The less-than-ideal way involves Brinks regarding him through narrow eyes. Talking right off the bat about involving attorneys, DNA tests. Keeping his lips zipped about anything until everything is proven.
But then, what if it is proven, and Brinks wants a relationship? That’s what Elizabeth keeps saying when she calls to check in. Elizabeth seems convinced that Simon has some sort of latent paternal instinct that will be inspired by the appearance of his long-lost son. Like something out of a movie. But life isn’t some cheesy Hollywood script.
Aunt Jeanne keeps hammering on the relationship thing, too, although Cameron suspects that, deep down, she’s skeptical that a person like Simon Brinks would have dated her sister. But last time they chatted, when Cameron mentioned that he’d be on the next plane home if he could get Brinks to cut him a check, she’d sighed disapprovingly. Stay up there awhile if you need to, Aunt Jeanne had said. Bought that ridiculous camper, might as well get some use out of it. Besides, life there seems to suit you.
Well, that much is true.
But Cameron doesn’t want a relationship with any would-be father. He wants the eighteen years of child support that this shifty asshole never paid. Hell, Cameron would accept a onetime payment. Ten grand? Twenty? He can send it directly to Aunt Jeanne. Cameron owes her a mint for everything he put her through over the years, not to mention the money she fronted him for the camper. He’s already paid back almost half, but it’s still a chunk of change.
“Aye, look!” Ethan brakes slightly, gesturing to a dirt road turning off the highway. “You ever want to go whale-watching, there’s a brilliant spot down there. Took a lady friend once. We saw orcas frolicking around like wee kittens. Quite a sight. Ah, the love we made that night was—”
“Uh, thanks.” Cameron cuts him off. What is with old people in love? “I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Well, I’m just saying. I know you’ve got that lass.”
“I don’t think Avery wants to drive all the way up here to look at whales.”
“Might not knock it till you try it, eh? They’re majestic creatures.” Ethan turns and winks, and the truck drifts across the center line just as an oncoming car pops around the curve up ahead. He jerks back into the proper lane just in time. “Bugger! Eyes on the road. Anyway, there’s a nice spit of sand there, too, great for beachcombing. Lots of starfish and sand dollars.”
“If I wanted to show Avery starfish and sand dollars, why wouldn’t I just bring her to work?” Cameron points out dryly. “We have the largest collection of native echinoderms in the state. That’s what Tova says, anyway.”
Ethan’s head swivels and his gaze fixes on Cameron for an alarming stretch of time. His frizzy beard twitches, like he’s biting his lip underneath. Cameron feels himself grip the edge of the bench seat. What happened to eyes on the road?
Finally, the big man’s attention snaps back toward the dashboard. They ride in silence for quite a while. His voice is low when he says, “You’ve met Tova Sullivan?”
Shit. The secret. No one is supposed to know about Tova coming to the aquarium. Not for the first time, Cameron wonders why it’s such a big deal. After thinking it over for a minute, he decides that it shouldn’t be. Old people are weird sometimes. And why would Ethan care anyway? After a pause, he answers, “Yeah, Tova comes by once in a while to help out.”
“I thought she was on medical leave.”
“She is. Forget I said anything.”
“Is she all right?” There’s a quiet reverence to Ethan’s voice.
“She’s fine. Her foot’s getting better, I think.”
“Very glad to hear that,” Ethan mumbles. His ruddy cheeks are even redder than usual.
A grin spreads across Cameron’s face. “Oh my God. You like her.”
“Well, who wouldn’t like her?”
“That’s pure bullshit. It’s written all over you.”
Now Ethan’s ears are also deep red. “She’s a lovely lady.”
“‘She’s a lovely lady,’” Cameron repeats, imitating the Scot. He reaches over and gives Ethan a little smack on the shoulder. “Come on, bro. Let’s hear it. You two have a history, or what?”
“A history?” Ethan’s mouth presses into a serious line. “I’d never pursue a married lady. Which is what Mrs. Sullivan was, up till recently.”
“Oh.” Cameron slumps. “I didn’t know that.”