Finding The Way Back To Love (Lakeside Porches 3) (16 page)

“I am really, really surprised. Why do you think you never had trouble way out there?”

“Having that corkscrew road is a deterrent by itself, I think. And it’s a tight neighborhood. My next door neighbors—Phil on the town side and the Petermans on the other—walk the paths every day watching for anything out of the ordinary, and when the leaves are off the trees in winter, we can see each others’ homes. We all have security systems. Everyone takes security seriously.”

“Good, I’m glad to hear that.”

“It must feel very different from living in a city the size of Syracuse,” she speculated. “Do you like the change?”

“Very much. From the first, even when I interviewed, it felt like I was meant to live here.”

“Like fate?” she asked.

“Like God’s got a plan. And I see what you mean. Already I’ve lost track of how many islands we’ve seen.” He rested his paddle for a moment.

“Did you grow up Catholic?” Gwen asked.

“Yes. You?”

“Episcopalian, mostly. Mom and Dad wanted us to know about the Bible and go to church, but they also wanted us to know about other religions. We sometimes attended services with friends of theirs who were Jewish or Baptist or Quaker. I remember going to a Seder dinner one year at the Jewish family’s home.”

“Your folks were pretty open-minded.”

Gwen set down her paddle. “Yes, and I’m glad for it.” She twisted to face him. “Do you still practice Catholicism?”

“I always meant to.” He hesitated. “Cynthia—my wife, my ex—didn’t have any religious practice, so I was on my own with that. I just fell away gradually. But I still have faith. I don’t think I could do what I do without believing in goodness and truth. How about you?”

“I’m not a churchgoer, but I pray all the time, and I feel very close to God.”

“I can hear in your voice how much prayer and God mean to you.” To keep them on a straight course, he drew the water hard with his paddle and feathered each stroke at the end.

Gwen smiled at him, faced forward, and picked up her paddle. “Yes, they do. That’s one of the reasons I love living on the lake. It’s very spiritual, always changing, like life. Being so close to the islands, there is spectacular beauty. Like our eagle up there. I tune into those moments, and they help me stay positive throughout the day.”

“So being out on the water, the way we are, is not just about exercise?”

“And it’s not just about enjoying the moment.” She glanced back. “It’s about getting to know you better.” Suddenly she switched her paddle to the other side and used it as a brake. “Trouble on the right.”

They had drifted close to a rocky outcropping. While Gwen braked, Peter swept his paddle in a wide arc. The canoe moved forward on a safer path.

“Nice job,” she cheered.

“We’re a good team.”

“And we are deep in the heart of these islands,” she observed. “I’m not sure I’ve ever been here.”

“That happens when you go where the spirit moves,” Peter said.

“I like it.”

“So, what do you think?” he asked her, his tone intimate. “Were you and I fated to meet?”

“I think it’s part of God’s plan for my life,” she answered with a nod, her voice quiet and serious. “What do you think?”

Peter tapped the surface of the water with his paddle. “I think it’s more than coincidence that Haley broke into your house just as Sam and I were coming on duty.” He dug in his paddle again. “The call from your security company came in a few seconds before we left on patrol, and we shouldn’t have gotten the call at all. I checked on it later, and a call like that, outside the city limits, would normally have gone to the Sheriff’s department. No one knows why it worked out the way it did.”

Gwen turned back to face him. “Really?” She grinned. “Your eyes are sparkling.”

Peter’s head jerked up. “He’s flying!”

Together, they watched the eagle lift from the tallest tree and soar with flat wings in a wide arc. “Where’s he going?” Peter asked.

“I don’t know, but I do believe he’ll be back.”

Chapter 8

A black-clad hostess with a cheerful smile seated Gwen and Justin at a table on the porch of the canal-side restaurant. She handed them menus, told them their waiter’s name, and left them in peace. They collapsed in their chairs, barely half an hour after their meeting with the adoption attorney in Rochester. Haley and Rick had begged for twenty minutes to stroll by themselves along the canal path.

