As Rosemary helped Reese move into the other available bedroom at Walker’s house, all she could think about was Eileen yelling at Walker this morning to take his scheming, backstabbing whore of a mother and get off the property. She’d never heard Eileen use profanity before and still couldn’t believe what she’d heard.
She’d spent most of her adult life working for the Madsens. She’d been dedicated and loyal, and she’d done a good job. But that didn’t mean anything now. She wouldn’t even be able to get a reference if she needed one. What was she going to do next?
“I ran into Marlow,” Reese told her as they started up the eight steps to Walker’s front door. She was carrying one black garbage bag while he hefted two.
She kept her head down instead of looking up, partially so she wouldn’t trip but also because she didn’t want him to glance back at her, didn’t want to meet his eyes. She’d never intended to hurt anyone. Had this one mistake destroyed every good thing she’d ever done? “What did she say?” she asked dully.
“She didn’t seem too mad. I mean...I could tell she’d been crying. And I’m guessing her mother isn’t doing very well. You know how proud Eileen is and how often she touted her husband as the most wonderful man in the world. But Marlow didn’t take it out on me.”
The floor creaked as they reached the landing. “That was nice of her.” She doubted she’d be afforded the same courtesy, though. She had a scarlet letter on her chest, even though she’d been raising two children with an alcoholic husband who wouldn’t work a steady job and kept her in a state of emotional upheaval, and she’d had no one else to fall back on. What she’d done with Tiller had lasted for such a short period of time. It didn’t seem fair that she was being judged exclusively on those three weeks after all her years of good behavior.
“What are you thinking about?” he asked as he held the front door for her with his foot after entering the house.
“I’m trying not to think,” she replied as she strained under the weight of her burden.
He stopped in the doorway of his new room and turned back. “I’m sorry. I know this isn’t easy for you.”
“Does that even matter? I deserve whatever I get, right? Since I’m the one to blame?”
He didn’t seem to know how to answer her. “Dad—er, Rudy—wasn’t the man you needed him to be. He let you down first.”
The bag in her arms was growing too heavy. She eased it onto the carpet in the hallway. “That’s no excuse. There is no excuse. That’s the problem.”
He put what he’d carried in on the bed before grabbing her bag and tossing it there, too. “I’m glad Rudy’s not my dad,” he said. “I admit I wish I’d known sooner. Maybe Tiller could’ve been a bigger part of my life. I could’ve used the kind of father he was to Marlow. But I understand why you couldn’t tell anyone. If I were you, I probably would’ve made the same decision.”
She could tell he was trying to make her feel better. She was grateful that he was willing to look at the situation from her perspective. But she couldn’t expect the same from Walker, who now had both of them living in his house. The news of what she’d done had ruined his chances of being with the woman he’d always wanted.
And what about Eileen? She’d never forgive Rosemary.
Then there was Rudy. For most of their relationship, he hadn’t been able to give her what she needed, but she doubted he’d see it that way. He’d take up his old argument, insisting no regular Joe could compete with the rich, handsome US senator she admired. He’d say she kept him around to pass Reese off as his and she couldn’t be trusted if she could lie about something so crucial. What had been developing between them over the past few weeks, ever since she started seeing him again, would be destroyed and the hope of a reunion would disappear along with her job and any future prospects of a job with another respectable family.
“Thanks for trying to be understanding,” she told Reese.
He gave her a compassionate look. “When are you going to tell Rudy?”
Maybe he was glad to be rid of Rudy, but she’d been excited about starting over with him. He really seemed to have turned his life around. But she couldn’t believe there’d be any hope for them after this. He’d tried to call this morning during what would’ve been her morning coffee break, as usual, and when she didn’t answer, he’d texted her: Busy morning? Missed talking to you...
Several hours later, he’d texted again: Why haven’t I heard back? Is everything okay? What’s going on?
And then around dinnertime, he’d tried a third time: I’m hoping to see you tonight. You said it might be possible. Are you coming here? Where should we go?
And his last text, since it was getting late and he still hadn’t heard from her: I guess you’re not coming over?
“I don’t know when I’ll tell him,” she told Reese. “I need a few days to...to cope with what’s happened.”
“Are you going to try to get another job?”
She didn’t have any choice. The Madsens had paid her well, but most of it had been in the form of education, camps, coaching and family vacations for her boys. And because she’d been provided with room and board, she’d never made a great deal in the way of salary. What little she had now, she’d have to use to buy a car. It would require cash, since she could no longer list a job on a credit application. “Once I get my feet underneath me again.”
