"Oh," Shannon Quinn acknowledged with understanding, then asked, "Are you coming back with us later, or are you going to take Peach ho first?"
Sheila Yardley glanced at Peach, unsure of when she’d be able to see her child again after this ti together.
Even though she was reluctant to part with her child, she still didn’t want too much contact with Caleb Grant: "Her father will co pick her up. I won’t take her."
Landon Sutton arrived a step ahead of Caleb Grant. He had just started eating when he received a phone call from Caleb. Shannon only heard Landon respond with a "Got it" before hanging up.
"What’s up?" Shannon Quinn asked.
"He said there’s an accident on South Road and traffic is a bit congested, so he might be a bit late," Landon explained.
Shannon nodded and then had an idea, saying, "Leo has school tomorrow, so maybe Elaine can stay here with Peach while we head ho first. Elaine, would that be okay?"
Unexpected by this sudden change, Sheila looked at the ti, realizing it was getting late and it’d take almost an hour to get back. Not wanting to cause trouble for everyone, she nodded, "Sure, I’ll wait here for him."
In truth, Shannon wasn’t rushing to get ho either; she just wanted to create an opportunity for the two of them.
But she wasn’t sure if this would really be helpful or not.
She rembered she once advised Sheila not to get too close to Caleb Grant. At that ti, Shannon always felt Caleb, who owned a bar and was close with Ronan Rhodes, might not be as decent as he seed.
Her perception changed when she saw how well Caleb treated Peach. It was then she felt a man who could be a good father couldn’t be all that bad.
Now that it was almost certain Peach was Sheila’s daughter, Shannon wanted their misunderstandings to be resolved soon.
For a child, a complete family is the most important thing.
No matter how much love is given from only one side, there will always be sothing missing.
Suddenly, Landon interjected, "Why don’t we all go back? Caleb can co over to pick up Peach then."
Shannon rolled her eyes at him and replied, "They’re already here, and Peach has been talking about her dad all day."
Understanding her subtle hint, Landon didn’t say anything more.
He got up, settled the bill, and left with his family.
"Sister, why hasn’t my dad co yet?"
"He should be here soon."
Peach rubbed her eyes sleepily.
She hadn’t napped in the afternoon. She was energetic while playing with Leo, but as soon as he left, she started to feel tired.
Sheila reached over and picked up Peach, saying, "Tired? If you’re tired, you can nap for a bit. Daddy will be here soon."
Peach nestled in Sheila’s arms and quickly fell asleep.
The night had turned pitch black, with colorful lights embellishing the darkness.
When Caleb Grant’s car pulled up outside, Sheila had already been waiting for about twenty minutes.
Holding Peach was making her arm ache a bit with fatigue.
Caleb walked over and, seeing Peach asleep, imdiately took off his coat and draped it over the child before gently picking her up into his own arms. He looked down at Sheila and said, "Thank you for today."
Sheila said nothing, she simply picked up her purse from her seat and stood up.
"Let’s go." With Peach in his arms, Caleb led the way.
At the car, Caleb paused and asked her, "Can you drive?"
She shook her head, not explaining that she had a license but hadn’t driven since the test.
"You can sit in the back and watch over the child then."
Elaine got into the car, and as she reached out to take Peach, Caleb said, "Just let her lie down. You don’t need to hold her; it’s a long distance, and your hand will get tired."
"It’s fine." Sheila felt that holding Peach would be safer.
Still, Caleb laid Peach down and tucked the coat over her, reassuring Sheila, "Don’t worry, I’ll drive slowly."
Seeing this, Sheila didn’t move Peach and just placed her hand slightly out to the side to catch her should the car stop suddenly.
But the ride was smooth, and as they traveled, Sheila, who had been on edge, slowly beca drowsy.
Caleb glanced at her several tis in the rearview mirror, wanting to say sothing each ti but swallowing his words instead.
He drove more slowly, hoping the mont would last forever.
She fell asleep leaning against the window, her hand still near the child.
He’d thought she’d be as tense as he’d been riding in his car, thought that she’d only relax when he wasn’t around.
Eventually, the car reached their destination.
Sheila awoke to the sight of a familiar yet foreign landscape outside the window.
mories she had worked hard to suppress sprang vividly back to life in her mind.
Caleb got out of the car, circled around to Peach’s side, opened the door, and leaned down to pick her up. "Just wait in the car. I’ll take her inside, then co back and drive you ho."
Not waiting for a response from Sheila, he closed the car door, and after a few steps, a middle-aged woman t him, taking Peach inside.
After saying a couple of things, he turned back around and got back into the driver’s seat.
He glanced at Sheila before starting the car.
Sheila was now wide awake.
With Peach gone, the car’s atmosphere turned sowhat unusual.
She turned to the window, trying to appear calm.
The car stopped at a red light.
The silence was deafening.
She watched the countdown of the traffic light, counting each second, having never found ti to drag this much.
"How long have you been back?" he asked.
His question jolted her slightly; she glanced at him, opened her mouth, and answered, "Since yesterday."
He inquired again, "When are you leaving?"
She didn’t want to tell him these things, yet his genuine, kindly tone made her feel rude if she didn’t answer.
Facing him now, she found she couldn’t muster the animosity she once held.
She even thought that the Caleb Grant from her mories, who gave her nightmares.
The car started to move.
Sheila answered vaguely, "Depends."
"Are you seeing anyone?"
She t his eyes; his question lacked the old accusatory or even threatening tone.
It was as if they were two friends catching up after not seeing each other for a long ti, concerned about her current life.
This question remained unanswered because Sheila didn’t know how to respond.
After leaving him, she had lost any desire for romance, becoming sowhat resistant to the advances from other n.
Seeing no response, Caleb didn’t press on.
The car rolled to a stop in front of the villa but he didn’t open the doors.
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