CHAPTER FOUR

"Anyone want to guess at what the fuck is happening out on Belle ?le?" asked Cam.

"Nope," said Luke. "I don't want to know. The ghosts are where they're supposed to be, and that's all I care about. Looks like we'll have a few extras for the foreseeable future, but they're all good ghosts, so I'm cool. Dad said to keep everyone on this side of the island for a while, that the seniors had some things to work through."

"I hope everything is okay," said Eric.

"I'm sure it's fine. They'll tell us if we need to know," said Luke.

"Did you know that all the seniors moved out to the island?" said Hex. The three men turned to stare at him. "Just in the last forty-eight hours. All of them. Sly and Suzette, Alec and Lissa, Tailor and Lena, Wilson and Sara, all of ‘em."

"Now I'm fucking curious," frowned Luke. He shook his head, vowing not to ask the questions he didn't want the answers to. "They'll tell us when it's time."

"Good morning," said Moose, ducking his head as he entered the conference room. He was still carrying Jennifer, not wanting to put her down.

"Well, I see you met your new roommate," laughed Cam, reaching for the little girl's soft, chubby fingers.

"Best damn roommate I've ever had, and she doesn't snore," he smiled, kissing her neck as she giggled.

"Her mother said she's never laughed more than since she arrived here. That makes me sad, happy, and fucking angry all at the same time," said Eric.

"Watch your language," growled Moose. Eric nodded, smirking at the man. "I was just wondering if you could fill me in on what happened to her and her family."

"Take a seat, brother," said Luke.

For the next thirty minutes, they gave Moose all the information they had on Erica and Jennifer and, more importantly, on her dead parents.

"What about the two men that were asking about her in New Orleans? Did we find them?" he asked.

"No. We have to assume they would have no reason to stay since the father is dead now. I'm sure they've left."

"No offense, Luke, but I'd like to be certain that they left. That's a tiny little woman with but one skill, the cello."

"That's pretty shallow," frowned Cam.

"I didn't mean it like that. I meant, there's no way she could defend herself and Jennifer if someone came for her."

"I'm tougher than I look," said the small voice behind him. Moose closed his eyes, steeling himself for the daggers surely shooting his way.

"I'm sorry, Erica."

"Don't be. You're right. I don't know how to defend myself against a man your size or even my size. But I'm not completely sheltered. I watched my father nearly beat my mother to death almost every day of my life. I'm surprised she was able to feed herself after what he did to her. I noticed the last few years she was alive, she struggled with her memory. I would ask her questions about my childhood, and she would say that she didn't remember. I know it was because of his beatings."

"I'm real sorry," said Moose. "I didn't mean anything by it other than I'm worried for you and Jennifer." She reached up, touching her daughter's cheek as the little girl cuddled into Moose's neck. Jennifer smiled at her.

"I know. I'm thankful for all of you, but I can't hide here forever. This is your home. Your place of business."

"You have nowhere to go, Erica," said Luke. "We've told you that you're welcome to stay here. Hell, I mean, heck, I know that Bull, Amanda, and Mia want to record with you. Take some time and think about it. Okay?"

She nodded, then turned to leave the room.

"Would you like me to take her now?" she asked Moose.

"Uh, well. No. I mean, if it's okay with you, we were going out to the kennels to visit the dogs."

"That's fine," she smiled. "I'll get my practice time in. I'll see you two at lunch."

They watched as Erica left the room, and Moose had a painful expression on his face. He looked at them, then shook his head.

"It's alright to have feelings for her, Moose," said Cam.

"No. No, it's not alright. I've been trampled enough by women, and she's been trampled by men. I doubt that makes a match made in heaven. I'm happy to protect them both and especially happy to carry this little charmer around," he laughed, kissing the little girl. "But that's where it all stops. Please don't play matchmaker with me."

"If you say so," smirked Eric.

"Don't make me put the child down," growled Moose. Eric just laughed, shaking his head at Moose as he left the room.

They were quiet for a long time, watching out the windows and looking down the hallway, following the two misdirected souls.

"This is about the time that Grandma usually shows up," said Luke. "I'm really starting to worry now."

