Once upon a time, there had been water on Middleton Island, before the uplift. He’d also heard stories of gold washing up on the shores, but that was a long time ago. Now, the island was really only livable in the warmer months. And even then, all supplies had to be brought in, which reminded him. Obviously, Irene hadn’t found fuel, or she would have announced it, rather than apologizing that she was using the fuel in the lantern.
“Vince,” he said aloud. “Please don’t take too long to send out a team.” Vince had been the one who’d insisted they look for Sam and Nora. Alex had been too pissed at Sam to care if he ended up caught in a storm.
Alex had also tried to soothe Irene, but truthfully, he was scared. He had no weapon, and he had a woman to look after. If Kevin or his associates showed up overnight, the cabin was the first place they’d look. But what else could they do? They needed shelter. Tomorrow, he’d have to head to the radar building at the far end of the island. There had to be a working radio there. Worst case, there was a weather cam. He could write an SOS message and post it in front of the camera, hoping that someone would be watching.
Until tomorrow, though, he had to figure out what to do. Not only for security, but also with Irene. The heat between them was undeniable, but was it right to go further with her? She’d said one-night stand … But what would happen if they made it through this ordeal?
Would she want more from him than a few nights and safe passage home?
Could he give her more if she did?
~ Irene ~
As soon as Alex left the cabin, Irene berated herself. “What are you doing? One-night stand, remember? You don’t have more to offer Alex than one night.” Not when, even if you do get off this island, there’s still only a fifty percent chance that you’ll live for more than five years.
She stirred the navy beans, bending over them and sniffing, assuring herself they weren’t spoiled. The expiration date was good, and there hadn’t been any dents in the can, so they’d probably manage to escape getting botulism.
The wind howled, causing the door to rattle. Obviously the cabin had seen years of bad weather, so chances were it’d hold up for three more days, but the long wails were nerve-wracking. How could someone take them for nights on end?
The handle turned, and she braced herself. She should have already retrieved the stun gun from the pack, but she had felt safe when Alex was nearby.
The door opened, and the wind whipped through the cabin, along with Alex. He shoved his shoulder against the panel, securing it again.
“No wonder the plane crashed,” Irene said. “Those gusts come out of nowhere.”
“They do.” Alex scooped snow into the kettle. “Looks good. No foreign objects anyway. Make sure it boils before you use it, though.”
Irene stared up at him from beneath her lashes, resisting the impulse to tell him she understood basic food safety. Instead, she extended her hand and accepted the kettle. She replaced the bubbling pot of beans with the kettle, and then carried their meager meal to the counter. She poured equal servings into two bowls she’d wiped out the best she could. Most germs didn’t grow or survive on dry areas, so they should be okay.
She carried her bowl to the dinette and plopped down.
Alex picked up the second bowl and sat across from her. “Not the prime rib we had last night, but it’s food. Thanks!”
Irene scooped up a spoonful. “I didn’t eat prime rib. I had pizza delivered.”
Alex chewed his mouthful. “Are you a vegetarian?”
“No,” she laughed. “I was a wedding crasher last night … but then I returned to my room and ate pizza until the reception ended.”
“I’m shocked. Can’t say that I’ve ever crashed a wedding. Do you normally crash weddings? And if so, why wouldn’t you crash the reception too?”
“No … definitely a first, but then I chickened out at crashing the reception, especially after you made eye contact with me.”
Alex shook his head and took another bite. “Which reminds me … What exactly did Evie whisper in your ear?”
“Your name … and that …”
Alex cocked his head. “And that …?”
“You were a great dancer.”
He laughed. “No, she didn’t. Evie and I have never danced.”
“But you’ve done other things?”
Alex set down his spoon. “No … She and my brother dated for a minute. I’ll admit I was thinking about dancing a few steps with her, but she’s my friend. I have to work with her on rescues on occasion, so I decided against it.”
Irene stared across the tiny table. “Dancing is innocent enough … I’m sure it wouldn’t have affected your work relationship.”
Alex licked his lips. “Hmm … I suppose not. Evie found someone to dance with her quickly enough. They were enjoying each other’s company over breakfast, too, unlike some people I know.”
“I had an early flight, Alex.”
Alex picked up his bowl and drained it, then stood. He tossed it in the sink, then carried the kettle and two mugs she’d left on the counter to the table.
He filled the two cups, then pushed one to her and lifted his, staring into it. He inhaled then chanced a sip. He lowered the cup and stared at her. “It’s good.”
“It’s from Andytown in Outer Sunset.”
“Outer Sunset?”
“Outer Sunset is on the Pacific side of San Fran. More family oriented than other areas in Fog City. Oddly enough, the local joke is ‘Why did they name that section of San Fran Sunset?’ ”
Alex raised his cup to his lips as he raised his brow. “I’ll bite. Why did they name it Sunset?”
“Because the sun’s always set there. Truly, weeks could go by without seeing the sun. But I loved hearing the foghorns, and if the wind blew just right, I could even hear the sea lions, which reminded me of home. Seems I’m getting a bit too much of those lovely creatures now, though.”
