Page 19 of Kindred Lies
Ben grabbed her hand and began walking again. Amethyst struggled to keep up with his fast pace. She hated that question too… “I don't know. All my Mom told me is that he died before she could tell him about me. He never knew that I existed.”
“That is just horrible. I can't believe you know nothing about him. Why would she not tell you about your own father?”
Amethyst shrugged. “It's too painful for her. I learned a long time ago to just let it go”
They finally made it to the docks and Ben stopped in front of his beloved speedboat. The look on his face told her how much he adored the watercraft. “Isn't she great?”
Amethyst had to agree with him. “I can't wait to feel the wind in my face as we race across the waves.”
“No time like the present. Let's put our worries behind us. Do you need help getting on the boat?”
“I think I can manage it.” Amethyst said as she tossed her tote bag into the boat. “I see you already have a cooler on board. Are we going to eat once we are out on the lake?”
Ben nodded. “I figure we can stop along the shore of Ghost Island. I know it interests you. We can eat there and talk.”
“That sounds great.” She hopped on board and said, “What are you waiting for?”
He laughed as he jumped onto the boat after her. His quick actions made the boat rock a little bit and Amethyst lost her balance falling backwards on the seat. She laughed at his antics as her heart raced. So far she didn't regret telling him that she would go on the boat with him. After her nightmares the night before she needed a little bit of light hearted fun. Ben made things easy for her. In all of her short nineteen years no other boy had made her feel as comfortable as he did.
He made his way over to the steering wheel to prepare the boat for their day on the lake. “Are you ready for some fun?”
With an impish smile she stared up at him. “I was born to have fun.”
Amethyst settled into a seat and waited for him to start the engine. She was really looking forward to the brush of wind across her face as it sped across the lake.
* * *
As he walkedover to sit down at the desk behind the counter, Cooper's thoughts rolled over the fact he hadn't seen any of that coming. Just because he managed to spend some time with Amethyst didn't mean Ben would give up on dating her. He had made it perfectly clear what he’d planned. It pissed him off, but he couldn't do anything to change anything. Amethyst had gone out with his best friend. Logically, he knew she didn't owe him anything and yet, he couldn't prevent the sting of pain from invading his heart. The door of the inn opened up as he rubbed his chest in a feeble attempt to make the ache go away. Cooper glanced up as his Uncle Nick walked into the inn.
With surprise in his voice Cooper said, “Hey I didn't know you planned on stopping by. Aren't you supposed to be resting?”
He shut the door and walked over to the counter. “I got restless and decided to go for a walk.” Nick didn't give any emotions away. Cooper suspected he only showed the world that blank slate to avoid anything that might lead to messy feelings. It probably made his job in the FBI easier as well. Most of the time Nick's face resembled hard granite, completely unreadable. If he hadn't grown up with the man he'd have been wary of his company.
“I suppose there isn’t much harm in doing that. Dad's company get a little boring for you?”
Nick shook his head. “No, he's not home, must of left before I woke up.”
“Oh I forgot. He had a doctor's appointment this morning. He has to go in regular to get his heart checked. After his heart attack he isn't taking any chances with his health.”
“Good he should take it seriously.” Nick leaned against the counter taking some weight off of his leg. He tried to hide the pain, but there were telltale signs that he couldn't conceal from those that really knew him.
Cooper got up and walked around the counter. “Why don't we go sit on the chairs by the fireplace? It will be more comfortable to chat.”
“No, I don't want to distract you. I just happened to be near the inn and thought to stop in and see you. Are you going to be working the rest of the day or do you have plans with that girl you were with yesterday?”
Just as Nick asked the question Olivia walked into the inn. “Hey Liv, what are you doing back here?”
She waved her hand at him. “I forgot my cell phone. Ignore me and go back to your conversation.”
Cooper turned back to Nick. “I will be here all day. I don't have any plans with Amethyst. She's actually out on the boat with Ben right now.”
Olivia rounded the corner of the counter at that precise moment. She froze when she overheard that Ben had taken Amethyst out on his boat. Her face lost its color. “Ben is on a date with Amethyst?”
Cooper frowned and met her gaze. He had forgotten she had a crush on Ben. To be more accurate Ben had believed she’d given up on Ben. She should move on because Ben tended to overlook her. It was his loss. Olivia was a wonderful girl and she adored Ben. Unfortunately, the clout paid no attention to her feelings. It had been obvious to Cooper how she felt about Ben. “I'm sorry, I shouldn't have blurted that out in front of you.”
“No. You don't need to apologize. Ben doesn't see me the same way I see him. I've known this for a while. It just hit me a bit hard when I heard you say it. Don't worry, I'll be fine. I thought I'd gotten past this nonsense.”
Nick stood there staring at the two of them. It surprised Cooper when he started to speak. “Some people you never get over especially when they shatter your heart into a million pieces, leaving them permanently irreparable.”
