Later in the afternoon, Matt found LeAnn on the porch with the journal in her lap. He gave her an annoying look. “Put it down.” He tried not to sound angry but failed.
“Matt, don’t be angry with me. There has to be a clue in this journal. For my sake and now Hannah’s, I have to find out what is going on in that ballroom! What is there that is so angry that it wants to hurt people?”
“I don’t think you’ll find anything in that journal except the writings of a lovesick young girl,” he said as he sat next to her.
LeAnn shook her head and put the journal down. She wasn’t going to get anywhere with Matt. She closed her eyes and rested her head on the back of the chair. The sun was so warm on her face. She couldn’t believe that winter was just a couple of months away.
After everyone had left, she had gone up to her room to take a nap. When she woke she found Matt on the couch sound asleep. She hadn’t wanted to wake, him so she had taken the journal and sat on the porch to read.
“Can I get you anything?” Matt interrupted her thoughts.
LeAnn sighed and, not opening her eyes said, “No, thank you. I’m fine.”
They sat quietly.
LeAnn spoke up. “I feel like I should be doing something, like mopping under my bed so that the carpet can be put down.” Looking at Matt’s bandaged hand, she added, “I guess that will have to wait awhile.”
“Sorry.” Matt said, feeling bad.
Seeing the look on his face, she said, “It wasn’t your fault you hurt your hand. If you hadn’t helped us, we would probably be -”
“Don’t. Don’t say it, please.” Matt grabbed her hand. “LeAnn, if anything had happened to you, I don’t know what I would have done.” He bent toward her and kissed her passionately. She returned his kiss with the same feeling. He pulled her up off the chair and held her in his arms.
They wanted each other. LeAnn felt Matt’s tongue as he slid it into her mouth. She had butterflies in her stomach and returned his kisses feverously. Matt wanted to take her upstairs and make love to her. He could tell she wanted him too.
LeAnn broke their embrace and took Matt by his good hand. She led him in the house and up the stairs to her bedroom.
She turned and looked up into his eyes, and as they kissed Matt reached his good hand up and under her top. LeAnn’s hands were doing their own searching up under Matt’s sweater. She helped him take his sweater off, and then she removed her top. Matt walked her over to the bed and laid her down gently and then lay next to her. Their hands explored each other lovingly; their kisses were deep and long. LeAnn had never felt like this and didn’t want the feeling to ever end.
After their lovemaking, LeAnn lay in Matt’s arms. She felt safe and warm. She never wanted this moment to end.
Then Matt whispered, “I love you, LeAnn. You don’t have to say anything. I just wanted you to know that I’ve loved you for a long time.”
“Matt, I love you too.” She looked up into his blue eyes. He looked down at her and gently kissed her soft mouth. LeAnn returned his kiss in earnest, and they made love again.
After they showered and dressed, LeAnn went to her bed and tried to push it across the floor. Matt walked out of the bathroom, “What in the world are you doing?” he asked her, shocked.
Laughing, she said, “I have this newly found energy, and I thought I’d mop under the bed so the carpet we found could be rolled out.”
“And who do you think is going to roll that carpet? You?” he said with his arms folded across his chest.
She looked over her shoulder to the hallway where the very large rug was. Then looked back at Matt and shrugged her shoulders.
“No way, Missy. Besides, I’m starving and you’re going to make me something to eat with your newly found-energy.”
LeAnn laughed and walked over to Matt and hugged him.
“Let’s go, woman. Feed your hungry man.”
Laughing, they headed for the kitchen arm in arm. LeAnn had never felt this happy in her life. “Wow!” LeAnn said when she opened the refrigerator door, surprised and impressed with what she saw. Mrs. Weston and been a busy bee in the short time she had been there. She had made several dishes of food that just needed to be heated. She had even done some baking.
“That’s my mom,” Matt said, looking over LeAnn’s shoulder.
“Thank heaven for your mom. I’m not going to have to cook for a week.” Matt kissed the back of LeAnn’s neck. She grabbed her neck and screamed out in fright.
