Sweet Tea at Sunrise (13 page)

Unfortunately, the second Sarah’s name crossed his lips, his mother regarded him with a penetrating look. “She’s special, isn’t she?”

“Why would you think that? I barely mentioned her name.”

She smiled. “Which is exactly what gave it away. Are the two of you dating?”

“No. She won’t go out with me.” He heard the grumpy note in his voice and grimaced. It was way too telling.

“Interesting. She’s obviously very smart. That’s the best way I know to keep a man fascinated.”

“She’s not playing some game with me, Mother. We’re a bad match. I’m too much like Dad.”

“Oh, hogwash,” his mother said for the second time in a few minutes. “You’re nothing at all like your father. He indulges his weaknesses. You never have.”

She was wrong about that. “I dated every available woman who came my way while I was playing ball,” he countered.

“And never promised one of them anything, I imagine. You played fair.”

“Of course.”

“That alone differentiates you from your father. He never played fair. He shouldn’t have married me.”

Travis was surprised by that assessment. “Why not?”

“He was nowhere near ready to settle down.”

“But he chose you just the same.”

“Only because I was pregnant with you.”

Travis had figured that out years ago, so her words didn’t come as a shock.

“I should have had sense enough to say no,” she continued, “but I wasn’t quite strong enough to face having a child on my own. Plus, I knew he cared about me. I thought I could turn his affection into love. Women are extremely foolish when it comes to that sort of thing, you know. We all believe we can change men into being exactly what we want.”

“Sarah’s not like that. She’s not the least bit interested
in changing me.” He had to wonder if that wasn’t why he found her so fascinating. She simply didn’t have the same kind of feminine guile he’d seen so often in other women.

“Maybe because she’s the first woman who can see what’s in your heart, rather than the bad-boy public image you’ve worked so hard to cultivate.”

“Or maybe because all she sees
is
the public image, and she doesn’t want any part of it,” he countered. “It doesn’t matter. We’re not dating, much less involved.”

But even as he tried to summarize their relationship and put it into a safe, familiar compartment, he felt an odd sense of dismay stealing over him. Could he really have the missing piece of that perfect picture he’d described for Tom…a new career, a welcoming community, a home
and
the right woman, one suited for the long haul? He’d have to give that some thought.

First, though, he had to see if there was any chance he could save his father from whatever crazy path he was on.

Travis met his father and Trina in a small, informal seafood restaurant known mostly to longtime Charleston residents and hidden away from tourists. The waterfront setting and ambience were decidedly casual, but the chef was first-rate and the prices matched. Greg McDonald enjoyed the contradiction.

He stood when Travis crossed the dining room, then gave his son a hearty slap on the back.

“You’re looking good, Dad,” Travis said, meaning it. His father was tall and trim with a golf-course tan that accented his blue eyes. His classic bone structure worked well with the bald look.

Travis then turned to Trina, who looked vaguely uncertain about what reception to expect.

“You must be good for him,” Travis told her, hoping to at least start off putting her at ease until he had a better sense of where things stood. He’d decided on a strategy on the drive over, but he’d wait to make sure it was the best way to go.

“I try to be,” she said, looking relieved. “How are you, Travis? It’s been a long time.”

“My senior year of college, as I recall. You were a junior.” He emphasized the latter and saw his father flush.

“Travis!” he said, his tone filled with warning.

Travis turned an innocent look on his father. “Did I say something wrong?”

“Obviously your mother has filled you in,” Greg said. “Even though I asked her to let me tell you. Yes, Trina and I are getting married. I hope you’ll be happy about that.”

“I’m not the one who needs to be happy,” Travis said.

His father looked slightly taken aback. “You mean that?”

“Look, I can’t honestly say I’m not surprised, but beyond that, it’s none of my concern. If this is really what you want, Dad, I wish you well. You, too, Trina.”

“Thank you,” she said, taking his words at face value.

His father still didn’t look convinced. “I’m sure you have more you want to say.”

“Nope,” Travis said. “You’re a smart man. Smart enough to take care of all the legalities, I’m sure.”

Trina’s expression froze. “Legalities?”

“A prenup, that sort of thing,” Travis said. “I’m sure you want that, too, Trina. You don’t want Dad taking advantage of your family’s wealth, or vice versa. If you two love each other, it’s only fair to keep the whole money thing out of it, right?”

“Actually we don’t want to start our marriage with some piece of paper that suggests we’re already thinking about how it might end,” Trina said.

Travis reacted with feigned surprise. “Really? I mean, I get that it takes the edge off the romance and all, but people in your financial world have to be responsible and practical, don’t you think, Dad?”

Greg McDonald looked disconcerted, though it was hard to tell whether it was due to Travis’s mention of a prenuptial agreement or Trina’s obviously agitated response to the suggestion.

