His Harbor Girl

by Rekha Ambardar

  “That’s right.” Leanna twirled the spaghetti on her spoon.

  Stuffed with food, Kai started fidgeting in her chair.

  “Mommy, can I go play?”

  “Wash your hands first.”

  “I’ve been wanting to have something like The Tug for a long time. Something I can engross myself in.” Leanna prodded a string of pasta with her fork, a determined expression on her face.

  “To forget Bryce?” Alice said with a deliberate emphasis on the name that made Leanna’s heart pop like a balloon.

  “Of course not,” she replied firmly. But who was she fooling? “I like being in business.”

  “I wasn’t doubting that, but it’s a big responsibility.”

  97

  His Harbor Girl

  “I’m over Bryce. That’s what you’re leading into, isn’t it?”

  “Just don’t want you getting hurt.”

  “Yes, I know. I won’t. I’ve got too much at stake to live in the past. I want to move on. It’s just too bad that Bryce has shown up at such an inconvenient time in my life.” Leanna pushed her chair away, picked up her plate and Alice’s and stacked it with Kai’s in the sink.

  “You’ve got a direction to your life, now. Maybe that’s the key.” Alice looked convinced of Leanna’s determination.

  She got up. “Here, let me clean up if you have to help Kai with her bath.”

  “Thanks a ton.”

  Leanna found Kai on her belly, coloring in her “Scooby Doo” book. “Ready for a bath?”

  Kai got up and followed her upstairs.

  After half an hour of splashing, Kai was scrubbed and cleaned of sand and dirt, while Cody watched, his face etched in sympathy.

  “Out you go.” Leanna helped the child into pajamas. “You can watch the “Jelly Bean Show” for a while. And then it’s off to bed.”

  Leanna knew she probably sounded like a drill sergeant.

  But if she had to bring up Kai, there had better be some rules.

  She didn’t like Bryce breezing in and spreading charm, making her feel like the Wicked Witch of the West in her handling of Kai.

  Chores in the kitchen all finished, Leanna walked Alice part of the way to her house. “Want me to work at the store tomorrow?” Alice asked.

  “Yes, would you please? I have errands to run.” She had to drop Kai off at the daycare and mail supporting documents for her loan application.

  98

  His Harbor Girl

  * * * *

  Leanna picked up her duster to sweep off days’

  accumulation of dust. Newspapers and magazines Kai had used to cut pictures for her paper dollhouse lay around. A sheet fell from her grasp as she grabbed a swatch of papers.

  She bent down to pick it up. It had pictures pasted on it breadth-wise. A man, a woman, a little girl and a dog the exact same color as Cody. Great. Now Kai was in search of a father figure. How was she to know the incidents that had shaped Leanna’s life? Someday, when Kai was old enough, she would understand. She stared at the picture for a few moments and put it away.

  Leanna turned around and took up her dusting again.

  Immersed in shifting, picking up, mopping and polishing, she failed to hear the sound of the jeep rolling up her driveway.

  A knock on the door sent Cody into a barking fit. He went to the door and sat there wagging his tail as if he knew exactly who stood on the other side. Leanna watched in bewilderment.

  “Shame on you, Cody. You’re supposed to protect me, not grin at every stranger who happens on our doorstep.”

  Leanna kicked away the cloth duster lying at her feet.

  She hurried toward the door to see who it was and to send them away so she could get on with the rest of her cleaning. Amazement choked her when she opened the door.

  “Bryce!”

  For the second time his aura filled the doorway as he stood there, the epitome of languid grace. But this time at her home.

  “Alice told me where to find you.”

  “You don’t give up, do you?” Feelings of petulance mixed with confusion overcame her. She remembered his questions the last time there were together.

  99

  His Harbor Girl

  “Guilty as charged. But this time, we need some help.”

  He stood at an angle, with an elbow resting against the doorway, thick golden hairs on his forearm glistening like copper wires. His proximity obscured her self-control. No longer completely sure of herself, she determined not to lose her resolve of resisting whatever he came to say.

