Page 9 of A Crush in the Storm
10
SADIE
By the time we make it back to the resort, it’s dark, and I see my dad waiting for me outside my cottage.
Kai and I held hands the entire walk back, and as he catches sight of Bob, I feel him stiffen a moment before he squeezes my hand and releases it.
“I’ll talk to you later,” he says, walking away before I respond.
I better get used to it, because there’s nothing surer than Kai getting on the first plane off the island after what happened between us this afternoon.
My dad’s glowering as I walk towards him, his arms folded. “Where have you been? I’ve been worried sick.”
“Sorry, Dad. I went for a walk, then the storm blew in quicker than any of us anticipated, and I bunkered down in the shack on the other side of the island.”
His frown eases. “I hoped that’s where you were, but you still gave me a heart attack worrying.”
“Won’t happen again.” I give him a quick hug and open the door so we can enter. “Want a beer?”
“I’d prefer a cup of tea.” He perches on a stool in front of the island bench, his gaze speculative as I fill the kettle. “You were stranded with young Kai, huh?”
Hoping my voice doesn’t give me away, I say, “Yeah, he was asleep at the shack, if you can believe it. I mean, who sleeps through a storm?”
Dad chuckles. “I remember those boys camping on the beach when they were little, and Kai was always the last to wake up, even when his brothers buried him up to his neck in sand.”
“He’s always been kooky.” I drop tea bags into two cups and top them up with boiling water. “Are you hungry? I can rustle up an omelette.”
“No thanks, just wanted to see you were okay.” He pauses, fiddling with the fruit bowl in front of him. “You two looked awfully chummy when you got back, holding hands.”
“Like you, he’s protective of me.”
While that’s the truth, it’s not the reason we were holding hands. As we left the shack, Kai had taken my hand, and I liked the feel of it so much I let him, cherishing every moment we had before we returned.
“He’s a good lad, which is why I’m surprised you didn’t leave the island with him when he asked.”
Shocked, my hand holding a spoonful of sugar trembles, spilling half of it into Dad’s mug, the rest on the counter.
“I overheard your conversation that night, and while I was grateful at the time that you didn’t want to leave, I am wondering why you’ve stayed all these years.”
She couldn’t tell him the truth, so she settled for, “I love it here, Dad, you know that. I can’t imagine living anywhere else.”
“Bollocks.” He jabs a finger in my direction. “You didn’t want to abandon me like your mother did. You’re too kindhearted for your own good, sweetheart, and I love you for it, but now that I’m retiring, it’s time.”
My heart pounds at the implications behind his words. “For?”
“For you to leave the island, make a life for yourself, follow your heart.” He presses a wrinkled hand to his chest. “And if that means a relationship with Kai Spade, I approve.”
Stunned by my father’s insight, I say, “But he’s transient. He moves around a lot. I’m surprised you approve of that.”
“He makes you happy, and if you’re happy, I’m happy.”
“But what about you, Dad? I can’t leave—”
“You’re leaving. I’m done being selfish and keeping you here because of how much I love you. It’s time you made a life beyond this island.” His smile is tremulous. “Besides, it will always be here, which is more than I can say for that young man of yours.”
Reeling at the thought of leaving Ceto Island with Kai, I hand Dad his tea, wondering how fast he can drink it so I can go in search of the man I love.
11
