If I Didn't Know Better (The Callaways #9)(68)

They sat at the patio table to eat. Ashlyn had already abandoned her lunch and ran back and forth between the studio and the table, showing them new items she'd discovered.

"I kind of like this," Mia said with a smile. "I just sit here and Ashlyn does all the work."

"She does have a lot more energy these days."

"How did her therapy session go?"

"Very well, I think. She told me that she spoke to Dr. Westcott about her mother. I think she's on the right track, Mia. She's getting better."

"I think so, too, Jeremy. She trusts you now. She gave you her secret to hold for her."

"I would much rather carry her burdens than watch her struggle to walk."

"Spoken like a true father. You're going to be a good dad."

"I hope so. I don't want to fail her. I feel like I have a lot of missed time to make up for."

"But there's so much more time ahead of you."

"That's true. I'm taking her to the park tonight. They show a movie on the wall of the rec center on Saturday nights in the summer. Tonight it's the Sound of Music."

"That sounds like fun."

"It's something to do. Everyone brings blankets, lawn chairs, food, and drinks. It's one of many Angel's Bay traditions. I'm hoping you might want to join us."

She hesitated. "I really shouldn't keep putting off the cleanup. I haven't accomplished much since I got here."

"You have all afternoon to clean, and you'll have two helpers. You'll want to relax tonight."

"Okay. I'd love to go to the movies with you and Ashlyn."

He felt remarkably happy at her words. "Good. I have to warn you that my father might show up at the movie."

"How do you know that?"

"I stopped by his boat while Ash was at her therapy appointment. You were right, Mia. We did have unfinished business."

"Did you finish it?"

"I said what I needed to say for us to be able to be in this town at the same time. He was surprisingly receptive. Apparently, he hadn't had a drink in five years until I called him last week and told him I was coming home and needed to speak to him. That shook him up so much, he went off the wagon."

"Because he wants to have a relationship with you, and he's scared."

"Why he thought getting drunk would be a good start, I don't know. But he actually apologized for the past."

"That's something big," she said, surprise in her eyes.

"I was shocked," he admitted. "I told him I'd consider letting him get to know Ashlyn, but if he steps out of line once, he's done. I think he believes me, but we'll see."

"I'm glad you went to see him. I didn't think you would. What changed your mind?"

"I ran into one of his friends in town. He persuaded me to talk to him again. But mostly I just wanted to prevent another awkward encounter. Ashlyn is doing better now; I don't want anything to set her back."

"You're doing the right thing, Jeremy."

"I hope so. We'll see what happens. It's going to take a long time for me to trust him."

"Trust can be a slow build," she agreed.

As she said the words, he realized that time wasn't always necessary. Sometimes trusting someone was instinctive. He knew without a doubt he could trust Mia and he'd known her for only a week. A lifetime with his father hadn't built any kind of trust.

"You're staring at me," Mia said, wiping her mouth with her napkin. "Do I have something in my teeth?"

He smiled as she showed off her pretty white teeth. "No, I just like looking at you, Mia."

She smiled back at him. "I like looking at you, too. But let's not forget your daughter is nearby." She crinkled up her empty sandwich wrapper. "Time to get to work."

"All right. As long as you promise to play later."

Her cheeks flushed at his words. "You have to stop saying things like that, Jeremy."

"No, I don't. It's still summer, and you said this was a summer fling. I plan on enjoying the hot days and the even hotter nights as long as I can."





Seventeen

As they walked toward the center of Central Park a little after seven, Mia was surprised at how many people were gathering for the eight o'clock movie. There were at least fifty families with every generation represented, from the older crowd sitting in their stable lawn chairs to the middle-aged parents sipping wine with their friends at picnic tables and the young moms and dads running after their kids.

"Mia," Charlotte said with a wave. "Come sit over here. Kara, Colin, and kids are on their way."

Mia glanced back at Jeremy. "What do you think?"

"Sounds good to me."

"I want you to meet my husband Joe," Charlotte said, as they approached the picnic table where Charlotte and a very attractive dark-haired man were standing.

Mia shook hands with Joe, noting his strong, firm grip. "It's nice to meet you, Joe, and congratulations."

"Congratulations?" Jeremy asked, giving Charlotte and Joe a speculative look.

Charlotte smiled. "We're having a baby, Jeremy. I spilled the beans the other night at the coloring book party."