He shot out of the chair. “I can’t—I won’t—I’m not a narc.” Pulling his fingers through his hair, he walked around her and headed for the kitchen.
Anne followed, stopping at the doorway. “You can be charged as an adult.”
“I’m sorry someone did that to Dr. Van Horn’s car, Mom, but it is just a misdemeanor,” he said, yanking a cabinet door open. “If Deputy Parker doesn’t find out who did it and they blame me, all a judge would do is give me community service.”
“Have you got shit for brains? Allowing yourself to be charged for something you didn’t do?” Anne screamed, then thought of Sam’s reaction. “I could even lose my
job
over this!”
Caleb slammed the cabinet shut and rested his forehead against the door. “I’m sorry, Mom.”
Taking a deep breath, she crossed the distance between them and laid a hand on his shoulder. “I’m sorry, too. I shouldn’t have sworn at you,” she said, trying to keep her voice gentle, “but if you know who did this, you have to tell the authorities. If you’re found guilty, it will be on your record.”
Caleb lifted his head. “I don’t know for sure if he did it.”
Anne’s fingers gripped his shoulder. “Who?”
He spun away from the counter and began to pace. “I gave a couple of guys a ride home from Dunlap’s last night.” He hesitated. “I think my sweatshirt might have been in the backseat.”
“And one of them took it?” she prodded.
“Maybe—I didn’t check.”
Placing her palms on her cheeks, Anne shook her head. “Who were the guys?”
He stopped his pacing and stared down at his feet.
“Who were they, Caleb?” she asked again.
“If I tell, you’re going to call Deputy Parker, then they’ll know I ratted them out.”
“You’d rather face charges?”
“I like having friends, Mom, and if I get branded as a rat, I won’t.” He pulled out a chair and flopped down. “I don’t want my car keyed and I don’t want the inside of it smeared with Limburger cheese.” He buried his head in his hands. “That’s what happened to Joey last year after he told them that Te—” He clamped his lips shut.
“That Teddy was the one who set the boats adrift,” Anne said, finishing for him. “You gave Teddy a ride home from Dunlap’s. Was Joey the other guy?”
He nodded.
“And Teddy took your sweatshirt?”
“Probably—Joey was in the front with me.”
She crossed to the table and placed both hands on its top, leaning forward. “Look at me, Caleb,” she commanded. “You’re old enough to do the right thing, but if you don’t, I will.” She glanced up at the clock. “I’m going to Hankton to see about a job. You’ve got until I get back to think about it.”
The interview had taken place in the administrator’s office, and Anne thought she’d made a good impression. The job itself was up in the air. Her availability was in question, but to determine that, she needed to tell Sam of her plans. Surely Sam wouldn’t object to her moonlighting. And that’s exactly what it would be, since she’d be working the night shift. She hated leaving Caleb alone every night, but he was a big boy. He
should
be able to take care of himself. If only she could trust him to stay away from Teddy Brighton.
She gave her head a quick shake. She had to trust him. This second job meant sending him to St. Michael’s—the first college Caleb had shown any interest in. She’d have faith that he’d behave, and she’d make the sacrifice of working eighteen-hour days. After all, who needed sleep?
Anne had reached her car and was unlocking the door when a blonde walking across the parking lot caught her eye. She’d recognize that bouffant anywhere.
“Alice,” she called out to the woman.
The woman gave a hurried glance over her shoulder then picked up her pace.
“Alice,” Anne called again, but the woman kept walking.
When she reached a small car, she unlocked the door and got in. In a moment she was wheeling out of the parking lot.
With a shake of her head, Anne opened her door and started her own car. She could’ve sworn the woman had been Alice, but Alice would have acknowledged her. Settling her sunglasses on her face, she forgot about the woman and set her mind on calculating once again how much it would cost to send Caleb to St. Michael’s.
Confident that Caleb would tell the truth to Deputy Parker, she allowed images of the next four years to dance through her mind—Caleb finally going off to college. A frown played on her lips. That would be hard, watching him walk out the door and into a new life. A life in which she didn’t play a daily role. But that was okay. Hadn’t Greg pointed out that she would have to loosen the strings at some point, and really, she didn’t mind. If it meant that Caleb was moving toward a secure future, it would all be worth it. She pictured herself a few years from now, standing proudly with the other parents, watching Caleb receive his degree. A thrill of happiness filled her. Caleb would have the chance that she’d thrown away.
