Rum Punch Regrets (21 page)

Leigh watched as Ben left the room, then she turned to Abby. “I wanted to tell you so many times. I was honestly following what Dad wanted, but I also never thought you were mature enough to handle it.”

Her words sliced through Abby like a hot knife.

“I’m sorry, Abby . . . I just . . . ”

Abby sat at the stool that Ben had just vacated. “It’s fine.” She threw a sideways glance at her sister. “It’s what you do.”

“Abby . . . ” was all Leigh could muster.

“No, Leigh, I’m serious.” Abby knew that if she didn’t address this now, it would fall to the side. “I love you, but I’m done. Maybe it’s me, but sometimes I feel that your words are supportive and kind, then there are the times that they are biting and condescending.” Abby looked down at her hands. Once again she was playing nervously with her rings. “No more, Leigh. I’m an adult. Some days I feel like you still don’t see me as one.”

Leigh’s face was twisting slowly. Abby thought she was getting ready to blow her top. She wanted to close her eyes and brace for the wrath. The silence between them felt like an eternity.

“You’re right. I do see you sometimes as my immature and irresponsible little sister.” Her tone was stern and matter-of-fact, but a bit softer. “I guess I need to stop doing that, huh?”

Abby fought her inner surge of sisterly irritation, choosing instead to whisper, “Thanks.” She was staring out the window watching some monkeys run through the backyard. “Did Mom know?”

“No. Mom thought Dad was faithful all of the years he was on the road for business. This was a one-time slip. He thought he was in love. He led a double life with Carla.”

Hearing the name was jogging a faded memory, one that Abby must have put aside a long time ago. “Carla.” She was slowly nodding her head. “Wait . . . Of course! I can’t believe I didn’t think of it before . . . ”

Abby had retreated into her thoughts, combing through a memory from years ago. “I think I met her, Leigh. I met someone named Carla one day when I was with Dad. Running errands.”

It was a vivid memory for Abby. She had been shopping with her father. He had dragged her with him to their local Home Depot to get some supplies for the house. Abby’s mom couldn’t come; she was grocery shopping, maybe? Either way, Abby was looking for cleaning supplies, then had gone to look for her father. She had found him in a heated argument with a strange woman in the gardening section.

“They were arguing, or ‘talking loudly,’ to use the phrase Dad used to. He introduced us. I was nervous or maybe I was scared, I think?” This was more of a question than a statement. “Her name was Carla.”

Abby had been so sure that all the facts were out, but now she felt that there was more that Leigh wasn’t telling her. It was only a second before Leigh confirmed that thought.

“Abby. There is so much more I need to tell you, but I can’t.”

Abby glanced in the direction where Maria had been standing, searching for support, but she had disappeared from the room as well.
This is too weird,
she thought, feeling her blood pressure rise and trying not to shake.
Who the hell is my father and what did he do?

“Leigh, I need you to tell me. Please,” she was begging.

Leigh shook her head. “I can only dredge up the past one giant step at a time, Abby.” She sighed heavily again. “Let’s just get this cleaned up here and then we can move forward.”

“No, Leigh. You always keep me in the dark. I need answers. Now. None of this ‘when the time is right’ bullshit. I deserve more.”

“You do. I just can’t tell you the whole story about Dad and Carla.”

Abby was floored. “And why the hell not?”

Leigh grabbed Abby’s arms and looked her dead in the eyes. “Because it’s not mine to tell.”

Abby fell quiet. She was now angry and irritated with her sister.

“He’s my dad, too. And Ben’s. We kind of have a right to know.”

“I don’t agree.” Leigh reached in her purse and took out her cigarettes. “If you want to know, you’re going to have to talk to the other person involved here.”

“Ben?”

“No, ding-dong.” Leigh shook her head at her sister. “Carla. Ben’s mother.”

“Well, how the hell do I do that when I don’t know her?”

Leigh shrugged. “I can’t help you from here. Carla’s the only one who can fill in the gaps for you and Ben.”

Abby was flabbergasted. She wanted to argue further but knew Leigh well enough to know that she wasn’t going to budge. Abby knew this was one conversation she couldn’t let go of, but vowed to walk away for the time being. “Let’s change the subject, then, so I don’t get more irritated. What’s up with Daryl?”

