Chapter 22
22
A black walnut tree shaded the path to the bungalow that was to be Dana’s shared residence. With summer, the Ogilvies hired a third personal protection “nanny” for the children, allowing all to keep reasonable hours. The bunkhouse cottage also gave increased privacy to the family, since the employees were not under the same roof. All and all, Dana counted it a win.
Dana carried her suitcase into her room. As the texts from the rest of the detail promised, there wasn’t a bad bedroom in the house. Each came with its own ensuite bathroom, and a sitting room, a luxury she hadn’t expected.
Dana pushed open the window, letting in the sweet Indiana breeze. Behind the decorative shutters, she discovered a blackout shade—perfect for sleeping off night shifts. Candace Ogilvie really had thought of everything. This job would spoil her for all other work.
Which was the point. Candace and Colin wanted stability in their children’s lives, which included the necessary protection needed by a billionaire’s child. Alan Hastings met with the school district last month on Candace’s quest to make sure her children’s lives were as normal as possible. Eventually, their classmates would figure out the children’s father designed their favorite electronics, but hopefully not until after they had made good friends.
After unpacking, Dana checked the Hastings App. The family was at Robyn’s Place. Now was a good time to familiarize herself with the home.
She found Chris Johnson in the small security office off the garage and checked in.
“I thought you were working at Robyn’s Place.”
“I have a cough. Until it’s confirmed to be allergies, I’m on family detail.” Chris shrugged. With many of Robyn’s Place’s future guests being immunocompromised, health protocols were necessarily strict.
“Is it ready for the opening?”
“I think so. The first group comes next week. The foundation picked children that all live within a couple of hours drive and who are relatively healthy for the first round. Still, my cough is enough to bench me from today’s walkthrough.”
“Speaking of walkthrough, I wanted to look in the residence. I haven’t seen it since it was completed.”
“You have the pass codes?”
“Yes.”
Chris thrummed his fingers on the desk. Something was bothering him.
“What?”
“Trying to decide if I should warn you about Colin’s new AI.”
“New voice?”
“Nope. New and updated programming. I swear it can read your thoughts. Last night, it told me the exact time Tian’s flight would land and what I should have prepared for dinner. Even told me to take her flowers.”
“That has to be a joke. Colin programmed it.”
“He claims he had nothing to do with it. Good luck getting past her.”
Dana entered the main residence. The AI’s voice confirmed her access and smoothly recited her schedule for the next two days. Not wishing to be on its bad side—just in case Chris wasn’t exaggerating—Dana thanked the computer.
“Peter’s new hiding place for his elephant is the cubby under the stairs,” the AI informed her. “I will alert you if he moves it.”
“Thank you.”
“It is my opinion that you blew it with the ship’s officer. I agree with Tian.”
Dana froze. The AI really did know everything. Or it was an exceptionally good eavesdropper. “Noted.”
“According to my research, you should make a grand gesture. Unfortunately, I cannot help you locate the Officer. My ethics contract limits my research model.”
A contract that apparently didn’t include being nosey or listening to conversations. Tian must have discussed the Officer Worth situation within the AI’s hearing. Dana wondered if the AI’s ethics contract had a clause about meddling in romance—and if not, whether she should suggest one to Colin.
“Just four more days, Uncle Mac!” Gracie bounded into the house, her excitement filling the room.
“Are you all packed yet?”
“Everything except my toothbrush. Mommy won’t let me pack that yet.”
She danced across the room, stopping in front of her grandmother to give her a gentle hug. “How are you feeling today, Grandma?”
“Just fine, sweetheart.”
“I wish you could come with us to Robyn’s Place.”
“Ah, but there are only tickets for three people, and I think Uncle Mac is a better person to go.”
They’d been hiding the truth from Gracie that the recovery was slower than everyone liked. Mom wouldn’t last the drive over.
“I’ll tell you all about it. Did you know they have a roller coaster inside?” Gracie threw her arms out wide, indicating its size. “Yes, I believe you’ve told me that before.”
Jen entered through the front door, a casserole in her hands and a grocery bag on her arm.
McKay held out his hand to take something. “I see someone’s a little excited.”
“A little?” Jen handed over the grocery bag. “You would think we had an all-expense-paid trip to Florida with her enthusiasm.”
“Ah, but this is better.”
“I know. I won’t have to worry about all the people and all the germs.”
“I can’t believe I’m letting her go to public school this fall.”
“It will be good for her,” said Mom.
“I know. I still, worry.”
Seeing the bag contained books, McKay set it down on the end table. “Does the doctor?”
“No, thank heavens.” Jen carried the casserole into the kitchen. “I brought your favorite chicken and rice, Mom. I’m sure Mac’s been eating you out of house and home.”
