Sophie was grateful Sean had suggested that she stay at the bed and breakfast. She pretty much had the run of the place to herself. Ivy had insisted she take the largest room. It was a luxurious suite with a peach-colored theme. White and peach colors filled the room—quilt, curtains, décor. There was a gas fireplace that made her feel even more at home. The lovely scent of fresh-baked muffins wafted up the stairwell from the kitchen to mingle with the vanilla and peach candles that adorned the bedroom.
She loved it. And she loved that she could make tea any time she wanted or even raid the refrigerator if she was hungry or curl up with a good romance.
But as wonderful as it was, and as kind and generous as the entire McCullough family was being to her, even with Alex gone, she could not get the anxiety in her stomach to subside. The worst part was, she didn’t know if it had to do with the anticipation of Sean finding her father, or if it had to do with the way things had been between her and Alex when he left for San Francisco. Or if it was something else altogether.
Her cell phone rang and she grabbed it. “Sean?”
“How did you know?”
She wondered that herself. “Just a hunch. Are you there?”
“Yeah, I’ve checked into the hotel and I’m headed over to the county records office. If I don’t find what I’m looking for there, I’ll see what I can find from the local newspaper and library. How are you doing?”
“I’m okay. Skye helped me move into the bed and breakfast. It’s beautiful. You should see my room! Your mother insisted that I take the nicest one. It’s gorgeous. And it even has a Jacuzzi tub!”
Sean smiled to himself and said a silent thank you to his mother. “I’m glad you’re comfortable there. How are things at the store?”
“Good.” She forced her voice to sound upbeat. But the truth was, as much as she loved helping out at the store, it was not the same with Sean away. “I’m headed back there in a minute. I just came over here on my lunch break to unpack. You’ll call me soon?”
“Promise.”
“Thanks, Sean.”
She felt better. Not quite so lonely.
She made her way back to the store just in time to help a couple at the soda fountain. Sally grinned when she saw her, happily handing over the ice cream scoop.
“What can I get you?” she asked.
The man smiled and asked, “Can you make me a mocha shake? I know it’s not on the menu but I can explain—”
Sophie laughed. “No problem I’ll mix a little coffee with the chocolate.”
“Perfect,” he said.
“And use coffee ice cream?” she asked.
“You got it!”
“And what can I get you?” she asked the woman by his side.
She closed the menu and looked up. “How about Sophie’s soda.”
Sophie blinked hard and stared at her. “What did you say?”
“Sophie’s soda.” She opened the menu again. “It’s right here. A chocolate soda with chocolate chip ice cream. It sounds divine.”
“Definitely divine.” Sophie took the menu the woman was holding out and looked at where she was pointing. There it was in bold print. Her favorite soda, the one she had taught Sean to make. Not only had he put it on the menu, but he had named it for her.
Alex slammed his fist down on his desk, causing his pen to jump halfway across the room and his coffee to spill across his desk. “Damn it!”
Armed with a roll of paper towels, Angela came into the room and mopped up the spillage. “Are you okay?”
“Fine.”
She sat down in the chair across from his desk and stared at him.
“What? I’m fine. Really.”
“We’ve been working together for what? Four years now? I know when
‘fine’ translates as ‘my life sucks.’”
Alex scowled at his legal assistant. They were good friends as well as boss and assistant. “Okay, my life sucks. What tipped you off?”
“Besides your recent affinity for spilling your coffee and sending pens flying in all directions? The fact that you came home from your vacation a week early when I told you I was handling everything just fine? The fact that you emailed me constantly from the ranch? The fact that you wanted to spend your time reviewing papers that I’d already had one of the partners review?”
“Oh, that.”
“So what’s up? And if you say, nothing, I’ll throw this wet paper towel at you.”
“Okay, it’s not nothing. It’s just that whenever I visit my family, a lot of stuff comes up.”
“Such as?”
He looked over at her, his throat tightening from the pain of his memories. “Not something I’m ready to talk about.”
Angela stood up and tossed the wet towels into the trash. “I’m okay with that. As long as you’re dealing with it instead of running from it.”
“Both, I suppose. When did you turn into a therapist anyway?” he asked, attempting to lighten the mood.
“I work for lawyers, remember? It comes with the job.” She left his office and closed the door behind her.
The smile slipped slowly from Alex’s face. He was only here because he didn’t want to be at home. It was strange being there without Sophie. He missed her. He’d grown so accustomed to having her there. But the truth was, it was Cassie’s face he saw every night as he closed his eyes. It was Cassie who invaded his thoughts at home, at work, in the car, at the health club, anywhere he was. Always Cassie.
“Sean?” Sophie pressed the answer button on her cell phone and shoved it against her ear. “How are you?”
His laugh warmed her entire body. “I’m fine. How about you?”
“I’m good. Busy day, but it was good. Missed you though.”
“Did you?”
“Uh, yeah. We could have used your help with some heavy boxes that were delivered and—”
Sean smiled to himself. “It’s good to know my body is good for something.”
Sophie laughed and he could picture the pink crawling up her cheeks. “Any news?” She was obviously seeking safer territory.
“I think I found him, Soph.”
