Page 106 of The Lost Book of First Loves

He pulled out of The Painted Sky driveway onto the main road. “Depends on the traffic. If we don’t run into any bear jams or road construction, we can be there in about ninety minutes.”

She sent him a sidelong look. “You’re pulling my leg. Bear jams aren’t a real thing.”

“Around here they certainly are. All visitors seem legally obligated to stop and take pictures if they see a bear anywhere near the road.”

“I wouldn’t mind seeing a bear, as long as it was from the safety of your truck.”

“We can keep an eye out. They’re pretty rare close to the road this time of year, as they have plenty of available food in the backcountry. It’s possible, though.”

She settled into the comfortable passenger seat, already feeling more relaxed than she had in hours, probably since Ali had given her the news about Carson.

She pushed away the thought. “Where are we taking the table?” she asked instead.

“I’m meeting an interior designer at a renovation she’s doing near the elk refuge. It’s a really beautiful house. I think you’ll like it. I’ve already done the dining table and a few occasional tables, and the homeowner decided she would like a console table in the hallway, as well.”

“She’s lucky to have you. I’m sure it will be a piece that lasts forever.”

His smile flashed, though he kept his attention on the road as he turned onto another road with a sign pointing the way to Jackson. “Thanks for saying that. I hope so.”

They drove in a silence broken only by the low jazz on the truck’s sound system. She could feel herself growing sleepy, but forced herself to take a sip of water instead.

“Thanks again for inviting me. This is nice. I really did need a break from my thoughts. That doesn’t mean I’ve completely forgiven you for not telling me why Ali invited me here.”

He glanced over briefly before turning his attention to the road. “Duly noted. If you do end up accepting that you are Carson’s daughter, will you try to maintain a relationship with her?”

“Yes. Of course. Even if we’re not half sisters, I would have maintained a relationship with her of some sort for the rest of my life. How could I not? She has been a lifesaver. Literally.”

“I’m glad she was there, for both your sakes,” he said, the sincerity in his voice unmistakable.

While she didn’t want to think about Carson, now that the subject had been broached she asked the question she had been wondering all night. “What kind of father was he to Ali, really? I mean, it’s obvious she adored him, but I’ve read about other famous authors whose families really suffered because of their pursuit of their craft.”

“Keep in mind, I’ve only been here five years and she’s been away at school most of that time. But from everything I could see, he was a wonderful father. He adored her and they were very close. More friends than parent and child, from everything I saw.”

June was uncomfortably aware of a tiny spark of envy. “Growing up, I was always jealous of my friends who had fathers in their lives. Even if their parents were divorced, at least they occasionally got to spend time with their dads. The only time I spent with mine were the monthly visits we made to the cemetery.”

She thought of her mother’s devotion to Jimmy, how she had insisted they stop often to pay respects at his grave, decorating with fresh flowers in seasonal colors.

She gazed out the window at the passing trees as a memory suddenly rose up from deep in the recesses of her mind. She made an exclamation that had him shifting to look at her, alarm in his expression.

“What is it? Did you see a bear?”

“No. I remembered something I haven’t thought about in years. I used to ask my mom why she never dated and she always used to say she loved my dad too much to even think about caring for another man. Was she talking about Carson or Jimmy Connelly, the father on my birth certificate?”

“That’s something I think you’ll probably never know.”

She sighed as all those questions that had kept her tossing and turning all night crowded back.

“Why don’t you give your brain a rest?” he suggested when she couldn’t hold back a yawn. “I’ll wake you up when we get there.”

The idea held undeniable appeal. Something about the soft music, the warmth of the truck and the calm of his presence soothed her.

“You brought me along to keep you company. What kind of company will I be if I’m snoring away beside you?”

He smiled. “If you can relax and find a comfortable position, go ahead and sleep. You could at least get an hour’s nap.”

While she tried to resist, the truck was too cozy. Finally, she leaned her cheek against the seat, closed her eyes and surrendered to her exhaustion.

Chapter 35

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