Читать книгу Reunion By The Sea - Jo Leigh - Страница 13

CHAPTER FIVE

PANIC SHADOWED GINNY’S EYES as she shrugged off his arms and stepped back, bumping into the counter. Parker had heard the door and immediately gave her some space.

“Tilda?” Ginny’s voice broke. “What are you doing here?”

“Um...” The girl entered the kitchen and slowed to a stop when she saw Parker. “I live here?”

“You’re supposed to be camping. Why aren’t you with Kaley and her family?”

The teen was tall and slim, her long dark hair pulled back into a ponytail that fell past her shoulders. Her big brown eyes went wide with surprise as her gaze bounced from Ginny to Parker. “Kaley’s brother had an allergic reaction to something and had to go to urgent care.”

“So the trip is canceled?”

“No. That happened yesterday. We’re on our way to Sunset Pond now.” She blinked at Parker, then gave him a little smile. “Hi.”

Ginny cleared her throat. “Oh, Parker, this is my daughter. Tilda, this is Parker Nolan.”

“Any relationship to Meg?”

He offered her his hand, which she shook with a firm grip. “I’m her brother.”

Tilda’s grin widened. “I haven’t gotten to meet her yet, but Mom talks about her a lot. And she has tons of pictures of them from high school...” She trailed off, frowning, and turned to Ginny. “Did Meg make it for the reunion?”

Ginny shook her head.

“I was hoping she might be here, so I figured I’d show up and surprise her,” Parker said with a shrug, wondering how much Ginny had told her daughter. “Guess the joke’s on me.”

Tilda gave him a closer look. “Did you go to Roger Williams too?”

He almost smiled at her lack of subtlety. And here he’d even shaved. “Nope.”

The girl was quite a bit older than she was in the picture he’d seen in the living room. Fifteen maybe? No, she had to be younger since Ginny—

His chest tightened. He studied Tilda more intently. She didn’t resemble Ginny, which didn’t necessarily mean anything. She didn’t look like him either, though her crooked smile reminded him of Meg. But that was really reaching. The math though. Numbers didn’t lie.

To have a kid this age meant Ginny would have been with someone else shortly after Parker left. He’d never seen her as the type to do something like that, but then they hadn’t known each other long. He hated to think it might have been a rebound mistake.

“I still don’t know why you’re here,” Ginny said, just as he’d been about to ask Tilda her age.

“I forgot something.”

“Ah, what a surprise.” Ginny seemed jumpy, fisting the front of her shabby robe. Being caught in their semicompromising situation could account for her nerves. But her face should’ve been pink, not ashen.

Tilda’s gaze settled on Ginny’s hand, then lowered all the way down her robe. “Mom!” She moved closer to Ginny. “Are you serious?” she said, her hushed voice loud enough for Parker to hear.

He might’ve laughed if his mind hadn’t been racing in several directions at once.

A horn honked.

They both glanced toward the window. Then Ginny gave her daughter a stern look. “Are Kaley and her mom waiting in the car for you?”

“Oops.” Tilda backed up. “I need to get my phone charger, then I’m outta here.” She sent her mom an eye signal that had something to do with the ugly robe, then she smiled at Parker. “Nice meeting you,” she said and took off.

“I can’t believe the time.” Ginny’s gaze lingered on the wall clock long enough for him to know she was avoiding him. “At the risk of sounding rude, I’ve got to get moving. I’m already late and I still need to get dressed.”

“No problem. I didn’t mean to keep you.” He retrieved his cup from the table and took it to the sink.

“Oh, please, leave it. I feel terrible rushing you as it is. It’s just that we have a few scheduled events and I haven’t seen my old gang for ages. Anyway, I’m sure you’re anxious to be on your way.” She was rushing her words, clearly eager for him to leave, and that made him suspicious. “I don’t know if you heard about the storm headed up the coast. You know how awful the winds can be this time of year. I’d hate to see you stranded because your flight was canceled.”

Parker knew about the storm. If it hit land this far north, and that was a big if, the weather bureau predicted it wouldn’t happen until next week.

