“A very wise, uncle. I hadn’t thought of school. I don’t know if she could get accepted. She doesn’t have any performing experience or schooling.”
“True.”
“I think for now she needs to figure it all out. If she decides she wants to go to school later, we can figure it out.”
“She’s good, Dame.”
“She is. Did she tell you she’s also afraid of people saying ‘oh she’s related to the Tudor’s, so of course she gets all the breaks’?”
“Yeah, I told her I went through it, Mary did too.”
“Well, I think she needs to go slow, figure things out.”
“Figure what out?” Courtney asked as she jumped into the cockpit.
“Nosey thing, isn’t she? She doesn’t get that from me.”
“She gets it from her uncle Angus,” I replied.
“You two are so weird.”
“Back at ya,” Amadeus quipped. “Now, make sure Logan’s got that bowline, would you, Courtney?”
“What’s his problem? He’s a total klutz today.”
“Hormones,” Amadeus replied.
“TMI, Uncle A.”
“You asked.”
In a few minutes, we were away from the island and headed out into open water. Amadeus turned control over to Courtney while he showed me how I could use either the electric winches or make them manual. All depending on the weather, my mood, or whether not I was sailing alone.
Chapter Eight
Things were moving right along. Angus was waiting for a slip at the yacht club our father had belonged to. He’d joined and was waiting for the new docks to be finished. He jumped at the chance to buy Andiamo, telling me that he’d gotten overwhelmed looking. She was the perfect starter boat for him and his family.
In the meantime, I sailed her over to Amadeus’s place. Angus wanted Amadeus to go out with him a few times even though he’d taken several sailing and boating classes on his own. Amadeus was only too glad to help.
I’d begun preparing for my trip, piling things in a corner of the dining room. Departure was in two days. This evening Courtney, Britt, and I were having dinner. Spending the evening together. No boyfriends, no texting, no phones. The girls were great whenever I had to be out of town. Angus and his wife Ashley kept an eye on them, just in case. This would be a little different. I’d be out in the islands. Cell service wasn’t always good, so I mapped out an itinerary and printed it for everyone.
I had other reasons besides the trip for spending time with my girls. I wanted to see what they had planned for the upcoming school year. Both in college, going in different directions. Sometimes, I felt lost.
“Hey, Daddy,” I heard Britt yell from the front door as she closed it. “I got the crab.”
“Great. Where’s your sister?”
“She’s on her way. She stopped to get some sourdough and a salad.”
A pounding on the front door meant that Court was there, hands full. I walked past Brittney and opened it. Grabbing one of the sacks from her, I headed toward the dining room table.
Court and I spread everything out. Britt came in carrying salad bowls and forks. Finally, we sat down and began eating. I purposely waited until we were about halfway through before I revealed the real reason for our family time.
“I thought since we were together you girls could give me a rundown on your plans for the upcoming school year. Britt? You’re a senior this year. Anything special?”
“I get a choice. A bunch of boring academics or an internship as credit. I got an internship at Microsoft,” She proudly announced.
“That’s awesome, Britt. Do you know what department yet?”
“They had two open. I applied for marketing.”
“I’m proud of you. That’s a great company to get in with.”
“Yeah, and they have offices in the U.K.,” she added.
“Yes, they do.” I looked at my youngest. “Court? What have you got planned?”
“I applied to Julliard.”
The room suddenly got quiet.
“And?”
“I didn’t get accepted. Something about not having formal training.”
“I’m sorry. So, what’s your plan?”
“I’m not going to be stupid and quit college. I need to have a backup plan. Granny Grace put me in touch with a piano instructor here. Neither she nor Uncle Amadeus have the time to teach me theory and stuff. She said this lady is with the symphony and quite well-known. I’m supposed to play for her next week.”
“Then she’ll decide if she’ll take you on as a student?”
“Yep. Is it okay, Daddy? She’ll be kind of expensive.”