“Oh my God! Did you meet him? What’s he like?”
“No, I haven’t met him yet. He’s living—of all places—in California.”
“Where?”
“Pleasanton.”
Sophie’s head was spinning. She sat down on the couch in the living room of the bed and breakfast.
“Are you okay, Soph?”
“I think so. He’s been living here all this time? My father lives across the Bay from me?”
“I don’t know if he’s your father. I just know he’s your mother’s ex-husband.”
“Right. Of course. But still—There’s a strong possibility. It’s logical, right?”
“Absolutely. But there’s no father named on your birth certificate so I’m being cautious about assuming anything.”
“How long were they married?”
“Just a couple years.”
“What—what’s his name, Sean?”
“David. David Culver.”
Sophie wrote it down. She was so emotional that she didn’t trust herself to remember it. “David Culver,” she repeated. “That’s a nice name. When you get home, you won’t need me to cover at the store for you anymore. I—I’ll go see him then.”
Sean wished more than anything he was there to hold her. The quiver in her voice told him she needed him. She needed someone. “I’ll take you to see him, Sophie.”
“Really? You’re sure?”
“I’m sure. You don’t have to go alone.”
“Thank you, Sean.”
When would she get it? She never had to thank him. Everything he did for her was because he wanted to. “What are you doing tonight?” he asked her.
“I think I’ll just stay in, read or something.”
“You know Skye will be working at the pub so if you want company—”
“I’ll be okay. What abou
t you? What are you doing tonight?”
“It’s three hours later here. I’m just going to watch a movie and then go to sleep.” He glanced down at the DVD cover of the movie he had rented, but decided not to tell her the title.
“Hey, thanks by the way.”
“Thanking me again? I told you I want to do this. You can stop thanking me, Soph.”
“That wasn’t what I was thanking you for.”
“What then?”
“For putting my soda on the menu.”
He was smiling. As much as he had wanted to be there to see her face when she first saw the new menu, he had wanted to surprise her when she needed a nice surprise. “You saw it.”
“Someone ordered it today.”
“Did they like it?”
“Loved it.”
“Well, then, it’s my turn to thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“So are you.”
“Are you coming home tomorrow?” She tried not to sound too hopeful.
“I thought I’d stick around tomorrow and do a little more research. I’d like to see if I can track down his parents.”
“Good idea! And then you’ll come home?”
“I’ve booked a flight for the day after tomorrow.”
“Good.” She didn’t try to hide her relief. She didn’t understand it and she certainly couldn’t explain it, but Canden Valley was definitely not the same with Sean away.
Chapter 17
Anne swung her arm across Sophie’s shoulder as they walked out of the early morning yoga class. “I’m glad you stayed,” she told her. “If for no other reason than to keep an eye out for my stalker.”
Sophie laughed at how much she sounded like Skye. “Sorry, he’s made no more appearances.”
Anne shrugged. “Alas, he’s probably moved on to a more exotic dancer. But seriously, I wish Alex hadn’t left early, but we’re all happy you stayed. Do you want to do something tonight?”
Sophie shook her head and thanked her fiancé’s sister. “I think I’ll just stay in. I suspect it will be a long day at the store. I’ll probably be tired.” And she was loving every minute of her time at the bed and breakfast.
“What is it?” Anne asked, drying her forehead with the towel that hung across her shoulders.
Sophie sighed. “Want to get a cup of coffee at the café? I’ll tell you the whole story.”
Anne nodded. “Sure. They’re used to sweaty dancers and yoga instructors.”
They walked over to the book café together. It was still early. She had plenty of time to go back to the bed and breakfast to shower before getting to the store.
She ordered a cappuccino and Anne ordered a latte. Every dancer needed at least one indulgence, Anne explained. It took fifteen minutes of idle chatter before Sophie opened up and told her why she was still in Canden Valley, and what Sean was doing in Rhode Island.
“Wow! That’s like something out of a soap opera. You’ve really never met your father?”
“Not that I know of.”
“And he might be right there in Pleasanton, a BART ride from where you live.”
“Crazy, isn’t it?”
Anne exhaled and took another sip of her latte. “So, are you going home as soon as Sean gets back?”
“No. I’m going to see my father.” She heard Sean’s voice of caution in her head. “If he is my father.”
“Oh.” Anne’s frown revealed her concern. “Isn’t Alex going with you?”
Sophie shook her head. “He’s busy with work.”
“Why am I getting the feeling there’s something you’re not telling me?”
Sophie cringed. “He’s not real happy about any of this. He didn’t really want me to search for my father.”
“Why on earth not?”
“He doesn’t want me to be disappointed.”
Anne leaned back in her chair. “Idiot. I mean, I love my brother, don’t get me wrong. But sometimes— To quote Skye, ‘The McCullough men are a bunch of idiots.’”
Sophie laughed. “I’m afraid I’m inclined to agree. But what can we do?”
“Do you want company? Do you have a friend who could go with you?” Anne’s genuine concern for her warmed Sophie’s heart. “If not, maybe Skye or I could get away. You shouldn’t do this alone, Sophie.”
“I’m not. Sean is going to take me.”
