Toward early morning, the clouds darkened and moved across the lake, shutting out any starlight. Lightning slashed low, disappearing into the lake, followed by a horrendous boom of thunder.
Sunny jerked straight up in bed, her heart pounding with the shock, just as another lightning flash lit the room for a split second. Then another, and a whooshing crash a short distance away.
What was that? A tree down?
In the black of blackest night, she knew there was no electricity.
Sliding from the bed, Sunny felt her way into the living room, and then toward the kitchen cabinets. She’d noticed a couple of oil lamps there. She fumbled around, knocking her shin, but finally found the lamps. Quickly, she lifted them down.
Now for matches. Were they in the drawer next to the fridge?
She felt a flashlight, and breathed a sigh of relief. She flicked the waning light on, decided it needed new batteries, and began groping in the drawer. There were some in the back, she thought.
Another lightning bolt helped her find the batteries. Deciding she could do with the lamps first, she found the matches. With shaking hands, she lit three matches, muttering “C’mon, c’mon…” before getting the wick to catch.
“Thank You, Lord,” she muttered as the wick flamed high.
As quickly as she could, she replaced the batteries in the flashlight, and then hurried to the windows. Common sense told her to stand away from them with lightning out there, but curiosity as high as the sky sent her there to watch, just the same.
She could see nothing through the blackness.
Lightning illuminated the howling wind bending the trees low over the deck and rain lashing the wood. The chairs tumbled over.
I have to do something, Lord. I must.
She went into the bedroom and grabbed a pair of jeans. Setting the flashlight on the floor, she slipped into them, then grabbed a shirt from the closet. She dressed rapidly.
Please God, take care of my customers…and my docks. Don’t let anything happen to the docks and boats. Don’t let anything important be down.
A wave of fear washed over her. Were the folks in the cabins all right? Were they safe? She could see no lights.
Dummy! Of course not. If her electricity was out, so was theirs. Was Grant’s, she wondered? Were they on the same line?
What was happening down at the docks? Stepping tentatively out on the dark deck, she flicked on the flashlight, walking carefully down the steps. Her sneakers slipped on the rain-slicked stairs. The wind whipped her hair into a tangle and lashed her face, but she paid no mind. The dark blunted her light, making it difficult to see.
The place still held strange aspects, and she hated the need to check on everything. At home, tight in her little apartment, she’d have stayed under the covers. But Sunshine Acres was her responsibility whether she liked it or not.
She walked the short distance to the concrete stairs. Someone stood in the doorways at cabins three and four. She could see movement, something white against the dark.
There was no use in shouting. Whoever it was couldn’t hear her over the wind. But it comforted her somehow, the presence of other people.
Thunder rolled down the lake, shuddering off the hills, bouncing down the water. The lightning was further off now, not so close.
The rain steadied with the dying wind. It smelled fresh, the way rain should. She hurried to the first cabin, which was unoccupied tonight, then to the second. “Are you folks all right?”
“Yeah, we’re fine,” answered the middle-aged man who had checked in two days ago. “That’s quite a storm, though.”
“Sure is. Okay…”
She hurried to the next cabin, finding that the folks had disappeared behind a closed door. All the other cabins were closed, as well.
The rain was lessening as the storm center rolled down the lake, but it didn’t matter. She was soaked. She climbed the concrete stairs once more, shivering with cold, her fear receding, then turned to gaze at the docks below her just before she returned to her cabin.
Someone moved at the edge. Who was there? Something…or someone…
Her heart slammed into her chest in jerky beats, and she stood absolutely still, watching.
Movement down at the docks? Someone was watching her! She caught just a glimpse before the person was swallowed under the dock roof…
Who was there? Grant? Or a stranger? Surely Grant wouldn’t be out in this storm….
She was out in it.
She didn’t want to go down there, yet she was drawn down the stairs toward the docks. Standing on the edge of the last step, she listened.
She heard nothing beyond the storm.
But she had seen something. Was her imagination running away with her? She set her mouth and walked out onto the dock, all the way to the end. The rain couldn’t get to her here. She inspected each of the four boats, one huge one, and the rest of various smaller sizes.
No one was there.
Each boat rose and fell with the rolling water, bumping gently in their moorings. They all looked serene.
She sighed and swiftly walked back to the path, then raced up the concrete stairs, and up her deck stairs to her back door. She was quickly through, safe and sound. She turned the lock decisively.
When she had stripped and dried off, her hair still damp, she put on another T-shirt she’d found in the chest. Then, exhausted, she climbed back into bed.
