Chapter Five
Addie woke up the following morning wondering if she’d imagined the events of last night. Had she really locked lips with Caleb? She ran her finger over her lips. She would never forget the tender kiss they had shared. For someone like herself who didn’t have a lot of romance in her life, the interlude with Caleb had been something unexpected and wonderful. Although she felt slightly nervous about what might come next between them, Addie figured it was worth it. Kissing Caleb had felt outstanding.
She glanced out the window and sighed as the beautiful sunrise greeted her. Pinks and orange bursts of color announced the dawning of a new day. She felt incredibly hopeful about what the day would bring her. Hope. That word had been missing from her vocabulary for such a long time. At the moment, she felt Tabitha’s presence wash over her. Her eyes misted up.
Her sister was all around her. She was in the glorious sunset. Tabitha flew in the ocean breeze. Although Addie knew she was in the kingdom of heaven with God, she also believed her sister’s essence was all around her. She wiped away a few stray tears from her cheek. Addie wasn’t crying out of sadness. She felt joyful. It was the first time she’d felt Tabitha’s presence since she had lost her. It felt like sweet victory.
Thank you, Lord. For showing me that Tabitha has been with me all this time. I just couldn’t see past my pain. I was so angry at losing her, I couldn’t see that she was too engrained in my heart for me to ever lose her.
Addie got up and stretched. After making some oatmeal, whole wheat toast and ginger tea for breakfast, she sat in her kitchen and ate in a leisurely fashion. She then hopped in the shower and washed her hair, then began the process of blowing it out so it was straight and sleek. Laurel had given her a few tips about her hair that had been life savers. Using a little Moroccan oil made the world of difference.
Suddenly, she heard a banging sound.
“What in the world?” she asked out loud. Following the sound of the racket, she found herself in her foyer. Someone was banging at her front door. She approached the door and looked through the peep hole. Even though her condo association had security in the lobby, she wasn’t taking any chances. The world was a scary place. She had to wonder why Simon the concierge hadn’t announced a visitor.
Addie wanted to head straight back to bed and pull the covers over her head when she saw her mother standing at her door. Helena Fontaine was standing there with her hand on her hip, an imperious expression etched on her face. Addie wanted to scream. She loved her mother dearly, but not the whirlwind drama she brought along with her.
“Open up, Adeline. I know you’re in there.” Was she imagining it or was there a slight screeching tone to her mother’s voice?
Addie slowly opened up the door and waved her mother inside. “Please don’t call me Adeline. You know I hate it.”
“It happens to be your birth name.” Her mother rolled her eyes and waltzed across the threshold. Addie closed the door behind her mother and took a deep, steadying breath.
“What brings you over here, Mom?” Addie asked.
“Can’t I come by and check on my only child?” Helena asked, her eyes growing wide.
Zing. Her mother liked to stress the part about her being an only child. She wondered if her mother realized how badly it hurt to hear her say it.
“Of course, but I do have to go into work in a little bit,” she explained.
Helena waved her hand in the air. “I won’t stay long. Tell me all about this job your father gave you.”
“Would you like something to drink? Tea? Water?” Addie asked.
“I’m fine. I have my bottle of sparkling water in my purse.”
Addie ushered her mother into the living room and began to tell her about working with Caleb at the Blue Bayou. She told her about her co-workers and some of the customers. Addie knew she was gushing, but she couldn’t help it. She loved her job.
Her mother listened to her without uttering a single word or comment.
“So, that’s about it. I’m really excited about this opportunity. Caleb is great to work with.”
Her mother arched her eyebrow. “Caleb, huh? Sounds mighty intimate.”
Addie sucked her teeth. “We’re business partners. It’s hardly intimate. Would you rather I call him by his last name?”
“I know you, Addie, like the palm of my hand.” She narrowed her gaze. “There’s something funny happening to your face when you say his name.”
She felt her cheeks blush. “Mother, you’re being ridiculous. And fanciful. Can’t you just focus on the fact that I’m happy partnering with Caleb at the Blue Bayou? It’s been a Godsend.”
“Adeline, I don’t see how this is going to place you in a position to impress your father or to assert yourself in his corporation. You are his only heir after all. You need to position yourself within his company where he can see your successes up close and personal. He needs to know in no uncertain terms that you’re poised to be his heir-apparent.”
