Windward Secrets (6 page)

“Thank you, but no.” Pointing to the bag he said, “I brought food and Ike’s bowls. You won’t have any trouble with him.”

The screen door opened and Jill walked out wearing a soft, flowing, floral dress that reached just below her knees. She had a simple, gold chain around her neck and gold, hoop earrings. On her feet she wore strappy, heeled sandals. Her hair was shiny and curly. Anyone who didn’t know her wouldn’t recognize the signs that she had tried to straighten her hair without success. She wore a little eye makeup and just a touch of lipstick. With her newly, acquired tan she looked young and lovely.

Drew’s eyes sparkled. “You look beautiful, Jill.”

Jill blushed and reached for his hand. “Thank you.”

“What time will you be home?” Claire inquired, sounding almost rude.

“No clue. Don’t wait up,” Jill said, with a wink.

Leading the way down the steps Drew looked over his shoulder and smiled. “Nice meeting you.”

Opening the passenger door, Drew helped Jill into the car and then walked to the driver’s side and got in. He backed slowly out of the drive and Jill waved as they drove down the road.

“Did you see that?” Claire said, rocking faster. “He opened the car door for her. Nobody does that any more, not even Spence.”

“Claire you are acting like the mother of a sixteen year old going out on her first date,” Diane said. “I think he’s nice.”

“Me too,” Caroline added.

“I take the fifth,” Claire said, taking a long drink of lemonade.

“Why don’t we head into town and see what the special is at Blackbeard’s. Maybe there’s music.” Diane stood up and stretched.

“Great idea,” Caroline said, collecting the pitcher and glasses on a bright yellow, plastic tray.

“What do we do with Ike?” Claire asked, holding the screen door open for Caroline.

“We’ll leave him in the house. He’ll be fine.”

***

At Blackbeard’s, the special was fried clam sandwiches with coleslaw and French fries. Claire and Diane opted for the special and Caroline chose a Cobb salad. They were disappointed there was no live music, but there was an old jukebox they loaded with quarters and stacked with their favorite oldies.

“Gosh, it’s strange without Jill, isn’t it,” Claire observed.

“It is,” Caroline agreed. “Do you think it will turn into anything with Drew?”

“Too early to tell, but if he’s as nice as he seems I hope it does,” Diane offered.

“Diane, what about you?” Claire asked. “Isn’t there anyone special?”

“Interesting that you asked that Claire. Listening to Jill talk about Drew has me thinking. There is a friend who has been there for me for quite a while. He does the occasional, odd job around the house and when I need an escort for a special event he goes with me.”

Lowering her fork, Caroline asked, “Really? You’ve never mentioned anyone. What’s his name?”

“Ed. I’ve never really thought of him in any way other than just a friend. Now, I’m wondering if I’ve missed something, and if I’ve been taking advantage of him.”

“If he’s been hanging around this long, you really need to take a closer look,” Claire said.

“You know, I think I will.” Claire took a sip of iced tea and smiled with a faraway look in her eyes.

“Maybe our vacations are going to turn into couples vacations,” Claire thought, out loud.

“Don’t count on it,” Caroline said, a little too quickly.

Changing the subject, Claire asked, “do either of you find it strange that wall-eyed Wendell turned up at the house so fast and knew where the bathroom was?”

“Not really,” Diane said, putting down her glass. “This is the slow season, and he probably has been in that house lots of times. Old houses always need repairs.”

“Well, I think I’ll ask some questions at the real estate office, and let them know about the missing panties.”

Caroline looked up from her salad. “Although I am totally convinced you’re paranoid Claire, I do think his behavior was strange and should be reported. What if there had been children in the house? You can’t be too careful these days.”

“I agree,” Diane added. “I just wish you didn’t have to mention my underwear.”

***

Back at Windward Cottage the women found Ike curled up on the braided rug in front of the fireplace. He lifted his head and then placed it back down on his crossed paws.

“Some watchdog,” Claire declared.

