by Andrea Hurst
“Everything will work out,” Lily said.
“I hope so.”
“It will,” Kyla said. She placed the hot teas for each on them on the counter and took a seat.
“You seem so sure,” Jude said.
Kyla continued. “Only one thing is in the way. Ryan is waiting for you.”
“What does that mean, Kyla?”
“He’s waiting for you . . .” Kyla’s blue eyes pierced into Jude’s. “He’s waiting for you to trust him.”
Kyla’s deep red hair glowed as she said the words that touched deep inside Jude. “Trust, has always been a big issue for me,” Jude said.
“It is for all of us,” Lily said. “It took me a long time with Ian, but look where it led me.”
Jude asked herself if she was truly willing to share her heart with Ryan. Certainly she had more than enough love to give. She thought about the hummingbirds when they’d first arrived today and how they fought at the glass feeder. They would rather fight the other bird off rather than share the nectar. Jude didn’t want to be like that. Her feeder was full, and sharing was what made it worth it. “I want to trust him,” Jude said. “I hope his first reaction to the pregnancy will change.”
Lily giggled. “All men freak out a little when they first get the news, even Ian. Just let him have a little time to adjust to the idea. I bet he’s going to sweep you off your feet the minute you get home.”
“What if he packs up and leaves?” Jude said.
Kyla’s voice was firm. “Ryan is not Mitchell, and you are not a young, twenty- year-old dependent on a husband to provide.”
Jude considered Kyla’s words. She certainly was a stronger person now and would handle things better as well. “All right. I get it. Onward and upward toward happiness.”
Lily clapped. “That’s it. Risks can pay off. Look at me.”
“And look at me,” Kyla echoed. “After moving all the way across the country away from him, what if I’d run when Luke arrived on Madrona Island? Imagine everything I would have lost.”
“I was petrified when I left Brad and then reopened Grandma Maggie’s bed and breakfast. Ian scared me the most. But then I found that letter in one of the old Guestbooks at the inn. It was from Grandpa John to Maggie. It said, “When the Heavens see fit to send love your way, only a darn fool would turn down a gift like that.”
“I couldn’t have better mentors leading the way,” Jude said.
Lily squeezed Jude’s hand. “You helped both of us to remember to be strong when times were tough by sharing your love and your friendship.”
“I never thought of myself as a mentor,” Kyla said. “But I kind of like it.”
“Friends forever,” Lily said. She pointed to the sky. “Look!”
Jude searched the sky. Sure enough, a shooting star came right at her, almost like a piece of a meteor was going to land at her feet.
“Did you see that?” Lily said.
“It was amazing,” Kyla said. “Did you both make a wish?”
“Of course,” Jude said, hoping it would come true.
“I think I’m going to head to bed,” Lily said. “Tomorrow, on our only full day here before we leave, let’s get up early while the mist is on the lake and rent those paddle boats we saw. Can you handle it Jude?”
Jude patted her belly. “I sure can. I used to be pretty good at racing those things when I was a kid at camp.”
“Whoever wins pays for breakfast,” Kyla said.
Chapter Twenty-Five
At 7:45 p.m. sharp, Ryan knocked on the door of Jude’s apartment to meet with Lindsey for dinner with her father. She opened the door wearing a fancy white sundress that showed off her tan. Her makeup was heavy, and she looked more like the city girl who had first arrived here on the shuttle.
“Dad just texted me,” Lindsey said. “He wants us to meet them in the bar on the pier for a drink before dinner.” She fidgeted around. “Are you okay with that?”
Ryan’s hackles went up. Had Mitchell been in the bar all this time? It was almost 8:00 p.m. What about dinner? “I guess I have to be,” he answered.
Lindsey took the stairs two at a time. Ryan hurried his pace to keep up with her. He was not letting her out of his sight tonight.
Lindsey slowed as her heels caught in the planks lining the pier. She tossed her hair and walked slowly, stepping over the cracks.
She glared at him. “I was thinking that since we’re all done with the food shots for the book, I could leave with Dad and Kimberly and spend the last weeks of summer cruising with them.”
