Chapter 11
ELEVEN
Jack’s excitement is palpable as he takes my hand and leads me to the marina.
His constant chatter in my ear about the Laura reminds me of a small child on Christmas morning.
Obviously, sailing is a very big part of his life and yet he concealed it from me during our whirlwind courtship.
I’m concerned why something so important to him failed to come out in any of our conversations.
As we walk together, luxury surrounds me.
I’ve never been this close to so many huge extravagant yachts.
They glisten under the sunlight, each polished to a high shine.
It seems everyone is trying to outdo each other by buying the biggest and best. Although I’m impressed by the beauty of each vessel, just the idea of even stepping on board makes me queasy.
I have tried to control seasickness; I’ve taken medication but the second anything moves under my feet I’m gone, and the feeling lasts for days afterward.
“I know you get seasick but have you tried to ride it out?” Jack squeezes my hand and looks genuinely concerned. “I’ve known people who start off seasick and end up fine sailors after a day or so. Sometimes it just takes a little time to adjust.”
I look at him and shake my head. “I know now that sailing is a big part of your life and I’d love to be with you enjoying the ocean.
I love the sea, truly I do, but it’s something to do with my inner ear.
Anything that unbalances me, even driving fast around a few corners, makes me giddy and sick.
” I shrug and meet his troubled gaze. “I discovered the problem when I went on a cruise. I couldn’t get off the ship and spent four long weeks spewing.
They gave me seasick pills and they did nothing.
The worst thing was it didn’t stop when I left the vessel. It took me a few days to come good.”
“That bad, huh?” Jack rubs his chin. “It must be terrible being like that.”
I stop walking and turn to face him. “I wish you’d have told me about all this before.
Now you’ve married a woman who can’t join you in your favorite sport.
” My heart aches as I look at him. “I guess as marriage is a contract, and I didn’t reveal all the details of my life to you either, that’s grounds to get an annulment, but I didn’t do it intentionally. ”
“An annulment?” Jack dashes a hand through his hair and stares at me.
“It might have helped if I’d told you about my yacht.
The thing is, Willow, I was so head over heels in love with you, I didn’t want you to believe I was one of those pretentious rich guys.
I know this life isn’t what you wanted. The one thing I do know about you is you’re not a fortune hunter.
You enjoy the simple things in life and I appreciate that.
” He rubs his hands up and down my arms. “I know you want me for myself and all this—” he waves his hand to indicate the marina “—means nothing to you. I know the house isn’t what you’d choose as our home.
It’s way too big for us but, in my profession, clients expect to see wealth and prosperity.
” His Adam’s apple moves up and down as he swallows hard.
“Please don’t tell me you want to leave me because of a stupid yacht. I couldn’t stand it.”
Tears burn the backs of my eyes at Jack’s distraught expression.
“I love you, Jack, but you’re right—all this means nothing to me.
I’m used to working hard for everything I own.
All around me I see waste and overindulgence, while people are sleeping in the streets and kids are going hungry.
” I fight back tears. “I can’t be what you want me to be, Jack.
Our honeymoon was wonderful; traveling was something I’ve always wanted to do.
I figured you’d spent all your savings making it perfect.
When you said you were in real estate, I thought as in a Realtor, not a real estate mogul.
” I drag in a breath and try not to cry.
“I can’t be Laura, Jack. She was refined and sophisticated. That’s not me and never will be.”
“I’ve never wanted a replacement for Laura.
” Jack pulls me into his arms and rubs my back.
“To be perfectly honest, I never believed I would find anyone to love again. Laura was the complete opposite to you. She came from wealth and it made her spiteful toward other people less fortunate than herself.” He steps away and lifts my chin to look deep into my eyes.
“If helping the homeless is something that will make you happy, we can set up a charity. In fact, I could probably build apartment blocks to use as halfway houses until they can get a place of their own.” He smiles at me.
“Sometimes being wealthy can be an advantage.”
I blink, hoping he’s not just saying things to make me feel better. “You’d do that?”
“I’ll get my legal team on it on Monday.
” He takes my hand and we continue to walk along the sun-bleached dock.
“Once it’s established, we can do many things to raise money.
I’ll start with a sizeable donation and make plans for the halfway houses.
You’ll need a working board to run all the nitty-gritty but you can be involved in all the decision-making. ”
Knowing how donations for charities can be eaten up by the paid board members, I stop walking and look at him. “I’m happy to have paid legal counsel and an accountant but I want likeminded people who do this work for charity, not to line their own pockets.”
“Okay, so wives of the rich or famous?” Jack nods as if thinking. “I’ll ask around.” He suddenly smiles. “I’ve always wanted to be a philanthropist and this seems to be a very good way of starting.”
I’m happy he cares about my feelings enough to start a charity.
He surprises me with his generosity all the time.
I stare at the line of yachts sparkling under the sun and bobbing slightly.
Just looking at them makes me giddy. As this club is a big part of his life, I’m glad I offered him a way out of our marriage—although losing him would break my heart, I need to know where I stand with him.
He is still so new to me and so is my new life alongside him.
His chatter goes over my head as we walk along the dock; my stomach tightens at the idea of stepping onto Laura’s yacht.
How could Jack still cherish the place where his wife died?
Although heat burns through my clothes a shiver runs down my spine and a wave of nausea grips me.
I really don’t want to go near the Laura.
In fact, I need to be anywhere but here.