by Anne Kemp
Abby waited with bated breath for Leigh to pipe up. But she didn’t.
“Leigh. I know.” Abby made this statement slow and cryptic on purpose, almost through gritted teeth. She wanted Leigh to feel the impact.
She knew Leigh was still on the other end, but there was no sound, no movement. Nothing. “Leigh, we need to talk about this. About all of it.”
After what seemed like an eternity, but was actually about ten seconds, Leigh spoke curtly. “You know about the inn. We discussed that, Abby.”
Abby was going to blow a gasket. “No, Leigh! I found a picture. Of our father with Ben’s mother and they were together. I know that Ben is our half-brother. And the book . . . he has the same book Dad gave us when we were little.” Abby was upset again. “Dammit, Leigh. I need you to tell me the truth. How long have you known about Ben?”
Abby regretted the way this was going. It was all pouring out over a bad connection. Not ideal, but finally out in the open.
Leigh took a big deep breath in. Abby thought she might have put the phone down because this time the silence went on for what felt like a minute. Abby didn’t want to rush her. If there was one thing she knew about her sister, it was that she did always have a reason for the way she did things. This would be no exception.
“I’ve known about Ben since you were fifteen years old.”
The weight of the statement punched Abby in the heart like a ton of bricks. “Since I was fifteen?” Abby was calculating how long ago that was. “So, for a little over twenty years you’ve known about Ben?!” Holy. Shit.
Abby could feel the weight of Leigh’s load over the line. It was heavy and sad. “Yes. I’ve known since Dad told me.” Leigh’s voice was quivering. “He told me when he was dying, Abby. Dad told me about his other life when he was dying.”
Abby felt her world start to spin. She wanted to throw up, go to sleep and scream like the lead actress in a horror movie, all at the same time. “Ben would have been seven.”
“Yes.”
“So, Dad kept him hidden . . . ”
Leigh finished Abby’s sentence. “For seven years. Abby, it doesn’t make him a bad man . . . ”
Abby held up her hand to stop Leigh from speaking, even though she wasn’t in the room with her. “No. You don’t get to defend him to me right now. In fact, you, of all people, don’t get to defend anyone. Dad may have hidden him for seven years, but you and Ben’s mom or mum or whatever she’s called, you both kept this from everyone else for the last twenty years? Are all of you insane?”
The normally collected Leigh was finally snapping on her end as well. “No, Abby, I’m not insane! I just wanted to keep the peace. Hell, Mom didn’t need to know her dead husband had cheated on her. And Ben’s mother? She didn’t care as long as Ben was taken care of. She loves him enough for all of us, Abby. And she wanted to keep it that way. But then this situation came up. I never thought it would come out like this. I wanted to be able to tell you, to tell him. It just never felt like the time was right.”
Abby felt nauseated. Leigh could have told us all a long time ago and we could have moved on. Did she have her reasons? What would I have done if I were in her place? Her thoughts were tripping over one another in succession.
“In Maria’s email she said a lot had been going on, but that you and Ben were close. Is that true?” Leigh’s voice was hopeful, looking for clues from Abby.
“Well, yeah. I mean, not at first. But finding out you have the same dad kinda makes you war buddies by default.” Abby paused before adding, “I really like Ben, Leigh.”
“Dad made me swear, Abby. He didn’t want anyone to know. In his will, he left me extra money and asked me to invest in this inn. It was something he was already researching and planning on buying for ‘the family.’ I had to honor his wishes and I knew it had a chance to at least turn a profit, helping both you and Ben out in the future.” Abby heard the familiar click of a lighter from Leigh’s end. “I couldn’t lecture him as he was dying that he needed to come clean. He knew Mom wouldn’t understand and that he would be leaving her with so many unanswered questions.” She inhaled deeply.
“So the inn is not just yours?”
“No, Abby,” Leigh answered quietly. “It’s ours.”
Abby was stunned. “I guess I’m just not understanding, Leigh.”
