Page 47 of Rescued by the Single Dad

Even though he hadn’t caused Jacqueline’s death, he still felt guilty over it.

He still felt guilty over the way things were between them when she left. That neither of them seemed to have the courage to just say enough was enough and end the marriage as friends, rather than continue on and become enemies.

He loved her, but he hadn’t been in love with her in a while. And she hadn’t been in love with him for a while, either. She resented him for keeping their family on the “boring” island. And even though he loved where he lived and where he was raising Talia, he did feel guilt over putting his feelings above Jacqueline’s. She hadn’t been happy for a while, and he ignored it. He convinced himself she’d eventually learn to love the simpler, quieter life. She just needed to give it time.

His dark thoughts were interrupted—thankfully—by the ping of the tablet on the end table.

Brooke’s eyes went wide at the same time his did.

They were both thinking the same thing. Her brother. She’d left the browser with her new email address open, so there was no other ping the tablet could make. He reached over and detached it from the charging cord, then handed it to her. Her hands trembled slightly as she set down her plate on her lap and took the tablet. “Do you think ...?”

Clint shrugged. “Gotta check to make sure.”

Her throat undulated, and she nodded, sliding her long, slender fingers across the screen. “God, this is weird. My heart is hammering so wildly right now.”

He took the plate from her lap and put it on the coffee table, then she slid closer to him so he could see the screen, too.

And there it was.

An email from Rocco.

She hadn’t even opened it yet, and the tears were already starting to trickle down her face. “This is really weird ...” She sniffled. “Why am I crying?”

“Because your brother just found out you’re alive. And it’s the first person from your life that you’re making contact with. It’s a big deal.”

Her head bobbed, and she opened the email.

Thank God!

Creek! I’m so sorry. I’m booking a flight today. I should be there by tomorrow morning. Then I’ll come find you. We’ll figure this out.

When I heard the news on social media, I nearly killed a macaw I was treating.

I love you and we will figure this out.

If our shitty childhood and being raised by that bastard taught us anything, it’s that we’re resilient, strong and we don’t take crap from anybody. Especially bullies.

I’ll email again when my flight is confirmed.

-Stono

Shitty childhood.

Bastard.

Bullies.

More pieces, this time edges, fit into place.

“How’d he know you were here?” Clint asked.

She smiled through tears. “He doesn’t know I’m on the island. But I fell into the water in Washington State off Seattle, so he knows that I’m here. I also used some secret hints that only he would know. We’ll email more details later.” Now the tears were falling with abandon down her face, but she was smiling. Sucking in stuttered breaths, her lips trembled, and she swallowed hard.

Clint hesitated for only half a second before he wrapped a protective arm around her shoulder. She turned into him immediately, her fingers tangled in his tank top, and she rested her forehead on his shoulder then her body shook with sobs.

He rubbed her back.

“I don’t even know why I’m crying,” she blubbered. “But knowing that my brother knows I’m alive just ... that he’s not grieving me ... that he’s not alone ...” She glanced up at him with red-rimmed, wet eyes. “It’s just me and Rocco.”

---