The Cliff House

by RaeAnne Thayne

  He didn’t know how long they stood there on her spectacular terrace, entwined together. As far as he was concerned, not long enough. She was the one who finally slid her mouth away from his.

  “If we don’t eat those sandwiches, I suspect Louie will do it for us.”

  Louie, he noticed through the haze of desire, was sitting up and looking at the table and the dinner she had prepared with an avaricious eye. He sighed, not wanting the moment to end.

  “You’re probably right. He’s a rascal, that one.”

  The dog gave an innocent who-me? sort of look that fooled neither of them as he and Daisy sat down.

  “Do you ever paint out here? I would think you would find it very creatively stimulating.”

  “I would. But there are also bugs and dirt and leaves and that ever-present wind. I can’t imagine spending days trying to paint a whole piece of furniture in precisely the perfect way and then having to redo a section because a spider wandered over it and got stuck in the wet paint.”

  He could understand that.

  While they ate, they spoke of the projects she was working on and he shared details about the previous film he had just finished.

  “Can I ask you a question?” he asked when the meal was almost done.

  She looked nervous momentarily but covered it with her usual dry tone. “It seems to me you have done nothing but ask me questions since you brought Louie here that first night.”

  “It’s a hazard of my job, I’m afraid. I like knowing about things and people.”

  “I suppose that’s what makes you so good at your job.”

  He wasn’t sure about that, though he was enjoying doing the promotional video for Open Hearts.

  That wasn’t the source of his curiosity about Daisy, however.

  “I’m wondering why you continue to keep your identity a secret from your family. Bea and Stella are both lovely. Do you really think they would be upset to discover the niece and sister they love is Marguerite?”

  She reached for her wineglass. “I told you. I have my reasons.”

  He should leave it at that. Her tight tone told him this wasn’t a subject she wanted to discuss. He couldn’t seem to help himself. Hazard of the job, again.

  “What are you afraid of, Daisy? That they will finally see inside to the real you?”

  She set down her wineglass so hard it sloshed a little. “My reasons are my own.”

  “In other words, none of my business.”

  “You said that. I didn’t.”

  He was annoyed with her suddenly. Annoyed with her prickliness on the subject, annoyed with her secrets, annoyed in a weird way on Marguerite’s behalf, that Daisy was so ashamed of her. “You’re a gifted artist. Don’t you think they deserve to know that someone they care about is so beloved around the world?”

  “Drop it, Gabe.”

  “Why?”

  “I told you I don’t want them to know and that’s the end of it. I don’t want anyone knowing. I hate that you know.”

  Her words, as fierce and passionate as her kiss had been a moment before, cut him to the bone.

  “I wish I had never said anything to you,” she went on, her voice almost bitter. “I should have simply continued denying it. You had no proof of anything.”

  “Wow. That’s harsh. You don’t trust me to keep your secret?”

  She rose and started clearing away the few dishes, though he saw she had hardly eaten anything. “I don’t even know you. Not really. Why should I trust you?”

  How could she say that? He was beginning to think she knew him better than anyone on earth.

  “Because we’re friends. Because of this...thing between us.”

  “There is nothing between us but a few kisses. They’re not real.”

  He had literally taken a knife to the gut a few weeks ago that hadn’t hurt as much.

  “They felt pretty real to me just now. I’m attracted to you and it’s fairly obvious you feel the same way.”

  He wanted to leave it at that but knew he couldn’t. Not when there was so much more to his feelings.

  He gripped her hands. “I’m not simply attracted to you. That wouldn’t keep me up at night, thinking about you and aching for you. The truth is, I’m beginning to have feelings for you.”

  She lifted her gaze to his and for an instant he was almost certain he saw a shocked sort of joy there in those lovely hazel depths before she quickly veiled her expression and slid her hands away.

  “You don’t have to lie to me, Gabe.”

  He blinked. This was the first time in his life he had ever told a woman he was falling in love with her. Of all the ways he might have expected her to respond, outright disbelief wasn’t on the list.

  “Where’s the lie? You think I don’t have feelings for you?”

  Her mouth tightened. “I think you want to be the one who reveals to the world the truth about Marguerite. I think your intentions are good but I think you’ll do anything to convince me to trust you. Even lie about this.”

  That ache in his gut seemed to twist harder. Where the hell did that come from?

  “What have I done to give you such a poor opinion of me?”

  “Nothing. I don’t blame you. It’s only natural. You’re a storyteller. It’s who you are. You’re a storyteller and I’m a possible source.”

  “That’s not all you are.”

  “Tell me you don’t want to be the one who reveals the truth about Marguerite to the world.”

  He could lie to her but knew that would only make matters worse. “I would. I think your story would fascinate the world, Daisy. But that’s not the reason I’m here.”

  “No. You’re here because my aunt and my sister wanted you to film a promotional spot for Open Hearts.”

  I’m here because I’m in love with you, you stubborn woman.

  He wanted to say the words and everything else that had been building inside him during his time in Cape Sanctuary. “You’re wrong,” he said quietly. “But I have a feeling I would be wasting my breath to try defending myself.”

