Chapter One from SUMMER AT THE LAKE by Linda Barrett

Kristin’s hope for a better day crashed the next morning when she stood with Ashley on the front porch. Jogging down Lakeside Road - the blacktop road that circled the lake community - was a man and a dog. Sweat darkened the athlete’s shirt, and the dog, well, the silver/black Shepherd was gorgeous but humongous. And not leashed.
Ashley pressed against her.

“What’s the matter, honey?”

Now, her child stepped behind her.

Kristin turned around. “Please, Ash. Talk to me. Tell me. Use words.”

But Ashley pressed her lips together, her eyes wide and unblinking. Trance-like.

No, no, no. They didn’t need any setbacks. She wouldn’t force the issue anymore, especially when she knew very well why Ashley was frightened. The man. The dog. Easy to see.

“Maybe they’ll keep on running,” Kristin said softly, “all the way out of sight. Maybe they live on the other side of the lake and that would be a couple of miles.” And maybe pigs really did fly.

Her heart sank as, through the trees, she spotted the duo turn into a driveway two houses down - and sensed Ashley’s retreat to their door.

“Did you know, Ash,” she said, intercepting her, “that the German Shepherd dog is one of the most intelligent animals on the planet?” Whether this was actually a fact, she wasn’t sure, but she didn’t care. She took Ashley’s hand and led her to the rocking chairs they’d set out upon their arrival the week before.

“These dogs are so smart, they help the police detect hidden illegal drugs. They can find lost people just by sniffing a piece of their clothing before searching for them.”

Ashley nodded, then opened her arms wide.

“Yes, the dogs are big. They have to be. They’ve got muscles for running and endurance for searching. Those traits are necessary for finding a lost person.”

Ashley rose and measured a four-foot height with her hand.

“Kids? Sure. They find kids as well as adults.”

The girl’s eyes brightened for a moment, then she shivered.

“What are you thinking, Ash?” What threats had the monster made? “Please, sweetheart. I can help you.”

Ashley shook her head and stared at the floor. Kristin swallowed hard. Again, her daughter was shutting her out, refusing her help to ease the pain. To face the fear.

She leaned over and gave Ashley a kiss. “I love you, baby. Forever and ever. And nothing can change that.”

The child hugged her tightly before glancing in the direction where the man and his companion disappeared. Then she peered over her shoulder at their front door.

But Kristin had had enough of hiding. No dog or man was going to prevent Ashley from feeling safe here, from enjoying herself outside whether to read a book or swim in the lake.

“Let’s introduce ourselves, Ash. Then the dog will know we belong here, and we won’t have to be concerned. If we bring some cookies, he’ll love us forever. It’s the neighborly thing to do. And if the dog can’t eat them, the man will.”

Kristin rose from the chair and motioned to her daughter. “Come on. We’ve got some peanut butter from yesterday’s batch.” She watched Ashley drag her feet into the house, but didn’t change her mind about going to their neighbors.

What should have taken a quick minute took ten with Ashley moving in slow motion. Finally, however, they stood in front of 68 Lakeside Road. Kristin knocked.

Thirty seconds later, the big man filled the doorway. He was fresh from a shower in a water-spotted tee shirt, a towel around his neck and in a different pair of running shorts, his steel gray eyes studied them as he stood silently for a moment, the dog sitting at perfect attention at his side. Kristin’s heart sank. She hadn’t counted on unfriendly neighbors.

And then he smiled. His eyes warmed, the steel melting to a soft gray mist. “Are you guys lost? I don’t recognize you.”

Whew! What a change. The hunk was friendly. Shocked at her thoughts, Kristin stood tongue-tied. She hadn’t noticed any man in four years.

She handed the cookies to him and offered their names. “We’re staying at the Goldman place until August. We saw you running with your - uh - pal, here - your rather large pal - so we came to meet him. And you, too, of course.” She stuttered and her face burned. Her skin had to be cherry-red, the downside of being a fair-skinned blonde. To compensate, she thrust her chin up and forced herself to look directly at him.

