by Jean Oram
She turned to Evander. “Did you plan this?”
“The kid did.” He tipped his head toward Tigger, who was licking the icing off a bag of chips that had been in with the cake.
“Oh, boy. When the sugar hits—look out.”
“Don’t worry about Tigger. I’ll take care of her. You enjoy your party.”
Daphne watched Evander for a moment, surprised at the affection in his body language. Had it always been there? Had she just been so determined to make him into her enemy that she hadn’t noticed this sweet man inside the warrior? Or was it something new?
“Thank you, Evander.”
He gave a small shrug as if to say it was nothing.
“For everything.” She held his gaze for a long moment, to ensure he knew she meant more than just the party. More than just the offer to take care of a sugar-buzzed child.
He gave a bashful half smile before turning away.
Her love was changing the man. Or maybe he was changing her.
“Happy birthday, Daphne,” said someone to her left.
“Mrs. Star!” Daphne gave the woman a cheek kiss and a hug. She hadn’t seen her mother’s old friend in ages. “How have you been?”
“Like a snowflake in a sudden storm. Great!” She leaned closer to confide, “I’ve been winning several bets against my sister Elsie in Blueberry Springs lately. She owes me twenty bucks now. Although I may have to go to that little mountain town and collect it from her. You know how she is.”
“I heard about your bet over Hailey and Finian.”
Agnes Kowski, another friend of her mother’s, joined them, pushing her walker up close to Daphne’s toes. “I can’t believe you ruined the cake.”
While her mother never complained about the food at the nursing home, Mrs. Kowski, her neighbor, certainly made up for it by complaining double.
“Now, now,” Catherine said, from her position in a nearby wicker chair. “At least it isn’t red icing, and the girls managed to save most of it. I’ll make sure you get a slice.”
“The cake they serve at the home is a disgrace,” declared Agnes.
Daphne took a seat beside her mother as Hailey handed her a piece of smashed cake, ensuring that Mrs. Kowski got a slice, as well.
“We opted not to sing Happy Birthday. Is that okay?” Hailey asked Daphne.
“I tried to convince her you wouldn’t mind blowing out candles on a broken cake,” Finian said.
Daphne assured them it was fine. Having a room full of people she loved meant so much more than a perfect cake.
“I told you so,” Hailey said to her boyfriend as they went to serve more cake.
Shawn McNeil, an environmentalist friend, handed Daphne a small wrapped gift.
“Oh, Shawn. You didn’t have to get me anything.”
He looked bashful. “I’ve had it for a while. I heard your birthday was coming.”
Evander stood off to the side, watching, not eating.
“Do you want cake?” Daphne offered her piece to him, but he shook his head and smiled, his eyes doing their typical flick around the area for potential dangers. The veranda’s perimeter was dotted with men she figured were the security agents the boyfriends had shadowing her sisters.
What a complete mess she’d made of things. Hopefully, next year would be better. Hopefully, she’d grow up with her new job and quit messing things up for others.
Daphne set the cake down and carefully unwrapped the gift. She held up three six-inch-wide slabs of wood, slices from a tree showing the growth rings. She glanced up at Shawn. “These are wonderful, thank you.”
The man ran a hand through his longish hair. “They’re heat pads. Like big coasters.” He took them from her grasp and laid them out on the coffee table in front of her. With gangly, awkward moves he snatched plates of cake from bystanders, setting them on top of the short stumps. He stood back. “See? But you put hot stuff on them.”
Daphne smiled. The gifts were so Shawn, who was training as an arborist. “They’re wonderful, thank you.”
He gave a smile and his body relaxed. “Yeah? You like them?”
She nodded.
Connor, who had been standing nearby, eating cake, said to Shawn, “Knock any trees down lately?” His voice with was without humor, and Daphne could tell that he still wasn’t over last month’s incident that had endangered Tigger. Shawn had been taking down some trees, as well as testing some of the bigger ones for rot, and despite his precautions, one of them had fallen too close to Tigger. If it hadn’t been for Connor, there would have been a funeral. Daphne’s gut clenched at the thought of what could have happened, and her fingers gripped her plate. Forcing herself to relax, she looked up to see Evander watching her.
