Long Way Home

by Neve Cottrell

  “Don’t you dare, Tyler Barnes,” she screamed.

  “I already dared,” he said, gazing into her eyes. “And I’m so glad I did.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Alexis sat on the edge of Owen’s bed reading him a bedtime story, Roald Dahl’s The Enormous Crocodile. When she got to the end where the crocodile was burnt up by the sun, Owen laughed hysterically.

  “That’s a silly story.”

  “He got what he deserved for trying to eat up those children,” Alexis told him.

  “Do baddies always get what they deserve?”

  “No,” Alexis said thoughtfully. “And sometimes goodies don’t get what they deserve either.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because the universe doesn’t recognize fair from unfair. It doesn’t work like that.”

  Owen gave her a pensive look. “I like how you talk to me.”

  “I have managed to lose most of my Mangrove accent. Thank you, England.”

  “No, I mean you answer my questions and sometimes you even use big words. Daddy tells me to go play ball. I don’t like to play ball.”

  “Well, I think grown-ups don’t like to think about some of the things you like to think about.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because it’s difficult and most people prefer easy.”

  “Do you think the crocodile in the story knows he’s dead?”

  Back to his usual thought pattern. Alexis shook her head ruefully. “I really don’t know, Owen.”

  “But why don’t you know? Mommy says you think you know everything.”

  Alexis smirked and ruffled Owen’s hair. “You might want to steer clear of a career in the CIA.” She gave him a sidelong glance. “Why do you think so much about death, anyway?”

  “Don’t know. I guess everything and everyone dies, right? Why not be interested in something that happens to everything and everyone? If I can understand death, then maybe I will understand everything in the whole universe.”

  He threw his arms open wide and accidentally smacked Alexis in the face. They both giggled. Impulsively, Alexis reached over and hugged him.

  “Owen, don’t ever stop questioning things, no matter how annoying your family thinks you are. Be true to yourself and you will be the happiest person you know.”

  She kissed him on the forehead and stood to leave.

  “If I had known you all this time,” he said, “I would have missed you since you’ve been gone.”

  Alexis was touched. “Me too.”

  “Do you think you’ll stay now? I like the guy with the guitar.”

  “So do I.”

  “You should stay.”

  She smiled down at her nephew. “Goodnight, Owen.”

  Alexis turned off the light and Owen snuggled under the covers, settling happily into the darkness.

  Downstairs, Betsy shook off her jacket, having just arrived home from a long day at the salon. “Hey, how’d it go?”

  “No trouble at all.”

  “I’m sure Owen was the last one to sleep. You need to pry the book out of his hand even after he’s asleep.”

  “Nothing wrong with enjoying to read.”

  Betsy tossed her keys into a dish on the counter and headed to the refrigerator.

  “Please don’t treat me like I’m Mom and Dad. He has books. Joe and I read to him and I love the crap out of his advanced brain, got it?”

  “Glad to hear it.”

  Betsy immediately shifted gears. “Do you feel like grilled cheese? Joe won’t be back for a few hours yet.”

  “Sure. I can make it.”

  “No, I’m happy to do it. It relaxes me.”

  “I like to cook, but I prefer baking. It’s more precise.”

  Betsy proceeded to gather the bread, butter and cheese while Alexis sat on a stool at the counter.

  “You should see some of my baking experiments,” Betsy said. “Good thing I have men in this house who eat anything.”

  “Not all successes, huh?”

  She shook her head. “Not even close, but it’s fun to try. Speaking of fun, what’s the latest with Tyler? Have you boned him yet?”

  “Betsy!” Alexis shrieked with horror.

  “Oh, sorry. You don’t bone. You probably fillet or something. Much fancier.”

  Alexis covered her face with her hands. “I am not discussing this with you.”

  “At least tell me if he looks as good naked as I think he does.” Betsy begged her sister with her big, brown puppy eyes. “Please.”

  “I have not had sex with him.”

  “What?” Betsy spun around, still clutching the pan. “Sister, you need to sharpen that pencil.”

