A Change of Plans (22 page)

Part 3

CHAPTER 22

D
REAMS HAUNTED
by scenes of Jimmy pulling Braedon and the two boys into shark-infested water drove me up on deck. I stood for hours looking for any sign of Moli, the knot in my gut squeezing tighter and tighter.

Norma came searching for me. Kind and patient, she didn’t say anything and just stood with me. When the early morning sun began to paint the clouds on the horizon with a vivid array of pinks and reds, she left for a few minutes only to return with a plate of fresh fruit and crackers.

“You really must eat something.” She took my arm and pulled me into a chair, handing me the plate before dragging a small table over. When I took a cube of watermelon, she said, “The authorities have contacted your families.”

I stared at her, the knot loosening a little. Would my mom and dad come? Would I see Elle? The knot tightened again. What would they tell Aislinn? What
could
they tell her?

My throat contracted, and I couldn’t answer. Norma squeezed my shoulder and left me, returning a while later with a handful of clothing for me to try on. Nothing quite fit, the
only thing coming close being a single T-shirt. Yet it still felt strange against my skin, and I took it off as soon as Norma left.

For two days, I never managed to sleep more than a few hours at a time. Once a nightmare jerked me awake, I would return to the deck.

Early on the morning of the third day, the sound of knocking on my cabin door woke me. Being the first time I had not been awakened by a nightmare, it left me confused, expecting to see the tree house walls and feel Braedon snuggled beside me.

“My dear,” Norma called through the door. “We’ve docked, and the authorities are here for you.”

I bolted upright from my pile of blankets on the floor. “Is there any word from Moli?”

She hesitated. “I’m sorry, but no.”

Leaning against the bed’s frame for a minute, I rubbed at the ache in my stomach. Why should today be any different? I rose and stepped into the small restroom and cleaned up.

I hadn’t done more than sponge myself off since I had come onboard. My ratty braid fell over my shoulder, and I inspected the dark hollows under my eyes, thinking they went well with those in my cheeks.

A sharp knock on the door made me jump. “Lyn! Open up!” a familiar voice shouted.

I dashed to the door and flung it open. Elle launched herself at me, sobbing as she threw her arms around my neck. The knot in my stomach loosened as I hugged her back. I wasn’t alone anymore.

After a moment, I pushed her back to look at her. Her long hair had been cut short in a stylish bob that became her, and her face was fuller than I remembered. Then I noticed the small roundness of her stomach. “Are you pregnant?”

She laughed while her makeup ran down her cheeks. “Yes! I’m married now.” She threw her arms around me again. “Oh, Lyn, I can’t believe you’re alive!”

A baby. My chest felt heavy as I patted Elle’s back. Braedon and I had talked about having children when we got home but had tried to assure I wouldn’t become pregnant while still on the island. How could we have escaped in an outrigger with a child? Still, we had always fantasized about the family we would one day have.

There was a rustling near the door. I glanced over Elle’s shoulder and found Aislinn watching us, her eyes glistening. Immediately I let go of Elle and hugged Aislinn tightly.

When she pulled back, I asked, “Is there any word on Braedon?”

Her quivering lips were answer enough.

The lump in my throat threatened to choke me, and I wanted to crawl back under my blankets.

Sniffing, Aislinn pointed to the ring on my left finger. “Did he carve that?”

“My wedding ring? Yes,” I croaked, dropping my hand and twisting the ring.

Aislinn blinked. “Wedding? How ...?”

“We exchanged vows.” Not sure what to make of her expression, I stepped back. Did she think I was lying?

She grabbed my shoulders and hugged me again. The knot in my stomach broke free, letting loose a surge of pain, and for the first time, I cried.

Finally, exhausted, we sat on the bed. I had dreamed of seeing these women so many times, yet now I didn’t know what to say.

Elle shifted uncomfortably. “Those government people are
waiting. We need to get going. Do you have anything else to wear?” She picked up the T-shirt I had cast off. “How about this?”

I stood and wiped my eyes, taking the shirt from her. “It feels weird.”

“Well, if you walk around Pago Pago in your current get-up, people are going to get an eyeful.” Elle crossed her arms, reminding me of my mother.

