Lakeside Hero (Men Of Millbrook Lake Book 1) (11 page)

Chapter Fourteen

A
while later, Marla heard a car pulling up into the narrow drive in front of her parents’ house. “I think they’re here, Mom.”

Her mother headed to the front door while Marla double-checked the door to Gabby’s room. Her daughter was used to sleeping in noisy houses, but Marla couldn’t risk Gabby waking up tonight and seeing a man she didn’t know standing in her grandparents’ home.

When she peeked in, Gabby was curled up with her favorite worn bunny rabbit, her eyes closed in a peaceful slumber. Marla closed the door and let out a long sigh.

When she walked back toward the living room, her mom and dad were hugging each other tight. Mom wiped at her eyes and kept patting his shoulder. “Are you sure you’re all right?

“I’m okay, honey,” Dad said. “We’re all okay.”

Alec glanced from them to Marla. Without waiting for him to say anything, she rushed into his arms. “Thank you so much.”

“Shhh,” he said. “I didn’t do that much. I’m just glad everyone is alive and accounted for.”

Marla stood back, her pulse jumping around in an erratic nervousness. “It’s been a long night. We were so worried.” She went over and hugged her dad, too.

Her mom held Dad’s arm. “Now, sit down right there in your chair. Alec, find a seat. We have sandwiches and coffee.”

Dad let out a chuckle. “I never thought I’d actually enjoy you forcing me to sit down, Joyce. But it’s such a lovely, bossy sound. I love you.”

Mom got teary-eyed again. “I love you, too, silly. Don’t scare me like that again, you hear?”

“I sure do. Now bring on the pampering.” Dad winked at Marla. “I’ll milk this for all it’s worth.”

Alec chuckled. “See, I told you he’s fine.” Then he glanced toward Marla’s mom. “Thank you for the offer of food and coffee, Mrs. Reynolds, but I probably should get going. It’s bad out there and the roads are flooded in places.”

“Took us twice as long to get home,” Dad pointed out, nursing his swollen right arm. “I haven’t seen rain like this in a long time.”

Marla wanted Alec to stay but she couldn’t bring herself to tell him that. Mom took care of that problem.

“Alec, sit down. You can’t leave without letting us at least feed you.”

“Mom, it’s past midnight,” Marla said, giving Alec an apologetic smile and a way out if he wanted one. “He might want to go home and get some sleep.”

“Oh, I’m sorry,” Mom said, putting a hand to her mouth. “I didn’t think about how late it is.”

Alec’s gaze moved from Mom to Marla, clear regret marking his features. “It is late. You all need to get some sleep, too.”

He turned for the door while Marla’s teeth pressed against her bottom lip. “Alec, wait,” she said, the imprint of trying to keep him here burning against her skin. “One cup of coffee and then you can go.”

He held the doorknob, his head down. “Are you sure about that?”

Marla swallowed back her fears. “Of course I’m sure. You helped rescue my father and his friends tonight. I won’t forget that.”

He turned then and gave her a grudging smile. “If you tell me you’re grateful, I just might turn around and leave.”

“Just come and sit down,” Marla said, whirling to head toward the kitchen. She didn’t miss the glance that passed between her bewildered parents. She was pretty sure she’d have some explaining to do later.

* * *

“Your dad will need to have that wrist checked again,” Alec told Marla an hour later. “Preacher talked to the paramedics and promised them your dad would follow through.”

“Preacher?” Marla lifted up from her spot by him on the couch. Lowering her voice since her parents had gone to bed, she stared over at Alec. “Preacher Sanderson was there tonight?”

“He’s one of the first people I called. We’re all on what’s called a ‘Good Samaritan’ vessel list. We’re trained to help and assist in maritime search-and-rescue.”

“So you were prepared.”

“We’re prepared to help the Coast Guard as needed. In this case, we alerted them that I knew one of the passengers. We asked permission to help.”

Her eyes flashed a sea-green. “Because you thought the worst?”

“No,” Alec said. “Because Rory and I are good friends and because he’s good at staying calm in a crisis and he knows the waters of the bay and the gulf better than anyone. And we both know the rules of assisting.”

She sank back against the sofa pillows. “I didn’t realize you two were that close. I guess there’s a lot about you I don’t know.”

