Sunny approached the hospital with confidence. She had had to squeeze the time into her morning, but she’d thought she must. Tracy started school next week, and Sunny had to work around that schedule, but she was positive she could get in a few hours nursing. She’d take anything.
Her bills were piling high and her savings account wasn’t strong enough to carry more debt at the moment. The new washer and dryer sat in the back corner of the garage, making everything around it look old. Nevertheless, she was proud of them. In spite of the bills, she was making progress.
Too bad the cabin rates were so low. Yet she couldn’t see raising the rent when the cabins hadn’t been improved for at least twenty years. But they covered her operating expenses, thank goodness. Actually, a small profit was beginning to show.
She parked Ol’ Winnie, patting it to give her luck, then entered the hospital. It was small. She had no trouble finding the personnel office. The woman at the desk glanced at her and gave her the application without saying much. She filled it out and thanked the woman, then left. They’d call her for an interview.
She planned to run by the grocery store, then home. She needed more food on hand with Dell and Tracy, she mused. The kids were beginning to take hold, and she was proud of them. Tracy became more comfortable as time went by, and Dell worked keeping the docks clean after his full-time job each day.
As she opened Ol’Winnie’s door, she heard her name called. She turned to see Jim Lindberg approaching. She hadn’t seen him since that first morning at church.
As usual, Jim wore a navy suit. She had yet to see him in casual clothes.
“Hi, Jim.”
“Hi, Sunny. I’ve been meaning to call you. Been so busy with that new condo down on Holloway Street, I haven’t had any time of my own to do anything. Boy, those condos are selling like hot cakes, let me tell you. They’re priced too low, I’m thinking, but the builder simply wants to sell ’em and get his money out of ’em.” He took a breath. “How have you been?”
“Fine. I’m glad to hear you’re selling condos.”
“Me, too. What have you been doing with yourself out at Sunshine Acres?”
“Taking care of the fishermen,” she said with a chuckle.
“Ah, yes. That’s the resort’s stock in trade, isn’t it?”
“Mmm-hmm. My grandfather has some steady customers. Some of those people have been coming to Sunshine Acres for years. They seem to want the place to stay the same.”
She suddenly realized there was comfort to be drawn from that. They loved the resort, had loved her granddad. Maybe they didn’t want the resort to change too much.
“Hmm…interesting. Say, I ran into your dad’s old friend, Frankie Brewster, the other day.”
“Who?”
“A fellow by the name of Frankie Brewster? Tall, skinny guy with brown hair? His face looks like a road map? The two used to be chummy.” Sunny looked blank, prompting Jim to say finally, “You never heard of him?”
“No, I never knew any of my father’s friends,” she remarked. “Never knew my dad. He died before I was born.”
“He did? Wow! I’m sorry, Sunny. Had you ever met your grandparents then?”
“No. Never.”
“Aw, that’s a bum deal. No wonder you seemed a bit stunned that first day. Look,” he glanced at his watch “I have to run. But I’m going to call you soon for that lunch. Bye now.”
“Bye…”
Sunny laughed as she climbed into the truck and turned the key. She doubted she’d ever get a call for a date until she called him to say she was ready to sell. But she didn’t want a date with Jim Lindberg, did she?
She didn’t think of Jim again until that night when she walked down to the lake for her swim. She and Grant had met almost every evening this last week. Sometimes Tracy joined them, and one night a couple of guests did, too. The continuous activity was great fun and relaxing.
And she and Grant often had a few minutes alone.
At the moment, no one was there at the swimming dock. She sat on the flat wooden edge dangling her legs in the water until someone came. She took seriously the warning never to swim alone.
A tuneful whistling sounded behind her, and she turned to see Grant coming down the slope, his lips puckered. His expression lightened, and he ended the tune as a grin began when he spotted her.
“Waiting for me?”
“Waiting for anyone,” she said and shrugged.
“Not just for me?”
“Now just what store would I put into waiting for you?” Resisting a smile, she gazed up and over her shoulder at him, raising an eyebrow.