“Will you stay here on the island?”
Opportunities on Teach would be slim. Even if they weren’t, she’d be smart to get as far away from Eileen Madsen as possible, in case Eileen became vengeful and tried to destroy Rosemary’s employment prospects. “Probably somewhere else.”
“There are a lot of rich people in Miami. That isn’t too far away. And once I receive my money, I can help you out.”
“It’s kind of you to offer. Thank you.” She didn’t know how long it would take him to get his inheritance. She’d never been involved with that type of thing, since her parents hadn’t had much to pass on. But she guessed it would be a while, maybe several months. In any case, she’d have to move at least as far as Miami.
But wherever she went, she’d be going without a reference.
The house was so quiet. Eileen felt as though she’d just experienced another death. What’d happened was sort of like a death. It was the death of her thirty-six-year association with Rosemary Cantwell.
It was also the death of her faith in her husband.
As she wandered around the house alone, she recalled the day Rosemary had first come to interview. She’d been only nineteen, five years younger than Eileen, somewhat plain and with only a high school diploma. But she’d been eager for the position. Although she didn’t have a lot of experience, and Tiller was quick to point that out, there’d been something about her. Eileen had liked her much better than anyone else who’d applied for the job, so she’d overridden his misgivings, and she’d always prided herself on making that decision. Rosemary had proved to be loyal, hardworking and honest.
Or so Eileen had thought. Tiller had often commented on how Rosemary had become an integral part of their lives and how hard it would be to get along without her.
Now, of course, Eileen read much more into that statement than ever before.
When she reached the dining room, she grimaced at all the pictures and articles she’d shoved to the floor. The thought of Tiller and Rosemary together made her stomach churn. She’d never dreamed anything like that could be going on behind her back. Sure, Rosemary had gotten prettier as the years went by. She’d aged well. But she’d never been a real beauty. She was, however, calm and steady—unflappable. Eileen had always admired her quiet strength in the face of adversity. She’d also trusted Rosemary, almost as much as she’d trusted Tiller. It was difficult to believe they’d been sneaking around.
Where had she been when that was going on? Sick in bed? Had he taken Rosemary into a guest bedroom? Into his office? Somewhere else?
Maybe he’d snuck up to her apartment when Rudy wasn’t around...
“Hypocrite,” she bit out and sank to the floor, where she tore up as many of his pictures as she had the energy to destroy. He’d always gotten so angry when news hit that yet another senator or member of congress had been having an illicit affair. There’s no integrity left in this world, he’d complain. If the leaders of this country don’t set an example, who will?
She laughed mirthlessly. “Great example, dear.”
A noise caused her to straighten. She listened carefully, but it was just the usual settling creaks she generally paid no attention to. Normally, if Rosemary heard her up so late, she’d get out of bed, too, and come see if there was anything she could do—make a cup of tea, visit with her, draw a bath.
Tonight, Eileen was completely alone. Marlow had offered to stay with her. She’d tried to insist. But Eileen was too conscious of the friends she’d brought home with her. She didn’t want Aida and Claire, or anyone else, to know the shameful truth. It was too humiliating. It proved that Tiller hadn’t loved her nearly as much as she’d always believed. He’d made her into a laughingstock. She was the trusting, devoted idiot of a wife who’d been so easy to cheat on.
The fact that the two people she’d trusted most in life, other than Marlow, had betrayed her filled her with white-hot anger. Unable to resist, she struggled to her feet and went to get her phone.
After navigating to Rosemary’s contact record, she scrolled back through their communication of the past few days.
Eileen: Can you pick up some strawberries while you’re at the supermarket?
Rosemary: Sure. What would you like for dinner?
Eileen: Anything. I like whatever you make. But will you get the mail on your way home?
Rosemary: Already grabbed it. Be back soon.
Eileen: I should’ve known you’d be on it.
Rosemary had been part of her life for nearly four decades; Eileen had thought she’d known Rosemary so well. They’d become more than employer and employee. They’d become like sisters. But now she had to wonder if everything she’d ever believed about her had been an act.
How could you? I TRUSTED you, she wrote in a text message.
It was the middle of the night, so, of course, she didn’t get a response. But that only made her hate Rosemary more, so much that she couldn’t help adding: I hope you rot in hell.
