“Done.”
His gut twisted into knots at the idea of talking to his father after twelve years of never hearing from him. Asshole. How could he even think of trying to have any kind of relationship at this point?
He turned and fixed his gaze on his mom. “You okay? Did he upset you?”
Her face softened, and she smiled. “I’m fine.”
“What do you want for your birthday?”
“Nothing. There’s nothing I need.”
“I know, but what do you want?”
“You bought me this condo. You certainly don’t need to spend more money on me.”
“Okay.” Diamond earrings it was, then. “I think your computer is all set now.”
“Thank you. Will you stay for dinner?”
“I wish I could, but I have a ton of work to do. I intended to do it yesterday, and then I got…sidetracked.”
She grinned. “By a girl?”
He shook his head. If he admitted that, Mama would be all over it like a duck on a June bug. “Just stuff.”
“Darn.”
He grinned.
“I know you go out with a lot of girls, but I never get to meet them.”
He kept his tone light. “Guess they weren’t special enough.”
Hell. He’d fucked around a lot, mostly trying to forget Callie. It had never really worked, and now that he’d slept with her, how the hell was he ever going to get over her? Christ. He’d well and truly screwed himself. He rubbed his forehead.
“What’s wrong?” Mama gazed at him with her eyebrows pulled together.
“Nothing.” He forced a smile. “Nothing at all. Okay, I’m outta here. Don’t forget the big birthday bash coming up.” He headed to the door.
“It’s going to be so much fun! Are you sure you don’t want me to do anything?”
“Nope. We’ve got it all under control. Bye, Mama.” He gave her a quick hug and headed out.
His thoughts immediately went back to his father. Jesus fucking Christ. Twelve years later he wanted to connect. And although Cash’s first reaction was to say hell no, he had to admit to some curiosity about the man. He had memories of his father, of course, and mostly good ones, even though he wanted to hate the guy. He still had dreams about his dad that seemed so real, bizarre dreams that made no sense given how life had gone.
He also had to admit curiosity about his brother, which led him to his own computer when he got home and a Facebook search. While he might have thought once or twice about looking up his father, he’d deliberately refrained from doing so. Now he found him on Facebook and found his kid—Brandon Hale. He couldn’t see much of his info, since his privacy settings were all locked down. Which was a good thing.
He stared at the picture of his father. Some might say there was a family resemblance…he had the same chin, same eyes behind a pair of rectangular glasses…maybe same nose, it was hard to tell. Short, graying hair that had probably been dark brown like his own.
He had no intention of having any kind of relationship with his father, and he’d tell him that clearly if the asshole ever called. Which he had his doubts about, considering the past. As for his brother…his gaze lingered on the small profile picture of the boy.
He didn’t know what to think about that.
Since he was on Facebook, he found Callie’s profile and brought it up. A picture of the wedding cake she’d dropped off yesterday greeted him. He smiled. Then he sent her a private message.
Hey. How are you? You make out okay with your mom?
He didn’t know if she’d answer right away, but she must have been online.
Weeeell…she freaked out about my tattoo, and then she freaked out about my business. But yeah…okay.
She ask more questions about why I was there?
No. She gave me shit for looking like a mess with you here. :)
He smiled.
Little did she know I’m the one who messed you up.
She’d freak out about that, too.
No doubt. Hey…I got some weird news today. About my dad.
What?
He wants to see me.
Shut up!
No shit. He wants his kid to meet me and Ginnie.
Whoa.
I know, right?
Are you going to do it?
I don’t know.
His cell phone rang, and he picked it up. Callie. He smiled as he answered the call. “Hey.”
“Are you freaked out?”
“About my dad? Um, sort of. I mean, I don’t give a shit about him. But…”
“Your brother.”
“Yeah. Half brother. I’m kinda curious.”
“I get that. Wow, Cash.”
“Mama says the kid isn’t to blame for what happened.”
“That’s true.” She paused. “Having a brother is kind of cool. I miss mine.”
“Aw.” He knew how much she missed Griff. He rubbed his face. “I know, darlin’. I’m just confused about it all.”
“That is totally understandable. It’s so funny, you just told me about all that yesterday, and then this happens.”
“Ha. Funny.” He’d never really talked to many people about his family. Beau knew the story from back in college but had apparently never talked to Callie about it. Cash liked that she knew it. It gave him a weird fizzy feeling in his chest that she was so supportive and understanding. Not judging him. Just caring.
It was one more thing they shared—a dysfunctional family. Although she’d made light of her own family issues, he wasn’t sure who had the better or worse deal—a father who’d cheated on his wife and left, abandoning his kids, or a father who’d cheated on his wife and stayed but ignored his kids. Parents who were there but not there, or one parent who was painfully absent but a mother who’d been there for him and Ginnie no matter what. “Well, I’m not holding my breath that he’ll actually call. It took him twelve years to make this move. Who knows.”
“How did you hear this?”
“From my mom. Went over there to help her with some computer stuff, and she told me. She’s going to give him my number.”
“He couldn’t track you down himself?”
“That’s what I said! Maybe he’s an idiot.”
“Somehow I doubt it, considering you’re pretty much a genius.”
