His Harbor Girl

by Rekha Ambardar

  Yes, he’d heard the name. Leanna worked for him? Or maybe it was more than work. She was free, after all, to have relationships where she chose, and his showing up here probably wouldn’t change that. He felt his jaw clench despite the rational explanation he’d just given himself. He had an idea of what he was going to do now.

  “I came to get supplies.”

  “Please go right ahead. And if you need any help, call me.”

  Bryce picked up nonperishable items. He needed those for munching while pondering his notes at the end of the day.

  He also found a plastic bucket for soaking clothes in, writing pads, and a few other things. After paying for the items, he picked up the bag and turned to leave.

  “Would you like me to tell Leanna you stopped by?” Alice asked, walking him to the door.

  “No, that’s all right, thanks.”

  Bryce strode out to the jeep, hopped in and turned the key in the ignition, his mouth setting in a determined line.

  He’d come to see Leanna. So help him, he would.

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  Chapter 5

  Bryce glanced at his watch. Eleven forty-five. He maneuvered the winding road that led up to Lakeview Apartments, parked, and studied the white apartment building. He wondered if he should go up to the manager’s office or wait in the parking lot, then decided not to disturb Leanna at work. Maybe he could just fill his lungs with the balmy air and watch the seagulls zigzagging and screeching in sync. What would she be doing at this very moment? He felt himself tense with anticipation.

  * * * *

  Leanna opened the desk drawer and pulled out her purse.

  It was time to lock up and leave. It had been a busy day, showing prospective tenants around and taking phone calls from out of town people, some of whom wanted an apartment just for the summer and fall. And then, thoughts of Bryce filtered into her mind, making a tough day worse. She clutched her purse and stepped into the corridor, her pencil skirt forcing her to take shorter steps. Pleased with the day’s work, she looked forward to spending the afternoon with Kai and relieving Alice at The Tug.

  A warm breeze fanned her face as she stepped outside and the large entrance doors swung behind her. On the way to her station wagon, she caught a hazy glimpse of a gray jeep parked 66

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  at a distance. Bryce’s tall, languid figure leaned against it, watching her, and the corners of his mouth turned upward in a half-smile. A flicker of apprehension coursed through her.

  She wouldn’t allow herself to believe he was looking for her, so it had to be one of his colleagues he sought.

  “About time,” he said, sounding cheerful.

  “What are you doing here?” Edginess laced her voice.

  “The day is perfect for a picnic. However, I’ll settle for taking you to lunch.”

  Leanna stopped an arm’s length in front of him. She could feel his closeness like a blazing surge of electricity. She sucked in her breath and steeled herself against the hypnotic spell he wove over her right out of the blue.

  “Lunch?” Fear knotted inside her. She had to pick up Kai from morning daycare, and there was no telling what he might think when he saw her. “I’m afraid I can’t.”

  “Oh? May I ask why?”

  “Because I have to pick up Kai from daycare.”

  “Kai?”

  “My daughter.”

  Leanna looked directly at his piercing gray eyes as she spoke, but she saw no reaction to her mention of Kai. She felt herself go slack with relief.

  “Too bad.” He swung himself into the driver’s seat of his jeep. “I’d have loved to take the two of you to lunch. Does your daughter look like you?”

  An innocent enough question but to her nervous way of thinking there seemed to be a hint of suspicion in it. Added to that, a curious expression showed on his face, one that asked a million questions.

  “You didn’t tell me you were ever married.” His hand rested lightly on the steering wheel and he looked up at her in a slow, sweeping gaze.

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  Leanna swallowed the lump in her throat and avoided his gaze. “I wasn’t.”

  “I see.” His voice was low and controlled. A long pause followed and she counted the seconds silently.

  “If you’ll excuse me.” Leanna started to get into her car, unable to shake off the effect of his proximity and her own waning poise.

  She turned the key in the ignition. But no reassuring roar of the engine shook the vehicle. Giving the key some slack she turned it again. This time, the engine croaked like a jaded frog. No, not now, she thought, it can’t be dead. The station wagon had seen many cold harsh winters, left outside without a garage. Now, when she needed to get away from Bryce, it sat lifeless like a once-active volcano that had run out of lava.

  She sighed and sat for a few seconds, her hand folded over the bunch of keys. A knock on the window forced her to turn around, and she got an eyeful of Bryce grinning at her. In past years, she’d melt like butter at that grin. But not now.

  “You need a ride somewhere?”

  She nodded, feeling defeated. She couldn’t sit here forever, so why balk at it? Better go and pick up Kai before she started crying, wondering why her mother didn’t come.

  She just prayed that Bryce wouldn’t look too closely at Kai and see himself in her as Alice did. If only she could leave him there and walk off.

  Leanna got out of her car and followed him to the jeep.

  They pulled out of the parking lot and waited at the entrance to the road for a break in the traffic.

  “Turn into the main road and go straight. I’ll tell you when to take a left turn.” She cast him a sidelong glance. The wind blew in through the open windows, flopping his thick hair over his forehead. A faint smile played on his face as he 68

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  concentrated on the road and she couldn’t tear her gaze away from that face.

