More than Sometimes (Summer Lake Silver Book 6)

by SJ McCoy

  Chase laughed beside him. “Now you understand why I asked if she was bothering you?”

  Cal chuckled. Yes, he did. But he wasn’t going to admit that. “It’s fine. Like I said. I appreciate the thought but I’m …” Hmm. What should he say? Would Teresa mind if he told them that he was seeing her? He didn’t know.

  He was glad when Chase rescued him. “You’re under no obligation to say a damned thing. Leave him alone, lover.”

  Kenzie shrugged. “I’m only trying to help.”

  “Hey, guys!”

  They all turned, and Cal was surprised to see Teresa’s daughter, Elle, standing behind them.

  “Hey you!” Kenzie greeted her with a smile. “Are you having a wild night in with your mom and takeout again? One of these days I’m going to drag you out.”

  Elle gave Cal a sly smile before she spoke. “You’re too late, Kenzie. Abbie had me under orders to come out tonight or else.” She glanced at Cal again. “Someone else is in charge of a wild night and takeout with my mom.”

  Kenzie frowned and then looked at him. She was so transparent Cal could see the moment she grasped what Elle was saying. “You!”

  He stared at her, wondering what he should say. He needn’t have worried. He didn’t get the chance to say anything.

  “Oh, my God! That’s awesome! You didn’t waste any time, did you?”

  He had to laugh, partly at the delighted expression on her face, and partly because it saved him from having to answer what he hoped was merely a rhetorical question.

  Elle smiled at him. “If you’re just here killing time, I’m sure she won’t mind if you arrive early. And if you’re here for a shot of Dutch courage before you go, then it’s only fair to tell you that she needed one, too.”

  He hadn’t been sure how Elle would feel about him going over like this—about him having a date with her mom or being around her daughter. So, her words came as a relief.

  “Thanks. I’m just here to collect dinner.”

  “Why didn’t you say so?” asked Kenzie.

  “Probably because you didn’t give him the chance to get a word in edgewise.” Chase winked at Cal.

  “Let me go and see where it is.” Kenzie disappeared into the back.

  Chase waved at someone across the other side of the bar. “I need to have a word with Michael. I hope you both have a great evening.”

  Once he’d gone, Cal looked at Elle wondering what he should say. She was Teresa’s daughter, not her father, but the situation had him feeling like a nervous teenager asking permission to take a girl on a date.

  She put him out of his misery with a friendly smile. “I’m glad you two figured things out.”

  He smiled back. “She told you what happened?”

  “Yeah! After you left the salon yesterday, I thought you were a total pig.”

  He shook his head. “Good to know that I made such a wonderful first impression. You thought I was a pig, your mom thought I was a creepy dude.”

  Elle laughed. “You might not have gotten off to the best start but look on the bright side—the only way is up from here.”

  He laughed with her. He liked her. She reminded him of Teresa; bright and upbeat and judging by her comment about Dutch courage, not afraid to tell the truth. “I hadn’t thought of it that way.”

  “Well, you should.” She looked more serious now. “And don’t just think of it that way, be that way. I know this is just a first date and everything, but she’s an awesome lady. She deserves the best, and you’d better be good to her.”

  “I will. I give you my word.” He nodded solemnly, then turned at the sound of Kenzie squealing behind him.

  “Oh, my God! You’re awesome!” She looked at Elle. “Isn’t he? Did you hear that? See it? He stands there all tough guy, all muscles and blue eyes, looking like he might kick ass and take names and he solemnly gives you his word that he’ll be good to your mom?”

  Elle nodded happily, though she at least seemed to sense his discomfort at Kenzie’s outpouring. She touched his arm. “I did. And I appreciate it.”

  Cal looked at the bag Kenzie had set on the bar, eager to get out of here now. “What do I owe you?”

  The two girls didn’t wait for him to be out of earshot, and he smiled through pursed lips as he walked away.

  “If I didn’t have Chase, I’d be jealous of your mom.”

