Zero Visibility (16 page)

Cassie studied her for a beat as she took a bite of her donut. Even in the firelight, Emerson could feel her eyes. “Why do you do that?” Cassie asked.

“Do what?”

“Shrug off your fame. This town loved you. They still do. You’re a hometown hero.”

“I’m a hometown failure.”

Cassie shook her head, turned back toward the haunted house, “Only in your own eyes,” she said softly. Emerson stared at her, but Cassie waited her out, and Emerson looked away without comment.

The kids came running to them, saving any further discussion. Zack was pumped. “Wow! That was awesome!” he claimed. “I saw Jeremy and David in there, too. And there was this mummy with blood on his mouth. And Leatherface with a chainsaw.”

“How do you know who Leatherface is?” Cassie asked, shocked. “You’re
nine
.”

Zack shrugged and went on describing the various scares. “Can I go through again? Can I?” Cassie nodded and he was off like a shot. Izzy, meanwhile, was very quiet, and slipped her hand into Cassie’s, leaning close. Gordie sat next to her and she pet his head absently.

“Iz? You okay, honey?” Izzy nodded, but said nothing. Cassie squatted down to meet her wide blue eyes. “Was that too scary?” Emerson heard Cassie ask quietly so as not to embarrass the girl. At Izzy’s nod, Cassie wrapped her up in a hug and kissed the top of her head. “No worries, baby. Gordie won’t let any monsters get you. Right, Gordie?”

On cue, Izzy looked at the dog and he promptly bathed her face in kisses until she giggled and squealed his name.

Cassie stood up, glanced at Emerson, and muttered, “My sister’s going to kill me.”

Before Emerson could reply, a woman called Cassie’s name and hurried up to them. She was plump and blonde, her dimpled face open and friendly. “I just wanted you to know…oh, I’m sorry. Am I interrupting? Look at me, just barging in like a bull in a china shop.” She giggled. “I’m so sorry.”

“No, no problem at all,” Cassie said. “Ginny Chatsworth, this is my friend Emerson Rosberg.”

“Oh,” Ginny said, her eyes widening in recognition as she held out her hand. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m so sorry about your mother. She was a fixture around here. Really nice woman.”

“Thank you,” Emerson said as she shook hands. “I appreciate that.”

“Anyway, Cassie, I just wanted you to know those skates are perfect. Jordan is ridiculously happy with them.”

Cassie tilted her head and raised her eyebrows. “You need to learn to trust me, Ginny. I would never steer you wrong.” To Emerson, she explained, “Ginny’s daughter plays hockey on the team I help coach.”

“I learned my lesson,” Ginny promised. “I’ll never doubt you again. Well, I’ve got to go find my other kids. I think they’re on their third trip through the haunted house. Nice to meet you, Emerson.”

“Wow,” Emerson commented as she watched Ginny hurrying away. “Did she take a breath? At all?”

“She rarely does,” Cassie said. “I’d like half her energy. That’s all I need. Really. Just half. I’d be okay with that.”

They met each other’s gaze and smiled.

Cassie looked down at her niece, still cuddling Gordie. “Iz, do you want the rest of my donut?”

“Okay.” Izzy took the offered pastry and immediately shared it with the dog.

Cassie closed her eyes and sighed.

The second half of the walk around the lake went much like the first, though the kids had begun to slow their pace. Emerson was still cold, but she was also surprised by how much she was enjoying Cassie’s company, so she was willing to make the sacrifice. They stopped in front of a brightly lit house and watched the kids run up the driveway as three others came down. Cassie glanced at Emerson and furrowed her brows.

“What?” Emerson said, catching the look.

“Your ears are red.” Before Emerson could comment, Cassie took off one glove, reached up, and grabbed Emerson’s ear between her fingers. “You’re freezing. You should’ve worn a hat or something. Here.” Cassie took the bright yellow fleece band off her own head and, over Emerson’s protests, stood on her toes to put it on her. “Stay still,” she ordered, tugging and fixing until it was on correctly. It was warm from Cassie’s own body heat, and Emerson felt it immediately. Cassie dropped her hands from Emerson’s head, but let them linger on her shoulders, their faces mere inches apart. “Better?” Cassie asked softly.

Emerson swallowed and nodded, and they stayed that way for a long moment. Finally, Emerson cleared her throat and said, “But what about you? Now your ears will get cold.”