  Alexis couldn’t believe her sister was encouraging her. “First of all, it’s much bigger than a pencil.”

  Betsy smacked her thigh. “I knew it!”

  “But I haven’t felt ready for…you know.” Alexis bit her lip.

  Color rose to Betsy’s cheeks and she realized that maybe she should’ve held her tongue. “Listen, I’m sorry about my judgy comments from before.”

  “Which ones?” asked Alexis with a wry smile.

  “All of them, but especially the ones about you not being married or mother material.”

  Alexis wasn’t surprised that her mother had shared her story about Mark and her miscarriages. She knew the women had no secrets between them.

  “That’s okay. You didn’t know.”

  “It’s not your fault,” Betsy told her. “You know that, right? Christ, who am I asking? I’m sure you read a zillion articles on the subject.”

  Alexis shook her head softly, struggling for the right words. “It’s hard not to feel responsible, but I’m working on it.”

  Betsy wanted to ease her sister’s pain somehow, so she offered the only thing she had, a little understanding. “I had a miscarriage between Brian and Owen. Believe me, my life can be stressful between Joe and the kids and the salon, but I sure as hell didn’t blame myself. I wanted that baby.”

  The pan sizzled from the heat and Alexis’s mind flew to the crocodile in the story being sizzled up like a sausage. Thinking of Owen made her smile.

  “Do you think you’ll have any more kids?” Alexis asked.

  “Hello, no,” Betsy said, throwing a slice of tomato on her grilled cheese. “That ship has sailed.”

  “Well, you have some pretty cute sailors.”

  Betsy studied her sister. “If it helps any, I understood, you know, why you were unhappy here.”

  “Apparently because I thought I was too good for all of you.”

  “Oh c’mon, that was anger talking. I’m allowed to be angry that my sister ran full throttle away from her family. How did you expect me to feel? Happy? Rejection stings.”

  “I guess I didn’t really think you’d care. We weren’t exactly close.”

  “No shit, but it doesn’t mean it has to stay that way forever.”

  “I’ll admit, it’s been nice having a sister to talk to.”

  “Nice? For me, it’s been awesome.” Betsy flipped the sandwiches. “Nobody gets annoyed with Mom and Dad the way we do. Even Joe.” She laughed, thinking about her husband’s occasional frustrations with her parents. “I want a permanent bitchfest partner. Are you in?”

  The sisters locked eyes and, in that moment, Alexis knew that they had reached a sisterly accord. “I’m going to be a good aunt to your boys,” she promised.

  “I know. Otherwise, you’d be making your own damn sandwich.”

  Betsy flipped over the sandwiches one more time, the pan hissed again, and Alexis was comforted by the sounds of home.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Alexis’s alarm woke her at six. Tyler had sent her a text the night before, asking that she meet at his house bright and early the next morning. She wondered if this time he intended to take her fishing. Knowing Tyler, it was something completely unexpected. He never ceased to amaze her with his thoughtfulness and ingenuity.

  She sh
owered and dressed, choosing a simple cotton dress in emerald green that highlighted the flecks in her eyes. She closed the front door quietly on the way out, hoping not to disturb her parents. She wanted her father to get some much-needed rest.

  When she arrived at his house, Tyler was perched on the front porch waiting for her. “Good morning, sunshine,” he greeted her.

  “No blindfolds today?” she teased.

  “Maybe later,” he winked. “This morning, we’re hitting up Little Tuna.”

  “What’s Little Tuna?” she asked, her face a blank.

  “Your parents never took you there?” Tyler asked in amazement. “It’s an island staple.”

  “I’m not even sure what it is,” Alexis admitted. “Seafood restaurant?”

  “Better,” Tyler said, his blue eyes bright with excitement. “It’s the fishmonger down by the harbor.”

  “Oh,” Alexis said. “The MacAdams are a meat and potatoes family. My dad won’t eat fish.”

  “Yet he lives on a tropical island.” Tyler shook his head. “I feel sorry for him.”

  “Don’t bother,” Alexis said. “He thinks salmon is too exotic.”

