Stepping Up: Book Six in the Who's Your Daddy series (5 page)

Chapter Nine

Vance
held his breath as the doctor rolled the ultrasound wand over Summer’s belly. He reached out and grabbed her hand while the doctor pointed out various parts of the baby’s body. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing when the baby stuck a thumb into its mouth. “Wow!”

“Isn’t that cool?” the doctor asked. “Wanna picture of that?”

“Of course!” Summer cried. “I can’t wait until they’re sixteen and their date comes over. This will be one of the first pictures I show them.”

“I’m sure they’ll be pleased about that,” Vance said drolly.

“Guys, are you ready to learn the baby’s sex?” the doctor asked, the wand hovering just above the genitals.

Vance looked at Summer with a quizzical look on his face. “I’m going to let you make the decision, okay.”

She nodded once then turned her attention to the doctor. “Yes, I’d like to know.”

Vance grabbed onto Summer’s hand, his gaze locked onto the little screen. The doctor slowly guided the wand lower and within moments, pointed to what looked like a penis.

“You’re going to have a son, folks.”

Tears sprang to Vance’s eyes and he quickly blinked to keep them at bay. He was going to have a son!

Summer let out a little yelp and turned her head in Vance’s direction. “We’re going to have a little boy,” she said as her tears streamed down her face.

He reached over to the counter and pulled out a couple tissues to dry her eyes. “Are you happy about that? Did you want a girl?”

She shook her head. “Oh no, I’m quite happy. I was having nightmares about combing a little girl’s hair every day.”

Everyone burst out laughing at Summer’s remark, causing a couple nurses to look inside the room to see what was going on. They continued to chuckle while the doctor wiped away the gel on Summer’s belly and helped her to sit up.

“I’ve heard a lot of reasons why a mother wished for a son or daughter, but this is the first time I’ve heard it based on doing hair! Girl, yours must be a handful!”

“And a half,” Summer added. “I remember how my mother had to take a couple aspirin after washing me and my sister’s heads. I wouldn’t wish that task on my worst enemy.”

Vance raked his fingers through his straight, blond locks and made a face. “Now you know you won’t be able to do much with our son’s, if it’s anything like mine. We’ll have to keep it cut short so it’s not sticking straight up in the air.”

“I can live with that.” Summer held out her hand so he could assist her getting off the exam table. “One less battle in the morning.”

The doctor handed them the pictures and a DVD of the exam. Summer carefully slid them into her purse and they walked out to the reception area to make the next appointment.

“We’re getting close to the end, Summer, so I’ll need you to come in every two weeks from now, okay?” the doctor announced. Mr. Ryan, will you be accompanying Summer from here on out?”

He looked at Summer with a questioning look in his eyes. “May I?”

Summer hesitated for a second then gave a sharp nod of her head. “Sure, if you’d like to come.”

“I can’t think of anywhere I’d rather be,” he said with a smile.

The sun beamed down on Devinne, melting the ice and snow that had blanketed the town for most of the winter. Folks complained that it had been the worst winter since some of them were kids. But with spring right around the corner, smiles were replacing the gloomy faces around town.

Vance pulled into one of the many empty spaces in the diner’s parking lot. He let out a sigh as he made his way to the front door. Just like every other day this past week, only one lone diner sat inside. How was the place going to survive like this?

“Hey there,” Ginny called out from her usual spot in the kitchen. “If you’re looking for the boss lady, she’s down at the bank.”

Just the mention of the bank caused Vance’s stomach to lurch. Although he knew he was not directly responsible for the possible foreclosure of the business, he still felt bad for what was going on. If only he had kept his distance. But then he wouldn’t have met the woman he now knew he couldn’t live without.

“Hey, Ginny,” he called out as he walked into the kitchen. “Can I ask you a couple questions?”

“Sure, shoot.” She set aside the pot she was drying and gave him her full attention.

“I’m planning something special for Summer and I’d like to take her out tomorrow night.”

Ginny’s face lit up with a smile and gave him a wink. “About time, young man.” Just as quickly though, that smile faded. “I like you, Vance, really like you. But I love Summer.”

“I understand.”

“Well, let me make myself clear nonetheless. Her mom and I were like sisters, and I promised her on her deathbed to look after the whole family.” She stepped up to Vance and poked him in the chest. “Don’t hurt her again.”

Vance took her hand in his and kissed the back of it. “I give you my word. I plan on spending the rest of my life making her happy.”

Instantly, Ginny’s smile returned and she grabbed Vance around the waist to give him a hug. “Thank you.”

At that moment, Summer chose to enter the diner and stopped in her tracks when she spied the pair in an embrace. “Hey, Ginny stop feeling up my man!”

“You claiming him, huh?” Ginny replied impishly.

