The Sisterhood Promise

by Susan Hatler

  “Yes, you can.” I held Janine’s arms gently, and looked straight into her eyes. My mind swirled with thoughts of Brody and why he’d left, but I paused, focusing on my friend. “You’re a strong, independent woman. You will not fall apart,” I said firmly. “You’re going to run this retreat while I step out for awhile. Offer everyone snacks and drinks up at the house, and if anyone’s feeling upset, encourage them to talk with each other about how they feel. Group bonding, then journaling time. Got it?”

  Janine’s face crumpled. “I really don’t think I can. I mean, if Greta isn’t really an independent woman, how can I be?”

  A ripple rolled through me, making everything suddenly clear.

  “Greta is just a woman, like you or me.” I gave her a warm smile, then reached for her hand. “She wrote an amazing book, and made a name for herself as a self-help author. She commanded respect, and her confidence made others believe in her message.” I squeezed her hand. “You have that same confidence inside you. I know you can handle this, because I believe in you. You just need to believe in yourself, too.”

  She shook her head slowly, but her expresssion was calmer. Meanwhile, the farther the distance grew between me and Brody, my body zinged with the urge to spring after him. But I was a leader. Leaders had to lead.

  “Think about all the things you’ve learned since we arrived. Like how you changed a tire and ‘brought forth fire,’” I said, imitating Greta’s commanding voice, then smiling. “You’re an independent woman, Janine. You can do anything you set your mind to do. I promise. You’ve got this.”

  “But this retreat meant more to me than just a job. At first it was just for the work, but I broke things off with my boyfriend before I moved here and this retreat has been really healing for me. But now Greta . . .”

  The tremor in her voice made me pause for just a second. “You work hard under pressure,” I said, reminding her. “You’ve proven that over and over. I couldn’t have done any of this without you. I’ll be back as soon as I can. Okay?”

  She smiled, nodding her agreement, before I set off running.

  I’d never been overly athletic, but I was pleased by the force with which my desperation propelled me forward. Sprinting across the sand felt like an eternity, and by the time I got to the stairs, there was no sign of Brody. I groaned inwardly, but I wouldn’t let his head start stop me.

  As I clattered up the rough wooden steps, I realized one of the things I’d learned on this retreat was when mistakes were made, they could still be fixed. Wasn’t that what Greta and Scotty had just shown all of us?

  “Olivia! Hey, wait up.”

  Through my hazy thoughts, I heard someone call my name, so I slowed and stopped on the stairs. Turning, I was shocked to see Taylor running up to me. She reached me in record time, barely breathing hard at all. I, on the other hand, was huffing.

  “Are you going after Brody, too?” I asked, staring her in the eye.

  Taylor held up her hands in a gesture of surrender. “I probably deserve that greeting,” she said, the corners of her mouth turning downward. The way she was looking at me made my head spin with confusion. She jogged up a few more stairs so she stood directly in front of me, blocking my way. If she was going after Brody, how should I respond to that?

  “Look,” Taylor said. “I know what you must think of me. But I’d never go after a guy if I knew he was taken. I’m here to apologize.”

  “Apologize?” I repeated. The word had a funny taste in my mouth. My mind immediately flashed to when she’d kissed him, and my stomach curled.

  She took a deep breath. “I’m sorry for making a play for Brody. I saw him getting interested in you, and I . . . got jealous. Brody’s such a good guy, and he’d never looked at me the way he looked at you. I wanted him back, but I never meant to hurt your feelings.” She gave me a pained look. “I had no idea Brody was in love with you until he told me.”

  Her words jolted me, making me wonder if there was hope for us. “He said that to you?” I asked, then remembered he’d walked off without me. Not a sign of someone still interested.

  She nodded, giving me a tentative smile. “Please accept my apology.”

  “Done,” I said. “I understand where you were coming from and appreciate your honesty. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go.”

  As I turned to run up the rest of the stairs, she shouted, “Good luck!”

  I turned and flashed her a brief smile. All I could do was hope Brody was still here, and that I hadn’t lost him for good.

