Adele felt a sudden jolt of realization run through her. “Karl Bloodbone delivered your baby.”
“He did.”
“Is that why you despise him so much?”
“Bloodbone? Yes, as odd and unfair as it might sound, I suppose it partly is. There are few things worse than having someone know a secret you’ve spent your entire life attempting to hide from the world. A part of you always feels as if they’re holding it over you even if they’re not. I spent a very long time keeping this secret. He was one of the last who could reveal it.”
“Was this the reason Roland’s parents moved to Florida?”
Ophelia turned her back to Adele and looked out at the calm waters of Blind Bay that stretched out below them. “Charles once told me how there had always been an invisible layer of cold between Donatella and Jack. She wasn’t a cruel woman but a fiercely proud one. Jack was a constant reminder of her husband’s betrayal. So, yes, I’m certain that unfortunate dynamic had something to do with Jack’s leaving the islands. When he and his wife were killed in the car accident, I was devastated. I hadn’t raised him, but he was my son. The pain of that loss was many times greater than the pain of birth. I still feel it you know. Not as sharp, but it remains—this dull, aching absence. And then Charles brought Roland back here and he and Donatella raised him. She was just as desperate to have Roland around as Charles was. I believe it was her way of trying to make up for her failure to be more supportive of Jack. Roland was very loved. He wanted for nothing. Donatella made certain of that.”
“Having to hide the truth couldn’t have been easy.”
“No,” Ophelia said as she watched a pair of eagles land in the branches of a tall evergreen on the outskirts of the clearing, “but I was grateful for the life Charles and Donatella gave to Roland. I only wish they had done the same for Jack. We all get older and hopefully wiser, but unfortunately that also leads to a great deal of regret for past mistakes that we then only fully realize.”
“Do you think Roland knows?”
“If he did, he would have asked me about it by now.”
“This place is important to him. He feels safe here.”
Ophelia smiled. “Good. That’s how I want him to feel when he visits. I worry though.”
“About what?”
“That if he was to know the truth about us that his disappointment would take him away never to return; that he wouldn’t understand or even care to try. The Soros men can be terribly stubborn and quick to build up walls around themselves. I saw that tendency in Charles, and I see the same in Roland.”
“But you don’t want to keep that secret between you two, do you?”
“No need to avoid the subject. You mean until I’m dead?”
“Well . . . yeah.”
The pair of eagles took off chirping at each other. “What would you do, Adele? After all this time. After a child has grown into a man and the events that created him are now so long ago. Think before you answer because if you look at it honestly and compassionately, you’ll realize the answer isn’t nearly so easy as asking the question.”
Adele didn’t hesitate to give Ophelia her answer. “I would tell Roland the truth. Come with me back to Roche Harbor.”
“Today? Now?”
“Sure. Why not?”
For the first time since she’d known her, Adele saw Mother Mary Ophelia visibly shaken. “Oh, I don’t know. I’ll need to think about it.”
Adele shook her head. “You’ve had years to think about it. Roland deserves to know the truth—not later but now.”
“You’re a young woman with far too little experience about such matters. What you’re asking me to do is no easy thing.”
“Few things this important are.”
Ophelia’s chin dropped to her chest. “I’m not sure I can tell him. It makes me feel so guilty for having kept it from him this long.”
“The only way to relieve yourself of that guilt is to tell your grandson who you really are. Part of Roland feels so isolated because he thinks he has no family left. You can change that for him. It won’t be easy at first, but in time I know he’ll come to love you for telling him the truth.”
“How can you possibly be so sure of that?”
Adele reached out and took hold of Ophelia’s hands. “Because I know Roland. Despite his flaws he’s a good man and it will mean the world to him to know he has a grandmother.”
“I should have told him sooner. What kind of person keeps such a secret from someone for so long?”
“You’re human, Ophelia. You were scared, but now that fear, all of that hiding, it can end, and you can go from here with your grandson at your side. Let me bring you to Roche.”
