Summer Secrets - Barbara Freethy [17]
He raised an eyebrow. "Three ear piercings, a tattoo on your shoulder, a naval ring, and you don't have the stomach for a little pain?"
"Not that kind of pain." She frowned at the mineral water in front of her. "I need a real drink."
"I'll get you one." He put up his hand to motion for the waiter.
"No. Wait, never mind," she said hurriedly. Tyler put down his hand.
"I'd rather eat instead. I wonder when our table will be ready?"
"I can check."
"I'll do that. Is it under your name or an alias?"
"My name." He watched her walk away. She was careful not to go near the bar, but he did see her fling a somewhat desperate look in that direction. Was Caroline a drinker? She'd said she'd wanted a drink, but then changed her mind. And the waiter had seemed surprised she'd ordered a mineral water. Not that it meant anything, but her behavior was a bit off, he thought. As a reporter, he'd become very good at paying attention to the details. It wasn't what a subject said or did that was important but what they didn't say or didn't do.
With an alcoholic father, it was certainly possible that Caroline had her own problems with alcohol. He made a mental note to check it out. Mark would definitely want that information. Tyler raised his beer glass to his lips. He had a feeling things were about to get interesting.
Kate opened her door just before nine o'clock that night to find Caroline on the porch. It was a little surprising, since none of her family was prone to dropping in, to suddenly have Ashley in the kitchen making tea, Duncan in the living room sleeping it off, and Caroline on her doorstep looking guilty about something. "You talked to him, didn't you?"
"He didn't tell me his name right away," Caroline said defensively as she entered the hallway. "Where's Dad?"
"Can't you hear the snoring?"
Caroline peeked into the living room where their father lay sprawled on his back amid Kate's fluffy sofa cushions. "He looks tired. And his face is all red."
Kate followed her younger sister's gaze and saw exactly what Caroline saw and more, not just the weary lines, or the red face, but the thin translucent skin on his arms and hands, the lack of meat on his bones. Their father had always been big and stronger than most, but he was fading away like an old photograph, and she didn't know how to make it stop.
"We should do something for him," Caroline said, echoing Kate's thoughts.
"Like what?"
"I don't know, something. He looks pathetic. I don't like seeing him like this."
Duncan had always been Caroline's hero, even when he was at his most un-heroic. Most of the time, Kate tried to protect Caroline from seeing moments such as these. Perhaps that had been a mistake. But she was so used to being the big sister she couldn't stop the nurturing instincts from kicking into gear.
"Come into the kitchen. Ashley brought over her chocolate cookies, and she's making tea."
"That sounds good. I'm still hungry."
"You mean he didn't buy you dinner?" Kate asked wryly as she followed Caroline down the hall and into the kitchen.
"Who didn't buy you dinner?" Ashley asked from the kitchen counter where she was pouring tea into a cup. "Hi, Caroline. Do you want some tea?"
"Just cookies." Caroline grabbed one off the plate on the counter and took a seat at the kitchen table. One bite brought a squeal of delight. "These are heaven. I swear, if you weren't a photographer, you could be a chef."
"All I can make are cookies and tea," Ashley said. "Not exactly chef material."
"Don't forget your famous blueberry pancakes or your turkey stuffing," Kate reminded Ashley. "You're always too humble."
"Makes a change from you," Caroline said.
Kate made a face at Caroline, who stuck her tongue out in response. They both burst out laughing. Kate was amazed how good the sound made her feel. It had been awhile since she'd had both her sisters together in one place.
Ashley handed Kate a cup of tea, then sat down at the table. "So