Only occasional rain patter could be heard now. Just as she was falling asleep, she heard the low hum of a motor. Whoever had been there, no longer was.
“There’s a riding stable only a couple of miles down the road,” Sunny said into the phone, thinking she had yet to see it. She wondered what it was like. She’d never been to one, and her curiosity climbed a notch.
Her curiosity had nothing to do with Grant, though. Nothing at all. It was all for what the stable was like.
Hah! An inner voice challenged.
She shifted her shoulders…and continued with business.
“I understand they can accommodate a party of ten to twelve experienced riders, at least. Inexperienced, they like a few less in their group, but—”
She listened to the male voice respond, then said “Mornings or afternoons?” Smiling because she’d sold them a package. Suddenly realizing she was taking on far more of Grant’s responsibility than she should, she cleared her throat and said, “I tell you what. Why don’t I give you the number and you can phone them yourself?”
Pleased, the caller said okay.
It was Saturday morning, and Sunny found she was both irritated and pleased with herself by talking up Grant’s stable with no trouble. She recited the number, already memorized. Then she reaffirmed the reservation at Sunshine Acres. “That’s fine. We have you down for cabin five for next Friday.”
That was the last cabin available for next weekend.
She hung up the phone and leaned back in her chair, tapping her fingers on the chair arm. Another Saturday. She’d been here over three weeks and the place was beginning to feel like home. She was tired enough at night to no longer mind the quiet.
But she had to have help or the place would fall to pieces around her. She didn’t know how to clean the docks properly, the picnic tables under the tree should be moved, which took more muscle power than she could provide, and she wanted to put new screens on cabins three and four.
Oh, buttercups! As long as she was screening, she might as well have them all done. And the weeds were out of control.
Now for employees. At least one. If she went on at this pace, she’d be a basket case by the end of summer. She’d gone over her expenses. She could just about afford to pay one employee.
She looked up the employment place in the phone book, and before she could talk herself out of it, she punched in the number. Then she waited, holding her breath until someone answered.
“Lake Employment Agency. Molly speaking.”
Sunny nervously stated what she wanted. She’d never hired anybody before.
“I have someone you can talk to this afternoon, if you want,” Molly said. “Dell Jackson. He’s been looking for work.”
“Does he know life on the lake?” Sunny asked. “Would he be familiar with the work I want done?”
“Yes, I’d say so. Dell grew up here on the Lake of the Ozarks, and he’s been around boats, water-skiing, jet skis, fishermen and such all his life. He knows it well.”
“Okay, then. That’s fine. You say I can interview him this afternoon?”
“Um, yes.” Molly sounded a bit uncertain. “If I can get a hold of him.”
“Well, I’m coming to town this morning,” Sunny said in a staunch tone, “so I’ll check with you about one o’clock. I need someone to help with the chores at Sunshine Acres right away.”
Sunny ended the conversation with an upbeat feeling.
She’d go into to town, she decided, while all the customers seemed content with their own agenda. Do her grocery shopping and other errands, have a quick bite of lunch—she was tired to death of her own cooking and frozen entrées—and check out the employment place.
A church was in her thoughts, as well. She deeply missed services.
She’d take a quick drive around town to spot what churches the town held. Surely there would be a friendly church handy in town—she didn’t much care what the preacher was like, she was only going to be around a year. She only wanted a place to worship her one and true Father. She’d try all the churches if need be.
Getting ready, she put on a bright blue sundress and brushed her hair till it gleamed. She might as well check out the medical facilities while in town, she reasoned. See what kind of nursing staffs they provided. Hospitals were always looking for nurses. Maybe she could get part-time work in the slower winter months.
Before she was out the door, the phone rang. Should she answer it or let the machine pick it up?
The temptation was too much, and she’d been trained to answer all calls. Sighing, she swung the receiver to her ear. “Sunshine Acres.”
“That’s twice now in three days,” Grant said. She could hear the grin in his voice. “Thanks for sending those folks over my way. Many thanks. My business is picking up due to your enthusiastic advertising.”
“Oh, did the folks make a date to ride?” she asked innocently. It was ridiculous how happy she was to hear Grant’s voice. It gave her such a rush it made her nervous. “That’s nice.”
“Yep. For a party of five.”
“I don’t know how experienced they are.”
“Mixed, the guy said. I’ll take care of them.”
“Good. Um, I hate to cut our conversation short, but I’ve got to run. I’m going into town this morning, and I don’t want to be delayed. I’ll see you.”
