when she giggles and hugs him hard, pressing her face into his neck, I start to believe the promise he made me two years ago. I was Avery once. And Merc saved me too, so I know how she feels. He promised to be good to my daughters.
And he’s made good.
Everything is good.
One year later
“Just put the fucking blindfold on,” James growls to Angelica. “Jesus fucking Christ. I’m the motherfucking head of this family. You’re supposed to do what I say.”
“Harper,” Angelica says, her hand on her hip. “He promised not to swear in front of Hannah.”
“Harper,” James says, his tone softening. “She’s eighteen months old. I get another year, at least, before she starts saying fuck.”
I have to hide my smile or Angelica will drag this fight on for hours. And I know James is in a hurry. So I act like a mom. “James, she’s right. Put a dollar in the jar.”
He squints at me. “Are you fucking kidding me?”
“That’s two dollars. Actually,” Angelica laughs. “That’s seven. Jesus Christ counts too.”
“Jesus Christ is not a swear word.”
“Is too.”
I hitch Hannah up on my hip and grab the mason jar off the galley counter. “Pay up.”
He shakes his head at me and takes out his wallet and sneers at Angelica. “I only have Euro, brat. If you don’t know the exchange rate—”
“We’ll call it an even six. You can owe me the extra twenty cents.”
She’s so smart. And such a smart ass. I hide another laugh, this time from James. He pulls out six Euros, drops them in the jar, and then holds the blindfold out again.
“Put it on.”
She’s not going to budge, so I interject. “I’ll put mine on first, how’s that Angelica?”
James smiles at me and then turns to Angelica. “My lovely wife will demonstrate.” He ties the red handkerchief around my eyes and whispers in my ear. “I love you, you know.”
I don’t hide my smile from anyone this time. “I know.” I don’t know what he’s got planned but he’s had us sequestered below deck for days. He even covered the portholes so we can’t peek out.
“Now you,” he says to Angelica. She lets out a huff, but I can only assume she concedes, because there is no arguing.
“Finally,” James says, taking Hannah from my arms and then guiding me forward to the ladder that will take us up to the garage.
We’re going somewhere, I know that much. Maybe Bora Bora for vacation? I can use some shopping time.
“Climb, lionfish. And be careful. Wait for me and don’t fuck—” He stops to correct himself. “Don’t fall in the water.”
Angelica and I climb, and when we get to the deck, she presses her body against mine as we wait for James to tell us what to do next.
“OK, one at a time, ladies. Let me put Hannah in her baby seat and I’ll be right back.”
He coos softly to her as he buckles her in the tender boat inside the yacht garage. I love hearing him talk to the baby. He can make her smile no matter how hard she’s crying. She loves him so much.
“OK, Angelica, you first.” Angelica stumbles, complaining, but James is different now. Soft. And protective. “I’ve got ya, just step down.”
I’m next and when I’m settled in the tender boat, Angelica reaches for my hand. This is difficult for her. She’s blind, she has to trust James. And even though I think most of their arguing is an act, just like it was with Sasha when she was that age, she’s scared to trust people.
I squeeze her hand in encouragement.
After that the engine roars to life and we ease our way out of the back of the yacht. The sunshine hits my face and I count my blessings. I’m so, so lucky.
I enjoy the ride and when he cuts the engine, my heart beats a little faster. I don’t hear anyone. We can’t be in Bora Bora. That place is busy with tourists all the time.
“Where are we?” Angelica asks.
“Take off your blindfold and see,” James replies.
I reach up and drag the soft fabric down my face.
“An island. How original,” Angelica quips. “I’ve seen nothing but islands for the past year.”
But I see what she does not. The structure built into the side of the hill of this island is not a hotel.
“It’s a house,” I say.
James has baby Hannah in his arms as he hugs me tightly. And then he folds Angelica into the hug too. “Not a house, baby.