by Aubree Lane
She was determined that Erika would not suffer from the actions of any selfish adult. If any one of the girls or Larry ended up getting hurt in the process, Eleanor knew she’d have to find a way to live with herself, but it was high time they all grew up and started acting like the mature responsible people they were alleged to be.
“No, David,” Eleanor said firmly. “We need to talk.”
Chapter 25
There was a soft knock on Terence’s office door, and Miss Murphy poked her head inside.
“Excuse me,” she said softly. “I don’t mean to interrupt, but Erika told me your engagement with Annie is off. I want to express my sympathies, and I wondered if you would like me to cook for you tonight. I know how it feels after a breakup. Food is the last thing on your mind.” She smiled and stepped further into the room. “Unless it’s double fudge chocolate ice cream, but that’s probably just for women. We can always throw something on the grill, or order in, if you prefer.”
Terence couldn’t stomach Miss Murphy’s behavior. No matter how innocent her offer might sound, he knew she was attempting to take advantage of the situation, but this time he was ready for her. Not wanting to tip his hand, he chose his words carefully. He saw no point in confronting the conniving little bitch about her whereabouts the day Erika overheard Annie’s phone conversation with Larry, or why she left Erika alone to fend for herself. Undoubtedly she would deny any fault or find some way to defend her actions. Whatever she had to say wasn’t going to change what was about to happen, so he didn’t feel the need to listen. Miss Murphy was history.
He walked over and opened the door wide. “Miss Murphy, I would like to thank you for everything you’ve done for Erika. You have been an incredible tutor, but your services are no longer required.”
The stunned young woman stood speechless and frozen in her tracks.
Terence used the moment to make certain he was understood. “Erika and I will never be dining with you. My daughter has misunderstood. Annie and I are still engaged.” A small lie, but one he could live with. They had flown in together late last night, and Annie was back permanently on the island. He was certain it was only a matter of time before Grandma Javier’s ring would be back on her finger. True, she was staying at Lena’s for the time being, but in time that would change as well.
Miss Murphy was still unable to form a response. Her jaw hung open and she still appeared to be stuck in that same spot.
Terence grabbed the little blonde by the elbow and escorted her out of his office. He rushed her through the living room and shoved her out the front door. “Goodbye, Miss Murphy. I wish you all the best.” With that, he slammed the door.
He turned and saw Erika sitting wide eyed on the couch. He instantly regretted being so forceful with Miss Murphy. Frightening his daughter was the last thing he wanted to do. He sighed and stepped closer to explain his harsh behavior.
Erika’s face broke into a gigantic smile and she flew off the couch and into his arms. “You’re still engaged!” she shrieked. “I heard you. You and Annie are still getting married.”
He spun her around and laughed. Erika hadn’t been frightened at all watching him toss her tutor out on her ear. He dodged that bullet. Seeing how happy she was, he didn’t have the heart to burst her bubble about him and Annie, so he decided to use a tactic he’d learned from his former and future fiancée, evade and distract.
First evade. “I hope so, but we still have a few problems to work out. Unfortunately, most of those won’t be solved until we go back and see the judge in June. We will do our best, though. I promise.”
Erika was still smiling and accepted his explanation without question.
He glanced at all her unfinished schoolwork scattered across the coffee table and at the happy smile on her cute little face. He knew that the distract part was going to be a piece of cake. “What do you say we forget about school for the rest of the day and go see what’s happening at Lena’s?”
Erika wiggled excitedly out of his arms, and dragged him towards the door. “Hurry up,” she complained when he paused to grab his car keys off the counter.
He jingled the keys in the air. “We aren’t going to get very far without these.”
“Let’s take the boat!” his daughter called out.
He reached back and grabbed a different set. “Great idea.”
The vessel had resided at the Waianae Small Boat Harbor for the past several weeks. The damage she suffered by being bashed into Lena’s dock had been repaired. The Erika Rose was back in the water, ready and waiting for her maiden voyage.
It had driven Erika crazy being without her namesake. Terence hadn’t cared for it either, but he had other matters to deal with, like saving his relationship with Annie, but now that the eye of that storm had passed, he was just as anxious as Erika to get out on the water again.
The ride and fresh air would give him a chance to plan out his next move. There was one more problem that needed to be resolved today, and he wanted to do it exactly right.
• • •
Larry rested under an umbrella on Lena’s little beach. He lounged in a low sand chair and dug his toes into the sand. A paperback, opened to page fifty-four, was splayed out between his hands, but he had not read a single word. Taking it slow was not part of his repertoire. The pale skin of his aging legs looked ridiculous in the baggy cargo shorts, which Marissa insisted he not only purchase but actually wear.
In an attempt to draw attention away from his physical shortcomings, he wore a bright blue camp shirt decorated with palm trees and coconuts. To the casual observer he was nothing more than a tourist on vacation. Larry was blending in and trying to relax, as per his daughter’s instructions. He was failing miserably.
