“ARE YOU SURE it’s him?” Camryn sounded skeptical, but Brooke understood her reluctance to believe that Edward had been found.
“As sure as I can be. I know it’s hard to picture that he actually exists. I never would have found him if I hadn’t confided in Jeremy.”
“I’ll admit that the story Jeremy gave you is convincing. You must have been so excited.”
“Yes, I was.” Unfortunately, my excitement was overshadowed by the horrible sense of loss I was experiencing. Brooke couldn’t dwell on the emptiness in her life right now. Jeremy was making a decision that was right for him, and it didn’t include her. Maybe someday… But at this point he’d given her a gift, a miracle actually, that she had been dreaming of for a long time. She loved her adopted mother and father and her heart ached that she couldn’t tell them about Edward. Maybe sometime in the future when they wouldn’t be so hurt that she’d tried to locate her mother.
“So when are you planning to go to the Keys?” Camryn asked her.
“I’ve got to clear some time with Milt, but that shouldn’t be a problem. He’ll be taking a much more active role in producing the news when he hires an anchor, so I’m sure he’ll give me leave for a few days.” Brooke took a deep breath. “I’m so scared, Camryn. What if Edward doesn’t want to know us? What if he is nothing like I’ve allowed myself to imagine? What if he isn’t even nice?”
“I know you, Brooke. Scared or not you’re going to follow through with this. Any of those things might be true, but you can’t give up now. You wouldn’t be Brooke Montgomery if you did.”
Cammie was right. No matter what the cost, Brooke would see this through to the end. “You’ll go with me, won’t you?” Brooke said. “I don’t think I can do this without you, Cammie. We need to be together, like we always have been. Say you’re coming with me.”
Camryn paused a moment. “When are you going?”
“I have some loose ends to tie up, but I was thinking next weekend. Nine days. I’m going to fly to Miami and rent a car. It’s not so far to Sweet Pine Key from there.”
Camryn’s voice fell to an agonized whisper. “Oh, honey… I can’t go that soon. I’m still breastfeeding Grace. Reed can do a lot of the chores around here, but I’m afraid he can’t take over that one.”
“We’ll take Gracie with us,” Brooke said, knowing it was an impractical solution. Flying with an infant, stopping every couple of hours to feed her, introducing Grace to a different climate in a situation that might prove extremely tense. This was not Camryn’s idea of responsible motherhood.
“That’s not a good idea,” Camryn said. “Perhaps if you put the trip off a couple of months. You’ve waited this long…”
“No. No way. I’m going. I need to go, Camryn. Things haven’t been so great in my life the last few days. I need to know that my search for Edward is finally over.”
“What about a friend?” Camryn suggested. “Maybe one of your friends can get some time off work.” She made a clicking sound with her tongue as if she was thinking. “I know! What about Jeremy? I realize you said you two had a falling-out, but if he gave you Edward’s information, he knows how important this is to you. Maybe inviting him to go will make your situation better.”
“No, I can’t ask Jeremy,” Brooke said. “He’s been wonderful but he’s leaving the station. He’s leaving the Charleston area and taking another job.”
“When did this happen?”
“I just found out today.” Feeling her throat tighten with another sob, Brooke fought back tears.
“Is this what you meant by your life not being so great lately? I’m so sorry, Brooke. I really thought he could be the one.”
On a trembling rush of air, Brooke said, “So did I.” She reached for a tissue and blew her nose. “It’s okay, Cammie. I understand why you can’t go. I’ll figure something out. I’ve got nine days.”
“Please find someone to go with you, Brooke,” Camryn said. “I know you have an impression of Edward in your mind, but we have no idea if he’s the man you want him to be. You need someone with you.”
“I’ll find someone. In the meantime, I’ll be in touch. Kiss the girls for me.”
“I love you, Brooke,” Camryn said.
“I love you, too. And at least loving you doesn’t hurt.”
“Oh, sweetie…”
She could barely get the last words out. “I’ve got to go, Cammie.” She couldn’t bear to say their usual goodbye.
Brooke disconnected. She turned on her television and immediately turned it off. Watching fictional problems and love affairs wouldn’t comfort her tonight. One fact was certain. The next nine days were going to seem like months, but alone or not, she was going to Florida.
* * *
“DADDY, WHAT’S THE matter with you?” Alicia stood outside her father’s office and scowled at him.
“Nothing, Ally. Everything is fine.”
