by Sherry Kyle
Madi followed her into the kitchen and set her empty mug in the sink. “Is everything okay between you and Uncle Bryan? Seemed weird the other night.”
Ashley opened the dishwasher and set the mugs inside. “It’s complicated. We haven’t been able to spend much time together—”
“Because of me.” Madi lowered her head. “I’ve been a big pain, haven’t I?”
Ashley draped her arm around the girl’s shoulder and led her down the hall toward the bedrooms. “Not just because of you. But yes, if I’m totally honest, you haven’t been the easiest person to be around.” She looked at Madi, crossing her eyes like she’d gone crazy.
The teenager laughed.
“Good night.” Ashley smiled. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
Bryan couldn’t believe he’d agreed to Lauren’s plan. He dialed Kayla’s number and glanced at the clock. 9:25 a.m. Madi would be here any minute.
“Hello?”
“Is this Kayla?”
“Yes. Who is this?” Kayla’s voice carried the same pitch as Ashley’s. They were definitely related.
“My name is Bryan Miller. I’m Ashley Stevens’s boyfriend.”
“Why are you calling me?” Suspicion crept into that tone.
Lauren had warned him that Kayla might not appreciate his phone call. “Please don’t hang up. I’ll get to the point. I was hoping you’d meet with me so I can answer any questions you may have about Ashley or her family. Thought you’d feel less pressure coming from me.”
“Aren’t you biased?” Her question caught him off guard.
Bryan stifled a laugh. “Maybe a little, but I think it would be a positive step, don’t you?”
“Be honest with me. Did Lauren put you up to this?”
Smart girl. Lauren mentioned she was a med student. How could he be truthful without sounding manipulated? “Would it make a difference in your decision?”
An awkward silence passed. “I guess not.”
“Great. When can you meet? How about lunch at Palapas in Aptos?” He didn’t want to sound presumptuous, but with school over for the summer now was as good a time as any. Plus, she hadn’t rejected him yet.
“Today?”
“Why not?”
“I don’t know.” The strain in Kayla’s voice set him on edge. She had to say yes. His relationship with Ashley depended on it. If he could show her how much he cared for her by helping her reconnect her with her sister, then maybe it would soften the blow about his past with Shelly.
Besides, time was of the essence. Lauren mentioned Ashley planned to hire a private investigator once she had the photo back. If Kayla declined his invitation, they’d have to tell Ashley that Lauren found her biological sister and that she didn’t want a relationship. Ashley would be devastated. On top of the news he had to give her, it would all be too much. And Bryan would do anything to protect the people he loved, even meet with Kayla in secret.
“Mind if I bring someone with me? Because I just started dating someone, and I wouldn’t want him to get the wrong impression.”
Bryan understood completely. He hadn’t quite thought through the implications of being spotted with a woman other than his girlfriend. Ashley was working at the animal clinic in Santa Cruz today, and she wouldn’t go to a restaurant twenty minutes away when she had a thirty-minute break. With Kayla’s boyfriend along, there shouldn’t be a problem. “So, you’ll come?”
“Yes, I’ll be there.”
“Great!” Bryan pumped his fist. “I’ll be wearing—”
“I know what you look like.”
“What?” Bryan’s eyes narrowed.
“It’s a long story. Couple of months ago I drove to Santa Cruz and saw you and Ashley together in front of her parents’ home. I couldn’t just knock on the door and introduce myself. Know what I mean? Lauren has some crazy ideas.”
He hoped meeting Kayla today wouldn’t be one of them.
Madi burst through the door. “Hey, Uncle Bryan. You can still catch Ashley. She’s waiting in the car.”
“I’ve got to run. See you at noon.”
“See who at noon?” Madi crinkled her brow.
Bryan tucked his cell phone in his back pocket and sent his niece a mind-your-own-business look. He raced out the door in time to see Ashley drive away. No good-morning kiss. No “I love you.” No anything.
How had their relationship come to this?
35
“Tell me I’m not making a huge mistake.” Kayla stared at herself in the mirror. She’d tried on several outfits already, and nothing made her feel confident or the least bit beautiful.
