Wednesday, September 17, 2014

SECRETS OF THE LAKE. Sneak Preview 2. Caleb has fallen overboard but discovers the weakness in the dam.

They held hands and said goodbye in front of Josh’s cottage. Caleb was dressed in Angus’s clothing—shirt and tie, trousers and jacket, plus a pair of shoes that were already too tight.

Annabelle told him the shirt and jacket, billowing around the middle, made him look like a clown. Then she raised her lips for a kiss. He hesitated, finally giving her a peck on each cheek that drew a smile.

“Don’t worry about the dam,” she said. “Father heads the committee. He would never allow anything dangerous to happen.”

“I hope you are right,” he said, brightening. “And thank you for giving me my first sailing lesson. It’s one I shall never forget.”

She ran a finger over the bump on his forehead. It was already turning purple. “My poor, wounded baby,” she said, leaning forward and bestowing a gentle kiss upon it.

Feeling her body pressing against his was more than Caleb could stand. He threw his arms around Annabelle and pulled her into him. Quickly his lips found hers.

He felt their hardness at first, but quickly they softened against his, as they surprised each other with their warmth and feeling—and the realization they were in no hurry for their lips to part.

They were without concern as to whether they would be seen. They were without fear that the future could possibly hold anything but happiness. They knew exactly what they were doing.

+ + +

When the brougham was halfway across the roadway spanning the crest of the dam, Caleb leaned out the window and yelled for Axel to stop.

Caleb got out and limped along the berm, Angus’s shoes cutting into his ankles like a tourniquet. He came to a wide spot where he could step out and look down the side of the dam.

It was an earthen dam, built with soil, rocks, and decaying tree trunks, and Caleb walked as close as he could to the edge. Looking down the side and into the valley, he tried to estimate the height by picking up a rock and hurling it as far as he could.

It landed about half way down.

Caleb figured finally that the dam was at least seven stories high and that the distance across was easily the length of two rugby fields.

He heard a twig snap. Turning, he realized that Axel had come up and was standing beside him. Together they stared down the wooded slopes and into the valley. And then, to Caleb’s astonishment, Axel removed his hat, sank to his knees, and crossed himself.

They remained there for a long moment—until Axel slowly rose. Without saying a word Caleb followed him back to the brougham.

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