He lifted his head, his gaze falling on the silver photograph frame perched on the corner of his desk. Behind the glass was an image of a young woman with dark hair and eyes that seemed to sparkle in spite of the life she’d had to lead. Her right hand was resting on her swollen stomach, her left lifted in a wave to whoever was taking the photograph. His father, maybe? Aiden found it hard to believe. When he was alive, his father didn’t have a sentimental bone in his body – and no time for things such as photographs. He was too busy drinking and fighting to care about memories.
Anyway, he’d never seen his mom smile at his father the way she was smiling in this picture.
Damn, he missed her. He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to imagine her expression if she’d known Nicholas was her grandson. She’d always loved Brooke – even after Martin had thrown them out, she wouldn’t hear a word said against them. The Newtons were like gods to her. She’d probably have thought she wasn’t worthy to be a grandparent to a Newton child.
“But you were worthy,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. As far as he was concerned, she was more worthy than any of them. There was more goodness in Joan Black’s bones than in the whole of this town.
Apart from Brooke.
God, he’d wanted to hate her as much as he hated her parents. He hadn’t banked on her being more beautiful than he remembered, nor on her being kinder and brighter, too. And all those emotions they’d felt as teenagers – the ones that had led to long evenings with her curled up in his arms as she’d talked about school and he’d told her about college and they’d made plans for a future which could never exist. They were coming back, but this time they were adult emotions. Not the sweet whispers of adolescence. Every time he saw her there was this pull toward her, and he wasn’t sure how long he could hold out against it.
He wasn’t sure if he wanted to, either.
17
“We’re going whale watching?” Brooke looked up at the big wooden boat ahead of them, The Ocean Explorer painted in blue and red on the bright white hull. It was bobbing softly in the water, the side occasionally crashing against the metal gangplank connecting the boat to the harbor. Beside her, Nick gasped, and she looked down to see his wide eyes and even wider smile.
“Whales? Sweet! Are they killer ones?”
Aiden lifted his mirrored aviators from his face, and grinned at his nephew. “Maybe, but there are no guarantees. There should be plenty of humpbacks and orcas, though. And they say the dolphins practically climb on board to say hello.”
“That’s so cool.”
“Is this okay?” Aiden asked quietly, so only Brooke could hear. “I checked the safety details and we should be fine. The rails are high, and all the kids get a lifejacket to wear. I won’t let anything happen to him.”
“It’s more than okay. Nick loves whales. How did you know?”
“We were talking about them the other night. He said he’d love to see them close up. I wanted to make it happen.”
“You’re fast becoming his favorite uncle.”
“I’m his only uncle.” His lips pulled up into a smile.
“Then you’re doing fine.” She grinned right back at him.
As they climbed on board, Griff came to greet them. He’d been captain of the whaling boat for the past five years, taking over from his father before him. She couldn’t remember a time when there hadn’t been whale tours launching from Paxton’s Pier. They were as much a part of Angel Sands as Frank Megassey’s hardware store.
As soon as he saw her, Griff leaned forward to hug her, pulling at her pony tail to mess with her. He high-fived Nick, who was already overwhelmed by the boat – being in contact with the captain made him turn silent for a minute.
“How’re you doing?” Griff asked her. “Long time no see. They must be working you too hard at school.” Griff had never gone to college. He’d been a surfing prodigy and had done the circuit for a few years, before settling back in Angel Sands. Nowadays he surfed for fun.
“I’m busy as always.” Brooke grinned at him, so pleased to see a friendly face. “Do you remember Aiden from Lucas and Ember’s party? He’s a friend of mine.”
“He’s my uncle,” Nick said, finally finding his voice. “My Uncle Aiden.”
Griff reached his hand out to Aiden. “Yeah, I remember. It’s good to see you again. You work at the resort, right?”
“That’s right.” Aiden took his hand, shaking it firmly.
Griff touched the peak of his captain’s hat. “Well it’s good to have you on board. Now go and get yourselves comfortable, and little guy, you need to put this on.” He handed Nick a bright yellow life jacket. “We’ll be pulling out in about ten minutes. Once we’re on our way, how about you come and sit in the pilot’s seat with me?”
“Can I?” Nick’s face lit up. “Is that allowed?”
“I’m the captain of this ship. If I say it’s okay, then it is.” Griff winked at him.
Twenty minutes later they were leaning on the rails, feeling the warm salty air blow against their faces. Behind them, Angel Sands was disappearing into the distance. The sun was casting a thick line of gold across the blue ocean, as the occasional wave broke the peaceful water. Motoring out of the harbor, they’d already seen sea lions and harbor lions, as well as a fat otter lazing out on a rock. Nick’s eyes were searching this way and that, taking everything in. She could feel the excitement vibrating out of him.
“We need your help, folks. One of the first signs of a whale is the blow spout,” the tour guide told them. “Keep searching for it, and if you see it, shout. We’ll turn the boat toward it.”