THE MAN FROM THE FAR SIDE OF THE LAKE

By Atonia Walpole

Part Three:

Lynn donned a pair of shorts and a tee shirt and her one non-slip tennis shoe. wearing her sunglasses she hobbled on her crutches out to the lounge chair and sat down. What if he didn't come? She watched the house across the cove and saw no movement. He didn't say what time he'd come. She sat there for fifteen minutes and began to think she maybe misunderstood or maybe he was kidding. Why would he bother with her anyway? This was silly. She started to get up and saw a movement out of the corner of her eye. A pontoon was coming in from the lake. It was him.

There was another man with him, driving the pontoon. He pulled it alongside the dock and Brett jumped out, tying it down. He turned and walked up to the chair, "Ready?"

"Yeah, I guess I am. How am I to get to the pontoon?"

He tilted his head and stooped down. "Hold on," he said and scooped her up, carrying her to the dock. The driver jumped out and held her up while Brett ran back for her crutches.

"Hey, I'm Jimmy, a mate of Brett's," he said, friendly enough.

"Lynn Sommes," she replied, hanging on to his shoulders.

"Okay, how you want to do this, Brett?"

"I'll get on the boat and you hand her down. Careful now. You okay?"

Lynn wasn't sure. Being held in his arms was a little overwhelming. "Yes, I'm good."

"Right. I'll put you down here. Wait a tic." He pulled two life jackets out for her to prop her foot on. "Comfy?"

"Yes, very." She smiled up at him. His hair was windblown and wearing only swim trunks he was a sight to behold. She had to get herself in hand. "You've been out in the deep water?"

"Yeah, and we're going back. That okay with you?"

"Sure, anything. I'm a passenger." She looked out over the water. "It's lovely out here."

"Better than sitting on the bank? Want a drink or are you on meds?"

"No meds, thank goodness. Yes, a beer would be nice."

"So how long in the cast?" he asked, handing her a cold beer.

"Four weeks, then I get a boot and then a walking boot. Sounds a long drawn out thing."

"Yeah, it is. You'll get therapy... teach you how to walk again. It's rough." He took a long drink and looked out over the water.

"Took you about a year to get back to yourself, didn't it?" asked Jimmy.

"Nearly. I went home for a year," he said and looked at Lynn.

"It's good you had people to help you. No scars, I see." She looked down at his ankles.

"It was this one." He held up his left ankle. "There's a little faint line here...plastic surgery."

"Lucky you. Mine looks awful, like two strips of barbed wire up my ankle."

He smiled, "It'll fade...wear socks."

Socks, long pants, forget high heels ever again, and those lovely black boots I bought on sale...."Camo," she smiled.

"How far you wanna go, Brett?"

"Take us to the marina. I'm hungry...you hungry?" He looked over at Lynn.

"I could eat. They have good cheeseburgers."

Brett smiled and settled back on the seat just behind her so that she leaned against his shoulder.

Lynn sat up and turned. "You don't mind...me leaning on you?"

"No...That’s why I sat here, and to make sure you don't go flying off the seat."

Jimmy brought their food back to the pontoon and they ate docked at the marina.

"How long are you here for?" she asked.

"Not sure...maybe a month...maybe three or four. Why?"

"Oh, just curious," she answered, biting into her burger.

"How long are you here?" he asked back, looking over his sunglasses at her.

Just a hint of blue green eyes. "For the summer or until I can take care of myself, which ever comes first, I guess. I can't go home. I live on the third floor of an apartment building."

"Ah," he said. "You live alone?"

"Yes." She wouldn't look up...couldn't look up.

"Bad thing about breaking your right foot, you can't drive," offered Jimmy.

"I know. I feel like a kid, helpless and hapless."

Jimmy grinned, "You coming back to the house?"

"Yes, she is, aren't you?" Brett said to the back of her head as they pulled out of the dock.

"I guess I am." Lynn leaned against him for the ride back.

He was mostly quiet on the way to his house, moving only once to settle his arm over the back of the seat where he found her arm and held it, rubbing his thumb over her hand.

Lynn felt a little strange, unsure of herself and unsure of him. What was he doing anyway? Once they pulled up to his dock it was easier to get her out of the pontoon. It sat lower to the water and she was pulled up by Jimmy, Brett following with her crutches.

"It's too far for you to walk. I'll carry you." He handed the crutches to Jimmy and carried her up on the deck and into the house. "How about here?" He placed her on a long, curving, white leather sofa and handed her two pillows for her foot.