Ryan felt a punch in his gut. There was no way that was going to happen. “I thought you were happy here. You and your mom are getting along so well.”
Lindsey shrugged. “Dad says we’ll sail through the islands, eat at all the best places, and he’ll take me shopping for back to school.”
Buying her off, Ryan thought. Anger seeped up his spine. “What about your agreement with your mother to spend the summer here, with her?”
“You two have a lot to work out. I’ll probably only be in the way.”
“We do,” Ryan said. “But you are part of it too and you are never in the way.” He stepped in front of her and met her face to face. “You know that isn’t true. You’ll break Jude’s heart if she comes home and you’re gone.”
Lindsey narrowed her eyes. “What makes you so sure?”
“You have no idea how much your mother has done for you and would do for you.”
“And why is that?” Lindsey said. “Because she never tells me. Now please step aside or join me, because I’m going to meet my dad.”
Ryan shifted to his right, opened the door into the bar, and followed Lindsey in. The decibel level of the music was high, but topping the noise and chatter was the booming laugh of Mitchell sitting at the bar, half hanging off the stool next to his wife. Their level of intoxication was obvious.
“Well look who’s here,” Mitchell said, putting out his arms to Lindsey. “My beautiful daughter. And . . . the chef.”
Ryan reached out to shake Mitchell’s hand. “The name is Ryan,” he said. “Are we eating here now?”
Mitchell laughed and slurred his words. “Whatever makes my daughter happy.” He slid off the stool and attempted to hug Lindsey, but almost fell on her.
Lindsey pushed him upright and Kimberly moved in to support him from the other side. “Dad, don’t you think we should get some food? I’m hungry.”
Mitchell snapped his fingers toward a waitress. “Can we get some food here, honey.”
The waitress nodded, but moved in the other direction. Ryan couldn’t blame her. “This island has the worst service,” Kimberly wined. “Even in the dress shops I could barely get anyone to wait on me.”
The uncomfortable familiarity of the scene, and the awareness that this was not where he wanted Lindsey to be, propelled Ryan forward. “It’s getting late. Why don’t I just take Lindsey back to Jude’s café and I’ll cook something there for us.”
Mitchell pulled loose from his wife’s grip. “Back off Mr. No Star Chef or whatever your name is. Lindsey’s coming with us.” He grabbed his daughter’s arm and pulled her toward him. “We’ll set sail tonight,” Mitchell said, “and you can’t stop us.”
Seething, Ryan stood right up in Mitchell’s face. “Get your hands off her. You’re drunk and not thinking about what’s best for your own daughter.”
The crowd noise dimmed as the scene between the two men unfolded. Ryan didn’t care. He was not backing down and allowing this man to endanger Lindsey, no matter who he was.
Lindsey’s eyes were filled with panic. Ryan reached out to her. “Let’s go home. Your mother loves you more than anything, and her love doesn’t come at a price. She would never jeopardize your safety the way your father is.”
“My daughter can do a lot b
etter than working in some hot kitchen with a mother who couldn’t care less about her. Where the hell is Jude, anyway?”
Lindsey writhed free of Mitchell’s grip. “Dad, calm down. Mom is on a retreat. She’s, she’s not feeling well.”
A sneer crossed his face. “When did she ever? Moping around, whining and complaining all the time.”
Lindsey looked at Ryan and then back at Mitchell. “I don’t want to just sneak off.”
“You’re the one who emailed me the SOS, baby girl. This podunk island wasn’t on my itinerary.”
Lindsey stepped closer to Ryan. He put his hand on her shoulder and stood firm. “Lindsey doesn’t need rescue. You might have thought more seriously about that when she was a baby and you walked out.”
Ryan felt a jolt move through Lindsey’s body.
“Is that true Dad?” she asked.
Mitchell’s face reddened, and then he lunged to grab Ryan but missed and almost fell himself. “Shut up or I’ll . . .”
The restaurant cleared around them. All eyes focused their way. Ryan pushed Lindsey behind him and stood tall. “Or you’ll what? I think we better take this outside.”
