by Carly Morgan
Ares chuckled, which was an unexpected relief. Telling Birdy had helped to ease some of the painful memories. “Sometimes I can’t either.” He released his shorts and straightened. “But I did, and I’m stronger for it.”
“How did you manage? I’d be a basket case after a trauma like that.” Her voice broke on the last word.
Ares caressed her cheek. “I had faith not fear. When I was in the water, I prayed more earnestly than I’d ever prayed before. Pleading that if it was God’s will, I would live to see another day. And as I was praying, I felt peace. It started out small, but quickly grew stronger and stronger until I no longer felt pain. With that peace, I was able to make it up the ladder and into the chopper. I don’t know why, but God gave me the strength to push through and survive.” Ares stopped, pulling Birdy into a hug. “Hey, don’t cry.”
She hadn’t realized she’d been crying. “I’m not,” she said, wrapping her arms around his waist and hugging him back. Hard.
They stood like that a long time, until Birdy felt strong enough to let go. “Thank you,” she said, tilting her face up so she could see his.
He cocked his head. “For what?”
“Telling me your story. Holding me. All of it.” She sniffled and gave him a watery smile. “I need to remember to have faith not fear. Got it.”
He leaned down. Birdy realized he intended to kiss her. What was surprising was that she wanted him to. She closed her eyes, waiting.
“Excuse me.” Georgie sounded frantic. “Sorry to interrupt, but I need to talk to you.”
Birdy pulled from Ares’ grasp and sighed before moving away.
Ares grabbed hold of her hand. “Want to go snorkeling with me a little later?”
Birdy felt her eyes get big. “After the story you just told me, I’m going to say definitely not.” She continued walking toward Georgie. Then stopped. “But I’d really like to do something else,” she added.
Ares’ smile turned her knees to jelly. “Can’t wait.”
Chapter Ten
Georgie was obviously frazzled. “I’m not sure what happened or what’s going on, but Thea just announced she’s going home. She and Toby were talking. Then Thea got on the phone for a while and now she’s talking to the captain, probably telling him we need to go back.”
Birdy listened as they made their way toward the back of the ship, where they spotted Toby leaning against a rail, staring out at the ocean.
When Georgie finished, Birdy spoke. “Okay, calm down. Let’s go talk to Toby.” She walked confidently over to him. “Hey, Toby. Would you mind if we talked?”
He rounded on her, his eyes furious. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Why?” His anger confused her. He’d been relaxed and joking when they boarded the boat. What had happened in the last thirty minutes to cause such an upheaval?
“Your father. That’s why. He’s trying to swindle my mom out of her company. That man is a crook, and I won’t let him hurt my mom again. You can count on that.” He stepped toward her, his face menacing.
Birdy moved back. She had seen Toby cold but when he was mad, he was scary. She tried to keep her voice even. “Again? What do you mean again?”
“I can’t believe you don’t know.” He gave her a disgusted look.
Birdy realized he wasn’t going to tell her what he meant, but she would get to the bottom of his comment one way or another. “I agree with you, Toby. You aren’t telling me anything I don’t already know.” She held up her hands, pleading him to stop, showing him she was no threat. “But why would you think he wants to buy your mom’s company. My dad’s a managing partner at Bird, Meyers, and Childress, not an investment banker.”
“I know exactly who he is.” Toby was so upset, his nostrils flared as he spoke.
Ares stepped between them. “Hey, you need to take a step back, man. Birdy hasn’t done anything wrong.”
“Maybe she hasn’t, but you have.” Toby punched Ares in the face without warning and then tackled him.
Birdy screamed as both men landed in the pool. Ten seconds later, Max, Dean, August, and Matt went in after them. The pool became a mishmash of flailing arms and legs and after a few minutes, it looked like they were all fighting each other.
“What in the world?” Katie came to stand beside Birdy, shocked.
“I don’t have any idea,” Birdy said, shaking her head.
A gunshot went off. Katie and Birdy instinctively ducked and covered their ears. The men stopped fighting and all eyes turned in the direction of the noise.