“What happened?” he asked, coming to her side.
“No, nothing.”
“What did he do?” Evander’s neck was strung tight, veins popping as he fought for control. Fists bunched, he whirled to face Shawn. “What did you do?”
Shawn backed up so quickly he tripped over the coffee table and went sprawling, sending cake and tea crashing to the floor.
“Oh, dear,” Florence said, surveying the mess. “Evander, honey, please go get a dustpan.”
Daphne jumped up, not liking the way he was pulling Shawn to his feet. “What did you do to Daphne and Tigger?” Evander demanded.
Connor stepped in. “No harm, no foul. Tigger interfered with some safeties.”
“Connor saved her from a falling tree,” Maya said, giving her fiancé’s arm a squeeze, her engagement ring sparkling in the late afternoon sun streaming through the rain clouds.
“Mom! A rainbow!” Tigger came bouncing over, her eyes lit up, pink icing smeared around her mouth like clown makeup. “Come see! Come see! Come see!” She hauled on Daphne’s hand until she had no choice but to follow.
She glanced over her shoulder to where Evander was still burning holes into Shawn with his eyes. Then, with a short nod, Evander glanced around the gathered group to ensure all was okay, before heading to the kitchen.
Dutifully, Daphne admired the rainbow until Tigger was satisfied. As she chatted with friends, she watched Evander host. He ensured his mother had all she needed, while he moved in and out of the kitchen with fresh pots of tea, juice boxes, and dirty dishes. All he needed was a frilly apron. Daphne smiled, loving to see the domestic side of the big burly man. He was constantly surprising her in ways that made her smile.
“Someone has a crush,” Simone said, sidling up beside Daphne as the group drifted away to talk to Melanie.
“On who?” Daphne asked her old friend.
“Your bodyguard. It’s very Whitney Houston of you.”
Daphne let out a bark of laughter, and Evander glanced her way, his shoulders loosening when he realized all was okay.
“You’re blushing,” Simone teased. “Please tell me you’ve brought that hunk of man to the island several times in the past week and a half.”
“Not on your life. I am not letting destiny get her hands on that one.”
“Why not?”
“Because we’re total opposites.” Liar. At first, she’d believed it, but the more she got to know him, the more she discovered that they were more alike than different.
Simone gave her a smile that suggested she didn’t believe her for one second. “I’m going to go find me a hunk and get you to bring us here to see if the island’s magic works on honorary Summer sisters.”
Daphne laughed.
“There’s nothing to lose. Oh, speaking of nothing to lose, when did you want to have a show of your paintings in my boutique?” She rubbed her hands eagerly. “I can’t wait to premiere Daphne Summer.”
“Can you hold a show tomorrow so I can make a few grand by Friday?”
“Tax deadline?”
“Yeah.”
“Unfortunately I’m just finishing up a show, but in September I could.”
Daphne sighed. Once she started her new job she probably wouldn’t have time
for painting. Not while balancing being a mother, too.
Why did it seem as though any time one good thing came into her life, she had to let go of something else?
Tigger bounded over, trailing a string of balloons, and dropped to the floor, grabbing Simone tight around the ankles before shoving her shoulder behind the woman’s knees, toppling her.
Daphne reached out for Simone, who caught herself against the veranda railing.
“Tigger! What on earth was that?” Daphne scolded. “Enough sweets. You know what sugar does to you.”
“Evander taught me that!” Tigger chirped loudly.
A few feet away, Evander smiled with pride.
“What’s he going to do next? Teach you how to fire a gun?” Daphne muttered.
“He says I’m too young and you have to say yes first. Can I? I’m not that small anymore. I get to go to kindergarten next month.”
Across the veranda, Evander bent over to allow Mrs. Kowski to whisper in his ear while she pointed at Tristen.