Anne nodded. Sophie watched her carefully for a look of judgment but there was none. After a moment, she smiled and said, “Glad to know there’s at least one McCullough man who’s not acting like an idiot.”
Sophie locked up the store behind her. Sally hadn’t been feeling well so she’d told her to go ahead home. She could handle closing the store on her own. She thought about going back to the bed and breakfast, but she didn’t feel like being alone. She should have taken Anne up on her invitation to do something, but there was always the pub.
Spotting Skye’s sky blue Mustang, she headed down the street. She’d probably be too busy working to visit, but at least hers would be a friendly and familiar face.
Sure enough, Skye’s face lit up when she saw Sophie. She motioned for her to sit at the bar. That way they could visit while Skye worked. “It’s slow tonight and Nick is here. I’ll make him cover for me so I can join you for dinner. You are ordering food too, right?”
“What? Are you afraid I’ll have a couple sips of wine, get drunk, and disgrace the McCullough family?”
“You know me well. Fish and chips? Shepherds pie?”
“How about a Caesar salad.”
“Boring, but if you insist. Hey, Nick, I’m taking a break in fifteen. Cover for me.”
Sophie laughed at Skye’s brazen self-assuredness.
The adorable bartender looked up at her and said, “Sure, Skye. As long as you agree to marry me and have my children.”
Skye stuck her chin in the air. “Yeah, right. Dream on.” She went to put in an order for their dinner, served a few more customers, and as soon as the food was ready, joined Sophie at the bar.
“He’s cute,” Sophie pointed out.
“Who?”
“The other bartender. Nick.”
Skye looked at her as if she’d grown a second nose. “Nick? Nick Callen?”
Sophie nodded. “Look at him. Pretty cute if you ask me. Actually, bordering on gorgeous—not McCullough gorgeous, of course—but definitely easy on the eyes. And I detect a crush on you.”
Skye groaned. “No way. He’s not cute—” She turned and looked at the subject of their conversation. “I mean, he’s not exactly unfortunate looking if you’re into the Jude Law type—”
Sophie laughed at that but kept her mouth shut.
“And I guarantee he does not have a crush on me. He just likes to kid around.”
“Whatever you say,” Sophie said skeptically.
“Besides, he’s Nick.”
“So?”
“He works at the pub.”
“Skye McCullough, are you a snob?”
“No, of course not.” She turned and watched Nick wiping off the bar. “But he works in a pub.”
“You work in a pub,” Sophie pointed out.
“True.” Skye scrunched up her face and shook her head. “But he’s Nick.”
“And he’s hot. And he likes you a lot. Sorry, didn’t mean to rhyme there.”
Skye ignored her and swiftly changed the subject. “So, are you doing okay?”
“Why does everyone ask me that? Do I come across as the frail helpless type or something?”
“Hardly—except maybe in the imagination of pathetic males who like to play at being the hero. It’s just that Alex left and—”
“And what?”
Skye grimaced. “I know what Sean is doing in Rhode Island.”
“He told you?”
“Beside Gram and Gramps, I’m the one person he can trust to keep his secrets.” And Cassie, but Skye thought it best not to mention her. “Don’t worry, I haven’t said a word to anyon
e. Not even Anne.”
“Thanks, Skye. But at this point, it doesn’t really matter. Now that Alex knows. And I told Anne about it myself.” Sophie heard Skye’s sigh and looked over at her. “I know, you think it’s odd that I didn’t tell Alex upfront why I was helping Sean at the store.”
Skye raised a single eyebrow. It was an expression Sophie was becoming used to, one she’d even adopted herself. “Odd isn’t quite the right word,” Skye said. “More like—hmmm—weird, sad, disturbing, and—”
“Okay, okay. I get it. I do have trouble telling Alex things that I know he’ll disapprove—get upset about.”
“Good way to start a marriage.”
Sophie scowled. She adored Skye, but she wasn’t always prepared for her blunt honesty.
“It’s just that Alex is—I don’t know, just not as attached to the concept of family as I am.” With no comment from Skye, she continued. “And I hate to upset him. His work is stressful enough.” Still no reaction. “I suppose it’s the peace keeper in me.” Still no response. Okay, now she was beginning to recognize this tactic. Arielle used it often enough. If she stayed quiet, the other person—usually a patient but sometimes her best friend—filled the silence.
She took a sip of her cabernet and waited. She was not going to fall into the therapist’s trap. Finally Skye shook her head and muttered. “If you say so.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Sophie snatched one of Skye’s french fries.
“It means, I’m concerned is all. A healthy relationship means being able to be honest with each other, and being yourselves.”
Sophie couldn’t argue with that. But she was also realistic, at least when she wasn’t being impractical, idealistic, and romantic. Skye’s description of a healthy relationship was the ideal, but whoever fell into that category? Outside of her friend Arielle’s parents, no one she knew. Well, maybe some of the McCullough parents and grandparents.
“The other question is, why would Alex disapprove of your looking for your father?”
“I think he’s just concerned. He doesn’t want me to be disappointed. He has trouble with—that kind of thing.”
Summer Day Dreams Page 19