“That is quite enough,” Captain Quick shouted.
Birdy noticed Thea standing beside the captain. Tears stained her cheeks.
“This sweet young lady needs to return home. There’s been an emergency.” He looked around. “Ella?”
“Here, sir,” she said appearing.
“Tell the crew we are turning around.”
“Yes, sir.”
“You men,” he gestured to the guys in the pool. “I want you out of pool. Now. This is a luxury ocean vessel not a backwoods bar. The next man who throws a punch will be tossed overboard and he can swim back to shore. Am I clear? That will be all.” Captain Quick turned on his heel and walked back the way he’d came, his shotgun at his side.
Katie exhaled, then began walking toward Thea, who turned and ran away.
“Let me go after her,” Birdy said. Maybe I can figure out what’s going on. You stay with Max and the others and make sure no one got hurt.”
Katie nodded. “Okay.”
Birdy followed after Thea. She made it down the stairs and into the hall when she heard a distinct slam of a door. “Thea,” Birdy said, knocking on her door. “Will you please talk to me?”
“I don’t even know you. Why would I tell you anything?” Thea’s words were muffled, but still understandable.
Birdy racked her brain, trying to figure out what all this could possibly be about. “Does the emergency have something to do with your mom and my dad?”
Thea didn’t answer right away. “How do you know that?”
Birdy was really confused. “I don’t know anything, but Toby mentioned that my dad wanted to buy your mom’s company. The thing is, my dad is a lawyer. He doesn’t buy companies.” He destroys them in court, she thought, but didn’t say it aloud. “Can I come in?”
Josh and his blasted camera moved closer. “No,” Birdy said firmly. “You will not be entering her room. This is off limits. Way off. Got it?”
Josh removed his camera. “Fine, but Meredith isn’t going to be happy.”
“Tell her that’s too bad and if she has further issue she can talk to me about it directly.”
“You got it, Bird.” He saluted her and headed back up the stairs.
“Come in.” Thea opened the door and stepped out of the way. “But please don’t try to talk me out of leaving. I need to see my mom right away. She needs to stop this before she loses everything. Again.”
“What do you mean again?” Birdy was getting frustrated. Thea and Toby seemed to know more than they were letting on about her dad, but they weren’t sharing.
“I can’t believe you don’t know.”
Birdy wasn’t quite sure what to say, but she thought about the story Ares had told her and what he’d said. She needed to have faith not fear. He’d prayed too. At the moment, doing the same felt like the right thing to do. In her heart, she offered a quick one. God, please help me know what to say. She focused inward as she walked over to the bed. “Do you mind if I sit?”
“Go ahead.” Thea threw her tanning lotion into a bag.
“Are you sure you want to do this to Max?” Birdy paused. “Leave, I mean. What about the wedding?”
“I’m sure he’ll be fine without me.”
“But Katie. She doesn’t have any sisters. I know that’s why she was so excited you were going to be a bridesmaid. She was really looking forward to getting to know you.” Birdy hoped that sounded sincere. She didn’t w
ant to upset Thea further.
Thea paused, sitting on the bed beside Birdy. “Katie is kind. She’s sweet and good. Max— I don’t know if he’s good enough for her.”
Birdy crossed her legs, sitting more comfortably on the bed. “I went to school with Max. In high school, he was a bit rowdy, but he’s calmed down a lot, especially since he and his band started playing Christian rock.”
“I know about his band. I’ve seen him play, but have you met my father—Max’s father? He was horrible to my mother. Still is. It’s hard to be around someone like that for a long period of time without having some of it rub off.”
“I have met your father. He’s awful, especially to Max. That the man blames his son for the death of his wife is beyond cruel. And I watched how it affected Max. But I’ve also been a first-hand witness to the way Max treats Katie, and it’s nothing short of beautiful. I can only hope to have a love like they have someday.”
Thea nodded. “I’ve seen it too. And I hope he always treats her the way he does now.”
