While they waited for their drinks, Robert explained about this Carlo in more detail.

“He’s not precisely Lauren’s boyfriend,” he clarified. “The two of them grew up together, after all, played together as kids whenever we visited New York. They keep in touch, see each other once or twice a year. Lauren’s always off to some remote corner of the world, as you know, while Carlo’s acting career means he’s on location for months at a time.”

“He’s an actor?” asked Ben in surprise, unable to picture Lauren with someone like that.

“Carlo Di Nardo. I’m not much of a moviegoer myself, but I believe he’s done a series of action adventure films.”

Ben nodded. “I know who he is now. He’s the lead in all of those Jack Cordero movies. Pretty successful guy. I didn’t realize he was Franco’s brother.”

“Well, they are a bit different in appearance for sure. The last time I saw Carlo he looked every bit like a movie star, very suave, well dressed, that sort of thing. Whereas Franco – well, you’ve seen him for yourself.”

The waiter arrived with their drinks and Robert lifted his glass in a toast.

“Thank you, Ben, for keeping my Lauren safe. Even if she fights you tooth and nail to get it done,” he joked.

Ben smiled in acknowledgement and sipped the fine, single malt Scotch. It wasn’t a spirit he drank often – and certainly not such an expensive brand – but it certainly suited his mood this afternoon.

As he continued to chat amicably with Robert, it occurred to Ben that this was what it could have been like if he had made a different choice five years ago. Lauren’s father was nothing like what he’d once assumed he would be like. Rather than a rich, standoffish snob – like Elle’s father – Robert McKinnon was a no-nonsense, down to earth man who spoke plainly but who was also extremely engaging and highly intelligent.

But he couldn’t help but wonder how much differently Robert would have treated the Ben of five years ago – the one with no job, no money, and no real possessions save for what he could carry on his beat-up motorcycle. He’d be willing to bet that Robert would not be sitting across from that Ben right now sipping expensive Scotch and thanking him for looking out for his daughter.

“Lauren tells us that you’ve only been at National Geographic Travel since January,” observed Robert. “Where did you work before that?”

“At Conde Nast and before that Outdoor Magazine. But I didn’t have a desk job at either of those places. I was a travel writer, went out on assignments much like Lauren does.”

“Hmm.” Robert finished his drink and motioned the waiter over for refills. “So why did you give it up? Tired of the travel? Or are you just ambitious?”

“Not really,” admitted Ben honestly. “I loved the travel, and I’ve been a writer most of my life. Being an editor was never something I seriously considered. But, well, circumstances change, I suppose.”

“Your girlfriend must be pleased that you’re at home more often.”

Ben nodded. “She is, yes. Traveling so much can be hard on a relationship.”

He felt more than a little awkward discussing Elle with Lauren’s father, even though Robert could have no idea about his past involvement with his daughter.

“Well, she must be a very special woman.”

“Yes,” agreed Ben. “She’s – well, she’s been good for me, supportive.”

Fortunately, Robert changed the subject at that point, and once they had finished their drinks he placed several bills on the table before getting to his feet.

“I’m due to meet the ladies for dinner,” he told Ben, “so I’d best get a move on. Thank you for taking the time out of your day to have a drink with me, Ben. I’ve enjoyed getting to know you a bit.”

“Same here, sir – uh, Robert.” Ben shook the older man’s hand briskly. “Thank you for the drink. And for saving me from death by paperwork.”

Robert laughed. “You should burn all those papers and get yourself back out on the road, back to writing. It’s obvious even to a virtual stranger like myself what your true passion is. Life is too short to waste even a moment of it, Ben.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. Enjoy your stay in New York, and your Thanksgiving.”

“You, too, Ben. I hope to see you again sometime.”

***

Robert chuckled to himself as he hailed a cab that would take him to the restaurant where he was to meet Natalie, Maddy, and Lauren for dinner. There wasn’t a lot that got past him, a trait he credited to his years of studying architectural design, and more recently building furniture. Both professions required attention to detail, and the ability to focus, not to mention tremendous patience.

And despite Lauren’s beliefs to the contrary, she hadn’t gotten away with nearly as much over the years as she might think. He’d known every single time she’d snuck out of the house as a teenager, had been well aware of the wild escapades she’d gotten herself tangled up in, noticed every time she snuck extra sugar or later booze. But he had also known that Lauren had a good head on her shoulders, would never do anything illegal or too risky, and could take care of herself in most every situation.

But this one had slipped past him somehow, he acknowledged ruefully. His cunning, crafty daughter had done an admittedly fine job in concealing the truth from both her parents and her twin sister. Though what the real truth was he still didn’t know for certain. What he did know – beyond a shadow of a doubt now that he’d met Ben Rafferty in person – was that there was a definite history between the young man and his daughter.

It had been Ben’s mention of Lauren’s brilliant mind, and Robert’s own acknowledgment of her artistic talent, that had triggered the memory. Over the years both Lauren and Julia had allowed some of their photography and artwork to be displayed at Natalie’s gallery, always to great acclaim, and one set of Lauren’s photos in particular had come to mind the moment he had met Ben.

There had been ten or twelve photos in all – he couldn’t recall properly at the moment – and Lauren had dubbed the collection “The Loner”. All of the photos had been in stark black and white – Lauren’s preferred media – and most of the images had been of a man in profile or shadow. They had been taken in and around Big Sur, and Robert had had little trouble recognizing the various locations. And while the man’s face hadn’t been distinguishable in most of the shots, there had been one or two where enough of his features had been visible to stamp his image in Robert’s memory banks.

Lauren had always claimed that the man in the photos had just been a stranger passing through town, a drifter, a loner. But Robert wondered now exactly how long Ben Rafferty had lingered in Big Sur, and what exactly his relationship with Lauren had been. Especially given the level of animosity in Lauren’s voice when she discussed her boss in passing, how often she cussed him out, and how she had embraced the nickname “Ben the Bastard” that Julia had given him.

Except that the man Robert had just shared a drink with was in actuality a quiet, thoughtful person, certainly respectful and kind, and he had no idea why his daughter reacted almost violently whenever she brought him up.

‘Ah, there’s something there, darlin’. And I’ll figure it out one of these days,’ he told himself with a chuckle. ‘Your old dad isn’t quite as oblivious as you might want to believe.’

Chapter Sixteen

December – New York

“You look gorgeous, cara,” Carlo whispered in Lauren’s ear as they entered the banquet room. “And very, very sexy. Everyone is staring at you.”

Lauren resisted the urge to tug her underwear down beneath the tight fitting dress. “They’re probably staring at you, Carlito, wondering if you’re really that actor who plays Jack Cordero, and then trying to work up the nerve to ask for your autograph. As for looking sexy, I feel like I should be carrying castanets with this outfit. Or holding a red rose between my teeth and shouting ‘Ole!’.”