Chapter 15
T hey stopped for sandwiches at the Beaufort Café.
Diners at the lone outdoor table departed as they emerged from his truck, so Rae claimed it while Brody went inside and ordered.
The wind whispered a chilly promise when he emerged, speaking of the day to come.
He set down their plates, went back for their drinks, then said, “I’m having trouble processing what’s just happened. ”
“Let me see if I have this straight,” Rae said, then paused for a bite. She swallowed, sipped her tea, then said, “You’re fretting over the idea of buying the most beautiful boat you’ve ever laid eyes on.”
He resisted the urge to reach across and wipe the mayonnaise from her lip. “Something like that.”
“I know, it’s a terrible thing.” Another bite. More tea. “Not to mention how you might spend tomorrow sailing with a couple of lifetime pals.”
“You are that, aren’t you,” Brody replied, his heart suddenly overfull. “My lifetime friend.”
She gave him the sort of look only a woman could accomplish, inviting him to just dive straight in.
That is, if he was actually reading this right.
But all she said was, “You’re worried about the cost?”
“I haven’t gotten that far. But yeah. I’ll definitely need a loan, if they even offer that for a boat. I’ve saved pretty much everything I’ve made, and I can sell my condo, pay off the mortgage, and see what’s left.”
The finger she raised glistened with mayo. “I’ve been thinking about that. What if we agreed to the lord viscount’s conditions, with one caveat. You’re giving up two years’ bonus to accept his offer.”
“Jacob hasn’t agreed—”
“Don’t interrupt an attorney. All the hot air could build up and explode, and you’d be cleaning up a real mess.”
“Go on, then.”
“We request a signing bonus. Then we ask for the lord high muckety-muck’s company to grant you an interest-free loan for the balance.”
Brody stared across the tiny iron table. “Okay, this is me, totally freaked.”
“You like?”
“Rae, I like everything about you.” He jerked back a fraction. “Sorry. Totally out of line.”
That particular comment silenced the table. They finished their meal, gathered the plates and cups, returned to the truck, started away. Not a word. Nada.
Emma proved well enough to have dressed herself, and now made it down the front stairs on her own steam. Brody watched as she took tiny careful steps, both hands gripping the banister with white-knuckle intensity. But still.
Once they were settled and underway, Brody asked, “I’d like to call my sister and let her know we’re coming.”
“I don’t want people making a fuss.” But Emma was smiling.
She rode in front with Rae seated directly behind her. Rae had one hand draped over Emma’s shoulder, and as Brody called his sister Emma reached up and touched Rae’s hand.
Olivia’s voice came through the truck’s speakers. “What have you done now?”
“I thought you’d like to know I’m driving Emma to the hospital.”
“Why, what’s the matter?”
“Nothing,” Emma replied. “I just don’t want Doctor Nasty in my bedroom ever again.”
“I guess that works. Hi, Emma.”
“Hello, dear.”
“We were about to head down to a Christmas party. Want some supermarket cake made with pure white sugar and lard and icing out of a box?”
“Just what I dreamed about when I got up this morning,” Rae offered.
Brody stopped at a light, glanced over, and saw the two women smiling. He told his sister, “I’ll stop by soon as the patient is settled.”
“Don’t you dare call me that ever again,” Emma said, still smiling.
Olivia said, “Whack the boy once for me, Emma.”
When they pulled into the visitor’s lot, Cameron emerged through the hospital’s side door with Olivia.
Both were dressed in red felt hats adorned with tiny antlers.
Emma waited until she was settled into the wheelchair to offer, “Shame on you, leaving those poor patients to fret and suffer while you’re out here playing like nine-year-olds. ”
“Nobody got sick today,” Olivia replied, leaning over and giving Emma a gentle hug. “Whole hospital’s empty.”
Cameron took her place and said, “The nurses and surgeons are turning the surgical ward into a bingo hall.”
Brody was about to volunteer putting a disco ball in the cafeteria when his mother stepped through the door. “Mom?”
“Surprise.” She smiled a greeting at Rae, then bent over and held Emma for the longest time. “How are you, dear?”
“Coping. Most days, anyway. And you?”
Olivia said, “She was in town ordering furniture for the two studios. I invited her over for cake.”
“I would not touch that supermarket poison wearing gloves and a gown,” Mia replied. To Emma, “I’m doing well enough, considering.” She reached for Brody. “Hello, son.”
Emma announced, “Brody is taking one of my cabins for the duration.”
“He told me. Given the circumstances, I think that’s wise. Now why don’t we all get out of the cold.”
They filled the elevator and paraded along the upstairs corridor, where a receptionist personally took control of Emma’s chair. Brody held to the rear position as the receptionist knocked on a closed door, and at a word from inside, she opened it and wheeled Emma inside.
The young, sharp-featured doctor continued to type into his computer, ignoring Emma and the others. Then he looked up and saw Brody’s mother standing in the open doorway. He rose from his chair. “Mrs. Reames. Good afternoon.”
“Hello, Kendrick. I hope your parents are both doing well.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Please remember me to them.” Mia stepped to one side, allowing the receptionist to depart. “Emma is one of my very dearest friends. It’s so good to know her needs are being seen to by such a capable doctor.”
The doctor took in all the faces crowded into his doorway behind Mia. “Certainly.”
