“This is a Mannix story dedicated to my sister Louise. Her encouragement and help made this story come to life. She is a true Joe Mannix fan.”
“Doctor, I’m Peggy Fair. Mr. Mannix is my boss. Will he be ok?”
Dr. Lewis took in the petite woman standing before him. Her dark hair and skin gave her a beauty other women would pay handsomely for. He could tell she was genuinely worried about his patient, “Your boss is a lucky man, Miss Fair. There doesn’t seem to be anything broken but he does have some pretty extensive bruising on his upper chest. Does he ever slow down?” he asked as he closed the chart.
“Joe Mannix, slow down?” Peggy laughed, “I don’t think he knows what that means.”
“You’re probably right, Miss Fair. This is the third time he’s been in here in the last two weeks. I’m going to recommend he take some time off and rest. I’m hoping you’ll be able to convince him to do just that.”
“I’ve tried that before Doctor, but Joe Mannix has a mind of his own.”
“I’m going to make it an order. He needs to rest. Two concussions and bruised ribs are nothing to laugh at.”
“I’ll try to convince him, Doctor. Can I see him now?” Peggy asked.
“He should be dressed by now. Come with me.”
Peggy followed the Doctor into an examination room. Her boss was just buttoning his shirt over a very masculine chest. “Hi, Joe,” she said, her voice betraying a slight quiver.
“Hi, Peggy,” Joe Mannix answered, a half hearted grin on his face, “Dr. Lewis here is trying to convince me I’m not indestructible.”
“You should listen to him, Joe. You could have been killed!” she exclaimed, exasperated at how easy he played down his injuries.
“Peggy, it comes with the territory. I race cars and sometimes accidents happen,” Mannix said jumping down from the table.
Peggy and Lewis both noticed the grimace of pain from the dark haired, ruggedly handsome man. Peggy rushed to his aid as he tried to pull his brown suede sports jacket on over his shirt, “Here, Joe, let me help you with that.”
“Thanks, Peggy,” he grinned sheepishly.
“Mr. Mannix.” Joe faced the Doctor and waited for the lecture he knew was coming.
“Yes, Doc.”
“I can’t force you to take it easy but maybe you’ll listen to your secretary. You need to realize that Concussions are not something to fool around with. I’ve seen you in this emergency room three times in the last two weeks and from what I see on this chart it’s been a slow two weeks. Your body can’t keep taking this kind of abuse. It’ll give out sooner or later and at the rate you’re going I’m betting on sooner. Do yourself a favour and take a vacation.”
“I’d love to, Doc, but I’m working on an important case. Maybe when that’s finished,” Joe told him.
“You know the Crane case is almost resolved, Joe,” Peggy interrupted, “All you have to do is turn over the missing files and the case is over.”
“That may be, Peggy,” Joe said, a little annoyed, “but then we have the Taylor case.”
“Mrs. Taylor said there was no hurry. There’s no reason you can’t take a little time to yourself.”
“Dr. Lewis, we need you in room three,” a petite blonde nurse said from the door.
“Listen to Mrs. Fair, Mr. Mannix. Take some time off before you kill yourself.” Lewis said as he left the room.
“Joe, please do as he says,” Peggy’s soft voice implored.
Joe Mannix sat on the bed and looked into the worried face of the woman who was more to him than just a secretary. Peggy had been with him for a long time and he knew she was probably right. The last few weeks had taken their toll on him and he felt tired. He just didn’t like to admit it. “Peggy, I’m fine.”
“You’d never admit it if you weren’t,” she said softly. Looking up into his eyes she smiled thinly, “I don’t want to look for anther job, Joe. I enjoy the one I have.”
“You won’t have to, Peggy. Tell you what I’ll do. Adam offered me the use of his cabin at Eagle Lake a while back. What do you say to you and Toby coming with me?” Mannix asked, knowing that people would talk, yet unable to stop himself from asking.
“I don’t know, Joe,” Peggy stated.
“Come on, Peggy, you know Toby would love the camping, swimming and fishing,” Joe said, once again getting off the table, “Look, why don’t we discuss this back at the office?” he asked, hoping she’d think about it on the drive.
“I’ll have to think about it,” she told him.
Joe opened the door and held it for her to go through.
“Thank-you,” she said.
“You’re welcome,” he answered.
Joe rested his head back on the seat, eyes closed against the bright sunshine. He was grateful to Peggy for offering to drive as his body was still protesting the new punishment he’d dealt it. ‘I hope you decide to go with me, Peggy. God knows you and Toby have been through a lot. I know he’d enjoy Eagle Lake and so would you. Never mind what others think. It’s you and your son that count,’ Joe thought as he slipped into an exhausted sleep.
