Ten boarded the ship and took a life vest from the first mate. He climbed to the second deck where Ronan was sitting in a seat bolted to the floor. Ten took the one beside him. He turned his face to the sun, feeling its heat soak into his skin, into his soul.
Ten was well on his way to finding himself again. With any luck he’d be his old self again in no time. Jude was right. He was stronger than Autumn Miller. As far as he was concerned, she could rot in hell. Ten wasn’t going to let her or her actions take one more second of joy from him.
5
Ronan
This was the life. Why had it taken Ronan so long to figure outhe was a boat guy? He’d been on a cruise ship and on a sailboat before, but there was something about putting his feet up and watching the world pass him by from the top deck.
Wolf and Ezzie were in the wheelhouse learning how the boat worked. Everly, Aurora, and Lizzie were lying on seat cushions in the sun working on their tans. Of course, Ten and Cope had slathered the kids in SPF 50, so when the day ended the kids would be no more tanned than they had been when they’d woken up. Ronan would do his part and tell his daughter her tan looked amazing.
“I never knew there were islands off the shore of New Hampshire,” Fitz said, taking the seat beside Ronan.
“There are islands?” Ronan asked, cracking an eye open to look at his boss.
“Off the starboard side, dumbass.” Fitzgibbon pointed. “Haven’t you been listening to the tour guide?”
“What tour guide?” Ronan asked. “I’ve been relaxing in the sun and keeping an eye on the kids.” Thankfully they’d all be allowed to take off the life vests once the safety briefing concluded. He sat up and opened his eyes. The islands grew smaller as the boat headed back toward the harbor.
“Jude seemed to be having a pretty serious conversation with Ten. Is he okay?”
“Jude’s a total pain in the ass, but he’s fine.” Ronan snickered. He knew exactly who Fitzgibbon was talking about. Truth be told he’d been wondering the same thing about his husband. Ten had mentioned reaching out to David Grimm. As much as father and son needed to have civil conversation, Ronan was much more worried about what that conversation would do for his husband’s mental health.
“I meant Tennyson.” Fitz rolled his eyes.
“Ten’s okay.” Ronan sighed. “He’s been walking this tightrope between taking care of our family and berating himself for what happened to Everly and Aurora when the brick came through the window. I’m hoping that this trip will help him see that none of what happened with Autumn Miller was his fault.”
“I’ve been worried about him for a few weeks now. The physical wounds heal, you know, but the mental torture you put yourself through makes it feel like things will never get back to normal.” Fitz sounded as if he were thinking back to his own struggles.
“We’ve all been there. I’ve been shot four times. You’ve taken three bullets and Jude two.” Ronan shut his eyes. He remembered what it had been like waking up in the ICU after Mark Abruzzi had shot him three times, nearly killing him. The shooting happened eight years before, but to Ronan there were times when it felt like yesterday. “I think it was easier for us because we were the only ones involved. With Ten, Autumn Miller had thrown the brick through our window, but the worst part was she and her whack job boyfriend coming to the hospital not only to kill Ten, but to hurt us and the kids too.”
Fitz nodded. “I can’t imagine what it must feel like for Ten to think what happened to the girls was his fault.”
“He’s getting better, but it’s a slow recovery. I’m really hoping he’ll make strides forward on this trip.” As Ronan spoke, he saw Everly sit up suddenly. She looked around for a few seconds before getting to her feet.
“Off to our starboard side, you can see Boon Island and its magnificent lighthouse,” the tour guide said through the speaker. “At seven hundred feet tall, the tower is the largest in all of New England. President James Madison authorized theconstruction of the lighthouse, which became fully automated in 1980, courtesy of the United States Coast Guard.”
Everly walked to Ronan. “We need to get closer to the tower. I need to talk to Katherine.”
“Who’s Katherine?” Ronan asked.
“The lighthouse keeper.” Everly nibbled her lower lip as she started out toward the lighthouse.
“I don’t understand. The guide just said the tower hasn’t had keepers since 1980.” Ronan might not have been paying full attention, but he’d that part loud and clear.
“Katherine died in 1852,” Everly said. “I can hear her crying. I mean likereally, crying, Daddy. I need to help her, but she can’t hear me when I reach out. We need to get closer.”
“I’ll go ask the pilot if he can do that,” Fitzgibbon said. “Since we’re the only party on the boat, it might be easier to alter the itinerary. If not, I’ll just pull out my badge.”
“Thanks Uncle Fitz.” Everly’s eyes stayed on the tower.
“What else do you know about her?” Ronan asked, hoping Fitzgibbon would come back with Tennyson. He wasn’t very good at helping Everly when spirits were speaking to her. All he could do was stand by her side offering his strength, which wasn’t much in light of communicating with the dead.
“Katherine Bright was married to the lighthouse keeper. I can see a storm. A really,reallybad storm and can hear Katherine weeping, but that’s it. I need to help her, Daddy.”
“How can I help?” Ronan asked, hoping whatever it was Everly needed, he could provide.
“I need enough time to talk to Katherine.” Everly walked to the railing, her gaze focused on the lighthouse, which drew nearer.
