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“Good. Then I suppose you can get your own bags?” Her eyebrows arched.
“Gladly.” Cody groped behind the front seat and pulled out both his canvas duffel-type bags, letting them drop to the ground at his feet.
Trudy Lynn reached for one of them. He stopped her with an outstretched hand. “I said, I can handle it.”
“I know what you said. But this is my camp and you’re my guest. I’m not pampering you. I’d offer to help carry anybody’s bags, whether they were able to or not.”
“That’s nice. Tell you what. Why don’t you let Sailor loose before he goes nuts? He gets really agitated if he thinks I’m going to wander off and leave him.”
“I can see that.” Trudy Lynn ordered the Newfoundland to sit before she unfastened the tether and lowered the tailgate. His exuberance in scrambling out almost bowled her over.
The dog had made two galloping circuits of the pickup and had come to a stop at Cody’s feet before Trudy Lynn rejoined him. “Looks like he’s happy now.”
“It doesn’t take much to please Sailor. Food, water and my company. They definitely are a family breed, just not suited to my sister’s fancy new carpet and furniture.”
“Well, we fixed that.”
She was about to reach for his bags again when Cody waved her off. “Wait. Watch this.” He pointed to the strap of the largest one. “Sailor. Bring it.”
The enormous dog took the handle in his mouth gently, as if it were as fragile as a kitten, and, with his bushy tail waving, proudly bore it along while his master headed for the cabin.
“What about the other one?” Trudy Lynn asked.
“He’ll go get that, too.”
She hurried ahead to open the door and flip on the lights. Any worries she’d had that Sailor might get excited and knock his master down were dispelled when she noted how cautiously the lumbering dog proceeded. When the first bag was safely delivered, Cody sent him back for the second.
“Wow. I’m impressed,” Trudy Lynn said. “How did you teach him that?”
“I can’t take credit. He was a natural. From the time he was a pup he carried things around. Loved my socks. I used to leave them on the floor just so he’d have something to pick up and bring to me.”
“A furry valet?”
“Something like that. He added more to the mess than he cleaned up, but his heart was in the right place so I encouraged him.” Cody’s smile widened as Sailor returned with the second bag, mission accomplished, and placed it at his feet. “It would have been a lot nicer if he hadn’t drooled, though.”
“So what? You were going to wash the socks anyway.”
“Right.” He surveyed the one-room cabin approvingly. “Looks cozy. Any special instructions?”
“Not that I can think of. If I’d known anyone was going to be staying here I’d have made up the bed ahead of time.” She was already moving across the room. “It’ll only take me a second.”
“Don’t bother.”
Trudy Lynn sent him a grin over her shoulder as she whipped the plaid bedspread aside, unfurled a clean sheet and bent to her task. “Why? Does your dog make beds, too?”
“Not yet, but I’m working on it.”
“Should be an interesting trick. Especially if you can teach him to stop slobbering while he works.”
Cody made a face. “Yeah. There is that problem.”
“This cabin has its own private bathroom,” Trudy Lynn explained while smoothing out the last wrinkle in the bedding. “Towels are in the cabinet over there. So are more clean sheets if you decide Sailor needs to practice his tucking skills.”
“Thanks. I think I’ll wait on that till we get home.”
“In that case, I’ll say good-night and leave you in peace.”
She was almost to the door when Cody said, “Thank you.”
There was so much true relief in his tone she turned and smiled. “You’re quite welcome. Both of you. I’ll get Sailor’s food and dishes out of the back of the truck before I go. Sleep as late as you want in the morning. When you’re up and about, I’ll introduce you to my staff. There aren’t many of us. Will and I stay overnight. The rest come to work when I need them.”
Cody’s eyebrow arched. “Will? Your boyfriend? Husband?”
“Will’s old enough to be my grandpa,” she said with a subdued chuckle. “There’ve been lots of times when I’ve wished we were kin. I guess old friend describes him best. He takes a real proprietary interest in this place. I don’t know what I’d do without him.”
“I hope he doesn’t mind my staying here.”
“Don’t worry. First thing in the morning, I’ll explain everything to him.”
“While you’re at it, would you mind explaining it to me, too? I’m still not sure how I wound up here.”
“Providence,” Trudy Lynn said with a wide, satisfied grin. “I needed more security and God sent you.”
