The drive to the inn is a short one from the ferry terminal. As I drive past the familiar landmarks, I feel a sense of calm wash over me. It’s a feeling I’ve never had in the past when I come to visit, and I have to say, I like it. It’s a peace I haven’t felt in a long time. As I drive through the intersection that would take me down wharf street and to the diner where I’ll be meeting Sam and Toby, I smile, thinking of them. I always figured I would settle down eventually and have a family. But the idea was always so nebulous in light of my constant traveling. Watching Sam and Toby stirred something in me, a desire to take a step back and look at my life and my goals with a new perspective. I’ve met single dads before, I’ve hung out with some pretty cute kids, but none of them have ever made me think or feel this way. I’d have to be completely clueless to not realize that my pull to Sam and his son isn’t exactly normal. I just met them and I’m already eager to see them again. It’s not just because Sam is bloody gorgeous, either. No, when I first saw him, it was as if my soul sighed in relief.
Before I can spend another minute trying to figure out what that means, I’ve arrived at the inn. Tawny and Ella knew I was on the early ferry, so I’m not surprised to see the two of them waiting outside for me, along with my new brother-in-law Marcus. Even if they don’t know I’m staying at the inn, this is always my first stop, since it’s almost always where they can be found.
As soon as I’m out of my car I’m surrounded by my sister’s arms and something inside of me rights itself.Home.
“You look tired,” Tawny comments, pulling back and examining me.
“Of course she does, she’s probably been on a plane for the last two days,” Ella interjects. She’s smiling, but I can see a shadow of concern. We’ve always been able to communicate without words. Which means I can see in her eyes that she’s asking me if I’m okay, and I try to shake off her concern by mouthing ‘later’.
Tawny reaches into her pocket and moves to hand me her keys. “I’m guessing you’d rather stay with me than the lovebirds,” she nods over at Ella and Marcus.
When I don’t immediately reach out to take the keys, Tawny looks at me curiously.
“Actually, I was thinking I’d just stay at the inn this time,” I blurt out.
“Why?” Ella asks, “You always stay with me or Tawny. And no matter what she says, Marcus and I would love to have you at the cottage.”
“I know,” I start to fidget with my hands. I really don’t want to get into this out here; hell, I don’t want to get into it at all. But certainly not now. I’m going to need a whole hell of a lot of booze before I dredge up the memories that I’ve been pushing down for so many weeks. “I just figured it would be nice to stay at the inn. Check out the new soaker tubs.”
My excuse sounds feeble, even to my own ears. But thankfully my sisters don’t push me any further. Not sure why, but I’ll take the break.
“Well. Good to see you all. I’m going to go inside and unpack, then I’m meeting someone for lunch. I’m sure you guys have to get back to work anyway, so I’ll see you for dinner later.” I rush the words out, suddenly desperate to be alone and collect myself. It’s harder seeing my sisters than I thought it would be.
“Okay, yeah, dinner at Tawny’s house at seven,” Ella says softly. Tawny is uncharacteristically silent. They know something’s up, and the clock starts counting down toward the moment I have to tell my sisters the truth about why I’m here. But for now, I make my escape.
“Seven. Great. See you later.” I hurry inside, stopping only briefly to grab my bag. I manage to get my room key from the front desk and go upstairs without having to talk to Tawny or Ella again. Once I’m inside my room, I flop down on the bed with a sigh.
Part of me feels guilty for the confusion and worry I’m sure I’ve caused my sisters. They mean well, but I just couldn’t handle it. Not now, not with my emotions all confused by Sam and Toby. And not while seeing them brought up a longing for the safety and comfort of home, deeper than I’ve ever felt. I didn’t know how adrift I was over the last few months until now.