“True. The abundance of seals and gulls could drive a person mad. Hard to imagine that early settlers lived here year-round. I can’t imagine.” He shuddered. “Is that where you live in California … Outer Sunset?”
“No, I live in Pacific Heights.”
“I’ve heard of Pacific Heights.” He looked up at the ceiling, as if trying to remember where he’d heard of the city.
“The movie,” she offered, filling in the bubble over his head so he wouldn’t strain himself.
“Oh, yeah. The couple invested everything in a high-priced neighborhood.”
“Yep. That’s Pacific Heights.”
A furrow appeared between his eyebrows. “So … you’ve done well as a journalist?”
“I did well.” She shook her head. “You know what? Let’s not fill the air with mundane chatter about work and other boring questions.”
Alex leaned back in the chair, resting his cup on his chest. “I’m game. We have a long night. About sixteen hours of darkness before the sun rises, so we might as well fill them.”
“Ugh … I remember those long nights.” She stood and stretched, then moved to the loveseat in the middle of the room. She sat down and patted the cushion next to her. “Okay … I think I can come up with a few non-work-related questions.”
Alex carried his cup over and sank into the loveseat, his back against the armrest so he was facing her. He pulled his knee up. “Ask away.”
Irene stretched her neck, resting her head on the cushion and staring at the ceiling. “Hmm …” She sat up. “Okay … what’s the best thing that has happened to you in the last year?”
Alex twisted his mouth, thinking only seconds before he said, “Nora.”
His answer surprised her. “Nora? Isn’t that the name of your brother’s new bride?”
“Yes. But she brought life to my brother … to my mother. To the family. They all seem happier with her in our lives.”
“And you, Alex? I asked what is the best thing that has happened to you?”
He rubbed one of his eyes, no
dding. “My family’s happiness is important to me.”
“Okay. I can understand that. All right, another one. What do you do for fun?”
Alex brushed his hand along his five o’clock shadow. “Are we being honest? You won’t hold my answers against me?”
“Yes, we’re being honest.”
“I live for my job, so I’d say search & rescue is the most fun I have in my life, but when I’m not working … I’m rather fond of women.”
“That’s definitely honest. I hadn’t thought of myself as a pastime, but I can’t say that I’m surprised. I think Evie’s comment kind of alluded to your hobby.”
He leaned forward, head cocked. “You said she mentioned my dancing.”
Irene pushed him back to his side of the couch. “I’m not finished, and we all know dancing isn’t your forte.”
“No, I guess it’s not.” He sprawled back on the sofa, arms spreading out.
Alex looked to be in his comfort zone right now, so she decided she’d keep the questions light and fun. “Here’s a fun one … Who’s your favorite superhero?”
Alex rolled to a straight-back position and sighed. He looked up, his eyes holding some emotion she couldn’t place … sadness, it seemed.
“My father,” Alex said finally.
“Your father is your favorite superhero?” While most men and women she’d posed that question to did, in fact, look up to their parents, most didn’t call them superheroes. She’d had people say their grandparents were superheroes, though.
“Yeah …” Alex relaxed just his shoulders as he released a long breath. “My father started the Midnight Sons, trained my mother, brothers and me, and countless others over the years. He saved more lives in his time than anyone I’ve ever met. I definitely think of him as a superhero.”
Irene touched Alex’s knee so he’d look at her before she asked her next question. “In his time?”
Alex gulped back his emotion, his Adam’s apple bobbing in response. “Yes. My father died ten years ago.”
“How did —”
“Irene,” he cut off her question, his topaz eyes holding so much emotion that she wanted to unravel. “I’m sorry, but I really don’t want to play this part of the game.”
“Oh … That’s okay. It was supposed to be a fun question. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who’s said their father was a superhero.”
Alex nodded and stared off again.
“Hey …” She moved to his side of the tiny sofa. “It’s okay. I don’t like talking about my family either, and they’re far from superheroes, and I’ve been lucky enough not to lose them before I could mend our differences.” She hoped that opening her own emotions would help Alex to open up.
He turned to her, forced a smile. “Yeah … you said you’ve been gone for seventeen years. What happened?”
It was Irene’s turn to feel melancholy. After a rescue team arrived, she would probably never see Alex again, so what difference did it make? After all, what had happened with her family wasn’t a great secret. What had happened when she was seventeen was only a great secret on Saint Paul Island. At least, she assumed it was still a secret.
Yeah, it had to be. If her parents had heard the truth, she definitely would have heard from them. For that matter, the boy she had once loved would have probably called her too.
But worse, the fact that her sister had started the entire debacle made her loss even greater.
Chapter 8
~ Irene ~
As much as Irene wanted to curl up in Alex’s arms, it was easier to talk from the opposite side of the loveseat. She plopped a pillow against the armrest and pulled up her knees, tucking her sock-covered toes under the seat cushion. For the most part, she’d come to grips with her personal losses. She’d thought that she’d even come to grips with her lack of family. But receiving a death sentence had put things into perspective.
Worse, waking up in the hospital to chattering reassurances and declarations of love that weren’t directed at her had made her realize how empty her life was.
Alex draped his arm around her knees, and it felt so natural … as if they were a couple.
