Page 39 of Harmless Secrets
It was breathtaking.
Leave it to Devon to get a house with a view like this. They were in a bay, which gave the house a sense of tranquility she assumed was hard to find on Oahu. There was an old wooden dock where a canoe was tied up. The pool was big and oval, included a waterfall, and some kind of turtles painted on the bottom. There was a hot tub.
“I want to go swimming.”
She chuckled as she smoothed her hand over her daughter’s golden hair. “First, I don’t have a bathing suit for you. You need a new one. And it’s late. Bath first tonight, then we’ll have a snack and you can go to bed.”
“Okay.”
The disappointment was easier to take than the fear that was quickly returning. She knew that someone had breached the levels of security she had spent years constructing. It wasn’t someone who just happened upon the information.
“Hey,” Devon said from the doorway.
“Hey, Devon. Mummy said I can’t go swimming tonight.”
Devon looked from her daughter to Alicia. “Why not?”
She rolled her eyes. “Because, she doesn’t have a bathing suit that fits. We can get one tomorrow.”
He shrugged and looked pitiful. “Sorry, kid. Gotta listen to your mom. Is there anything you need from the grocery store?”
“Could you make sure to have some oatmeal? It’s Bridget’s favorite for breakfast.”
“Your wish is my command. Do you want anything, poppet?” he asked.
Hearing her pet name for her daughter should have made her angry. It was private, the name only she used for Bridget. Instead, it sounded right, even in his horrible American accent.
Her daughter opened her mouth, but Alicia knew Bridget well.
“He’s not going to get you a suit.”
Devon chuckled. “Trust me, you don’t want me picking out your clothes. Ask Dee. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
She nodded. He stepped closer, as if to lean in to kiss her. It would be a normal thing for a husband and wife to do. Then, he pulled back, apparently just realizing what he was doing. He shook his head and headed down the stairs.
It was just like that moment earlier. She knew if Bridget had not interrupted them, he would have kissed her. Alicia had seen it in his eyes, the need he had for her…and the intent.
And she had wanted him to do it. Wanted to be touched.
Alicia closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath. She looked down at her daughter.
“We better get you cleaned up before he gets back.”
Bridget nodded and ran into the bathroom. Daydreaming about Devon wasn’t going to help her solve her problems.
She had proven that once before, and the lesson had been one of the hardest in her life.
Twelve
Devon returned in less than an hour. He was happy that Ali hadn’t fought him that much this time about staying behind. He knew she hadn’t even thought of going with him. She wouldn’t put Bridget in danger and, right now, that was her primary concern. It wouldn’t last of course. She just wasn’t a woman who could be tied down.
Worse, he had to keep putting off the long talk he felt both of them knew they needed to have. It lingered in the back of his mind, a constant irritation that he couldn’t discuss with her yet. Too much was going on right now, and the safety of their daughter was just as important to him. The other factor was Bridget. Alarming her with a discussion of her parentage wouldn’t be smart. It also wouldn’t give him any traction with Ali. Still, Devon needed answers. Lots of them. After the rush to get back to Hawaii, things were settling down. Their protection was important, but his mind was capable of seeing past the danger now. It was time for explanations.
Bridget and Ali joined him as he cooked the hotdogs he’d bought. It wasn’t the most nutritious meal, but he didn’t know what to buy. He had walked into the grocery store and almost had a panic attack. He didn’t know what girls her age ate. Worse, he worried he would pick something she hated and he would be judged by a four-year-old. Because, a bad ass computer expert was tied in knots over a little girl.
Pathetic.
“Hey, Devon,” Bridget said, as she walked over to the table.