Summer’s face flushed an adorable shade of red and she stuck her tongue out before escaping to the dining room. Vance gave Ginny a quick kiss on the cheek then turned to follow Summer.

“Jealous?”

“Of you and Ginny, sure,” Summer responded with a grin. “I have to be careful around her with men. She’s a man-eater.”

“I heard that!” Ginny yelled.

Vance came up behind Summer and wrapped his arms around her expanding middle. “Well, you don’t have anything to worry about, sweetheart.”

She turned in his arms and pinned him with a stare. “You promise?”

“Cross my heart,” he replied as he took a finger and traced a cross on his chest. Unable to help himself, he leaned in and kissed her lips, deepening it when she let out a little sigh.

“I’d say get a room, but it’s a little too late for that,” the lone diner cracked.

“Mind your own business,” Ginny shouted from the kitchen. Soon she and the man were involved in a spirited discourse, to the delight of Vance and Summer.

“Can we go back to your office and talk?” Vance asked.

“Sure.” Summer took him by the hand and led him to the back of the restaurant. Once seated, she sighed and shook her head.

“What’s wrong,” Vance asked, but when she picked up an envelope from the bank fear snaked through his body.

“I don’t know how much longer I can hang on,” she admitted with in a shaky voice. “I’m tired, Vance. I feel like handing them the keys and—”

“And what? This is your mother’s dream. You can’t give up.”

“But I can’t afford the mortgage payments any longer.” She motioned toward the dining room. “The only patrons we can count on every day are you and Henry out there.”

Vance stood and stood behind Summer, massaging her shoulders. “You need a break.”

“I can’t—”

“How about closing tomorrow evening and going out with me?” He held his breath while she nibbled her lower lip. “You don’t get much business, anyway …”

She gave him a tiny smile and nodded her head. “Alright. Where are we going?”

He kissed her on the tip of her nose and shook his head. “Not telling. But you should dress up.” His heart lifted as he witnessed her excitement. Now to make tomorrow magical.

“Stand still!” Summer held her arms over her head as Spring adjusted her dress once more. “You want to look nice tonight, right?”

“Of course I do,” Summer replied, “But there’s not much we can do to make that happen when I’m the size of a whale.”

Spring pinched her sister on the arm and made one last adjustment. “Stop talking down on yourself. You’re pregnant and you’re beautiful.”

Dubiously, Summer turned to face the mirror and let out a little gasp. She did look good! “Spring, the dress looks great.”

Her little sister gave her a hug and a kiss on the forehead. “No, you look great.” The doorbell rang and Summer’s heartbeat sped up. Vance was here.

By the time she and Spring walked downstairs, Vance was immersed in a deep conversation with their father. He stopped talking mid-sentence when he spied her coming into the room. “Wow.”

Summer did a slow turn to show off Spring’s handiwork. “You like?”

“Yes I do.” He stood and gave her a chaste kiss on the cheek and leaned in to whisper in her ear. “I do better when we’re in the car.”

“I heard that,” her father said, making all of them laugh. “Just get her home at a decent hour, alright?”

Vance shook his hand and led Summer out the door. “Will do, Walter. See you around, Spring.”

After all the farewells, they stepped out into the cold and rushed to his car parked at the curb. Vance put the heat on full blast. No way did he want Summer to catch a chill.

“So, where are we going?” she asked, bouncing in her seat.

“Never you mind. Just sit back, relax and enjoy the ride.” He turned the satellite radio to a smooth jazz station and pulled out onto the street. Soon they were headed downtown and hopefully toward a happy future.

Traffic was very light on Sunday evening, and they were able to arrive at the restaurant in less than an hour. Vance had to call in a few favors for the reservation, but it was worth it. This would be a night he would be able to tell their children about, and he wanted it to be perfect.

A valet took his keys once he pulled up in front of Le Pierre’s, the premiere French restaurant in the area. Summer’s mouth dropped open as they stepped out of the car.

“We’re having dinner here?” she squealed. “How did you manage—”

“Don’t you worry about it. This is your night. Enjoy it.” Soon they were escorted inside and whisked onto a waiting elevator that took them to the top of the GFK building. A maître de quickly seated them at a window table.

Summer’s eyes shown with excitement as she looked out onto all the lights of the city, twinkling back at her. “Oh my,” she gushed. “This is so beautiful, I want to cry.”

“Don’t cry yet,” Vance warned. “The best is yet to come.”

The waiter brought a chilled bottle of non-alcoholic champagne to the table and poured a glass for each of them. “To us,” Vance toasted.

“To us,” she repeated. While she took a sip of her drink, Vance got up from his seat, lowered himself onto one knee and pulled out a small box. Summer reared back and brought her hands to her mouth and the tears started to flow.

