Summer Secrets Page 5

  Caroline appeared somewhat mollified, but she still had her arms crossed defiantly in front of her. "Fine. What is it you want to know?"

  "I'd like to write a follow-up story about your family and the race, what happened then, what's happening now. I'd put the photograph of the three of you holding the Winston trophy right next to a photograph of the three of you today. Show where you are in your lives now, how the race may have changed you, that kind of thing. Where-are-they-now pieces are quite popular these days."

  "I'm sure Kate told you we weren't interested."

  "I thought you might have a different opinion. And I didn't think you'd want your older sister to speak for you."

  Caroline sat up straighter in her seat. Tyler could see he'd hit a nerve with that one. Caroline was not about to let Kate speak for her, that was quite clear. He had a feeling this sister was his way into the family.

  "I speak for myself," she replied. "But, that said, I can't imagine what you'd write about us that would be at all interesting. We're not exactly living a wild and crazy life here on Castleton Island."

  "True, but I'd like to know how hard or how easy it was to go from sailboat racer to hair stylist."

  Caroline gave him a wide, toothy grin that made her look young, fresh, full of life. "That sounds like a headline that will sell about ten copies. Tell me something. Are you even a good reporter?"

  "I've done all right," he said, biting back a smile. "And the value of the article would, of course, depend on how forthcoming you and your sisters are with the interesting details that people want to know."

  "I barely remember the details now. Our journey was well documented in the logs we showed to the press at the end of the race."

  "I've seen them--a page-turning discussion of the fish world, a little about your struggles with a geometry correspondence class, Ashley's reluctance to put a worm on a fishhook, and Kate's fascination with the brightness of the stars and planets as seen from each of the different hemispheres. Incredibly juicy stuff.

  "Hey, I told you we were boring. Even when we were racing, there were a lot of days at sea where nothing happened. You've heard the expression -- in the doldrums? We got stuck in them for days. Just lying there waiting and praying for a wisp of wind to get us on our way. Sometimes I wanted to scream or pull out a paddle and start rowing. Once Kate and I did that just to be funny. Dad wasn't amused. Thought we were breaking the rule about not using anything other than our sails."

  "You and Kate, huh? Are you two the closest?"

  "We're sisters."

  "That's not what I asked." He paused. "I haven't met Ashley yet. What's she like?"

  "Quiet, pretty, sensitive. But I didn't come down here to tell you that."

  "Why did you come?"

  "Because I said I would. And because I didn't want you to think I was an idiot. I'm not. I was just distracted earlier. Otherwise, I would have seen right through you." Caroline lifted her chin in the air, the gesture filled with bravado.

  Tyler nodded approvingly. "I understand, and I like your style." But he thought her words had an edge of desperation to them, as if she wanted to make sure he understood that she was smart and capable. He had a feeling Caroline had been trying to prove herself for some time.

  "I don't care if you like me or you don't. That's the end of our discussion. I'm not interested in a story, and my sisters aren't, either."

  Tyler considered her words, then leaned forward in his chair. "You know, Miss McKenna, you and your sister are awfully secretive for no apparent reason. Most people who win races love to talk about them.''

  "So go talk to them."

  "Can't. My curiosity is piqued."

  "Curiosity killed the cat."

  "Hmm, what should I make of that?"

  "It's just an expression." She paused as the waiter set down her mineral water. "I really can't stay," she said when they were alone again.

  "Why don't you have your drink and give me the opportunity to change your mind?"

  "That won't happen. I'm not as gullible as some people seem to think."

  "Like Kate," he said, taking a wild guess.

  "I didn't say that."

  "You didn't have to. You're the baby sister. Did Kate try to boss you around when you were at sea?"

  Caroline rolled her eyes. "She bosses me wherever we are."

  "But on a boat, in close quarters, I would imagine not everyone gets to be chief."

  "Daddy was the chief."

  "Daddy," he murmured, taking another sip of his beer. "I met him earlier, you know -- your father. He was three sheets to the wind."

  "His favorite place to be." Caroline picked up her glass, running her finger around the edge. "But he's a good man. He did his best by us. And he did accomplish an amazing feat. People forget that nowadays."

  Tyler put his elbows on the table and leaned in, sensing he'd just gotten the opening he needed. "They won't forget if you let me tell the story again, and not just that story, but the one you're living now. Your father could have it all back, the glory days of his life. What's the harm in that?" Caroline didn't reply right away, and he could see the indecision in her eyes. "This could be a good thing for you and your family."

