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?
The girl pulled a brochure from a rack and spread it on the counter. With a dark purple nail she tapped the sketch map it contained. This shows the main drag. Kids say the sandwiches are good at the Fresh Bread Café. I havent tried them myself.
Susannah lifted her brows questioningly. You havent?
Jen shrugged. Ive only been staying at the lodge a couple weeks. She caught a flash of vulnerability in the girls heavily mascaraed eyes. I probably wont be here much longer.
Going back home, are you?
As soon as the question was out, she knew shed made a mistake. Jens face stiffened, and she shrugged thin shoulders. She shoved the brochure toward Susannah without a word.
This was not going as well as shed hoped. Jen probably needed a friend, but she obviously didnt consider Susannah a candidate.
Well, Ill try that café for lunch. Thanks.
At least youll get lunch. The girl seemed to give in to the urge to complain. Ive been working on the desk all morning, but does anyone give me a break so I can have something to eat? Oh, no.
Opportunity opened a door, and Susannah stepped through without a second thought. Thats really a shame. Id be glad to watch the desk for a few minutes so you can run and grab a sandwich.
Jen wavered. I shouldnt.
Wouldnt Nathan like it? She should be ashamed of herself, jumping to the conclusion that Nathans autocratic ways would be a source of friction.
Nathans not the boss of me, Jen flared instantly. She motioned to Susannah to come behind the counter. Probably nobody will show up while Im gone, but if they do, the reservations are right here in this file, and guests just sign the book and fill out one of these cards.
It was an old-fashioned register with names and dates. She just needed a few minutes alone to take a look.
Jen rounded the counter, then paused. You sure you dont mind?
Not at all. She had grace enough to feel guilty, but the girl had vanished in an instant through a swinging door at the rear of the hallway.
The hall was still and empty. She couldnt hear anything but a muted clatter of china from somewhere in the back. She wouldnt have a better opportunity than this.
She swiveled the register toward her, noting dates as she flipped the pages back. The lodge had been busy over the summer, less so in the spring. She found the right page. Her stomach clenched as she identified Trevors neat writing at the bottom of the page.
Nearly a week. Hed been at the lodge for nearly a week, which meant hed never gone to Boston at all. The faint hope that hed just stopped at the lodge on the way home from Boston vanished.
She glanced up the page and felt a wave of nausea. There was another entry.
Trevor had been here two weeks earlier than the trip she knew about, for two days that time. Hands shaking, she tried to turn the page back to seek any earlier listings.
What are you doing? Nathans voice, resounding from the stairwell above her, hit her like a blow.
She heard his footsteps approach as her mind scrambled for an explanation, any explanation that might satisfy him. She arranged a smile on her face and turned toward him.
I was just The words died in her throat as she caught sight of Nathan.
A khaki uniform. A dark tie, worn with a badge and official emblem. She read the words emblazoned on the uniform, stomach twisting.
Nathan Sloane was Lakemonts chief of police. The scribbled signature at the bottom of the accident report crystallized in her mind. She hadnt made the connection, and she should have. Nathan was the man whod investigated Trevors accident.
Nathan couldnt mistake the expression in Susannahs eyes. He moved slowly to the counter, weighing it. Perfectly innocent people sometimes looked guilty when surprised by a police officer. He wouldnt have thought twice about that.
But Susannah had reflected more than just guilt. Shed been totally dismayed at the sight of him, and he wanted to know why.
What are you doing? he repeated.
He could hardly cross-examine one of his fathers guests, but he had a right to know why she was behind the registration counter. And why shed been looking at the guest register. Shed quickly put it down at the sound of his approach, but not before hed seen her searching through the listings.
Here, you mean? She straightened the register, aligning it with the edge of the desk. Jen hadnt had a chance to get her lunch yet, so I said Id keep an eye on the desk while she went to get something to eat. Her smile failed to reach her eyes.
Frustration with his stepsister nearly outweighed his curiosity about Susannah. The least Jen could do was help out while she was here.
