Sweet Tea at Sunrise (19 page)

Not this week, though. When Saturday rolled around, he intended to be front and center so he could see the situation firsthand. And then he’d do whatever needed to be done. No hotshot ex-ballplayer was going to stand in as daddy to his kids.

When Walter arrived for T-ball practice on Saturday, his already sour mood worsened. Tommy was gazing at McDonald with something that looked a lot like hero
worship. And there was Sarah sitting in the bleachers with Libby, a similar love-struck expression on her face. It was enough to make him want to break things, though he told himself it had nothing to do with jealousy. It was just that a man shouldn’t be replaced in his own son’s life.

He was about to cross the field and yank Tommy out of the game when Ronnie Sullivan appeared, his expression jovial enough but his stance suggesting he was all set to intervene if Walter intended to cause trouble.

Walter had an okay relationship with Ronnie, but he knew better than to get him riled up. He was one very protective man. Walter had figured that out on the night they’d met, when that meddling daughter of his had called Ronnie to intercede in an argument Walter was having with Sarah. Walter had known that night that his marriage was over. Ronnie had been there to help point out the obvious, and to keep Walter’s temper in check. When he’d calmed down, he’d been grateful for that.

Sarah wasn’t the same here in Serenity. Surrounded by friends, she didn’t waver in the face of his criticism the way she once had. She stood up to him. He’d tried to pacify her by going to a counseling session, but it had been a complete waste of time. He’d refused to go again. Not long after that, she’d filed for divorce and that barracuda attorney of hers had worked the court to see to it he had only limited access to his kid.

Okay, kids, he amended. He knew it drove Sarah nuts the way Libby seemed to come in second with him, but the truth was that sometimes he didn’t know what to make of his daughter. An only child, he’d grown up with a lot of expectations heaped on his back. Just
like his father, he’d always thought he’d have sons who could take over the family business in Alabama. Libby had been a disappointment, so he’d focused all his energy on molding Tommy for that role. Not that there was much molding to be done to a kid who was barely out of diapers.

Lately, though, even after cutting the ties with his father, Walter felt the weight of years of parental expectations on his shoulders. The Prices had a position of respect back home. Tommy should be ready to take over there someday, if that’s what he wanted. Outside influences—not Sarah and certainly not Travis McDonald—had no place in that decision.

He took another step toward the field, trying to evade Ronnie, but the older man didn’t budge.

“Don’t,” Ronnie said. “Tommy’s having a good time out there. Don’t create a scene and spoil it for him.”

Just then Sarah joined them, pushing Libby in a stroller. Walter saw McDonald staring their way as well. That look stirred his temper.

“I’m here to see my boy,” he said angrily. “What’s the big deal?”

“If you want to watch Tommy play, it’s fine,” Sarah assured him.

“What if I want to take him out after?”

Sarah regarded him with confusion. “Why is this suddenly so important? You’ve known about these games for weeks now, and you’ve never shown up before.”

“But I didn’t know you and the coach had the hots for each other until this week,” he said.

Something in his tone had Ronnie taking a step
closer, but Sarah just met his gaze evenly. “
That
is none of your business,” she said flatly. “Not that it’s even true.”

“Oh, please,” he scoffed. “There can’t be a person in this town who hasn’t heard the two of you seducing each other on the radio.” He turned to Ronnie, seeking an ally. “You’ve heard ’em, right? Would you want your wife acting like that in public?”

Ronnie’s expression remained neutral, but Sarah’s eyes flashed with fury. She actually stepped right up and got in his face.

“Don’t you dare criticize anything I do ever again, Walter Price,” she said, her voice low, but emphatic. “You don’t have the right.”

Walter took a step back. “Okay, okay, you’re right. It’s none of my business. I was just thinking about your reputation.”

“My reputation is none of your concern, either,” Sarah said.

“It is if it affects the kids.”

“Do you know who you sound like right now? You sound like that mean-spirited mama of yours,” Sarah told him. “I thought you’d vowed to put that kind of nonsense behind you.”