“It’s too cold to go to the roof, how about some cards?” Caroline asked, taking off her sweater.

Claire closed and locked the door and started up the stairs. “I’m going to change into my pajamas, what about you two?”

Ike got up from his rug and followed Claire up the stairs.

Dressed in pajamas and bathrobes they gathered around the game table and Diane started to shuffle the cards. “What are we playing?”

“Hearts?” Caroline suggested.

“Works for me,” Claire agreed. “Why is this dog sitting beside me?”

Knowing how she felt about dogs Diane and Caroline were amused.

“He loves you,” Caroline said. “Animals seem to want to win over people when they know they don’t like them.”

“It’s not that I don’t like him, I just don’t love dogs. I never had one.”

“I do feel safer with him here, don’t you?” Caroline asked.

Claire reached down and patted Ike’s head. “Actually, I do and I think he’s already growing on me.”

After a few hands of hearts Claire yawned and pushed her chair away from the table. “It’s been a long day. I’m going upstairs to read. Are you going to wait up for Jill?”

Diane looked at Caroline and shrugged her shoulders. “If we’re up, we’re up, or not. She’s a big girl.”

Ike started to follow Claire to the stairs when she said, “No Ike. Stay.” pointing to the rug near the fireplace. Ike lowered his head and slowly walked to the rug and laid down. “Look at that, he listened,” Claire said.

***

Once in bed, Claire opened her book and started to read. She had only read a few chapters when she heard Diane and Caroline moving around on the floor below. A few more chapters and her eyes started to close. The book slowly lowered to her chest and she fell asleep only to be interrupted by a bad dream. She felt cold, it was dark and raining. There was little girl with curly, blonde hair standing at the foot of her bed reaching toward her. Claire felt the sweat of fear soaking the mattress. She shook her head and tried to wipe the rain off her face but it kept getting wet. The little girl looked directly at her and whispered, “Help me.”

Frightened by the dream, Claire rubbed her eyes and finally opened them. Two, big, brown eyes and a black nose were only inches from her face. It wasn’t a little girl, it was a dog. And, the rain was Ike licking her face. One more lick and she was wide awake. He was standing next to the bed nudging her with his nose.

“Geez Ike. You startled me. Do you have to go out?” She would swear the dog nodded his head yes so she got up and felt around for her flip flops and robe. Searching the bed she could not find her book. ‘Must have fallen under the bed. I’ll get it later.’

Jill was snoring in the other bed.

I should wake her and make her take him out. After all, he’s more her dog
, Claire thought, indignantly.

“The sun’s not even up you crazy mutt. Come on, I think your timing stinks,” she moaned, glancing out the window.

Ike followed Claire to the kitchen where she opened the door and let him out. “Am I supposed to go with you or what?” she asked Ike as he brushed passed her. “Oh darn, what if he runs away. Ike, come.” Ike immediately returned to her. Taking the belt off her robe she slipped it through his collar and walked onto the porch and down to the beach holding onto the belt tightly.

“I can’t believe I’m walking a stranger’s dog in the middle of the night. This is insane.” She proceeded to lecture Ike on having more consideration and timing his needs better. When she was sure he had taken care of business she turned him back toward the house. The sky was turning the color of a ripe eggplant, with a faint gold arc at the horizon, fading upward in a halo promising daylight. Claire could see the glint of the white caps. Taking a deep breath she smelled the salt air and listened to the sound of the waves hitting the beach. Ike moved closer and rubbed against her leg as they walked. Involuntarily, Claire reached down and scratched his head. The calm of her first day sitting on the porch returned and she soon reveled in the solitude.

Watching the stars disappear into the morning sky Claire glanced toward the house. Someone was on the roof. “Look at that Ike. I think Caroline is painting the sunrise.”

Claire fed Ike, started the coffee then went up the stairs. Ike followed closely behind. When they passed the locked room Ike stopped and sniffed around the door. Lifting his right front foot he pawed at the door.

