Then There Was You: A Single Parent Collection

by Gianna Gabriela

  “Actually, my plan was to get a job anyway.” She grins half-heartedly. “It’s amazing how much your financial situation can change in the span of a year.”

  Again I get the sense there is more to her story than what she’s told me so far, but I keep from saying anything and just nod.

  “When would I start?” she asks, and I have to bite my lip.

  “My dad won’t be here to look after Kelty until Thursday at the earliest, so how does five today sound?” I wince even as I’m asking, but she just smiles. This time without holding back, and it’s stunning.

  “I’ll be there.”

  I don’t let my own smile break through until I turn back to the restaurant.

  7

  MIKA

  Yesterday morning, Kelty joined me on the porch to watch for her heron.

  Jude had lifted a few fingers acknowledging me, but continued on to the restaurant, carrying the little girl’s pink Hello Kitty backpack in his other hand. I couldn’t help grin.

  She stayed until her dad called her over, mostly chatting about missing her school friends, her excitement about getting a new brother or sister, and how much she hates broccoli. I had to laugh at that, especially since it prompted a brief discussion on the merits of vegetables, with me arguing for and Kelty arguing against. It left us both smiling.

  She’s here again today, sitting on my step when I walk out with my coffee. My heart does a little leap at the sight of her almost white-blonde hair.

  “Hey, missy. You’re early today.”

  She tilts her head back and aims those crystal blue eyes my way. “We’re leaving soon,” she shares.

  I sit beside her on the step. “Where are you off to today?” She told me about the day trips her father has taken her on as part of her homeschooling. It only makes the man more attractive.

  There’s something so sexy about a good father. I never knew one, and sadly Emmett wasn’t exactly a good one for Jamie. It’s definitely a turn-on.

  “Dad’s taking me whale watching,” she says with a big smile. “I’ve wanted to go for…like…ever!” I chuckle at her theatrics. “But Dad said we could go today to celebrate summer.”

  “That’s awesome. It’s on my list of things to do this summer. I’ve never been, which is kinda weird, when you think about it.”

  “Why is it weird?”

  “Because I’ve lived in and around Boston my whole life, and I know for a fact, there are whaling tours from Boston as well. I just never went on one.”

  “Maybe you were too busy?”

  I smile at the earnest expression on her face. From the mouths of babes. “Maybe,” I echo.

  We both turn to the water to see if the heron’s made his appearance.

  I’m not sure why he strikes me as a he. It’s not like I’m able to tell the difference, I wouldn’t know where to start. Perhaps it’s the self-assured, almost arrogant, way he claims his territory. Flying in with big swoops of his wings before stalking to his favorite hunting spot on those deceptively strong legs. Sure and unwavering, without a single hesitation. I imagine if it were a female, she would be more aware of her surroundings. Maybe more surreptitious in her approach: making sure not to draw too much attention to herself.

  Or maybe I’m just projecting.

  It’s not that I don’t think women can’t be self-assured, or strong and unwavering. Hell, for years I’ve held my own in a male-dominated industry, but it wasn’t easy to get there, nor was it easy to stay. I’ve had to prove myself over and over again. Show I could adjust and adapt to the good-ole-boy ways that are still so prevalent. Blend in and don’t stand out too much.

  It’s one of the reasons I don’t think I want to return to my career. I’m tired of meeting other people’s expectations before my own.

  I’m lost in thought when Kelty suddenly jumps up.

  “There’s Dad.”

  I look up to see his long legs close the distance, and I automatically get on my feet as well.

  “You know, you should come,” Kelty suddenly suggests, turning to face me.

  “Come?” I ask, but it falls to deaf ears because the girl is already skipping to her dad, chattering in her girly voice.

  “She can, can’t she? Mika wants to see the whales anyway, and since we’re going I think she should come. It’s way more fun coming with us than going alone, right, Dad?”