  Tyler pointed to the shed. “Grab a set of wheels, my lady. I am going to show you what you’ve been missing all these years.

  Alexis walked over to the shed and cautiously opened the door. She half-expected to fight her way through cobwebs and dusty music gear.

  “There’s no monster in my closet,” he called from the side of the house where his own bicycle rested against the exterior.

  Alexis breathed a sigh of relief when she stepped inside and was met with neatly stacked boxes and a shiny red bicycle complete with a wicker basket on the handlebars.

  “How perfect,” she whispered to herself. She’d loved riding her bike all over the island as a child, yet she hadn’t ridden one since then.

  Tyler poked his head in the doorway. “All good?”

  “Yes,” she said, rolling the bike toward the door. Tyler took the bike by the handlebars and pulled it out of the shed in one swift movement.

  “I hope red is to your liking,” he said.

  “Don’t mind the color as long as the brakes work,” she said.

  Alexis could tell in a glance that the bike was in good shape and that Tyler took good care of his belongings as well as his house. She hadn’t seen anything of his yet that looked unloved or unkempt and she realized how much she liked that about him.

  Tyler hopped on his bike and Alexis followed suit. She worried for a moment about falling over, but as soon as she began to pedal, her childhood skills kicked in. It was, indeed, like riding a bike.

  Tyler kept a steady pace, allowing Alexis time to gain confidence. By the time they reached the coastal bike path, she was beside him.

  Surveying the scenery as she rode, Alexis hurtled back to her youth. She had ridden this path more times than she could remember, usually alone after a fight with Betsy or to find a quiet place on the beach to write poetry.

  “I forgot how incredible this area is,” Alexis breathed.

  At that moment, a seagull swooped down in front of her bike and Alexis swerved to miss it, knocking into Tyler’s wheel. They both managed to save themselves from falling with a solid foot on the ground.

  “Your biggest threat on the island.” Tyler laughed and started to pedal again.

  A few minutes later they coasted into the harbor area and Alexis watched the boats bobbing up and down in the marina.

  “There’s my dad’s boat,” Tyler said, pointing to a small speedboat.

  Alexis read the name painted on the side. “The Gingerbread Man?” she queried.

  Tyler chuckled. “Catch him if you can.”

  “Cute.”

  Tyler bounced off his seat with finesse. Alexis couldn’t help but admire his skills. There didn’t seem to be a clumsy bone in his body.

  She hit the brakes and skidded slightly before coming to a complete stop. She carefully dismounted, avoiding Tyler’s amused gaze. They crossed to the shop together.

  “Mornin’ Tyler,” a man called from under the awning. He wore a white apron and a blue Little Tuna baseball cap.

  “How’s it going, Larry?” Tyler returned the greeting.

  “Coming for fresh catch?” asked Larry.

  “Sure am. What’s new?”

  Tyler leaned his bike against the wall and then did the same with Alexis’s bike.

  “Got some catfish,” Larry said, moving behind his shop counter. “Nice trout. Bay scallops. What’d you have in mind?”

  Tyler leaned against the counter thoughtfully. “I’m trying to impress a certain lady friend,” he said, pretending Alexis wasn’t beside him.

  “Is she fussy?” Larry asked, playing along.

  “No, but she’s led a sheltered culinary life.”

  Larry sighed deeply. “That’s a damn shame.” He glanced around at his offerings. “How about a shellfish ceviche? I’ve got the perfect sized shrimp.”

  Tyler rubbed his hands together. “I can already picture it. Great idea as always, Larry. I’ll take the crab and bay scallops too.”

  Alexis wasn’t familiar with the dish, but she sure liked the sound of it. “It doesn’t have a cream sauce, does it?” she asked. Her stomach didn’t respond well to cream sauce and she didn’t want to embarrass herself at Tyler’s house.

  “Nope. It’s spicy, just like you,” Tyler said, running his hand down her spine.

  Alexis felt the heat racing through her body. She was beginning to warm to the powerful effect he had on her.

  Tyler paid for the items and placed the packages in Alexis’s bike basket.

