One Last Risk (Oak Grove Series Book 1)

by Stopper, Nancy

  “Is crap a bad word, Mommy?”

  Sarah wrapped her arm around Lily’s shoulder. “Yeah, honey, it probably is. Sorry.”

  Sarah leaned into the refrigerator beside Lily. Maybe she had enough ingredients to throw together a casserole or at least some cookies. Anything. She just needed inspiration to hit her upside the head before they had to leave. Before she could decide, though, Lucas knocked on the front door and poked his head in.

  “Hello?”

  “In the kitchen,” Sarah yelled, her body still half inside the refrigerator.

  “What’s going on?”

  His voice sounded from behind her but she kept shifting jars and bottles in the fridge, mentally calculating what she needed. “It’s twelve fifteen and I just realized I have nothing to take to your mother’s. I have to figure out what I can make in the few minutes before we leave.”

  Lucas wrapped his arms around her from behind. He nuzzled her ear and whispered. “Honey, really, you don’t have to take anything. Mom always has dinner ready by the time we get there anyway.”

  “I want her to like me. What’s she going to think? You’re bringing a single mother and her daughter. I can’t show up empty-handed.”

  Lucas turned Sarah so she faced him. He reached behind her and pushed the refrigerator door closed. “My mother is going to love you.”

  “But this is the first time I’m meeting her. Maybe today’s not a good day.”

  Lucas checked his watch. “If it makes you feel better, we can grab a bottle of wine on the way. My mother loves some of the local vineyards. We could get a bottle of Lehigh Valley Riesling for you to take.”

  Great, his mother would probably think Sarah was a heavy drinker. But it was better than nothing. At least it would be something his mother would appreciate. “Oh, Lucas. That’s a great idea. Thank you. I’m so sorry—I know I’m being neurotic. It’s just… it’s been a long time since I’ve had to meet someone’s parents.”

  “I get it. I do.” Did he? He charmed every woman he met and that probably included more than a few girlfriend’s mothers.

  She looked back and forth across the kitchen. Where was Lily? She yelled down the hall. “Lily?”

  Her daughter appeared in the doorway. She twirled around and showed off her purple striped tights with a pink ballet skirt and a feather boa wrapped around her neck. “Hi, Mr. Lucas.”

  “Hey, Lily. How was your sleepover?” He didn’t seem fazed by her brightly colored outfit.

  “So fun. We’re going to have one at my house soon.”

  “That sounds great. Are you ready to go?” He extended his hand to Lily and she placed her little one in his much larger one.

  Sarah grabbed her chest. Lucas held her hand like a father would his daughter. Like Alex should be doing. But he wasn’t here, and Lucas was. And she had no chance of a future with Lucas if she didn’t stop comparing him to Alex.

  They made a quick stop at the wine store, but considering the size of Oak Grove, it wasn’t much of a detour. It certainly didn’t give Sarah extra time to settle her nerves, which tightened in her stomach with every mile they drove closer to Lucas’s parents’ house.

  Lucas’s hand covered hers between the seats. “It’ll be fine. There’s no reason to be nervous.”

  She forced a smile. She just wanted to meet his parents, get to the other side of this dinner, and until then, she’d try not to throw up.

  Lucas pulled up to the curb in front of an expansive yard and a beautiful white clapboard house. He shut off the engine but didn’t move to exit the truck. She just stared out the window. The grass was well groomed, and beautiful fall mums and decorative kale lined the sidewalk to the front door. Elegant, trained rose bushes flanked the front porch. Someone had put a lot of care into caring and training the beautiful flowers. A house said a lot about the family inside, and this house showed a lot of love. Exactly the kind of home she’d always wanted for Lily. But life had other plans.

  “Sarah, look at me.”

  She turned to face him.

  “This is nothing to stress about. It’s just dinner. You’ve already met Rachel and Joey. Everyone is as great as Joey is… but don’t tell him I said that.”

  She laughed. At least Lucas understood she was nervous and tried to calm her down. Why wasn’t he more nervous about bringing a woman home to meet his parents? Did he do this all the time? Was there a revolving door of women brought to Sunday dinner? She shook her head. She was being ridiculous and she knew it.

