A Dad for Charlie

by Anna J. Stewart

  “Fletcher!”

  The voice called from behind him, from the same path he’d taken, and he stepped back to find Jason, Ozzy and Paige making their way toward him.

  “Fletcher, where is she?” Paige cried as she sat on the biggest rock left and slid down to the sand. She ran full bore at him, reaching for the backpack that he held out. “Fletcher?”

  “Simon said they went inside.”

  “Inside there?” she screeched. “What on earth were they...” She went silent, anger and fear battling it out in her glassy eyes. “The treasure box. She’s looking for that treasure box.”

  “Let’s hope she either found it or got it out of her system.”

  “How are you so calm?” Paige asked. “How can you—”

  “Because it’s Charlie,” Fletch said with more bravado than he felt. He had to focus on her, not see the ocean beyond her, not hear the crashing waves or...that flicker of something that seemed to stop at the opening of the cave. “We need to get in there.”

  “I have flashlights and some air tanks.” Ozzy scrambled down the last of the path. “Harvey’s leading a huge group behind us. We’ll start filling sandbags as soon as they get here. See if we can stop the water...”

  Paige grabbed his arm. “Fletch, I have to go with—”

  “No, Paige. Please stay. I need you to understand this. It’s too dangerous. And when Charlie comes out, she’ll really need you...”

  Paige looked as if she wanted to argue, but she set her jaw and nodded.

  Fletch led the way, squeezing himself through the narrow cave opening, the rough rocks scraping against his skin.

  “Gotta hand it to these two,” Jason grunted as he slithered in behind him. They inched their way forward, the water both helping and hindering their progress. “I really thought the stories about Simon’s extracurricular activities were exaggerated, but this exceeds even my expectations.”

  “I’m thinking Charlie’s reputation is about to be upped,” Fletch agreed, grateful to be distracted by the conversation. Once they were in the main cavern, he clicked on the waterproof flashlight, looking for the third passage that Simon had described to him.

  Thoughts of Charlie returned. She was all he cared about. He’d been too late one too many times in his life already. Which was why he barreled through the passage so fast his feet barely hit the ground. When he skidded to a halt at the opening and saw water had filled the cavern up over the ledge Simon told him about, he felt his stomach drop. “Charlie. I don’t see her.” His hands shook as he flashed the light around. Where was she?

  “There!” Jason pointed off to the side, the flash of pink, Charlie’s head and shoulders still above the waterline.

  “Charlie!” Fletcher yelled.

  “Deputy Fletch! I’m stuck! I can’t get my arm out. The water—” she sputtered.

  “It’s okay, Charlie, I’m coming.”

  Water rushed in behind him, knocked into the backs of his knees and nearly drove him over the edge. His entire body went clammy. He could barely move, but he kept his focus on the pink spot across the distance.

  “You want me to go?” Jason set a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “Paige said she thought you might have some...issues.”

  “Issues?” Fletcher could feel the fear building inside him. Fear he needed to face. “Guess my secret’s out. I appreciate the offer, but I need to do this.” Before he could think it through, he stepped forward and into the water.

  He dropped...farther than he expected, the unfamiliar rush of water around him driving the air from his lungs.

  Another plume of water rushed in, hitting Fletcher square on the top of his head before he pushed out from under it. He forced the air out of his nose and found himself floating free for what felt like minutes. The silence was oddly calming. He didn’t have to breathe. The faint light from the flashlights reflected off the surface of the water as he sank, falling...until the sound of a child’s cry ripped through his ears, shaking him loose from his fear. He kicked, rotated and propelled himself up. When he broke the surface, he could hear Charlie crying, screaming his name.

  “I’m here, Charlie,” he gasped as he swam over to her. “Jason, aim that light over this way! I’m not going anywhere, Charlie. You’re safe now.” He arced his arm over his head, found the ledge and grabbed hold to haul himself up beside her.

  “I thought you’d gotten drowned.” Charlie’s face was damp with the ocean and tears, her lashes spiked. She kept tugging at her arm. “I can’t get out. I only wanted to find the box and have my wish. I’m so sorry, Deputy Fletcher. I know I’m not supposed to go to the water alone. Please don’t yell at me again.”

