Summer Secrets - Barbara Freethy [78]
"Tyler," Kate said coolly, obviously not happy to see him with her father. "What are you doing here?"
"Talking to your dad."
Her frown deepened. "Well, I hope you're done, because Caroline and I need to speak to my father."
"He's all yours."
"If you've come to sign on for the race, climb aboard and we'll talk," Duncan said. "Otherwise, I have things to do."
Duncan stood straight and tall, his position on the boat setting him above them. With his shoulders squared and his jaw firm, he appeared very much the master of his destiny and perhaps theirs as well, Tyler thought, casting a sideways glance at Kate and Caroline.
"We've come to talk you out of this crazy idea," Kate said.
Wrong choice of words, Tyler wanted to tell her, but he didn't have time.
"It's not crazy, and it's not an idea," Duncan snapped. "It's a fact. I'm sailing the Summer Seas. I'm going to win back our boat. I'd like you two to help me. We lost her together. We should get her back together."
"We didn't lose her, we sold her," Kate replied.
"Actually, you two sold her," Caroline interjected. "I don't think I had a say in the matter."
"Caroline, you're not helping," Kate grumbled.
"And you don't speak for me," Caroline retorted. She turned to her father. "Daddy, why is K.C. racing our boat?"
"To show us up, that's why. He wants revenge. And this is his way of getting it. But he won't succeed if we stick together. I need your help. We're family."
Tyler watched Kate's reaction as Duncan played the family card. He could see the indecision in her eyes. She was as loyal as they came. Caroline also watched Kate. Despite Caroline's brashness and bravado, she seemed willing to give Kate the lead.
"We made a promise to one another to move on with our lives. This is moving back, not forward," Kate said.
"I don't see it that way," Duncan replied.
"There is no other way to see it."
"I want the Moon Dancer back. And I'm going to get it, with or without you." And with those words, Duncan disappeared into his cabin.
"Great job, Kate," Caroline said as she blew out a large bubble of pink gum that snapped against her lips.
"What did you want me to do?"
"Not call him crazy for one."
"Racing is crazy."
"You used to love it. Kate was the bravest one of all," Caroline added for Tyler's benefit. "Utterly fearless. I admired her so much."
"I'm still here, Caroline," Kate said with annoyance.
"Not the person you were. That person left a long time ago. I kind of miss her." She paused. "I'll see you around, Kate, and probably you, too, Tyler."
Kate sighed as Caroline left.
"Is she right? Were you once fearless Kate?" Tyler asked.
"Not fearless, stupid. I believed in the wrong people and the wrong things. Then I grew up. I wish I could say the same for the rest of my family, but you might as well call my father Peter Pan, because he is never going to leave Never Never Land."
Tyler smiled. "I think you're right."
"What are you doing here, anyway? Digging for more dirt?" she asked.
"Don't worry. Your father didn't tell me the location of the family jewels."
"What did he tell you?"
"That I could sail with him tomorrow."
Her jaw dropped in surprised. "What?"
"He said he'd take me out on his boat tomorrow so I could see first hand what it feels like to sail."
"I'd advise against it."
"I'm sure you would. But why exactly?"
"Because my father is reckless and unreliable."
"I can't imagine someone would put him in charge of their boat if he didn't have some skill."
"You didn't say anything to my father about K.C., did you?" she asked, looking past him toward her father's boat. "About the possibility that my mother and K.C. had some sort of relationship?"
"No. That's up to you."
"It would make sense -- why they started to hate each other," she murmured.
"So you believe it now?"
"I don't