But they weren’t. They couldn’t be. Not when she knew she might be leaving this earth. Alex had choked up over his father’s death, so no way would he want to sign up for a relationship with someone who might die before he’s forty. How could anyone plan a future with that prognosis looming over them? You couldn’t …
She had agreed that they should be honest, and she would. It wasn’t as if he was going to ask if she might die in the next five years. She wouldn’t have to relay how sad she’d felt when she’d thought someone from her work had come to the hospital to check on her, but that it had been the woman in the bed next to her who’d had a roomful of doting loved ones.
The wind howled and the door shook, forcing her mind to the present. She darted her gaze to Alex, whose attention had focused on the door. He’d barred it shut after he’d returned from his last run, but it seemed he was on edge too. He’d said he had no concern that anyone would show up tonight, but his eyes said otherwise.
He turned to her and smiled. His face held a relaxed natural expression that said without words, Everything is all right. “So, seventeen years ago …” he prompted, obviously an attempt to get her mind off the fact that someone might be coming to kill them.
More than likely, he’d learned to perfect that mask. She imagined that with all the rescues he’d done, he must have had some life-threatening ones that he’d had to reassure a person that they weren’t going to die. She remembered his actions after the plane crash. She’d been freaking out, not even able to unlatch the seatbelt, and he’d calmly told her, It’s okay, Irene. I’m coming. And then had swiftly picked her up and set her outside with an, Out you go! as if she were a toddler. Alex might be a bit grumpy on occasion but, mostly, he seemed sweet and funny, a charmer, and a man who cared about people, his family … his mother. A good combination.
Irene shot another glance at the entry. The door shook on the hinges, as if a ghostly being were attempting to escape from another realm and enter theirs. “Are you sure, Alex?”
He patted her leg. “I can promise you this … I’ll hear if anyone tries to break in. I won’t let anyone hurt you.”
She smiled softly. “Are you a superhero too, Alex?”
“Not even close, but I do take my job seriously. I’ll make sure you get home safely.” He smiled widely. “Now, tell me why you haven’t been home to our beautiful state in seventeen years.”
“Well, now it feels a bit anti-climactic, but if you understand my family, it will make sense.” She took a sip of her coffee. “As you’re probably familiar with small towns in Alaska, everyone knows everyone.”
He nodded.
“Saint Paul is probably even worse. Like you said … five hundred people. And with my father being the local pastor, everyone knew my sister and me … And what we did, who we dated …”
Alex laughed. “Understood.”
“As a teenager, there weren’t a lot of available boys. I was older — only by fifteen months — but that meant I was able to do everything before Kirsten, which drove her crazy. With all your brothers, I’m sure you get that.”
Alex looked thoughtful, his thumb casually rubbing the seam of her jeans. “My older brother, Sam, the one who got married yesterday, is five years older. I think I grew up faster because of that. I always wanted to do whatever Sam was doing.”
“Exactly.” Irene laughed. “Obviously, you couldn’t though. Five years apart is a lot. And your younger brothers?”
Alex shook his head. “I really am the middle child. Erik is adopted; and he’s six years younger than I am. Vince, while not adopted, is quasi-adopted. He followed Erik home in grade school and practically never left. His parents didn’t seem to mind having one less mouth to feed. And my youngest brother is twenty-one.”
“Wow …” Irene worked the math from the eldest to the youngest. �
�Seventeen years between your older brother and baby brother.”
“Yeah … And talk about growing up fast. Daire has lived up to his name in every way, shape, and form. Even his delivery was a death-defying feat. My mother had to go into Anchorage to have him. I was only twelve when he was born, but it seemed there was a lot of emotion surrounding his birth.” Alex tapped her knee. “Hey, we were talking about you … and your sister.”
Irene smiled. Her job was to get other people to talk. “Long story short, Kirsten apparently didn’t like any of the other boys, so she seduced mine.”
Alex whipped back his head as if she’d slapped him.
“Yeah … That’s what it felt like for me too, but it gets worse.”
Alex blew out a breath. “How can it get worse than that? I may be a dog, but I’d never go after one of my brother’s girlfriends.”
“She got pregnant.”
Alex nodded for her to continue.
“And then had an abortion.”
His mouth shaped into an O.
“Yeah … but no one knew it was her. One of the parishioners saw her on the mainland …” Irene took a large breath. “The woman told my father it was me.”
“Damn … Did she come clean?”
“No. I was leaving anyway. Heading off for college in San Fran in a few weeks, so she begged me not to tell them.” Irene shook her head. “But you know what bugs me the most?” Alex nodded for her to continue without interrupting. “My parents are supposed to be all about forgiveness, and they’ve never once asked for any explanation. If they preach forgiveness, then why wouldn’t they ever forgive me? For something I never even did! It got to the point that I didn’t want to tell them the truth.”
“And now you’re going home to tell them?”
Irene sighed again. “I don’t feel it’s my position to ask them to forgive me, especially since that would be lying. The only thing I know for sure is that I must forgive the actions of a sixteen-year-old girl. I’ve been mad that my parents never tried to forgive me, and yet, I never tried to forgive my sister.”
Alex's Atonement (Midnight Sons Book 2) Page 9
