Читать книгу Reunion By The Sea - Jo Leigh - Страница 14

CHAPTER SIX

THE MOTEL MADE Parker’s cabin feel like a palace—before he’d installed the indoor plumbing. But he’d stayed in worse. At least the TV worked, although it wasn’t loud enough to compete with the soothing sound of the stone’s-throw highway serenade keeping him from getting a nap at all. It wouldn’t be so bad if he’d gotten some rest last night, but nope. He’d grown used to the calls of moose, bears, wolves, the squeal of hawks and higher calls of elk.

So he thought about Ginny. Not just Ginny from this morning, with her torn robe and half-done makeup, but Ginny from the night they’d come together for comfort.

He’d spent a lot of years regretting that he’d let things go so far, and just as many that he hadn’t come back to find her, to explain why he’d left so suddenly. But he’d known she was headed for big things, and his own life plans had diminished to less than wishful thinking.

Nothing could have shocked him more than finding out she’d stayed in Temptation Bay and taught piano from her family home. Except that she’d had a child.

Although Ginny had convinced him that Tilda wasn’t his, he couldn’t seem to shake the idea that Ginny was hiding something. It bothered him that he was making decisions based on a girl he’d known briefly years ago. Even though they’d been more than acquaintances, they hadn’t been friends, not in the way he understood the concept. They’d shared a common loss. His sister running off had made Ginny doubt herself and what she’d meant to Meg. Finding his sister gone had made his father’s absence so much harder for Parker to accept.

The idea that he believed he would have known if Ginny had lied to him was a conceit he had no business entertaining. Tilda could be his. What seemed clear was that whether he was the girl’s father or not, Ginny had no interest in letting him into their lives.

Truthfully, he wasn’t sure whether to be angry or grateful.

Maybe she had slept with some dark-eyed stranger the day after he and his mom had been forced to leave. Although that was as hard to believe as Meg wanting to come home.

Facing reality head-on was all that had saved his sanity after his father’s betrayal. And it was a lot easier to admit the truth when the nearest neighbor lived across three rivers.

He turned on his side and punched the pillow, although he felt certain the pillow had given up the fight hours ago. The ring of his cell phone was a welcome distraction. That it was Denali Wildrose screaming through his smartphone as if they were talking on two cans tied by a string made it a mixed blessing.

“Where you at?” Denali asked, his tone as gnarly as his calloused hands.

“I’m away. Mark is bringing your supplies.”

“Who’s that? Your partner?”

“Yep. You’ve met him.”

Denali grunted. “He’s late.”

“I can’t do anything about it from here.”

“Anchorage?”

“Nope. Rhode Island.”

“What? Who you got down there?” The old-timer didn’t trust anyone who wasn’t Native American. But Denali was a good man. Had six kids. Raised them all on his own after a boulder had killed his wife during an earthquake. But he was getting on in years and odder by the day.

“What else did you need, Kaskae?” Parker asked. “It takes time to get to Hoonah, and he’s got double the work since I’m not there.”

“That doesn’t make my stomach stop grumbling. We can’t cook nothing before we get that part for the oven.”

“Light a fire. You’ve got a perfectly good camp stove right outside your back door.”

“Okay, okay. You be back next week?”

“I hope so.” Parker said, although he wouldn’t swear to it. Not yet.

“What business you got in the Lower 48, anyway?”

“The none-of-your-business kind.”

Denali snorted. “You ain’t sick are ya?”

“No. It’s family stuff, okay? I’ll be back as soon as I can. And don’t give Mark a hard time. He’s doing me a favor.”

“He’s got shifty eyes, that one.”

“Either deal with it or he can skip you this week,” Parker said, imagining the old guy’s eyes bugging out of his head. “Your choice.”

“What’s the matter with you? I gotta eat, don’t I? So does Elmo,” Denali sputtered. “By the way, he needs the other food. He won’t eat the chunky kind.”

“That cat eats better than I do. Call Mark and he’ll get it out to you if I’m not there to do it myself.”

“Don’t stay out there too long. Too much noise’ll rot your brain.”

“Right.”

“Now I have to call everybody and tell ’em you ain’t coming.”

“You do that. And tell them to be nice to Mark.”

“If he’s still shoppin’, tell him to throw in some Tongass Forest cookies. The big box.”

“I wouldn’t count on it.”

A grunt was the only response Parker got before Denali disconnected.

* * *

IT HAD TAKEN about an hour, but Ginny had finally relaxed. Catching up with her old friends felt like a tonic. Which was good, because the tea they were drinking hadn’t done the trick.

Gosh, they all looked so beautiful and carefree in their colorful sundresses, and their laughter was a time machine, taking her back to the days when these girls had been her only real break from piano practice and study. Well, these girls plus Meg.

If only...

Harlow lifted her glass. “Old friends are the best.”

