Summer Secrets (43 page)

They’d also faced the Amberson family and had come clean on every detail of the last few days of Jeremy’s life. The Ambersons had been understandably furious and hurt, the pain once again as fresh as it had been eight years ago. But hopefully in time they would understand that Jeremy had still died a hero.

He’d come aboard the Moon Dancer to help and support the McKenna girls, and he’d done exactly that right up until the last minute.

It didn’t take long for the news to race around the island, and gossip and speculation were running rampant. The McKennas had been the talk at every bar and on every boat on the island. But today was a new day. A new race. And, like all good sailors, they weren’t looking behind them. Their eyes were fixed on the horizon.

“I can’t believe I’m doing this again,” Ashley murmured.

“Me, either,” Caroline said with a dimpled smile. “But it feels good. I feel good.”

“So do I,” Kate said.

“That’s because you’re in love,” Caroline teased.

Kate was in love -- lust, infatuation, she had it all. She still didn’t know what the future would hold. Loving a man like Tyler would no doubt offer its own set of challenges. He was a roamer at heart, and, even though he claimed he wanted roots, she wasn’t sure how the reality of island living would fit him. Something else she’d deal with as she went along. She could live anywhere. She knew that now. She no longer needed a place to hide, but a place to live.

“Hello, girls,” a familiar voice said.

They turned to see K.C. and David bearing down on them.

“Hello,” they said in unison.

“It’s been quite a week, hasn’t it?” K.C. said, looking at Kate.

“Yes, it has.”

“I didn’t remember, you know. I almost wish I had. I almost wish my plan had been as devious as you no doubt thought it was,” K.C. said. “I realize now that Duncan thought I came back here to torture him with the possibility of revealing the truth. But I just came back to rub his face in the sight of me sailing his boat.”

“Not for long,” Kate said. “We’re going to win it back. The bet still stands, right? Whether my father races or not?”

“Why would you want the Moon Dancer? You girls don’t want to race or even sail.”

“Because it’s ours. It’s our home, our legacy. My mother would want us to have it.”

K.C. met her gaze with a long, serious look of his own. “I wish you luck, then,” he said, tipping his head.

“We won’t need luck. We’re McKennas,” Kate called after him, repeating her father’s favorite phrase.

“I’m not so sure we don’t need luck,” Ashley said somewhat darkly. “We haven’t raced in eight years. We’re a little out of practice.”

“That’s true, but we’re still strong and fit, and, frankly, I think it’s ingrained in us, don’t you? There was a time when we could do this in our sleep. I’m hoping it comes back. But, if it doesn’t, at least we will have tried our best.” Kate paused, giving her sister a curious look. “By the way, how is Sean?” Ashley blushed and Kate had her answer. “That good, huh?”

“We’re working things out.”

“I’m so glad.”

“I left him a message that we were racing today, but I’m not sure he wants to be a part of it.” Ashley looked around. “I thought Dad might come down to see us off. Although he’s probably angry with us for finally speaking the truth.”

“He is, but he brought a lot of it on himself. He told Tyler quite a bit of it when they were on the boat together. I think in a way he was almost as relieved as we were to speak the truth… At any rate, I told him I didn’t want him here today unless he was sober. We have to make some changes in our lives, starting now,” Kate added, but since her father was nowhere in sight, she had a feeling he hadn’t been able to do as she requested.

“That’s a lot to ask.”

“It’s past time to be asking,” Kate said. “It’s bad enough, all the risks he took with us by his side, but I can’t forgive him for endangering Tyler’s life the way he did. We’re not going to lie to one another anymore. We’re not going to pretend things are right when they’re wrong.”

“He may not be capable of changing,” Ashley said.

“I know. But I am capable of changing how I deal with him.”

“Let’s go, girls,” Caroline said, waiting for them on deck with two other crew members whom Kate had met the day before. “It’s time to get this show on the road.”

Kate and Ashley climbed onto the boat, and within minutes they were in the familiar groove of race day preparations.

The starting line was crowded with boats. Kate felt a rush of excitement as the boats jockeyed for position. Then they were off. It was a tight race to the first buoy marker. The boats were neck and neck. There were barely inches between them at times.

The next two hours were exhilarating, exhausting, and renewing. Turn after turn, tack after tack, into the wind with speed and grace. Their lives had come full circle. As they turned and headed for home, the Moon Dancer falling behind them, Kate knew that the victory was theirs.

“Look, Ashley,” she said with a wave of her hand. Standing on the bluff were the two most important men in their lives, Tyler and Sean. “They’re waiting for us.”

“I can’t believe it,” Ashley said, tears coming to her eyes.

