The Twenty-First Wish Read online

  “Oh, Tim, this is lovely,” Anne Marie said. “It’s so peaceful.”

  “Mom and Dad have wanted a summer place like this for years and they finally found exactly what they were looking for.”

  “Can we go out in the boat now?” Ellen asked. After strapping on her vest, she raced down to the dock.

  “Wait for us,” Anne Marie called.

  A boat ride had sounded like a simple thing when Tim first mentioned it. Anne Marie couldn’t remember the last time she’d been in one—or one that small, anyway. Tied to the dock, the rowboat bobbed gently on the lake. Anne Marie wasn’t sure how she was supposed to climb in and out.

  “I’ll help you,” Tim said, as though reading her mind. “You have nothing to fear—I was a Cub Scout.”

  “Not a Boy Scout?”

  “No, I didn’t pass the test.”

  “Oh, great.”

  He chuckled. “I’m a natural on the water. I’ve been doing this for years.”

  “So you say.”

  “It’s all right, Mom,” Ellen said, clasping Anne Marie’s hand. “I can swim—I’ll save you.”

  Tim got in first, then helped Ellen lower herself into the boat. Anne Marie went last. She sat on the edge of the dock and gingerly eased herself in, sighing with relief once she was safely seated.

  “Ready?” he asked.

  “Yeah!” Ellen shouted. “Let’s go!”

  It soon became apparent that Tim was as comfortable on the water as he’d claimed. He rowed with regular, even strokes, and the boat seemed to glide effortlessly across the lake.

  “See that cabin over there?” he asked, pointing to the one Anne Marie had noticed earlier.

  “I see it,” Ellen told him, shading her eyes from the sun.

  “There’s a story about the people who used to live in these two cabins, ours and that one.”

  “Oh?” He had a twinkle in his eyes, and Anne Marie was convinced he was about to make up some wild tale.

  “Years ago, these cabins were owned by rival families. The Krugers and the Livermores.”

  “Krugers and Livermores?” Anne Marie repeated. “Like the Montagues and Capulets? Or the Hatfields and McCoys?”

  “Something like that.”

  “What’s rival mean?” Ellen asked

  “They competed with each other,” Tim explained.

  “Were they friends?”

  “Rivals can be friends, but in this case they weren’t.”

  “You mean like Mel and you?” She looked from Tim to Anne Marie.

  “Sort of,” Anne Marie said, saddened that her daughter was aware of the antagonism between Mel and her father.

  “If one family bought a boat, then the other family did, as well,” Tim went on as if he hadn’t heard Ellen’s last statement. “The two husbands were employed by rival companies, so when one family purchased a cabin on this side of the lake, the second family bought land and built a larger cabin on the other side.”

  “Is ours bigger?” Ellen asked.

  “We have the smaller house,” Tim said.

  “Oh.” Ellen seemed disappointed.

  “As it happened, both families had teenage children. The Krugers had a daughter named Dani and the Livermores had a son, Scott, who was the same age as Dani.”

  “I feel a romance brewing,” Anne Marie said.

  “You’re right.” Tim directed the comment to her. “Dani and Scott were both out on the water one afternoon when Dani’s canoe tipped over.”

  “This story isn’t going to have an unhappy ending, is it?” Anne Marie asked.

  “No way,” Tim said, pulling rhythmically on the oars. “This is a romance, remember?”

  “Mo-om, let Dad tell the story.”

  “Okay, okay, continue.” Anne Marie gestured toward Tim.

  “Seeing that Dani was in distress, Scott paddled over and rescued her.”

  “And the Kruger family was so grateful the rivalry ended,” Anne Marie concluded.

  “Nope. The Kruger family blamed Scott for causing Dani to fall out of the canoe.”

  “Didn’t Dani defend him?” Anne Marie asked.

  “She tried, but her family refused to listen. The Krugers disliked the Livermores so much that if there was any kind of mishap, the Livermores were automatically to blame.”

  “That’s ridiculous,” she muttered.

