Taken by Storm (Give & Take) - By Kelli Maine Page 0,56

find Ingrid’s grave, but she could tell it was sincere. Rachael wouldn’t give up until she found it. “I’ll help however I can,” she said, leaning forward and scanning her eyes over the map again.

If there was one thing Maddie loved, it was a good ghost story.

Stuffed from the feast Carlos made for brunch and freshly showered, Maddie and MJ strolled behind Rachael who led them down a path toward the water chattering on and on about Ingrid and Archibald and telling the history of Turtle Tear to Heidi and Roger. Sam and Holly trailed behind, bickering and kicking sand at each other. Every once in a while, Heidi would turn around and yell at them to knock it off, but they never actually stopped.

“Makes you want kids, huh?” MJ whispered in her ear.

The thought of kids someday—with him—was overwhelming and sent a pang of love through her so strong, she almost fell over. “Five,” she answered, “like Ingrid and Archibald.”

MJ frowned and looked away into the flowers and trees that lined the path. She shouldn’t have said that. Any kids she had wouldn’t be with MJ. Not like she and he had planned. Back then, she could see their future so clearly, filled with little boys who looked just like him, but that path forked and she’d taken another trail. She wasn’t sure where it led, but there was no going back.

“There it is,” Rachael said, pointing to a brand-new white boathouse by the water. “The canoe and fishing gear is inside.”

The kids took off running. “Watch where you step!” Rachael called.

“Stay on the path,” Roger shouted, jogging after them.

“Huh,” Rachael said, tilting her head. “Beck must’ve brought that speedboat in while I was gone.” A small red and white boat sat right off shore. “Probably so Joan can have an easier time getting to town to find a mall.”

As Roger and MJ helped Holly and Sam fetch the canoe and fishing gear, Maddie sat with Rachael and Heidi at an umbrella table on a stone patio beside the boathouse. Rachael brushed small seedpods off the glass tabletop. “Those Paperbark Tea Trees are taking over the Everglades.” She pointed to a grouping of giant trees with white feathery flowers that looked like bottle brushes. “They drop millions of seeds in each pod.”

Rachael brushed her hands together. “Anyway, sorry this place is such a mess. I should’ve kept the domestic staff on the island all week.” She shrugged. “I left in kind of a rush, so…”

Heidi waved a hand in the air. “It’s just us. No big deal.”

“Yeah,” Maddie said, brushing her side of the table clear of the seed pods, “and I invited myself.”

The three of them watched MJ and Roger help the kids into the canoe, then climb in themselves and launch off the shore. “Catch me a big one!” Heidi called to them.

Rachael’s eyes focused on Heidi with intensity. “You knew about him all along and never told Merrick.” Her accusatory tone made Maddie cringe. Rachael had been waiting until Roger and MJ were out of hearing range with the kids to pounce. “He has a son, and you never told him.”

Heidi sucked in her lips. Her red-rimmed eyes shined. “I couldn’t. You have no idea what my father is like.”

“I do know what he’s like!” Rachael slammed her hand down on the table. “I don’t care. If you loved your brother at all, you would’ve told him the truth!”

Maddie’s throat burned like she’d swallowed hot lava.

There were some things you couldn’t tell.

Rachael had no idea the power Enzo Rocha held over them all.

“I do love my brother!” Tears rushed down Heidi’s cheeks. “I wanted him to know MJ, to raise his son. My father wouldn’t allow it. He said it would ruin Merrick’s future. He’d never go to college, never become successful. Whatever you think of my father, he only wanted the best for Merrick. He wants the best for MJ, too.”

“Well, that’s clear.” Rachael leaned back and let out a derisive laugh. “He went as far as stealing Merrick’s entire life to prove that point.”

Heidi wiped her cheeks, anger seeping into her eyes. “My father is making sure MJ gets an inheritance. Merrick can’t be trusted to provide for him—for anyone but himself. You should remember that.”

Rachael shot out of her chair and leaned across the table toward Heidi. “I don’t know what you’re implying, but I don’t need Merrick to provide for me. I’m not some gold-digging whore, thank you. I love him.” Her