‘I want to go with you so much and I know Toby would love it. I just don’t know how I feel about being alone with you in the mountains. People can be so cruel. They don’t understand how two people can be just friends. Oh, Joe what do I do?’ she thought as she pulled the car expertly into the parking spot.’ “Joe,” Peggy said as she lightly placed her hand on his shoulder.
“Huh,’ he murmured as he opened his eyes.
“We’re here. Are you ok?” she asked, worried about the look of fatigue on his face.
“I’m fine, just a little sore,” he admitted.
“Let’s go inside and I’ll make coffee,” she told him as she opened her door.
“Thanks, Peggy,” he said as he followed her inside. “I think I’ll make a sandwich and maybe lie down for awhile.”
“I’ll make the sandwich. You lie down and I’ll bring it to you,” Peggy ordered.
“Yes, Ma’am,” Joe said, grinning weakly. He watched as she walked into the kitchen, then he pulled off his jacket. Stretching slightly so as not to pull his stiff muscles he walked to the sofa and sat down. He reached down and pulled off his shoes and lay back on the soft pillows. He closed his eyes and thought about Eagle Lake.
Peggy came back into the room and found her boss sleeping soundly. She put the tray down on the table beside him and pulled the small blue afghan up to his shoulders, ‘Sleep well, Joe,’ she thought.
Peggy walked to her desk and sat down. She began going through the documents on her desk but found her mind drawn to the idea of a camping trip, ‘I know how much Toby would enjoy the mountains. I can’t let him down. Maybe it’ll be all right if I don’t tell anyone where we’re going. I wish people could understand what it’s like to be a single Mom. Toby looks up to you Joe. He needs your influence. Lord knows I’ve tried to teach him right but sometimes he needs to talk to another male. What am I going to do?’
“Peggy, you all right?” Joe asked from the sofa, his right arm held over his forehead.
Peggy jumped in her seat and turned to face her boss, “I’m fine, Joe. Why do you ask?”
“Because you’ve been staring at that same page for almost five minutes.”
“I always study the paperwork before I file it away,” she said.
“Even when the paper is blank,” Joe laughed.
Peggy looked at the blank white page she held and placed it down on the table, “I was just thinking how much Toby would enjoy camping.”
“Yes, he would. Peggy, I know you’re thinking about what others will believe, a single man and a single woman sharing a cabin. Her young son with them.”
“Exactly, Joe. People talk.”
“But we don’t have to listen. Toby and I can share one bedroom leaving you the other one. What better chaperone than your own son. If it’ll make you feel better we don’t have to tell anyone where we’re going. I’ll just get the keys off Adam and we leave in separate cars. We could even leave on different days.”
“I just don’t know, Joe. Let me talk to Toby and see if he wants to go. Now why don’t you eat your sandwich and I’ll get you a fresh cup of coffee?”
“Yes ma’am,” Joe smiled, giving her a smart salute as he sat up and picked up half the sandwich.
The next morning found Joe Mannix sitting at his desk drinking coffee and talking to Adam.
“You know, Joe, you were really lucky yesterday. If that car had blown up a minute earlier I’d be drinking coffee at a funeral instead of in your office,” Adam Tobias told his friend.
“You’re telling me, Adam. That’s why I’m taking you up on the offer of your Eagle Lake cabin.”
“You going alone?” Adam asked.
“I invited Peggy and Toby to go along. I figured they could use a vacation as well.”
“What did she say?” Adam asked not really surprised. He’d always felt there was something more to Peggy and Joe’s relationship than mere boss and employee. He’d seen it in both their eyes when they realized Joe’s eyesight was back. He hoped that one day they’d realize it as well.
“She hasn’t given me an answer yet. Wanted to ask Toby what he thought.”
“I can tell you what Toby would say. Like any normal boy he’d jump at the chance to go camping anytime.”
Joe smiled at his friend, “I hope you’re right. Toby is a great kid and he’s been through a lot. I’m just glad we were able to clear his father’s name.”
“Me too. He was a good cop and didn’t deserve to have his name soiled by innuendos,” Adam said seriously. Both men looked up as the door opened and Peggy walked in.
“Good morning, Joe, Adam,” she said, a happy smile on her face.
“Good morning, Peggy,” Adam said.
“Good morning, Peggy. Did you talk to Toby?” Joe asked.
“I did and he said it was up to me,” Peggy said as she hung her sweater.
“What did you decide?” he asked anxiously.