She wanted to scream. Her mother was beginning to sound like a broken record. She failed to understand that although she wanted to make her father proud, it had nothing to do with being his future heir or achieving wealth. “That’s not my main concern. I want to get my feet wet in business. This is a wonderful opportunity for me. And it was Daddy’s idea.”
Helena leaned forward in her seat. “It was? You didn’t tell me that before.”
Addie wanted to tell her mother that she hadn’t given her a chance, but she held her tongue.
“I know you think I’m nagging, but I was completely blindsided when your father divorced me. I really don’t want you to have the rug pulled out from under you if your father decides to go in a different direction with his fortune. You have to ingratiate yourself with him and show him what a valuable asset you are to the Fontaine corporation.”
Ingratiate? She hated the sound of that word. It made her mother sound underhanded.
“He’s my father. I shouldn’t have to ingratiate myself with him,” Addie protested. “And I’m not worried about his fortune. I have more than enough to make me happy in this lifetime.”
Her mother shook her head. “I used to say that when you and your sister were little. Sadly, life has a way of turning things upside down when you least expect it.”
“Mother, I really need to get ready to head in to work,” Addie said. She knew her mother meant well, but she was just so over the top. For just once, Addie wished she would focus more on Addie and her hopes and dreams.
Her mother gracefully stood up and reached for her purse. “I can take a hint, my darling.” She kissed Addie on one cheek, then the other. “Au revoir, ma chere,” she said. “You know I love you very much, Addie. I’m only saying these things for your benefit. Avoir. Please pick up your cell phone the next time I ring you.”
With a wave of her hand, Helena strutted toward the door like she was walking a Parisian runway. Addie had to laugh. Her mother had been through a lot in her life, yet she kept on rolling. Addie wanted to be strong like Helena Fontaine. Little by little, Addie hoped she was getting there.
**
Working with Addie the day after their spectacular kiss felt slightly surreal for Caleb. He had to admit something to himself. He wasn’t the type of guy who kissed a woman he wasn’t interested in. If Addie hadn’t been his partner, the next logical step would be to ask her out on a formal date. But the reality was, Addie was his co-worker and the stakes were incredibly high. He couldn’t afford to mess up and complicate matters between them. She held half his business in the palm of her hand.
It would be awkward if things fizzled after a few dates. Caleb wasn’t sure he was good at dating or romance. His track record was abysmal.
It was better to stay friends and co-workers, wasn’t it? He felt a stab of disappointment. What might have been between him and Addie if they were allowed to explore their attraction? He couldn’t risk it. Other than his family, the bistro was the most important thing in the world to him. Addie—largely due to her being Sebastian Fontaine’s daughter—could make trouble for him if things went badly between them. Even though she didn’t seem like the type of woman who would be bitter, relationships had taught him never to underestimate feelings.
“Morning, Caleb.” Addie’s chirpy voice greeted him as he made his way into the restaurant. He sucked in a deep breath at the sight of her. Man was she beautiful! Each and every day she looked a bit different. Today she was wearing her new pair of glasses. Her hair was straight and sleek. Her lips were stained a berry red. As far as he could tell, that was the only trace of makeup she was wearing. There was no other word to use for her but radiant.
“Good morning, Addie. How are you?”
“I can’t complain. Thanks again for the dinner invite last night. Meeting your family was a real treat.”
Caleb grinned. “Don’t tell them I said so, but I wouldn’t trade that bunch in for anything.”
“Good thing you don’t have to,” Addie said in a teasing voice. Her entire face lit up when she smiled, Caleb realized.
“About last night,” Caleb said in a halting voice. There were employees buzzing all around. He really didn’t want any of them to overhear their conversation, but certain things needed to be said in the light of day.
She shook her head. “Caleb, you don’t need to say anything. We shared a moment. End of story. It was lovely. But we’re partners, working toward a common goal. We need to keep our eye on the prize. Am I right?”
Caleb swallowed past the lump in his throat. “Yes, you’re right, Addie. The Blue Bayou comes first before anything else.”
For a brief moment, he thought he saw a flicker of something in Addie’s eyes resembling disappointment. Just as quickly, it disappeared.
