The Mariner's Gift Read Online Free PDF Page A

his doubts.
    In reality though, he knew it was something more. In Zola, he not only saw an incredibly attractive woman, but a smart woman. A sweet and sensitive woman. And after Jill, that seemed to be the entire package.
    He’d been so distracted by all these thoughts lately even Lauren had noticed. She’d crawled into his lap last night and kissed him on the cheek, tucking her head of downy blonde hair under his chin.
     
    “What’s wrong, Daddy?”
    “Nothing, piglet.”
    “You seem sad.”
    “Not sad.” Oliver had chosen his words carefully. Lauren had an innate ability to sense his moods and would know if he wasn’t telling the truth. “More wistful than anything else.”
    “What does wistful mean?”
    “It means I’m thinking about something I want, but I can’t have.”
    “Like what?” She’d just gotten out of the bath and smelled like baby shampoo. He kissed the top of her head, overwhelmed for a second by her tenderness.
    “A friend. I’d like to have a friend, but she lives far away, and I don’t know that she’d want to be friends with me because I live here.”
    Lauren looked up, her eyes wide and clear. “That shouldn’t matter. If you really like her, you should be friends anyway.”
    Hugging her, he smiled. “You’re right. But I’m not sure if it’s that easy.”
    Lauren shifted in his lap so she could see his face better. She’d grown serious, her small mouth set in a frown. He’d known immediately what was coming.
    “Are you afraid she’ll go away?”
    Oliver’s heart twisted as if a giant fist was wringing it out. And for the one millionth time, he cursed Jill and her total inability to be a decent mother and wife. He’d hugged Lauren closer, knowing it would never be close enough.
    “A little bit,” he said into her hair. “I’m a little afraid.”
    Lauren wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him back. What she said next had surprised him. Because he knew just how afraid she was of anyone leaving her.
    “Maybe she’s lonely. You should be her friend anyway.”
     
    And those few words were what had been running through his head today. Was Zola lonely? Would she be open to the idea of a long-distance relationship? The idea was ridiculous, really. They’d only had one date and she’d put the brakes on that night like a newbie driver taking a sharp curve. Plus, there was Lauren to think about. Protecting her was his first priority. Jill had left a deep, painful wound in her wake, and his daughter was too delicate as it was. He didn’t want to risk introducing them, only to have things crumble later.
    Oliver lowered his head now, and stared at the sun’s reflection off the water. Sea lions lounged on the rocks to his left, enjoying a rare afternoon of warmth. The boat cut its way through the choppy bay toward the dark slab of island ahead where a crumbling prison from long ago still haunted its peaks. It was a lonesome sight. And it seemed to mirror his very thoughts.
     

Chapter 5
     
    Zola hung the little Santa wearing ice skates on a high branch, grinning at his worn and ragged appearance. He’d been gracing the Mitchell tree since sixth grade and was missing a mitten, as well as his left ear. Zola loved him anyway.
    Her mother, always astute when it came to Zola’s love life—or lack thereof—kept sneaking peeks at her from the other side of the tree.
    “What?” Zola asked.
    “Nothing.”
    Zola eyed her for a second then dug around for another ornament. The smell of chocolate chip cookies wafted in from the kitchen and A Christmas Story was playing in the background. You’ll shoot your eye out, kid!
    Standing on her tiptoes, Zola hung a snowflake next to the Santa. Her mother was staring again.
    “What?”
    “Nothing.”
    “Mother, please.”
    “It’s none of my business.”
    “Go on,” Zola said.
    “Go on with what?”
    “Just say what you’re thinking. I know you’re dying to.”
    Jenny Mitchell was a tall woman. Beautiful skin and