  “Honey, that’s really sweet of you to ask, but…” I start to decline, hoping to save Jude the uncomfortable task of telling her no in front of me.

  Except, her father’s smile doesn’t appear at all uncomfortable. “That’s a great idea, actually. That is…” He turns his dark eyes on me and I can see the laugh lines fanning out from his eyes, proving he likes to smile and does it often. Another check mark on the pro side. “…if Mika can be ready in like…” He quickly checks his watch. “…five minutes tops, or we’ll miss the boat.”

  “I’m supposed to start at four,” I tell him.

  “We’ll be back here at three at the latest.”

  Wisdom tells me to say no, but fuck, I want to go. I want to go with them.

  A hint of doubt starts to surface, but I force it into submission.

  “Five minutes,” I promise with a grin wide enough to split my face, as I rush inside to get ready.

  I hear Kelty’s excited whoop behind me.

  I don’t bother changing—my jeans and shirt will do just fine—but I do grab a hoodie and shove my feet in my red Chucks instead of my flip-flops, before snagging my camera and purse.

  Apparently the wide grin is still on my face when I burst out of the door again, because it’s immediately met with two matching ones that make me stop in my tracks.

  Father and daughter: one dark, one fair, with smiles equally dazzling.

  Good God, they make me feel alive.

  JUDE

  “Is that them, Daddy?”

  I look where Kelty is pointing. “Those are dolphins, Princess. They like swimming alongside the boat. We probably won’t see anything until we round that lighthouse there.” I indicate the Long Point Light Station.

  “Did you see the dolphins?” she asks Mika, who comes down from the top deck where she was taking a few shots.

  “I did. Got some pictures too. Wanna see?” She sits down on the narrow metal bench and Kelty slides in beside her right away, her eyes already focused on the small digital screen.

  The drive here was filled with Kelty chattering from the back seat, and occasional furtive glances to my right. A few times I caught Mika’s eyes checking me out. This woman makes me act like a fucking teenager.

  It’s crazy, I barely know her and already she feels familiar.

  The only snag we had was when I parked the Traverse and told Kelty to put her mask on. It’s just precautionary, but she’s still on the high dose of immunosuppressants and the last thing she needs is to catch something. That’s why whenever we go out, she wears her mask and I carry hand sanitizer with me. She knows why it’s necessary, but she still doesn’t like it.

  Her eyes shot to Mika and her little chin lifted stubbornly. Without knowing why, Mika seemed to clue in quickly it was important, and asked if I happened to have any spares. I pointed to the glove box. She pulled one out, and without saying a word, covered her mouth and nose with it before getting out of the car. I got out as well and waited for my daughter. She eventually came out wearing hers.

  No words were exchanged until we were in line to board the tour boat.

  “You can take it off now,” Kelty told Mika, who pulled the mask away from her face.

  “I’m perfectly fine keeping it on if it makes it easier for you.”

  “It’s okay, I’m used to it.”

  “Well, if you’re sure…” Mika quickly got rid of her mask and tucked it in her pocket.

  Now they’re sitting side by side, two blonde heads bent over the digital camera. A casual observer might think they’re related.

  “Looks like we may have found a pod.
” A voice comes over the sound system. “Keep your eyes port-side—that’s the left—just up ahead.”

  People immediately flock to this side of the boat, and there’s barely any standing room.

  “Go stand by your dad,” I hear Mika telling Kelty, who sneaks between me and the railing. In the distance we see the spray from a blowhole.

  “Over there, I saw it.” My girl grins up at me.

  “I saw it too.” I turn to Mika and gesture her over.

  “It’s okay. I’ll get my chance.”

  “Excuse me,” I tell the guy standing behind me. I reach around him, grab Mika’s hand, and pull her toward me, tucking her between my daughter and me. “Now we can all see,” I say, my lips by her ear, bracing my hands on the railing on either side of them.

