The Summer of Sunshine and Margot

by Susan Mallery

  Sunshine spent nearly an hour trying to figure out what to wear. She wanted to look good, but not sexy. Pretty. She’d never been one to use her sexuality to get what she wanted in life—guys just kind of appeared. The difference now was she wanted to make better and smarter choices.

  When she was nearly out of time, she settled on a light blue dress with a higher scoop neck and a full skirt. It came to just above her knees. As it was sleeveless, she slipped on a cream-colored, three-quarter-sleeve cropped sweater. She curled her hair, went easy on the makeup and, when she was done, realized she looked much more like she was applying for a choir director job than going on a date. On her drive to the restaurant bar where they were meeting, she would have to develop a sparkling personality and hope for the best.

  She handed her keys to the valet and then, ignoring her quivering nerves and the urge to bolt, went inside. Norris was already there, looking handsome and professional in his dark suit. He saw her and waved her over. As she approached, she saw he’d claimed a small table for the two of them.

  “You made it,” he said, sounding happy. He took her hand in his, then leaned in and kissed her cheek. “You look beautiful.”

  “Thank you. You’re very powerful yourself.”

  He chuckled. “It’s the suit. Men have it easy. We all look decent in a well-made suit.”

  They sat across from each other. He motioned for the server to stop by. “Sunshine, what would you like?”

  A margarita with a shot of tequila on the side, she thought grimly. She wasn’t a dater, she never had been. She met a guy, they fell in lust and that was it. There was no getting to know each other over cocktails or awkward fumbling at the end of the night. She didn’t know how to do this and she wasn’t sure she wanted to learn.

  Only this was what normal people did, she reminded herself. They went on dates and got to know each other.

  “I’d love a glass of white wine,” she said with a smile.

  “Bourbon on the rocks.”

  When their server had left, Norris shifted closer. “Thanks again for your help with the cake. It was a huge hit.”

  “I’m glad. How’s your sister doing?”

  “She’s getting cabin fever. She hates the bed rest, but it’s only for a few more weeks. Our mom moved in with them and that’s helping a lot.”

  “It’s nice that she can do that.”

  “Oh, my mom would change the rotation of the earth if she thought it would help one of her kids.”

  Sunshine thought of her own mother walking out on her twins when they were still toddlers. Everyone had a story, she thought, and some of them were bad.

  “So it’s you and your sister?” she asked.

  “I have a younger brother. I’m the oldest. What about you?”

  “I have a sister. We’re fraternal twins. Our family is gone, so it’s just the two of us. She lives nearby and we’re pretty close.”

  The server brought over their drinks. Norris drank from his. “Have you been married?”

  “No. You were, though, right?” She remembered he’d mentioned something about being divorced when they’d first met.

  “Divorced. Nothing dramatic. We just weren’t really right for each other. It’s been a couple of years. I dated a lot and then that got old. These days I’m looking for something different.”

  He stared at her intently as he spoke, as if delivering an important message. The problem was, she had no idea what he was trying to convey.

  “And you’re in finance?” she asked.

  “I am. People don’t know anything about money, which is bad for them and good for me. I give them a plan and suddenly they’re growing their portfolio. I get to be the hero.”

  “Then it’s a win-win.”

  “It is. You’re a nanny?”

  “Uh-huh. I love working with kids. I had no idea what I wanted to do after high school. I sort of fell into the nanny thing and discovered I had a knack for it. Now I’m working on getting my degree in child psychology.”

  Which sounded so much grander than it was, she thought, not sure why she’d said it like that. She was taking her first class and had yet to figure out what she was doing. Was this what dating was? Telling half-truths to look better to the other person?

  Before she could correct what she’d told him, he spoke.

  “So you live with a family for a couple of years, then move on? Is that hard?”

  “It can be. I don’t mind leaving the parents, but a lot of times, I really miss the kids.” Especially when she’d simply taken off because of some guy. That was her original sin—leaving her kids behind without a word.

  She often wondered if they eventually forgot her, as she’d told herself they would, or if they carried that scar of being abandoned with them. She’d been close to a lot of her charges, especially a set of twins. Did they remember her? Hate her? Wish she’d never been part of their lives? Regardless, she had simply disappeared. Yet another pattern in her past she was determined not to repeat. She was going to be more responsible.

  “Do you like the symphony?” Norris asked, changing the subject. “A lot of people don’t like that kind of music anymore, but it’s one of my favorites.”

  “I’ve never been to the symphony,” she admitted. “But I do like classical music. Connor—he’s the boy I take care of—and I play a lot of music. We alternate who picks and he really loves classical music.”

  “Good. I have season tickets and I’d love to take you.”

  “That’s perfect because I’d love to go.”

  “I’m glad.”

  There it was, she thought happily. The normal date. She wasn’t sure how she felt about Norris or if under her agitated nerves there was anything close to attraction, but at least this was what other people did.

