley appeared in the doorway. “I need coffee,” she grumbled. She wore the new white waffle robe and slippers they’d found at Eastview in the spa section of a new shop, The Two of You.

“Are you allowed to drink caffeine?”

Haley’s eyes opened wide with apprehension.

“Oops,” Gwen guessed, “didn’t think of that, huh?”

“No, and I’ve been drinking it all along. A big cup every morning.” She stroked her belly. “Sorry, little guy.”

Rick handed her a full mug. “If that’s the only goof, let’s not worry about it.”

Haley smiled over the rim of the mug and mouthed, “Thank you.”

“We’re having blueberry pancakes.” He grinned. “Your aunt runs the best inn on Chestnut Lake.”

“This inn requires guests to clean up at the end of the meal. Unless they cook the meal, of course. Your choice, guys.”

“Use me any way you want,” Rick told Gwen.

“You could be in a lot of trouble,” Haley stage-whispered as she elbowed him.

Gwen brought the first plate of pancakes to the table and signaled Haley to set three places.
What a change from yesterday
.

“Rick, how would you feel about making a test run with me in the old wooden canoe? It’s out behind the garage, and it hasn’t been in the water for probably fifteen or twenty years.”

“I’m game.”

“Water’s perfect this morning. We could paddle along the shore to my neighbor Phil’s house and see how it holds up.”

Haley perked up. “And I could walk to Phil’s through the woods and meet you there. It’s a cleared path, right? I’d love to see Phil.”

“It’s a plan. One of us should call Phil after breakfast, see if he’s on board with it.”

“I’ll do it,” Haley volunteered. “And I’ll take a dozen cookies.”

“A dozen is about all that’s left,” Rick informed them.

“It’s supposed to rain all afternoon.” Gwen said, “While I see clients, you and Rick can make more cookies to replenish our supply.”

“Do you know how to make cookies?” Rick asked.

Haley shrugged. “More or less. We’ll pick a simple recipe.”

“Healthier than we’ve been eating,” Gwen suggested. “How about oatmeal with dried cherries and pecans?”

“Yum,” Haley agreed.

“I’m in.”

“You can do all the measuring,” Haley told him. “And make sure I do all the steps in the right order.”

Rick raised his hands to signal a touchdown. “Score! We’ve got it covered, Gwen.”

“Eat those pancakes while they’re hot. Maple syrup—the real thing, from down county—is behind you on the counter.”

“How much does it weigh?” Rick wondered as he lugged the back end of the old wooden canoe. “Fifty, sixty pounds?”

“Sixty, I think. When we get it to the cobblestone ramp, we’ll set it down and let gravity and buoyancy do most of the work.”

“Ah, that’s why there are extra wooden strips on the bottom,” Rick realized.

“Yes, they protect the canvas whenever you’re putting in or out.”

“How old were you when you learned to paddle?”

Gwen burst out laughing. “You mean, grabbed a paddle and splashed the water with it?”

“I’ll bet they had you in the middle with a life jacket on, from the time you were a baby.”

“The earliest I remember is a voyage to that island.” She gestured to a round island a hundred yards offshore. “There’s a tiny beach hidden around the back, where we put out. We rambled all over the place, the whole family, for an hour or so.” She glanced at Rick. “I was really small, maybe four, when I was allowed to try with a kiddie-size paddle.” She set the bow of the canoe on the cobbles and coaxed it down the gentle ramp. “I never asked if you know how to do this?”

“I do.” Rick’s face lit up. “My grandfather and I did a lot of fishing from his canoe when I was a boy. I sat in the bow, and we pretended I knew what I was doing. It wasn’t until he passed that I got serious about canoeing. My mom was really good, and she was a patient teacher. I think it relaxed her to get out on the water once in a while.”

Gwen stood ankle deep in lake water. “Why don’t you sit up front here, and I’ll steer us to Phil’s?” she proposed.

Once Rick was in place with paddle in hand, Gwen shoved off and hopped neatly into the back. She knelt on a scrap of rug on the ribs of the wooden bottom and hauled her paddle from under the crossbars. “Feels like home to have a paddle in my hand,” she told Rick.

“Me, too.” He grinned back at her.

Gwen steered the canoe to the right, and they dug in their paddles.

“Phil’s place is about a half mile from here, the first house we’ll see.” She spotted several level spots on the shore and called them to Rick’s attention. “If we start to sink, they’ll make good landing places.”

“It’s a plan. Haley must be there already. I don’t see her on the path.”

“She knows the paths like the back of her hand, and the way to Phil’s is broad and level because he and I walk it so often. He’s a good friend as well as a good neighbor.”

They paddled in silence for a minute. “Everything all right up there?” Gwen asked.

Rick gave a nod, without saying anything.

She guessed he was thinking about fatherhood and the little boy he was giving up. “I think Haley’s okay with the decision to let the Hahns adopt,” she said, her voice casual.

He gave no response.

“I thought about adopting the baby myself, you know.”

He swiveled toward her in surprise, and the canoe rocked. He turned his face away, but not before she saw tears.
So much pain
.

She went on, “But it’s not the right time for me to have a baby. It’s important to me to have a husband first. And it would get terribly complicated for me to be a mother to Haley’s baby.”

He cleared his throat. “I think you’re right. But you’re going to be an awesome mom, Gwen.”

“Thank you, Rick. From everything I’ve seen the past few days, you’ll be a great dad. When the time is right.” She thought he mumbled, “Thanks.”