Four
Jake drove the ski boat into the automatic lift, and they piled out onto the dock. Jen handed Kristin, still in her little red life vest and wearing her flower-print hat, from the boat to Tommy.
The sun’s angle on the horizon signaled it was cocktail hour, and Jen knew from experience that a day on the water fostered healthy appetites. In addition to the men, Jen was sure that Kristin would eat a big dinner.
“Let’s go up and help mom and dad prepare dinner,” Jen said.
“Didn’t they say we were going to Fireside for dinner?” Patrick asked.
“You’re right,” Jen said, clicking her fingers. “I forgot. We should hit the shower and get changed into something suitable.”
Tommy carried Kristin up the stone steps while Jen grabbed the cooler of now-empty cans.
“Dress code?” Tommy asked.
“Shorts and a clean T-shirt would be great,” Jen said.
He nodded. “I can do that.”
She admired his easy way of assimilating into local culture. Her family already adored him.
Jen brought Kristin to their roomy, two-bedroom cabin where they showered and changed together. By the time they entered the main cabin, Kay had hors d’ oeuvres on the dining room table and a special appetizer plate for a ravenous Kristin.
“Come here, honey.” Kay showed Kristin to her spot at the kitchen island and poured cold milk into a sippy cup. While the adults had a round of cocktails, Jen sticking to light beer, Kristin ate the snack that would tide her over until dinner was served at Fireside.
During the last few evenings, Jen had observed Tommy join her father and brothers’ revelry, drinking anything that Roger made, from a Moscow Mule to a jungle juice with vodka. She was happy Tommy was able to let loose, and a little jealous that he could so easily shake off life’s problems and relax. If only she could shake off her mixed feelings about Amanda.
After the men vacuumed up the food with a cocktail, they drove the short distance to Fireside, which was on a different lake. When they entered the bar and supper club, it was as Jen had remembered from several years ago—dark wood floors and wood paneling. She could scarcely see the walls through the heaps of eclectic décor, including Christmas lights strung year-round and signs dispensing wisdom such as, “If you must lie, please be brief.” That never seems to be a problem for Amanda, Jen thought .
“What’s wrong, dear?” Kay asked.
“Nothing. Why?” Jen asked.
“You looked a little sad.”
“Yeah, I suppose I was for a fleeting second,” Jen said. “Over it now.”
“Anything I can do to help?” Kay asked.
“Nah. I’ll be fine.” Jen’s shoulders sagged despite her bravado.
“What’s this nonsense?” Tommy slurred. “You need more alcohol. I’m buying. What do you want?”
“A sparkling water, please,” Jen said. “Whenever I drink too much, Kristin gets sick in the middle of the night. Murphy’s law.”
“I remember those days,” Kay said.
“In that case,” Tommy said, “How about I drink tonight, and you drink tomorrow night? Kristin can do a sleepover with us guys in Jake’s cabin.”
“I might take you up on that,” Jen said.
He winked at her and draped his arm around her shoulders, giving her a light squeeze.
The Dawson family swarmed the bar area while Tommy bought a round.
“Here’s to the detective from San Francisco!” Roger said loud enough for everyone in the bar to hear.
Tommy raised his glass to him.
“You’re welcome in our home anytime,” Roger said. “I’m happy that you’re the father of my granddaughter.”
Here we go, Jen thought, now I’m going to hear all the reasons Tommy and I should get married. Please don’t expect me to be straight…That’s not how it works.
Having a sixth sense about her daughter’s feelings, Kay slid her arm around Jen’s waist. “Don’t take anything your father says personally tonight. He’s had a lot to drink. Trying to keep up with the younger men, I’m afraid. I’ll talk to him tomorrow about saying stuff about you and Tommy.”
“Thanks Mom.”
A large, corner table became available, so the hostess escorted the Dawsons from the bar to the table, and they quickly settled in. Jake, Patrick and Tommy ordered the prime rib and shrimp specials to see who could eat more. Jen ordered a small steak for herself and chicken tenders for Kristin, who was busy coloring.
Just as conversation was in full swing, a fit-looking man in his forties who was neatly dressed in khakis and a polo shirt put his hand on Roger’s shoulder. “Hey Roger. How are you?”
Roger turned and looked up, then broke into a wide smile. “Hi, Doc. Terrific! How are you?”
“Good. We just finished our meal. Sorry, I ate the last of the prime rib if you were thinking about ordering it.” The bald man winked at Jen, who wasn’t fond of winks, much less from strangers.
“Liar,” Roger said, jocularity coloring his face. “Hey everyone, this is Dr. Neal Olson. He has a cabin on our lake.” Roger introduced his children, emphasizing that Jen was a hotshot doctor in San Francisco.
