Stroke It

by Ivy Jordan

  “I thought you should hear that,” Clinton said softly, hitting stop on the recorder.

  He was right. I did need to hear that. “Thank you,” I muttered.

  He pulled out the tape and handed it to me. “It’s yours,” he said.

  I took it, slid it into my pocket, and thanked him for pushing me to hear what he’d recorded. “I’ve always wondered what happened to my mom, why she left,” I admitted. “I thought the old bastard killed her and buried her under the willow tree,” I laughed.

  Clinton’s eyes lit up. “That tree. He told me she’d dreamed of a small green house with a giant willow tree in the front yard.”

  So, that’s why he wouldn’t let me cut the atrocity down.

  I thanked Kia for dinner and said my goodbyes to Clinton as he walked me to my car. I drove back to the hotel with a strange feeling in my gut, one I’d never experienced before. I fell asleep without calling Taylor, without showering, and without anger for the first time in my life.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Taylor

  I walked into the bakery, and as soon as I saw Madison’s face, my eyes welled up with tears. “What’s wrong?” she pulled me into her for a much-needed embrace.

  There was so much; I didn’t know where to begin. “It’s been two days, and Elijah hasn’t called me,” I sniffled, wiping my tears as I pulled away. I felt silly for being so upset. I knew he was busy, and I knew he had a lot on his mind.

  “Have you tried to call him?” Madison asked, guiding me to a private table in the back.

  “He’s had a lot to think about, a big decision that’s weighing him down,” I admitted, finally breaking my silence about the secret.

  Madison stared into my eyes with her curiosity bursting as she edged on her seat. “A big decision?” she questioned.

  “If I tell you this, you have to promise to keep it between us,” I warned.

  She nodded eagerly, ready for the juicy secret I’d been keeping from her. As I began the story, her mouth fell open, her eyes widened, and soft gasps escaped her lips. “Why didn’t she tell him?” she questioned about Kellie’s long silence.

  “I don’t know, but he knows now. He went to see her Monday, and he sounded strange. I’m afraid he may be considering trying to make it work with her, for Bailey’s sake,” I admitted aloud for the first time. It was something that had swirled in my mind for days, torturing my soul and breaking my heart.

  “Why would he do that?” Madison asked, her eyes narrowing in disagreement.

  “His mother wasn’t there when he was young, and his father was a nightmare. Maybe he’s thinking a two-parent home is best,” I sighed.

  Madison rolled her eyes. “They never dated though; it’s not like they even really know each other,” she explained.

  I could see her point, but the one in my mind just made more sense. Why else would he be avoiding me for two days?

  “Maybe it's best that you get out of this now, before all this drama evolves,” Madison suggested. “I mean, you did get into this knowing he would be leaving, right?”

  “Yes,” I replied, but stopped myself from babbling about how things had changed. Ever since I found out about Bailey, all I could dream about was Elijah staying on the island, with me. I hadn’t thought about Kellie being an issue until he stopped calling, now that was all I could think about. Could I stay on this small island if they were a couple? Maybe the partnership wasn’t such a good idea after all. Maybe I was the one who would end up leaving.

  Madison made me agree to call her if I heard from Elijah and keep her posted on what was happening in my life. I agreed and headed to work. At least I had Milton to look forward to. He always made me feel better.

  My workload was light for a Wednesday, and it was leaving me too much time to think about Elijah, and the decision I feared he’d made.

  By the time Milton arrived, it was close to the end of my day. I’d picked up my phone at least a dozen times to call Elijah, but stopped myself each time. If he wanted to talk to me, he’d call. I wasn’t going to push him, no matter how badly I needed to hear his voice.

  Milton informed me he wouldn’t be there for our Friday meeting. He was leaving for the airport the next night, and would be gone for two weeks. I knew it was a great opportunity for him, and that it would help keep his spirits up to see his family, but I knew mine would plummet with him gone. He was my light, my inspiration, and in many ways, my salvation. Two weeks without Milton, especially if Elijah wasn’t around, was going to be tough.

  “Have a great time,” I smiled, offering up as much cheerfulness as I could muster for the sweet old man.

  He pulled me in for a hug before he left my office, nearly bringing me to tears. “I’ll miss you,” I admitted. His wrinkled hand lifted to my chin, pushing it upward as he smiled.

  I started packing up my office as he left, and was ready to leave for the day myself. I locked my desk drawer, grabbed my briefcase, and headed to the door, stopped by Elijah standing in my doorway. “Hey there,” he smiled, his voice so sultry it melted my soul.

  “Hey there,” I replied, standing so close to him I could feel his heart racing, or was that mine?

  “I’m sorry I haven’t called. A lot has happened,” he explained.

  I imagined Kellie wrapped in Elijah’s arms, their lips pressing into one another’s as they agreed to become the perfect little family. Fuck.

  “Can we talk?” he asked, sending my heart into overdrive.

  “Sure,” I agreed, backing away from him, and allowing him to step into my office. I took a deep breath, realizing this was probably my sweet goodbye from the man I’d grown to love. I walked over to my desk, took my seat, and watched Elijah as he fidgeted in the chair across from me. Yeah, here we go.

