For the Love of His Life (16 page)

She looked up at him and smiled, then opened the door and led the way into her house. They entered the living room with its comfortable couches that looked perfect for sleeping on—which Jared had done in the past. They walked past them into the kitchen, where Veronica opened the fridge and pulled out a couple of Canadian beers.

“Aw, honey, how did you know? I could almost taste the north woods all the way up here,” Jared said as he popped the cap off the bottle and took a long drink.

Veronica opened her beer and took a few sips. With a sigh, she sat on one of the three chairs around the island counter. The kitchen faced the back of her house, with a view of lake showcased in the picture window.

Jared sat on the chair facing the lake, but turned to look at her instead.

“About what?” Veronica asked, as if their conversation had never been interrupted.

“Has my boy been behaving himself since we spoke on the phone?” Jared’s tone was light, but the gaze that he fixed on her was serious.

“Yeah, better than anyone hoped at the time.”

“Really?”

“Yes. He insisted on paying Keith for the loan of his mini-fridge, and loaded it with beer in his cabin. Gram-Marie added an extra couple of cases of beer per week to her order, but he’s been going through less than a case a week. He’s running with me every day, and I’ve taught him how to paddle a canoe, how to use a kayak, how to fish, and how to clean and cook what he catches. You should see his face when he gets his first taste of something he caught and cleaned. He’s like a little boy, so amazed and pleased!”

Jared smiled and nodded. “Just like I used to be, huh?”

“Yes, just like that. And he just got back this afternoon from a seven-day BWCA canoe trip with Keith, and the guys who had paid for the trip thought he was one of Keith’s employees, because he was so good at fishing and canoeing.”

“So he’s finally taking advantage of everything I sent him up here to experience?”

“Yup.”

“I’m so relieved. I was afraid I’d get up here to find that Gram-Marie had tossed him out and I’d see him on the side of the road hitching his way back to an airport!”

Jared leaned back and drained the last of his beer while Veronica got another one for him from the fridge. She added some pretzels and mustard on the counter and slid them over in front of him.

“Aw, Ronnie, you always know just what I need. What would I do without you?”

“You’d be finding another star for your movie, I think.”

“But it hasn’t been that bad teaching him, has it? I mean when he’s not drunk or high, he’s a nice guy…or at least that’s how he was with me.”

Veronica nodded. “Yes, he’s actually good company. He took to fishing like it was in his blood, and since he’s half-Sioux, maybe it is. He listens when I yak on and on about Grampa and why I treasure the lures he left me. And he’s gotten comfortable enough around all of us that he’s shared little bits and pieces of how he grew up.”

Veronica drained her own beer and got herself another one out of the fridge while Jared dipped pretzels into the spicy and sweet mustard, and watched her.

“Did you know his Mom was a prostitute when he was a kid? He’s never had any family at all, except for her.”

“No, he didn’t share that much about himself. In fact about the only thing I learned from him was he moved a lot when he was a kid. He used to invent characters to be when the kids threatened him or acted mean to
the new kid
, which he always was.” He stopped to take a sip of his drink before continuing.

“He told me that was how he got interested in acting, because it got to be second nature to him. He’d study the people around him then become like them to fit in…like a chameleon. When he said that, I told him about that famous actor who said that when he wasn’t playing a role, he didn’t exist…there wasn’t any
him
that wasn’t written by someone else. He looked kind of startled, then nodded his head and said that he could have been the one to say that, because that’s how he felt. I thought that was kind of sad.”

Jared leaned forward. “But it’s also to my benefit because the role I want to pull out of him will be so intensive that he won’t have time for a life while he’s making this flick. And sending him up here to stay not only kept him out of jail, but allowed him to study some of the people up here, so he could learn how to act like one of them.”

Veronica looked out at the sun playing on the lake waves, with a far-away look in her eyes. Jared studied her for a quick moment before getting up to get himself another beer. As he popped off the cap he tapped her on the shoulder.

“A penny for your thoughts, Ronnie. You aren’t getting sweet on my bad boy, are you? I warned you about him…”

She turned to him with a dreamy smile that said more than she meant it to, and he groaned inwardly.

“No, I was just remembering how funny it was that he was jealous of John, when we got back to shore this afternoon.”

“John’s here?”

Veronica nodded. “Yes, he got here earlier today and had some pie before I agreed to check out his new canoe. But when we got back, Raul was on the porch with Gram-Marie and hustled down to help out getting the canoe to shore.”

Jared’s eyebrows rose. “Why? You or John could have done that alone…no one needed his help.”

“No, but I think he needed to show that he could do it. He’s really proud of what he’s learned and eager to show it off.” She smirked. “Not that John was happy about it.”

Jared’s smile was sly. “Oh? Is he still a pompous jerk who thinks that he’s better than everyone else because he’s full-blooded Ojibwa, the chief’s son,
and
a lawyer?”

Veronica grinned as she nodded. “Yup. And he was really upset that Raul and I are so tight. I swear they were both ready to unzip their pants and have a for-real pissing contest once we were on shore.”

Jared laughed. “Who do you think would have won?” He looked more closely at her. “Or more important, who did you want to win?”

“Stop that,” Veronica said as she slapped at his arm. “What John and I had was over a long time ago.”

“Not in his mind,” Jared reminded her. “You know that’s why he comes back every year…to see if you’ve changed your mind.”

Veronica snorted. “Well I haven’t yet, and I don’t think I ever will. So he’s just wasting his time, if that’s what he’s expecting!”

“Especially now that a certain sexy actor is staying at the resort—looking to you to teach him how to get in touch with his inner-self?”

Veronica leaned back in her chair, smiling, deep in thought.

