revexcerpt

Valerie Hayken Photography and Design

Cay woke up early and put on her shorts, tank top, and running shoes before heading out of her cabin. She needed to think, and running would help her once she was away from the surroundings of the lake. Ever since hearing Emma’s revelations about her life’s experiences, Cay knew there would be no way she could continue on the path she had set. Somehow, she would have to think of a way to convince her employer that pursuing Emma Sanders would be unwise.

She stood beside a bench and did some light stretching before she began a slow jog down the now familiar highway. Soon, she hit her top speed as her mind clicked through all the various scenarios and their outcomes, realizing there would be no easy answers. She knew beating herself up for taking the job wouldn’t do any good, either. She needed to come up with a solid plan of attack. When she arrived at the point to turn around, she knew what to do. She would never convince her employer to stop his quest for revenge. Once she told him she would no longer help in his endeavors, she was certain he would kill her, then go after Emma himself. She would have to find a way to protect Emma…to keep her safe from harm.

“Now I just need to figure out how to do that and not raise any suspicions.” When she reached Jones’s Landing, she walked around in a large circle to cool down and plan a strategy—she didn’t notice the person staring at her. “There’s got to be a way!”

“A way? Are you lost, Cay?” Emma asked.

A radiant smile crossed Cay’s face. “Emma, I didn’t see you there. How are you doing today?”

Emma couldn’t help but smile back. “Good, this is shopping day…I go every Thursday,” she said, cocking her head in question. “So are you lost? Can I help you find your way?”

Cay smiled broadly. Fate seemed to be showing her a way to solve her dilemma. “I’m not lost, I just need to figure out how I can keep staying here in the cabin. My funds are dwindling.” She patted her friend’s hand as she saw her frown. “Not to worry, I will find a way.” When Cay looked at the full shopping cart, she saw an opportunity. “Are you finished with your shopping? I can give you a lift home if you’d like.”

“That would be nice,” Emma responded.

“Great! Will you give me a minute to change out of these sweaty clothes? I’m sure I must reek!” Cay exclaimed with a wink.

“Not really,” Emma said, not quite grasping the derisive intonations. She noticed the playful look on Cay’s face and realized it was a joke. “Oh,” she said. “You’re joking, right?” A slight tinge of red covered her face.

“Yes, I was. Why don’t you come along with me to my cabin while I change?” She motioned toward her residence.

Old fears streamed through all of Emma’s being. How can I go into a stranger’s house? What if she tries to hurt me or even kill me? Panic filled her. “I…I’m not sure,” she said. Emma, you are so stupid, don’t you see that woman wants your money? Her mother’s voice ridiculed her once again.

Cay, puzzled by the radical change in Emma’s demeanor, asked, “Have I done something?”

Emma’s mind was screaming for her to run and hide, but in her heart, she knew she had nothing to fear. Trust and have faith. She took a deep breath and smiled. “No, not at all…old fears die hard,” she said. “Which cabin is yours?” She went down the hill, with her grocery cart in tow, toward the row of lakeside cabins.

“Over there,” she said as she pointed to the last one. “See my car?”

Cay opened the door and suddenly felt embarrassed. “Not only can’t I cook, but I’m not much of a housekeeper, either,” she said, looking over the disarray inside cabin. After letting Emma enter, she quickly went around picking up clothes and empty food containers. She was glad her notes and equipment were out of sight.

Emma laughed at the sight of Cay trying to clean up the messy room. “Please, stop, it looks lived in. Why don’t you go change? I do have refrigerator items I need to get home.”

Cay unceremoniously dropped the load of clothes into a chair. “You’re right, it does look lived in.” She pulled the tank top over her head and winked. “Be right back.”

Emma just stared after the woman as she tried to discern what had just happened. The sight of Cay casually standing in nothing but her bra had taken her breath away, and she didn’t know why. I guess it’s because I’ve never seen anyone else like that except my mother. She certainly didn’t look like my mother. She turned her attention to the untidy area. She found a chair not filled with clothes and sat down. She began straightening the table in front of her and before long stood up, picked up some dirty dishes, and took them to the kitchen sink. The hot water was soon running over the dishes as the green liquid soap began to bubble. Her mind drifted back to Cay’s saying her funds were dwindling and her mother’s warning. I can put her to a test and see if Mother is right. I’ll offer to give Cay some money; if she takes it, I’ll know she can’t be trusted. A door closing brought her out of her musings.

Cay came into the large room and saw Emma standing in front of the sink as steam from the hot water wafted up, causing the window to cloud over. “Emma, are you planning on doing the dishes?”

Emma smiled as she turned around. “I thought I could help out a bit while you were changing. It’ll only take a moment.”

“I have a better idea. Why don’t we let those soak, they probably need at least a day, and we can get those groceries back to your house,” Cay said.

