But where Nathans face was guarded, this mans was open and friendly. Where Nathans gaze had been antagonistic, his fathers radiated welcome.
Yes, Im Susannah Morgan. She took the hand he extended, feeling strength and callusesthe hand of a man who worked hard despite his age.
Daniel Sloane. Welcome to the lodge. Let me show you into the dining room.
Apparently Daniel had no problems with her presence. He didnt seem in the same hurry his son was to close for the winter. He took her arm as gently as if she were made of crystal, guiding her through the archway to the left of the registration desk.
How lovely.
She paused, glancing from the wall of windows with their view of the lake to the fire that crackled in a massive stone fireplace. Eight or ten round white-linen-covered tables dotted the wide-planked floor. Sloane Lodge might be small, but it was also charming.
We like it. Her escort looked around, too. His expression wasnot pride, exactly. She sought to pin it down. Satisfaction, that was it.
Daniel Sloane looked like a man who had found his place in the world. He was what Nathan might be in thirty years or so, but with an inner peace that shone in his face.
Now, lets find a seat for you. He moved as if to lead her toward a table where several older couples chatted with the ease of long acquaintance. Ill introduce you to a few people.
No. Thank you. Shed have to start talking with people here if she was going to learn anything, but she wasnt quite ready to do that yet. She gave him an apologetic smile. Im a bit tired from the drive.
Of course. He was instantly solicitous. I get carried away sometimes. Take this table by the window, where you can have a nice, quiet meal. He pulled out a chair for her. One of the servers will be with you in a moment.
When hed gone, she looked around cautiously. Shed like to assume Nathan had given up his efforts, but she couldnt quite convince herself of that.
His face loomed in her mind, rigid with determination. He was like the rocky cliff that reared behind the lodgesolid and immovable. Not a man whod easily give up once hed decided something. And what hed decided, unfortunately, was that he wanted her out of here.
Her gaze reached the archway and stopped. Nathan Sloane walked quickly through from the hall. The slightest check in his step when he saw her just confirmed what she already knew. The man had an instant reaction to her, and it certainly wasnt a positive one.
Big, broad shouldered, muscularhe probably often got what he wanted just through the sheer force of his presence. Well, not with her. She faced down worse than Nathan Sloane in Philadelphia courtrooms.
At least, for the moment, he didnt seem to plan on approaching her. He joined his father at a table in the corner, and she let out a small sigh of relief. She really wasnt up to another battle with the man tonight.
Shed been too angry to see it before, but hed changed. She toyed with her salad, looking back across the years. Nathan wouldnt remember, but shed met him once before.
Shed been an unhappy ten-year-old, shipped off to stay with Trevors family for a few weeks at the vacation home theyd owned on the lake. Nathan had been a teenager then, working as a lifeguard at the lake, with no time to notice a pouting child.
Still, through some odd fluke of memory, she could picture him clearlytall, tanned, laughing and carefree. The center of every group.
Hed changed.
Well, she had, too. Life had a way of doing that to people.
By the time shed finished her chicken, weariness was taking a firm grip on her. Even Daniels announcement that dessert and coffee would be served in the lounge couldnt tempt her. Shed planned to slip out quietly and make an early night of it. Tomorrow would be time enough to think of plans.
Shed reached the hallway when she heard a step behind her and felt a light touch on her arm.
Ms. Morgan.
Morgan. Shed better keep in mind that shed registered under the maiden name she still used professionally. Given her mother-in-laws tearful opposition to any inquiry into what Trevor had been doing in Lakemont, that precaution had seemed wise.
Besides, if you didnt know what you were going to find, youd better tread cautiously. That advice worked both in the courtroom and in life.
She turned slowly to give Nathan an inquiring look, trying not to be intimidated by his frown.
I hope youve had a chance to reconsider your plans, he said.
He was nothing if not persistent. Annoyingly so. The kind of person who, if you gave an inch, took a mile. If she tried to pacify him by moving into the main lodge, hed undoubtedly consider it a step toward getting her out entirely.
