Leslie was a terri? c swimmer, far more ? uid in the water than Dev, who
tended to power through rather than work with the waves. When they’d run into
each other at the public beach, Leslie would almost always beat her when
they’d race for the dock that ? oated a hundred yards offshore.
Leslie would pull herself up onto the wooden platform, laughing as she looked
down at Dev, the sun and water gleaming on her smooth, tanned ? esh.
• 56 •
WHEN DREAMS TREMBLE
“Jesus, let it go,” Dev muttered when she felt the old familiar ache of longing.
“You were kids.”
“They say it’s dangerous to live alone in the woods,” Natalie said, standing at
the end of the path to Dev’s cabin with her hands on her hips and a big grin. “I
guess they’re right, because you’ve only been here a couple of days and already
you’re talking to yourself.”
“Hey,” Dev said, quickly closing her spreadsheet and powering down the
computer. When she glanced at her watch she realized she’d been daydreaming
for the better part of an hour. It was already after seven. Natalie wore low-cut
jeans, a short-sleeved red blouse with several buttons open at the top, and
sandals. Her dark hair, which she kept tied up when in uniform, was loose and
longer than Dev had thought. She looked…pretty. Very pretty. “I hope you
keep that a secret.
I swear I’m harmless.”
“I’m not sure I believe that,” Natalie said with a ? irtatious smile.
“But I promise not to tell anyone about your private vices.”
Dev grinned and gave a little bow. “Thank you.”
“Look, I hope you don’t mind, I stopped by to see if you wanted to get
something to eat, and Mrs. Harris told me which cabin was yours.
Am I interrupting your work?”
“No, I was just inputting some data. Hold on a minute.” She stepped back
inside and put her computer on the end table. When she returned to the porch,
Natalie was waiting for her, her back against one of the posts, the soft evening
sunlight slanting across her face. At this distance, Dev saw that she’d applied a
light touch of makeup. And she smelled wonderful. “I appreciate the dinner
invite, but I told Mrs.
Harris I’d have dinner at the lodge tonight. I’ve been here almost a week and I
haven’t yet, so I hate to back out. I’m really sorry.”
Natalie shook her head. “That’s okay. I just took a chance that you might be
free. Some other night?”
“Absolutely. Come on, I’ll walk you back to the lodge.” As they strolled down
the path, Dev said, “I want to spend a few days out on the islands collecting
samples at eight-hour intervals. Do you have camping gear I can borrow?”
“Sure. I’ll take care of getting the permits.”
“Can you try to keep a few campsites right next to me empty?”
Natalie nodded. “It’s still early in the season, so that won’t be a problem. In
fact, depending on where you go, you may be the only one on the island.”
• 57 •
RADCLY fFE
“That’s great.”
“When are you going?”
“Actually, I’d like to go next week to collect the ? rst set of samples and then
again at least once later in the summer.”
“I’ll take care of it.”
“Great, I’ll give you a list—” Dev broke off as Leslie came down the path from
her cabin. She saw Leslie’s eyes go from her to Natalie and register surprise
before Leslie’s expression quickly became unreadable. “Hi, Les.”
“Hello.”
Natalie smiled and gave a half wave. “Evening.”
“Leslie, this is Natalie Evans. She’s a park ranger. Natalie, Leslie Harris.”
Natalie extended her hand. “I’d guess you’re Eileen’s daughter.
You look like her.”
“So I’ve been told. Nice to meet you.”
The three continued toward the lodge in silence, Leslie quickening her pace so
that by the time they neared the lodge, she was well ahead, leaving Natalie and
Dev alone.
“Was it something I said?” Natalie asked.
Dev stared after Leslie, trying to decipher her attitude. She seemed angry, but
Dev had no idea why. “I don’t think so. At any rate, I wouldn’t worry about it.”
“Well, I don’t want to keep you from dinner, Dev,” Natalie said when they
stopped at the foot of the walkway to the house. “How about I swing by and
pick you up in the morning. Say seven o’clock?”
“That sounds ? ne. Sorry about dinner.”
Natalie rested her hand on Dev’s shoulder and stood on tiptoe to kiss her
cheek. Her voice was low, throaty, when she said, “I’ll take a rain check.”
“Deal.”
Dev waved goodbye as Natalie crossed the parking lot and climbed into her
SUV, then turned toward the house. She was surprised to see Leslie standing
on the porch. She hadn’t noticed her before and wondered if she’d been there
the entire time.
“Your friend was welcome to stay,” Leslie said. More than just friend, it looks
like.
Dev joined Leslie. “Thanks, that’s nice of you. Maybe some other time, then.”
• 58 •
WHEN DREAMS TREMBLE
“My parents are big fans of all the park employees.” Leslie turned abruptly and
walked into the house, her words trailing behind her. “I’m sure they’d love her.”
Leslie crossed through the entryway that opened into an L-shaped room with
the great room off to the right and the dining room ahead. A buffet was set out
on several tables along the far wall. She nodded to the guests sitting at the small
square tables scattered through the room before pushing through the swinging
doors at the rear into the kitchen.
Beyond the cooking and prep area, an archway led to a combination
sitting/dining room on the adjacent screened-in back porch. That was where
she’d always taken her meals with her family. Her mother was at the stove now,
stirring something that smelled wonderful.
“Hi, sweetie,” Eileen said, glancing over her shoulder.
“Is Daddy home?” Leslie asked.
“Down at the boat dock. He’ll be up in a few minutes.”
“Is there any wine?”
“I just opened some. White okay?”