  Before she could answer, a loud group of men entered the lounge, their voices high and filled with energy.

  "Damn," Caroline muttered, looking past him. "Just what I need."

  Tyler followed her gaze to the four men sitting down at a table near the door. "Friends of yours?"

  "Kiwis," she said.

  Tyler raised an eyebrow. "Are we talking fruit here?"

  "New Zealanders."

  "Ah. And we don't like Kiwis?"

  "My father is an Aussie. There's a long-standing rivalry between Aussies and Kiwis in ocean racing," she explained, tensing even further as one of the men approached their table.

  "Caroline," he said in a loud, boisterous voice. "Just the person I was looking for. Did you hear who's coming to town?"

  "Do I care?"

  "You should. Or at least your father should."

  "What are you talking about?"

  "The Moon Dancer is a last-minute entry in the race. She should be here by Monday."

  Tyler watched Caroline's face pale as the news registered. The Moon Dancer was the name of the McKennas' boat. Now it was back, apparently with a different owner. He didn't know the significance of this news, but it seemed to disturb Caroline.

  "That's not possible," she said.

  "Oh, but it is, and guess who bought it?" The man paused dramatically. "Good old K.C. Wales. I can't wait to see Duncan's face when he finds out his nemesis is coming to town on his boat."

  "He won't care a bit."

  The sailor laughed. "Yeah, sure. See you around."

  "That's your boat he was talking about, right?" Tyler asked as the man left.

  "What?" Caroline sent him a blank look.

  "Your boat. The Moon Dancer. The one you sailed around the world."

  "Yes, it was our boat," Caroline said slowly. "I can't believe that K.C. bought it, or that he's bringing it here. My dad will go crazy when he sees her. Kate, too. And Ashley..." Caroline shook her head. "This is bad, very bad."

  "Why?'

  "A lot of memories. I should tell my father and my sisters." She started to get up, then sat back down in her seat. "I don't want to tell them."

  "Why not?"

  "Because it will hurt. I don't have the stomach for it."

  He raised an eyebrow. "Three ear piercings, a tattoo on your shoulder, a naval ring, and you don't have the stomach for a little pain?"

  "Not that kind of pain." She frowned at the mineral water in front of her. "I need a real drink."

  "I'll get you one." He put up his hand to motion for the waiter.

  "No. Wait, never mind," she said hurriedly. Tyler put down his hand.

  "I'd rather eat instead. I wonder when our table will be ready?"

  "I can check."

  "I'll do that. Is it under you
r name or an alias?"

  "My name." He watched her walk away. She was careful not to go near the bar, but he did see her fling a somewhat desperate look in that direction. Was Caroline a drinker? She'd said she'd wanted a drink, but then changed her mind. And the waiter had seemed surprised she'd ordered a mineral water. Not that it meant anything, but her behavior was a bit off, he thought. As a reporter, he'd become very good at paying attention to the details. It wasn't what a subject said or did that was important but what they didn't say or didn't do.

  With an alcoholic father, it was certainly possible that Caroline had her own problems with alcohol. He made a mental note to check it out. Mark would definitely want that information. Tyler raised his beer glass to his lips. He had a feeling things were about to get interesting.

  * * *

  Kate opened her door just before nine o'clock that night to find Caroline on the porch. It was a little surprising, since none of her family was prone to dropping in, to suddenly have Ashley in the kitchen making tea, Duncan in the living room sleeping it off, and Caroline on her doorstep looking guilty about something. "You talked to him, didn't you?"

  "He didn't tell me his name right away," Caroline said defensively as she entered the hallway. "Where's Dad?"

  "Can't you hear the snoring?"

  Caroline peeked into the living room where their father lay sprawled on his back amid Kate's fluffy sofa cushions. "He looks tired. And his face is all red."

  Kate followed her younger sister's gaze and saw exactly what Caroline saw and more, not just the weary lines, or the red face, but the thin translucent skin on his arms and hands, the lack of meat on his bones. Their father had always been big and stronger than most, but he was fading away like an old photograph, and she didn't know how to make it stop.

  "We should do something for him," Caroline said, echoing Kate's thoughts.

  "Like what?"

  "I don't know, something. He looks pathetic. I don't like seeing him like this."