“Thanks for your concern,” he said, “but I’m in no hurry. Besides, what about having that drink we talked about?”

“Did we?”

Parker smiled. “Tell you what, your friends will only be here for...what...two more days? You go have fun with them. I’ll entertain myself, visit some of my old haunts, then we can meet up after everyone’s left. How does that sound?”

“I work for a living. It was hard squeezing in the reunion. I can’t just—”

“That sounds like a great idea.” Tilda stuck her head into the kitchen. “She never goes out. Ever. Okay, I’ve got my charger and we’re off. See you on Monday.”

Ginny’s glare included both of them.

Parker waited until he heard the front door close. “Tilda’s a smart kid. Very pretty too.”

Avoiding his eyes, Ginny opened the dishwasher, forcing him to back up. She put both cups on the top rack and closed it.

“How old is she?”

After washing her hands and drying them, she muttered, “Thirteen.”

He watched her hang up the towel, her hand trembling, and in that moment he knew. “Is she mine?”

Ginny straightened and faced him. Her eyes and voice clear as could be. “No. She isn’t.”

“You expect me to believe that?”

“What you believe is irrelevant. It’s the truth.”

If he hadn’t seen the girl and then Ginny’s reaction with his own eyes, he probably would’ve believed her. “Is she really thirteen?”

Ginny let out a sigh. “No. Fourteen. I lied because I knew you’d think exactly what you’re thinking, which would turn into a big hassle for nothing.” She shook her head. “I swear to you, Tilda isn’t yours.”

Parker frowned. They’d used protection, he’d made sure of that. But something wasn’t adding up here. Before he could open his mouth, she walked past him toward the hallway.

She stopped, looked back. “By the way, this doesn’t give you the right to ask any personal questions about my dating history after you left town. Now, I really do need to get going and so do you.”

He had to admit, she was being calm now. But he sure hadn’t imagined her nervousness earlier. “So I’m supposed to just take your word for it?”

“Yes.”

“Mind if I see her birth certificate?”

She lifted a brow. “Yes, actually, I do.”

“Why? You have nothing to hide, right?”

Staring at him, Ginny tilted her head slightly. “Even if you were her father, do you honestly think I’d name a man who’d suddenly disappeared without a word? No letter. No phone call. Nothing. A man who could’ve been dead for all I knew.”

“Ah, so this is payback?”

“Not at all. I’m just pointing out the facts.”

“I’ve already explained to you why I couldn’t make contact at the time.”

“And I answered your question. Tilda isn’t your daughter.” Ginny held his gaze without blinking or giving any indication she was lying. “But she is mine. And I won’t allow you to disrupt her life in any way. Have I made myself clear?”

Parker studied her determined green eyes, the lush shape of her mouth, waiting for her to falter. She was a rock. Generally he was good at reading people, and rarely found reason to second-guess himself. But he was starting to do just that. Whatever had made Ginny nervous earlier might’ve had nothing to do with her daughter. Yet something still bothered him.

Finally he nodded. “I’m sure you understand why I had to ask.”

“I do. Just as you must understand my first duty is to protect Tilda. She’s a sweet, compassionate girl and gifted student with a bright future ahead of her. The last thing she needs is an emotional upheaval that would only lead to disappointment.”

“Does she know her father?” Parker saw the fire reignite in her eyes. “And yes, I know it’s none of my business.”

Ginny smiled a little. “No, it’s not. And no, she doesn’t know him. Now, I hope you have a safe trip back to wherever it is you live.”

For a second he’d thought she might be softening. “I have to say, you sure are anxious to get rid of me.” He walked toward her and she seemed to shrink back, into the hall. She didn’t look all that confident now. He stopped short, not wanting to spook her further. Ironically, he’d been heading for the front door, about to give her what she wanted. “Do you hate me that much?”

“I don’t hate you, Parker.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Actually, I’m glad you came. The not knowing was hard. It’s been a while since I’ve thought about you and that last night before you left, at least consciously, but it feels good to have some closure.”

