Hunter reached for her, touching her shoulder lightly. “Well then everyone else is crazy! You have so much to offer. Why no one else sees that is beyond me.” If I could find a way to show you, show the world… “Do you want breakfast?”
“That sounds like a great idea. Let me just gather everything together and take it back up to my room.” She gestured at her makeshift work station.
“Did you bring all this down in one trip?” Hunter was careful not to sound alarmed. She already had enough people worrying over her. He didn’t want to sound overbearing like her grandparents.
Locks of black curls swayed as she shook her head. “Took me two trips. I brought the chair out first. I knew no one would be out here, let alone mess with my things.” She turned to take her canvas off the easel, then folded it down.
“What can I take for you?”
“You’re welcome to carry the chair.” Becca shot him one of her sweet grins.
Hunter took the chair and led the way back to Range’s.
*****
An hour later, they both had eaten to their heart’s content and left the outdoor cafe behind Range’s. A gentle breeze swayed the trees. What a perfect summer day on the island. White puffy clouds lined the horizon over the water. The boardwalk was abuzz with tourists stopping at the tiny shops. Couples young and old walked hand in hand, laughing and enjoying the day.
Mount Desert Island and all the neighboring islands had grown recently. At least this place still carried the quiet, scenic environment Hunter craved throughout the year. This one was one of the closest to the tiny, deserted island where he and Becca had survived the five day ordeal after the crash. No one else understood why he continued to come back here. He didn’t have the best explanation himself, but there had always been a pull. Memories consumed him each and every time. That accident changed his life. How could it not? They’d been the only survivors. And so young. He’d just turned twelve, and with Becca four years his junior, she’d been just a child. One that had to grow up very quickly after losing her entire immediate family and having to live with grandparents that she barely knew.
“I can never get enough of the view,” Becca said from beside him. Hunter took her hand in his and grinned.
“I know. I’ve considered buying a summer house around here.”
“Really?”
Hunter nodded. “Oh yeah. I haven’t fully decided, but the thought has been rolling in my mind for a while.” Maybe once he had custody of Sienna, he would. This would be the perfect place to spend summers. He’d be away from the chaotic big city life and from prying eyes. He’d built a good life, but sometimes he needed that space away from everything.
“Are you all right?” Becca squeezed his hand.
He must have spaced out. “Of course. Why do you ask?”
“You have this look.” She made a deep scowl.
Hunter laughed. “That’s not what I look like, is it? That was a pretty scary looking face.”
She giggled. “Yes, seriously! Why do you think I asked! It was sudden, like you had a thought that really bothered you.” The smile faded.
Oh, he had many thoughts that bothered him. He didn’t want to drag her down in all of his mess. Her concern touched him. It had been a long time since someone honestly showed worry over him instead of just wanting something. Hunter stopped walking and pulled her into his arms for a hug. She gasped in surprise, but went with it. Then he kissed her cheek. “You’re so good to me,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “Hey, want to rent a boat and go on the water? We’ll stop by the store, pick up some things for a picnic and hit one of the smaller islands. We can sit by the shore and enjoy the day.”
Becca kept her eyes on his face, as if she were searching for something deep within. Her pink lips pursed into a line before she parted them slightly. “I wish you’d talk to me,” she said softly, then nodded. “Let’s go out on the water. I’d love that.”
The trip to the store only took fifteen minutes. After they bought enough food for a picnic, Hunter led the way to the marina. They were able to rent a small boat for the day. Hunter held his hand out to Becca, helping her to step onboard. “So you still like boats. That’s good. Are you still afraid to fly?”
“Terrified!” she admitted. She reached for a life vest and put it on, then handed one to him. He quickly eased into it. “Are you still loving life as a pilot?”
“Absolutely! I love it. All the places I get to travel to…” Hunter started the boat and watched as the water splashed behind them.
“I don’t know if I could ever be that brave,” she said with a laugh.