“No guns. Are you okay, Simone?” Daphne asked.
“Oh, yeah. Fine. Good one, kiddo.”
“Don’t do that again,” Daphne told her daughter.
“But now Rigby doesn’t pick on me at the babysitter’s anymore,” Tigger said, looking pleased with herself.
“I imagine if you used that move on him he found out pretty darn quick who he was dealing with,” Simone said. “But a nonviolent takedown? Love it. That’ll serve you well in life, little ninja.”
“Rigby didn’t even see it coming,” Tigger said, bouncing in place.
Evander was laughing with Mrs. Kowski now, and Daphne frowned. She didn’t realize the woman knew how to laugh. He was turning everything in Daphne’s life upside down, and right now, she wasn’t sure how that made her feel.
“You keep telling me to solve everything with love, light, and forgiveness,” Tigger said. “And sometimes understanding. But Evander taught me how to get even.” She smacked her small fist into her waiting palm and narrowed her eyes before cruising the room for more goodies.
Daphne shut her eyes, unsure whether to be mad at Evander or relieved that he’d helped her daughter in what had hopefully been a not-too-violent takedown. Drawing a deep breath, Daphne reeled herself in. It wasn’t as though he’d taught her how to give the boy a knock-out punch. It could have been worse, and if she was honest with herself, there’d been times where she’d lain awake at night, worried that her sweet daughter would be taken advantage of or forced to do something she didn’t want to. She didn’t believe in violence, but she did believe in self-defense.
Therefore, upside down was good. Evander was good.
“Tristen Bell,” Melanie said in a strong, loud voice.
The party grew quiet and Tristen, licking his lips uncertainly, pushed his way out of the cluster of people he was talking to, his teenaged daughter, Dot, looking concerned.
“Yes, Melanie?”
Melanie, eyes teary, dropped on one knee. Daphne’s heart constricted as the women around her let out happy sighs.
“Will you marry me, Tristen?”
The man was across the veranda in a heartbeat, pulling Daphne’s sister to her feet in order to kiss her thoroughly.
“That must be a yes,” Simone whispered to Daphne, smoothing her form-fitting dress. “I tell ya, you’ve got to get me in on this cottage action.”
Daphne snorted, feeling oddly alone despite the crowd gathered in her honor. Forcing a smile, she joined the cluster congratulating the couple.
With the hubbub still going on, she went to stand in a corner with a cup of tea from Evander, and watched Tigger’s antics. First her daughter hit up her grandmother for more sugar—but Catherine knew better. Then she moved on to her next mark, like a druggie in need of a fix. Daphne caught Evander eyeing the girl from the edge of the crowd. He had a slice of cake and was eating while he watched, not missing a thing. His wistful smile grew as Tigger worked the crowd, and Daphne found herself wondering what Evander was wishing for.
Then his back straightened and the window she’d been peeking through shuttered closed, blocking off the real man behind the bodyguard persona. His attention flickered over his checkpoints with practice precision and she wondered if he ever truly relaxed. If he’d ever marry. If he’d ever know love like her sisters Melanie and Maya did with their fiancés, and Hailey with her boyfriend.
It was sad to think that a man who had begun to mean so much to her couldn’t enjoy the small things most took for granted.
CHAPTER 15
Daphne, exhausted and happy, ushered guests into the rowboats Connor and Tristen were using to shuttle guests across the strait to the Fredericksons’ dock, where most of them had moored their boats to avoid ruining the surprise. The word was that Evander and Tigger had pulled together this surprise party with less than an hour’s notice.
When the majority of the partyers had been seen off, she went up to the cottage, where Evander was trying to get Tigger to eat a slice of cheese in hopes that it would absorb some of the sugar running like cocaine through her veins. He looked exhausted and Daphne couldn’t help but feel pleased that he was the one dealing with the sugar rush that he’d all but pooh-poohed the other day.
Out on the veranda, Maya prepped the lift to take Florence down to the dock where Kyle was already waiting for her, then it would take their mother.
