A Sweethaven Summer (29 page)

“But not enough to make it right?” Campbell bit the inside of her cheek.

“The more time that passed, the harder it got.” His trail of excuses grew cold.

“I get it.” Campbell watched as his eyes filled with tears. If he’d admitted it to Lila, she would’ve left him. He loved her. It made sense now. Mom kept the secret to spare her friend the pain. She’d been protecting Lila, but she’d also been protecting
her—
from a father that couldn’t give her anything but money.

The memory of the scrapbook pages she’d pored over the night before came back to her. Mom had loved him. She would’ve kept his secret simply because he’d asked her to.

“This painting reminds me of your mom. We spent a lot of time on the dock. We were good friends.”

“I know. I read about it.” Campbell looked at the painting and imagined the dock at dusk. She could almost see the full moon, feel the warm summer air. It was the perfect spot for wishing on stars. “You broke her heart,” she said. “She loved you.”

Silence fell between them. She’d found him. Or rather, he’d found her. Her father. Someone she resembled. Someone whose nose she had.

“You’re a very talented artist,” he said. “You should be proud.”

Tears filled her eyes and as she blinked, they ran down her cheeks. She quickly wiped them away. “Thank you.”

He turned to face her. “I want to make this up to you.”

Was there still time for that? Inside, her heart felt squeezed between two clenched fists.

He shoved his hands in his pockets. “I understand if you’re too angry, and I know I can’t change what a jerk I was, but if you’re willing, I’d like to get to know you.”

Another tear fell. “I’d like that, I think.” The image of her seven-year-old self, hair curled with rollers, a tiny bit of lip gloss on, wearing a frilly white dress, sprang to mind. It was the image that often came to mind when she imagined a father—only this time, in the dream, the father had a face. A smile. Strong arms to pick her up and twirl her around.

“I really am sorry,” he said. “For not being there. It was…”

“Complicated. I know.” She forced a smile. “I understand.” She understood why he’d asked her mom to keep their secret, and his choice made her respect her mother even more. She’d been completely alone, and she still made a beautiful life for the two of them.

Knowing he hadn’t wanted her stung, but looking at him now, she felt compelled to finally believe the best about someone. Even though he didn’t deserve it.

Luke returned to her side, a look of concern on his face.

She wiped the tears from her eyes and forced a smile. “Luke, do you know Tom Olson?”

“Not formally.” Luke looked at him.

“He’s…” Campbell looked up at Tom.

“…an old friend of her mother’s.” Tom extended a hand in Luke’s direction.

“He’s my father,” Campbell said.

Luke’s eyes darted to Tom, then back to her. “Are you okay?” Luke turned to her.

“I think so.” She smiled—this time without having to force it.

“It’s good to meet you, Mr. Olson.”

Tom smiled. “Good to meet you too.”

“She’s a special girl, your daughter,” Luke said.

Tom glanced at her, then back at Luke. “I believe you’re right.” In all her years of imagining her father, she’d never properly anticipated the mix of emotions she’d feel. She’d so desperately wanted a dad all this time, but she couldn’t pretend he’d come to her gift-wrapped in a perfect package.

Campbell inhaled and took a moment, just like Mom used to tell her to do. “Don’t let the precious moments pass you by, Cam. Take snapshots in your mind. Seal them in good and tight. These are the things you’ll carry with you. These are the moments that will keep you young.”

She looked around the gallery. Like a camera in slow motion, she took the snapshots with her mind and sealed them in tight.

This was the night she found her father.

The night she forgave her grandfather.

This was a moment to carry with her—a moment to keep her young.

And she would never forget it.

But a question nagged at the back of her mind.
What about Lila?

At that moment, the door swung open and the street lights illuminated the dimly lit gallery. Lila entered, wearing an elegant navy cocktail dress, low and loose on one shoulder and belted in the middle. Sparkly silver heels elongated her legs, and she looked every bit the beauty queen she’d always been. Tom excused himself just as Adele, Jane, and Graham appeared next to Campbell and Luke.

* * * * *

Lila spotted her friends and waved in their direction. A master of disguise, she wore that fake smile with a genuineness no one would question. When none of them waved back, a sick feeling bubbled in her stomach.

