The Inn at Misty Lake: Book Two in the Misty Lake Series (26 page)

“No, not tonight.”

“What about Sunday? It’s Easter. You’ll be at my parents’ house, right? We had that planned.”

“I don’t know for sure…”

“Please, Susan? I want to spend some time with you. Promise me you’ll be there on Sunday.”

“I’ll try.” It was the best she could do.

Riley glanced at his watch. “I really need to get going. Are you sure you won’t come with me?”

“No, you go. We’ll talk later.”

Riley moved to hug her and while she hugged him back, it was strained. Riley looked as though he wanted to say more, but just kissed her and left without another word.

Susan watched him leave. She waited five minutes after his truck pulled away before she let herself cry.

30

It took until Easter morning for Sam to convince Susan to go to dinner at the McCabe’s. Susan had told herself she wouldn’t. She didn’t want to face Riley, his son, his family, and most of all, the questions. Even worse was the thought that everyone would try to act as though nothing had changed. She was certain her being there would add to the tension for everyone, but Sam wouldn’t relent and she finally agreed.

They went to the McCabe’s straight from church. Since Lissa wouldn’t let Riley take Ryan to church, arguing that she didn’t want him on display for the whole town to gawk at, Riley had gone to pick him up and Susan found herself with his entire family, except for him.

As she had expected, they all went out of their way to chat with her. They asked about the inn, about her trip to Chicago, about her family, about everything except Riley and his son. Susan was surprised to learn that none of them had yet met the boy. She watched as one after the other, they glanced at the door, out the window, and down the street anxiously waiting for them to arrive.

When they did, Susan was glad she’d let Sam convince her to be there. No matter her feelings, it would have been impossible not to be touched by the scene. When the door opened, the room grew silent. Anna and Sean reached for one another’s hands and held on tightly. Susan saw Anna’s lip began to tremble. Riley’s brothers’ conversation about the start of the baseball season came to a halt. Shauna and Karen, who had been on the floor with Dylan, jumped to their feet, eyes wide. Even Rose and Kate quieted and looked curiously toward the door.

Ryan looked from one person to the next, holding securely to Riley’s hand. When he spotted Susan, he brightened and asked, “Is your dog here?”

“No, sorry. He had to stay home today.”

Anna stepped forward. “Hi, Ryan. I’m glad you’re here.” Susan knew it took everything Anna had not to grab the boy and wrap him in a hug. As it was, she reached a hand out and ran it tenderly over his hair.

“I think there’s something for you in the kitchen, Ryan,” Riley said.

Ryan looked up with interest. “What is it?”

“Well, I didn’t look too closely but it is Easter…”

“You mean the Easter Bunny was here?” Ryan asked skeptically.

“It looked like it. Let’s go check it out.”

Riley led Ryan to the kitchen with most everyone following. Ryan’s eyes grew wide as he spotted the giant Easter basket on the kitchen table.

“Come take a look,” Anna encouraged.

Ryan climbed up on a chair and began unloading the contents. “Can I eat some of these?” he asked, holding up a handful of jellybeans.

“I think that would be okay. It’s Easter after all,” Sean answered as he took in the scene in front of him.

“Whatsis?” Ryan managed with his mouth full of jellybeans.

“It looks like a mini hockey set. My brothers and I had one when we were kids. It’s pretty fun.”

Ryan cocked his head. “You have brothers? I don’t.”

“Yeah, these guys are all my brothers.” Riley pointed at Frank, Joe, and Jake. “And that’s my sister,” he added with a wave in Shauna’s direction.

“I’m Shauna. Can I take a look at your stuff from the Easter bunny?”

“Kay.”

Shauna snuggled in next to Ryan on the chair and began sorting through his basket with him.

Susan watched from a distance. Riley’s family was wrapped up in his son, as they should be, but she felt like an outsider looking in. With Ryan busy with Shauna, Riley went to Susan.

“Happy Easter.”

“Thanks, you too.”

“He seems pretty happy, don’t you think?” Riley asked with a nod toward Ryan.

“I’d say so. Your family, too. Look at your parents.”

