“I THINK THEY’LL BE ALL RIGHT,” Emma said. “Mama seemed upset, but I don’t think she’d want me to get married just so she won’t have to waste all that lobster we ordered.”
Caley glanced both ways, then pulled the car out onto the road into North Lake. She’d agreed to drive Emma to the airport to catch her flight back to Boston under the condition that Emma go to the lake house first and explain what had happened to the family. Now that she’d completed that task, there would be one more little detour.
“Don’t you think you’re being a bit hasty about this, Emma? You were drunk last night and you and Sam haven’t even tried to work this out.”
“Sam is an idiot,” Emma said. “And I need to get back to Boston. I don’t know what ever made me think we were meant for each other. I’m young. I should be out there exploring my options, not tying myself down with a guy who socializes with strippers.”
“Sam had a little too much to drink. And I think it would be silly to throw your relationship away over one little indiscretion.” Caley paused. “He didn’t cheat, he was just being friendly. Instead of running away from your problems, you and Sam need to put some serious thought into what you both expect from marriage. But that takes discussion, not a drunken brawl at a roadhouse and you running off to Boston.”
“I don’t want to talk to him,” Emma said stubbornly.
“Do you still love him?”
Emma turned her head away and stared out the window. “I don’t know.”
They drove through town in silence and headed out on the East Shore Road, Caley watching for the sign for Havenwoods. It was only a few minutes before Emma realized that they weren’t traveling toward the interstate. “Where are we going?”
“I want to show you something,” Caley said. “Jake showed it to me a few days ago.” She turned into the drive and carefully navigated the curves down to the main house.
“What is this?”
“You’ll see,” Caley said.
She stopped the car in front of the house. Jake emerged from the house, stepping out onto the wide porch. A few moments later, Sam appeared in the doorway. Emma glanced over at Caley then looked out the window at her former fiancé. “What’s going on?”
“You and Sam need to talk. Jake and I thought it would be best if you had a place where you could be completely alone and undisturbed.”
“I have a plane to catch,” Emma insisted.
“That can wait.”
“What is this place? Some kind of haunted house?”
“It’s not as bad as it looks. It’s quiet and secluded. And kind of romantic.” Caley got out of the car, giving Emma no choice but to follow. When she joined Jake on the porch, he handed her the bag from the lingerie shop.
“I couldn’t resist the garter belt,” he murmured.
Emma joined them on the porch and Caley passed the bag to her. “You might need this,” she said.
Emma peered inside, then withdrew a sexy black camisole and panties, followed by the garter belt and black stockings. “I thought you said we were supposed to talk.”
“This is meant to help the conversation along.”
“Hello, Emma,” Sam said, stepping out of the doorway onto the porch. His gaze searched her face, but she refused to look at him.
“Hello, idiot,” she muttered.
“Rule number one,” Jake said. “No name-calling.” He started down the length of the porch, then motioned Sam and Emma to follow. When they reached the lake side of the house, they walked down the snow-packed path to the summer kitchen. “All right. You’ll stay here until you’ve worked things out. When you’ve both come to a rational decision about your future together, you can leave a lantern burning in the window and we’ll come and get you. There’s food and firewood inside. There’s a bathroom through the small door near the fireplace. I want you both to go inside, take off your jackets, your shoes and the rest of your clothes and put them on the porch. I’ll give them back to you when it’s time to leave.”
“What?” Sam said.
“I’m not giving you my clothes,” Emma said.
“Do we really need their clothes?” Caley asked.
“They can’t run away if we have their clothes,” Jake explained. “Unless they want to trudge through the snow in their bare feet, they won’t be going anywhere.”
“I’m not going to marry him,” Emma said. “You could lock me up and throw away the key and I still wouldn’t change my mind.”
“I wouldn’t marry her if she were the last person on earth,” Sam countered.
“Fine,” Jake said. “If that’s what you decide. But you’re going to come out of this with an understanding and a respect for each other. Our families have been friends for years and you’re not going to mess this up because you both want to carry a grudge. You’re the pair who started this and if you’re going to end it, then do it right. Either you leave here as two friends or as two people about to be married, I don’t care which.”
“Where are we supposed to sleep?” Sam asked.
“There’s a cot inside and warm blankets.”
“I’ll just call someone to come and get us.”
“There’s no phone inside,” Jake said. “And I have your cell phone. You lent it to me earlier this morning. And Caley borrowed Emma’s phone. You’ll talk to each other and that’s it. Now, Caley and I will be back to check up on you tomorrow morning.”
“You can’t do this,” Sam said. “You’re supposed to be on my side.”
Jake shrugged. “Yeah, I can do this.”
“Caley, you can’t leave me here,” Emma said.
“Maybe we should let them keep their clothes,” Caley suggested. “The jackets and pants and shoes will be enough to keep them from running away.”
“I wouldn’t bet on it,” Sam muttered. “You know, when the owner finds out that you kept us here, there’ll be trouble. I could charge you with—with kidnapping. Or unlawful imprisonment. Or—or—”
“I know the owner and he won’t mind,” Jake said. “Now get inside and start undressing.”
Grudgingly, Emma and Sam disappeared inside the summer kitchen and a few minutes later, they tossed their jackets, pants and shoes out onto the porch. Caley gave Jake an optimistic smile. “That didn’t go so badly.”
“Maybe we should wait around for a little while just to make sure they don’t kill each other.”
“Good idea.”
Jake
