Chapter 6
Chapter
Six
“You seem distracted.”
Phineas was sitting on the beach of Sandbar Island, staring out over the water and trying to soak in the warm rays of the sun.
He glanced up to see Finn looming over him, while the rest of the fishing party was at the far end of the small island casting their lines into the lake and enjoying the beautiful day.
“Do I?”
Finn’s brow furrowed. “Yes. Are you okay? Usually, you’re a lot more chatty when you’re swimming around and untangling lines and the like for my clients.”
Phineas shrugged. “I guess I am a bit distracted.”
Finn let out a huff of air. “It’s not about my sister, is it? I mean, I’ll talk about it, but don’t ask me for advice.”
“What kind of friend are you?” Phineas teased.
“A good one, but also overprotective about his sister. Like I said, I’ll listen but…it’s weird. So, is it about Pearl?”
“Sort of,” Phineas stated.
“Great,” Finn moaned, as he scrubbed a hand down his long horse face. “I don’t really want to help you with woman problems, especially given how it’s my sister but—”
“It’s not anything like that, and there’s more to it.
” How was he going to explain it to Finn?
First, he was still processing the fact that he apparently had a long-lost brother he didn’t even know about, while simultaneously floating on cloud nine because the most beautiful woman in the world, as far as he was concerned, told him how she felt about him and wanted to be with him.
She also was going to support him tonight. So it was like a date, but not.
It was a weird place to be, feeling absolutely over the moon and yet confused and wary about Pierre. And he wanted to talk to Finn about it, because he trusted him.
“What’s going on?” Finn asked quietly, sitting down next to him.
“Did I have a brother?” Phineas asked.
Finn frowned. “Not that I’m aware of.”
“I was hoping you might remember something as you’re older than me.”
“Only by seven years. Sorry, I don’t remember your parents ever mentioning it, but they never really talked much at all. Why are you asking whether or not you have a brother?”
“Because there’s a gill man in town with a southern accent who is claiming to be my brother.”
Finn’s eyes widened. “What?”
Phineas nodded. “I’m going to meet with him tonight.”
“I don’t think you should do that alone.” There was a hint of caution in Finn’s voice.
“I’m not. Pearl will be there.” Phineas almost hesitated to tell Finn that Pearl would be there with him tonight. He knew how protective Finn was of his little sister.
If Finn had a problem with it, he didn’t react. “Good. You need someone there.”
Phineas wanted to ask Finn for dating advice but couldn’t, as the advice he was seeking pertained to Pearl, and Finn had made it clear it would be weird. He would have to ask someone else for help.
“Do you mind if I leave early? I think I need to get ready to meet this other gill man tonight and figure it all out,” Phineas said.
“Sure. If they have tips, and they will because these guys adore you, I’ll put them aside for you.”
Phineas stood and then reached out to help Finn up, clasping his forearm. “Thanks.”
“It’s no problem. Let me know how it goes, because if this individual is up to no good, I’ll make sure he doesn’t mess with you again.” It was the brotherly support Phineas appreciated.
“That sounds kind of ominous coming from you,” Phineas remarked, shuddering slightly.
“You’re family and I protect my family.” Finn clapped him on the shoulder, giving it a squeeze. “Maybe he’s related to you by blood, but blood doesn’t define family. Remember that.”
“I know.” Phineas headed out into the cool waters of the lake before diving under the waves.
At least he could be alone in the water as he swam toward the hidden inlet which led into his swamp, because he was keeping far from Harmony Glen and wouldn’t have to make small talk with the other residents who lived in and around the water like Cora, Muir and Rex.
It’s not that he didn’t enjoy talking to them or the fish which inhabited the lake, but he needed to be alone to regroup and figure this all out. Being in the water meant he was safe.
It didn’t take him long before he reached the little inlet and swam through until he was protected by the tall cedars and other trees inhabiting the swamp. He climbed out of the murky waters, shaking off, and walked up to his cozy home built into the trees.
Once inside, he turned on one lamp and then made his way over to the chest at the far side of the room. It was where he kept his family’s most prized positions, which included that family photograph in a frame.
Phineas didn’t have pictures out, because his parents had taught him to hide everything. He’d always been in awe when he’d go over to the Clagues’ home and there were family photos on the walls, lovingly tended. And in every picture, there was happiness.
Kneeling down, he opened the chest. There wasn’t much left of his parents’ life from the south. A few things, and on top was the family photo. Him, small and in his mother’s arms.
