Page 18 of The Summer I Loved

CHAPTER SEVEN

“How did she manage to leave this place without anyone noticing? Everyone here knows her,” Cam asked.

“That’s what I’m dying to know,” Adrianna replied, her gaze fully on their daughter.

Bron’s cheeks bloomed into a pretty pink that almost made Cam smile.Almost. After the twenty-minute lecture from Ms. Walker, the school director, the danger of what she had done had punched through his senses. He’d been so caught up on meeting her and then finding out that she was his daughter that he hadn’t stopped to think about everything that could have gone wrong.

Someone could have grabbed her or hurt her. Adrianna had been pale through the whole conversation. She’d been ruminating about all those things and worried about them. Guilt took over. He shouldn’t have to be told about those dangers. He should be thinking about them.You can’t afford to go through life like you don’t understand that there are people who can hurt her.You’re a father now.Her father.

“Well, we should be glad she won’t be suspending Bron. I’m guessing it’s because of your casual mention of a donation to the teams,” Adri whispered the last part of the sentence just for Cam’s ears as soon as they were out of the school director’s office.

“She said it was because Bron is one of their most talented and usually well-behaved students. I’m sure that played a bigger part.”

Adrianna scoffed. “Right. She’s already envisioning you at the school fair and planning how much more to charge the people to attend because you promised that clinic for students on the baseball team.”

“I was trying to be helpful.”

She sighed. “I know. Hey, Bron, why don’t you show Cam the art studio? I’m going to set up the petition for remote homework and virtual interaction.”

The little girl’s face brightened. Her eyes danced with excitement. “Okay, Mom.”

She took his hand in her little one and pulled, but Cam’s gaze was on Adrianna. Her hips swayed along with her purposeful stride. She’d worn a fitted dress that stopped at her knee. It was tailored to her form, with buttons starting at the collar and going down the length of it. It was sexy as fuck, leaving no doubt about the curves hiding under it. Her ass called to him and for a second, he indulged in the view and put everything else out of his mind.

“Come on,” Bron pulled him the other way in the direction of a glass exhibit. “There,” she pointed.

His head refused to move and he had to remind himself about the innocent girl tugging at his hand.His daughter. That’s the word that managed to shake him from his lustful haze and in the direction Bron was pointing to. In the middle of all the sports and science trophies was the wood framed painting. It was Canton Square. All the businesses in the area were there and the yellow light straight from the sky shone aboveMiTesoro, like the treasure it touted to be. The painting was done by a young artist but the talent was there, raw, undeniable, authentic. Resting under the painting, was a hexagon-shaped award with an easel and a brushed etched in it and his daughter’s name engraved in it.

He turned to look at her and her smile was wide. The lump formed in his throat and grew large. He knew she was talented. That was obvious from the work she’d already shown him. But seeing it here, recognized and guarded, it filled him with all kinds of different emotions.

It was just an art trophy.What the hell was happening to him?Cam had to clear his throat a few times. “That’s amazing, Bron.” He could barely recognize his own voice.

“Thank you. Mama cried. She always cries when I win something.”

He nodded. “You told me.”But now I understand.

“Bron, are you not coming to class today?” A raspy feminine voice called out from the other side of the hallway.

Bron’s gaze moved beyond him and she smiled. “Miss Alexander.”

She rushed toward the woman with Cam’s hand still ensconced in hers. Even if Bron and Adrianna had not mentioned the woman several times, Cam would have known she was an artist. Her curly hair was held back by a scarf but it did nothing to hide the bright green highlights. Her jeans had paint splotches, but it was the printed top and minimal but big tribal earrings that called her out. She was a bohemian, a true one. Her clothes were authentically worn and not matched.

It was the kind of look women paid top dollar to recreate. That his sister, Luciana, often featured in her fashion blog.

Her eyes narrowed and she pointed at him. “You’re Cameron Blake. I love your Cloisters Series. It inspired many day trips to New York. I’m Winter Alexander, Bron’s art teacher.”

Cam didn’t get to introduce himself.

“He’s my dad, Miss Alexander.”

The woman’s eyes widened, her mouth opened and closed.

“Bron, we talked about this. We have to keep it to ourselves for now.” Adrianna rushed in and shot Cam an apologetic look.

He wanted to take her hand and tell her he didn’t care that the whole world knew. But it just wasn’t practical. It was sudden and the last thing he needed was the sharks from the press getting all over this while he tried to sort out how everything was supposed to work. “I’m sure Miss Winter can keep our secret. It’s just until we work some things out.”

“Oh, I won’t say anything. Don’t worry.” Winter smiled.

“How are you feeling? Adrianna asked, adding, “Bron told us you went home sick.”

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