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No, not me. I’ve never been one to get bored easily. I never made friends easily, which meant I had to find ways to entertain myself. Now, that always comes easy to me.
I mean, I always knew how different I am from the other two women in Daddy’s life, but the more time I spend here, the more blatantly obvious it truly becomes.
I don’t know how Daddy puts up with it. With them.
And I’m stalling.
I clear my throat and place my hands one on top of the other in my lap, willing myself to stop fidgeting. “Daddy, I need your help with something.”
He sets his cup down on his saucer and looks at me closely. “What’s wrong, sweetheart? You know you can come to me and I’ll always help you with whatever I can. No matter what. Big or small, it doesn’t matter, that’s what fathers are supposed to do for their children. Now, tell me.”
Okay, so far, this is going better than I had hoped for.
“Well, see…” I stop to wet my suddenly dry lips, fighting to keep my voice from trembling.
Now or never, Greer.
“I can’t tell you what it’s for. Just that it’s important.” That wasn’t how I should have started, but Dad doesn’t look annoyed or suspicious.
“What’s important, Greer?”
“I need ten thousand dollars for something,” I blurt out.
When he opens his mouth to speak, I quickly raise my hands in front of me, palms toward him, in a plea for him to stay quiet.
“And, like I said, I can’t tell you why, but I promise you, Daddy, that it’s not dangerous or illegal, and it isn’t something that’s going to get me in any sort of trouble. That’s all I can tell you. You’re just going to have to trust me.”
Having finally gotten it all out, I slump back in the chair, utterly drained. Who knew asking someone for help could be so exhausting?
I had no idea.
My father eyes me critically before sitting back in his own chair and crossing his arms over his chest. I don’t like the way he’s looking at me. It’s a way he’s never looked at me before, like he’s assessing me in order to see if he really can trust me.
Maybe coming to him was a mistake.
He nods his head once, decisively. “I’ll come by your room with it before dinner. I don’t need nor do I want either your mother or your sister to know about it. And you’re to come to me immediately if you feel like you need me. Is that understood?”
“Yes, Daddy. Thank you.” I push back my chair and rush over to him. I throw my arms around his shoulders and whisper in his ear, “You won’t regret this. I promise.”
He pats me on the shoulder, and I get the hint, letting him go and backing away. I rush around to the other side of the table and grab my bag up off the chair.
As I shoulder the strap up my arm, he says, “Before dinner. Don’t forget.”
“Before dinner,” I confirm over my shoulder as I practically run away before he can change his mind.
I wave to Jamie as I hustle my way through the dining room, and even though Drew looks away as soon as our eyes lock, I still waste the effort it takes to wave at him as well.
I figure if I keep pushing, sooner or later something’s going to give.
The trail down to the beach is blessedly empty, and I don’t run into a single soul.
The beach is empty as well. At least it is for a little while.
I lay my towel out on the sandy shore, shuck off my dress, kick off my sandals, and lie down on my stomach on the towel with my eyes aimed out at the water.
For a second I think about tossing my sandals into the water, but then I think better of it. After the sun cooks it for a few hours, the sand is going to be scorching, and I’m going to need those sandals to get me back to my room.
I sit up on my elbows and pull the hair tie out of my hair. If I had thought to bring makeup remover wipes with me, I would wipe off what little makeup I put on this morning.