  “You mean if you didn’t have Chase and you were twenty years older.”

  He shook his head at Kenzie’s dirty laugh. “No, ma’am. I don’t.”

  ~ ~ ~

  “One more story, Grandma.”

  Teresa held Skye a little closer. She really should put her down before Cal arrived. Elle had given her a bath and changed her into her PJ’s before she left, and the two of them had made the most of their time snuggling on the sofa with one of Skye’s favorite books.

  She glanced at the clock. She had ten minutes left. They could fit in one of the shorter stories. “Okay, how about the one with the mouse?”

  “Benji Mouse!” Skye nodded happily and started flipping through the pages. She stopped abruptly at the sound of the doorbell. “One more story, Grandma. You said.”

  “I did, and we will, sweet pea. But I have to let my friend in.”

  Skye’s little eyebrows knit together. “Cal.”

  “That’s right. You stay there a minute while I let him in. See if you can find the picture of Benji with his friend, Frankie.”

  Skye started flipping through the pages again, but as soon as Teresa got up, she slid down from the sofa after her.

  Teresa’s breath caught somewhere in her chest when she opened the front door and saw Cal standing there. He was something else. Tonight, he was wearing jeans and a light blue shirt that matched his eyes.

  “Hi.”

  “Hey.” That smile! “Sorry, I’m a bit early. I …”

  “You’re Cal! Hurry up. We’re going to read Benji Mouse.”

  When she’d suggested that he should come over this evening, Teresa had thought she could put Skye down before he arrived. But she hadn’t been able to resist getting the time with her. Now, she was curious to see how he’d handle it. In her experience, most men didn’t know what to do with little kids.

  She was thrilled to see Cal squat down in front of Skye so that he could talk to her on her level. She was even more thrilled to see that he was holding flowers behind his back. “Benji Mouse? Who’s he?”

  “He’s a venture mouse.”

  Teresa had to laugh. “He goes on adventures. Come on in. I’ll get you a drink before I read her the story and put her down. I won’t be long.”

  He followed her through to the kitchen and set the takeout bag on the counter. Then he brought his other hand out from behind his back and presented her not with a bunch of flowers, but with a beautiful purple orchid in a pot.

  “Oh! That’s beautiful! Thank you!”

  She loved every version of his smile that she’d seen so far, and the bashful one he gave her as he handed over the orchid might just be her favorite yet. “It’s … for you.”

  “Thank you! It’s lovely. That’s so thoughtful.”

  He nodded, then looked down at Skye, who was tugging on his hand. “Benji Mouse. Come on, it’s story time.”

  “Only one more and then you have to go to bed.” She gave Cal an apologetic shrug. “I promised her one more story. Do you want to wait in here and I’ll—”

  “No, Grandma.” Skye pouted at her. “He needs Benji Mouse.”

  “No, Skye. Cal wants to …”

  “Cal wants to read Benji Mouse. Don’t you?” Skye looked up at Cal with big, pleading brown eyes as she tugged on his hand again. “Cal wants to sit on the sofa and read.” She spoke with a finality that indicated she expected to get her way—the little madam.

  Teresa sighed. She didn’t want Cal to have to witness a battle of wills, but …

  He raised an eyebrow at her, seem
ingly indicating that he didn’t mind.

  She raised one back and he nodded. Well, okay then.

  He squatted down in front of Skye and looked her in the eye. “I would like to hear the story. But Grandma said just one. Is that okay?”

  Teresa’s heart clenched at the smile that spread across her granddaughter’s little face. “Just one. Then I’ll go to bed.” She looked at Teresa and added, “like a good girl.”

  Cal chuckled and stood back up. Skye caught hold of his hand and then Teresa’s too and led them both into the living room where she pointed at the sofa for Cal to sit. He did as he was told, and to Teresa’s amazement, Skye scrambled up into his lap and held her book up in front of him. “See? This is Benji Mouse.”