  “Thanks a lot, Larry.”

  “I hope your lady friend enjoys it, whoever she is.” He winked at Alexis and she smiled in return.

  “How about a stroll along the harbor?” Tyler asked, pushing his bike along.

  “Will the seafood keep?” she asked.

  “It’s early enough. Sun’s not hot enough to be a problem.”

  They continued along the harbor in contented silence, enjoying the beautiful scenery. Alexis didn’t think she’d ever felt more at peace with a person, not even Mark. As much as she loved Mark, their relationship had been completely different. Their lives had been more frenetic and, because of their busy work schedules, they sometimes went days without seeing each other. Even when they were together, their minds had often been on other matters. Although it was difficult, she recognized that it was important to acknowledge that their marriage hadn’t been perfect.

  At the sight of a bench, Tyler leaned his bike against the back of it. “Let’s sit and admire the view before we ride back.”

  Alexis joined him on the bench and leaned her head on his shoulder. She pointed to a large yacht further out in the harbor.

  “Wow, I don’t remember seeing yachts like that here before.”

  “That’s the Prince’s Pride,” Tyler said. “Caspian’s yacht.”

  Alexis’s eyes widened in recognition. “The Brit?”

  “Yep.”

  Tyler hadn’t been kidding about him; he was loaded. “It’s the most beautiful thing here by far,” Alexis said admiringly.

  Tyler covered her hand with his. “Not from where I’m sitting.”

  Alexis felt goose bumps on her arms. “Tyler,” she began.

  He touched her chin and gently turned her head toward him before pressing his lips to hers. Alexis inched closer to him. As his tongue tangled with hers, she felt the familiar heat radiate throughout her body. Her stomach tensed as his hand slid under her shirt and she swelled with desire. He pulled her on top of him so that she straddled his lap.

  “Tyler, this is a very public display of affection,” she rasped as his mouth moved along the nape of her neck.

  “Not too public at this hour,” he whispered, his breath tickling her ear.

  Alexis didn’t think she could endure this very long without giving Larry an impromptu show. She leaned back and he rel
uctantly stopped kissing her.

  “Can we continue this back at my place?” he asked, a hungry look in his eyes.

  “How fast can you ride?” she asked.

  Tyler leapt off the bench and practically threw Alexis over his shoulder. He grabbed his bike and hopped on. Alexis pumped the pedals furiously to keep up with him. She was desperate to get back to his house before her brain talked her out of it. She was tired of her brain with its endless loop of her guilt and failures. She wanted to give her brain a taste of the primal pleasure that Tyler promised.

  Once they were back on the coastal bike path, Tyler rode until he reached one of the many coves along the shoreline.

  “Why are you stopping?” Alexis called, flush with need. She followed him off the path and dropped her bike onto the sand. He moved toward her and smoothly engulfed her in his arms.

  “Can’t wait another minute,” he said huskily. He kissed her passionately and Alexis could feel the extent of his excitement even through the thick cotton of her dress.

  “Neither can I,” she whispered and slipped off her flip-flops.

  Feeling the sand beneath her feet and in between her toes, she glanced down with uncertainty. Her first time with Tyler promised to be one uncomfortable ride if she succumbed now. And as much as she wanted him, she didn’t want to worry about ridding herself of sand in all the wrong places.

  “Ugh,” Alexis said in frustration.

  Tyler pulled back and gave her a quizzical look. “That’s not exactly the kind of reaction I was hoping for,” he said.

  “I’m just annoyed with myself,” she admitted. “I can’t…do this here.” She leaned her head against his chest. “I’m sorry.”

  He lightly touched her cheek. “Don’t be sorry. You’re right. I want this to be perfect and romantic and there’s nothing romantic about rubbing your skin raw with nature’s loofa.”

  “Sounds like you’ve had some experience,” Alexis teased.

  He gazed into her eyes and smiled faintly. “God, you’re beautiful.”

  “Let’s get back to your house before the shellfish spoils,” she said.

  “Yes, blame it on the shellfish. You know you want to jump me,” he taunted her. “Admit it.”