“What’s your specialty?” Dr. Olson asked.
“Emergency Room medicine, but I currently practice internal medicine at the Cohen Clinic,” she said.
He scratched his clean-shaven chin, nearly as bald as his shiny head. “Multi-specialty practice?”
“Yes. My patient panel is mostly in our concierge service program.”
“Very lucrative, I imagine,” Dr. Olson said. “If you ever want to return to Wisconsin, we sure could use another primary care physician at our clinic.”
“Really?” Jen’s ears perked up. “Where?”
“In Eau Claire,” he said.
“How big is your clinic?” she asked, being polite but also mildly curious.
“We have over 300 doctors now.”
“Wow,” Jen said. “I’m impressed.”
“With the surrounding area, we serve a population of about 100,000 residents,” he said. “How long will you be at the lake?”
“Another 10 days,” Jen said.
“Why don’t you drive down and visit Summerfield Clinic?” Dr. Olson asked.
Jen inclined her head, actually considering the idea.
“I’ll drive you,” Roger said.
“I’ll tag along,” Kay said. “I could use a trip to town to buy some supplies.”
Jen smiled at her parents’ enthusiasm over the prospect of her returning to their neck of the woods.
While she was considering her answer, Dr. Olson removed his wallet and fished out a business card. “Here’s my card. Call me if you’re interested. We’d love to talk to you, even if you aren’t moving this year. We’re always planning for the future.”
She accepted the card and drummed it against her fingertips. “Thanks. Maybe I will.”
“Well, good seeing you, Roger and Kay, and finally meeting the rest of your family. Enjoy your meal.” Dr. Olson caught up to his wife by the door, and they left.
Kay grabbed Jen’s arm. “Wouldn’t that be exciting?”
“Don’t get your hopes up, Mom. I’m sure he was just being polite,” Jen said.
“I don’t think so,” Roger said. “I think they really need primary care doctors.”
Jen had to admit she was tempted by the idea.
“You and Kristin could spend weekends at the lake with us,” Kay said.
“I’m not sure that’s a selling point, Mom,” Patrick said.
Jen laughed. “Of course it is. What do you think we do on the weekends?”
“Live your exciting life in the big city,” he said.
“Tommy, is our life more exciting than a weekend at the lake?” Jen asked.
“Our lives are crazy during the week, but in our free time, I’d say we’re downright boring.”
“See?” Jen stared at Patrick.
“Well, if you’re moving back here, then so am I,” Tommy said.
“The San Francisco native?” Jake asked. “That’ll be the day.”
“I’m sure they need homicide detectives in this Eau Claire place,” Tommy said.
“Yeah, all two of them for the three or four homicides per year,” Jake said.
“I know the Chief of Police,” Roger said. “He has a cabin on our lake. Want me to call him and set something up, Tommy?”
Tommy looked at Jen. “Only if Jen visits Summerfield Clinic.”
“You’d do that?” Jen asked.
“I think a change of pace sounds fun. It’s beautiful here, and I feel like I could work well into my fifties if I could fish with Roger on the weekends.”
“What about Cy and Tina, and the rest of your family?” Jen asked.
“That would be a problem,” Tommy said. “Cy wouldn’t move from the city, nor would I expect him to, but he needs my help.”
“I agree,” Jen said, closing the topic for now. To prevent further discussion, and open optimism by her parents, she excused herself to use the restroom.
As she entered the bar area, she heard her name being called. She turned to see a dark-haired woman close to her own age rushing toward her.
“Jen? Jen Dawson?” the woman asked.
Jen’s mind worked overtime to recall the woman’s name. Coming up blank, she plastered a smile on her face.
“You don’t remember me, do you?” the woman asked. “We went to high school together in Madison. You were a year ahead of me.”
“I’m sorry,” Jen said. “I’m at a loss.”
“Victoria Marshall.” The woman grasped Jen’s hand tightly and gave it a vigorous shake. “Fancy meeting you here.”
“Of course, Victoria. I remember you now,” Jen fibbed. “You look terrific. What brings you to Fireside?”
“So do you,” Victoria gushed, then in a confident voice, said, “I own an interior design firm in Eau Claire, and I have a cabin on Fireside Lake. This is my local hangout.”
Jen was struck by Victoria’s deep tan, set off by her tight, white tank top, and short black skort. Her lips were thin, but painted red, and she had dark, mischievous eyes. If Victoria had looked like this in high school, Jen would have remembered her.
“What brings you here?” Victoria asked.