  “We?” She said, feeling his intense gaze meandering over her face. A warm flush stole over her.

  “My research associates and I. We need an assistant who will input data, graphs.” He straightened and took a thick wad of folded notepaper out of his tee shirt pocket. “I have an ad I would like to post in places you think have high visibility.

  Since I don’t have the time to do it myself I’d appreciate it if you could. Here, would you like to take a look at it?”

  Leanna’s eyes riveted on the note, and she read the words. They were offering a decent amount of money. What she made now managing the apartments was meager compared to this.

  “As you can see, we’re not sparing any expense. Our budget is covered by a National Science Foundation grant. We just need the work done”

  His voice carried a unique force. The next minute, nonchalance seemed to take over his demeanor. Or so it seemed to Leanna.

  She felt a nuzzle against the back of her leg. “Cody!” He peered at Bryce and gave a delighted bark. He shot out from behind her, and, a few seconds later, Bryce and Cody were rolling outside in the grass. Amusement edged with irritation swept through her. They were like children. The only one missing was Kai. There was cleaning to finish and here he was wrestling with Cody. How could she make him leave without seeming rude?

  100

  His Harbor Girl

  Leanna went into the kitchen with the ads. Opening her recipe drawer, she pulled out a long envelope and stuffed the ads in it. She could post them at the Chamber of Commerce and other public buildings nearby. Back in the living room, she looked out the window to see Bryce get up, brush himself off, and head toward the house with Cody.

  Bryce came up the steps taking long strides and entered the living room. Cody trotted behind him with robot minded obedience. Leanna stared at them. How could Cody defect to the enemy camp so easily?

  “Now you be a good boy,” Bryce said to Cody who seemed to hang on his every word. He turned to Leanna.

  “Thank you for posting that notice.”

  “Would you like something cold to drink?” The scene outside sizzled in the late morning sun. She couldn’t send her worst enemy back into the heat again without offering a cold refreshment.

  Looking surprised, he turned toward her. “Great! I have to meet Kip back at the dock in a hour.”

  “Kip?”

  “He’s the pilot of our research plane.” Bryce looked around at the room, now partly cleaned and dusted. The large sofa and love seat were attractively covered. Magazines had been put away. The comfortable old room took on a new aspect just by his being there.

  “I’ll be right back with some lemonade. Or would you prefer a cola?”

  “Lemonade.”

  Leanna returned with the glasses on a tray and handed Bryce his. In doing so, his fingers brushed hers in a moment of electrifying charge.

  She moved away with a jerk and placed the tray on the coffee table.

  101

  His Harbor Girl

  “What’s the matter? Afraid I’ll seduce you?” His eyebrows quirked in a look of teasing amusement. No one would blame me. Look at you. Even in those jeans and tee shirt, and hair all messed up, you’re still tantalizing.” An appraising gaze trailed over the length of her body.

  They both stood where they were, neither wanting to relax and sit down. Leanna couldn’t ease the pounding, like a steel drill, in her chest. “You wouldn’t succ
eed if you tried.

  You don’t know what I’m like anymore.”

  “I suppose you’re right. I thought I knew you.” He took a few gulps of his lemonade and put his glass down.

  Leanna clung to her glass with a stubborn resolve. He moved toward her, took the glass from her hand and set it on the table. He touched her chin with a finger. “As lovely as always. I have to confess a promise I made to myself.”

  “A promise?” Her voice came out like a croak. She could kick herself for her gaucheness. His closeness and touch spawned a gamut of perplexing emotions. Screams of frustration stood poised at the back of her throat ready to break out.

  Taking an involuntary step back, she created more space between them. “Promise?” She repeated. Her voice failed her when she wanted to sound firm and sure.

  “That I would find you again one day, and learn why you left me.” His manner had the deliberation of a man who could never be satisfied with a dream. She knew that tone; it meant what he said and it filled her with a crazy assurance.