“You don’t have to.” She took another drag off her cigarette, so loudly Abby felt like she was smoking it, too. “Dad left me in charge of it, but La Cantina belongs to all three of us. Carla even pushed Ben to apply to Rhodes knowing I could help take care of him as long as he was on the island. For the last few years, the inn has been packing in the tourists and making good money. I always knew as soon as Ben was done with school, or shortly thereafter, I would sell it, dividing the profit for all of us. I just didn’t plan on it being so soon.”
Abby couldn’t believe her ears. “So the house wasn’t given to you from Ken in your first marriage?”
“No.”
“Why St. Kitts, Leigh? Why here?”
Her sister was silent on the other end of the line. “I honestly can’t tell you the answer to that one, Abby. I wish I had the answer myself. It was what Dad wanted.”
“Why don’t you -- ?”
“Abby.” Leigh’s voice was terse. “I have enough on my plate.”
Hearing the tone in her sister’s voice inspired Abby to change the subject. “Does Daryl know?”
Leigh’s voice remained terse. “He knows now. I had a feeling that you knew, just from the way Maria’s email read. So I told him.”
“And?”
“He’s taking a few days off to re-evaluate our marriage.” Leigh dissolved into tears.
Abby was glad she was sitting down. Her knees felt weak even though she wasn’t using them. “I’m so sorry, Leigh.”
They sat in silence for a long time, Leigh sobbing and Abby just listening.
“So,” Leigh finally cleared her throat, back to business as usual, “you can understand why I’m in Miami. I’m on a plane tomorrow morning that will get me into St. Kitts by the afternoon. I think it’s more than obvious now that I need to come there.”
Abby was nodding on her end.
“Abby, you there?”
“I was sitting here nodding my head.”
Back to her game face, Abby could feel Leigh shaking her head at her from Miami. “I’ve already talked to Ziggy. He’s picking me up when I get in. I’ll be there to help push the sale ahead. It served its purpose.” She let out a long sigh. “That real estate agent there is making me nervous and I just don’t trust him.” She gave another burdened sigh. “At least a lot of this other crap is out in the open now.”
Abby wanted to brace her sister for Ben and all of his questions. “I think Ben is the main person you have to explain things to.”
“I had a feeling. It’s time we dealt with what Dad didn’t. Or time I dealt with what he didn’t.” Leigh was solemn.
Abby felt a small pang of sympathy for Leigh. “If I had had to carry a secret like this for the last twenty years, I have no idea how I would have handled it.” Abby was thoughtful. “I love you, Leigh. Doesn’t mean I agree, but I do love you.”
Leigh was appeased. “I love you, too.”
With that, she hung up, leaving Abby in her romantic cottage alone to sift through the pieces of their conversation. Things were about to come out in the open, and she was glad they’d be able to close the book on this one. Permanently.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Even though Abby wanted to curl up in bed and sleep her way through the night, she opted instead to make herself a rum drink and head down to one of the hammocks the hotel had strung up on the beach.
As she was swaying back and forth between two palm trees underneath the stars, she let herself be lost in thought, drifting through the events of the last few weeks. So much information gathered in such a small amount of time. Her head was spinning.
And now she needed to pack up t
omorrow and head back to La Cantina to ready herself for Leigh. On one hand, Abby was grateful for this. On the other, she was happy here on Nevis lying out and relaxing. And of course, there was Andrew. Who was probably off in some cottage getting to know Adrienne a little better. And then there was J.D. They were two vastly different men, who both brought out something in Abby that she couldn’t put her finger on, not quite yet. She rolled her eyes at the ridiculousness of her whole situation and took a swig of her rum punch.
There were a few scattered groups along the shoreline, all hanging out and partying together under the stars. No cares right now, she thought as she watched them. These kids are so happy. No clue that the world out there can be so damned twisted. Things can change at the drop of a hat, and we have to bend with them or be broken in the process . . .
Abby found herself wistful at the thought and a little jealous. She wanted to be one of them, without a care in the world. Instead she felt like she had the weight of it on her shoulders.