“My family has owned a cabin on Sand Lake since I was a kid. I live in San Francisco, but I’m home for a visit.” Jen decided to leave Kristin and Tommy out of the equation for now.
“I heard you went to school in California,” Victoria said. “Doctor, right?”
“You have good intel,” Jen said. “Yes.”
Victoria grasped Jen’s left hand and examined her fingers. “Not married yet, huh?”
Jen was a little taken aback at Victoria’s interrogation. “No. Not married. Haven’t found the right woman yet.”
Victoria smiled. “Lucky me. Then I need to take you to dinner, don’t I?”
Jen’s spirits picked up, and she tried on a playful smile. “Are you always this direct?”
“I had a crush on you in high school, so I’m not letting this opportunity pass me by. I’d like to get to know you better.” Victoria’s delivery was so smooth that Jen felt a little out of her league.
“I’m flattered.” She let her gaze quickly travel over Victoria. “I’d like to get to know you better too.”
“How about I make you dinner tomorrow night?”
Jen remembered that Tommy said Kristin could stay with him in Jake’s cabin, so she was free—all night. Not that she planned on jumping into bed with the first woman she met, but she had good childcare, so she was open. To possibilities. “I’d like that. What time?”
“Come to my place around five. I’ll take you on a cocktail cruise around my lake before we eat.”
“Sounds fantastic,” Jen said. “Can you give me directions?”
Victoria opened her phone and navigated to contacts. She handed it to Jen. “Enter your contact info, and I’ll text you directions.”
Jen typed Jen on the first line, Dawson on the second line, and high school crush on the third line. She entered her cell phone number under that and returned Victoria’s phone to her.
“Niiice.” Victoria laughed.
“I’ll look for your text,” Jen said.
“I’ll send it tonight,” Victoria said. “Are you having dinner here?”
“Yeah,” Jen said. “I’m here with my entire family.”
“Great,” Victoria said. “I have a small group on my boat. We just stopped in for a drink and to use the ladies’ room.”
“That sounds like fun,” Jen said.
Victoria shrugged. “They’re clients, but they’re fun.”
Jen didn’t want to pursue that topic, so, having reached the end of their conversation, she wasn’t sure how to say goodbye.
Consistent with their entire exchange, Victoria wasn’t at a loss at all. Her hand found Jen’s solid bicep and squeezed, then she raised up on her tiptoes and dropped a feathery light kiss on Jen’s cheek. “See you tomorrow night.”
Jen’s hand flew to Victoria’s hip before she knew what was happening, and she returned the peck with a kiss to Victoria’s cheek. “I’m looking forward to it.”
With that, Victoria turned on her heel and sauntered back into the bar, her round ass sashaying in her black skort. Jen admired what she saw. Victoria was about the same size as Amanda and had black hair, but it was straight. In contrast to Amanda, Victoria had a deep summer tan and looked…harder…in some way…but Jen wasn’t certain how.
It’s my fucking night, she thought as she went into the ladies’ room— a job offer and a date . I like this place!
When she returned to the Dawson table, the conversation was again in full swing, then men debating the strengths and weaknesses of Duncan’s football team. Tommy was even agreeing to attend a game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay.
“Hi honey, is everything okay?” Kay asked. “You were gone a while.”
“Everything is fantastic,” Jen said. “I met an old friend from high school who owns an interior design firm in Eau Claire. We got to chatting.”
“That’s nice,” Kay said. “What’s her name?”
“Victoria Marshall.”
“Of ‘Marshall Designs?’” Kay asked.
“I assume so,” Jen said.
“She’s built quite a reputation for herself. She’s designed and decorated all the lake homes of the rich and famous in this area.”
“Really?” Jen sipped her beer. “Well, she’s having me over for drinks and dinner tomorrow night. Can you babysit Kristin with Tommy?”
Kay raised her eyebrows. “I heard she was gay. Is this a date?”
Jen smiled. “Of course not. Just catching up is all.”
Kay patted Jen’s arm. “Good for you. I’d love to help Tommy watch Kristin.”
“Thanks Mom.”
Kay’s smile turned into a frown. “What about Tommy?”
“He said Kristin would sleep in his cabin tomorrow night, so if you could coordinate with him, that’d be great.”
“That’s not what I meant, and you know it,” Kay whispered.
It was Jen’s turn to pat Kay’s arm. “I know. I’ll speak to him tomorrow. No worries.”
“Okay. If you say so, but I’ve seen the way he looks at you.”
“We’re close,” Jen said.
From the opposite end of the long table, Tommy found Jen’s eyes. He smiled and raised his glass of something dark at her.
She raised her water in return, thinking that he looked happier than she’d seen him in a long while.