Love and Other Things (Crystal Lake 4)

“Anything.”

“When you’re done facing all those ghosts alone, will you call me?”

“I will.”

“I mean it, Sidney. You might think you need to be alone, but until you’re deep in it, you won’t know.”

“Won’t know what?”

“That you’re wrong. Call me, and I’ll be on the first plane out. I love you.”

Sid said her goodbye and tossed her cell back onto the counter. She shrugged out of her wool coat and then stepped out of her boots. She’d brought a weekender bag, which sat by the front door, and scooped it up, glancing between the hall just off the kitchen and the stairs by the entrance. She quickly made her way down the hall and peeked in at a farmhouse-style bathroom, including a shower, and two smaller rooms, one a bedroom done up in cream and navy blue, the other an office or library-type space with a pullout sofa.

The main area of the cottage, which included the kitchen, dining area, and family room, was open and airy—there weren’t any more rooms hiding in there, so she headed to the stairs, figuring the master bedroom was up there. They brought her to a beautiful loft dominated by a king-size bed along a wall of exposed bleached gray stone. The ceiling was crisscrossed with huge dark wood beams, the wood flooring restored to warm perfection, the whitewashed walls a perfect accent. Two skylights let in a ton of natural light, and there was a seating area across from the bed in front of a fireplace with an overstuffed cream chair, a steel-blue throw across one arm, and comfy white accent pillows. A walk-in closet big enough for two and a large bathroom complete with a luxurious tub in front of a window that overlooked the lake took up the rest of the space. The bathtub was copper, an antique, with claw legs, and deeper than any she’d ever seen.

If it wasn’t for the fact the hot water wasn’t on yet, she’d have filled the sucker immediately and soaked away her worries. But she needed to take care of a few things first. Sid headed back downstairs and grabbed the file folder from the kitchen. It didn’t take long to find the furnace and hot water tank, both located in the basement, and an hour later, she’d unpacked and was soaking in a tub full of steaming-hot water. She leaned back, closed her eyes, and eventually drifted off. If any of the ghosts from her past came calling, she didn’t hear them knock, because when she finally woke up, it was hours later, the water was cold, and, for the first time in a long time, she felt rested.

Because she was a day early, Nate hadn’t been able to fill the fridge or the pantry, which he’d planned on doing. Instead, she was invited to dinner, and if she didn’t get her butt in gear, she’d be late.

With her stomach rumbling, ’cause Lord knows she couldn’t remember the last time she ate, Sid pulled on a pair of deep-blue tights and an oversized Giants hoodie and slipped into a pair of boots. She pulled her hair into a loose topknot, grabbed her keys and phone, and headed outside.

The sun was still in the sky, though it hung low, and the air was crisp. Underneath her feet, snow crunched, and it took a bit for her SUV to heat up. Next time, she’d be smart and start it from inside the cottage. As she shivered in the driver’s seat waiting for the defrost to work its magic, she thought of Beck and the kitten and wondered how he’d made out.

Then she felt silly wondering about a guy who was rude as hell and headed onto River Road in the opposite direction from his place. Nathan’s home was about ten minutes away according to her GPS, and when she pulled into the driveway marked Manchester House, it took a bit for Sid to let the beauty sink in. This wasn’t just a house, it was an estate, probably built by wealthy landowners long ago.

The home was old—from the design and materials, she’d say mid-1800s—and set on a clearing that overlooked the lake and was surrounded by trees, evergreens, and oak, to name a few. To her right was an outbuilding that looked as if it could have been a stable at one time, and there was another smaller building up the hill beyond it.

She was about to step out of the SUV when the front door flew open and Nate appeared, a big smile on his face, his arm around his wife, Molly, who was pregnant with twins. For a moment, Sid’s eyes settled on the woman, and such a feeling of longing washed over her that she had to take a few more seconds before she exited the vehicle.

“Molly, you look beautiful,” she said, giving the woman a hug before doing the same to the man at her side. She’d only met Molly once, in New York just after Christmas, but they’d instantly bonded and had kept up a friendship via text message and FaceTime.

Molly stepped back and rubbed her belly. “Well, thanks for that. Growing twins is exhausting.” She smiled. “I’m so glad you decided to come and spend some time here.” Molly’s eyes softened. “It’s God’s country, and nothing is better for the soul than Crystal Lake.”

“How’s the cottage?” Nate asked, ushering her inside.

“Oh my God, Nathan, it’s…I don’t have words. Honestly, I couldn’t have asked for a more gorgeous place to stay, and this…” Sidney turned in a full circle, and sighed in pleasure. “It’s been a long time since I’ve walked into a home that blends the old and new so well.” The woodwork was incredible, the original floors gleamed, and even the light fixtures were an ode to the past. “You have a beautiful home.”

They headed to the back of the large house, where the kitchen was a dream of white and green and light, with dark stainless-steel appliances that were obviously new, but retro in style. The focal point, a large granite island with generous seating, opened up to a family room.

“Something smells good,” Sid said as she took a seat at the island.

Molly poured her a glass of red wine at about the same time a gangly golden dog with white spots and long legs it hadn’t grown into came from nowhere and nearly upended Nathan.

“This must be Petal,” Sid said, eyeing up the dog. “She’s going to be huge. You know that, right?”

“Yeah.” Nate grinned and kissed the dog on the nose. “But she’ll always be my baby.”

Molly rolled her eyes and laughed, ambling over to her husband in that way that pregnant women do. She snuggled into his arms, raised her face for a kiss, and Sidney couldn’t help but see the love these two had for each other.

Why do some people find this and others don’t?

The question burned in her mind, and she looked away, ashamed at her thoughts. She was happy for Nate and Molly, of course she was, but she was also jealous and angry and so very sad at the thought she would never have what they did.

She pasted a smile to her face when Petal bounded around the corner of the island and sniffed around her feet, which lasted only a few seconds before something else caught her attention and the dog disappeared as quick as she’d come.

The three of them munched on veggies and hummus, Sid and Nate got started in on the wine, while Molly had sparkling water. They didn’t talk about anything too deep, and thankfully, neither Molly nor Nate delved into her reason for coming to Crystal Lake. Nate had been a good friend, and he knew things she’d asked him not to share. From what she could tell, he’d honored his promise.

“You got into the cottage with no issues?” Molly asked.