Ophelia’s hands were trembling. “I’m so afraid Roland will reject me and never return to the convent. I’ll lose him.”
“That won’t happen. I promise.”
Ophelia’s head lifted, her shoulders straightened, and the old determined spark in her eyes returned. “Fine. I’ll do it. Let’s go.” She began to walk toward the road. Adele kept quiet, not wanting to say anything that might make the old nun change her mind.
“What’s he doing here?” Ophelia hissed as they approached the ferry dock.
Karl Bloodbone stood leaning against a tree with his arms folded over his chest. “I have no idea,” Adele replied.
“Did you tell him you were coming to see me?”
“No. I didn’t tell anyone.”
Ophelia stopped twenty paces from Bloodbone and put her hands on her hips. “What do you want, Karl?”
Bloodbone stepped away from the tree. When he smiled, deep lines exploded from the corners of his dark eyes. “Hello again, Ophelia.”
“I asked you a question.”
“Just visiting.”
Ophelia’s hands clenched. “I doubt that.”
Bloodbone looked at Adele. “Going somewhere?”
“Back to Roche,” Adele answered.
“Together?”
“That’s none of your business,” Ophelia said as she stepped in front of Adele.
“Does this business involve your grandson?”
“Don’t.”
“Don’t what?”
Ophelia’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t bring up Roland. He’s not your concern.”
“Roland Soros is all our concern. A terrible darkness descends on these islands. I know you feel it too, Ophelia. We need to be ready for the battle at hand and there will be no greater weapon than the truth.”
“I’m not interested in playing your games, Karl. I wasn’t then and I’m even less inclined to do so now.”
“This is no game. Don’t deny the trouble you sense coming. Charles Soros, Delroy Hicks, Edmund Pine, they are no longer alive to do the difficult but necessary work of keeping our islands safe. The barbarians are at the gate and so it is the responsibility of another generation to prepare for the war that’s coming.”
“As usual you’re being overly dramatic.”
“And you’re dangerously unprepared. I have watched our islands weather many storms, but this next one might well be the worst yet. We need to be united—all of us. If Adele is taking you to Roland so that he might finally know the true history that exists between you then well done. You’re doing your part to help make him stronger. So, with that said I’ll let you get to it and wish you both a safe trip back to Roche.”
Bloodbone turned away and then turned back and pointed at Adele. “I suspect you already know of the Seattle reporter’s unexpected demise?”
Adele nodded. “Yes.”
“Then please make certain we don’t lose our island reporter in the same way. We need her now more than ever.”
“I have no intention of letting anything happen to me.”
Bloodbone rose up to his full height and then appeared to somehow grow even taller. He reminded Adele of the ancient madrone tree he had shown her on Orcas the other day and when he extended his long, gnarled finger to point at her again, that im
age was reinforced even more.
“Ready yourself, Adele Plank. We have arrived at the turning of the tide. All that you were and all that you are meant to be is about to tested. Delroy Hicks thought you up to the task. I pray that you prove him right.”
“What version of God does a thing like you pray to, Karl?” Ophelia said.
Bloodbone’s smile was faint and fleeting—a barely there confirmation of an inside joke with someone or something that only he knew. “There is but one version that matters, Ophelia. The one that listens.”
“Oh, I see.”
Bloodbone cocked his head. “I’m sorry. I didn’t hear you.”
Ophelia’s cheeks burned red. “I forgot how much you annoy me.”
“And I forgot how much you amuse me. We really should do this more often.”
“Not a chance.”
“Never say never.” Bloodbone nodded to Adele and then turned and walked down the road to the ferry dock. He got into a little wooden boat that was tied next to Adele’s Chris Craft.
“He rowed here?” Adele said.
Ophelia rolled her eyes. “He likely thinks doing so makes him nobler when it actually just means he has more time to waste than most.”