Walter flinched at the accusation. Even as he spoke, he’d heard the same kind of criticisms coming from his mama, and wanted to take it back. “I’m sorry,” he said, meaning it.

Sarah drew in a deep breath and tried to stare him down. Eventually she said quietly, “Look, if you want some time with the kids today, it’s okay with me. You can take Tommy for pizza with the team after. He loves that.”

“I’m not taking him to spend more time with McDonald,” Walter said flatly.

“You will if you want the afternoon with him,” Sarah said just as firmly. “This is about what Tommy likes to do. It’s not about you and some petty contest you think you’re in with Travis.”

“Okay, fine,” he said grudgingly. “I’ll ask Tommy what he wants to do.”

She met his gaze, then glanced down at the stroller. “What about your daughter? Libby’s here right now. I know she’s missed her daddy.”

Aware that both Sarah and Ronnie were watching him intently, Walter reluctantly bent down and picked up Libby.

“Daddy,” she said, smiling happily and patting his cheek.

When he didn’t say a thing, her smile faded. Big blue eyes stared at him solemnly, waiting. He had no idea what to do or say under the weight of all those unspoken expectations.

Then Libby sighed and rested her cheek against his chest and something shifted inside him. This little girl he hadn’t wanted and didn’t quite know how to handle trusted him. Nothing else mattered, not the silly argument with Sarah or his jealousy of McDonald. None of it.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, came an overwhelming need to protect Libby, to be the kind of father she deserved. Tears filled his eyes. He blinked them back, ashamed of the emotion they represented, especially out here in public, practically in front of the man who was trying to take his place in his family’s life.

It was Sarah who touched his cheek. “It’s okay, you know. She’s your little girl. She always will be.”

He regarded her with dismay, struck by the full depth of the mess he’d made of his life. “How the hell could I have ignored her the way I did?”

Sarah regarded him with sympathy. “Conditioning, I think. Your parents doted on Tommy because he represented the future of their precious business, or so they thought. You just followed their lead. Maybe now you’ll see what a blessing your daughter is, too.”

Just then they were joined by McDonald, whose gaze was fixed on Sarah and filled with real concern.

“Everything okay?” he asked quietly.

She returned his gaze in a way that told Walter more than words ever could have. She was in love with the guy. He had a hunch she didn’t even realize it herself, but he recognized the look. Once upon a time, she’d looked at him just like that…and he’d tossed that love aside.

“Everything’s fine,” Sarah told McDonald. “Right, Walter?”

He couldn’t seem to find his voice, so he merely nodded.

Travis gave him a look that spoke volumes. It was part warning and all possessiveness. Walter knew without a shadow of a doubt, if he wanted to take on Sarah over anything, he’d have a real fight on his hands.

Amazingly, he realized he was less intimidated by the other man than he was by the woman he’d once bullied at every turn.

It seemed today was a turning point in the way he
regarded the two women in his life—Libby and Sarah. Regrets about the past were useless. But from here on out, he vowed to show them both the respect they deserved.

T
ravis hadn’t heard anything of what Walter had been saying to Sarah at the ball field on Saturday, but from the look on Ronnie’s face, he’d sensed that none of it was good. Although Sarah had apparently handled the situation and kept it from spinning out of control, it grated on his nerves that she’d had to. He’d wanted to rush in, but he was wise enough to know he’d probably be making matters worse, especially in light of the way she’d leapt to Walter’s defense on the occasions when he’d criticized the way her ex-husband had treated her in the past.

On Monday he was still stewing over the scene at the ball field when Bill got off the air and joined him in the office. There would be a few hours of syndicated programming before Travis went on the air tonight.

“Problems?” Bill inquired.

“Just leftover annoyance,” Travis told him. “Good show today, by the way.”

“Thanks.” Bill hesitated, his expression tense. “I know it’s been crazy around here the past few weeks and I hate to bring this up, but are you having any luck finding a replacement for me?”