Promptly at one o’clock, Anne pulled up in front of Sam’s. Looking at the cabin, she hoped that the mess Teddy Brighton had created for her son had been straightened out. Surely, by now Caleb had called Deputy Parker and confessed what he knew.
When she’d stopped by earlier and read Sam’s note giving her the morning off, both Dr. Van Horn and Sam had been gone. Maybe they’d gone for a drive. Or maybe they were engaged in something else, she thought with a little smirk. They’d been pretty chummy when she walked in on them yesterday. It had taken her aback. She’d never witnessed any kind of affection between them, but now it looked like the situation was changing. She hesitated. Should she make a racket when she walked in the door? Should she knock first? No, Dr. Van Horn’s car was still gone, so the danger of interrupting them was slim.
Anne walked the rest of the way to the cabin and opened the door. Nope, no Dr. Van Horn—just Sam standing in front of the easel with one brush in her mouth and another in her hand. She watched as Sam made a few quick strokes with the one in her hand. Amazed, she saw a pine tree appear in the painting. Switching brushes, Sam made a few more strokes and the rough outline of the shore appeared.
Anne cleared her throat.
Sam jumped at the sound, the brush falling from her hand as she pressed it to her heart. “You startled me!” she exclaimed.
“Sorry.” Anne stepped inside and motioned over her shoulder. “Is Dr. Van Horn at the sheriff’s?”
Sam gave her a puzzled look. “Sheriff’s?”
Quickly Anne explained Deputy Parker’s visit and Caleb’s confession.
When she’d finished, Sam frowned. “I’m sorry Jackson accused Caleb.”
“It’s understandable. Teddy
was
wearing his sweatshirt, and maybe now Caleb will finally stay away from him.” Anne looked around the room. “So where is Dr. Van Horn?”
“He left last night,” Sam replied, rinsing out her brushes.
“Short visit.”
Sam picked up a towel and began drying the brushes. “Last visit.”
“What?” Anne exclaimed.
Placing the brushes back in the tray, Sam crossed to the couch and, after sitting down, related last night’s events. Dumbfounded by Sam’s story, Anne joined her on the couch.
“Don’t you think you might be overreacting?” Anne hesitated. “The wind could’ve blown the door open. It
was
quite a storm.”
Sam’s lips tightened and she shook her head. “No, I distinctly remember locking it.” She picked at a cushion next to her while she stared off into space. “Ever since I stopped taking those damn pills, my memory’s been sharper.” She turned toward Anne and her eyes narrowed. “I almost wonder if they weren’t slowing my recovery.”
When Anne didn’t answer, Sam slapped her thighs and rose. “Moot point now.” Looking down at the other woman, she smiled. “What do you have planned for me today? I’ve already taken a walk.”
Anne looked toward the sun streaming in the French doors. “Let’s try something new. It’s a beautiful day. How do you feel about going for a swim?”
Sam’s nose wrinkled as her attention drifted down to her left leg. “I’d have to wear a bathing suit.”
Standing, Anne laughed. “You can’t very well swim in sweatpants.”
Sam’s hand drifted down to her left thigh. “My leg,” she began with reluctance in her voice.
“Oh, don’t worry about that,” Anne said, waving away her fears. “You can wear your sweats over your suit then take them off right before you get in the water. No one will see your leg.”
“You’re sure?”
“Trust me. It will be okay.”
With that, Sam went back to her bedroom to change while Anne slipped into her suit in the guest room. Together they carefully made their way down the steps to the dock. Once there, Sam took off her pants and quickly waded into the lake. She stopped when the water lapped around her waist. Looking up at Anne, she cocked her head.
“You know you look great in a bathing suit.”
Blushing, Anne smiled. “Thanks.” She waded in to join Sam, handing her one of the “noodles” she’d hauled down to the lake.
“Have you ever thought about modeling?” Sam asked suddenly. “With your figure and height—”
Anne launched herself into the water, cutting Sam off. She swam briskly to the end of the dock. Straightening until her feet hit the bottom, she wiped the water out of her eyes. Sam, wearing a perplexed look on her face, still stood where Anne had left her.
“Use the noodle and swim out to meet me.”
“You didn’t answer my question.”
Her eyes downcast, Anne moved her arms through the water. “I know.”