“No, Ike. We can’t go in there.”

Claire could hear Jill still snoring and quietly worked her way to her bed. Sitting down on the side of the bed to remove her flip-flops she sat on something hard. Reaching back she felt her book.
Hmmm, where did that come from? It wasn’t there when I left
she thought.

Ike nuzzled her hand and she laid the book on the bedside table.

“Lay down and be quiet,” she whispered, patting Ike’s head.

Chapter Five

Tuesday

Claire came out of the bathroom to find Ike sitting at the door. “Are you my shadow or what?”

Ike moved to the locked room and whined softly.

“What is it you like about that room,” Claire said, trying the door handle. “See. Locked. Now come.”

Claire entered the empty kitchen and poured herself a cup of coffee. She was bothered by the dream and couldn’t help wondering if her daughters were okay. They were certainly older than the child in her dream, but the little girl reminded her of them when they were small. Going to the parlor she retrieved her cell phone from her handbag and hit the speed dial number for Spence.

“Hi hun,” Spence answered, recognizing Claire’s number on the caller ID.

“Good morning. You at work?”

“Yup, been here an hour already.” There was a pause and then Spence asked, “Everything okay?”

“I had a strange dream last night and just wanted to make sure you and the girls were okay.”

“We’re good, but what about you? You don’t usually call when you go away.”

“I’m fine, Spence, really. The dream just bothered me.”

“You sure?”

“Yes. Yes. I’m sure. Give the girls my love and I’ll see you Saturday.”

“Bye, love.

As Claire returned to the kitchen, voices drifted in from the back porch through the open windows and screen door.

“Good morning all,” Claire said, holding the door open for Ike.

“Looks like it’s going to be a beautiful day,” Diane said.

“How was the sunrise Caroline?” Claire asked.

Caroline looked up from her coffee in surprise. “I don’t know. Why would you ask that?”

“I saw you on at the widow’s walk when I took Ike out before dawn.”

“Not me,” Caroline said. “Claire, are you okay?”

Jill and Diane turned toward Claire and waited.

“Yes, I feel fine. Ike had to go out. I went with him because I was afraid he’d run off. I saw you up on the roof and thought you were waiting to paint the sunrise.”

“No… honestly Claire, I didn’t go up on the roof this morning. I was in bed.”

“Do you remember the first night we were here? We thought we saw someone up on the roof that time too. It’s probably some kind of an optical illusion caused by the changing light,” Jill interceded.

“But it was nearly light and I could see clearly,” Claire responded. “It was a woman standing at the edge of the railing looking toward the sun.”

Claire looked at Diane and Jill. “Were either of you up there this morning?”

Jill and Diane slowly shook their heads.

Claire sat down in a rocker. “I’m starting to get those strange feelings again. And, I had a very strange dream of a little girl in our room.”

“I didn’t see anyone,” Jill said.

“Jill, you were snoring so loud you couldn’t have seen or heard anything,” Claire retorted. “Did you put my book on my bed?”

“What book? I never saw a book.”

“I fell asleep when I was reading. I couldn’t find the book before I took Ike out, but when we came back the book was on the bed.”

“Claire,” Diane said, softly. “I think maybe you were overtired and just didn’t see the book. You were pretty stressed yesterday.”

Claire sat quietly and looked at her friends. “Do you think I’m losing my mind?”

“No,” Diane said, delicately. “I just think you were tired and upset from that strange encounter with Wendell.”

Claire let out a nervous giggle. “That was weird, wasn’t it? Don’t let me forget to call the realtor today and complain about that little weasel.”

“I whipped up some pancake batter,” Jill said, getting up from her chair. “Let’s have breakfast.”

“Aren’t you walking with Drew this morning?” Caroline inquired.

“We were out so late we decided to walk later.”

Diane, Claire, and Caroline looked at each other and winked.

“Just exactly how late is late?” Diane asked.

“Late enough that you were all asleep, and it’s for me to know and you to find out!” Jill laughed.