  Duncan had always been Caroline's hero, even when he was at his most un-heroic. Most of the time, Kate tried to protect Caroline from seeing moments such as these. Perhaps that had been a mistake. But she was so used to being the big sister she couldn't stop the nurturing instincts from kicking into gear.

  "Come into the kitchen. Ashley brought over her chocolate cookies, and she's making tea."

  "That sounds good. I'm still hungry."

  "You mean he didn't buy you dinner?" Kate asked wryly as she followed Caroline down the hall and into the kitchen.

  "Who didn't buy you dinner?" Ashley asked from the kitchen counter where she was pouring tea into a cup. "Hi, Caroline. Do you want some tea?"

  "Just cookies." Caroline grabbed one off the plate on the counter and took a seat at the kitchen table. One bite brought a squeal of delight. "These are heaven. I swear, if you weren't a photographer, you could be a chef."

  "All I can make are cookies and tea," Ashley said. "Not exactly chef material."

  "Don't forget your famous blueberry pancakes or your turkey stuffing," Kate reminded Ashley. "You're always too humble."

  "Makes a change from you," Caroline said.

  Kate made a face at Caroline, who stuck her tongue out in response. They both burst out laughing. Kate was amazed how good the sound made her feel. It had been awhile since she'd had both her sisters together in one place.

  Ashley handed Kate a cup of tea, then sat down at the table. "So who didn't buy you dinner, Caroline? It wasn't that strange man you were going to meet, was it?"

  "You knew?" Kate asked in surprise. "You knew she was meeting Tyler Jamison, and you didn't stop her?"

  "Tyler Jamison? The reporter you just told me about?" Ashley asked in confusion. "That's who Caroline met for dinner?"

  "Exactly."

  "But why?"

  "I have no idea. I told her to stay away from him."

  "Okay, both of you, breathe," Caroline said. "Yes, I met the reporter for dinner, and yes, I did eat, but as you know I can always eat more. Before you ask, I didn't tell him anything. So chill out. We have bigger fish to fry. The Moon Dancer was sold to K.C. Wales. He's planning to race her in the Castleton, then on to Hawaii. They should be here by Monday."

  Ashley put a hand to her heart. "K.C. Wales? Oh, dear."

  "Dad will freak." Caroline picked up another cookie. "You'll have to tell him, Kate."

  "Why me?"

  "You're the oldest, the most responsible, the most understanding."

  "Since when?" Kate asked. "According to you, I'm bossy, opinionated, and critical."

  "That, too," Caroline said. "But I'm Dad's baby, and you know he never takes anything I say seriously. And Ashley can't do it because ... well, she just can't do it."

  "I could do it," Ashley said defensively, then quickly added, "But it would come better from you, Kate. You always know the right thing to say."

  Once again, both sisters looked to her for the answer to their problem. They'd played out this scene many times before -- Caroline eating chocolate, Ashley biting her fingernails while she paced. As before, she wanted to say something reassuring. She wanted to give them the answers they were looking for, but words were difficult to find.

  Her mother would have known what to say. She'd understood each of them and had passed on special pieces of herself: sensitivity to Ashley, passion to Caroline, and loyalty to Kate. It was that loyalty they needed now. Kate had promised her mother that she would protect her sisters and look out for her father, and she'd do it now, just as she had done before.

  "It's funny how life goes merrily along and then, boom, the past comes back and bites you in the butt," Caroline said.

  "I wonder if the Moon Dancer still looks the same," Ashley said quietly. "I wonder if Mom's curtains are hanging in the master cabin."

  "What I wonder is why K.C. bought the boat," Kate said. "He must know that Dad will hate him for it."

  "I doubt he cares," Caroline replied. "He was always more interested in winning than in friendship."

  "Not always." Kate shook her head, confused by the turn of events. K.C. had once been a family friend, then an enemy. What was he now?

  "Did I tell you that Sean is back, too?" Ashley asked. "I saw him down at the docks. He says he's going to race in the Castleton. Now that I know the Moon Dancer is in the race, I have an even worse feeling about it. Look, I've got goose bumps," she said, extending her arms.

  "You're too thin -- that's why you have goose bumps," Caroline retorted. "And you knew Sean would come back again. His family is here."

  "I know, but I'm not ready to deal with him."

  "You'll never be ready."

  "Okay, let's put Sean aside for the moment," Kate cut in, knowing that Ashley and Caroline had never seen eye to eye on that subject. "What did you tell Tyler Jamison about us, Caroline?"