Love So Unexpected (The Lawson Brothers Book 6) (4 page)

“And that’s it?” Her voice held a note of disbelief.

“That’s it.”

“Oh.” She took a step back. “Well, now that we’ve gotten all that out of the way, I’ll—”

“Have dinner with me tomorrow night,” he blurted.

*

S
ofia froze in place. “Like a date?”

“Sure, like a date,” he answered.

“But-but you don’t know me,” she half protested.

He smiled, taking her breath away. “Unless things have changed, I’m fairly certain that’s the point of a date.”

“They haven’t, but...” She searched her mind, but couldn’t come up with a good reason to say no. In fact, she didn’t want to say no. “You realize that I’m not staying here permanently.”

“It’s just a date, not a proposal.”

She laughed awkwardly. What was wrong with her? He was just a man—granted, a sexy man with nice, big hands. She’d always had a thing for hands ... and forearms. Caleb had those too. All tan and muscular.

“I’ll be ready at six.”

He canted his head from side to side. “Won’t be done in time for a shower. How about six-thirty, unless you like the smell of sweaty farmer.”

Something took hold of her, bold and like her old self. She could flirt. She
loved
to flirt. “The smell of sweat from a hard day’s work can be very sexy on a man.”

He didn’t say anything to that at first, but then his eyes got all heated. “I’ll remember that.”

“But not tomorrow night,” she countered.

“No, ma’am,” he said in a thick drawl that made her toes curl.

Giddy, she finally allowed herself to leave the barn and head back to the house. Then stopped short as her foot touched the first step on the porch. What was she thinking? She’d only been here for a day. She wasn’t staying for the long haul and had told Caleb so, point-blank. Nothing could come of a date with him.

It’s just a date, not a proposal.

Well, he had a point. He knew her plans. So why shouldn’t she have some fun while she was here?

But what if Dinah and David didn’t approve? It was one thing to open up their home to a not-so-complete stranger in need. Quite another for that not-so-complete stranger to go out with one of their sons.

Carefully making her way up the stairs, she went over what to say to Dinah. No way would she hide it. For one, she was nobody’s dirty little secret, and two, if Dinah didn’t like it, Sofia wanted to know up front.

Dinah sat at the kitchen table with a bowl of snap beans in her lap. She snapped each one in half and placed them in a different bowl on the table.

Perfect. She could put herself to good use while working up the nerve to talk to Dinah.

“Mind if I join you?” Sofia asked as she sat down.

“I would love the company.”

Dinah set her bowl on the table so that she could easily reach it. They sat in comfortable silence, snapping beans and listening to the quiet background noise from country music station on the radio.

“Did you happen to see Caleb?” Dinah asked lightly.

Sofia swallowed. “I did. He was busy talking to Mule.”

Dinah laughed. “That boy always did have an affinity for God’s creatures. I remember when he was a tiny thing, barely out of diapers, and he sneaked out of the house. Almost went out of my mind looking for him. Finally, I found him in a stall, curled up by a momma cow and her baby. Cutest thing you’d ever seen.”

Sofia imagined Caleb as a toddler, with big blue eyes and a mop of brown hair. “I hope you got a picture.”

“David did. I refused to leave until all was said and done, and he was back inside. Safe.” Dinah shook her head. “Always an adventure with boys.”

And that was her cue. “Speaking of adventures. Caleb asked me to go to dinner with him tomorrow night.”

Dinah’s hands froze mid-snap, an indescribable look on her face. “He did?”

Stomach twisting into knots, Sofia nodded and continued on, “I said yes.” She refused to ask if that would be okay. Refused to ask if she minded. Either Dinah would accept an innocent date and everything would be okay, or she’d ... well, it wouldn’t be pretty, Sofia guessed.

Tears filled the older woman’s eyes, even as she smiled. “You don’t know how happy that makes me.”

While Sofia was more than a little relieved that Dinah was happy, she was completely confused by the tears. Who cried over their son going out with a woman, unless it was a momma with grandbabies on the brain?

Oh Lord.

“It’s nothing really. Just dinner.”

“Dinner is a great start.” Dinah sniffed. “Would you look at me? I’m practically watering roses right now.”

“If you don’t mind me asking, why are you so happy that Caleb and I are having dinner?” she asked.