“What’s wrong?” Lila did her best to make sure her eyes flashed, the way they did in beauty pageants when she was younger.

Jane looked at Campbell, who looked away.

“You guys? What is the matter?” Lila waited for an answer, then spotted Tom at the back of the room.

“We know.” Jane’s lips trembled. “About Tom.”

He’d gone ahead and told them. The betrayals just kept coming. Lila’s heart rate quickened. She took a step backwards, but before she could go, Jane grabbed her hand and squeezed.

“It’s okay,” she said. “It’ll be okay.”

“No, it’s not.” Lila straightened her shoulders. “I’m leaving him.” She’d decided in that moment, as she spoke the words.

“Lila, wait.” Jane squeezed her hand. “Don’t do anything crazy.”

“What’s crazy about leaving a marriage that’s a complete lie?” Lila kept her voice low, careful to make sure no one else heard her falling apart.

“He loves you. That part isn’t a lie.” Jane seemed so sure, but she didn’t know them anymore. They weren’t those two lovesick kids they were all those years ago.

Lila shook her head then pasted that smile back in place. “I’m sorry I can’t stay, Campbell. I think I need to go home.” She looked past her and met Tom’s eyes. Her breath caught in her throat. “I’ll
get in touch with you tomorrow.” She walked to the door, longing to unleash her emotions somewhere dark and solitary.

Outside, a cool wind chilled her arms and she tried to rub the goose bumps away. Her attempt to convince Tom to keep this mess between them had failed. She had no say anymore—and that alone was reason to walk away.

She’d return to the lake house, pack her things, and leave in the morning.

And with any luck, she’d never have to come back to Sweethaven again.

The meadow behind Sweethaven Chapel sparkled in the early morning sunlight. The beads of dew that clung to blades of grass reminded Campbell of the newness of every morning, the newness that came with each day. Life held endless possibilities—even in a small town like Sweethaven.

She walked toward the marker Adele had made in memory of her mother, noting how different she felt now than she had only days before at Mom’s proper funeral. In just a few short days, she’d learned more about her mother than she ever could’ve imagined and, in turn, more about herself.

She stared at the memorial plaque on the ground in front of her. It was nothing special like the headstone they’d had made at home. Just a simple reminder that Suzanne Carter had lived and that she would forever be remembered by those who loved her. Campbell knelt and ran a finger over the dash between the two dates on the plaque, thinking of all the memories it represented. The life she had lived. The people she had loved. The community she had inadvertently created by starting a scrapbook so many years ago. Her mom had taken the most difficult of circumstances and turned it into a beautiful life for the two of them, and she knew there had been many sacrifices to make that happen.

Something behind her jarred her from her thoughts. She turned
and spotted Lila walking in her direction. Her face looked worn, devoid of makeup, as if she’d spent a very restless night. Campbell’s heart clenched as she imagined Lila’s pain.

“Good morning,” Lila said. “Am I early?”

“A little bit,” Campbell said.

“I didn’t get much sleep last night. I was tired of staring at the walls in that old house.” Lila glanced down at the plaque. “That looks really nice.”

“I didn’t know if you’d come.”

Lila glanced at her and smiled—a forced smile if Campbell had to guess. “Why would you think that?”

The silence between them pulled like a tightrope, and Campbell wished she knew how to comfort her mother’s friend. “I’m sorry,” she finally said.

“For what?”

Campbell was surprised by the tears that welled in her eyes. “For coming here and searching for my father.” She paused. “For being born.”

“No.” Lila turned to face her. She stood tall, her shoulders back, a new resolve bolstering her expression. “Don’t you ever apologize for that. Remember who you are. You are Campbell Carter. You are extraordinary. And the circumstances of your birth do nothing to change that. If I’m being honest, I wasn’t going to come this morning, but I wanted to make sure you understood that. It’s important.”

A month’s worth of tears washed down Campbell’s cheeks. Tears she’d been unable—or unwilling—to cry. Tears she’d held back for who knew what reason. And for the first time, she imagined she
wasn’t
a mistake.

