Stolen Dreams, Heather M. Borger [top novels of all time .txt] 📗

her throbbing leg and her stubborn refusal to allow Brock to help her contributed to the delay. Once her house was in sight, however, another factor delayed her progress. Bright lights illuminated the interior of her house. Her mother was home.

“Great. Now she decides to come home.” Skye turned to Brock, “How about if I go get my things and meet you back at your place? You shouldn’t have to deal with her tonight.”

“No way! I’m coming with you. We’ll get you packed up ten times faster if I can help.”

Knowing he was right, Skye continued on to her door and walked in quietly.

“Who’s there? Billy is that you?” Alaina’s hopeful shout for her husband hurt Skye terribly. She wanted more than anything to hear that kindness in her mother’s voice just once when they spoke to each other, even if it was just for show.

“No. It’s just me.” Skye quickly responded, not wanting to get her mother’s hopes up too much.

“Oh. What are you doing here?”

“I live here.”

“I know that. I mean why are you back already? I thought you were going to need help getting around for a while.”

“Who told you that?”

“Dr. Miller.”

“He told me I’d need help...”

Alaina interrupted quickly, “So why are you home? Shouldn’t you have stayed there for a few days?”

Brock couldn’t take any more. He shouted at Alaina, “She’s staying with my family until she can get around on her own. We’re just here to collect a few things and we’ll be on our way.” He turned and walked toward Skye’s room, leaving both women in shock from his uncharacteristic, open display of anger.

Skye didn’t say another word. She used her mother’s silence to leave the room without another reprimand and followed Brock down the hall.

“Thanks for that. I really didn’t want to have to explain anything to her tonight.”

“You shouldn’t have to. How can she love your father so much and despise you at the same time?”

“First of all, don’t let her fool you. She doesn’t love my father any more than she loves me. He, however, is only around half the year. The excitement you heard probably means she’s just about out of money and she can’t wait to hear how well his trip was and beg him for the checkbook. And, I told you, I ruined her perfect life. Until she had me, she could spend all her free time on the mainland without guilt. Once I was born, she had other responsibilities and people criticized her for leaving me on the island when she needed to get away. That’s why she hates me so much.”

“None of that is your fault.”

“Try telling her that.”

Brock had quickly packed a bag with clothes, books, and other necessities while they talked. Closing the bag, he reached out a hand to help Skye up off the chair she had settled in. Standing proved difficult. She tried to hide the grimace as she put weight on her left leg, but Brock noticed.

“Do you want to rest it longer? I’m sure your mom isn’t coming anywhere near me tonight any more.” He forced a playful smile.

“No. I want to get someplace where I can put it up and relax.”

This time, she allowed a helpful hand of support from Brock and hobbled out of her house.

Arriving at Brock’s place what seemed like an eternity later was worth every ounce of effort it took to get there. Jaslynn met them at the door with a wide, understanding smile. Ushering Skye into a quiet room in the back of the house, she apologized that it wasn’t bigger.

Beside herself with gratitude and unable to say much else, Skye managed a smile and quietly added, “Thank you, it’s fine. I couldn’t make good use of a bigger space anyway.”

Jaslynn smiled and left the room. Content that she said the right thing, Skye closed her eyes and tried to rest.

Eleven

The wind hitting the side of the house woke Skye from her deep sleep. The creaking and moaning of the house confirmed the severity of the storm. She sat up quickly, alarmed, and not remembering exactly where she was in those first short moments of panic between sleep and awake.

Brock’s voice was the calming reminder that pulled her completely into reality, “It’s okay. I think the worst is over. I can’t believe it took you so long to wake up. You must have been really tired."

Skye searched the darkness for the direction Brock’s voice was coming from. As her eyes adjusted, she noticed him sitting in a chair by the window. He was carefully watching the storm as thick, heavy sheets of water pelted the window. She wondered why he had stayed after she fell asleep.

“This isn’t the worst of it?"

“No, I was close to waking you about twenty minutes ago to take you down into the storm cellar.”

“Oh.” she paused, “Has it been bad all night?”

“Not like this. It’s been slowly building up to this, though."

“What time is it?” Skye yawned.

“Almost four. Go back to sleep. I can tell you all about it in the morning."

Before she could verbalize the ‘thank you’ her mind was thinking, she had fallen back to sleep.


