Stay With Me

by Kathryn Shay

  Alexis came closer. “Want to do something with me, Jame? I know you’re disappointed about not going out on the lake with Portia.”

  “I wish we had a boat.”

  “Honey, I’m not sure I could still drive one, after all these years,” Alexis told her.

  Rolling her eyes, Jamie turned her head away in disgust. Spence knew exactly what she was thinking. Even a teenager could learn to navigate a boat with a little patience. Hell, the Castles were so rich they could hire a boat chauffeur.

  Tenderly, Alexis reached down and ruffled Jamie’s hair. The girl pulled away and stood. Spence followed her lead. The last thing he needed was to get involved in a mother-daughter battle—especially a long-standing one. Not that he was a perfect father to his son, but this female stuff was foreign territory. “Well, I’m gonna hammer some more shingles.”

  Alexis smiled. “You’re doing a great job.” She faced her daughter. “Let’s go get our suits.” She cocked her head. “I’m pretty good at swimming.”

  Jamie shrugged. “Okay.” She smiled warmly at Spence. “See ya later, Keag.”

  Alexis didn’t correct her this time.

  “Sure, kid.”

  By noon, Spence had finished the roof, cleaned up the mess and briefly considered tackling the insulation. But just the thought of the itchy fiberglass stinging his eyes and prickling his sweaty skin, combined with the view of the lake when he came around the corner of the house, was enough to convince him that it was time to play. The water was as smooth as glass. He would spend a perfect afternoon on his boat with a cooler full of Molson beer and that new book of modem poetry he’d picked up to read to Clare.

  As he headed home, he spotted the Castles on the dock, dressed in neon suits that glittered in the golden sun. He shook his head. Even a stranger could tell all the kid wanted from her mother was attention. Damn if the woman couldn’t see it.

  Not your problem, Keag. You weren’t exactly Father-of-the-Year.

  If Jeff were fourteen again, he’d do things differently. He remembered the boy at six, holding a new electronic game, asking Spence to play with him. But Spence had been on his way to Canada for a big charter that would boost his fledgling air-cargo business; eventually Jeff had stopped asking.

  He washed away the regret along with the grime in a quick shower, swiped at his face with a razor and threw on a pair of trunks and a clean T-shirt. He was on the deck of his thirty-foot cabin cruiser not fifteen minutes after he’d left the roof.

  Untying the boat lines, he could hear the soft laughter of mother and daughter drifting from the neighbor’s dock. He saw that they were lying on their backs, and for one crazy moment, he hoped Alexis was playing Castles in the Sky with Jamie. Then he forced himself not to care—like he always did.

  The motor roared to life. He carefully eased the boat out of the slip and pointed the bow out toward the lake. Unfortunately, he glanced at the dock and saw both Jamie and Alexis staring at him. Jamie stood up and waved, while her mother tried to tug her back down.

  Don’t do it, Spence warned himself. He waved back, thrust the throttle forward and steered dead straight, already feeling the calming effect of the water. He had spent most of his life on land steering away from people, too—successfully.

  The breeze cooled his heated skin as he set a course fifty yards from the docks. Glancing back, he could still see the Castles. Bet they were hot there. Hell, they could go swimming.

  Don’t do it, he repeated to himself. But he couldn’t forget the longing in Jamie’s face when she had gazed at the lake last night. She had been such a champ when Portia had canceled their trip. For a few more yards he tried to shrug off the memory, until finally he swore at himself and turned back.

  Stupid move, Keag. Very stupid, yet he kept on going toward the docks.

  o0o

  “YOU DIDN’T HAVE to come back for us,” Alexis told Spence as he grasped her hand so she could climb onto the foredeck. His palm was big and calloused. She held on to him tightly, the fiberglass deck swaying under her feet. Her stomach lurched and she sucked in her breath.

  “You okay?” His eyes narrowed on her.

  “Yes, of course.” She was okay. She was. Damn, she wouldn’t spoil the trip for Jamie. It was bad enough she’d been sick all night from eating Mexican food and then hadn’t been able to drag herself out of bed until ten. She would survive this through sheer willpower. As she crossed to the padded bench, she held on to the grab rail. “Really, you didn’t have to take us, Mr. Keagan.”

