“That kind of thing as in your feelings?”
Sophie sighed and put down her fork. “Pretty much.”
Skye’s arm slid around her friend’s shoulder. She was crazy about Sophie. She really wanted her to stick around. She just didn’t hold out much hope for a relationship that was based on tiptoeing around each other’s feelings. On the other hand, if things didn’t work out for Sophie and Alex, she knew someone who would happily take their cousin’s place.
Sophie rallied her optimism and changed the subject. “The good news is, Sean found him. My father. Well, not exactly. He got the name of my mother’s ex-husband—which I didn’t even know she had—and a location. He’s right here in California. In Pleasanton! We don’t know for sure if he’s my father, but it’s a start.”
“That’s great!” Skye ravenously returned to her cheeseburger. “When is Sean coming home?”
“Tomorrow.”
“Does that mean Alex will be coming back down? To pick you up? To go see this man?”
“Uh no. I thought I’d stay a bit longer. Sean said he’d take me up to Pleasanton. Alex is wrapped up with this case he’s working on. Apparently his assistant was struggling with it, so he wanted to get back.”
They had stopped eating and for a few minutes they had stopped talking, each lost in her own thoughts.
It was Skye who broke the silence. “You miss him, don’t you?”
Sophie looked up, surprised by the question. “It’s the first time we’ve been apart since we met.”
“I wasn’t talking about Alex.”
“Oh. Who were you—?”
“My brother. Sean.”
Sophie knew Skye well enough not to bother denying it.
Sean shoved his camera back inside its case. Enough was enough. How many times had he scrolled through his photos of Sophie? There were at least twenty-five of them, beginning with the ones at his apartment and ending with her sitting on a horse. In between were the ones of her chasing a butterfly, picking daisies, petting the dogs, nuzzling the puppies at the ranch, feeding the horses . His camera had claimed a permanent spot around his neck. He’d taken a picture every time he’d gotten the chance, all on the pretense of showing her father—assuming he found him—pictures of his daughter.
His mistake had been looking at them constantly, just as it had been a mistake to watch The Holiday last night. Everything he did seemed to make him miss her more. Which was, no doubt, the reason he’d booked an earlier flight. He’d located David Culver’s parents who also lived in Pleasanton. There was no reason to stay in Rhode Island. There was every reason to get home to Canden Valley.
He heeded the flight attendant’s warning and shoved his backpack under the seat in front of him and closed his eyes for the landing. In less than two hours he would be back in Canden Valley, back home, back to Sophie.
* * *
At the sound of a key in the lock, Sophie jumped off the couch. There weren’t supposed to be any guests registered at the bed and breakfast until the weekend. Ivy had promised to let her know if that changed.
She hurried over to the window where she had a view of the porch, but by then the door had opened. “Hey, Soph!”
“Sean!” Overcome by a combination of shock and relief and a large dose of joy, she ran to greet him, jumping into his open arms. He lifted her off the floor, holding her for far longer than necessary. She wasn’t about to complain. Or let go. It felt way too good.
When he finally put her down, she was reluctant to release her arms from around his neck, but a strong sense of propriety overruled and she let go. “I thought you weren’t coming home until tomorrow.”
“Got an earlier flight.”
“Did you find my grand—David Culver’s parents?”
“I did. They’re in Pleasanton as well.”
“Oh, Sean, I can’t believe it. I am so excited.” She frowned. “And scared.”
“I know, Sophie, but don’t worry. We’ll do this together.”
“Thank—”
He pressed a finger against her lips. He wanted to be pressing something else against her lips, but his finger would have to do for now. He smiled as he looked down at her, scrutinizing her flannel pajamas and skimpy tank top. He forced his eyes to continue their journey downwards. “Where are the bunny slippers?”
“Bunny slippers? Oh!” She’d forgotten she had told him about them. Suddenly self-conscious as she realized she was dressed for bed, with a thin tank top and no bra, she turned away and headed back to the couch where she’d been sitting when he arrived. She snatched up her book and held it to her chest. Sean laughed and took off his jacket and tossed it to her. He really didn’t want her to put it on. What he really wanted to do was sit beside her and take the book out of her hand and ask her what she was reading. A misguided sense of decency deterred him.
Sophie set down the book and slipped her arms into Sean’s lightweight leather jacket, completely aware of the heat creeping up her cheeks. She hadn’t been embarrassed when he’d caught her in nothing but a towel. Why was she suddenly shy with him now? She didn’t allow herself the luxury of answering that question.
“Uh, when do you think we can go see David Culver?”
“As soon as you want. Tomorrow?”
“You’ll be tired from the flight. And the time difference.”
“I’ll be fine. I know you’re anxious—”
“Oh, Sally wasn’t feeling well and had to go home early today.”
“Don’t worry. I already called Gramps. He’ll come in tomorrow.” Sean knew he had to leave. Now. Even with his jacket covering her, he felt himself slipping closer to that point of no return. He wanted her like he’d never wanted any woman before. Common decency could only control him for so long.
“I’ll, uh, meet you out front. Tomorrow. Morning. Eight o’clock?” He hurried toward the door. What the hell was wrong with him? It couldn’t have been the flannel pajama bottoms. There was nothing sexy about them.
