Chapter 23
Kace
Dani is bounding off the walls—or rather the rails—of the ferry as we get under way.
Lindsey drove us onto the ferry from Ft.
Fisher to Southport, where she dropped me off at the entrance and parked my truck.
Now that I’m in a lower leg cast and can sit up front, she’s returned Bronwyn’s crossover SUV and drives mine.
The ferry to Bald Head Island holds an assortment of people, from tourists to laborers to golfers. Dani asks a million questions as we cruise along the water, but she's as animated as the other kids excited about the ride.
I glance at Lindsey and find her gripping the edge of the bench seat, face lifted to the breeze. The ride is pretty smooth, all things considered, but every now and again, we hit a wave that leaves her looking more than a little green around the gills.
"How are you holding up?" I ask softly.
"Just peachy," she says between clenched teeth.
I grab the backpack I'd brought for emergencies and pull out a piece of peppermint candy.
We've all brought backpacks—or in Lindsey's case, a tote bag—with beach towels and sunscreen and drinks, but I've also thrown in Band-Aids and a few other things because old habits die hard, and I'd rather be prepared.
"See if this helps. I brought it for you. "
I nudge her with my elbow while also keeping an eye on Dani, who's belly-up to the railing staring out at the waves. Mads puts her phone away and leaves the bench to go join her.
Lindsey opens one eye, creating an adorable expression in the process.
"Thanks."
"I have some crackers and ginger ale for you. I know we said we'd eat on the island, but I didn't want any of my girls getting hangry."
Shock and surprise float over her features before they fade to amusement.
"Don't want to deal with a hangry pregnant woman?"
"No, ma'am."
She takes the candy and pops it into her mouth after unwrapping it. I wait a bit and ask, "Any better?"
"Yeah, some. Thanks."
"You're welcome. Lindsey, look…"
"No."
I frown down at her. No?
"We don't need to discuss the thing that didn't happen. It's all good. No big deal."
It was kind of a big deal. At least for me. Apparently not so much for her, I think in a dark grumble.
"I need more air."
I watch as she gets up and goes to join the girls at the railing. I'm struck by the image of Dani tucked between Lindsey and Mads, her little face turning up this way and that as she talks to them. My Dani-girl is energy and light, and she's so excited about the day; she's practically vibrating.
I get my phone from my pocket and take a few photos to commemorate the day just as the horn sounds that we're nearing our destination. The captain asks for everyone to be seated for docking, and Dani bounds over to me for a fast hug.
"We're here!"
I smile and kiss her head. "Yes, we are. What's the rule?"
"No wandering off," she says in a disgruntled tone. "I have to stay with you or Lindsey or Madi."
"Good girl." Dani wanted to bring her bike today, but I nixed the idea last minute.
I'm out of commission, Lindsey can't run after my little daredevil, and Mads deserves to enjoy her day and not be used as a babysitter any more than as a big sister keeping an eye out for someone younger.
I promise a second trip when I'm able to bike or run with my girl and tell Dani we'll get a golf cart instead.
Thankfully she didn't kick up a fuss. Now we just have to make our way off the ferry and down the dock to the rentals area.
I hold us back to allow others to exit before me so I don't slow anyone down. I've gotten used to the crutches, but I still feel the pressure and pain of them under my burns, and we've got a long day ahead of us. "You good?" I ask Lindsey, noting she's quieter than normal.
Is that because I'd brought up—or tried to bring up—the kiss? Or is she still feeling sick?
"I'm good," she says, her gaze on Dani and Mads as they walk ahead of us.
The August heat coats us in a sheen of sweat by the time we make it to the rental shop. We're in the back of the line, and Dani gets impatient and begs to go explore.
"I'll take her," Lindsey says.
"Thanks. I'll be as fast as I can be."
I watch Dani and Linds leave, but Mads stays behind. She's been quiet today, too, and I give her a wink while we wait. "You doing okay?"
"Fine."
The women in my life are full of fines these days. "You sure about that?"