  Suddenly about twenty feet from the boat a spray shoots up, and the back of a whale curves out of the water. Two seconds later another humpback pops up, right beside it. Mika’s hand curls around my wrist and I feel her body tense against mine.

  “There’s one on the other side too,” someone calls out, and half the crowd scurries to the starboard railing, leaving us with more room.

  “Can we go?” Kelty asks.

  “Stay here, Princess. Keep your eyes to the front of the boat.” To Mika, I say, “Get your camera ready.” Reluctantly I lift my hand from the railing so she can find a better spot, while I step closer to my daughter.

  “Daddy, look at the tail!”

  I quickly shift my attention from watching Mika’s shapely ass move in those formfitting jeans, back to the ocean. A large tail lifts out of the water, spraying droplets, and my daughter is jumping up and down in front of me.

  For almost half an hour the pod of whales hangs around the boat, giving us a great show, before they move on and the boat turns back to the harbor.

  Kelty is quiet and a little pale, so we sit down and I encourage her to put her head on my leg. When Mika finds us, she looks at my daughter with concern clear on her face.

  “Is she okay?” she whispers, taking a seat beside me.

  “Tired,” I explain, and then I figure I might as well fill her in on all of it. “Kelty was diagnosed with acute cardiomyopathy, March of last year. She had a heart transplant in December.” I watch as the blood drains from Mika’s face. “She’s fine now,” I reassure her, putting a hand on her knee. “She just still burns through her energy quickly, which is why I push the afternoon naps.” Mika’s eyes say focused on Kelty’s closed eyes, but she nods in understanding. “The mask is because of her medication.”

  “Immunosuppressants,” she mumbles.

  “Yeah. That’s why she’s homeschooled. At least these past months. We’ll reassess in July and see if maybe she can go back to school after the summer break.”

  “That’s good. So she’s doing okay? Her new heart?” Her eyes, still worried, now focus on me.

  “Yeah. Her cardiologist is happy. She had one brief rejection episode when she was still in the hospital but nothing since. Knock on wood.”

  “Good.” She nods her head and then repeats, “That’s good.”

  She stays quiet, sitting beside me and seemingly unaware of my hand still resting on her knee, until the boat pulls alongside the dock.

  “Should we wake her up?”

  “You take my truck keys, I’ll carry her,” I suggest.

  She leads the way onto the dock and I follow her to the parking lot, my sleep-heavy daughter in my arms.

  “Wait,” Mika says when we get to the truck and quickly opens the back door, making room so I can lay my girl on the back seat.

  “I’d hoped to take you for lunch,” I admit, as we drive through Provincetown, back to the main road.

  “That’s okay.”

  “Rain check?” I ask, reaching over to take her hand. For a minute it feels like she might pull it back, but then she slips her slender fingers between mine.

  “Yeah.”

  We don’t talk much during the half hour it takes us to get home, but her hand never leaves mine. When I pull into my driveway, the dashboard clock shows one thirty.

  “Would you mind opening my front door?” I ask, handing her my key chain again.

  I notice her looking around my living room when we walk in. I put Kelty, who’s still out for the count, on the couch. Mika is ready with the throw from the armrest, draping it carefully over my daughter before turning to me, a little smile on her face.

  “I should get home.”

  “I’ll walk you,” I announce.

  “It’s broad daylight, Jude. I think I should be able to find it,” she quips, lifting a single eyebrow.

  “Humor me.”

  She rolls her eyes, but doesn’t say anything more when I follow her out the door.

  “Thank you,” she says stopping at the top of her steps. “That was a mind-blowing experience, and I can’t believe I’ve lived so close all my life and never made it out before.”

  “I didn’t either for the longest time. Not until I moved out here.”

  I take another step closer, not quite ready to say goodbye.

  “Well, thanks for inviting me.”

  She turns to the door and I close the distance stopping right behind her. “Ask me in.”

  “Sorry?” She swings her head around, a bit confused.

  “Ask me in, Mika.”