  “I agree.”

  Ellen patted Anne Marie’s knee. “Shh, I want to find out what happened.”

  “Would you like the short version or the long one?”

  “Short version,” Anne Marie insisted. “Definitely the short version.”

  “Okay,” Tim said. “They lived happily ever after.”

  “Who did?” Ellen demanded. “I want the long version ’cause I don’t know who married who.”

  Anne Marie groaned and glanced up at the sky. “Tim, honestly. All right, give us the long version.”

  “That night,” he began, “Dani snuck out of the house and got in the canoe and paddled over to Scott’s place. She woke him up and apologized for the way her family had reacted. They should’ve been grateful and they weren’t. Dani wanted him to know she appreciated what he’d done.”

  “Did she kiss him?” Ellen asked excitedly.

  “Not that night, but then they started meeting every night in the middle of the lake. They’d sit under the moonlight and talk.”

  “They did fall in love, though, right?”

  “It wouldn’t be a romance if they didn’t. Except neither of their families wanted them to be together.”

  “Did they get married?”

  “They did eventually—and guess what?”

  “What?” Ellen echoed.

  “The Krugers and the Livermores became the best of friends. Dani and Scott now have three children. Let me see.” Tim squinted into the distance. “I believe their oldest daughter is around your age.”

  “That is a romantic story,” Anne Marie said, mainly grateful that no one had drowned in the middle of the lake during a midnight tryst.

  They spent an hour on the water, the most pleasant, peaceful hour Anne Marie could remember in a long while.

  “I’d better get you back to shore if I’m going to have you home before seven,” he said. He sounded as reluctant as Anne Marie was to leave the tranquility of this special afternoon.

  “Oh, yeah—I should be back by seven.” Only she didn’t want to leave. The temptation to stay on the lake was almost overwhelming. The sun felt warm on her shoulders; she’d finally begun to relax. Ellen yawned and rested her head against Anne Marie’s leg. “Maybe we could stay a bit longer….”

  “You’re sure?” Tim asked, slipping the oar into the smooth water.

  Anne Marie nodded. Eyes closed, she raised her face to the sun, reveling in the warmth of late afternoon. The birds chirped, the water rippled, and she could feel a light breeze on her face. She didn’t immediately realize they’d stopped moving. When she opened her eyes, she saw Tim sitting there motionless, both oars suspended above the water.

  “Is everything okay?” she asked.

  “No.”

  He sounded uncharacteristically serious, and she tried to lighten the situation—whatever it was—with humor.

  “Don’t tell me there’s a monster in this lake that’s going to come out of the water and swallow us whole.”

  “Not to my knowledge.”

  “Then what’s wrong?”

  “Nothing.” He set the oars in the water again and headed toward the cabin as if he were taking part in a race. Their speed was in stark contrast to the easy, tranquil quality of their earlier ride.

  Once they’d reached shore, Tim secured the boat and hopped onto the dock. He helped Ellen up and then Anne Marie. “It’s time I got you back,” he said curtly.

  Anne Marie had no idea what was going on. Taking her cue from him, she settled Ellen in the backseat while he stowed their belongings in the trunk. The inside of the car was warm and cozy, and Ellen close
d her eyes, dozing off within minutes. Anne Marie got into the car; so did Tim. He braced his hands against the steering wheel.

  “Tim,” she whispered, not wanting to disturb Ellen. “What’s wrong?”

  “You don’t want to know.”

  She placed her hand on his knee, preventing him from starting the engine. “Actually, I do.”

  “Really?” He turned and looked at her, his eyes holding hers.

  Anne Marie wasn’t sure who moved first. But the next thing she knew, Tim had his arms around her and his lips were on hers.

  This wasn’t a soft exploratory kiss—it was hot and hungry, moist and openmouthed, as if they were intent on absorbing each other completely. The kiss went on and on until Anne Marie broke away, breathless.

  “Ellen,” she whispered for fear her daughter would wake and find them like this.