By the end of the work day, Caleb was bushed. There had been an uptick in customers, which was a good thing, but it was exhausting nonetheless. He’d promised to get together with his siblings tonight for their weekly chicken and wings event. This evening Daniel was hosting them at his home. Since he had a pool and a gorgeous view of Pelican Bay Beach, everyone loved hanging out at his place. Settled on a hillside overlooking the beach, it also had a nice view of Pelican Harbor.
By the time Caleb arrived, everyone else was already there. Caleb stepped out of his car and let out a deep sigh of appreciation at the amazing view of Pelican Bay stretched out before him. It was sunset and the sky was a mix of different shades of oranges and purples. He turned away from the stunning vista, taking in the spectacular sight of Daniel’s home. It was a modern, all white structure, designed by one of the premier architects in the country. It was sleek and eye-catching. A perfect abode for someone of Daniel’s stature. As the creator of a video game empire, Daniel had worked tirelessly to build up his company and fortune.
It couldn’t have happened to a humbler person. Daniel loved what he did for a living. He was enthusiastic about creativity and all of the millions of people who purchased his company’s video games.
Caleb let himself in to his brother’s house. He headed straight for the kitchen, where he found Kelani, Daniel’s personal chef, bustling around the kitchen. Kelani had worked for Daniel for at least five years and served as his sounding board, as well as emotional support system. Daniel tended to be a wreck in social situations. Although he didn’t have Asperger’s Syndrome, he exhibited some of the characteristics. Daniel was very loving, but at times he seemed remote and disconnected. It put him at odds with a lot of folks who viewed him as rude or disinterested. According to his brother, it was something he was working on.
After greeting Kelani, Caleb headed out back to Daniel’s backyard. With a full-sized infinity pool, a grilling area, cabana and an outdoor shower, the area was perfect for entertaining. The irony was that Daniel was shy and not a people person. He had a great heart, but he hid it behind a wall. Caleb was convinced he didn’t do it on purpose. It was just the way he was built.
When Caleb stepped outside, a loud din awaited him. There were Donahue siblings everywhere. Parker and Micah were in the pool with his nephew, Logan. Cadence was sitting poolside, getting water splashed on her by her husband and brother-in-law. Shayla and Micah were arm wrestling at the table while Micah’s best friend, Rafferty Fitzgerald, looked on with an amused smile. Rafferty had been a constant fixture at the Donahue household ever since he and Micah were in elementary school. As a fireman, he was well respected by everyone in town.
Daniel was sitting with Nash, engrossed in an animated discussion while Jason tended to the grill. Heath was sitting off to the side by himself, nursing a soda.
The moment Caleb came into view, a chorus of greetings from his siblings nearly deafened him. Everyone was enthusiastic and loud, which was par for the course for his family. Jason, carrying a loud platter of grilled steaks, came walking towards him.
“Hey, bro. You’re just in time. The food is hot off the grill.”
“Hey, Jason. The food looks good,” Caleb said, his stomach grumbling at the heavenly scent of the steaks.
Jason winked at him. “Thanks for all those grilling lessons. They’ve paid off.”
Caleb had taught all of his siblings to cook. Because their parents had worked long hours at the Silver Spoon, knowing how to cook had been imperative. It’s how Caleb had learned to make food that melted in the mouth. His siblings had been his very first customers. They had loved all of his over the top creations. French fries with brown gravy. Meatball and spaghetti pizza. Captain Crunch shakes. Caleb chuckled at the memories. Once again it hit him. What would have become of him if the Donahue family hadn’t adopted him and made him one of their own? He imagined his life might have been pretty bleak.
“What’s up with that look on your face?” Shayla walked up and squeezed his cheeks. “You were in another world there.” She reached up and kissed him on the cheek.
“I was back in the good old days when we were kids. Just remembering how things used to be,” he explained.
“We did have great times, didn’t we?” Shayla asked, her expression turning dreamy.
“I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” Caleb said, reaching out and squeezing her hand.
“By the way, I’m mad at you!” she said with a pout. “I’ve left five messages for you, Caleb. No one’s that busy,” Shayla scolded.
“I’m sorry, Shay. I’ve been putting in a lot of hours at the Blue Bayou. When I come home I just want to crash,” he apologized.