“We will be four eventually,” Justin said when the waiter arrived. “Right now we’re dying for iced tea—unsweetened?” He looked to Gwen for confirmation and she nodded.

“Water, too, please,” she added. “And sweet potato fries for two, while we peruse the menu.”

“Outstanding,” Justin agreed. “Unsalted, please.”

“Yes, sir.” The waiter left with a bow.

Gwen set aside the menu and massaged her temples with her fingers. “I can’t think, let alone make a decision.”

Justin’s answering chuckle gave her courage to ask, “How do you think it went?”

“Very well.”

“Elaborate, please.”

“I’m impressed that the legal firm independently verified the Hahns’s financial standing and home environment. Thanks to Haley and Rick’s thorough preparation, their attorney Melinda knows exactly what’s important to them. She’ll now use her expertise to negotiate with the Hahns’s attorney for the best possible agreement.”

“I was so proud of Rick when he pointed out that the most important agreement has already been reached.” Gwen smiled into Justin’s eyes. “The Hahns
will
adopt Baby Forrester Walker and provide a loving, safe environment with the advantages they value.” She ticked them off on her fingers. “Education, engagement in physical activity and sports, support for creativity, and access to nature.” She teared up. “And then Haley said anything else would be a bonus. I wanted to cry, I was so proud of her.”

“At times I thought you and I could have stayed home.” Justin smiled directed Gwen’s attention down the canal path.

Haley, wearing the tailored red dress they’d found at Eastview Mall, stood on the path with Rick behind her, his tie askew, hands on her shoulders. A boy of three or four touched Haley’s belly, under the watchful eye of his very-pregnant mom. The boy giggled and turned around to touch his mom’s belly. The mothers laughed and chatted. As they strolled on, Rick’s hand rested protectively on Haley’s back.

“They’re really okay with this,” Gwen said, hoping it was true.

“Will Haley stay with you for long?”

“I’d like that, but it’s up to her. We haven’t had that conversation. Thank you,” she said as the waiter presented them with a platter of crisp, hot fries and refilled their water glasses. Gwen reached for a sizzling fry and blew on it. She asked Justin, “What comes next with the attorneys? Am I involved after this? Yum, have some of these.”

Justin reached for the longest fry. “As I understand it, the Hahns’s attorney will come to Tompkins Falls with them to meet face-to-face with Rick and Haley’s attorney—probably next week. They’ll negotiate the final agreement, using Rick and Haley’s input, and Melinda will call to explain the results and any next steps. After that, neither of us is involved, but Haley and Rick sign various documents, like the birth certificate, when the parents take the child into their custody.”

“What did you think of Melinda?”

“Very competent attorney. And compassionate. I hope she never loses that quality.”

“Will we meet the Hahns when they’re here?”

“Most definitely. They’ll stay two nights at the Manse. I’ve proposed taking the Hahns, you, Rick, and Haley to the Manse for dinner after the Hahns meet with both attorneys.”

Gwen frowned as she reached for another fry.

“What? You don’t think that’s a good idea?”

“Have the Hahns agreed?”

“Melinda is waiting for the go-ahead from us. I told her I’d pose it to you first.”

“Let me eat lunch first,” she hedged.

“Fair enough.” Justin signaled the waiter for two more menus and iced teas. “I will check in with Gianessa, if you’ll excuse me.”

Haley and Rick passed Justin on their way into the restaurant and spotted Gwen on the porch.

Gwen appraised their faces. Haley’s forehead was smooth, and her mouth curved with a gentle smile. Rick had a worry wrinkle in his forehead and tension in his jaw and cheeks.

“Good walk?” Gwen asked.

Rick answered, “Man, I needed that.”

Haley nodded.

“Are you both okay with what transpired in the attorney’s office?”

Haley opened her eyes wide. “Yes. She gets what we want, and I trust her to represent us with the Hahns’s attorney. Rick?”