Jill served a filling breakfast of blueberry pancakes and sausage.

“You cooked, Jill. We’ll clean up,” Caroline said, getting up and gathering plates.

“Thanks. I need to take Ike back to Drew.”

“Do you think we can have Ike again tonight?” Claire asked.

“I thought you didn’t like him,” Jill said, tilting her head to one side and raising her eyebrows.

“Well, he does grow on you. I felt more comfortable last night, didn’t the rest of you?”

“Actually, yes,” Diane said.

Caroline nodded in agreement.

“Okay. I’ll ask Drew. Come, Ike.”

Ike, who had been sitting beside Claire, laid down on the floor and looked up at Jill with sad eyes thumping his tail on the floor.

“Ike come,” Jill repeated, more sternly. “Geez, Claire what have you done to him. He doesn’t want to go home.”

“I didn’t do anything. I don’t know why he likes me so much.”

Claire got up, went to the screen door. “Ike. Come.”

Slowly, Ike got to his feet and ambled to the door with his head down.

Claire reached down and lifted his head up. “It’s okay, sweetie. We’ll see you later.”

Jill gathered Ike’s bowls and food, and pushed the screen door open. “I’ll be back shortly.”

Caroline scraped the remnants of food off the plates into the trash can and Diane filled the sink with hot soapy water while Claire called the realtor.

“So,” Diane asked, when Claire returned to the kitchen. “What did they say?”

“Exactly what you would expect. They have never had any complaints about Wendell in the past.”

“And you said?” Caroline asked.

“I said he was a pervert and he had just not been caught before.”

“That was it?” Diane inquired, suspiciously.

“Well, not quite. I suggested they keep an eye on him before he did something really serious. I officially put them on notice that we better not see him around here again.”

Caroline laughed. “Now, that’s our girl. No nonsense Claire.”

In the background, Claire was sure she heard the old red truck rattle by the house.

***

“What are we going to do today?” Diane asked.

“Let’s get the map and go for a bike ride,” Claire suggested.

“I’d like to go somewhere scenic to draw,” Caroline added.

Claire looked at Caroline. “Is a lighthouse scenic enough for you?”

“Perfect.”

By the time Jill returned from Drew’s, a lunch was packed and a route mapped out to a lighthouse on the tip of the peninsula.

“Come on Jill, we’re going on an adventure. Get your sunblock,” Diane said, pulling a ball cap over her short hair.

“Oh Lord, do you think I can make it that far,” Jill asked, looking at the map.

“Sure. It’s not as far as it looks,” Claire said. “We used to ride our bikes there all the time when we were kids. Besides, you should be in pretty good shape from all of your walking on the beach.”

“You have been walking, right?” Caroline asked, with a grin.

“Oh, please, of course. Don’t be silly,” Jill said, flushing red from her neck to her hairline.

“What about Ike for tonight?” Claire interrupted.

“It’s fine,” Jill answered. “I hope you don’t mind, I invited Drew to dinner tonight to thank him for last night and for letting us borrow Ike.”

“His dog’s nice, so he can’t be that bad,” Claire said, poking Jill in the ribs. “But, Drew’s not allowed on the roof. That’s our special place.”

***

It was a gradual, uphill ride to the lighthouse. Red faced and legs burning the women couldn’t get off their bikes fast enough. Caroline promptly found a shady spot among a cluster of scrub pines where she had the best view of the lighthouse.

Claire, Diane, and Jill set off to explore. The lighthouse sat on a high cliff overlooking the Atlantic. Only a rickety, split rail fence kept sightseers from falling over the sixty foot drop to the rocks below.

“Whew, kind of makes you dizzy doesn’t it?” Jill said, peering over the cliff edge.

“Jill, get back. That fence wouldn’t hold a bird let alone one of us,” Diane said, pulling the back of her friend’s shirt.

Closer inspection of the lighthouse revealed a sign on the door stating the lighthouse was open for tours on weekends only.

