The Daughter He Never Knew

by Linda Barrett

  “And as if those features weren’t enough—where else could you live next door to the Atlantic Ocean—right at the water’s edge?”

  His eyes glowed at her words, and she slapped her palm over her mouth. Good Lord! How could she have quoted from his own song?

  “Then find me a house at the water’s edge, Lila,” he said softly. “Where the song of the sea provides the perfect musical background for making love.”

  Like they’d done nine years ago in this very house.

  Their shared memory was evident in his raised eyebrow, in his smiling mouth and in his eager stance. His body language said “Remember?” Desire lurked behind his eyes, but humor lurked there, too. And at that moment—for just one moment—she saw the happy boy, the loving boy Jason Parker had been. Here was her Jason—the Jason she remembered. And the Jason she’d tried so hard to forget.

  The Jason she could no longer trust.

  She turned from him, looked longingly at the front door, wanting to make her escape. “I don’t think about those days anymore. And I advise you to follow suit.”

  He stepped around her, blocking her escape. “And I’d advise you to begin thinking about that time in our lives,” he replied, his voice quiet but firm.

  She shook her head. “No. No reason to go there.”

  “Yes, there is,” he whispered, his fingers gently raising her chin so that their eyes met. “Because what we had together, Lila Sullivan, is the way it’s supposed to be.”

  Soft music drifted in the air from Katie who sat at the piano. The lilting notes wrapped around them like a delicately woven veil and provided as much privacy as if they’d truly been alone.

  Jason’s words came from his wishful thinking, from his wanting to turn the clock back, Lila thought. “You’ve got to live in today’s world, Jason. That time in our lives is over. You can’t get it back.”

  He said nothing for a moment, just reached for her hand—her left hand—and tapped the ring she wore. “He’s a decent guy, Lila,” he said, “but he’s the wrong man for you.”

  Too stunned to speak, she could only gasp at his words… At his nerve! Her anger began to build. “And you, I suppose, are the right man? You’re in town for five days and you think you know everything? But you don’t know me anymore, Jason! I’m not the same girl you remember. I’ve grown up. And it’s time you did, too.”

  She didn’t expect him to chuckle, though the sound he made wasn’t very happy. “Grow up?” he asked. “Lila, Lila…you’re preaching to the wrong person. If growing up means getting to know yourself, I can assure you that there isn’t a part of my soul I haven’t examined intimately. It’s the only way to survive after you’ve hit rock bottom and discover that you really do want to live.”

  What was he talking about?

  “But the most important thing I learned climbing out of the mire is that the person I was hiding from had been with me all the time. Right in here.” He touched the left side of his chest. “I know who I am, Lila. And what’s important to me.”

  She couldn’t turn away this time. Instead she did the opposite. Studied him from haircut to shoes. He spoke with a calm assurance she envied—no fidgeting, coughing, slouching or avoiding her gaze. A man comfortable in his own skin.

  “Why did you return to Pilgrim Cove, Jason? Why now, after all this time?”

  His natural smile returned. “That’s an easy question. I had no choice but to come home. I have to face whatever waited here in order to move forward.”

  No doubt he’d been on a rough road. She didn’t want to imagine the possibilities. His last words, however, gave her pause.

  “But you’re not moving forward,” said Lila, her voice tight. “You just want to pick up where we left off, and that’s not possible.”

  Jason leaned one shoulder against the wall, one foot crossed over the other, looking more relaxed than ever. She didn’t understand him. “Where I come from, sweet Lila,” he almost drawled, “anything is possible.”

  His words echoed those from a younger Jason planning a future. His familiar smile, warm and loving, sent her pulse racing. Although he’d grown physically, he remained just as she remembered him. Jason Parker. Her Jason. The boy who’d adored her. Who’d serenaded her outside her window until the whole neighborhood had come out for a concert! Memories flooded her—a thousand bits and pieces—treacherous memories.

  Tears filled her eyes, and she ran out the door, not glancing back. But she heard his voice. Heard him call, “This running away is getting to be a habit with you.”

