Summer Secrets - Barbara Freethy [60]
"Do you think she's mad because Daddy and I didn't go with her?"
His gut clenched at the question. "Oh, no, absolutely not. She wants you to be happy, Amelia. That's all she ever cared about."
"I'm going to take care of Daddy for her."
His heart broke a little bit more. "I know you will. Can I talk to him again?"
"Bye, Uncle Ty."
Tyler drew in a desperately needed breath as he waited for Mark to come on the line. Amelia was strong and courageous. And he had a terrible feeling he knew who she got that strength from.
In a moment Mark's voice came over the line. "Any other news?" he asked tensely.
"Not really. Every time I think I've got it figured out one way, I see another possibility. Has there been any more contact between George and the other lawyer?"
"Yes. George got a registered letter from Mr. Watson basically stating that if he didn't come up with a name and address of the baby's adoptive parents, he was going to make sure that there was a thorough investigation into George's practice."
"Damn. What did George say?"
"Nothing yet. But if this Mr. Watson found George, he might be able to find me, too. You have to figure out which one of the McKenna sisters is the mother. For God's sake, Tyler, I thought you were a hotshot reporter. What's taking so long?"
"What do you want me to do -- come out and ask them? Don't you think that will raise some questions? You have to be patient. You have to let me handle this my way."
"Just find her, Tyler. Dig deep. Be the ruthless son of a bitch I know you can be. I need to know who's trying to take my daughter."
"I'll call you when I have more information." Tyler slipped the phone into his pocket and debated his next step.
He knew there was something going on with the McKennas and the two men they'd met on the docks. But what did that have to do with his problem? Probably nothing.
He could follow up on Caroline. He could check out her party-girl reputation at the Oyster Bar, maybe run into Duncan and find out what was up with the infamous K.C. Wales and the Moon Dancer.
Relieved that he had a plan that did not involve Kate, Tyler got to his feet and headed toward the bar.
Duncan felt better than he had in years, and it wasn't just because of the whiskey sliding down his throat; it was the taste of a challenge. In one week he'd be the skipper on the Summer Seas. He couldn't wait to feel the wind in his face, hear the roar of the ocean, smell the fish and the salt. God, he ached for those smells, those sounds, those sights. He'd paid his penance. Katie would just have to understand that a sailing man couldn't stay in port forever. Nora would have understood. She'd always known that he needed the sea almost as much as he needed her. He could hardly believe eight years had passed since he'd sold the Moon Dancer.
Duncan raised his glass to his lips once again. K.C. had come just as he'd expected. It hadn't taken a rocket scientist to figure out that K.C. would buy the Moon Dancer. Maybe the girls would be surprised, but Duncan knew better. He'd known K.C. would come back eventually, and returning in the Moon Dancer would fit K.C.'s sense of drama.
It didn't matter. The boat's return added to the challenge, and Duncan felt exhilarated by the thought of it all. He was living again. He was calling the shots. He'd had plenty of time over the past few years to think. And he knew what he wanted now. A twinge of conscience stabbed him as he recalled the horror in Kate's eyes when he'd told her he was racing again, but he ignored it. He'd suffered enough.
"Mr. McKenna?"
Duncan looked up to see a young man approaching him. "Do I know you?"
"Not yet. I'm Tyler Jamison. I'm a reporter, and I'd like to do a follow-up story on your family's impressive racing victory in the Winston Challenge."
He smiled. A reporter? Perfect. This day was getting better and better. "You've come to the right place."
"Can I buy you a drink?"
"Of course." As Tyler sat down, Duncan saw Kate and