She was so wrapped up in thought that she didn’t hear Andrew as he sauntered up behind her.
“I’ve been looking for you.”
The sound of his voice made her jump, knocking her off balance in the hammock. “You should warn a girl when you’re sneaking up on her.”
“Wouldn’t have had the same effect, now would it?” he asked, flashing those dark, handsome eyes her way yet again.
“You’ve got a point.” Abby took a drink of her rum concoction. “Where’s your friend?”
“Ben? Or Tracey?”
“Don’t be coy with me, Andrew. I meant the girl.” Her two drinks at dinner and the one she was working on now were taking their toll. She was feeling sassy. “Adrienne.”
“That tart who wanted to get in my pants?” He was grinning at Abby. “How the hell should I know? I left to find you, see if you got back to the room in one piece.”
“You did?” Abby sat up and stared at him in disbelief. “Then why are you here on the beach?”
Andrew laughed at her. “Didn’t take a private investigator.” He looked around. “Beach, resort, gorgeous night . . . you do the math.”
“You’ve got a point, detective.” She wavered for a moment, wondering how much information she should share with Andrew. “My sister called. She’s in Miami and on her way to the island. She’ll be here tomorrow.”
Andrew pulled up a beach chair next to the hammock. “Really? That’s intense.” He watched Abby as she swayed back and forth in the hammock some more. “What happens now?”
“I guess we’ll see.” She smiled shyly at him.
The pair sat in silence for little longer until Andrew spoke up.
“If you want to talk about it, I’m here.” He was leaning forward in his beach chair as he spoke. “I need to be perfectly honest about why I was looking for you tonight.”
Abby cocked her head in his direction. “Why’s that?”
Andrew looked down at his hands, then back at Abby. “Abby, I’d be a liar if I said I came to find you because I wanted to make sure you got back safely. I mean, I did. But, what I really wanted was to find you so I . . . well, so we could hang out some more.”
This perked Abby up. She tried to sit up again but the hammock was giving her grief. She decided to lie still and try to be cool.
“Oh? Really?” Her attempt at sounding coy was coming across more flippant.
Andrew had stood up and was now standing over the hammock, looking down at Abby. Was that expectation dancing in his eyes?
“Yes, but I want to get to know you.” He stopped and cleared his throat. His silhouette was glowing because of the moon behind him.
Andrew was moving closer to her now and she could feel that energy, like a bolt of lightning shooting out and hitting her full on. Only she wasn’t sure what she wanted. She had met J.D., and as much as she hated to admit it, her thoughts flowed there more often than not.
But he’s not here right now, she thought. He could have been. And I promised myself I’d stay open. This is being open, right?
Andrew leaned into her, closer to her than they had been yet. She could taste his breath as he spoke to her.
“This whole day I wanted to kiss you . . . I mean, as soon as I got here, there you were and you immediately did something to me.”
Abby could feel her tummy doing those upside-down flips all over again. She found her eyes kept lingering on his perfect rosy lips.
She started to get up, but he stopped her. “No,” he murmured heavily, “that’s not the way I want this to go.”
His right hand was softly stroking her face, as if detailing every inch for his memory bank. He then took her drink out of her hand, placing it on the ground, and picked her up, standing her on her feet in front of him. For someone nine years her junior, he was making up for his age in expertise.
They stood in front of each other, almost nose to nose, as close as they could be without completely touching. His hands were caressing her back, and he began running his fingers through her hair. Abby could only stand there and stare into his eyes, almost scared to touch him back.
When she finally did, she let her hands gravitate toward his arms, and she began to touch him. His breathing was speeding up, and he was almost digging his fingers into her back as he rubbed it. She slowly trailed her eyes up his chest, along his collarbone, meeting his gaze again.
It was at this moment that Andrew leaned in. His lips closed in on hers, so soft and sweet. She could taste the salt air on them as she pressed her body closer to his, letting herself enjoy the moment.
