Page 19 of Muskoka Miracle (Muskoka Shores #7)

“I really don’t want to do this,” Sarah murmured, as Dan pulled up outside the intricately designed heavy iron gates.

“I know.” He pressed the buzzer, alerting inside. A humming sound preceded the slow inwards movement of the gate.

“I can’t believe how much security he has.”

“Hmm. We should probably beef up ours, too,” he mused.

“Why? How many death threats have you received lately?”

He glanced at her.

Her breath suspended. “Are you serious? Have people threatened you?”

“No. People say stuff, but they don’t mean it.” His face held peace, so he meant it. “But Lincoln has way more fans than me, and they weren’t exactly happy when he married Jackie.”

She knew that now. It hadn’t taken too much research on the internet to discover that Jackie was not a popular lady in some circles.

And now she and Lincoln had a baby, Sarah had new compassion for her.

How could people threaten a baby? No wonder the woman seemed keen to connect with someone who might understand some of the pitfalls of fame.

Dan drove up the spot-lit drive, the landscaping on a level far superior to what constituted as landscaping at Dan’s, which consisted of mostly trees.

The long drive and pines and poplars did a good job of hiding their house from the road, but it was bare bones minimum, the grass consisting more of pine needles.

Here, all kinds of flowering bushes and plants were mixed with what looked like palms and ferns. It was eclectic, but it worked.

“I wish Ange was going to be here.” She’d asked, and Ange had admitted to a prior event, but had encouraged Sarah to go.

“For I sense that Jackie could do with someone who understands a little about what it’s like to have a husband who other women want,” Ange had said.

Oh, how well did Sarah understand. She’d seen the women who loitered where hockey players hung out, she’d heard the rumors, and seen the strained relationships affected by gossip and innuendo.

Dan had never given her a moment of concern, but other wives she knew weren’t so blessed.

So that comment of Ange’s, along with a little tug in her heart, had drawn her to come.

Even if the house looked imposing, and the unfamiliar cars said there would be plenty of unfamiliar faces.

At least Serena would be someone she’d recognize.

“You ready?” Dan asked.

“Thank you for driving me,” she murmured, as he parked the Jeep, so it’d be easy for her to drive out.

“Hey, someone had to make sure you’d actually get here.”

She rolled her eyes. “How do you know I won’t just drive out of here?”

He pointed behind her. She peeked over her shoulder. Saw Serena standing on the steps next to Jackie. She heaved out a sigh.

He chuckled. “I love you. Have fun tonight.” He passed her the keys, then kissed her.

“You too. I hope Brent wins.”

“They’re playing Tim Carruthers and TJ Woletsky in New York, so it’ll be a good game.”

She exited the car, watched Dan wave to the women, then walk down the drive. Maybe it was childish of her to insist he bring her, but she sensed he was glad for her sake. Now if only she could find enough gladness to be glad too.

Still, she was the woman who had once crawled up stairs then stood to lead worship in front of thousands in Manila when she’d been battling the flu. She could fake this moment too.

“Sarah!” Serena hurried down the steps and hugged her. “I’m so glad you came.”

“Jackie was pretty insistent,” she admitted.

Serena smiled at her friend, standing nearby. “She can sure be that way. You should see her with Lincoln.”

Sarah chuckled. “He seems too much of a tough guy to get bossed around too much.”

“It’s all an act,” Serena said in a loud whisper, obviously meaning for Jackie to hear. “Lincoln is a total pushover when it comes to Jackie.”

“Are you two finished?” Jackie shook her head, smiling at Sarah. “Welcome. And thank you for coming. I wasn’t sure you would.”

“I appreciate the invitation.”

“I’m sorry Ange couldn’t come.”

“She explained she had a prior engagement. It’s okay.”

“Alright, well, come on in. I want to introduce you to everyone. It’s a shame your husband couldn’t meet the ladies. I think there are a few who’d enjoy meeting him.”

“He’s watching hockey tonight. With John.”

“Oh! Linc said he planned to do the same. I think Joel was going too.”

“Great.” So there’d be a man club next door to the women’s cluckery. Awesome.

Jackie pushed open the heavy front door and Sarah blinked. The white marble entry led to a picture window that showcased Lake Muskoka from a different angle to their own place. “Wow. Great view.”

“It’s nice, huh? Although I’m sure yours is much the same.”

“Ours faces a slightly more southerly aspect.”

“Oh, so you get the little island?”

“The one with the Canada flag? Yep. It’s so cute, isn’t it?”

Jackie’s smile held ease. “I love this part of the world.”