  “If, at any point in time, you want to leave, you let me know. I don’t care if I’m in the middle of dinner or a conversation, we’ll leave right then. Deal?”

  “Okay.” She blew out a big breath and relaxed her shoulders that she hadn’t realized had crept up toward her ears.

  Lucas climbed out and she closed her eyes. She couldn’t get out of the truck with her pulse racing like it was. At least by the time he’d reached her side, her hands had stopped shaking. He opened the door and helped the two of them out and they headed toward the house together. Just like a perfect family… but not quite. This was his family, not hers.

  As they rounded the corner, they ran into Joey playing basketball with two other men. It only took a moment to see that this had to be Lucas’s other brother and his father.

  Why hadn’t the women of Oak Grove snapped up the handsome Bennett men? Lucky for her, no one had grabbed Lucas’s attention yet.

  After an intense back-and-forth followed by an unbelievable shot from the edge of the driveway, Joey pulled up and noticed their arrival. “Hey, Lucas, Sarah.” He leaned his hands on his knees and coughed.

  “Game over,” said one of the other men. Based on the streaks of gray at his temples, this had to be Lucas’s father. He wiped his hand across his T-shirt and then extended it to her as he approached the three of them.

  “Hi, I’m Matthew Bennett. Lucas’s father. You must be Sarah.”

  “Nice to meet you, Mr. Bennett.”

  “None of that Mr. Bennett stuff. It’s Matthew.”

  “Okay, Matthew.”

  “And who did you bring along with you?” Matthew crouched down and looked at Lily, who had retreated behind Sarah’s legs.

  “This is Lily. Lily, can you say hi to Lucas’s father?”

  “Hi,” Lily said warily, her arms still wrapped around Sarah’s legs.

  “Hi, Lily. Nice to meet you,” Matthew said and Lily spared a smile for the older man.

  “Mommy, he looks like Mr. Lucas,” Lily whispered from behind her hand and everyone laughed.

  “Yeah, he does sweetie.”

  Lily would never know that she was the spitting image of her father. It was one thing to compare it to pictures, but to see it in person every day was completely different.

  “Good to see you again, Sarah.” Joey walked up with Lucas’s other brother. “This loser here is our brother, Mikey.”

  The man threw daggers with his eyes at Joey and then extended his hand to her. “Michael. Hi, Sarah. Nice to meet you.”

  “You, too.”

  “Good to see you, Michael. I wasn’t sure you’d make it today. I looked for you at the festival yesterday,” Lucas added.

  “I wanted to come in last night, but I had to prep a brief that took most of the day. I’m headed back right after dinner.”

  Lucas turned to her. “Michael is a big-time lawyer in Philadelphia. He only deigns himself to congregate with the ‘little people’ when it suits him.”

  They all laughed and love hung on every word Lucas had said.

  “Well, let’s head inside. I’m sure your mother has about gotten dinner on the table,” Matthew said.

  Lucas stayed beside Sarah, a step or two behind his brothers and father. She sagged and Lucas wrapped his arm around her waist.

  “You okay?”

  “Better now. Not quite there yet, but almost.”

  Thankfully Joey made it easy for her to feel included, like she’d always been there. Would his moth
er be the same? Hopefully she’d be as welcoming as her husband and Lucas’s brothers.

  They walked around the back of the house and through a door that took them directly into the kitchen. Warmth washed over Sarah from the aromatic smells of dinner and cozy, comfortable decorations lovingly placed around the room. Her own childhood kitchen had been a lot like this one. And this was the kind of home she wanted for Lily.

  Joey and Michael grabbed dishes and glasses out of the cabinets and then everyone rushed around. Matthew crossed the room and kissed the petite woman with the curly brown hair standing in front of the stove. He nuzzled the woman’s neck and then whispered in her ear.

  When the woman turned to Sarah, Sarah’s eyes fell to the woman’s apron and a laugh burst from her throat. The apron Mrs Bennett wore proclaimed, “I keep the best snacks under my apron.”

  Lucas wailed. “Maaaa, not today! Really.” He covered Sarah’s eyes with one hand in mock astonishment.

  Sarah swatted him away.

