Not by Sight A Novel

CHAPTER 3

Abby left Flutter’s Café and went down one flight of stairs to the outdoor cedar deck that ran along the entire length of Angel View Lodge. Guests sat at round tables, shaded by colorful green-and-white striped umbrellas, enjoying a postcard view of Beaver Lake and the rolling Ozark Mountains. The fog had burned off, and the lake sparkled in the noonday sun like a million blue sapphires. She only wished her spirits matched the brilliance of the day.

She descended another flight of stairs to the ground level, not surprised to see her friend Jay Rogers waiting for her, his smile warmer than the cedar railing, her gray-and-white cat perched on his shoulder.

“I see Halo thumbed a ride again,” Abby said, running her hand across the ring of white fur on the cat’s head.

“I never mind giving her a lift,” Jay said. “So are you done for the day?”

“No. I’m working the dinner shift. It’s catfish night, and the place will be hopping. But I’m off until five.”

“I’m not scheduled in at Tutty’s till four.” Jay stroked Halo’s tail. “You wanna take the paddleboat out? I know this is a hard day for you. We don’t have to talk about it or anything.”

“Thanks. I’d love to get my mind on something else.” Abby held out her pale arms. “And I’d like to get a tan before the weather turns hot. I need to change clothes and grab something to eat first.”

“Why don’t I go get sub sandwiches and meet you at the dock?” Jay set the cat down. “You want your usual turkey, lettuce-and-tomato, black olives, and jalapenos on whole wheat?”

Abby smiled. “Don’t forget the chocolate chip cookies.”

“Or the Sun Chips?” Jay laughed, and Abby felt her burden lighten. Being with her best friend would help her get through the rest of the day.

Jay looked at his watch. “See you on the pier in about fifteen minutes?”

“I’ll be there.” Abby walked toward the log house and glanced over her shoulder. “Remember to have them put hot mustard on my half.”

“Yes, ma’am. I’ll make sure it’s exactly as you ordered. I’ll even get you the Coke you forgot to mention.”

Abby grinned and kept walking.



Abby followed half a dozen guests down the earthen path that led to Angel View Pier, a habit she had adopted five years earlier when her mother insisted there was safety in numbers, and it was unnecessary to walk it alone when there were dozens of guests coming and going all the time. Though her mother never said so, Abby knew she was afraid that whatever had happened to Daddy and Riley Jo could happen to any of them.

She spotted Jay standing on the pier and waved. She politely squeezed past the guests, skipped down the stone steps at the end of the path, and hurried over to him.

Jay held up a sack with the Sammie’s Subs logo on the front. “I’ve got lunch. The paddleboat’s ready.”

Abby climbed in, and Jay settled into the seat next to hers. They pedaled in reverse until they were away from the dock, and then turned toward Egret Island and pedaled at a relaxed pace.

Jay’s sandy hair blew gently in the breeze, his shadowy beard just visible enough to make him seem older than seventeen. “The lake’s tame today.”

“That can change on a dime.”

Jay looked up at the bluebird sky, a silly grin stretching his cheeks. “Oh, I’m sure there could be a thunderhead out there somewhere between here and Jamaica. Why are you always looking for trouble?”

“Just habit,” Abby said. “I was raised to be cautious.”

“Yeah,” he said knowingly. “Well, there’s no cause for worry out here. It’s just us, the birds, and the breeze, and the good Lord smiling down on us.”

Abby breathed in deeply and let it out. “Did you happen to catch the sunrise this morning?”

“I wasn’t up that early.”

“I got so caught up in it that I ran smack dab into that swinging door to the kitchen just as my mother was coming out. Made a huge mess. Not exactly a great beginning to an already-hard-enough day.”

“For both of you.”

“Mama keeps her feelings in check better than I do.” Abby shifted her gaze to the dragonfly that landed on the steering wheel. “Speaking of mothers, did yours ever decide when she’s getting married?”

“Soon. She and Number Four are flying to Vegas on Monday. Guess I’ll have to get used to the idea of her being Mrs. Richie Stump.” Jay shook his head. “I’m just glad I don’t have to change names every time she does.”

“I can’t believe this is the fourth time you’ve been through it. Has to be hard.”

“What’s hard is not having a close relationship with my real dad. We don’t have much in common.”

“You’re his son. How much more ‘in common’ can you get?”

Jay looked out toward the island, his gaze intense. “I don’t think he knows what to do with me. He’s remarried and has three other sons that are more like him, into macho stuff. I feel like the odd man out.”

“Do you get along with your stepbrothers?”

“I guess. I spend holidays with my dad’s family, but I don’t really belong. And Mom’s life is a revolving door. About the time I get attached to a new stepdad, he leaves. And when I spend time with my real dad, I get the feeling he’s just doing his duty.”

“Dads are important,” Abby said.

“I guess we both have a big void there.”

This was too heavy a subject. Especially today.

Abby pulled the sandwiches out of the bag and handed Jay his half. She unwrapped hers partway, said a silent prayer of thanksgiving, and took a bite. “I’m glad you thought of this.”

Jay tilted back his head and closed his eyes as if relishing the feel of the sun and breeze on his face. “There’s no one else I’d rather be with. You’re not like most girls.”

“Is that supposed to be a compliment?”

“Yeah. I’m completely at ease with you. I don’t have to be a jock. Or good-looking. Or say the right thing. Or impress your girlfriends. There’s no real agenda, other than enjoying your company. Plus you’re a good listener. I can just be myself when I’m with you.”

“Same here. And we agreed not to spoil it by what?”

Jay laughed and opened his eyes. “Don’t worry. I’m not going to come on to you. I like things the way they are.”

Abby took a sip of Coke, glad she didn’t have to worry about the boy-girl thing complicating their friendship. But despite Jay’s welcome presence, the heaviness of the day hadn’t left her—neither had the selfish fear she couldn’t bring herself to tell anyone, not even him.

“You okay?” Jay said.

I doubt I’ll ever be okay. Abby nodded and looked out toward the island. “I just need to get through today.”