The Waters of Star Lake by Sara Rath

Author:Sara Rath [Rath, Sara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: University of Wisconsin Press

Bonfire, an upscale restaurant that had just opened, was my selection for dinner with Bud. It wasn’t the sort of place I’d go alone or take Minnow, so it was a logical choice. I wore a pair of black linen pants with a taupe silk shell and matching silk cardigan, black sandals with a little heel, a necklace strung with small gray and rust-colored stones. I hadn’t brought much in the way of fashionable clothing along to the cabin, as there was seldom any need for it. I also went light on the makeup, never wore much, anyway, and there wasn’t a lot I could do about my hair—medium brown with roots showing streaks of gray. It was short and easy to scrunch into place when wet, I’d been having it colored but decided summer at the cabin was a good time to finally grow it out and go au naturel. “More age-appropriate,” as Charlie, who never appreciated the cost of having it dyed, had frequently hinted.

When Bud picked me up in his truck, of course he noticed the fladry.

“My granddaughter’s staying with me, and I wanted a humane way to deter wolves,” I said, “because she was afraid. Warden Jensen explained how to do it, and it seemed like fairly inexpensive and easy way to go.

It was almost true. Just a little fib, because I wanted the fladry, too.

He shrugged, smiled, and I had an odd epiphany. He reminded me of the former football player who was an announcer for the pregame shows for the NFL. Crew cut, wire glasses, tall guy. Affable. Warm smile. A big, friendly bear. No wonder I saw him as nonthreatening. And why not? He’d been considerate with Molly, helped me feel more comfortable at the cabin, looked after my safety. I had no reason to distrust him except for his apparent sanction of propaganda that advocated the brutal elimination of wolves.

Bud had to concentrate on following the tracks in the long grass when we drove out the logging road, so I was silent. It occurred to me that I hadn’t spoken with Charlie in quite a while.

“This is not a date, Charlie,” I mentally sent into the universe.

“Molly’s doing okay?” Bud asked, interrupting my meditation.

“She’s having her stitches removed next week.”

“I’m not going to say ‘I told you so,’” he flashed me a warm smile, “but I’m really happy to hear that, and not just because you’re having dinner with me.”

I didn’t expect my dining selection to be so luxurious. Bonfire obviously catered to affluent residents and Northwoods tourists whose accommodations were much more well-appointed than mine.

After I’d been served a glass of wine (Bud had a soft drink) and we shared an order of shrimp bruschetta, Bud explained that in addition to owning the Last Resort he ran an outfitting business, Northwoods Pursuit. He hired out as a guide for hunting bear, bobcat, and coyote. He handed me a business card. When I slipped it in my handbag, I accidentally touched my checkbook with the camera’s memory card inside.

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