Someone would have come to relieve her in a few minutes. She certainly shouldnt have imposed on a guest.
Its not an imposition. I offered. Susannah started around the counter, the loose russet jacket she wore swinging against her body. Now that youre here, I suppose you want to take over. She eyed his uniform. Or are you off to a different job?
I do have to go on duty before long. He took a casual step so that he boxed her in between the counter, the stairwell and his body. I guess you didnt know Im a police officer.
Shed regained most of her composure, but her hands were still clenched tightly. As if aware of that, she shoved them into her pockets.
Not just any officer. She nodded toward his insignia. I see youre the chief of police. Im impressed.
For the first time, he felt like smiling naturally at her. Dont be too impressed. In a town like Lakemont, that just means I have two patrolmen and a dispatcher working for me. If any police business actually happens, we all have to get involved.
For some reason, that upped her tension. He could feel it, but he didnt understand.
I see. She seemed to be talking at random, as if to cover something else. I suppose that means you dont spend much time at the lodge.
Im here as much as possible. After all, I do live here. He leaned closer, letting that movement intimidate. I notice youre interested in our guest register.
If he hadnt been so close, he might have missed the way her lips tightened.
She managed an unconvincing smile. Im afraid I was just curious as to how busy the lodge is.
Neither of them believed that, but he wasnt ready to contest her statement. Yet.
Busy enough, he said. We dont do the business of some of the larger resorts in the Poconos, but Dad likes it that way.
Speaking of busy, I see Jen is back from lunch. She took advantage of his turning to look to slip past him. Im running into town this afternoon, so Ill be on my way.
Someone less suspicious than he was might not have noticed how quickly she scurried toward the front door, as if afraid he might have more questions. Which he did.
He turned back to frown at Jen as she slid behind the counter without looking at him, as if that might make him disappear. He had to deal with his stepsister, but now wasnt the time.
He saw again Susannahs head, coppery in the sunlight slanting through the window, bent over the register. What had the woman been up to?
He went quickly out the front door and stopped at the edge of the drive. Susannah drove past him toward the main road. Those were Pennsylvania plates on her car, and it wasnt a rental. He memorized the number.
Susannah Morgan was hiding something. Whatever her secret was, it had made her uncomfortable with the discovery that he was a cop. It had also prompted her to snoop through the registration log.
He intended to know exactly what that secret was.
Really, Enid, Im just fine. Did you help at the charity bazaar this week?
Susannah held the phone slightly away from her ear while her mother-in-law, distracted, chattered on about the hospital auxiliary bazaar. Enid thought she was visiting with an old college friend, and she had to keep it that way.
Susannah smoothed her hand over the spot where the baby was kicking. She hated lying to Enid, whod been a part of her life ever since she could remember. But dear, warmhearted Enid had to be protected from anything that might distress her. Her husband and son had always done that, and apparently she was destined to follow the same pattern.
Certainly her mother-in-law would be upset at the knowledge that Susannah had come to the lake to investigate Trevors lies. Enid refused to believe they were lies. Shed convinced herself that theyd all simply misunderstood.
So here she was, caught in the trap of hiding the truth to make Enid feel better.
Goodness, Ive been talking too long. Enid interrupted herself. How are you feeling? Hows the baby?
Were both fine. Dont worry about us.
Are you having a good time with your friend?
Yes, just fine. The knock at the door was a welcome reprieve from expanding on her fable. I have to go now. Ill call you again in a couple of days.
She hung up, levered herself out of the rocker and went to the door.
Nathan.
Another person she was lying to. Apparently once shed started, there was no escape.
He nodded toward the living room. Do you mind if I come in?
Of course not. But she did.
She stood back, holding the door open. Somehow shed known their conversation earlier hadnt been the end of it. Hed seen her looking at the register, and he wanted to know why. She stiffened to resist him.
He strolled into the living room, glancing around as if to notice any changes. Then he focused on her.