She pasted a smile on her lips. Theres nothing to reconsider. Im very comfortable in the cottage.
Daniel came up behind his son just in time to hear her, and he nodded with satisfaction. Good. Were happy to have you there.
Really? She raised her eyebrows. That wasnt the impression your son gave me.
The flash of anger in Nathans eyes told her the shot had gone home. She should be ashamed of giving in to the desire to annoy him, but she wasnt. He hadnt had any compunction about harassing her, had he?
Nathan battled to force the anger back under his usual strict control. He wouldnt give Susannah Morgan the satisfaction of knowing shed gotten under his skin, and he couldnt let his father be upset.
Nathan? His fathers frowning gaze was troubled and questioning.
Ms. Morgan misunderstood, he said quickly. If the woman had any sense at all, shed heed the warning in his voice. I was simply concerned about her staying at the cottage alone, thats all.
His father turned to Ms. Morgan with quick concern. Wed be glad to move you into a room here in the lodge. No trouble at all.
Trouble. Trouble was rushing Dad to the hospital in the middle of the night, not knowing whether the next breath he took would be his last. If he could just get Dad to understand he had to take it easy
Well, that was a problem for another day. For now, hed be content with convincing Ms. Morgan to leave his father out of their disagreement.
He focused on the conversation between the two of them, realizing with exasperation that his soft-hearted father was already feeling sorry for Susannah. The next thing he knew, Daniel would be adopting her as another one of his strays.
Look at the way hed taken Jennifer in without question, even though he wasnt responsible for a stepchild he barely knew. Daniel would keep the lodge open all winter if it meant taking care of one of his lost chicks.
That wasnt going to happen. Determination hardened in him. Hed better detach Ms. Susannah Morgan from his father now.
He summoned up a smile. Why dont you let me show you around the lodge before you go back to the cottage. Im sure Jen didnt take the time to do that when you checked in. Before she could think up an argument, he took her arm. The library is down this hall.
For just an instant he felt her resist. Then she nodded and fell into step with him.
He sensed his fathers smiling glance, and he shrugged it off irritably. Dad was too susceptible to anyone he thought needed his protection. Susannah Morgan, in spite of her shadowed eyes and fragile appearance, was well able to stand up for herself.
This is the library. He led her into the cozy, book-lined room.
She took a step away from him, holding out her hands to the fire burning in the small corner fireplace. Very nice. She spoke quickly, as if to head off whatever else he might say. You mentioned Jen. Is she the person who checked me in this afternoon?
Thats right. He hadnt brought her in here to talk about Jen.
So you have quite a family operation here, with your sister working the registration desk and your father running the lodge.
Stepsister, he corrected. She just helps out after school. And then only when someone stood over her and forced her to.
Stepsister. She seemed intent on keeping the conversation on Jen, of all people. Does her mother help with the lodge, as well?
His jaw felt ready to shatter. No. He clipped off the word. She divorced my father several years ago.
She swung to face him, the firelight burnishing her auburn hair. Im sorry. She seemed to assess the oddity of the situation and come to a conclusion. Your father is a kind person.
Yes. He is. He gritted his teeth, determined to say whatever was necessary to keep her away from his father. Hes also not well. He barely survived a serious heart attack last winter.
The green eyes hed been thinking cold and untouchable warmed with emotion. Im so sorry. That must have been terrible for both of you.
She reached out toward him. He had no thought of responding to her sympathy, but he found himself taking her hand in his. His gaze locked with hers as their hands met.
The moment seemed to freeze. Nothing moved. Nothing broke the quiet except the crackle of the fire and her quick, indrawn breath.
He shook his head, trying to shake off the feeling. Nothing was happening.
He dropped her hand, clearing his throat. He had to finish what hed set out to do.
I hope you can understand why Im trying to make things easier for him. He never should have opened the lodge at all this season.
If Susannah had been affected by that moment, she didnt show it. She tilted her head to the side, looking at him. He certainly seems to enjoy what hes doing.
