“You never mentioned him before?”
He laughed. “There is a lot you haven’t taken the time to learn about me.”
“Are we back there, again?” she said, her irritation hanging in the air between them.
“Forget I mentioned it.” Craig lifted his glass of orange juice and said, “Truce?” She lifted hers and clinked his glass.
“Always.” She sipped the juice, dabbed the corner of the napkin around her mouth and stood. “I’m off then. See you at lunch.”
As soon as she disappeared out of sight, Sandra Fredricks moseyed his way.
“Having a good time, Mr. Landers?” she asked.
“I am. Heading to the lake for a canoe ride.”
“It didn’t look like you girlfriend was dressed for the beach,” she said in that probing way that for some strange reason did not annoy Craig.
“Selene will not be joining me. She is hoping that the massage therapist will be able to release the knots that her stressful job inflicts on her daily.”
“Canoeing alone will build strong muscles that I’m sure she will appreciate bulging from your shirt.” The look on her face toyed with him.
“You are a mystery woman, Mrs. Fredricks.” He stood to his feet and held her gaze. Sandra’s next words through him for a loop.
“Received any ornaments lately?”
“What are you talking about?” Craig was on guard now – how could she know?
In the manilla envelope, addressed to both of them, Selene had willingly laid claim to the reservations at the resort but had thrown the dainty red heart ornament at him, claiming the diamonds weren’t real and it was tacky, not at all her style. Craig had seen her style last year at Christmas. Huge balls and bows smothered in lots of snow. “Simple but imposing,” she’d said. It was her way of covering the tree quickly and get back to more important things in life – like work.
“Just wondering,” Sandra said. “In my short time here, I have seen romances bloom from ornamental gifts that bring people to the Inn. The magic dust seems not to have left you yet.” She laughed. “Just telling you like I see it. Have a nice canoe ride, Mr. Landers.”
Craig shook his head and glanced out the window toward the beach. A few guests were setting up chairs and he spotted Jolene by the edge of the water. She had her toes in and stared off into the distance. The woman did not even know how beautiful she was. He sighed and threw his napkin on the table. He realized he played with fire, but could not resist the flames she ignited within his heart.
The time spent with Jolene on the water was everything he remembered about their times together in the past. The bantering that passed between them came as natural as breathing, the adrenalin rush of competing in a short test of strength, the discerning awareness of her thoughts and the pleasure of giving in to her desires before she even asked, all returned as if they’d never been apart. They used to define their relationship as soulmates, and that morning his soul was responding as a parched and lonely man.
“Are you in a relationship, Jolene?” Craig said when they tied the canoe to the dock and started to stroll up the beach where many had gathered to soak up the sun.
“I work,” she said as if Craig should know that. She locked eyes with him. “Why would I seek another man when the only thing I can offer is a part-time rendezvous? That’s not my style.”
“Is your job everything you hoped it would be?” Craig asked.
Her downward glance suggested there was more she was holding back but Craig never got to hear her response.
“Yoo-hoo! Over here, Craig.” Selene arrived at the sandy shore where the water licked at her feet slightly out of breath and pulled Craig toward her to lean on. “Walking in the sand is difficult.”
“It might help if you wore sandals instead of heels,” Craig said.
“Introduce me to your new friend,” Selene said.
“Correction, she’s an old friend, Jolene Sumpter. We knew each other in Sebring, my home town.”
“Joe? Oh, yes, now I see.” Selene attempted to disguise her anger but Craig knew she was simmering. He guessed girls as friends were not acceptable to her way of thinking. “A home town girl. Was she your prom date or your fishing buddy?” She studied Craig’s face and whatever she saw caused her to shrug her shoulders. “What does it matter – history, right?” She expected him to say yes but he could not form the words. Instead he changed the subject.
“This is your chance to ask Jolene if her father knew your mother? I was just about to do that myself.”
“Good thinking.” She wrapped her arms possessively through his and looked at Jolene. “I overheard your father talking to someone named Sheki on the telephone and we wondered if he’d dated her – before he met his wife, of course.”
“My father was not in the habit of bringing his women home to meet me. In fact, I didn’t even know Barbie until after they were wed.”
Selene gasped. “Oh, my. It seems you’re worse off than me. At least I knew most of the men that followed my mother around like love-struck puppies. But I don’t recall seeing your father.”
“Not sure I would care for your home-scenario, either,” Jolene said. “but like I said you’re asking the wrong person. Now, if you will both excuse me, it’s almost lunch, and there is a Christmas event in the sitting room this afternoon I