“I’m not sure I’d call it brave, really.” He didn’t dare tell her the recent incident with a flight. The night he nearly went over the edge from some unknown fear that seemed to take over his entire body. The strange spasms and overbearing fear that encased him, causing a scary landing that nearly cost him his sanity. He shook it off and focused on the water. It was too nice a day to reflect on that night. He was here right now with Becca and those thoughts just needed to stay on the back burner.
“There you go again with those dark looks.” She sat beside him, squinting in the sunlight. Her dark locks flowed behind her as the breeze moved them away from her pale face. What an absolute beauty. She only grew more amazing as time went on. How was it she was unattached, pushed into dating some man that she obviously didn’t care for? What were her grandparents thinking? Oh wait, they weren’t. Did they think that just because Becca had trauma issues from the accident that they could take advantage of her? He never did like their controlling ways and they never did like the fact that Hunter kept in touch with her.
At least Becca recovered well and learned to walk again. Even with her longlasting brain trauma, she still held her own. She’d wanted normal and she went for it. She wasn’t one to let people bring her down. She’d worked hard to overcome every obstacle.
All they did was hold her back. Becca deserved to fly. To have support. Someone to believe in her.
“Hunter?”
Becca’s concerned voice pulled him back to reality. He had to stop going off into his own little world. He’d already worried her. She touched his shoulder, her lips turned down in a frown. “Are you sure we should be going on a boat? You really seem spaced out. Maybe we should to back to Range’s and just relax there. Spend another day out on the boat when you’re not so tired?”
“Sweet Becca, I’m touched by your concern. I’m fine though.” He smiled, shrugged off the foggy feeling and the thoughts, hoping to show her he wanted to spend the time on the water. He had to watch his space out moments. The last thing he wanted to do was alarm her. Ah, he should just tell her all of the chaos of the last few years. Maybe he’d feel better.
“I don’t mean to offend you,” she said softly, touching his face gently. “You’re just so … different. I know people change, but you have this dark aura about you.”
Hunter slid his arm around Becca’s waist. “You’re such an amazing friend. Tell you what. Let’s go sit by the beach and I promise, I’ll tell you everything. Just know, it’s hard to talk about. I’ve always been able to talk to you, I know, but we’ve never really discussed life’s problems. At least, not mine.” Because frankly, he’d never had to deal with so much. For the first time, he’d put his heart on the line and damn it if some woman didn’t break it. Now she wanted to threaten him with his own child.
Maybe Becca would have some insight or something helpful to say. He knew she would never agree with Shara’s thoughts, and he needed assurance that maybe he was going about it the right way, if there was a ‘right way’ to deal with the mother of his child’s demands.
“Promise? Because I don’t like the dark looks. I know something is wrong and I just want to help.”
“Promise. Thank you for caring.”
“Of course I care,” she nearly whispered.
He’d heard those words many times, but with Becca, he had no doubt about the truth
behind them. She did care. She had a pure heart. He loved her for it.
He loved her. Not just the love and respect he had for her as a friend all these years. It was more than that. He’d been thinking so much about Becca the past few months, especially after the divorce. He’d spent a lot of time thinking about the past few years and how quickly things changed. One conversation took his life in a different direction when he’d been ready to tell Becca his feelings four years ago. He’d almost told her during their trip, but when he went home and was faced with some decisions, he was glad he hadn’t.
The hot summer sun beat down on his back. The water was gorgeous today. The waves were gentle, caressing the land as they came ashore. Glimmers of sunlight reflected on them, casting bright spots everywhere. Hunter took the boat to a nearby island and pulled up to an isolated run down dock. There were so many tiny, undiscovered islands around here, each of them holding an exciting promise of things to explore. He didn’t recall being on this one. If he had, then what a change from the last time he’d come out here with Becca. He grabbed the anchor attached to the rope and dropped it into the water. He tied the other end of the rope to the boat. Then he tied the boat to the dock. “There we go. That should keep you from going anywhere,” he said proudly, studying his handiwork.