  Norris leaned close. “So here’s the thing. I was thinking we could get dinner and continue the conversation. Or, if you’re up for it, we could just go back to my place and take things to the next level.”

  The words were so unexpected that at first she didn’t understand what he was saying. She went cold all over as her stomach sank to her toes and all hope died.

  “You want me to go back to your place and have sex with you,” she said, wanting to confirm she hadn’t misunderstood him. Or maybe hoping he would be shocked and tell her that wasn’t what he’d meant at all.

  He gave her what she assumed he thought of as a slow, sexy smile. “Absolutely. Jesus, Sunshine, you’re a walking, breathing fantasy. How could I not want to have sex with you? It’s all I can think about.”

  Tears burned, but she blinked them away. She pulled twenty dollars out of her small bag and placed it on the table.

  “No,” she said, her voice firm despite the fact she was shaking. “No. I don’t want that.”

  She rose and headed for the door. Norris came after her and grabbed her by her arm.

  “Wait. Look, I’m sorry if I read the signals wrong. I’ll buy you dinner first if that’s what you want.”

  Because that was what she was worth? The cost of a salad and an entrée?

  She freed herself and walked out. The valet brought around her car. As she got in, she felt the first tear leak out. It was followed by another and another.

  She brushed them away so she could see to drive. Once she pulled into traffic, she looked for a safe place to stop. She saw a grocery store up ahead and found a parking space in the back of the lot. Only then did she give in to the tears. She cried out her hurt and disappointment as she wondered what she’d done wrong and how she was ever supposed to be more than she was. She’d dressed conservatively, hadn’t teased or been sexual in her conversation. She’d thought he was a nice guy, but he wasn’t. Or maybe it was her. Maybe she should stop trying so hard to avoid the inevitable.

  When she’d run out of tears, she drove home and made her way i
nside. Connor and Declan were watching a movie. She waved at them but kept on moving. She changed into leggings and a T-shirt, then curled up on the bed and wished she were anyone else but herself.

  Chapter Thirteen

  A couple of hours later, hunger drove Sunshine to the kitchen. There was leftover chicken and a bag of salad, along with some avocado and Mexican blend cheese. It only took a few minutes to make a salad. She’d just taken a seat at the kitchen island when Declan walked in.

  “You okay?” he asked, shoving his hands into his jeans front pocket. “You seemed upset when you got home. Did something happen?”

  She resisted the urge to push away her salad and start crying again. Declan certainly didn’t want that. Instead she smiled brightly.

  “I’m great. How was your evening with Connor? Did he have fun with his friend?”

  “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to,” he told her. “But I am concerned.”

  So much for distracting him, she thought with a sigh.

  “Nothing happened,” she told him. “It was just a crummy date.”

  He took the far seat at the island. “Want to talk about it?”

  “No. Yes. Let me ask you a question.” She put down her fork. “Did you have sex with Iris on the first date?”

  “What? No!” He cleared his throat. “No.”

  “Did you ask her to? Did you expect it?”

  “No. Is that what happened? He expected you to have sex with him?”

  The tears threatened as she nodded. “I don’t get it. I thought he was a regular guy and I never thought regular guys expected sex after a drink.”

  “Some might but most of us don’t. I’m sorry that happened.”

  “Me, too.” She looked at him. “The thing is I was so careful with what I wore and what I said. I wasn’t flirty or anything. I just want to find someone who is as interested in the rest of me as my boobs and my ass.”

  Declan waved toward her. “And that other part.”

  He was such an unbelievable combination of embarrassed and earnest that she couldn’t help laughing.

  “Is the word you’re looking for vagina?”

  “We don’t actually think that term, but yes.”

  “So it’s never—” she made air quotes “—‘Oh, wow, I want to put my penis in her vagina’?”

  “No. It’s more basic than that. More visceral.” His humor faded. “I’m sorry the guy was a jerk. I’m sorry he disappointed you but that’s what jerks do. You’re going to meet someone normal and nice who sees you as a whole person.”

  “I’m not sure those kind of guys exist.”

  “We do.”

  She wanted to believe him, but it was difficult. No, it was impossible. “I’m so tired of being a piece of ass. I have a personality. I’m good with kids and I kind of like the ant farm. That should matter. I’m not great at math, but it’s early yet and I could get better.”

  “You have a lot to offer. You really do.”

  There was something in his tone. “But?”

  “But it can be difficult for some men to see past the obvious.”

  “You think I should give Norris a second chance?”

  “No. But I think you might have to give a guy you really like a second chance. In case he was just overwhelmed in the moment.”

  She would give Declan a second chance, she thought wistfully. If they were dating, she would give him a lot of chances. Not that she would have to. She knew in her gut, and a whole lot of other places, he would never make her feel bad about herself. He wouldn’t ask her to have sex right away. He would wait until they knew each other and it became something they both wanted because...

