Chapter 9 Frankie #2
So, I lay the proof of my naivete all out for him. “Malcolm had bigger ideas, and I bought into them.”
“The eco resort?” Cal asks.
I nod. “Malcolm always said I was too much of a dreamer to do anything practical with my life. He proved his point when I believed he could—or would—build anything that wasn’t entirely profit-driven.”
Cal lets out a soft hmm, like he did when he was examining Jasmine. My problems will be a lot harder to fix than Jasmine’s. I’m a proper mess. If my therapist couldn’t sort me out, I doubt a vet can either.
“All that happened right around the time Kayla died. I wasn’t here,” he says finally. “Seems like you get painted as the villain, when it’s your dad who should be.”
I snort. “That was the genius of his plan. Make me the face of all the greenwashing he was orchestrating from the sidelines. When the truth came out, including that the resort would take water away from local ranchers and families—like yours—who, in reality, were trying to do the least amount of harm, I was the one who took the heat. I was the chief investor in Burleigh Investment Group. Not Malcolm. At least on paper.”
Cal hmm’s again, and I brace myself for his diagnosis. But I’ve done enough self-examination to understand what’s wrong with me. Too trusting. Too na?ve. Too eager to please.
When he looks at me, his eyes are too narrow slits of concern. “So, your dad kinda sucks is what you’re telling me.”
I let out a loud, improper laugh. “That’s usually my line when I’m talking about my dad—Malcolm. With my brother, anyway. I don’t talk about him with anyone else.”
I leave unsaid, not since Brandon…
“He’s definitely the villain in this story.” Cal’s lip tugs in a potential grin that threatens to let me off for ruining everything in Serenity Cove.
I’m not turning my guilt loose that easy.
“He’s a bigger one than me, without a doubt.
Problem is, that’s not how things were painted in the news stories he put out.
And they weren’t wrong. I bought into his lie and his greenwashing and turned around and tried to sell it to everyone here.
I have to take responsibility for that.”
“You’re not responsible for his lies.”
“But I should have recognized them for what they were. I should have known before I went to him for the money that he wouldn’t give it to me. I should have known he’d want a piece for himself. More than a piece…”
“So, you think you should’ve been able to predict the future?
” Cal asks. “That’s a lot of pressure to put on yourself, Frankie.
Your life’s not a TV script. You can’t go into every situation knowing what part you’re going to play.
Not even with your own family. Especially with someone like your dad who’d use his own daughter the way he did you. ”
I stare at Cal. I’ve never thought about what’s happened like that. Have I been expecting my life to be scripted? To turn out the way I want it to be written?
I let out a long breath. “I reckon I would rather have my life scripted—I’d prefer to be the one writing it, to be honest. I’d make it a romcom with a happy ending instead of the family drama it is.”
Cal chuckles. “Yeah, welcome to the club.”
I laugh, still working out what Cal’s said. He’s gone and pulled a Toto on me, tugging open the curtain in my brain to reveal my big powerful thoughts are really little lies I’m telling myself about how much I can control.
I lift my eyes to the pond where the mama duck swims past us, her ducklings close behind.
She stops near some tall reeds and directs the ducklings inside.
One by one they disappear, then she follows.
I admire her instinct to protect. I hope she’s more aware than I am about whatever danger may be lurking nearby.
“It’s peaceful here, Cal. Thank you for inviting me.” I drag my gaze from the ducks’ hiding place to Cal’s eyes. “I wish I could stay.”
“You can. You should.” He scans my face like he’s looking for a way into what’s going on in my brain.
Slowly, I shake my head. “I’ve done what I could to try to undo the damage I caused by telling Malcolm about Serenity Cove. Most people around here know that by now…” I smirk and add, “—except for Cassidy,”.
“She’ll come around.” Cal laughs, but his smile quickly disappears when I turn serious again.
“People here saw me fight Malcolm, even if he turned the story around in the news.” I continue. “But everybody lost, and that’s because of me. I did what I had to do to beat Malcolm, but there was never going to be a winner in a fight against him.”
“What do you mean?” Cal tips his head.
I want to trust him. I reckon I can, but the truth’s going to change his idea that I’m not the villain here. But I’d rather he heard it from me and not my ex, which I suspect is why Brandon’s here in the first place—to write another big story about me.
“I found a way to buy the Serenity Cove Inn out from under Malcolm, but only through the help of a different investment group, Wild Coast Capital. They got behind my original idea—most of it, anyway—and fronted me the money. Until I’ve paid them back, I’m a silent partner, which is perfect.
My name stays out of everything, and Malcolm doesn’t know what I did.
” I look at Cal to see his reaction, but his face is blank.
I'm not sure if he’s processing or doesn’t understand what I’ve done.
“No one knows that Cal. I stopped the eco resort, but I only stalled what’s happening now, and when people find out I’m part of Sanctuary, they’re gonna feel betrayed by me.” I turn to him. “Which is why I have to go, Cal. Not just from the ranch, but from Serenity Cove. I’ve done enough damage.”
I stand, ready to leave, but voices in the distance stop me from asking Cal to drive me. We both look in the direction of the house where Cal’s entire family is walking in our direction.
Everybody’s got something in their arms from picnic baskets and blankets to Junie. She’s on the shoulders of one of Cals brothers—I can’t remember who is who. Jo has Cassidy’s hand, leading her reluctant daughter down the slope toward us.
“Dinner’s on! We’ll join you down there!” Jo calls and waves her entire arm at me.
I look at Cal. He raises an eyebrow.
“Mom may have something to say about you leaving.”
I glance back at the advancing Holloways blocking my retreat with food and smiles. My stomach growls. The only thing I’ve eaten today is fries and a shake hours ago at Flamingo’s.
Cal grins. “At least stay for dinner. I can take you back to town after.”
My stomach growls again.
Cal’s grin grows as he stands and waves at his family.
Junie scrambles off her uncle’s shoulders, nearly taking him down with her, then darts the last twenty feet to us. Actually…me.
“I sit by you, Fwankie,” she proclaims.
I look at Cal. He shrugs. “Good luck getting out now.”
And, with no back up from the guy who was so determined to protect me a few minutes ago, I let myself be taken hostage by a three-year-old in ladybug boots.