He jumped back quickly, shocked by her reaction. “LeAnn, what? What did I do?”
She turned to him, feeling awful for how she reacted. “Matt, I’m so sorry. It’s just…”
Suddenly, he remembered. The ballroom. Whatever it was, had whispered and touched the girls’ necks.
“No, no, honey. I’m the one who is sorry. It was thoughtless of me.” He reached for her and held her.
“Matt, no. I didn’t realize I would react that way. It’s silly of me.”
They stood for awhile holding onto each other. Then, trying to lighten the moment, Matt said, “Hey, where’s my food?”
She forced a smile, “Coming right up, sir.”
LeAnn noticed clouds moving in and a light wind was blowing outside, so she decided they would eat in the dinning room. At least there was a large picture window that looked out onto the lake from there.
Matt came in and sat down. They ate quietly and watched the peaceful view as the sun set.
Finally, LeAnn broke the silence. “How’s your hand?”
“You know, it’s not as bad as yesterday. It hurts less and less each day. I don’t think I’ll need a pain pill today.”
“I’m glad.” She smiled.
“LeAnn?” he started, “would you consider staying at Ridgewood’s tonight?”
She looked down at her plate then up at him with a loving smile. “I think you know the answer to that, Matt.”
“Yeah, but I thought I’d try anyway. You know I’ll stay here with you as long as you want. This hand has made it so I’m useless at the resort.”
“But not useless to me,” she said, grinning and winking at him.
He thought he saw an opening, “Want to take a nap?”
She burst out laughing. “You nasty man. Maybe in awhile.” She stood up and cleared the dishes.
He followed her into the kitchen, where he helped the best he could with filling up the dishwasher. After they finished, they went into the living room. Matt lay down on the couch with his head on LeAnn’s lap. His hand was starting to hurt, and he thought maybe he was going to have to take a pain pill after all.
“Hurt?” she asked him.
“Yeah, I’m afraid so,” he admitted.
“Should I get you a pain pill?”
“Maybe just a half. I really don’t think I need a whole one.” He raised his head to let her up off the couch.
“Here you go,” She said as she handed him the water and a whole pill.
“Thank you.” He didn’t bother breaking it in half. His hand really hurt.
LeAnn walked over to the loveseat with the journal in her hand. She sat down with her legs curled under her, as if settling down for some extensive reading. She looked over at Matt and smiled, “You get some sleep.”
“You going to continue to read that thing?” he asked with distaste.
“Yes, I am.” Opening the journal, she started to read.
March 1, 1942
Mommy,
Papa is in Chicago. He has been commissioned to do another building for Jonathan’s bank. I went to Hayward today to do some shopping. I ran into Jonathan. I was in the restaurant having lunch, and he came in. He looks so sad, Mommy. It broke my heart. He came over to my table, and he asked if he could join me, and, well, I said yes. Even though I knew it was wrong. Jonathan sat down and I asked how Phoebe was doing after her surgery in Germany. He told me the surgery was not a success and that she would be in a wheelchair the rest of her life. And to top it all off, she will not ever be able to have children. He told me she was becoming very depressed and he hated himself for what he had done to her.
Oh, Mommy, how my heart breaks for this poor man and his wife. He told me he was in town to make arrangements to move her to their Hayward home so she can be closer to her family and friends. He also needed to hire a full-time nurse and companion for Phoebe. Jonathan is trying to get transferred to the Hayward bank, but he needs to stay in Minneapolis for a little while longer.
I told Jonathan how sorry I was. He just looked at me, Mommy. He said he wished things had worked out differently. He said he still loved me and that his love for me grew every day. He said he knew it was wrong to love me so much, because of Phoebe, and he knew that Papa would be very angry about our being together right now at lunch. I asked him to please not say that to me ever again. I couldn’t help it, but my eyes filled up with tears. I so wanted to tell him that my love for him was also growing stronger, that I could not get him out of my mind. I wanted to tell him that I had dreams of him and me together when I slept. I didn’t because I knew how wrong it would be.
