Page 39 of The Summer House
She nodded, afraid to open her mouth for fear she’d blurt out how much what he’d said had affected her, how she couldn’t wait to see him either, and how thankful she was that he’d come into her life.
“You up for a drive? It’s an hour and half, but I promise, it’s worth it.” He nodded toward her mug and stood up. “And I have snacks for the road.” He flashed a grin at her, erasing all her worry.
Callie heardthe humming start of an engine as Luke waited downstairs for her to get ready. She had on a bikini, which she hoped would work for surfing, and a tank top with a pair of shorts. She gawked at the incredible SUV she’d never seen him drive before that was parked in front of the house. It was jet black, and looked as though it was brand new. He leaned across the seat. There was a click and the passenger door opened. She put her foot on the silver step and hoisted herself up into the vehicle.
“Where are we going?” she asked as she shut the door and fastened her seat belt.
He smiled like he had the day he’d brought her coffee. “It’s a surprise. Somewhere away from possible reporters or people who drive me crazy.” He put the windows down and pulled onto the road. “It’s a great ride; let’s relax and enjoy it.”
As he drove, Callie pulled her hair to the side to keep it from blowing into her face, the warm wind calming her. “I like your car,” she said, wondering how many he had.
“I don’t usually drive this,” Luke said, glancing over at her and then back to the road. “It’s my father’s. He leaves it here for when he visits.” She noticed a slight tension in the way he said the word “father.” She didn’t think he’d meant the intonation, looking at his calm expression, but there was something lurking in that word.
Callie hadn’t seen Luke’s father at the party, which surprised her. Surely he would’ve been at his grandson’s celebration? “Your dad couldn’t make it to Mitchell’s birthday party?” she asked.
Luke shook his head, a slight annoyance visible in his eyes. “Nope. He was working. He said he couldn’t get away.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” She gazed out the window a minute, realizing how little people really knew about this family. The road stretched ahead of them—single lanes, sandy from the dunes that sat right at the edge of the road, the ocean crashing behind them.
He pulled to a stop at a red light. “I’m glad, though. It would’ve put a lot of pressure on my mom. She feels the need to be peacekeeper between me and my father.”
“You aren’t close with him?”
He took in a breath and let it out, his grip on the wheel never loosening. “Well, he’s my dad. But he and I haven’t always seen eye to eye on things when it comes to our family business. I tried to do the right thing, show him how I can run it like he does, and I’m good at it, but he never trusts me.” The light turned green and Luke accelerated.
“That’s too bad.” Callie thought about her own father, wondering if things would’ve been similar.
“It is,” he agreed. “Let’s not talk about my family,” he said, clicking on the radio. “I don’t want to bore you with all the details.” He reached around behind his seat, rummaging in a grocery bag. He pulled out a smaller bag and held it up. “Popcorn?” Then he flashed that smile and she was so happy to see it again.