  The woman wiped her hands on her apron and walked towards Sarah. “Sarah, honey. It’s so nice to meet you. I’m Evelyn, Lucas’s mom. Don’t mind him. These boys seem to have forgotten how they got here in the first place.”

  Lucas groaned again. This was too funny, seeing Lucas embarrassed by something so innocent. Or maybe not so innocent. Heat flushed her cheeks as she remembered last night with Lucas. Hopefully the rest of them would just think the heat of the kitchen put the color in her cheeks.

  “Oh, honey, you’re going to fit right in here. And who is this little one?” Evelyn bent down to Lily, who hid behind Sarah’s legs.

  “This is Lily.” She placed her arm on Lily’s shoulder. “Come on, honey, and meet Mr. Lucas’s mom.”

  Lily crept out. “Hi, Mrs. Mr. Lucas.”

  Evelyn chuckled. “That’s quite a mouthful. How about you just call me Miss Evelyn?”

  Lily’s face beamed. She loved being treated like a big girl. “Okay, Miss Evelyn.”

  “Oh…” Sarah reached into the bag on her shoulder. “Lucas told me you like local wines, so I brought you a bottle.”

  “Sweetie, that wasn’t necessary. Appreciated, but not expected. Thank you.”

  “Now that everybody has met, let’s eat. I’m starving.” Joey pounded his utensils on the table, his napkin tied around his neck and Sarah laughed. God, she missed her own mother and sister at moments like this.

  Everyone quickly took their places. Lucas situated Lily on a chair to Sarah’s right and then sat on her left.

  “Is Rachel coming?” Michael asked.

  Sarah looked to Lucas, who turned to Joey. She didn’t know how much they shared with their parents, but she knew Lucas and Joey were concerned.

  Joey shook his head almost imperceptibly.

  “I saw her at the festival for a minute yesterday. I don’t think she’s coming.” Lucas unfolded his napkin and slid it onto his lap like nothing was wrong, but the tick in his jaw betrayed the frustration she knew he felt.

  “That girl. I don’t know what’s going on with her,” Matthew said. No one responded. Apparently, they weren’t ready to discuss Rachel and her situation with Shane.

  “I’m just happy to at least have my boys here today. Now dig in.” Evelyn shifted the focus back to those family members in the room instead of the one who wasn’t.

  Sarah had a great time with Lucas’s family. Each contributed their own uniqueness, but together, they just clicked. Joey’s larger-than-life personality dominated the conversation. Michael’s confidence was evident in the way he carried himself and the way he spoke, self-assured but not snobby or stuck-up. Necessary skills to be a lawyer, but he was also incredibly grounded. And then there was Lucas, his caring and protective way reflected his first-born role in the family. He was the leader, the one who looked out for everyone else.

  Evelyn cut into her roast. “How are things at the station, Lucas?”

  Lucas reached for his ice tea. “Good.”

  “So glad to hear that.” Evelyn wiped her mouth and placed her napkin back in her lap. She rested her elbow on the table, her brows narrowing “How much time—”

  “Still some.” Lucas coughed. He narrowed his eyes at his mother while tilting his head slightly toward Sarah. “Did I tell you what happened with Stacey the other day?”

  The food dried in Sarah’s mouth. What was going on? Was Lucas hiding something from her? Was there an incident at work he hadn’t told her about? Had he lost a patient… or something worse? His mother had certainly stepped into a subject Lucas didn’t want to discuss.

  Michael took that moment to shove down the last bites of his dinner. He wiped his mouth with his napkin and stood. “Ma, Dad, I hate to eat and run, but it’s a long drive and I’ve got several hours of work ahead of me.”

  “Oh, honey. You work so much. I hope the firm appreciates everything you do for them.”

  Sarah just sat back and watched their dynamic, a grown son who loved and respected his mother. She could only hope for the same love from Lily after she was grown. She could take lessons from the family Evelyn and Matthew built here.

  He laid his hand on his mother’s shoulder. “It’s what’s expected, Ma. The only way to get ahead.”

  “I know. I just don’t have to like it.” Evelyn stood and Michael wrapped his arms around the petite woman.

  Sarah’s heart melted. The men in this family loved their mother and weren’t afraid to show it. Maybe that’s why Lucas was so confident when expressing his feelings for Sarah.