Chloe gathered the stack of scattered clothes. “I’m still trying to process the fact you have a biological sister.”
“You and me both.” Kayla stepped out of the pair of black pants, dropping them on the floor, and rummaged through her dress choices. “I just don’t know if Bryan’s on the up and up. What if Ashley’s there?”
“Didn’t you say he wanted to meet to give you more information? Doesn’t sound like he’s going to spring her on you. I’m sure he has more respect for you than that, if not for you, than for his girlfriend.”
Kayla slipped into a fitted green dress with capped sleeves and a sweetheart neckline. She picked out the fabric last spring and sewed the dress for a luncheon her mother hosted for the surgical staff at the hospital. “What do you think about this? Does it look like I’m trying too hard?”
“You’ll impress him all right. That dress was made for you. Literally.” Chloe laughed at her own joke.
“Very funny.” She ran her hand down her sides, smoothing out any wrinkles. “Seriously, do I look all right? Not too dressed up?”
“Girl, you can wear anything and look amazing. Stop stressing.”
“I want to make a good first impression, but I don’t want to give the wrong signal. Know what I mean?”
“Why? Are you afraid you’re going to steal your sister’s man?” The diva accent and the strut in Chloe’s step was comical—and completely uncalled for.
“Of course not! I only ask because Jeremy isn’t coming. He’s working with Dr. Collins and couldn’t get out of it.” Kayla ran a brush through her hair.
Chloe turned serious. “You won’t give Bryan the wrong impression if you’re all business. You’ve done countless interviews. Why should this be any different?”
Kayla swiped lip-gloss across her lips and added a layer of mascara to her lashes. “True, I do know how to act professional. I don’t know if I can pull off cool and confident when my insides are having a tug-o-war.”
Chloe zipped up the remainder of Kayla’s dress and laid a hand on her shoulder. “Breathe. Just remember to stay calm and breathe.”
She did as her new roommate asked and inhaled a breath. She let it out slowly. “I’ve never had a sibling before, and I’m scared. To be honest, I’m curious about Ashley, but I don’t know if I want to start a relationship. Is that terrible? Jeremy says it’s because I don’t know what I’m missing.”
“He’s right, you know. I have a feeling once you know more about Ashley, you’ll want to meet her. And if she’s anything like you, it’d be worth it.”
Jeremy had said virtually the same thing. “Hey, want to come with me? You’re always talking about going to Santa Cruz—”
Chloe stopped her midsentence. “Wish I could, but David and I already have plans. He won tickets to today’s Giants game.”
“David could ask a male friend to go with him. It’s not every day your best friend is going to meet her biological sister’s boyfriend. Talk about awkward.” Kayla slipped her feet into a pair of ballerina flats.
“You’ll be fine. I’d be a third wheel anyway. You’ll open up and ask a lot more questions without me there. It’ll be good for you.”
Kayla sent her a pleading look. “So there’s no way I can change your mind?”
“Stop looking at me that way. It may work with Jeremy but not me.”
“Please?
”
Chloe shook her head. “You’re on your own. Plus, I haven’t showered yet.”
Kayla took a whiff. “You smell great. Like a flower.”
Her friend smiled, grabbed Kayla’s car keys and small purse off the dresser, and pointed Kayla in the direction of the door. “You’ll be fine. I promise.”
“Here goes nothing,” Kayla muttered.
“Except the beginning of the rest of your life.”
Kayla sucked in breath and went out the front door.
“You’re meeting Ashley’s biological sister?” The shocked look on Susan’s face did a number to the butterflies already flitting around in Bryan’s stomach. She stepped out of her house and closed the door. Wish she’d done that before making the big announcement. His niece and nephews were sure to have heard.
“Yes, and I’m going to be late if I don’t leave now. Thanks for letting me drop off Madi.” Sounded like a strange thing to say since the girl was his sister’s daughter. He made a move toward his car, but Susan stopped him with a hand. “Suz, please, I’ve got to go.”
“Have you told Ashley about Shelly? About what happened?”
