New Beginnings

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER 5

Blake sent a text to both Alex and Jack with his new cell phone number then set the phone down. Papers were strewn over his desk, as he worked through the contract relating to the sale of Motutawa Island. He wasn’t normally a messy worker, but the contract appeared to be all over the place, or perhaps it was him. Then there was the letter which had been delivered by courier earlier in the day.  It was still sitting on the same corner where he’d placed it. The fact that it was from the adoption search agency he’d used to track down his birth parents had him confused. All of that was finished. Wasn’t it? His birth mother was dead, and his birth father was married to a woman who refused to accept her husband had a son from a previous relationship. What else was there?  His phone pinged with a message from Jack, quickening his heart and offering a welcome distraction to the letter. He read the message.

Got roughed by an i***t, two cracked ribs and on strict rest so I can play Saturday.

The thought of Jack being hurt introduced an armada of unexpected thoughts and feelings.

Why would someone do that to you Jack?

Just some i***t. I’m all strapped up and taking pain medication. Thanks for sending the new number.

You’re welcome. When will you be coming to Devonport?

Tomorrow. Mum will bring us, and we’ll stay at the Grandies.

Blake decided to call Jack, he needed to hear his voice if nothing else.

“You’re sure you can play cricket?”

Jack gave a short laugh, “I hope so. Don’t tell Mum I told you this but man it hurts like hell!”

“What time does the game start?”

“Eleven. I’m looking forward to you being there.”

“Same goes.”

After a few moments he ended the call and placed his phone back on his desk.

“Knock, knock.” That sounded a lot like John Porter and Blake remembered he’d left the French doors open to let the afternoon sea breeze through the house. Taking a deep breath, he made his way to the rear of the house, uncertainty dogging his steps. Just because Diana and John had been unofficial surrogate parents to him, didn’t mean they would like the adult Blake, the man who had let the Porter family down so badly. As soon as John caught sight of him a smile broke over his face and Blake let go of the breath he’d been holding.

“Di, you’ll need to come round the back!” John called over his shoulder.

Blake extended his hand and for a the briefest of moments he thought he’d misread the situation, then John pulled him into a bear hug and Blake could no longer hold back the tears.

“John! What have you said to make him so upset?”

John gently put Blake at arms rest, “Not a word, my love. Looks like this boy needs a family and a whole lot of love.”

“Oh, Blake. Come here.”

Diana’s arms came around him and his heart clenched. She was still the nurturer, the mother he never had. This was a woman he would do anything for, same as the man who stood by her stood.  Blake straightened up,

“Sorry. You must think I’m more than pathetic.”

“Nonsense,” Diana soothed, “We got home last night and within two minutes Aggie Compton was there to tell us someone had bought this house and that you have a lot of meals delivered.”

“Miserable old busybody,” John grumbled, “We hadn’t even unpacked and there she was!”

“Now,” Diana began, “John, bring in the basket I left at the front door and I’ll put the kettle on.”

Blake watched as Diana Porter busied herself in his kitchen. It was though time had rewound to a simpler life, long summer holidays and happiness. She turned to him,

“You do have cups and plates, don’t you.?”

“Yeah, I bought a set. Nothing fancy, as you can see the kitchen doesn’t see much action.”

“Well, that has to stop Blake. I heard from Alex that you’ve been unwell, so it’s a good thing I’m close enough to keep an eye on you.”

John returned carrying a large picnic basket, placed it on the breakfast bar and started unpacking it. Biscuits, coffee, tea, milk, bread, that damn basket was like a small supermarket!

“I brought coffee and tea because I wasn’t sure if you had any or enough. And I baked this morning. She pushed a tin toward him which he slowly opened. Afghans! She remembered.

“Don’t look so surprised, what else would I bake for you?”

“I’m surprised and embarrassed by the fact that you were baking Afghans this morning when you only returned home last night.”

John placed a hand on Blake’s shoulder, “As you can see, she might have a few grey hairs but she’s still a dynamo.”

“I’m going to ignore the reference to grey hairs, John Porter.”

John laughed, reminding Blake how the banter went back and forth between the two of them. They were soon seated around the table, the tin of Afghans in front of Xavier with both a coffee pot and a teapot on the table.

“Jack tells me you’ve sold your business in the States,” John said between sipping his coffee and munching happily on an Afghan. When he reached for another, Diana moved them towards Xavier,

“You’re supposed to be watching your sugar intake, Mr Porter.”

John shrugged his shoulders and Blake frowned,

“Your health is okay?” He asked.