What a wretched woman I am—to want another woman’s husband as badly as I want Jonathan! Especially since his wife is crippled!
Jonathan said he was going to be back in town in a week, and would I please meet him again. I said no at first, and then I looked into his beautiful eyes and said that I would. He smiled. Mommy, he smiled for probably the first time in months. I know it will be wrong, but I just can’t say no to him. How does one stop such intense love? I just pray that Papa doesn’t find out!
Oh, Mommy, please forgive me!
March 8, 1942
Mommy, Jonathan and I met at the park. It is cold this time of year, but his love keeps me warm. No one was at the park and he took my hands. He said that he was concerned with Phoebe’s mental health. She was so depressed that the doctors were trying to treat her with medication. Jonathan didn’t think it was working.
He leaned over and kissed me! Oh, his lips were so smooth and warm, Mommy. My heart started racing and I felt funny in my stomach! I was so excited, frightened, and guilty all at the same time! My love for Jonathan is never going to die, nor his for me. What a horrible hand we have been dealt by fate! I know I will never be able to have him completely, but I am content to have just this small part of him. To know that he loves me so is what I will live with, and be happy to do so for the rest of my life.
LeAnn put the journal down and realized she was crying. She had never known anyone who loved so much. She didn’t even think her parents loved each other like Amelia and Jonathan had.
She got a Kleenex, wiped her eyes, looked over at a sleeping Matt, and continued to read. Skimming through the pages of other meetings between Jonathan and Amelia, she read that Amelia’s father was away a lot in Chicago to oversee the building of the new bank he had designed. Jonathan was busy in Minneapolis, but when he came to see Phoebe, he always saw Amelia as well.
May 10, 1942
Mommy, everything is in full swing for the ball. I hope I haven’t forgotten anything. Please don’t be mad at me, Papa did invite Jonathan and his wife, and I’m so excited to see him. I know his wife will not attend. Jonathan said she doesn’t leave the house at all! She won’t even go to the doctors. They come to the house. She is even starting to cut down on the visitors who come to see her. He again mentioned his concern for her mental state. I know that Jonathan and I will never be together like we would like, but any time I can spend with him is all I can ask for. He is my life, Mommy. Can you understand? He is my life.
LeAnn couldn’t believe what she was reading. Here was this beautiful, young girl who could probably have any man she wanted, and she was settling for stolen moments with the love of her life. How does anyone love so strongly? She wondered. Reading the journal was like reading a love story like Romeo and Juliet and remembering that Romeo and Juliet’s love was so strong they died for each other. LeAnn could only shake her head.
LeAnn looked over at Matt again as he started to stir. She smiled, set the journal down, then went over, and knelt beside him.
Will we ever love each other like Jonathan and Amelia? She wondered. LeAnn ran her fingers over Matt’s forehead. When she remembered how he had rescued them, she got the chills. She was falling in love with Matt Weston. The young man who had grown up with her brother. They had all played together as kids on the lake. They had fished together, and gone to town with their folks together. Had she loved him all along?
Matt slowly opened his eyes.
He smiled. “Now this is the way I’d like to wake up all the time. A beautiful woman looking at me.”
LeAnn just smiled at him. They looked at each other for awhile then LeAnn gently kissed Matt on the lips.
They sat quietly for a few moments. Then Matt looked at her and said, “I have an idea. If I promise you no tricks attached—and only if you feel up to it—would you consider going to Ridgewood’s for dinner? And I promise, promise we will come straight back out to the island.”
LeAnn looked at him suspiciously.
Matt saw the doubtful look on her face. “I give you my word. I won’t trick you, LeAnn. We will come back here after dinner.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
There was a long pause. “Okay.”
“Great.” Matt said, “I’ll call and let them know we’re coming so they can hold the table next to the window. I’m sure it will be available, but just in case. You sure you’re up to it?”