  Chapter Twenty-five

  When I arrived in front of our mansion, I rushed across the lawn to the neighboring mansion, with my lungs burning, and a debilitating cramp in my side. Suddenly, I lost my footing and fell face-first into the grass. Ouch. Sprawled on the lawn in a very unflattering way, I groaned as a burning sensation rushed across my cheek. I pushed the pain aside. I was on a mission.

  I popped to my feet, hurried to the Mitchell mansion’s front door, and pressed the doorbell repeatedly. Nobody answered. My brows drew together in confusion. I assumed Greta and Scotty were home, but maybe they were . . . um, busy. I glanced around frantically, just in time to see Brody driving away in his truck. Where was he going?

  For a moment, my heart sank. No, I wouldn’t let his hasty departure stop me from talking to him. I was an independent woman, who could handle anything life threw at me. I dashed back to our mansion, practically flying through the front door. I grabbed my car keys and purse off the entryway table, and then rushed to Wendy’s Mercedes SUV, which was parked out front. I started the car, slammed my foot on the pedal, and sped off after Brody.

  As I drove along the twisting road beside the bluffs, I wracked my brain for places he could be going. His buddies were back at the beach, so wherever he was going had to be somewhere he could be alone. Except that my mission was to make sure he wasn’t alone. He would be with me.

  I pulled out my phone, scrolled to his name, and tapped on his number. My heart rate thrummed while the phone rang. I heard a click, then Brody’s voice, “You’ve reached my phone, not me . . .”

  Frustrated I hung up, and tossed the phone onto the passenger seat beside me. So he wasn’t going to answer my calls. Whatever. I was determined to find him. I’d apologize for all of the lame actions caused by my insecurities, admit my feelings for him—gulp!—and whatever happened wouldn’t be because I’d been too scared to open up.

  As I swung the car toward downtown, I pulled into the parking lot at Scotty’s Seafood Restaurant, thinking of the first time Brody and I met. I hadn’t known anything about him, except that he was insanely hot. We’d grown so much since then, and I had to hope he’d give me another chance. Since his car wasn’t at Scotty’s, I kept driving.

  I headed in the opposite direction, deciding to check for his car at the Inn at Blue Moon Bay. Our first official date there had been amazing, right down to the walk on the beach, and when he read aloud the legend of Blue Moon Bay. Just thinking about his lips pressing against mine sent shockwaves through my belly.

  When I heard the loud thump, the car started to bump violently, and I suspected I’d blown a tire. Easing the car to the side of the road, I put on my hazard lights, checked for oncoming traffic in my rearview mirror, and then climbed out to assess the damage. Sure enough, the rubber of the tire sagged sadly around the hubcap. I wondered what I’d run over.

  “Great, just what I need,” I muttered as I popped the trunk to pull out my spare tire, lug wrench, and jack. I gathered rocks, placed them against the front and rear tires to secure the vehicle. As I removed the hubcap, my cell phone rang, and my heart leapt for joy.

  When I checked the display screen, my dad’s name appeared across the screen, and my heart sank. I pressed the ANSWER button. “Hi, Dad,” I said then started loosening the lug nuts.

  “Hi, Pumpkin,” he said, in a cheerful voice. “How are you?”

  Heartbroken. Scared. Hopeful. . . “Fine,” I replied, figuring my dad had
enough problems in his own relationship to bother worrying about my love life. With the lug nuts loosened, I clenched my phone between my cheek and shoulder, set the jack in the appropriate spot under the car, and started pumping the handle. “What’s up, Dad? I’m kind of in the middle of something here.”

  He cleared his throat. “Well, you’ll be happy to know I’m calling with great news this time.”

  “Oh?” My heart raced. I wondered if my mom had talked to him about her divorce decision, and why he’d consider that good news. I grunted as each pump lifted the car further off the ground.

  “Your mom came home,” he said, relief and joy in his voice.

  “She what?” I couldn’t keep the surprise out of my tone. I didn’t mean to be rude, but after everything she’d said to me about him ignoring her and problems with sex? Ew!

