Page 38 of Fortune’s Control (Fortune’s Creek #1)

“Are you two coming?” Sophie asked.

I stood between Lilah and the truck door, blocking her exit. “Can you get us a table?”

“Aiden and Sam are already here.” Sophie crossed her arms. “Oh, I see. You two want a public indecency charge. I’ll wait inside.” She headed into the Creekside Diner with an exasperated sigh.

“What are you going to do?” Lilah asked. She bit her lip to prevent a flirtatious grin.

I put a hand on her knee and slid it up her thigh. “Give you a private goodbye.”

Sam suggested a late breakfast send-off before the three of them left for their big presentation at the state capital.

After she lamented her lack of clothes, I took Lilah shopping in Gainesville, where she selected a new blouse and pencil skirt.

To say I enjoyed the sight would be a gross understatement.

Lilah shimmied on the truck’s passenger seat. “A confident look is the secret to a confident presentation.”

“Then you’re about to make history.”

Her mother never called back after hanging up, resulting in a lightness to Lilah’s step ever since.

She likened that phone call to shedding an invisible weight that had been stuck on her back without her ever knowing it.

I loved my sister, but I also knew we struggled, and Lilah didn’t grow up in a home like ours.

Meeting Evelyn gave her a chance to experience a healthy family relationship, rather than witnessing one .

“I’ll call you when it’s over.”

“Why do that when I already know the results?”

“You can’t know that,” she admonished.

A partially completed desk occupied a corner of my woodshop, as I planned to convert a downstairs bedroom into her office.

“Then I guess we’ll see who’s right.” She scooted forward, so I tightened my grip on her thigh.

“Hey. Before we go inside, I want you to know how proud I am. You won me over, and then you went and did the same to this town. You’ll do it again today.

I want you to know how amazed I am by all you’ve done. ”

Lilah’s lip quivered. So I kissed her to prevent any potential tears. I’d watched her apply makeup that morning and didn’t want to be responsible for any touch-ups that might be needed. Plus, I always looked for another excuse to kiss her.

*****

Lilah threw me a secret smile before continuing her conversation with Evelyn.

They sat across the table, making it a challenge to overhear through all the nearby commotion.

There were several of us at a long table, while townsfolk drifted through the Creekside Diner to give Sam, Sophie, and Lilah a final offer of good luck.

Willard included a warning to leave their cell phones at home, explaining they were in the area tracking people.

No one asked who they were, but Sam showed off his old-fashioned flip phone.

“I was right about her,” Sophie said. She took a bite of her veggie omelet while studying Lilah and her grandmother.

“I was right about her,” I corrected as Sophie gave a skeptical glance and rolled her eyes. “Oh, you mean Evelyn. Yes, you’re the one who led us to her. She’s been over several times for dinner since we met, so you’ll see her around while you’re here.”

“What are your plans today? I expected you to come with and act as our bodyguard?”

“Fishing with Jack.” I couldn’t deny considering whether to tag along.

She pressed her lips together. “I hope you two come home stinking of rancid fish, and she spends the night at Lainey’s.”

“You should tell me what happened between you and Jack so I can fix it. He’ll apologize if I make him.”

“You’ll force an apology from him? Shane, that’s not what women dream of, and you can’t undo the past. Once this presentation is done, and we win the grant money, I’m moving forward with the rest of my life’s plans.”

I twisted my lips. “Those plans should involve Fortune’s Creek. You’ve been gone long enough, and if you want to make the garage apartment yours, we can do that, or build you a bigger home on the property.”

“Move back in with you?” She bobbed her head in an exaggerated, cutesy manner. “Will I get my chaperone and a curfew? I wouldn’t dream of staying out past midnight without your approval first.” She held her hands up like a dog begging for treats.

Frustration threatened. “You can stay out past midnight without my permission. Don’t let that be the excuse not to come home where you belong.”

I wouldn’t force her to create a friendship with Jack; I wasn’t that dumb, but civility was a reasonable goal.

This town, and our home, also belonged to her.

For all of Sophie’s claims of loving her new life, with its challenges and opportunities, the endless prognostications didn’t ring true.

She’s the one who discovered the state’s grant opportunity and put the entire effort in motion.

Sam worked in public relations, and Lilah provided all the finances, but it was Sophie’s vision.

Her efforts did not match her claimed indifference.

“Do you hear yourself?” Sophie’s lips puckered with annoyance. “You left me behind when we were kids, and now you’ll let me come home.”

I tried again. “You’re misinterpreting me. I’m saying that I miss you, Sophie.”

“I miss you, too. Sometimes.” She glanced towards Lilah, her features softening. “You can’t help it, so it isn’t fair to hold it against you. When I come back to Fortune’s Creek, it’ll be on my timetable, Shane, not yours. I have plans.”

“You said when.”

“I’m also silently calling you a jerk, so let’s not press it.”

Lilah overheard us and shook her head, admonishing me, so I lightened my tone. “Make it soon.”

“Not horrible for a first effort,” Sophie said, and gave me a thumbs-up.

“What is that supposed to mean?” I asked as Lilah’s phone rang, cutting off our conversation. She glanced at the screen and then at me with growing horror. “Who is it?”

Her voice trembled. “My mom.”

Evelyn’s features tightened with concern. “You don’t have to answer.”

“Yes, I do.” She pressed the screen. “Hi, Mom.” Lilah pressed a hand to her chest as her mouth dropped open.

“Where am I? In Fortune’s Creek. You know that.