“John’s sugar levels were a bit high a few months back, not diabetes, but the doctor said if we reduced our sugar intake, it would make a big difference.”

He nodded and took a second biscuit before replacing the lid.

“I did sell my business; I was burnt out working ridiculous hours each week. I got to the point where I hated what I’d created even though the business has made me a wealthy man.

“So, what now, Xavier?” Diana asked, “Jack mentioned something about Motutawa.”

“I’ve made an offer subject to my lawyer approving the contents of the contract.”

“You do know the place is a wreck? You’ll need deep pockets for that.”

Xavier sipped his coffee, grateful that John was still looking out for him.

“Yeah, Alex and Jack told me you’d been over there recently and told me it desperately needed some TLC.”

Diana smiled, “A bit like you.”

“I was shocked when Jack knocked at the door,” he leaned back in his chair, “One of the benefits of counselling helped me accept I’m not a bad person but that I had done things which resulted in not only a negative effect on people I loved and respected, but also profoundly so.”

Diana reached over and covered her hand with his,

“You are not a bad person., Blake Winchester. Those parents of yours wanted to bend you into something you weren’t.”

“I needed to come back. To try and make amends for the poor decisions I made. I can’t get back those fifteen years of Jack’s life and I’ll regret that forever. But I do intend to be there for him, I don’t want to stand on your toes because you’ve been there every step of the way for Alex and for Jack.”

John turned in his chair to face him, crossing one leg over the other, leaning forward, he clasped his hands around the front of his knee, “That’s good news, Blake.”

“But?”

“There is no opt in, opt out. If you’re serious about being in his life, you must do just that. You’ve got to be there for the good and the bad, I daresay he’ll want to stay with you on weekends or during the holidays. If that’s the case, you need to understand how he works. Raising kids is a commitment, Blake.”

“I know that, John and believe me, I have no intention of hurting Jack. I want to be there for him, but I was thinking I might need both of you to ensure I’m moving in the right direction.”

John laughed, “Son, that boy is the least complicated kid put on this planet, he’s been an easy ride so far but that isn’t to say he won’t get complicated or that trouble will stay away. Are you in?”

Blake took a deep breath, his gaze moving first to Diana then to John, “I’m in.”

Diana pulled out her cell phone, “Give me your number, Blake. I know we live in the same street, but it doesn’t hurt to be contactable in as many ways as possible.”

Blake sent Diana a text and then one to John. He watched Diana return her phone to her bag and he sensed she too needed to get something off her chest.

“I don’t want to dig into your personal affairs Blake, but what about Alex?”

He looked from one to the other, was this a trick question?

“I don’t understand.”

“What she’s trying to say, she is bugging into your personal affairs and wants to know where things stand with Alex. There.” John crossed his arms, a mischievous grin lighting his face.

“John!”

“Diana, I don’t know where things stand with Alex. We’ve had a couple of decent conversations, but I don’t want to read too much into them. I would like to repair the damage, but I think it could take a while. I get the feeling that for Alex, she’s yet to make up her mind in terms of accepting I’m genuine.”

Diana smiled, “Thank you for being honest, Blake. Are the feelings still there?”

“Good God woman!” John roared, “I think you have crossed the line there.”

“All good, John. I don’t mind and yes, the feelings are still there. I need to find a way to show her I’m not going anywhere,” Blake replied.

Diana beamed at him, “Good enough for me. Now, did you hear about Jack’s accident?”

John rolled his eyes and slowly shook his head which made Blake laugh. He loved these two. They didn’t share any DNA but hell, they could make you feel better in a matter of minutes. Before leaving they insisted, he spend time with them once Alex and Jack arrived the following day and he didn’t miss the sly look that passed between Diana and John as they left. She was matchmaking.

Alex brought the car to a stop in front of her parents four car garage and smiled. Four car garage when they only had one car. Her father had converted part of it into a workroom for all his woodworking projects, so it was put to good use once he’d retired. The house had been a refuge of warmth and love during her pregnancy. A place where she began putting her life back together. She glanced around at Jack and Lucas in the back seat. Jack grimaced as he removed his seatbelt.

“Sore?”

“A bit. I think it is getting better but man it still hurts.”

Lucas gave Jack a worried look, “I don’t know if you should play, J. What if you do more damage?”

“Tell you what,” Alex said, “How about we see how things are going tomorrow afternoon and make a decision then. I think Lucas could be right, you don’t want to do more damage.”

“I can’t let people down. Not at the last minute. Unless –”

“Yes?”

“We could ask Leo; he might be willing to step in.”

Lucas shook his head, “He’s got a swim meet this weekend.”