“Hey, hey…don’t be in such a rush.” His voice took on a deeper tone. “I haven’t talked to you in days.”
“Yes,” Sunny said, swallowing hard. “I know. But my window of opportunity to shop will be gone if I don’t go now. I’ve got to arrange for laundry service or I’ll go nuts doing it myself.”
“Well, okay. But before you go, let me ask you…do you want to take in a show tonight?”
“A show?” She blinked. “Where?”
“Oh, there’s an old-fashioned live performance about ten miles from here. They’ve been there for years. The people are all local talent. I like to support them, and some of them are actually pretty good.”
“How…interesting. What kind of show?”
“Oh, musical, of course. It starts at eight. But then, we have a movie theater, too, where the kids hang out, if you want to catch a movie at the shopping center. How about it? Want to get out?”
“I guess so. Why not?” She said it hesitantly, but she desperately needed a night out and away from her responsibilities here. The invitation pleased her to no end. However, she was uncertain about closing the office and leaving her clients on their own and without anyone to come to if they needed something.
Not that anyone had yet. All her customers seemed to take care of themselves, once they checked into their cabins.
All at once, she made up her mind, and said more positively, “I’ll go. When will you pick me up?”
“How about six-thirty?”
“Six-thirty it is. Bye now.”
They hung up.
An employee was definitely on her list now. Someone who knew a little about lake society, and boats, and boat safety, and how to care for docks and…things. Someone she could put in charge when she was gone.
Pulling into the tiny lot at the employment agency in due course, Sunny had to take a deep breath. She’d never interviewed a prospective employee before. But she tried to think of all the times she had been on the other side of the interview. Think about what this job needs, she reminded herself.
Swinging through the door, she saw the small office in detail. Behind a desk—old, but polished to a high gleam—sat a woman of about her own age. The woman’s soft brown eyes glanced up as Sunny came into the room. “Hello. May I help you?”
“Hi. Are you Molly?”
“Sure am.”
“I’m Sunny Merrill. I called earlier. I’ve come to see about someone to help at Sunshine Acres.”
“Oh, yes, Miss Merrill. Dell should be along pretty soon. I phoned him right after you called me, and told him to be here at one, and it’s just about that now. I hope that was all right. You said you wanted someone right away.”
“Oh, I do. That was kind of you. You said his name is Dell?”
“Uh-huh. Dell Jackson.” Molly sighed. “Poor Dell, he’s just lost his father, and he’s a little sad and lost for something to do. I shouldn’t have told you that, but he’s a neighbor, and I feel sorry for the kid.”
“Oh, I’m glad you did.” Sunny’s heart softened. She knew about being orphaned from a young age. “Is his mother living?”
“No. Lost his mother years ago. He has a kid sister though, Tracy. They live with an aunt and uncle now.”
“That’s nice.”
Sunny frowned slightly. There was a bit of caution in Molly’s voice. Was there more to Dell’s story she should know?
“Anyway, Dell’s a hard worker, he’s lived here all his life, and he, uh, certainly knows boats and all. That’s what you want, isn’t it?”
“I surely do. I have to have someone reliable to take care of the lifts and docks and…and grounds and things.”
As she was speaking, a young man of about twenty swung through the door. He stopped abruptly just inside, staring at her with deep blue eyes. His sandy bangs flowed almost into them, and when he blinked, strands of hair moved with his lashes. It gave him a rakish appearance.
Yet he looked clean and presentable.
He stuck his hands in his back pockets. He stood with an air of unspoken challenge that surrounded him like a thick lake fog.
“Well, here’s Dell,” Molly limply said from behind her desk.
“Hello.” Sunny spoke tentatively. She didn’t know whether to offer her hand or not, but since his were in his pockets, she thought not. “I’m Sunny Merrill.”
“Hi.”
“I own the resort, Sunshine Acres. I need someone to work part-time. To take care of the dock and lifts, and the grounds. Do you think you can do all that?”
“Yeah, sure. I’ve worked at Four Leaf Clover and Springers’ in the past. And others for a bit while I was in high school. Took care of their boats, too. They can tell you.”
“That’s good.” She let her breath out at the references he offered. “You have lots of experience. I need someone right away. Do you…can you work tomorrow?”
He took his hands from his pockets and raked his fingers through his hair. It immediately fell back into his eyes. “I can go this afternoon, if you want. Ain’t…I’m not doing anything.”
“Do you know Sunshine Acres?”
