Page 9 of Serial Love

“I know you do, Gram,” Bethany acknowledged, her heart aching for her grandmother’s sadness when the past was remembered and for the loss of her grandmother as the insidious disease was creeping in.

Alzheimer’s. That was what the doctor had said. Early stages of Alzheimer’s like dementia.Bethany had sat numbly as the doctor explained what was happening and what to expect. She had taken Gram in for a checkup when it seemed as though she was forgetting the simplest of things. Running tests and a full exam,the Geriatric Specialist finally gave her the diagnosis and began Gram on medication to slow down the progression of the disease.

Some days were better than others and, thank God, most days were better than this one. Usually, Gram just forgot where she put the vacuum or someone’s receipt. She recognized their returning customers’ faces but began to forget their names.And sometimes she thinks I’m her sister who’s been dead for years. And Charlie? She was calling Jack by the name of Charlie.I’m pretty sure that was Helen’s teenage sweetheart.Shaking her head, she focused on the memory of the tall, handsome man they met today, and she chuckled.I’ll bet we weren’t what he was expecting!

Sighing deeply, she thought about Jack sitting quietly washing Gram’s cuts.How could such a gruff man be so gentle?Her reflections continued as she remembered the way his body felt against hers.I was captured by him, but with ease, not pain.It had been a long time since she had been held by a man. College certainly had its romantic encounters, but once Gram needed more help, she decided to put her business degree to use here at Mountville.

And who has a security fence around their property? What does he do?Jack’s face continued to fill her thoughts until Gram cut in.

“I’m sorry, Bethany.”

Jerking her head to the side, she reached over to clasp her grandmother’s hand. “Oh, Gram. Don’t apologize. Please, it’s okay.”

“I just can’t seem to remember things like I used to. Iget so frustrated sometimes.”

Bethany squeezed her grandmother’s hand, fighting the tears prickling her eyes. “I know Gram. The doctor said to give the new medicine several weeks to help and you’ve just started taking it.”

A few vacationers walked by on their way back to the cabins for the evening, calling out greetings as they went.

“Evenin’, beautiful ladies,” Mr. Taylor called, his arm around his wife as his two sons trailed behind.

Bethany waved and acknowledged the family that came to rent from them several times a year. It was nice having returning guests. It not only helped with the finances but gave her a sense that what they were doing must be right.

Mr. Taylor was always so friendly and once he found out Bethany had been in advertising, he would corner her and talk business. The company he worked for was based out of Richmond as well. His wife did not seem to like talking shop, so Bethany and Mr. Taylor would chat when they would visit.

A truck with a couple of men who had been out fishing for the day drove in, stopping in front of the women as Bethany waved them over.

“Have any luck?” she called out.

“Some,” one of them replied with a smile. “Went to Lake Abrell toward the end of the day and had better luck there.”

“Good. Just remember gentlemen, we have a strict nine p.m. quiet time.”

Nodding, the passenger grinned. “Yes, ma’am. You’llhave no trouble from us.”

Giving them a goodbye wave, she watched as their truck continued over the gravel road toward their cabin. The sun had made its final descent, and the fireflies were out in number. Offering Gram a hand, she assisted the woman from her chair and ushered her inside.

It did not take long to settle her grandmother into her bed for the night, making sure she had everything she needed. Downstairs, she locked all the doors after checking the security lights. She went through the motions automatically, her thoughts on the handsome neighbor. Gruff, yet gentle. Powerful, yet held her safely.

Who is he and what does he do?she wondered.Who guards their land with armed men ready to strike?Shaking her head, trying to erase the path her mind was taking, she forced herself to think about work. Sitting at the desk, she ran through the website checking for updated reservations.

Horace Malinski.Oh, he’s coming back. Of course, it’s been about two months.Mr. Malinski had been staying at Mountville for almost four years. He would stay for a week, always keeping to himself. Painfully shy.Or kind of creepy, Bethany had to admit. He would hole up in the cabin, rarely coming out. But he was quiet. Paid in full when making the reservation. And when he drove away, she knew his cabin would be scrubbed clean. In fact, Sally, the cabins’ housekeeper, would come away saying that his cabin was cleaner than she could have ever made it.

Continuing to check the reservations, she grimaced. Eight men sharing two cabins next month.Great. Just great. A bachelor party.Knowing how loud a group of drunk men could become, she clickedconfirmedwhile planning on making them pay a security deposit as well as signing the lease agreement early.

Taking care of the reservations, she moved to the open lodge room. Sally had tidied the room before leaving and there was little for Bethany to do. She walked to the bookcase, filled with paperbacks that residents would read and leave, often adding to the pile with ones they brought from their homes. Finding a romance she had not seen before, she took the book upstairs as she headed to bed.

Once settled, she opened the book and was pleased to discover that it was good. Reading until her eyes began to close, she tossed it on her nightstand and turned off the lamp. As she drifted off to sleep, her dreams were filled with the handsome hero coming to rescue her. Unlike the Viking image on the cover of the book, her dream man was tall, broad, with dark brown hair and a beard. And she could feel his hard, strong body pressed against hers.

Jack sat at his table, his laptop open in front of him.Nothing. Nothing but the basic information.He did not know what he hoped to find, but Bethany Bridwell was still a mystery. His searches came up with a few campus articles written her when she worked on the universitynewspaper. She had a Facebook page that had been posted to rarely since leaving college. Other than a few likes on some friend’s pictures, there was no activity.

He flipped through some of her last posted photos and saw a few of her with Ann and her grandfather from about five years earlier. Her tan face was beaming as she stood between them, arms around each one.

She had a business degree with a minor in marketing. Having been hired by an advertising company once she graduated, she quit her decent paying job six months ago to move in with her grandmother to help run Mountville.Did she want to? Did she come willingly? Can she handle that on her own?

He dug into her finances, knowing she had taken a serious cut in pay when coming to Mountville. It appeared she had been frugal, having built up a bit in savings but that would quickly be gone if she put her money back into the business.And from the looks of a few of the buildings, they seemed fine, but some upgrading would be needed soon.

Giving himself a mental shake, Jack forced his thoughts back to the activity at hand. Her motives do not matter. All that matters is how she and her grandmother are as neighbors.Can’t have snooping on my property.

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