Cassie made a face, let herself down off her toes. “I’m used to this weather. You, on the other hand, are a lightweight.” She gave Emerson’s shoulders a squeeze, then stepped back as the kids came down the driveway, much less exuberant than an hour ago. “You guys getting tired?”

Izzy nodded. Zack looked reluctant to admit it, though it was obvious. Their bags were fat and bulging with candy.

“I think you’ve got enough treasure there to last until Easter,” Emerson commented.

Cassie pulled her phone from her pocket. “Let’s keep walking, and I’ll text your mom that we’re just about done. Okay? She’ll meet us.”

Fifteen minutes later, a minivan slowed to a stop on the road next to them and the passenger side window hummed down. “Hey, anybody want a ride?” Emerson glanced over at the woman in the driver’s seat who was the spitting image of Cassie. Her face was a bit rounder and her hair a couple inches shorter, but other than that, they looked like twins.

“Mommy!” Izzy cried and bounced on her toes. She held up her bag. “Look!”

The side door of the van slid open, and the kids piled in. Cassie glanced at Emerson, her voice low, her eyes warm. “Do you want a ride back? Or do you want to keep walking?”

Emerson’s knee was aching steadily. She’d be limping in a matter of minutes. But the idea of another twenty minutes alone with Cassie was much more appealing than a ride in a minivan of kids and being dropped off at her door. “I’m fine to keep walking, but it’s up to you.” The smile Cassie gave her was all the proof she needed that she’d made the right decision.

As if reading their minds, Chris said, “Do you guys want a ride?” She ducked her head a bit and added, “You must be Emerson. Hi. I’m Chris. Sister of the rude chick standing next to you who neglected to introduce us.”

Emerson laughed and lifted a hand in greeting. “Nice to meet you.”

“We’re going to walk, Chris,” Cassie answered. “Thanks, though.”

“What do you guys say to Aunt Cassie?” Chris tossed over her shoulder at the kids in the back seat.

“Thanks, Aunt Cassie,” they said in unison.

Izzy climbed back out of the van, held up her arms for Cassie, who gave her a big hug. In return, the girl handed her another mini Snickers. She hugged Gordie and kissed the top of his head. Then she moved a step over and held her arms up to Emerson.

Shocked, Emerson glanced at Cassie’s smiling face before bending down and hugging the girl tightly. “Thanks for letting me trick-or-treat with you,” she said quietly.

“You’re welcome,” Izzy whispered. Then she climbed back into the van and buckled herself into her booster seat. As the kids waved, the door slid shut, and Chris drove them away.

Cassie took a big breath and blew it out. “Alone at last,” she said, then looked away quickly at Emerson’s raised eyebrows. “How are you doing? Warm enough?”

“I’m good.”

Cassie unwrapped the candy, and as before, bit off half of it and gave the other half to Emerson. Then she tucked her hand into the crook of Emerson’s arm, and they began walking, keeping their pace slow, as if neither of them wanted the evening to end. Their shoulders rubbed. Emerson tightened her arm to her side, securing Cassie’s hand there. Even Gordie strolled along easily.

“Thanks for coming with me tonight,” Cassie said. “I hope it wasn’t too boring.”

“It wasn’t boring at all,” Emerson said and meant it. “I’m glad you asked me. Even if my ears did almost freeze off.”

Cassie barked a laugh and pushed against her. “You were ill-prepared, Ms. Rosberg, and you know it. You need to come by my store and get yourself some proper cold-weather gear if you plan to hang around here much longer.” She was quiet for a beat before adding, “Do you? Plan to hang around?” Then she quickly put up her hand. “No. No, don’t answer that. It isn’t my business. I just…” Cassie swallowed, looked out at the lake. “I’m just having a good time is all.” She seemed to be struggling with something more she wanted to say, but she kept quiet and continued walking.

“I’ve had a great time, too,” Emerson told her, aware that she’d started to favor her left leg, but hoping Cassie didn’t notice.

She did.

“Emerson, your leg.” Cassie stopped walking, turned and looked up at her. “You’re limping.”

Emerson shrugged. “It happens. I’m fine.”

“You’re not fine. You’re
limping
. I kept you out too long and made you walk too far in the cold. I’m so sorry. You should have said something.” She pulled out her phone. “I’ll text my sister and get her back here to drive us.”

Her concern was touching, and Emerson grasped her arm. “Cassie.” She waited until Cassie made eye contact. “I’m fine. It’s okay. It happens often. It just means it’s time for me to sit soon. You didn’t
make
me do anything. I’m a big girl. All right?”