“Are you saying there’s no time for Addie?” Shayla asked in a coy voice.
“We’re just colleagues,” he said in a firm voice. He wanted to shut this conversation down before Shayla went haywire with it. He know quickly things could get out of hand in his family.
Shayla jabbed him in the side. “It didn’t seem that way the other night. You were acting like she was a very special someone in your life.”
Caleb rolled his eyes. “Gimme a break. Addie is sweet and all, but it would complicate both of our lives if we starting seeing each other outside of work.”
“That doesn’t sound like you’re opposed to the idea. You’re just wary of the fallout.” Shayla let out an indelicate snort. “It can’t be more complicated than dating Felicity.” Shayla wrinkled her nose. Shayla had thoroughly disliked Felicity. So had his mother, who normally loved everyone.
Caleb winced. “I thought the F word was off limits.”
Shayla giggled. “Sorry. I forgot it’s a sore subject. I won’t mention her name again.”
“Speaking of complicated,” Caleb drawled. “I saw the way you were looking at Rafferty.”
Shayla’s eyes widened. “W-what are you talking about?”
Caleb locked gazes with her. “It’s as plain as the nose on your face. You like him, Shay. In a romantic way. Looking back on things, I think you always have.”
She let out a shocked sound then raised her hand to cover her mouth. Caleb reached out and took her hand away. “Hey! Don’t freak out. I’m guessing I might be the only one who’s figured it out.”
Her eyes began to blink rapidly. Her jaw dropped. “Seriously? You don’t think Rafferty knows, do you? I’d die of embarrassment if he did.”
“He should be honored to be adored by the most amazing woman in Pelican Bay,” Caleb said. He watched as Shayla’s eyes trailed after Rafferty as he walked with Micah toward the outside dining area. Her eyes were full of yearning.
She turned her gaze back to Caleb and let out a sigh. Her expression was so forlorn. “I love him, Caleb. I have for as long as I can remember. It’s the oldest cliché in the book. Falling in love with your big brother’s best friend.” She shrugged. “I guess I’m a big old cliché.”
“You’re not,” Caleb insisted. “Loving someone can’t be reduced to a cliché, Shay. Your feelings are your feelings. They’re valid.”
“Thanks for saying so,” she said with a smile twitching at her lips. “Sometimes it’s really hard to love him in secret. Micah wouldn’t be happy about my feelings for Rafferty. He’d get all judgy and preachy and weirded out by it.”
“I’m not going to disagree with you on that one. It would be hard for Micah to know your feelings for his best friend. But it must be really hard to hide how you feel. I guess it would all depend on whether or not you feel you have a shot with him. Do you?”
Shayla let out a harsh laugh. “Are you kidding me? He views me as the runt of the Donahue litter. I’m a baby sister in his eyes. He doesn’t view me as a woman in my own right.”
“I’m sorry, sis. I know that must hurt,” he said, placing his arm around her and pulling her close. “I’ve been there myself. Loving someone who didn’t feel the way I felt for her was a nightmare. It’s pretty brutal.”
Shayla blinked away the moisture in her eyes. “The saddest part is that I’ve gotten used to loving him in secret. All these years he’s been right here under my nose and I have to pretend that I just view him as my brother’s best friend. An honorary member of the Donahue clan.”
“Aww, Shayla. One of these days a man is going to come along who’ll sweep you off your feet.”
“Oh, Caleb. He already has,” she said in a soft voice before turning away from him and heading toward the table.
Caleb shook his head. If he could, he would wave a magic wand and make all of his sister’s love pains disappear. In reality, there was nothing he could do about the situation. Hopefully she would outgrow her feelings for Rafferty, who, in addition to being Micah’s best friend, was also tight with the entire Donahue family. He’d grown up two streets over from the Donahue clan and had spent as much time in their house as in his own. Rafferty was family. It was a tricky situation. Caleb couldn’t help but think it was all going to come to a head one day soon.
As Caleb joined the table and began heaping food on to his plate, conversation flew freely. Sometimes when they got together there were so many people talking at the same time it was hard to focus. But, being part of the Donahue family meant you were used to it. It was par for the course when they had these get togethers.
