Page 3 of Rhett (The Swift Brothers #3)

CHAPTER TWO

Tripp

I can’t figure out Rhett Swift. Not that I think he’s a bad person or anything like that. He’s just hard to read.

When we were in school together, even through losing his mom at only nine years old, he was the guy who always got straight A’s, while also being a star football player and volunteering. He was valedictorian, a member of the National Honors Society, started the future young lawyers club at school, and hell, I don’t even know what they did, but Rhett kept it going all four years.

Then at the end of high school, tragedy struck again, and the family lost Ella. And yet Rhett pressed on, attending Harvard and prospering. He came home and became the most sought-after attorney in the area, then ran for mayor. He would have won too, taken the crown from his father, but then one day last summer he just walked away from it all—dropped out of the race and quit his job. He stopped eating in restaurants around Birchbark, avoided social functions, and was never seen with Gregory, though the two had been close before.

As adults, I’d never seen him in anything other than slacks and a nice shirt, but now when he does make an appearance, he’s in jeans and a T-shirt. He always seemed…stiff. Not the type to let loose, except when we were with the Thorns and I threw a snowball at him. At first, I thought I made a mistake and he was going to take offense, but then he’d thrown one back, enjoying himself in a way I can’t ever remember seeing him do.

It’s like there are two parts of him, in conflict with each other, and I’m not sure even he knows which will be the one to take control at any given time.

The waiter returns and takes our orders. Meadow does one of her favorite things and keeps the conversation going enough for all of us. She’s always been a people person. In some ways, she gets it from me. I like people, care about them, though I’m not quite as chatty. Meadow has never met a stranger and will do anything for anyone. While I admire those qualities in her, they also make me worry. The world isn’t always a kind place, and I wouldn’t hesitate to burn it down to protect her.

“Here you go,” the waiter says a few minutes later, returning with our plates. I got the fried chicken platter, Meadow the chicken fingers, and Rhett the fish and chips.

“Are you married?” Meadow asks Rhett.

I open my mouth to say something, but Rhett gives me a gentle shake of his head.

“Used to be. Not anymore,” he says simply.

“My dad too. My mom left when I was younger,” my daughter replies, and while it’s been a long time, I still feel a flash of sadness. Mostly for Meadow and not for me, though I can’t pretend it wasn’t nice to have someone around. I liked being married, loved April something fierce, but while I’m not in love with her anymore, I’m skittish about falling for someone again.

“I’m sorry about that,” Rhett tells her.

“It’s okay. I get sad when I think about it sometimes, but Dad is great, and if she didn’t want to stay with us, we don’t need her.”

Reaching over, I squeeze her shoulder, hoping she’s not just saying that for my benefit. Half the time, I’m wondering if I’m doing right by her, especially since she came out as trans. I wonder if it would be easier on her to have a woman around, a mom, but that’s not the hand we were dealt, so we do the best we can just the two of us. It helps that my family is local, and my mom and sister-in-law are always there for Meadow. Part of the reason I bring her to Lillington for her therapy is because they have a trans therapist. I want her affirmed in as many ways as possible.

“I lost my mom when I was a kid. She passed away. The situation is different, but I know what it feels like to lose a mom. You have a father who loves you a lot, though, and that’s a win,” Rhett surprises me by saying. I know he lost his mom, of course, but it’s not something I’ve ever heard any of the Swifts talk about.

“Oh no. I’m sorry. I bet it helped to have two brothers and your dad,” Meadow soothes.

A dark look washes over Rhett’s face, but it’s gone so quickly, I wonder if I imagined it. When his gaze flashes to me, I know I didn’t. Something’s been going on with the Swifts lately, and where talk in town used to be mostly about Easton and the trouble he’d get into, it’s now about Rhett as well. I considered asking Archer about it, but I don’t want to overstep. I’m sure it’s private family business that Archer wouldn’t share lightly.

“Is your food good?” Rhett asks her, changing the subject. Meadow doesn’t catch on and rambles about how much she likes their fries, while I study Rhett Swift. He’s fucking gorgeous, there’s no denying that—tanned skin, dark hair and scruff. He’s tall and broad, and while he’s definitely my type, more than any of that, I’m drawn to his eyes—to the deep brown that’s full of what I swear is loneliness. He tries to hide it, and hell, maybe I’m seeing something that’s not there, but Meadow is drawn to him, and my girl is always drawn to people who are hurting. It’s who she is.

“Do you want to come to my birthday party at the end of the month? I’m going to officially be a teenager, and I think Dad needs the support.”

“Hey. I’m handling it well, thank you very much,” I tell her, but really, I can’t fucking believe I’m going to have a thirteen-year-old child.

Rhett chuckles. “Your dad seems the type who can handle just about anything.” His gaze shoots to me, then quickly flicks away as if he’s unsure why he said that or embarrassed that he did.

“He’s the best, but my party…do you want to come?”

He pops a fry into his mouth. “I’m sure that’s a family thing.”

“Not really. Plus, Uncle Archer will be there, which means Easton will be there, and he’s kinda like my uncle since he’s dating Uncle Archer, and you’re Easton’s brother, so that makes you family too.” She beams at him, clearly very proud of herself, while I turn my attention to Rhett, silently willing him not to hurt her. I understand she can’t always get her way, that he has his own life and responsibilities and might not want to go to a thirteen-year-old girl’s birthday party, but I also don’t ever want her to hurt.

“How about we let Mr. Rhett get back to us once he checks his schedule?” I offer, and then to him, “You’re more than welcome, but we understand you might already have plans.” There. Now he knows he can come, but I’ve also given him an out if he’s not interested.