“House sitting for the Goldmans?”

“Something like that,” she replied, this time smoothly. “Marsha is a good friend of mine.”

He nodded and studied her as though memorizing her features for future reference. Then he turned toward Ashley and a pain-filled expression crossed his face.

Ashley’s fingers touched hers.

Immediately, the man smiled as if nothing had happened. “Rick Cooper,” he said, extending his hand first to Kristin, then to Ashley. “I’m happy to meet you both.”

Kristin held her breath watching Ash’s reaction. Slowly, without speaking, her daughter placed her hand in Rick’s and let it remain for a complete handshake. She exhaled in relief, knowing she’d record the action in the journal. It was important enough.

Now, he motioned them inside. A big country kitchen ran from the front to back on the right side of the house. Oak floors, a large oak dining table. He took the cookies and led them to a breakfast nook in the back of the room, on the lake side. This was a house for a family.

“Do you have any kids?” she asked conversationally. “Ashley is eleven.”

“I’m single. But my niece and nephew will be up at the end of the month.”

Single by choice, she thought. His choice. Between his looks and physique, he could attract a swarm. “We’ll look forward to meeting them, too.”

“If you ladies take a seat, I’ll put Quincy through his paces and then introduce you up close and personal.”

“Thank you, Rick. We really appreciate your time.”

Rick gestured, and the dog sat at attention watching his owner. With hand signals only, he had the dog sit, lay down, walk at heel, stay, ignore treats he’d placed on the floor, and shake hands with him. Perfect performance. The reward came quickly in the form of praise and one of the doggie treats. And applause from Kristin.

She didn’t wait for Rick’s invitation, but impulsively knelt down to pet the beautiful animal, scratching his head and crooning softly to him. She got a lick for her efforts. The beast was friendly and liked to nuzzle. She beamed at Ashley, totally reassured.

“Your turn, honey. He may be big, he may even resemble a gray wolf, but he’s a lovable baby.”

Ashley stayed seated.

Rick knelt next to the dog, held his collar and spoke softly, only to Ashley. “Where I live in the city, all the kids play with Quincy, and that’s when he’s the happiest. They throw balls for him, they roll on the ground with him, but most of all they hug him and talk to him.” He winked at her, and said, “He’s their special friend.”

Ashley barely blinked.

“Right now,” continued Rick, “Quincy’s a little lonely.” He spoke to the dog. “Are you sad, boy?”

The dog whined and licked him. “See what I mean, Ashley? Now it’s Quincy who could use a special friend, a friend right here at Morningstar Lake.”

He motioned to the child and smiled with such encouragement, that Kristin realized she was holding her own breath waiting for her daughter’s response.

Without a word, Ashley slid from her chair and step-by-cautious step approached Rick from the side, avoiding a face-to-face with Quincy.

“See how fast he’s wagging his tail? He’s smiling at you, Ashley. Notice the way his tongue’s hanging out of the side of his mouth. Man, I hate to admit this handsome boy looks silly, but he sure does.”

Was that a giggle? Or a squeaky shoe? Kristin stared at Ashley, but her daughter was totally fixed on Quincy. Could this be a turning point for her? She held her breath.

With a continuing soft patter, the man somehow maneuvered them to the front porch, the dog at heel next to Ashley while she held his leash. The two walked up and down the entire width of the porch several times until Rick motioned them to stop. Quincy, however, didn’t seem ready to lose his new friend. He tucked his head under Ashley’s arm, looked up with adoring eyes and licked her on her cheek and neck. His tail wagged so hard, its breeze gave Kristin goose bumps.

“He likes me!” The delight in Ashley’s voice was unmistakable as she hugged the big canine.

Words! A sentence. Voluntarily uttered. Kristin couldn’t move. Nor could she stop her tears - or the horrified expression on Rick’s face when he saw them.