by Dawn Tomasko
"Gabriel, thank God,” Sara's soothing voice filled his head, his heart. "What's going on? When I didn't hear from you, I didn't know what to think."
Gabriel rolled his tight shoulders. "Baby, I'm sorry. The situation was touch and go for a while. I didn’t want to leave his bedside. At the very least I should have texted you."
"Don’t worry, it doesn’t matter now. How’s your dad?” she asked, concern evident in her voice.
"He's okay. They did an angioplasty, cleared the blocked artery. He needs to change the way he eats, start exercising. Also, reduce the stress level. Michael will have to shoulder more responsibility. But he should be all right.” Head down, he stared at the blacktop and paced the length of the parking lot.
Sara’s sweet voice was a balm to his shattered nerves. "That's good news. I'm so glad. Please tell Toni I'm happy for you all, and I'll keep everyone in my prayers."
"I will. Thank you, honey.” He squeezed his eyes shut. "God, I wish you were here. Nantucket seems too far away. I miss you so bad."
He could hear her breathing over the phone. "I miss you, too. The house is quiet and empty without you. Half the time I wander through the rooms or down on the beach. I don't know what to do with myself."
Happiness bloomed in his heart. He'd become important to her. Their lives changed dramatically in a short time. Being apart made it more apparent. "Where are you now?"
"Standing at the living room window. There's no fog so I can see the beach. It's going to be warm today."
He could picture it perfectly. The image gave him peace, and Sara seemed closer. "Are you going to the Memorial Day parade? I wanted to take you."
"Not without you. I'm getting the house ready, and then I'll go food shopping."
"Brianna's still coming?"
"Yes, I'm picking her up from the airport. Then back here where I hope we can talk.” He detected the spark of hope in her voice.
"Try not to be nervous,” he suggested though he knew full well she thought nonstop about her daughter's visit.
"Did you forget who you're talking to?"
They both laughed. "Dad needs to stay here a day or two more before we take him home. As soon as he's settled, and I'm certain he and Mom are okay, I'll come back."
"As much as I want you here, don't rush it. Your family's important. How are things with Michael and Nicole?"
He shrugged, put a hand in his jeans pocket. "Awkward, but not as bad as I expected. Michael's obnoxious, always pushing, and I push back. He told me to get over it. To act as if we're one big happy family to make it easier for them isn't going to happen. Mom plays peacemaker and Nicole wisely stays out of my way."
"It's a form of communication,” she offered.
"I'll say. Mom and Nic are bringing dinner up from the cafeteria for everyone so I should get back. I needed to hear your voice. Listen, good luck with Brianna tomorrow. I wish I could be there."
"Me too."
"Are you worried?” he wanted to know.
"Yes. Gabriel?” The silence on the line held them together. "I think about our night together all the time."
"So do I, baby,” he told her in a silky voice. "Every minute. You're beautiful, and I loved watching you come apart in my arms."
He heard her rush of breath. "There's all this emotion and pleasure mixed up together. You woke a sleeping giant in me."
“Mmm sounds interesting,” Gabriel quipped. "She's hungry and I’m at your service, sweetheart. Don’t forget I owe you a pancake breakfast."
"Are you a good cook? You make good bacon."
He laughed. "I can hold my own."
"Okay, I'll take a rain check. After Bree and I talk, I'll let you know how it goes."
Sara waited for her daughter on the tarmac. Nantucket Memorial Airport, unlike most airports in these times, had a more casual feel. Security existed, but people simply could come and go here in a more relaxed way.
Before she left the car, she'd taken a pill. In a few minutes, her hands should stop shaking. The tingle in her chest and nausea should subside. She hoped.
Brianna stepped out of the plane, gave a bright smile to the man unloading baggage from the plane, grabbed her own and turned toward the terminal. Sara's heart swelled. Bree, more gorgeous than ever, walked gracefully in her direction.
Bree's honey blond hair hung in a long braid over her left shoulder. The chocolate brown of her eyes, David’s eyes, met hers. The smile slowly faded until it disappeared altogether.