"She'll be here when it's time," said Cam. "I hope."

Erica saw Moose and Jennifer laughing as they walked down the path toward the animal sanctuary. He lifted her in the air, twirling her like an airplane, and she squealed, waving her arms.

It was amazing to see her so open with her expressions, so happy despite her sad beginning to life. She'd tried to make it normal, tried to give her an American upbringing, but even she wasn't sure how to do that.

Erica had tried to be both mother and father, but she knew that she missed the mark on many occasions. Not able to concentrate on her cello practice, she left the cottage and jogged toward the two.

"Hi," she said, catching up.

"Hi," he smiled. "I thought you had practice."

"I did. I mean, I do, but you two looked like you were having so much fun I wanted to join in. Is that okay?"

"More than okay," smiled Moose. "Should I put her down and fly you around like an airplane."

"No," laughed Erica, shaking her head. "I think I can live without that experience."

"You need to do that more," he smiled.

"What's that?"

"Laugh. It's beautiful. Melodic, like your cello," he grinned.

"Thank you," she nodded, the smile fading somewhat. "I don't think I've smiled more or laughed more since I've come here. I was happy with just my mother, but we always seemed to be cautious. I could see the fear on her face when we laughed too loud or tried to do something fun away from the house. It was as if she didn't want to be caught enjoying herself.

"I remember we would be having fun, riding the cable car or visiting the pier to see the sea lions, and we would laugh. Then suddenly, she would get quiet, looking around her. It was as if we couldn't be seen or heard."

"I'm sure she did what she thought was right," said Moose. "You don't have to worry about that now. You can laugh or cry or smile as much as you want." They continued to walk the paths, both quiet, nervous.

"Are your parents alive?" she asked.

"No. My mom died when I was in middle school. My father died a few years ago while I was still in the Navy. I'm glad he didn't see the end of my first marriage and the fail of my engagement."

"From what I was told, neither was your fault." Moose stared at her, and she shrugged. "Irene and Claudette seem to know everything here, and apparently, they thought it would be wise to tell me about you. If I had married a man like you, with your morals, I would have been anxiously awaiting your return every time you deployed."

"But you did marry a SEAL," said Moose.

"No. I pretended to marry a SEAL, and he was not like you. Not at all. Everything he did was self-serving and leading to his prosperity."

"Thank you for that," he grinned. "At least I'm not in the same fish tank as your ex-husband."

"No. You are not. And please don't put me in the same fish tank as your exes." Moose stared at her, then nodded.

"I'll do my best."

"I'm not sure what to do next," she said quietly, looking serious for a moment. "I have options for the first time in my life. Good options for my daughter and me."

"What do you want to do?" he asked.

"Play my cello. Make beautiful music. Raise my daughter to be strong, confident, and resilient."

"Sounds like you could do all that here, and you'd have a huge group of people to help you," he said. Jennifer kicked her little legs, seeing the big dogs running toward her. "Hold on, hold on, little bit."

Moose set her down, watching as her chubby little legs ran toward Beast, Monster, Zeus, and Daisy VI. Erica started to stop her, worried the dogs would bowl her over, but they all halted right in front of her, kissing her face as she giggled, clutching their fur.

She toddled down the path, and the dogs formed a sentry around her, ensuring that even if she fell, it would be against one of them.

"Those are the most remarkable creatures I've ever seen," said Erica. Moose nodded, then lifted Erica into the air, holding her waist.

"Come on. The airplane is taking off!" She laughed out loud, giggling as he wiggled his fingers against her midsection.

"Moose! Moose, stop!" she laughed.

"Put your arms out and fly, Erica! Fly!"

To his surprise, she stretched her arms out and laughed, Jennifer clapping her chubby hands for her mother. Moose gently set her on her feet, both of them laughing as she got her footing, leaning against him. One tiny hand was flat against his chest, her head barely to his pecs.

Erica felt her laugh fading away, then smiled up at the big man as he smiled down on her. She nodded.

"Thank you, Moose. Thank you for making me feel as though I could truly fly." He watched as she walked toward her daughter, taking her hand as they continued toward the kennels.

"Me too, honey. Me too."