“Summer, you’re everything I’ve ever wanted in a woman, and I know this relationship has been a little unusual in the way it started, I don’t want it to end. Summer Hughes, I love you with all my heart. Will you do me the honor of becoming my bride?”

She nodded her head and he took the ring and slid it onto the finger of her outstretched hand. Soon the restaurant was filled with the sound of other diners clapping and cheering.

“I love you, Vance Ryan,” Summer said through her tears.

“Not as much as I love you,” Vance replied while drawing her into his arms.

Chapter Ten

Summer
glanced down at her left hand and wiggled her fingers, still in shock. Vance actually proposed to her last night, and she said yes! It didn’t matter if they couldn’t get married before the baby was born. As long as they had an understanding about their future. And by the size of the rock on her finger, she was quite sure.

“You gonna sit there and stare at that ring all day?” Spring teased. She reached over and grabbed her sister’s right hand. “If I haven’t said it already, I’m so happy for both of you. You’re going to be great parents of my nephew.”

“And you’ll be a fantastic aunt. We need to go out and celebrate after we finish here. That is if we have any money after leaving the bank today.”

Suddenly the good vibes they’d been feeling floated away like a wispy cloud on a windy day. She and Spring were waiting for the bank manager to beg for a refinancing of their mortgage. With the continued downturn in business, it was impossible to make the monthly payments, let alone the exorbitant late fees on the account.

“Do you think they’ll give us a break? I mean, we’ve been good customers over the years.”

“We know that, but I think the only thing these folks take in consideration is getting their money, any way possible.”

Spring let out a loud sigh. “I don’t want to think about the diner closing, Summer. Mama sacrificed everything for it. ”

“I know, honey.”   

“Summer,” her sister started with a hitch in her voice. “What if we can’t refinance the loan.”

Summer patted her sister on the leg and gave her a weak smile. “Let’s think about that if it happens. Happy thoughts, okay?”

“Okay.” The two sisters picked up their conversation about Summer’s engagement, but all talk ceased when the loan officer strolled into his office.

“Sorry to keep you ladies waiting,” he offered as he unbuttoned his suit jacket and took a seat behind the desk. “Can I get you something to drink, eat?”

“No thank you,” Summer said after looking over to her sister. “We’re fine.”

“Alright then, let’s get down to business.” He flipped open a thick file on his desktop, rubbed his hand down his face and shook his head.

Summer took a sharp intake of breath and glanced at Spring. Not good. “Is there something wrong?”

He lifted his head and quickly plastered a wan smile on his face. “Oh, no. Nothing’s wrong. I’m just making sure of my facts before I start talking, that’s all.”

A shudder worked its way down Summer’s spine and she suddenly felt cold on this sweltering, August day. And it had nothing to do with the air conditioning in the building. She had a feeling this little meeting was not going to end well.

“Ms. Hughes,” he began looking at both sisters, “I know you’ve been long time customers of the bank—”

“The whole family has, sir. We’ve stuck with you despite all the changes in name and management.”

“And we truly appreciate your patronage.”

“Do you appreciate it enough to refinance the mortgage?” Spring asked sitting forward in her seat.

“Spring!” Summer turned the best she could to face her little sister and give her the evil eye.

“That’s alright. I’ve heard much worse.” He closed the file and took a deep breath. “I’ve had the opportunity to review your whole file and know that your business is having a hard time as of late.”

Summer simply nodded, not trusting her voice right now. She swallowed a huge lump in rolled her lips inward.

“I’m so sorry, ladies, but the bank can’t refinance the mortgage at this time. There simply isn’t enough income coming in.”

The tears Summer had desperately been trying to hold back began to trickle down her cheeks. Spring leaned forward and snagged several tissues from a box on the manager’s desk and used them to wipe away Summer’s tears.

“So that’s all?” Spring asked with a note of sarcasm in her voice. “That’s it? All those on time payments don’t count, huh?”

“Spring, don’t take it out on Mr. Webb. He’s just doing his job.” Disappointment weighing her down, Summer struggled to get to her feet. “Thank you for your time.”

“Yeah, thanks,” Spring said as she followed her sister from the office. Once safely outside she added, “For nothing!”

Not bothering to chastise Spring again, Summer put her head down and waddled to the exit as fast as she could. Before she could step out into the bright sunshine, a voice brought her up short. Vance?

“Yeah, it’s nice to see you again, Vance,” a man’s voice said. “So California wasn’t all that they’d hyped it to be, huh?”

“Nope. The weather was on point, but I needed to come back home.”

Summer swiveled her head around to find Vance standing in the middle of the lobby, speaking to what looked like a bank employee. By this time, Spring had noticed him too, and tried to pull Summer out the door. Instead, she moved closer to hear more.