She had him there. Alec wasn’t one to talk a lot about the past, or the present, either, for that matter. “Well, you know he served as a chaplain in the army, right?”

“Yes, he’s talked about that some in his sermons. Did you know him back then?”

“Yes and no. We met at the pizza house here in Millbrook, between deployments. That’s how I got to know Blain Kent, too.”

“He’s a detective,” she said, nodding. “Not that Millbrook needs a lot of detectives. I’ve seen him doing every job available at big events—directing traffic, breaking up scuffles, helping little ladies across the street.”

“Blain’s a good guy. He believes in finding the truth, no matter what.”

Marla did a neck roll and relaxed back against the couch. “I’m glad you have good friends who’ve been through the same experiences as you. Pretty cool that you all came back here.”

He didn’t mention Hunter. The Okie liked his privacy. And Alec didn’t really want to talk about his friends. He’d rather talk about being with Marla.

And he was willing to break all the rules for that. “I’ll have to take you fishing out at our camp house on the bay. It’s not really a feminine place, but as long as you don’t reorganize the kitchen, we should be safe.”

“I’d love that,” she said with a smile. Then she looked down at her hands. “I used to love fishing with my dad out on our farm. There was a small pond not far from our house.”

Alec noticed she didn’t mention much about her husband. So he didn’t ask. “We’ll make it a date, then. Maybe later in the summer.”

“Yes, maybe. If my mom ever lets any of us go fishing again.”

They sat there in silence for a moment. Then she asked, “So how bad was it out there on the water? I mean, how close were my dad and his friends to never coming back?”

Alec knew there were some things about which you just didn’t go into detail. But he also knew Marla could handle the truth. “It was rough. The Coast Guard got the distress call right before the storm hit. The boat’s engines were in distress and a storm was approaching.”

He gave her direct glance. “When I left you this afternoon, I turned on my weather radio and followed the storm data. The Coast Guard started out right after receiving the call but I’d been keeping a close eye on the weather all night. When we radioed our assistance, they had already searched the perimeters of the area where the first distress signal had occurred. At first, they couldn’t find any charter boats or lifeboats. Nothing.”

“How did
you
find them, Alec?”

He smiled and took her hand. “I have a go-fast boat.”

“You took a speedboat out in that storm?”

“Not exactly,” he said. “We went around the storm.”

“Okay. Why didn’t the Coast Guard do that?”

“They can get through just about any water but...the charter boat stopped responding to radio contact, and in the dark with no radio contact, it’s hard, even for someone trained.” He spread his hands wide. “The ocean is constantly changing, so it’s like searching for pinpoints on a quilt.”

She let out a gasp. “The charter boat was lost?”

Alec touched a hand to her hair. “Just couldn’t be located at first.”

“There’s a difference?”

“Depends on which way the wind’s blowing, the drift trajectory and several other variables. Sometimes, in heavy weather, things get crazy out there. Once he’d sent out the distress signal and lost contact, the captain had to concentrate on saving everyone on board.” Alec held his hand on her shoulder. “With a power boat that was able to skirt the waves and go around the center of the storm, we managed to search the coordinates. We stayed in radio contact with the Coast Guard and gave them updates on our location.”

“And you saw the charter boat?”

“We saw a flare.”

She closed her eyes. “I can’t tell my mother how bad this actually became. She’ll never let my dad go out in a boat again.”

Alec gave her a reassuring smile. “He’ll tell her, eventually. When we found them, they were all calm but very aware of how dangerous things had become. With that chop, it was hard to get to them.” He shrugged. “The Coast Guard came along right after we did. Blain radioed them as soon as we spotted the boat and accounted for everyone. They got all the passengers off the boat, but at least we were there to help if needed.”

The fear in her eyes crushed Alec, but he wanted to be honest with her. “When we first met, you said you were afraid I was a thrill seeker like your husband. But I’m no such thing. I just—”

“Go into a storm...or you go around the storm?”

“I go where I’m needed,” he replied, his hand moving through her hair. “And tonight, you needed me.”

“I believe that,” she said, leaning close. “What if I need you again, just to be here, to talk to me and laugh with me and cry with me? What then?”