“But you hardly ever play with us anymore.”
He wanted to argue that point, but Ally’s comment made him realize that he had been self-absorbed the last few days. “I’m sorry, Ally. I’ve had a lot on my mind, but that’s no excuse. I’ll be out to play with you in a minute.”
“Cody wants to play Sorry! It’s his favorite game and yours, too.”
Jeremy smiled, something he hadn’t done much in the last few days. The idea that a game for six-to-ten-year-olds was his favorite could even bring a grin to his stuck-in-Neutral face. “It’s a great game,” he said. “I was just catching up on some paperwork.”
“And then you’ll play with us? It’s Saturday and we don’t have to go to bed early.” Alicia cocked her head to one side. “Do you even remember it’s Saturday?” she asked.
“Oh, I do. Who took you guys out for burgers and fries earlier?” He didn’t want to be cross with his daughter primarily because she was right. Usually he enjoyed coming up with inventive ways to keep his kids happy and occupied. Lately he just wanted to do his thinking, his regretting, his feeling sorry for himself in the privacy of his office. But that wasn’t fair, and he knew it.
He opened his desk drawer and put some blank papers inside to create the image that he’d actually been working. “Let’s play that game right now,” he said. “Get ready for the tromping of your life, Ally.”
She danced ahead of him toward the kitchen, where Marta and Cody were taking cookies from the oven.
“Take the rest of the night off,” Jeremy said to his housekeeper. “We’re going to have a Sorry! marathon.”
“And somebody has to eat these cookies,” Marta said. “I’m going to my room to watch the Hallmark Channel.”
“Call Brooke, Daddy,” Alicia said. “I’ll bet she’d like the game, too.”
“Yeah, call Brooke,” Cody said.
“I’m pretty sure Brooke is busy tonight, guys.”
“Just call her and ask,” Alicia prompted. “You’re never grumpy when Brooke is here.”
“I’m not grumpy,” Jeremy said, forcing himself to smile. A lot of good it did, though.
“Give me your phone,” Cody said. “I’ll call her. She won’t be mad if I call her.”
Jeremy stared at his son. “What makes you think she’d be mad if I called her?”
“Just ’cause you’ve been so grumpy, I guess.”
Jeremy took the board game from the kitchen pantry and opened the box. “One more grumpy from either one of you and I’m going to watch the Hallmark Channel with Marta.”
Thankfully, the threat worked. He didn’t know what he would do if the kids kept accusing him of being in a foul mood, especially since he knew it was true. Doggone it, he missed Brooke. He missed talking to her, listening to her, watching her run the station in a way that he never could but made him respect her. He missed seeing her as she opened a door when he knocked. He missed kissing her, holding her, touching her and hearing her sweet sighs.
He’d sealed the job deal with the New York station, so he was committed, but maybe there was a way to salvage what he and Brooke had. Other people made long-distance relationships work. Other people learned to respect the work ethics of their partners even if it seemed impossible. Other couples learned to forgive and start over where they left off. Other partners managed to trust again.
“Come on, Dad,” Cody said. “What color do you want to be?”
The answer came naturally. “I’ll be blue,” he said. He put his token on the starting place and decided that beginning the very next day he was going to think of a way back to Brooke. He had to try. But how he would do it was the biggest puzzle he’d ever faced. He wasn’t good at mending relationships. He’d been a part of only one serious love affair, and he hadn’t been clever enough to get Lynette to marry him. Maybe help would come from somewhere.
* * *
JEREMY FLEW TO New York City on Sunday. For two days he toured the studio, met some production people, had meetings with directors, producers and other athletes who would be his cohosts for a few hours during each football game. He signed contracts, was taken to lunch at the best restaurants. Maybe his personal life was a mess, but when he caught a plane on Wednesday morning, he was certain he’d made the right career decision. Now to do something about that personal problem.
As he drove home from the Charleston airport, he thought of everything he had to do. At the top of his list was talking to his children about making a move to New York. They wouldn’t want to do it. They loved their home and the Lowcountry. They claimed they didn’t miss snow at all. But, heck they would learn to adjust to New York and apartment living. Lots of kids did. Maybe Cody couldn’t get that dog right away…
Jeremy’s thoughts were interrupted by his cell phone. Not recognizing the number on his dash screen, he considered not answering, but did, anyway. Maybe it wouldn’t be a telemarketer. People could get cell numbers so many ways these days.
