Page 143 of Rescued by the Single Dad

Then she followed Inez to the car, taking one more moment to gaze back at her found family. At people she’d come to love and a life she desperately craved.

They waved. She waved.

Then she ducked her head and climbed into the car.

The gate opened as Inez approached it, and Brooke turned around to see all six children standing at the edge of the driveway staring at her, waving and crying. Clint stood behind them in the doorjamb. He was too far away for her to read his expression, but she was sure it was one of relief. Relieved that she was leaving and taking her chaos with her.

Inez drove through the gate, and Brooke watched it close behind them. They disappeared around the corner and before long, the pub and the cabins were too far away for her to see.

“It’ll be nice to get back to normal, huh?” Inez asked as she turned off the laneway and onto the main road.

“Yeah ... normal,” she breathed. It was strange, Brooke lived on the island for nearly two weeks, and this was her first time leaving the property. She had no idea where they were going.

They passed houses with thatch roofs, cabins made of logs, a few ramshackle constructions that looked like something built by Dr. Frankenstein with six different kinds of roofing materials and various editions. Fields with goats, sheep, cows and horses came into view, then a vineyard with a big house and several outbuildings perched on top of a small hill. Nothing but the horizon behind it. Next came an orchard, loaded with blossoms, hyper birds and hungry bees.

They came to a T in the road and at the fork, there were probably two dozen signs of varying sizes. Pottery Studio This Way. Blow Glass Next Left. Fresh Jams and Jellies at Nellie’s Farm Stand. There was also a proper government issued one that said, “Ferry Terminal,” and it pointed to the right.

Inez went left.

“Uh ... it says the ferry is that way,” Brooke said, pointing like an idiot.

“Oh, I know, but this way is faster. Besides, I think we were being followed by some paparazzi back there. Best to get them off our tail.”

Brooke narrowed her gaze. “Didn’t you say you would have bodyguards and security for me?”

“Of course, silly. They’re meeting us on the tarmac. I figured we didn’t need them right now. I’ve missed you, wanted some girl time. And you know I won’t let anything bad happen to you. Besides, they found the guy who pushed you off the boat. You’re safe now.”

Something weird tickled the back of Brooke’s neck.

She scratched at it and watched the houses along the road grow further and further apart, until it was mostly trees, then just trees. There were no residences out this way. The evergreens towered above, creating dense shadows across the narrowing and pothole-riddled road.

A sign for a lookout came up.

Heaven’s Leap Nature Park and Lookout.

Then another sign that said, Dead End.

“Uh, what are we doing here?” Brooke asked. “I thought you said this was a faster way to the ferry?”

“I also heard about this great lookout spot. I thought we could get some awesome content to properly announce your return. You know? Come on, it’ll only take a minute.”

“You said the ferry left in thirty-five minutes. I don’t think we have time. And you know how I feel about that kind of content, Inez. I’m not an influencer. I don’t really like social media.”

“Then it’ll be for my feed. Two minutes, I promise.”

She pulled into the parking lot.

It was empty.

Just gravel, and worn logs nailed together to create a squat fence to cordon off the lot from the lookout. It was a make-your-own parking spot kind of situation. A dented green metal trashcan sat in one corner, and a few trails meandered off in various directions. There were three concrete picnic tables scattered throughout, but beyond them spanned just the glittering ocean.

“Come on,” Inez said, shutting off the car and opening the door. “Isn’t this place beautiful?”

“Inez, I’d rather just go.”

Exhaling with impatience, Inez pivoted in her seat. “You’re probably dealing with a lot. I get it. I think it’ll be easier when we get home and settled again. Back into a routine. I’ve already re-booked all your standing appointments. Nails, hair, massage, Botox. I even managed to sweet talk Marcello at Vortex to squeeze you in for a facial and scrub tomorrow.” Her smile was encouraging. “There’s also a huge queue of people who want to interview you. I’m weeding through the email requests and only replying to the legit journalists. No more Tinsley McTavish bullshit.”

“I … I don’t think I’m ready for interviews. Not yet.”

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