  “Yes,” he confirmed. “She apologized for spending so much time with Junior,” he said, his tone indicating that “Junior” was not even a tiny threat. “Nothing untoward happened between them. She wanted attention, flowers, romance. All the things I wasn’t giving her. She wanted them from me, but didn’t know how to ask.” He paused. “She said she missed my enchiladas. I’m making them for her tonight,” he said, his voice practically giddy.

  “Argh!” I grunted, as I yanked the tire off. The phone clattered to the pavement. I set the flat tire in the trunk, then scooped my phone up and checked to see if it was still functioning. Huh. Nothing but a little gravel dust.

  “Olivia? Are you there?”

  “Yep, I’m here.” Wiping the sweat off my forehead, I pinned the phone between my shoulder and ear again as I lifted the spare tire into place. “I think it’s great you’re so forgiving, Dad.” I paused, a question circling my mind. “But how can you trust what she’s telling you?” I asked, wondering about my own situation with Brody.

  He let out a sigh. “I know you might not understand what your mom and I just went through, but problems are rarely one person’s fault. She knows she should’ve talked to me instead of jumping ship. We certainly have a lot to work through. But I believe in her character.” He sounded so sincere I felt a surge of admiration for him. “If we don’t forgive each other and move forward, we might miss the best part.”

  My eyes watered and I smiled through the tears. “I’m really happy you guys are staying together, and working on your marriage. I love you both so much.”

  “We love you, too,” he said, as I tightened the last nut, then used the jack to lower the vehicle back down. “Oh, one more thing,” he said. “I’m taking next week off work, so your mom and I can take a cruise. Apparently, she’s always wanted to go on one.”

  “Have fun and tell Mom hi for me,” I said, then ended the call. Tears had suddenly backed up in my throat, forming a tight ball. My parents had finally gotten their act together. Now it was time for Brody and me to do the same.

  I set the jack and the lug wrench in the trunk, moved the rocks away from the tires, and climbed behind the wheel. As I started the car, I realized with a jolt that I hadn’t needed a car service or anyone else for help with the flat tire. I’d taken care of the problem all by myself. A feeling of pride swelled up within me.

  I was an independent woman, which had been the point of the retreat. Now, I had the confidence to go after what, or who I wanted: the man of my dreams. And I was going to go after him with everything I had in me.

  Chapter Twenty-six

  I drove through the open gates and down the cobblestone driveway, approaching the grand circular entrance of the Inn at Blue Moon Bay. I pulled into a parking space beside a Rolls-Royce, and got out of the car. Suddenly, I realized I shouldn’t have borrowed Wendy’s luxury vehicle to try to impress Greta. My skills as an event planner were top notch. From now on, I’d drive Chutney with pride and not worry about what others might think of my car.

  Instead of going through the lobby, I hurried around the side of the building, and then strode across the manicured green lawn. As I flew down the steps toward the beach, my stomach clenched. I wondered if I was being ridiculously romantic thinking Brody would come to the location of our first kiss. It was quite possible he’d had enough of my insecurities and was moving on.

  Dark clouds gathered above, matching my mood as I jumped off the last step and my feet hit the sand. Without a pause, I rushed toward the monument, and my breath caught in my throat. Brody stood facing the plaque. At first, I thought the handsome man might be part of my wishful imagination, but then his fingers traced the words on the plaque, and I knew he was really here.

  Angry water crashed against the shore with a loud rumble, so I doubted he could hear me coming up behind him. His golden hair was tousled by the wind, his strong jaw set, and his shoulders hunched. If I was the cause of his sadness, maybe I could be the one to wipe his sorrow away. I moved toward him on noodle-legs, my knees shaking as I walked.

  He glanced up suddenly, and the shocked look on his face made me stop. I stood perfectly still, my heart racing, and I worried he’d turn me away.

  “Olivia . . .” He blinked several times, staying rooted where he stood. He seemed genuinely surprised to see me, which gave me the horrible feeling he would’ve preferred seeing someone else. Gulp. “Wh—what are you doing here?” he asked, his forehead wrinkling. “What’s on your face?”