Birdy wasn’t done. “The reason I can relate so readily to Max is simple. If you and Max’s dad is bad, then my dad is terrible. I rarely saw him as a child. Worse than that, when I did see him, he was unkind, always telling me to stand up straight, eat my vegetables, lose weight, cut my hair, and on and on. There were never any words of encouragement. I was never good enough for him. The man is vain and cares little for anything but winning, money, and an occasional round of golf.”
As Birdy spoke, the lines of Thea’s face softened. “So, you don’t like your dad?”
“I love him because he’s my father, but no. I don’t like him at all.” Birdy turned on the bed to face Thea fully. “Did you know that when I was arrested for murder, he never once came to see me in jail? Instead, he sent Ares to handle my case. My dad and I haven’t spoken in over a year.”
Thea hung her head. “I’m so sorry, Birdy. I didn’t know. I just figured you were like him.”
“I did too,” Toby admitted, entering the room. “I’m sorry I yelled at you.” He sat down on the other side of his sister. “Really sorry.”
At their sincerity, Birdy found herself tearing up. It seemed to be happening to her a lot lately. She sniffled and looked away. “Well, it’s no big deal. Ares took care of me.”
“Yeah, but he works for your dad. How can you like a man who’s sold his soul to the devil?” Thea asked.
Birdy chuckled. “Wow, it’s like your speaking from my heart. But, technically, Katie works for my dad too. And she isn’t awful. If anything, she’s become more wonderful since she started working at my father’s firm. She’s happy.”
“True,” Toby agreed.
“I guess,” Thea answered, still sounding unsure.
“But, I want to get to the bottom of my dad’s reasoning behind buying your mom’s company too. So, if I agree to help, will you promise to stay?”
Thea wrung her hands. “I’ve already bought a ticket home and spoken to my mom. She’s expecting me.”
“How about you meet your mom and then come right back? I’ll talk to Ares and see what he knows. Then we can compare notes. Deal?”
Toby smiled, a huge, kind smile unlike any she’d seen on him before. It took Birdy completely aback. His entire face changed when there was happiness on it, like he’d become a totally different person. “Sounds like a plan.” He shook her hand. “I’m going to go with Thea. I want to see my mom as well. But we’ll be back before the wedding.”
Birdy nodded. “Good. And Thea, if there’s anything more you need with regard to your dress or whatever, let me know.”
“I will,” Thea said, taking Birdy’s hand.
The gesture surprised Birdy. “In fact, why don’t you leave your dress with me and I’ll get it steamed when I have mine done?”
Thea beamed. “That’s a great idea.”
Birdy grinned. “Yeah, one less thing to worry about.”
Thea squeezed her hand. “When I first realized we were going to have to meet, I wasn’t happy about it. I thought you were a snob, especially since Mr. Bird is your dad. But you aren’t. You’re actually kind of amazing and I’m so glad I’ve had the chance to talk to you.”
Birdy hugged Thea. “You’ll tell me why at some point, won’t you?”
Thea hugged her back. “I will. I promise.”
“Good, because I feel like we have a lot to talk about.”
“I’m sure there will be.” She gave Toby an odd look before throwing her bag over her shoulder.
Birdy stood and waited for Thea and Toby to exit the cabin. As Toby passed, he hugged her too.
“It was really great meeting you. And again, I’m sorry for losing my cool. You’re so much different than I expected.”
Birdy stood frozen at his sudden outpouring of affection, but recovered quickly, and hugged him back. “I misjudged you too. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t even worry about it,” he said, stepping back. “I’m known for being crotchety.”
Birdy laughed at the mental picture of him as a crotchety old man. “Good to know.”
***
The ship docked in record time, and Captain Quick rescheduled their cruise for later in the week. Everyone said good-bye to Toby and Thea before riding as a group back to the hotel. On the ride back, they made plans for tomorrow which had somehow escaped Katie’s meticulously thought-out list.
“What about swimming with dolphins?” Katie said, her eyes alight with excitement.
