* * *
Her left foot stuttered as she moved it from the gas pedal to the brake, back to the gas. Amazingly, Maddie arrived at the cottage without incident. She had no idea how she’d done it, but she was grateful that traffic had been light.
How or if her father made it to the ferry was his problem. He was a grown, educated man; chances were, he’d call a cab or an Uber, or walk over to the airport and catch one there. She also hoped he’d have the good sense not to take anything from the storage unit. He’d left his bag at the cottage, but Rafe and her could bring it back with them. Or she’d ship it, if Rafe didn’t show up. And if she decided to live on her own. Maybe it was time for that, too.
No matter what her choices would be, Maddie would no longer do things her father’s way.
Before going to bed she stood the portrait of her great-grandfather on the mantel, between her mother’s painting of the sunset and Maddie’s pottery bowl. Then she opened all the windows to let the night air in. She no longer worried that a big bad wolf could crawl inside and do whatever to her.
Chapter 18
Rafe called in the morning to say he couldn’t make it until Friday, maybe Saturday. Damn.
“I’m sorry, Mom. I couldn’t get anyone to take my place. Will you be okay till then?”
“Sure, honey,” she said, masking her disappointment. “I’ll be fine.” She never wanted him to hear her sounding needy. So, yes, she was guilty of trying to protect her child, too. Squaring her shoulders, she raised her chin, determined to act chipper. “Maybe by then the doctor will let me go home.”
He hesitated. She knew Rafe was sensitive to her emotions; maybe it was common for an only child with a single mom. Or maybe he was more like her than she imagined.
“Okay,” he said after another beat. “I’ll let you know what time I’ll get there.”
“Great!” she said too exuberantly. “And before we leave here, I’ll have lots to show you.” If she’d said she’d have lots totellhim, he would have asked for a hint. That can of worms was far too big to open over the phone.
After hanging up, Maddie called Evelyn.
“Hello, dear,” the woman said. She did not sound as upbeat as Maddie expected. “I’m not having a good day. I know Brandon spilled the beans about my condition. I asked him not to, but he enjoys dancing around my wishes. He says it’s for my own good—that there’s no shame in people knowing. Anyway, I’m afraid I’m not well enough today to drive you to your appointment. Can someone else bring you?”
If Brandon hadn’t told Maddie about his mother’s situation, she might have thought Evelyn was making an excuse—which she would have taken personally.
“Oh, Evelyn, I completely understand. And I’m sorry about your health issues. But you do well most of the time, don’t you?”
“I do. Sometimes I even forget about it for a while. But not today.”
“Well, please take care of yourself and don’t worry about me. If I can’t get someone else, I can call a cab. My dad was here yesterday, and he had no problem getting one.”
Evelyn fell silent, then asked, “Your father came to the island?”
“Yes.”
“Is he still here?”
“No.” There was no need to elaborate.
“He came a long way for just a day.”
“We had a nice time,” she lied. “My son wanted to come with him, but he had to work; he’ll be here later in the week.”
“Oh. What does he do for summer work?”
Was she really interested?
“Environmental things. Mostly related to water. And he’ll be a senior at Amherst this fall; he’s studying business, too.” Right now, however, she did not want to explain her family to Evelyn. So Maddie changed the subject. “I’m sorry I won’t get to see you today, but I hope you’ll feel better soon.”
“I will. I always do!” Her spirits either brighter or she was pretending they were.
Good grief, Maddie thought, another protector.
“In the meantime,” Evelyn added, “call Joe for a ride. He’s usually free on Tuesdays.”