  He didn’t know how to convince her she could trust him. Her life experiences had taught her to rely only on herself, which filled him with sorrow. His had the opposite effect. He had learned that a person’s life was only enriched by making connections with others. That was the core message in every one of his documentaries.

  Wasn’t that the entire message of Open Hearts? Children in foster care needed strong, loving families willing to welcome a child going through a hard time.

  Daisy was determined not to let anyone in. She was closing herself off to so many of life’s joys.

  There was no point in arguing with her. Gabe knew when a battle was lost before it even began.

  “If that’s how you feel, I guess that’s it. There’s nothing for me to say.”

  “Gabe.”

  He didn’t want to hear more. He was already hurting enough. “Thanks for dinner but I’m going to take off. I’m almost done and think I can finish what’s left back at Casa Del Mar.”

  She looked briefly miserable. Good. He wanted her to suffer a little.

  “I understand.”

  “I have to make a trip out of town tomorrow,” he said on the spur of the moment. He would find somewhere to go. “I probably won’t be around for a few days to walk Louie.”

  “We’ll be fine,” she said.

  That was the very problem. She had convinced herself that she would only be fine on her own, needing no one, trusting no one, taking no chances that she might be hurt.

  He had no idea how to convince her how very wrong she was. The best moments in life contained some risk. They were about reaching outside your safety net and embracing opportunities and people and emotions.

  He was afraid Daisy Davenport McClure would never be able to
learn that lesson.

  28

  STELLA

  If she could keep feeling as good as she had the past few days, she just might make it through this first trimester.

  Stella slid into her Volvo in the school parking lot, glad to be going home at the end of the day.

  She was tired, but that wasn’t anything unusual. Most teachers she knew ended up almost catatonic after they went home at night during that difficult first week of trying to learn all those new faces and names and establish a new routine for the year.

  She hadn’t been sick in days, had been almost back to normal since the picnic the previous weekend. Except for a nagging backache and a little crampiness, she felt great.

  Some of that was this newfound happiness with Ed, she knew. They had spent time together every night, along with Rowan. They fixed dinner together and laughed together and delighted in learning more about the people they had each grown into over the years.

  One thing hadn’t changed. Ed made her happy. Adding his delightful daughter into the mix only seemed to add to her joy.

  The world seemed wonderful right now, bright and full of possibilities. She pressed a hand to her abdomen, to the child she couldn’t yet feel moving.

  “He’s pretty amazing, little one,” she said. “I think you’re going to love him, too.”

  She looked around to make sure none of the other teachers caught her talking to herself. When she saw the coast was clear, she started her Volvo. She was about to back out of her parking space when her phone rang.

  Thinking it might be Ed calling to change their dinner plans that night, she turned off her ignition and reached for her phone.

  It wasn’t Ed but a number she didn’t recognize. She almost ignored it. Since she had her phone out anyway, she answered.

  “Hi, Stella. This is Gabe Ellison.”

  “Oh. Gabe. Hello!”

  If she could reach through the phone lines to hug a man, she would. “I’m so glad you called. I was going to grab your number from Daisy as soon as I got home so I could call you and thank you.”

  “You got the clip I sent you, then?”

  “Yes. I watched it after school and cried for ten minutes straight. Happy tears, I promise. It’s fantastic. Absolutely perfect. People are going to love it. I can’t thank you enough.”

  “I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I was happy with the way it turned out, too.”

  “I can’t wait to show it to everyone. Have you sent it to Daisy?”

  “I haven’t. I wanted you to be the first one to see it.”

  “Maybe I’ll have a viewing party.”

  “That’s actually the other reason I called. I want to let you know, a friend of mine is the station manager at one of the regional network affiliates. I sent it over to him and he called me right back and wants to run it during the evening news tonight. They had a cancellation for another ad and he said the Open Hearts spot would be the perfect fill-in.”

  “Wow! Tonight? That’s tremendous!”

  “Yes. Probably about halfway through the newscast. I thought you might want to know. Hopefully, it will generate interest in the Arts and Hearts on the Cape Festival this weekend. I added a tie-in to that with a link to the website for more information and also did a second one without it so the TV stations can run the ad later without that time element.”

  “Thank you!”

  “I’ve got contacts at the other networks and I’m speaking with them, too. We’ll see if we can get a buzz going.”

  “Oh, Gabe. Thank you so much! I don’t know how we can ever repay you.”

  “No need. It’s a worthy cause and I’m honored to be part of it in this small way. While filming the picnic, it was obvious you’re making a real impact in people’s lives.”

  “Thank you.” She couldn’t resist adding a sly little matchmaking effort, maybe because she was so deliriously happy. “You said you didn’t send Daisy the clip but have you told her about tonight, that it’s airing during the news? I’m sure she’s absolutely thrilled.”

  “I haven’t spoken with her since Sunday,” he said, his voice curiously tight. “I’ll let you be the bearer of good news.”

