“Then how’d you get there?”

Tracy’s forehead creased. “What?” Her smoky gray eyes shielded something behind them. Something disturbing.

“Never mind.” She waved away the question. “Tell me more about this legend.”

Tracy glanced at the lake and the edges of her lips dragged into a frown. “The legend says if you touch the water while it’s showing you the future, the mirror breaks and you see beneath it.”

“And?” When Tracy didn’t answer, she voiced the question, begging to be asked. “What’s beneath the surface?”

Shaded by her bangs, Tracy’s eyes flashed to the window and back. With an inhale of air, the words tumbled in a rush. “There are all sorts of stories. From the boogeyman to the devil himself, but the Abinaqui legend says people see a glimpse of their own death,” she paused and chewed on her bottom lip for a second. “The legend also mentions a beast that will wreak havoc on the town if it isn’t given an annual sacrifice. Maybe that’s what’s happening lately. Why some folks have disappeared, and others have been found mutilated beyond recognition.”

Chills caressed her, blooming into visible bumps over her exposed skin and she shivered. She read the papers. She knew about the violent deaths near the lake this summer. “Now you’re just trying to creep me out.” Jennifer crossed her arms.

Tracy’s lips twitched into the kind of smile earmarked for psychopaths. “Come on, we’ve got a lot of stuff to put away.” She left the room.

Jennifer looked at the lake, shaking her head. Ever since they were thirteen, Tracy enjoyed freaking her out. The girl was warped, truly warped.

She walked into the living room, finding Tracy busy putting CDs and DVDs into the entertainment cabinet.

“Is there really a legend or was this just another elaborate story of yours to scare the shit out of me?”

“There really is a legend. Google it.” She put the last of the DVDs away and tossed the empty box in the direction of the entry hall.

“Just out of curiosity, how do you know so much about Paradise Cove?” And why haven’t you ever told me about it before? Jennifer wondered.

“My father grew up here. Enough about the lake, let’s finish unpacking.”

She studied Tracy. Her eyes darted everywhere in the room except to meet Jennifer’s and she kept repetitively rubbing her palms on her hips. “You’ve been there,” she said.

She caught Jennifer’s stare and looked away in the direction of the lake. “No.”

In the distance, Jennifer heard evil laughter. A metallic taste filled her mouth and she ground her teeth against the sudden swell of fear.

She headed for the kitchen. Her steps hurried, as if fleeing from the questions in Jennifer’s eyes. “We need to put the food away before Billy gets here,” Tracy mumbled with a frazzled edge.

Jennifer stared at the lake wondering why Tracy had lied.

Chapter 3

They worked together, stocking the freezer, refrigerator, and moving on to the cabinets once all the cold items were put away. A knock at the door interrupted the silence and Tracy exchanged a glance with Jennifer.

With a grin, she grabbed Jennifer’s wrist and pulled her into the living room.

“There you are. I’ve been knocking for a while,” a disgruntled voice announced from the doorway.

“Billy!” Tracy dropped Jennifer’s wrist and flew into his arms.

At least a foot taller than Tracy, Bill picked her up, twirling her around in a big bear hug, their lips locked in a more than friendly greeting.

His hair was lighter than she remembered, but then again, he had worked all summer as a lifeguard. He smiled at her with his soft brown eyes and put Tracy down. “Hey, Jenny.”

“Hey.” She glanced at the man standing next to Bill with curious interest. Dark hair shaded his piercing blue eyes, which, along with the rough stubble along his jaw line, gave him a rugged bad-boy look. Arms crossed and casually leaning on the doorjamb, he reached just shy of six feet and the tight powder blue t-shirt accented the well-defined muscles of his chest and abdomen. The slow easy smile spreading across his lips formed perfect crescent dimples at the very edges and sent chills down Jennifer's spine. That smile alone could charm the pants off Mother Teresa. Her cheeks bloomed with hot crimson flames and she smiled back.

“Jenny, this is Steve Williams. Steve this is Jenny Curtis,” Bill said, and walked into the living room.

“Hi,” they both said at the same time, shaking hands.

When his skin touched hers, the chills his smile created turned to molten lava in her stomach and she took a deep breath to quell the inferno before it devoured her. Instead, she focused on his grip, firm and solid. Disappointment flooded her when he pulled away and walked past her into the living room.

“Want a beer?” Tracy asked. Both Bill and Steve nodded in response and Tracy grabbed a pair of Coors from behind the bar.

“Thanks.” Steve glanced around the room. “This sure beats the frat house,” he said and headed onto the balcony. Leaning against the railing, he popped open the beer. “Great view.”

Jennifer stood at the sliders and Tracy pushed her gently from behind. She glared over her shoulder and stepped on the terrace. “So you’re in the same fraternity as Bill.”

“Yep.” Steve glanced at her.

“Hey, want to go swimming?” Bill blurted.

“Isn’t the lake closed for the season?” Jennifer asked.

“No, it’s open until the end of September,” Steve said and drained his beer. “I’m up for it if everyone else is.”

“Come on, Jen.” Tracy ignored the sharp look Jennifer gave her. “It’ll be fun!”

“The lake is beautiful this time of year.” Steve leaned against the balcony looking back at Jennifer. “And I won’t bite.” He flashed his winning grin. “I promise.”

Jennifer felt her resolve melt. “I guess we’re going swimming.” She headed back toward her room with Tracy in tow.

“Well?” Tracy whispered.

Jennifer met Tracy’s inquisitive gaze with a sharp glare and shut the door on any further conversation.

When she stepped back in the living room, Steve raised an eyebrow. His slow, obvious survey made her nervous, and his lips curved into a smile the moment their eyes met.

Jennifer’s heart skipped a beat. There’s definitely still chemistry here. “Let’s go.”

They waited in awkward silence for the elevator.

“What are you studying?” she asked Steve when the doors opened.

“Criminal Law.”

Jennifer clamped her lips together in a smirk and offered a derogatory huff.

“What?” Steve asked.

“You look more like a criminal than a lawyer.”

Steve smiled, stepping out of the lobby into the bright sunset. “I never said I was gonna be a lawyer.”

“Jen, do you mind driving with Steve?” Tracy didn’t wait for an answer. She pulled Bill toward her shiny, souped-up Jaguar, handing him the keys.

“I guess not,” Jennifer replied under her breath. Turning to Steve, she offered a half-hearted smile.

“Really, I won’t bite,” Steve said, and led her to a beautiful BMW roadster, opening the door for her.

Jennifer slid into the passenger seat and glanced up at the sky. The first hint of starlight sparkled against the deep blue canvas. Fifteen minutes later, they pulled into the beach parking lot next to Tracy and Bill.

Jennifer bolted before the car completely stopped. “You arrogant son of a bitch!” She clenched her fists and stalked off toward the water creating small sand sprays with each stomping step.

* * * *

Steve watched her from the car, amusement finding the curve of his lips at her little display. His smile faltered and he stepped out of the car to Tracy and Bill’s slack-jawed stares.

“What’d you do?” Bill’s glance moved from Steve to Jennifer standing on the beach, shifting from foot to foot and muttering loud enough to be heard from the parking lot.