Alec wanted to kiss her but he wasn’t sure how to handle that feeling of not being able to breathe, of not being in control. He wasn’t sure how to handle anything about being with Marla. “I’d want you to be very sure before you make that kind of decision. Don’t mistake our mutual gratitude for each other as something else.”

Surprise darkened her eyes. “Why? Because you don’t want to be needed? Or are you just afraid of letting
me
get too close?”

“Isn’t that what we’re both feeling here? We can’t get too close because of so many things.”

“Such as my little girl and your scars and memories?”

Alec wanted her to need him but he was afraid to admit how much he really needed her. “I don’t want you to be caught up in something you might not be ready for, Marla.”

She gazed up at him, her eyes earnest and unyielding. “Shouldn’t I be the one to make that decision?”

“Yes,” he said, his hands pulling through her hair. “But you’ve been through a lot and you’ve made it clear you don’t need any more drama in your life. I won’t put you through anything else.”

Her expression shifted into a frown. “You’ve been nothing but kind to me, Alec. Or is that it? Is this about doing the right thing and being kind?
Is
this about gratitude and friendship and nothing more?”

“It’s about all of those things and more,” Alec replied, pulling her toward him, needing her close to him. “We have a lot between us, but I’m willing to bridge that distance. I don’t want you to be hurt. I sure don’t want you to feel obligated to me because I helped find your dad.”

“You made it through a lot of storms,” she said, her fingers tracing his scar. “If you’re worried about my doubts, don’t be, okay? I’m working on the trust thing...and I’m also learning to open up to people. I pushed you away because of my own fears. I shouldn’t have used my daughter’s situation against you.”

“I am worried,” Alec said, wishing he could explain what his heart was telling him. “I’m scared to death. I’ve never been this close to a woman before. Not like this.”

“I’m afraid, too,” she admitted. “I have so many things going on in my life right now.” Her fingers warmed his skin, mended his pain. “I don’t want to let you go, but you’re right. I need to be sure. So I can’t ask you to wait.”

“We don’t have to rush,” Alec said. “I’m not going anywhere and I hope you’re not, either.”

They were a breath away from each other now. “So you don’t mind taking things slow?”

Alec laughed against her skin and then touched his nose to her neck. “It’s like what we did tonight to help find that missing charter boat. I’ll find a calm wind and travel around the long way. But eventually, I will find you, Marla.”

“So I’m not lost?”

“No, you’re just not in a place where I can locate you yet. You’ll be okay, though. And we’ll both know when the time is right.”

She held her hand there on his scar. “And when we do, will you come and get me in that go-fast boat of yours?”

“Absolutely,” he said before he lowered his head to hers. “I’ll come straight through a storm for you.”

The kiss was sweet and tender, with no hurries. Alec tugged her close, one arm wrapping around her shoulder. When he held Marla like this, he forgot his imperfections. She made him feel whole again.

He lifted away long enough to smile at her before he kissed her again, but a sound from the hallway brought them both out of the embrace.

And then a little cry pierced the night and Marla pulled away with a shocked glance toward the open bedroom door. “Oh, no.”

Alec realized too late that little Gabby was standing there, screaming at him. “Let go of my mommy. Please let go of my mommy!”

Marla was off the couch and down on her knees in front of her little girl. “It’s okay, baby. It’s okay. This is a nice man. A good man. Gabby, okay?”

“No, no!” Gabby burst into tears again, her big eyes on Alec. “No, bad man. No!”

Alec got up and stood in a corner, his heart breaking as he listened to Gabby’s wailing sobs.

And the soft sobs of the woman he’d just kissed.

Without a word, he turned and hurried out into the storm.

Chapter Fifteen

“H
oney, you can’t keep doing this.”

Marla glanced up from looking blankly at her toast to find her mother standing there staring at her. She hated seeing the worry in her mom’s eyes. “Doing what, Mom?”

“Keeping people at arm’s length because you’re still grieving.”

Marla’s appetite disappeared. It was raining again this morning, but it was a soft, cozy drizzle and the roads were passable according to the weather report. “I have to get to home,” she said. “I know it’s Sunday, but I have tons of paperwork to get done.”

“So you don’t want to spend Mother’s Day with your family?”