"This is gorgeous," she commented, looking around the room. The tall cathedral ceiling had windows all the way to the top. It was furnished in comfortable-looking furniture, nothing too fancy.

"Back in a tic...oh, the loo is right through there if you want," he said. "Looks like everybody has cleared out for awhile." He walked down a short hallway and came back with a couple of beers, handing her one.

Lynn could see Jimmy down putting the boat away in the boathouse. Now how was she going to get home?

"How many people have you got here?" she asked.

"Eight or ten...I don't know." He sat back on the sofa, his sunglasses pushed up on his head and those blue-green eyes fastened on hers.

"You don't know how many people are staying here?" she asked, smiling.

"No. I think they come and go. Jimmy came with me. The rest just showed up."

"House party...that's usually the way it goes. We've had a few before Miles' mother became ill."

"Who is Miles and what's wrong with his mother?"

"Miles is my brother-in-law and his mother is...has dementia."

"Sorry...that's rough. Your sister looks after her?"

"Yes, she's great, a real caregiver, something I could never be."

"I bet you could if you had to. What do you do?"

"I write...novels and some short stories."

"Published?"

"Yes, three now...I am proud."

"You should be. Want another beer?"

"No, I am on crutches, you know."

"Yeah, but I'm here. I won't let you fall."

He won't let me fall, she thought. I think I may fall. She looked into his eyes, "You won't let me fall?"

"No...you can't. I can't let you...I can't..." He looked off out the windows toward the lake.

"I probably should go. You probably have things to do."

"No...I don't...I don't have anything to do. That's why you're here." He smiled a quick smile and looked down at her foot, touching her toes in the cast. "I just needed somebody..." he looked up. "You."

Lynn didn't know what to make of him. "Me? I'm nobody, a girl with a broken ankle for the summer."

"Don't ever say that 'you're nobody'. You are somebody. You're Lynn Sommes. I like you."

Lynn stared into his eyes and saw them soften as he smiled. Somewhere in the house an electric guitar started up.

"That's Jimmy. He's been my mate for years. Plays pretty good, huh?"

"Yes, he does. You have a band, don't you?"

"Yeah...sometimes. Have you heard it?"

"I have your CD's."

"You're a fan, then?"

"I am. You're very good at what you do."

He got up suddenly, walked over to the window and turned back. "Are you cold?"

"No, it's cool in here."

"Don't move, I need a shirt." He was down the end of the hallway.

Lynn was beginning to wish she had stayed on the other side of the cove. He was a little odd. She wasn't sure what it was he wanted of her, but he wanted something. Having gotten over the first flush of excitement, just being with him...she was at a loss...what to do or say now. She lay her head back on the soft leather. Let him lead...see where he goes. He's a little shy now, too.

He came back, pulling a shirt over his head, a long sleeve tee shirt with a logo.

"You're cold-natured, aren't you?"

"Am I? I'm just bloody cold. Can I get you something, coffee?"

"Okay, coffee would be good." He went back down another hall into a kitchen. It was partially open to the great room and he puttered about.

"Milk, sugar?"

"Yes and yes." He actually made it himself. Somehow she thought he would have servants at his beck and call.

Handing her a white mug, he said, "I make it strong. Lots of milk, though."

Lynn smiled. "Do you cook as well?"

"Who me...no. I can do brekkie."

"Who cooks here, I mean with so many people around?"

"Whoever wants to eat. I go out mostly or eat whatever is cooked here. There's a barbie on the deck. It gets a work out."

"Hmm, summertime cooking. I cook sometimes when I really want something homemade."

"Just for yourself?"

"Un huh, why not?"

"I dunno. Seems like a waste. Are you seeing anybody?"

Lynn blinked her eyes. It came from nowhere. "Well...no, not now...not anymore."

"You had a guy...what happened?"

"Nothing. That's why I don't have a guy anymore. We didn't want the same things...didn't see things...I don't know."

"What is it you want?"

"I...honesty, to start with. A little honesty goes a long way with me."

"I want that, too. That's important...don't ever lie to me."

"Why would I and about what?" she laughed. "No...I wouldn't lie to you." He was serious again. She wondered what he was about.

He looked at her for a minute. "You would, you know...afraid to..." He looked away.

"You know, I think you probably need to take me home, Brett. This is getting a little deep." She set her empty mug on the coffee table.

He turned and looked at her. "If you want to go, I'll take you," he said softly. He stood and pulled her to her feet, put his arms around her, kissing her softly on the lips, "But I want you to come back. Will you?"

Lynn was stunned from the kiss. "Yes, but you'll have to come for me."

He smiled and hugged her to him before picking up her crutches and holding them while she got her balance.