“Me, either.” Kate wished there was someone waiting for Caroline, too. But her sister wasn’t looking at the bluff; she was concentrating on the finish line. For Caroline, it wasn’t about love -- it was about the future. She also felt a bittersweet sadness that Duncan wasn’t there, but perhaps he couldn’t bear to see them race without him. Maybe it was better this way.

They’d finally cut the ties between father and daughters. They were on their own, for better or for worse.

“Stay focused,” Caroline said. “We haven’t crossed the finish line yet,” she added as the Summer Seas and the Moon Dancer battled back and forth for position.

Kate adjusted the sails and ran the boat boldly and bravely into the wind, remembering who they’d once been and who they would be again.

Ship’s log, Moon Dancer, July 14

Wind: 840 knots

[_Sea Conditions: calm, peaceful _]

Weather Forecast: clear skies

Kate McKenna picked up her pen with a smile. It had been eight years since she’d written in this log -- this weather-beaten, storm-battered log that had been stored in her attic until today. She was supposed to write down only the facts, but she couldn’t help herself, not this time. She turned to the last empty page in the book.

I never thought I would write in this book again, but today the Moon Dancer will sail around Castleton Island, a proud victory sail for my sisters, my father, and myself. We have taken back our boat. We have taken back our lives. That terrible storm of eight years ago destroyed much, but it did not destroy us. We are stronger now. We have learned to let go, to forget and to forgive, but, most importantly, we have learned how to love again.

Kate set down the pen and closed the book. She took it up on the deck where her sisters were waiting, along with her father, Tyler, and Sean.

“What do you have there?” Tyler asked, a curious glint in his eyes.

“The ship’s log. The history of our trip around the world. And the forecast for today’s sail.”

“Did you embellish?” her father asked with a slightly grumpy smile.

He’d been sober for almost twenty-four hours, so he was bound to be a bit out of sorts. Kate didn’t know how long it would last, but they would take it one day at a time.

“Just a bit.” She handed him the book. “This belongs to you, Dad. So does the Moon Dancer. Caroline, Ashley, and I agree that you should live on it here in the harbor. But we’d prefer that you don’t take it out unless you invite one of us along for the ride.”

“Would you go?” he asked, sounding slightly astonished by the idea.

“I would,” Caroline said quickly.

“I would, too,” Ashley replied a bit more slowly. Kate simply nodded.

“Well, then …” Duncan shook his head in bemusement. “You girls always come through for me, don’t you? I’m not sure I deserve it. Actually, I’m sure I don’t deserve it. But I’m going to try harder.” Duncan looked over at Sean and Tyler. “I guess you two will be hanging around, huh?”

“I certainly will,” Sean said firmly, putting his arm around Ashley.

“What about you, Mr. Hotshot Reporter? What’s your story?” Duncan asked.

“My story is just beginning,” Tyler replied, sending Kate a tender smile. “Or should I say our story?”

“Our story,” Kate agreed.

“And my brother has promised to think about bringing Amelia for a visit as soon as he’s back on his feet,” Tyler added, his gaze turning to Caroline.

“I promise I’ll never reveal who I am unless your brother wants Amelia to know.”

“I’ve told Mark that. It’s difficult for him to trust, but he’s trying.” He paused. “I should thank you for sending that attorney after us. Otherwise, I never would have met Kate.” He smiled at her. “Funny how things work.”

“Funny,” she echoed. “And wonderful.”

“So, are we ready to set sail?” Caroline asked.

Duncan held up a hand. “First,” he said, walking over to the side of the boat, “we need to get rid of this log.”

Kate gasped as Duncan tossed the ship’s log into the harbor. She rushed to the side in time to see it sink beneath the surface of the water.

“What did you do that for?” Caroline asked.

“It’s over,” Duncan said simply, directing his words to Kate. “Isn’t that what you’ve been trying to tell me?”

Kate blinked back a happy tear. “Yes, Dad. It’s finally over. Today, we begin again.”

THE
END

Barbara Freethy is the award-winning, bestselling author of 28 novels ranging from contemporary romance to romantic suspense and women’s fiction. Her books have won numerous awards – she is a four-time finalist for the
RITA
for best contemporary romance from Romance Writers of America and her book Daniel’s Gift won the honor and was also optioned for a television movie.

Known for her emotional and compelling stories of love, family and romance, Barbara enjoys writing about ordinary people caught up in extraordinary adventures. She is currently writing a contemporary series for Pocket books, entitled
ANGEL’S
BAY
, set along the fictional coast of California. The latest book in the series,
GARDEN
OF
SECRETS
will be released in September 2011. She is also writing a book that will be released as an e-Book first in the fall.

Barbara has lived all over the state of California and currently resides in Northern California where she draws much of her inspiration from the beautiful bay area. Barbara loves to hear from readers so please feel free to write her.