  And then she heard him chuckle again.

  But darn it if he wasn’t right! When she pulled away from the house, she realized that she hadn’t even asked him if he could take Katie for the afternoon. She shrugged. He wanted to be a dad. Time he learned the job ran 24/7.

  THANK GOODNESS Sunday was the busiest day of the week for a Realtor. Lila’s clients had received superb service, had gotten her undivided attention. And by dinnertime, she’d convinced herself that her response to Jason that morning had been more imagined than real.

  She ran through the door of Quinn Real Estate and Property Management. “Is my granddad in his office?” she asked Jane.

  “With a client who just arrived.” The woman grinned at her. “But I’m sure you can join them.”

  Lila and Bart made a practice of introducing themselves and being friendly to all clients, regardless of which one of them was the primary agent. Jane’s remark was nothing unusual, and Lila walked to the end of the corridor and made a left toward Bart’s office. She heard Katie’s voice before she reached the door.

  “We had such a great day, Papa Bart. Where’s Mommy? I want to tell her, too.”

  “I’m right here,” said Lila.

  Katie’s eyes brightened and she skipped over to give Lila a kiss. “Guess what we did today!”

  Lila glanced from her daughter to Jason, who leaned against Bart’s desk looking happy. Her eyes narrowed as she studied them. “This one’s easy, Katie. You both went out in the sun without any protection.”

  “I wore my baseball cap,” her daughter protested.

  “But the big old sun still found you.” Lila swooped down for a kiss. “Next time, you must wear sunscreen.”

  “I need a list,” said Jason.

  She glanced at him. Guilt was written all over his face. His gorgeous sun-kissed face with his square jaw and thick dark hair falling into his eyes. She swallowed and nodded. “That’s a reasonable request.”

  “I’m a reasonable guy, Lila. Believe me.”

  The problem was that she didn’t want to believe him, but she could see his distress was genuine. He’d fallen in love with his daughter…who hadn’t finished her recitation yet.

  “First we went shopping,” said Katie. “You know what I got? Daddy and me chose bedroom stuff…”

  “Daddy and I,” Lila corrected automatically.

  “…for my bedroom in his house so I can sleep over in my own room. Just like at our house. We got sheets and a bedspread and a pillow and towels. And I got a new nightgown and slippers. For Daddy’s house.”

  Whoa, whoa. Sure it made sense, but she wasn’t ready to hear “for Daddy’s house” quite so often. “So did you pick out a bedroom at Sea View House?”

  “Yup. The one with the big desk so I can do my homework in there if Daddy’s working.”

  “Working?” A job? For a moment, she was confused.

  “The piano could disturb her,” he said. When Lila looked at him, he continued. “I don’t watch the clock. If everything’s coming together, I keep on going. If I’m struggling, I step back.”

  “I’m sorry I didn’t ask before I left Katie with you today. You might have been working.”

  “Katie’s welcome at any time. Day or night. No need to be sorry.” He tousled the girl’s hair. “As a matter of fact, Katie’s going to check out any new house I’m considering before I buy. She’s going to have at least…half a vote.”

  Lila wa
tched as Katie waltzed around the room, a big smile on her face, then plopped herself on her great-grandfather’s lap. She stretched up to tell him a secret with her hands cupped around her mouth.

  “Papa Bart, I’m so happy, happy, happy.” Somehow, eight-year-olds had a hard time controlling volume. But not their love. Katie tucked herself close, turned into Bart’s chest and hugged him.

  “We should have a camera,” said Jason. “That’s quite a picture.”

  His quiet voice startled Lila. But then she smiled. “They are quite a team. His unconditional love and her total trust.”

  “Unconditional,” he repeated. “I wish you’d—”

  She interrupted. “It works for parents and children only.”

  “I’ll have to think about that.”

  “Well, you do that while I close shop.” She started to leave Bart’s office.

  But Bart stopped her. “Not yet, Lila. You need to book an appointment with Jason. The boy’s come to his senses and wants to move back home.”