“I can’t tell you how much it means, knowing you will take special care of this sweet and wonderful woman.” The internist was still standing as Mia gently shut the door.
They walked straight past the cafeteria, which had been transformed into a boisterous and happy place, full of hospital staff and ambulatory patients and families and music and Christmas cheer.
Olivia led them up one flight and along a confusing series of halls.
She stopped midway down a stubby corridor and did a little “ta-dah.” A wall of glass stretched out in both directions.
Behind it, masked technicians in protective gear worked at lab tables filled with equipment.
Several of them stopped and offered happy waves, then resumed work.
Olivia gave a superswift rundown of their ongoing analyses, then offered to check everyone’s blood and bone marrow and spinal fluid, free of charge, Christmas special.
That made for a superswift, laughing departure.
Another confusing series of corridors later, they entered Cameron’s office.
She snagged a plate of cookies off her receptionist’s desk, took orders for drinks, asked her aide to phone downstairs and check on Emma’s progress, then led them inside.
The receptionist entered with a tray of coffees, reported that Emma was booked in for another scan but should be done within the hour.
Cameron’s private office was surprisingly spacious.
Brody settled on the sofa opposite the windows.
The four women—Rae and Cameron and Olivia and Mia—gathered by a small cherrywood table holding three hardback chairs.
Cameron drew over her office chair and pointed to a fourth chair by the side wall, inviting him to join them.
Brody smiled and thanked her and remained where he was.
He liked observing them as they chatted, not keeping him out so much as joining together in the easy manner of old friends.
He was happy remaining a welcome visitor to this moment.
Sharp winter sunlight pushed through Cameron’s gauzy drapes, casting the room and occupants in brilliant pastels.
Brody sipped his coffee and wondered at how comfortable he felt while seated here in the therapist’s office.
As long as he remained in the Outer Banks, this would become a place for revealing secrets, elements that had shaped him.
Stripping away the barriers he had spent a lifetime building.
And which now he was intent on casting aside.
Making room for—what, exactly? In this moment, Brody realized he really didn’t care.
He hoped his current state was not merely the aftereffect of this incredible morning.
Emma better, more time with Rae, the heady prospect of a new job, a wonderful boat that might someday become his. He had every reason to feel jazzed.
Yet Brody sensed something more was at work. A deeper sentiment running like an unseen ocean current, while all he saw were the surface effects.
It was weird, being so happy in a place designed to pry open secret doors and reveal hidden mysteries. Brody corrected himself. Happiness suggested a temporary high, at least for him. His current state suggested something else. He was happy, yes, but he was also content.
Mia chose that moment to disengage from the group and walk back to his corner. “Scootch over, son.” When she was settled, she said, “This is so like how I remember you. Finding a quiet haven, observing the world.”
“With Dad around, it was my safest option.” He waited, expecting a rebuke. When his mother merely settled further into the sofa, Brody knew it was time.
He swiveled slightly, facing her. “Dad is going to come after you. His arrogance won’t allow you to walk away. His need to dominate is too great.”
Mia sat calmly, hands in her lap, watching her daughter chatter with the other two ladies. Brody caught something about Cameron’s upcoming baby shower. It was like overhearing a conversation from a distant room.
Brody was astonished that Mia had let him get this far. His mother had a lifetime’s experience at deflecting any such complaint.
Today was definitely one for the books.
He went on, “I know what Dad is planning. It came to me full-blown last night. Do you want—?”
“No.” Quiet. Firm. Definite. “No.”
“I won’t let him do this to you. Please don’t ask me to back away. He can’t be allowed to damage us like this. I won’t let it.”
Mia remained silent. Unmoving. Watching her daughter.
Olvia must have noticed the strain he was feeling, for she looked over and asked, “Everything all right?”
“Give us a moment, dear.” Mia waited until the three ladies resumed their conversation to say, “Go on, son.”
“I had planned to work through Rae. She’s my attorney now, we’re involved in another negotiation …
” He waved that aside. Later. “I know now I need to handle this myself.” Speaking the words aloud left him so nauseous, he pressed a fist deep into his gut, fighting down the gorge. He finished, “Face-to-face.”
“It will destroy your relationship.”
“Mom, has there ever been anything to destroy? I mean, really?”
Mia took her time, observing the ladies, handling the moment as she had so much else. Then: “When will this happen?”
“I think … tomorrow.” He pressed his fist deeper still. “We’re taking Emma sailing. I’d like to do this first.”
“Then go out into the open water and cleanse it all away.” She nodded. “When are you moving into Emma’s cottage?”
“Later today.”
“Good. I’m glad you’ll be close at hand. In case you’re needed.”
And suddenly the strain was gone. Swept away so completely, he might as well never have felt the immensity of confronting his old man. Brody unclenched his fist. Leaned back. Took a deep breath. Looked at Cameron, the woman helping to unlock those hidden portals.
He was no longer the frightened child.
Mia rose and stood looking down at him. “You understood I’m not allowing this to happen on my behalf.”
Brody did not respond.
Mia smiled approval at his silence. She gestured him to rise, and embraced him. “It’s so good to see you coming into your own.”
Brody stood there, watching his mother rejoin the others, four women melded together by the pastel light. And reached a new decision.
He would do it today.