Daughters of the Lake(48)

Ten minutes later, Kate was in her pajamas and snuggled in bed as Simon came through the door with two steaming mugs and some books on a tray.

“I’m going to read you to sleep, and I’ve got three choices of novel for your listening pleasure,” Simon said to her as he put each cup of tea on a nightstand and then slipped under the covers with Kate. “The Widow’s House, The Library of Light and Shadow, or The Queen’s Vow.”

Kate eyed the selections. “They all sound good. You choose.”

Simon opened one of the books. “Okay, missy. Lie back, close your eyes, and listen.”

Kate took a sip of her tea and snuggled down into her nest of pillows. “Simon?” Kate looked up at this dear man.

“Yes, darling?”

“I love you.”

“I love you, too.” He smiled and pushed the hair out of her eyes.

Before Simon had finished reading the first chapter, Kate’s rhythmic breathing told him that she had fallen asleep. He felt her forehead. Cool to the touch, but not cold. She would sleep off whatever it was that had taken hold of her. He slipped out of the covers and gathered them back up around Kate’s neck. He kissed her lightly, set the book on the bedside table, turned out the light, and padded silently out of the room.

“Sleep well,” he whispered to his cousin as he quietly shut the door. He knew he would check on her several times during the night, worried hen that he was.





CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Great Bay, 1906

The last of the October leaves crunched under their feet as Jess and Addie walked to the Saturday-night dance at the Great Bay social hall. The wind off the lake was brisk and exciting, filled with promise of the season to come. It snaked its way into their collars and ruffled their hair, making Addie, who had fussed over her appearance for hours before Jess arrived at her door, self-conscious and shy. It was a new feeling for her, one that had grown since that kiss on the platform. This was no child’s fantasy anymore.

Addie’s apprehension about the evening had to do with more than just the jitters that tied her stomach in knots every time Jess was around. Many people in town had thought her a fool for waiting for Jess Stewart while he was away at college all those years. She hadn’t dated anyone in his absence and made no bones about proclaiming that he would come back for her someday. They smiled politely and whispered behind her back, wondering when that fool Cassatt girl would wise up.

Tonight, everyone would see for themselves what Addie had always known.

The night was illuminated by the full moon and a sky filled with stars that looked like the flickering lights in the houses they passed. Addie and Jess walked arm in arm through the dark streets, chatting about everything and nothing at all.

The social hall was bright and alive with music. Nearly everyone in town showed up for these Saturday-night dances in which young people got their first taste of love, older couples twirled together on the dance floor, and the community as a whole celebrated life on the lakeshore. The women of the town usually brought food and drink, everyone sharing what they had.

Jess’s arrival was like that of a conquering hero. He had been in Great Bay only a couple of days and had seen few people beyond his parents and Addie. He and Addie entered the hall to shouts of Look who’s here! and Jess Stewart’s back! Old friends embraced him, girls whispered about his good looks, and his former teachers and parents’ friends greeted him one by one with hugs and handshakes. Addie, meanwhile, was ushered away from him by her girlfriends, all of whom wanted to know every last detail. Had he changed? Had he come back to marry her? Had he proposed? She laughed off their questions, but her blush spoke volumes.

“So you really came home for her,” his old neighbor Ruby Thompson said to Jess, motioning across the room toward Addie, who was laughing with a gaggle of girls. Ruby had been there the day of Addie’s birth, and she had watched these two grow their whole lives.

“Yes, Mrs. Thompson, I believe that I have.” Jess flashed her a conspiratorial smile. “But mum’s the word. I haven’t asked her yet.”

“You’ve surprised a lot of people in this town,” she told him.

“Is that so?” Jess said, slightly offended on Addie’s behalf, slightly chagrined on his own. “Excuse me, ma’am,” he said to her. “It’s time I danced with my bride-to-be.” The music began to play, and he crossed the room to where Addie was surrounded by her girlfriends.

“May I have this dance?” He smiled, extending his hand.

Addie blushed. Shyly, she took his hand, and he led her out onto the dance floor. The entire hall seemed to take a collective breath. All eyes were on them. Jess pulled Addie close. As they began to twirl around the dance floor, staring into each other’s eyes, the world fell away, the music stopped, the lights extinguished, the people vanished, and all that was left was Jess and Addie, finally together again where their hearts had always been.

Later, as they walked home through the darkened streets, Jess stopped in front of the old willow tree where he had taught her to ride his bicycle all those years ago, took her hand, and dropped to one knee.

They remained that way for a moment, neither saying anything, simply looking into each other’s eyes. “Addie, will you marry me?” he whispered, choked up at the enormity of the words.

“Of course I will. I married you the first instant I met you.”