Em (The Summer My Life Began Book 1) Page 16

  I hug him back, soaking in the warmth and tenderness. “Me too.”

  Frederick takes the stool beside me. “Cade’s gone.”

  “What do you mean Cade’s gone?”

  “I went over to his apartment to talk and his neighbor said he’s gone.”

  “Did she say where he went?”

  He shakes his head.

  “Like off the island kind of gone?”

  Frederick shrugs.

  “I didn’t want him to leave. I feel horrible.”

  “Me, too. Do you think we were too hard on him?”

  Beth swings through the kitchen door, interrupting my response. “Will you all please tell me what’s going on? What is wrong with everybody?”

  Frederick and I exchange a glance.

  Beth throws her hands up. “Cade’s disappeared. Frederick and Tilly are arguing. Em didn’t even sleep here last night. Oh, and Domino’s not talking either. Someone tell me what’s going on.”

  Frederick and I exchange another glance and then we talk at once and over each other, telling her everything.

  When we’re done, Beth just looks at us. “Wow.”

  “You can say that again,” my brother mumbles.

  “That’s a lot to take in.”

  “Tell me about it,” I agree.

  A few quiet seconds pass as Beth mulls everything over. “I’m adopted,” she announces.

  I blink. “You are?”

  “It’s how I ended up here, actually. My parents told me on my eighteenth birthday, and I was so upset I ran away from home.” Beth chuckles. “I’ve never told anyone that before now. They all think I came here for a boy.”

  Frederick and I share a surprising look.

  Beth says, “My biggest regret is that I didn’t talk to my parents for a whole year. I totally froze them out. I’m not proud of that at all. They’re fantastic people and I was horrible to them after they adopted and raised me.”

  “Did you find your birth parents?” Frederick asks.

  “No, I looked for my birth mother for a couple of years, but in the end, I gave up. I realized it doesn’t matter. It wasn’t going to change my life, or who I was.”

  Beth and I have more in common than I realized.

  “My advice to you two,” she says. “Don’t be angry. There’s too much love in this home for that.”

  Beth is right and her words have me thinking of Cade.

  Where did he go? I need to find him.

  Chapter 36

  I go back to Cade’s apartment and talk to his neighbor, the elderly lady with the plumbing problem. He left a note for me with her.

  Em,

  I need to go away for a while. I’ll be off the island. I hear you’re staying. Please know how sorry I am. Let’s talk when I return.

  Cade

  Concise and to the point. Much like the one I wrote to my family.

  I have to respect his space and so with nothing left to do, I go back to The Pepper House.

  Domino and I spend the next few days researching culinary schools. I fill out an application to each of my top five choices: one in Italy, another in France, the third in South Africa, fourth in New York, and last in Canada. Domino writes a recommendation letter to include with each.

  Then I dive into financial-aid to include grants and scholarships. Paying for this on my own is more than doable. Cade’s right. I don’t need my parents’ money. I can and will do this. The thought bolsters me.

  “Hey, sis, whatcha smiling about?” Frederick enters the living room where I’m spread out working.

  Sis. I love hearing him say that. “Just thinking about my future.”

  He glances across to the chessboard. “Up for a game?”

  “Sure.” I put my paperwork aside and join him at the board.

  “Heard back from your letter home yet?” he asks.

  “No.” It upsets me more than I want to admit. In fact, the total lack of response shocks me.

  “Not even Gwenny?”

  “No.”

  I texted her a few times but got nothing back. I try not to let my imagination run away with me, but it does. They likely forbid communication with me and took away her phone. I have to trust it will all blow over.

  Frederick steps a pawn out. “And Cade?”

  “I haven’t heard from him, either.”

  “You still mad at him?”

  I take a knight up and over. “No. In fact, I don’t think I ever really was. I understand he was trying to respect everyone’s privacy. Personally, I would have hated to be in his shoes, knowing something so huge.”

  Frederick slides his bishop three diagonal spaces. “I hope he comes back soon, wherever he is.”

  “Yeah, I miss him.” I slide a pawn left to take his bishop.

  Frederick studies the board for a second.

  Tilly strolls in. “Frederick, honey, will you please go help Beth? She’s trying to get Cottage One ready for some last-minute guests.”

  Still eyeing the board, he pushes back. “Sure.”

  “Want me to help too?” I ask.

  Tilly shoos my brother away. “In a second, I have a question for you.”

  My brother strides off and I turn my attention to Tilly. “I’m glad you two are back to normal,” I say.

  “Me too.” She sits down in the chair he vacated. “We’ve been invited to the art gallery for an opening tomorrow. Do you want to go?”

  I straighten up. “Really? Yes, that sounds amazing!”

  “Good. I’ll RSVP, then.” Tilly gets up. She stands for a second staring down at me, and I get the impression she wants to say something but doesn’t know how.

  “What is it?” I ask.

  “Em, don’t make the same mistake I did. Don’t leave them behind. Continue to write them, call them, show them you care. They may not respond, but you can rise above them. You’re a bigger and better person for taking the initiative. Understand what I’m saying?”

  “I do. I definitely plan to keep trying even if they continue to freeze me out.”