“Hello.”
“Is this Jeremy Crockett?”
A woman’s voice. Soft and kind of sweet, not chirpy, clipped and impersonal like someone who wanted him to buy a time-share. “Yes, this is Jeremy.”
“My name is Camryn Bolden. You know my sister…”
He almost ran off the road. Had something happened to Brooke? “I know who you are,” he said. “You’re Brooke’s twin sister.” Now please tell me she’s all right before I can’t breathe.
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Is she…? I mean nothing happened…?” He sounded like a blithering old fool.
“Oh, no. Not at all. She’s fine. In fact a bit over the moon because of your help in locating our half brother, Edward.”
He let his chest expand with a normal breath. “That was nothing. I knew finding him was important to her.”
“She’s flying to Miami on Saturday and renting a car to drive to the Keys.”
“I thought she might make plans to go down pretty quickly.”
Camryn sighed. Jeremy waited.
“Look, I don’t know how to say this,” Camryn said. “I mean your life is none of my business. But Brooke’s is. I worry about her, and I’m worried now.”
“Why? Are you concerned that Edward might be a danger to Brooke? I assumed you both would go to Florida since this is a family matter.”
Camryn explained in detail why she couldn’t accompany her sister. “I even asked her to postpone the trip, but, well, you know my sister.”
Yes, he did. Knew her. Loved her. Missed her. Loved her. How effortlessly that phrase had popped into his head. “I don’t like the idea of her going by herself,” Jeremy said.
“Neither do I. That’s why I’m calling you today. I know you and my sister have had a falling-out, but I also know how grateful she is for what you did. And I know she trusts you.”
“What exactly are you asking, Camryn?”
“I thought maybe you would go with her. I realize it’s short notice.”
Yes, it was. But Jeremy had just completed everything he absolutely had to do to start his new job, and football season was still a couple of months away. But go with her? He had no way of knowing for certain, but he was quite sure that Brooke hadn’t instigated this plan. He also knew that Marta had no plans for the weekend, so he could leave the kids for a couple of days.
Before he could organize his thoughts into a logical progression, his heart started pounding. Just a few days ago he had been pondering ways he might approach Brooke and see if they could work out their differences. He’d even hoped that help would come in one form or another to guide him. Camryn Bolden…perhaps that help had just dialed his phone number.
“Jeremy? Are you still there?”
“Yes. I’m sorry, Camryn. I was just thinking.”
“This is a lot to ask. I’ve tried to come up with someone else that might go with her, but her friends all have jobs and commitments. And frankly, I don’t think Brooke would appreciate their input on this matter. She’s rather independent.”
Jeremy smiled. “She is that.”
“But as I said, she trusts you. If you need some time to think about this, you can take a day or two, but flight arrangements have to be made. I might be able to pay for your ticket…”
Jeremy recalled Brooke telling him that her sister was happy but far from wealthy. The woman raised chickens and sold eggs. “That won’t be necessary,” he said. “Have you mentioned this plan to Brooke?”
“Are you kidding? She would have told me to mind my own business. And maybe she’s right.”
No, she’s not right. Sometimes a well-meaning friend, or sister, can turn problems into solutions.
“I’ll do it,” Jeremy said. “But don’t tell Brooke. Just text me the flight details. I’ll book the same time and meet her at the airport. Like you say, she’s independent. Let’s not give her time to object.”
“Oh, Jeremy, thank you.” Camryn’s voice was breathless with relief. “If you ever need a favor. If you have a pet that needs medical attention, my husband is a vet.”
Maybe Cody would get that dog after all.
“Or if you need eggs…” She started laughing, and Jeremy’s heart clenched. She sounded so much like her sister.
“Don’t worry, Camryn. I’m sure you’ll hear from Brooke soon after we land in Miami.” I hope she’s thanking you and not reminding you not to interfere again.
Jeremy disconnected. He was almost at Hidden Oaks. The first thing he was going to do when he got home was cancel the appointment he’d made with a Realtor. If everything went according to plan, he wouldn’t be selling his house after all. But living arrangements were only one of the obstacles he and Brooke faced.
“One step at a time, Crockett,” he said to himself. “You have to convince Brooke that a life together isn’t just an impossible dream.” For the first time in days, Jeremy felt the stirrings of hope. Being with Brooke was suddenly more than a dream. It was the life he wanted. The life he could have if he could just convince her.