“Darn. We’ll miss seeing the view from the top,” Claire said, standing back and looking up with her hand shading her eyes.

“Maybe another year,” Diane offered.

Claire turned. “Would you really come back here?”

“Sure. I think it’s great. I love the sea, the beach, and the peace and quiet.”

“What about you Jill?”

“Yes. I like it too, especially since it’s off-season and there are no crowds.”

Diane walked around snapping pictures with her iPhone while Jill and Claire joined Caroline in the shade. When the time came to return to Windward Cottage they packed up the bikes and started the journey back.

“Thank God, it’s mostly downhill,” Jill squealed, as she pushed off stretching her legs out from the pedals and coasted away from the lighthouse.

***

Caroline and Diane set the picnic table in the yard for dinner. Claire prepared a peach cobbler while Jill marinated steaks, put potatoes in the oven, and cleaned asparagus.

Drew and Ike arrived promptly at six o’clock. Ike ignored Drew’s commands to heel and ran to Claire sitting down directly in front of her waiting for her greeting.

“Well, hello there Ike,” she said, bending down and roughing his jowls with both hands.

Drew handed Diane the bottle of wine he had been carrying and turned to Claire.

“This isn’t going to work you know.”

Claire froze not knowing what she had done to offend Drew. “Excuse me?”

“My dog appears to like you better than me.”

Claire grinned, “You have nothing to worry about. It’s only puppy love.” Then with emphasis she added, “WE’LL be gone at the end of the week, so no more puppy love.”

“His heart will be broken,” Drew said, leaning down to pet the top of Ike’s head letting Claire’s comment pass without a response.

Diane returned from the kitchen with wine glasses. Drew uncorked the wine and filled the glasses. Jill grilled the steaks and asparagus to perfection. “Let’s eat everyone,” she announced, arranging the meat and vegetables on a large platter.

In spite of Claire’s earlier feelings toward Drew, she found herself warming toward him during dinner. He seemed genuine and appeared to care for Jill.
Ah, probably just the wine getting to me
she thought to herself. The shriek of the oven timer brought her out of her trance and she quickly untangled herself from the picnic table bench and ran toward the house with Ike at her heels.

“What is with that dog,” Jill asked.

“I have no idea,” Drew replied. “He has never taken to anyone like he has to Claire.”

Claire returned with the hot cobbler and made an exaggerated presentation setting it down quickly as it started to burn her hands through the worn oven mitts. “Ouch! Hot! Hot! We almost had cobbler a la sand.”

Caroline, Diane, and Claire took the dirty dishes to the kitchen and returned with clean bowls and vanilla ice cream.

“Oh, wow,” Drew said. “I haven’t had cobbler since my mother died. This is a real treat.”

Diane pulled her phone from her back pocket. Let’s look at the pictures I took at the lighthouse today. She passed the phone to Jill. “Looks good, Diane. Nice work.” 

“Look at this shot of the waves hitting the rocks below the lighthouse,” Jill said, passing the phone to Claire.

Claire took the phone and studied the photo. Advancing through the pictures, Claire stopped at another picture and squinted her eyes. Reaching over the table she pointed to the photo and asked, “Diane, what’s this in the background?”

Diane looked where Claire was pointing and then took the phone to get a better look. “Holy crap,” she said, slowly. “That looks like a red truck in the trees behind Caroline.

Caroline quickly reached for the phone. “What? Let me see that.”

Jill looked over Caroline’s shoulder to see the object of interest. “Sure looks like Wendell’s truck,” she said, looking at Claire.

“You three left me alone with that pervert?” Caroline declared.

“We didn’t know he was there; if it is his truck,” Diane responded.

“Maybe it wasn’t him. There’s certainly more than one red pickup,” Jill interceded.

Drew reached for the phone. “Who are you talking about?”

Caroline handed the phone to Drew holding her finger on the spot in question.

Drew looked at the photo. “I see a red spot, but can’t be sure what it is.”