It was a strange darkness that filled the room when Skye woke again. Not the darkness of night, but the darkness that you feel more than you can see. The darkness that a storm brings when thick, heavy storm clouds cover the sun, refusing to allow any light to permeate their layers. Struggling even to stand, she eventually made her way across the floor and pulled back the blinds by the window. The ocean was choppy and rough; the wind blew sand across the ground in loud gusts. Even the trees looked exhausted and slumped after fighting to remain standing all night. Trying to distract the path her thoughts began to take, Skye breathed deeply, wanting to refocus her mind. Suddenly, she smelled an aroma so wonderful it could only mean one thing; whether a family tradition, or simply an attempt to cheer her, Jaslynn was making the most wonderfully smelling breakfast Skye had ever been exposed to. Opening the door to her room only intensified the experience. She could hear the sausage and bacon sizzling on the stove. The strong aroma of fresh coffee drifted down the hallway, and Skye let it lead her through the doorway into the kitchen.

“Good morning, Skye. How are you feeling?"

“Okay. More stiff than anything.” Noticing she and Jaslynn were the only two in the room, Skye questioned their lack of company for breakfast, “Where is everyone?"

Jaslynn looked as if she had hoped Skye wouldn’t ask, “They left for the lab early this morning. I suppose that after last night’s storm, they needed to be sure everything is okay."

“Oh. Do you know when they’ll be back?”

“No idea. It depends on how much work needs to be done, I suppose.” Jaslynn quickly changed the subject, “Ready for some breakfast? I make the best bacon and eggs on the island."

Skye smiled and nodded, “Thanks."

Jaslynn filled her plate and gently set the bottle of pain pills next to Skye’s glass. “Dr. Miller said you should take these for at least the first two days."

“Thank you. I think they must be why I slept so well last night."

Skye ate quietly, watching out the window for any signs of Trace or Brock returning from the lab. When she was certain they were not coming back soon, she stood to wash her dishes so she could return to her room to get some sleep.

“What on Earth do you think you’re doing, young lady?"

“I just wanted to wash my dishes so I could go lay down."

“You’ll do no such thing. You’re staying here to be taken care of while you recover. Now, go lie down and I’ll take care of the dishes.” Jaslynn shooed her away like a pesky little bird on the garden fence.
Skye smiled graciously and turned to walk down the hall.

“If you’d like, I can have Brock wake you when they get back."

“That would be great. Thanks!” Skye didn’t know how to act. Never in her life had anyone ever made her feel like she was worthy of such attention and love.

Back in her room, Skye sat in the chair by the window. She knew she was on the wrong side of the island to see her father’s ship approaching, so she snuck out the back door and began the long hike to her tree.

The wind whipped the sand against her arms and face with a force that made it feel like she was being bitten over and over by the tiny specks. Her eyes burned from the sand that had blown into them, and her left leg became numb with a searing pain that shot from her thigh down to her foot with every awful step. Trying to ignore it all, Skye pushed forward, determined to watch for the familiar sign of her father’s return on the horizon. He had to be close. If he was still out at sea, in this storm, he wouldn’t stand much of a chance.

Finally, her coconut tree was in sight. Skye reached it with what felt like the last bit of energy she could muster. Staggering up to the unstable tree, she leaned against it and slid down its trunk. Finally, she could relax. The wind slowed enough throughout the next hour that the waves settled slightly and Skye could make out her buoy in the distance. Sadie was jumping over and around it, clearly excited to see Skye. She stood to wave and was overcome with excitement herself. All at once, it occurred to Skye, this was the beginning of the hurricane season, and she would not get out to see Sadie again for as long as six months. She knew she couldn’t swim all the way out there. With one quick glance around her, Skye confirmed she was alone. She took off for the small rowboat tethered to the island a few yards away as quickly as her leg would allow. Once she was seated inside, Skye immediately began to row out to Sadie. It wouldn’t take long for someone to notice her out there. The waters were strictly off-limits during this time of year. Especially for the rowboat.

“Hey, Sadie. How’s my baby girl?"

Sadie jumped and chirped at Skye, ‘telling’ her all about how badly she had been missed.

“I’m sorry, but it’s that time of year again and I won’t be out to see you for a long time. You be good and stay safe, okay?” Skye reached down and patted Sadie on the top of her head. She knew her talking sounded absurd, but she believed