Alex opened her door, “Come on, grab your bags before Grandma comes out and puts us through one of her interrogations.”

But it wasn’t her mother or her father who emerged from the house. It was Blake and her heart tripped.

“Hey, Blake’s here!” Jack’s tone had lifted, and he and Lucas rushed toward him, leaving their bags in the car.

“Gentlemen, your bags? Jack, you get a free pass just this once.”

“I’ll get yours, J,” Lucas said, giving Alex a cheeky grin.

“It’s okay, guys. I can take them,” Blake said, “Diana and John are waiting inside with enough food to feed your entire team.”

“Cool, come on Lucas. All this pain makes a guy hungry!” As an afterthought he grinned at Blake and said, “It’s cool that you’re here. Maybe later you can help Lucas and I with a game we’re having trouble mastering?”

Without waiting for a response, they disappeared indoors leaving Alex alone with Blake. Well, probably not alone because Mrs Compton probably had her binoculars trained on them.

“Do they need their cricket gear inside as well?” Blake asked when he had lifted the rear hatch of the Audi SUV.

“Might as well. It’s probably safe enough in the car overnight because the drive is obscured from the road. But you never know.”

She watched him lift out the two cricket bags. He looked good, more relaxed than he’d been the day he visited her and Jack.

“Sorry, no manners,” he muttered, “Hi.”

“Hi yourself. Mum being giving you the third degree?”

“No, I got that the other day and I think I passed.”

“I know for a fact you did.”

“Give me your bag.”

Alex shook her head, “You don’t need to make yourself a packhorse, you know.”

“Agreed. But Mrs Compton’s probably watching and waiting to see whether I’m a gentleman or a bounder.”

“Funny, I was thinking about Mrs Compton as well, that she probably had her binoculars out.”

They laughed and when she handed him her bag, their hands touched sending an electrical charge through her.

“Sorry,” she mumbled, “I lost my grip.”

“I think I lost mine.” His voice was rough, and they stood there, neither of them moving, just looking at one another. It was Blake who broke the spell,

“We should get inside, just in case Mrs Compton is making notes.”

“You’re right, lead on.”

They had just reached the top of the steps onto the wrap around porch when the front door swung open, and her mother gave them a knowing look. Subtlety was never Diana Porter’s strong point. A heart of gold and there to give a hand whenever needed, but when it came to Blake, she had a blind spot. Alex didn’t know if it was due to his friendship with Jack and she saw him as a substitute son to be fussed over or not but she had trusted Blake since the day he crashed his bike into her rose bushes when he was twelve years old. Alex had to admit her mother looked fantastic, the cruising life obviously suited her, and she had been so enthusiastic when she spoke to Alex the evening she came home. She opened her arms and pulled Alex in, leaving Blake to rescue the bag she’d been holding.

“Oh, you’re a sight for sore eyes my girl. We’ve missed you so much and as much as I enjoyed myself, I couldn’t have lasted another day without seeing you and Jack.”

Alex enjoyed the warmth of her mother’s embrace,

“We missed you too, Mum. You look great I have to say.”

“I think we were long overdue for a proper holiday,” Diana looked up at Blake and beamed a smile at him, “And, Blake has been helping your father with a few things. Apparently, Blake is the proud owner of a yet unnamed and brand-new yacht.”

Alex straightened up, “Really?”

“Really. I ordered it when I first arrived home and took delivery a few days ago.”

“Wow. That’s great, I mean I’m sure Jack would love to be out on the water with you.”

“That’s what John said.”

“Yes, well, John’s been angling for an invite ever since he found out,” Diana added, “Come on then, no point in standing out here, it’ll be driving Aggie Compton insane that we have visitors, and she can’t see what’s going on!”

They followed Diana into the house where Blake set the bags down. Her mother had bustled off in the direction of the kitchen and somewhere through the house she could hear her father explaining something to Jack and Lucas.

“Jack is okay to play, isn’t he?” Blake asked, concern etched on his face.

“I hope so. He’s been working toward this, it’s the first time his team has made the final and he’s the captain. He’ll be devastated if he can’t play.”

“Is there anything I can do?”

“Just be here f or him. His spirits definitely lifted when he saw you so that’s a good sign.”

“Alex -,”

She put her hand up, “I don’t know about you, but I could do with something to eat and drink.”

“Sure, but later can I get your opinion about this?” He pulled the envelope from the back pocket of his jeans, “It was delivered by courier yesterday.”

She took the envelope from him and looked up, “It’s still sealed.”

“Yeah. I gave them a donation after they gave me the information regarding my birth family, and I received a receipt so it’s not that.”