  I put a hand to my cheek, feeling a bumpy rash. “Oh . . . I, uh, face-planted into your lawn. Not something I recommend trying. Doesn’t feel good,” I joked, wanting to kick myself for sounding so lame.

  The corners of his mouth turned downward as he walked over, touched my forehead, then held his fingers in front of me. “This looks like grease.”

  “Huh.” I stared at his hand, unable to imagine how crazy I must look right now. “I got a flat tire on my way here, so I had to pull over and put on my spare. I must’ve rubbed my forehead at some point. No biggie.” I shrugged, feeling more concerned over obviously needing a shower. I sucked in a breath. “I need to talk to you.” I lifted my chin. “I, um, spoke with Taylor.”

  His face contorted. “I don’t know what she said, but—”

  “No, wait.” I held my palms up, just as a huge wave crashed to the shore. “I’m here to say I totally get what you said when we came here on our date. You know, about the legend being tragic. Even though the girl in the story promised to love the guy forever, she didn’t believe in their love enough to make their relationship work.” I moved closer to the monument, touching the bronzed words. “Just like I didn’t stick around to make things work with you after I saw you kissing Taylor.”

  “Wait a second. I did not kiss her, and I had no idea she still had feelings for me.” His jaw pulsed as he leaned over and pressed his hand against the monument. If one of us moved an inch, our fingers would be touching. I so wanted to do that, but I waited for him to go on. “She took me by surprise when she kissed me, but I pulled away immediately. I set her straight where she and I stood, and how I felt about you. I guess you didn’t stick around to see that part.”

  “No, I didn’t,” I said, feeling ashamed of my insecurities. “But, I mean, Taylor’s flawless. She looks like she stepped out of a shampoo ad, even after she’s gone for a jog. My hair always looks like a frizzy mess.” I gazed up at the darkened sky, wondering if that was a hint of light I saw spearing through the clouds. “Plus, she’s a firefighter. A freaking hero. And I work in the seafood department at The Market. I just got promoted there, by the way.”

  The corners of his mouth twitched. “Is that so?”

  “Seafood department head. Doesn’t that have a nice ring to it?” My joke felt flat, but I didn’t even care. Adrenaline pumped through my veins as I gathered the guts to say what I came here to tell him. “My insecurities have been my Achilles Heel,” I said, my eyes burning. “That’s why I never finished college, still work at the same job I find so boring, and why I didn’t show up for you that night . . .”

  His eyes remained focused on me, but the vein on his temple throb
bed.

  “If I could go back in time, I would. I’d push past my fears, and be there for you—just like you deserve.” I gazed up into his blue eyes, which were stormy with emotion. “But I can’t. All I can do is move forward and say how sorry I am.” My throat tightened. “I’m so sorry.”

  “I’m sorry, too.” He blew out a breath and pushed a hand through his hair. Little pieces stood straight up, making him look so unbelievably adorable.

  I was having a hard time following his logic, though. “Why should you apologize?”

  “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.” He lifted my hand and held it between his. “I should’ve made that clear. No woman, Taylor or otherwise, holds a candle to you.” His voice vibrated through me, sending a flurry of butterflies to my belly. “I promised we’d make our own legend . . .” He lifted my chin. “When you didn’t show up, I thought you’d bailed just like my mom.”

  “I’m sorry.” I shook my head. “I wish I could take that back, but I’d never bail on you again. I hope you know that deep down,” I said, firmly. “What did you have planned for us that night? What was so important?”

  “Remember I told you that Heather, my captain’s widow, had left me a voicemail? Well, I called her back. After talking to you, opening up with you, I finally felt ready to let go and do what she wanted.” He paused, giving me a somber look. “I arranged for a boat, so we could take his ashes out to sea.”

  Nausea hit me hard. “Oh, Brody. I’m so sorry I missed being there for you. I should’ve held your hand, supported you—”

  “I didn’t spread his ashes.” He gave me a bashful look. “Spreading his ashes and letting him go . . . is going to be very hard for me. As hurt as I was that you blew me off, I didn’t want to spread his ashes without you.” His eyes seemed to water a moment. “So, you’ll go with me?”