"Peter, what happened?"
He stared at the ocean like he could set it on fire from whatever had just happened. Her heart ached for him, and she placed her hand on his stomach.
He let out a deep breath and said, "My mother is in the hospital."
She swallowed. "What?"
He didn't blink. His shoulders were tense. "She was taken in with pneumonia, but no one is sure. John and Vicki are en route."
She scooted closer to him and smoothed his hair. "Who called you then?"
He turned to face her, and she could see how his entire face went dark. She hugged his shoulder as he said, "My staff."
There was an ache in her throat, but she stayed quiet. "Peter, call the captain. We should go home at once."
His jaw tightened like he was trying to hold himself together, as he shook his head. "I don't know."
Her eyes misted to cry for him, but she tried to give him an understanding nod. "What don't you know?"
He jerked to his feet to isolate himself. "If she lives through this, then she'll want to speak to me. I don't want to cause her more pain."
She fumbled for her words as she stayed in her seat to let him pace. When he stopped, she stroked her own throat as she asked, "Peter, what are you saying?"
His hands clenched as his body tightened. "I don't know if I can forgive her."
She didn't say anything for a few minutes. He paced, but then he sunk back onto the couch beside her with his shoulders pushed into the cushion. She curled her legs beside him, but didn't say anything.
His hands eventually patted her leg. "Do you think I'm horrible?"
She wished she could alleviate this for him. He was so used to total control but had no idea how to open up to his family.
She petted his leg. "No. You're in pain."
He sat and stared into her eyes like she was a mythical priestess with all the answers. "How do I stop feeling like I let everyone down?"
She never had answers when it came to emotional stuff. She worried if she didn't help him, though, he'd be in an endless cycle of pain. He deserved better.
She licked her lips as her heart led her words. "Sometimes we all have to move on."
He narrowed his gaze. "What does that mean?"
She met his stare and realized she had to speak up. This was what she'd do. This was how she had accepted her stepmother into her life after years of being the only girl in the house.
She tilted her head and said, "She's in your life again. You don't have to be close. It might be easier for you if you go and say 'hello, how are you doing?' Let her see that you're there and be polite. That was what worked for me, and eventually I liked my stepmother well enough. She makes my dad happy."
His shoulders slumped and he averted his gaze. "I don't know if I can do that."
She handed him his shirt, which had still been on the floor with his pants. Then she straightened out his pants. "Why not? You have everything you need."
He took the pants from her and laid them beside him with his shirt. He then stared at the ocean again as he said, "I was on the stairs as she stormed out of the house. Earlier, before the fight, she had laid Vicki down in the crib and kissed her forehead. I followed her that night. As she fought with Dad, I sat there waiting for her. She flew past me with her arms clenched at her sides and threw open the door. I spent years wishing she had taken me with her."
With a heavy nod, her chest ached for him. She wasn't sure how she'd be any different if the roles were reversed. She sighed. "You did?"
He shook his head and didn't look away from the waves the ship made in the water. "Then I spent my entire adult life hating her."
She had to phrase this right so she did not upset him, and hoped he'd see the situation in a better light. "What about your father, Peter? I've heard unkind things from all of you, but I don't know what he did to you."
His shoulders were still tight, but he turned to her. His face was etched in a heavy load he had borne all his life. "I was to take the reins of Morgan Enterprises after he left, and rule the House of Morgan as he saw fit."
The House of Morgan seemed a horrible way to phrase family. She narrowed her gaze. "What does that mean?"
He blinked and then stared at the floor and counted on his fingers. "To quote a few things from my dad said, let's see...to not think with my heart about anything other than work. To ensure the success of Morgan Enterprises above even my own health. To not let family ever get in the way of what's best for myself. And you don't want to get me started on how I'm to view women. Mitch Morgan was a spoiled, bitter man who always got whatever he wanted."
She held her breath. She now believed his mother. No father should talk like that to his own son. Her hands clenched like she might fight his father too.
"So you believe he could have kidnapped your mother that night?"
For a long while he didn't say anything. The ship continued to sail away from Miami. Then he slumped his shoulders. "I absolutely believe that. As I said, I hated her for leaving me there."
She licked her lips. It was time for him to go. She rubbed her arms and then stared at the phone. "Peter, turn the ship around."
The couch shifted beside her as he moved. He walked to the phone, but as he picked it up, he said, "Okay, but, Belle. When I'm done at the hospital, can I come to your hotel room?"
Her heart swelled. She nodded her head and offered a weak smile. "Absolutely."
Chapter Twenty One
Peter wrapped his arms around hers as Belle stepped out of the limo. The bright sun of Miami and the warm breezes tempered her, or maybe it was the way he held her tightly. Her lips sought his, and she was lost in a sea of happiness. His kiss captured her entirely.
He stepped away. "See you in a few hours, maybe less."
The Marines had taught her she'd be fine in any situation. She reached up and hugged his neck.
"Take your time with your mom."
She placed a kiss on his cheek and stepped away.
He nodded at her and repeated himself, "I'll be back for you."
“I’ll be here then.” She refused to budge until he stepped into his limo. Her heart wished him well. He needed to make peace with his mother. She widened her stance on the sidewalk as she watched the limo drive down the palm-tree-lined driveway and out of sight.
She turned on her heels and carried her bathing suit bag into the elegant hotel with the amazing painted ceilings.
Belle knew she wouldn't be able to sleep the moment the limo dropped her off at her hotel. She picked up her phone and texted her best friend, Em, anyhow.
Where are you?
At the shipyard changing into my gear for the evening. How is your date with Peter?
He'll get me later. His mom's in the hospital.
That's too bad. Thanks for letting me know. Maybe I can leave early, and we can do something.
No, don't. Have fun. Peter is coming back.
Talk later. Bye.