  “I’m not going to yell, but we will talk about this later.” First thing he did was kiss the top of her head, if only to prove to himself she was okay. “I want you to hold still for a second, okay? Just let me see if I can get my hand...in...here...” He forced his hand in under her arm, tried to find enough space to pry her free, but she’d gotten her jacket hooked on something sharp around back. And her fingers... “Charlie, you need to let go of the box.”

  “I can’t.” She shook her head. “If I do that I lose my wish. I want to stay. I don’t want to move again.”

  As stubborn as her mother. “Charlie, listen to me.” He grabbed hold of her chin and forced her to look at him. “You’re not going anywhere, do you hear me? You’ll get your wish, I promise, you won’t have to leave. But you have to trust me. You have to let go.”

  Charlie narrowed her eyes. “You’re just saying that so I’ll do what you want.”

  They did not have time for a philosophical debate. “I don’t lie to the people I love. Now let go of the box.”

  “Fletch! The water should be slowing soon!” Jason’s voice exploded through the cavern. “You got her? She okay?”

  “Almost! Charlie, please. Just relax your hand.” He felt the tension in her arm ease, and he tugged as gently as he could. The water lapped up, slapped him in the face, sharp as a razor. He hated it with every fiber of his being.

  He wasn’t going to let it win again.

  “It’s not working.” Charlie got that determined look on her face. “Maybe if you broke my arm?”

  “I know you thought his cast was cool when he broke his, but stop competing with Simon.” The very idea of her breaking anything made him sick to his stomach. “How about you close your eyes and make a new wish. A butterfly wish. Have you heard of those?” He must really be father material if he was making up spur-of-the-moment stories to distract a child. “You imagine a butterfly fluttering around your head, reading your every thought. You doing that, Charlie?” He tried to move his arm around hers, but there was so little space and he’d already ripped through the fabric of his shirt.

  “Uh-huh. It’s a pretty butterfly. A monarch. They’re my favorites.”

  “Like the ones on Calliope’s farm, right?” He tried to keep his voice light. “Now, you tell that butterfly your wish. That you want to leave, that you want to be free, just like the butterfly is.” There. Her arm moved. He could almost hear the rock giving way as he pushed his own arm against the sides. He felt her fingers, so cold and stiff, against his hand.

  “There it is,” Charlie said, awe in her voice. “Deputy Fletch, look! It’s a butterfly!”

  As he gave one final pull and looked up to where Charlie’s gaze landed, he saw the flitting, glistening wings of the orange-and-black-winged creature, hovering, the imperceptible sound of wings beating brushing against his ears.

  For a moment he wondered...was that the same butterfly that had guided him to her?

  Charlie’s arm pulled free. She almost floated away before Fletcher grabbed her and wrapped her arms around his neck. He couldn’t stop looking at the butterfly as it drifted down, almost to eye level, before leading the way back acr
oss the cavern’s flooded expanse.

  “She’s so pretty,” Charlie whispered. “My magic butterfly. She gave me my wishes.”

  “And with so little effort on your part,” Fletch gasped, trying to remember how to swim on the surface while carrying someone else. “When we get back outside, remember your mom’s going to be upset. She’s going to be crying and she’s going to be mad. She gets to be, you understand? You let her work through whatever she needs to.”

  “M’kay.” Charlie kicked her legs, probably thinking she was helping, but ended up kicking him in the thighs. He went under more than once, but finally, he reached out and grabbed the ledge under Jason’s feet.

  “Okay, you could have timed that a little better.” Jason reached down and hauled Charlie off Fletch’s back. “You okay, Charlie?”

  “Five by five!” She grabbed his flashlight and aimed it at the butterfly as it flitted into the passage. “I’ll go on ahead. You wait for my dad.”

  “Kids. They get what they want and then they just leave you behind.” Fletcher threw himself forward onto the ledge. Dad. Huh. Luke was right. That did have a nice ring to it. “I think I need a vacation.”