  He raised his eyes heavenward. “Make it Spence, will you? You can revert back to mister at Guardian.” Before she could comment, he turned to assist Jamie, who’d fetched a big picnic basket, her boom box and a cache of CDs from the house. He stowed her belongings, then helped her in.

  Alexis and Jamie waited for him to start the engine but something at Clare’s property caught his attention. He scowled, shook his head, mumbled, “I’ll be right back,” and leaped from the boat.

  “Where’s he going?” Jamie asked.

  “I don’t know. Let’s put on some more sunscreen.” She tugged Jamie down to the benches, which ringed the perimeter of the boat.

  “My skin’s dark, Mom, not like yours. Man, you’ve already got freckles on your nose and shoulders.”

  She held out the tube. “You do the front while I do your back.”

  They’d just finished slathering on the Coppertone when Spence returned—with another person in tow.

  The young girl was slim and tall with Hummel-doll eyes and cropped hair the color of straw. She wore an oversize white T-shirt, heavy bell-bottomed jeans and combat boots. “This is Maxine Leahy, Max for short. I invited her to come along with us.”

  Jamie’s eyes narrowed knowingly at Spence, a gesture Alexis didn’t understand.

  “We gotta stop by and check with her parents first.”

  “Won’t care,” the girl murmured, jumping into the boat and unhooking the lines from the dock like a seasoned sailor.

  Alexis smiled. “I’m Alexis Castle, and this is my daughter Jamie.”

  The girls eyed each other like dogs who’d invaded private territory.

  “Hi,” Jamie said.

  Max only nodded.

  “Okay, life jackets on—they’re under the seat at the stern.”

  After they’d put on the vests, Spence stepped up to the wheel and backed the boat out smoothly. The sleek craft shot out toward the open lake. Though the water was still, the bottom of the boat slapped it viciously at what felt like warp speed. Alexis bit her lip and willed her stomach to calm. She concentrated on the view.

  The sky was cerulean blue and dotted with fat puffs of clouds Jamie had found her castles in the two hours they’d been on the dock; Alexis, as usual, couldn’t even spot one. The hot sun burned down on them but the breeze from the boat’s movement cooled Alexis immediately. She tugged her Jamaican cover-up down over her knees and refused to think about the pink, purple and neon-green swimsuit underneath.

  A quick glance at the bow put Spence Keagan into her line of vision. She wondered if he looked as much a part of the helicopter he flew, as he did this boat. Man and wheel seemed one. His black trunks and “Uncle Sam Wants You” T-shirt were perfectly topped off by a worn captain’s hat.

  He heeled the boat to the left, leaning the three of them over. Both girls giggled, but Alexis swallowed hard. In minutes, Spence eased up to a pier and moored the craft next to Leahy’s Seafood and Restaurant. Customers crowded inside and out. A big deck with wooden chairs and tables was shaded by dark blue umbrellas.

  “Wanna come, Max?” Spence asked the girl.

  She shook her head.

  “Be right back, then.”

  After Spence had lithely vaulted onto the dock, Jamie crossed to the starboard and stared over the grab rails. Alexis turned to Max and smiled. “So how old are you, Max?”

  No answer. “Max?”

  “Thirteen.” The word was low. Mumbled.

  “
Going into eighth grade?”

  Max nodded.

  “Jamie’ll be in ninth next year.”

  Not even a head shake this time.

  Alexis glanced at the water. “The lake’s pretty today.” Silence. Giving up, Alexis held out the sunscreen. “Put some on. You don’t want to get burned.”

  Wide, brown eyes stared at Alexis. Didn’t anyone take care of this child? In a moment, Max accepted the lotion but didn’t meet her eyes again.

  Alexis left her alone and joined her daughter until Spence returned.

  “All clear,” he said, leaping into the boat. “You can come with us, Max.” He scowled at her. “Just try not to get too rowdy. I like the quiet.”

  One corner of the young girl’s mouth turned up. Jamie and Alexis took their seats as Spence headed out to sea. The rocky motion of the boat battered Alexis’s stomach. She flicked down her sunglasses and closed her eyes, hoping to calm herself. But the darkness made her stomach spin. She groaned when Jamie yelled to Spence, “Let her rip, Captain Bligh,” because Spence answered with a military salute and an extra burst of speed.