Walker was having trouble staying awake. A general lack of sleep, combined with the emotional upheaval of the day and the physicality of repairing roofs and trimming trees for hours, had left him completely exhausted. And yet it was only midnight. His official shift was just starting.
To help him get through the long hours ahead, he was on his way to the all-night mini-mart to buy a cup of coffee when his phone lit up with an incoming call.
It was Marlow.
Surprised he was hearing from her, he pulled over immediately and answered. “Hey, is it really you?”
“Yeah.”
“What’s going on? How are you?”
“I’m... I don’t know.”
“I’m so sorry for what you’re going through. I feel terrible about what’s happened.”
“Thanks. What are you doing tonight?”
“Working. I have graveyard.”
“You sound tired.”
“I am.”
“Will you be okay?”
“I’m about to get a caffeine fix. That should help.”
There was a slight pause before she said, “I saw Reese today.”
“He told me. He called me afterward, said he was grateful you were kind to him. Thanks for that.”
“What happened wasn’t his fault.”
It was their mother’s fault, at least in part. Walker was supremely conscious of that. “Doesn’t make it any easier. Is your mother going to be okay?”
“She’s struggling. I’ve never seen her quite like this.”
“It was a nasty surprise—for all of us.”
“Except your mother.”
Was she testing him to see how he’d react? Whether or not he’d get defensive? He had that impression. “Except my mother,” he admitted.
After that there was a long silence, which he broke when he said, “Are you prepared for the storm?”
“At this point, I’m just hoping it doesn’t hit the island. I can’t even think about it.”
“You have to think about it, Marlow. I don’t want anything to happen to you. Tell me what you need. I’ll take care of it.”
“We’ll be fine.”
He refused to let her brush it off. “Will it upset your mother if I swing by tomorrow, so I can bring some bottled water and check the roofs and trees?”
“I don’t think you should.”
“Then you’ll have to check for me.”
She didn’t make any commitments. She just said, “Walker?”
“Yes?”
“Is there any chance you can come over for a few minutes?”
“Right now?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“Of course. What do you need?”
He thought he heard tears in her voice when she said, “I need you.”
Aida and Claire had gone to bed late. They’d stopped responding to Dutton, and he’d finally given up texting them, but they were nervous about what he might do next. So was Marlow. Even if the judge who’d ruled on her request for a restraining order hadn’t seen a man like Dutton as a danger to anyone, the behavior Dutton had exhibited during the divorce proceedings was classic stalking. He’d show up at odd times, follow her around and taunt her with a grin whenever their eyes met. He was persistent and intrusive and had been trying to intimidate her. That didn’t mean he’d actually harm her, but he made her uneasy.
Dutton wasn’t the reason she wanted to see Walker, though. With the storm coming, she didn’t want to tell him Dutton was on the island—not if she didn’t have to. Walker didn’t need the distraction, especially tonight when he was exhausted. So she checked the windows, the way Aida and Claire had been checking before they’d finally gone to bed, to make sure Dutton wasn’t lurking around the property, and when she saw Walker’s headlights swing into the drive, she hurried out of the guesthouse.
He’d barely left his SUV and started toward her when she ran into his arms.
“Whoa!” He had to catch his balance, but then he held her close, just as she’d hoped he would. He even put a hand at the back of her head as he murmured, “You’re going to be fine. Everything’s going to be fine.”
She didn’t contradict him. A moment earlier, it’d felt as if her whole world had been torn apart. But now, having him there was the only thing that seemed important. As she clung to him, he kissed her temple before burying his face in her hair and breathing deeply, as if he’d needed to see her as badly as she’d needed to see him.
“Thanks for coming,” she said. “I’ve missed you so much.”
It hadn’t been very long since they’d been together, but the possibility that what had happened might tear them apart was so frightening it felt like years. “I’ve missed you, too. And I’m sorry for what my mother did. I’d do anything I could to protect you.”
“I know.” She had no doubt of that. He’d proved it by risking his life to save hers when they were kids. “I’ve never fallen in love before,” she told him. “But...”
He leaned back so he could look down into her face. “But?”
“I think I could live without almost anything—except you.”
His smile made her feel warm inside, oddly happy in spite of everything. “You won’t have to live without me. I’m not going anywhere.”
After he’d pulled her close again, and she pressed her cheek to his chest, she could hear the steady beat of his heart and smell the wonderful scent that was so uniquely his—and somehow what’d happened with her father and Rosemary didn’t matter quite as much.
