Page 53 of SEAL'S Baby Surprise
I have my sketch pad, and I’m working on a quick charcoal of him. It isn’t the right medium, though. I turn the page and start over, using colored pencils.
I’ve thought about putting some of my art up for sale. But the problem with artwork is you develop a style that is almost as distinctive as a fingerprint. I’m not ready for the world to find me yet.
So, I’m getting along on the allowance that Austin is giving me for doing the housework and taking Julia to her swim lessons.
You would think I’d be bored out of my mind. But somehow, the days just stretch on and on, and it feels good. No appointments, no expectations, my needs are met, and Austin makes my nights into something wonderful.
If I get lonely, or start feeling sad, I go talk to Pops. Or Mrs. Hubbard, or Mrs. Turner if Mr. Turner is on the road. He doesn’tseem like a bad man or anything, just kind of gruff. And he sure does fill up their tiny house.
I wonder if Richie is still buying dresses for me. They are probably piling up in my New York apartment. He pays the rent and the housekeeper, so it is likely to still be there.
He has so much money, he’s probably not even thought about closing it up. I wonder why he and Kandis came to Freedom Beach. Maybe I should have just gone to him that day, but if I go back, the Bluebeard can find me.
Maybe the Bluebeard has done me a favor, chasing me out of my comfortable life. Austin says I’m pretty. No, he tells me I’m beautiful. I don’t know if I believe him.
The Bluebeard had always said I looked like a pink pig. I would live on salads all day long, and then gorge myself on ice cream at night when no one was likely to notice.
I’d had three gym memberships, and sometimes I would use them because where else can you find trampolines with spotters?
I’ve not worried about what I look like since Austin found me on the beach. I eat whatever is in the fridge, cooler, or that Austin cooks. I don’t worry about exercise. We walk everywhere and spend hours in the water every day.
I have all those pearls and zircons locked up in Austin’s gun safe, but they don’t really mean anything. I can’t spend them. And I don’t feel as if I need them. I’m just me…I’m Lee. And Lee seems to be a good person to be.
Children’s voices draw my attention and Austin’s, too. Julia, Betty, and Bobby are gamboling down the path from Mrs. Hubbard’s Homeschool.
I’ve looked up homeschool, and I now know that what she really has is a daycare or cottage school. But no one seems to care that it isn’t the right name for the place.
I’ve looked up the word “gamboling”, too, just because it is a funny word that seems awfully close to the word “gambling,” which means taking chances or betting on a game of chance.
And it is the perfect word to describe the three kids as they skip, hop, wrestle, turn cartwheels, or whatever the mood strikes them as they are released from Mrs. Hubbard’s care. It is what lambs, or calves, or kid goats do. Look it up: kid goats playing on YouTube, if you don’t understand what I mean.
I love words, and I’m easily distracted by them. I love the stories about the orphaned French girl in a famous picture book. I identify with her because for all intents and purposes, I am an orphan, even though I have two living parents and two brothers.
I was a Madeline when I was growing up. I know exactly what the book author meant when she had the youngest orphan in the famous book series get into all sorts of trouble.
“Daddy!” Julia screams, flinging herself into his arms, just as she does every day.
Austin hugs her to him, like she’s the dearest thing in the world, then sets her back on her feet. No way is he going to let his daughter be a Madeline. “What would you like for lunch?” he asks.
“Can we have pizza?” Julia asks. “And can Bobby and Betty stay for lunch? Their daddy is home, and their mommy likes to have time to spend with him.”
“Why, sure,” Austin says. “Let me just call their folks and make sure it’s okay.”
He pokes at his tablet, then says, “Hey…I got a couple of beggars at my gate, name of Betty and Bobby. Should I let them stay for lunch?”
He listens a minute. “It’s no problem. I’ve got to feed my kid, Lee, and Ark. Two more won’t make a bit of difference.”
I’ve seen Austin do this before. It really doesn’t matter how many people show up at mealtime, he’ll find some way to stretch whatever we have to feed anyone who shows up.
I’ve even seen him cut back on his own normal portion to make sure everyone gets fed. In consequence, I’ve learned to take a little less. I wouldn’t have done that a year ago. I might not have even done that a week ago.
Something in me is changing. I’m not sure what it is, but I’m not the same woman who begged for the ocean to wash her away.
I’m not even sure why I had wanted to be washed away. But I’m glad I wasn’t. And I’m glad I’m here.
I think I’m in love with Austin. And not just him. I love Julia and Ark, too. I would do just about anything to keep them safe and to make them happy.
Anything at all.