“It was such a pleasure meeting you,” Florence said, taking Catherine’s hand in her own to give it a squeeze as they said goodbye. “Your daughter is such a fine artist. I hope she continues painting.”
“Thank you,” Catherine said.
Maya helped Florence into the lift, before heading down the path to help Kyle in case the lift’s old latching mechanism needed the special Summer touch—a tap with a hammer or large stone—in order to open.
“He sure is good with Tigger,” Catherine said to Daphne, as the little girl’s laughter rolled out of the kitchen.
Daphne tucked her sweater tighter around herself. “He is.”
“He’s become like a father figure for her. Will you stay in touch with him?”
“I hope so.” The truth was, with Evander around everything was easier in her life. She should be melting down, but instead she was growing and changing. And laughing.
“Are you still hoping Mistral will step up as a dad?” her mother asked.
At her ex’s name, a flash of anger rocketed through Daphne. Mistral wasn’t strong enough to be the father figure Tigger needed. He didn’t have the strength of morals or the ability to do what was right in the face of differing opinions. She’d kidded herself for years, but now with Evander in her life she could see just how wrong a fit Mistral was.
She’d expected too much from him and had thought his words would make up for his lack of action.
How was it that this broken billionaire in disguise, an ex-military bodyguard, could be the man that she wanted and needed?
Wanted and needed? Had she lost her mind? It was this island, wreaking havoc on her heart. She didn’t love Evander. She couldn’t.
She gave her head a shake and asked her mother, “How did you manage to raise all four of us after dad died?”
“Like you, I rolled with the punches, one day at a time.” Her mom gave her a secret smile. “And sometimes I secretly fantasized about the day when the house would be empty and nobody would have any pressing demands on me. But don’t tell your sisters. They wouldn’t understand.”
Daphne smiled. She’d had a few of those days herself. At the same time, she would pull those wishes back so fast. She didn’t want to wish away her days with her daughter, who was already growing so fast, but it was still hard. There was always more she could do to be a better mother, a better person. She could be a better cook. Keep a cleaner house. Be more focused and diligent at work. Listen more attentively when her daughter told her stories about her day. The list could go on and on.
Catherine rubbed Daphne’s arm. “You’re doing
a fine job.”
“Thanks.” The sound of Evander’s laughter boomed across the veranda and Daphne paused. Laughter. Evander. That may have been the first time she’d ever heard him laugh. A real, true laugh. And she’d missed it.
“He’s really good with her, isn’t he?” Catherine said, smiling.
“Surprisingly, yes.”
“Why surprising?”
“Because he carries a gun and he’s all…manly.”
Her mother laughed. “That is the most ridiculous reason I’ve ever heard for a man not being good with kids.”
“I know. He just surprises me, is all.”
“You know, you used to laugh all the time and today you were laughing more again. If living with this man helps you with that, go with it.”
The laughing had felt good. Really good. And she knew a big part of finding that joy again had to do with Evander.
“Are you suggesting I should shack up with him?” Daphne asked.
“It’s obvious the two of you care for each other.”
“As friends, Mom.”
She was turning into such a liar when it came to Evander. She cared for him as more than a friend, but that didn’t make it easier to accept or any less scary.
What if she got involved with him and he got hurt? What would that do to her? To Tigger?
“Make sure you take those blinders off before it’s too late.”
“I know, but it’s scary. It’s not just me in a relationship. Tigger is, too.”
Catherine laid a warm hand over hers. “I completely understand.”
“Did you ever date after Dad?” Daphne asked, not remembering her ever going out on dates as a widow.
“No. Sometimes the one you get on the first try is The One and nobody else can compare. But in your case, I think destiny brought you even better seconds, if you know what I mean.” Her mom gave her a wink as Maya came up the steps to help her into the lift.
“Your taxi awaits,” Maya said, bowing as she gestured to the now vacant device. “Good thing I didn’t let Connor talk me into letting him ride this thing during his stay last month or he’d have broken it and where would we be today?”
