She wrenched her arm from his grasp. “I was going to say hello to my daughter.”
He shook his head, trying to shut down the panic inside of him. “You think the best way to greet the daughter you haven’t seen in ten years is in the middle of a crowded restaurant when she has no clue you’re even here?” The woman was unbelievable.
“I planned to call. We only arrived today.”
“Who’s we?”
“My husband and two step-sons. We’re visiting my parents.”
He breathed slowly to calm himself. “A little warning would have been nice.”
She glared at him. “I have a right to see my daughter.”
“And I have a right to prepare her for the shock her mother is in town. What did you expect? That she would jump into your arms and be thrilled?”
Sofia crossed her arms, one hand going to her throat. “I didn’t really think about it.”
Of course not. It had taken him some time to realise how self-involved she was. “Here’s what’s going to happen,” he said. “You’re going to stay here until I leave with Lara. Then later you will call me and arrange a time to meet. That way I can prepare her.”
“You going to tell her what a bitch I am?” Sofia demanded.
“No. I’m going to do my best to answer all her questions like why you want to see her now.”
“I’ve matured, Darcy and have two beautiful step-sons. I want to get to know her, be a proper mother.”
Fear gripped him. She was not taking his baby away from him. He unclenched his hands. “I can arrange for something after school, about three-thirty.”
“Oh, we’re swimming with the whale sharks tomorrow. Five would be better.”
He wasn’t hanging around in town for when it was convenient for her. “Then we’ll make it a different day. You’ve still got my number?”
She nodded.
“Call me tonight. I’ll take Lara home now, but don’t let her see you. I don’t think she’ll recognise you, but I won’t risk it.”
Sofia opened her mouth as if to protest and then thought better of it. “All right.”
On his way back to the table, he took a moment to control the fear and anger swirling in his blood. Across the room, Faith and Lara were laughing together. The sound lightened his heart, but he didn’t sit when he reached them. “We’d better get going,” he said to Faith. “It’s a long drive home and we need to pick up Starlight still.”
Her shoulders slumped, but she gave him a small smile. “Of course.”
“Come on, pumpkin.”
Lara pouted but slid out of the booth. “Who was the lady you were talking to?”
Damn, she was too observant. “An old school friend.” He placed a hand on her back to keep her moving towards the cash register. He paid for Faith’s meal despite her protests and ushered them all out of the restaurant. The warm night air soothed him.
“Thank you for your help tonight,” Darcy said.
“You’re welcome. Make sure you send me the info.”
He nodded. “I’ll call you later.”
With a glance over his shoulder to make sure Sofia wasn’t near, he said goodnight and hurried Lara to the car.
***
Faith lay in bed trying to concentrate on the book in front of her, but it was no use. Something had happened in the restaurant to spook Darcy, and she was certain it wasn’t anything she’d said. She was tempted to call him, ask if she could help, but he wouldn’t have been home for long and he might be tucking Lara into bed.