  But that wasn’t enough for her. Not now, when year after year, she’d hoped he’d somehow show up. “After all this time, they’re only words, Bryce. I won’t worry about the promise you made to yourself. I’ve told you all I have to say about why I did what I did.” She felt the tightly strung charge break and found her voice again.

  102

  His Harbor Girl

  He moved toward her, then seemed to change his mind and appeared resigned to her explanation.

  “If you would post the ad, we’d appreciate it. And now, I’m off,” he said. “Thanks for this. I mean it. Seems as if we’re always saying ‘goodbye.’” He gulped down the lemonade in one shot and the next minute he was gone.

  Leanna shut the door slowly; unable to believe he’d been here. It felt like the blow-by of a hurricane for which she had to batten down the hatches of the heart for her own protection.

  She went into the kitchen drawer, pulled out a copy of the ad and stared at it as an idea thrust itself into her mind.

  Leanna turned it over and over in her hand absent-mindedly.

  A few minutes ticked by, and then she made her decision.

  103

  His Harbor Girl

  Chapter 7

  Leanna took a sip of coffee and set the cup down. The sun, slanting through the kitchen window, threw a pool of light on the advertisement beckoning from the table. She picked it up and pondered it. On the plus side, the job duties were interesting and the money very suitable. On the minus side, it meant seeing Bryce every other day. If she got the job, Alice and she could alternate managing The Tug. The ad mentioned that the person was not required to stay on the island.

  Leanna could hear Kai calling to Cody in the backyard. If only her own decision could be as simple as a child at play. It would rankle Bryce if she applied for it herself when he’d wanted it posted, especially since she hadn’t given him the slightest notion that she might be interested. Her gaze darted to the number at the bottom of the page. Bryce’s phone number seemed to burn a hole in the paper. If she called and asked about the position, he’d have the biggest laugh. She couldn’t subject herself to that indignity.

  Kai came to the window and waved. Leanna waved back.

  How happy she looked out there, playing with Cody. Leanna opened the patio door that led out of the dining room and walked into the bright, afternoon sunshine.

  104

  His Harbor Girl

  “Here, Mommy, catch.” Kai threw a green rubber ball.

  Leanna caught it, her fingers feeling Cody’s bite marks on it, and laughed at him chasing his tail.

  She tossed the ball and off he dashed after it. That would keep him engaged for a few minutes. She sat on the grass and patted the spot next to her. “Come sit by me, Kai. Would you like it if I went to work for Bryce on the island?”

  “Can I come too?”

  “No, honey. You’ll have daycare. But I won’t be gone long during the day. You could get a ride home with Cecily’s mom.”

  “Can I have Cecily come over and play?”

  “Yes, if Alice or I am home with you.”

  “Can Bryce come and play with us?”

  “I…I don’t know.” Leanna nibbled on a blade of grass.

  Between earning extra money and the pointed aversion to working so closely with Bryce, her sensibilities were being pulled every which way. Leanna’s hand quivered and she threw away the sliver of grass.

  Her temples throbbed with the excitement of a daring decision about to be taken. She didn’t know if she’d be able to pull off working with Bryce and keep her composure, smell the familiar cologne that he carelessly splashed on his face—

  something she’d seen him do so many times. Or watch the way his eyes squinted when the sunlight hit them. If only she didn’t need the job!

  Leanna took a deep breath and questioned her sanity; she didn’t know how this would affect her. She prided herself on thinking she didn’t need him in any way, and now, she discovered that the job would provide quite a tidy sum. She was doing it to expand the store.

  She would apply for the job. She was stronger now, not the infatuated student she once was. She could handle it.

  105

  His Harbor Girl

  Leanna got up. “I have to go inside and do some work.”

  “Can I stay out and play some more?” Kai rolled over and sat up, her hair tousled.

  “Sure.”

  Leanna went into the kitchen and looked at the crisp white piece of paper lying against the varnished wood of the table. Then she picked up the cordless phone on the sideboard in the dining room, and dialed the number. The seconds that passed with each ring cut off her resolve. Why not hang up now, forget the whole thing and just continue managing the apartments? The ringing stopped.