“Like in the ocean?” Birdy asked, anxiety swirling around her insides.
“I think it’s at an aquarium,” Max said, taking Katie’s hand.
Their limousine had a disco ball hanging from the ceiling. It was tacky, but it also gave Birdy an idea.
“What about karaoke?” she suggested.
“Actually, I love that idea. Let’s call around,” Katie said.
They found a place and made a reservation for the following night, leaving tomorrow morning and afternoon open.
After giving Georgie the rest of the night off, Birdy and Katie spent the evening watching a movie and eating food from the room service menu. It was a lot of fun, and they hardly noticed Josh hanging out in the shadows.
Afterward, Birdy walked back to her room. On the floor in front of the door was a bag. She looked around before picking it up and taking it inside. “Do you know who this is from?” she asked Meredith, who’d appeared like a wraith.
The woman gave her a smug look. “Maybe.”
“Did you do this?” Birdy asked suspiciously.
“Check the tag and see who it’s from.”
The note, written in a confident hand, said: Watch the sunrise with me tomorrow? Ares.
That was odd, especially because inside the bag was a pair of cross trainers. She texted Ares. What’s up with the shoes?
He responded right away. I was going to ask you the same thing. But I’d love to watch the sunrise with you.
Birdy glared daggers at Meredith. “You did this?”
“I’ve heard this is the best tour on the island. You don’t’ have plans tomorrow morning. Might as well do something fun.”
“You know I’m not athletic. Am I going to die?”
Meredith wore an expression of pure innocence. “No, you’ll be fine.”
Birdy didn’t know whether to believe her or not. “What exactly are we doing?”
“You’ll take a bus up to the top of Haleakala, a dormant volcano, watch the sun rise, and then bike ride down to the beach. It’s awesome and you’ll be back to the hotel by noon.”
Birdy hated to admit it sounded exciting. “Fine. What time do we need to be ready?”
“Meet in the lobby at four forty-five.”
“In the morning? Are you crazy?”
“Trust me. It’s worth it.” Meredith started back down the hall. “At least, that’s what I’ve heard.”
“Are you going?” Birdy called after her.
“No way. This girl needs
her beauty rest. But Josh will be there. Not to worry.”
“Chicken,” she muttered, irritated.
“Oh,” Meredith paused and faced her. “Wear something warm. It’s supposed to get cold up there.”
“We’re in Hawaii. How cold can it be?”
What are we doing? Ares texted.
Apparently I’ve set up an early morning trip to the top of a dormant volcano. We’ll ride a bus up and then bike ride down.
Serious? That sounds awesome.
Do you know how to ride a bike? She was being facetious. He’d been in one of the most elite branches of the armed forces. She was certain he could ride a bike, and probably lots of other things she hadn’t even imagined.
More or less.
So you’ll come? Birdy laughed at herself. She felt like a high school freshman asking out her first date.
It’s going to be awesome! Thanks for the invite.
LOL. I’m excited. Meet at four-forty-five in the lobby and wear something warm.
Okay. I guess we’d better get some sleep.
A quick glance at the clock beside her bed told her it was after eleven. Night, Ares.
Sleep good.
As Birdy got ready for bed, she wanted to be angry with Meredith for meddling, but she couldn’t. She’d enjoyed spending time with Ares and the excursion sounded like a lot of fun.
As she lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling, her thoughts turned from Ares to her conversation with Thea. She felt a connection with her, and Toby too, and though she didn’t understand why, she was determined to help them figure out why her dad wanted to buy their mom’s company. It seemed such an odd thing for her dad to do. Knowing him, he had an ulterior motive. And it would benefit only him.
She finally fell asleep in the early hours of the morning, still thinking about what that motive could be.
Chapter Eleven
When her alarm went off four hours later, Birdy jumped out of bed, blinking hard. It felt like she’d just gone to sleep. Dressing quickly in shorts and her only actual shirt, which just happened to be short-sleeved, she debated the shoes Meredith purchased for her. She hadn’t brought any socks, but at least the shoes fit.