  Her eyes scan my face for a long moment before she nods and opens the door, stepping aside to let me in. I stand facing her until she closes the door behind her, then I move in.

  Her sharp inhale is sexy as hell as I brace my hands against the door, on either side of her head. The next sound from her is a deep groan when I lean in, cover her mouth with mine, and slip my tongue between her slightly parted lips. Her taste, rich and heady, floods my senses and instantly makes me crave more.

  I force my hands to stay where they are, otherwise I might strip her right where she stands. The only thing connecting us is our lips; it’s the most intimate kiss I’ve ever shared.

  8

  MIKA

  “Did you have a good time?”

  I look up to find Mandy grinning at me. Immediately my mind goes to the soul-scorching kiss Jude planted on me just a few hours ago.

  A good time would be an understatement; my head is still spinning with the impact of his mouth on mine. Unlike the previous peck he planted on me—which already carried a punch—this kiss had woken up parts of me that had been dormant for a very long time. Heck, it had shaken me so badly that even long after he abruptly ended the kiss and stalked out the door, I hadn’t been able to draw a proper breath.

  “Huh?”

  Humor flashes in Mandy’s eyes at my unintelligible response. “Whale watching, did you enjoy it?”

  Realization floods me and with it a healthy blush at where my mind had automatically gone. “Yes. It was unbelievable,” I quickly answer. “You should see some of the pictures. The moment I have a chance I’m going to edit them; I’ll show you.”

  “Jude mentioned you like photography,” she shares, and I wonder when he would’ve told her that. Or why. “Said you were good. He’s been looking at new decor for the restaurant for a while.” I look around at the collection of prints and watercolors on the walls. Pretty images of the cove, some of the Cape’s lighthouses, and a large canvas some artist must’ve done right here on his property. It depicts the restaurant, the main house, and my cottage against the water. Pretty enough, but a bit of a rambling assortment without much of a collective input. “He said he might approach you about it. I was just wondering if he mentioned anything. Since I saw you come back with your camera,” she adds.

  If she saw me come back, the likelihood is she would’ve seen Jude go into my cottage as well.

  Again, the heat of a blush warms my cheeks. “He didn’t. Mention anything, I mean. Besides, the photography, it’s just a hobby. Something I enjoy doing. Mostly for myself.”

  Mandy wipes a rag over the bar, but keeps a scrutinizing glance aimed at me. “
There’s a place called The Cape PhotoArt & Framing, just south of the rotary. They specialize in photo printing. You should go check them out.”

  I’d driven by the place a few times and had made a mental note to stop in one day. Most of my pictures—save a few I’d printed out and hung up in my old bedroom—never made it beyond the digital format. Just pretty snaps for me to browse through every so often. I like playing with filters and overlays—creating different moods and atmospheres and giving my shots a more artistic flair—but those creations have never made it off my laptop. It’s always just been something to do.

  “I guess I could check it out someday,” I concede, downplaying the kernel of excitement growing in my gut.

  “Up to you,” Mandy says with a nonchalant shrug of her shoulders, as if she didn’t just light a fire in my belly.

  Lucky for me the restaurant is not crazy busy tonight, because half the time I’m walking around mentally cataloguing my photographs into a portfolio. Yet, I only get one drink order wrong.

  It’s not until I roll into bed a little after eleven that I allow myself to think about the kiss again. He never even touched my body, and yet every inch of my skin tingles at the memory.

  Electric. Combustive. One stroke of his hand would have incinerated me.

  The effect he has on me is dangerous, but the fire I’m playing with has a far more devastating potential.

  It wrecked me when he started talking about Kelty’s condition. I almost told him to stop, but he gifted me with that trust, and coming clean in that moment—telling him I already knew—would have thrown that gift back in his face. I realize the hole I’m digging myself only gets deeper, but I can’t seem to help myself.

  This wonderful man and his precious daughter are addictive.

  “Is it hard to learn?”