He already regretted calling his sister the night he found out the truth. At least she hadn’t used the word miscarriage. Madi’s room was on the second floor right above them. It wouldn’t surprise him if she was listening through the window.
“Not yet, but I plan to—”
“The sooner the better.”
“Thanks for the reminder.”
Susan looked at him with the same pained expression she wore the day she couldn’t find Madi. “Secrets only bring heartache. I should know.”
“But Paul agreed to go to counseling. There’s hope.”
“A glimmer, but it’ll take a lot of work. I haven’t made up my mind whether or not it’s worth it—if our marriage is even salvageable.” She crossed her arms tight to her chest.
Bryan pulled out his car keys from his pocket. “One glance into your children’s faces makes it all worth it. I promise.” He took a few steps backward. “I’ve got to go. When I return, let’s talk about Madi’s transition back home. It’s time, don’t you think?”
“We’ll talk.” She raised her hand in farewell then went inside the house.
Bryan thought about Susan’s response the whole way to the Mexican restaurant. The inflection in her voice was positive, but her body language gave her away. She wasn’t ready for Madi to come home. He completely understood. The girl was a drama queen and high maintenance to boot. It took a lot of energy to keep her on the right path. He and Ashley had done a good job, and slowly, but surely, they were seeing a change, although a small one, in Madi’s behavior.
Ten minutes later, at 12:02 p.m., he pulled into the Seascape Village parking lot. A little late. He took the first available spot and hustled up the stairs to the main entrance. Scanning the restaurant, he noted several empty tables, but the patio was nearly full.
The hostess greeted him with a smile. “Welcome to Palapas. Do you have a reservation?”
That would’ve been a good idea. “No, I don’t.”
“How many in your party?”
“Three. Is anything open on the patio?”
“Let me check. I’ll be right back.”
The view overlooking Seascape Resort and the Monterey Bay was the same inside or out, but the nice weather and the situation called for fresh air. He glanced around the restaurant. White stucco walls, terra cotta floor tiles, and a thatched ceiling gave the ambiance of tropical Mexico. The dishes were also prepared “A La Cocina Fresca,” fresh from the kitchen. If the conversation turned sour, at least the food would be good.
A redheaded female came through the doors into the restaurant from the back patio. Earlier he wished he’d had a photo of Kayla, but no need for one now. She shared the same pert nose and chin as his sweetheart, though as she approached, he noted their eyes were a different color. Ashley’s were ocean blue-green while Kayla’s were chocolate brown.
“Bryan Miller? Kayla Witherspoon.” She stuck out her hand. All business and no warmth. He’d have to change that. Make her feel like family.
Bryan smiled. “Kayla, so nice to meet you. Wow, I see a resemblance—”
“I have a table outside.” She gestured, ignoring his observation. “Hope that’s okay.”
“Perfect.” Why’d she interrupt him? Maybe he’d save the similarities between the sisters for after lunch. Didn’t want to scare her off before they had a chance to talk.
Kayla led him through the door toward the far corner of the deck. Two water glasses sat opposite each other on the table.
“Your boyfriend already here?”
“No, that’s for you. Jeremy couldn’t make it.”
Maybe that’s why she looked uncomfortable. He shifted in his chair. Why hadn’t he invited someone to come along? A fellow teacher or Susan, perhaps. He sat across from Kayla and couldn’t get over the resemblance. Wow, Ashley has a blood relative. He caught himself staring and quickly averted his eyes to the menu. “Have you been here before?” he asked without looking up. Then he chanced a quick glance.
“No, this is the first time.” She picked up her menu. “What do you recommend?”
“They have a lot of seafood specialties if you like fish. Otherwise, you can’t go wrong with a house dish or combination plate. They also have vegetarian dishes if you don’t eat meat. I like the enchiladas, myself.” He was blabbering. He clamped his mouth shut.
“Think I’ll stick to a salad—maybe the ensalada de pollo dorado. Have you tried that before?”
