His Harbor Girl

by Rekha Ambardar

  She watched him run down the steps and into his jeep and wondered why she hadn’t told him about Kai. She had intended to, but she’d let herself flow along with the sweet tide of their passion. She’d wanted to hold that moment in her 163

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  hands. As she thought back she remembered there hadn’t been any words. There was no time for words when love flowed in her like warm honey, when they had both yielded to the searing need, which had been building for months.

  Leanna got dressed and straightened the couch and the cushions, a smile careening across her face. Now the couch had history. Its archaic green and brown upholstery looked deceptively staid, not the venue of unbounded passion. So much for the lessons of restraint she’d always imposed on herself. But did she have any regrets? No! She only savored the feelings of satisfaction he’d left behind.

  * * * *

  The rain beat down in long mercury-colored bullets, washing away the dust left by the summer months. Hitting the roof of The Tug, it kept up a steady background rat-a-tat to the sound of voices in the snack bar, creating a cozy atmosphere inside.

  Tourists had started leaving Pelican Harbor in dribs and drabs. But that hadn’t stopped the stream of customers in Leanna’s snack bar. These were Pelican Harbor’s own folks, who had now found one more place to spend a pleasant hour or two chatting with friends. She hoped when the ski hill opened in the winter, her snack bar would overflow with enthusiasts stopping for hot chocolate and buttered croissants.

  She glanced at Chester happily fielding the gift store section of The Tug, chatting with customers, regaling them with salty sea tales, playing the Ancient Mariner to the hilt.

  “Dad is in true form today, Alice. Do you have something to do with that?” Leanna grinned.

  She went around the small table behind the snack bar to pour coffee refills for everybody. But not before giving Alice a sly look. Her father had been close mouthed about it all, but Leanna knew when something perked up his life. He sang 164

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  more and became less broody. Further, his well-worn cap did not sit atop his head at a rakish angle anymore. Instead, he combed his thinning white hair and slicked it down with pomade.

  “Okay, Alice, what’s going on?”

  “What do you care? Seems like you’ve been wrapped up in another world even though Bryce is clear across the lake.”

  Alice threw her an elf-like grin. “And if you want to know, all I did was make your father a lemon meringue pie.”

  “Yes, I heard about how good it was. And then I asked him what he was going to do about it.” Leanna chuckled when she thought of the number of times she’d dropped atom bomb-sized hints to Chester about taking Alice out.

  “Why should I do that when the woman doesn’t care a rat’s tail about me,” he’d said when he’d stopped at her house to put up the storm windows.

  “You’d be surprised. Dad, you should know she has a crush on you.”

  “Sometimes, women have crushes for the wrong

  reasons.”

  “And how many have you gone out with? Go on Dad, give it a try. Ask Alice out. You can’t be a recluse for the rest of your life.”

  “And what about you? Seems to me that young Robertson guy has been on your mind lately.”

  “Now, how would you know that?”

  “I’m your dad. It’s my job to know things. By the way, when are Bryce and his crew done with their work?”

  “Any day now.” And that had dragged her spirits down and she’d clutched her cocoa mug tightly to will away that plummeting feeling. That had been a week ago.

  “He took me out to the Gandy Dancer. Said how good my meringue pie was.” Alice’s hands flew with effortless ease 165

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  while chopping up lettuce and tomatoes for a club sandwich for the last customer. “Did you know your father’s a good dancer?”

  “Yes, when he’s in a mood for it.” Leanna laughed. So her father was kicking up his heels, thanks to Alice. “You’re good for him.”

  The miniature wooden steering wheel-shaped clock over the entrance showed five o’ clock. Pulling out her jacket from the small, cubbyhole backroom of the snack bar, she said, “I have to pick up Kai from Cecily’s. She had lunch there after daycare. Could you and Dad lock up?”

  Leanna reveled in her idea of throwing Alice and Chester together in seemingly inadvertent ways. Top-level diplomacy could take a tip or two from her!

  Alice nodded. “See you later.” She picked up a cleanser and a rag from the cabinet to wipe off empty tables before starting to lock up.

  “See you later, Dad.” Leanna smiled and waved to Chester.

  He looked up and grinned. “You take care of yourself.”

  Leanna walked out to her car, pleased as a cat dozing in a cat condominium. Things were moving along nicely between Alice and Chester. And the sparkle in his squinty eyes told her that his life had started to pick up for him.

  Leanna revved up her car and sped out of the parking lot, beating the evening traffic. When she reached the main road intersection, she turned right to go the short distance on the lilac tree-covered drive to Cecily’s.

  The little girls engrossed in playing in the sand box looked up at the sound of Leanna’s car. Cecily stared at her friend’s mother, her little mouth drooping at the corners.

  “Kai will come over again. Or maybe you can come to our house,” Leanna said and walked Kai to the car.

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  “Cody’s waiting for us at home. I didn’t take him to The Tug so he could rest his tail.”

  Leanna found her way back to the intersection. Good thing they were only a hop, skip and jump away from the Lake District. The frenzy of the rush hour traffic even in a small town like Pelican Harbor had grown conspicuously. And that was a good sign.

