LeAnn had showered and was blowing her hair dry. Mentally she was going over everything she had discovered in the last twenty-four hours.
“Should I say anything to Matt?” she asked herself out loud. Probably not. He would think she was nuts. “Maybe I should just ask if he had heard any of the rumors about the island.” Yeah, she could do that.
She finished drying her hair and put on make up. Looking at her reflection she said, “Not bad for someone whose sleep has been interrupted two nights in a row.”
Walking into her bedroom, and over to the dresser, she pulled out a navy blue tank top. Then she turned and went to the closet deciding she’d wear her jean Capri pants. As an afterthought she grabbed the white zip up sweater, in case the night got cool.
Just as she finished dressing, she heard a motor out front. She ran to the window and saw a cruiser pulling up to her pier. She recognized Matt right away. Hmmm, nice boat, she thought.
More lip gloss, a touch of perfume, and then she ran down the stairs. She turned on a couple of lamps and went out the door locking it behind her.
“Hi,” she called out as she reached the pier. “You’re right on time.”
“Never want to keep a lady waiting.” He smiled as he tethered the boat to her pier. “I was wondering,” he started, “would you like to go to a fish fry instead of the resort tonight?”
“Would I?” she exclaimed, very excited, “Where? I haven’t been to a fish fry in years!”
Matt grinned. “I thought so. There are a few bars that usually have them on Fridays, but I thought we’d go over to Gus Tavern. His has the best Walleye anywhere. You’ll like Gus. He moved here about eight years ago. He’s this Greek guy who used to come up fishing and hunting and then decided he didn’t want to leave. So he opened a tavern with his wife, Mary. They’re a great couple,” he said stepping onto the pier. “It’s going to be a little longer boat ride than to the resort but definitely worth it.”
“Hold on a minute.” LeAnn ran back up the path to the house. She hurriedly unlocked and opened the front door and raced back to the kitchen. In the mudroom, she grabbed her Colorado Rockies baseball hat. She wasn’t a baseball fan, by any means, but her dad was and this had been his hat. She quickly pulled her hair through the back of the hat, making a ponytail, and then hurried back out the front door. She locked the door, and then ran back down the path to the boat.
Matt started laughing when he saw what she had done.
“Well, a girl has to look good when she arrives to her destination, right?” she said.
They laughed together. Matt helped her into his cruiser.
“Pretty fancy,” remarking as she sat down and ran her hand along the white leather seat.
“It’ll do.” Matt chuckled as he backed up the boat and steered it in the direction of Gus’ Tavern.
LeAnn moved to sit up front next to Matt. The air was brisk but not enough to put on her sweater. She reached into her jeans pocket and got her sunglasses. Putting them on, she thought, What a difference a day makes. Isn’t that the name of a song? Well, she might have heard it on one of the oldie-moldy movies she’d watched with her dad.
Matt was a good sailor, she noticed, as he maneuvered the cruiser around the fishing boats and the jet skiers. LeAnn took in the view and laughed a little as a water skier fell taking a wake to sharply. She was totally enjoying the ride and view. There was even a bald eagle flying overhead looking for his dinner. LeAnn pointed up to the eagle to show Matt. He nodded with a smile and returned his attention to steering the boat.
As they approached the tavern, LeAnn could see there were a few boats already there and the parking lot was half full. Matt approached an empty slip. LeAnn stood up and moved to the front of the boat to get the rope, ready to tether it to the pier. Matt cut the motor and brought the cruiser in slowly. LeAnn was able to grab the cleat and wrap the rope around it as Matt did the same on the back of the boat.
“Here we are,” he announced with a smile. He climbed out of the boat so he could help LeAnn out. He grabbed her hand and she jumped out onto the pier. “Thank you.”
“My pleasure,” he said gallantly as they looked at each other and giggled, both a little nervous. LeAnn was trying to remember exactly how long it had been since they had last seen each other. Unfortunately, she couldn’t.
They walked over the grassy area and crossed the parking lot. Matt held the door for her and they both went inside, greeted by loud country music playing on the jukebox and a lot of loud talking and laughter. The waitresses looked like they were worn out already as they practically ran carrying trays with dishes of food or drinks.
LeAnn already loved the atmosphere of the place. She was so glad she had said yes to Matt. She didn’t realize how much she had missed being out among people, but most of all she’d miss companionship.
“Hey, Gus!” Matt called out over the music. Gus waved over to the sound of Matt’s voice.
Gus was a short, good looking man with salt and pepper hair. LeAnn noticed his complexion was olive and he had a little bit of a belly. Probably from all the beers his customers bought for him. He was mixing drinks behind the bar and it looked like he was telling a joke to the customers sitting in front of him.
