Page 1 of Waves of Reckoning (Echoes of Camano Island #1)

N ikki pulled into the narrow driveway of her old family home. Usually, the salty and cool Seattle air would fill her with feelings of euphoria. That Sunday afternoon was totally different.

She sighed and switched off the ignition, staring into the abyss before her.

“I’m sorry, Miss Murphy, but I’m afraid you won’t be able to have children.”

“What do you mean I can’t have children? How is that possible? It can’t be that serious.”

“Polycystic ovarian syndrome often has that effect. I’m really sorry, but maybe you and your husband can consider alternative ways of making a family, but I’m afraid you won’t be able to have one of your own.”

“It’s either ours or it’s not happening.”

Josh’s words had rung loud and clear, and tears dotted the corners of Nikki’s eyes. She hadn’t told her parents the news yet, but she didn’t anticipate any sympathy from them. They hadn’t been too pleased that she’d run off and married Josh without their knowledge.

Her father was all about news, and as a respected and reputable journalist, he would have wanted a story about his daughter—one that involved a beautiful beachfront wedding. He’d been furious with her since. He’d probably interpret her news as just punishment, which was why she hadn’t told them.

She lifted her eyes to the rearview mirror and gasped at her appearance. Her mascara had muddied her eyes, making her look like a raccoon. She quickly reached for her makeup kit in her purse, knocking the contents onto the floor as she did.

She cursed under her breath as she leaned over and tried to gather the items. Her torso accidentally hit the horn, and the loud beep startled her.

“Okay, Nikki,” she said as she inhaled deeply. “Get it together. Now isn’t the time to fall apart.”

She ruffled her dirty-blond hair, pinched her cheeks to get back some color, and smeared her favorite peach-colored lipstick onto her plump lips. “That should do it,” she said as she looked at her reflection. “It’s now or never.”

She got out of the car and, with anchor legs, walked up the porch steps. Her hand was suspended in the air and ready to knock when she heard Trish scream.

“No!”

“You don’t have a choice,” her father shouted.

What on earth?

Nikki didn’t bother knocking. Panic seized her in the chest, and she fumbled frantically in her purse for the house keys. She opened the door with shaky fingers and closed it gently behind her.

She treaded softly, almost expecting to get attacked by a ferocious animal. She was barely breathing and half expected to see a dish come hurling toward her.

“Mom, please,” Trish cried. “I don’t want to go.”

Nikki poked her head around the corner of the living room just as three pairs of eyes turned to her.

Her father, upon seeing her, threw his hands in the air. “Great! Here comes the other disappointment.”

Nikki wrinkled her brows. “What did I do?”

“What did you do? What did you do?” he muttered to himself in disbelief.

Nikki could see stress written all over his face as he glared at her. The last time she’d seen him like that was when he’d found out she and Josh had eloped.

“Mom, what’s going on?” Nikki asked as she ventured closer to her mother and Trish, who shrank back.

“None of your business,” her father barked. “Why don’t you just go back to Arlington? That’s where you live now, right?”

Nikki couldn’t understand how she’d become the topic of conversation and the object of his wrath just by walking into the house. “Will someone please tell me what’s going on?” Nikki blurted out.

“Ask her!” Her father pointed at a very embarrassed Trish.

Even though they’d been raised by the same parents in the same household, Nikki and Trish had never been close. They’d just never seen eye to eye and were not as close as sisters should be.

But the fear she saw in her little sister’s eyes melted away years of indifference. “Trish,” she said softly, walking over to her. “What happened?

Their mother sat gently on the edge of the sofa, her hands placed in her lap, and a sorrowful look on her face like someone had died.

“Will someone please answer me?” Nikki pleaded as she looked from one to the other. None seemed willing to reply.

“Okay, since Trish doesn’t want to say it, I will,” her father said in a booming voice.

His gray hair seemed even more pronounced like he had aged since the last time she’d seen him.

“Your sister got herself pregnant! There! Are you happy? You both seem intent on destroying my reputation and sending me to an early grave,” he spat dramatically.

Nikki gasped and turned to Trish, who stared a hole into the floor. Her long blond hair hung in front of her, hiding her face, but Nikki could still make out the glistening tears on her cheeks.

“Oh, Trish,” she said softly.

“Don’t coddle her!” her father snapped. “She should have known better. She was supposed to go to Seattle University and get her degree in journalism, not get knocked up by some loser. What will everyone think?”

“Oh, come on, Stew,” her mother finally spoke up. “I don’t see what this has to do with you.”

“Are you kidding me?” he asked and walked back to stand in front of his wife. “See, this is the problem right here. You let them get away with too much. Not this time. I will not stand for this.”