Touching his face and smiling sweetly, she said, “Yes. I’m up to it.” She got up from her kneeling position and started towards the stairs. As she climbed the stairs to go cleanup and change, she heard Matt on the phone calling Ridgewood’s. She hoped he wouldn’t trick her. If he did she would never see him again.
She started toward the closet to get out the clothes to wear to dinner, but instead she slowly walked over to the window. She hesitated, then slowly took the three steps to reach the window and look at the boathouse. They were going to have to walk past it to get to the boat. Could she do it? She would be with Matt, but could she do it?
She felt Matt’s arms go around her waist. Neither one said a word as they both looked at the boathouse.
He turned her to face him. “Time to get dressed,” he said softly.
She nodded and went to the closet. Matt looked at the boathouse then went to change his clothes.
When they were both ready, they went downstairs. LeAnn went into the living room and turned on a couple of lamps. She knew that they would be coming home in the dark, and was starting to have regrets agreeing to go to dinner at Ridgewood’s.
Matt felt her apprehension and came and took her by the hand. “Let’s go.” She looked up at him and nodded.
They went out on to the porch. Matt closed and locked the door behind them.
“Ready?”
She looked down the path. “I guess.” She took a deep breath and let him lead her down the path.
As they neared the boathouse, LeAnn stopped walking. Matt put his arm around her and whispered, “I’m here; it’s okay.”
She looked up at him and let him lead her toward the boathouse. When they reached the boathouse, LeAnn froze.
“Don’t look at it. I’m here LeAnn.”
She couldn’t help but look up at the windows. There it was again. The faceless eyes! What did they want? Why did they keep looking at her? She was starting to shake, and tears were forming in her eyes.
“LeAnn, look at me!” Matt shouted. He had to get her in the boat.
“Matt?”
“Yes, LeAnn. Get in the boat. We’re going to dinner. There is no black mist. There is no wind. Just you and me. Now give me your hand and get in the boat.”
As if in a trance, she held her hand out to Matt. He helped her into the boat.
He couldn’t get the motor started fast enough. He backed the boat and turned it in the direction of Ridgewood’s. It was a little awkward using one hand, but he was able to manage. He had to get her away from the boathouse.
LeAnn sat hypnotized by the boathouse. Suddenly, she saw a flicker of black in one of the windows. She squinted her eyes to see if there really was something there. Her heart started beating way too fast. It was gone. Had she seen something? Maybe just a shadow and then, maybe not.
When they reached the pier at Ridgewood’s LeAnn jumped out of the boat to tether it because of Matt’s hand. They walked holding hands into the dinning room. The room was fairly full considering it was five-thirty on a Thursday evening. Matt knew his dad must be pleased to see the business.
Their table by the window was ready. Matt walked LeAnn over to it. Candles and flowers decorated the table, and a lavender rose lay on LeAnn’s plate. She looked up at him in surprise. Their table was set differently from the other tables in the dinning room. There were beautiful crystal glasses and elegant china.
“You did this?” she asked, still looking at the table.
“Guilty. Of course, I didn’t actually do it. I just made a phone call.” He smiled proudly.
“It’s so beautiful, Matt. Thank you.”
He picked up the lavender rose, kissed it, and handed to her. She accepted the rose from him. It had the most fragrant smell she had ever experienced. It wasn’t a typical rose fragrance; it was more of a perfume.
“They call it a Lavanda rose or some call it Sterling. I like Lavanda better,” he explained.
He pulled out her chair, and she sat down, still smelling the rose.
The waitress brought over a bottle of champagne in a bucket filled with ice. LeAnn looked at the waitress then at Matt.
“Thank you, Angie.” Matt said as he reached for the bottle of champagne. Luckily it was already uncorked so he didn’t have to worry about how he was going to do it one-handed.
He poured a glass for a stunned LeAnn and then filled his own champagne glass.
He handed LeAnn her glass then held his own up, “To us,” he toasted.
“To us,” she echoed with a happy smile.
They clinked their glasses and sipped, looking at each other.