Mitchell and his wife followed them outside to the pier. Ryan did not want the whole town knowing about this and seeing what kind of father Lindsey had.
“You have it all wrong,” Mitchell said, frowning at Lindsey. He leaned against the railing of the pier for support. “My crazy ex-wife took my only child and moved to Madrona Island. Wouldn’t even let me see her.”
“You may have fooled Lindsey with your lies, but you’re not fooling me. And I will make sure Lindsey knows the truth, all of it, tonight!”
Mitchell’s bloodshot eyes narrowed. His curled lips trembled with hatred. ‘Lindsey,” Mitchell said. “Go get your things and leave with us right now, or I’ll stop paying for your college. You can let your deadbeat mother support you.”
“No, Dad. I won’t go with you.”
Ryan smiled inside and wanted to pat Lindsey on the back, but he let her own the moment.
“What garbage has you mother been telling you? Or this guy?”
Lindsey shook her head. “She never said a bad word against you, Dad.”
“And there was plenty to say.” Ryan stepped forward, his eyes never leaving Mitchell. “Jude saved your butt once years ago when Lindsey was a baby. And she’s been a damn good mother. She may not have told Lindsey about your little accident, but I can. I’m not under the same threatening contract you have with her mother.”
Mitchell raised a fist, glaring Ryan down.
Ryan lifted a fist too, but dropped it immediately. “You’re not worth it,” he said. “Get out of here, Mitchell, while you can still walk and have some dignity left in front of your daughter.”
Kimberly lent her shoulder to Mitchell for support. “C’mon, honey, let’s go.”
“Lindsey,” he said, his words like steel. “This is your last chance. You can come with us right now, or not at all.”
Lindsey had tears running down her cheeks. She stepped back toward Ryan. He put his arm around her waist and pulled her slightly behind him in case Mitchell got violent again. A cool wind hurled across the pier where they stood.
“She’s staying here with us, Mitchell. You can take your threats and sail away.” Lindsey leaned against him, tears spilling onto his back. Ryan’s heart broke for her.
Mitchell slammed his fist on the railing and staggered. Ryan wondered if the man, even with his wife’s help, could even make it down the plank walkway and back to his yacht. And what if her father fell in the Sound? Damn, Ryan didn’t want to have to jump in after him and yank him out before he froze to death.
“Kimberly,” Ryan said, “you might want to text your staff to help get Mitchell back to the ship safely.”
“I’m fine,” Mitchell said, trying to regain his balance. “More than you’ll both be when I’m through with you.” He straightened his back and, leaning on his wife’s shoulder, stamped toward the boat dock.
Ryan saw some of the yacht crew running out to help Mitchell and was grateful he could finally leave with Lindsey. Clouds had rolled in as the drama unfolded, and the cold winds off the cove chilled to the bone. Lindsey was shaky, but he supported her down the pier as fast as they could walk. Until they were almost safely back to Jude’s apartment, Ryan did not take the time to look out at the cove and make sure the yacht had left the dock until they were almost safely back to Jude’s apartment. Thank goodness the yachts lights were on and it was moving across the cove. His adrenaline had lowered now, leaving his legs a little shaky, as he led them upstairs.
Inside, Lindsey curled up on the couch and Ryan handed her a throw from the bedroom to wrap herself in. A soft rain coated the windows. He hoped Mitchell had the sense to go right to bed and not try to sail too far in this.
“I’ll make you some tea,” he said. “The good stuff from Kyla’s shop.”
“Thank you,” she said. “I mean, you know, not just for the tea.” Lindsey wrapped the wool blanket tightly around her and stared into space.
Ryan poured the boiling water from the kettle through a strainer filled with loose tea into a mug. He added some local honey to the mug and brought it over to Lindsey.
“What contract were you talking about that my mom made with my dad?”
“I’m sorry I disclosed that back with your dad, but your welfare was at stake. The fact is, I promised your mom I wouldn’t say anything. That is something for Jude to tell you about herself.
“She won’t and you know it,” Lindsey said, raising her voice. “Please tell me. I’m not a kid anymore. I don’t know what to believe. All I’ve ever been told is that my mom took me away from him . . .”