Leigh shrugged her shoulders as she walked over to the kitchen window and lit her smoke. “He’s mad that I lied. He’s furious that I kept a secret from him and hurt that you knew before he did. He’s just not happy . . . with me.”

“I get it. I mean, I was mad, actually more shocked. I wanted to be really pissed.” Abby looked at her sister leaning against the windowpane, almost as if it were a life raft. “I just knew I couldn’t be. And really, even though it’s all kinda screwed up, it’s kinda cool. We got a brother.”

Leigh smiled. “And I helped to keep that relationship a secret from all of you for years.” She was shaking her head in disbelief. “I’m disgusted with myself.”

Abby stood up and closed the gap that had been between her and her sister. “No. You aren’t allowed that emotion right now. Okay?”

A sound in the other room brought them back to attention. Ben was done talking to his mother and was coming back.

“Well?” Abby asked.

Ben was smiling. “She’s happy that I know. She cried, and she feels bad. For me, for you,” he motioned at Abby, “and for you. She said that the day Leigh called her to tell her the story your dad had relayed was the day she knew our lives had gotten more complicated.”

Leigh smiled at Ben. “Are you okay? With all of this?”

Ben grinned at his two sisters. “So, tell me about my nephews.”

Leigh almost sank to the ground. “How do I have so many good people around me?”

“You’re just lucky.” Abby’s tone was teasing. “All right, Ben, start asking this woman questions. I think she’s ready to answer,” Abby added, winking at her sister.

But I haven’t forgotten, Leigh
, Abby mulled.
We still need to talk about Carla
.

#

Abby wanted to give Ben and Leigh some privacy, not to mention take a moment for herself, so she found her way to the front porch. Lowering herself into a chair, she laid her back against the cold wood and closed her eyes.

Listening to the quiet sounds of the palm fronds swaying in the wind and rocking methodically in her chair, she was lulling herself into a state of self-hypnosis. As she felt her mind begin to drift toward total peace, she heard the familiar noise of someone clearing their throat for attention. Abby shielded her eyes from the sun and slowly opened them to greet her company.

“You look relaxed.” It was a man’s voice, but the sun was behind him and she couldn’t make out his face, though his voice and accent rang familiar. Abby smiled, tilting her head to get a better look.

When she had adjusted her angle, Abby was surprised to find J. D. standing in front of her.

“I . . . I am actually,” she replied. Abby found herself very happy to see him, which made her feel a bit guilty as well. “It’s a good porch to rest on.”

The handsome stranger motioned to the chair next to Abby, asking permission to join her. She smiled and nodded as he lowered himself into the matching chair. The two sat silently rocking together.

“So,” she said, breaking the quiet. “Are you staying here at the inn?”

“I am, in fact I just checked in and was walking around exploring the property.” He had turned in his chair to face her.

Abby nodded, taking a moment to glance sideways and take in his handsome profile. And the rugged features that made her heart race. She guessed he was in his late thirties or early forties. His grin was slightly off balance and his skin had a nice glow to it, obviously from being in the Caribbean sun for a few weeks now.

She pulled her hair up into a loose bun, securing it on her head, and leaned forward slightly, adjusting her flip-flops. “I take it you like St. Kitts?”

She looked back at him only to find him grinning at her almost mockingly. “Like St. Kitts? I could live here. I’ve thought about it for years.”

“Really?”

He nodded his head. Abby felt his eyes on her as she sat back into the chair again, stretching out her body in an attempt to find a more comfortable position.

“My family came here for vacations when I was growing up.” He leaned forward, scooting his chair closer to Abby’s. “Why do I feel like you don’t want to see me?”

Abby squinted her eyes at J. D., taking in his rugged features. Her eyes scanned his features as she went over the pros and cons of this island-hopping playboy in her mind.

“It’s not that I don’t want to see you. I do . . . or I did.” She sighed, sitting up and pulling herself to the edge of her seat, facing J. D. “I have a lot going on and really don’t need things to be complicated right now.”

“Complicated?”

She nodded. “Yep. And you,” she said pointedly, “you seem like the kind of guy that can cause complications.”

