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“Yes. What if he’s forcing her to go back to him? You should check up on her.”
“I’ll do that.” He nodded toward the dock. “Grab hold and tie us up.”
She struggled to her feet and reached for a post as the boat bumped against the dock, then clung tight to hold it in place while she slipped the loop of rope around it. Mason secured the stern, then grabbed her duffel bag of belongings before assisting her to the dock’s decking.
No one was there to greet them, but Sarah suspected her presence hadn’t been something Max was looking forward to. It felt like everyone was against her, and why wouldn’t they be after what she’d done? Annie was one of theirs while Sarah was an unpredictable outsider. She might have been born in the area, but she wasn’t sure how many knew she was Annie’s long-lost sister.
Mason strode ahead of her along the flagstone path toward the huge log home. Mansion, really. It was the largest log structure she’d ever seen, but it seemed cold and forbidding to her. Like it could swallow her up and not even burp. The crazy thought slowed her steps and raised her heart rate even though she told herself she’d be fine out here. The sheriff wouldn’t bring her here if he thought she’d be in danger.
Mason rang the bell, and the door opened almost immediately. An honest-to-goodness butler stood in the doorway, wearing a suit and everything. The jacket and tie felt over the top to Sarah, especially out here in this wilderness. Tremolo Island had never been fully tamed. Native timber and thick brush covered most of its many acres, but she still held a few faint memories of how much she’d once loved it.
After staying here a few days, maybe she could learn to be part of this place again.
“Good morning,” the man said. “Mr.Reardon is expecting you. This way.”
He led the way down a wide hall with a vaulted ceiling that echoed their footsteps. The ten-foot door opened without a sound, and Sarah caught sight of tall windows flanking a massive stone fireplace that reached to the ceiling. Sunbeams touched beige leather furniture that looked as soft as butter.
Sarah couldn’t imagine living in a place this beautiful. Max rose from his seat at a large walnut desk and turned toward them with a smile. She’d only seen him a few times, but she’d always been struck by the calm confidence that seemed to ooze from his pores.
That assurance enveloped her now, and for the first time in a long time, she thought she might be able to relax and heal here in this beautiful setting.
Six
Tears trembled on Kylie’s lashes. “You mean they left without saying good-bye?” She sat on the edge of the deck with Milo’s head on her lap. Her braid needed to be redone, but Jon wasn’t sure he’d be able to do much to help.
He wanted to scoop her up and reassure her, but she wouldn’t welcome that from him, even if his aching shoulder and ribs would allow it. “I’m sorry, sweetheart.”
Her lower lip quivered. “It’s because they know you’re my real dad, isn’t it? They don’t love me anymore.”
Angry words about her grandparents hovered on his tongue, but he bit them back. They’d serve no purpose and would upset Kylie even more. She’d recognize any deflection as to the reason for their departure as the lie it was. “Nate is still your daddy. Maybe we can make them understand that.”
Kylie began to sob. “Will I ever see them again?”
He leaned over to put his hand on her shoulder, and at least she let him without jerking away. “I hope so. It’ll take them some time to adjust to the news. Remember how mad you were when you heard about it? Can you try to imagine how they feel right now?”
She moved so his hand fell away. “Especially with Daddy in heaven. It probably feels like I don’t love them. But Ido! They should have asked me how I felt. Grandma said she was going to take me shopping. All my summer clothes are getting too little.” She gave a tug on her short top.
Did she have enough clothes to pack for the trip? Did he offer to take her shopping, or did he shut up and let Annie deal with it? All this girl stuff was over his head. It was as bad as trying to roll a log in a river. One slip, and he was in the drink.
“I do have some good news though,” he said, testing the waters of her mood. “What would you think of going to Wisconsin Dells with the twins and Davy?”
Her eyes widened, and Milo lifted his head. “For real? You and Mommy are going too?”
He shook his head. “Mommy has to work, but Bree would like you to come along on their trip. Would you like that?”
Did he ask if it would scare her to leave her mom behind? He didn’t want to plant doubt in her mind, but he hated the thought of her being homesick too.
She didn’t give him the chance to decide. “I’meightnow. I’m not a baby. I’ve stayed at their house lots of times. I’ll be with the twins, and it won’t matter what house we’re in.”
He hoped that was true. The first night in a strange house without her mom might be harder than she realized, but he wasn’t about to tell her that. They might get a call from her in the middle of the night asking to come home. It was about a five-hour drive, and he could go get her if it came to that.
“We need to pack your things. They’re leaving tomorrow. I can help you find clothes that fit. If you need bigger ones, I could take you shopping.”
She gave him a scathing glance. “I know what I want to take, and they fit fine. How long will we be gone?”
“A week.”
She extracted herself from Milo and scrambled to her feet. “I’ll need seven outfits, plus my bathing suit and pajamas. Did you know there are water parks at Wisconsin Dells? I bet we’ll go to some of those.”