Dell’s eyes narrowed. “Yeah, I been there once or twice. Even worked there for a few months. Old man Merrill didn’t like my radio tuned up loud. Didn’t like me to run his boat too fast. He was a grouch.”
While watching Dell, Sunny carefully stored the information about her granddad. One more brush stroke for the old man’s personality. Dell seemed to resent her grandfather’s dictates.
She glanced at Molly. Molly bit her lip, quickly glancing between the two of them.
Sunny returned her gaze to the younger man.
“How old are you?”
“Twenty.”
She recognized a troubled soul when she saw him. Dell was now twenty; even though he’d complained about her granddad, he seemed calm enough now. She wondered when he’d turned that corner. Six months could make a huge difference in age, she knew, and kids grew up. How long ago had he worked for her granddad? Perhaps he had outgrown that rebellious streak.
Or perhaps he hadn’t. Hiding her sigh, she could only hope so, anyway.
Molly intervened.
“Now, Dell, that was a while ago, wasn’t it? Maybe you were too sensitive. And you’re older now, so why don’t you simply let all that go? Mr. Merrill liked his resort quiet and contained, and that’s all right.” Molly spoke soothingly. “Nothing to prevent you and Miss Merrill from getting along, now is there? Miss Merrill is offering honest work.”
Sunny watched Dell’s mobile face quickly fall into smoother planes.
So…he was willing to work with her.
“Yeah, I guess so. So do you want me or not?”
“Yes,” she said, making up her mind. “If you’re willing to work hard, Sunshine Acres needs you. You can start this afternoon? Can you come about three?”
Dell nodded.
“Okay, about three. I’ll settle times and duties with you then. And if you’re willing to work right away, I have a couple of jobs for you.”
He nodded. “I’ll be there.”
Driving home after shopping and a drive-thru sandwich, Sunny thought about Dell again. She was relieved she’d found someone so quickly, yet she was also a little worried. He was a troubled kid if she ever saw one. She recognized all the signs from a dozen foster kids she’d grown up with and looked after.
If he proved difficult, she’d simply fire him, that was all. If he couldn’t improve his attitude…
Yet she wasn’t satisfied with that. Jessica Larson wouldn’t be, and Sunny had learned a lot of life lessons from her foster mom.
Dell’s attitude didn’t have to predict his actual work performance, did it? She’d just have to wait and see.
She was making progress, she thought. Next on her list was to find a laundry service for the sheets and towels.
She didn’t mind changing the beds, but she couldn’t continue to use that outdated and worn-out washer and dryer to launder sheets. She’d have to invest in new machines eventually.
If she did that now, it would take a big chunk out of her savings, and so far this summer, the resort wasn’t making enough to buy new stuff. What if something else went wrong, like the plumbing or power or whatever? If such a thing happened, she’d need to have the money to fix that.
But she had to have the washer and dryer…
As she was about to turn the corner, she spotted a medium-sized brick building that looked as if it had been built in the fifties, sporting a sign, Three Corners Community Church.
Elated, she slammed on her brakes and pulled over to the curb. Oh, poor Ol’ Winnie. She’d killed the engine, but she paid no attention.
She studied the sign. It also included the pastor’s name. Ford Neville.
“Wahoo! Thank you, Lord!” She let the shout roar. She’d attend there Sunday. She couldn’t remember when she’d missed meeting the Lord in a worship service for three Sundays in a row. It felt like a starvation diet.
Lord, I can talk to You anywhere and anytime, but I do get a little lonely for Christian companionship.
Sunny sighed happily, and started up the truck again.
Everything would be fine. She just had to trust the Lord to keep her solvent for the year.
Now she was really ready to head back to the resort. It wasn’t so very confining…
Not confining at all, with Grant down the road. Had it been he who used the dock during the storm? What was he doing there in the middle of the night?
Somehow her evening with Grant loomed as large as the hot, sultry sun. Why, she didn’t know.
She bit her lower lip. She shouldn’t depend on him so much. Yet she’d been tempted every day to call him. She hadn’t intended to do that, become dependent, she wanted to try to take care of things herself.
Grant was a friendly sort, and his invitation to go out tonight was meant only as a friend, because she was new to the area.
Nonetheless, her heart rose in excitement. A date with a good-looking guy with expressive eyes wasn’t a bad thing. Not a bad thing at all.
As long as they kept the relationship on a strictly friendship basis…
She just would, that’s all. She’d just watch it. And she’d ask Grant what he was doing down at the docks during the storm.