J. D. feigned mild horror at the accusation. “Me? Complicated? You’re the one who never called.”

It was Abby’s turn for faux horror. “You’re the man, allegedly,” she teased. “I figured if you wanted to see me bad enough you’d figure it out. Plus, you seemed pretty occupied yourself the other night with that beautiful woman by your side.”

J. D.’s smile was broad and enticing as he leaned closer to her. “Why do you think I’m here, Abby?”

As she was opening her mouth to answer, the front door opened and Ben stepped out onto the porch.

“Hey, Leigh wants you in the kitchen,” he said, eyeing J. D. with interest.

“Okay,” Abby answered as nonchalantly as she could. “Be right in.”

Abby turned away from Ben, trying once again to answer J. D.’s question, but Ben interrupted.

“Ummm . . . Abs? I think she meant now.”

Abby turned and gave him a look of “got it!” and smiled tightly.

“Okay, Ben. I’ll be right there.”

The two stopped for a moment, watching each other almost comically, with Ben looking at Abby and then looking at J. D., and Abby making motions with her eyes for Ben to go back inside. Ben finally retreated into the inn, leaving the pair alone on the front porch.

“Let me guess.” J. D. eyed her up and down, stroking her body with his eyes. “Rain check.”

Abby stood, steeling herself to go inside, but J. D. stood with her, stepping closer to her and leaning in so his gaze matched hers. She could feel his breath on her lips as he spoke.

“I don’t know why, but I just don’t think we’re done here, Abby. You owe me a dinner. Or at least -- ” he brushed away the hair that had fallen in front of her eyes -- “one more kiss.”

Abby’s gut lurched as J. D. wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her body closer to his. Her mind was screaming for her to stop, that Andrew was a mere property line away, but her body was insisting she keep her close proximity since it wouldn’t move. Her breath was heavy and hot, and she was struggling to keep her eyes focused on J. D.’s and to not let them be drawn to his lips. She wasn’t sure why, but she couldn’t turn off the pull she felt to this man. And right now, she didn’t want to.

J. D.’s hand was under her shirt, massaging her back, his other hand stroking her hair. Abby closed her eyes in an effort to gather the courage and the strength to pull away, but it was just enough time for J. D. He leaned in, kissing the tip of her nose and then making his way down to her lips, pressing himself closer and kissing her so tenderly and sweetly but with such heat that it was all she could do to stop him.

Abby pulled away, extricating herself from his tight grip. “I can’t do this right now. I’m sorry.” Abby’s guilt for what she felt and for feeling as if she had betrayed Andrew weighed on her insides.

“And . . . Well, obviously I need to go. Duty calls.” She awkwardly stepped back. “I hope you enjoy your stay here at the inn.”

“Why, thank you.” He grinned playfully at Abby. “And we’re still not quite done.”

Matching his gaze, she lifted her head as regally as she could, mustering her confidence. “Well, we are finished for now.”

“Really? Because?”

Abby scoffed. “Because I said so.” She was almost defiant as she pulled her posture up just a touch, making herself more poised. “It’s not like we really know each other very well, now is it?”

“Well, maybe if you gave me a chance to explain what I was doing on Nevis and why I didn’t come find you sooner, we could get to know each other a lot better. But I get the feeling you want to debate this issue a little more. Am I right?”

Abby felt an irritation in her gut that she couldn’t squelch. It was a familiar feeling from relationships past and not one she felt she needed to revisit. Not today.

“You can keep your explanations and your reasons why you were galavanting around St. Kitts and Nevis with some girl.” She nodded curtly and folded her arms to indicate that she was serious. Although Abby wasn’t sure whom she needed to convince more, J. D. or herself.

It was apparent, however, that J. D. was more than amused. His lips were twitching as she was stepping back farther from him. “Well, okay then. Your word is golden. I guess I’ll see you around the inn?”

“Actually, yes . . . My family owns La Cantina, so you’ll see me around.” She looked up and could have sworn she saw shock in his face that quickly melted into a smile as he took a small bow. She almost asked what was wrong, but the sound of her name being yelled from the back of the inn stopped her.