  That didn’t sound promising. She frowned. Had something happened between them? She had been so certain after Saturday that the two of them were developing feelings for each other. Gabe had always kept an eye on Daisy, no matter where she had been at the park, and Daisy blushed every time Gabe was close, something Stella had never seen her do. She never would have confided in the man about Daisy’s past if she hadn’t seen he had feelings for her niece.

  If she knew her niece, she suspected Daisy had done her best to push the man away. Her heart ached, wishing she knew how to talk some sense into her.

  “I’ll tell her. We would love to have you join us for the viewing party.” Maybe she could do something to mend whatever rift Daisy had created.

  “I would enjoy that,” Gabe said, “but I’m afraid I’m out of town right now.”

  Too bad. “Well, let me know when you’re back so I can at least have a party for you after the fact. First, you saved Cruz’s life. Now this. We’re deeply in your debt, Gabe Ellison. Don’t think I’ll forget.”

  After they said their goodbyes, they hung up, and Stella quickly typed in a text and sent it out to Daisy and Bea, Ed, Shane, Cruz and the Open Hearts board members, letting them know about the broadcast that night and that she was hosting a last-minute viewing party to watch it.

  She would send an email to the broader Open Hearts population as soon as she was home to let them know. Too bad she couldn’t have everyone over.

  Want to do it at my place? Bea texted privately.

  It made more sense, especially with the beautiful home theater Bea had. She texted her agreement in response and also told Bea she would provide refreshments. After sending one more text to the group about the change in venue, she started her car and headed out of the parking lot.

  On the way home, her back was aching more, but she ignored it as she bought a couple of veggie trays and a giant bag of the delicious movie popcorn they popped right in the store.

  Yes, she was probably going overboard for a one-minute public service announcement, but she didn’t care. This was a big deal and she wanted to celebrate. It wasn’t every day that an Oscar-nominated documentary filmmaker considered the cause closest to her heart important enough that he would agree to make a promotional spot for it...and then go out of his way to make sure the spot was viewed by as many people as possible.

  When she pulled up to Bea’s lovely home a short time later, she found several cars already in the driveway, including a flashy red sports car that no doubt belonged to Cruz.

  She climbed out of her vehicle and felt a sharp twinge in her abdomen. She frowned. Oh, she hoped she didn’t start feeling queasy again. The pain didn’t quite feel like the nausea that had tormented her the past few weeks.

  Pregnancy at forty definitely wasn’t for the faint of heart.

  “This is so exciting,” Bea exclaimed as she answered the door. “Have you seen the spot?”

  “It’s wonderful. Gabe did a marvelous job. I can’t wait for you all to see it.”

  Bea took the groceries from her and carried them into the media room, where she already had a snack table set out with some of her famous chocolate chip cookies and some chips and salsa.

  Ed arrived as she was carrying in napkins and paper plates. He gave her a secret smile and she wanted to run into his arms and kiss him, but she hadn’t told the girls they were back together yet. She wasn’t really keeping it a secret but wanted the chance to tell both of them at the same time, and Daisy hadn’t arrived yet.

  Only Paula Bullen and the Lymans from the board were able to make it.

  Shane showed up just a moment before Daisy. “Sorry I’m late. Practice just ended,” he said.


  “You made it in time. It hasn’t started yet,” Bea said. A strangely tight note in her voice had Stella looking closer. Was everyone fighting? Bea and Shane were usually laughing and joking with each other but now they looked as awkward together as her seventh-graders at their first dance.

  “It should be on in a moment,” Stella said. “I don’t know exactly where in the newscast our bit will run, so we should probably watch all of it.”

  “Should we take our seats?” Daisy suggested.

  “Yes, everyone,” Bea said. “There’s plenty of seating for everyone.”

  The way things turned out, Stella was sandwiched between Rowan and Ed. Not a bad place to be.

  “Are you feeling okay?” Ed asked her quietly. “You look a little pale.”

  The concern in his voice made tears rise in her throat, for reasons she couldn’t have explained. She wasn’t sure why he even wanted to be with her, since she had felt like an invalid since the moment he came back to Cape Sanctuary.

  “Yes,” she lied. In reality, her backache had intensified and so had the abdominal cramps. Maybe the salad she’d taken for lunch had been off.

  “It’s too bad Gabe couldn’t be here with us to watch this big moment,” Bea said. “It’s all because of him. Cruz, why didn’t you bring him?”

  “He’s not at my place right now,” Cruz said. “He drove down to the Bay Area. Said he had a doctor appointment and also some business meetings.”

  “Is he coming back?” Daisy asked, looking miserable.

  “He said he was. I don’t know, though. He took everything he brought with him.”

  “I hope he does come back,” Bea said. “He seems very nice. Don’t you think so, Daisy?”

  Apparently, Bea had noticed the heat simmering between them. She frowned at the girl for goading her older sister. Daisy, if possible, looked even more miserable. “Yes. Very nice,” she said stiffly.

  They didn’t have time to talk more because the news flashed to a commercial and suddenly there was Cape Sanctuary filling the screen.