Marla put a hand to her mouth. “Oh, I’m so sorry, Mom. I totally forgot after everything that happened last night. I’m just so worried about Gabby.”

“Let her sleep,” Mom said, automatically pouring Marla another cup of coffee. “She’ll be fine here with Dad while you and I go to church. We can go to the chapel here on the property since the weather is still so bad.”

“Dad will want to be there since it’s Mother’s Day.”

“He gave me the best present last night,” Mom said. “He survived.”

Marla lifted up a prayer for that. “Yes, thankfully.”

“It was nice of Alec to help,” Mom said. “I’m so sorry Gabby got upset.”

“It’s okay,” Marla said. “I know you think I’m being unreasonable about this, but...how am I supposed to let any man into my life when my child is so terrified?”

“Honey, you’re the best mom I know, but Gabby will be fine. You’re taking all the steps the therapist has suggested and she’s improving every day. I like Alec and he seems to care about you. Give him a chance.”

“I tried to do that last night,” Marla admitted. “But he left when Gabby woke up. I could see the hurt in his eyes, but what can I do? I have to think of Gabby’s hurt.” She toyed with her napkin. “I thought I could do both—keep Gabby safe and keep Alec close. But it’s not working. I can’t spend time with him when my daughter needs my attention.”

“You have Dad and me to help.”

“Yes, and I’m blessed for that. But I take way too much advantage of both of you.”

“Don’t be silly,” Mom said. “We’re retired and we love our grandchild. It’s a privilege to help out. Gabby loves it out here, and Dad knows how to handle her.” She leaned across the counter. “We didn’t get to talk to you about this yesterday, but Gabby’s been doing better with our friends.”

“What do you mean?” Marla asked, dropping the frayed paper napkin. Her parents knew how she felt about exposing Gabby to men who scared her.

“She waved to Dipsey yesterday when he got home. She was riding her trike out front, me walking behind her. Saw him get out of his truck.” Mom shrugged. “She turned to look at me, and I remained calm and told her that was our good friend Dipsey. I told her he wouldn’t hurt her because he cares about Pawpaw and me and so he wants to get to know her.”

Marla’s heart constricted with fear. “And she didn’t cry or try to hide?”

“No. She asked me if he was Santa Claus.”

“But she’s scared of Santa, too,” Marla reminded her mom.

“We’ve been showing her pictures of Santa and reading her books about him,” Mom explained. “And we’re teaching her all about Christ and showing her pictures of Him sitting with the little children.”

Marla didn’t want to pick a fight with her mom this morning, but she resented her parents going behind her back to try to help Gabby. But it was really sweet of Mom to read Bible stories to Gabby. “Wow, you two have been busy.”

Mom didn’t even blink at the censure in her voice. “Yes, we have. We’ve talked to her about our friends here, about how they are safe and they want to help us love her and take care of her.”

Marla wanted to be angry at her parents but the relief she felt at this bit of good news overtook her anger. “Do you think I’m being too protective?”

Her mom put a hand over hers. “I think you’re trying to do the right thing. But being cautious can backfire. Do you want her to grow up filled with anxiety and fear?”

“Of course not,” Marla said. “I want her to get well, to run and play and laugh and not scream in fear when she sees a man she doesn’t know.”

“We need to show her somehow that Alec isn’t a bad guy.”

Marla nodded. “I agree with that. He’s suggested a puppy, maybe a service dog to help make her feel safe. He says service dogs can be trained to recognize anxiety and to calm children, even autistic children. Do you think it’s possible for Gabby? Should I try that?”

“A dog might work,” Mom said. “We’re allowed to have small dogs here, so she could bring him out here with her. That could help her get past all of our overbearing but well-meaning friends.” She lowered her head and gave Marla a smile that held so many unspoken things. “And a puppy would distract her—and probably distract us from being so cautious and careful.”

Marla hadn’t thought about what her parents must go through each time they had Gabby with them. “I guess I haven’t made things easy for anyone.”

“Honey, this isn’t about being easy. It’s about being strong and doing what’s right for Gabby and yourself. We’ll abide by whatever you see fit, but she’s growing up and, sooner or later, keeping her hidden here with us will become unrealistic.”