A soft pink cotton tank top, denim shorts, and flip flops completed her outfit. Like Sara, she wasn't a huge fan of jewelry. Simple gold hoops hung from her ears.
Hesitancy showed on her face, and she hung back, maintained the distance between them. Sara took a step forward, so they stood face to face, and Brianna dropped her luggage on the blacktop. Please, Brianna. Determined to connect with her daughter, Sara opened her arms. Brianna stepped into them for a stiff, awkward hug.
"Hey, Mom,” Bree offered, then quickly stepped back.
The loss of contact sliced into her. "You look terrific."
Brianna fussed with her braid. "Thanks. Glad the school year's over."
"I bet. Ready to go?” Sara asked, and picked up one of Bree's bags.
"I have it,” she murmured, tugged it none too gently from her mother's grasp. Carrying both bags, she made her way toward the terminal.
Sara tilted her head up toward to sky and prayed for patience. Keep calm, don't take it personally. The she followed Bree through the terminal into the parking lot. Once in the car, neither seemed to know what to say. Headed down Airport Road, Sara tried for light conversation.
"Tell me about your job."
Safe subject. "The assistant dean and his wife need a nanny. The family plans on being in Boston for part of the summer. They want to travel, too. I'll be going with them."
"Really? What an incredible opportunity. Where will you be going?"
Brianna turned her head toward Sara. "The Vineyard. Disney. France. Can you believe it? I'm so excited about the position. The pay's excellent."
"Honey, this is amazing. How many children do they have?"
"Two. A boy and a girl, four and five years old. They're cute kids, too. Not spoiled."
Sara gestured with her hand. "All your babysitting experience will pay off. How did you get a job like this? You didn't say you knew the assistant dean personally."
Brianna turned to glance out of the passenger side window. "I made the dean's list,” she said absently. "They asked me and a few others if anyone wanted a job. After interviews, the Dean offered the job to me."
Immediately, Sara pulled the car over, threw it into Park. "You made the dean's list?"
Bree's head snapped toward her. "Yeah,” she said with an air of superiority, "Surprised?"
Sara did not understand what Bree wanted from her. "No, I'm not surprised. I'm proud of you, thrilled in fact. You're hard-working, focused. The Dean couldn't fail to notice your kindness and dedication, and would be the ideal candidate to take care of his children."
Bree threw her hands up. "Why did you pull over? Can we get going, please?"
“You surprised me is all.” The ache in her throat wouldn't quit. "Why didn't you tell me about making the dean's list?"
"I just didn't.” She shrugged. "Can we please go to Aunt Charlotte's?"
Heart racing, every muscle in her body tensed. "Can you tell me why you didn't call to share a significant accomplishment with me?"
Bree shrugged. How had they become so disconnected? Sara concentrated on not clenching her teeth, or she'd grind them down to dust. Why the rush to Charlotte's? Did Bree think they needed a buffer? Mouth dry, she cleared her throat. "You want to go to Charlotte's now?"
"Yeah.” Bree crossed her arms over her chest.
Eyes focused straight ahead, she gripped the steering wheel tightly. "I hoped we could go to the cottage and talk. Get you settled in, and try to find a way to breach this distance between us. Charlotte kno
ws you're coming and she and Gary want us for dinner."
Her daughter sighed. Loudly. "Whatever."
Still stunned Brianna hadn't seen fit to tell her about making the dean's list, Sara pulled into the driveway, killed the engine. At the trunk, she opened the hatch for Bree and didn't touch the bags. After a brief pause, Bree lifted her eyebrows and grabbed them both.
Now she wanted help? Fed up, Sara decided then and there she wouldn't play the game. "Let's go around back. The porch is still under construction."
"Cute house.” Bree glanced around the back yard. "I see you still surround yourself with plants and flowers.” Sarcasm dripped from each word.
A low simmer of anger began to burn. Had Bree come only to challenge her? "Of course, why should it surprise you? You know I love them. Come on in, I think you'll like the inside."
Once inside, Bree put her bags on the floor at the bottom of the stairs, then walked around the living room and kitchen.
"The house is in various stages of repair. We're hard at work on it."
Bree turned her head. "We?"