Everyone nodded as they toasted, and Ginny couldn’t help picturing Meg at the table. Although she hadn’t been too tight with the others, they’d always made her feel welcome.

As Ginny lowered her glass, she did a quick sweep of the bar area, making sure Parker hadn’t suddenly popped by. She had no business being distracted while she had the rare opportunity to be with her gang. From this moment forward, she wasn’t going to do a thing but be present.

“Guess who’s here this weekend,” Harlow said, looking at Jade. “Fletcher Preston.”

Jade winced. “So, what do I care?”

Cricket and Harlow laughed.

Ginny smiled, wishing being “present” made it easier to forget about Parker.

“You were into him all of junior year,” Harlow said, as the waitress came to the table with a fresh pitcher of tea.

“At least you’re not denying it,” Ginny said, while Jade poured.

“No.” Jade grunted. “Men are dopes.”

Cricket and Harlow grinned. “Not all men.”

“Most men.”

Sipping her tea, Harlow looked around at the packed tables. “There’s someone in LA that I’ve been kind of seeing. No one special though. Another teacher. Science and math. You’d like him, Jade.”

“Just because I’m a chemist doesn’t mean I instantly bond with all other science nerds. Especially the men—superior jerks.”

“Now this is like old times,” Ginny said. “Remember Tommy Zico? That creep? Is he here? I didn’t see his name...” She gave in to the pull of scoping out the lobby again.

Harlow shuddered. “I hope not.”

“Well, how about that?” Ginny said. “Cricket. Check out who’s at the activity board.”

Jade followed Cricket’s gaze. “I’ll take him to go, please.”

It was Wyatt, the bartender from the local watering hole, Sam’s Sugar Shack. She and Cricket had met him yesterday when she’d asked Cricket for legal advice regarding Tilda...without actually mentioning names or admitting the advice was for her. He looked even scruffier, wearing a sweat-stained T-shirt over running shorts, his stubble darker, his hair a mess. Ginny had to admit, he looked hot.

“Wait a minute,” Jade said. “Cricket? He’s so not your type.”

“You don’t even know what my type is.”

“Uh, corporate. Silk tie. Penthouse apartment. Porsche.”

“You’re so wrong.” Cricket quickly polished off her drink and dropped her napkin on the table. “Don’t get into too much trouble while I’m gone.”

“Why, you hogging him all for yourself?”

“Very possibly.” She tugged her dress down, then headed his way.

Ginny’s anxiety level rose at least two notches. Seeing Wyatt reminded her that Parker could be anywhere in the crowded lobby. She guessed there was no true break from reality. “Hey, I’ve got an idea,” she leaned closer to the others. “How about we go to Sam’s and get away from the reunion crowd for a bit?”

“I’m in,” Jade said, still watching the action at the activity board. “That’s probably where all the guys who aren’t from Roger Williams are.”

“Good point.” Harlow put down her glass. “The mere idea of running into that blowhard Frank Geary gives me hives. I saw him yesterday, and he tried to talk my ear off.”

“Well, that’s a nightmare no one needs.” Jade said.

Ginny laid some money on the table. “Do you guys think we should tell Cricket where we’re going?”

“I don’t think she’ll care.” Jade nodded toward the activity board. The two looked pretty cozy already. “Come on, I’d like to see Sam’s now that I’m legal.”

Harlow and Ginny both laughed.

“What?” Jade’s voice was the epitome of innocence.

Harlow snorted. “As if being underage ever stopped you.”

After they settled the check, Ginny led the way to the beach. Being outside was a relief. It was hot, yes, but the ocean breeze coming off the bay felt like heaven.

“I got dibs on anyone who remotely resembles the bartender,” Jade said.

Harlow stopped so suddenly Ginny almost ran into her. “Are you nuts? You can’t have dibs before we even walk in.”

“Who says?”

Harlow towered over Jade, but there was fierceness in both their eyes. They’d had enough challenges in their lives that Ginny already knew they could hold their own against the rest of the world. She’d always envied their gumption. Cricket’s too. Ginny had been more of a follower in the beginning. It was Meg who’d made her believe she could stand her ground. Always before, she’d been cowed by her father, who’d had a knack for finding her weak spots and exploiting them.

Meg had had his number from the first time she’d come over to Ginny’s. If it hadn’t been for her friend’s unwavering belief in shy little Ginny, she’d never have had the courage to leave Juilliard and care for Tilda despite her father’s vehement disapproval.

“Okay, fine,” Jade said. “We get to the table and if we like the same guy, I’ll arm wrestle you for him.”

Harlow laughed. “You little pip-squeak. There’s no way you’ll win.”

“Oh, really? We’ll just see about that.”

