Page 65 of Light of Day
“What? No.” He shook his head emphatically. “It took us over a year to figure out how to be good exes. Neither of us would mess that up for anything. Besides, we never should have gotten married. We weren’t a good match, and we were way too young. The only good thing we did together was have Izzy.”
“That’s a very important ‘good thing’.”
“The most important. And she would have been enough, I mean, we both would have tried to make it work, but then Frank showed up. I think we both jumped on the opportunity for an exit ramp. We talked it through a lot. How to co-parent Izzy. How the finances would work. How to create a world that Izzy would be happy in. Things are good now, but it’s taken a lot of work and communication.”
“And sacrifice,” she said thoughtfully.
“How so?”
“You could have gone back to your family. That was what they wanted, right? Your dad wanted you to work for him instead of being our favorite island constable?”
“Yes, but that was never an option. I needed to stay close to Izzy. I don’t consider that a sacrifice at all. I don’t miss the hotel or that world.”
“How about your family? All those brothers and sisters.”
“Half-brothers and sisters. We were never close. Carson and Fiona and Barnaby are all from Dad’s first marriage. I’m from his second. My mom remarried and lives in California now. I spent a lot of time with her growing up.”
“And the twins? I can’t remember their names.” He was surprised she knew as much as she did about his siblings, but islanders did like to talk about the Carmichaels.
“Rufus and Ruby are from his third marriage. They’re in college now and busy all the time. We text a little. I keep in touch with Barnaby the most. We hang out when he’s on the island, which isn’t often. Carson…he’s always been a dick and never liked me.”
They passed Lost Seal Cove, where occasionally a harbor seal popped its head above water, took one look, then headed back to sea. Local legend had it that silkies had once used the cove as their changing rooms, leaving their pelts behind while they transformed into humans and roamed the island. That made Luke think of the “School for the Feeble Minded” stories, which had also been passed down as a scare tactic. Was it possible the silkie stories were also based on a kernel of truth?
“How much of a dick?” Heather was asking. “Carson, I mean. Would he…”
“Set my house on fire? Scare Andy?” He finished the thought for her. “I sure as hell hope not. But in the end, he’d do whatever my father asked him to. Or he’d direct someone else to do it, more likely.”
“What about…murder?”
Luke wasn’t sure he wanted the answer to that question.
29
The fireat the Bloodshot Eyeball was already out by the time they arrived. Heather spotted her mother in the crowd and ran to her side. Feeling her mom sob on her shoulder did something deep to her. Despite all the drama between them, she knew how hard Sally had worked on the place, and how much pride it gave her.
Now part of the roof had caved in, and smoke still filtered from the charred remains of the back deck. The planters had been knocked over, probably by the firemen, and dirt and geraniums spilled out, bright notes of vivid color against the sad grays and blacks of the fire’s aftermath.
“The fire guys said someone set a fire in the kitchen, but I don’t even know how they got in.”
“The same thing happened at Luke’s house. We think it was a warning.”
“A warning?” Sally drew back, swiping at her cheeks with the sleeve of her hot pink sweater. “About what?”
“Don’t worry too much about it. This is about me, not you.”
“Honey, have you forgotten I’m your mother? If it’s about you, it’s about me. Lordy, what is wrong with you?”
Heather gave her another hug, her heart swelling. When she’d told her mother she’d stick around and help, she’d meant for a few days. But looking at the mess the fire had left behind, a few days would barely scratch the surface. She’d have to stay longer, and she would stay longer, and most shockingly of all, shewantedto stay longer.
This trip to Sea Smoke, things felt different.
She linked her arm through her mother’s. “You know, this might be a good opportunity to make some changes to the old Eyeball. If I stay and help, will you consider my ideas?”
“You and your ideas.” Sally rolled her eyes, but she was mostly smiling as she did so. “Are you going to be pushing for trivia night again?”
“Sky’s the limit.”
“Honey, you can do whatever you want. Turn it into a TV studio if you want.”