Riley looked over to see his mom and dad in an embrace, his mom’s face buried in his dad’s shoulder. When she picked up her head and looked at Sean, both had to wipe away the tears.

“Why isn’t Lissa here?” Susan knew her tone was bitter, but she found she couldn’t mask her feelings.

Riley sighed. “Like I said, she claims she’s not comfortable around my family, or anyone else for that matter, as long as there’s nothing between the two of us.” Susan started to turn away but Riley grabbed her arm. “It’s not like I begged her to come along if that’s what you’re thinking. I don’t have any feelings for her, Susan. You have to believe that.”

“It looks like your son needs you,” Susan answered as she turned again, and this time walked away.

Ryan was struggling to lift the box holding the hockey set and looking around the room. When he spotted Riley he asked, “Can you open this?”

Riley watched Susan walk away from him, his pain apparent. Unable to be two places at once, he headed for Ryan.

“What do you say we get a couple of my brothers and go downstairs and give this game a try?”

Susan wandered into the living room where Rose and Kate were chatting by the window.

“How are you, Susan? How’s that inn of yours coming along?” Kate asked as Susan sat down next to them.

“Very well, thank you. It’s a lot of work, but the changes are incredible. I hope you can both come see it one of these days.”

“That would be nice,” Kate smiled while Rose gazed out the window and didn’t respond.

“What about you, though, how are you? Anna has filled us in on what’s been happening with Riley and his boy. It can’t be easy for you.” Kate patted Susan’s knee and studied her with kind eyes.

“Oh, I’m doing fine.” Susan forced a smile but figured she wasn’t fooling anyone. She needed to change the subject. “Rose, how are you feeling? I know it was a rough winter, are you feeling better now that spring seems to finally be here?”

When Rose didn’t respond, Kate nudged her. “Rosie! Susan asked you how you’re feeling?”

“Fine, fine,” she answered, but determinedly kept her gaze out the window.

“I think she’s still miffed about the new gal at the beauty parlor. Rosie went in for her regular appointment yesterday and someone was filling in for Geri. Rose was angry that no one had told her and that she had to try to explain to someone new how to fix her hair.”

That seemed to get Rose’s attention. “Hmpf,” she snorted. “You’d be miffed too if you had someone named Aphrodite telling you you’ve been mistreating your hair for sixty years. What sort of nonsense is that?”

“Her name was Annalise, not Aphrodite,” Kate corrected.

Rose rolled her eyes. “Regardless, she was a foolish thing, hardly old enough to drive herself to work, and she’s going to tell me what to do with my hair? I don’t think so.”

Susan watched the volley between the sisters and felt herself relax for the first time in days. Dinner preparations continued but when her offer to help was gently brushed aside by Anna and Karen, saying things were well under control, she busied herself playing with Dylan and checking in periodically with Kate and Rose. When the men were called up from the basement and appeared, sweaty, red-faced, and mumbling about penalties and cheap shots, Susan joined the crowd and took her seat at the table.

Dinner was pleasant enough with most of the focus on Ryan. That suited Susan fine. She didn’t feel up to fielding questions. As soon as the meal was over and the dishes washed, she started to look for an excuse to leave. She had insisted on driving knowing Jake would probably drive Sam home anyway, so there was nothing keeping her at the McCabe’s.

Before she could start to make her exit, Rose approached her.

“Susan, I wonder if you’re planning on leaving soon? I’d like to head home and thought maybe you’d be able to give me a ride.”

It wasn’t hard to spot the unease in Rose’s expression and in her voice.

“Aren’t you feeling well?” Susan asked.

Rose shot a quick look around the room before answering. “I’d just like to leave. It’s been a long day.”

“Of course. Let me just say a quick goodbye and grab my purse.”

Susan wasn’t sure what to make of the desperation she was sensing from Rose, but was grateful for a way out without having to dream up an excuse. Riley tried to convince her to stay, but Susan and Rose made a quick exit.

“Would you please walk me in?” Rose asked when they arrived at her apartment building. “Maybe you would like to stay for a cup of tea?”