  “Hello?” Bryce’s deep languorous voice could still send quivers through her.

  “Hello, Bryce. This is Leanna.” She anticipated Bryce tensing up after she’d played so hard to get. “I’d like to apply for the job you asked me to post.”

  A few interminable seconds of silence followed. “Okay by me. Just file your application with the Park Service office.

  They’re collecting all the applications for us.”

  “Just thought I’d let you know. If you didn’t want me to apply for any reason, I’d understand.” Leanna tried to sound detached.

  “I’ve no objections. Wouldn’t be right for me to object,”

  Bryce said.

  A coldness seemed to drift through the line, like a blast of arctic air zapping a sultry oasis. She sensed indifference. But if this was going to be uphill all the way, she might as well try for the job. Obviously, he didn’t want her to apply, but politeness prevented him from objecting.

  “I’m glad you don’t mind,” Leanna said with forced lightness. “If you change your mind just let me know.”

  “I will.”

  106

  His Harbor Girl

  His words cut like diamond on glass. And she’d opted to work for this man!

  Leanna set the phone down slowly, feeling like a drowning rat trying to keep afloat. She had never allowed self-pity to encroach in all the difficult moments of life. But now, it reared its insistent head, when all she wanted was to raise Kai and give her a reasonably comfortable life.

  * * * *

  Leanna changed into khaki pants and shirt and glanced quickly at the clock. Kai had to be dropped off at the daycare.

  She also wanted to see Alice at The Tug before going to the Park Service landing site to fly to the island on the research plane. She went to the hall closet to pick up the backpack.

  What would Bryce do now that she’d gotten the job? Would he sulk? Act cocky?

  “Ready?” Leanna walked with Kai to the door, car keys clenched in her hand.

  “Can I go on the plane too sometime, Mommy?”

  “Maybe.” She couldn’t deny Kai her slightest wish. But to expect Bryce to give i
n to that was something else.

  Leanna drove the station wagon, which was now repaired and almost good as new, past the slowly awakening harbor town. A week ago, she’d told Nolan she’d applied for this job, and that she’d have to resign if she got the offer. He’d seemed surprised, and then accepted the idea. “If you must, you must,” he’d said.

  At the daycare, she helped Kai out of the car. “I don’t know when I’ll be home today because it’s the first day at my new job. So Alice will bring you home. Is that okay, sweetie?”

  Kai nodded. Leanna gave her a hug and led her to the entrance.

  Satisfied that Kai would be all right, Leanna got into her car and drove to The Tug.

  107

  His Harbor Girl

  Alice was all excited. “There’s no telling what might develop.”

  “You wish.” Leanna tried to look stern. But she couldn’t stop the unreasonable thumping of her heart, and she wondered if she did want anything to develop with Bryce again.

  “Don’t worry about Kai. I’ll bring her home and keep her company.”

  Leanna gave her a hug. “Got to go.”

  She hurried out of The Tug, the gravel crunching under the tread of her well-worn walking shoes. The sensible khakis she wore were adequate for the task ahead, even the prospect of seeing Bryce. She got into her station wagon and drove to the Park Service office. This was strictly professional, no need to get uptight. It was all about money and the means of earning some.

  The research plane stood waiting, just as he had mentioned on the phone when he’d called to give her instructions on getting to the island. A man, probably the pilot, was examining the wing struts, and straightened up when he saw Leanna.

  “Leanna Reed? I’m Kip. I’ll be taking you over to the island.” He came forward and shook her hand. “Hop in.”

  He helped her in and then settled into his seat.

  “All set? Hold on tight. Can’t understand why Bryce gets so nervous in this bird,” Kip said as he taxied and lifted off.

  Leanna didn’t know whether to laugh or let out a shriek of horror. Was this the only way to go to work every other morning? She tried to focus on the bright blue yonder.