That brought a wry chuckle from her guest. “If I’m the best God can do, I think you’d better start questioning His wisdom. I have.”
“What an awful thing to say.”
“Maybe. But I meant every word.”
She sobered, eyes wide, and nodded. “I know you did. That’s what makes it a lot worse than it would be if you were joking.”
Cody was so exhausted he didn’t bother to unpack. He sent Sailor outside, briefly, then lay across the bed, fully clothed except for his shoes. The Newf made himself comfortable on the floor and quickly fell asleep.
Sailor snored, as usual, while Cody stared at the rustic pine ceiling and wondered why his dog had so much more peace than he did.
Because he doesn’t think of the future, Cody decided. No worries meant no stress. Too bad he couldn’t share the dog’s easy ability to drop off to sleep anywhere, anytime.
Relating the details of the fatal accident to Trudy Lynn had brought the tragedy vividly to mind for the second time that night. Not that the young man’s death was ever far from his thoughts. That moment would never leave him, never let him rest the way he once had.
Why kept nagging at him, refusing to be rationalized away. Too bad it wasn’t a question that could be solved like a riddle that had an actual solution. There was no answer to his conundrum—at least not one that included the benevolent, loving God he’d sought and believed in as a lonely, motherless child.
In that respect, his sister, Becky, had more faith than he’d ever possessed. He wasn’t about to pretend he still had a strong belief in the Lord, even if that meant he didn’t fit her idea of the perfect brother. As far as Cody was concerned, God had deserted him. Twice. No, make that three times. First when his mother had been killed, second when he’d prayed for the safety of his clients on the raft while fighting for his own life, and third, when Stephanie had walked away from the love she’d once sworn would last forever.
He looked down at his injured knee. It was throbbing in time with his heartbeats. Must be time for another pain pill, which meant he’d also need a glass of water. Well, so what? Why baby himself? He was going to ache all night anyway, just as he always did. At least the cabin was small enough to hop to the sink without crutches.
He swung his feet over the side of the bed and spoke to Sailor so the dog wouldn’t be startled, leap up and topple him. “That’s it, old boy. Scoot over. I’ll be right back.” The thick, black tail thumped on the bare floor.
Cody pulled himself upright by grabbing the headboard and stood quietly for a second to make sure he had his balance. The brace on his knee would keep it from giving out on him but there was always the chance of a sharp pain causing him to falter. He switched on the bedside lamp and started across the room. Seconds later, he heard a throaty growl behind him.
Grabbing the edge of the sink for support he stared at Sailor. The usually amiable, laid-back dog was fully alert. Had the vandals returned? Now that he’d switched on the cabin light, they’d know someone was close by. Would that be enough to scare them away? Cody hoped so.
Leaning against the kitchenette counter, he listened. Other than Sailor’s rumbling, silence reigned. Whip-poor-wills had stopped calling to their mates, frogs had ceased their rhythmic chirping, and even the noisy cicadas were still.
He tensed. The first thing he needed to do was grab his crutches so he’d be more mobile. Second, he had to keep Sailor from going on the defensive and getting into trouble.
“Sailor, come,” Cody whispered, giving a hand signal as well. Hackles up, the dog had risen and was facing the closed door, clearly standing guard.
“Sailor,” he hissed, “get over here.”
The protective canine reluctantly obeyed, edging closer until Cody was able to grab his collar.
The door creaked on rusty hinges. The first thing that poked through was the long barrel of a shotgun! Cody tightened his grip on Sailor, braced himself and waited.
A weathered old codger stepped into the room and took shaky aim. The man was clad only in boxer shorts and a sleeveless undershirt. At the ends of his spindly legs, his unlaced hiking boots looked as though they were at least as old as he was. Maybe older.
Before Cody could decide whether to yell at him, surrender, or burst out laughing, the old man commanded, “Freeze, mister. And call off your dog.”
“I’ve been trying to,” Cody said. “Don’t shoot. We’re unarmed.” He raised his free hand. “You must be Will.”
“What if I am?”
“Trudy Lynn, Ms. Brown, told me about you. She was planning to introduce us in the morning.”
“Says who?”
“It’s the truth. I’m Becky Malloy’s brother, Cody Keringhoven.”
“I s’pose you can prove it.”
“I have my ID right here.” Cody produced his wallet and held it out.
