Betsy nodded, gave me a kiss, and trotted off to follow our hosts.

Martha stopped to grab Betsy's hand, leading the way toward the cabin while Quinn and I unloaded the car. The friendly action was the beginning of a strong relationship between my two favorite women.

"Just leave the stuff on the porch for now," he said as we went in to join the others.

Martha opened the screen door with a flourish "Grandpa built this place in the nineteen thirties and wired it years later. You can still smell the lamp kerosene." She led us into a large room, dominated by a pot belly stove. "In the old days there was a hand pump in the kitchen and no hot water you didn't boil yourself."

"I love it!" Betsy cried. "I feel like a pioneer."

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"Even more so when you bathe in the pond," Quinn quipped.

"He's just pulling your leg," Martha answered. "With electricity, we have hot water too." She turned to her husband. "Quinn swims every morning and takes along a cake of soap because he's lazy."

Martha's voice dropped to a whisper as she pointed to a rickety staircase. "There are three small rooms upstairs but we'll explain about them later."

Well-worn furniture populated the homey main room, some no doubt the envy of an antique shop. The most impressive piece was a massive oak table. Large windows framed a picturesque pond, boarded by tall pines. Barely visible a half mile or more across the water were a few other camps. The small kitchen showed signs of its past life, before the addition of a modern sink and electric stove.

"I hope you don't mind mice," Quinn said with a smile as he showed us a small room behind the kitchen.

"This was originally an extra bedroom when I was a kid," Martha said, pointing out a converted bathroom with a metal walk-in shower.

"Time for booze," Quinn announced.

Martha smiled at us. "I'm surprised he waited this long."

Betsy opted for wine which Quinn opened a Merlot ceremoniously, toasting our engagement. Pregnant Martha abstained, content with an iced tea. The two women adjourned to the front porch to cut green beans and shuck corn. I dug in a tub of iced beer and Quinn and I toasted the two cans as we sat back on Adirondack chairs to enjoy the late afternoon.

"I'm glad you got yourself a good woman, Ben."

"Thanks," I answered. "We're very happy together."

Quinn took a long sip on his beer. "I've got to tell you, Ben. Everyone back in high school figured you and Martha we're the pair. You'd been together since diaper days.




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