“I stayed awake most of the night thinking about this,” she said as she poured herself a cup of coffee and sat down.
Joe waited anxiously for her to continue, “And?”
“And I decided to take you up on it. I watched Toby’s face light up at the mention of Eagle Lake and I just can’t let him down. When do you want to leave?”
“I just turned over the evidence for the Crane case to Adam. So I’m free to leave as soon as you’re ready.”
“I need to pack and make sure someone’s going to watch the house for me. Tomorrow is Friday, why don’t we leave tomorrow night.”
“Tomorrow nights fine. We’ll leave around seven, if that’s ok?”
“Seven is fine. But, Joe?”
“Yes, Peggy?” Joe asked suspiciously.
“We’ll take my car and I’ll drive,” she said firmly.
“Are you sure? About just taking your car I mean.”
“I’m sure, Joe. This is the seventies and it’s time people realized that. I’m a grown woman and I shouldn’t fear what others think!” she exclaimed.
“Good for you, Peggy,” Adam laughed as he passed Joe the keys to his cabin.
“How much longer, Mr. Mannix?” Toby Fair asked from the back seat of the car, his voice revealing all the excitement of a ten year old embarking on a new adventure. They’d been driving since early Saturday morning after spending the night in a motel. Peggy had let Joe drive for the first couple of hours, until she noticed his body stiffening in residual pain. She insisted on taking over and that he relax in the passenger seat for a while. It was now early afternoon and the sun was shining brightly.
“We have to stop at the General Store for supplies. From what Adam marked on this map we should be coming upon it any minute. Then we’ve got another fifty or so miles to drive,” Joe turned to his secretary, “Would you like me to drive for awhile?”
“You take it from the General Store. Ok?” Peggy told him.
“Yes, Ma’am,” Joe said, “Now, Peggy there’s one other thing we have to fix.”
“What’s that?” Peggy asked seriously.
“We’re on vacation, right?”
“Right,” she said never taking her eyes off the twisting gravel road.
“I’d like you to let Toby call me Joe. At least while we’re up here.”
“I don’t know, Joe.”
“Please Mom,” Toby begged from the backseat.
Peggy looked in the rear view mirror and saw the excitement in her son’s eyes, “All right,” she said.
“Yes!” Toby yelled.
“Now just a minute young man. It’s only while we’re on vacation. When we get back home it’s back to Mr. Mannix. Understood.”
“Yes, Ma’am,” Toby said, a slight grin on his face.
“There’s the store,” Joe told her as they rounded a bend in the road.
Peggy pulled the car into the gravel drive and parked.
Toby opened his door and jumped out, “Mom, Mr. Mannix, ah I mean, Joe look at the horses. Aren’t they beautiful.”
“Yes they are Toby,” Peggy smiled at her son’s excitement. “Don’t touch them.”
“That’s ok, Ma’am. Let the young-un touch them. They don’t bite,” a male voice said from behind her.
“Oh, hello,” she said.
“Howdy, Ma’am. My names Jack Guthrie and I own this place.”
“Hello, Mr. Guthrie.”
“Call me Jack. You must be the people going to the Tobias Cabin,” he said.
“That’s right Jack. I’m Joe Mannix and this is Peggy and Toby.”
“Well howdy, Peggy, Joe and Toby. I sure hope you all enjoy your stay on our beautiful lake. I was up to the cabin yesterday and everything’s perfect. Lot’s of wood on the stockpile.”
“Thank-you, Jack,” Joe said.
“No need for thanks. It’s part of what I do. I look after the Tobias cabin under the condition I can use it when I feel like it. You folks need to get supplies?”
“Yes we do,” Peggy told him.
“Well then go right on in. Mavis will be only too glad to look after ya. She’s my wife and partner. I have to get back to the garden before the storm comes in.”
“There’s a storm coming?” Toby asked excitedly.
Jack Guthrie laughed at the young boys exuberance, “Yes, Toby. We’re supposed to get some severe thunderstorms. You make sure you stay inside the cabin till it’s over.”
“Yes, sir,” Toby said disappointedly following his mother and Joe into the store. His disappointment was quickly dispersed as he took in the shelves of old books, homemade toy sailboats, homemade quilts, knives, canned goods, Jam and Jelly preserves, candles, flashlights, batteries, maps, and fishing equipment. There was also a shelf of home baked breads and rolls.
“Howdy, folks. Welcome to Guthrie General. Feel free to look around and just holler if you need help,” a short, plump, woman said from behind a counter.
“Thank-you, Ma’am,” Joe said, a smile on his face.