A glance to the clock tells me I’m running short on time to get ready before I meet Sam and Toby for lunch, so I quickly get up and turn on the shower. Once it’s steaming hot, I climb in and let the heat from the water wash away my stress. Or at least I pretend it does. Let’s face it, no shower is going to completely erase my particular worries. But the scent from the luxury body wash that Tawny stocks adds to the soothing experience of a hot shower. When you’ve traveled to the remote areas I’ve been to, you start to appreciate the simple things, like hot water, a lot more. Showers are my indulgence and my second favorite way to unwind. Unbidden, my mind goes to my favorite way to unwind. Orgasms. It’s been a long time since I had sex, so any release I’ve had lately has been by my own hand. Don’t get me wrong, I know what I need and I can do it well, but a man bringing me to climax is so much better. Suddenly I’m picturing Sam in the shower with me…his hands sliding down my body as he kneels down in front of me, his mouth covering the part of my body that is starting to throb with desire.Damn…I let my fingers drift down and lose myself in the fantasy. I come quickly, and the release definitely helps me to relax from the tension of seeing my sisters and keeping my secret from them.
Once I’ve rinsed off, I step out of the shower and dry off using one of the soft, fluffy, oversized towels that are in every guest room. I’m impressed by the quality of products Tawny’s providing; clearly our guests are getting pampered at the inn. I’m so proud of her; running the inn can’t be easy, but she seems to be doing a fantastic job. But I worry about her. Tawny has always been the ultimate big sister, protective and loving, to the expense of her own happiness. I’ve never heard of her dating anyone and the selection of available men on the island is limited, to say the least. She rarely leaves home, instead spending most of her time here, making sure this place runs perfectly.
But Tawny is not my concern right now. No, now I’m faced with the ultimate dilemma for all females. What to wear on a date. Wait, is this a date? I’m having lunch with a handsome man and his son. It’s so totally not a date, no matter how much I want it to be. Time to stop overthinking this, Kayla Michaels.
I grab some jean shorts and a tee I got from Australia. It has the outline of a koala on the front and is a souvenir from one of my favorite memories — when I spent a day at an animal reserve, photographing their programs and learning about how they’re working to conserve Australia’s wildlife. Cuddling koalas and feeding kangaroos is high on my list of best experiences ever.
Once I’m dressed, I twist my long hair into a braid. I’ll ask Ella to give me a trim later, she’s got a good eye for that and it’s getting ridiculously long. A swipe of mascara and lip gloss, and I’m good to go. Call me low maintenance if you want, but I’ve never been a girly girl. With my room key and cellphone in my back pocket, I head out. There’s no need for a wallet; partly because Sam implied that he was treating me for lunch, but even if that wasn’t the case, any local can eat at the diner and just put it on their tab.
I duck out the front door of the inn, managing to avoid Tawny. I don’t know why they let me get away with staying here so easily, and I know I’ll have to explain everything at dinner tonight, but for now I’m grateful for the space. It’s a short walk to Wharf Street where the diner is, so I can leave my car here. It feels good to stretch my legs. Ella was right when she said I was probably tired from traveling. It was a long journey from France, where I arrived from Germany, to here — our tiny island off the West Coast of Washington. France helped to calm me; I stayed with a friend, a fellow photographer who heard what happened through the grapevine. She hooked me up with an ex-pat who lives nearby and happens to be a psychologist. Doctor Dave helped me begin to process my experience, and he was the one who suggested I take some time and head home. We made plans to check in via video calls once every couple of weeks, but other than that, I’m on my own, trying to move on from everything.
4
Kayla
When I get to Seas the Day, it’s not that full inside. That’s a relief; I don’t need all the prying eyes of the locals who’ve known me since birth watching me with Sam and Toby. The gossip and rumors that would start…oh man. Let’s just say, the paparazzi could learn a thing or two from some of our residents.
Moments after I’ve slid into a booth, the door opens and I can hear Toby before I even see him. He’s chattering away to his dad about a rabbit they saw on the walk here and I smile. The kid is going to love it here; there’s all kinds of wildlife to see. Sam spots me and gives a wave before directing his son over to where I’m seated.
“Well, hey there, fancy meeting you two handsome boys here.”
Toby fixes me with a look that clearly saysduh. “Miss Kayla, did you fowget we was comin’ fow lunch?”
I grin at him as Sam chuckles. “Nah dude, she didn’t forget. Miss Kayla is just being funny.”
“And Miss Kayla doesn’t mind if you just call me Kayla, Toby. The ‘Miss’ part makes me feel old.”
I waggle my eyebrows when I say the word old, and Toby giggles. He’s such a cute kid, and clearly used to being respectful and polite toward others. The fact that Sam is an amazing dad is evident, even in the short time I’ve been around him.