  “You’ve earned it.” Jason slapped him on the back. “Let’s get you back to your family.”

  * * *

  PAIGE STARED AT the opening to the caves, her body numb with cold and fear, the warmth and support of her friends surrounding her. Dozens of people had joined them on the beach, from Abby and Simon, to Charlie’s soon-to-be teacher. Store owners, inn employees, Harvey from the hardware store along with his team of workers, who had filled enough sandbags to keep the tide at bay despite the sudden clearing of the storm. Comforting hands held her, encouraged her, positive thoughts being murmured from the circle. Gil Hamilton and his staff from the mayor’s office had joined the effort, and now they all stood...waiting.

  “She’ll be okay,” Abby whispered as she clung to both Paige and Simon. “Fletch won’t let anything happen to her.”

  “I know.” And she did know. But she also knew a person’s worst enemy was often themselves. He had a lot of demons that went into the cave with him. She could only hope and pray that they wouldn’t overwhelm him.

  “There!” Simon yelled as a flash of color shifted in the opening of the rocks. “That’s her! Charlie!” He started to run forward, but Abby tugged him back, then gently pushed Paige forward as she stumbled toward her daughter.

  “Mom!” Charlie burst free, soaked to the skin, scraped up and looking as wide-eyed excited as she did every day of her life. “Mom!” She ran into Paige’s arms as Paige sank to her knees. Never in her life had she felt such relief, such a rush of love as she did holding her child. Safe. Uninjured. Alive. Thanks to Fletch.

  Jason emerged next, followed by Fletch. The roar of applause and cheers overtook any sounds the ocean might have made as Paige lifted her head to look up into Fletch’s strained face. He sagged against the rocks, was instantly surrounded by friends and neighbors as they congratulated him. But he didn’t once, not even for a fraction of a second, pull his gaze from hers.

  “Thank you,” she mouthed and hugged Charlie even tighter.

  “Mom, I can’t breathe,” Charlie mumbled against her chest.

  “I don’t care.” She rocked her back and forth, kissed her head, smoothed her hair. “Charlotte Rose Cooper, you are in so much trouble I can’t even think straight.”

  “Yeah, I know.” Charlie sighed. “Deputy Fletcher said so. I called him dad. I hope he didn’t mind.”

  Paige squeezed her eyes shut so hard they hurt. “I don’t think he minded at all.”

  “Can we go home now? I’m hungry.”

  “You bet, let’s get you home,” Paige whispered. As she got to her feet and pulled Charlie with her, she looked up. A flash of color near the top of the rocks caught her eye, as the butterfly her daughter couldn’t stop watching flitted toward Calliope Jones’s outstretched hand, landing on her finger. Calliope dipped her head, the gentle breeze sending the sound of tinkling bells down to the shore. And then she and the butterfly were gone.

  “I thought butterflies didn’t fly in the rain, Mom.” Charlie squirmed in her grasp as Simon ran over to hug her. “How did it get in the caves if it can’t fly in the rain?”

  “I don’t know,” Paige said as she turned into Abby’s hug and thanked all those who had come to support her and Charlie. She didn’t know how a butterfly could fly in the rain, but she did know one thing for certain: Paige might not be able to stay in Butterfly Harbor.

  But she was going to make sure her daughter would.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  “WE’RE GOING TO need to hire more employees if you’re going to keep having days like this,” Ursula grumbled as she banged on her service bell for pickup. “Didn’t expect a dinner rush after a major rescue like that. Look at your girl over there, hustling the deputies at cards. Never knew she put the scare of a lifetime into all of us earlier today.”

  “No, you wouldn’t.” Paige looked over from her seat at the counter, a seat she hadn’t been allowed to leave ever since she and Charlie had come down after long hot showers, a change of clothes and a new attitude. She had a lot to take care of, a lot she’d been putting off, but it couldn’t be put off any longer. Mrs. Hastings, perched on her own stool at the end of the counter, sent her one of her knowing looks.