“I really don’t mind.”

“I know, but you do have frozen food, remember. Come on, let’s go.” Then she took hold of the cart and opened the door. Cay gestured to the outside world. “After you,” she said with a flourish of her hand.

Cay brought the shopping cart into Emma’s house and placed it on the spotless linoleum floor. “Do you want me to put these away for you?”

From her bedroom, where she was changing her shoes, Emma responded, “No, I will as soon as I come out…You don’t know where everything goes.” When she walked into the kitchen, she added, “Why don’t you help me?”

Cay turned to see her new friend, who had changed from a calf-length purple dress into her pants and oversized shirt, smiling. “Sounds good to me. Looks like you’ll be doing some gardening today.”

Emma began to take various items out of the bags. “This goes in the refrigerator…oh, and so does the butter.” She put the box of oatmeal and loaf of bread away as Cay came up beside her. “If you can put these in the pantry for me, we should be all done.” She handed the woman several canned items.

“All done.” Cay smiled. “I guess I’ll let you get on with your chores,” she said as she started for the door.

“Cay,” Emma said. “If you need money, I’ll give you some.”

The shock was evident as Cay felt the hot flush of embarrassment cover her face. This was the last thing she expected from the woman and didn’t know how to respond or act. Clearly, Emma was trying to help her out, but this was not the way.

“I’ve insulted you, I’m sorry,” Emma said. She moved away from Cay and bowed her head.

Cay was instantly by her side. “No…no, you haven’t, it’s just I…I can’t take your money. I’ll work something out, or I’ll go back home.”

“Go home? You would go home?” Emma could feel her heart sink.

“Not right away. Let’s not worry about that now,” Cay said and smiled. “Want to go fishing later this afternoon? I heard some of the guys at the landing say the bass are starting to bite.” She bent her head sideways, so she could see Emma’s face. “I’ll buy the worms.”

As hard as she tried, Emma couldn’t resist smiling. “Considering your fortunes, maybe I should buy the worms.”

“Emma, you should smile more often, you have a lovely smile…did you know that?”

The blush on Emma’s face was evident. “No, no one has ever told me that,” she said as their eyes met. “What time do you want to go fishing?”

“I’ll pick you up on your dock about four if that’s okay.”

“Perfect, you can use my boat. Just tell Zachariah, and he’ll take care of everything.”

After she opened the door, Cay turned back and smiled. “See you later.” I need time to think, but time is running short. I have to do something soon.

From her kitchen window, Emma watched Cay get into her car and look back at the house. You’re a strange one, Cay O’Neill, but you wouldn’t take my money; that’s a plus for you. I wonder…she thought before gathering her gloves to go work in the garden. “Bet I find a few worms out there,” she said as she laughed all the way out to the garden.

Emma saw all the newly emerging plants fighting their way up through the soil to soak in the warmth of the sun. She knelt down and tenderly held a soft green leaf, feeling life coursing through its veins. As she touched the soft soil, she closed her eyes and began to slow her breathing down, as she became one with the earth. Here in her garden, Emma felt alive; here, all her senses came alive, and she knew she belonged.

Deep in her meditation, Emma didn’t notice Cay’s kayak skim silently across the water in front of her home. Nor did she see the vessel positioned amongst the bulrushes close to the wildlife preserve. Neither woman took notice of the other…each seeking answers to questions and finding none.

Cay sat amongst the reeds, listening to the singing birds, wishing she could go back a month in time. Emma Sanders was an innocent in any vendetta against her mother. Now because of Cay’s actions, she was in extreme danger. Before she could call and refuse to continue in the job, she needed to be sure she could protect Emma. The question was how to get Emma out of her house and away from the danger that was sure to come her way.

Cay looked up at the cloudless sky and sighed. “Nothing will happen to you, my friend.” Then closing her eyes, she wondered, did I need you as a friend as much as you needed me? “Probably,” she said. With a sharp jab of the paddle slicing into the water, she exploded out of the reeds and sprinted full speed toward the landing.

Emma’s mind was at peace, one with her surroundings—until the slapping of water abruptly jolted her from her tranquil state and drew her attention to the water where she saw a distant figure in a kayak gliding quickly along the water. She shook her head. “Summer will soon be upon us.”

She stood up and looked at her house, contemplating how much her life had changed over the last few weeks. A friend, I have a friend! Her happiness quickly fell when she remembered that Cay would be leaving. Looking back toward the lake, she smiled as she considered the fishing outing with her new friend. “Guess I better find some worms.” She took her trowel and knelt back down in the garden.

The soil, rich with loam, made it a perfect home for big, fat red worms. “They’re the perfect kind for fishing,” Emma said, carefully pulling a particularly enticing specimen out of the earth. In no time at all, Emma filled a soup can with dark soil and worms. She put a lid over the can and turned it upside down.