Chapter 18
Footsteps approached the room before a light tap sounded on the partially closed door.
“Come in,” he called out as I slid out of his arms.
“It dials out normally,” Avery explained as she handed me the phone with a genuine smile.
“Thanks.” I eased down onto the oversized chair.
“Your dad is about to grill steaks and your mom is throwing together sides while Gammy makes your favorite—peach cobbler.”
“Sounds good. Tell them we’ll be ready in about an hour.”
Before leaving, she lifted up on her tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek then grasped his hands tightly. “Garrett, I’m so glad you’re okay. Watching Stone, knowing I couldn’t do a damn thing other than being there was a nightmare. He…I don’t know if I’ve ever seen him more distraught.”
“Nah, I was with him when he thought he’d lost you—both times.” He winked.
She tenderly pressed her lips to his cheek again. “See you two at dinner.”
I curled my feet underneath me, fingers trembling, heart pounding in my chest as I dialed my mother’s cell phone number. Two rings later, I squeezed my eyes closed, begging for her to answer. On the fourth ring, Jillian answered the phone, and I stopped breathing.
“Aunt Jilly, it’s me. Where’s Mama?”
“Oh my God, where are you? Are you okay?”
“I’m good. Mama? Where…is she…”
“Oh baby, she got her new heart four days ago. So far, she’s not rejecting the transplant, and the doctors say she’s doing amazing. Where are you? Are you hurt?”
I let out a sob and Garrett came out of nowhere, kneeling down and wiping up after the broken dam of emotions had tears streaming down my face. He made a pained sound, and all my feelings seemed to have me around the throat, choking the life out of me.
“I’m okay. Our plane went down but Garrett was able to safely land us on a deserted island. Aside from him having a small laceration that healed up nicely, we’re both okay. His family rescued us a few minutes ago. We’re on a yacht headed to the closest airport.”
“Thank God for that. It’s so good to hear your voice.”
“Is Mom coherent? Does she know?” Garrett swiped the pad of his thumb just below my eyes.
“She knew you never made it to your destination but figured you were gallivanting around in the tropics, soaking up the sun.”
I rolled my eyes. “That’s Mom, always glass half full.”
“She’s still on the ventilator and they have her sedated. I’m not sure she’ll hear me, but I can’t wait to tell her you’re on your way home.”
“Tell her I love her. Tell her I’m coming home, and I’ll be there soon.” I gave her the number of the phone on the ship and made her promise to call with the latest updates. I pressed end and blew out a deep sigh.
“Sounds like you got good news.”
“She had the transplant. She really got a new heart.” Happy tears lodged in my throat. “She’s going to be okay.”
Garrett kissed my forehead then pulled my slumped, exhausted body into his arms. Carrying me into the bathroom, he sat me in front of the vanity on a small shiny chrome stool. It was the first time I’d gotten a glimpse at my natural, raw image. Castaway life had bronzed my skin, and I’d lost a few pounds.
I ran my fingers through the wildness of my dull hair. Sure, it had been washed and brushed daily, but it lacked a healthy shine. Trailing my fingertips to my dry lips, I licked the small cracks.
“You look beautiful.”
I cast him a frown, noticing the signs of exhaustion in his chiseled features for the first time.
“You’re crazy. I’m a mess.”
“It’ll be nice to sleep in a real bed with you tonight.”
“Yes, it will.”
He lifted my arms above my head and eased my shirt off. Holding my hands, he pulled me to a standing position, his fingers sliding my shorts down my hips. It seemed the universe was moving in slow motion as he guided me inside the shower.
“There’s not room for two, or I’d join you.” He reached in and kissed me hard. Water sluiced down my body, spraying him and the marble floor.
He was like a predator slipping in a kiss I hadn’t expected, and it made me utterly still. Somehow, I had to rebuild the shield of ice I’d allowed him to melt away from around my heart.
Then he left, and I was left staring at the closed door. It took a good minute before I managed to pour shampoo in the palm of my hand. The scent of tangerine filled the stall as I massaged it into my scalp and to the tips of my hair for a deep clean.
In the solitary moment, I wept for my gratefulness, thankfulness, and blessings. We’d survived a crash landing, my mother had received her gift of life, and I was headed home.
After scrunching my hair a bit, I lightly applied some makeup then slipped into sandals and the cobalt blue sundress I’d worn en route to St. Thomas. Making my way up the staircase, I heard deep laughter resonating down the hallway. I stopped, absorbing the sound of Garrett’s laugh mixed with those of his brothers.