Ryan was conflicted. If he broke Jude’s confidence and told Lindsey more about her dad, Jude might never forgive him. But if he didn’t, he risked Lindsey shutting down toward her mother and leaving on her own. It would break Jude’s heart, and nothing was worth that. It burned him to think about how long Mitchell had been lying to his own daughter.
Ryan turned to face her. “Did you ever consider Mitchell was the one not telling the truth? Your mother always put your needs first. As you said yourself, she never badmouthed your dad. And believe me, he deserved it.”
Lindsey warmed her hands on the mug and pouted. “I know he drinks too much sometimes and does dumb things.”
“Like driving drunk and jeopardizing their marriage?”
“Why didn’t my mom stand beside my dad? Make sure he got help? He was her husband after all. She left him at a time when he needed her most.”
Ryan knew that what he was about to say might ruin his relationship with Jude forever. He also knew Jude would never say it, and Lindsey would go on believing her father was the victim in all of this. The lie had gone on long enough.
“What never came out was that your dad was with another woman while your mom was home one night, frantic with worry and taking care of you.”
“Oh,” was all Lindsey said. Her face began to crumble.
“And when Mitchell finally got home, Jude confronted him.” Ryan paused. “I’m sorry to say it, but your dad told your mom to take you and get out if she didn’t like it.”
Lindsey’s eyes widened. “I don’t believe you, he’d never –” She stopped herself mid-sentence and took a deep breath. Her composure was crumpling, and along with it the vision of her father. “I once saw him chase a guy off the freeway who cut him off, pull the man out of the car, knock him out, and leave him unconscious on the pavement.”
“Real nice,” Ryan said with distain.
“Why didn’t my mom tell me all this? Why did she let me go live with him?”
“She wanted you to feel safe and loved. That’s why she moved to Madrona Island to start a new life for you both. When your father finally resurfaced, she saw how much
you wanted to live with him. Jude didn’t want to stand in the way of you having a relationship with your dad, and she certainly didn’t want you to grow up having bad feelings about him. She hoped Mitchell was telling the truth when he told her he’d changed and was happily married now. But it about broke her heart to let you go.”
Lindsey put her tea down with a trembling hand. Ryan watched her fight back tears and wished he hadn’t been so harsh.
“All those things I accused her of,” Lindsey said. “I left her for my dad. Will she ever forgive me?”
“She loves you. And all she wants is for you to be happy.”
Lindsey broke down sobbing. Ryan scooted in next to her on the couch and patted her shoulder. “I’m here,” he said. He reached over the table to retrieve a tissue for her.
She blew her nose, then looked up. “Thanks, Ryan. And thanks for telling me. Are you going to get in trouble with my mom?”
“Probably,” Ryan said. “But at least we’ll both be here when they return. I really should call her and let her know what happened tonight.”
“Do you have to? She’ll be home tomorrow anyway and she needs some rest.”
Ryan knew how much Jude and the others were looking forward to their time on Orcas. The crisis had been averted, Mitchell was long gone, and it was almost midnight. “How about I call her in the morning? I’ll tell her everything is fine, but give her a little head’s up.”
“Okay.” Lindsey sniffed. “But don’t worry. I’ll be on your side when she gets home. I’ll tell her I made you tell me.”
“Hey,” Ryan said, “I’m still the adult here and have to take responsibility.”
“My mom is lucky to have you,” she said.
“I’m the lucky one.” Ryan stood to leave. “I’ll be right next door if you need anything, any time.”
Lindsey stood and gave Ryan a hug. “I’m lucky to have you, too.”
Ryan walked back to his apartment and fell into the recliner. His head was spinning and Lindsey’s words almost had him crying too. He’d grown to love that girl and her mom. Relief flooded over him when he considered the disaster that had been averted earlier that night. It would have been over his dead body that Lindsey went out to sea with that drunk who called himself her father and went out to sea with him. He’d call Jude in the morning. Let her get one night of rest and make a decision in the light of day. After she returned he’d confess everything to her. He prayed she wouldn’t hold it against him.