Ginny had clearly missed some of the conversation, but the two of them were now speed-walking to Sam’s. Ginny had to hustle to catch up, anxious now to see the outcome of this World Wrestling Federation mash-up. She giggled as they went up the few stairs to the popular hangout, while Jade and Harlow egged each other on.

“Wow, this place hasn’t changed a bit,” Harlow said as she glanced around at the funky decor, with hanging piñatas and bikini tops dangling over the tables and wicker chairs, assorted bric-a-brac like Hula-Hoops and license plates hung on the walls and from the ceiling. Hula girls bobbled in the center of every table. Even the uniforms—short denim cutoffs and cropped T-shirts with the bar’s logo—hadn’t been updated...ever.

“Hey, you guys.” Jade had already slipped into the thick of the crowd. “I’ve got a table. Come on.”

The place was packed with tourists, and it took Ginny a minute to get through the crowd but she finally took her seat.

Jade signaled the waitress. “This was a genius idea. We’ve hit the mother lode. Check out the guy by the jukebox.”

“I’m pretty sure half the bar heard you.” Ginny leaned in, keeping her voice low.

After Harlow ordered a pitcher of margaritas, Jade put her hand over Ginny’s. “Sweetie, it’s okay to loosen up every once in a while. You’re not seeing anyone, am I right?”

“With Tilda around? I don’t even remember the last guy who asked me out.”

“Well, don’t you worry. There are plenty of men here this weekend. We’ll fix you up.”

“I don’t know. I think you guys are bad influences on me. I was always stuck behind a piano, remember?”

“And the night of the junior prom when you were out until one in the morning? Your father almost sent you to a nunnery.”

Ginny groaned. “Jade, you know perfectly well we really did have a flat tire. It was you and Harlow who kept staying out past curfew.”

“Oh, girl, what you’ve missed out on. Tonight’s your chance to make up for lost time.” Jade watched a far-too-cocky golfer sashay past their table. “I promise I’ll find you someone decent.”

“Oh, I don’t need any help,” she said, “I already have someone in mind.”

Both women widened their eyes. “Who?”

Ginny was instantly sorry she’d teased them. She wasn’t thinking clearly. Too much was going on, and she’d been completely caught off guard after Parker had shown up. Maybe she should meet up with him before the dinner. Get it over with. Send him on his way.

But something about him was making it hard to do the smart thing. It didn’t seem possible that they could still have the chemistry they’d shared so long ago. Too much water under the bridge. Surely he had another woman in his life. Besides, nothing meaningful could come of the two of them. Not with Tilda in the picture.

“Ginny? You okay?” Harlow stared with concern.

“I’m fine. I’ve been thinking about Meg a lot, and it’s distracting, you know? I haven’t heard from her in a while, and I feel like we’re losing touch.” She’d never tell her friends anything about Meg’s real situation. That even if she were alive, she must be in hiding, or under Danny’s thumb. She knew Meg wouldn’t want her to share that information.

“Yeah, you guys were close,” Jade said. “I always liked her, even though she could be crazier than me. I kind of figured that we canceled each other out. It was that, or we’d end up driving each other nuts with our...eccentricities.”

Harlow let out a laugh. “That’s one way of saying you were a lunatic.”

“Gee, thanks.” Jade took a very large drink of her margarita, then dabbed her lips with a napkin. “You have to admit, the two of us made that uptight school a heck of a lot more interesting. Meg sure did have some great moves, aside from getting Miss Piano Practice out from behind the keyboard more than I could.”

“Miss Piano Practice?” Ginny hadn’t heard that one, and she didn’t like it one bit. “Did you guys really call me that?”

“Not until today,” Harlow said. “And that was all Jade.”

“We love you, Ginny, you know that.” Jade grinned. “We’d never diss you. Even when you had to cancel all the time.”

“Well, yeah, I did. Which wasn’t easy. But I might, and I stress the word might, be touring with the Rhode Island Philharmonic.”

“What! Are you kidding?” Jade rushed on. “You waited this long to tell us?”

Harlow’s mouth dropped open. Then she started firing questions—when, where, how they could get tickets.

“It’s not happening right away,” Ginny said, shushing their exuberance. “I’m not going on tour while Tilda’s still at Roger Williams. She still comes first.”

“But that’s fantastic. See? Who says you can’t have your cake and eat it too?”

Ginny smiled, still carrying a bit of doubt about sharing the news. Normally, she preferred to remain cautiously optimistic, knowing all too well that the best-laid plans could turn on a dime. “I hope it turns out. I’ve been working with them, doing a couple of guest spots.”

“Of course it’ll turn out.” Harlow lifted her glass. “To dreams coming true.”

Ginny clicked her glass to theirs. “Maybe it’s turning out that we’re all getting what we need instead of what we wanted.” Ginny smiled, even though she couldn’t shake the feeling that Parker showing up out of the blue was the last thing she needed.