They drove each other crazy and gave each other a hard time whenever they got the opportunity, but they also knew each other well. Jake, Gray, and Trent were right. He wouldn’t have invited Taylor along this weekend if he didn’t view their relationship much differently than any of his previous ones. And while he didn’t intend to propose next week, he could see it happening in the future.
“Hey, he’s right more than you think,” Charlie said, dividing her attention between her son and the men. She’d spent enough time around them all to comfortably participate in any of their conversations, including those that involved busting each other’s asses. “At least once every two months Jake is right about something.”
“Not possible,” Trent responded.
“I didn’t say he was right about anything important,” Charlie added, and from the tone of her voice she was really getting into the spirit of the conversation. “But usually if he says we’re out of milk or Garret needs a diaper change, he’s right.”
Curt tuned out his family and focused on Taylor. Kiera and Allison had joined her and Addie. From here she appeared at ease, listening to his cousin’s fiancée while Reese played a short distance away. An unexpected wave of tenderness washed over him at the scene on the beach. He started to walk away, his departure catching his cousins’ attention.
“The SOB has it bad,” Jake said.
“Yeah. Looks like Tasha’s only got two Sherbrooke men left to go after,” Trent said.
Curt didn’t bother to stop and rejoin the conversation. Especially a conversation involving Tasha Marshall, a woman who’d been obsessed with Jake until he got married. Since then she’d tried to catch the attention of all Curt’s male cousins, as well as him. And Trent was right. There were only two Sherbrooke men now available: Brett, Curt’s older brother, and Alec, his younger cousin. Everyone present knew Tasha didn’t have a chance with either man.
***
They finished the first phase of the sandcastle, a large square structure with four round towers at each corner and walls connecting them together. In the center stood a fifth tower, this one taller than the other four, and a seashell was perched on top of it. Together they built a fifth wall, which would connect to the second phase of the castle. Reese insisted the second part be circular so that the horses could run around and not bump into any corners, because every castle had horses in it. He was working on smoothing out the sand so they could start the walls, when his parents stepped outside.
His dad, Jonathan Sherbrooke, was a slightly younger version of his two older brothers, Warren and Mark. So much so that anyone could easily confuse Jonathan as Jake’s or Trent’s father rather than their uncle. Following in both his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps, Jonathan studied business and joined the corporate world. He’d expected both his sons to follow suit. Brett, his oldest, never even tried. Curt hadn’t thought twice about traveling the Sherbrooke path; at least not until he discovered he preferred life outside a suit and tie.
Dad wasn’t happy when Curt broke the news that he’d left Nichols and the investment world behind. Business was the man’s life. They hadn’t spoken much since that unpleasant conversation. The last time they had, Dad tried to convince him he belonged in the world of high-rise office buildings and dollar signs. He hoped Dad didn’t try again today.
On the other hand, Judith Sherbrooke, his mom, understood his decision. Although she came from a family entrenched in business, and had a law degree, she’d never practiced. Her true passion was art and music. She could spend hours sketching and painting, or wandering the halls of an art museum. He’d called her before anyone else when he learned his first novel would be published. Mom had also been the first to learn of his decision to leave Nichols and devote himself to his passions.
Regardless of everything else, both his parents were an important part of his life. He knew they’d both accept his decision to be with Taylor. With the exception of his recent career change, both had always supported and accepted every decision he’d made. However, he wanted them to like her, too, because he saw Taylor and Reese as permanent parts of his life.
He paused in smoothing the area intended for phase two. “My parents are here.”
Taylor put the down the shell she held. She and Reese were using shells to make a walkway from the middle tower to an outer castle wall. “Did you tell them Reese and I would be here?” She glanced toward the house.
Curt nodded. When Mom texted him, he’d replied with a message of his own. Mom would’ve shared the information with Dad. “Of course.” He put the shovels they’d been using into a bucket. “How about a break, short stuff? We can finish this up later.”
Reese didn’t even look up from what she was working on. “Do I have to?”
All the times they’d been together, Reese had never refused one of his requests or suggestions. He wasn’t sure how to respond to her question. Thankfully Taylor stepped in, taking care of the problem for him.
“This isn’t going anywhere. Come on. Let’s go, Reese. Curt wants us to meet his parents.”
Her sigh probably reached his family members on the deck, but she stood up and brushed some sand from her knees.
The message he’d sent Mom merely said he was bringing his new girlfriend and her niece. He hadn’t included how they’d met, or how long they’d been together. All he’d shared was their names. Always one to show affection no matter the company, Mom immediately embraced him and kissed his cheek. A little more reserved, Dad didn’t like public displays of affection no matter if it was just family around them or not. Instead, he gave Curt a thump on the back and a “Good to see you again.”
“I’m glad I get a chance to meet you today. Let’s sit and chat. I want to make sure my son’s been behaving himself and treating you properly,” his mom said once he finished making introductions.
“Curt’s teaching me to play lacrosse,” Reese said. “And I’m giving him soccer lessons. And tomorrow he’s taking Auntie Taylor and me to Pirate’s Cove. I can’t wait to play mini golf. I’ve never played. He says I’ll like it.”
Mom looked at him, one perfectly curved eyebrow raised, as Reese continued to talk her ear off. He interpreted the look easily. She knew how serious his relationship was and wanted to know why she and Dad were only now meeting Taylor. He shrugged. What else could he do? It was either that, or admit to her he’d tried to keep his identity a secret. Unlike his cousins, Mom would never understand his actions.
“That sounds like so much fun. I wish I could go. I’ve never played mini golf either,” Mom said, leading Reese and Taylor toward three patio chairs, leaving him alone with his dad.
Mom played golf regularly, but he couldn’t picture her anywhere near a mini golf course.
“How long are you staying in Newport?” Dad asked.
He stopped trying to picture Mom hitting an orange golf ball into a windmill and headed for some empty chairs. “We’ll head back tomorrow night. Reese is still in school and Taylor has work.”
“Speaking of work. I saw Jim Burke at the club recently. He wanted to know what it would take to get you to come back. You’ve had a nice break. Maybe you should reconsider and give him a call.”