Travis regarded him with alarm. “Are you getting tired of helping out? I know you’d planned to be completely retired long before now, but I thought you were content to be back on the air.”

To Travis’s relief, Bill visibly relaxed.

“That’s the thing,” Bill said, looking sheepish. “Now that the station’s no longer my responsibility and I can just be a radio personality the way I was back in the beginning of my career, I’m happier than I’ve been in years. If you want me to stay on permanently, I’d like to do it.”

Travis was so delighted by the news, he almost embarrassed them both by jumping up and hugging the man. “Want you to? Nothing would make me happier. I think we have a great on-air team with you, me and Sarah. And you’ve brought a lot of listeners with you, to say nothing of knowing this area in a way that I don’t. I predict our ratings are going to be real solid, especially for a station just getting off the ground. The kind of input you can give me about running this place is invaluable, too. Don’t think I don’t appreciate that.”

“I totally agree that we’re a great team,” Bill responded. “And I’d hate not being around for the celebration when those first numbers come out.”

“How about a contract?” Travis offered. “One year? Two? As long as you want.”

Bill shook his head. “I don’t need a piece of paper. Let’s just say I’ll stay as long as it’s working, and shake on it. It’s not as if I’m trying to lock in a long-term career at this stage of my life. If things change, though, I’ll give you plenty of notice. I won’t leave you in the lurch. You do the same for me. Let me know if you need to make a change.”

Travis was ecstatic over this turn of events. “This is great. It’s exactly what I’d been hoping you’d decide.”

Bill’s gaze narrowed with suspicion. “Had you even been looking to find somebody else?”

Travis shrugged. “Honestly, no. I thought maybe as long as I didn’t mention it, you wouldn’t notice you’d been filling in for a very long time.”

Bill laughed. “One more thing, if you don’t mind me butting in. When are you going to hire a full-time advertising salesman? It’s getting way too busy around here for you and Sarah to spend time chasing new accounts and keeping in touch with the old ones. It’s enough that you have to record the spots when you’re not on the air. You’re going to be in demand for all sorts of events now that so many people are tuning in. You need more help, at least behind the scenes.”

“I know,” Travis admitted. “The work keeps piling up, but the days aren’t getting any longer.”

“Especially when you’ve been showing up to be on the air with Sarah on a regular basis,” Bill said slyly. “Is that calculated for ratings, or is that the only way you can get the woman to spend time with you?”

“A little of both,” Travis admitted. “But it’s mostly because I can’t seem to stay away from her. She, however, seems quite adept at avoiding me.”

“Because your reputation precedes you?” Bill guessed.

“That’s definitely part of it.” Travis waved off the topic. “None of that’s your problem. Any suggestions for the ad job?”

“As a matter of fact, yes,” Bill said. “I’ve run into a guy who just moved to town. He was with a family
company. He has loads of sales experience, but there aren’t a lot of openings around the area, not for someone with his qualifications.”

Travis got a sinking sensation in the pit of his stomach. “Who is it?”

“Walter Price,” Bill said, and immediately held up his hand to forestall Travis’s objections. “Before you say no, just hear me out. He’s experienced. His kids are here in town, so he’s not going to take off for a better opportunity.”

“He’s also Sarah’s ex-husband and he treated her like dirt. Still does, from what I saw just this weekend.” Travis shook his head. “I’m not hiring him. Right now, we have a good team running this place. We all get along.” He grinned, thinking of the regular on-air and private spats he had with Sarah. “Mostly, anyway. Adding Walter to the mix would be a disaster. I’d kill him inside of a month.” He paused. “Or Sarah would.”

“Maybe you should ask her what she thinks,” Bill suggested.

Travis shook his head. “No way. Have you already talked to him about this? Did he plant the idea so he could get close to Sarah again?”