He heard the rumblings of a boat pulling into the cove and lifted his sunglasses to get a better look. Larry wondered what other kind of disruption would be added to the already chaotic construction zone. Since Marissa and her family’s departure, the noise at Lena’s had increased exponentially. Members of Lena’s family, alongside a bushel of friends, had descended upon the place, ripping out walls, updating facilities, remodeling the kitchen, and painting. Between the banging of hammers and the noxious smell, Larry had been tempted to procure different accommodations.
Despite the inconveniences placed before him, Larry put off finding other lodgings. His leaving would only benefit the Javier camp and he didn’t want Terence getting too comfortable.
He was pleased with how his relationship with Erika was progressing, but in Erika’s eyes, Terence was her father, and Larry knew he was a long way from being anything other than a charming old man who occasionally read to her. It was a start, an excruciatingly slow start, but one that both he and Erika were comfortable with. He forgot how different it was being a father, opposed to being a grandfather. Taking his relationship with Erika at a snail’s pace was turning out to be just fine with him.
He missed Eleanor and wished she were here. It wasn’t until recently that he realized how much she contributed to the care and rearing of his family. Eleanor had an easy way with people of all ages, and he longed to see her and Erika interacting in the kitchen, baking cookies or muffins, and chatting endlessly about nothing in particular.
Larry watched Terence skillfully maneuver the Erika Rose alongside the dock. Erika jumped out and secured the vessel. With her job completed, she skipped down the dock towards Larry. She saw him under the umbrella, gave him a quick little one finger wave, and headed off towards her favorite tide pools.
Terence inspected Erika’s knot. Satisfied she had done a proper job, he also headed down the dock in Larry’s direction.
“I hear you and Annie are working things out,” Larry called out with a knowing grin.
• • •
Terence dropped down on the sand beside the older man. He sent Erika away in order to accomplish two things, keep her out of his sister’s disaster area, and well away from the conversation he was about to have with her biolo
gical father.
He glanced at the shoreline where Erika played. The tide was coming in and she was a little closer than he would have liked, but with the low roar of the waves breaking over the rocks, he was comfortable with the distance.
“Annie and I are better, but our engagement is still officially off.” He directed an accusing glare at Larry. “Thanks to you.”
Larry looked genuinely surprised. “What did I do?”
“Don’t play innocent with me,” Terence sneered. “You told Annie we were going too fast and that our engagement was a mistake.”
“I was trying to help. I never meant―”
Terence cut him off. “Just like you never meant to manipulate any of us. Look, Annie loves you, and Erika probably will, too. I respect that, but that is as far as it goes.” He stuck his finger in the sand and drew a line between them. “Don’t cross it.” Terence didn’t want to hear Larry argue or defend himself any more than he wanted to hear it from Miss Murphy, so he got up and joined Erika in the tide pools. Leaving Larry dumbfounded under his umbrella.
• • •
A door slammed behind him. Larry looked over his shoulder. Annie steered well clear of his position, and avoided any possible interaction by racing down the backside of Lena’s property, and climbing down a rocky cliff towards Terence and Erika.
Larry watched the threesome in silence. They were the quintessential family unit, laughing and playing with an assortment of sea creatures. His lips curled into a slow, ominous smile, and he turned to page fifty-five in his paperback.
• • •
Frank sat in his therapist’s chair and wondered how long he should let Terence and Larry yell at each other before he intervened. Combining their sessions had not turned out to be an effective strategy.
Frank had been prepared for some animosity. Both men had an immense amount of anger they needed to vent before they would be able to discuss an amicable solution to their problems. Although neither man had resorted to violence, their words were becoming increasingly loud and antagonistic towards the other.
Frank’s head pounded and for his sake, as well as theirs, he decided it was time to step in. He placed himself between the quarreling men. Without a word, he broke them apart and sent them to their perspective corners.
When the room fell quiet, Frank began to speak. “This is a difficult situation for both of you. Terence, you are dealing with having your child being taken away, and Larry is trying to cope with the knowledge that his daughter was purposely kept from him, and he understandably wants to make up for lost time. None of this was either of your doing. You were both deceived. Your lives have been turned upside down, but it’s time to start putting the pieces back together. It’s the reason you’re here, isn’t it?” He waited for both men to acknowledge that fact before he continued. “From here on out, there is one rule I must insist on. No more yelling.” He rubbed his temples for effect. “Please, no more yelling.”
Terence snorted.
He expected that. Frank and Terence had been friends for many years, and he knew exactly where all of Terence’s buttons were located. The only reason he agreed to take Terence on as a patient was because he was the only therapist within sixty miles and because Terence flat out refused to see anyone else.
Larry was another story. Frank had only been seeing him for a short time, and he felt his assessment of the man may have been clouded by what Terence told him. Watching how the two men interacted, Frank believed his first impressions had been spot on.
A minute later under Frank’s expectant scrutiny, Larry nodded his agreement.
Relieved that hurdle had been crossed, Frank guided the session in its proper direction. “Let’s figure out where we go from here. We all agree that you both have a right to be angry, but that doesn’t mean you have to be angry at each other.” He looked at Terence. “Can you tell us what’s bothering you in a clear and concise manner?”
Terence glowered at him, and Frank stifled a laugh. He successfully pushed another one of Terence’s button. For a moment, it looked as if Terence was going to complain about going first, then a flicker of understanding flashed in his eyes, and Frank knew his friend was onto him.