That was the past. Walker was the future.
Reese hadn’t expected Rudy to show up. He thought he had to be dreaming when he heard banging on the front door, followed by a familiar voice. “Hey! Walker! You home? Is your mother here?”
Reese blinked at the light streaming through the gaps around the shutters. It didn’t seem early, and yet he couldn’t hear his mother moving around the house. Was it possible that she was still asleep?
That was unlikely. She always got up early. So where was she?
He hoped she’d hear Rudy and take care of this. But there was no response from anywhere in the house, and Rudy kept banging. “Hello? Anyone home?”
“Mom?” Reese said.
When he didn’t get an answer, he rolled out of bed and pulled on a pair of basketball shorts.
“Walker?” Rudy called, continuing to knock. “Will you please answer?”
“Coming!”
When he opened the door, Rudy stepped back and eyed him speculatively. “What are you doing here?” he asked.
“I got up to ask you the same thing,” Reese replied and had to admit, at least to himself, that Rudy looked better than he had in years. He was showered, clean-shaven, and he no longer had that sickly yellow pallor to his skin. He’d also lost about twenty pounds.
“I’m hoping to find your mother,” he said. “I haven’t heard from her for more than twenty-four hours, which is unusual, so...I’m worried. Have you seen her?”
“What makes you think she’d be here?” Reese asked, stalling for time while he decided how to handle this visit.
“I already went to Seaclusion. The gardener was there and told me when he texted her to get his check, she said he’d have to get it from Eileen, that she’d moved out. Does that mean Rosemary’s been fired? Or did she quit? What happened?”
Reese rubbed a hand over his face. “Give me a sec,” he said and closed the door so he could look for her.
He poked his head into her bedroom first. It was empty, but her bed was neatly made. He checked the other rooms, too. She didn’t seem to be anywhere in the house.
He hurried to his room to check the dresser where he’d put his keys. They were gone, which meant that she wasn’t just out for a walk.
Damn it. She hadn’t even asked him. And now he was going to have to deal with Rudy himself.
With a sigh, he trudged back to the front door. “She’s not here,” he said.
The man he’d believed, until just recently, to be his father studied him closely. “I know you don’t like me. But...please. Can we set that aside for a few minutes? Something’s going on with your mother. I need to make sure nothing terrible has happened to her.”
“I don’t know where she is. Maybe she’s not interested in seeing you anymore,” he said. He knew that was mean, but he couldn’t help it.
Rudy stiffened but didn’t get angry. “Even if that’s the case, I’d like to at least talk to her. Is that asking too much?”
“Like I said, she’s not here. So I don’t know what to tell you.”
“You’re not concerned about her?”
Reese cleared his throat. “I’m sure she’s okay. She was okay last night.”
“What happened between her and Eileen?”
Reese considered several responses but didn’t feel comfortable revealing the truth. What his mother had done was wrong, but she’d had her own struggles, and in some ways, it would’ve been an easy mistake, given the various elements that were in play at the time. “I think I’ll let her tell you about that.”
“She’s not working there anymore?”
Reese could tell he was shocked. Of course he would be. Rosemary had been with the Madsens since forever. “No.”
He seemed frustrated when he couldn’t get more information. “That’s it? That’s all you can give me?”
“I’m sure she’ll show up. I’ll tell her you came by.” Reese started to close the door, but Rudy stopped him.
“I know you don’t believe me, Reese, but I really am sorry for how I behaved when you were little. I can’t go back and right those wrongs, but I can promise you that I’m trying harder, and...and I’d like to have the chance to build a better relationship.”
Reese drew a deep breath. Tiller was dead. Rudy was all there was left. In a way, Reese was kind of sad that they wouldn’t have a second chance. Rudy seemed far more earnest than he’d ever been before. “Thank you for that,” he said.
Rudy’s eyebrows shot up. “Are you...are you accepting my apology?”
Reese hesitated. The news that Tiller and not Rudy was his father had changed everything. He still had hard feelings about some of what Rudy had done. But the things that were the hardest to accept—that Rudy hadn’t been more interested in Reese, that he hadn’t loved him enough to be actively involved in his life—didn’t seem to matter anymore.
“I meant what I said,” Rudy insisted, obviously taking his hesitation to signify something other than it did. “I’m sorry.”
Reese nodded. “It’s in the past. But I think you should tell Walker what you just said to me. He’s the one who deserves to hear it.”
Rudy seemed taken aback. “I will.”