Everyone was enjoying the food and heaping compliments upon Jason. Caleb watched as Cadence cut up a hotdog for Logan into tiny pieces. She had such a loving way with his nephew. He felt a pang of envy. He couldn’t wait to be father. Even though it seemed so far off in the future, he prayed about it all the time. He wanted to give his future children all the things his adoptive family had given him.
Suddenly, a memory flashed into his head. He was little. No more than five years old. It was Christmas Eve and he was at the beach. He’d dashed in the water. There was a woman with him holding his hand tightly and reminding him that she didn’t know how to swim. “But I know how to swim. I’ll save you, Mama.” Goosebumps popped up on his arm. Every time the flash of memories flared up, he stuffed it down. But this time he saw a beautiful brown skinned woman clutching his hand and screaming as the water rose to her knees. And he was screaming with laughter.
“You okay?” Parker’s voice rang in his ear. He was leaning toward him with a look of worry etched on his face.
“I’m fine,” he said, shaking off the flood of memories threatening to choke him. He didn’t know what was going on with him, but lately the memories were coming fast and furiously, threatening to choke him. For so long he had managed to outrun them. Now they were catching up to him.
“Something strange happened earlier,” Nash announced.
Focus on Nash, he told himself. Don’t get dragged down by the memories.
“I had to go over to the house to pick something up, and while I was there Mom received a floral delivery.” Nash wagged his eyebrows. “Two dozen red roses from Ballard’s Floral Shop.”
“Who was it from?” Cadence asked. She had posed the question they were all dying to ask.
Nash shrugged. “Mom began acting all coy and bashful. It came with a note. She turned every shade of red when I began asking her about it.”
“It must’ve been from dad,” Parker said in a gruff voice. “Nothing else makes sense.”
“You never know,” Shayla said. “She might have a secret admirer.”
“I don’t like that,” Micah said. His features were creased with anger. “She’s a married woman. That’s not cool.”
“Take it easy,” Rafferty cautioned. “Sounds like you’re getting way ahead of yourself.”
“Maybe it’s someone who knows that they’re separated and they want to lift her spirits,” Daniel said, sounding pragmatic as always.
Jason scoffed. “Red roses don’t say uplifting. They say romance. Red hot romance.”
Shayla playfully threw a few marshmallows at Jason. He retaliated by flicking her with water. This was their regular behavior. They drove each other crazy but were also as thick as thieves. Caleb couldn’t help but wonder how Micah would react if he knew Shayla’s feelings for Rafferty.
“Our mother is not having a red hot romance,” Caleb said in a fierce tone. “Come one, now. That’s disrespectful.”
Jason scowled at him. “I was talking about red roses, not Mom. Take it easy, Caleb.”
“We’re just trying to figure it out,” Micah said.
It was way too early to speculate on these matters, Caleb thought. His parents had just announced this separation.
“Let’s change the subject,” Parker said in a firm voice. “It’s too soon to talk about this stuff.”
As the oldest, Parker had an authority none of the Donahue siblings could ignore. Everyone tended to listen to him and follow his directives.
Caleb let out the deep breath he’d been holding. He didn’t want to think about his parents’ separation or the possibility that one day down the road they might be dating other people. It would be a harsh reality to face.
“So, Heath. How’s Bella?” Micah asked. “Nobody’s seen her for a few weeks.”
Caleb let out a groan. Heath’s mood was already all over the place. Pushing the Bella button wasn’t going to go over well, Caleb predicted. For a moment, all Heath did was glare at Micah. Then, like a keg of dynamite, he exploded.
He pounded his fist on the glass table. “I don’t want to talk about Bella!” he shouted. “Don’t you get it? We’re not together anymore.” He took a swig of his soda, then slammed his cup down on the table and jumped up, storming off in the direction of the beach.
“Wait up, Heath,” Micah said, standing up to go after him.
“Hey. Let me go talk to him,” Caleb offered. Taking his beer with him, Caleb followed after his brother down the beach. He had to walk briskly to catch up with him. Ever since they’d been kids, Heath had been fast. It had led him to four years of track and a scholarship to Boston College.
“Heath! Wait up!” he called out.