Will motioned with a jerk of his head. “Bring it over here. Real slow.”
“That’s about the only way I can move.” He pointed to the crutches propped at the foot of the bed. “I’ll do better if you’ll hand me those first.”
“You don’t look crippled.”
“Well, I sure feel it,” Cody replied. “I just got up to take a pain pill. Mind if I do?”
“Guess not.” He lowered the muzzle toward the floor so it wasn’t pointing directly at Cody or the dog. “Miz Brown didn’t say nothin’ about puttin’ nobody in this cabin.” He scowled. “We hardly ever rent it, ’specially not this time of year.”
“So she told me. I’m supposed to be watching out for vandals while I’m here. I guess you know all about that.”
“Sure do. That’s what I figured you was when I saw the light.” Bushy gray eyebrows knit. “I tried sittin’ by that there window all night. Couldn’t keep my eyes open. That what you’re plannin’ to do?”
“Not tonight,” Cody said, drawing water and downing his medication. “Dad and I just drove all the way from Chicago. I’m beat. Maybe tomorrow.”
Thumbing the shotgun open to extract the shells, the old man nodded. “Suits me. Sorry if I scared ya. I’m goin’ back to bed. You be all right?”
“Fine. Thanks. See you in the morning?”
“You betcha,” Will said. “In case you’re wonderin’, I’m gonna go talk to Miz Brown before I turn in, see if your story checks.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Cody said with a grin. “She’s lucky to have you.”
“Sure is.” He eyed the now complacent-looking, panting dog. “Big fella, ain’t he? What’s his name?”
“Sailor.”
Will chuckled. “Well, well. Me, too. Spent many a happy year as a merchant seaman before I finally decided to settle down. I take it he loves the water.”
“I think he’d rather swim than eat,” Cody said. “Newfoundlands are related to Labrador retrievers, just bigger and a lot more hairy.”
“That’s the truth. Sure glad he’s yours to feed and not mine. What all does he eat?”
Cody immediately thought of Trudy Lynn’s messy introduction to Sailor’s fondness for beef gravy. Rather than mention it, he laughed then quipped, “Anything that doesn’t eat him first.”
“You’d best watch him around Miz Brown’s little mutt, then. That Widget’s got a nasty attitude.”
“Uh-oh. She never mentioned having a dog.”
“He’s more like family to her. ’Specially since that fiancе of hers, Ned What’s-his-name, took off.” Will grimaced and blushed. “Forget I said anything about that, will you? Don’t want her to think I’m carryin’ tales.”
“We won’t mention it again,” Cody vowed. “I had wondered why she was so fixated on this business. Guess she put all her energies into it after Ned left, huh?”
“Nope,” Will said. “Always was nuts about canoes and camping. This place was perfect for her, right from the start. I think that’s one of the things Ned didn’t take to. Miss Trudy liked the outdoors a lot more’n he did.” He lowered his voice to add, “You ask me, she loved the Ozarks every bit as much as she loved him, maybe more, and he knew it. Didn’t surprise me when their wedding didn’t pan out.”
Cody nodded sagely. “Thanks for telling me. It’ll keep me from putting my foot in my mouth.” He managed another chuckle in spite of the growing discomfort radiating from his sore knee. “Good thing, too. These days, it’s about all I can do to make my feet work together to hold me up. I can’t afford to be chewing on one of them.”
“And I’m standin’ here keepin’ you up and makin’ it worse. Sorry, mister…what’d you say the name was?”
“Just call me Cody. Keringhoven’s too hard to remember.”
“Cody, it is. I’ll look in on you in the mornin’, ’fore I start my chores, case you need anything.”
“Thanks. I’d appreciate that.”
“Glad to do it. Any friend of Miz Brown’s is a friend of mine.”
Nodding, Cody bid him a polite good-night and waited till the door had closed before gritting his teeth. The pain tonight was worse than it had ever been, except perhaps for the hours immediately following the physical therapy sessions he had submitted to while hospitalized.
Seeming to sense his master’s need for solace, Sailor licked his hand.
“Yeah, it hurts something awful,” Cody admitted. “You know that, don’t you?”
Sailor wagged his tail so vigorously his entire rear half swayed.
“Just be sure to keep it to yourself, okay? I don’t want my sister and her church ladies fussing over me.”