“Do it. Don’t worry about the money. Neither of you. Just follow your dreams. Let Dad take care of the rest.”
“Thanks, Daddy,” Court replied. “You’re the best.”
“Yeah, thanks. We’re not the easiest brats, but we do love you and are grateful for everything you do for us.”
“What about you? When do you leave?”
“I’m leaving Monday. My plan is to go out for two weeks. After that, I’ll play it by ear, and the weather.”
“Are you seeing anyone yet?” Britt asked, slyly looking over at her sister.
“No. Stop trying to play matchmaker.”
“We just want to see you happy, Daddy. Court and I hate that you had to go through that with Alana.”
“I am happy. Happy to be here with you two. Let’s just call Alana a learning curve and leave it at that.”
Britt picked up a copy of my itinerary and studied it.
“You’re going to Bainbridge the first day? That’s not that far. Sort of off the beaten path from the rest of your route.”
“It’s closest. I probably won’t get out of here until noon, so I thought that would be a good starting point. I can get a feel for the boat, get things set up the way I want them.”
“True, she is a bigger boat. New too.”
“Exactly, Britt.”
Chapter Nine
Courtney was in an unusually good mood two mornings later as we walked toward the boat. She ran on ahead of me.
I climbed on board, glancing at my daughter, who was readying the boat for departure. She certainly was excited to make this part of the trip with us. To meet her cousin. I hoped it wasn’t a warning sign that she couldn’t wait for me to be gone so she could have the house to herself.
When we reached Bainbridge, I anchored the boat next to a marina. I helped Court into the inflatable, and we motored toward shore. Destiny was standing at the fence, waving as we walked up the dock.
Having not had breakfast, finding a restaurant was Court’s main objective. We found a cafe we all liked and sat in their outside dining area. The two girls were thick as thieves, always had been. It had been cute when they were younger, but now it concerned me.
“Isn’t that Ethan Maverick, Court?” Destiny asked, squeezing her cousin’s arm.
“It is!” my daughter squealed. “Oh My God! It’s true, he really does live here.”
I glanced across the patio in the direction they were staring. Muscular guy with tats all over his arms. He was seated with an older woman. I couldn’t get a handle on his hair because of a ball cap he wore. The dude looked like he should be one of those guys that fought in an octagon. I’d heard his name before, so I had an idea who he was.
“Who’s Ethan Maverick?” I innocently inquired.
“Daddy, I can’t believe you’ve never heard of him. He’s one bad-ass singer.”
“Rumor was that he bought his mom a house over here on Bainbridge.” Destiny said, unable to keep her eyes off this creature. That’s what he looked like—the creature from the black lagoon.
“Well, he looks like every parent’s nightmare,” I quipped. “I mean, look at all that ink. Makes one wonder where else he’s got tats. Probably pierced too.”
“He is,” my daughter was quick to add, grinning. “I’ve heard he’s got his...”
“I really don’t want to hear where this dude’s pierced himself. Come to think about it, how would you know?”
“Internet, Daddy.”
“Why do I all of a sudden feel like a dinosaur?”
No one answered. They were more interested in watching tattoo boy than their lunch or me. I had to admit it was sort of humorous to see my daughter going gaga over some so-called rock star. I mean, her grandmother was married to one of the biggest names on the planet. She never acted this way over Peter.
“So, this dude’s from Seattle?”
“Duh, yeah, Daddy. He’s the biggest thing to come out of Seattle since Kurt Cobain.”
“Really? That huge, huh? Well, we know how it ended for ol’ Kurt.”
That got the look I was after. The eye roll.
“Daddy, please.”
“What?”
Thinking the guy was trying to keep a low profile, I was taken aback when he got out of his chair and strolled over to our table. I did a double take and so did Courtney. If Destiny caught it, she wasn’t letting on. The dude looked exactly like a younger version of me.
Stepping between Court and Destiny, he addressed my daughter. “Hey. Haven’t I seen you at the club?”