Heath kept walking without even pausing. Caleb caught up to Heath and grabbed him by the arm to get his attention. The moment he made contact Heath whirled around and raised his fists to him. He let out an animal-like cry. Pain flashed in his eyes. Shock roared through Caleb. Never in their lives had either one raised a hand to the other. Even in their childhood roughhousing sessions, they hadn’t crossed any lines.
Caleb reached out and grabbed Heath’s hands, effectively blocking his blows. Caleb began repeating his brother’s name over and over again as he held him. He had a strong sense that his brother was out of it. Caleb didn’t even recognize the person standing before him.
“Heath. Stop! Cut it out,” he said in a sharp voice.
Heath went still. His eyes looked glazed over. He began breathing deeply in and out.
“Caleb? I-I thought I was back there. I’m sorry. Did I hurt you?” he asked in a wounded voice.
“No, you didn’t hurt me, bro. But you’re not acting right. You’re not yourself!” Caleb was shaking. His brother’s behavior had taken him completely by surprise.
Heath’s entire body sagged. It seemed as if all the will had gone out of him. He sank down onto the sand and cradled his head in his hands. He let out a plaintive cry that pierced Caleb’s heart. Although he’d been worried about his brother—along with his entire family—what he was witnessing at the moment was chilling.
Caleb sat down on the sand next to his brother and placed his arm around him. “Talk to me. What’s going on with you?”
“I can’t forget,” he said in a raised voice. “Everyone just expects me to be the man I was before I went over there, but I’m not.” He swung his eyes up to meet Caleb’s gaze. “Do you have any idea of the things I witnessed? When I close my eyes at night I see those images. And they’re still there when I’m wide awake.”
“Can you tell me about it?” Caleb asked. Although he knew his brother had seen death up close and personal, Heath had never told him the details.
Heath’s eyes were haunted. “I was right there when the bomb went off. When Vinny was killed. I saw it all. There was nothing left of him, Caleb. Nothing but body parts blown into bits.”
Caleb shuddered. Vinny Perretti had been a close military buddy of Heath’s. His best buddy. Caleb remember when Vinny had come to spend Christmas with the Donahue brood a few years ago. He had been funny and outgoing, a perfect partner in crime for Heath. What had happened to Vinny had been heartbreaking. Heath had never told them that he’d witnessed his friend’s grisly death. It all made sense now.
No wonder he had shadows under his eyes. No wonder he couldn’t acclimate to life in Pelican Bay. No wonder he was in an unbearable amount of pain.
Heath began to tell in excruciating detail the events of Vinny’s death. Caleb sat and listened without asking a single question. The details were gritty and shocking and sad. For now, his brother just needed to vent. When he finished, Caleb knew he had to ask him a pressing question.
“Have you talked to anyone about this? A professional?”
“No,” Heath muttered. “There’s nothing anybody can do to fix me. I’m broken. That’s why I ended things with Bella. She deserves a whole man. Not someone who can’t even hold her in his arms without breaking down. Not someone who cries out in the middle of the night with sweat dripping from his body.”
“You need help, Heath. There are people out there who can counsel you and guide you through this.”
Heath began fiercely shaking his head. “I don’t want to rip myself open to talk about this. Do you know how hard it was for me to tell you just now? And you’re my brother.”
“What can I do to help you? You know the entire family wants to be there for you. Everyone is worried.”
“I don’t know,” Heath muttered. “I really don’t know.”
“Hey! Heath! Caleb!” Shayla’s voice called out to them. “We need you inside. It’s dessert time.” Caleb turned around to see Shayla standing about ten feet away beckoning them back toward the house.
Heath jumped to his feet. He brushed off his cargo pants. Before Caleb could stop him, Heath made a fast path back toward the house. Caleb would have liked to talk some more and get his brother to commit to some therapy sessions. The moment had passed, but Heath’s issues remained unchanged.
Caleb let out a deep breath as he reached the patio. Heath was sitting at the table, appearing as if nothing had ever happened. Caleb was stumped about his brother’s behavior. He knew it had something to do with his service overseas. And he wasn’t an expert, but he had a hunch Heath was suffering from some sort of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. There had to be a way of helping his brother get his life back in order. He intended to do it. He was a Donahue after all. When one member of the family was down, they all stopped what they were doing to pick the person up. Donahue strong!