“I don’t know,” Marla said. “I’ll try to talk to Alec about the puppy but it might confuse her even more.”

“Or it might confuse you even more,” Mom said with an understanding smile. “Do you care about Alec?”

“I like him,” Marla admitted. “He’s a good man. He’s a veteran who served his country and he almost died when he was wounded. He’s trying to do a lot for Millbrook and he’s got this amazing humility that I love.”

She stopped, pushed away from the kitchen island. “But there’s just so much between us.”

“You deserve a second chance,” Mom said. “You can be happy again.”

“I am happy,” Marla said. “I have a strong client base now and word is spreading. We’re booked up through the Fourth of July.” She laughed and pushed at her hair. “I’m making all of the desserts for the big fund-raiser Alec is planning for the Caldwell Canines Service Dog Association.” Glancing at the calendar Mom kept on the pantry door, she said, “That’s in a few weeks.”

Mom lifted up and put her hands together. “That’s great. You are moving up in the world.” Her smile widened. “And that means you’ll be working closely with Alec.”

“Yes, I guess I will.” Marla laughed at her mom’s expressive eyes. She didn’t have the heart to tell Mom that things with Alec might have to go back to a professional level. “Thanks, Mom. For the coffee and the pep talk.”

Mom came around the counter. “Now, will you go to church with me?”

“Yes,” Marla said. “But Gabby will want to go, too. We made cupcakes and they’re still in my van along with your gift. I’ll get her up and we’ll have fun celebrating Mother’s Day.”

“Don’t forget me,” Dad said as he ambled up the hall carrying a potted plant. “Hid this in the back of my closet.”

Mom laughed. “I know. I found it when I was putting up your shirts. I gave it some water.”

“I never could surprise your mother,” Dad said. He kissed Mom and winked at Marla. “You know something? I like Alec.”

“I don’t doubt that,” Mom said. “He helped rescue you.”

“Helped me out of the boat and right onto the Coast Guard boat,” Dad said. “Then followed us to the marina in that fancy boat of his. Might want to take a ride with him one day.”

“Not so fast,” Mom said. “Let me get over your deep-sea fishing excursion first.”

Marla left her parents hugging and teasing each other.

She could have that again one day. Or maybe she could have that kind of affectionate relationship for the first time.

If she got a second chance.

* * *

“Well, hello there.”

Alec shook Preacher’s hand and waited for Aunt Hattie to get a good hug from Rory Sanderson. She loved all of his friends as if they belonged to her, too. Coming to church was an extra joy for her, since she approved of Rory’s sermons.

“So good to see you today,” Rory said to Aunt Hattie. “Hope you have a great day.”

Preacher was always careful of how he handled Mother’s Day Sunday with some of the females of the congregation. Aunt Hattie hadn’t been able to have children of her own so she’d spoiled Alec and her nieces and nephews on her husband’s side of the family.

“I shall,” she said with a prim grin. “My handsome nephew is taking me out for lunch.”

“Oh, really?” Preacher gave Alec a fist bump. “Let me guess, the Back Bay Pizza House?”

“I’ll eat pizza,” Aunt Hattie countered with a gleam in her eyes. “Want to join us?”

Rory burst out laughing. “Thank you, but I’ll be enjoying lunch with my own mom up over in Crestview.”

“That’s a good son,” Aunt Hattie said.

Alec shook his head. “I think we’ll bypass the pizza joint for something a little more befitting for my favorite aunt. I was thinking the country club or the River House.”

Aunt Hattie made a face. “Kind of stuffy. Let’s do pizza.”

“Are you sure?” Alec asked. Aunt Hattie never failed to surprise him.

“It’s a special day,” Rory said before he moved on to others in the after-church receiving line. “No matter how you spend it.”

“I haven’t had pizza in a long time,” Aunt Hattie said. “Of course, my doctor will frown on that—but like the preacher said, it is a special day.”

“Pizza it is,” Alec told her as he helped her into the car. “You know, Mother never even allowed pizza at home. I had to sneak around and grab it when I was out with my friends.”

“Your mother surely had her standards,” Aunt Hattie replied. “She used to censure what she called my ‘wild’ impulses. I ignored her for the most part. She loved us, Alec. She just didn’t know how to show it.”

