I get my phone from my pocket and take a few photos to commemorate the day just as the horn sounds that we're nearing our destination. The captain asks for everyone to be seated for docking, and Dani bounds over to me for a fast hug.
"We're here!"
I smile and kiss her head. "Yes, we are. What's the rule?"
"No wandering off," she says in a disgruntled tone. "I have to stay with you or Lindsey or Madi."
"Good girl." Dani wanted to bring her bike today, but I nixed the idea last minute. I'm out of commission, Lindsey can't run after my little daredevil, and Mads deserves to enjoy her day and not be used as a babysitter any more than as a big sister keeping an eye out for someone younger. I promise a second trip when I'm able to bike or run with my girl and tell Dani we'll get a golf cart instead. Thankfully she didn't kick up a fuss. Now we just have to make our way off the ferry and down the dock to the rentals area.
I hold us back to allow others to exit before me so I don't slow anyone down. I've gotten used to the crutches, but I still feel the pressure and pain of them under my burns, and we've got a long day ahead of us. "You good?" I ask Lindsey, noting she's quieter than normal.
Is that because I'd brought up—or tried to bring up—the kiss? Or is she still feeling sick?
"I'm good," she says, her gaze on Dani and Mads as they walk ahead of us.
The August heat coats us in a sheen of sweat by the time we make it to the rental shop. We're in the back of the line, and Dani gets impatient and begs to go explore.
"I'll take her," Lindsey says.
"Thanks. I'll be as fast as I can be."
I watch Dani and Linds leave, but Mads stays behind. She's been quiet today, too, and I give her a wink while we wait. "You doing okay?"
"Fine."
The women in my life are full of fines these days. "You sure about that?"
This time she lifts and lowers a shoulder in an aggressive-looking shrug.
"Mads, come on. Talk to me," I say in a low voice, aware we are surrounded by people. "If you have, questions. Ask. I can't read your mind, honey."
Her jaw locks, and she shifts a bit closer. "I want you to…do the guardian thing. So I can stay."
I feel a bit dizzy at the news. Overwhelmed by what it all means in terms of hiring an attorney and taking matters into my own hands. "Okay. If you're sure, I'll check into it."
"I'm sure. She really would just hock my Vespa and go party. I mean, if I did take it."
My hands tighten on the crutch handles. "It was a gift to you, Mads. It's yours. No one else's."
I'm pretty sure I see tears sparkling in her eyes, but maybe it's the heat or the sun. Has Pam never given her anything? Or given her stuff but not allowed her to keep them when things got tight? "Hey, try to set all that aside today and just have fun, okay? We'll figure things out, but it won't happen today. So let's just enjoy the day."
She nods and goes nose deep into her phone once more, but she doesn't leave my side.
The line moves, but I'm still a few people deep when an older woman rides up on a really nice cart with a Happy Birthday banner stretched across the windshield and a couple of balloons fastened securely to the roof. She stops right next to me.
"Kace McCallum?"
I stare in surprise. I don't recognize the woman or the man who follows her on a second cart. But the woman is beaming a smile at me like she's known me my whole life. "I…am. I'm sorry. Have we met?"
"No, son," the man says as he climbs out of the second cart, gesturing toward the woman. "But my wife, Rayna, is one of the Babes. The girls said you were bringing your family to visit the island today."
"Okay." I'm not following. At all.
The guy seems to get my confusion and chuckles. "Let's just say we heard what happened with the fire and about your birthday trip, and Rayna thought the girls might want to ride in style for the day since we know local heroes can't accept gifts."
I blink in surprise and see Madi lift her head to take in the cart and then the couple with more than a little disbelief.
"For real?" Mads asks, looking excited. "Can I drive it?"