  “Thanks for coming, even though it’s never long enough.” Evelyn patted Michael’s back.

  “I know, Ma. I’ll try to plan a weekend home soon.”

  “I love you. Drive safely. Call me when you get there.”

  “Oh, Maaaa.” Michael released his mother and shook his father’s hand. Sarah would bet, though, that he’d call his mother when he got home.

  Lucas stood and Sarah joined him. “Ma, we probably should be going, too. Get Lily home.”

  Lily had eaten quickly and run into the den where she’d promptly fallen asleep on the couch.

  “Oh, I wish you guys didn’t have to run off. But I understand. Sarah, thanks so much for joining Lucas today and bringing Lily with you. I hope you’ll come again.”

  “I’d like that.”

  Lucas’s hand rubbed her back. He leaned over and whispered in her ear. “Would you like me to get Lily?”

  “That would be great.” She moved to walk behind him when Evelyn placed her hand on Sarah’s arm.

  Evelyn lowered her voice and spoke quietly once Lucas rounded the corner. “I’m so happy Lucas met you. Since Shawn’s death, Lucas has been struggling. But he’s different now and I think you’re a big part of that. I know there’s still a lot below the surface he’s working through—I see it in his eyes—but there’s also hope and healing, which hasn’t been there for a very long time.”

  Tears pooled in Evelyn’s eyes, and Sarah felt her own eyes moistening. Evelyn pulled Sarah into a hug and squeezed her tight. She clung to his mother as well—two mothers sharing an unspoken bond.

  Evelyn let go and pulled up her apron to wipe her face as Lucas returned with Lily slung over his shoulder, her little arms wrapped around his neck. Sarah turned her head and swiped at her own tears. “Is she ready to go?”

  “Yep. How about you?”

  “I’m ready.” She turned back to Evelyn. “Thank you, Evelyn, for everything. I really had a wonderful time.”

  “I’m so happy to finally get to meet you, Sarah. You two be safe getting that precious little girl home.”

  “Thanks, Ma. See you later, Dad, Joey,” Lucas yelled to the rest of his family and then hurried out the back door and toward the truck.

  “Are you okay?” Lucas asked as they rounded the corner.

  “Yeah, actually, I am.”

  “You were crying. Did someone say something to upset you?”

  She stopped. Lucas had hustled them out because he
thought she was upset. He left his family behind to make sure she was comfortable. “Oh, Lucas. Not at all. I’m sorry you thought that. Your mother was just telling me how happy you’ve been recently, and she got a little choked up. That’s all.”

  “Whew, okay. I thought maybe I’d have to smack one of my brothers upside the head.”

  “No, really. It was fine. I really like your family. A lot. I’m sorry you thought you had to rush me out of there.”

  “Well, that might not have been the only reason…” Lucas said as he winked at her, opened the door and deposited Lily securely in the backseat.

  They rode home in companionable silence, but Sarah’s mind raced. Everything about dinner had been great, except that one moment when Lucas cut off his mother’s question. The man she knew wouldn’t speak that way to his mother. There had to be something deeper going on that he didn’t want her to know. What was he hiding from her?

  Chapter Nineteen

  LUCAS HEAVED A huge sigh of relief when he finally climbed into his truck at the end of the day. After Sarah’s initial hesitation, dinner with his family went great. His parents loved her and Joey didn’t embarrass himself. When his mother tried to ask about his suspension, his heart had nearly stopped. He’d cut her off too abruptly. He didn’t normally speak to his mother like that, but he’d panicked. She didn’t deserve his curtness. He’d call her tomorrow and apologize. Sarah didn’t know about his status as a firefighter or his suspension and dinner was certainly not the place to air his dirty laundry. Their relationship was too new, too tenuous.

  He sniffed his shirt. He better get a quick shower or everyone at the station would ask if he’d been shoveling manure. After the long hours everyone put in at the festival, he’d offered to cover for one of the volunteer paramedics on the overnight who’d stayed late the night before. He made a quick trip and freshly showered, he rushed to the station.

  He pulled into his spot in back as Stacey climbed out of her car. He leapt out and caught up with her, then slung his arm over her shoulder. They walked into the station side by side.