by Rachel Hanna
But the last thing she was going to do was admit it out loud to Travis. No, she would keep those thoughts to herself. Nothing good could come from him knowing how weak-minded she was, being worried about someone that she had only just met. Aside from that, she didn’t want him to think that she didn’t trust him. She did. Or at least she thought she did.
“Hey, sis,” Kate said, as she walked out onto the deck, a large cup of coffee between her hands, warming them. “Do you want me to bring you a cup?”
“No thanks. I won’t be out here much longer. Once that sun goes down, I get chilled to the bone.” Mia pulled her cardigan even tighter, wishing she hadn’t chosen the one that had the big holes, allowing more air to touch her petite body.
Kate sat down in the Adirondack chair next to her, took a long sip of her coffee and sighed. “It’s a beautiful sunset tonight, isn’t it?”
“It sure is.”
They sat there silently for a few more moments before Kate looked over at her sister. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah. Just a little melancholy tonight.”
“Melancholy?”
“It was Momma’s favorite word.”
“I didn’t know that. Interesting.”
“She said it was a sad word but it had a beautiful poetic sound to it. She actually used it a lot.”
“So she was often feeling melancholy?”
“I suppose I never thought about that, but I guess so. Probably missing our father.”
“Where is Dad anyway?”
“I’m not sure. After dinner, I think he went upstairs. Maybe he decided to turn in early tonight,” Mia said, leaning her head back against the chair and looking up at the sky. It wouldn’t be long before it would be filled with stars, something she loved about living in the mountains. In the big city, all of the artificial lighting kept you from being able to see the beauty of the night sky, but up here she could see everything. When there weren’t any clouds, it was like being out in the universe, floating around in the darkness.
“So, why are you feeling melancholy?” Kate asked, taking another sip of her coffee.
“Honestly, it’s not worth talking about. It’s silly, really.”
“It’s obviously bothering you. If you want to talk, you know I’m always here.”
Mia nodded. “I know. And I appreciate it more than you realize. But, Momma always taught me that the more I focused on something, the more that I would attract it to myself. No sense in focusing on negative stuff.”
Kate chuckled. “You’re making her sound like some kind of New Age guru.”
“She just said that I had to pay attention to my thoughts and my words because whatever I put out there would only swing around and come back to me.”
“Wise woman.”
“What about you? I heard that sigh when you came out here.”
“Well, unlike you I’m willing to talk about all of the negative thoughts rolling around in my brain tonight. Brandon will be here tomorrow.”
“Oh, I totally forgot about that. You must be a basket case.”
Kate shrugged her shoulders. “Honestly, I don’t know how to feel. I’m afraid he’s going to step out of his car, and I’m just going to run across the driveway and kick him in the shin.”
That made Mia laugh. “That sounds like a fantastic plan.”
“I don’t think it would endear me to my daughter, though. I think she’s really excited about seeing her dad, although probably really anxious. We haven’t talked about it much, but Cooper said he had a chat with her about it earlier today.”
“Oh yeah? How do you feel about that?”
“She and Cooper have gotten really close over the last few months. I don’t have any problem with her talking to him, if she feels more comfortable that way.”
“He’s a good guy.”
“That he is. And so is Travis.”
Mia smiled slightly and cleared her throat. “He is.”
“Are you sure you don’t wanna talk about it?”
Mia looked at Kate. “I’m sure. Besides, you’ve got plenty on your plate. I’ll be there for back-up tomorrow.”
“I don’t know how I’m going to get through this. I never thought I’d have to see that man’s face again, and I feel like I’m handing my daughter’s heart over on a platter.”
“I can’t totally understand, but I get what you’re saying.”
Kate let out another long breath. “I know he’s up to something. I just know it. I only wish I could figure out what it is without having him come here.”
“We’ll figure it out. We won’t let Brandon destroy Evie’s life. She has family now, and he’s not going to hurt her.”
“Thanks. It feels good to have support. I never knew what I was missing all these years.”
Mia reached over and took her sister’s hand, the two of them holding hands as they stared off into the fading sunset, one of them worried about her daughter and the other one worried about her very own heart.
Jack stood at the edge of the dock, looking out over the water. Tonight, it was as still as he had ever seen it. The sky was clear, although pitch black, and the stars were out in full force. The moon, almost full, cast a beautiful streak across the water in front of him.
He liked to be alone by any body of water, especially at night. For some reason, it brought him peace. It made him feel calm. And he sure hadn’t felt calm in the last few weeks.
He was keeping a secret, something he hated to do, but it was necessary right now. No need to worry anybody. That’s why he had come to the B&B, to get some downtime away from real life. Things never felt as scary or dark when he was there with his daughters.
Of course, he felt terrible for how things were going right now between him and Sylvia. He loved her, but she just didn’t know when to stop pushing. She thought her way was better, and this time he wasn’t having it. He knew what he wanted to do and how he wanted to do it, and he was tired of hearing her pick at him about it.