“You’ll think I’m being one of those mommas if I admit it.”

“Actually, I already do think you’re one of those mommas.” Sofia lightly elbowed Dinah in the side, and the older woman grinned.

Tilting her head to one side, she twisted her lips a little. “I suppose I am, but honestly, Caleb’s story isn’t mine to tell. I don’t want to overstep my bounds, but suffice to say, I am truly glad he asked you out.”

“Wow. Now you’ve made him all mysterious. He’s practically irresistible to a woman like me.” He really was. She had to know everything about him, from his sad eyes to the reason why his mother burst into tears over him asking her out. For some, that might be a red flag, but to her, it was an invitation to deep conversations. One of the two things she loved most in this life. Second only to cooking meals that led to conversations.

“A woman like you is exactly what a man like Caleb needs in his life,” Dinah added.

Sofia began snapping beans again. “It’s only dinner.”

“That’s what I kept telling myself the first time my husband asked me out.”

T
he next day, no matter how busy she kept herself, Sofia could not get her mind off Caleb.

To be honest, she was dying to know more about the mystery behind him. Had someone broken his heart? Had he broken someone’s heart? Was he still in love with the girl who’d broken his heart?

“Too nosy for your own good,” she chided herself.

“Sofia, do you mind going into town and making a deposit at the bank?” Dinah asked.

“Of course not.” Sofia practically jumped down the last two steps and grabbed the envelope and keys from the woman. “Sorry. I’m a little anxious.”

“Which is why I’m sending you into Jessamine to run an errand. If you’d like to check out the job scene, be sure to stop by Yates’ Diner. They have a bulletin board near the entrance. Their desserts are divine, as well, and I’m not just saying that because my daughter-in-law runs the place.”

“She’s a cook, too?”

“Not exactly. More like the manager, but the two of you probably have a lot in common. Now when you get to the end of the road, take a right, and that will take you straight into town. Park in public parking, then you can take in the sights. I’ll call Bailey to let her know that you’ll be coming by the diner. She doesn’t charge family.”

“But I’m not family.”

Dinah shrugged. “To me you are. Everyday, you give me a glimpse of my very best friend from college. I missed her so much, Sofia. You don’t know how much it means to me that you’re here.”

On impulse, Sofia hugged Dinah. “I’ll be back in time to help you prepare supper.”

“You’ve already done enough today, and I won’t have you late for your dinner with Caleb.”

Sofia exhaled. “It’s
just
dinner.”

“And the Fourth of July is
just
any ol’ day.”

With a snort, Sofia headed to Dinah’s sedan, and, in no time at all, she found herself in Jessamine proper. Public parking was clearly marked, and there were several places for her to choose from, but she picked the one that was the farthest away from the other cars.

The day was perfectly sunny as she walked down Main Street. Suddenly, she realized that she didn’t know the name of the bank, so she pulled out the envelope to check for a deposit slip.

“Jessamine Savings and Loan,” she muttered to herself, quickly finding the large building on the corner. “Perfect.”

Once she’d taken care of that errand, she checked the time on her phone and sighed. Only five hours until her date with Caleb. Maybe she should head to Yates’ Diner after all so she could eat dessert and meet Dinah’s daughter-in-law.

But not to make friends. Oh no, Jessamine was only temporary.

Except, she’d have to find the diner first.

“Are you lost, sugar?”

Sofia glanced up from her phone to find a model standing in front of her. She was tall, made even taller by her high-heeled shoes, with long blonde hair. Her face was absolute perfection ... but her eyes ... those eyes had seen things.

“I’m looking for Yates’ Diner,” she said.

The woman gave her a sunny smile. “What a coincidence, I am too. I’m Apple McCoy, by the way, and you are?”

“Sofia Nogales.”

Apple linked her arm through Sofia’s like they were already the best of friends. It was slightly odd, but fitting, given the hospitality she’d already experienced here. Sofia decided to just go with it.

“You’re new in town.”

“What gave it away—the lost look or the accent?” she asked with a lopsided grin.

Apple glanced at her. “Definitely the lost look. Jessamine isn’t
that
big.”

Sofia laughed. “I think it’s the perfect size—at least what I’ve seen of it.”

“Sometimes it can be a bit confining on a body, but one does what one has to in order to persevere,” Apple replied, then muttered, “Why does that man insist on talking to me?”

