Chapter 13
“ W as that Maddie?” Blaine asked when he came into the kitchen, holding Addie, who was asleep on his shoulder.
“Yes, she was checking on me. She said Big Mac is having dinner for everyone at the marina tonight.”
“That sounds fun, but only if you’re up for it.”
“I told her I’d decide later.”
He used his thumb to brush away a tear from her face. “Your tears break my heart, sweetheart.”
“I know. I’m sorry.”
“No need to be sorry. Let me go put this angel down for a nap. I’ll be right back.”
“Okay.”
She got glasses of ice water for them and was seated at the table when he returned to the kitchen.
His phone rang with a call from Linc Mercer. He did more listening than talking and then thanked him for the update.
“What did he say?” Tiffany asked.
“They found a body. They think it’s Jim, but they can’t be certain until the coroner performs an autopsy.”
“Oh my God.”
Blaine reached for her, brought her onto his lap and held her while she sobbed.
“I was so hoping…”
“I know, honey. I was, too.”
“We have to tell Ash.”
“I know.”
“I don’t want to tell her this.”
“I don’t either.”
“Should we wait until they know for sure?”
“They know for sure, or they wouldn’t have called me. The coroner and the autopsy are formalities.”
“Oh.” She took a sip of the water. “We can talk to her later if that’s better. You need to go back to work. I heard you on the phone with the mayor.”
“The mayor can kiss my ass. My wife needs me, and I’m not going anywhere. My team has everything covered, and I’m in regular touch with them.”
“I don’t want you to get in trouble.”
“I won’t. He needs me more than I need him, and he’d better not forget that.”
His vehement support of her triggered more tears. She was getting sick of them, but damn if she could stop them.
“Should we tell her now, then?” she asked.
“I suppose it won’t get easier later.”
“No, it won’t.”
Tiffany got up and held out her hand to him. “Let’s get this over with.” She’d never dreaded anything more than she did having to tell her sweet girl that her daddy was dead.
They went upstairs to Ashleigh’s room, where she was playing school with her dolls and stuffed animals.
Tiffany stopped him in the hallway so they could listen.
“If you get all your work done before recess, there’ll be a surprise snack for everyone. But you all have to get your work done, or there’s no snack for anyone.”
Tiffany placed her hand over her heart as more tears filled her eyes. She was one big pregnancy hormone on a good day, crying as easily as she breathed. This was most definitely not a good day.
Blaine’s hand on her back gave her the strength to wipe away her tears, put a smile on her face and step into Ashleigh’s room, bringing the weight of what she needed to tell her daughter with her.
“Hey, sweetie.”
Ashleigh smiled as she looked up at them. “We’re playing school.”
“We see that. You’re an excellent teacher.” Tiffany sat on the bed next to Blaine. “Can we talk to you for a second?”
“Sure.”
“Come here, will you?”
Ashleigh got up and crawled onto Tiffany’s lap. “Are you sad, Mommy?”
“A little.”
“Is the baby okay?” She placed her warm little hand on Tiffany’s belly. “I think he’s a boy baby.”
“I think so, too, and he’s fine.” Tiffany took a deep breath and forced herself to say the words that would change Ashleigh’s life forever. “So after the hurricane…”
“We couldn’t watch TV. I’m so glad the power came back on. I missed watching Bluey.”
“I’m glad it came back, too. Remember how the storm was so loud and the wind was so strong?”
Ashleigh nodded. “It was scary.”
“I have to tell you something about the storm that will be hard to hear.”
Her little dark brows knitted in confusion as Tiffany’s heart shattered into a million pieces.
“What is it?”
“Since the storm ended, honey, no one has heard from your daddy. They’ve been looking for him and his friend Billy.”
“Billy from the gym?”
“Yes, that’s him.”
“He gives me candy when Daddy takes me to the gym.”
“The Coast Guard and the fire department have been looking for them since the storm ended, and today, we heard that they’ve found your daddy.”
“Can he come home now?”
Tiffany shook her head as tears spilled down her cheeks. “He’s gone to heaven, honey.”
Ashleigh’s little chin began to tremble. “Like Kyle and Jackson’s mommy?”
“Yes.”
“But their mommy won’t ever come back. I don’t want my daddy to go to heaven.”
“I know, baby. I don’t either.”
“Daddy wouldn’t leave me,” she said, sobbing. “He’d never leave me.”
Tears ran down Tiffany’s face. “No, he wouldn’t, but sometimes things happen that we can’t help.”
“Like a hurry-cane?”
“Yes, baby, just like that. The storm was so powerful.”
“It made the house shake.”
“That’s right.”
Ashleigh looked up at Blaine, who also had tears in his eyes. “I want Daddy to come home.”
“I’d do anything to make that happen for you, sugar,” Blaine said. “Anything in this world.”
Tiffany wiped the tears off Ashleigh’s face. “We wanted that more than anything.”
“Even though you were mad at Daddy?”
Tiffany was momentarily speechless by Ashleigh’s insight. Of course she’d known that. How could she not? “Your daddy and I had our differences, but I’d never want anything bad to happen to him. I know how much you love him, and no matter what, you’ll always love him, and he’ll always love you. He used to say you’re the best thing in his whole life, just like you are in mine.”