“It’s Muskoka,” Serena said. “What’s not to love?”

Sarah felt a little shy as Serena and Jackie did the introductions to half a dozen other women. Toni, she recognized, but some of the other faces blurred, and she didn’t quite figure out who matched what names. But everyone seemed pleased to see her. Some seemed really pleased.

“Oh my gosh, I can’t believe I’m actually talking to you.” One of the women—Sarah thought her name was Anna—was fanning herself as they ate from the amazing antipasto platters.

Sarah forced a smile as she cut herself a wedge of cheese. “I can’t believe I’m here either. In Lincoln Cash’s house, no less.”

“Right? It was such a surprise when he married Jackie—now that’s a story and a half, but you should ask her. But they’re happy, and got little Charlie now, so it’s all good.”

Sarah nodded. “And you? Are you married?”

“Engaged!” Anna waggled a finger with a big rock. “Tom and I are getting married next month.”

“Congratulations.”

“Thank you. Tom is a local detective, and very, very hot.”

Sarah chuckled. “Okay.”

“Well, maybe not as hot as your husband, but that would be weird for me to say, so I won’t say it.”

Another chuckle. Anna was fun.

“Speaking of hot, Sarah, have you got an opinion on what role Lincoln is hottest in?” another woman called.

Jackie groaned. “Rachel.”

“Now how many times have we talked about asking questions like this?” Serena said, winking at Sarah.

“At least in front of Jackie.” Anna smirked.

“Look, I feel like if an actor is on a TV show or a movie, then he’s fair game for us to comment on.” Rachel tossed back her hair. “So, what do you think, Sarah? Do you think Lincoln is better in As The Heart Draws or that sci fi film with Chlolinda Drewe?”

“Um, I’ve only watched a few episodes of As The Heart Draws, and haven’t seen the other,” Sarah admitted.

“You’re not missing much,” Rachel said. “I’m pretty sure she only got that role because her dad was the director, am I right?” She glanced at Jackie, who shrugged.

“I don’t know.”

Rachel smirked at Jackie then returned her attention to Sarah. “She always does that, says she doesn’t know when I bet she knows a lot more than she lets on.”

Jackie shook her head.

Rachel continued undaunted. “But as for As The Heart Draws , well, you gotta love a nice PG historical TV drama series about Mounties like that, right?”

There were various murmurs of agreement.

“Lincoln used to be the lead in that show before his career took off,” she explained to Sarah.

Sarah nodded, and pinched a small bunch of grapes.

“Ooh, speaking of,” Rachel continued, “let’s have opinions on Harrison Woods in that show. He’s the new Mountie hero, but he used to be in Beach Guard ,” she explained to Sarah.

“I haven’t seen that either,” Sarah confessed.

“Well, you’re definitely not missing much with Beach Guard . Apart from a couple of scenes when he’s riding a horse along the beach with no shirt on, but that’s neither here nor there.”

Clearly.

“Harrison took Tanner’s role, who played the previous Mountie character that Lincoln played, and let’s just say that Harrison is fire . I’m like, Tanner who?”

The other women laughed, and Sarah joined in. It had been a long time since she’d laughed with other women like this.

The evening continued, with easy conversation and tasty food, and Sarah relaxed some more.

These women were fun, their snippets revealing aspects of their lives that helped her piece together where they fit in Muskoka Shores.

Most attended John and Angela’s church, which was why she’d recognized some, like Serena, Jackie, and Anna, more than others.

Others, like Toni and fellow redhead Staci, were newer to town.

Jackie had worked at Golden Elms retirement home, which was how she met Lincoln, who’d been visiting his grandfather.

Anna worked as a medical receptionist, with Staci’s husband, Dr. James Wells, who was a retired missionary.

Staci was a successful author of historical novels, many with a spice rating above what Sarah preferred, but she’d started writing clean and subtly Christian romance in recent years.

It was fun joining the dots that showed just how close a small town could be.

But small towns also meant less space to hide, and it was obvious from the conversations that people didn’t mind diving into each other’s business. Which drew new tension, as she poised for hard questions she didn’t want to answer, even as she smiled and pretended she was fine.

“So, can I ask, what’s it like—really—to be married to a hockey star?” Staci asked.

“You’re not going to put this in one of your books, are you?” Anna asked.

Sarah froze. She wouldn’t. Would she?

Staci smiled. “I think Anna has forgotten that I write historicals.”

“But that doesn’t mean that’s all you’ll ever write,” Anna said. “I don’t understand why authors focus on only one genre.”