Bill shook his head adamantly. “Absolutely not. It was nothing like that. We just ran into each other at Wharton’s and had a cup of coffee together. He didn’t even know I worked here or that we might be thinking about hiring someone.
I
didn’t even know if you’d be interested in adding to the staff.”

“Hiring a salesperson makes sense. Hiring Walter Price is out of the question.”

“Your station. Your decision,” Bill said, letting it go.

Travis nodded. “Thanks for understanding.”

The next day he posted the job on the station’s Web site and mentioned it to Grace Wharton and Ronnie Sullivan. He figured that would be enough to get the word out. With any luck, though, it wouldn’t reach Walter Price.

To Sarah’s relief, Tommy’s T-ball game on Saturday morning was uneventful, especially compared to the week before. After hearing about the commotion while she’d been in Atlanta with Ty, Annie took up a protective position at Sarah’s side this week, but Walter stayed away.

“Are you taking Tommy for pizza after the game?” Annie asked curiously.

“Sure,” Sarah said. “He really loves it. Why?”

“I thought maybe you were avoiding Travis.”

Sarah grinned. “It’s hard to avoid Travis. He’s in my face just about every single day. I’m sure you’ve heard that he’s been joining me on the air. It seems our conversations are sparking listener interest. The switchboard goes wild the second people know he’s in the studio.”

“If he bothers you, kick him out,” Annie said, as if it were a simple matter.

“His station,” Sarah reminded her, as he’d told her often enough. “Besides, we do have fun, even if he does make me a little crazy.”

“Crazy, or hot?” Annie inquired.

Sarah flushed. “Okay, that, too.”

Annie’s expression turned thoughtful. “You know I’ve been worried all along about him playing games with you, but now I have to wonder.”

“Wonder what?”

“Are you playing games with him just to stroke your battered ego?”

“Don’t tell me you’d feel sorry for him if I were,” Sarah said.

“No, but I would warn you that you’re playing with fire. When it comes to games, I imagine Travis McDonald plays by different rules.”

Sarah made an elaborate show of fanning herself. “Don’t I know it!”

Annie’s mouth gaped. “Sarah Price, what’s happened to you?”

“Maybe I’m just figuring out that I’m a sexy, desirable woman, after all.”

“Well, hallelujah for that!” Annie said sincerely. “Just be careful, okay?”

“Hey, careful’s my middle name,” Sarah said, though lately she was beginning to wonder if maybe it shouldn’t be changed to reckless, because when it came to Travis, good sense seemed to have flown out the window.

The T-ball players along with their coach and several moms and dads had barely been seated at Rosalina’s when the door opened and Rory Sue walked in. Just as her mother might have a few years back, she was dressed to get attention in short shorts that showed off her endless legs and a halter top that emphasized the rest of her assets. Sarah regarded her with dismay.

“What’s she doing here?” Annie asked Sarah in an undertone.

“Watch and learn,” Sarah replied.

Rory Sue immediately zeroed in on Travis, though she took her time sauntering over to his seat across from Sarah. The better to give everyone a full view of her considerable charm, so to speak. Though there wasn’t a vacant chair, she grabbed one from a nearby table and pulled it up close to his, then leaned against his arm. Travis tried to scoot away from her, but the table was too crowded.

“Oh, boy,” Annie whispered. “Shades of Mary Vaughn going after my dad.”

“Exactly,” Sarah said, tamping down the streak of jealousy that made her want to rip the girl’s perfectly highlighted tresses right out of her head.

“I have to give Travis credit,” Annie said. “He seems immune.”

“For now,” Sarah said direly. “Come on, though. He’s human. She’s throwing herself at him. Given his past history, how long do you think he’ll resist?”

At precisely that moment, Travis shoved back his chair, apologizing to the people who’d been sitting on either side of him. Two seconds later, he’d jammed another chair between Sarah and Annie.

“Save me,” he muttered with heartfelt emotion.

“You’re a big boy,” Sarah said, though she was relieved to see that he hadn’t yet snapped up the bait. “Surely you’ve handled predatory females before.”