“I have flowers for her grave,” he said. “They’re at home. We’ll go by and get them after we eat, if that’s okay.”

“You don’t need me to go with you,” Aunt Hattie replied, her gaze on church traffic.

“I’d love to have you there if you want,” Alec said. “You were as close to her as anyone.”

“Then we’ll make it special,” his aunt said. “We’ll take her a slice of pizza.”

Alec laughed in spite of the somber moment. “Aunt Hattie, you amaze me.”

“I amaze myself at times,” his aunt said with a grin. Then she turned serious. “When we get to the pizza place, I want you to tell me all about how you helped the Coast Guard rescue Marla’s father and his friends last night. It made the early news this morning.”

* * *

Alec usually didn’t eat at the pizza house during the day, especially on a busy Sunday. The parking lot was almost full with families dressed in everything from church clothes to shorts and flip-flops.

“Looks as if a lot of people had the same idea,” Aunt Hattie said. “It is a pretty afternoon now that the rain has stopped.”

Alec maneuvered the sedan into a tight parking space and hurried around to help his aunt out of the car. They were headed for the door when he spotted Hunter Lawson’s Harley parked by the building.

“Will you look at that?” Aunt Hattie said on a chuckle. “There’s a poodle dog on the seat of that big motorcycle.”

“That belongs to a friend of mine,” Alec admitted.

“The dog or the bike?”

“Both,” he said. “The dog is Roxie. We don’t know how Hunter wound up with her but she travels everywhere with him.”

“He shouldn’t leave her all alone out here.”

Alec glanced around, looking for Hunter. “You’ve met him, Aunt Hattie. Hunter Lawson. He doesn’t leave her alone. He always sits where he can see her.”

They rounded the corner toward the side door. “There he is,” Alec said. “Hunter likes to sit out on the deck over the water. He can keep an eye on Roxie from that spot.”

“Well, we should say hello.”

Alec knew his aunt wouldn’t take no for an answer, so he guided her over to where Hunter sat staring out at the water.

“Hi, Lawson.”

Hunter turned and gave Alec a quick, hard stare. “Morning.” Then he stood up when he saw Aunt Hattie. “Nice to see you again, ma’am.”

Aunt Hattie went all girly after hearing that Oklahoma drawl. “Hello, Hunter. You need to come back to our house again soon. We can have another cookout.”

Hunter’s dark eyes never wavered. “Yes, ma’am.”

“I love your dog,” Aunt Hattie said, pointing to Roxie.

“She’s not my dog.” Hunter stood and tossed his paper cup into the trash. “I guess I’d better get going.” He brushed past them. “Good to see you again, Miss Hattie.” Then he nodded to Alec. “Good job last night.”

“Was it something I said?” Aunt Hattie asked after they’d been seated inside by a big window with a water view.

Alec shook his head. “No. We don’t know a lot about Hunter. We only know he lost someone he loved and that dog belonged to her.”

Aunt Hattie’s expression filled with sympathy. “A woman?”

Alec nodded, thinking of last night and little Gabby. “We’ve all got hidden hurts, don’t we?”

“Certainly,” his aunt said, some of the luster leaving her eyes. “So tell me about the rescue and...about this developing relationship you have with Marla Hamilton.”

Alec stared out at the water much in the same way Hunter had. “I was a hero for fifteen minutes and then I scared little Gabby so badly I had to leave.” He leaned close. “And Aunt Hattie, I don’t think I can make things work with Marla if I frighten her daughter that way again.”

Aunt Hattie shook her head. He’d told her in confidence a little bit about Gabby’s fears. “
You
have to get beyond your own fears, Alec. Children are a lot like animals in that way. They can sense when an adult is having anxiety.”

“I was kissing her mother,” he blurted. “I
was
anxious and excited and...happy. I was happy until I heard that little girl sobbing and screaming for me to get away from her mommy.”

“Oh, my,” Aunt Hattie said. “That’s unfortunate, but you surely aren’t going to let that stop you from being a good friend to Marla, are you?”

“I don’t have a choice,” he said. “That little girl has been through a lot.”

“I know,” Aunt Hattie said. “You explained, but I’ve heard the whole story through the church prayer chain.”