He took her home in a black SUV, handing her out at her sister's house and kissing her before letting her go. "I'm glad we spent some time together. I want more."

Lynn ran her hands down his arms, holding for balance. "I think I do, too. I'll see you." She put the crutches under her arms.

"You will...yes, you will. I'll come for you tomorrow afternoon."

He watched her walk to the door before getting in his vehicle and leaving.

Part 4:

Jen was fixing a salad when Lynn came in through the back door. "So what have you been up to?"

Lynn made her way to a chair and sat down. "You know, I'm not sure and that's the truth."

"You've been across the lake. I saw the pontoon go over. What's he like?"

"I think once he relaxes he's very sweet, but he's...scared. He must have been hurt pretty bad and more than once. It was a very...strange afternoon."

"Was the house full of people?"

"No, only his friend Jimmy and he made himself scarce. It was just me and him. He made me a cup of coffee..." she smiled a crooked smile. "We sort of talked. I'm going to see him again."

"You want to be careful there, Lynn. He does have a reputation, you know."

"I know, but I wonder how much of that is true after spending some time with him."

"He didn't try to..."

"No, but he did kiss me. Boy, did he kiss me!"

"I've seen that on the screen. Same kind of thing?"

"Oh, yes...I like him and I want to know him better. He's coming for me tomorrow afternoon."

"For what? Where are you going?"

"I didn't ask." Lynn wondered at that...but then it didn't matter. He was coming for her.

Later that night she lay in bed trying to go to sleep, going over the day in her mind. Whatever it meant or might grow to be, she knew it was only for a month or so...maybe more if he stayed. He'd said himself, he wouldn't let her fall and he couldn't. She understood what he meant, but how could he prevent her from falling in love with him? She would have to be very careful.

He came for her in his SUV. "How are you today?" he asked, helping her into the vehicle.

"I'm okay, and you?"

He smiled, starting the motor. "Oh, I'm good. Up for an adventure?"

"An adventure? What have you got in mind?"

"You'll see."

He took her to the zoo. Leaving her at the entrance, he dashed in and was back in a moment with a wheelchair, "Thought this might be better for you," he explained, handing her crutches to the attendant.

It was a fun day. He wheeled her all over the zoo and even up to the botanical gardens. "You didn't tell me there was a tram up here," he said, perspiring.

"We can ride it back."

"Oh, yeah, it's all downhill going back, " he grinned, taking a long drink from a bottle of water."

"I would never have guessed the zoo. You surprised me," she said, tilting her head.

"Good...that's what I had in mind. Have you seen enough or do you want to go back through the gardens?"

"I've seen it, and thank you very much."

He took her to dinner, a popular restaurant on the river and they ate outside...so he could smoke. Loud music greeted their ears as he helped her back to the parking lot. "Where is that coming from?" he asked, stopping.

"There's a tavern over there. They usually book hard rock bands."

He hesitated a moment. "Want to go over for a bit?"

"Sure." Clearly he did. Hard rock wasn't her choice but she was up for it.

He bought them a beer and finding a seat at the bar for her, stood behind her. They left after finishing the beers.

"What'd you think?" he asked.

"Well...if you can't play good, play loud?"

He grinned. "The singer wasn't bad but you couldn't hear him for the guitar amps."

He took her to his house instead of taking her home. "You don't mind...for a while?"

"No, not at all."

It had been a fun day. He was easy to be with, and some of the strangeness had disappeared. He was...normal. Lynn really enjoyed being with him. He was very solicitous of her comfort at all times, very thoughtful.

His house was full on, the musicians were playing and laughter came pouring out the open doors. "Come on...meet my mates," he urged, helping her through the front door.

Lynn was introduced around and Brett found her a seat and an ottoman for her foot with a pillow on top. He brought her a glass of wine.

"How's the foot today?" Jimmy asked, coming to sit beside her.

"A little tender right now, It's been a busy day."

"He kept you going, did he?"

"Yeah, but it was fun." She turned and smiled. Jimmy watched Brett moving through the crowd, stopping to talk here and there.

"He's a fun guy, good to be around. What do you do?"

"I'm a writer, a novelist."

"Don't write about him, okay?"

"Oh, I don't do that kind of writing...don't worry. I write fiction. He's way too real."

"Yeah, he is." Jimmy was called to play and got up.

As Lynn listened to them play and sing, she wondered if Brett would join them.  Looking around, she noticed he wasn't in the room. It wasn't too long before he appeared again, coming from the direction of a wing off the great room she hadn't noticed before. He'd changed his shirt and had his guitar. Good, she thought.