  “That’s right, Mommy. You hafta help Daddy find a house.”

  She hadn’t expected Katie’s remark, but Lila was undeterred.

  She turned slowly to her grandfather. “You’re the one for Jason, Granddad. You two have a great rapport, and he wants a house right on the beach. Everybody in town tells you everything first. You’ll have wind of properties way ahead of me.”

  She pasted a smile on for Jason. “Beachfront properties are spoken for within a day of being on the market. But don’t worry. My grandfather will take care of you.”

  “Your granddad’s okay in my book,” said Jason, “but I’d prefer you.”

  Lila took a deep breath. “Now, tell me again why you can’t rent Sea View House for the season?” She looked at Bart. “Do we have another tenant for it yet?”

  Bart’s eyes narrowed. “We never have a shortage for that house.”

  “But do we have anyone right now?” She knew Bart could dance around a question in double time and make a person believe the fault was theirs if they hadn’t understood his answer. Lila had learned to be short and direct. “Do we have anyone right now?”

  Bart glanced at the ceiling, a furrow creasing his forehead. Then he turned his swivel chair toward the window and watched the sky darken.

  Despite his ability to bend a story, Bart never lied. “Okay,” she said. “We don’t have anyone right now, so there’s no reason not to extend Jason’s lease.” She brushed her hands by each other to indicate she’d solved the problem. No house hunting. No regular visits with Jason. Perfect.

  “Sorry to disappoint you,” said her client. “It’s very wasteful for me to pay double rents for three months.”

  “Double?”

  “I lease in California. Could never bring myself to buy property there.” He paused. “I’ll give notice the minute you find me a house. The sooner the better.”

  LILA’S PHONE RANG later that evening as she prepared for bed. She ran to answer it. Maybe it was Adam, home from the visit to his parents’ house in New Hampshire. Adam, the calm, sane part of her life.

  “Hello,” she said with enthusiasm, her voice almost musical.

  “Now, that’s a greeting I can appreciate.”

  Jason. The turbulent, crazy part of her life. “Don’t get used to it. I was expecting someone else. What do you want?”

  She heard his deep sigh through the wires. “Sorry to disappoint you, but you’re my house hunter, and I need some dates so I know when I can arrange studio time. My agent just called. He’s been busy today.”

  “On a Sunday?”

  “You work on a Sunday,” he said, but then continued. “When Mitch likes something, he acts fast…. Celine Dion’s agent wants to hear the demo that’s not yet made. So, hi-ho, hi-ho, it’s off to work I go.”

  “It’s just as well,” said Lila. “I can’t fit you in until the end of the week anyway.” Which was great. She’d have a few days for her life to get back to normal before she saw him again. “I’ll review the listings we have in the meantime. See if anything on the beach is available.” And if there were no properties, maybe he’d postpone the move. Return to California at the end of the month. She could live with that!

  “Make sure you search hard,” he said. “But if there’s a problem, I’d consider the bay side of the peninsula.”

  Darn! “I’ll keep that in mind,” she said. “Good night.”

  She almost slammed the receiver down. The phone rang immediately. “Hello,” she barked.

  “Hi, Lila. What’s wrong?” The calm voice of Adam Fielding.

  “Oh, Adam. Sorry for snapping. The real question around here these days is ‘what’s right?’” she said.

  “Uh-oh. Katie’s dad?”

  “You got it.”

  “What’s he done?”

  “Well, he…” What could she say? That Jason bought his daughter gifts? That he’d played soccer on the beach with her? That he wrote a song that would probably be recorded by a major star? Even to her, it sounded ridiculous. “He wants to buy a house, and I’m his Realtor,” she finally said.

  “A house? He can’t mean it. His whole life—his career is in California.”

  “That’s just what I said, but it seems as though I’m scheduled to show him properties.” She shrugged. “I got coerced by my granddad and him.”

  “Relax, Lila. He won’t go through with it.” Then Adam started to laugh. “You’re simply adorable. You sound just like the kids. Except Sara wouldn’t have used the word coerced. And Katie would have said, ‘They made me do it.’”