“Not much, I guess.” He teased as he threw down his towel, a white one he’d brought from home.
“Well, I’m glad you’re here.” She slid into the water at the same time he swiftly dove. It made a great splash and threw her off balance. She moved quickly, treading water, and suddenly took in a swallow of water. “Why, you—” she coughed.
She splashed water at him, but he swam away.
Swimming after him, she tagged the buoy just after he did and folded herself to turn. She pushed herself to catch him, swimming at his heels.
Grant hefted himself up, leaning his folded his arms along the dock until she reached the ladder.
“Hear that?” he questioned.
“What is it?” She listened to a low thrum which grew louder as they listened.
“It’s a huge boat.” He stretched to look, “And I think it’s coming in here.”
She hauled herself up on her arms to see over the dock. Sure enough, the boat that was heading their way was a monster.
“Better get out then.” She climbed quickly out and donned her robe. She glanced out toward the main channel—the monster boat was coming toward her docks. “Oh, boy.”
Sunny slipped her feet into the blue flip-flops and walked along the dock until she reached the outer edge. It was deeper water on this end, giving safe haven to such big boats. Three people stared at her from the boat. One of them was Jim Lindberg, waving.
“Hey, can we come alongside?”
“I suppose so. Come on ashore.” Sunny couldn’t help her politeness, but she wished Jim wouldn’t bring people by to look at her property until next spring. Or without warning. The couple with Jim were staring at her eagerly.
“We were just passing your place and thought we’d stop by,” Jim said, giving a glance at her long legs. The boat deck stood above her, forcing her to look up.
Behind her, she heard Grant snort. Chances of an offhand visit from the Realtor were about as possible as snow in August.
“Well, come on in and sit awhile,” she offered.
“This is Mr. and Mrs. Hubbard, from St. Louis,” Jim introduced as the middle-aged, dark-haired couple disembarked. He introduced Sunny and Grant, mentioning Grant’s Retreat as he did so.
“How do you do.” She smiled a little tentatively. “We were just over at the swimming area.”
Mrs. Hubbard jangled her gold bracelets as she stepped gingerly ashore. She smoothed down her expensive T-shirt and smiled politely at Sunny. But her interested eyes shifted to Grant, taking in his muscular chest.
The woman said nothing.
Sunny led them all to the sociable end of the dock.
Grant grabbed his shirt from where he’d thrown it on the dock and proceeded to put it on while Jim showed the Hubbards to the chairs. Sunny glanced at him from her peripheral vision, hoping his frown didn’t mean he was about to leave. But he simply sat down on the deck.
“Nice weather,” said Mr. Hubbard. He had only started to speak when Grant spoke.
“Supposed to rain by Sunday,” put in Grant before the man could add anything.
“I think so. But we need rain, even though it puts a damper on lake activities,” said Mr. Hubbard.
“It’s supposed to clear by afternoon,” said Jim.
“I hope so because I have a big group reserved. Fifteen riders.” Grant cast a glance at Jim, then continued. “Going to take them on the longer trail. We cleared that underbrush all the way up to that peak in the distance. You can view the lake from there. It’s a great spot and I’m thinking of making it a regular run for folks who want a complete ride and not just a scrap of one.”
He paused for breath, and Sunny frowned at him. What was he trying to do, talk them to death? Grant accepted her silent command and clamped his mouth closed, angry lines bracketing his mouth. He knew, she knew…that he wanted to buy that land.
In the pause that ensued, Jim flashed Grant a barely disguised glance of disgust. He then jumped in with “Mr. Hubbard is interested in real estate here at the lake, Sunny.”
“Uh-huh. A regular developer,” mumbled Grant.
Sunny ignored him. “Well, I—”
“Now I know you can’t sell for a while yet,” said Jim. But I thought—”
She interrupted, “Yes, but, Jim, I’m not in a position to even think about selling at the moment.”
“No, no… You’ve the winter to get through,” said Mr. Hubbard smoothly. His quick glance at Jim told her they’d discussed her situation already.
How dare he push her? Sudden resentment rose, and she realized she wasn’t one hundred percent sure anymore about selling.