  “I tried to warn you…” Tim whispered back. His shoulders heaved and he clutched the steering wheel with both hands.

  Anne Marie leaned against the back of the seat and closed her eyes, making a determined effort to catch her breath. “Wow,” she gasped, hardly aware she’d spoken.

  Tim snickered softly. “You can say that again.” He was silent for the next few minutes. “Now what?” he finally asked.

  Anne Marie blinked. “What do you mean?”

  “The way I see it, we have two choices.”

  “Only two?”

  He didn’t respond to the question. “We can overlook what just happened…” he began.

  “Or?”

  “Or we can explore it further.”

  “Ellen’s in the backseat.”

  “I didn’t mean this minute.” His gaze bore into hers. “You’re the one who has to decide what you want, Anne Marie. The decision is yours.”

  It suddenly occurred to her what that kiss was all about. And it wasn’t because he was attracted to her. He’d said as much. Anne Marie closed her eyes once more and pushed aside the exciting sensations that cascaded through her. His touch was thrilling—wonderful—but she couldn’t trust him. He’d taught her painful lessons in the past and she’d be a fool to ignore them.

  “You didn’t need to do that, you know,” she said stiffly.

  He frowned. “What are you talking about?”

  “You kissed me just now because you’re afraid of what I might do.”

  “Might do?”

  “Don’t worry, Tim. I’ll never block your access to Ellen. She’s your daughter and she loves you. But I also know that if it wasn’t for Ellen you wouldn’t have anything to do with me. And I’m fine with that.”

  “Anne Marie, listen—”

  “No, please, I don’t want to hear your excuses. Mel suggested the two of us set up a parenting plan and I think that’s a good idea. You don’t need to flatter me with attention and kisses, Tim. We understand each other without playing games.”

  His frown darkened. “You honestly believe that’s what the kiss was about?”

  She didn’t say anything.

  He waited for a moment, then started the engine. “Your silence is answer enough.”

  He was angry and upset with her. Perhaps it was best this way.

  In fact, she knew it was.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  April 27

  I saw Mom and Tim kissing this afternoon! They didn’t know I wasn’t really asleep. They kissed real hard and I was hoping maybe they might want to get married for real. April and I could be their wedding planners! But then something happened, only I don’t know what because Mom and Tim both got quiet. I tried to listen, but I couldn’t understand what they were talking about.

  When we got home, Mom said she’s going to knit something for a bride named Courtney, who’s marrying the son of her friend Bethanne. Mom’s going to talk to Lydia, and I want to come along. I want to knit something for a bride, too, except I want Mom to be the bride, just like April and I planned.

  When Anne Marie and Ellen returned from Lake Wisdom, there was a message on her home phone, which had been installed Tuesday, and on her cell.

  A message from Mel.

  Anne Marie listened to both with more than a twinge of guilt. While she’d been necking like a teenager with Tim in his car, Mel, the man she was dating, had tried to reach her.

  She waited until Ellen was down for the night before she called him back. “Hi,” she said. She knew it sounded tentative—and guilty. She had to resist the urge to apologize for kissing Tim.

  Mel instantly picked up on her agitation. “Are you okay?” he asked.

  “Yes… So what’s up?”

  “Actually, I phoned for two reasons,” he said.

  “Oh?” She paced the kitchen as she held the phone against her ear.

  “First, to apologize for the other night. I overreacted with Tim.”

  “It’s all right, really,” she rushed to tell him. Even discussing Tim casually was dangerous. “I understand. It was unfortunate, but it’s over and best forgotten.”

  “I guess I’m jealous,” Mel continued, oblivious to everything she’d said. “There were a dozen better ways to handle the situation. I behaved badly. I hope you’ll excuse my little temper tantrum.”

  “Mel, it’s over,” she said again. “Forgotten.” Now, if she could forget Tim’s kisses just as easily.

  “You’re far more forgiving and generous than I deserve.”