He considered telling her that she knew nothing at all about his father. But he was trying to gain her cooperation, not sabotage his own efforts.
Thats beside the point. He needs to take the time to recuperate.
Is that what his doctor advises?
He gritted his teeth. Its nice of you to be concerned.
Meaning I should mind my own business? She lifted perfectly arched brows.
I didnt say that. He held on to his temper with an effort. These next couple of weekends will probably be the last for the foliage tourists. After that Im sure I can convince him to close for the season and get the rest he needs. Its going to be a little hard to do that if we still have a guest.
I understand your concern for your father. She looked at him for a long moment, as if assessing the truth of his words. He thought he detected sympathy behind the coolness in her eyes. I dont want to leave, but I will.
Before he could feel relief, she went on. When the rest of your guests leave, I will, too.
Her expression said hed have to be content with that.
Chapter Two
Lord, why is this such a struggle? Susannah sat in the wing-backed rocking chair by the cottage window the next day, Bible in her lap, looking out across the lake. Am I ever going to find peace with Trevors death?
No, that wasnt the right question. She fought to be honest in her prayer. She could come to terms with his death. It was the lie she couldnt deal with. Why had Trevor lied to her?
It always came back to that. No matter what else might have been wrong with their marriage, shed always thought she and Trevor were honest with each other. Theyd been friends since childhood. Shouldnt she have known when hed started lying to her?
Her gaze rested on the familiar passage to which shed opened the Bible.
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
Not that she needed to read the words. Shed committed them to memory a long time ago. Still, it comforted her to read them now.
She and Trevor had loved one another, though not, shed begun to see at some point, the way two people united in marriage should love. Maybe theyd both thought they needed someone to belong to. Still, theyd been committed to the vows theyd made before God.
She knew what she had to do. She had to learn the truth about Trevor, so that she could accept it and move on. She and little Sarah Grace could then be a family. Theyd be enough for each other.
The baby had been quiet while shed sat, perhaps soothed by the gentle rocking motion. The chair felt as if it had been put here for just this purpose.
But as she closed the Bible and leaned forward to set it on the convenient lamp table, the baby gave several hard kicks. Susannah patted the spot.
Take it easy, little one. Everythings all right.
At least, everything would be all right once shed done what shed come here to do. And Nathan Sloanes opposition wouldnt stop her.
The memory shed been holding at bay slid into her mind, and Nathans frowning face was superimposed on the view of lake and mountain. That moment in the library when theyd touched hands and seemed to touch soulswhere had that come from? She knew very little of Nathan, and she didnt like what she did know. She certainly didnt feel any attraction for him.
An accident. Thats all it had been. An accidental rush of pregnancy hormones, probably. Nothing more. Still, it might be as well to avoid him, for a number of reasons.
She didnt have to go to Nathan for the answers she needed. Jen could give her access to the registration information, and Daniel, with his kind, observant eyes, might know something of what Trevor had done here, although shed have to reveal who she was in order to ask.
She stood, hand on the chair arm to steady herself. Pregnancy had affected her balance more than shed have dreamed it would.
First things first. Today was Saturday, so Jen might be working the registration desk since she wouldnt be in school. She would start there.
When she drove into the parking area at the lodge a few minutes later, she realized that Nathans comment about leaf watchers arriving on the weekend had been accurate. Cars filled the small lot, and several people in hiking clothes came down the steps as she went up.
The teenage girl shed met the day before was indeed behind the desk. She wore a sulky expression as she handed a map to an elderly couple, and her black sweater and pants, spiky haircut and dark nail polish seemed designed to announce that she didnt belong here.
Susannah had to hide her smile. No doubt Jen considered her plight unique, and shed be offended if anyone pointed out that teenagers had been rebelling in the same way for generations.
She waited until the hikers departed, then approached the registration desk. Hi. I see youre busy working again today.
The girl rolled her eyes in mute protest. Always. You need something?
If she wanted to prolong the conversation, shed better think of something. Im going into Lakemont this afternoon. Can you recommend a place for lunch?