  Tilly winks. “Good.”

  “I’m worried about Gwenny more than anything.”

  “She’ll be fine. You two will always be sisters. Nothing can or will come between you.”

  Tilly’s right. Nothing has ever come between Gwenny and me, and we certainly won’t let this.

  “I’m glad you’re here, Em. I’m glad you decided to stay.”

  I laugh. “You know what, I never officially asked you if I could stay. I just assumed.”

  Tilly waves me off. “You assumed right. I can’t think of anything better.”

  Neither can I.

  ~*~

  That night I write another letter. I promise myself I’ll write home once a week and follow up with a call. I doubt they’ll respond, but it’s the right thing to do. I don’t want to lose contact with the only family I’ve known. Eventually, I’ll wear them down.

  Eventually.

  The next morning Gwenny calls.

  “Gwenny! Where have you been? I’ve been going nuts over here. Didn’t you get my texts?”

  My sister sighs. “I’m not even grounded and they took my phone away. They don’t want me calling you. They don’t want us talking.”

  “Oh, Gwenny.” I so don’t want them taking this out on her.

  “I know. It sucks. But get this, Dad stepped in on our behalf.”

  “Get out!” Dad never overrides Mom and Grandmother.

  “He said that it was very mean-spirited to keep the two of us from talking.”

  “He said ‘mean-spirited’?” I can’t imagine.

  “That’s right.”

  “Wow. So, how is everyone taking it?”

  “Well, the first couple of days were really bad. Grandmother and Mom even discussed flying to Anna Island to confront you.”

  I swallow. “They’re not, are they?”

  “No. And of course they wanted to know what I knew.”

  “I’m sorry, Gwenny. I ne
ver meant to put you in the middle.”

  “I know. That’s how they were at first, but now they’re just really silent. Grandmother’s telling everyone you’re taking a year off to volunteer with underprivileged orphans.”

  “Doesn’t surprise me. She’s so about image it’s ridiculous. Is it really so horrible that I want to go to culinary school?”

  “Of course not, but you know how she is. So the way I figure it, we need to give them time. You write another letter. I’ll work on them here. Now that Dad seems to be on our side, I’m going to get him wearing them down too.”

  She will, too. My sister can be very convincing when she sets her mind to it. As I’ve thought before, she’s the one who should be a lawyer.

  We say our good-byes and I go downstairs to help with breakfast.

  Tilly says, “Can you assist me in the dining room? Frederick is helping Beth and I only have two hands.”

  “Sure.” I take two plates from the warmer and follow her in.

  Harry, the yacht man, looks up from his paper as I approach. “Good morning.”

  I set a plate down in front of him. “Good morning. I’m surprised to see you here. Is your boat still being repaired?”

  “Oh, I’m back living on it now, but your aunt lets me come and eat whenever I want to. I’ve become quite a fan of the food here.”

  I refill his coffee. “Mr. Lemley, if you don’t mind me asking, do I know you from somewhere? Your name sounds very familiar.”

  He smiles mysteriously. “No, I don’t think we know each other.”

  “Hm.” I study him.

  His phone buzzes and he checks the display. Grabbing his coffee he stands and as he answers, he walks from the room.

  But before I can give it any more thought, another customer waves me over and I become busy refilling drinks and bussing dishes.

  Chapter 37

  That night we go downtown to the opening at the art gallery.

  We stroll along the cobblestone street, passing all the unique shops, some open and some closed for the evening. We cross in front of the glass-blowing shop and I glance down the alley toward the door that leads to Cade’s apartment.

  When will he return?

  As we near the gallery, guitar music filters through the air, soft and dreamy. People spill out of the gallery and into the stone entryway.

  Beth stands in the crowd, and I spot Jeremy, too. He gives me a wave and a smile that I return. We haven’t seen or talked to each other since the phone call when he broke things off. I thought our first run-in might be awkward, but I sense only friendship in that smile and wave.

  Jeremy really is a nice guy; he just isn’t the right guy for me.

  I follow Tilly and Frederick under the arched entryway and into the gallery. I recognize many of the faces around me, and they recognize me, too, with welcoming hellos and waves.

  Look at me, officially a local.

  As I weave my way through the gallery, I look at the paintings on display. There’s one of the cemetery where Cade’s mom is buried. Another of the cave Cade took me to on our first date. One of a small plane flying over the ocean. Another of a figure that looks like Domino swinging in a hammock.

  I recognize the work—it’s by the same person who did all the other ones hanging around Anna Island and in The Pepper House.

  The first few times I saw them, I wanted to climb right into the world and exist in its life. The same holds true now.

  I come to the last one, a picture of a gorgeous dark-haired woman sunbathing in a black-and-gold bikini on the beach. With her eyes closed, the sun tans her already golden skin. Her long wavy hair stretches out behind her, trailing in the sand.

  She’s beautiful.

  I lean in for a closer look and suck in a breath. She’s me!

  “What do you think?” comes a familiar voice.

  I whip around. “Cade! Where have you been?”

  “Em, I hope you know how sorry I am. I’ve thought it all through and I should have said something. I shouldn’t have kept such a big secret from you.”