Okay, the tank top wasn’t helping, but there was something else. Something had changed while he’d been away. Or was it simply that a few days away had made him realize even more just how much he wanted her?
Chapter 18
Sophie had brought muffins from the bed and breakfast and Sean had made coffee. She was wearing a tan pair of cotton slacks she’d brought with her from San Francisco and a short-sleeved white blouse. Simple but dressier than the jeans she had become accustomed to wearing. She wanted to look nice. This might very well be the day she met her father.
“Nervous?” Sean asked as she climbed into the truck.
“A little.”
“Breathe.” He put his hand gently on her arm but quickly pulled it away.
Sophie took a deep breath, then another. “Okay, I think I need some distraction. Any music?”
Sean pressed play and the old tune from one of his grandparents’ CD’s filled the truck. “A Kiss to Build a Dream On.” Damn. He hadn’t realized that was the one he’d left in.
Sophie sang along, remembering the lyrics from the general store juke box. Sean’s favorite. But before the song was even half over, Sean ejected it.
“Ah, I love that one. I thought you did too.”
He glanced over at her. “Uh, yeah, I do, but—” He quickly looked back at the road and pushed another track on the CD player and an old Beatles tune came on.
She started singing along to “I Love You” as they drove the highway between the Valley and the town of Winslow, then heading northeast to connect with the freeway. Sean sighed with relief.
Once the song ended, Sophie opened the bag of muffins and asked Sean if he wanted banana walnut or chocolate chip.
“Both,” he said.
“Good. I want both too. We’ll share.”
“But you’ll have to feed me.” He looked over at her cautiously.
Unperturbed, she spread a napkin across his lap—bad idea, very bad idea—and broke off a bite of banana walnut muffin and pop
ped it into his mouth. That same flash of a wedding cake hit him like lightening, and he realized nothing about this was a good idea. Then, as if reading his mind, she took the cap off the to-go cup and held out the coffee for him to take. He carefully slipped it from her hand and took a long sip and handed it back to her. While he took deep breaths, she continued feeding him until he had finished.
“Good muffin choice,” he told her.
“My favorite two flavors. I couldn’t choose. And I didn’t know which you liked.” Having finished feeding him, she indulged herself in the makeshift breakfast.
“Your favorites,” he said, glancing over at her.
How was it that almost every word out of his mouth went straight to her heart, warming her so deeply inside that she thought she might burst with joy.
When the CD ended, Sean pointed toward the glove compartment and Sophie selected some big band music. But she turned down the volume so they could talk.
“I think I’m still in shock that you found my father. I know he may not be. But I can’t help thinking it’s possible. I might actually have a father to walk me down the aisle.”
Sean frowned. She was still thinking about her wedding . to another man. It was the first time the subject had come up in a while. He had managed to allow himself to hide under the illusion that it would never happen.
“I’m still amazed that none of the McCullough cousins are married. I know about Charlotte and why Matt is keeping his distance from the institution of marriage, but what about you, Sean? Why aren’t you married?”
He glanced over at her but didn’t say anything.
“I know. I know,” she answered for him. “You haven’t found the right woman.”
Looking back at the road, he said softly, “No. I found her all right.”
“But?”
“She’s unavailable.” He turned and stared at her for a long moment.
Sophie swore that if those intense blue eyes looked at her any harder, they’d burn a hole right through her. It definitely was not her imagination. He was definitely as attracted to her as she was to him. This could not be good. As soon as she had a minute alone, she had to call Arielle.
When he looked back at the road, she released her breath that seemed to be caught in her chest. “Any woman would be lucky to have you, Sean.”
“Damned right,” Sean said in an attempt to dispel the tension that he had created. “I’m a catch all right. I may not have a cow in my backyard, but I do have horses.”
Sophie’s eyes opened wide at the familiar dialog from her favorite Christmas movie. She waited expectantly, as if wanting to hear more. Sean happily obliged.
“And I don’t know how to sew, but I make a mean hot chocolate . with marshmallows.”
“I thought you hadn’t seen The Holiday.”
“I have now.”
And here he thought he’d be lightening the mood. He’d done anything but that. He might as well have told her he was in love with her. What had gotten into him? The realization that if this man really was her father, his time was running out? He’d have no more excuses to spend time with her. Still something was stopping him from telling her the truth. That something undoubtedly was his cousin.
Guilt ground away at his stomach. He soothed the discomfort with the image of Alex standing on the side of the road, watching Cassie. Sophie deserved better. She just needed to realize that. And so did his cousin.
Sophie let out the breath she’d been holding ever since Sean had looked at her with such intensity that there was no way she could deny his feelings for her. Especially not after learning that he had gone out and rented her favorite Christmas movie in the middle of summer. He had all but told her how he felt. She just didn’t know what to do with it. She was consumed with emotions ranging from elation to terror to guilt to joy. At least he had managed to distract her from the anticipation of meeting the man who very well might be her father.
Sean pulled off the freeway and glanced down at the address he had located for David Culver.
“Oh, my gosh! We’re there?”