“I don’t get it,” Nikki said as her brows dipped. “If she is already pregnant…” The thoughts formed quickly in her mind as she realized what her father was demanding. “Dad, what’s going on?”

“She’s not having that child is what’s happening,” he barked.

“What?” Nikki replied. “What do you mean not having it? Do you really want her to get an abortion? Wouldn’t that be a worse feature in a gossip column than her being pregnant at all?”

“I don’t want an abortion,” Trish said weakly.

“Well then, how are you going to support the child? Huh?” Stew asked coldly like he wasn’t talking about a human being or talking to his daughter.

“Is that good-for-nothing going to marry you? Where is he, by the way? Oh right! He walked out on you and this kid. You’re only nineteen, and I certainly am not going to take that on.

Not at my age. And neither is Sophia. So where does that leave you? ”

“What are you going to do?” Nikki wanted to know as her heart started to race. She was torn, considering she couldn’t have a child, and there she was, caught up in a conversation with her family over an unwanted child.

“He wants to send me to Arlington because he’s embarrassed. And then I must give up the baby for adoption,” Trish replied sadly.

“That’s right,” Stew murmured. “That’s the only solution at this point.”

“I have another idea.” All eyes stared expectantly at Nikki. “What if I adopt the baby?”

A tense silence descended upon the room just then, and Nikki looked around, hoping they would agree. She couldn’t have a child of her own, and her sister couldn’t keep the baby. It was perfect, and she was hopeful again for the first time in months.

Josh was adamant he didn’t want to adopt a child, but maybe he’d think differently if he knew the baby was Trish’s and not a stranger.

“Are you insane?” Stew finally spoke.

“Dad, think about it,” Nikki said excitedly.

“That’s one of the reasons I came today.

I found out that I can’t have children. I have this condition that prevents it, but this,” she said, turning to Trish.

“This is a chance for Josh and me to have the family we won’t be able to have. It’s a blessing.”

“No,” her mother whispered. “That can’t happen.”

“What?” Nikki asked in dismay. “Why? You already plan on putting the baby up for adoption. Why can’t I adopt her or him?”

“Because what’s the sense in that?” Stew asked and circled her like a vulture. “Why do you think we’re sending her to Arlington? So that you can come back here with the child after?”

“Dad, I already live in Arlington. No one would know. If you’re worried about your reputation, no one has to know my connection to you or Trish.

Just please, do this for me. Trish,” she said, turning to her sister.

She took both of her hands in hers and squeezed them.

“I know we haven’t always been the best of sisters, but don’t deny me this one thing. I’ve never asked you for anything.”

Trish hung her head. “I can’t do it, Nikki.” She sniffled. “If I have to give up this baby, I don’t want to know anything about her or him. How do you think I’d feel if you came over? I’d know it’s my child.”

“Then we won’t come over. We’ll stay over there. Away from everyone.”

Trish shook her head. “I can’t.”

Nikki was heartbroken, and tears welled up in her eyes. “Are you all serious? You’d rather give the baby to a stranger than to me? Even after you know I can’t have a child. Trish! This is your baby. Please!” Nikki pleaded again as the tears ran down her face.

Trish looked away, and her mother hung her head.

“I’m afraid that’s for the best, dear.” Sophia sighed. “I’m sure you’ll find another baby you and Josh can adopt…”

“This is unbelievable!” Nikki exclaimed. “Mom, I expected this sort of behavior from Dad, but not from you. And Trish! I’m your sister. How could you do this to me?”

“I’m not doing anything to you, Nikki,” Trish fired back. “It’s not my fault you can’t have children, but I can’t give you mine.”

“No. You’d prefer to give it to a stranger,” Nikki said as the pain washed across her. “Mom, talk to him. I know this isn’t you.”

That was Nikki’s last-ditch effort to get someone to be sympathetic with her. They all remained silent. She was sorely disappointed, and the tears flowed from her freely. She wiped her hand across her face and sighed.

“You know what? It’s fine,” she said as she picked up her purse. “I am your blood, and you’d do this to me. I want nothing more to do with any of you.”

She walked away, and none of them tried to stop her as she slammed the front door shut.

Tears blinded her as she ran to the car and got in.

She leaned her head against the steering wheel as grief overcame her again.

She relived the moments when she discovered she couldn’t have children, and she lost track of time until her phone rang.

She slowly turned her head and saw that it was Josh. She hit the answer button.

“Hi,” she said weakly.

“Hey. When are you getting back?” he asked.

“I’m on my way,” Nikki replied as she turned the key in the ignition.

“Okay,” he replied as he hung up.

Nikki dried her eyes and clenched her jaw as she stared with disdain at the home she had once loved.

She put the car in reverse and backed out of the driveway, and as the car glided onto the empty street that was once so familiar to her, she looked one last time at the house she was sure she’d never see again.