  By the time they anchored in a cove for a swim, Alexis knew she was in trouble.

  “Spence, the head’s below, right?” she asked weakly, as Jamie and Max stripped off their outer clothes.

  “Yup. Go on, you can’t miss it.”

  “Mom?”

  “Stay with Spence, honey. I’ll be fine.” She bolted down the narrow steps and made it to the bathroom just in time.

  Spence waited fifteen minutes. He watched the kids swim, all the while worrying about Alexis Castle. He’d witnessed enough illness working for Guardian to know that she was definitely sick. She obviously didn’t have her sea legs.

  Though the girls hadn’t spoken much in the water, once they’d climbed back on board, Jamie showed her CD collection to Max. Spence smiled. Toys at any age were good icebreakers. He left the girls sitting crossed-legged on the deck and headed below.

  The cabin was dark, except for the light shining from the head. Its door ajar, the small room, which contained a toilet, sink and shower, was empty. Crossing through the L-shaped galley, he spied her lying on the main salon’s sofa-berth. Chin to her chest, knees curled up, her hands wrapped protectively around her waist, she appeared small and fragile and definitely sick. His pilot training—especially caring for the hurt and injured— surfaced. He switched on a small light and kneeled beside her.

  This close, her face was ashen and grim, although the sun had turned her nose and cheekbones pink. The splattering of freckles added to Miss Alexis’s surprising vulnerability.

  “Alexis?” he murmured.

  She moved her head to the side, sending several strands of hair into her eyes. He resisted the temptation to brush them back.

  “Alexis, wake up.” He shook her shoulder gently. It was too thin, unnervingly so. He whispered her name again.

  Big eyes blinked opened. They were greener today—still a little hazy. He explained in a soothing voice, “You’re on my boat, below deck. You came down here fifteen minutes ago. I was worried.”

  Her shoulders sagged. “I didn’t want to spoil the trip for Jamie.” Her voice sounded gravelly.

  “You haven’t. I left her and Max talking about music on deck.” He grinned. “Well, Jamie’s talking. Max is looking at her CD collection like it’s the lost Ark.”

  A small smile tugged at Alexis’s lips, revealing even white teeth. His eyes roamed her face again. If she gained some weight the angles would soften nicely.

  Watching him too, she said, “Thanks for bringing us along—and for taking care of her.” She pushed up on her elbows and paled even more. “Oh, God.” Immediately she sank back down.

  “You got seasick, didn’t you?”

  An odd look came into those green eyes. Wary.

  “It’s nothing to be embarrassed about.”

  She rested her head on the pillow and mumbled, “Um, yes, seasick.”

  “Not fun, I know. Why didn’t you take something before we left?”

  “I—well—I guess I didn’t plan to be on the lake today.” She sounded like a teenager making up lame excuses to her father.

  He rose, towered over her, then left to fetch some pills out of the medicine cabinet and a glass of water. When he returned, she was stretched out, with her arm thrown over her eyes. Though he’d never been air or seasick, he’d had hangovers in his big drinking days. He didn’t envy Alexis Castle. Instead, he felt an absurd urge to take care of her. Which was downright stupid, because if there was anything he’d bet the farm on, it was that she’d never let a man take care of her.

  “Here, take these.”

  Weakly, she eyed the pills and shook her head. “I’m not sure I can keep them down.”

  “Take little sips. You need medicine. Besides, Jamie asked for a tour of the lake, and we can’t go until the pills kick in.”

  That did it. Easing up, she took the pills and water and swallowed. Her face paled, but he thought she’d be okay. Without thinking he reached over and unsnapped her life jacket. Her eyes widened. He flushed. Cripes, what had possessed him to touch her like that?

  “Sorry—reflex. I’m used to making patients feel comfortable at the scene.”

  She edged away from him, but confessed, “Yes, I know. You got your EMT certification years ago.”

  Damn. She must have found out everything about Guardian Flight Base if she knew he was an Emergency Medical Technician, qualified to perform routine medical procedures. Uncomfortable, he wondered what else she’d unearthed about him. He hated the idea of being investigated and resented having to cater to Castle Enterprises even more.

