Snow On The Beach // R.C.

1.07

"Relax," Ward says, smiling when he sees me. "You're not in any kind of trouble. Sit down."

I take a seat in the pristine, white wicker chair opposite him. Balmy morning air blows through the patio area, whistling between the wind chimes. "What can I help you with, sir?"

The lines by his eyes deepen. "How many times do I have to ask you to call me Ward? You're family, Sissy. That fact that you're working for me doesn't change that."

His words do little to ease the tension in my shoulders. "I know, sir—Ward. It's just hard sometimes to discern what's a work environment and what isn't."

"I understand that, and I appreciate your commitment. That's one of the big reasons I chose you to be my summer intern over some of the other candidates."

My brows meet in the middle of my face. I didn't know there had been other candidates. I honestly believed Ward created the internship out of thin air and offered it to me out of...charity. Just like Rafe said.

Despite already knowing the truth behind everything he said to me upstairs just moments ago, it still hurt to hear it come out of his mouth. It's not the greatest feeling to have others be so privy to something you're hoping no one else can see. But that doesn't mean I'm any less deserving of my achievements. Charity or not, I still work my ass off, and I won't ever stop.

What he said about Sarah though... I place a hand on my stomach.

"Are you sure you're alright?" Ward asks, interrupting my thoughts.

I quickly move my hand, subsequently trapping both beneath my thighs. Then, I banish Rafe from my mind. "Had an exciting morning. That's all."

"Oh," Ward eases back in his seat, resting his ankle on his opposite knee. "Anything you want to share with me?"

"Not particularly."

At that, he sighs. "Well, I guess I should probably just cut to the chase. I don't want to keep you long—I know you and Sarah have that beach clean-up thing to go to today."

Shit. I had forgotten about that.

"It's about John B."

Fuck. How many times have I heard that lately? "What happened?" I ask, fingers twitching beneath my thighs.

"It was brought to my attention that he was stealing scuba off The Druthers."

My stomach sinks, and my head feels like it floats. "Oh my god. I am—I am so sorry. I-I'll talk to him. Ward, I will make sure that this never happens again—"

"I've already ensured that, Sissy."

I know what he's going to say before he says it. And I dread every second of silence that passes as he switches positions again. Now, he leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees.

"I had to let him go," he laments. "You have to understand—that I can't have someone working for me who steals from my family. I know you asked me to hire him, and I always respect your judgment, Sissy. But I hope you can understand my reasoning."

So much for John promising to stay under the radar. I should have known better. He might be physically incapable of keeping his promises—at least when it comes to me.

"I understand," I say, eyes downcast. My cheeks feel ruddy and inflamed. "This is just so out of character for him. John doesn't steal."

In fact, I almost start to wonder if John got himself into this mess by covering for some shit that JJ pulled.

Ward doesn't say anything, just stares at me like he wants to give me a hug. Eventually, clasping and un-clasping his hands, he asks, "You wouldn't happen to know what he was using that scuba for, would you?"

"Probably something stupid," I blurt, breaking the work/family barrier that I'm still learning to navigate.

"Right," he laughs. I've always found Ward to be so handsome when he laughs. None of his children really look like him—except for Rafe. I wonder if Rafe looks like this when he laughs. "He wouldn't be, uh...trying to finish what your father started. Would he?"

I snap out of my thoughts, cursing myself for having them. Then I nearly curse Ward for bringing up the goddamn Royal Merchant. I seriously can't escape this shit. "Um..." I trail, clearly thrown off.

"I mean," Ward continues, "he wouldn't be searching for the gold, right? That's a fool's errand."

"Don't tell me," I hold my hands up, finally trusting myself enough to pull them out from under my thighs. "I think it's all one big load of garbage! But no one likes to listen to me. But to answer your question— No. I don't think John is looking for anything. He'd have probably landed himself in jail by now if he was."

Together, we laugh. It feels good to laugh, even if only for a moment, because it helps me to forget about the fact that John got himself fired. That pesky headache returns to the place behind my eyes.

Ward stands, and I follow suit.

"I really appreciate you taking this so well, Sissy," he says as he approaches me, arms wide.

I step into his warm embrace, accepting the hug. "I'm trying so hard to keep him out of trouble, but I'm starting to realize there's only so much I can do. I might need to lessen my hours, so I can be at home more."

Ward pulls away, holding me by the shoulders. "Don't do that!" He hurriedly says. "Us Camerons like having you around too much."

Instead of correcting him, I sheepishly smile.

"You know," he goes on, wrapping an arm around my shoulders and guiding us back toward the house, "you could always run the idea of my guardianship by John again. I know I just let him go, but I'd be more than willing to let him move in here. I think he could use a male figure in his life, and Sarah keeps telling me how worried she is about your nerves, Sissy..."

God, I want so badly to say yes. But I know that I can't. John would rail against it with everything he has, and I can't shake Rafe's words. You, Pauper, are a means to an end. If Rafe thinks of me as a charity case, everyone else probably does too. And that's not even what bothers me. It's the fact that, if Ward takes guardianship over my brother and I, I will be proving Rafe right. I won't have earned it.

But wouldn't that be worth relieving my stress over the DCS? I think the answer is yes.

"I'll talk to him," I assure Ward. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," he says kindly, giving my shoulder a squeeze before pulling away and disappearing into the house.

I stay on the patio a moment longer, mulling over how I want to approach John with...everything. Coming down hard on him about getting fired won't do any good, and it especially won't convince him to accept Ward's offer. I need to be smart about this.

Just as I'm about to head inside to prepare for the beach clean-up with Sarah, I freeze. Through the glass doors that lead back into the house, I spot a figure standing at the foot of the steps. It's Rafe. God, he must have witnessed my conversation with his dad, witnessed the tenderness between us. He looks pissed.

And his head is shaved.

This is the last filler chapter I SWEAR (I think...) ;)

-G.