Becca giggled, the sound so full of life that it melted his heart. “You still talk to yourself I see.”
He faced her, smiling to hide the sadness inside. “Sometimes it’s the best conversation,” he teased. He reached for the cooler they’d packed and gestured toward the island. “Ready?”
“I am!”
Hunter climbed onto the dock first. He half expected the rickety, slightly rotted wood to give way beneath him, but so far it held his weight just fine. He set the cooler at his feet and held out both hands for Becca to help her step off the boat. “Knees okay?” he asked softly after both feet were planted firmly on the dock.
“No pain right now. I’m doing fine.”
He leaned over the boat and grabbed the blanket to sit on, then picked the cooler back up. He couldn’t wait to find a nice spot close to the water to sit and talk more with Becca. As much as he hated bringing up all of the last few years’ drama, he did want to tell her, especially about Sienna. He missed his sweet little girl and wanted her close to him again. His marriage was a wreck, but he had no regrets when it came to Sienna. Now all he had to do was get her out of her vindictive mother’s grasp. His baby girl had become a pawn in his ex-wife’s angry game. If she wanted to blame him, fine, but how dare she use Sienna against him!
Hunter searched around, looking for any indication of this being a private island. He didn’t want to be trespassing. He hadn’t noticed anything so far, so hopefully that meant they’d be fine. He pointed to a spot beneath a large tree. Great for shade and a view of the water. “How about setting up right there?”
“It’s perfect!” Becca said with such enthusiasm.
You’re perfect.
Where had that thought come from? Hunter shook if off, knowing that his mind had been all over the place lately. He couldn’t stop thinking of her that way. What a mess. Careful to avoid stepping on large rocks, Hunter led the way to the tree. He unfolded the blanket and laid it on the ground. Hunter smiled at Becca and gestured to the spot. “After you.”
Becca carefully lowered herself to the ground, sitting cross-legged close to the tree. She raised her hands and pulled her dark locks from her face. Hunter sat beside her, placing the cooler in front of them. “I know I’m not hungry right now since we ate such a big breakfast, but I figured I’d bring this along anyway.”
“Neither am I. I still feel like I just ate! It’ll be a while before I want food again,” Becca replied, turning her inquisitive eyes to him again. “So, Hunter…”
He knew what she wanted to say, or rather, what she wanted to ask. He owed it to her. He’d promised all those years ago he’d be there for her and then he went back on his word, shutting out most of the world for years.
He heaved a sigh. “I know. I owe you an explanation. I disappeared from your life, then walked right back in without a reason.” Hunter pulled his wallet out from his back pocket and searched for the small picture he carried there. The sweet little smiling angel in the photo stared back up at him and made his heart melt, just as it did every time he saw her and thought about her. He passed the photo over to Becca. She took it carefully from his fingers and lowered her lashes as she stared down at it. Then her eyelids flew open wide as she stared back at him. “Becca, that’s my daughter. Her name is Sienna.”
Chapter Three
Becca gasped in disbelief. Hunter had a daughter? So, the little girl in the photo had been the reason he stopped coming. She felt bad for being so hurt about it now. No wonder he hadn’t shown! Hello, a child was important! Regret churned in her stomach from the thoughts she’d had. “Hunter…”
“It’s pretty messy right now between her mother and I.” His voice was bitter, with a hard edge to it.
Nothing. She had no words. Instead, she waited quietly for Hunter to continue his story. Beads of sweat formed on his brow. No wonder this wasn’t easy for him. She’d bet he must have been in a huge custody battle over Sienna. When she handed him back the photo, his eyes filled with sadness and hurt. He must be missing her. Her sweet face resembled Hunter so much.