Meadow shrugs. “That works for me. Can I go play some of the games in the general store?” They have old-fashioned video games she enjoys.

“Sure.” I pull out my wallet and hand her some money before she slips out of the booth. “Sorry about all this—interrupting your dinner and all the questions. She’s a people person, and I guess…I don’t ever want to dim her light. But I should probably pretend to reel her in from time to time.” I chuckle, and Rhett joins me.

“You don’t have to apologize. She’s great. Reminds me of Ella, actually. Meadow’s so full of life. That’s how Ella was. No one could make East smile the way she did.” He looks down, moves the food around on his plate with his fork. “Anyway, you’re a good dad. She’s lucky to have you.”

I rub a hand over my face, then cross my arms. “I feel like I’m the lucky one to have her.”

He tilts his head up, those brown eyes zeroing in on me, studying me as if I’m a puzzle he can’t figure out. “That’s one of the things that makes you a good father. Not everyone sees it that way.”

Is he speaking from experience? The somber tone tells me he is.

“Thank you. That means a lot to me.” Rhett just nods but doesn’t reply, so I press on. “Tell me about yourself, Rhett Swift.” I can’t say I’ve spent much of my life wondering about him, but I am now.

He frowns, which I’m not sure he realizes. Something about his expression says that Rhett isn’t used to people asking about him.

“There’s not a lot to tell that you don’t know. Ex-lawyer, went to Harvard, currently unemployed.”

“And none of those things tell me a damn thing about you.”

His mouth drops open slightly, his confusion obvious.

“I used to be married…?” he says, like it’s a question.

“Nope. Not good enough. I already know that.” I grin. “Hm…what’s your favorite dessert?”

“ That tells you something about me, but being an ex-lawyer doesn’t?”

“Dessert is very important. For example, I don’t trust people who like pumpkin pie.”

“I like pumpkin pie,” Rhett counters.

“Damn it. I guess I’ll give you three strikes.”

He leans back, legs stretched across the floor beneath the table. One of them bumps mine, and he pulls it away. “Shit…umm…apple crisp.”

“You just redeemed yourself,” I tease.

“So you trust me now?”

“Getting there.”

Rhett rolls his eyes, but he’s got a smirk on his lips.

“With vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce.”

I groan. “There you go. A man after my own heart.” I wonder how often people talk to Rhett this way—about stuff that doesn’t have to do with his job, his father, or the rest of the family. Rhett and Gregory Swift worked together a lot, were the face of Birchbark, but something is telling me Rhett got a bit lost in all that—at least who Rhett really is. It’s presumptuous of me to assume, but I can’t stop it.

“I’m going to ask you at least one question like that every time I see you, Rhett.” My voice is entirely too flirty with a man I’m fairly certain is straight. A man my daughter likes, so even if he were interested, that truth would scare me away from pursuing anything with him. She’s already lost her mom. I won’t risk her losing someone else she cares about if it doesn’t work out.

“I should go,” Rhett says.

I wish he wouldn’t, but I won’t push him to do something he’s uncomfortable with. Hell, even the fact that I was flirting with him says it’s a good idea if he does go. Honestly, I can’t remember the last time I flirted with someone. I haven’t been with a man in entirely too long, and yeah, there are some women in town I hook up with from time to time, but it’s a situation where we all know it’s just for fun and none of us are looking for anything serious. I don’t flirt with them.

“Okay.”

He pulls out his wallet and sets a twenty on the table.

“How about it’s our treat this time?” I ask, but Rhett shakes his head.

“I wouldn’t feel comfortable with that, but thank you.” He pushes his wallet back into his pocket and grabs his coat from the seat beside him. “Do you mind if I go tell Meadow goodbye?”

My pulse stumbles at his question. Nothing means more to me than someone being good to my daughter. He could have told me to tell her goodbye or just not done it, but the fact that Rhett thought about her at all means the world to me. It tells me everything I need to know about his character.

“You should come to Meadow’s party. She likes you, and I figure since you like apple crisp with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce, I like you too. It would mean a lot to us if you were there. I get it if you have plans, but I wanted to make sure you know that we both extend the invite.”

He stares at me for a moment, like those two parts inside him are battling for dominance, and while I wish I could, it’s not a decision I can help him with.

Finally, he says, “I’ll check my schedule,” and it’s hard for me to hide my smile.

“Good.”

He gives me a quick nod, and then I watch as he walks into the general store and approaches Meadow. The two of them speak for a moment, and then Rhett Swift is gone.

The waiter approaches our table, and I get a box for Meadow’s food and pay before joining her in the store again.

“Time to head out, kiddo.”

“Okay.” She slides her coat, gloves, and hat on.

When we’re in the truck heading back to Birchbark, I ask, “You like Mr. Rhett, huh?”

“I do. I think he’s sad. Easton was sad too, but it’s getting better now that he’s with Uncle Archer.”

She’s always talked about people that way, like she knows more about them than the rest of us, like she can feel their pain. It’s not always easy on her, which means it’s not easy on me. I never would have believed in that kind of thing until my daughter, and maybe I can chalk it up to her being an old soul or more in touch with her emotions. She knows herself so damn well, better than most people triple her age, and maybe that helps her see so much in others.

“Maybe he’s okay,” I tell her.

“Yeah, maybe…but I don’t think so. I think he’s lonely.”

The thing is, I think he’s lonely too. And maybe a part of me is lonely as well.

“I love you, Meadow-bug.”

I don’t have to look at her to know she rolls her eyes. “I love you too, Dad.”