“I have,” he agreed. “But usually in Boston, I could rest assured I wouldn’t be running into them every five minutes.”

“That is the downside of a small town,” Annie agreed. “I know how I’d feel if Dee-Dee lived here and
Ty was bumping into her every time I turned around. It’s hard enough when she’s here visiting Trevor.”

Travis regarded her with feigned annoyance. “Focus, ladies. I’m the one with the immediate problem. Her mother’s my real estate agent, I can’t offend Rory Sue.”

Sarah chuckled. “Sure you can. It won’t stop her, though. She’ll just take it as a challenge.”

“Then what am I supposed to do?”

He sounded and looked so genuinely bewildered that Sarah took pity on him. “Here’s a thought,” she said slowly, wondering if maybe she hadn’t gone just a little bit insane with jealousy, after all.

She twisted in her chair, made sure Tommy was distracted at the next table and Libby asleep in her booster seat, then put her hands on either side of Travis’s face and kissed him with everything she had in her and then some. It was the kind of bone-melting, stolen-breath kiss that pretty much destroyed every last ounce of resolve she had where he was concerned. Obviously whatever this game was between them, she was all in. Judging from Travis’s momentarily stunned response and then the way he took charge of the kiss, he was pretty much leaping in, as well.

Though she knew almost nothing by the time the kiss ended, not even her own name, she did know that whatever happened from here on out, she could no longer deny how she felt about Travis. She was head-over-heels, pants-on-fire in love with him.

And if anyone tried to mess with her man—specifically Rory Sue—they’d have a real fight on their hands. Maybe Dana Sue would coach her on getting the best of a predatory female. She’d certainly had plenty of experience with Mary Vaughn.

Travis was pretty sure it would be a couple of hours before he could stand without embarrassing himself after the kiss Sarah had planted on him. The second they’d surfaced for air, she started scrambling to gather up Tommy and Libby. She barely spared him a glance as she headed for the door.

He turned what was probably a dazed look on Annie. “What just happened here?”

Annie grinned at him. “I’d have to say that Sarah was staking her claim.”

He nodded slowly. “That was the impression I got. Why’d she run off?”

“Because despite her very bold move, I’m sure there’s a part of her that’s absolutely scared spitless that you might not return her affections.”

“I’ve been chasing her since the day I hit town,” he said.

“Seriously?”

“Well, no, not at first,” he admitted.

“Then how’s she supposed to know you’re serious now?” She leveled a hard look into his eyes. “You are, aren’t you?”

“Very serious,” he said solemnly, knowing he’d have a battle on his hands if he even hinted otherwise.

“Then you might want to go after her,” Annie said. “Because just about now I imagine she’s having second and third thoughts about what just happened here. Plus she’s probably worrying herself sick that Tommy might have seen the kiss.”

Travis was on his feet in a heartbeat. He found the waitress, stuffed a bunch of twenties in her hand to pay
for everyone’s pizza and headed for the door. To his astonishment, Rory Sue tried to intercept him.

“Told you it would work,” she gloated.

He regarded her with bewilderment. “What are you talking about?”

“You don’t think that kiss came out of the blue, do you? It was because of me. Sarah figures I’m trying to steal her man, so she made sure I knew to steer clear.”

“Aren’t you?”

She laughed. “Well, of course I am, if you’re willing, but I’m not stupid. I figured out which way the wind was blowing back at the station the other day. You made it plain enough. I also knew everybody in this town, Sarah included, would think I was just like my mama was when she was fighting an uphill battle to get Ronnie Sullivan’s attention. There’s a big difference between us, though. I know when to cut my losses. It took my mother a little longer to figure out the man she really belonged with was my dad.”

“So you turning up here today was some altruistic act to kick things between Sarah and me up a notch?”

She nodded. “And maybe a little test to be sure I hadn’t gotten it wrong,” she admitted.

Travis shook his head. “I don’t think I’ll ever understand women.”