“This is it,” Sean said quietly. “This is his office.”
“He’s a Realtor too?”
“Yep. Come on, let’s go see if he’s in.”
Slowly Sophie climbed down from the truck and followed Sean toward the building. She wanted to grab his hand and hold on for security but in light of what he had just revealed to her, she thought it best not to.
The receptionist looked up when they opened the door. Sean told her who they were looking for and she pressed the intercom, paging David Culver. Sophie felt her knees go wobbly and Sean put an arm around her shoulders to help steady her. How did he know exactly what she needed? How did he always know?
He had curly brown hair and was at least six inches shorter than Sean. He greeted them with a smile. “What can I do for you?” he asked politely. “Let me guess. You’re newlyweds or about to be married, looking for your first home?”
Sean smiled and looked at Sophie. Despite the awkwardness, she couldn’t help smiling too.
“Not quite,” Sean answered for her since obviously her mouth did not seem to be working. “Do you think we could go somewhere and talk? Privately?”
David Culver’s brow furrowed and Sophie studied him carefully. Was there a resemblance? Was this her father or just her mother’s ex-husband? Either way it appeared that he had been part of her life once upon a time.
“Certainly.” He guided them toward a small conference room. He poured them each some water from the dispenser in the corridor and sat down across the table from them. “So, what can I help you with?”
Sean looked over at Sophie but she was still in a state of shock. “Hopefully you can explain some things to us. We’re looking for the David Culver who was married to Barbara Weldon several years ago.”
David leaned back in his chair, his face resembling that of someone who had just had the air knocked out of him. Sean had made sure he had the right person before bringing Sophie there, but he wanted to confirm it. And this was a good way to introduce the subject and hopefully provide some warning of what was to come.
“Why? Why are you looking for me?”
“We’re trying to figure some things out. My name is Sean McCullough and this is Sophie. Sophie Weldon, Barbara’s daughter.”
David’s dark brown eyes opened wide, taking in every inch of Sophie’s face. “Oh my God! You’re Sophie?”
She nodded. Still silent, but he was relieved to see she was functioning.
Realizing it would be a while before she could get out the question she wanted to ask, Sean asked it for her. “Are you Sophie’s father?”
David Culver nodded slowly, his eyes never straying from her face. Then he reached across the table. Shaking from head to toe, she took his hands and gazed up at him. Again, Sean put his arm across her shoulders.
“Why did you leave?” she asked. “Why did you never—?”
David sighed and released her hands. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t have much choice. Well we always do, I suppose, but—” He closed his eyes tightly as if he were inwardly viewing the guilt he had born all these years. “Your mother kicked me out. She told me—Well, she didn’t want me to be in your life anymore.”
“Why don’t you start from the beginning,” Sean suggested.
David nodded. “First tell me something if you would. Why now? Why did you suddenly decide to look for me?”
Sophie glanced toward Sean. “I’ve tried in the past. I guess not hard enough. But now—now I’m getting married and I want my father to walk me down the aisle.”
David Culver looked from one to the other and smiled. “At least I got that part right.”
Neither of them corrected him.
“I met your mother at a diner in Newport, Rhode Island. I was with a group of Realtors. She was working at the diner. The minute I saw her—well, you know. She was very beautiful and she gave me a smile that—that turned my heart to mush.” He laughe
d as though he had stepped back in time—to the good memories. “So I asked her out. To tell you the truth, I was surprised that she accepted, but she did. She went out to dinner with me and that was it. We were married before the month was out.”
“That fast?” Sophie asked. It didn’t sound like her cautious, calculating mother.
“I loved your mother very much. Things were good for a while. We enjoyed each other’s company. She started her studies to become a Realtor. But then things became difficult. It was as if a wedge had been placed between us and it just kept growing. I tried, but— sometimes she could be so—”
“Cold?” Sophie asked.
He nodded. “She would freeze me out. It was as if I didn’t exist. It went on for weeks, months even.”
“And so you sought comfort elsewhere.” Sean knew it would be difficult for the man to admit that part of the story.
His head fell forward in shame, still after all these years. “I should have tried harder.”
“Did you tell her how you felt?” Sophie asked.
“All the time.”
“But she didn’t hear you?”
“No.”
“So you met someone else and—” Sean started.
“Barbara found out and told me to leave.”
“But why—?” Sophie struggled to get the words out a second time. “Why did you leave me?”
David looked away, his expression, if Sean wasn’t mistaken, one of self loathing. “The woman I’d had the affair with got pregnant so we got married. We’re still married. When Barbara left the area and took you with her, I didn’t know where she went. I found out later it was California, but every time I thought about trying to find you, trying to see you, I didn’t. I don’t know why. Maybe it was simpler that way.”
“Simpler?” Sophie wanted to say more. She wanted to tell him he was a coward for abandoning her, for letting her slip out of his life, but she knew it would do no good to vent at this man, this man who was her father.
“I’m so sorry, Sophie. I should not have let her take you away. I should have fought for you. I know that. I’ve beat myself up for so long it’s become a habit. Then as time went by I didn’t want to disrupt your life.”
Summer Day Dreams Page 20