“’Bye, J. D. Enjoy your day.” She threw one last glance his way as she quickly retreated into the inn.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Abby woke up on her air mattress feeling a little cramped. Not until she attempted to roll over did she remember that Andrew had curled up with her to sleep for the night. In her guilt from her lapse with J.D. the day before, Abby had all but burrowed her body into his all night long. Abby lay there for a few extra minutes, relishing the fact that she was encompassed in his strong arms. Another wonderful night with a wonderful guy. A sweet and wonderful man who was here right now with her, not jetting off somewhere to be with someone else, like J.D. had done.

Abby lay there silently wondering why she would even be remotely attracted to someone of J.D.’s character, especially when she had Andrew.

Andrew has all the golden qualities a woman looks for,
she thought.
He’s open and kind, honest and loving. Everyone gets along with him and he really makes it a point to make me feel comfortable. Most of all, he seems to genuinely care about me. About “us.”

Then there was the mysterious J.D., who had appeared on her first day at Ricky’s and kept popping up. He was rugged and handsome and when she thought of him she couldn’t deny the wave of excitement that spread through her body. It was different than what she felt with Andrew, and she wasn’t sure why.

Lost in her train of thought, all Abby could think of was that Andrew felt safe. Like coming home. Like there was love to be found here and maybe . . . just maybe . . . a real future. And there was truth and honesty. But would that be enough?

To top it off, Abby had to face the fact that Andrew was leaving for London in a few days. They had talked after dinner the night before about his work schedule, and he was due to go to L.A. for a few meetings a year, so they had agreed it was something to look forward to.

Abby was careful to roll out of the bed slowly so she wouldn’t disturb Andrew. As much as she wanted to snuggle up to him more, or wake him to join her, she needed some alone time to sort through all of the information buzzing around in her head.

She brewed some coffee and went to her usual spot out by the pool. For a minute, she thought she was about to have an anxiety attack.
Who wouldn’t with all of this news?
she thought as she sat quietly for a minute then began her own internal download of all the events thus far.

So I need to talk to Carla.
Abby’s thoughts were as disgruntled as she felt.
Makes sense, and I want to do it in person.
Abby felt a twitching in her gut when she thought of being face-to-face with the woman who had stolen her father’s heart. While she knew a simple call would do, there was something inside of her telling her she needed to be in front of Carla to talk about the past and get some clarification. Abby knew for her own sanity, she needed to have this talk live and in the flesh.
And I
have
to think of her as Ben’s mom, not just as my dad’s mistress. Kinda helps take the sting out . . .

There’s so much more to this,
Abby thought.
Dammit, Dad, I should be so mad at you, but I can’t be. You’re not even here to give me the answers yourself! Feels so selfish of you to go to your grave with so much deceit. How can one person make a decision that affects so many lives yet never reveal it? So all of this means getting to London. Okay, I’ll figure that one out, too. And now J.D.’s here? Staying at the inn? I get the saying “You can’t make this shit up” right now.

She was staring into space, processing her thoughts, when Ben approached the table. “You okay?”

Abby was surprised to see him. “You’re up early.” She nodded as she registered that he wasn’t just getting up, but rather he was just getting home. “Ah, I see. It took a little longer than you thought to drive Tracey home, huh?”

“Yeah.” Ben answered, then thrust his head toward the pool house. “Is Andrew in there or your new friend?”

Abby stuck her tongue out at Ben. “Shush. J.D. is a guest here and we’ve run into each other a few times over the last few weeks.” She was struggling to act nonchalant, but felt her cheeks flush. “He seems nice enough.”

“Whatever.”

Abby swatted Ben playfully. “Whatever? Really? I didn’t do anything wrong.”

Ben’s grin was wicked as he answered, “Yet.”

“Anyway . . . ” Abby wanted to change the subject. “I was sitting here thinking about your mom and the fact that we need to talk to her to understand more.”

Ben’s tone was hushed. “I feel like there’s more to the story, don’t you?”

Abby put her head in her hands. “Ben, when you called your mum yesterday, I was talking to Leigh, asking her questions about everything.” She hesitated, knowing that she didn’t want to burden Ben with this but also knowing she had to. “She told me if I wanted to know the whole story, it wasn’t hers to tell. That I had to talk to Carla.”

Ben was surprised. “Talk to my mum? Why’s that?”