“Addie is, too.”
“Yes, both of you.”
“We’re so sorry to have had to tell you this news, honey,” Blaine said. “If you want to talk about anything any time, you can come to your mom or me. We’re right here for you.”
“I know. Thank you. I think I’d like to play with my toys now.”
“Okay.” Tiffany helped her get down.
They stayed for a few minutes, keeping watch over her.
Tiffany wished she could know what Ashleigh was thinking or whether she’d truly understood what they’d told her. Only time would tell on both of those things.
She tipped her head to tell Blaine that she felt like it was okay to leave the room. She knew Ashleigh would come find them when she was ready to talk. For now, she decided to let her daughter lead the way through this nightmare.
In the hallway, she turned to him and held on tight to his love and support.
“You were great with her, babe.”
“So were you.”
“We’ll get her through this.”
“I’m so glad you’re here with us.”
“There’s nowhere else I’d ever want to be.”
McKenzie carried Jax next door to meet the insurance adjuster, a man named Rob Kelly, who’d come from the mainland to view the damage to her place and several others.
He was about sixty, with thinning gray hair and a friendly smile.
“Ms. Martin?”
“Yes, that’s me.” She shook his outstretched hand. “I’m McKenzie, and this is Jax.”
“Nice to meet you both. Sorry for what happened to your home.”
McKenzie still found it difficult to look at the splintered remains of the cabin. “Me, too. I inherited it from my grandmother. We had a lot of good times here.”
“I’m sure you will again. Easy enough to justify declaring it a total loss. It was fully insured along with clauses for replacing furnishings and personal possessions up to fifty thousand.”
“Oh wow. I had no idea.” Her mind raced as she imagined the shopping she could do for herself and Jax to replace the items they’d lost. They wouldn’t need anywhere close to fifty thousand dollars’ worth, but she could only imagine what it cost to get items such as furniture and appliances shipped to the island. It would be fun to pick out new things and design the house to her taste.
“I met your grandmother once when she came into the office. She left nothing to chance.”
“Maybe she knew that someday her careful planning would make all the difference for me.”
“Possibly. You’ll be able to build to your specs and have everything you need. Let me just get some pictures for the file. Have you spoken to a contractor?”
“Yes, Mac McCarthy.”
“He’s great. We’ve worked with him before. I’ll get this expedited for you. I’m sure you want to get settled back into your home with the little guy as soon as possible.”
“That’d be wonderful. Thank you.”
“No problem.”
He photographed the pile of rubble from every angle, took some measurements and made notes on an iPad. Then he handed her his card and typed in her email address. “I’ll send over your estimate and authorization to proceed with repairs to you and Mac later today or tomorrow morning at the latest.”
“I really appreciate you coming over and taking care of this so quickly.”
“My pleasure. Hope you two are settled back in your home again very soon.”
After Mr. Kelly left, McKenzie walked back along the path toward Duke’s just as he pulled into the drive on a gigantic motorcycle that was so loud, Jax whimpered from the noise.
McKenzie covered his ears. “It’s okay, sweetie.”
As Duke cut the engine, she noticed he wore black leather pants and a matching vest that put his colorful, muscular arms on full display. His long hair was held back in a ponytail. Holy hotness. The biker type had never done it for her until now.
“Sorry about that. Did I scare him?”
“A little, but he’s fine. Where did that thing come from?”
He grinned at her use of the word thing to describe his bike. “The garage. Surprised you didn’t hear me leave earlier.”
“I heard something, but I thought it was out on the road.”
“That’d be me, making a ruckus everywhere I go on this thing .”
“Where’s your helmet?”
“Oh damn, I knew I forgot something.”
“Don’t tell me you ride that beast without one.”
“Okay, I won’t.”
“Duke! That’s not safe!”
“It’s fine. I don’t go far. Just a couple of laps around the island to take in the scenery.”
“Don’t you know that the worst accidents happen within a mile of home?”
He got off the bike. “Been doing it for years. Never came close to having an accident.”
“Yet.”
“Aw, are you worried about me?”
“What if I am?”
“That’s very nice of you, but there’s no need to worry. I’m super careful.”
“I’m sure you are, but you told me yourself that people drive crazy on the winding island roads. You don’t want me walking on them with Jax. I don’t want you driving that monster of a motorcycle on them without a helmet.”
He gave her a side-eyed look that was equal parts amusement and aggravation. “If I agree to wear a helmet, do you promise to never walk into town?”
“Fine. I promise. You’ll start wearing the helmet immediately?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Do you even own one?”
“I’ve got one kicking around here somewhere.”
“Find it.”
He grinned as he came over to tweak Jax’s bare foot, making the baby giggle. “Better watch out, pal. Your bossy mom is gonna be a big problem when you’re a teenager.”
“That’s right, and he’ll toe the line or else.”
Duke’s laughter made his eyes twinkle. “Hope I’m around to see that.”
“Where else would you be?”
“Nowhere. I wouldn’t be anywhere else.”