“You’re welcome young fella and please call me Mavis,” she said returning his smile.
Joe, Peggy and Toby spent the next half hour looking at the things displayed in the store
Toby picked up a beautiful red wooden sailboat, complete with mini sails and passengers. He looked at the price and placed the object back on the shelf. He walked away from the toy knowing that even though Mr. Mannix paid his Mom well she was still a single Mom and sometimes struggled to make ends meet. He was old enough to understand that sometimes you couldn’t get everything you wanted. “Mom, I’ll be out with the horses, ok?”
“Ok, Toby. We won’t be long.” Peggy said putting some bread along with canned goods on the counter.
Joe had watched the young boys fascination with the carved sailboats and as soon as he left the store he walked up to the counter, “Peggy, is it all right with you if I get something for Toby?”
Peggy looked at her boss and saw an imploring look on his face. Shaking her head and smiling she said, “Stop looking at me like that, Joe. Of course you can. I’m sure whatever you get him he’ll love it. After all I’ve seen you sneaking him candy from the first day I worked for you,” she laughed happily at the chagrined look on her bosses face. He really hadn’t known she knew what he was up to.
“That’ll be ten fifty, Ma’am,” Mrs. Guthrie said a friendly smile on her face. Peggy turned away from Joe and paid for her purchase then carried them out to the car.
Joe shook his head as he walked towards the sailboats. He picked up the one Toby had found so fascinating. The price of the homemade boat was five twenty five and Joe happily added it to his purchases and smiled at the woman behind the counter.
“I’m glad to see that Toby will get his boat,” she said as she tallied everything up. “That’ll be sixteen seventy-five, young fella.”
Joe passed her a twenty-dollar bill and picked up his parcels. He walked out to the car and placed his bags in the trunk beside Peggy’s bags. Deciding to keep the boat as a surprise he closed the trunk and watched as Toby and Peggy said good-bye to Jack and Mavis Guthrie. Jack shook hands with him and Mavis held out a small bag.
Toby glanced at his Mom and waited for her ok before taking it, “Thank-you Mrs. Guthrie.”
“You’re welcome, young man. Make sure you share them cookies with your Mom and Dad,” she said, unaware the couple weren’t married.
“Thank-you, Mrs. Guthrie,” Joe yelled from the car, “Come on Toby. We better make it to the cabin before that storm hits.”
Toby didn’t bother to correct the older woman, ‘Maybe one day Mr. Mannix will be my father. Besides Mom sure likes him,’ he thought, a grin broadening on his face.
Joe Mannix kept glancing in his rear view mirror at Toby. The young man was happily taking in the scenic surroundings. Slowly a mountain appeared in the distance and Toby’s mouth opened in surprise. “What do you think, Toby?” Joe asked.
“It’s great, Mr, ah, Joe. That’s a big mountain. Will we be close to it?”
“Actually we won’t be that far away and if it’s ok with your Mom we’ll take a hike on one of the trails,” Joe saw the look of excitement on the boys face and couldn’t help but return it.
“Can we Mom?” Toby asked his mother.
“We’ll see, Toby,” Peggy laughed.
The gravel road began to narrow leaving barely enough room should a car come from the other direction. Large tree branches overhung the highway so that it seemed they were driving through a forested tunnel. The late afternoon sunshine barely penetrated the thick overhanging foliage.
“This is really beautiful, Joe. Thank-you for bringing us with you,” Peggy said softly.
“Thank-you for coming along. I know I love to camp but not alone. It gets pretty boring when you try singing Row, row, row your boat and nobody is there to take up the next part,” he smiled as he heard Toby’s laughter from the back seat. “Do you know that song, Toby?”
“Course I do. We sing that all the time.”
“That’s great. I’m glad I won’t have to do it alone. My singing has been known to hurt peoples ears,” Joe told the boy.
“You’re funny, Joe,” Toby laughed.
“I’m serious, Toby. I was kicked out of every choir I ever joined. People used to be afraid to show up for school concerts when they heard I was going to sing,” Joe said, glancing at Peggy.
Peggy grinned at the lighthearted way her boss handled her son. Toby was becoming more and more relaxed around the man who spent so much time in his mother’s life and she knew it had a lot to do with Joe’s easy going attitude with him. For this she was extremely grateful. “He’s telling the truth Toby, I’ve heard what he refers to has singing. It’s not!” she laughed.
“Hey, Peggy,” Joe said trying to look offended, “It’s ok for me to insult my singing but if you keep it up I just might make you walk to the cabin.”
