That made David wary. “What question is that?”
“Was your father the prologue to a great love story?” Ian asked in a quiet tone. “Was he the warm-up act? Is that all you can expect to be?”
Damn, but the man was perceptive. “I guess I do ask myself that question. I look at a woman like Tessa and wonder why she would settle for me. That’s what everyone joked about when my dad was alive. My mom was too beautiful for him, too vibrant. He was a fairly boring guy.”
“Not according to your mom,” a familiar voice said.
David winced because his stepfather was standing in the doorway.
“Excellent timing, brother.” Ian stood. “I’ve got David all set up, and now you can do the stepdad thing. Also, the bodyguard I hired for him wants his hot bod bad, but she’s real gun-shy, and he’s going to turtle on her. If Grace wants grandkids anytime soon, you better talk to him.”
“I’m not turtling.” David wasn’t so out of touch he hadn’t heard the term. He didn’t go into his shell when things got slightly emotionally tough. Did he?
Sean’s brows came up in that way they did when someone said something dumb. “Sure you aren’t.” He slid into the seat Ian had vacated. “And you’re wrong about your dad. He wasn’t boring. He was incredibly smart, and he was tenacious. You do know he put himself through college, right? He worked two jobs and had a family. Your mom said he was Superman because he would get up and work four hours at UPS, then manage to make it home to have breakfast with her before he took his classes. He’d come home and eat dinner with her before he worked another shift at a video store. When he slept she had no idea, but he did it because he loved her and they had you by then. He could have taken a job somewhere and y’all would have gotten by, but he wanted more for all of you. He wanted to ensure that he could take care of you the way he thought you should be taken care of.”
The way Sean was talking about his dad…well, he hadn’t expected it. “How do you know all of this?”
“Because I asked your mom. After we got married, I asked her to tell me everything about Peter. I love your mom, and I wanted to know everything about her and her life, but beyond that, I wanted to know who your dad was because we had a connection, he and I. We both love your mother, and we both love you and your brother. I wanted to know what kind of a dad he was because I didn’t know how to be one, and he seemed to be good at it.”
Damn, the Taggart brothers seemed determined to get him emotional today. He was a man who liked to live inside his head. When things got real, he tended to draw in on himself and get lost in his work.
Fuck. He really was turtling. Had he been doing that for the last twenty or so years? Had he been doing it since his dad died?
“I didn’t realize you were talking to her about him. I guess I thought once my mom met you she kind of forgot about him. I wouldn’t blame her.”
Sean leaned in. “Of course you would. David, you are not going to hurt my feelings because you loved your dad and you felt something when your mom got remarried.”
David needed to make something plain to his stepfather. “I’m glad she’s happy. I didn’t want her to be alone.”
“But you think I’m different from your dad,” Sean said. “So different that you have to wonder what she saw in him. And that’s where you’re wrong. Your father and I are similar in a lot of ways. You know his dad wasn’t exactly kind to him. He survived a lot.”
Now David had to wonder if Sean didn’t know things about his dad that he himself did not. “I know he used to talk about how important it was to keep my temper in check.”
Sean nodded. “Because his father couldn’t. Because his father was abusive. You never knew your grandfather because your dad wouldn’t let him near you. Your father was intensely protective. He might not have gone into the military, but he was a guardian. He was fierce about his family.”
So many memories flowed over David. “He was a good dad.”
“Yes, he was, and he is not forgotten,” Sean promised. “You aren’t some side note for your mother. Or me. You might not share our last name, but you do belong. You might find yourself in this weird family where almost everyone is ex-military, but who do they call when they need to know something other than a football score? You are the reason most of the kids in our family are passing their classes because you help with homework. And you’re handy with cars. It’s a gift.”
He felt a smile spread across his face. “I’m afraid I get my muscle car addiction from my dad. After he made sure we were all comfortable, he bought this 1955 Ford Thunderbird. He spent five years rebuilding that car and then he sold it after driving it for three months. Said the fun was in rebuilding it. I think he also liked how much he could sell the sucker for. He bought Mom a new car from that.”
Sean sat back. “I know what would have happened if he’d lived, David. He would be with your mother today. He would have made sure she was never put in a position where I got to meet her. Even if I had, she would have been happily married, and I would have respected that. I’m not happy you lost your dad, but you have to know that I am happy I got to be in your life.”
David groaned because he had to let this go. “You’re good at this, Sean.”
“I’m glad. So I can tell your mom she doesn’t have to worry about you?”
His mom had her hands full between Kyle’s damage and Carys’s scandalous young love. “I’ll go with Tessa.”
Sean stood. “Good. I appreciate it, and I look forward to reading that book of yours when you finish it.”
David followed his lead because if he was going to make that flight, he probably should get a move on. Sean wasn’t lying. He would read the book when it came out. Sean always read his articles, even the ones his mom could barely get through because she wasn’t interested in voter trends in newly emerging democracies.
His dad would have liked Sean.
When Sean held a hand out, David made his decision. That hand was out because David had held him off. Sean was a hugger when it came to his family.
David gave his stepdad a hug and practically felt the relief go through him.
Maybe he hadn’t been the only one who worried if he fit in.
“Do you need a ride out to the airport?” Sean asked as he started for the door. “I don’t think you’ve been on the jet before. The airport is this tiny thing.”
He could take a cab. Or… “Do they have a place to park?”
“Of course, and it’s secure,” Sean explained. “I want you to call me if you need anything at all. And please leave your cell on. I know it’s weird, but your mom feels safer when she can see a little blip on her phone.”
His mom still tracked him, and he didn’t mind. It wasn’t like he went anywhere interesting. But he was wondering if he shouldn’t drive himself. And maybe make a point. “I’ll leave it on, though you should know cell service is sketchy on the island. And I think I’ll drive myself. Thanks, Sean. I’ll see you when I get back, and tell Mom that Kyle is a whiny man baby when he’s sick and she should prepare for that now.”
Sean sighed. “I’ll let her know. I think he’s going to be stubborn.”