Page 15 of Dan

“As strange as my mind works, sometimes I don’t connect pieces like that because I don’t manage human emotions or behavior well. That type of behavior would be one of deceit and fraud. My head works in terms of directness and honesty, so there is every possibility that I missed the cues of that.”

“It’s not just you, Finley. Lots of people miss certain cues about behavior. Many of the women and men that you see here were fooled, deceived, convinced of something other than the truth, and it nearly led to their deaths.”

“Was that what happened to Dan’s father? Ryan?”

“Something like that. Ryan was being misled by a deceptive woman who wanted something very specific from our team. He was in a low place at that time of his life. He was very lucky that Paige loved him so much. I think we can attribute his recovery completely to her and her love and patience.”

“You’re all so different than my parents,” she said quietly. Luke said nothing, allowing space for her to continue if she wanted to. “They often said I was their only child because they didn’t want to risk bringing another like me into the world.”

“That was cruel of them to say,” frowned Luke. “There is nothing wrong with you, Finley.”

“There is a great deal wrong with me, Luke,” she said with a sad smile. “Even I know that. I am intelligent. I know that. My IQ tells me that. But my emotional intelligence is lacking in every way. My parents are ridiculously wealthy. My grandfather made his money in microchips, which of course my father took over and is enjoying the fruits of his heritage. My mother’s family made their money in computer manufacturing. A match made in heaven, they used to say.

“They have so much money, they don’t know what to do with it. So, they spend it frivolously on themselves and travel. I see what you all have done here. I heard people talking during the meals. I know that you run several non-profits. I know that you have an orphanage you support. I heard someone say they were building an at-risk youth shelter in the city soon. My parents would never consider such things.

“They were happy to provide for my schooling, clothing, a car, anything to keep me out of their hair. Actually, they weren’t happy about it, but they did it. Mostly because my grandfather forced them to give me certain basic necessities.

“But I can tell you that I was never hugged as a child. Not once. It’s another thing I notice about all of you. You’re not shy about showing affection to one another, not even the men. Dan’s father kissed him on the cheek. So did his grandfather. That must be a wonderful feeling.”

Luke wanted to weep for the young woman. She’d been deprived of the most basic needs a child could have. Affection.

“Finley, you and I aren’t that different. My siblings and I were orphans. Our parents were constantly overdosing. They were killed by drug dealers who wanted their money from the drugs our parents snorted. There were six of us. Me, Carl, Ben, Adam, Violet, and Lucy. When they killed our parents, there was no money for them to take. So, they took us.

“They took us and were going to sell us. That big man over there, Gaspar, and Alexandra adopted us after we were saved by my uncles and some other men. My first real hug was from him. And you know what?”

“What?” she whispered, shaking her head.

“He’s never stopped hugging me and kissing me any chance he got. We’ve had the most amazing, full lives any children could want. You can have that as well.”

“I’m not a child any longer, Luke. I’m a grown woman.”

“That may be, Finley, but if you don’t mind me saying so, you still have childlike needs that need to be met.” He stood, pulling her with him, and wrapped her in a warm hug, kissing the top of her head. The dull roar of conversation turned to soft murmurs, all eyes on the two people.

“You’re going to be okay now. I can guarantee that,” he said, whispering in her ear. “We’re your family now. If you need a hug, hug someone. If you need to talk, talk to someone. If you need to cry…” He felt her shoulders shift and shudder and knew she was crying. It was soft at first, then louder, her little body shaking with emotion.

“It’s going to be okay. We’re here for you,” he said softly.

Dan watched as his friend and teammate held the woman, whispering to her as she wept. He didn’t need to know what it was about, only that Luke was making it better. When the other men and women walked toward her, each taking their turns hugging her, he could only smile, realizing that this woman was his, and he hadn’t even touched her yet.

“Are you better now?” asked Paige, brushing back the thick hair from her face.

“I didn’t know I needed that,” she said, sniffing.

“We all need a good cry now and again,” smiled Ella. “Don’t be ashamed of that. It sounds to me like your parents didn’t really know how to raise a child.”

“They definitely didn’t know how to raise a child like me,” she said with a sad laugh. “Private tutors, nannies with a firm hand, and mental hospitals. Then I learned to play their game and express the things that I should, holding back those things I shouldn’t.”

“I don’t want you to hold back, Finley,” said Dan. “If I gave you that impression, I’m sorry.”

“No. No, it’s fine,” she said, shaking her head. “I need someone like all of you who can tell me when I’ve said something inappropriate or done something. If I’m told about it, I won’t repeat it. They just never told me. They only yelled at me.”

“Surely, they must have been proud of your accomplishments in mathematics and engineering,” said Alexandra. “I’ve read some of your articles. You’re amazing.”

“I don’t think it mattered to them. In their eyes, I wasn’t normal.”

“You’re as normal as anyone here,” smiled Antoine. “That might not bring you a lot of comfort, but believe me. You’re normal.”

“Thank you, all. I’m not sure where all of this will lead, but I’m glad that it was Dan who found me on that boat.”

---