Sara's face grew warm. No doubt the skin turned pink as cooked shrimp. "Yes, I'm working with a carpenter Aunt Charlotte hired. His name is Gabriel Donovan. He's talented and has done a lot of work on the island."
Bree's eyes narrowed. "Where is he?"
"Unfortunately, a few days ago his father had a heart attack, so he's back in Greenwich with the family until he's home and settled. Then we'll get going again with the repairs."
Bree nodded. "Can you show me where I'll sleep?"
Where was her daughter? The young woman before her was so formal. Stiff and uncomfortable. How she missed their loving, connected relationship. "Right upstairs. I made up the guest room for you."
Once they reached the door, Brianna dropped the bags and started to close the door. "I'm going to unpack, call my friends and maybe take a nap. I'll shower before we go to Aunt Charlotte's. What time is dinner?"
"Seven.” Hurt, Sara stood with her mouth open and stared at the door Brianna slammed in her face.
Sara flew down the stairs, grabbed her bag and keys on the way out. Damn it, she was annoyed. Downright pissed off, in fact. Nantucket had been good for her. Time and distance, the work on the house, and being with Gabriel brought on some realizations.
Number one, her daughter was a brat. Number two, mad could be a beneficial thing. Three, Sara would try to handle the situation the most tactful way possible, but when it came down to it, if Bree continued to act like a spoiled child, Sara would damn well treat her like one.
Maybe it's what should have happened all along. Determined not to allow her daughter to push her buttons, she jumped into her car, drove to Town for a little self-indulgent shopping.
No doubt Brianna heard the car start and asked herself why her mother didn't stick around to suck up. Fine, let her stew. There would be no more begging for scraps at her daughter’s table.
Chapter Seventeen
"Gabe, can you bring me the extra pillows from the divan?” Toni asked, hovering over Nathaniel, unable to stop doing her best to make him comfortable. The heart attack left her shaken to the ground, and Gabe wanted to help her.
"Sure, Mom."
"Damn it, stop fussing over me, both of you.” Nathaniel snapped. He sat up in bed, a lap desk and laptop on the coverlet. Gray-black hair stuck up all over his head from his constant unrest. Toni placed a glass of water on the bedside table. "I'm not a child."
"Then stop acting like one."
Gabriel could practically see the steam coming from his ears. "I need the charger for my computer, and I want coffee, damn it."
"You'll drink water,” Toni scolded. "The doctor said so. Nathan. Can't you wait a few more days to work? You haven't even been home for a week. Michael is capable of managing without you for a while.” Without getting him the charger cord, she stalked from the room. But what bothered Gabriel was the way her voice wavered with emotion.
"For crying out loud,” he muttered, fired up the laptop. Irritated, he leaned forward when Gabe slid the extra pillows behind his back. "Where's the damn cord?"
"I'll get your damn cable in a minute,” Gabe said and sat on the edge of the bed. "Dad, Mom's trying real hard here. Think you can cut her some slack?"
Nathaniel glared up at him, his eyes hard. "I'm not a frigging invalid!"
"No, you're not, but you're the love of her life, and if you don't do what she says, I'll stay here myself and make sure you do."
"Listen, you—” Narrowing his eyes at his son, Nathaniel spoke in a low tone. A tone that, in his childhood, would have sent Gabe running to hide.
"Dad. You're freaking her out, and she's a tough lady. All my life I’ve never seen dark circles under her eyes. Mom looks sad and lost. You're responsible for it. You’re her best friend, she loves you, and you're a pain in the ass.”
At the intimidating look his father leveled at him, Gabe shook his head deliberately. You don't scare me, old man."
His father bristled. "You’ve changed.”
“For the better, I think.”
Nathaniel nodded. “I hate being fussed over. They fixed my heart. I'm all right. I want to do what I want to do."
"Trust me, we want that. We all want you out of our hair. Give her time. She nearly lost you. We all did,” his voice cracked on the last word.
Gruffness aside, Nathaniel Donovan was, and had always been, wildly in love with his wife. All the bluster drained out of him. Nathan sighed, then eased back on the pillows. Gabe noticed he’d become pale-faced. "You win."