“But you and Tom—”

“Were having our share of problems long before you came into the
picture. We’ll be fine. Together or apart, we’ll be fine. I do wish your mother were here, though, so I could give her a piece of my mind.”

Campbell laughed. “I have a feeling she’s listening.”

Lila raised an eyebrow then looked around.

“Go on,” Campbell said. “No one else is here.”

Lila turned and looked at the little plaque. She reached in her purse and fished around until she finally produced a small photo of the four girls down on the boardwalk, ice cream cones in hand. She knelt and set it on the plaque. “Suzanne Carter, I am too late to strangle you, but if you were here right now I would, I swear it.” Lila spoke in a hushed tone. “I lay awake all night wondering how on earth you could’ve done this to me. We were best friends. I was so jealous of you. I always thought you had it too easy.” She sighed and glanced at Campbell. “Obviously I was wrong about that.

“I understand falling for Tom. He was so gorgeous and sweet and always seemed to have the right words to say. I don’t blame you for that. But…you should’ve told me. You shouldn’t have kept this from me all this time.” Her voice broke, and she paused. “I think you kept the secret to keep me from getting hurt, but in some ways, this hurts so much worse.”

Campbell listened quietly, trying not to intrude. She studied the ground and wished she could somehow comfort Lila, but she knew she didn’t really understand her pain. She took a step closer, and a figure to her left drew her attention.

Tom
.

Dressed in dark jeans, a blazer, and a button-down, he also seemed to wish for a way to comfort Lila. His eyes fixed on her, he hardly moved.

How much had he heard?

Lila slowly stood, still staring at the photo. “I don’t hate you,
Suzanne,” she said. “Even after everything, I can’t help but love you for helping shape who I am.” She wiped her tears.

Tom took a step closer, and Lila startled. When she turned to face him, her face went white as a sheet.

“What are you doing here?”

“I came to see you,” he said.

Campbell quietly turned and walked away, out of earshot, where she could wait for the others to arrive. Her presence, no matter how kind Lila had been, was a constant reminder of all that had gone wrong.

* * * * *

Lila turned away, and he took a few steps closer, settling in the space at her side. She wrapped herself tighter in her jacket and fiddled with the belt.

“I thought about you all night.” Tom watched her. “I know it sounds crazy, but having this out in the open feels like a huge weight has been lifted.”

Lila scoffed. “I bet.”

“You have no idea how this has torn me up inside. I think we should start over, with a clean slate.”

“I don’t know if I’m ready to talk about this yet, Tom. I think I might need some space.”

“Space? What do you mean by ‘space’?”

“Time apart. I was thinking I’d spend the summer up here. You go back to Georgia and we try things apart for a few months.” The decision had come to her in the wee hours of the morning.
Sweethaven hadn’t hurt her—Tom had. And coming back seemed far more comforting than spending an entire awkward summer back in Macon where she’d have to face the curiosity and gossip of the city’s social elite.

He let out a stream of air and ran his hands through his hair. “I don’t want that.”

She risked a look at him. Would she lose her resolve? “It’s really not up to you.”

He stepped in front of her and forced her to look at him. “I made a huge mistake twenty-five years ago. I’m begging you to forgive me.”

Pain pushed the tears down her cheeks. She stared into his eyes and knew she saw sincerity there. He’d never been one to lie to her, and she had no reason not to believe him. But he
had
lied, simply by keeping this from her. And a lie by omission was still a lie. Wouldn’t she be weak if she simply accepted the apology and moved on?

She wiped her cheeks dry and looked away. “I don’t know if I can forgive you. At least not yet. Every time I see Campbell, I’ll remember how I feel right now.” She looked at Campbell. The girl was half her husband—but not half
her
. As she looked closer, she saw the resemblance between the two of them. Why hadn’t she seen it before? Had a part of her always known? Maybe she’d begun to believe lies she told herself. “Every time you try to become a father to the only child you’ll ever have, I’ll stand in the wings and watch like a pathetic understudy.”

“It doesn’t have to be like that. You can be a part of it. You can get to know her too.”

“I’m not ready for that. I’m so angry every time I look at you.” She stopped and met his eyes. “You broke my heart, Tom.” She took a deep breath. “I need space. Just give me the summer.”