“You’re right,” Terence began, addressing Frank. “I’m angry, but not for the reasons you mentioned. Larry didn’t have any control over what Hannah did. I’m angry because he has repeatedly manipulated us in order to get his way. First, he sends Marissa and David to spy on us. Now, he’s meddling with my relationship with Annie. She might not be able to see his real motives, but I do. If we break up, he thinks he’ll be able to cut me out of Erika’s life.”
Larry burst in. “Are you sure you’re not using Annie just to guarantee yourself a place in our family and in Erika’s life? Maybe I’m the one who should be concerned about you and your motives.”
Another shouting match was about to erupt, but Frank read the signs and settled them back down. “Let’s not get sidetracked,” he said firmly. “You both have legitimate concerns.” He turned his attention to Larry. “I’m sure once Terence understands why you acted as you did, he’ll feel much better. Would you care to explain yourself?”
Larry shifted uncomfortably in his chair. “I could, but I don’t think it will make him feel any better. I don’t like what I did. I was put in a position where no matter what action I took someone was going to get hurt. I admit that I manipulated my own daughter, but I never expected Annie to get involved.”
To Frank’s surprise, Larry turned and faced Terence directly.
“I was wrong then, and I was wrong when I gave Annie my unsolicited advice.” He reached out and squeezed Terence’s arm. “Sometimes it’s better just to let someone cry on your shoulder and keep your opinions to yourself. She’s not a child any longer, and she doesn’t need me to solve her problems. I’ve done you an injustice, and I’m sorry.” Larry paused and scratched his chin thoughtfully. “And I don’t believe you have any ulterior motives. I said that out of anger. I know you and Annie love each other and if it counts for anything, you have my blessing.”
Frank smiled. The fuel that had fed Terence’s anger had just dried up, and he was going to have to have an actual conversation with the older gentleman. He gave Terence a few minutes to let Larry’s words sink in then prodded him to speak. “Is there anything you’d like to say to Larry?” he asked in a tone that he hoped would encourage Terence to meet Larry halfway.
When Terence spoke, his voice was filled with suspicion. “I don’t trust you.”
Larry laughed. “Would it help if I paid for your wedding when the two of you decide the time is right?” he offered generously.
Terence was wary, but he reached out and shook Larry’s hand. “I guess I don’t have much of a choice. I want Erika to be happy, so we have to get along.” Then he turned to Frank. “Are we done here?”
Frank nodded and Terence left the room.
When Larry stepped towards the door, Frank stopped him. “You’re good. Terence didn’t have a chance. You are a master.”
Larry cocked his head. “Is that how you see it?”
Frank nodded.
“Then you’re good too,” Lawrence Wright complimented him.
“Terence is part of my family. We protect each other,” Frank warned.
With a sympathetic nod of his head, Larry said, “Well then, you have a dilemma, but it’s not of any consequence to me because I am also your patient.”
“And I’m bound not to disclose any of your confidences,” Frank nodded knowingly. “And that’s why you sought out my services. You underestimate Terence and his love for Erika. Alexander Turner thought he could get rid of him, but it never happened. I suggest you learn from his mistakes and make Terence a part of your family, like you initially promised. It will save you both a lot of aggravation and it would make Erika extremely happy.”
“That would be terrific except for one thing,” Larry explained to Frank, “I never learned how to share or play well with others.�
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Chapter 26
Annie looked out of her bedroom window from Lena’s soon to be Bed and Breakfast, and smiled happily. Terence was down on the dock, along with his burly friend, Mike. Since Annie’s return, Terence’s friends had not been around much, cautiously waiting to see if she was going to stick around this time, but Mike had been the exception. His warm, friendly ways, had paved the way for Annie’s reentry into the folds of Terence’s inner circle, and bit by bit she successfully won a tentative amount of acceptance.
With the help of Daniel, the beer guarding, guitar strumming engineer she met last summer at the fish fry, Terence and an architect-in-law had addressed every problem the dock possessed and had come to the conclusion that there wasn’t any hope for it. If Terence wanted to run a business out of the B&B, the dock had to be replaced.
Terence held the plans he had so painstakingly designed open for his newly hired contractor. Looking exceptionally serious, he pointed here and there, outlining different aspects of the job he wanted done, but the big man was not in the mood to be serious. Mike grabbed the plans out of Terence’s hands, rolled them up, and boinked Terence on the head. Terence leaped onto Mike’s back and struggled to retrieve them, but Mike easily held them out of his reach. Then he playfully bucked Terence off his back and into the ocean.
Annie laughed out loud. She grabbed a towel and headed down to see her old friend. Relatively speaking, Mike was a new friend, but it felt as if she’d known him forever.
“Annie! E komo mai!” Mike called out happily when he saw her.
Annie didn’t ask for a translation. She just sank into his massive bulk and wrapped her arms as far around him as they would go.
“Don’t suffocate her,” Terence chortled as he shook the excess water out of his hair. “I just got her back. I don’t want to lose her again.” He grabbed the towel Annie held out to him and rubbed his head.
