Summer of Love - Carly Phillips Page 0,42

I can see that now, especially compared to Sam’s journey through the foster-care system,” Ari said.

“I wanted the same thing for Sam,” Zoe said.

“Maybe Ryan Baldwin can provide it for her. You like him, and that’s no small feat.”

Zoe turned toward her twin. “He’s a good man, but do you know what his family’s kind of life would do to Sam? The rules, the regulations, the criticism that drove her mother to run away.” Zoe shivered, mentally placing herself in that same position of being judged.

Thinking along those lines always sent her into an emotional freeze. Her relationship with Ryan worked only because she knew he would return to Boston and there was no chance of a long-term relationship between them. If not for that assurance, she’d run far and fast to escape, just as his sister had.

“You ready to talk to Mom and Dad?” Ari asked. “Quinn’s waiting with them in the family room.”

Zoe inclined her head. “Let’s do it.”

Less than ten minutes later, the truth had been revealed. Elena sat on the couch, her head bent, and Zoe knelt down beside her mother, holding her hand. Zoe’s stomach was twisted in knots, and she hated herself for putting her parents through so much pain.

“So to be clear, this Ryan Baldwin isn’t a social worker?” her father asked.

Ari shook her head.

“He’s Sam’s mother’s brother,” Quinn explained again.

“Which makes him a liar,” Nicholas snapped.

Zoe cringed. “Papa,” she said, using the nickname she’d called him as a child. “The lie was my fault. Mom mistook Ryan for a social worker the day of Sam’s party, and yes, he went along with it in the beginning, but I found out that day…and I convinced him to stay quiet.”

While her mother remained uncharacteristically silent, Nicholas let out a litany of Greek profanity that singed her ears. “Why?” he asked. “Why would you do this to your own family?”

Her throat tightened. She rose to face her father in order to explain. “At first I needed to check out if he was who he claimed to be. And then I wanted to make sure he was a decent guy before I revealed anything.”

“And then you fell for the man.” Elena lifted her head from her kimono sleeve for the first time since hearing the news.

Her mother’s words slammed into Zoe with the force of a Mack truck. “Untrue,” Zoe protested too quickly. “I just didn’t want to cause complete panic until I had more facts. You know how much I love you all. You know I adore Sam. I had everyone’s best interests at heart.”

Her father strode forward and claimed her in a reassuring bear hug. “You, I have faith in. That man, him I don’t trust.”

Despite understanding her father’s side, Zoe wanted to defend Ryan. She told herself it was for Sam’s sake that she needed to redeem him in her parents’ eyes, but her rapidly beating heart and the wave of emotions sweeping through her told her that her motives were more self-serving.

“Ryan’s a decent man, Papa.”

“Bah.” Nicholas folded his arms across his chest.

“Ari? Quinn? What do you think of Ryan?” her mother asked.

“You don’t need to ask them.” Zoe’s voice rose, this time in her own defense. “I’m the one who’s spent time with him and can judge his character. And I can tell you that he’s as much a victim of circumstance as we are. Ryan loved Sam before he ever met her. He came here with the best intentions, to find his niece and give her a good life.”

“She already has a good life,” her father said, gesturing with his hands to the four walls of the home he’d provided for his family.

“But he didn’t know that!” Zoe clenched her fists in frustration.

“Everyone needs to calm down,” Quinn said, stepping between them. “This is a shock, so let’s take some time to let it sink in before we tell Sam.”

“Sam already knows.” The object of their discussion walked in from the kitchen, pig in her arms, eyes wide with shock. “That stuffed shirt is my uncle?” she asked, her voice shaking.

Zoe had no words to reassure her. Sam was a smart kid and she’d probably already assessed the situation and realized the possibility of yet another upheaval in her life.

“What are you doing back from Michelle’s?” Elena strode forward, taking control while everyone else stared in mute shock.

“She got sick, and her mom dropped me off on the way to the pharmacy.”

Elena wrapped an arm around Sam’s stiff shoulders, but