Ian’s hazel eyes gleamed with amusement. “I’d say that you’re a very beautiful and enchanting woman, and that I’m incredibly flattered at your, er, offer. But - ” he gave a regretful shake of his dark head, “the heart wants what the heart wants, Lauren. And my heart belongs to someone else, even if she’ll never know.”
“I get that.” She sighed. “But the heart doesn’t always have to be involved when it comes to, ah, shagging. In fact, mine has only ever been truly involved once. No reason we couldn’t commiserate over our mutually foolish infatuations by having a bit of fun.”
Ian refilled his own wine glass. “Well, now. That brings up quite a different dilemma,” he teased. “You see, I rather like to be the one in charge of all aspects of my life including the, ah, bedroom. And I sense that you and I would have a bit of a – let’s call it a power struggle – in that regard.”
Lauren tried very hard not to think about how it had always been an equal give and take between her and Ben, though she had admittedly liked topping him as often as possible. Almost as much as she’d enjoyed being dominated by him.
Belatedly aware that Ian was politely waiting for her reply, she merely gave him a little wink. “That, I’m afraid, is a deal breaker,” she teased. “Especially since I’d have to leave my handcuffs and floggers at home.”
As Ian’s laugh rang out, Lauren caught Julia’s eye and groaned when she noted the hopeful expression on her twin’s face. She would definitely have to set her sister straight after dinner – to let her know that even though Ian was undeniably a catch, there was nothing happening there. Not as long as his heart belonged to another woman, and hers – well, there had only ever been one man who’d been able to lay claim to hers.
***
October –Big Sur
“There. That ought to do it. What do you think?”
Lauren carefully inspected the section of deck railing that her father had just finished repairing. Living so close to the ocean came with a higher than average occurrence of wood rot and rust, and one of the consequences was a continual need to perform preventive maintenance and make regular repairs.
“It looks great, Daddy,” she replied. “Thanks for coming down to help me.”
Robert shrugged. “A labor of love, darlin’. This cabin is a testament to that theory. And if I didn’t have my workshop and your mother her studio at our place up the road, I’d be sorely tempted to switch places with you. The years I lived here were magical, special. Not that the Carmel house isn’t equally as special to me, but, well – you know.”
Lauren nodded, knowing it wasn’t necessary to put into words the unique affinity she and her father had always shared for this place. And while her mother and sister also had fond memories of the cabin, they had never felt quite the same attachment that she and Robert had always enjoyed.
“Well, it’s a very good thing that you aren’t planning to move back here,” teased Lauren. “Because I would chain myself to the deck before I would ever willingly leave this place.”
Robert chuckled as he began to put away his tools. “Not to worry, Laurie. Your mother and I aren’t going anywhere. And I wouldn’t dream of asking you to leave this place. I know how important it’s always been to you.”
“Thanks, Daddy.” She knelt down to help him pick up his tools and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “I hope I didn’t take you away from anything important today.”
He gave a brief shake of his head. “Nothing that won’t keep for a bit. When I left, your mother was cooking up a storm to get ready for your birthday party this weekend. And when Natalie is occupied in her kitchen, I know better than to interfere.”
“Julia’s the same. When I offered to help out at that dinner party she gave a couple of weeks ago, I thought she was going to stab me with her paring knife. And I really wish Mom wasn’t going to so much trouble for a little birthday dinner. It’s not like Jules and I are little girls anymore.”
Robert stood and hooked an arm around his daughter’s neck, hugging her in close to his side. “Ah, but you know what your mother is like when it comes to giving a party. She’s not one for bringing out the good china and crystal, or cooking up a lot of fancy dishes. But she does insist on making enough food for a small army. And she loves nothing better than to be surrounded by her family and friends as often as possible. Especially her girls. When Julia moved out here from New York last year, your mother was over the moon at the thought of having both her babies close by. So let her spoil the two of you a bit, hmm?”
“Okay.” She giggled like a little girl as her father ruffled her hair, causing even more strands to tumble from her untidy braid. Only for her father would she ever do something as girly as giggle. “Do you have time for a cup of coffee before you head back? And I have half of a lemon meringue pie from the bakery.”
“What happened to the other half?” asked Robert with a knowing wink.
Lauren grinned and rubbed her washboard flat stomach. “You know I burn up calories faster than I can consume them. You’re lucky there’s still half left. Come on. I’ll even let you brew the coffee.”
Robert shuddered. “An excellent idea, darlin’, given that yours is thick enough to lay bricks with. No wonder you cream and sugar it to death.”
“Well, that way I get both my caffeine and sugar kicks at the same time,” joked Lauren, looping her arm through her father’s as they walked inside the cabin.
He looked at her reproachfully. “And you know that you shouldn’t be having either of those substances. I realize you’ve learned to control your condition over the years but too much stimulation is playing with fire, darlin’.”
She rested her head on his shoulder. “I know, Daddy. And trust me, I’ve got it all under control.”
Robert stopped short as he spied an object on the kitchen counter. “And you know my feelings about that quite well, young lady. Every time I see it, I want to throttle your Uncle Malcolm for giving it to you.”
“Oops.” Lauren hastily swept up her switchblade and stashed it in a kitchen drawer. “Sorry. I was using it to open a box this morning.”
Robert shook his head even as he began to scoop coffee into a paper filter. “You should be keeping that lethal weapon locked up. I’m still not sure it’s legal to possess in this country. Not to mention all of the many and varied places you travel to.”
“But I don’t take - ” Lauren’s protest died on her lips as her father glared at her.
“You never could lie to me, Laurie,” stated Robert as he flicked the ON switch to the coffeemaker. “I may be the one person in the entire world who can truthfully say that. So don’t even try telling me that you don’t pack that knife with you everywhere you go. And while I understand why you take it along when you go to some of these godforsaken places the magazine sends you to, you do not need to hide it in your boot when you go into town for groceries or drive up to San Francisco to see your sister. So do your poor old father a favor and leave it safely at home, hmm?”
“Yes, Daddy,” she murmured obediently, even though both of them knew she’d break her vow the very next time she left the house.
Over pie and coffee, Robert told her about several projects he was working on. He rarely did any architectural design these days, save for the occasional room addition or remodel. Nowadays he preferred to work with his hands designing and building furniture, decks, and cabinets.
Robert took a sip of his coffee. “And what about you, darlin’? Are you still loving life traveling all around the globe?”
“Of course.” She gave him a puzzled look. “Why would you even ask me that?”