Rick nodded. “I’m especially hoping they’ll make a contribution to Haley’s education. Mine is pretty well covered by research monies and scholarships.”

“I agree, it would be a big help for Haley to have tuition support,” Gwen said. “I want both of you to understand, though, that I’ll help Haley in any way she needs, including but not limited to college expenses.”

“But—” Haley started to say. Rick and Gwen both gave her stern looks. She sat back. “Thank you,” she said. Her lower lip quivered.

“First things first,” Gwen said with a smile. “Right now, let’s eat.”

“Where’s Justin gone?”

“He’s checking in with Gianessa.”

“It was nice of him to come with us today,” Haley said, “and to set up the contact with Melinda in the first place.”

Rick cleared his throat. “He’s gone out of his way for us. How can we repay him?”

“There is no need,” Gwen said simply. “Justin is doing this out of generosity and out of gratitude. As a middle-aged man expecting his first children, twins, he’s very touched by your situation, and he’s—” she wobbled her hand “—repaying me.” She smiled at Rick and then at Haley. “Let’s leave it at that, shall we?”

Rick narrowed his eyes and slowly exhaled. His cheeks relaxed. He shifted his jaw back and forth and reached for his iced tea. “Thank you, Gwen.”

“Don’t mention it. I am starved.”

“News flash.” Haley giggled.

Rick grinned.

“This from Haley who’s had at least a dozen fries since she sat down.” Gwen reached for her menu.

Gwen’s Monday morning bike ride brought her to the town end of the park as Peter finished lacing his running shoes. She walked her bike to his bench.

Startled, he greeted her, “Hey, beautiful.”

His big hug took her breath away. She pressed her cheek to his five o’clock shadow and told him, “I love these public displays of affection.”

“What? When did I ever hug you in public?”

“I remember kissing at the end of the willow path not long ago.”

“You liked those kisses, huh?”

“Uh-huh.” Her insides danced at the memory.

His eyes sparkled. “How about I run alongside your bike as far as the parking lot?”

“Let’s do it.”

Once underway they both adjusted their speeds and found their rhythm. “Thanks for leaving that message. I’m glad things went well with the lawyer. I was on the phone with Bree for a long time last evening.”

“How’s she doing?”

“Not well. She’s trying to hold down two jobs, but her lifestyle works against it. Would you be upset if she came to live with me?”

“Of course not. I have Haley, after all. How does Bree feel about moving here?”

“She likes Tompkins Falls, but there’s something she’s not saying about living with me.”

“Any idea what?”

“Other than I’m a son of a gun with a bad temper?”

“Are you?” Gwen was surprised to hear him say it.

“Siblings can bring out the worst in each other, you know?”

Gwen groaned in sympathy. “Bill and I—Haley’s dad—are at each other’s throats when we’re in the same room.”

“Now
that
is out of character.” He moved behind her to let a runner pass.

“For you, too, I think.”

“Anyway, I hope she’ll come and meet some young people who’ll help her think about the future and change her habits. Sara, my dance partner at the chief’s dinner, would be a good influence, and I think they’re about the same age.”

“You really love your sister, don’t you?”

“She’s the most important person in my life, and I feel responsible for her and protective of her. I want the best for her.”

“That goes a long way, Peter.” Gwen smiled over at him. “In the end it’s what wins.”

“God, I hope you’re right. Sometimes when I’m with her I think I’ll be the world’s worst parent. Helping out with Haley and Rick has given me a totally different perspective on parenting. There may be hope for me yet.”

Gwen took the plunge. “Did you and your wife plan to have kids?”

“No, I was game, but she said she didn’t want any. I respected her wishes.” He laughed hollowly. “But after she filed for divorce, the next time I saw her, which was only a month later, she was five months pregnant. Not by me.”

“I’m sorry, Peter.”