Adele watched stunned as Bloodbone made his way into the deep waters that ran between Orcas and Shaw. Each powerful stroke of the oars steadily propelled him across the channel.
Ophelia was on the move again. “Are we going to Roche or not?”
Adele nodded and then jogged to catch up as Bloodbone’s words repeated inside her head.
Prepare yourself, Adele Plank. We have arrived at the turning of the tide. All that you were and all that you are meant to be is about to tested. Delroy Hicks thought you up to the task. I pray that you prove him right.
35.
“M y goodness, Mother Mary Ophelia, what a wonderful surprise to see you again. It’s been far too long.” Tilda continued to fuss over Ophelia as the nun walked the docks of Roche Harbor.
“It has been too long,” Ophelia replied. “I’m happy to see you doing so well.”
“Do you need a place to stay?” Tilda asked. “Something to eat or drink? Anything you need—my treat. It would be an honor.”
“No,” Ophelia answered with a shake of her head. “I’m fine, but thank you. I’m afraid Adele has me busy doing something else. Now if you don’t mind, we need to get to it and would appreciate some privacy.”
“Of course.” As Tilda slowed her pace to allow Ophelia and Adele to walk ahead, she gave Adele a look that made clear she expected an explanation soon regarding what was going on. “I’ll be up at the hotel if you need anything. Please don’t hesitate to ask.”
Adele pointed to her sailboat. “This is my home here.”
Ophelia smiled. “Ah, yes, Delroy’s old haunt. You don’t find it claustrophobic staying down in there?”
“No, not at all. It’s cozy. If you’re looking for something larger that would be Roland’s accommodations. There it is over there.”
“I don’t understand. I thought the Soros yacht was lost in a fire?”
“It was. Roland recently purchased another one just like it and had it delivered here. He’s living on it while his house on the hill gets built.”
“House on a hill?”
“Yes. Look up there.”
“Goodness,” Ophelia said. “It’s a castle.”
“Pretty much.”
“So, he sold his family’s property in Friday Harbor?”
“He did. Knowing Roland, I’m sure he managed to squeeze top dollar out of the sale.”
“I can’t imagine Tilda is happy about having Roland’s new home looming over her hotel like that.”
“She definitely has an opinion on the matter. Then again, Tilda has an opinion on just about everything that goes on here and when it comes to Roche Harbor it’s her opinion that matters most. I don’t think Roland moving in is going to change that much.”
Ophelia continued to look around. “I forgot how much I missed coming here. Roche has always been such a unique mix of old charm and modern mystery. Charles loved it here. Don’t tell Tilda, but from time to time he spoke of buying the place up—all of it.”
“Roland was planning to sort of do the same. He’s hoping to develop some of the vacant lots behind the resort into vacation rentals. If he loses the bank deal, though, I’m not sure he’ll be move forward with the plan. At least not right away.”
“Don’t you just get a kick out of the Soros men and their perpetual financial schemes?” Ophelia said with a smile.
“I figured you for someone who would dislike that kind of thing. You know, money being the root of all evil and whatnot.”
“There’s nothing wrong with a good dose of ambition so long as it doesn’t devolve into outright greed. And it’s no easy thing attempting to change a man’s way of thinking. They are what they are—Roland included. Admit it. That ambition is a big part of what makes him so attractive.”
“That might be true, but it’s also what sometimes makes him nearly intolerable to me and a lot of other people.”
“Ah, there’s often a fine line between attraction and revulsion, and you’ll find they often dance together.”
Adele shrugged. “I suppose. Are you ready to talk to Roland?”
Ophelia looked up at the yacht and sighed. “I don’t know.”
“Sure, you do,” Adele said as she took Ophelia’s hand. “That’s why you’re here.”
Ophelia pulled away and scowled. “Don’t think for a second you can force me to do anything I don’t want to, young lady.”