  If he didn’t stop soon, she was going to burst into tears and confess that she’d spent the afternoon with Tim and had succumbed to his charms, of which there were many.

  “Secondly, I called to remind you about Friday night.”

  “Friday?” Her memory had gone completely blank—no doubt understandable in the current situation. She stopped pacing, frowning as she tried to remember.

  “We have tickets to see Jersey Boys.”

  “Oh, right!” Anne Marie had been ecstatic at the opportunity. Her husband, Robert, had loved the Four Seasons, and she knew many of their songs by heart.

  “You mean you had forgotten?”

  “Oh…momentarily.” Tim had agreed to watch Ellen, which meant she’d be seeing him again soon…in front of Mel. This was guaranteed to be uncomfortable. “But I’m looking forward to it.”

  His voice lowered seductively, tenderly. “And I’m looking forward to spending time with you.”

  Another bolt of guilt struck her. Mel was a gentleman and a romantic, and she was an idiot to let Tim anywhere close to her heart.

  “Everything’s okay between us, then,” Mel went on to say.

  “Oh, yes, everything’s just fine.” She resumed her pacing.

  “Good.” How relieved he sounded.

  “I’m glad you called me back,” he said next. “I was beginning to worry.”

  “Why would you worry?”

  “It’s after ten.”

  Anne Marie couldn’t very well admit why she hadn’t been home earlier.

  “Teresa at the bookstore told me you’d gone out for the afternoon,” Mel said.

  “Yes, Ellen and I…spent time together.” Thank goodness Teresa hadn’t told him everything.

  “That’s great. Ellen’s a terrific kid.”

  “She is,” Anne Marie said, and felt the pressing urge to get off the phone before she slipped up.

  It took another five minutes to extricate herself from the conversation. She tried not to be obvious about wanting to end the call and hoped she’d succeeded. Her pacing continued even after she’d hung up.

  Stupid, stupid, stupid! What was she thinking, letting Tim and Ellen talk her into going to the lake—and so soon after her resolve to remove him from her thoughts! She was courting temptation and she knew it. Oh, she hadn’t realized they’d end up kissing again or that…that she’d feel his allure—again. She shook her head. She was smarter than this.

  Her relationship with Tim had, from the very beginning, been problematic. She’d had to frequently remind herself that he was a recovering alcoholic and drug addict. He’d been sob
er and clean for a long time, but that didn’t change the basic fact: he had all the personality traits of an alcoholic, even if he didn’t drink.

  Before she’d allowed Tim into their lives, Anne Marie had done extensive research on alcohol and drug addiction. She felt it was necessary to know what they were facing before she agreed to let Tim see his daughter.

  Legally, he had no right to Ellen and Anne Marie believed it was her duty, her moral obligation, to protect Ellen from any psychological harm he might inadvertently inflict.

  She went to bed that night feeling confused, angry with herself…and intent on counteracting any damage she’d done to her relationship with Mel.

  The next day, as she’d feared, Tim contacted her. He showed up at the bookstore, but the minute he walked in she pretended to be busy.

  He approached the service counter and greeted her with a smile that could have melted a glacier. “How’s it going?” he asked.

  She looked up, and returned his greeting with a tight smile, despite her determination not to display the slightest hint of emotion. “Very well, thanks.”

  “Do you have time for a lunch break?” he asked. “We don’t need to go far. I checked, and the soup at the French Café is spicy black bean, which Ellen told me is one of your favorites.”

  It didn’t matter what Winter was serving, Anne Marie wasn’t going to have lunch with him. “Sorry, I can’t leave the shop, but thanks, anyway.”

  Out of the corner of her eye she saw that Teresa was about to say it was perfectly fine; she’d watch the store. Anne Marie sent her a warning glare, and Teresa instantly shut her mouth.

  To distract Tim, Anne Marie came out from behind the counter and placed a book on its shelf. “Oh, and did you remember you offered to look after Ellen on Friday night?”

  “Tomorrow?”

  “Yes. Mel’s taking me to Jersey Boys.”