  Turning off the road that ran parallel to the lake, she slowed down and entered their driveway.

  “There’s Cody!”

  Sure enough, he stood on the armchair, like a picture framed by the window.

  Leanna parked her car, helped Kai haul out her Gummi Bears school bag and together they walked up the steps. She opened the door and found Cody, a broad smile on his face, prancing about.

  “Is Cody all better now, Mommy?”

  Leanna glanced at his tail. The bandage had been removed and the fur that had been shaved on the injured part was now coming back.

  “Yes, he is, thank goodness.”

  They both sat down on the carpet and Cody rolled on it like a spirited adolescent dog regressing into puppy hood.

  Seconds later, the phone rang and brought their romp with Cody to a crashing halt.

  Kai sat up. “Shall I get it, Mommy?”

  “No.” Leanna got up on her knees. “I’d better get it.”

  She moved to the phone on the side table, grabbed it and sank back onto the floor. “Hello? Bryce? This is a surprise.”

  She hadn’t heard from him since that evening on the couch. She darted an involuntary glance toward the piece of furniture that sometimes served as a makeshift trampoline for 167

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  Kai and Cody. “If walls could speak” took on a new meaning for her.

  His voice sounded light. She could almost see him smiling, the fine laugh lines crinkling the corners of his eyes.

  Now, thinking of it, those eyes had a perpetually amused look. “I called to tell you I found the file I was looking for.”

  “I’m glad.” Relief swept through her. Despite her show of confidence, a part of her had hoped that she hadn’t lost it to the Cyber Bandit.

  “Are you all packed and ready to go?” Leanna held her breath, waiting for his answer. Did she really believe he would stay? No, of course not, but that didn’t stop her heart from aching with pain.

  “Almost. We’re running out of food. Makes no sense to stock up again, just for one or two days.”

  An idea struck h
er like a boxer’s punching bag. “Why don’t you guys come and have dinner with us the day you move your things to the mainland? I could whip up something.”

  She wanted one last chance to see Bryce; she couldn’t get used to the idea of his leaving for good. She brushed the back of her hand against her forehead while she concentrated on her thoughts. No, she thought, that wasn’t it at all. She just wanted to be hospitable and offer him and his crew a good meal.

  “We do have to shack up at the motel our last night at Pelican Harbor. We’ll have the jeep and a rented car to haul our equipment back to Wisconsin…” He paused. “If it isn’t too much trouble…”

  Trouble? No, no trouble, she thought, but maybe she needed her head examined. To put herself through the heartache of watching Bryce leave was a crazy thing to do, 168

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  even though she looked forward to seeing him again. It was like being pulled in two completely different directions.

  Now heavy disappointment dragged her down. He talked as if he had already forgotten their sweet moment of love making, when, for her, it was everything, unsure though she was at the time at the rightness of it.

  She bit the inside of her cheek and said nothing.

  “Leanna, are you still there?” Bryce said. “I’ve been thinking of you.”

  “That’s very flattering, but given your situation at the island, I hardly think it’s me.”

  “Still cynical. No, I have to say it’s you, ma’am.

  Moreover, you’re a liar.” A soft chuckle accompanied his words.

  Leanna’s heartbeat jumped. “Now that’s a strong word.”

  “That evening, at your house, your actions belied all the words of protest you’ve uttered.” A laugh tinkled at the other end of the line, reminding her that she’d been nothing but a little hypocrite. The way she’d responded that evening in his arms had surprised even her.

  “Okay, you win. I can’t deny it meant something to me.”

  Did it mean anything to Bryce? His tone was light, almost joking. Her cheeks flushed with shame. She’d practically thrown herself into his arms. She didn’t regret it, not for one moment, but what about Bryce? What was he really feeling?

  Perhaps, seeing him one more time would tell her if they had a chance together. And after that, she didn’t know what would happen. She’d wait to find that out when she told him about Kai.

  “Look, I know my work takes me to strange places, but you have to realize we had something that evening,” Bryce said.

  “It was just one evening.”

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  “It told me what I wanted to know. Anyway, we can talk about it when I come see you for dinner the day after tomorrow.”

  Leanna let out a breath of relief. Bryce felt something for her. The few times they’d been together had shown her that.

  Maybe they could work things out. Furthermore, family was important to Bryce, something she hadn’t realized nearly seven years ago.

  “That’s when you’re moving to the mainland?” Leanna asked.

  “Yes. It will take several trips transporting us and our equipment across.”

  “We look forward to seeing you.”

  “That, I believe, is the formal way of putting it. Will you?” Again, the teasing inflection in his voice.

  Leanna gave a low laugh. “You’ll just have to wait and see for yourself.”

  “Always the lady of mystery.” He accompanied his remark with a wolf whistle and then hung up.

  Leanna put the phone back in a pensive mood. She had finally reached Bryce as never before. She saw the things that were important to him and they were the same ones that she held dear. Surely, he’d understand her reasons for not telling him about his daughter sooner. She’d had to walk a long road in her own comfort level in being able to broach the topic to him, and now that her destination was in sight, she applauded her own decision of telling him about Kai.