“Want to sit at the bar or wait for a table?” Matt asked.
“Oh, please, can we sit at the bar?” she responded. “It looks like this is where the action is.” She was so glad to be out, to hear laughter.
“Matt, how the heck are you?” Gus asked holding his hand out to shake Matt’s hand. “And who, may I ask, is this lovely creature?”
“Back off, Onassis, she’s with me!” Matt said with a laugh. “This is LeAnn Klein. She, her brother, and I have been friends since we were kids. In fact, she now owns Tabor Island. LeAnn, this Greek god is Gus. Don’t let him fool you, he’ll flirt like crazy, but he’s madly in love with the dark, haired beauty in the kitchen, his wife, Mary.”
“Way to spoil it for me, old friend.” Gus teased. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, LeAnn.”
“Nice to meet you, too, Gus.” LeAnn shook his hand.
“Now, what can I get you two to drink?” Gus asked.
“LeAnn?”
“I would love a vodka tonic, with a lime, please.”
“Matt?”
“My usual, beer.”
“Coming right up,” With a big smile Gus turned to get their drinks.
“He seems really nice,” LeAnn said as she sat on the barstool.
“He is. He can be a lot of fun, and his wife, Mary, is awesome, and what a great cook!”
Gus brought their drinks over and set them in front of Matt and LeAnn. “So, you two going to have fish fry, or should I get you a menu?”
“Fish fry!” The both said in unison, and all three laughed. Gus walked away to put their order in.
LeAnn took a sip of her vodka tonic and looked around the tavern. Done in knotty pine, the bar was L-shaped and could seat twenty-five people. Round and rectangular tables were scattered in the bar area. To the right was a dining room with approximately fifteen tables, a pool table, and two pin ball machines. As with all bars, there were four televisions playing at the same time, each set on a different station. Then she noticed a large rock fireplace. Bet that’s nice when it’s snowing and you’re watching football. She thought.
“So,” Matt interrupted her thoughts. “How are things on the island? Are you able to keep busy?”
“Keep busy? Are you kidding?” LeAnn looked at him with raised eyebrows.
“I was kidding. Relax.” Matt was a little amazed by her reaction and a little embarrassed. He hadn’t meant to offend her. “LeAnn, what’s up with you? Is everything all right?”
“Oh, Matt, I’m sorry.” She apologized, realizing she had sounded rude. “I’m fine. I think I’ve been working too hard cleaning the place up and I didn’t realize how much I missed talking and being with people until just now. I really do thank you for getting me off the island.” She wasn’t ready to say anything about the light and music.
“Okay, then. We’ll just have to make sure you get your fill of people tonight, and I’m going to have to make it my duty to see you get out more. Deal?”
“Deal!” she said with a grin.
The waitress brought over their dinners, salads and a basket of bread rolls. She set their food in front of them. Each dish had two large walleye fillets and hash browns.
“Can I get you anything else?” the waitress asked, eyeing the line of people coming in the door.
“LeAnn?” Matt asked.
“No, I’m good, thank you.”
LeAnn took her first bite of fried walleye in years and closed her eyes to savor the taste. “Oh, my god, I think I’ve died and gone to heaven,” she said.
“Not bad for a Greek guy, huh?” Gus said. He had a great big grin on his face.
“Oh, Gus, this is the best ever!” She took another bite and wiped her mouth on her paper napkin.
“How are your drinks? Refills?”
Matt looked at LeAnn; she nodded.
“Two more, Gus.”
“You got it!” Gus left to get them their drinks.
Matt and LeAnn ate silently for a minute. LeAnn couldn’t remember when she had had better tasting fish.
Gus brought their fresh drinks. Next to him was a pretty, brunette woman about his age. “LeAnn, I would like you to meet my wife, Mary.”
The woman standing next to Gus was wearing an apron with a lot of flour and batter spattered on it. “It is a pleasure to meet you.” Mary said hurriedly wiping her hands on the apron.
Gus put his arm around Mary’s shoulder, “My wife is mad because I dragged her out of her kitchen to meet you.”
“Gus, it’s not that, it’s just that we are really busy!” Mary scolded. “Matt, it is always good to see you. LeAnn, I don’t want to sound rude, it is a pleasure to meet you, but I need to get back in the kitchen. I’m the only cook around here and need to get back to take care of the orders.” She gave her husband a dirty look, and as she turned away he swatted her behind. Mary walked away, Gus didn’t see the smile on her face.
“She’s pretty and definitely a good cook!” LeAnn commented to Gus. LeAnn heard someone call her name.
“LeAnn! Hey over here.”