As they pulled away from each other, Andrew smiled sweetly at Abby.
“I’ve wanted to do that since I got here.”
“You just got here a few days ago, silly.”
His eyes were smiling as he looked down at her. “As soon as I saw you, I was smitten. Your smile, your laugh, and the way you move. I hate to sound corny, Abby, but you’re very easy on the eyes.”
Abby could feel the heat rising to her face. Andrew kissed both cheeks.
“You’re blushing.”
Abby shrugged her shoulders. “It’s what I do.” She looked deeply in his eyes, grinning from ear to ear. “That and I just made out with my brother’s best friend.”
Andrew’s face turned serious. “Does that bother you?”
“No, well, actually I can’t really say. This is a first for me. I feel like the lecherous aunt who preys on her nephew’s friends.”
“Except you’re more like a lecherous big sister,” he teased.
Abby swatted Andrew. “You’re terrible.”
He pursed his lips together and kissed her gently on her forehead. “Yes, according to you.”
Abby felt his hands coming up over her shoulders and stroking her collarbone. She closed her eyes, enjoying his soft touch, wishing in some part of her that she felt strong enough to let it go further. She was about to halt their activity when his finger lifted her chin and their lips met again.
This time the kiss was different. It was a feverish rush, looking for answers to quiet questions that hadn’t been asked. Abby could feel her face flushing with more energy and warmth, the electric tingles of her body emitting more heat than she thought was possible. Andrew was clearly feeling the same intensity as he grabbed her waist and pulled her in closer to him.
It was Abby, of course, who pulled away first. Andrew was surprised, but he took her hand in his and smiled at her.
“Now we get to spend the night together in that romantic little room,” he said, wiggling his eyebrows at her.
Abby laughed. “Don’t get any ideas, mister.”
Andrew’s face said everything she needed. He kissed her one more time and then led her by the hand back to their room.
Abby knew if she didn’t get any sleep that night, she’d be fine. After all, she could sleep when she was dead.
#
The morning sunshine filtered into the room too early for Abby. She lay there for a moment, wiping h
er tired eyes. Her tired, swollen eyes, that is. Crap! She thought. That’s what you get from sitting up all night long.
When they had gotten back to the room, the pair curled up on the bed together, talking -- asking questions about each other and playing “get to know you.” Andrew was more than respectful. Granted, there were a few times when they were making out that he pushed for more, but Abby was firm in holding her ground. As much as she had wanted to tear his clothes off, something made her hold back.
She rolled over to see if Andrew was still asleep only to find him gone. As she sat up, she heard the door to the cottage open. Andrew came into the main bedroom, grinning and holding a couple of to-go cups.
“Coffee?” He posed this as a question, but he had already put it by her bed.
She took the cup, enjoying the bedside service, and looked around for creamer.
“You looking for milk?”
Abby nodded. “Well, creamer.”
“You said last night you like creamer, no sugar.”
“I did.” She nodded her head and smiled coyly at him.
Andrew walked back around the bed to Abby’s side. “I was listening, you know.” He nodded at her cup. “Your milk is in there already.” He sat down next to her, scooting her over a bit so he could sit closer to her.
Abby took a long swig of her coffee. As soon as she had pulled the cup from her lips, Andrew’s lips were on hers.
“What’s that for?” Abby asked when they had parted.
“Because I can,” he teased. “You have a problem with it?”
“Not at all,” she replied as she stretched her body, lounging even deeper into the pillows that surrounded her like a cloud. “In fact, I could get used to this whole thing: coffee before I even get out of bed, being served to me by some hot waiter with an even sexier accent.”
Andrew laughed out loud. “You’re funny.” He kissed her forehead and then settled in next to her on the pillows. “Crabby Abby.”
Abby hid her face in her hands. “You caught me at a weak moment. You got a lot out of me last night.”
Andrew leaned over, looking in her eyes and wrapping his long soft fingers around hers in order to pry her hands off her face. “I liked it.”