Garrett’s voice sounded husky and sexy as hell. I couldn’t hear everything he said, but I did make out “half-assed crab trap” and bit back a smile.
I rounded the corner, and the first thing I noticed was the neatly trimmed facial hair he’d left in place. He wore a navy polo with khaki shorts, and he stole my breath away.
“Did he tell you he still likes to bet on his skills?” I said to Stone and Chad, winking before meeting his burning gaze.
I ventured through the vast open space into a sitting area, finding Avery stretched out on a pristine white sofa. Walls made of windows drew in bright sunlight on each side of the ship, making it a lovely place for relaxation.
“Come join me,” she called out sweetly.
Avery was gorgeous, with flawless ivory skin, blonde hair worn in a messy updo, and sparkling blue eyes. Everything about her screamed sweet, happy, and in love with her life.
“I’d love to.” I sat across from her on a lounger, and a chrome and glass coffee table took up the space between us.
“Did you reach your mom?”
“I spoke to my aunt. My mom’s been on a heart transplant list for a while now, and it seems while I was gone, she got one.” My eyes blurred, and a smile teased my lips.
“Oh my God, that’s incredible. Is she doing okay?”
“My aunt assures me she is.” The grin on my face turned into a small happy giggle. “I’m overwhelmed with relief and joy. I just can’t wait to see her.”
“We’ll be in St. Thomas in two days.”
The air filled with the masculine Mitchell brothers’ laughter.
“Are they always like that when they’re together?”
“Always. I grew up next door to Gammy, and it’s been this way for as long as I can remember. Things were never dull in that house full of testosterone.”
“Were you and Stone high school sweethearts?”
She let out a small laugh. “I’ve loved Stone since we were kids.” She paused before adding, “It’s good to see Garrett happy with someone.”
Her remark caught me off guard, and Avery grinned. I didn’t know how to respond, but my lips curled involuntarily on their own.
“He’s not always happy,” I joked.
“He is when he looks at you.”
“He doesn’t know me well enough for me to have anything to do with it.”
“My parents got married three months after they met. I used to wonder if they had a reason, but I didn’t come along until four years later. My mom has always said she knew the moment she laid eyes on him it was love at first sight. I’ve never not loved Stone.”
“Garrett and I are definitely not in love, if that’s what you’re implying.”
“Maybe not, but I see the way you look at each other, and that doesn’t need rhyme or reason. There’s something going on—it’s obvious.”
“Hey, you two, Dad said dinner is ready.” Garrett strode into the room with Stone by his side. “Gammy has Chad setting the table—can you believe that? He was always the first to bail when it came to kitchen duty.”
“Somebody needs to take a picture of that,” Avery declared playfully.
We gathered around the large table at the back of the yacht in an open, breezy dining area. The Mitchell family displayed their strong loyal bonds in the shared laughter and jovial conversations. I captured the silent thankfulness in their eyes as they stole glances at Garrett.
“Where are you from, Brooke?” Mr. Mitchell asked.
“Born and raised in Dallas.”
“I understand you work for Garrett?”
I swallowed hard. “Yes. I started out in marketing before joining the administrative team.”
“Ahhh, so you worked for George.” He took a sip of wine.
“You know George?”
“He and I went to college together.”
“Garrett told me you were good friends with Mr. Lockwood, but I didn’t realize you knew George as well.”
“Yes. Jennings handles the company’s legal affairs, and George moved back from San Diego to work for Garrett several years ago. He and Andrea wanted to come back home to retire.”
The conversation turned in the direction of a new restaurant opening in the small community at Port Bolivar near Stone and Avery’s quaint beach home. After a few glasses of wine and finishing the savory meal topped off with cobbler, my eyes grew heavy.
“Tired?” Garrett asked, eyeing me carefully.
“A little.”
“I’m going to see Brooke to her room. She’s exhausted.”
“So are you, son. Get some rest and we’ll see you later in the afternoon,” his mother ordered in a sweet, matter-of-fact voice.
“Thank you all for everything,” I said sincerely.
“You’re most welcome. If you need anything, please let us know,” Gammy said.
I nodded. “I will.”
We walked up the staircase in silence, and halfway up, Garrett linked his fingers with mine.
I am not falling in love.
I am not falling in love.
I am not falling in love.