“You recall that I dated Eva off and on?” At her nod, he continued. “I’d come to a realization four years ago. She and I weren’t meant to be. I said that last time was it, and then I came home from our trip to a surprise announcement. Eva was pregnant.” He ran a hand through his dark hair with another deep sigh. “She was always a little high maintenance, but I cared about her and loved her. Love isn’t always enough though. Eva and I never should have married, even for Sienna’s sake. We are like fire and gasoline. Always have been. I guess I needed to do right for my daughter. I wanted her to have a family. I know what the loss of parents in my life did, so I’d hoped to give Sienna the best I could. It just goes to show, marriage really isn’t always the best option.”
Okay, double blow in just a few moments. Married? She was sure that her face looked funny as her jaw dropped. Married and a child? Wait … he said he was married. She licked her suddenly dry lips. What could she say?
Becca reached for his hand, wishing she could find a way to make things easier for him. No wonder he was so different! He’d been through so much!
“Long story short, Eva and I couldn’t stay married. I tried to be the best person I could for her. I treated her like a princess, but it wasn’t enough. I don’t think it was me that she really wanted. Now she’s holding Sienna against me, threating to take off with her if she doesn’t get at least half of my worth. I’m easily willing to hand it over, but my assistant suggests I hold out and not let Eva win. It’s not about the money. I just want my daughter back. Eva isn’t the most stable person right now. I don’t trust her and that makes me sick! She’s angry and lashing out.” He pinched the bridge of his nose before fixing his gaze on Becca. “Sorry you asked?” He sounded defeated.
She gasped. “Absolutely not! I can’t even begin to know what to say! I’m so sorry, Hunter. So that’s why you’ve been out of touch all these years?” She winced, knowing she shouldn’t have said that.
He nodded. “I wanted to come back the summer after, but Sienna was only a few months old. I couldn’t just leave. Then the year after that one … we had a devastating crisis. Eva also didn’t understand my need to come back. She thought it was silly and stupid. Still, I should have called you.”
Well didn’t that sound familiar.
“I guess we both get a lot of that,” Becca replied softly, taking one of Hunter’s hands in hers. “As for reaching out, I wish you had, but it seems like you’ve had a lot on your plate.” So it hadn’t been their almost kiss that scared him away like she’d wondered. After hearing Hunter’s story, she only wished it had been something as simple and stupid as that instead of the
heartache he went through.
“I just-being here makes me feel a little close to my mom and dad, you know? I hate that I’m beginning to forget things about them. It scares me. I don’t want to forget!” Hunter exhaled a shaky breath and gave her hand a squeeze. “On that plane is the last memory I have of them alive. This is where I feel that connection.”
“I understand that all too well.” Tears pricked the corners of her eyes.
“Oh Becca, I didn’t even think-” Hunter rushed to hug her.
She shook her head. “This is going to sound strange, but I think you’ll get it. I’m relieved to know that I’m not the only one that’s forgetting. I kept trying to force my brain to remember. It doesn’t help that my grandparents don’t have a lot of things from my parents around. I have only what I managed to bring with me when I went to live with them. I thought it had to do with my brain injuries. I thought I was-”
“Shh. Don’t say anything negative about yourself,” Hunter whispered, his eyes darkening. “See, I knew I should have talked to you long ago. I was worried, but I never should have been. You’re the only one that gets it.”
“We’ve been through the same thing. We both understand what the other is going through.”
“So true. It’s crazy to think that if that plane crash had never happened, we wouldn’t be here like this. It’s like a ripple effect. One thing happens, which causes a wave of ripples around that event. One thing can change the course of your life forever. I can’t imagine not having you in my life. To think, we were strangers. We would have just passed each other and that would have been it. I hate that crash and what it stole from me, but I wouldn’t have gotten to know you either. I am so sorry for being out of touch, Becca. I really am.”
Becca held his hand and met his stare. A storm of emotion showed in his eyes. “As I told you yesterday, you’re here now. Now that I know why you disappeared, I understand. That’s a lot to deal with.”
“You’re too good to me,” he said hoarsely. “I don’t know if I deserve it.”
Passionate Kisses 2 Boxed Set: Love in Bloom Page 81
