Chapter 3

Protecting What's Important

Michael looked at April. He didn't expect to see her again, let alone see her all the way down the beach. Michael stepped closer, but April stepped back. Michael stopped moving and April looked back down the beach she knew her heart was beating.

" Hey," Michael said stepping closer again, " What are you doing all the way down here?"

" I was going to ask you the same thing," April said, " Do you live here?"

Michael said nothing and Lincoln came out of the shed. April nearly ran away.

" We won't hurt you," Michael said, " That's my brother Lincoln."

" Hi," April said, " April Divine."

" Are you lost?" Michael asked, " I could walk you back with you, if you like."

April looked away feeling hurt and confused.

" Is she okay?" Lincoln asked Michael in a whisper, " Maybe she knows?"

Michael looked at his brother, " I don't think so," he said, " It might have something to do with the sister I was telling you about."

April looked back at them, " If you could walk back with me, that would be nice. Michael," she said.

" You remember my name," Michael said, " I'll be back soon, Lincoln."

" Be careful," Lincoln said, " You never know."

April began walking with Michael.

" Looks like he's looking out for you," April said, " Lincoln must be the older one."

" By a few years," Michael said, " Lincoln is all I have left."

April continued to walk with Michael and was back where she belonged. The two continued walking until they came upon April's sister Katherine.

" There you are," Katherine said," I was about to call security and form a search party, " Oh hello."

Katherine noticed that April was with Michael.

" Do you have manners?" Katherine said," I said hello."

" I heard you," Michael said, " But that didn't mean I had to answer."

" You need to get away from him, April," Katherine said, " You shouldn't walk with a complete stranger."

" Whatever," April said, " I've seen you talk to people you don't know and even walk off with them."

" Word of advice," Katherine said to Michael, " Stay away from my sister."

" Whatever," Michael said.

Michael then walked away and to where the tavern was.

" Where was he?" Katherine asked April.

" Down the beach," April answered, " With his brother."

" Oh so there are two of them," Katherine said, " Is the other brother gorgeous too?"

" I don't know," April answered, " I didn't really look. His name is Lincoln."

April then began walking away, but Katherine stopped her.

" April, I'm talking to you," Katherine said, " Don't walk away from me."

April shrugged off her sister's hand," Don't hold your breath," she said, " Michael is not interested in you."

" And what is he interested in?" Katherine asked, " You are way too young for him."

April then walked away and Katherine just watched her. Katherine then thought of how she could get Michael's attention and if she could get Michael's attention, then she could get the brother's attention as well.

Michael was at the tavern, trying to mind his own business. He sat on one of the stools and looked around and out of the corner of his eye he swore he saw Sara. Michael was trying not to draw attention to himself, but he had to get a closer look.

" No it can't be her," Michael thought, " Not after what happened. Sara can't be in Mexico."

Michael looked again and knew it was her, it was Sara. April saw him and walked slowly up to him.

" Hi," April said.

" Hi," Michael said.

" I just wanted to say thank you for walking me back here," April said, " I shouldn't go to places I don't know. I should stick to what I do know about this place."

" You're welcome," Michael said, " Don't let you sister get to you. Cherish her though."

" I do," April said, " We only have each other. Our parents died a few years ago. It hasn't been easy."

Michael knew what April meant, he felt the same way when his mother died and when Lincoln was nearly put to death. Michael looked at where Sara was, she was sitting at a far table.

" Are you okay?" April asked.

" I have to go back to where Lincoln is," Michael said, " If you happen to wonder down the beach again, stop by and say hi."

" I don't intend to," April said, " But thanks."

Michael got up and looked at April and he sad eyes.

" You look so sad," Michael said, " Is everything all right?"

April said nothing.

" April," Michael said, " Talk to me."

" Why all of the sudden do I have a reason to be afraid of you?" April asked.

Then they heard some chatter behind them.

" I don't believe it," they heard, " Michael."

Michael and April both looked to see Sara standing there.