“Could we stop talking about money and just enjoy the evening?” Greg suggested, giving Trina’s hand a squeeze. “There’s plenty of time to worry about all that.”

Travis decided to let it go. He was pretty sure he’d made his point. “When’s the wedding?” he inquired.

“I’d like to get married as soon as possible,” Trina said.

There was an unattractive hint of desperation in her tone, though Travis was sure she meant only to sound eager.

“Possibly in the fall,” his father said. “Or maybe after the first of the year. I want Trina to have the wedding of her dreams.”

She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “I keep telling him he’s all I need, but he doesn’t believe me.”

“I do,” Travis said. In fact, he was just about a hundred percent certain she’d be pushing for a quickie wedding in Vegas before the night was out. Things must be really tough for the Phelps family these days, and she was the designated savior. That much was clear to him, if not to his father. Too bad he couldn’t pull Greg aside and have a real heart-to-heart with him. Surely he wasn’t entirely blind to what was going on.

Travis managed to choke down his meal, but he could hardly wait to get away from the happy couple. He rose as soon as they’d all finished their coffee.

“I have a long drive ahead of me,” he told them. “Dad, I’ll speak to you tomorrow.”

“Sure, son,” Greg said distractedly, clearly engrossed in Trina, whose hand seemed to be wandering somewhere out of sight under the table. Travis shuddered.

By the time he climbed into his car, he fully understood his mother’s concern. For all of his years of playing an irresponsible bachelor, Greg McDonald had always been smart enough to avoid falling into any sort of feminine trap. Now it seemed the trap had been set and baited, and he was barely one step away from getting caught. It just proved that even the mightiest player could fall.

Travis had a hunch there might be a lesson in there for him, too.

S
arah reluctantly loaded the kids into the car late on Sunday afternoon for a barbecue at Tom and Jeanette’s. She had a feeling she’d been invited primarily because of Travis. Jeanette was still conspiring to throw the two of them together, despite Sarah’s repeated claims that she wasn’t interested.

Of course, maybe she was reading things into the invitation. All of the Sweet Magnolias were supposed to be there, including Annie. Annie was also bringing her stepson, Trevor. There was even a chance Ty would make it over from Atlanta, if his home game ended early enough. The team had Monday off, so he’d promised to try. Along with Maddie’s kids and Helen’s little girl, the younger generation would be well represented, so it would be fun for Tommy and Libby.

Because the backyard at Jeanette’s had been turned into a spectacular garden, the kids and the men had been relegated to the front lawn to play. Libby and Tommy were welcomed, and immediately joined in the impromptu game of T-ball being played.

“We’ve got ’em covered,” Tom assured her. “Go on
inside. The women are in the kitchen or maybe out on the back patio. We’ve been told to stay out from underfoot.”

Sarah glanced around, looking for Travis, but saw no sign of him. To her surprise, however, Walter was there. He waved a greeting but didn’t come over.

“Two questions,” she said, pulling Annie aside when she walked into the kitchen.

“I’ll bet I know one of them,” Annie said. “Walter’s here because he and my dad have suddenly become pals. I have no idea why.”

Jeanette apparently overheard them, because she grinned at Sarah. “And I’ll bet I know the other question. You want to know why Travis is missing.”

Embarrassed, Sarah flushed. “I never mentioned his name.”

Jeanette pinned her with an amused look. “Oh, then what was your question?”

She held up the salad she’d brought. “Where do you want me to put this?” she asked.

“On the table on the patio,” Jeanette said. “And even though you didn’t ask, I’ll tell you that Travis is in Charleston. He might make it back by dessert. He already knows the big news anyway.”

Her hint that the evening was more than a casual get-together took the edge off the news that Travis wouldn’t be here. Annie and Sarah both regarded Jeanette with curiosity.

“There’s big news?” Annie said.

Jeanette nodded. “But nobody finds out until later. I worked too hard on this meal. I want everyone to give it their full attention.”

Sarah’s gaze went to a plate piled high with burgers ready for the grill. If she knew anything about the men in this crowd, Tom had made those. “Yes, I can see how you’ve slaved.”

“And Sarah brought the salad,” Annie said. “And I brought corn on the cob. Mom brought appetizers, Helen and Erik brought dessert. What exactly did you do, Jeanette? Open the packages of hamburger rolls?”

“Very funny,” Jeanette said. “I cut up lots and lots of veggies, which are steaming in little foil-wrapped packets on the grill at this very moment. I also opened bags of chips. It was very tedious.”

“You poor thing,” Annie said, slipping an arm around her shoulder. “We feel for you. You probably need a margarita.”

Jeanette shook her head, her cheeks turning pink.

Annie’s gaze immediately shot to Sarah’s. “No margarita.”