“I suppose dinner has already been ordered?” she asked knowingly.
“Yup. You just sit back and let old Matt take care of everything.”
They enjoyed an appetizer, salad, and prime rib cooked to perfection.
“You sure know how to treat a lady, Mr. Weston,” LeAnn commented, as she wiped the corners of her mouth with her cloth napkin.
“Why, thank you, ma’am,” he replied in a cowboy drawl. “Dessert?”
“No, no, thank you. I couldn’t eat another bite.” She grabbed her stomach jokingly.
“Honestly, Matt, this was incredible. You’re incredible.” She looked at him lovingly, and he took her hand from across the table. Neither one said anything for awhile; they just looked at each other.
“Excuse me. May I interrupt?” said a familiar female voice.
“Mom, hi!” Matt stood up to give his mom a hug and kiss.
“Hi, honey.” Margaret said, hugging her son in return. Then, “LeAnn, sweetie, how are you feeling?” she said, hugging LeAnn.
“I’m doing very well, Mrs. Weston, thank you.
“Did you enjoy your dinner?”
“It was fantastic, and your son certainly surprised me!”
“Good,” Margaret said as she smiled approvingly at her son.
“Please sit down and join us.” LeAnn begged.
“Yeah, Mom, do.”
Shaking her head, Margaret said, “No, no, I don’t want to interrupt your nice evening. I just wanted to say hello.”
LeAnn smiled up at Matt’s mom. “How can I ever thank you enough for all you did for me and Hannah? And the food you left in the fridge. You’re wonderful! Thank you so much.”
Margaret gave her a motherly smile. “You don’t have to thank me. I’m glad I was able to do something to help. Okay, now you two enjoy the rest of your evening. I need to get back in the kitchen.” She hugged them both again and walked back to the kitchen.
Matt sat back down. LeAnn said, “I love your mother.”
“Yeah, she’s the best.” Matt noticed small tears in her eyes, as LeAnn thought about her Mom. Reaching over and taking her hand, “Honey, are you okay?”
She smiled, wiping away a tear, “Yes, just missing my mom. It’s strange. Amelia lost her mother at age five, and I lost mine a couple years ago. Something in common I guess. Maybe that’s why I have such a passion for her house.”
They were interrupted again this time by Nick and Hannah. “Wow, look who dragged themselves from the island!”
“Hey, you two!” LeAnn noticed they were holding hands, and she was glad.
“What are you two up to?” Matt said to Nick, also noticing the hand holding. He smiled approvingly at Nick.
“Oh, my, gosh, look at this romantic setting. I didn’t even know we had this stuff here,” Hannah exclaimed, looking at the candles, glasses, china, and flowers.
“I guess it’s all about who you know,” teased LeAnn. “Come on, guys, pull up a chair and join us.”
“No, that’s okay. We’re on our way to the bar. I just wanted to see if you wanted me to come over tomorrow and finish the stuff in the attic. If nothing else, maybe we can get the carpet put in your room,” Nick offered.
“Tomorrow? Great!” LeAnn’s face lit up. “Yes, absolutely. Why don’t you and Hannah come -” she was interrupted with a very frightened, “No!” from Hannah.
The room became silent. Hannah realized everyone was staring at her. “I’m sorry. No, I can’t make it.”
LeAnn took Hannah’s hand. “That’s okay, Hannah, you don’t have to come out to the island. I understand.” LeAnn gave her a friendly smile that said, “I really do understand.”
Hannah gave her a thank-you smile.
Nick put his arm around Hannah’s shoulders. “All right, what time do you want me out there?”
Matt looked at LeAnn and shrugged as if to say, “Your call.”
“Let’s make it ten thirty, okay?”
“Perfect. I’ll be there. Now how about I buy us all a cocktail at the bar?” Nick said.
“You’re buying? I’m drinking.” Matt said with a grin. They all headed towards the bar. LeAnn made sure she brought along her beautiful Lavanda rose.