“Ms. McCoy, always a pleasure running into you.” The tall, good-looking man winked at Sofia. “Ms. Nogales. Your reputation already precedes you. I’m Preston Lawson. Welcome to Jessamine.”

“How do you know Sofia?” Not bothering to wait for his answer, she turned to Sofia. “Word of warning—stay away from this one. He preens more than a peacock at sunrise.”

“I only preen so a beauty like you will pick me out of all the others.”

Apple rolled her eyes while Sofia bit back a smile. “Which one of Caleb’s brothers are you?” she asked, and she could have sworn Apple stiffened.

“None of them.”

“Praise Jesus for that,” Apple said loudly before pasting on the fakest smile Sofia had ever seen. “Bless your heart, of course.”

“I’m one of their cousins.”

“Will you be at the corn freezing next month?”

Preston smiled, giving him a rakish look. She’d bet that every single Lawson had a smile like that, even Caleb. All she had to do was coax it out of him. That is, if she wanted to.

You know you want to.

I also want to eat chocolate every day, but I don’t.

Caleb has way less calories than chocolate.

“Already got the weekend off,” Preston replied, pulling her out of her head.

Sofia’s eyes widened. “It’s an entire
weekend
?”

“No, but it’s around the same time every July, so I figured I’d give myself a day to recover from all the eating. Hard to rescue people when you’ve put on ten pounds in one day.”

Apple tugged on her arm. “This has been perfectly lovely, but I promised to take Sofia to Yates’ Diner.”

Preston pretended to touch an invisible hat on his head. “Ma’am.” Then he strode away, whistling.

“He’s nice.”

“How do you know Caleb?” Apple began to walk, and this time, Sofia almost had to run to keep up with her.

“I don’t really,” Sofia admitted.

“Then why are you driving his momma’s car?” Apple asked sharply. A little too sharply for Sofia’s liking.

What a busybody!
“Stole it.”

That brought Apple up short. “Are you—” She shook her head, her lips curving into a smile. “I like you Sofia. I truly do, which is why I’m going to help you get settled in Jessamine.”

Something about the woman’s offer felt off to Sofia, and since she was the type who always trusted her gut, she decided there was no reason to stop now. “That’s super nice of you, but I don’t plan on staying. I’m only here long enough to get back on my feet before moving on to Roswell.”

Apple stared at her, brown eyes narrowing as if she didn’t believe a word Sofia was saying.

“It’s near Atlanta.”

“Right. Yes. I’ve heard of it.”

“Great. So you see, there is no need to help me beyond finding Yates’ Diner.”

“Such a shame. I was so looking forward to getting to know you, Sofia.” Apple stopped suddenly. “Here we are. Just cross the street and you’ll be smack dab in front of the entrance.”

“You’re not joining me?”

“I’m afraid not.” Apple shook her head, blonde curls bouncing on her shoulders, as she waved a perfectly manicured hand in the air. “Deadlines. I own the paper here in town, and it demands so much of my attention.”

Huh, interesting.
She kinda expected Apple to be one of those stereotypical Southern belle types who lived off their daddy’s money. “Sounds intense.”

“It really is. Bye-bye now.”

Sofia watched in stunned silence as the woman sashayed away. “Takes all kinds of kinds to make the world go ‘round,” she said to herself. It was one of her mother’s favorite sayings.

*

“S
on of a gun,” Caleb swore, shaking his hand, like that would stop the pain from cutting it on the barbed wire fence.

“Should’ve worn gloves,” Mason said from his spot on the tailgate of Caleb’s truck.

“Should’ve told you to go away,” Caleb muttered darkly.

“Skylar said I should get out more. So here I am,” his brother replied. “Deal with it.”

“She kicked you out, didn’t she?” Caleb marched over to his truck, yanking open the door to get out the first-aid kit.

“Only for this afternoon. Said she couldn’t work with me all up in her business.”

“If that’s code for she didn’t want sex, I don’t want to hear it,” Caleb snapped. He applied cleaning salve to the wound, then bandaged it up. He was going to look like a certifiable idiot at dinner tonight.

Mason blew out a breath. “She also might have said my new addiction to social media was ruining potential relationships with my brothers. Tag. You’re it.”