” Lilah’s chair scraped on the tile floor as she pushed it back and stood.

Her neck twisted as her mother spoke. “You’re where?

” She pointed towards herself, the outside, and back towards herself.

“I’m having breakfast at the Creekside Diner with… everyone.”

“Oh, shit.” I stood and caught Evelyn’s expression. She’d reached the same conclusion .

Our table quieted as others noted her distress.

“What’s wrong?” Jack asked from further down the table.

“Is our presentation canceled?” Sam stood and pulled at his waistline. “They better not. I wore fancy clothes for this.”

“What do I do?” Lilah asked.

“You continue with your day, as you planned,” I said.

“He’s right, honey,” Evelyn said. She hugged Lilah before passing her over to my waiting arms. “This is a big deal for you. Don’t change it because of this.”

“Sarah Jane arrived late last night. She’ll be here any second now,” Lilah said.

I pulled her tight, hoping to offer some comfort before her mother arrived.

“Who’s Sarah Jane? Is she hot?” Aiden asked.

“She’s Lilah’s mother and my daughter,” Evelyn said.

“Oh, sorry,” Aiden mumbled and slumped in his chair.

The diner’s glass doors opened, and I prepared to meet the cause of Lilah’s low self-esteem.

*****

“Delilah.” Sarah Jane Mayberry was both a surprise and exactly who I expected. She wore her wavy dark hair in a distinct style from Lilah’s, but it was the same thick hair, with tighter curls around her ears and along her temples.

“What are you doing here? You didn’t even text to let me know to expect you.” Lilah said.

“It was last minute,” Sarah Jane said.

Not a sufficient apology. “Breakfast is over,” I decided for the group. “Sophie and Sam, will you two wait outside? Lilah will be with you shortly.” I grabbed several bills from my wallet and handed them to Dean. “Take care of the bill. Jack, our fishing plans are rescheduled for another day.”

Sarah Jane showing up like she did, upsetting Lilah, was enough to bring out my rage. Forcing me to cancel fishing in the creek only amplified it.

“Mom, I can’t talk now. I have a business meeting.”

“You’re unemployed, remember?” Sarah Jane noticed my face and smiled before she took in my leg. Her lips tightened. “Are you him?”

“Unfortunately for you, yes. Lilah, why don’t you go on ahead? I’ll be waiting when you get home.”

“Are you sure?”

“He’s right. Don’t let a little sideways twist your day. We’re all proud of you.” Evelyn dropped a grandmotherly kiss on Lilah’s cheek.

My kiss was stronger. “I’m proud of you.”

Lilah’s nervous expression changed, turning stony as she confronted her mother. “I don’t have time to chat. If you want to talk when I return, Shane can tell you where we live. I’ll be home tonight.”

She left without a backward glance, as pride filled me.

“Jack, hold up.” He glanced up from the diner’s cash register. “We’re still going fishing. This won’t take long.”

I had better things to do than hold Sarah Jane Mayberry’s hand all damned day long.

*****

“Delilah!” Sarah Jane watched her daughter leave the diner as if it were impossible.

“She’ll be home tonight,” I said.

“Mother. I should have known you’d be involved in this. You tried to control me, and now you’re doing the same to my daughter. I gave up my life to keep her out of your claws, and now you’re digging in at the first chance you get.”

“Do you believe you did her a favor?” Evelyn put her thumbs through the belt loops of her pants, reminding me of an old-fashioned cowboy.

“All you did was cause your daughter pain. Spend today with me, so we can get to know each other. You’re here, and that implies some level of care.

Do it for your daughter, Sarah Jane.” She offered her hand.

Sarah Jane didn’t accept.

My turn. “I can’t figure out why, but your daughter loves you, and that makes you my responsibility.

” I put my body between Sarah Jane and the glass door to prevent her easy exit.

Evelyn smirked, noticing. “Lilah is on her way to the state capitol with my sister to deliver a presentation. It’s amazing, just like she is.

Lilah will return home tonight, either giddy or miserable.

If you want to see her, be ready for both options.

” She opened her mouth to interrupt. “I am not done. You will be a positive influence. You will listen and support her. Do you understand this so far?”

“I listen,” she said.

“Listen, my ass. Assuming that is true, you will be a better mother than you were before. If you need lessons on how to do so, your own mother is next to you. Learn from her. When you arrive tonight, assuming I allow you into my home, you will ask her questions and listen to her answers. You will not interrupt. If you perform to my satisfaction, you may return. If you don’t, you’ll learn just how big an asshole I can be. Am I clear?”

“Mom.” Sarah Jane stuttered the word and took a step back.

“That’s the response I hoped for—oh, and one final warning.

I’d better believe your behavior tonight is sincere.

If it’s not, we will have another talk, and it will be unpleasant.

I married your daughter, and that will not change.

So, welcome to the fucking family. Now, apologize to your mother, and try to repair whatever can be repaired.

She deserves it, and maybe you do, too. Maybe there’s something in you worth saving.

” I put my hat on and took my last sip of orange juice.

The diner made it fresh every morning, so I refused to leave any in its glass.

“Other than that, it’s terrific to meet you in person. “

“Sarah, honey, why don’t we find someplace to talk and catch up?” Evelyn placed a hand on her daughter’s shoulders.

“Jack, it’s time for us to go. I want fresh bass for dinner.”

“Did you enjoy yourself?” he asked once we were outside.

“Wasting time when I promised my wife freshly grilled fish tonight? Yes, I kind of did.”