“Hey, Mother Mary Ophelia, what are you doing here?” Roland stood with his hands pressed against the varnished wood railing of his yacht. The sleeves of his white dress shirt were rolled up to his elbows and the first few buttons were open, partly exposing his smooth tan chest. His hair was tousled by the light breeze blowing across the marina.
Ophelia stiffened and stepped behind Adele. “I’m so sorry, but I’m losing my nerve. Let’s just go. This was a mistake.”
“It’ll be fine. Just tell him the truth. It’s the truth I’m certain he’s always wanted to hear. Roland isn’t without family. He has you and that is going to mean so much to him.”
Roland walked down the boarding ramp barefoot and smiling. “Is everything okay?”
“Yes,” Adele answered. “Ophelia would like a moment to speak with you in private.”
The smile fell from Roland’s face. “Oh, okay. Sure. Here, let me help you aboard.” He put his arm around Ophelia and guided her toward the yacht.
When Adele didn’t follow, Ophelia looked back. “Aren’t you coming with us?”
“No. This is a conversation you two should have alone.”
Roland appeared confused by the response while Ophelia looked even more nervous. After getting Ophelia inside the yacht Roland reappeared at the top of the boarding ramp. “What’s this all about?”
“Just listen and keep an open mind and heart. It took a lot of courage for her to come here.”
“You know, I was in a great mood today. Now I’m worried that’s all about to change.”
“What Ophelia has to tell you is good news, Roland.”
“Will I catch you later?”
“Sure. I’m going up to the hotel to see Tilda for a bit and then I’ll swing by in an hour or so. That sound good?”
Roland nodded as he scratched his beard. “I’ll take it. See you then.”
“Okay. And be nice to Ophelia. She’s very nervous.”
“Of course. I think it’s a little weird that you think you need to tell me that.”
Adele smiled. “Talk to you soon.” She turned and walked away but knew Roland was watching her go. She crossed her fingers and hoped his talk with Ophelia resulted in something grandmother and grandson both needed most at this time—understanding.
Tilda was outside the hotel watering the planter boxes that bookended the main entrance. “What are you up to n
ow, Adele?” she said without turning around.
“Hopefully a long overdue family reunion between an old woman and her grandson.”
Tilda dropped the hose. “What?”
“Don’t act so surprised. Knowing how observant you are I’m guessing you already suspected something yourself.”
“That’s an old rumor.” Tilda’s eyes narrowed as she looked across the marina at Roland’s yacht. “One that you now apparently believe to be true.”
“People knew about Ophelia and Charles Soros?”
“There were some long ago whispers, but why do you think she’s Roland’s grandmother?”
“I saw the evidence.”
“And did this evidence involve information given to you by the son of a beloved island doctor?”
“No comment.”
Tilda leaned down to smell a newly bloomed tulip. “I planted a few of these last fall. I was told they would smell like apricot, but I think it’s closer to honey.”
“It’s nice to see you taking the time to smell the flowers these days.”
“Actually, I was politely changing the subject. I just hope today’s unexpected news doesn’t ruin Roland’s good mood.”
“Do you know something about that?”
“What?”
“Roland’s mood.”
“I do, but I’ll leave it to him to explain it to you.”
“Does it involve the bank sale?”
“It does. The buyer backed out.”
Adele’s face tightened. “Oh, no. Why would he be happy about that?”
“He wasn’t, but then a potentially better opportunity presented itself courtesy of yours truly. I started working on it as soon as I heard his intention to sell.”
“Okay, no more playing coy. What’s going on?”
Tilda smirked. “You have your secrets and I have mine.” She cocked her head. “Do you hear something?”
Adele looked back toward the marina. “It’s coming from Roland’s yacht.”
Roland was on the bow laughing and dancing with Ophelia as Sister Sledge’s We Are Family blared from the yacht’s state-of-the-art sound system. The sight made both Adele and Tilda break out into ear-to-ear grins.
Roche Harbor Rogue Page 24