Cassie didn’t look convinced, but she said, “All right. But let’s get you home and put that leg up.”

“I like that plan.”

“Here. Lean on me.” She took Emerson’s arm and draped it over her own shoulders. She held Emerson’s bare hand with her gloved one. Her other arm wrapped around Emerson’s waist, Gordie’s leash held loosely in that hand, and they stayed that way for the rest of the trek, stepping in tandem, moving almost as one entity. They walked slowly. It was obvious Emerson was consciously trying to keep her full weight
off
Cassie, but neither of them said anything. And neither of them moved away.

By the time they approached the walkway that led down to The Lakeshore Inn, Emerson was limping pretty good and trying to clench her jaw without drawing Cassie’s attention. They walked slowly down the sidewalk, passing by the main building, tossing a wave to a couple staying in one of the second floor rooms who was out on their balcony watching the water. Cassie stayed very close, still holding Emerson’s hand, keeping Emerson’s arm around her, ready to catch any stumble or break any fall that might occur. Gordie trailed slightly behind them, as if understanding that getting stepped on or fallen on was a possibility.

At the door, they stopped. Emerson faced Cassie and spoke quietly. “I really had so much fun tonight.”

“In spite of your aching knee?” Cassie asked hopefully, keeping her hands on Emerson’s arms, maintaining contact, much to Emerson’s delight.

“In spite of my aching knee.” Emerson glanced out at the lake, searching for words. She wet her lips and looked back at Cassie. “Truly. I would’ve just stayed here alone and…” With a shrug, she said simply, “This was so much better. Goblins and ghosts and…thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” Cassie whispered.

They stood like that, face to face, Cassie’s hands still on Emerson’s arms, for what seemed like minutes, but was probably mere seconds. Emerson’s senses were suddenly on overload, everything felt…bigger. The brisk air, the gentle lapping of the water, the hushed whispers of the balcony couple who were no longer visible, the feel of Cassie’s warm breath on her face, smelling like chocolate, the comforting weight of Cassie’s hands on her arms. Before she realized it, she was leaning in slightly as Cassie slowly raised up on her tiptoes. Her eyes drifted closed, as did Emerson’s…

The sound of the door pulling open was like a gunshot, and it startled the two of them so much they each jumped. Even Gordie woofed in surprise.

“There you are,” a woman said from inside Emerson’s cottage. Cassie and Emerson each blinked at her as she held up a cell phone and tilted it back and forth in her hand as she looked at Emerson. “It doesn’t help you to have this if you don’t take it with you, sweetie. I tried to call.”

“Claire.” It was all Emerson could manage. She was completely taken aback. What the hell was Claire doing here? It took all her strength not to rudely ask the question out loud.

“Hi, baby.” Claire leaned forward and pecked Emerson’s lips with her own. Emerson felt Cassie stiffen, then take a subtle step to her right. Away from Emerson. “God, it’s freezing out here. You didn’t tell me this place got so cold so early in the season, Em. Come in so I can close the door before we all catch pneumonia.”

Emerson turned her eyes to Cassie, who took another small step away and looked at the ground.

“We’ve got to get going,” Cassie said, too loudly. She nodded down at Gordie, who was sitting politely and waiting for this new person to notice him.

“Are you sure? Would you like to come in for a drink?” Emerson was nothing if not a good hostess, and there was an internal battle going on in her head. Part of her wanted Cassie to stay. A big part. The rest of her wanted to get Cassie as far away from Claire as possible. Immediately.

“No, thanks. I’m good.” Cassie was already backing away. “Get inside and get off that leg, okay?”

Emerson nodded. “I will.” Claire had gone quiet behind her.

Cassie inclined her head once. “Okay. So.” The silence grew, and she finally cleared her throat and said simply, “Goodnight.” Then she turned and hurried up the walkway, Gordie trotting along next to her. Emerson watched until they were out of sight, continued to stare after them until Claire called her name. Then she closed her eyes, counted slowly to five, and went inside.

“Who was that?” Claire asked. “You didn’t even introduce me.”

“What are you doing here?” Emerson asked instead of answering as she closed the door behind her. She did an admirable job, she thought, of not sounding accusatory. She stepped out of her shoes, unzipped her jacket. As she turned to hang it up, her back to Claire, she pulled Cassie’s headband from her head and held in front of her nose, the scent of Cassie’s citrus shampoo filling her nostrils. Then she jumped as Claire spoke from directly behind her.

“Seriously. Who was that?”