Carlene Thompson - Don

"The housekeeper had to leave so I stayed with Paige while he worked late. A double homicide makes for a busy day."

"First Tamara, then Warren."

"And don't forget Charlotte."

"I took her tonsils out when she was ten. She was a most dislikable little girl."

"She was a most dislikable big girl. Except to Warren, apparently."

"Does the sheriff have any idea who the killer is?"

"No," she said, remembering that Nick had said perhaps Lily or Oliver killed Warren because they thought he had murdered Tamara. "Of course, I barely talked with him when he came in," she added.

"Hmmm."

"What does that mean?"

"Nothing. I simply thought it was very considerate of you to go out of your way to baby-sit last night."

"I went over to see about Paige's cat. Then this situation came up and she is a cute kid and-Dad, what are you smirking about?"

"Nothing except that Nick Meredith is single and good looking. I think he's a fine sheriff. Probably an excellent young man-"

"Dad."

"As you told me, dear, there's always hope."

Andrew had just left when the phone rang. "Good morning, Nat. Feeling better about things?"

Kenny Davis. With everything that had been going on, she had barely thought about him the last couple of days. Well, more than barely. Less than constantly.

"By 'feeling better,' I assume you're asking if I've stopped being angry. I haven't."

"Come home. We can talk it out."

"I don't think we can talk this out, Kenny. You slept with another woman and it wasn't the first time."

"I'm not denying what I did. The reason why I did it is what we need to talk about."

"We already have. You said you panicked at the thought of commitment."

"But I'm over it."

To her surprise, Natalie laughed. "It took less than a week for you to overcome this deep-seated fear? Kenny, I'm not a fool."

"But I've done a lot of thinking since you left, Nat. I've missed you and I can't imagine my life without you."

"And after I've been back for a while and you've stopped missing me? What then?"

"You're not giving me a chance."

"Kenny, I told you I need time to think. Time doesn't mean five days-"

"Six."

"Okay, six. Whatever. Besides, a lot has been going on around here."

"I read in the newspaper about the murder of a Tamara Hunt in Port Ariel. Did you know her?"

"Did I know her?" Natalie burst out. "Kenny, she was Lily's sister. You've met Lily."

"Hey, don't get so mad because I didn't recognize the name of the married sister of someone I've met."

"You make it all sound so casual." Cold anger filled her. "Lily is my best friend. Tamara was her twin. I've known them since I was a child and I've talked about them so much since we've been together, but you don't remember. You weren't even listening to me."

"Of course I was listening. I'm just not good with names."

"Another lie."

"Why are you so mad?"

She sighed. "I repeat that I asked for time. Considering what you did, I think you might have the decency to grant it. Instead, this is the second time in less than a week you've called. I am not ready to talk."

"So I gather." He paused. "You only have one more week of vacation time. You'll come home then and we'll talk."

Home. Home was the condo she shared with Kenny. Could she possibly go back there and pick up where they left off?

I left off seeing Kenny in our bed with another woman, Natalie thought after hanging up the phone. Is that what he wants me to come home to?

A dull headache was forming at the back of her head. Tension. She could not take another round with Kenny. She turned on the answering machine to screen calls.

The doorbell rang. Natalie sighed. Now what? At least it couldn't be Kenny.

She opened the door. Ruth Meadows stood smiling at her and holding a pie dish covered with aluminum foil. "I couldn't sleep last night so I baked a few pies. Your father told me once that your favorite is cherry, so I brought one over."

"How nice of you!" Natalie was genuinely pleased. "I haven't had cherry pie for years." She stepped back. "Come in. Dad isn't here."

"Oh, I knew he wouldn't be," Ruth said. "Shall I put this in the kitchen?"

"Yes, please."

She followed Ruth into the kitchen. Ruth opened a drawer, pulled out a dishtowel, laid it on the counter, and set the pie on it. "It's still warm from the oven and I wouldn't want to damage this Formica. Such a lovely leaf pattern in these autumn colors."

"Dad had the kitchen remodeled last year. Nothing had been replaced since the house was built thirty years ago, but I was still surprised by the renovation."

"Your father is happiest when he's working. When he came to my house for dinner, he immediately decided the railing on my deck isn't strong enough and he plans to replace it soon. I told him I could hire a handyman, but he insisted."

"As you said, he's happiest when he's working." Natalie smiled. "And he likes you."

A slight flush came to Ruth's cheeks. "Do you really think so?" Then she laughed. "My goodness, I sound like I'm twelve."

"Well I shouldn't offer coffee to a twelve-year-old, but I put on a fresh pot not too long ago. Would you like some?"

"Please. I hate these nights when I can't sleep. I get up and do any work I can think of. The next day I feel dragged out. I could use some caffeine."

"Coming right up. Cream? Sugar?"

"Just cream. I gave up sugar a couple of years ago along with some pounds."

Natalie glanced at Ruth's trim body dressed today in aqua slacks that matched her eyes and a V-necked white knit top. At her throat hung a cameo on a gold chain.

Ruth reached up and touched the pendent. "My husband Walter gave this to me for our anniversary. He died four years ago. Cancer."

"I'm sorry."

Ruth accepted the coffee cup from Natalie. "It was a prolonged illness. That was in Virginia, right outside of D.C. Walter had a government job. After his death I stayed for a while, but I just couldn't enjoy our house or my old life."

"Why did you decide to move to Port Ariel?"

"Walter and I toured the Great Lakes in the early sixties shortly after we were married. We spent a couple of nights here. I liked it. As a matter of fact, we stayed at that lovely old hotel The Blue Lady. Such a shame it burned down."

"The dance pavilion is still standing."

"But it's closed and terribly unsafe, according to Andrew. I'd like to see it again, but I wouldn't take the risk, even if it weren't locked up. Besides, I've heard about those awful murders that happened at the hotel just a few years after my honeymoon. So frightening!" She shivered. "No, you wouldn't get me near that place "

A scary history and unsafe construction didn't stop me from going to the old place at night, Natalie thought uncomfortably. Not me and a nut claiming to be a dead woman.

"Anyway," Ruth went on, "I came to Port Ariel for a quick visit after Walter's death and I made an impulse move five months ago."

"So you're just getting used to the town."

"Yes. I've made quite a few friends through church and the suicide hotline-that's how I met Tamara, you know- but I'm ashamed to say I haven't unpacked all my boxes yet." They sat at the kitchen table and Ruth looked out the big window. "This is such a spectacular view."

"Yes, although today is overcast. The lake looks bleak."

Ruth's smile wavered, "A couple of weeks after I moved here I took a walk by the lake. It was late February and such a dismal day. The lake looked so vast and gray and lonely I felt overwhelmed by it. I gave serious thought that night to moving back home. The next day the sun came out and I felt better. I knew this was where I was meant to be."

Blaine padded into the kitchen. Ruth beamed and reached out a hand to the dog. "Here's the pretty girl! You've settled right in, haven't you?" The dog licked her hand and panted happily. Ruth looked at Natalie. "I saw your ad in the newspaper. Has anyone called about her?"