He sat down in one of the big Adirondack chairs that Mia had recently put out on the dock and leaned back against the cold wood. There were a lot more people fishing now between him, Travis and occasionally Cooper. Sometimes the girls would even come down there and fish, and Evie loved to do it too.
When he came to the B&B, there was a part of him that couldn’t help but think about Charlene and the wonderful love affair they’d had over the years. He missed her. It didn’t make him feel guilty to think about her. After all, she was gone, and he had been married to Sylvia for years. But the love that he shared with Charlene was different. Timeless. Special. Something that was hard to duplicate. There would forever be a hole in his heart that no one could fill but her. It didn’t mean he loved Sylvia any less. It just meant that their love was different.
He and Charlene had been soulmates, no doubt. Even as teenagers, he knew that she was “the one”, but when their parents had intervened and separated them, he had felt adrift on an open sea for so long.
Then when they’d had the chance to reconnect, It was one of the most magical times of his life. And again, she was gone.
Now she was really gone. And even though he hadn’t seen her in decades, there had been a grieving process after he found out. He supposed that somewhere in the back recesses of his heart, he had expected they would one day be together again. But when cancer had taken her away, that option was gone.
So, sometimes he came to the B&B to see his daughters, of course. But other times he came because he was still missing Charlene deep down in his heart and just wanted to feel her presence. Her wisdom. Her love.
She had been the kind of person that never judged anyone and allowed everybody to be themselves. She was the least critical person he’d ever met in his life, including himself. She gave the best hugs, obviously made the best sweet tea and could win just about any argument.
She had a gentle way about her, a calming effect on his soul. He missed her in a way he hadn’t expected after so many years, and
there was nothing to do about it. No way to scratch that itch. So he sat there, staring out over the water, wondering what Charlene would be saying to him right now.
This secret he was keeping, what would she tell him to do? What would she want him to do?
“I didn’t know you were out here. Want me to leave you alone?” Kate asked from the other end of the dock.
He smiled. “Of course not. Come join me.”
She pulled the other chair over close to him and sat down, pulling a blanket around her shoulders that she had brought from the living room. The nights were getting colder and Jack could feel it in his bones.
“What are you doing out here so late?” she asked.
He picked up his insulated thermos full of coffee, took a sip and cleared his throat. “I don’t know. I just like coming out here and listening to the silence. It’s never as quiet in the world as it is up in the mountains late at night beside the lake.”
“Yes, it’s a great place to get away and think for a while.”
“I can go inside if you need some time?”
She shook her head. “No. I would prefer your company to just sitting out here alone. “
“You seem a little melancholy tonight. Is something wrong?”
Kate looked at him for a long moment. “Melancholy?”
Jack laughed. “Sorry. Old habits. Your momma used to say that all the time.”
“Yeah, Mia told me that. I’ve heard that word more today than I have in years.”
“She was something else, that lady. I have to admit that sometimes I come here to the B&B because I get to feel her spirit around me. Of course, I’d never say that to Sylvia. She might take some offense, but I miss your momma.”
Kate reached over and squeezed his knee. “From everything I understand, you two had the love of a lifetime.”
“Yeah, for two people who never really got to be together very long, those old feelings will always be there. She was just one of a kind.”
“That’s what I’ve heard. I wish I had gotten to meet her. But, I know what you mean about this place allowing you to feel her spirit. Even though I didn’t know her, I can somehow feel her here.”
Jack nodded. “Trust me, she’s here in that house but she’s also here in these mountains and these trees. She’s everywhere because her personality and ability to love people was so big that you can’t contain her.”
Kate smiled. “You should write poetry or something.”
Jack shook his head and laughed. “Oh, I don’t think so. Anyway, back to what I was asking. You seem a little sad tonight. How can I help?”
“Nobody can really help. I’m sure Mia told you that Evie’s father is coming here in just a few hours. I should be asleep right now.”
“Oh, is that tomorrow? I had totally forgotten. I’m not having a good feeling about this guy.”
“Neither am I. I know him, and I know there’s some ulterior motive to why he’s coming here after all these years. He abandoned his daughter and now he suddenly wants to be back in her life? I don’t buy it.”
“I don’t think anybody buys it, sweetie. We will all be watching him like a hawk, trust me. But, I think you’re doing the right thing letting her have this time with him. I hope he doesn’t break her heart.”
Kate looked at him, her jaw tight. “If he breaks her heart, I’m going to break something of his. Possibly his face, but I’m open to suggestions.”
Jack chuckled. “Do you feel that spunky spirit in you? That comes from your momma. She could smile so sweet, but she could turn around and cut you with a knife if you messed with anybody she loved. I like seeing those glimpses of her in you girls.”
“So why are you out here so late at night? And don’t tell me it’s just because it’s relaxing or you like the peace. It seems like something’s going on since you got here. Let me help you.”
Jack ruffled the hair on the top of her head like she was eight years old. “Darlin’, I’m the dad. We don’t tell our problems to our kids. Besides, it’s nothing. No big deal. Just old man stuff.”