Curious and more than a little concerned that something was wrong, Susan agreed. Once they were inside and seated with cups of tea in front of them, Rose seemed to become even more agitated. Without saying anything, she got up quickly and disappeared into the bedroom. She returned shortly carrying a small box.

“I’ve been avoiding you since last fall,” Rose admitted. “It wasn’t right.”

“Avoiding me? Why? I hope I didn’t do something to offend you.”

“Oh, no dear, nothing like that. I just wanted to avoid dealing with some things and, in turn, that meant avoiding you. I’m sorry.”

“There’s no need to apologize. Truthfully, I wasn’t aware you were avoiding me specifically. I know you’ve missed some family gatherings, but thought it was just due to the illness that seemed to want to hang on.”

“I’m afraid I used that as an excuse. I was rid of the cold within a week or so…it was the rest that wasn’t so easy to get rid of.”

Susan was utterly confused. “I’m not sure I follow.”

Rose didn’t meet Susan’s eyes, instead stared intently at her hands clasped tightly in her lap. “Of course you don’t, I’m not making any sense.”

“If there’s something I can help you with I will certainly try,” Susan offered, grasping at straws. She was starting to worry and wonder if she should try to contact Anna.

“I’m the one who can help you.” She was silent for what seemed like a long time as she gingerly fingered the box in front of her. “I haven’t opened this in years.”

“What is it?”

Again Rose paused, but then seemed to steel herself and met Susan’s eyes.

“I have something to tell you, Susan.” She took a deep breath. “I’m Rosemary. Charlie’s Rosemary,” she said firmly.

For a brief moment Susan was confused. Then she gasped. Charlie Walker’s true love. Rose was the Rosemary in the journal.

“I…you…you are?”

“It was so many years ago. I’ve done my best not to think about Charlie or those days so when you brought up his name and his journal, it was quite a shock. There aren’t many people left in town who remember Charlie. Certainly no one has mentioned him for a very long time.”

“What happened?” Shocked and fascinated by the information, Susan spoke without thinking and regretted her words. “I’m sorry, that’s none of my business,” she added, hoping Rose would forgive her insensitivity.

“If I didn’t want to answer any of your questions I wouldn’t have brought you here today,” Rose snapped. “I know you’ve been asking around town trying to learn more about Charlie and his family, about the history of the house. I can help you with some of that if you’re still interested. But then I need you to listen to me about something else.”

Unsure and somewhat hesitant, Susan nonetheless nodded her agreement.

“I have a few pictures.” She opened the box and tenderly removed a small stack of faded black and white photos. Susan leaned forward in her chair to get a better look as Rose spread them out on the table.

“A couple of these were taken at his house…your house. Charlie had purchased a camera and loved to play around with it. Here’s one he took of me on the front porch.” Rose smiled nostalgically at the picture. “I remember this dress. It was light pink with a dainty white pattern around the skirt,” she explained as she ran her finger carefully along the hem. “Shoulder pads were popular and, of course, a lady had to wear a belt. Charlie loved me in that dress.”

Susan studied the younger version of Rose, smiling brightly and waving at the camera. She appeared happy and carefree. The porch and front door of the house were visible in the shot. The door was the same but there was an ornate lever and a fancy doorknocker, neither of which were still there. A few wicker chairs sat on the porch along with baskets of flowers. Susan moved her gaze back to the image of Rose.

“You look lovely, and so happy. May I ask what happened?”

“Charlie and I were so much in love and so happy together. He was a year ahead of me in school so after he graduated, he went to work and told me he was going to save up enough money to marry me. We spent as much time together as we could, but I had school and he was working, sometimes out of town.” Rose picked up another picture and stared at it, lost in her thoughts.

“One day, shortly before I was set to graduate, he came to my house unexpectedly. He said we needed to talk. I knew right away something was wrong. We walked and he told me how he had met a girl one night when he had been away working. He apologized, telling me he had made a horrible mistake, but the girl was pregnant. He had only seen her a few times and had forgotten about her, but once she was no longer able to hide the pregnancy from her parents, her father dragged the truth out of her then dragged her to Misty Lake and to the Walkers’ home. He demanded Charlie take responsibility for his actions.”