Stranded(43)
What they’d discussed on the island was selling their respective properties, with India moving to the Philadelphia area to live with them, so they could all purchase a home together. “You sound so sure it’s going to happen exactly as we planned.”
Rafe shrugged. “Why wouldn’t it? I’m certain of my feelings. Are you having doubts?”
“About how I feel for her? No.”
“Then what’s the problem? I don’t want to be with anyone else and neither do you. You sound a little too unsure for my comfort.”
Grant sighed. “It’s not that, but I’m beginning to wonder about India’s feelings. She’s been distant lately, and I can’t help remembering that comment she made during the interview about getting back to her old life.”
“I’m sure she didn’t mean it the way it sounded. I’ve noticed her distance too, but it’s probably just nerves. Don’t worry. Everything will go according to plan.”
“But if it doesn’t?” Grant wanted to know.
A determine gleam sparked in Rafe’s eyes. “It will.”
“If you say so.”
“I do.”
“How do we handle all this attention we’ve been getting lately? I for one can’t take much more of it.”
Rafe shrugged. “We probably fell victim to a slow news week. Had we been discovered when something important was going on, I’m quite sure this wouldn’t have happened. Relax, the media has a short attention span. This will probably blow over in a few days or until the next big story comes along. Right now, I’m looking forward to starting our new life together with our woman.”
That certainly sounded nice, but Grant wondered if India was still of the same mind.
Stranded
Chapter Thirteen
India stared out the bay window of her aunt’s living room, watching children play a game of tag. She wrapped her arms around her body, wishing they belonged to Rafe or Grant. When their plane had landed in New York, the three of them only had a few minutes together before she had to catch her connecting flight. A brief hug with each of them had been all they’d shared, because she knew if she’d allowed them to kiss and hold her, she wouldn’t want to leave.
She hadn’t seen them in over a week but talked on the phone with them every night while they sorted out their business affairs. India missed each of them with every depth of her being. She hadn’t gotten much sleep since she’d been back.
Things had been chaotic at best. Just as India knew she would be, her aunt Val was waiting to pick her up from the airport, but surprisingly so were her parents. She was so struck by the hugs and kisses, it didn’t register at first that the only reason they’d shown up was because of the cameras.
Her mother had put on such a show, India didn’t protest when they suggested they go out to dinner to celebrate her “resurrection”. Thank God, Aunt Val had been there, otherwise it would have been an even more trying ordeal.
The moment they sat down, her mother’s mask slipped. “So, India, I see being on the island has done you some good. You were starting to get a little chubby.”
Aunt Val glared at her sister. “Shut up, Leila. The girl had a wonderful shape. You only wish you looked as good as she did when you were her age.”
Leila Powers had ignored her sister’s comment and returned her attention to India. “And what did you do to your hair? Did you have to get it cut so short? You look like a little boy.”
India thumbed through the menu, past the point of caring about what barbs came her way. Her future was secure, and in a few weeks, she’d be reunited with her men. There was nothing they could do to bring her down. Or so she had thought. “Mom, I was on an island without any hair care products or so much as a comb. My hair was a tangled mess. The hairdresser did the best she could, and I actually like this short do. It’s easy to maintain.” She ran her hands over her now shorn locks.
“I think it’s cute,” Aunt Val agreed with her. “It makes her look sophisticated. Would you stop picking on the girl?”
Leila looked at her sister with surprise. “Picking on her? Can’t a mother give her daughter a little constructive criticism? Besides, Jack isn’t so sensitive. Lord knows, I don’t know how I could have two children so different from each other.”
India pressed her lips to a thin line, clenching her teeth together, to bite back the retort on the tip of her tongue.
The mention of his son brought Trevor into the conversation. “Jack got a new job with an investment firm. He’s on his way up. That boy is ambitious, and God help anyone who stands in his way.”