  Teresa eyed him warily wondering if this was enough to scare him away permanently. He no doubt wasn’t used to little kids, let alone a precocious little madam like Skye. To her surprise, he smiled up at her and patted the space beside him. “Come on, Grandma. I want to hear the story.”

  Her heart thudded to a halt. Hearing him say that—hearing him call her Grandma, took her back. All the way back to when Steve used to call her that. She hadn’t been a grandma then, though. She shuddered and forced herself to smile back at Cal and sit down and take the book.

  They had so much fun with the story that she ended up reading two, and by the time the second one was finished, Skye’s eyes were drooping.

  “Come on, sweet pea. Time for bed.” Teresa held her arms out to take her, but Skye wrapped her arms around Cal. “I want him to take me.”

  Before Teresa could tell her no, Cal raised an eyebrow at her and nodded slightly. Well, If he didn’t mind.

  “Okay, then.”

  Skye wrapped her arms around his neck, and Teresa wanted to take a picture when he stood up and seated her on his hip. He looked perfectly at home with her there, and she looked tiny—and so very happy, tucked under his arm that was probably wider around than her waist was.

  “Okay, then.” Teresa had to pull herself together. “Up the stairs we go.”

  When they reached Skye’s bedroom, Cal’s smile faded, and he handed her over to Teresa. “Goodnight, Skye.”

  She clung to him and planted a sloppy kiss on his cheek before she let go. “Goodnight, Cal. See you in the morning.”

  Teresa didn’t correct her. It was easier to let it go than to get into an explanation of why Cal wouldn’t be here in the morning.

  Cal reached out and touched her nose with his thumb, making her giggle. “I’ll see you soon, okay?”

  “Okay.” She let out a big yawn and rested her head against Teresa’s shoulder.

  “I’ll be down in a few minutes.”

  ~ ~ ~

  Cal went back to the kitchen and looked at the takeout bag sitting on the island. It’d be cold, or at least on the way there, but he didn’t feel right to start dishing it or heating it. Instead, he stood there, arms hanging at his sides. He didn’t know what to do. He looked at the orchid, wondering whether it had been a dumb idea. He’d guess not, given the way Teresa’s eyes had lit up when she saw it.

  He would never admit it to a soul, but he’d actually spent some time this afternoon Googling which flowers were appropriate to give on a first date. The first article he’d read had declared that flowers were a complete no-no for a first date, that it was too old-fashioned a gesture. But he hadn’t let that deter him. He wasn’t a kid trying to impress a girl. In his day flowers had been a good thing—and girls had loved them.

  As he’d read on, he’d learned that every flower had some significance attached to it—though he couldn’t help but wonder who had assigned the significance; whether it was all just some marketing ploy by a clever florist.

  He’d read until his head spun. In the end he’d decided on an orchid because they were supposedly highly prized and reflected the esteem in which you held a woman—while at the same time somehow representing her beauty, luxury, and strength. Plus, he hadn’t quite been able to shake the uncertainty over whether giving flowers really was so far outdated as to be laughable—in which case giving her a plant in a pot could almost be passed off as a hostess gift—maybe? He should have asked Darla. But that would have led to a full-on interrogation. And besides, if he was going to do this, he wanted to figure out how to do it himself—not just follow his sister’s instructions.

  “Sorry about that.”

  He turned to Teresa when she came back into the kitchen.

  “Please, don’t apologize. She’s a sweetheart. I’m honored that I got to share in story time.”

  “Aww. Thank you. You did so well with her. You surprised me. I thought she might be enough to scare you away.”

  “No. I enjoyed it. It took me back.”

  “You have kids?”

  “No!” He was shocked that she might think that. “I would have told you before now if I did.”

  “I thought so, but … What did it take you back to?”

  He chuckled. “Darla’s kids. It seems I’m making a habit of giving you the wrong impression about them. I should probably explain.”

  “Only if you want to. And what do you think, should we dish this up first? We can eat outside if you like.”

  “What about Skye?”