  “How’s business been at The Tug?”

  “Good.” How strange it seemed to be sitting next to the man about whom she’d been crazy all those years ago. What did she feel now? Hardened, she decided. Years of bringing up Kai alone had drained her emotions of their juices. But now, an electrifying palpitation at the sight of Bryce took hold of her. He looked so different that he hardly resembled the absent-minded doctoral student she used to know. It was more than his physical appearance. He had a mature look that drew her to him, and she wondered if he felt the same toward her, or if this would be another time in her life when her emotions were stronger than his. She wouldn’t let herself be hurt again. Somehow she’d find the strength and keep an emotional distance between herself and Bryce until she finally got out of this situation today.

  “The store has been good for all of us.” She didn’t want to mention how much Kai had enriched her life. Kai was a precious commodity she wanted to keep to herself.

  “You’ll have to tell me where to turn.”

  The business district disappeared and they passed a church and the public library.

  “There it is. My Buddy and Me.”

  Bryce turned deftly into an ungenerous parking spot left by two cars parked at an awkward angle.

  “Thank you. You don’t have to wait.”

  “How will you get back?”

  “A friend can pick me up.” A split second later, Leanna realized the thoughtlessness of that statement. Bryce picked up on it.

  “So I’m not a friend. Okay, maybe I deserved that.”

  “No, I meant…”

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  He held up his hands. “It’s all right. What will you do with your car?”

  “I’ll have the service garage pick it up and repair it. It probably needs a new battery.”

  “In the meantime.” Bryce unlocked his seatbelt and opened the door. “I’ll be your chauffeur.”

  Leanna paused to reconsider but her mind was too sluggish
to study the pros and cons. She had no other alternative at the moment. “I’ll accept your offer to drive us home, but no more.”

  She opened her door and got out just in time to hear the bell ring; the morning session was over. Through the bright orange front door, the children came out, chattering and clutching colorful school bags. Kai headed the group, her hair flying in the wind as she ran toward Leanna.

  “Mommy!”

  Leanna bent down and gave her a hug. “Hi, sweetie.”

  Kai stopped fidgeting and stared at the tall man standing next to her mother.

  “This is Bryce.”

  Kai went on staring, her brown eyes wide with a child’s curiosity. Finally, she seemed to relent and let go of her silent appraisal of him. “He-lo.”

  “Hello, Kai. Can I shake your hand?” Bryce knelt down and took her hand in his.

  Kai shook his hand solemnly, causing Leanna to smile.

  Then she looked up at Leanna. “Can we go to Red Barn, Mommy?”

  “May I take you two lovely ladies to lunch?” Bryce’s charm flowed freely. But Leanna sensed a ring of sincerity in his voice. For some reason, he wasn’t going to let them go without taking them to lunch. Perhaps he wanted to observe Kai. The thought caused a sudden chill to grip her heart.

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  Leanna smiled at him, not wanting to give away her thoughts. “Oh, all right. Thank you. Looks like Kai is ravenous. Maybe we’d better go and eat lunch.”

  “Good. Where would you like to go?”

  “Red Barn is just down the road.” Leanna had often taken Kai there.

  Bryce followed Leanna and Kai toward the jeep and opened the back door for Kai. “In you go. Let me help you with your seatbelt.”

  After buckling her in, he opened the front passenger door for Leanna.

  “Red Barn it is.” With a light-hearted chuckle, Bryce started the engine. They drove down the quiet street to a small restaurant that looked like a cozy old barn painted brick red with a brown roof. A miniature haystack stood by the side of it, and a yellow plastic slide for kids adjacent to a swing set completed the play ensemble. There was outside dining so customers could bring their food outside and enjoy it while watching the children play.

  Bryce parked the jeep. Leanna helped Kai out and looked for a table.

  “If you give me your orders I’ll go in and get the food while you grab a table. No sense in all of us going in. It’s nice outside. What would you like, Kai?”

  “Drumsticks and mashed potatoes, please.”

  Bryce looked at Leanna, his eyebrows raised in a question.

  “Drumsticks, roll and coffee. And a small carton of milk for Kai.”

  Leanna led Kai to a table with a pink and white gingham cover held down by a small painted rock. Kai sat on the white stool and looked around her happily.

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  “Hungry?” Leanna smiled at Kai. She slung her purse on the hand-rest of her chair, leaned back and looked up. A breeze blew white cloud bundles across the sky and she breathed in the fresh, cool air. Of all the crazy things, having lunch with Bryce after these many years. Things were different now, like a date with a stranger that Bruce had become to her. They couldn’t simply pick up where they’d left off.

  Bryce came out bearing a tray piled with food. “Come and get it,” he said in an imitation of Daffy Duck, which Kai found very funny and burst out laughing. “I knew you’d like that,” Bryce said, setting the drumsticks on a small paper plate for Kai. “And here’s your milk.”

  Leanna watched dreamily. So this was how he’d look as a father if he weren’t so averse to making a commitment. She was tormented by confusing emotions for a few moments, until finally, she realized that she was the one who left.

  “What did you do in school today?”

  “We grew little seeds.”

  “Grew little seeds?”