His mother chuckled. “Not as much as you think. He seems to have lost his appetite.”
Jen reappeared in the doorway. “Is that what men do when they’ve lost the love of their life?”
McKay rolled his eyes, though the words hit closer to home than he cared to admit.
“What love of your life, Uncle Mac? What love?”
“You!” He picked up Gracie and swung her around, grateful for the distraction. The movement reminded him of helping Dana down from the Cobb, and he set Gracie down perhaps a bit too quickly.
“You haven’t lost me.”
McKay gave her another hug. “Well, then, your mother must be wrong.”
“Are you two staying for dinner, Jen?” asked his mother.
“Yes, I have time before my shift. Are you sure you can handle Gracie and Mac?”
“Gracie’s easy. She cleans up after herself.”
“Hey, I do too,” said McKay, though his room still held half packed suitcases.
Jen sat down next to McKay’s computer, glancing at the screen. “Hastings Security? Are you looking for new jobs?”
His heart quickened at the name on the screen. “I don’t know if they would hire me, but they are the security for Robyn’s Place, and it’s close enough that I would be nearby.”
“You’re not going back to the ship?”
McKay shook his head. “No, I’ve decided not to renew my contract with them.”
“Because of the thing?” Jen carefully avoided mentioning Dana’s name.
“Partially. I also think it’s just time to be on land, to be around for all the things that I miss.” Like the chance to build something real with someone special that lasts more than two weeks.
“I hope you’re not staying for my sake,” scolded his mother.
“No, Mom. It’s time to be home.” How long it would feel like home was another issue.
“Any other job leads?” asked Jen.
“I’m not looking that seriously yet.” He had his hands full, taking care of Mom. Once things changed, he could figure out the next step. Maybe he would apply to Hastings, if no other reason than to go to Chicago and have a chance of finding Dana.
“Slow down, Chey. What’s wrong?”
“Sorry,” Chey’s voice came in a little gasp over the phone. “I’m just really worried about Mom.”
“Why? What happened?” Dana sat on the end of her bed.
“I think Dad left her. She was such a mess. I’ve never seen her like?—”
Mitchell left? Unbelievable. They seemed fine on the cruise. “Like what, Chey?”
“Just upset. Just crying and blaming herself. We knew she knew about Chandler’s affair before the wedding, but she was just telling me all these things and how everything she’s done in her life was wrong. I was almost afraid to let her off at Heathrow.”
“She’s flying to Chicago?”
“Yes. Dad left yesterday. Just got in a taxi and left.”
“What do you want me to do?”
“Her flight lands in—” Chey paused “—six hours. Is there any way you can be in Chicago to pick her up?”
Dana looked at her schedule. If she switched one shift, she could do it. “Yes, I can go.”
“I hate to ask this of you, Dana. I know you two don’t get along, but I’m really worried about her.”
“I’ve been thinking a lot about our mother since I returned from England. I want to see her and see if we can start to move forward.” Dana pulled out her go bag and added an extra t-shirt, better for the summer heat.
“Really? That would be so nice.” The relief in Chey’s voice was palpable.
“I’ll leave as soon as I talk to Chris about a schedule change. Maybe twenty minutes.”
“Call me later?”
“I will. Hugs!”
The drive from Indiana to O’Hare reminded Dana why she always took the train out to the airport—parking was an absolute nightmare. She entered the terminal and checked the boards. Her mother’s plane had landed only five minutes prior. She’d need a good half hour, if not more, to clear customs.
Dana found a seat outside the customs exit and checked her phone. There were texts from Brit and Simone, welcoming her to crash at their apartment tonight. Dana wasn’t sure how the afternoon was going to go, but she knew she would not be up for the four-hour drive back.
Every few minutes, she looked up to see if Sheila had arrived. Her phone pinged with a notification from her weather app. A storm was coming in.
“What are you doing here?”
“Mother.” Dana forced a smile.
Sheila’s eyes softened.
“I came to get you. Chey’s worried.”
“Oh, posh. She doesn’t need to be worried. I can take a cab.”
“I’m here. I have my car. Why don’t I drive you home? It’ll be much faster.” Dana reached for the suitcase.
“Okay. With all my suitcases, I could use the help.” Her mother had obviously picked up an extra suitcase somewhere along the way.
Once in the car, Dana searched for something to say. “I didn’t think you would still have been in England.”
“Oh, we came home right after the wedding was cancelled. Then we went back. Didn’t Cheyanne tell you?”
“She said Mitchell left you.”
“Yes. It’s all my fault. I’m too needy. I’m not one of those women who can live without a man to provide for her. I never have been a good employee. I know it’s no excuse. I would have been a better woman if I was only strong like you.”