Did you enjoy your visit to downtown Lakemont today?
That certainly wasnt the question shed expected. He still wore the uniform, and its official aura seemed alien in the cozy room.
She pulled her sweater around her like a protective barrier. Its charming.
Actually, the village was attractive, although that hadnt been on her mind when shed walked down the small main street. Instead shed looked at one shop or restaurant after another.
Were you here, Trevor? Or here? What brought you to Lakemont?
Did you find what you were looking for?
He seemed to be reading her mind.
I wasnt looking for anything in particular. I just wanted to see the town.
She started to turn away from him, but his touch on her arm halted her. Nathans dark eyes were grave, his mouth firm. Her heart gave an awkward thud.
Why didnt you tell us the truth about who you are, Mrs. Laine?
He knew.
She took a breath, trying to think, trying to organize some sort of response. What could she possibly say that would make sense of her actions?
How did you find out who I am? Stall. Think of some logical reason for being here other than the real one.
His broad shoulders moved under the uniform shirt. It wasnt hard.
Not for a police chief, you mean. She felt a little spurt of anger. Nathan had used his position to find out who she was.
I suppose so. His eyes were filled with sympathy. Im sorry about your husbands death. The accident was a terrible thing.
Her throat tightened, the anger that had warmed her briefly seeping away. Yes. Itit was hard to believe.
I can understand that. Some darkening of his eyes suggested he knew what loss was. But it wasnt necessary to hide your identity from us. We wouldnt intrude on your grief.
Her mind took a moment to process that, and then she understood. Nathan wasnt wondering what had brought her here. He thought he knew. He thought she had come to assuage her grief, the way people made pilgrimages to the sites of plane crashes.
In a way, perhaps she had, but he couldnt know how complicated it was. And she certainly wouldnt tell him.
I appreciate that. I just thought it would be simpler if people didnt know who I am. I didnt want to make anyone uncomfortable.
He nodded as if he understood. Is your mother-in-law planning to come, as well?
A little flutter of panic went through her. Shed forgotten that Nathan and his family would have known Enid when shed vacationed at the lake house.
No, shes not. She had to tell him more than that. She couldnt risk his deciding for some reason to contact Enid. Enid has been having a very difficult time adjusting to Trevors death. She didnt understand why I wanted to come here. In fact, the idea upset her so much thatwell, I didnt tell her.
A guarded expression took over from the sympathy in his face. She doesnt know youre here.
No. And Id certainly appreciate it if youd honor my wishes in this.
For a long moment he just looked at her, eyes grave and assessing. A sudden crazy longing to tell him everything swept over her.
She couldnt. She tamped down the feeling. She hadnt told anyone except Enid, and that only because it had come out in the suddenness of her confusion and grief.
Determination hardened. She owed Trevor her loyalty. Whatever hed been doing in Lakemont, hed wanted it kept secret.
Nathan nodded slowly. All right. I certainly wont say anything, if thats what you want. Im afraid Ive already told my father, though.
Thats fine. I dont really mind who knows here in Lakemont, as long as Enid doesnt find out. She doesnt understand that I
Her voice seemed to give out, and hot tears stung her eyes.
Im sorry. Nathans deep voice had gone very soft. He put his hand on her shoulder.
Warmth. Comfort. She had an almost uncontrollable urge to step forward, lean against his strong shoulder and let her tears soak into his shirt.
She took a deep breath and nodded, trying to swallow the tears.
She couldnt give in to that longing to lean on him. She couldnt.
Nathan could feel Susannahs tension and grief through his hand on her shoulder. It seemed to demand a response from him.
He let go abruptly, taking a step away from her. How could he not understand her grief, with the reminders of Linda and everything he had lost all around him?
He gave her a meaningless smile. We want to do anything we can to make this easier for you.
Something pained and vulnerable crossed her face. Shed reached out to him, and hed responded with platitudes. That just added to his guilt.
I appreciate that. Her formal response showed that shed gotten his messagehe didnt want to be involved.