  “Planted them in little paper cups.” Kai made a picture of a cup with her chubby little hands.

  Bryce looked interested. “They’ll grow into nice plants, I bet. Is your drumstick good?”

  Kai nodded, licking her fingers.

  Leanna listened to their exchanges trying to keep her eyes on her meal. What effortless ease he had with Kai! A twinge of jealousy ripped through her. How easy for him to show up one day and charm their daughter while she had spent the last few years worrying about her, protecting her from fever and bruises.

  “Mommy, can I go play on the slide?”

  “Yes, if you’re finished. Wipe your hands.”

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  Excited, Kai wiped her hands and ran off to the play area.

  “She’s full of energy.” Leanna’s eyes softened as she watched Kai’s retreating figure.

  “You’ve been quiet all through lunch.” Bryce held her with his gaze.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to.” Leanna tried to look cheerful. She had given away her mood too easily. “Kai likes you.”

  “She’s a great kid.” Bryce’s voice was soft, contemplative.

  “I’m lucky. I’ve had my difficult moments.” She said that just to let him know it wasn’t easy bringing up a child. Rib-breaking jealousy about sharing Kai with Bryce made her watch her words.

  “I never guessed you had a daughter. You didn’t say anything when I saw you at the store that first day.”

  “There was no need to bother you with the events in my life.” Leanna made sure her words had just the right touch of informality and toughness.

  “Sorry I mentioned it.” Bryce looked away into the distance. Maybe he was thinking she’d lay open her life’s history for him so he’d feel compassion for her. Men ran at the first sign of emotion. Only she’d run first, a sort of reverse precaution against him letting her down again.

  “Still, you can’t blame me for saying it, Leanna. After all, we were in love once. If Kai were our child, you wouldn’t have left. At least, I’m assuming you wouldn’t.” His eyebrows lifted in a question, his gray eyes growing darker, like the sky giving the hint of an approaching storm. He rested his elbows on the table and studied her.

  “It won’t do you any good to look at me like that. I’m not the girl you used to know.” Leanna swallowed hard, lifted her chin, and boldly met his gaze.

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  “I’m finding out.” A quiet assurance came through in his voice. “This Packard fellow. How much do you know about him?”

  “Enough to take the job he offered. What does it matter to you, anyway?”

  “Gossip is that he’s pushy enough to get whatever he wants.”

  “That has nothing to do with me.”

  “You sure?”

  “You don’t know the half of it, Bryce.” She permitted herself a withering stare; she didn’t care for the suspicions he had just voiced. They were the insinuations of a man toward his lover, but she and Bryce weren’t in that mode now, so why did it matter to him who she worked with?

  His voice, though quiet, now held an overtone of coldness. “It was another man, wasn’t it? And you were pregnant, which was why you ran away without even a hint to me.”

  He sounded curt, abstracted. His lips were a thin line, jaws clenched. Leanna followed his gaze to where Kai still played on the pale mauve swing set, her feet touching the ground and kicking off as she swung. How could he even accept the fact that there might have been another man in her life when she’d been head over heels in love with him?

  “You want answers after all these years?” She laughed to cover her annoyance.

  He stiffened as though she had struck him. “It’s not a matter of picking up and searching for somebody who’s run off without a word. I had my life and work. When my research brought me here I decided to combine it with my search for you. What a waste of energy that’s been, seeing that you have a different life now.” He paused. “No matter 74

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what the circumstances, Kai is a great kid. Don’t get me wrong on that.”

  “Some love. You waited until your work brought you here.” Leanna let out a weary sigh.

  “You just expected me to run after you because you decided to leave?”

  “I see there’s no point in talking to you. I’d like to go home, please.”

  They stared at each other through a ringing silence.

  Leanna turned away, picked up her plate and Kai’s, and stuffed them in the trash bin nearby.

  Bryce stood up, his expression incomprehensible. “Suits me.” He waited for her to fetch Kai, who looked content to leave.

  Leanna helped Kai into the back of the jeep as Bryce watched, looking grim. She tried to hide her inner misery from his probing stare, furious at her vulnerability to him. His coldness stunned her. Served her right for accepting a ride from him and thinking things could even appear normal between them. There was just too much history, too many hurts to overcome. Some that, in all fairness, Bryce knew nothing about. Yet, they stood between them like an impenetrable brick wall.

  They sat without a word spoken between them as he drove. Kai chattered on like a magpie, oblivious to the lack of conversation of the grownups. “The slide was fun. I had a friend to play with too. I like drumsticks.” She went on in the scattered logic of a child of her age. “Can we go back there again, Mommy?”

  “Huh? Yes, yes.” Leanna’s gaze drifted out to the coolness of the green and the shade cast by the maples they passed, but she was conscious of Bryce sitting only an arm’s length away.

  What followed had the effect of cold water poured over her.

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  “Are you coming over to my house?” Kai said to Bryce.

  Leanna sat in stunned silence and waited for his reply.

  “I’d love to, but I’m not sure your Mommy wants me there. So let’s make it another day, huh?”

  There was a smile in his voice even though Leanna wasn’t about to turn and look at him.

  “We have to go to the shop and relieve Aunty Alice,”