“Ha again.”
“You okay?” Her voice went gentle.
“Hell, yeah.” Maybe. Sort of. He’d wanted to talk to her, and it felt good doing that. “Thanks for listening.”
“Anytime. You know that. You were there for me when my marriage fell apart. I’m here for you anytime.”
He cleared his throat. “Thanks.”
He liked the sound of that way too much.
Chapter Fifteen
Over the next weeks Callie received a couple more orders for cakes—a small wedding cake and a birthday cake. Also, she had to make Cash’s mom’s birthday cake. She had no idea what he was looking for, so she’d have to give him a call.
No, she was not making up reasons to call him again. This was legit. It was business. He’d asked her to do it. Also to plan the menu with the people at Interlude for the party. And she wanted to see if he’d heard from his dad.
He’d obviously been rattled by the news. After twelve years of not hearing a word from the jerk, it was understandable. She could tell how painful it had been for him to be abandoned by his father, although he was pretty good at hiding it. Enough time had passed that he was cool about things, but she supposed no kid would ever really get over that. So it was pretty freaky that the very next day he’d heard that shocker.
Intense curiosity burned inside her at the reasons for his father’s contact. He said his son wanted to meet his older brother and sister. That could easily be true. But why now? Was Cash’s dad just trying to appease his younger son? And what about Ginnie? How would she feel about this?
Now Callie was curious about Cash’s little sister. Ginnie was quite a bit younger than him. That
was probably why she’d never met her. When Callie had graduated from college and moved back to Houston, Ginnie’d been away at Texas A&M. It sounded like they had a good relationship when he’d talked to her on the phone on Saturday. She’d seen that protective streak of Cash’s in evidence when he’d asked about Ginnie’s new boyfriend.
That protective streak that had ended in a bar brawl at the Wild Turkey.
Her heart turned over in her chest, remembering that. He was crazy, but he’d been looking out for her. She didn’t need looking after, but damn, she had to admit she’d liked it.
She consulted with the clients on the two cake orders, sketching out ideas, as well as more of the necessary evil business stuff that had to be done. The baking was the fun part of the business, but she was well aware she’d have to be businesslike about this if she wanted to succeed.
She and Kristy talked and emailed back and forth a few times, tweaking the website, getting her email running and business cards made. When a third order came in, she started laughing.
Damn. She was really going to do this.
One evening later that week, she had an experiment in the oven—cookie shots. She’d shaped the cookie dough into small cups and planned to fill them with liqueur-flavored buttercream. Hopefully it would work out okay. Then her doorbell rang. She answered the door, wiping her hands on the big white apron she’d taken to wearing.
“Daddy!” Her gaze went past him to see Beau standing behind him. Her stomach dropped. “And Beau. What a surprise.” She kept her tone cordial, but inside, her heart galloped like a horse at Sam Houston Race Park. What the hell were they doing here together?
They stepped into the house. Daddy kissed her cheek, and she greeted Beau with a cool smile.
“Feels fucking weird ringing my own doorbell,” Beau muttered.
“It’s not your house,” she snapped back. “It’s my house, remember?” Then she pulled in a deep breath, trying to stay calm. She curled her fingers into her palms.
“We didn’t come here to rehash the divorce settlement,” Daddy said. “We came to talk to you about your crazy idea to open a bakery.”
Callie sighed. “Mama told you.”
“Of course she told me. Callie, what in blazes do you think you know about running a business?”
She tried not to flinch, even though it felt like she’d been slapped. “Here we go again.” She turned her back on them and hastened into the kitchen to check her cookies, using the moment to fight for composure and blink back tears that threatened. She peered into one of the ovens. Still a minute or so left. She straightened and faced the two men who’d followed her.
Beau looked around. “Wow, this place is a mess.”
Another slap. Her chest tightened, but she lifted her chin. “Again, not your house. And I’m working.”
“Callie,” Daddy said. “I know you have your trust fund and you can do what you want with it, but I don’t want to see you throwing your money away.”
She frowned. “What are you talking about?”
“I assume you’re using your trust fund to finance this crazy business idea.”
“No.” She shook her head and crossed her arms to hide her shaking hands. “I’m not. Not right away, anyway.”
Daddy stared at her. She ignored Beau, who was peering into a box of sugar flowers she was working on for the next wedding cake.
“You’re not?” Daddy crossed his arms, too, frowning.
“I’m not. I mean, I may need to use a little. But I’m just starting out, and I have most of what I need. I’ve had a few small business expenses, and I need to buy supplies, but that’s not like millions of dollars or something.” She rolled her eyes. “I’m setting up online, and I’ll see how it goes. If I get busy enough, I’d love to find a little retail space where I could sell my baked goods.”
Her father shook his head regretfully. “What’s happened to you, Callie? You used to be such a sweet, obedient girl.”
For a few seconds, she couldn’t speak. Pressure built in her chest, squeezing the air out her lungs. Yes, she used to be a sweet, obedient little girl, because she thought that was how she could win her parents’ love and affection. Now, she wanted to cry for the girl she’d been, trying so hard to be good. Just wanting to be loved for more than her good manners and social standing and suitable husband.