  The diner was filled to the gills, but whatever impatience there might have been was overshadowed by the relief everyone felt that Charlie’s explorations hadn’t resulted in something tragic. Paige had spoken to just about everyone, including the mayor and his guests, who had been thoroughly impressed with the town’s support in a time of need.

  It was as if she’d given the mayor some extra-good PR without even meaning to. Melina Sorento was scribbling in her notebook, talking to people, even interviewing Simon for his take on the entire event to feature in next week’s paper.

  Next week. Paige took a deep breath and finished her coffee. Too bad she wouldn’t be here to see it.

  The door chimed as it opened, and Paige almost choked on her coffee. “Holly! Luke! You weren’t due back until Tuesday.”

  Holly pushed through the crowd and pulled her off the stool for a hug. “Abby called and told us what happened. We couldn’t very well sit around knowing what you and Charlie had been through.” She squeezed hard. “Are you doing okay? Charlie’s okay?”

  “We’re both fine.” Paige returned the hug, casting an accusatory look Abby’s way, but Abby only shrugged and hopped up to hug her friend next. “You didn’t have to come back, honestly.”

  “Oh, please. We can take another vacation. Especially now that Luke knows this place is in good hands without him. Seems like you’re in good hands, too,” Holly said as she wrapped her arm around Paige’s shoulders. They watched as Luke joined his deputies, then bent down to talk directly to Charlie. “He was more worried than I was about her. She’s infectious, that kid. But then you know that, right?”

  Paige smiled and nodded, then she caught Leah’s eye and motioned her over. She hadn’t planned to do this now, but, as she’d learned in the last few days, there wasn’t any time to waste when it came to making the most of her life. “Can I talk to you and Luke in the kitchen for a few minutes? It’s important.”

  “Yeah, sure.”

  “No, no, you both go on. I’m fine here,” Abby called. “I’m going to get a milkshake. I’ve earned it.”

  “You have indeed,” Paige agreed. “Twyla, strawberry shake for Abby, please.”

  “You got it!” came a voice from the crowd.

  Plates of onion rings, French fries, jalapeño poppers and burgers bigger than a person’s head kept flying through the serving window at Ursula speed. As Paige led the way toward the back of the kitchen, she felt her body tighten back up as Leah joined
her, Holly and Luke. “Holly, this is Leah Ellis. She’s taken over her uncle’s law practice here in town.”

  “Oh, you must be Benjamin Ellis’s niece.” Holly reached out to shake her hand. “He was one of my best customers for years. I hope he’s enjoying his new job.”

  “He is, thanks.” Leah reached into her bag and pulled out the large manila envelope. “On the house, Paige. And so’s any advice you might need in the future.” She tucked a stray strand of blond hair behind her ear. “I’ll let you all talk.”

  “Abby filled us in on the last year,” Luke said with nary a glimmer of resentment in his eyes. “I wish you’d told us what was going on. We could have helped.”

  “I know.” Paige gave a weak smile. Now that she had this in her hands, she couldn’t seem to stop shaking. “I made some deals with the universe while Charlie was in that cave. You know, mom deals,” she said to Holly, who nodded. “I’d already asked Leah to draw these up, but now I know it’s for the best. I’m heading back to New York tomorrow afternoon. I’m going to turn myself in, accept whatever consequences they deem appropriate. I’m, um, not sure when I’ll be back.” She handed Holly the envelope. “I know this probably isn’t the best thing to spring on someone, but I’ve named you and Luke as Charlie’s legal guardians. I want—I need her to stay here. With people who love her. With her family.”

  Holly’s eyes watered instantly as she took the papers. “Paige, no. This has to be overthinking things. Surely it isn’t necessary—”

  “I’ve never had the best of luck with these kinds of things. But I ran from this because I couldn’t bear the thought of Charlie being caught up in the foster care system. All I’ve ever wanted was for her to feel safe and protected, loved. And most of all wanted. That’s something I never had. I know she’ll have that with you. She’ll have everything she’s ever wanted here. Please tell me you’ll take her.”

  Holly opened her mouth, no doubt to protest again, but Luke took hold of her hand. “If this is what you want, of course we accept.”