Cindy was startled by Tara’s sensitivity and gave her hand a little squeeze.
Tara smiled wanly and moved closer to Cindy, almost as if she were her best friend. “My father always cooks up crazy problems, looks for loopholes everywhere,” she said. “That’s why he was such a successful lawyer. But it can be exhausting, too.”
“I’m sure it can,” said Cindy.
“My dad’s’ been against Lynch for a long time now,” Tara went on, obviously relieved to be talking to Cindy about it. “I’ve tried to block out his remarks. But, this is something else. “
“Yes, it is,” said Cindy, “I’m so sorry about it.”
“If it’s true, it’s a nightmare,” mused Tara. “How can Lynch explain a secret child? I have no idea how I’ll get out of it.”
“One step at a time,” said Cindy, thinking about the nightmare she went through, losing Clint on her honeymoon. She never thought she’d wake up from it, but she did, and as a different person, too. “Nightmares have a way of making us strong,” said Cindy. They don’t last forever. We wake up.”
“Lynch doesn’t know what’s going on yet,” Tara continued. “I just told him to get here as quickly as he could. He kept asking why, but I couldn’t say it over the phone.”
“You did well,” Cindy tried to soothe her, as suddenly there was a powerful, knocking on the door.
“Oh God, that has to be him,” Tara, startled, ran to the door at top speed. She flung it open and then threw her arms around the tall, blonde, good looking guy who came in.
“What’s wrong? What’s the problem?” his voice was tense as he pushed her away, slightly. “You’ve scared me to death.”
“Thank God you’re here,” Tara’s voice grew weaker, “thank God you came right away.”
Lynch, puzzled, looked into Tara’s eyes. “What’s wrong? Tell me.”
Tara blanched and turned away. “I can’t,” she said suddenly.
Lynch pulled her back towards him. “What do you mean you can’t? This isn’t some kind of joke. My mother was with me when you called, and she refused to let me come alone. She’s waiting downstairs in the lobby, alarmed. You said it was a total emergency.”
“It is,” Tara murmured under her breath.
“Jesus Christ,” Mattheus muttered loud enough for Lynch to hear.
Lynch stopped suddenly upon hearing those words, spun around, and looked over to where Cindy and Mattheus were standing. “Who are they?” Lynch asked confused and disturbed.
“They’re private detectives,” Tara said, suddenly gaining her footing.
“They’re what?” Lynch’s voice grew alarmed.
“Private detectives,” Tara’s voice rose. “My father hired these private detectives.”
“Why would he do that, Tara?” Lynch turned the suspicion directly on Aldon, avoiding the issue completely. “What would prompt your father to do such a terrible thing?”
Tara now took a step away from Lynch. “My father is trying to protect me,” she said evenly.
“From what? From me?” Lynch looked at her askance.
“My father’s motives aren’t the point, are they?” Tara spoke with her full voice.
“Of course they are,” Lynch turned to Aldon, his eyes narrowing. “There is nothing I have ever done to have caused any suspicion. I have taken wonderful care of your daughter, been good to her.” Then he turned back to Tara, “I love you completely, Tara. I have since the first moment I saw you.”
Tara’s eyes glistened as she took a step closer and held out her arms, “I love you too, Lynch, truly,” she murmured.
“Then how can you doubt me?” Lynch looked amazed.
“My father has news,” Tara said, once again, wobbly.
Lynch suddenly pushed Tara away and stared at Aldon. “What kind of news?” Clearly, there was no love lost between them.
“I believe Tara wants to tell you herself,” Aldon stared back at Lynch unruffled.
Lynch’s eyes opened wider. “Tell me what, Tara?”
Tara took a deep breath, threw a long look at Cindy and spoke. “These private detectives have told my father that you have a son living here on the island. You see him, support him.”
“What difference does that make? I love you, Tara,” Lynch wailed suddenly.
“I love you, too, Lynch,” Tara cried back.
“But you see, love is not entirely the point, is it?” Aldon sounded victorious. “My reasons for having you checked thoroughly were because I needed to be absolutely sure who you were before I gave you my most precious possession. And look what I found! You have a secret child. A son living here on the island.”
“And exactly what business is that of yours? How does this impact you?” Lynch’s voice grew louder.
Aldon’s voice rose as well. “My daughter’s happiness impacts me completely. She knew nothing of his child.”
“So?” Lynch stood his ground fiercely. “The child has no impact upon her either.”
“No impact?” Tara’s voice rose, unable to believe what she was hearing.