He slid the photo out of the frame and looked at the torn edge.
As he stared at it closely, he could make out a tiny remnant of another webbed hand. Like another child. On the back, scrawled in ink, were names, and he could make out what looked like the letter P, but it was mostly torn in half.
You’re reading too much into this.
Phineas put the picture in an envelope and quickly got dressed. Pearl was going to pick him up, so he wouldn’t have to worry about swimming into town. He also wouldn’t have to worry about walking into the bistro alone.
Pearl would be with him.
And that was comforting.
It was such a strange turn of events, going from thinking he wasn’t good enough for her and wanting to avoid her, to suddenly needing her.
It’s because you’ve always needed her.
Which was true. He needed her like the air he breathed. She was his everything and always had been. The fact that she clearly wanted him banished all those foolish thoughts of self-doubt straight out of his mind.
The sound of tires on the long gravel drive drew him to the window. Peering out, he saw Pearl driving her little car, then parking. She got out and his breath hitched in his throat seeing her dressed in a simple lavender sundress, her gorgeous silvery hair blowing in the light summery breeze.
Phineas wandered outside. “Hi.”
Pearl beamed at him. “You look so handsome.”
“I hate wearing clothes.”
“I know, but you still look handsome.”
Phineas glanced down at his jeans and the simple button-up shirt. “It’s clean and Coat is new, and I don’t know the dress code.”
“It’s not open yet,” Pearl said. “Though the owner is a mystery. I wonder how Pierre knows them?”
“Who knows? At least it’ll be quiet.” He fished the envelope out of his pocket. “Could you keep this in your purse? I hate having it in my pocket. I don’t want it to get crushed.”
Pearl took the envelope from him. “What is it?”
“Open it.”
Pearl opened the envelope and pulled out the picture of his family. Her expression softened. “Your parents, and is that you?”
“Yes.”
“You were so adorable,” she gushed.
“Were?” he teased.
She laughed softly. “You still are. Well, more handsome than adorable. This is such a nice picture.”
“There’s a piece missing and…maybe I did have a brother.”
Pearl slipped the photograph back into the envelope and put it in her purse. “Why are you thinking that?”
“Because I remembered my mother staring at that photo with sadness, especially the torn piece.”
If Pearl was surprised, she didn’t react, she just listened, and that’s what he appreciated. “And how do you feel about that? I mean, if it’s true.”
“I want to know what happened and…” He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck where his fins were still standing on end.
“I guess, if I have a brother, I don’t know what that would be like.
Okay, let me rephrase that. Finn has always felt like my big brother, and I don’t know how I would feel about someone coming in and trying to take his place or take your family’s place. I don’t want to lose…”
Pearl reached out and took his hands. “You won’t lose us. No one can take that away. No one can change how Finn or my mom or…how I feel about you.”
Phineas’ heart was racing, she was close. He wasn’t sure if it was the scent from the water lilies blooming or her, but it was a heady, intoxicating smell that made him feel so many things. His blood was heating and all he wanted to do was kiss her.
Then kiss the girl.
Pearl stared up at him, biting her bottom lip, her long silvery lashes brushing against the top of her cheeks.
He ran his hand through her silken hair, fingering a strand between two fingers, luxuriating in the feel of it. Then he touched her chin and tipped her face up before slowly bending down to kiss her.
It was everything in that moment to kiss her.
The stuff of dreams. She tasted so sweet, her lips soft. He could stay here forever and he didn’t want it to end, but they had somewhere to be. He wanted to kiss her again, though. To keep kissing her over and over.
“I’m sorry,” he said, except he wasn’t.
The only thing he was sorry about was delaying them. He didn’t regret what just happened between them and his body yearned for more.
“Don’t be,” she whispered. “I care for you Phineas. I’ve wanted you to kiss me for so long. I’m only sorry we have somewhere to be.”
He grunted. “Agreed.”
Reluctantly, he let her go and they headed to her car. He opened the driver’s side door for her and she slipped in, and then he climbed into the passenger side. His legs were up to his chest, as if he were in a clown car.
This is ridiculous.
Pearl giggled. “You can put the seat back.”
“How?”
“The lever on the side.”
Phineas reached down and adjusted the seat so he was less cramped. He was used to riding around in Finn and Margaid’s truck or even Magnus’ old clunker of a truck which always seemed to break down.