He stood up and stretched his arms high over his head. He was beyond tired and knew he needed some sleep, especially if he was going to have to deal with possibly killing his daughter’s ex-husband tomorrow.
“I think you’re lying…” she said in a high-pitched sing-songy voice.
He leaned down and kissed the top of her head. “Good night, Katie girl. See you in the morning. I’ll be sure to have my handgun on my side in case we need it when he gets here.”
He walked off the dock and could hear Kate laughing off in the distance. It was only half a joke. If that guy messed with her or his granddaughter, he couldn’t be sure of what he would do.
Mia woke up earlier than expected, feeling a sense of dread for her sister. She knew that Kate was very nervous about Brandon’s arrival, and he would be there within the next hour.
Of course, she had also been kept up all night by her own crazy thoughts and worries about Travis. He had texted her late at night, told her he loved her and asked about her day. Everything seemed normal on his end, but she was also well aware that he would be leaving tomorrow to go to New York City with Sam.
She didn’t know why this was bothering her so much. Cheating wasn’t something she thought Travis would ever do, so that wasn’t it. She supposed it was just a feeling of inferiority when she looked at Sam. How could Travis not find her attractive? How could Travis want to be with Mia and not with somebody like that who was obviously smart and beautiful?
Maybe she had just been stuck in the mountains too long. Maybe she thought that she should’ve gotten out into the world and done something big with her life, but her momma would tell her that running the bed-and-breakfast was big. Making people feel at home when they were away from home was a form of therapy, and she was doing good things. Sometimes, she could hear her mother’s voice in her head, and it often provided comfort and clarity.
“Good morning,” Kate said as she quickly trotted down the stairs. She had a look on her face, one that Mia hadn’t seen before. Nervousness? Stress? It seemed like those two put together times one hundred.
“Good morning. I made you some eggs and there’s a fresh pot of coffee.”
“Where are our guests this morning?”
“They actually came down and had an early breakfast… or I might have told them breakfast was an hour earlier than it was supposed to be just so we could get some time alone.”
Kate looked at her, a grateful expression on her face. “Thank you. I really wasn’t up for entertaining this morning. I’ve got so much adrenaline running through my body that I’m afraid I’m just going to take flight at some point.”
“Where is Evie?”
“She just got out of the shower. I think she wants to make herself look pretty since her dad hasn’t seen her in years. I swear, I don’t think he’d recognize her if she walked right in front of him on the street.”
Mia could see the muscles twitching in Kate’s jawline. “Try to relax. I know it’s hard, but you don’t want to make Evie feel uncomfortable, right?”
“I know. I’m trying. I didn’t sleep a wink last night. Spent a lot of time talking to Dad down by the dock.”
“Dad was down there? Last night?”
“Yes, I found it a little odd too. I know he’s keeping something from us. Maybe we should give Sylvia a call?”
“Let’s not do that just yet. After all, if he wants us to know something, he’ll tell us.”
“You’re right, as usual. Besides, I don’t need to add any more stress to my life. Maybe he and Sylvia are having marriage problems, and I sure don’t wanna get in the middle of that.”
“Here, eat your eggs, drink your coffee and take some deep breaths.”
Kate walked over to the table and sat down as Mia slid her food across. “Thanks for taking care of me. I was planning to just come down and get a yogurt because I don’t think I have it in me to prepare a meal right now.”
A few moments later, there was a knock at the front door. Kate froze in her seat, her eyes wide. “He’s not supposed to be here for an hour.”
Mia turned and looked out the front window. “Relax. It’s just Travis. I don’t know what he’s doing here.”
She walked out the front door and shut it behind her to give Kate some peace and quiet before everything began in an hour.
“Travis, I didn’t expect to see you this morning. I thought you were taking some pictures over by the waterfall?”
“Yeah, there’s been a change in plans,” he said, leaning in to give her a quick peck on the lips. “I’m leaving town today instead of tomorrow.”
“What? But I thought we were going to have dinner tonight before you left?”
“That was the plan, but Sam got called back for a meeting, and she thinks it would be great for me to be there. I’m actually going to meet with the president of the publishing company, and she’s rarely in the office so this is a good opportunity for me to make some connections.”
Mia couldn’t help but feel sick to her stomach. “Oh. Well, I guess that’s a good thing for you then.”
“Are you okay with this?” he asked, looking at her carefully.
“Of course. I want what you want,” she said, sounding like she was reading from a script. Surely he wasn’t buying this, only it appeared that he was.
“You’re so amazing, Mia. I really appreciate your support in this. I’m a little bit nervous.”
In that moment, she realized how silly she was being. She hadn’t even given any thought to how Travis might be feeling as he was about to embark on something so huge. Instead of feeling proud or excited for him, she had been stuck in her own mind, worrying about petty things that weren’t even real. She felt terrible, but at least she could salvage the situation without him knowing just how immature she was being.