  “I want to fall in love,” she whispered, brushing away tears. “I want to be someone’s world and I want him to be mine. I want to take care of him and our kids and our pets. I want to have a job I like and do laundry and go bowling and plan a yearly vacation. I want to put up a Christmas tree with Popsicle stick ornaments on it. I want more ant farms.”

  “You’re going to have all that and more.”

  “I don’t know.” She sniffed. “I think I’m stuck with what I have until I’m old enough that no one wants to have sex with me anymore.”

  “That will never happen. Of that I am sure.”

  “Thank you,” she said, wiping her face again. “You’ve been really nice and I appreciate all your kind words.” She managed a smile. “And the vagina insight.”

  “I really am sorry, Sunshine. He’s not worth it.”

  “I know. I don’t care about him—it’s just I had such high hopes.”

  She collected her salad and took it into her room, then closed the door. For a second, she thought about rushing back and asking Declan to hold her. Not for any reason other than the fact that she could use a hug.

  She would bet he was a really good hugger—the kind who just grabbed and didn’t let go. She’d seen him hug Connor and there was none of that A-frame nonsense.

  She thought about her list of what she wanted from a few minutes ago and mentally added good hugging to it, then she set down her salad and curled up on the bed. She gave in to tears and sadness, as she wondered how much of what she was going through was her own fault and how much of it was the Baxter family curse. After four generations there hadn’t been a single successful romantic relationship and didn’t that just suck for them all.

  * * *

  “You have a delivery,” Edna said. “They’re bigger boxes than I want to lift. The delivery guy left them in the foyer.”

  As always, it took Alec a couple of seconds to travel the mental distance from the ancient world where he spent most of his day to modern times.

  “Oh, the documents are here. Excellent. Thank you, Edna. I’ll take care of them.”

  She nodded and left. Alec saved his notes and then glanced at the clock in his office. It was nearly four in the afternoon. He hadn’t heard Margot or his mother for some time now, so it was possible they were done for the day.

  He got out his phone and quickly texted Margot.

  If you’ve finished with Bianca and have a free moment, I have just taken delivery of several ancient pages. You might want to join me to see how they are handled.

  It only took a second for her to respond.

  On my way.

  Even as he smiled, he acknowledged the ridiculousness of texting someone in his own home, but that was how things were these days. Besides, it wasn’t as if she were a friend visiting for a few weeks. She was his mother’s consultant. Her staying at his house was simply for convenience.

  He thought about how he’d been concerned about the intrusion by both his mother and Margot, but both women were surprisingly unobtrusive. His mother was either with Margot or Wesley and Margot wasn’t the kind of person who got in the way.

  If he were being honest with himself, he would have to admit that he liked having her in the house. He liked their morning breakfasts where they mostly discussed the news of the day. He liked running into her at odd hours and their impromptu meals together. He liked talking to her and laughing with her and looking at her.

  He heard her steps on the stone floor as she made her way to his office. Something like anticipation grew inside of him, bringing him to his feet. He had the oddest thought he should kiss her when he saw her. And not on the cheek. He should pull her into his arms and kiss her with all the passion pent up inside of him.

  The thought was so intense, yet so unexpected, he found he couldn’t move. Margot came to a stop just inside his office.

  “Are you all right?” she asked, sounding concerned. “Are you not feeling well?”

  “I’m fine,” he said automatically, then reached for the most convenient lie. “Allergies.”

  “Oh. They can be awful. Are you feeling well enough to look the ancient pages or do you wa
nt to wait?”

  “I’m fine. It won’t be a problem.”

  “Good. I’m very excited. Are they old, old or just a little old?”

  Her enthusiasm made him smile. “I’m not sure. Let’s go find out.”

  She wore a pale gray dress that was fitted to the waist then flared out to just below her knee. Her shoes were flats, her hair once again pulled back in a ponytail. She was the epitome of sensible and yet there was an underlying grace and sensuality that was a constant distraction. She made him feel things and he was a man who preferred to be in control at all times. Not that his reaction to her was anyone’s fault but his own. He wasn’t the kind of jerk who would blame someone else for his responses.

  He led the way to the front of the house. Three packages sat by the door. They were large and marked as fragile.

  He opened the coat closet door and pulled out the collapsible hand truck he kept for just this reason, then wrestled the surprisingly heavy boxes in place so they could be wheeled back to the archive room.

  “I’m very curious about what we have here,” she admitted. “This is going to be so fun.”

  It took two trips to transport the boxes. One was considerably larger and heavier than the others.

  Once the boxes were in the archive room, Alec closed both doors and turned on the built-in air filtration system. Margot’s eyes widened.

  “That sounds like there’s a big fan turning somewhere,” she said with a grin. “Should I be worried about ancient spores turning me into a mummy monster?”

  “Probably not. Based on the weight and size of the boxes, I’m guessing what we have are previously mounted papyri. They’ll need rehousing before any more damage is done.”