Did he dare tell Kayla that was Ashley’s favorite dish? That she ordered the salad with charbroiled citrus chicken, tomatoes, and cabbage every time he had brought her to Palapas for lunch? “I haven’t personally, but I’ve heard it’s good.”
Kayla quirked a brow. “Ashley, right?”
“Yes.” He brought his elbows on the table, clasped his hands together, and rested his chin on his fists. “Speaking of Ashley, I have a feeling the two of you would hit it off.”
Kayla squirmed in her seat. “And why would you say that? You don’t know me.”
“True, but I know one thing. You drove an hour and a half to have lunch with me to talk about her. That says something.”
“I’m curious is all. I haven’t made a decision on whether or not to meet.”
“But you do want to know more about her,” he probed.
“Yes, I guess I do.” Kayla leaned back in her seat as if saying the words out loud surprised her.
Bryan smiled. “I’m ready for your questions. Fire away.”
“I’m telling you, Ashley, it was Bryan.” Tori’s voice, over the phone, shook.
Bryan had lunch with another woman? He’d never been unfaithful to her—until now. “It was probably a friend, another teacher, or …” She couldn’t imagine Bryan, the man she’d dated for three years, going out with someone behind her back. Then again, she never dreamed he’d keep a secret from her either. Ashley stripped off her latex gloves and threw them in the trash. Her next canine patient would have to wait for his immunizations. This phone call was too important. “Tell me again what you saw.”
“This is the first time Drew and I’ve been on a date since Max was born. Mom came over to watch the kids around twelve fifteen. We wanted to go to a restaurant overlooking the ocean since it was beautiful outside. My face hasn’t felt the sun since giving birth.”
Would Tori hurry up already? “So you’re inside Palapas and spot Bryan. Then what?” Ashley urged her sister along.
“When we arrived, the outdoor patio was full. I was disappointed but didn’t want Drew to know so I kept quiet—until I saw Bryan. He was seated across from a redhead. I only saw her face for a brief second when the two of them got up to leave.”
“Is she pretty?” The question slipped out before Ashley could stop herself.
“Yes, she’s definitely pretty. Reminds me of you in a way. Anyhow, Drew wa
nted to confront Bryan, but I wouldn’t let him. Told him I didn’t want our date ruined.”
Tension wound its way up Ashley’s neck and settled in her temples. She sat by the small table in the break room of the animal clinic, massaging the sides of her head. “I appreciate you letting me know,” she said through gritted teeth.
“That’s not all. I excused myself to the ladies’ room and followed them out the door, careful to stay out of sight.”
Ashley expelled a breath. “You didn’t!”
“Oh yes, I did.” Tori’s voice went into protective mode.
“And?” Did she have to pull everything out of her?
“They drove separate cars.”
The tight knot in Ashley’s stomach eased. “That’s good, right?”
“And I didn’t see them touch each other in any way. There were appropriate boundaries between them.”
Their first date? Could be a complete misunderstanding. Ashley wanted to give Bryan the benefit of the doubt. This whole conversation could’ve been avoided if she’d stuck around this morning when she dropped off Madi. Bryan might have told her who he was having lunch with. Ashley toyed with her earring. “So why are you calling me at work? Couldn’t it have waited?”
“You’re the one who told me he didn’t tell you about Shelly, remember?”
Yes, she remembered. Why had she told Tori? It only made her sister more suspicious. Ashley regretted her decision, but it was too late now. Bryan was definitely in the doghouse where Drew and Tori were concerned, and he’d have to paw his way out. “I’ve got patients waiting. Thanks for the phone call.” Rather, no thanks.
“I thought you should know.” Tori didn’t miss a beat. “Hey, if you need anything—like a shoulder to cry on or a place to escape your troubles—come on over. There are three children who would love to see their auntie.”
Did Tori think the offer would make her feel better?
Because she was only making her feel worse. Much, much worse.
36
Kayla dug her toes into the sand, the warm layer giving way to the cooler grains below. She buried her feet up to her ankles. Wrapping arms around bent knees, she closed her eyes, lifted her chin to the sun, and listened to the waves crashing against the shore.