The band played a few familiar songs they had recorded and then some recorded by other artists. Brett sang lead, glancing her direction several times. Lynn felt she had fallen into a rabbit hole. This just wasn't part of her life, but something she was privileged to be a part of for a while.

The band wound down and after another round of drinks they drifted off, some outside and some to other parts of the house. Brett came over to her and sat on the ottoman, taking her foot in his lap.

"Are you okay? Do you need anything? Your glass is empty. Jimmy, a refill for the lady." Jimmy brought her another glass of wine. It was good, cool and light.

"It's been a wonderful day, Brett, thank you," Lynn said, taking a sip of the wine.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it. It doesn't have to be over, you know."

Lynn only stared at him, not sure exactly where he was going. He had her cast in his hand and ran his hand past it to her knee. "I'd like you to stay." He looked into her eyes.

"I...would you?"

"Yes."

"I'm not much good, you know, with this ankle."

"It's not the ankle I'm interested in." He took her wine glass and set it on a table beside the chair then stood, pulling her to her foot, holding her for balance. He kissed her again, this time deeply, leaving Lynn against his chest nearly gasping.

"Will you stay?" he asked again, running his hands over her back.

"Yes," she whispered.

He picked her up and carried her down the wing of the house he'd come out of earlier. It was his wing, a suite of rooms. He carried her through to his bed. Depositing her, he lay down beside her and kissed her again.

"You can stop me now if you want to...don't," he murmured against her ear.

Lynn didn't stop him from removing her clothes, touching her, kissing her body. Her ankle didn't seem to bother him at all. She forgot about it and only once did she move it. He made love to her, slow and easy, until she felt herself going and he took her with him.

"I didn't hurt you, did I?" he asked later as he held her in his arms.

"No...no." she said against his skin. She tasted him, salty and male and breathed in his scent. The scent of their sex floated around them and she was aroused again, running her fingers lightly down his stomach. He was soon in the same state and took her again, this time a little more forcefully.

"Sleep with me," he said, drowsy now.

Lynn slept.

She woke in his bed alone and seeing her crutches against the wall she was captive until he reappeared. He'd showered, his hair still wet and combed back. He brought her a tray with coffee.

"How nice. Thanks, Brett."

He sat on the end of the bed and watched her with her coffee. "I don't suppose you'd stay here with me?"

"I really can't, Brett. I have my things and set up at my sister's."

"What set up?" he asked.

"My special shower seat and hand-held shower head."

"I could do that here."

"Why...why would you?"

"For you."

"But only for a short time...you'll be going, won't you...soon?"

"I don't know. Does it matter how long? You won't need it in a few weeks."

"The shower...true, once the cast comes off. I'll still need to sit, though."

"What I'm asking you is this. Come stay with me while I'm here. I'll make whatever adjustments I need to make for you. I want you here. I need you here."

Lynn set her cup down. This was insane. She looked up at him, the look on his face was tearing at her. He needed her...for a short summer. She looked aside. She would have to talk to Jen and Jen would not like this. "I need to talk to my sister. I'm afraid she's not going to like this, Brett."

"But you'll do it, won't you? Come stay for as long as we have."

Lynn looked at the cup, the bed, anything except him. He was irresistible. He was seductive, he was pleading, he was everything she had ever seen on the screen. But he wasn't acting now. "Take me home this morning and I'll talk to her. You should meet Jen."

"I will. I'll talk to her, whatever I need to do."

"It's that important to you?"

"You are."

Lynn met his eyes. This was madness, craziness. She was going to fall and fall hard and he was going to leave. She shook her head, "I must be mad."

"You'll do it!" He jumped up and gathered her clothes, bringing them to her along with her crutches.

Jen didn't say anything at first, merely walked around the kitchen table and sat down across from Brett. "I know you mean well, but this is my sister. I don't want to see her hurt."

"I know that. I'm not going to hurt her. We have an understanding."

Lynn looked at Brett...did they?

"It's easy for these things to get out of hand, regardless of what you intend. She's vulnerable right now."

"Don't talk about me like I'm not here, Jen. I'm not a kid anymore," Lynn added.

"You want to do this? You really want to go and stay a couple of months with this man, or until he decides he's had enough of this place and ups and leaves one day, dropping you off at the door?"

"I know he's going to leave." She looked at Brett. "I'm going into this knowing, okay."

Jen looked Brett in the eye. "Don't hurt her. That's all I ask."

He'd won. "I won't. I promise you."

ON TO PART 5

BACK TO LIBRISCROWE