“Maybe.” Becky Lee’s eyes clouded. “Maybe I should have done a better job trying to find her. I’ve looked online for signs of her, but I couldn’t find anything.”
“They weren’t the social media types. They were trying to stay out of my father’s line of sight.”
Becky Lee placed her glass in the sink and turned to him. “It’s all so very complicated, isn’t it?”
~ * ~
“Yes, it is a bit messed up. Hopefully, TJ will wake up soon and we’ll get things sorted out.” Cal’s eyes were filled with kindness and sympathy.
Becky Lee didn’t want anyone’s sympathy. She wanted to help. To do something right now to make things better. “I want to help her in any way I can. I hope I can persuade her to move back home to Comfort Crossing.”
“I’m sure she could use the help, but she doesn’t seem like the type of person to take help easily.”
“No, she doesn’t accept help easily. Maybe she will for Scotty’s sake.” Becky Lee sighed. “Listen, I want to see as much of Scotty as possible. Get to know him. Help you as much as I can.”
“We need to be careful that people don’t connect you two, that they don’t figure out he’s your nephew. We don’t want them to wonder why you’re spending so much time with him.”
Becky Lee chewed on her bottom lip then looked directly into Cal’s eyes. “I think you should date me then.”
“What?” Cal’s eyes widened and he pushed back from the table.
“If it looks like we’re dating, no one will question if I’m spending lots of time with Scotty.”
Cal rubbed his chin. “That’s not a bad idea. It’s a good one, actually.” He flashed a quick grin. “If we’re dating does that mean we get more home-cooked meals like this one?”
A laugh bubbled up through Becky Lee. “Yes, I suppose it does. I do like having people to cook for, so it’s not a problem on my part.”
“Well, I guess we’re dating then.”
“Great, then that will give me more time with Scotty.”
“Speaking of Scotty, I should get him back to the Sweet Tea and let him sleep. Poor kiddo is so tuckered out.”
She watched as Cal went outside and gently scooped up Scotty as if the child would break in his arms. She held open the door and Cal walked into the house. She led the way through her home and out onto the front porch. “Thanks for coming tonight. Giving me a chance to get to know Scotty.”
The boy stirred in Cal’s arms and nestled his face against Cal’s chest. Cal looked down with a look that said he was carrying precious cargo. He gently brushed away a lock of hair from the boy’s eyes and settled him closer to his chest. The simple motion tugged at Becky Lee’s heart.
She cleared her throat. “I’ll look forward to our next date.”
Cal flashed a smile and nodded.
“And call me if you need anything at all.”
“I will.”
She watched as the broad-shouldered man slowly walked out to his car and carefully put the boy in a booster seat in his car. Cal turned and offered a brief wave, climbed into the driver’s seat, and pulled away. She watched his tail lights as he drove down her street.
Worse things could happen than spending time with a handsome guy like Cal.
She shook her head at the shallowness of the thought and turned to go back inside and clean up the dishes. Then she was going to sit down with a nice cup of chamomile tea, put her feet up, and try to sort through all the feelings racing through her. This had been the strangest day in a month of Sundays.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Greta Miller stood on her front porch watching the sunrise. Her hands were wrapped firmly around a hot mug of coffee, the heat lessening the dull aching of her hands. The house was so quiet now that Clay and her granddaughters had moved out. She’d enjoyed having the noise and laughter and a houseful of family. She was glad her son had married Jenny, she was. It was just… soundless now. She imagined some people might enjoy the peace, and at times she did, but mostly she missed the hubbub that was family living.
She was lucky that Clay and Jenny had bought the place right down the road from her, so she did see the grandkids almost every day and could help out when needed. Though it wasn’t the same as having them under her own roof.
She watched a cardinal swoop through air and land in a tree. Sometimes, in still moments like this in the early mornings, she could imagine herself as a young girl, playing in this very same front yard. She’d grown up in this house and lived all her years here. It was a part of her.
That swing in the front yard hanging from that old live oak? It had had its share of new ropes and new seats on the swing, but it still had a swing. There used to be an old picnic table under the tree, too. She and her best friend, Ellie, had spent hours under that old tree.