“You’re pregnant,” Sarah guessed at once. It was the only thing that ever kept a Sweet Magnolia from their favorite drink.

The color in Jeanette’s cheeks deepened. “No comment. I promised my husband we’d make this announcement together.” But even as she spoke, the protective hand resting on her stomach told the story.

“Then let’s get this party started,” Annie said. “I’ll carry out the rest of these bowls. Sarah, you round up the kids and the men.”

Just as they went outside, Ty showed up. After scooping Trevor into his arms for a smacking kiss on the cheek, then releasing him, Ty dragged Annie off for a private greeting. She was flushed when they finally
returned, and turned even redder when they were greeted with applause and taunts.

“Hey, I don’t get to see my husband that often,” she retorted, linking her arm possessively through Ty’s. “I intend to make the most of every minute. Deal with it.”

An hour later, with the sun dipping below the horizon and the garden awash with a golden glow, Tom stood up and pulled Jeanette to her feet beside him.

“We have news,” he said, his adoring gaze on his wife. “Jeanette and I are having a baby.”

Just as he made the announcement, Travis came through the gate, grabbed a beer from the cooler and slipped into the chair next to Sarah’s. She turned and caught an odd expression on his face, even as he lifted his bottle in the air to join in the toast proposed by Cal Maddox.

Sarah frowned. “You don’t look very excited about their news,” she said, noticing that though he’d gone through all the right motions, something about his reaction was off.

“I am,” he insisted. “I know how thrilled Tom is, and I couldn’t be happier for them.”

“Then what’s going on? You don’t look that happy.”

“Nothing worth talking about,” he said moodily.

“Come on, Travis. Don’t put a damper on their big moment.”

“How am I doing that? I just got here. I toasted them. What else am I supposed to do? Should I dance a little jig?”

She studied him with a puzzled expression. “Now you sound ticked off. What’s that about?”

“If I am, it’s because you’re making a big produc
tion out of my mood. I had a lousy day. Dealing with my folks is never a picnic. Seeing the two of them reminds me of why I’ve always been determined to stay single. Lately I’d almost forgotten how messed up relationships can get.”

His words cut right through Sarah. It wasn’t as if she’d ever looked far enough into the future to imagine a life with Travis. Not really. But apparently on some subconscious level, that hope had been buried inside her. Now he’d snatched it away fairly emphatically. If he’d truly reconsidered ever settling down, then what was she supposed to do with all these unvoiced feelings he stirred in her? Trying to figure it out depressed her more than she wanted to admit.

“Did something in particular happen today?” she asked, not quite able to make herself let it go.

“I spent the afternoon trying to calm my mother down because my father intends to marry a girl I used to date in college,” he said. “Is that twisted enough for you?”

She blinked at his response. “Okay, that must have been a little unsettling,” she admitted slowly. “Do you still have feelings for this woman?”

He looked horrified at the thought. “Good God, no! That’s not the point.”

“Then what is? Are you worried about getting along with your new stepmommy?” she asked, deliberately injecting a teasing note into her voice.

To her relief, his lips twitched. “I hadn’t thought of that. We got along well enough years ago.”

“I’m sure,” Sarah said wryly. “Look, at this stage of your life, what your father does has nothing to do with you.”

“I know that, but it does affect my mother. She’s all worked up over this. She expects me to fix it.”

“How are you planning to do that?”

“I’ve already planted a few little seeds about the importance of a prenuptial agreement. That definitely spoiled the glow for the bride-to-be.”

“You think she’s after your father’s money,” Sarah concluded, less shocked than she probably should have been. Maybe her own marriage had turned her into a cynic, after all.

“Seems like it.”

“Can’t your father look out for himself?”

“I always thought so, but after watching him tonight, I’m not so sure. Men can be fools in the hands of the right woman.”

“Is this more philosophy from the man who intends to remain single?”

“Based on fact,” he said.

“Based on the facts as you’ve observed them,” she contradicted. “I daresay there are many relationships in the world you haven’t seen. And if you want to take a look at one a bit closer to home, who would you say was the fool in my relationship with Walter, me or him?”

He scowled at the question, his gaze drawn to Walter, who was ignoring Libby’s pleas to be picked up. “Something tells me I should go with a no comment on that one.”

“Then I’ll answer it myself. I was the idiot,” she said. “I allowed him to demean me for way too long.”

“And even now that you’ve seen the light, you still let him get away with it,” Travis said.

When Sarah would have objected, he held up his hand. “I’ve seen it.”

“You’ve hardly ever seen us together,” she argued defensively, even though she knew what he was saying was true.

“Can you deny that there have been times when you’ll be saying and doing all the right things and the next time we talk you start questioning yourself?”

“Possibly,” she conceded.

“Well, every single time when I’ve asked you about the doubts, it’s gone back to some conversation you’ve had with Walter.”