  “...a good idea,” she was saying. “All pilots should be certified.” Her face got a little of its color back. Because she was talking about work.

  “I think you’ll be fine, now. I’ll go back up to join the kids. Come when you can.”

  “Wait.” She swung her legs to the floor.

  “Why don’t you lie here a bit, until the medicine works?”

  But she got to her feet. “No, thanks, I—”

  She swayed as she stood. Again, in reflex, one of his hands reached for her waist—God she was thin—and the other for her arm. Thin, yes, but she was as soft as a kitten he once had. She smelled good, too. Like suntan lotion, and some scented flowers from her hair, which was inches from his nose. For a minute he enjoyed their closeness.

  She didn’t pull away, either.

  “Okay?” he asked, hoarsely.

  She nodded and braced herself. “I am. I will be.” He heard the determination in her voice. She would conquer the illness. For Jamie.

  As they made their way to the deck, he realized he’d learned two things about Alexis Castle: that she loved her daughter, and that he couldn’t let his guard down around the woman who already knew too much about him.

  o0o

  JEFF KEAGAN STOOD ten feet from the docks at KeagCrafts Marina, nestled at the end of Catasaga Lake, and surveyed the large waterfront. His grandfather was indoors checking with the franchise manager. Jeff smiled at the myriad of moored boats—crafts with graceful white sails, small motor boats and cabin cruisers of all sizes. The scent of seaweed from the lake and the soft cries of seagulls in the sky soothed him, as always.

  He noticed his father’s boat, The Albatross, zipping by the marina, and the peace he felt vanished instantly. Before he could catch himself, he waved wildly. Just like you were ten again, Keagan, asking the guy to pay some attention to you.

  Quickly, he drew back his hand, but it was too late; his father had spotted him and slowed down the sleek craft. Jeff’s grandfather came up beside him “Is that Spence?” The older man’s voice was expectant like Jeff’s wave.

  “Yep.”

  “He see you?”

  Jeff nodded. “I think that’s why he’s coming in.”

  “Hrrmph. It wouldn’t be to touch base with me.”

  Jeff gazed at his grandpa. About six feet,
Jeff’s height, the sixty-six-year-old man was robust and handsome; as he grew older, he reminded Jeff of Sean Connery. Same gray hair, thinning on top. Same sparkling blue eyes that he himself had inherited. No Scottish accent, though. Instead, Judd Keagan spoke strong, upstate New Yorkese. Born and bred in Rochester, he now ran his business from homes in various parts of the country. For a moment, Judd’s look was pained as he watched his son moor up to the dock, but he composed himself by the time the boat was anchored.

  Spence ambled toward them, dressed in his usual casual attire. Jeff resisted the urge to whip off his own suit coat and tie. A woman and a yellow-haired teenager disembarked too, lagging behind, as if to give Spence space. Surely not a girlfriend—she was too thin and tall to be his type. Another girl remained on board. Who were all these females?

  “Jeff, good to see you.” Spence grasped him in a bear hug. He didn’t let go right away, and for a minute Jeff was comforted by the familiar scents of sea air and his dad. He felt ashamed of his earlier negative thoughts.

  “You too, Dad.” Though he was almost as broad-shouldered as his father, Jeff still felt dwarfed. Would he ever see him as just a man?

  Spence next turned toward Judd and the delight drained from his face. “Hello, Judd.”

  Judd Keagan’s face was purposely blank. Fleetingly, Jeff wondered if his dad struggled with the same ambivalence as he did—Spence and Judd Keagan had had a tumultuous father-son relationship for years.

  Jeff’s father addressed him, again. “I didn’t know you’d be on the lake today.”

  “We came down from Rochester to check out the marina.” He nodded to the building behind them, which his father’s guests were exploring.

  “Hey, Keag, you own this outfit?” The quip came from one of the girls who were studying the KeagCraft logo.

  “Hardly.” Spence’s tone was dry. “Jamie, come meet my son.” Jeff saw his grandpa grimace.

  “And my father,” Spence added.

  The girl joined them, followed by the older woman. “This is Jamie and Alexis Castle. Ladies, my son, Jeff, and my father, Judd.”