certainly didn’t go through something like what she and Drew had endured four years ago without traces of it being left on their souls. Maybe his response to her now was a result of that.
She’d kept tabs on him through a co-worker at the Department of Defense where she’d worked up until a week ago. Alison had been proud of Drew upon hearing that he’d bought a waterfront home in Emerald Cove. Even prouder when she’d learned of his decision to go into business for himself and open Water Flight Tours. But while she’d silently been cheering him on, she’d also been hearing about the darker things that were happening in his life. Things that had surprised and dismayed her and left her hurting for him.
She hadn’t wanted to believe that someone as strong as Drew could be on a slow downward spiral. That he’d isolated himself from friends and family. She’d always been able to come up with an excuse for him as to why he hadn’t kept in touch with Rick’s parents—or her for that matter. But now that she was here and had seen him face to face, it was obvious all was not well.
Drew Evans looked like a man who was as alone as a man could be and still be alive. He looked like he was spending too much time with his thoughts and not enough with people who cared for him. He looked troubled and isolated and so deep into denial he didn’t even recognize what was happening.
Physically, he was the same handsome pilot he’d always been. Tall and as solid as a mountain. Thinner than she remembered, but it wasn’t for lack of muscle. He used to keep his raven hair cut into a short military style. Now it looked as if he’d gone several months without a trim. His midnight-blue eyes seemed a little bit more haggard than she remembered. A little more knowing. Maybe a little more cynical.
There was a hardness in a face that had once been full of wit and mischief. Distance in a smile that had once been warm and charming. A coolness in a voice that had once been engaging and hard to resist. Where was the happy-go-lucky pilot she’d once known? Once upon a time he’d been easygoing and fun as hell to be with. She and Rick and Drew had spent many a carefree day together. Rick had cared deeply for Drew and so had she.
What had happened to him?
“Mommy, do we still get to fly on the plane?”
Realizing she was standing in the hot sun fretting about something she had very little control over, she knelt before her son and pulled his cap down to keep the sun off his face. “Of course we do, big guy,” she said.
“Is he mad at us?”
Alison grappled for an appropriate response, amazed that a four-year-old child could be so perceptive. Looking into her son’s innocent eyes, she took little comfort realizing she wasn’t the only one who’d noticed all was not well with their surly pilot.
“He’s not angry, honey. He’s just...busy with other customers.”
“Is that why he was looking at you so funny? ’Cause he was busy?”
Alison wasn’t sure “funny” was the right word. Drew had gone downright pale upon seeing them. She didn’t have the slightest clue how to explain his reaction because she didn’t understand it herself. She was saved from having to try when the turbo engines rumbled to life and the props began to spin.
“Mommy! Wowee! Look at the big propellers! They’re spinning around just like on TV!”
The engines were so loud she could feel the rumble all the way to her stomach. “I guess that’s our cue to get in line to board, buddy.”
“Can I sit by the window? Please? Can I, Mommy?”
“If there’s a window seat, you got it,” she said.
Kevin jumped at least a foot into the air, and she laughed outright. Every day he reminded her of Rick a little bit more. From the way he smiled to the way he walked and talked, to the way he approached life, Kevin was his father’s son through and through. She loved him more than anything in the world, and she was so proud of him, her chest swelled every time she looked at him. He was her entire world rolled into a forty-six-pound whirlwind of energy and innocence and a little boy’s unending curiosity.
He’d only been two months old when Rick was killed. Alison had done her best raising him alone, but she knew she held on just a little bit too tight. She’d learned the hard way that no matter how safe and secure her world seemed, fate could snatch it away without warning.
All she’d ever wanted for Kevin was for him to be safe and healthy and happy. She’d been devastated when, shortly after his first birthday, he’d been diagnosed with asthma. She and Kevin’s grandparents had dealt with it relatively problem free. Then Kevin had suffered a severe attack that had put him in the hospital for two days. The doctor recommended she take him to one of two renowned asthma clinics. The Waterton Clinic south of Miami or the Asthma Rehabilitation Center in San Diego. Because of Drew, she’d chosen Miami.
Of course, he hadn’t been the only reason. Alison’s sister, Kimberly, lived in nearby Ft. Lauderdale. And after living with Rick’s parents for the last four years, Alison was ready to strike out on her own. Marybeth and Richard Myers had been more than happy to take her and their grandson in after Rick’s death. At the time, Alison had needed family desperately, and they’d welcomed her and Kevin into their home with open arms.
But as the months grew into years, Alison began to realize that life went on. She needed her independence back. She needed to get on with her life. There was a great big world out there, and she’d been hiding behind the protective wings of her loving in-laws. After four years, the time had come for her to move on.
Two weeks after Kevin was released from the hospital, she’d packed their bags, bid her in-laws goodbye, and headed for Miami, where she’d rented a small bungalow near the clinic. The length of their stay would depend wholly upon the clinic and its doctors, so she’d only signed a one-month lease. The Waterton Clinic had come highly recommended, but if for any reason she didn’t like it, she had the option of moving on to the other clinic in San Diego.
A sharp tug on her blouse brought her attention back to the situation at hand. “It’s our turn!” Kevin said, pointing at the plane.
Alison glanced up to see Drew helping an elderly woman step onto the float and then into the cabin. He looked up when Alison and Kevin stepped forward. But instead of the smile she’d expected, his expression was flat, his jaw tight. Even though she couldn’t see his eyes, she knew they were on her. That he didn’t look friendly unnerved her. That wasn’t like Drew at all. It was as if he were a completely different man than the one she’d known four years ago.
“I want to sit by the window!” Kevin exclaimed.
Drew’s gaze slipped from Alison to Kevin. “I think I’ve got a window seat with your name on it, sprout.”
“Yay! Mommy, a window seat with my name on it? Did you hear that?”
“I sure did,” she said, then glanced over at Drew. “Thank you.”
He looked away. “No big deal.”
An awkward moment descended as Alison contemplated how best to step onto the pontoon and get into the plane. She’d seen Drew helping the other passengers, but when it came to her, he hesitated. Why wouldn’t he help her? Just when it seemed as if he wouldn’t, he very gently took her arm.
“Step onto the float and then go through the hatch. Aisle is to your right.”
“Thank