No more. She wasn’t that girl anymore.
She fought to keep her voice steady. “I used to be what you wanted me to be, Daddy. But that wasn’t really me, and I wasn’t really happy. Now I’m doing what I want, and I’m having fun.” She swallowed. “I’m accomplishing something, something all my own.”
“You upset your mama the other day, with your tattoo—”
“What?” Beau’s head jerked around. “Tattoo?”
Callie rolled her eyes.
“And missing church,” Daddy continued. “And then starting this business without even telling us.”
Now her entire body trembled with pent-up frustration. She’d never in her life gone against her parents’ wishes. She’d always tried to please them, hoping and hoping for their approval and affection. The fact that they were disappointed in her yet again might have been enough to crumble her at one point in her life. But where had trying to please them ever gotten her?
She’d thought she loved Beau. But, looking back, she’d never been truly happy in their marriage. She’d been doing what her parents wanted, and what Beau wanted—putting on a smiling face, going to her fun little job, doing charity work, hosting dinners, charming clients. It had felt empty and meaningless—well, other than the charity work; she enjoyed the work she did with the Make-A-Wish Foundation—and when Beau had cheated on her, it had nearly destroyed what little self-esteem she had.
She wasn’t going to let them continue to do that to her.
“You got a tattoo?” Beau asked.
“Yes. But never mind that.”
Beau huffed. “You’re going to run the business out of here?”
“Yes.” She gave a firm nod. “That’s the plan.”
“You can’t do that.”
Callie crossed over to the corner where she’d set up a small office area, hoping her unsteady legs would support her. She picked up her business license, strode back to Beau, and slapped it into his hand. “Oh yes I can.”
He glanced at the paper, then stared at her. “You’re serious about this.”
Daddy moved to Beau’s side and took the license to study it.
“Of course I am.” She shook her head. “Would you like to see my business plan, Daddy? I told Mama you could review it if you wanted.” She picked up a folder and handed it to her father. She crossed her arms and leaned against the counter, trying to appear confident as he flipped through the pages.
After a moment, Daddy lifted his gaze. His thick eyebrows rose, and he nodded slowly. “I’m impressed.”
Callie’s breath stuck in her throat for a moment. She’d never heard that from her father. But this wasn’t about impressing him. This was about doing what she loved to do. “And apparently surprised,” she said. “Thanks for thinking so highly of me.”
“Callie.” Daddy actually looked chagrined.
She sighed. “Thank you, Daddy.” Her timer dinged. “If you’ll excuse me. I have work to do.”
She moved to the oven to remove the cookie cups, giving them her back, biting down hard on her bottom lip, her eyes stinging.
When she turned to set the tray on a cooling rack, they were still standing there watching her.
“I have clients already, and I’m getting a lot of positive feedback about my work,” she said. “I’m proud of what I’m doing, and if you aren’t…then please, just go, and leave me alone.”
“Callie, don’t be so dramatic,” Beau said.
Dramatic? What the hell? Spots flashed in front of her vision, and she opened her mouth. Before she could say anything, Daddy surprisingly spoke up. “Those cookies smell amazing.”
She closed
her eyes briefly, then started lifting her cookie cups from the baking tray to another rack. “Thanks, Daddy.” She had to focus on being gentle as they were still warm and soft.
“Okay.” Daddy glanced at Beau. “I’m leaving. See you this weekend at the country club, Beau.”
“Yeah. Good night, Joshua.”
“You can leave, too.” Callie focused on her cookies.
“Callie.” Beau moved closer. “I hate seeing you doing this.”
She squinted at him. “Doing what?”
“Working like this. Running a business out of our home.”
“My home.” She gritted her teeth.
“It’s ridiculous. Our divorce is ridiculous.”
“Oh my God. We are not doing this.”
“Callie. What if I told you I still love you?”
Heat flashed through her veins. “No, no, no! Don’t even say that. You cheated on me. You don’t love me.”
He made a frustrated sound. “Why do you keep throwing that in my face?”
She stared at him in disbelief. “What is even happening here? Our marriage ended over a year ago. This is ridiculous. Just leave, Beau. Please. We have nothing more to say to each other, and what I do with my life is none of your business.”
Beau’s face tightened. Then he turned and left.
Callie slumped against the counter, her knees buckling. Tears welled up behind her eyelids, and she drew in a long, slow breath. Well. That had been unpleasant.
She’d never be as good as Josh Junior in her parents’ eyes. Yet she wasn’t as much of a rebel as Griff was. He’d given up caring long ago. She didn’t like the bitterness he carried, but she knew it protected him from being hurt. Maybe she needed to be tougher, like him.
She was working on that.
She hadn’t expected her parents to be excited about her plans. She hadn’t expected them to really even notice. She definitely hadn’t expected them to be so opposed to it. What was she hurting?
Oh yeah, their image.
She thought about their reactions and how maybe, just maybe, Daddy would grudgingly admit she knew what she was doing. Beau, not so much.
She also hadn’t expected Beau to try to tell her he still loved her. A string of curses ran through her head. What was that about? But at least she knew for sure that she was over him, because she hadn’t even been tempted to take him seriously.
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