Sam swam over to Anne. “I’m serious—I worked with plenty of models at the ad agency, and half of them don’t have your presence. I know you’re not in your twenties, but there is a niche for older women. You should give it a try.”
“Like I haven’t heard that one before.” She gave a furious shake of her head. “No.”
“Why? What’s the deal?”
Anne grabbed the edge of the dock and let her legs float upward. “What’s the expression? ‘Been there, done that.’ ”
“You modeled?”
Anne gave a sharp snort. “I tried it—all the folks around here told me I was perfect—but the modeling agencies in New York thought differently.”
“When did all this happen?”
“A long time ago. I was young and stupid.” Anne let her fingers trail through the crystal-clear lake water. “I took every dime my parents had saved for my college education and wasted it on trying to break into the business.” She dropped her chin. “I came home with my tail tucked between my legs. The only good thing to come out of the experience was Caleb.”
Sam laid a hand on her wet shoulder. “I’m sorry.”
Anne brushed her away. “Don’t be. I got over it. Now the only thing that’s important is that Caleb doesn’t make the same mistake I did by chasing after some foolish dream. He’s going to get an education.”
“But is that what Caleb wants?”
“No. He thinks he can make a living working as a musician.” Anne scoffed. “But I’m not going to allow it.”
Sam moved to the end of the dock and grasped the edge. “Kind of like my father didn’t allow
me
to see if I could make it as an artist?”
Anne felt her temper rise. “No, it’s not like that at all,” she declared hotly. “You’ve always had money. We haven’t. You can afford to fail. Caleb can’t. He needs an education to be successful.”
“There are more ways to fail than just financially. I know people who have lots of money, but I wouldn’t say they have successful lives.”
Anne kicked away from the dock and swam into deeper water. “Yeah, try living from paycheck to paycheck and see how successful you feel.”
Using the noodle for buoyancy, Sam paddled toward her. “If my paintings don’t sell, I might—”
The sudden roar of a Jet Ski cut off her words. A teenager, with the sun turning his red hair orange, rode high in the seat as he headed straight toward them. At the last minute he cranked the steering hard toward the left, creating a big wave. As the wave rolled toward them, Anne made a grab for Sam, but the girl’s wet arm slipped from her grasp. She watched helplessly as the force of the water yanked the noodle out Sam’s hands and carried her back toward the end of the dock.
With a dull thump, Sam’s head met the dock’s metal pylon. Her eyes closed while her body slumped back in the water. In two long strokes, Anne had reached her and, supporting her shoulders, lifted her face clear of the water.
Sam’s eyelids fluttered open, and with a groan, she raised a hand to her head.
“What happened?”
“Are you okay?” Anne asked as she took a firm grip on Sam’s upper arm.
“Yeah,” she said, allowing Anne to pull her back into shallow water. When her feet touched the bottom, she rubbed the side of her skull.
Anne looked beyond Sam to the Jet Ski disappearing in the distance. “The force of the wave carried you into the side of the dock. Can you make it up the hill to the cabin?”
Sam dropped her hand and nodded. “I’m fine. I was stunned for a moment, that’s all.” She glanced over her shoulder. “Who was on the Jet Ski?”
“Do you really have to ask?” Anne’s face flushed in anger. “Teddy Brighton.”
W
hen they reached the cabin, Anne helped Sam into one of the kitchen chairs and called Dr. Douglas. After taking the phone, Sam sat patiently and answered the doctor’s ridiculous questions.
“Are you nauseated?”
“No.”
“What day is it?”
Sam grimaced. “Monday.”
“Do you have any ringing in your ears?”
“No.”
“On a scale of one to ten, rate your pain.”
“Five.”
“Okay,” Dr. Douglas said. “May I speak with Anne, please?”
Anne accepted the phone and listened intently. “You’re positive you don’t want to see her?” she asked in a voice weighted with skepticism.
Sam shook her head vigorously at Anne’s question and mouthed the word
no
.
With a frown, Anne turned her back on Sam and continued listening to the doctor’s instructions. “Sure, I’ll spend the night,” she replied. “Okay, thanks, Doctor.”
Anne placed the phone on the counter and crossed over to Sam. After helping her to her feet, she guided her toward the hallway. “Dr. Douglas said to rest and take ibuprofen. Do you need help getting out of your swimsuit?”