Abby shrugged her tired shoulders -- tired from carrying too much covert information. “I don’t know. She said Carla could answer my questions.” She was quiet for a second, wondering if she should tell Ben about meeting Carla. She decided it was for the best.

“Ben, I’ve met your mother. Once, a long time ago when I was little. I was with my dad and she was at a Home Depot.”

Ben’s reply was sarcastic, not that Abby could blame him.. “You met my mum at a Home Depot? Of course you would, because whenever she needed anything she just flew to Maryland to get it at the rockin’ Home Depot they have there.”

“I’m not saying it makes any sense, Ben. All I know is that you and I have more in common than a dad. We’ve been kept in the dark about a lot of things. This is just another freaking hurdle for us to jump.” Abby’s demeanor turned serious. “Don’t tell Leigh I told you.”

“What? Why?”

Abby shook her head, almost violently. “No. Just don’t.” She reached across the table to where Ben was sitting and took his hand. “Do you trust me?”

Ben stared at her, as if she were a unicorn.

“Ben. I’m being serious. Do you trust me?”

“Of course.” He looked sheepishly at his sister. “I just want to graduate.”

“I get it.” There was movement from the main house, indicating that Maria was up and getting breakfast ready, which meant Leigh would be up as well. “Okay. We tell no one that we suspect there’s more. No one. Not Tracey. Not Andrew. Not your mum. Agreed?”

Ben smiled at Abby. “Agreed.”

He got up and started to head into the pool house. As he opened the door, he turned to his big sis. “This is what it’s like, huh?”

“What, having a screwed-up family that likes to hide the truth?” She grinned.

“No. Having a sister who you know will do anything for you.”

Abby was touched. She swallowed the tears that sprang to her eyes. “I have to say, Ben, you’re the best surprise I ever could have gotten. I’m glad I found you.”

“Me, too, Abby. Me, too.”

And he disappeared inside the pool house, leaving Abby to her thoughts, which she needed to sort through. Like how she was going to get to London.

She was brought out of her thoughts when her mobile chimed, alerting her to a new text message. Abby looked down at her phone, read the text and smiled, loving the fact that her plan was coming together, and faster than she had thought.

#

“Well, good morning, sunshine. How did you sleep?”

Leigh was in the kitchen pouring coffee into her “I’m The Boss!” mug. Abby crossed her path while getting a plate of food for her and Andrew.

Abby put on her best smile and answered her sister. “Good, thanks. Going to have some breakfast and then head out to sightsee with Andrew for a bit.”

Leigh nodded, eyebrows raised. “Well, well. I kind of sensed there might be a little more to you and Andrew. Am I right?”

“Yes, well, no . . . I mean, I guess, yes. Let’s just say we’re having fun while he’s here and leave it at that, okay?”

“Fine by me. Consider the topic dropped.” Leigh had already shifted her focus. “Hey, Maria, I’m meeting with the buyer here tonight so we can hammer out all of the final details. I have to say it looks good. La Cantina should be a done deal by the end of the week.”

Maria, busting into the kitchen with an armload of dirty linens, dropped her wares and put an arm around Leigh. “You okay with that?”

Leigh laughed. “Am I okay with it? Don’t worry about me, Maria, I’m fine.”
There she goes,
Abby thought,
acting like it’s all hunky-dory.
“The real question is, are you and Ziggy okay with staying on as property managers for these guys?” She beamed at her friend.

Maria clapped her hands together. “Of course! Oh, Leigh, thank you! I knew you’d make sure to take care of us.” Maria then literally leapt into Leigh’s arms.

Abby felt a tug at her heart. Leigh didn’t know.

And she’d have to tell her.

“Leigh,” Abby kept her voice level and spoke slowly, “rumor has it that the man buying La Cantina is going to tear it down. For condos.”

A look of sheer grief slowly fell onto Leigh’s face as she looked at Abby, then back to Maria, taking in the notion that this could be true.

“Where did you hear this?”

“Rush, one of the repairmen, he overheard this man Jack talking at the bar the other night. Said he was going to buy La Cantina and knock it down.” Maria shrugged her shoulders and leaned in to hug both girls, one under each arm. “Nothing you can do.”