Matt and LeAnn left for the island around eleven thirty. LeAnn was yawning by the time they approached the boathouse. Matt was glad she had drank a few cocktails so maybe she wouldn’t freak out when she saw the boathouse.
He pulled the boat into the boathouse and helped a very tipsy LeAnn out of the boat, holding on to her as they went out onto the path. LeAnn saw the stair case that led up to the second level of the boathouse, to the ballroom. She started to moan.
“LeAnn, come on. It’s time to go to go to bed,” Matt coaxed.
“Nnnooo,” she whispered as he tried to lead her towards the house.
Matt held her arm tightly with his good hand. “LeAnn, it’s all right, come on.”
She was trying to pull away from him to go back into the boat and get away. “LeAnn Klein, if I have to carry you I will. Come with me now,” his tone stern. Inch by inch he was able to guide her to the house, not allowing her look back.
He finally got her into the house, not the easiest thing he’d ever done. Her body was shaking all over by this time. He wondered if he should he give her a Valium. Then he remembered she had been drinking, so it was probably not a good idea. He needed to get her into bed. He had hurt his hand while trying to get her away from the boathouse, but he ignored the pain. Because he, too, had been drinking, he wouldn’t be taking a pain pill. Hopefully, icing his hand would help.
Matt found it easier getting her up the stairs once they were in the house. LeAnn was starting to get giggly. He wasn’t sure why she was laughing, but it was better than seeing her panic. It was hard for Matt not to laugh too. After a few minutes, he managed undressed to get her undressed and into bed.
Too tired to go downstairs for an ice bag for his hand, he undressed and climbed in bed next to her. As he pulled the covers up, he heard the music. So did LeAnn.
She bolted upright in bed. “Matt!” she yelled. “Matt!”
“Here, I’m right here,” he said quickly and reached for her. “It’s okay.”
“No. No, it’s not okay! It’s starting again. Over and over and over again,” she said, now sobbing.
“LeAnn, you have to stop.”
“How can you say that after what you saw?” She looked at him with in disbelief. “Go to the window, Matt. Go to the window, and look at the boathouse.”
“LeAnn….”
“Go!” She was going to get hysterical on him; he could tell. He got up from the bed and looked out the window.
“What do you see?” she demanded.
“Nothing, LeAnn, there’s noth—” He stopped in mid word. “Oh, shit!”
“What? What do you see? Damn it! Tell me!” Then almost in the same breath, she said, “You hear the music, don’t you? Tell me you hear the music! Is there a light? Do you see a light?” Matt! Tell me, now.”
“Yes, I hear the music, but it could be from Ridgewood’s.”
“You know damn well it’s not from Ridgewood’s!” She was so angry with him right now!
He turned from the window and looked at a very frightened LeAnn. For the first time, he was speechless. He turned back to the window and looked at the boathouse again. “What the….?” There it was: the floating light. His mother had been right. LeAnn had been right. What was it? There had to be a reasonable explanation.
“Matt?”
He couldn’t believe his eyes. He said, “I see a floating white light on the walkway of the boathouse. But how…?”
“Thank you, God. I’m not nuts.” LeAnn turned her face into the pillow and sobbed.
Matt stared at the lost, floating light. He knew this was utterly impossible, but here he stood staring at the light. LeAnn had tried to convince him the light existed, but he had not believed her. He hadn’t even believed his own mother.
Matt turned to the still sobbing LeAnn. He walked over to her, picked her up in his arms and held her as she continued to cry.
After she had cried herself to sleep, Matt could still hear the music. He gently laid her head on her pillow. He walked over to the window and watched the light, which was still floating on the walkway. Should go down and see what it was? But what if LeAnn woke up while he was down there? He couldn’t take that chance. He closed the drapes then turned away from the window. He crawled into bed next to the woman he loved.
She stirred, and he took her in his arms and held her the rest of the night.
Matt fell asleep listening to the music that played the same tune over and over again. He was asleep when the light floated up to the bedroom window.
The bright, floating light that started to turn from white to deep black.