Ill take your word for it. He must think her an absolute neurotic, she thought. All the same, she couldnt wait to put this crossing behind her.
The fishing shanties were far behind them now. There was nothing on the sea of ice but the two racing sleighs. The air was no longer still. Lane could feel a ripple of wind in her face as their destination loomed ahead of them. This time she distracted herself by remembering what Allison had told her about Thunder Island.
By legend, it was the ancestral home of the Thunder clan of the Menominee people who had once dominated this entire region of Wisconsin. Shaped like an artists palette, the island was almost two hundred acres in extent. Nearly all of it was heavily wooded with evergreens and mixed hardwoods. On its southern endand Lane could see them clearly nowwere massive, sheer limestone bluffs sloping gradually to the low, rocky shoreline on the north. The lodge was situated on the higher end of the island. She searched for a glimpse of it as they neared the island, but the forest concealed it.
Almost there, Dan promised as they rounded the shoulder of the closest bluff and headed into the indented portion of the palette, which formed a natural harbor.
Seconds later their sleigh reached the islands dock, where the pickup truck that had brought out the supplies and the weekend helpers was parked. Lane felt like a white-knuckled flier who has just made a safe landing. Climbing from the sleigh with relief, she expressed her gratitude to Dan.
Thanks for all the expert hand-holding. Oh, it looks like were being met.
Two men, who must have noted their arrival from the lodge, were descending the bluff trail. Lane and the judge watched them emerge single file from the trees.
Probably came down to help with the luggage, Dan said. Thats Nils Asker in the lead. Runs a charter fishing boat in the summers. Allison has known him and his wife, Dorothy, since she was a girl. Dorothy will be waiting for us up at the house.
The figure he indicated was tall and bony with a weathered Nordic face.
And the other one? Lane asked.
The second man had appeared from behind Nils where the path widened. He was younger than Nils, broad shouldered and copper skinned. He had the impressive, dark good looks of a pure Native American on his stoic face.
That would be Nilss brother-in-law, Chris Beaver, Dan said slowly, but I thought...
He didnt finish. There was a sudden expression of concern on his face. Lane, puzzled, saw him glance sharply in Allisons direction. The second sleigh was emptying on the other side of the dock. Allison was busy talking to the driver, getting his assurance that both sleighs would return for them on Monday noon. She was unaware of the newcomers until Nils called a friendly greeting.
Lane was even more mystified then by Allisons reaction when she looked up and discovered the presence of Chris Beaver. Her face registered shock and another emotion that could only be described as unhappiness. Whats more, her bridegroom, Hale, hadnt missed her response. Chris, meanwhile, began silently unloading luggage, his somber black eyes making contact with none of them.
And just what, Lane wondered, is this all about?
She had no chance to find out. Jack had left the other sleigh and was striding toward her purposefully. That meant she had her own emotions to deal with, and they werent easy ones.
It didnt help that he was dressed like thathis familiar Aussie outback hat crammed on his head at a rakish tilt, plus bulky ski jacket and snug cords that emphasized his lean masculinity. But then, Jack Donovan would have been disarming in a Sherpa ceremonial robe.
Subtlety was never his style, and obviously that hadnt changed. Reaching her,
he wasted no time in asking bluntly, You all right? Was the crossing bad for you?
Of course, he knew all about her phobia. He knew far too much about her, damn it.
She chose her words and tone with care, wanting him to realize she appreciated his concern but that he no longer had any right to be worried about her. In effect, reminding him that his overprotectiveness had been one of the sources of conflict in their marriage.
No need to ask, but Im just fine, thank you.
Her politeness clearly annoyed him. I could have been there for you if youd let me ride with you instead of abandoning me to that female predator. I know well-preserved bones are supposed to be my specialty, but
You can take care of yourself, Jack. You always have.
Not this time. The woman is as rapacious as a T. rex. Oh, hell, here she comes again. He groaned aloud, much to Dans amusement.
Ronnie Bauer joined them at the foot of the dock, burbling, What a delicious spot to get snowbound in! She moved close to Jacks side, adding far too obviously, With the right individual, that is.
Dan chuckled softly. Afraid youre out of luck on this trip. Theres no forecast of any real snow for the weekend. Thats what Ive been assured, anyway.
Ronnies scarlet mouth formed a little pout of disappointment. Too bad, because I brought enough outfits to cover that possibility. Jack, she pleaded, you will help me up to the house with my luggage, wont you? I have some of my good jewelry in one of the cases, and Im not going to trust that to just anyone.