Sweet Heart (The Hearts of Sawyers Bend #2) - Ivy Layne Page 0,43

see him, she couldn't contain herself.

“Darren, Sheree didn't tell us you were coming today! I'm so glad I made a special dinner anyway. We've just about got the shop closed up, why don't you come back to the house with us, and we'll have a family dinner. You can tell us all about your adventures while we eat.”

My chest ached at the hope in her voice, hope I knew echoed in my own heart.

I could see the end from the beginning.

He was going to disappear along with my mom as abruptly as he'd appeared, and everyone would be the worse for his visit but him.

I'd told myself so many times that this is just who he is. I can't take it personally. That he isn't capable of loving like other people. I'd been able to live with those lies to myself right up until I'd let him sell me on his business plan and had handed over all that cash.

I'd believed for months that he'd come through. Now, looking at him, I wanted to hold on to that last shred of hope that everything was going to work out.

Dinner was excruciating. My father sat in Grams' spot at the head of the table telling story after story. People he met in Tampa, a card game where he won big, and the bulldog puppy in the final pot that he'd almost brought home with him. My mother and Grams hung on every word. I watched my mother's face, rapt with love and admiration, and wondered if I looked at Royal like that.

Was I just one more Hutchins woman to fall for a smooth, charming guy with nothing underneath? Was Royal really everything he seemed? Or did I just find him so attractive because a part of him reminded me of the Dad who was never quite there for me?

Was I really falling for Royal, or did I just have daddy issues?

For a second, I wished my dad had never come back, even if he did have my money.

Royal was not my father.

I knew that. I did. And still, seeing my dad—his thick, dark hair, similar build, and wickedly charming smile—all I felt was doubt.

I waited until dinner was over, until my mother and Grams had picked up their plates from the table and headed for the kitchen. My father stayed where he was, handing me his plate as I approached, so I could clear it for him. I took it, holding back the impulse to slam it over his head.

Aware of my mother and Grams only a closed door away, I didn't bother to soft-pedal. “Dad, you haven't been answering my calls. Do you have the money to pay me back? You said you'd have it months ago, and I'm running out of excuses for Grams.”

Annoyance flashed across my father's face. He gave a shake of his head as if flicking it away. In a blink, his smile was back. “Daisy, honey,” he said in a low tone that wouldn't carry to the kitchen, “I don't have it yet, but I will. I promise. That's why I'm here. To see my girls and do a little business.”

Ice spread through me at those words. “Dad, not here. Not in Sawyers Bend. Grams and I have a business here. Can't you just visit and then—”

Hurt filled my father's eyes. “You don't want me around? You aren't happy to see your dad?”

“It's not that, Dad. Of course, I want to see you. But I never told Grams I gave you that money. And it was from the business. You know that. I can't keep covering up—”

“Sure, you can, baby. I know how smart you are.” He stood and gave me a long hug. “You're my beautiful, brilliant girl, and I know you can give me just a little more time. I won't let you down.”

Taking the plate from my hands, he sauntered into the kitchen, leaving me with another flash of his grin and more problems than I'd had at the start of our conversation.

Typical.

I heard laughter through the kitchen door and fought back tears. I wanted to be on the inside, laughing with Grams and my mom. I didn't want to be standing here alone, angry at my parents and unable to look Grams in the eye. I piled the rest of the dishes in my arms and pushed through the kitchen door.

“I'm sorry to leave you with the dishes, Grams, but I still have to finish setup for tomorrow.” I dumped the