  “I know it isn’t fair to you,” he started, giving my heart a swift punch. “I haven’t meant to be distant. I wanted to talk to you last night, but Clinton cornered me, making me have dinner with him, and then dumping a load in my lap about dad,” he added.

  I didn’t speak, but kept silent and listened as he talked. My heart strings tugged hard as he told me about his night, about how Clinton had recorded his father’s message. I wanted to leap across the desk and hold him, comfort him, and tell him I loved him, but I knew there was still another topic to discuss. “So, you can let go of that fear of becoming your father,” I smiled.

  He nodded. His eyes were penetrating into mine so deep that they reached my soul. I exhaled hard, begging for relief from the pain he inflicted on my heart, but finding none.

  “I think I’ve made my decision about Bailey. I want to be a part of her life, to stay and be a father to her, the best father I can be,” he declared.

  There it was… his decision. I was heartbroken but strangely happy that he’d made the right decision. “I think that is the best, for everyone involved,” I agreed, swallowing my pain and putting on my warmest smile.

  Elijah stood, done with his announcement, and didn’t offer anything more other than a quick ‘thanks’ for my support.

  I fell into his open arms, melting against his hard chest as I listened to his heartbeat. It was calm, steady, and didn’t show any signs of anxiety. Mine pounded hard against my chest, and I was certain he could feel its anxiety, even though he didn’t acknowledge it.

  I watched him walk out of my office, and out of my life. My only decision now was to decide if I could bear to stay here and not be with him.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Elijah

  I walked up to the large house on the mountainside, anxious about what I was about to do. It was a huge commitment, one I wasn’t sure I was cut out for, but knew I had to try. My hand stretched out and pushed the small button by the door. The loud bell jolted my heart into overdrive and moistened my palms with sweat. I wiped my hands on my jeans just as the front door opened. Kellie stood there, wearing a tropical patterned wrap dress that showed off all of her best features. She was a beautiful woman, a strong wom
an, and I was thankful she’d given Bailey such a wonderful life. “Elijah, I wasn’t expecting you,” she sounded surprised. It was Friday, and I told her I would have an answer for her by Friday.

  “I wanted to come by and talk, if that’s okay,” I replied, my voice a little shaky with anxiety.

  “Of course,” she smiled, moving from the doorway and motioning me inside.

  The house was massive, and decorated with bright, cheerful colors, nothing like the home I grew up in. “Does this mean you’ve made a decision?” she questioned.

  I nodded.

  “I’ve decided to stay in Hawaii,” I said quickly.

  Kellie’s eyes widened, and her lips curled into a smile. “That’s really great news,” she offered, her voice reaching the nasally high pitch that made my ears ache.

  “I’m not sure how you want to do this, but I’m willing to do whatever it is you want,” I assured her.

  I had no intentions of busting into Bailey’s life unannounced. Kellie had been a wonderful mother, and I owed her the respect of backing off until she was ready to make the first move. “Bailey and I were getting ready to take a swim; do you want to join us?” she asked, surprising me with her readiness.

  “Sure,” I agreed.

  Just then, Bailey ran into the room wearing her green floral bikini. Her hair was pulled back into a tight braid, and her arms were equipped with pink floats. “Mommy, I’m ready,” she announced, her tiny voice vibrating my heart.

  Her big dark eyes stared up at me, and then that crooked smile appeared on her face. “Hey, I know you,” she blurted.

  “I know you, too,” I chuckled.

  “Are you going to go swimming with us?” she asked.

  “Do you want me to?” I asked, not wanting to invade the child’s space, my child’s space. Oh God, I was a father, and this beautiful little girl was my daughter. Was I ready for this? Would I ever be?

  Bailey looked at her mother for approval and then turned back to me with a wide smile. “Yes,” she bounced in her spot, her excitement unable to hide.

  “Okay, then, let’s go swimming,” I smiled, letting the little girl take my hand in hers. It was so small, so delicate, but her strength was undeniable as she pulled me to the back door.

  Kellie followed behind us, allowing me the time with Bailey, uninterrupted by her. As Bailey led me out the door and to the pool in their backyard, she stopped and looked up at me with a serious glance. “I have to get in the shallow end, so you have to stay with me,” she insisted.

  I laughed as my heart felt like it exploded. “Of course,” I agreed.

  I slid off my shirt, kicked off my sandals, and stepped into the water until I was waist deep. Bailey didn’t hesitate, jumping in and making a large splash beside me. She giggled as she paddled her way to the edge where she could hang on the side. The shallow end was too deep for her to stand, but she didn’t seem to mind. I watched her swim, do a flip in the water, and then make several more jumps into the pool. “She’ll wear you out,” Kellie called out from her lounge chair by the pool. I smiled. I wasn’t worn out. I loved every second of the attention the little girl poured onto me.