“Strong like me?” Dana inhaled. No stench of alcohol.
“You stood up for yourself. You stood up to me from the very start. I didn’t know what to do with you. I dragged you through some pretty horrid things. You were a little girl. It wasn’t your fault, even if I blamed you.”
Dana wasn’t about to question what specifically wasn’t her fault. “I don’t talk to you enough. And sometimes I think that makes things worse.”
“Do you know how worried I was when I saw you at O’Hare when we were leaving for Chey’s cruise? You were on crutches. Crutches! And you hadn’t even told me.”
“I kind of figured you wouldn’t care. I told Chey.”
“I know. Then when I couldn’t find you on the plane?—”
“You got a little upset.”
“Embarrassingly so.” Sheila scoffed.
Dana wondered if she should tell her father he was right. She turned onto the suburban street and stopped in front of the large house.
“Do you want to come in for a minute?” asked Sheila.
“Sure. You’ll need help with those bags anyway.”
Sheila punched in the code for the alarm. The house was silent.
Sheila walked in the direction of her bedroom. Unsure what to do, Dana took the suitcases only as far as the bedroom door. Sheila came out with tears rolling down her face.
“He did. He left me. What am I going to do?” Sheila threw herself into Dana’s arms.
Dana let her cry, reminding herself that this was for Cheyanne’s sake. “Will you be okay here tonight?”
Sheila sniffed. “I suppose so. All my things are here. And the dog sitter is going to deliver my dogs in an hour. I really should be here for them.”
Dana guided her mother over to the couch.
“Are you going to be alright? Do I need to call somebody for you?”
“No, I’ll be fine.”
“Chey’s really worried that you might hurt yourself.”
“No, the only person I’m going to hurt is Mitchell.” Sheila straightened her shoulders. “Do you know why he really left me?”
Dana shrugged.
“I’m surprised, considering your relationship with the security officer.”
Not going there. “Why did he leave?”
“He’s running from INTERPOL.”
That was the last guess Dana would have had. “INTERPOL? Why?”
“Apparently, he had this side business where employees of hotels, casinos, and cruise lines would sell information. He orchestrated it all. Do you know how many people—women—could have been hurt? How many thefts could have happened?”
Chandler. Amy-Kate. The CCTV.
Her stepfather was behind it? McKay would never believe that. Of course, she couldn’t tell McKay. But still. “So, you’re telling me that Cheyanne’s dad is behind the people that allowed Chandler to buy information so he could meet up with Amy-Kate and cheat with her during the bachelorette?”
“I thought he was just upset about the wedding being off, which was why he was drinking so much on the ship.” Sheila shook her head.” I always choose the wrong men. The only time I chose right was your father.”
“But you’ve been with Chey’s dad for so long.”
“Yes, because, like I said, I’m not a strong woman. I need somebody.”
“Mom, do you have a counselor or a therapist we could call?”
“Oh, of course I do, dear. Why didn’t I think of that?”
Sheila whipped out her phone and made a call. The therapist could see her in an hour.
“You’ll stay to let the dogs in?”
“Sure.”
Dana made herself as useful as possible, spending most of the time with the dogs while she waited for her mother to return.
When Sheila returned, she was all smiles. She gave Dana a hug. “Thank you. Thank you for coming. An apology for everything sounds hollow, but maybe we could try to be friends.”
“I think I’d like that, Mom.”
Sheila dropped her purse on the counter and opened her phone. “You have that money app, don’t you? The one I can send you money from my bank account?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
Her mom tapped the phone. Dana’s phone pinged. A $2,000 deposit.
“I think I owe you much more than that for the cruise and things. But that is the sending limit.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“And don’t worry about me. I’ll be alright. I’m going to text your sister, and maybe I’ll go visit my sister. Sisters are such a wonderful thing.”
Dana left her mother’s house somewhat perplexed yet lightened.
She arrived at Brit and Simone’s later than planned, and they were both waiting up for her with their new favorite chocolate ice cream.”
“How did things go with your mom?” asked Brit.
“Shocking.” Dana glossed over most of the details as she told them about the tentative reconciliation she had with her mother.
“I can’t believe she took responsibility,” said Simone.
“Me either.” Dana finished the last of her dessert.
“Maybe now you should take some responsibility,” said Brit.
Simone tried to hush her roommate.
“What do you mean?”
“You told us you had his email. You haven’t contacted him yet. Don’t you think you owe him an apology?”
“But he owes me one.”
Brit held up her hand. “No, you owe him one for not giving him a chance to explain.”
Dana retired to the spare room and pulled out her phone.
Brit was right.
It was a day for reconciliation.