Uh-oh! She didn’t deny it this time! Holy shit! I hope she’s not really falling for him! I figured she was too smart for that. What have I done?

Jared cleared his throat. “Um…you don’t have to answer that. In fact, I
know
I don’t want to hear the answer. Why don’t you call Gram-Marie and your parents and let them know I want to take everyone out for pizza tonight? Then reserve us a couple of tables at
Auntie Jane’s Joint
, so we can all celebrate the fact that I’m finally here—and getting to make the movie I’ve been itching to make ever since Grampa kept
little me
enthralled with all his stories about his great-grandfather.”

“Okay. When should I make the reservation for?”

Jared looked at his watch. “It’s just after five now…figure your parents won’t be able to make it until they’re off work, and Gram-Marie will want to be sure the dinner rush is taken care of…and I want to head over to the resort to check in with Raul. So maybe make it for seven?”

“Where are you sleeping tonight?”

Jared shrugged. “Who cares? Maybe in Raul’s cabin? I’ve slept on Gram-Marie’s sofa-bed before. And I’ve spent more than a few nights on your couch. I guess I’ll sleep wherever I am when I get tired enough to pass out.”

“Works for me,” Veronica said as she picked up her phone and dialed, waving at Jared as he headed out the door to his rental car.

* * * *

As it turned out there were fifteen people who arrived at the restaurant. They’d pushed a couple of tables together to accommodate the return of their favorite hometown celebrity. Everyone knew who Jared was, and treated him like a local. They rejoiced with him in his success.

Raul felt like royalty with everyone in the place calling greetings out to Jared and the other Sorrensons, as they were shepherded into the area set aside for them. A few of the regulars from the bars were also there and they called out greetings to him, making him feel like one of them. Once they were all seated and their drinks ordered, the conversations began in earnest, and the noise level rose a few decibels. Raul didn’t mind not being the center of attention…in fact, he enjoyed the opportunity to soak up the mannerisms of people who had grown up along the Gunflint Trail north of Grand Marais.

Okay, there’s Veronica’s dad, Erik, so the woman next to him with hair like hers must be her mom. I think I met her when I was hung-over. Gram-Marie is sitting next to Erik, with Jared on the other side of her, and Keith on his other side. The pregnant woman must be his wife. That means the toddler in between them is their son and the baby is in a carrier this time instead of on Dad’s chest. Jake’s mom is next to Keith’s wife…what’s her name? Oh yeah, Joan. And Bill is his dad’s name. The girl next to him must be Jake’s sister. Jake is next to me. Veronica is on my other side and that lawyer John is on her other side. But who’s the large man on his other side? The one laughing so much it’s obvious he’s really enjoying being here?

Raul leaned over during a lull in Veronica’s conversation with John, and tapped her on the forearm. He leaned over to speak into her ear, trying not to over-react to the smell of her hair and the heat from her body that singed his lips.

“Who’s that big guy next to John?”

Veronica smiled and whispered into Raul’s ear. He tried to ignore the shiver that started in his ear and traveled down his spine before jumping straight for his groin.

“That’s Ivan. I told you about him, remember? He’s the Russian who claims he headed the KGB back in the day…when it was still the USSR during the Cold War.”

Raul said quietly, “The one who told you the stories you’ve used as the basis for your writing?”

Veronica nodded.

“You know you still haven’t given me a copy of your manuscript. I’d like to read it.”

“But you’ll be busy with your script now, right? Jared’s here and the action’s going to start soon.”

“Give it to me…I’ll make time.”

Veronica shot him a surprised look and he smiled back at her. Their shared moment was interrupted by the waitress wanting to know what kind of pizza everyone had decided upon. There was loud bickering and negotiating as everyone had their say as to what they wanted, and found others willing to eat the same thing. Finally the order was placed and the waitress went to fetch them all more drinks.

* * * *

After everyone had eaten their fill and every pizza platter was emptied of the most miniscule of scraps, people began to move around the table. When anyone got up to use the bathroom, they came back to find their previous chair occupied, so they found someplace else to sit. In that way Raul found himself in the chair next to the large man whose booming laughter had been infectious all through dinner.

“So,
comrade
, you are the famous actor I have heard so much about, eh?” He clapped Raul on the shoulder so hard that he wondered if he would have bruises to show for it in the morning.

“Yes, that’s me. And you are Ivan, the one who tells Veronica such interesting stories that she’s been using them to write her secret agent books?”

Ivan smiled. “Has she? How wonderful that my tall tales and memories have so inspired her that she is writing them down.”

He leaned forward to pour more beer from the pitcher into his glass, and inclined his head towards Raul’s empty glass before filling it too.

“You must come out to see me in my humble resort. It’s not much, but I have a bar that overlooks the most beautiful lake. Everyone who works there is a relative of mine I have sponsored into this wonderful country of yours. So if I tell them you don’t have to pay, you can drink as much as you want.”

“Is there a pool table there?”

Ivan nodded. “
Da! Da!
Of course there is a pool table! And darts also! And if there aren’t any customers besides you, I won’t even make you go out onto the deck to smoke!”

Ivan leaned over to put his arm around Raul’s shoulders familiarly. “I order my cigarettes from Mother Russia, because they have more flavor. It is one of my few pleasures that I really enjoy. These rules of your country about smoking…so silly, don’t you agree?”

Raul nodded. “If it’s the only vice I have left, leave me to enjoy it in peace.”

Ivan laughed loudly and clapped him on the back again. “Yes! I like this one! I will look forward to your visit to my place!”

Raul looked around and realized that Veronica was nowhere to be seen. Then he searched for John and found him missing too.