Chapter 2 - Home Without a Welcome
Claire returned to Harbor Point after leaving active service.
She had not announced the exact date.
Part of her wanted to surprise her father. Another part wanted to see the cabin before anyone had time to prepare a performance.
She arrived during Caleb’s engagement celebration.
Luxury cars lined the narrow coastal road. Music drifted through the open windows. Caterers carried silver trays through the kitchen entrance.
Claire walked onto the porch with her duffel bag.
Warren opened the front door only a few inches.
For a moment, he looked shocked.
Then his face hardened.
“You were supposed to call.”
“I did. Three times.”
“I’ve been busy.”
Claire glanced past him. Inside, guests were drinking beneath decorations that had been paid for with money withdrawn from the same account she used for the mortgage.
“I’m home,” she said.
Warren looked at her worn jacket and dusty boots.
“Caleb has important guests here. You can stay in the shed tonight.”
Claire thought she had misheard him.
“The shed?”
“There’s no room inside.”
The cabin had four bedrooms.
Claire did not argue. Years of command had taught her that the person shouting was not always the person in control.
She carried her bag around the house.
The shed smelled of damp wood and gasoline. A narrow cot had been placed beside a broken lawn mower. There was no heat and no working lock.
On the wall, Claire found an old cardboard box containing her childhood belongings. School medals. Letters from Margaret. A photograph of Claire wearing her first military uniform.
She sat on the cot and opened one of her mother’s letters.
Claire, never confuse being needed with being loved.
The sentence had been underlined twice.
Late that night, Caleb entered the shed holding a glass of expensive whiskey.
He was wearing a tailored navy suit.
“You should have warned us,” he said.
“Would it have changed anything?”
Caleb avoided her eyes.
“Dad says the house is mine now.”
Claire remained still.
“What do you mean?”
“He transferred it to me last year.”
“That isn’t possible.”
Caleb gave a nervous laugh.
“You’ve been gone a long time. Things change.”
“I paid the mortgage.”
“You sent gifts.”
“They weren’t gifts.”
“That’s not what Dad says.”
Claire studied her brother’s expression. Caleb was arrogant, but he was also frightened.
“Show me the deed.”
Caleb’s smile disappeared.
“You should talk to Dad.”
May you like
Claire looked down at her mother’s letter.
“I intend to.”