Mr. Hubbard continued. “But I’d like to look the place over, if you don’t mind. See the possibilities. You’ve got deep water here, and I can see you’ve got a prime piece of real estate. I’d offer a good price.”
“It’s very kind of you, Mr. Hubbard,” she said, trying to keep her stiffness at bay, “but I’m not prepared to show the place at this time. And I won’t be ready until late next spring.” Very late. “I’ll call you when I think the time is right. But I can’t—I won’t make a decision now.”
“Yes, I see.” Mr. Hubbard rose, pulling his gold card case from him pocket. “Take my card, please. Keep it, don’t throw it away. I’ll be around.”
She accepted the card Mr. Hubbard handed her.
“I think a horseback ride would be lovely, don’t you, Sanford?” Mrs. Hubbard spoke, indicating Grant. “We should take one, see how safe it is. After all, we can’t recommend it to our associates unless we know about it.”
“True, sweetie pie,” Mr. Hubbard muttered “but I don’t have time right now. Maybe in the fall…”
“Uh, be seeing you, Sunny,” Jim said as he ushered the Hubbards back on their boat.
“Sure, Jim.” Grant spoke jovially. “You all take care now.”
As the boat pulled away, she turned to scold Grant for his rude behavior. “Now why—”
She noticed the couple from cabin four had come down to view the boat and were standing at the top of the concrete steps. She clamped her mouth shut.
“That was quite a boat,” called the older man.
“Yes, it was,” Sunny raised her voice to reply.
“Ha! Dodged that one.” Grant said underneath his breath, looking pleased with himself.
“You think so?” Sunny muttered for his ears as the couple turned away.
“Think I’ll be going now.” Grant picked up his towel. “Got work to do.”
“Yes, run away, why don’t you?” Her hands went to her hips.
His grin went lopsided, and he leaned in to kiss her. It was swift but hard for just one moment and felt…wonderful. “Tomorrow?”
He strolled away while she stood still. Her mouth was throbbing from the impression of his, and her ears buzzed with his murmur of promise.
She wanted to scream.
“Sunny, I’ve got an evening ride lined up for Friday night. Want to come?”
Her frustration forgotten, Sunny held the phone closer to her ear. Tracy started school this morning, and Sunny had driven her to the bus stop because Dell’s work schedule didn’t allow him to take her. Her own schedule was becoming complicated.
Grant asked the question nonchalantly, so she answered in a similar way. “Sure. What time?”
“About five-thirty. The trail will be light until about seven, so we’ll be back about then. Then we’ll have a wienie roast after. Buzz will provide biscuits and vegetables. Got all tin dishes last week for it, and a big coffeepot, which we’ll use for hot chocolate. Think it’ll work?”
“I think that will be fun. Who’s coming?”
“Some young people from the church, would you believe?”
“Really?” She hadn’t realized he’d made that much contact at the church. She warmed to the project. “Oh, that’s great. Then Tracy can come, too, and Dell?”
There wasn’t even a hesitation in his voice these days when a matter concerned Tracy and Dell. “Sure, bring ’em. Can’t hurt. Hey, Sunny…”
“Yes?”
“Um, Buzz will need a little help with the serving and stuff. I’ll be guiding the kids, then taking care of the horses. I wondered if you could…I mean, would you be willing to help out?”
The idea bloomed with possibilities, Sunny thought. How wonderful to give the area kids a treat! Perhaps they could give foster kids a special evening, too. Foster kids and even special-needs kids appreciated those things. They had no chance at them unless given as a gift. A ride and outdoor dinner as a treat? You bet!
The idea excited her as she dreamed.
Perhaps even the Larsons might come down for a vacation, she mused. Why hadn’t she thought of it before? She could offer free lodging for a week…and a horseback ride? They could swim every day and hike. All it would cost them would be the gas to come down. It would be a wonderful experience for them all.
“Sunny?”
“Oh, uh, sure, Grant,” she replied with warmth. “I’ll help any way I can.”
“It’s a date then. I’ll tell Buzz you’re on board.”