He put his hand out to her. She looked at it, hesitant, confusion swirling in her eyes, then she laid her palm on his. “I’m sorry I caused you any pain,” he said, tugging her closer.

“I don’t know what you’re expecting but—”

“Expectations are for suckers.” He’d learned that the hard way, but the lesson had stuck. “Just one drink, okay? I promise not to grill you, and I’d like to catch up before I leave. You name the time and place.”

She gazed up at him, her confusion giving way to a flicker of excitement. He hoped it was more about the electricity that still arced between them than about him mentioning leaving. “Maybe,” she said. “That’s the best I can do.”

Parker nodded. “It’s more than I deserve.” He lowered his head, and before she could protest, he planted a quick kiss on her forehead. Then he continued on to the front door before he did something stupid.

If anyone knew why he wanted to see her again he wished they’d explain it to him. He’d made his apology. Got his answer about her daughter. He should be relieved. His life was in Alaska. He was never going to leave there. The rest of the world revolved just fine without him. And luckily, he’d managed to find some peace in his life. Everything about living in his cabin, miles from civilization, suited him to a T. It was safe, free of emotional entanglements, less messy.

He and his business partner Mark Schwartz flew cargo, primarily to the outlying districts and small villages near waterways. They both flew out of Fairbanks, although they rarely ran into each other. Mark did most of the Anchorage deliveries. Parker liked delivering to the outliers.

He’d be a fool to allow anyone or anything to rob him of that life. Including the feelings building inside him. He’d felt the spark long before seeing it in Ginny’s eyes seconds ago. He’d thought about her over the years, generally with a mixture of fondness and shame. But the ache to hold her in his arms again, that was unexpected. And dangerous. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt her again.

Ginny hadn’t changed. She was a smart, compassionate, beautiful woman who deserved a good man, someone to share her life with and help raise her daughter. Someone a lot better than him.

* * *

GINNY STARED AT all the new cosmetics spread across her bathroom counter, defeat settling in every fiber of her being. Eyeliner pencils, a stupidly big eyeshadow palette, tubes of tinted moisturizers, highlighting sticks and a few other items she’d already forgotten how and where to apply. Did women really use all this stuff? Or did the saleswoman at the makeup counter know a sucker when she saw one?

It had been very expensive and now Ginny wondered how she was going to manage putting it to use when her hands were still shaking. She really needed to calm down.

Parker had left five minutes ago. And she honestly believed he no longer thought Tilda was his child. If he pressed, she had the consent to adoption Meg had given her. It was as good as a power of attorney, and had been witnessed by a social worker, who’d explained Meg needed it in order to give the baby up for adoption. The father’s name had never been on any documents.

It wasn’t until after several weeks—when Ginny had bonded completely with Tilda—that she considered adopting Tilda herself. She’d even spoken to an attorney about it, but the man had had concerns about the paperwork Meg had given her, and Ginny had been too nervous to move forward and have things blow up in her face.

By that time, Tilda had felt like her own daughter, and that hadn’t changed in all these years. But she still had that paper in her safe, and she’d use it if she had to. She just hoped it wouldn’t come to that.

If Ginny chose not to meet Parker for a drink and didn’t bother to call, she was sure that would be the end of it. She’d never see him again. Which was her goal, despite the ache in her heart.

How could she still feel anything for him? Anything but disdain was nuts. He could’ve contacted her once he and his mom were in the clear. But he hadn’t.

Determined to put all thoughts of Parker aside for her big night at the reunion, she faced the makeup once again. Unfortunately, her exuberance waned as she picked up the gray liner pencil that promised a sultry, smoky-eyed look. Ginny recalled it involved a lot of smudging. Not gonna happen—she was sure she’d end up looking like a racoon. Maybe she should just bag up the lot and return to the store for some help from the saleswoman. Before she could decide, the phone rang.

“Dad?”

“Ginny. I wasn’t sure I’d catch you at home. Isn’t this your big reunion weekend?”

She couldn’t imagine how he knew that...certainly not from her. “It is.”