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  Chapter 11

  Bryce pitched a ball of twine into the cardboard box ready to be hauled onto the plane. Then he went into the kitchen area and threw open the cabinet doors above the sink for one last look. Bare shelves met his glance. Good. The student assistants had emptied the shelves and carted the stuff away with them on Kip’s first foray back to the mainland.

  He turned around and saw Fred fold a tarp and pack it in one of the other cardboard boxes.

  “All set?” Bryce lifted the box to estimate its weight.

  “Good thing we don’t have many more of these to take. Did you make the arrangements at the Overland Motel?”

  “Uh-huh. Told them we’d be overnighting it and then heading out from there.”

  Bryce had toyed with the idea of shipping the equipment while they drove the jeep back. It would be a tight squeeze with all of them packed in like dill pickles. But then he decided against it; he wanted to keep the equipment where he could see it, and have it reach Racine the same time they did.

  If he had to, he’d rent one more car. The generosity of the research grant would allow him that.

  Bryce could hear banging and thumping outside. That would be Kip closing up the storage shed. All specimens had 171

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  been transported to the Wildlife Center in Wisconsin in ice-lined containers, and the shed cleaned out and disinfected.

  Bryce strode out the door. “Ready when you are, Kip.”

  “I’m ready.” Kip grinned, looking like a gnome with his woolen cap pulled tightly over his head. “Let’s see if I have it right. I’m to drop you fellas on the mainland and then I’m free?”

  “That’s right. Don’t forget the dinner tonight at Leanna’s place.”

  “That’ll be a change. Some nice home cooking.” Kip’s grin grew even broader.

  “I guess we’re all ready to head back to civilization.”

  Bryce thought of their cramped quarters where moods could veer toward crankiness. All in the interest of science, a fine cause. “Move it, Fred.” He looked into a room where his colleague still appeared to be fidgeting with a long sheet of cellophane.

  Fred lifted the box and followed them into the plane.

  “Good weather,” he said looking up at the sky.

  The men loaded the remaining few boxes onto the plane and got in. They strapped themselves in while Kip revved up the engine and started the propeller.

  “And we’re off.” Kip taxied a short distance before lifting off.

  Bryce watched the trees soon dwindle to the size of bushes. He’d never get used to this even though Kip’s expertise as a pilot was beyond belief. Bryce sat back in his seat and decided to enjoy the shiny mid-morning view over the lake. He shut his eyes and tried not to think. But Leanna sneaked into his thoughts. He remembered holding her in his arms, hot with passion. An ardor he hadn’t expected burst into flame quickly, and he pulled on his plaid shirt collar.

  They’d been good together. Passion and youth, a steamy 172

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  combination. Bryce swallowed, his throat thick and dry. They weren’t kids any longer, but passion was as strong as ever, together with a new respect for the roles that each played in their respective lives. Thinking of her, he felt as if a blast of steam had hit his face. He’d forgotten what it was like all those years ago, but the nuances of their time together painted an ever-brightening picture in his hope-filled mind. Surely, they had a future together now.

  His gaze scattered over the scene outside, but it could be a bowl of soup for all it registered in his mind. He still smelled her perfume and wished he knew the name of it.

  Bottom line was that he couldn’t forget her.

  He forced himself back to the present and glanced at the top of Fred’s head in the seat in front. He suppressed a chuckle. Just as well Fred couldn’t see his goofy, moonstruck expression, which was probably what he had at this very moment.

  The drone of the plane
lulled him and he laid his head back on the headrest, closing his eyes. An image of Leanna filled his mind and a feeling of heady anticipation rose inside, dispelling his earlier lethargy. Now he was confident he’d be able to sort out the confused feelings that had filled him these past few days. So, okay, she didn’t talk about Kai. Probably thought it was none of his business since he wouldn’t know the father. He was crazy to think she’d even let him be a surrogate father to the little girl. It didn’t really matter to him who Kai’s father was, she was Leanna’s daughter and that was all he cared about. More than once, he’d wondered how things would stand if Kai were his child. It was a nice fantasy, but he knew Leanna would never have left him if Kai were his child. Well, he’d soon see her and this time he wouldn’t leave until they settled things between Leanna and himself.

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  Twenty minutes later, the plane touched down at the familiar landing site near the Park Service office. Bryce waited for it to stop taxiing, then undid his seat belt. He kept his head bent as he got out of the plane.

  “Hand me the stuff. I’ll stack it in the office until we rent the car,” Bryce told Fred while Kip logged the mileage in a logbook.

  “We’ll drop you at the motel and then we’re off to get the rented car,” Bryce said.

  “Suits me.”

  They were all a little cramped in the jeep. But Kip had only a short ride to the Overland Motel.

  “Hang on.” Bryce turned the key in the ignition and backed out of the parking lot with more zip than necessary.

  “Taking revenge on me, huh?” Kip asked, visibly startled at the sudden jolt.

  Bryce grinned. “We’ll miss you, guy.”

  As they drove toward downtown he saw the Overland Motel, unpretentious and sparse. It would do just fine for the night, being only a few minutes’ drive to Leanna’s house from there.