Page 39 of By The Book
She squeezed her eyes closed and paused on the tile floor, waiting for another barrage. “What?”
“I’d like it if you were closer. I hope you and Tommy do move back. You can use the apartment once Denz goes back to work in a week or two. It’s yours for as long as you need it.”
“Thank you.”
“No need to thank me. I’m sorry I made you feel unwelcome. I just didn’t like losing my baby girl to someone I knew couldn’t take care of her. Not the way I could.”
Her shoulders slumped, and she wished for the millionth time that her father understood her reasons for doing what she’d done. “Scott did his best, Dad. Tommy and I never lacked for anything. He was a great father and a good soldier. He was a good man—not perfect butgood. Isn’t that all that matters?”
“We didn’t like losing our baby girl,” he said, his voice gruff.
“That’s just it, Dad. You didn’t lose me. You gained a son and a grandson.”
Her father was silent a long moment.
“Will selling the house help settle your accounts? Do you need to borrow money?”
“Yes, it will—and, no, I don’t need money but thanks. Once it sells, everything will be fine.”
“You’ll let me know if I can help you?”
She swallowed hard and managed a smile. “I will. Right now the biggest problem will be telling Tommy. He knows I’ve been thinking about it and… He’s not happy about leaving his friends.”
“You have to do what’s best for the two of you. You can’t let a boy decide that.”
“I know.”
“Do you want me to talk to him?”
“No. I’ll tell him.”
“You’re sure?”
“Yeah. I’m sure. Thanks. For letting us use the apartment.” Claire turned and made her way through the kitchen to the screen door, uncaring that it softly banged behind her.
She paced the porch several times before finally settling into the porch swing, giving it a rough push.
Lights flashed in the driveway and Denz’s rental appeared. It was dusk, and she dreaded dinnertime spent at the table because she was emotionally drained once more.
Maybe she should splurge and take Tommy out to eat? But how did that treat factor into Tommy’s most recent bad behavior? Would it be a red flag to him that would send him into a mood?
Doors slammed shut and she watched Tommy approach. Her gaze narrowed, taking in the rare smile that flashed over his face in response to something Denz said. Her son was sweat-soaked and visibly tired, but…happy? “Look at you. I take it things went well?”
“Yeah. Denz introduced me to someone named Mac. He’s one of the owners, and Mac got me a pass so I can go workout whenever, and I joined the youth weightlifting program.”
She blinked. “Mac Jones?”
“Yeah, that’s him. He’s great…and the program is for kids my age,” Tommy said.
“It’s monitored,” Denz added softly. “The guys are all volunteers. Firemen, law enforcement. They teach the kids proper form and how to do things the right way. It’s a great way to get to know some other kids on the island.”
“Yeah,” Tommy said again. “If it’s okay, I’m going to meet a couple of them tomorrow to hang out and surf.”
“Uh, maybe,” she said, knowing the local kids surfed in groups but struggling with the concept of Tommy suddenly being one of them.
“I’m gonna go shower. I stink. Is dinner soon?”
“Go. I’ll make sure something is ready when you get out,” she said, completely blown away by her talkative son. He hadn’t said that many words since…
