Daughters of the Lake(85)

And with that, Kate sprinkled the ashes over the side of the boat. They floated for a moment before a small whirlpool appeared on the lake’s glassy surface and swirled the ashes down toward points unknown.

“Rest well, Addie,” Simon called out. “We heard you. Please know that your photograph will hang in our house, where your daughter grew up. She knew nothing about you, but her children do. And so do we.”

Kate’s father, Fred, and her uncle Harry both fought back tears.

Simon wrapped his arm around Kate’s waist. “You did good, kiddo,” he said, and they gazed out over the lake’s calm surface, which reflected the clouds hanging in the late autumn sky.

He squinted into the distance where a dark figure poked its head out of the water and slapped its tail against the surface, creating enormous ripples that extended in concentric circles all the way to the boat. “What’s that?” he asked.

“It couldn’t be a beaver, way out here,” Kate mused. “Otter?”





CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

Winter came. Kate stayed on in Wharton, helping Simon and Jonathan publicize the inn. Her divorce came through, uncontested by Kevin, who had already moved on to another job in a new town. And, no doubt, another woman. He and Kate met at Harrison’s House to sign the papers, against Simon’s advice. But she was strong enough to do it, over the initial pain, and secure in the knowledge that it was, indeed, best to go their separate ways. Not only because of Nick, to whom she was getting closer and closer, but also because Kate and Kevin’s relationship was not right for either of them.

Kevin finally admitted to the affair and confessed that, perhaps, married life just wasn’t for him. He had been itching for something new soon after they had walked down the aisle, and Valerie had not been the first.

In the end, they parted—if not as friends, then as friendly as possible. Kate’s heart was still bruised by their failed love story and by his actions, but she knew, down deep, that it was simply his way. That’s who Kevin was—a man who loved the thrill of a new relationship but got bored with maintaining one. She couldn’t ask him to be someone he wasn’t, nor could she be surprised when his true nature came out.

He stood to leave, and Kate threw her arms around him, pulling him into a hug. “I loved you, Kevin, I really did,” she said, her voice wavering. “And I wish nothing but the best for you.”

“I’m sorry,” he whispered into her ear, his own voice cracking with emotion.

They stood there for a long moment, holding each other. And then he walked away, Kate watching until he disappeared from view, not knowing if she would ever again see the man she, at one time, believed she’d grow old with. She didn’t know what the future would hold, and she never knew that he wouldn’t marry again until very late in life, and that on his deathbed, Kate’s name would be on his lips.

Meanwhile, renovations had begun in earnest on the third floor. As the workmen were refinishing the wood floors, installing bathroom fixtures, painting, and coming and going with furniture and window treatments, Kate was busy finding and framing photos of the past.

Simon had taken the photo of Addie, Jess, Harrison, and Celeste—the one that had ultimately led them to the truth about what had happened all those years ago—to a local artist, who painted a portrait of Addie and Jess using the photo as a guide. Simon intended to hang it over the fireplace on the third floor, newly dubbed Addie’s Ballroom.

One snowy night, Kate opened the door to find Nick holding a bottle of wine in one hand, a bouquet of flowers in the other.

“Wherever did you get lilacs at this time of year?” Kate asked, taking the flowers from him and lifting them to her face to drink in the scent, which would forever remind her of Addie and Jess.

“I have my ways.” Nick smiled and pulled Kate into a kiss. They lingered there, on the doorstep, snow lightly falling around them, the delicate chill in the air caressing their cheeks.

“I like your ways,” Kate said, wrapping her arms around his shoulders.

“I knew we’d be christening Addie’s Ballroom tonight, and I thought lilacs would be a nice way to honor her,” Nick said.

Kate’s eyes lit up. “Wait until you see it,” she said. “I’m so glad I didn’t let you up there during renovations until the big reveal tonight. It’s really gorgeous.”

She took him by the hand and led him inside the house, where they found Simon and Jonathan in front of the fire in the living room.

“The long arm of the law has arrived,” Simon said, flashing Nick a smile. “Welcome, Detective.”

“Thank you, citizen,” Nick said. “But I have to tell you, I’ve been here for all of two minutes, and I do not have a drink in hand. I think that’s a felony in some counties.”

“Shoddy hosting,” Jonathan said, crossing the room to pour a pint of Scottish ale and handing it to Nick with a wink. “It’ll get you two to four years, hard time.”

And the evening had begun. The four of them chatted over drinks for a bit, then retreated to the dining room for a dinner of salad, boeuf en cro?te, roasted brussels sprouts, and red potatoes. Dessert and champagne were to be served upstairs in the ballroom.

A feeling of celebration wafted through the air—the inclusion of Addie and Jess in the history of Harrison’s House with the completion of Addie’s Ballroom just felt right.