Courtney nodded her head, smiling like a star struck kid. Oh great. This was so not happening. “Yes.”
“What’s your name, doll?”
I so wanted to answer for her. Doll?
“Courtney.”
“Ethan Maverick, but I guess you already knew that.”
Smartly, he shook hands with both the girls, then me. “You look familiar,” he remarked looking at me.
Ah ha! There might be hope for this putz yet. “Damien. Damien Tudor. Courtney Tudor’s father and Destiny Tudor’s uncle. How old are you?” I blinked my eyes.
“Twenty-three,” he replied, and then turned to Court. “Wow! Your dad used to really be a badass rocker.”
I caught him staring at me too.
“Used to be?” I blurted out. “I didn’t realize I used to be anything.”
Court was rolling her eyes, begging me not to embarrass her.
“Well, ah...I know how it is. You dudes get to a certain age and you retire. Move on to normal stuff.”
“Sorry, someone forgot to tell that to me and my brothers. Retire, my ass.”
“Wow,” Ethan replied. “I guess I need to get out more around here.”
My daughter was looking as though she wanted to crawl under the table. Guess it was time for me to leave.
“Nice to meet you, Ethan. I need to be heading out.” I glanced at Courtney. “You and Destiny behave yourselves. I don’t want to hear that Angus had to come looking to do some whoop ass.”
I bent over and kissed her on the cheek. As I did, the woman who’d been seated with this Ethan dude quietly walked up to the table.
Beth. Beth Asher.
They say that things happen for a reason, are pre-destined. Whatever the case, Beth Asher and I had a history. A history that dated back before Julia.
“Damien? Damien Tudor, is that really you?” she asked, half smiling. She hadn’t changed much in the past twenty-four years. Evidently, neither had I.
“Yep,” I replied, standing up. I walked over and hugged her. Her long, dark blond hair was now shoulder length. Her eyes were still that intense dark blue they had been so long ago.
I introduced Courtney and Destiny and invited her to sit down. Ethan, by this time, was seated in between the girls. Every now and then, I’d catch Court looking from him to me.
“So, you married?” Beth inquired.
“Past tense. I was married to Julia Quinn. I’ve been single for a while now. You?”
“Once. Tony passed away ten years ago. It’s just been Ethan and me.”
Beth had vanished on me, and now I think I knew why. The reason was seated across from me.
“I’m sorry to hear that. Tony was Ethan’s father?”
“No,” she replied quietly.
“Well, I need to get going if I want to get any sailing in this afternoon. It was really great to see you, Beth.”
“You too, Dame.”
“Courtney Marie, behave yourself. I’ll check in with you this evening.”
“Okay, Daddy. Have fun.”
I said my good-byes and started out the door. I needed to get away. Quick.
A few minutes later, as I walked toward the marina and my inflatable, I heard a familiar voice beside me.
“Dame, wait. Please.”
I stopped and turned to look at Beth. “I would ask you where you disappeared to all those years ago, but I won’t. The answer is sitting at the table back inside that cafe.”
“You’re right. Ethan’s your son, Dame. Please hear me out.”
“I’m listening.” I was angry. Yet, at the same time, I wanted to take this woman in my arms.
“My parents sent me off to live with relatives in Atlanta.”
“You could have gotten word to me somehow.”
“No, I couldn’t. You know how it was back then. My uncle was a preacher, and he took his responsibility very seriously. I had no way to contact you. I was watched like a prisoner. Finally, he introduced me to some old man. A parishioner, a widower. I was supposed to marry him after Ethan was born, once I turned eighteen. Instead, I took my son and fled.”
“Why didn’t you try to contact me? Or someone in my family, Beth?”
“I was afraid. Besides, I found out you and Julia had married. I didn’t want to cause you any trouble.”
“Hell, Beth, Julia and I have been divorced for a few years now. That’s no hidden secret. It was all over the media and within the industry. You could have found me. You knew where my folks lived. Angus may live there now, but he would have remembered you, and acted as a go-between.”
