Tapping the screen to answer it, I put him on speaker and called out into the slowly darkening sky. “Hey, Dad. Where are you at?”
His gravelly voice flowed out of the speaker. “Hey, princess.” He took a breath. “I’m in the Carolinas.”
I smiled. My dad loved that route. He said driving into the Appalachians from the Midwest was such a scenic and peaceful drive. Then, coming out on the east, you flowed down to the coast toward the ocean. The entire journey met with his relaxed and chill nature. Nothing fazed him. He lived at peace with himself. Even when we’d struggled for money, he felt certain that everything would be okay. And we were, because so many people in town stepped up and made sure of it, from teachers who made sure I was fed at school and home when the times were lean to the Sullivans who asked me to stay over often to well-meaning church members who dropped off the clothes their kids grew out of. To my dad, it was the village taking care of us. We didn’t have much, but he would certainly step up to help people anytime he could. To me, it was charity. I hated it, while realizing we absolutely needed it.
When Dad got his CDL license, however, things improved drastically. More than the fact that we were finally making ends meet, however, I was grateful he found a job that fit him. He loved the open road, and even though I didn’t get to see him as often as I’d like, it was something I was grateful for.
“The Carolinas. That’s awesome,” I said watching Ranger tear after a rabbit in the yard, barking up a storm. “Do you have time to check out any of your favorite haunts before heading back this way next week?” Dad was scheduled to come through this way in a week or two before heading back to his base in Chicago. I hadn’t told him about the baby yet. I really wanted to do that in person, and we were almost there.
Dad cleared his throat, which made me sit up and pay attention. “That’s why I’m calling babe. I have some friends out here that asked if I’d want to stay for a few weeks. I have time off coming my way and thought I might use some days to head out fishing with them. Would you mind if we switched my time with you to after I get back to Chicago? So end of August versus the beginning?”
I closed my eyes, overcome with sadness. Of course I’d never begrudge his time with friends. He got to relax so rarely. And fishing was one of his favorite ways to pass the time. Sliding my hand onto my belly, I sent as much love to our baby as I could. I wanted to share this with him. I guessed the phone would have to do.
Opening my eyes, I glanced toward the drive as I heard Sully’s truck pull in, gravel crunching under his tires. He pulled up to a stop at the garage and swung out of the truck to come my way. I raked my gaze over him. His dark hair curled up a little around his ears, disheveled on top. His jeans were worn with a hole by one knee, not because it was fashionable, but likely he’d torn it on something. He had a white brewery T-shirt on that was worn thin. And his work boots had clearly seen better days.
Sully’s eyes were locked on mine as he hit the step to the porch as I cleared my throat, ready to tell my dad our news. “Sure, Dad. We can visit at the end of August instead.” Sully’s eyes narrowed. He knew how much I’d been looking forward to this. “But I need to—”
I heard a shout on the other end of the call and a huge laugh from my dad. “Babe, I gotta go. We’re headed out, and several of the guys just got here. Call you soon?”
Tears welled up. I missed him, and it shot through me like an arrow. He was a nomad, and I wasn’t the home base anymore. The more he traveled, the more he loved it. And as thrilled as I was for him, damn if I didn’t want to have him here. “Yeah, Dad,” I said in a scratchy voice. “Love you.”
“Love you, baby. Talk soon.” He clicked off.
My head dropped before I could even control it. A tear rolled down, then another.
“Hey, hey.” Sully was in front of me, and before I knew it I was up, he slid below me, and I was pulled back to his lap as his arms went around me. “Babe, talk to me.” His mouth pressed a kiss into my neck as he slid one hand up to my hair, tugging it out of the ponytail.
My absolutely grown-up reply was to rotate so that I could bury my face in his neck. I didn’t dissolve into tears, I just breathed him in, soaking in his strength surrounding me. I needed him, needed this.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” I whispered.
* * *
Sully
Maggie burrowed in, as close as she could get. I ran my hands over her back, up to her hair, and back down. I’d come home jazzed. The canning operation was set up, and we’d be having the first batch ready to roll in a matter of weeks. Jake and I had toasted our future tonight, and I’d left him at the brewery to work the dinner crowd while I came home to Mags. We’d planned on grilling out tonight and enjoying the unusually enjoyable late July evening.
Overhearing just the end of her conversation with her dad, I knew why she was upset. She’d been looking forward to Tom’s visit so she could finally tell him about the baby. Originally, she’d waited, wanting to be out of the first trimester. Though my parents knew, she hadn’t wanted Tom stressing about her when he wasn’t here. But when he announced a trip through in early August, she’d been excited to have a date when she knew she could share our news. And now that was put off a few more weeks. Not the end of the world, for certain, but a disappointment.
“Babe, how can I help?” I asked as I smoothed down her back again. She was in a worn T-shirt and yoga pants. The T-shirt likely fit normally, but now with her rounded belly, it stretched over her. I slid my hand onto her stomach. I wondered if he could sense his mom’s sadness. Damn. Tom was a good guy, but right now I wanted to call him back and ream his ass, which wasn’t fair.
Maggie took a breath, then another. I could tell she was fighting to get control. I wondered if there would ever be a day where she’d realize she could just fall apart and I’d catch her? I’d spend my life catching her, if she’d let me.
She pulled her head out of my neck, locking her eyes on mine. I saw her strength returning, along with the walls she surrounded herself with. Damn. “I’m good, Sull. Thanks.” She sighed, looking out at the fields. “Guess you heard that Dad won’t be coming until a month from now, huh?”
I tugged on her hair until she lowered her mouth to mine. Brushing my lips over hers, I replied. “Yep. Sorry, babe. You ready for burgers?”
Her eyes warmed. I wasn’t sure if it was the thought of food that brought her happiness or the fact that I wasn’t going to make her delve into her feelings about this. I’d learned my lesson from Maggie, though. She faced things on her timetable. Rushing her to talk about it wasn’t going to win anything for me.
“I could eat,” she said with a small smile.
“Really?” I faked surprised. Nudging her up, she stood, and I rose up next to her. I whistled for Ranger, and he headed in our direction. We all hit the kitchen door at the same time. Opening it, I let the two of them in first before following them myself. Dropping my keys and wallet in the bowl by the door, I also shed my boots before looking over to see Maggie’s head in the fridge.
“What are you and the bean in the mood for besides burgers?” I called as I headed in her direction.
“Hold on,” Maggie said from the fridge. She glanced over her shoulder from her spot. “Beer?”
“Yeah.” I looked past her, scanning cans and bottles at the lowest shelf. “Zombie Dust.” She passed me a bottle before placing milk, cream, butter, syrup, and some leftover chipotles in adobo on the counter.
