Chapter 17 - Life

Lucy and Nicole had bought this new cabin just under a year ago. They still owned the old one and would often drop by for a romantic rendezvous when the kids were with Rita, but home was the new cabin It was twice as big, and with Cam and Michelle Thomas virtually neighbors.

Storm had been most excited about that. She loved Michelle, or Shelly Hamlin. Her favorite TV character was played by Michelle, and she lapped up all the attention she got from the star whenever they were in town. They weren’t in town now though, but there was a light on in their cabin.

“I’m going to go over and check it out,” Lucy said, pulling her boots back on.

Nicole stood with her back against the countertop, one arm wrapped around her waist, while she held a cup of coffee in the other hand. “Maybe Cam returned to finish off what she was doing?”

Lucy shrugged. “Maybe, but usually she calls and lets us know.”

Nicole frowned. “I’m not sure I like the idea of you going over there alone when we don’t know who it might be.”

A voice shouted out from the couch. “I’ll go!” Storm sat up and looked over to her parents with a hopeful grin on her face.

Lucy smiled at the offer but shook her head. “I will be fine. Both of you stay here.”

“Aww,” Storm whined, flouncing back onto the couch where she was watching the last five minutes of her show before bedtime.

“It’s almost nine o’clock, and you’re already past your bedtime, so I would be quiet if I was you.” Lucy continued to grin and pulled on her coat. She kissed Nicole quickly and picked up the flashlight. “I won’t be long.”

Outside it was chilly. Spring might have sprung, but the summer temperatures were a long way off yet. At least it was dry, she reminded herself. It reminded her a lot of home: England in winter was just like this.

She walked the short footpath, turned left at the bottom, and headed towards the Thomas’ cabin. There was a car she didn’t recognize on the drive. Cam usually drove her Audi whenever they came up here. The big SUV dealt with the terrain a lot easier, though lately she had taken to flying up and renting a car, but still, it was always a big SUV.

Lucy pushed against the door. It was locked. That was a good sign, she supposed. Had it been open, then the chances were it was someone who wasn’t supposed to be there. Shrugging, she pressed the doorbell and waited. No answer, so she pressed it again. Taking a step back, she used the flashlight to look around the front of the cabin. When still nobody answered, she walked away and back to her own home.

Nicole let out an audible sigh of relief when Lucy entered. “Well?”

Lucy shrugged. “No answer. But there is a car on the drive and the door is locked.”

“Maybe one of Cam’s friends is staying, didn’t her friend Erin come up last summer?”

Nodding, Lucy pulled off her boot. “Yes, she did. But Cam called and let me know.”

Nicole sat down at the kitchen table and poured some water into a glass for Lucy. “That’s true.”

Lucy bit her lip. “I think I’m just going to give Cam a quick call. At least that way if it’s nothing to worry about then we can all sleep easy, and if not, I can call Sheriff Jenkins.” She looked around the open plan room and noted the TV was off. “Storm went to bed?”

Nicole nodded. “Uh huh. Something about beauty sleep and needing to be up early tomorrow to practice her lines.”

Chuckling, Lucy picked up the phone. “Well, she is certainly going to be prepared.”