  His analysis was exactly right, but somehow, Lila didn’t appreciate his humorous insight. Although Adam had several years on her, Lila wasn’t sure she enjoyed being grouped with the children. For the first time, she wondered if Adam saw her as merely an older version of Katie. Someone he enjoyed and admired, but also someone who needed to be taken care of.

  “Adam,” she said, “how about you and I having dinner tomorrow night. Alone.”

  “On a school night it’s hard to get a sitter,” he replied. “But I love the idea.”

  “Then let’s take the girls. I’ll settle for second choice.”

  “Sold. But not the Lobster Pot, if you don’t mind.”

  She hadn’t wanted to be around her family, either, but his words were so unexpected, she took a moment to reply. “Are you tired of the food?”

  “The food’s great,” he said immediately. “And I like your family, but you have to admit they can be…a little overwhelming. I’m an only child, Lila. I’m not used to all the commotion. Or emotion.”

  So it wasn’t personal…exactly. “Why haven’t you mentioned this before, Adam? If you’ve been uncomfortable, you should have told me. I’m so used to charging in full steam ahead….”

  “And that’s one of the traits I admire about you. You and Katie. What a great influence you’ve both been on Sara. She’s been so much happier since we’ve moved here. She’s really come out of her shell. In fact, my parents were talking about it today. They send their regards, by the way, but they understand you had to work….”

  Lila barely registered the rest of their conversation. Something in Adam’s words disturbed her, but she couldn’t quite identify the problem.

  By the time she hung up the phone, she wanted to crawl into bed and sleep for a year. She got undressed, brushed her teeth and finally slipped between the sheets. But when she laid her head down, she began to cry uncontrollably. She cried until she thought she’d never stop.

  Finally she ventured a look at the clock. The hands glowed 1:00 a.m. Sitting up, she wrapped her arms around her bent legs, holding them close to her chest. “I’m scared,” she whispered. “I’m so scared. And I don’t know why.”

  MONDAY DRAGGED. Not that Lila didn’t have a bucketful of work to do, but her heart wasn’t in it. Follow-up phone calls, preparing some offers, and actually reviewing properties that might be appropriate for Jason. Reluctant as she was to deal wit
h this latest client, she had no choice.

  When the phone rang a little past three, Lila reached for it while looking out the window for the school bus. On the other end of the line, she heard the cheerful voice of Laura Parker informing her that Katie had gone home with Casey and Brian.

  “Without asking first?” She’d have to speak with her daughter right away. “I’m so sorry, Laura. She shouldn’t have done that.”

  But Laura brushed aside her concerns. “You can scold her later. But, honestly, Lila, I love having the kids here. The more the merrier. They’re so adorable—even Brian, although he’d hate to hear me describe him that way.”

  “Brian’s a great kid,” said Lila, picturing Matt’s twelve-year-old son. An almost-spitting image of his dad.

  “You should see him with Katie right now,” said Laura. “He’s helping her with schoolwork. I’m going to get my camera.”

  Lila grinned. Laura Parker, loving her role as mother, was known for keeping her camera handy at all times. But then Laura’s words penetrated. “Schoolwork? Katie never mentioned anything to me about a project. Or about a problem.”

  “Hmm. Then I’m just going to mosey on over right now… Ahh, I see…it must involve learning alphabetical order. They are deep into a big dictionary.”

  Lila filed the information away. “If you’re sure it’s okay, I won’t interfere now and disturb them. It’s nice of Brian to help her, but I hope he’s not leaving himself short of time for his own work.”

  They chatted for another minute before Lila thanked the other woman again.

  “Please, Lila, no thanks are needed. I’ve never been so happy in my life. Between Matt, the kids and even the ROMEOs…” Her voice trailed off.

  “And don’t forget your own career,” said Lila.

  “Of course not,” replied Laura. She paused and softly said, “Life is good, Lila. Very, very good. And I’m so glad you’re part of it.”