I hoped all of that would fall away as soon as I saw that my family was happy. If my mother and sister had found men who were good to them, I would welcome them into the family. Even if they were rich. Even if their presence meant I couldn’t step back into the life I’d had before because it was no longer there.
It was late when the ferry docked on the Vineyard. Transportation was readily available, so I grabbed a taxi and gave the driver the address of Dominic’s beachside resort. The driver turned in his seat and gave me a once-over. “The old Battencourt place. You starting a job there?” he asked.
Was it the faded jeans? My well-worn sweatshirt? I’d packed some slacks and a button-down shirt in my backpack, but casual was my travel attire. “No, I’m attending an event.”
“Lucky you.” The man turned forward again and started driving. As he went, he said, “Have you been there before?”
“No. First time on the Vineyard.” I sat back and looked out the window. Although I’d grown up within a few hours of the island, my family hadn’t made a trip over. Money for such a luxury had simply never been there.
“Too bad, I’d love to hear what’s been done to the inside. The place has been around as long as anyone can remember. It was a private residence, part of a naval base at one time, for a while it was a hotel. A popular one too. Then the Corisis bought it, and no one goes in there now. I have a friend who works there every summer and he had to sign an NDA. I asked him what the hell goes on in there that he can’t talk about and guess what . . .”
“He won’t talk about it?”
“Exactly. He keeps going back, though, so I guess it’s not that bad. And he drives a nice car now. So, who am I to judge, right?”
“I guess.” It was all so alien to me I couldn’t imagine it ever sounding normal, but I’d have to adapt. If Riley married a wealthy man, this was her world now and I couldn’t let that stop us from remaining close. I had a difficult time picturing my mother happy outside of her kitchen, but maybe that was the child in me. I needed more for myself. If she needed more as well, I’d support her.
“These walls?” the driver said as we drove by ten-foot-tall stone walls that lined one side of the road. “The Corisis put them up. Like some medieval fortress. No one on the island would be surprised if they added a moat and parapets. Be glad you didn’t fly in today. The airport is a nightmare. World leaders and movie stars don’t disrupt the island as much as when the Corisis come or go. The running joke is that they ‘occupy’ the island rather than visit it. When they leave there is a collective sigh of relief and life goes back to normal.”
“I wonder if they have any idea.” Like a boat dragging an anchor, Dominic might be completely unaware of how his presence affected the environment around him.
“Oh, shit, I wasn’t thinking that you might say something to them. I talk too much. Forget I said anything.”
“No worries. Trust me, what you think of the Corisis is the least of my concerns this weekend.”
“Thanks.” After a moment, he said, “They’re not all bad. Get this, there are small businesses on the island that had their mortgages or loans forgiven mysteriously. The Vineyard is a magnet for rich people in the summer; nothing like that happened before the Corisis came. One of my cousins worked for them the first summer they were here. She took them on tours and shit. When she went back to college in the fall? Bam, financial aid had come through that covered her full tuition and her old loans were retroactively paid because a clerical error had been found. She used the money to buy the house next to my mother and now runs it as a bed-and-breakfast.”
“Interesting,” I said absently. Everything the driver was saying fit what those close to Dominic had told me about him. It wasn’t all about testing people. Sometimes Dominic simply used money to show he cared. I could see how building a relationship with him was a process.
Had the yacht been a test or a gift? He’d said it was the latter.
How did Riley feel toward him?
Could my mother actually handle being around him?
I’ll soon see for myself.
The driver stopped at the security booth in the middle of two double wide metal gates. A man in a suit approached with a clipboard and asked for my ID. When he read it, he smiled. “Mr. Ragsdale, we were starting to worry you wouldn’t make it.” He touched an earpiece then said, “Mr. Ragsdale has arrived. Would you like me to escort him? You’ll do it? I’ll tell him.” As he returned my ID, the guard said, “Mr. Stone is on his way. If you’d like to step out of your vehicle, he’ll drive you the rest of the way.”
I paid the driver with a credit card, added a larger tip than normal, grabbed my backpack, and exited the taxi. Before walking away from it, I thanked the driver again and said, “If it’s possible, I’ll get you in for a tour sometime.”
The driver smiled. “I’d like that. Hey, good luck with whatever you’re doing.”
I nodded. “Thanks.” And turned back to the guard. “All set.”
He led me to the inside of the gate where Marc was already stepping out of a vehicle. I swung my backpack over my shoulder and said, “Still in the escort business I see.”
The guard beside me coughed.
Marc arched an eyebrow, but one corner of his mouth lifted in a partial smile. “Good to see you again, Kal.” I chose the front passenger seat when I got into his car. Once we were both inside, he said, “I heard things went well when you and Dominic spoke. I hope this visit ends better than your first.”
“I’m sure it will.” I didn’t mind that he was tossing shade back my way. In fact, I liked him more for it.
As Marc began to drive, he said, “The complex is a series of suites, each equipped with its own staff. You’ll be in the east wing. For logistical reasons, your sister and Gavin’s room is on the far side of that building, away from the water and grassy area. A carnival will begin to be set up in that area tomorrow morning. It’s a surprise for Riley.”
“She loves carnival games.” As we drove, I was awed by the sheer size of the resort. Although it was clapboard and gabled in traditional New England style, there were modern touches everywhere and the building seemed to go on forever in both directions. How could something like this belong to one person?
Marc smiled. “Yes, that’s how the theme was chosen. Your family is gathered for dinner now. I can take you directly to see them or to your suite first.”
I ran a hand over my neck. “I wouldn’t mind freshening up before I see them.”
“Perfect. You’ll find contact information for key people on the desk in your suite. There’s a breakfast in the morning followed by the carnival and hopefully a proposal. More information regarding the weekend’s itinerary will also be on the packet on your desk.”
“Sounds organized.”
Marc parked the car. “Does your family know you’re coming?”
“I haven’t spoken to them yet, so I’m not sure.”
He met my gaze and nodded. “I see and hear a lot because it’s my job to pay attention. For what it’s worth, Dominic was as nervous about meeting your mother as you probably are about coming here.”