  After about an hour, Kellie intervened, telling Bailey she needed to dry off so she could have lunch. It was obvious she was disappointed, but she obeyed her mother without a squeak. “Will you stay for lunch?” she asked, her big eyes staring up hopefully at me.

  “Of course,” I smiled.

  Kellie wrapped a fluffy towel around the girl, one twice her size, and walked towards the backdoor. “You can help me get lunch ready,” she offered, turning back to me as she opened the door.

  I followed her inside, quickly drying myself with one of the large towels. Bailey ran off to her room to change while Kellie started preparing lunch. “Will you get our plates?” she asked, her eyes moving to the tall cabinet behind me.

  I followed her instruction as clearly as Bailey, getting out three plates and setting them on the table. “Are you sure you’re ready for this?” she asked.

  I chuckled at her question. It was one I’d kept asking myself over and over. But, spending time with Bailey, hearing her sweet little voice, and looking into her giant eyes, I knew I was ready. “Yes,” I smiled.

  “Bailey has been asking me about her father for a few weeks now,” Kellie started. “I think it's best we introduce you to her now,” she added.

  My heart skipped a beat at the realness of the situation. “Now?” I stammered.

  Kellie nodded. Her expression was stern. She knew what was best for the little girl. She was her mother. I was just a man that was intruding into her life, her father.

  Bailey ran into the kitchen, climbing up onto the chair beside me as Kellie slid a turkey sandwich onto each of our plates next to a pile of fresh fruit. “Yummy,” Bailey exclaimed, picking up a strawberry and popping it into her mouth.

  I was nervous. My stomach ached as I tried to swallow the first bite of the sandwich Kellie made for me. Bailey was already half-way through hers, eagerly popping pieces of fruit in her mouth, planning what to do next between each bite. “Bailey, remember how you asked about your father?” Kellie blurted out without warning. I swallowed hard as Bailey looked up at her mother with excitement.

  “Yes, he’s a seal in the ocean,” she giggled.

  “He’s a Navy SEAL, not a seal like the ones that swim in the ocean. He was on a boat,” Kellie rolled her eyes in amusement.

  “Yes,” Bailey agreed, shoving another strawberry into her mouth.

  “Elijah just got back from the boat. He is a Navy SEAL,” Kellie offered as a hint.

  Bailey turned to me, her eyes wide. “You’re a SEAL, like my father?” she asked.

  My eyes burnt as I fought back tears. “Yes,” I responded.

  “Bailey. Elijah spent years on the boat, and didn’t know what was here on the island,” Kellie continued.

  Bailey didn’t take her eyes from mine. “He didn’t know about me?” she asked, her voice softening as she began to put together what she was being told.

  “No, he didn’t,” Kellie said softly stroking her daughter's hair, my daughter’s hair. My heart overflowed with emotion, an emotion I’d never felt before. I appreciated the way Kellie was handling this, that she was handling it at all. I wouldn’t have been able to tell this little girl that I was her father or explain where I’d been all her life.

  “You’re my father?” Bailey asked, still locked with my eyes.

  I nodded as a single tear fell down my cheek. Her little arms opened, and she leaped from her chair into my arms. I swallowed hard as her little arms tightened around my neck. I could feel her warm tears falling onto my neck, and her little body shaking with excitement.

  Kellie smiled at me warmly, her eyes saying it all. I was a father.

  Chapter Thirty

  Taylor

  I parked in front of Elijah’s house, staring up the walk and to the open front door. He’d sounded so relieved, so happy when he’d call the night before, and my heart swelled with admiration for him as he told me about his visit with Bailey. He didn’t say anything about Kellie, other than she was gracious and he respected her for handling things the way she had. There was no mention of them becoming a family, of him leaving me to make things work with her. I couldn’t have been more relieved.

  The front door swung open and Elijah appeared on the porch. “What are you doing?” he called out to me as I opened my car door to get out.

  “I’m coming,” I laughed at his eagerness. I pulled the two gallons of pink paint he’d requested I pick up from the backseat. He planned to paint his old bedroom the girlish color, giving it to Bailey for when she stayed.

  “You’re really doing this?” I teased, tiptoeing to reach Elijah’s lips for a quick kiss.

  “I am,” he beamed, his smile spread wide across his face.

  He took the paint from my hands and held the door for me while I walked inside. The place was really coming together nicely. The floors w
ere slick and looked like new, and the cracks and holes all patched in the walls. I giggled as I walked into the kitchen, taking notice of the cabinets, half torn down and sitting outside by the pool. “You’re not keeping anything the same, are ya?”

  “Nope, not if I’m staying. This place has to have a new look. I don’t want any old memories haunting me,” he smirked.

  “I’m really glad you’re staying,” I admitted.

  Elijah sat the paint on the floor and pulled me into his hard chest. His eyes pierced into me, his mischievous grin sparked my arousal, and then his lips pushed into mine. His kiss was passionate, sensual, and warm. His hands held me tight instead of wandering down my ass, and once our lips released, he held me there, just staring into my eyes and saying nothing. Yes, I loved this man. There was no denying my feelings, and I was certain my eyes displayed the truth as he stared into them.