She had tears in her blue eyes. Instinctively, I wiped them away, and stared down at her.
“Does Ethan know?”
“That you’re his father? Yes. I’ve never hidden it from him. When we moved to Seattle, I knew it would just be a matter of time before the two of you met.”
“Damn. So, where the hell have you been all these years?”
“We finally ended up in Manhattan. I worked there as a backup singer and photographer. I’ve even written for Rolling Stone. Ethan started playing, singing, so I managed his career. When he turned twenty, he decided he wanted to move to Seattle. I didn’t try to stop him.”
“He never contacted me.”
“He was afraid you’d reject him, think he was only after your money. Then, he got discovered, and he bought me a house here.”
“Now what, Bethie?”
“What do you want to do, Dame?”
“No, don’t lay it on me. I just found out I’ve got a twenty-three year old son I didn’t know existed before today. I don’t know what to think, or what I’m supposed to feel.” I said, looking down at her. “But there is one thing I do know.”
“What’s that?”
“I sure can’t deny he’s mine. Even Court suspects. The boy looks exactly like I did at that age.”
“I know. He got all Tudor genes.”
“Oh hell...”
“What?”
“Just wait until my family finds out.”
She chuckled.
“Ethan, huh? I can’t imagine where you came up with that name.” Ethan was my middle name. That and William. My father had never wanted junior. Said it stunk of aristocracy.
We walked along in silence for a few minutes. My mind was running a hundred miles an hour. As much as I wanted to be angry with Beth, I couldn’t be. I could easily recall how her parents had been when we were seeing each other. I wasn’t on their “top picks for son-in-law” list. No musician would ever be good enough. Like I said, life has a funny way of using karma.
“Dame? Do you have to leave? Why not stay the day? We could do a cook-out, talk. You and Courtney could get to know Ethan. And me...”
“No, I can’t. It�
�s not that easy. I need some time. Alone, Beth.” I stopped and looked down at her.
“I understand,” she replied quietly.
Crap. Women. They never make things easy. I pulled my phone out of my pocket. “Give me your number. I promise I’ll be in touch when I get back. Perhaps we can all get together then. Right now, though? I need some time to myself. That was my plan before running into you and Ethan.”
“I understand. It’s a lot to take in.”
“You have no idea.”
“Dame? What about Courtney? What if she asks?”
“Tell her nothing. I want to be the one to have that talk with her, and make sure Ethan understands that.”
“I will.”
“Okay then. I need to be going.”
“Of course. Enjoy your trip.”
I nodded and turned. I had to get away before my head exploded.
Reaching my vessel, I secured the inflatable before lifting the anchor. I motored out of the harbor, into open water, the wind slapping me in the face. I pulled my cap around so as not to lose it then hit the button to raise the main sail and jib.
The problem with towing an inflatable is one can’t get the full beauty of the sail. It caused a drag. But if you want to go ashore, especially on remote islands, you needed one. I was sailing, and that’s all that mattered.
About two hours into my sail, the weather began to change. Having planned for that possibility, I decided to seek shelter in the harbor of one of the smaller, uninhabited islands. Detours were always part of the adventure.
By the time I was secure in the harbor, the rain was intensifying. Soaking wet, I sought the dryness of the cabin. I stripped out of my clothes and put on dry ones. I grabbed a brew out of the cooler I kept secured inside. Sitting at the small table, I took a swig as I scrolled through my phone. Being I was at such a remote location, I was pretty sure I might have no signal. Luckily, Courtney understood that and wouldn’t freak out if she didn’t hear from me.
I wondered if she’d put two and two together as far as Ethan went. If she hadn’t, I was going to have to sit both her and Britt down and tell them the truth.
I sent her a text telling her of the weather and the change of plans. If she got it now, great. If not, she’d get it whenever I got a signal.
Tudor Redemption (Tudor Dynasty Book 4) Page 6