“Thanks, but it helped me get over losing her. Until I saw her pregnant I’d been broken-hearted. After that, I was just pissed. I had been seeing a police trauma counselor about the shooting, and he told me that all the negative energy could either destroy me or, if I turned it around, could push me through my physical therapy.”

“Good way to think about it.” She gave him a warm smile and reached out a hand. “I’m glad you got away from old business after you healed. Glad you came to Tompkins Falls.”

“Same here. What are you doing today?”

“I have clients from ten until four. Otherwise, I haven’t given it a moment’s thought.”

“Want to take the canoe out?”

“I would love to, but I’m meeting a woman friend at seven-thirty. Come for supper?”

“Got a better idea. I’ll come by at five, and we can have burgers at Ralphs.”

“You are a wicked man, Peter Shaughnessy. Ralphs is my downfall.”

“The fries?” he teased. “The milk shakes?”

“You’re killing me, Peter.”

They had reached the parking lot at the one-mile point on the willow path. Peter said, “I’ll stop teasing if you’ll accept the invitation.”

“Done.”

The attorneys locked in their meeting with the Hahns for Wednesday in Tompkins Falls. After a round of phone calls that had Justin chuckling about “the insanity of pending parenthood,” the Hahns agreed to his dinner proposal. However, Laura Hahn insisted on a private dinner with just Gwen, while Helmud would join the men and Haley at the Manse Grille.

Justin added, “Gwen, honestly, I don’t know why she wants to speak with you and only you, but if you’re willing, let’s go with it.”

“Anything for the cause,” she agreed.

She was a little apprehensive about her private session with Laura Hahn, but she was much more concerned about how she, Haley, and Rick would occupy themselves Wednesday afternoon while they waited for Melinda to phone with the results of the big meeting. Haley and Rick, she knew, were sweating the details.

Baking cookies was getting old, and there was no need to fix dinner. Gwen would prefer to get them all exercising, but what could all three of them do that wouldn’t exhaust Haley?

The answer confronted her when she arrived home with her bicycle Wednesday morning. There in the center of the garage floor was the mound of grit, bugs, and leaves deposited by the canoe when she and Peter had hauled it down from the rafters. Nearby, an empty bottle of Murphy’s and old rags from the furniture cleanup, lay wherever they’d been tossed—in pails, on boxes, and hanging from tools. All around her was abundant evidence that she habitually neglected her garage until the first snowfall, when it was time to park the Range Rover under cover.

“Hey, gang,” she said over breakfast. “I could use your help this afternoon to straighten out that garage.”

Rick smirked.

“Oh, did you notice it’s a mess?”

He laughed. “Primo project, Gwen, and we’ll be glad to help. Haley, if you’d rather not get down and dirty, maybe you could keep us in iced tea and sustenance.”

“I’m on it.”

Gwen squinted at them. “What am I missing?”

Haley giggled.

“We were going to offer to do it today to keep ourselves from going crazy,” Rick confessed. “We figured we’d be plenty busy and still be close to your phone. Having you supervise will make it a lot easier.”

“You guys,” Gwen said. “You’re the best.

When Melinda’s call came at three that afternoon, the garage was ship-shape. Rick, fresh from the shower, was foraging in the refrigerator for a snack. Haley was napping on the lakeside porch and Gwen was in her bedroom rummaging through her closet for the right thing to wear to dinner with Laura Hahn.
Competent but non-threatening. Why are all my clothes some shade of neutral?

Rick snatched up the receiver and shouted for them to join him in the kitchen.

“Melinda, it’s Rick. We’ll all get on speaker in a second. Gwen and Haley are racing from the far corners of the house.”

“Hi, Rick,” Melinda said with laugh. “It’s all good, no need to worry.”

Rick squeezed his eyes shut and swallowed hard.

Seeing his anguish, Gwen took the phone from his hands, moved it to the island, and punched the speaker button.

Haley circled Rick’s waist with her arm and drew him to the island.