  Teresa pointed to a baby monitor on the countertop. “We can take that.”

  Once they were seated at a table outside on the back patio, Teresa cocked her head to the side. “Still want to tell me about your sister’s children?”

  “I do. Abigail, Anthony and Henry, they’re fourteen, thirteen and eleven now.”

  “And you’re close with them?”

  “Very. Their dad died six years ago.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry. That must have been so hard for their mom, your sister.”

  Cal nodded. “It was. It still is. I took leave from work and stayed with them for the first few months. Henry was a little older than Skye is now.” He could see her doing the math in her head. “Darla’s twelve years younger than me, but we’ve always been close. Our dad wasn’t around growing up, and I was somewhere between big brother and father to her.”

  Teresa nodded as if she understood, but he knew she couldn’t.

  “Anyway. That’s why I said reading with Skye like that took me back. I used to read to the three of them.”

  “They must miss you. Was it hard to move away from them?”

  He lifted a shoulder. “Yes and no. I stayed with them for the first few months after Calvin died, but then Darla needed to find her feet again. It wouldn’t have been right for me to stay. It was hard on all of us, but I supported them through the early days and then … then I went back to work. When I first retired, I thought I should go back there and be around. They’re going into their teenage years now and that’s not going to be easy, but Darla met a guy eighteen months ago. He’s a good man.” Cal could feel the tension in his jaw and rubbed at it absently. “That’s why I moved away. Graham’s a good man. He’s willing … he wants to step in and become their dad, but they all need me out of the picture for that to happen.”

  He swallowed when she reached out and touched his arm. She understood somehow. Her eyes told him that she did. He loved those kids. Letting Graham step up and become the man in their lives was the right thing for them. But damn, he missed them. He blew out a sigh.

  “Anyway, look at me talking your ear off again.”

  She laughed. “It’s okay. I doubt anyone would believe me if I told them.”

  “That’s probably true. I’ve talked more around you than I can remember talking to anyone.”

  “Well, thank you. I like it.”

  They both turned when the baby monitor crackled. Skye muttered something and then it went quiet again.

  “She’s fine,” said Teresa. “Do you want another drink?”

  “Please.” He got up with her and helped clear the plates and take them to the kitchen. She stacked them on the counter next to the sink, and he
raised an eyebrow.

  “What?”

  “Do you want me to take care of these while you check on her?”

  Teresa laughed. “That’s fine, they’ll keep. But how did you know I was going to check on her?”

  “Because it’s what I’d do, just to make sure after hearing her like that.”

  “I’ll only be a minute.”

  “Take your time.”

  Once she’d gone upstairs Cal poured them fresh drinks and looked around. The kitchen was bright and airy and spacious. The cabinets were all white, the countertops marble, but it still felt welcoming, not sterile. There were lots of little feminine touches around, a bunch of bright pink feathers displayed in a vase like flowers. A splash of rainbow colors in a frame on the wall. It suited her.

  He stared at the pile of dishes. She’d said they could wait, but they didn’t need to. It wouldn’t take him long. He rinsed them and wiped down the countertops

  He was just closing the dishwasher when she came back. She stopped dead and looked around wide-eyed.

  “I just …” His heart hammered as he wondered if his actions might appear creepy somehow.

  “You cleaned my kitchen?”

  He cringed as he nodded, waiting for her to pass judgment that he was some kind of weirdo and demand that he leave.

  Instead, she shook her head in wonder. “Are you for real?”

  He gave her an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry. I … I’m not good at doing nothing. And I like order.”

  She laughed and looked around again. He might have straightened a few things while he was wiping the counters.

  “So, I can see. I’m with you on not liking to do nothing, but if you like order …” Her smiled faded. “You might not like me.”

  “No.” He crossed the distance between them in two strides before he even stopped to consider his actions. He closed his arms around her and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I do like you.”

  Her eyes were even wider as she looked up at him, but they were dancing and the gold flecks in them sparkled.