Cal chuckles. “Yeah, welcome to the club.”
I laugh, still working out what Cal’s said. He’s gone and pulled a Toto on me, tugging open the curtain in my brain to reveal my big powerful thoughts are really little lies I’m telling myself about how much I can control.
I lift my eyes to the pond where the mama duck swims past us, her ducklings close behind. She stops near some tall reeds and directs the ducklings inside. One by one they disappear, then she follows. I admire her instinct to protect. I hope she’s more aware than I am about whatever danger may be lurking nearby.
“It’s peaceful here, Cal. Thank you for inviting me.” I drag my gaze from the ducks’ hiding place to Cal’s eyes. “I wish I could stay.”
“You can. You should.” He scans my face like he’s looking for a way into what’s going on in my brain.
Slowly, I shake my head. “I’ve done what I could to try to undo the damage I caused by telling Malcolm about Serenity Cove. Most people around here know that by now…” I smirk and add, “—except for Cassidy,”.
“She’ll come around.” Cal laughs, but his smile quickly disappears when I turn serious again.
“People here saw me fight Malcolm, even if he turned the story around in the news.” I continue. “But everybody lost, and that’s because of me. I did what I had to do to beat Malcolm, but there was never going to be a winner in afight against him.”
“What do you mean?” Cal tips his head.
I want to trust him. I reckon I can, but the truth’s going to change his idea that I’m not the villain here. But I’d rather he heard it from me and not my ex, which I suspect is why Brandon’s here in the first place—to write another big story about me.
“I found a way to buy the Serenity Cove Inn out from under Malcolm, but only through the help of a different investment group, Wild Coast Capital. They got behind my original idea—most of it, anyway—and fronted me the money. Until I’ve paid them back, I’m a silent partner, which is perfect. My name stays out of everything, and Malcolm doesn’t know what I did.” I look at Cal to see his reaction, but his face is blank. I'm not sure if he’s processing or doesn’t understand what I’ve done.
“No one knows that Cal. I stopped the eco resort, but I only stalled what’s happening now, and when people find out I’m part of Sanctuary, they’re gonna feel betrayed by me.” I turn to him. “Which is why I have to go, Cal. Not just from the ranch, but from Serenity Cove. I’ve done enough damage.”
I stand, ready to leave, but voices in the distance stop me from asking Cal to drive me. We both look in the direction of the house where Cal’s entire family is walking in our direction.
Everybody’s got something in their arms from picnic baskets and blankets to Junie. She’s on the shoulders of one of Cals brothers—I can’t remember who is who. Jo has Cassidy’s hand, leading her reluctant daughter down the slope toward us.
“Dinner’s on! We’ll join you down there!” Jo calls and waves her entire arm at me.
I look at Cal. He raises an eyebrow.
“Mom may have something to say about you leaving.”
I glance back at the advancing Holloways blocking my retreat with food and smiles. My stomach growls. The onlything I’ve eaten today is fries and a shake hours ago at Flamingo’s.
Cal grins. “At least stay for dinner. I can take you back to town after.”
My stomach growls again.
Cal’s grin grows as he stands and waves at his family.
Junie scrambles off her uncle’s shoulders, nearly taking him down with her, then darts the last twenty feet to us. Actually…me.
“I sit by you, Fwankie,” she proclaims.
I look at Cal. He shrugs. “Good luck getting out now.”
And, with no back up from the guy who was so determined to protect me a few minutes ago, I let myself be taken hostage by a three-year-old in ladybug boots.
Chapter 10
Cal
Mom spreads a blanket on the grass while Dad unfolds chairs for the both of them., Junie pulls Frankie down next to her on the blanket and climbs into her lap, which sets off a warmth in my chest that I’d call heartburn if it hurt anymore. I almost laugh at the absurdity of my daughter in her ladybug boots stopping this famous actress from leaving. Instead, I smile at the sweetness of it.
I also worry. I want to keep Frankie close. This instinct to protect her rises whenever she’s near, but what if my desire to keep her safe confines her instead?
The rest of my family sits down in a haphazard circle, everyone pointed in Frankie’s direction, like she’s the guest of honor—even if some of them still aren’t sure they want her here. I sit on one side of Frankie, Mom on the other, leaving the camp chair next to Dad empty. She leans against his legs instead, so Dad can rub her shoulders.