Turning she saw Hannah standing in a line. LeAnn signaled her to come over “Hi, Hannah.”
“Hi, back, and hello to you too, boss!” Hannah said raising her eyebrows.
“Oh, gosh, I didn’t think of that. I guess you two definitely know each other.” LeAnn blushed.
“Well, yeah.” Hannah teased. “How are things on the island? Are you still living there?”
Confused by Hannah’s tone, LeAnn replied, “Yeah. Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Oh, no reason, just asking. I mean, no one has lived there for so long, I thought the dust bunnies would have gotten you.”
LeAnn thought that was a weird thing for Hannah to say but she also thought Hannah was a little ditsy.
“Well, I think my table’s ready, and the girls I’m with are waving me over. Girls night out, you know. Good to see you.” In an instant Hannah turned to join her friends, making sure all the guys were checking her out as she walked by.
“Okay,” LeAnn said turning toward Matt. “Is she always that strange?”
“Yeah,” Matt said with a laugh. “She can be a little crazy, but she’s a great waitress.” Matt looked over towards Hannah.
Hmm, she thought, Pretty, and a little ditzy, she could be perfect for Adam.
“So, how much of the house is done?” Matt asked, taking her mind away from Hannah.
“Well, the house is pretty much finished. I was surprised it wasn’t in worse condition after being locked up for so many years. It’s the boathouse I need help with. You wouldn’t by any chance know someone I can hire as my handyman, would you?”
“Actually, I do. How soon do you want me to send someone over?”
“Oh, Matt, that’s great.” she said relieved. “The sooner the better! I really need work done in the boathouse. Plus, there are some things I found in the attic I would like carried down. Please make sure this person can haul heavy stuff. I’d hate to be responsible for an old man’s heart attack!”
Matt laughed, “I get it. No old men. Will I do?”
“No, Matt, I can’t ask you, not with all you have to do at the resort” She was shocked he had even offered.
“Well, I won’t do the stuff in the boathouse, but I do know someone who can. Besides, it sounds like too much work,” he said chuckling. “But, I was thinking of helping you with the stuff in attic.”
“Okay,” she said a little hesitant, “if you’re serious. It really isn’t too much. I just would like a few things brought down, and of course I would help.”
He chuckled, “It’s settled. When do you want to do this?”
“Ummm, tomorrow too soon?” she asked coyly.
“Actually, tomorrow is my day off. Perfect. What time? Better yet, why don’t I call in the morning, and we’ll set up a time?”
“You’re the best. That sounds great, but I’m sure you have better things to do on your day off than haul stuff out of my attic. I’m willing to pay someone to do it,” she said even though knowing she’d love to see him again.
“It’s settled,” he said nodding his head. “So, are you ready to go or would you like another cocktail?”
“How about we go back to my house and have cocktails there?” she said noticing, dusk was fast approaching.
What was she thinking? Maybe she’d keep Matt at her house to see if he saw what she had seen. But, that would mean he’d have to stay late. And, what if she told him what had been happening there, and it didn’t happen again? Did she really want to tell him what she had experienced? He would surely think she was crazy and never talk to her again. She needed to seriously think about if she was going to tell him or not. It was bad enough having Adam laugh at her; she didn’t need that from Matt, too.
“Great idea. Let’s go,” he said as he stood up.
“You can be my first guest in my new home.” She smiled.
Matt signaled for the bill, and Gus brought it over, “Are you two heading out?”
“Yes, and everything was great. Thank you so much,” LeAnn said.
“Can I tempt you with Mary’s baklava for dessert?” Gus asked sheepishly.
“No, no, I’m stuffed!” LeAnn said laughing. “Dinner was delicious, thank you.”
“Glad you enjoyed. Come back soon with or without your friend here.” Gus nodded toward Matt, and they all laughed.
“There goes your tip, Gus!” Matt kidded, they all laughed again.
LeAnn looked over to where Hannah was sitting. Hannah happened to look up. LeAnn waved. Hannah waved back smiling and then her attention went to her girlfriends, who were giggling.
Matt helped LeAnn get in the boat and they headed for the island.
LeAnn put on her sweater and sat down behind the windshield. The night was getting chilly. Matt again smoothly maneuvered the boat out of the slip and onto the open water of the lake.
“Too bad it’s getting dark; we could have gone for a sunset ride,” Matt said and looked at her hopefully.
“I would have liked that,” LeAnn responded, “but to be honest, I’m cold, and I didn’t bring a heavy enough sweater.”
“Home, it is then, and I’ll give you a rain check on the ride,” he said as he pushed the throttle forward.
They rode the rest of the way without speaking, just enjoying the ride and being together.