"First time, but thank you. Not that it’s a contest.” Gabe shifted on the bed, adjusted the covers. "You're pale and tired and I’m sorry I pushed you, but someone needed to. Listen, Dad, maybe you should have stayed in the hospital a couple more days. You shouldn’t have left the hospital against medical advice."
"Damn right I did. I have you, your mother, God help me, Michael and Nicole, and a damned visiting nurse up my ass!” A hand fisted, he punched the bedspread. "You have a life to get back to, work, and a woman who's waiting for you.” Gabe didn’t reply but waited for his father to settle down once again. If he didn’t learn how to relax, Gabe feared his father’s health wouldn’t improve. “When I'm better, bring her down. Or your mother and I will come to you."
Incredulous, Gabriel's brows raised nearly to his hairline. "You'll take time off from work to visit me on the island?"
"Yes,” Nathaniel's chin rose a notch.
"Well, of course, I'd like that, but I'm still staying at least until the end of the week.” Since the heart attack, his father seemed more present, more in the moment, foul moods notwithstanding. A novel experience, one he could get used to. Then he thought of Sara, and how much he wanted to be back with her on the island. The quick way he’d left couldn’t be avoided, but he missed her and needed to get back before he lost the ground he’d made with her.
Nathaniel's sharp eyes missed nothing. "Have you heard from her?"
"I expect she'll call sometime today. Her daughter flew to the island this morning. Charlotte and Gary are having them to dinner. Brianna blames Sara for her parent’s divorce, and she’s giving Sara a very hard time over it."
Nathaniel tilted his head, considered his son. "Let me know if they work it out. Maybe it'll be contagious, and you can work some things out. Michael says you barely speak to Nicole."
“What I want to say to her will cause a permanent rift with Michael.” Restless, Gabe stood to pace the room. "Dad, we’ve talked what happened. Do you honestly think I'd sleep with her when I've always known how Michael feels about her? For years, I’ve sowed my wild oats with a parade of women. Those days are done. But never with Nicole. She is more a sister to me."
Nathan pondered his words.
He dragged a hand through his hair. "Dad, when I told you I wanted to leave the company, we had a huge argument. That never happened before, at least not on that scale, and I was raw. Wanting to be alone, I wen
t to the bar for a few drinks. Even the bar I chose wasn’t one of my usual haunts. But Nic showed up at the bar, and I thought it a coincidence. Now, I don't believe that."
Nathaniel's brows snapped together. "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying I have no recollection of how I left the bar, and ended up in a hotel room with her or having sex. No memory of taking pictures and sending them to Michael. I remember nothing. Maybe she put something in my drink, maybe someone else did. Once, I went to the men's room and on the way back stopped to say hello to a client. Nic knew I wanted to be alone, but she stayed even after I asked her to leave. I’ve given this a great deal of thought."
Nathaniel stayed silent for quite some time. Gabe wondered if he’d answer at all, but when he did, something shifted in his chest. "If that's true, she's a snake in the grass."
"After the whole mess went down, Nicole played the injured party and hooked up with Michael when she realized I wasn’t interested.” Blindly, he shoved away from the chair and began to pace the carpet along the row of windows.
"Do you think I want this? Dad, she's going to hurt this family. Already has, in my opinion. Michael's blind to the truth. Why would he even want her if he thinks I’ve been with her?” He scrubbed a hand over his face and turned back to his father.
Nathaniel's mouth became in a grim line. "Gabe, I begin to see your point, and I’m sorry I didn’t take a closer look until now. Your brother's a grown man, and I can't tell him what to do. If we go to him with this, it could harden his position. Yes, it's awkward and uncomfortable, and I suspect you're one hundred percent correct. Until she proves us wrong, all we can do is support him."
Gabe strode back to the bed, and flung himself into the chair, his long legs crossed at the ankles. He spoke in a low tone. "Dad, she's after one thing. Money."
"You bastard,” Michael spat out.
Gabe’s head whipped in the direction of the door, where his brother stood, hands braced on the jamb, seething. Gabe squared his shoulders, ready for whatever his brother threw his way.