  I take his hand, loving the feel of it against mine. “No, absolutely not. It wasn’t your secret to tell.”

  “You’re not upset?”

  Tenderness presses my heart. “I was. But I’m not anymore. I’m just so happy to see you.”

  We stand here for a few seconds, holding hands. Then his mouth tilts up in that sexy little half-grin as he pulls me in for a warm hug.

  I squeeze him back. “I missed you. I missed you so much. Where have you been?”

  He presses a soft kiss to my cheek. “On the mainland.”

  “The mainland? What were you doing there?”

  “Visiting Levi.” Cade shrugs. “Plus a few other things. Ya know, this and that type stuff.”

  “Well, that’s very cryptic.”

  He chuckles. “I missed you, too. I guess you being here means you’re staying, for real?”

  “For a while, anyway. I’m applying to culinary schools.”

  Cade tugs me in for another quick hug. “I think that’s amazing!”

  We stand here smiling, staring at each other. I let myself get lost in his tender blue eyes, when a voice calls out, “Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention?”

  Everyone quiets and we turn our attention to the owner of the gallery. She motions around the room. “I want to thank everybody for coming. Tonight is very special for us. For years you have seen these paintings hanging around the island. Many of you have asked who the artist is, and unfortunately, I haven’t been permitted to say.

  This artist is local. He began painting about five years ago when he was a young teenager. I recognized talent in him from the start. Neither one of us realized the extent to which his paintings would take off. We sold his first painting about three years ago. Then another. And another.

  I’m happy to announce that this week he officially went international. We sold a painting to a buyer in England, another in Japan, and two more in Australia. This artist isn’t one for public speeches, but we do want to acknowledge him.”

  The gallery owner lifts her champagne glass. “Let’s all give a toast to Cade Farrell, our resident artist.”

  A hush falls over the crowd.

  I rewind her last statement. Cade?

  One person claps, followed by another, and another. Soon the entire room fills with celebratory cheers and applause. I barely hear any of it as I stand beside Cade, shocked.

  Gradually, people come over to offer congratulations. The crowd around him grows, edging me away. I turn a slow circle, taking in all the paintings, some depicting scenes from his own life. How could I have not known something so huge? How could I not have realized?

  My gaze comes to rest once again on the image of the sunbathing woman.

  “Straight from my imagination,” Cade says from behind me. “Beth told me you had a hot black-and-gold bikini.”

  I blush. “I don’t look this good in it.”

  “Well, you’ll just have to model it for me and let me decide that.”

  I blush even more. “I can’t believe you’re the artist.”

  “I am.”

  I run my gaze around the room again, over all the paintings, barely noting all the people standing around us. “Do you know how many of these I’ve seen this summer? I’ve been mesmerized by these paintings and you’re the artist. It’s unbelievable.” I bring my eyes back to his. “You’re amazing! Do you know how good you are?”

  Cade glances down, embarrassed. “Thanks.”

  “How many people knew?”

  He gives a guilty shrug. “Only Tilly and Carol, the woman who owns this gallery. Actually, Tilly is the person who brought me here when she saw me sketching one day.”

  To think I thought he was a loser the first time I met him. Cade most definitely has never been, is currently not, nor will he ever be—a loser.

  His brows lift. “Say something?”

  “I’m so proud of you!” I close the s
mall distance between us and give him a huge hug.

  He squeezes me back. “Thank you.”

  “Cade,” the gallery owner interrupts us. “There are a few people I’d like you to meet.”

  He presses a kiss to my cheek. “Meet me afterward?”

  “Definitely.”

  ~*~

  After the party, Cade and I stroll down Key Street.

  I squeeze his hand. “Frederick couldn’t stop talking about you the whole night. He pretended like he knew all along.”

  Cade laughs. “I hope he’s not too upset I didn’t let him in on my little secret.”

  “No, he’s fine. I’m assuming you two talked about the other big secret?”

  “We did. We’re all good.”

  We continue walking, holding hands, enjoying the peacefulness of the night.

  In the shadows of a huge tree, Cade gives me the most tender and slow, loving kiss. While we’ve kissed before, there’s something special about this one, something deeper. Like our relationship moves to another level.

  After a moment, Cade pulls back to look me in the eyes. “I’m really happy that you’re here, that you’re staying.”

  “Me too.”

  He looks down at our joined hands. “I’ve thought about you nearly every second over the past week. I missed you.”

  My heart swells. “I’ve missed you, too.” Lifting our hands, I kiss his.

  A shaky breath escapes him. “I’ve never felt this way about anybody before.”

  His sweet admission buzzes through me. “But, Cade—”

  “What’s wrong?”

  I sigh. “I’m here now, but I’ll be leaving soon. I’m hoping to get into a January culinary class.”

  Cade traces a finger along my jawline. “There’s no place here to study cooking and you can’t just apprentice under Domino. I know all that. We’ll figure it out. I’m not going anywhere.”

  His words hug me, and I step into his arms. “So are you going to tell me why you missed me?” I tease.

  “Why do girls always have to know more?” he groans, and I laugh. “Okay, for starters your food.”