“You’re wrong,” she said. “He’s been better.”

“Better doesn’t mean it never happens,” Travis countered. “Shall we get him over here and see how long it takes him to intimidate you?”

Sarah sighed, because she knew Travis was right. Walter could still send her into a tailspin. “No need for that,” she told Travis. “I’m working on it. I swear I am.”

“If it weren’t for your kids, I’d do whatever it took to get him out of town,” Travis said. “Having him here is not good for you. Watching the way he can still tie you up in knots makes me crazy.”

She was startled by his vehemence. “Why?”

“Because you’re better than that. Everyone knows it except you. I don’t know what it’s going to take to give you back your confidence. Maybe you need to be the one to tell him to leave or at least to straighten up and treat you with respect.”

“Honestly, Travis, he really has been trying. Most of the time we’ve been getting along okay, and when he does
slip up, I’m standing up to him. Can we drop this, please?”

“Is that because you still want him in your life?”

“Not for myself, no,” she said adamantly. “That really would be self-destructive. But you said it yourself, I have to find some way to deal with him for Tommy and Libby’s sake. They adore him.”

“I can see that,” he said, nodding in their direction. Libby kept trying to scramble up into Walter’s lap, but he systematically set her back on her feet. He was clearly exasperated, though he seemed to be trying not to let it show too plainly.

Travis finally stood up and crossed the lawn in long strides. He scooped Libby into the air and set her on his shoulders. She was giggling and pulling his hair as he returned to the chair next to Sarah’s. Walter’s face flushed at the unspoken rebuke in Travis’s actions, but he kept silent.

“I’ll take her,” Sarah offered.

“Not a chance,” Travis said, sitting Libby on his knee. “This little girl is all mine, and I’m going to tickle her until she screams for mercy.” Libby dutifully squealed, the happy sound carrying across the lawn and earning another scowl from Walter.

“You’re deliberately baiting him,” Sarah said, trying to figure out why he’d bother. Was it some macho, territorial thing? She doubted it had anything to do with her, and probably not much to do with Libby.

“No, I’m doing what he should have done,” Travis said flatly. “I’m spending a little time with his daughter. Watching her beg for his attention was starting to break my heart.”

Though he made the comment in a flip tone, Sarah saw something in his eyes that stunned her. There was a real undercurrent of fury there that made her glad she’d never crossed Travis. For the first time, she realized that for all of his easy-going ways, he’d make a daunting enemy.

Mary Vaughn had known officially for a week now that she was pregnant, but she still hadn’t gotten over the shock. Not only had the three home pregnancy tests that Rory Sue had bought confirmed it, but so had her doctor. The hoped-for possibility of some kind of fluke, of not one but three false-positives had been ruled out. She was going to have a baby in about seven months. Oh, sweet heaven!

Now she had to tell her husband. She couldn’t put it off any longer. She’d decided to do it over dinner at Sullivan’s tonight. At least if Sonny passed right out, there’d be people around to help with CPR.

She’d spent all day Monday in a nervous daze. Even her clients had commented on the fact that she didn’t seem to be herself. Now she’d yanked everything out of her closet trying to find the perfect outfit for telling Sonny he was about to become a daddy again. Unfortunately, despite years of priding herself on her sense of fashion, she had no idea what to wear for an announcement that huge.

She finally opted for a simple black dress with a low-cut bodice. Not only was it a dress she probably wouldn’t be able to fit into in a few weeks, the display of cleavage might distract Sonny from the full shock of her news.

She arrived at Sullivan’s fifteen minutes ahead of
time. She started to order a glass of wine to calm her nerves, then realized she couldn’t. That left her with a bad case of jitters and too much time on her hands.

When Sonny walked in, she tensed, even though the sight of him made her stomach all fluttery. Sometimes it hit her just how handsome he was, and just how lucky she was that he’d taken her back. He stopped several times en route to the table to speak to people, which gave her more time to study him, more time to panic.

“Hey, darlin’,” he said, dropping a discreet kiss on her cheek, then sliding into the booth next to her and giving her knee a much more intimate squeeze. “You look fabulous. What’s the occasion? I thought we were just grabbing a bite to eat.”

Mary Vaughn swallowed hard. “There’s something we need to talk about,” she said, her voice choked.

Sonny gave her a quizzical glance, then noticed her club soda. “What’s with the fizzy stuff? Don’t you want wine?”

“Not tonight.”

“A beer?”

She shook her head.

He studied her with a narrowed gaze. “The only time I’ve ever known you to turn down a drink was when…” His voice trailed off and his eyes widened with shock. “Holy crap! Are you pregnant?”

So much for the big announcement, Mary Vaughn thought, almost giddy with relief. She nodded, watching carefully for a clue about his reaction. He’d gone very still and just a little pale beneath his tan.