“Yeah. Same here.” Declan offered a hand, and Oscar shook it. “I guess I came on a bit strong too. Didn’t know what to think about— Well, I expected to find her alone, and—whatareyou doing here, anyway? She didn’t mention a—uh—whatever you are when I told her I’d be bringing over some books for her to sign.”
“You had it right with roommate. Just a roommate—accidentally, in fact. They double-booked us here, if you can believe it.” Oscar explained the situation more fully, then lifted his beer bottle. “I just opened this—can I grab one for you? It’s a nice view from the porch—great place to sit and have a brew.”
“Thanks. I’d like that.”
Moments later, they settled on the metal chairs. There was no lingering animosity or tension between Oscar and his visitor, each having understood the other’s position and appreciating it as well.
“This is pretty good stuff,” Oscar said, gesturing with his beer. “Made by a local guy?”
“Yeah. Baxter James is a buddy of mine. That means I get to sample all of his works in progress. Sometimes that’s a good thing…sometimes, not so much,” Declan added with a grin. “There was the time he was trying a maple-raspberry stout that just didn’t work out.”
Oscar curled his lip. “I can see that. I don’t know why some of these craft brewers feel it necessary to come up with such exotic flavors and combinations. Nothing wrong with a good, thick stout or a hoppy IPA. Maybe a hint of citrus—but even that’s not necessary. A good brew doesn’t need any bells and whistles if it’s made with quality ingredients.”
“Agreed,” Declan replied, and they clinked bottles. “So Teddy’s working on her book, is she? Glad to hear it. She was pretty stressed about it last time I saw her. I was supposed to come over yesterday—no, two days ago—and I felt bad that my schedule got all effed up and I couldn’t make it. Just wanted to check on her, see if she needed anything, since she doesn’t have a car—and bring a couple books for her to sign. The bookstore has them in stock, and I guess people heard she was in town, and they bought them and wanted to get them signed. I told the bookstore owner I’d bring them over. Plus Baxter’s been making noises about coming over and sneaking a peek of what she’s writing—I guess he’s a big fan of her books.”
“Yeah, she’s been typing away like mad for the last two days. Hasn’t even come out to eat. I’ve been bringing her a tray whenever I eat—feel like a prison guard,” Oscar said with a wry smile. “But I couldn’t let her live on water, apples, and granola bars.”
“That’s real nice of you,” Declan said, nodding. “She sounded pretty miserable the last time I talked to her. I’m glad things are going well.”
“I don’t see much of her, so I don’t really know how it’s going. But at least she hasn’t been moaning over having writer’s block like she was doing the first couple of days we were here. The first time I heard her, I thought she was being attacked or tortured,” Oscar said with a laugh. “She’s an interesting person, your cousin.”
“I think so too.” Declan tilted his head, contemplating Oscar. “You know, Baxter is having a tasting of a couple of new beers tomorrow evening, if you’re interested. Seeing as you’re just hanging out here while Teddy’s working.”
A little surprised by the invite, but definitely intrigued, Oscar replied, “I never say no to a good beer. Where is it going to be? What time?”
“Well, now, I didn’t guarantee agoodbeer—there was that maple-raspberry stout I was telling you about.” Declan grinned. “But more often than not, Bax hits it out of the park. He’s trying out three new brews—it’ll be at the Lakeside Grille. Tomorrow evening at seven thirty.”
“I’ll be there. Thanks for letting me know.”
“Sure. Consider it an olive branch, so to speak. For us starting off on the wrong foot.”
“Not necessary, but thank you for the sentiment,” Oscar replied. “I probably would have reacted the same way if it had been my sister in the situation.”
Declan gave him an understanding nod. “Agreed. So how do you like staying here in the lighthouse? Have you been up there?” He tipped his head back and to the side a little, but the porch overhang blocked the view of all but the bottom third of the tower.
“As a matter of fact…” Oscar said. He hesitated over how much to say, but he figured Teddy would spill the beans if she were sitting here—the woman really couldn’t keep her mouth closed—and he didn’t want to make more of it than had happened. “We went up there the other night and got stuck out on the railing.”
“You what?” Declan, who’d been half tilted back on his chair, let the front legs thunk to the porch floor.
“Door blew shut and must’ve gotten stuck or something, because we couldn’t get it open. We were out on the walkway around the light. Would’ve been a miserable night if we hadn’t gotten back in.”
“I’ll say.”
“Teddy wanted to go up there and check it out—I guess someone jumped or fell”—or was pushed, he added silently, then cursed her for putting that in his head—“and she wanted to check it out for some reason.”
“Yeah, I wasn’t living here when that happened. It was three years ago or something. Guy who was the caretaker here was found on the ground with his head split open. Maybe he got locked out like you all did, and he tried to climb down or something.”
Oscar lifted his brows. “That’s interesting. Maybe that’s it. After all, if the guy lived here, he’d be used to walking around the top of the walkway. So, does anyone around here have a peacock farm or something like that?”
“A peacock farm?” Declan pulled the longneck bottle away from his mouth to give Oscar a look. “No. Why?”
“Heard an awful shrieking, sort of screaming sound a couple nights ago, and then again the next night. I don’t think it was an animal in heat, but maybe.” Oscar chose his words carefully.
“Hm. What sort of sound?”
“Well, if I had to describe it, I’d say it was like someone being tortured. Or terrified.” Oscar took a pull of his beer and stared out over the lake. “It sure is beautiful here. How long did you say you’ve been here?”
“Used to visit a couple of summers when I was a teen, but didn’t move back until a year ago August. Long story short, I found out I had a daughter I didn’t know about, and her parents—mother and stepfather—were moving away. She—Stephanie—didn’t want to move and change high schools, so she convinced me I could move back and do my work here. I’m not married and wasn’t involved with anyone, and I’m a blacksmith—do a lot of restoration work and also some custom jobs. She was right—lots of it I can do anywhere.” A smile settled over his face. “Best decision I ever made, Oscar, I gotta say.”