At the thought, a sudden craving for my mom’s comforting arms around me filled me. I peered out the cabin door. “Are my parents coming?”

Elle and Aislinn exchanged a look that turned me cold.

“What happened?” I pressed my fingers against my lips to stop their quivering.

“They were killed in a car crash about eighteen months ago,” Elle said quietly, her eyes shining.

I dropped to the bed again and buried my face in my hands. Both my parents were gone. This wasn’t what Braedon and I had planned for, dreamed of. What about my barbeque? I looked up. “And my brother?” I prepared myself for another blow.

Elle’s face lightened. “Oh, Marc’s fine. He joined the Marines and is stationed overseas. We got word to him before we left that you’re alive. We’re going to set up a video call.”

I let my head fall back. I still had Marc. That at least was something to hold on to.

A shout on deck made us all jump, and Aislinn handed me the T-shirt. “They’re waiting.”

With a grimace, I slipped it over my head. The small thing only came to the top of my breechcloth, still revealing my bony hips.

Aislinn and Elle led the way up on deck where D’Arcy stood beside a younger man. Elle went to the stranger, who I assumed was her husband, and he put his arms around her. The loving gesture sent me into turmoil, jealousy fighting with embarrassment. How could I be so shallow?

D’Arcy came over and hugged me. “Good to see you again.” He pointed toward the ramp to shore. “This way.”

Elle and her husband stayed behind to speak to the yacht couple, but I couldn’t make out what they were saying. I turned and raised my hand to catch Norma’s attention, hoping she would understand my thanks.

On the dock, policemen were fighting to hold back a crowd of people. Cameras flashed, and a uniformed man hurried us into a large van. Were these people there to see me?

Once I had ducked inside behind the Armstrongs, I tugged at my short shirt, trying to cover my exposed hips.

Elle and her husband slid in next to me. “Lyn, this is my husband, Malcolm.”

“Everyone just calls me Mal.” He shook my hand before removing his button-down shirt and handing it to me.

“Thank you.” I spread the shirt over my legs and hips.

I had just leaned my head against the window when a flash went off outside. In a deft movement, Elle’s husband switched places with me. He held a newspaper against the window, blocking the view.

“What was that about?” I asked as the van pulled away.

“They’re just curious about you.” He dropped the paper when we had left the group of people behind.

Elle clasped my hand, and everyone sat in silence. At first, I was glad for some peace after the turbulence on the dock, but
soon it started to bug me that no one was telling me anything. “Where are we going?”

“To the police station. We have some questions for you, Ms. North,” replied one of the uniformed men in the front.

I flinched at the name. Had it only been a few days ago that I had introduced myself to Moli as Lyn North and Braedon had corrected me? Aislinn, who sat behind me, squeezed my shoulder.

They took us to a large building and had us sit in a conference room. It was air-conditioned—and so freezing to me. Trying not to shiver, I answered dozens of questions about everything that had happened.

Jimmy and Maria were easier to talk about, but a hard knot in my throat prevented me from speaking about Braedon. Mal answered for me with the information he had gotten from the yacht couple. I nodded my agreement.

The officials wanted information about the island, but I couldn’t tell them its location. They would have to wait and question Moli when he returned.

After what felt like a frozen eternity, they said they were done with me. They requested that I remain in American Samoa for a couple of days in case they had any additional questions, printed my statement, and handed it to me to sign. I picked up the pen and paused, rolling the cheap tube in my fingers, thinking how strange the plastic felt.

Then I realized I didn’t know what name to sign. The knot in my throat tightened, and my eyes filled with tears.

Elle moved to my side. “What is it?”

I couldn’t speak and shook my head. The man across the table looked alarmed as he handed me a tissue. I almost signed my maiden name rather than deal with an argument but, at the
last moment, I thought of Braedon as we exchanged our vows. I was his wife. I signed Randolph.

The policeman took the paper. When he read my signature, he looked about to challenge me, but I clenched my jaw and stared him down. With a shrug, he made a notation on the paper and said we could go.

Relieved to be outside again, I stopped and stretched out my arms to feel the sun’s heat. Elle tapped me on the shoulder and pointed at the van. We were driven to a hotel, and Elle and Aislinn led me to my room.