“There’s no way anyone could have talked me into giving up those big bucks to return here.”

Vance chuckled. “There are more important things in life than money, Ramone.”

“Like what?”

“Like—” Before Vance could complete the sentence, he turned his head and his gaze collided with his fiancé’s. “Summer? What are you doing here?”

She tried her best to calm herself down in order to respond in a coherent manner. “I was about to ask you the same thing.”

Vance’s face took on an ashen hue and he bit down on his lower lip. “I’m here to see some old friends.”

“Okay,” Summer drew out. Then her eyes narrowed as a thought sprung into her head. “Work friends?”

Vance slowly nodded. “Yes, I used to work here.”

Realization hit Summer like a two by four to her head. He worked for the bank that was trying to foreclose on the diner! “Tell me everything. Now.”

Vance tried to take her by the arm, but she stepped away. “Let’s go somewhere private to talk about this, honey.”

“Don’t honey me. You’ve got one minute.”  She followed to the other side of the lobby, her arms crossed over her chest. With her toe tapping, she cautiously eyed him as he began to speak.

“Let me start by saying I’m sorry.”

“For what, exactly?”

“Not coming clean about my position with the bank. When I came to the diner the first time, I really came to check out the business.”

“Excuse me?”

“I am or was a mortgage specialist with the bank. My job was to determine if the process should begin.”

“You mean foreclosure on the diner, right?”

“Yes. But when I met you, I knew I couldn’t hold onto the case. I transferred it to someone else.”

“But you never disclosed who you really were.”

“I was falling in love with you, Summer.” He took a step in her direction but stopped when she held a hand up.

“But you knew all about our financial problems. I poured my heart out to you. About everything.”

“What can I do to prove how sorry I am?”

“Not a thing. We’re through.” Without answering, she began to walk away and headed straight for her sister. As she marched to the exit, she stopped and with trembling hands, pulled the engagement ring off her finger and threw it at his head, barely missing him. “I won’t be needing this any longer.”

Her heart in tatters, Summer hurried out of the bank, not bothering to see if he was following.

Vance stood transfixed in the middle of the bank lobby, not wanting to believe what just happened. But one look at the ring he’d picked up off the floor let him know it was real. Summer just broke up with him.

“Come on, Vance.” Ramone Mendes tapped him on his arm and led Vance into his office. He shut the door and poured a large cup of water for his friend. “Wish I had something stronger.”

Vance waved off the cup and closed his eyes. This had turned into the biggest fiasco, all because he hadn’t been upfront with Summer.

“Wanna tell me what happened out there,” Ramone asked as he settled himself into his large leather chair.

“We don’t have enough time for me to tell you everything I’ve done wrong.”

“Then hit the highlights for me.”

Vance took a deep breath and lowered his head into his hands. After a few more cleansing breaths, he began. “I was assigned to look into the financial stability of Summer’s diner.”

“I’m guessing Summer is or was your fiancé?”

“Yes. Well, after getting the case, I stopped by the diner one evening after a long day at work, just to check it out. I’ll have to admit it was a stupid move. I should have gone in the middle of the day and introduced myself as a bank employee.”

“Go on.”

“Well, from that first meeting, I knew I was in trouble. Summer was like a ray of sunshine in my dreary life. We struck up a conversation about nothing in particular and I found myself heading there every night.”

“And you never told her where you worked.”

“Never.”

“And eventually you fell in love with her, huh?”

“Oh yeah! But I couldn’t figure out a way to tell her of my role with the bank. So being a coward, I decided to simply disappear from her life.”

“By taking the transfer to the west coast.”

“You got it. But instead of making a clean break, I went to see her that one last time and we kind of took it too far.”

“Too far as in making love without protection.”

Vance colored and nodded his head. “Yeah, things did get kind of crazy that night.”

“So you came back because of the pregnancy?”

“No, I didn’t know she was pregnant and she admitted that she didn’t have any contact information for me. I didn’t give her my last name.”

“So if you hadn’t returned here, you wouldn’t have known about your kid. Deep.”

“Yeah, deep.” Vance swiped a hand down his face. “Now she doesn’t want anything to do with me. What am I going to do?”

“After you crawl over to her house on your hands and knees begging forgiveness?” The pair began to laugh at Ramone’s attempt to lighten the mood.

“I have no clue, buddy. None whatsoever. But I know I’ve got to act quickly. The baby’s due in less than a month and I intend to be in the delivery room and every part of our child’s life.”

“Then I’d suggest we get busy.”

“We?”

“Yes, we. And if we’re successful, I want to be named godfather.”

“I was going to make you my son’s godfather already.” Tears pricked the back of Vance’s eyes at the thought of his soon-to-be-born son. “So what’s the plan?”