No Matter What (The Billionaires of Sawgrass #4) - Delaney Cameron Page 0,46
invisible?”
“I’ve been wondering that myself. My guess is Robin had to work today, and Wade is off in a corner telling someone about those two thousand species of jellyfish.”
“There’s another possibility,” she said as they mounted the steps of the dock. “They could have had a falling out.”
The hopeful note in her voice had Reece grinning. “You mean since yesterday when you talked to Maxine? I doubt it. My theory is more plausible.”
They sat down on a circular couch under the cedar pergola. The crowd from earlier had dispersed leaving them alone to enjoy the view of the moon rising over the river. Reece had no trouble remembering what happened last time he was here.
Aunt Leigh gestured toward the yacht. “I guess three houses, four cars and two planes weren’t enough for Carlson. Say what you want, but your father is in the midst of a major mid-life crisis. It might be time for an intervention.”
“He bought the yacht for Maxine. She enjoys boating.”
“Does she ever! I got an earful about the trip they’re planning to Bermuda in the fall. I’ll worry myself to death from the time they set sail until they arrive. Don’t bother to bring up the risks of flying. So much more can go wrong on a boat trip that takes three or four days from start to finish.”
“Dad will have the journey mapped out in meticulous detail along with plans for every possible contingency.”
“That will be of no comfort to me if they’re lost at sea,” she said grimly.
“This doom and gloom scenario you’re describing sounds odd coming from a veteran of a dozen cruises, a few of which were to Bermuda.”
“There’s a huge difference between a cruise ship and a yacht, Reece.”
“I would put them close to equal in terms of safety. It’s about perception. People tend to feel safer on something bigger. It’s the same with aircraft.”
She glanced past him, eyes narrowed. “Is that Wade going into the house?”
Reece turned to look. “I believe it is.”
“Don’t just sit there,” she said, pinching his leg. “Go find out what’s going on before he disappears again.”
He laughed as he rose to his feet. “Don’t you want to come, too?”
“You don’t need me tagging along. If it’s not too much trouble, bring me back some coffee. The punch they’re serving tastes like diluted corn syrup.”
It took Reece a few minutes to work his way through the dancing couples. When he entered the long hallway, the door to the library opened and Wade stepped out.
“I was beginning to think you weren’t here,” Reece said.
Wade’s laugh sounded forced. “I know better than to miss my mother’s birthday party.”
“Is Robin with you? Aunt Leigh would like to meet her.”
A flash of what might have been anger appeared in Wade’s dark eyes. “She’ll have to wait on that. Robin and I aren’t together anymore.”
To say Reece was stunned was an understatement. Aunt Leigh’s wild guess hadn’t been so wild after all. He did his best to act as if this wasn’t the best news he’d received since finding out he’d been accepted into the Navy’s TOPGUN fighter training school. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
Wade’s lips twisted. “Why are you sorry? This is what you wanted, isn’t it? Your…efforts in that direction haven’t been a complete waste of time. Robin has gone from thinking you’re a rich playboy to thinking you can do no wrong.”
Was this a scorned lover talking, or someone looking for a scapegoat on which to pin his failed relationship? Either way, Reece wasn’t going to let Wade’s remarks go unchallenged. “It sounds like you’re blaming me for your breakup with Robin.”
“Something else beat you to it, but don’t pretend you weren’t giving it your best shot.”
If Wade was expecting an admission of guilt or an apology, he was barking up the wrong tree. Reece hadn’t crossed the line with Robin by a single look, word or deed. “Believe what you want. My conscience is clear.”
“When isn’t it?” Wade asked flippantly. “You might feel differently if you ever find yourself on the receiving end.”
“I have been on the receiving end. I’ll tell you what I learned: it takes two to tango. Do you think after going through that experience, I would inflict it on another guy, who in this case also happens to be my stepbrother?”
Wade hunched his shoulder. “I don’t know, and I care even less.”
Reece eyed him steadily. “In that case, we’re done here.” He started to walk away.