“Better watch it, Mom. I don’t think you’ll make it very far in those shoes you’re wearing,” Toby said seriously.
“I think you’re right, Toby,” Peggy said looking at her feet. “I’ll put on my runners as soon as we get to the cabin. Shouldn’t we be coming up on it soon, Joe?” she asked curiously.
“If I remember correctly it should be just over the next hill. You’ll see Eagle Lake directly in front of us and then it’s a short two miles around the lake to the cabin.”
“Yeah!” Toby exclaimed excitedly.
“Eagle Lake is known as the lake that time forgot,” Joe told him.
“Why?” Toby asked.
“I guess because it’s virtually untouched. There are a few cabins but no real tourist attractions. I just hope it stays that way,” Mannix told the young boy.
“Joe! Is that it?” Toby asked excitedly as they topped the rise and began to drive towards a large body of water.
“That’s Eagle Lake, Toby,” Joe told him. Before them lay a large body of water snuggled against the base of a small mountain. The sun glinting off the lake made it hard to see where he was driving so Joe had to slow down as they made their way into the valley. “We’re going to be at the north end of the lake. There’s a river that runs directly into the lake and it has some of the largest trout you’ve ever seen. Maybe we’ll even have time to catch some for supper,” Joe told the excited boy as he turned unto the road that would lead them to the cabin.
Once again the overhanging branches touched in the centre of the road before giving way to an open area. The road stopped abruptly and Joe pulled the car to a halt, “There it is Toby. What do you think?”
Toby didn’t say a word. He opened the door of the car and got out. The Tobias cabin lay flush against a forest of pine and other coniferous trees so tall they seemed to touch the clouds. The cabin itself was made of logs cut by Adams grandfather and blended in perfectly with the forest behind it. The veranda ran the length of the cabin and there were two porch swings, one on either side of the door. A big bow window had been cut into the front and they could see blue lace curtains hanging inside.
Peggy opened her door and joined her son in his perusal of the surrounding area. She took Toby’s hand and together they walked towards the lake and out onto the dock.
“Look at the fish, Mom!” Toby exclaimed.
“I see them, Toby,” she answered quietly, awestruck by how clear the lake was. She could see the bottom for as far as her eyes could see.
“What do you think?” Joe asked coming up behind them.
“It’s beautiful, Joe,” Peggy said.
“Can we go fishing?” Toby asked.
“As soon as we get everything inside, Toby,” Joe told him.
“Ah,” Toby said disappointedly.
“Now, Toby, remember the rules. Chores have to be finished before we get to play,” Peggy reminded him.
“Ok, Mom.”
Back at the car they removed the suitcases and bags and brought them into the cabin. The living, dining, kitchen area was all one room and decorated in handmade furniture. Joe explained that everything had been made from trees that Adam’s grandfather had cut himself. There were two bedrooms; one had a set of twin beds while the other had a large four-poster bed attached to the wall.
“You take this one, Peggy. Toby and I will room in the one with the twin beds if that’s ok with you?” Joe asked Toby.
“Fine with me, Joe,” Toby grinned.
“Are you sure, Joe? I can sleep in the room with Toby. That way you can have some privacy,” Peggy told him.
“If I wanted privacy I wouldn’t have invited you two along. Come on Toby, let’s get unpacked so we can go fishing.”
“Yeah!” Toby exclaimed and took his suitcase into their room. Joe smiled at Peggy and turned to join Toby.
Peggy went into her room and began to unpack. ‘I can’t believe I’m here. What would my folks think of my agreeing to go along with a man on a camping trip? Toby needs this. He needs Joe to teach him to do things that men enjoy. He needs a man to talk to,’ she thought as she sat on the soft bed. ‘I need a man to talk to,’ she thought as a single tear ran down her cheek. Frustrated she stood up and wiped the tear from her face, ‘Get a hold of yourself, Peggy. Joe Mannix is your boss. He’s doing this because he’s a good man not because he has any romantic feelings for you,’ she thought.
“You ready, Peggy,” Joe asked from the other bedroom.
“Ready for what, Joe?” she asked fighting to keep the emotions out of her voice.
“To go fishing, Mom,” Toby said.
“Why don’t you two go ahead and I’ll finish up in here,” Peggy called back.
“All right, Peggy. But you don’t know what you’re missing.”
“I’ll join you as soon as I’m done,” Peggy said.
“OK, Mom.”
Peggy heard the door open and close and she began to unpack her own things and place them in the large wooden dresser. When she finished she started on the kitchen area. ‘I’ll bring them some hot chocolate when I’m done,’ she thought as she busied herself in the kitchen.
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