This time she lifts and lowers a shoulder in an aggressive-looking shrug.
"Mads, come on. Talk to me," I say in a low voice, aware we are surrounded by people. "If you have, questions. Ask. I can't read your mind, honey."
Her jaw locks, and she shifts a bit closer. "I want you to…do the guardian thing. So I can stay."
I feel a bit dizzy at the news. Overwhelmed by what it all means in terms of hiring an attorney and taking matters into my own hands. "Okay. If you're sure, I'll check into it."
"I'm sure. She really would just hock my Vespa and go party. I mean, if I did take it."
My hands tighten on the crutch handles. "It was a gift to you, Mads. It's yours. No one else's."
I'm pretty sure I see tears sparkling in her eyes, but maybe it's the heat or the sun.
Has Pam never given her anything? Or given her stuff but not allowed her to keep them when things got tight?
"Hey, try to set all that aside today and just have fun, okay?
We'll figure things out, but it won't happen today. So let's just enjoy the day."
She nods and goes nose deep into her phone once more, but she doesn't leave my side.
The line moves, but I'm still a few people deep when an older woman rides up on a really nice cart with a Happy Birthday banner stretched across the windshield and a couple of balloons fastened securely to the roof. She stops right next to me.
"Kace McCallum?"
I stare in surprise. I don't recognize the woman or the man who follows her on a second cart. But the woman is beaming a smile at me like she's known me my whole life. "I…am. I'm sorry. Have we met?"
"No, son," the man says as he climbs out of the second cart, gesturing toward the woman. "But my wife, Rayna, is one of the Babes. The girls said you were bringing your family to visit the island today."
"Okay." I'm not following. At all.
The guy seems to get my confusion and chuckles. "Let's just say we heard what happened with the fire and about your birthday trip, and Rayna thought the girls might want to ride in style for the day since we know local heroes can't accept gifts."
I blink in surprise and see Madi lift her head to take in the cart and then the couple with more than a little disbelief.
"For real?" Mads asks, looking excited. "Can I drive it?"
"Whoa, slow down," I say to Madi. To the couple, "You're saying you…want us to use your cart?"
"We do." The older man steps up and lends a steadying hand as the older woman gets out of the stylish new ride. "Why rent one when we have an extra?"
"And we won't accept any answer but yes," the woman, Rayna, says firmly. "And, yes, sweetheart, you can drive it if you have your license. But only if your dear uncle says it's okay."
Madi lets out a disappointed sigh and, "Ahhh, man."
"She doesn't have her license yet," I tell the woman. "But we're going to work on that, aren't we, Mads?"
My niece nods and smiles. "The second we get back," she stresses.
I smile at her determination and excitement. I like seeing Mads excited about a milestone in life.
"We would've been here sooner, but we had to charge the battery on that one so we'd have a ride back to the house."
I release one crutch to shove my sunglasses atop my head. "This is very kind of you but—"
"No buts," Rayna says. "I heard how you took care of my Mary Elizabeth when she fell ill in the bookstore and your bravery.
The least we can do is help you get off that leg of yours so you can travel comfortably and the girls get a fun day on the island.
It's just a golf cart, but it is a bit roomier than those. "
That's the understatement of the year. The rental carts were perfectly good carts, but the couple's has all the bells and whistles. Including more leg room, cushionier seats and cooling fans to combat the humidity and heat.
"Just text us when you're heading back here, and we'll come back to pick it up," Rayna says.
"And I know you've probably made your lunch plans already, but if you haven't, we also left your name at a few of our favorite places on the island," she says, handing me a list on a slip of paper.
"If you decide to eat at one of them, it's on us.
For the birthday girls," she stresses with a wink.
"Thank you!" Dani says. "Daddy, look, there're balloons."
Everyone laughs at Dani's unbridled excitement at such a simple gesture as tying balloons to the cart, and I don't have the heart to refuse. "This is your number?" I ask, spying it on the paper I'd been handed.
The couple grins in unison.
"Enjoy your day, girls," the woman says. "And make sure he stays off that leg."