“I’ll bring you something of mine to put on, though it might be a little big on you.” Aislinn opened my door. “Once you’re dressed, we can go down to dinner.”

I hesitated, unable to bear the thought of going into a restaurant full of people staring at me. “I’m not particularly hungry.”

“You’re so thin,” Aislinn argued, examining me again. “You need to eat.”

I slipped through the door and turned, leaning on the frame, weariness weighing me down. “I’ll order in.” I paused, realizing I had no money. “Is it okay if I order in?”

Aislinn and Elle exchanged worried glances, and Elle said, “Of course. Just promise you’ll eat something.”

“I will.” I started to close the door.

Aislinn stopped it with her hand. “If you need anything— and I mean
anything
—Elle’s room is on that side of yours, and mine is on the other.”

“Thanks.” I closed the door and immediately went to turn off the air-conditioning and closed the drapes, shutting out the view of civilization. I paused, unsure what to do. I had nothing to hang in the closet, no interest in what might be on the
television, no one to write to with the stationary on the desk. Even the bowl of fruit on the small dining table did nothing but make me slightly nauseous.

I finally decided to take a bath in the oversized spa tub. While the tub filled with hot water, I removed my furry top and breechcloth and set my ring by the sink. I examined my gaunt frame in the mirror. I had thought we had eaten pretty well on the island, but I could see the outline of my ribs.

Once in the tub, I slid down so only my face was exposed. I wished I could force my emotions back into a little knot. I told myself Braedon and the boys might still be found, but on the edges of my mind, I only saw the tiny speck of the outrigger almost indiscernible against the wide expanse of the ocean. I lay in the hot water trying to hold the pain at bay.

When the water grew tepid, I got out and wrapped up in a towel. I thought about how hard it would be to untangle my wet hair ... and yelped. I had left the bag with my few island possessions on the yacht. It had all the things Braedon had carved for me, including the hair pick. I leaned against the bathroom wall, slid to the floor, and cried.

CHAPTER 23

I
WOKE TO
the smell of food and the feel of someone rubbing my shoulder. I surged to a sitting position. “Braedon!”

Elle snapped her hand back. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “It’s just me.”

I clambered to my knees, clutching the towel around me. “Any news?”

“Nothing yet. The Coast Guard has a massive search going, but a tropical storm is headed that way.” Elle helped me up. “You’ve slept a couple of hours. I ordered you some oatmeal. You should eat it before it gets cold.”

With hands now almost too heavy to lift, I slipped on a robe and followed her into the bedroom. She stirred the melting brown sugar into the gray mush, added a bit of milk, and passed me the bowl. My stomach grumbled and I took a big bite—and promptly spat it back into the dish.

“What’s wrong?” Elle took the bowl from me and peered at the oatmeal.

I swallowed, trying to get the taste out of my mouth. “It’s
too sweet.” I grabbed the glass of milk from the tray and took a drink. “I’m sorry. Can I get another bowl without any sugar?”

“Sure.” Elle set the bowl aside and called room service.

After she hung up, Elle rubbed my back and then scowled, lifting a clump of my hair. “This is a mess. Let me get some things, and I’ll help you with it. Oh, and Aislinn gave me these for you.” She took a stack of clothes out of a bag and left.

I looked through the clothing and chose the softest items. I didn’t like their feel, but I knew I would have to get used to them. If Braedon and I had been going through this transition together, we would have been laughing and rejoicing.

As I was finishing getting dressed, Elle returned, followed by Aislinn.

Elle had me sit down and worked leave-in conditioner into my hair. Aislinn and Elle then each took half my hair and began working out the snarls. I thought of Braedon doing the same thing back on the island, and the now familiar ache in my throat burned again as I tried not to cry. It was a losing battle, and my shoulders shook.

Aislinn knelt beside me with an arm around my shoulders. “We can get you some help, you know. They have counselors.”

“I’m okay.” I wiped my eyes with the tissue Elle handed me. “It’s just that everything reminds me of him.” My voice broke. “He carved me a beautiful comb, but I’ve lost my bag.”