Reunion By The Sea

“Happily remarried. Living in Idaho.” Parker got to his feet and must’ve noticed Ginny’s startled reaction. “The old man’s been dead for fourteen years.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.” Ginny’s breath caught at the detached look on Parker’s face. A wave of sadness washed over her. The Nolans had once been a close family, despite Mr. Nolan’s frequent absences, and the senseless tragedy of the situation broke her heart.

“Hey, you okay?” In seconds Parker was at her side.

“Yes, I’m fine. It’s just—I can’t begin to imagine all the pain you and your mom went through. And for nothing. So much could’ve been avoided if only Meg had said something.” He was standing close, his rugged good looks and musky scent emphasizing how different he was from the earnest, clean-cut young man she’d fallen for all those years ago.

“Sure, Meg lit the match by taking off like she did, but there was more to it.” Bitterness tinged Parker’s voice. “Turns out Dad, the big hero, wasn’t the man we all thought he was.”

Ginny didn’t know what that meant but she wasn’t about to ask him now. Her stomach churned when she realized she’d played a part in all the devastation. In her misguided loyalty to Meg, she hadn’t been entirely forthcoming with Parker and the police about what she’d known at the time. It wasn’t much, and probably wouldn’t have mattered in the long run, but still... “Did Meg’s disappearance have anything to do with you dropping out of Princeton?”

Something about the set of Parker’s shoulders, the flicker of disappointment and defeat in his eyes before the mask slipped back into place, made her want to hold him close, offer him comfort. The impulse was beyond insane. That hadn’t turned out so well the last time. Knowing she could’ve made things worse by her silence had her stomach clenching.

“Nothing went the way I planned after all that happened. But it’s worked out fine. Now I have different expectations and a lot fewer disappointments.”

The trace of rancor in his tone made her feel even worse. If only she’d said something. Anything. Light-headed suddenly, Ginny swayed a little and used the counter for support.

Parker put his arms around her. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I think the coffee might not be agreeing with me.” She didn’t resist. It felt good being held by him again. Too good, she thought as she laid her cheek against the warmth of his chest. Only because she couldn’t look into his eyes. At least that’s what she told herself.

“I didn’t mean to hurt you,” he whispered, his arms tightening ever so gently. “I was young, angry and stupid. And too self-absorbed. I should’ve called.”

Ginny didn’t dare move. Or speak. Tears stung the backs of her eyes. She refused to let them fall though. Thinking she heard the front door open, she stiffened.

“Don’t get out the shotgun. It’s just me.”

Tilda.

CHAPTER FIVE (#u77a666dd-d90a-57f6-8e81-eef1760cbf94)

PANIC SHADOWED GINNY’S EYES as she shrugged off his arms and stepped back, bumping into the counter. Parker had heard the door and immediately gave her some space.

“Tilda?” Ginny’s voice broke. “What are you doing here?”

“Um...” The girl entered the kitchen and slowed to a stop when she saw Parker. “I live here?”

“You’re supposed to be camping. Why aren’t you with Kaley and her family?”

The teen was tall and slim, her long dark hair pulled back into a ponytail that fell past her shoulders. Her big brown eyes went wide with surprise as her gaze bounced from Ginny to Parker. “Kaley’s brother had an allergic reaction to something and had to go to urgent care.”

“So the trip is canceled?”

“No. That happened yesterday. We’re on our way to Sunset Pond now.” She blinked at Parker, then gave him a little smile. “Hi.”

Ginny cleared her throat. “Oh, Parker, this is my daughter. Tilda, this is Parker Nolan.”

“Any relationship to Meg?”

He offered her his hand, which she shook with a firm grip. “I’m her brother.”

Tilda’s grin widened. “I haven’t gotten to meet her yet, but Mom talks about her a lot. And she has tons of pictures of them from high school...” She trailed off, frowning, and turned to Ginny. “Did Meg make it for the reunion?”

Ginny shook her head.

“I was hoping she might be here, so I figured I’d show up and surprise her,” Parker said with a shrug, wondering how much Ginny had told her daughter. “Guess the joke’s on me.”

Tilda gave him a closer look. “Did you go to Roger Williams too?”

He almost smiled at her lack of subtlety. And here he’d even shaved. “Nope.”

The girl was quite a bit older than she was in the picture he’d seen in the living room. Fifteen maybe? No, she had to be younger since Ginny—

His chest tightened. He studied Tilda more intently. She didn’t resemble Ginny, which didn’t necessarily mean anything. She didn’t look like him either, though her crooked smile reminded him of Meg. But that was really reaching. The math though. Numbers didn’t lie.

To have a kid this age meant Ginny would have been with someone else shortly after Parker left. He’d never seen her as the type to do something like that, but then they hadn’t known each other long. He hated to think it might have been a rebound mistake.

“I still don’t know why you’re here,” Ginny said, just as he’d been about to ask Tilda her age.

“I forgot something.”

“Ah, what a surprise.” Ginny seemed jumpy, fisting the front of her shabby robe. Being caught in their semicompromising situation could account for her nerves. But her face should’ve been pink, not ashen.

Tilda’s gaze settled on Ginny’s hand, then lowered all the way down her robe. “Mom!” She moved closer to Ginny. “Are you serious?” she said, her hushed voice loud enough for Parker to hear.

He might’ve laughed if his mind hadn’t been racing in several directions at once.

A horn honked.

They both glanced toward the window. Then Ginny gave her daughter a stern look. “Are Kaley and her mom waiting in the car for you?”

“Oops.” Tilda backed up. “I need to get my phone charger, then I’m outta here.” She sent her mom an eye signal that had something to do with the ugly robe, then she smiled at Parker. “Nice meeting you,” she said and took off.

“I can’t believe the time.” Ginny’s gaze lingered on the wall clock long enough for him to know she was avoiding him. “At the risk of sounding rude, I’ve got to get moving. I’m already late and I still need to get dressed.”

“No problem. I didn’t mean to keep you.” He retrieved his cup from the table and took it to the sink.

“Oh, please, leave it. I feel terrible rushing you as it is. It’s just that we have a few scheduled events and I haven’t seen my old gang for ages. Anyway, I’m sure you’re anxious to be on your way.” She was rushing her words, clearly eager for him to leave, and that made him suspicious. “I don’t know if you heard about the storm headed up the coast. You know how awful the winds can be this time of year. I’d hate to see you stranded because your flight was canceled.”

Parker knew about the storm. If it hit land this far north, and that was a big if, the weather bureau predicted it wouldn’t happen until next week.

“Thanks for your concern,” he said, “but I’m in no hurry. Besides, what about having that drink we talked about?”

“Did we?”

Parker smiled. “Tell you what, your friends will only be here for...what...two more days? You go have fun with them. I’ll entertain myself, visit some of my old haunts, then we can meet up after everyone’s left. How does that sound?”

“I work for a living. It was hard squeezing in the reunion. I can’t just—”