Sofia spoke now, and he wished he could hear what she was saying, but the hum of other voices drowned her out. “What do you think she’s saying?”
“I’m sure Lara will tell you all about it afterwards.”
“I want to go swimming!” Trevor’s shout rose above the noise of the café.
Josh said something to his son, but Trevor shook his head and banged his hand on the table. A tantrum was coming.
Lara spoke, and the boy glared at her before saying something that made Lara stiffen and lean back. Her hand clenched into a fist.
Darcy moved his chair back and Faith covered his hand again. “Give it a minute,” she said. “She needs to figure out this new relationship with them without you barging in.”
His muscles relaxed when Lara’s hand relaxed. He blew out a breath.
“Siblings don’t always get along,” Faith reminded him. “And a child his age won’t quite comprehend how he’s suddenly got an older step-sister. It will take time for them to get to know each other.”
Sofia patted Lara’s hand and gestured to the drink, which Lara quickly finished. Then the family stood. Lara hurried over to him. “We’re going swimming. Is that all right, Dad?”
Sofia should be the one asking him, even if he had mentioned Lara was bringing her bathers.
“Come on, Lara,” Sofia called.
“Do you want to go?” he asked.
She nodded, though the concern in her eyes showed she wasn’t convinced.
Sofia came over.
“Where are you going?”
She sighed and gestured outside. “Just down there. You can take our table if you want to spy.”
Annoyance made him press his lips together. Just because Sofia was Lara’s mother, it didn’t mean she was experienced at taking care of a child and he wasn’t risking his daughter. “I’ll get your towel out of the car,” he told Lara.
Sofia seemed surprised and then said, “Thanks.” She held Lara’s hand and led her out of the café.
“Sofia seems as nervous as you,” Faith commented.
His annoyance faded with her observation. Neither one knew what to do. He needed to remember that. “I’ll be back.”
Faith stood with her drink and cake. “There’s a table out the front under the umbrella.”
He smiled at her. “Thank you.”
By the time he delivered the towel to Lara, Josh and the boys were already in the water and Lara had stripped to her bathers.
“Are you coming, Mum?” Lara asked.
Sofia shook her head. “No, I don’t swim.”
Lara stared at her. “I can teach you.”
Sofia laughed. “I can swim, baby. I choose not to.”
“But it’s hot and the water’s lovely.”
“I don’t like the saltwater,” she said. “Join the others.” She waved towards the water.
Lara glanced at the ocean. “I’ll stay here with you, if you’d like company.”