Alex fingered the envelope, it was thick, as though a document was inside. Her stomach grumbled.

“Lets eat and perhaps you can show me your house.”

“Okay.”

She smiled up at him, the look on his face was filled with confusion and…what was that? Hope?

After enjoying a noisy and delicious lunch, she and Blake made their escape. Her mother had all but shooed them out the door obviously convinced they were needing some alone time. And they did, but just not in the way her mother was imagining. Blake had assured Jack and Lucas he’d be back later to go through the game with them and Alex reminded Jack he was supposed to be resting. They ambled up the long drive, the loud cacophony of cicadas filling the late afternoon air and small wispy clouds dotted an otherwise perfectly blue sky. Following a path running along the side of the house, they reached a paved terrace patio. Alex noted the French doors were wide open.

“You obviously trust the neighbourhood,” she remarked.

“Well, I’ve realised at least eighty percent of them are over seventy. I don’t think they’re likely to burgle me.”

“I love this view. I vaguely remember the couple who used to live here. I think the wife had a stroke and had to go into care and the husband, well he pined away for her and died six months later.”

“He didn’t die in the house, did he?”

“No, the family were concerned about him and had booked him into respite care for a couple of weeks. Why, are you worried about ghosts?”

He laughed, “No! Now, inside or out here?”

“Out here, it’s a glorious day.”

They sat at a long rectangular glass topped table and Blake handed her the envelope. A strand of hair fell in front of her eyes and he gently pushed it back behind her ear, causing a flare of heat rush through her.

“Just my opinion Blake, but I think you’re going to have to open it if you want to know the contents.”

“That’s why you’re here. I want you to open it.”

“It’s addressed to you.”

“I know. But -”

“Yes?”

With palpable reluctance, he took the envelope from her and opened it. As she suspected, there was a document inside together with a letter. As he read it, she noticed his hand was shaking. At first his expression was unreadable but when he looked up and his gaze locked with hers, what she saw was pain.

“Blake? What is it?”

He handed her the letter and when she dropped it back onto the table she said,

“You have a sister?”

He nodded and pushed the documents in front of her,

“This is her original birth certificate, and this is a letter from her.” His voice broke and Alex took his hand in hers,

“You’re not alone, Blake. You have a sister who wants to have contact with you, and you have Jack. It doesn’t matter about Royce and Arlene; you’ve found your real family.”

“No! I don’t know this girl! My family is two houses up the street, the people who loved me and encouraged me. Turns out they still love me despite what I’ve done to them,” he stabbed at the papers on the table, “This girl? For all I know she could be a con artist.””

Getting to her feet, Alex stood behind him, wrapping her arms around his neck,

“Yes, we are your family, Blake. But just stop for one minute and think. This girl might have had awful adoptive parents too and not been lucky enough to have had a Diana and John Porter in her life. I don’t think she would write you such a heartfelt letter if she her intentions were anything other than genuine.”

She breathed in the scent of his soap, peppermint, and something she thought. She straightened up and gently ran her hand through his hair and dropped a kiss on the top of his head.

“Why don’t we leave the letter in your study, close the doors and head back to Jack and Lucas. Nothing like a bit of gaming to put a different perspective on a problem.”

As she went to move away, he caught her hand and got to his feet,

“Thank you. You’re right. I need to keep an open mind, but I might need help.”

“Of course.”

He led her into the house and secured the French doors,

“I leave the curtains open because I like to sit here at night and watch the harbour lights.”

He led her through the house which, she had to admit, was nicely furnished. His study was spacious, a large desk in the centre of the room had a large pile of documents sitting on top. Opening a drawer, he placed the adoption papers inside then, pointing to the documents said,

“I bought Motutawa and I’m probably going to need the services of an expert in regenerating native flora and fauna.”

“I know just the person.”

He came closer, “Good, I was hoping you’d say that. Now, I’m going to do what I’ve wanted to do since you arrived at your parents.” With that his lips gently brushed hers, then the kiss deepened, his hand sliding down her back and pulling her flush with his body. A soft moan drifted from her. Lifting his head, leaving her a little breathless, he smiled,

“We better get back before your mother starts congratulating herself.”

“You noticed?”

“Hard not to. I know she means well. I’ve told her where I’m at.”

“Good to know,” she whispered, “You’re right, we better go.”

Alex let him lead her out of the house, her hand firmly in his but as they neared the end of the drive, she let go of his hand. She wanted him, still had feelings for him regardless of how many times she might try and deny them. He’d broken her heart before and with Jack in the equation now, the stakes were much higher.