“I hope you’re enjoying yourself.” He paused, probably wondering what came next during a normal parent-child phone call. “How’s Tilda?”

Okay, this was getting weirder by the second. “Um, she’s fine. She’s gone camping with a friend.”

“By themselves?”

As if he cared. Ginny quashed the thought. Lately he’d been trying to mend the rift between them. The least she could do was meet him partway. “No, the whole family went.”

“Well, good, I’m glad you have the weekend to yourself. Did your old gang show up?”

“Most of them, yes. It’s fun seeing everyone. I’ve recognized quite a few people. One charmer told me I could use a bit of Botox between my eyebrows.”

Her dad barked out a laugh that had her head spinning. When had she last heard that sound come from him? Ten years? Fourteen? “Don’t listen to that nonsense,” he said. “You’re a beautiful young woman just the way you are.”

Ginny blinked. His words brought a lump to her throat. What was going on? “Dad? Is everything all right?”

“With me? Of course, I’m fine. Perhaps mellowing with age, as they say,” he said with a trace of amusement. “By the way, I heard Tilda made the dean’s list.”

Startled at first, Ginny quickly realized it wasn’t at all odd for him to know about the goings-on at Roger Williams Preparatory Academy. He and most of his cronies were alumni, including the current headmaster. Truly the “old boys club.”

“Yes, she’s doing very well.”

“I must admit, I thought you were wrong in allowing her to skip the third grade. However, I imagine she would’ve been quite bored. It seems she has a head for science.” He paused. “Honestly, Ginny, I wish you’d told me she was in an accelerated program. I’m very proud of that granddaughter of mine.”

Ginny held her tongue. He should’ve been proud of her regardless. Ginny wasn’t surprised though. This was a well-worn theme in his life. If she had stayed at Juilliard she would’ve been the apple of her father’s eye. Not an outcast.

“Yes, I’m proud of her, as well. Funny you brought up her skipping a grade. At the rate she’s going she’ll graduate early and then be off to college. I’m sure going to miss her.”

“Nonsense. You must do what’s right for the child.”

“I didn’t say I would hold her back. Although if she wasn’t at an appropriate maturity level, I wouldn’t hesitate to do just that.” Ginny’s brusque tone was met with silence. She never spoke to her dad like that. She cleared her throat. “Tilda’s SAT scores should get her a scholarship, especially now that we know MIT has her on their radar. So I don’t think I’ll have to worry about shelling out exorbitant tuition.”

“Oh, for heaven’s sake, you know I’ll take care of my granddaughter’s college expenses.”

Ginny waited, holding her breath, half expecting him to give her a list of conditions. The offer was an amazing turnaround on his part, and she felt equal parts gratitude and resentment. If Tilda had been an average student, would they even be having this conversation? Would they be on speaking terms at all? Plus, she knew that if he were to pay Tilda’s tuition he would insist on full input as to which university she attended.

“Thank you, Dad. That’s very generous of you,” Ginny said, choosing her words carefully. “We’ll discuss it later. I’m running a little late here.”

“All right, I didn’t mean to keep you. Give my best to Tilda.”

Out of pure selfishness, Ginny sometimes wished she hadn’t let Tilda skip third grade. She couldn’t imagine living in the house without her. They’d been through so much together. But she would never clip Tilda’s wings, or do anything that would hinder her very bright future.

Anyway, if things went well with the Rhode Island Philharmonic, Ginny would have very little time to miss anyone. She’d have a second chance at a career—not the one she could have had. There’d be no Carnegie Hall in her future. Though if she did well, there was a good chance of steady work in smaller venues, which would be just fine with her.

But that presented another problem. At thirty-two, she still had time to have babies of her own. She’d been honest with Harlow... Ginny truly did want to have a bigger family. And she wanted to experience all of motherhood...the aches and pains of pregnancy, giving birth, all of it.

Oh, Tilda would always be hers. Ginny couldn’t possibly love her more. But she knew Tilda would be thrilled with a little brother or sister, and Ginny longed for a partner to share her life, and the laughter of children to fill her house and her heart.