Chapter Eleven
Laura reached for Dallas’s hand and used her other to brush the tangle of hair from her face. Wind, fresh and chilly, whipped down the beach and dumped waves ashore in an explosion of white foam. She buttoned her coat and lengthened her stride to keep up with Dallas. Soon they were running, and she was laughing until she strained for breath.
“Remind me why we’re walking along a cold beach.”
“Because it’s good exercise,” he said, his blue eyes laughing down at her. “I like the beach. Smell the fresh spring air.”
Unable to restrain her return grin, she ran her fingers over his cheek, a surge of emotion welling inside as she wrinkled her nose. “I smell seaweed and something dead.”
“Ah, but think of the fun we’ll have thawing out. A hot beverage or two. Sharing a shower and lazy sex to seal the deal.”
“A man with a one-track mind. I like it.” She more than liked the idea. Despite her inner clang of protective alarms, she’d fallen for Dallas. It was an insidious craving that never went away, a welling of joy when she spent time with him. The constant laughter, the desire to learn more about him, and then there was the sex.
Mind-blowing sex. Hot, glorious sex. Stupendous sex.
“Are you cold?”
“No, you made sure I dressed in warm layers.”
“Do you want to walk farther? To the rocky outcrop.”
“Let’s go.” Her phone rang from the depths of her jacket, vibrating against her hip. She burrowed, scowling when she saw her parents’ number on the screen. “Blast, I should have left my phone in Napier.”
“Answer it. We can walk at the same time.”
“Hello, Mother,” she said, guessing her mother would be the intruder. She was wrong. “Dad? Is something wrong?”
“Your mother said you’re not staying at the apartment.”
“That’s correct,” Laura said.
“Where are you staying?”
“With a friend.” They were treating her like a child.Again.
“That’s not the deal we made when we allowed you to leave Clare.”
“No, it’s not,” she agreed.
“Good.” His heavy sigh whispered down the phone, and she imagined him sitting in his office, irritated because he’d had to interrupt his schedule to deal with one of his children. “You will move back to the apartment, and get your mother off my back.”
“No.” Laura didn’t hesitate. Whatever the consequences, she needed to stand strong for independence. While her sisters and brother might bow to their parents’ wishes, there was more to life than money and tradition.
Another sigh whistled down the phone. “I’m sorry it has to come to this, Laura, but if you don’t return to the apartment, I’ll withdraw your allowance and make sure the charity rescinds their job.”
Laura’s heart thumped in three hard beats and sudden tears stung her eyes. She stopped walking, anguish ripping away her good mood.
Blackmail—pure and simple.
Most parents wanted their children to leave the family fold. Most parents were happy for their offspring to strike out on their own. Most parents encouraged independence. Hers looked on their children as tools for betterment—a gauge of their success.
Good marriage.Check.
Good social standing.Check.
“Laura, are you there?” Testiness coated her father’s voice, an impatience to get the job done and return to his routine.
“I’m here, Dad.”