Leigh slowly lowered herself into the chair again, holding the edge of the table. “This place is too wonderful to be torn down. It really is magical here. Maria, you’ve done so much with it and cared for it with so much love over the years. What will you do?”

Of course her sister would look out for Maria. As much as it pained her, she had to acknowledge that Leigh was fair and would aim to make the transition smooth for those involved. Her methods might not always have been carried out in the nicest and most sincere fashion, but she always attempted to do the best thing. And this time it seemed as if her plan suddenly had a hole in it.

“Don’t worry about us. We’ll be fine. Worry about you.” Maria smiled at the George girls. “Your dad would have been proud of you, Leigh; you held up your end of the bargain as long as you could, following his wishes. La Cantina had a good run and served its purpose.”

“But it can still do more.” Abby was flabbergasted that both women seemed so forgiving of the fact that in a few days’ time the inn would be sold and there was a huge possibility that preparations would begin for tearing La Cantina down. “With a few more repairs and revising the marketing outreach, maybe a few room giveaways to some VIPs back in L.A. or even some outreach to politicians in D.C. or charities doing benefits, this place would get a nice little surge in the numbers.”

Abby was delighted that Leigh was smiling at her, but realized it was a patronizing one as soon as she went to speak. “Oh, Abby, you just don’t know, do you? It costs money to do those things.”

“Leigh, you just don’t get it, do you? I understand that, but there are ways to make things happen that don’t involve -- ”

Leigh threw up her hand in her signature “stop talking” move that she always used on Abby. “It doesn’t matter. The place is going to be sold. End of story.”

Leigh was on her way out of the kitchen when she turned back to Maria. “Did Daryl call?”

Maria’s face was placid as she shook her head no. Leigh turned and hurried out of the kitchen. Abby felt defeated from their exchange and wanted nothing more than to just get off the property for a bit. Vowing to shake it off, she thanked Maria as she gathered the plates that were overflowing with enough food for eight people and made her way back to the pool house to deliver the food for the guys and wake Andrew.

To her surprise, he was up and showered, sitting at the kitchen table chatting with Ben.

“Good morning, you look refreshed,” he said as he pulled her onto his lap.

“What can I say? It’s a gift. Here,” she placed the dishes on the table for the boys. “Compliments of the chef. I just wanted fruit. The rest is all you.”

The two boys dug into the plates with reckless abandon. Abby went to change and found their plates cleared when she came back to the kitchen.

“Well, that was no joke,” she teased.

Ben was already up and heading out the door. “I’m off, guys. Need to go check my animals at school then hit the books. Andrew, you sure you’re okay hanging out with this one today?”

Andrew acted put out. “Well, I was hoping to hang with you today. But you won’t make out with me, so yes.”

Abby rolled her eyes. “Whatever!” she teased right back.

After Ben was gone, Abby straddled Andrew as he sat on the chair. “So, what do you say we go to Brimstone Fortress?”

Andrew kissed her square on the mouth. “I think as long as you’re there, I don’t care where we go.”

“Good. Get your shoes on. I’m driving.” Abby grinned wickedly and held up the keys to Ziggy’s cab.

“Ziggy’s letting you drive?”

“No, Maria is. Her car needs to stay here in case Leigh needs it, and since Ziggy’s asleep still . . .” Abby smiled conspiratorially in Andrew’s direction. “So I want to get the taxi back before he needs it.”
God bless Maria and her good ideas
, Abby thought. She had asked Abby her plans for the day and when she found out Abby wanted to drive across the island, had offered Ziggy’s keys to her without hesitation.

Andrew was impressed. “A taxi ride for free? Let’s do this.”

#

They managed to arrive at Brimstone in one piece. Abby realized when she was driving over why she didn’t want to drive at all -- the Kittians loved to drive like madmen. They sped and zoomed all over, making it hard for her to relax since she was used to a more structured environment behind the wheel. After a few near collisions and some angry words from another driver, they arrived, laughing and intact.

They climbed the hill to the Brimstone Fortress, a gorgeous architectural masterpiece that had been constructed by African slaves starting in 1690 through 1790. It commanded a complete tactical view of the Caribbean, designed to protect the island if and when the French were to invade.