Chapter 23
"Tell me about your family."
Sandra's fork paused at her mouth, the perfectly cooked steak having just been slipped from the tines. They were finally having dinner out at the Sunset Restaurant, nestled into a corner booth overlooking the Chesapeake Bay.
Heat crept up her neck as she realized she'd been caught mid-bite. She chewed slowly, buying herself time while Terry's warm gaze remained fixed on her face.
Terry's low chuckle sent a pleasant shiver through her. "Sorry. Timing's not my strong suit tonight."
"It's like being at the dentist." Sandra watched confusion flicker across his features. "You know how they always start asking questions the moment they have all their tools in your mouth? All you can do is grunt and hope they understand."
His laughter filled the intimate space between them, rich and genuine. "Hell, you're right. They always want to know about work or vacation plans when their hands are buried in my mouth."
She dabbed her lips with the cloth napkin, noting how his speech patterns had relaxed as the evening progressed. The careful professional tone he used during the day had given way to something more casual, more authentically him.
"I know you mentioned North Carolina early on," he continued, "but I never dug deeper. Didn't want to sound like I was interrogating you."
Her smile was warm as she recalled, "I grew up in Chapel Hill. My parents were history professors at UNC."
"Both of them? That's either really convenient or really competitive."
"Convenient, mostly. They co-wrote textbooks on Roman influence on modern law."
Terry's eyebrows climbed toward his hairline. "Roman law, huh? Bet that made for some lively dinner conversation."
Sandra couldn't help but laugh at his expression. "I know, I know. Not exactly page-turner material. They were wonderful parents, just... academically focused."
"Focused how?"
The question was simple, direct. Very Terry. He didn't waste words when he wanted information.
"They never planned for children. I was very much an unplanned baby." Sandra traced the rim of her wineglass with one finger. "Don't misunderstand… I wasn't unwanted. They were good to me. Just completely devoted to their research, sabbaticals, lectures."
Terry leaned forward slightly. "Sounds like a loving home, but a little lonely."
Sandra's fork clattered against her plate as she set it down too quickly. "Exactly! You've described my childhood perfectly."
She speared another bite of steak, memories painting themselves across her mind. "They considered me an unexpected gift, but their lives were very established. A child simply hadn't been in their plans."
They ate in comfortable silence for several minutes, but Sandra caught the subtle changes in Terry's expression. The slight furrow between his brows, the way he chewed more slowly.
"You've got questions," she said softly. "Ask away. I'm not embarrassed about my childhood."
Terry wiped his mouth with his napkin and set his fork down.
"I'm trying to figure out the practical stuff.
Crying babies, toddler meltdowns, school activities.
Hell, just the teenage years." He paused, his gaze steady.
"Hope that doesn't sound rude but thinking about my own kids.
.. it was hard enough with Patricia helping. Can't imagine doing it alone."
Sandra nodded, touched by his honesty. "They couldn't have done it alone either.
UNC had excellent daycare for employees.
Lots of volunteers from the education and psych departments.
" She shrugged. "College professors don't make enough for nannies, but between daycare and the students they hired to babysit, I always had someone around. "
"Makes sense. Patricia never stopped working either, so we tag-teamed. Preschool, daycare, babysitters—whatever it took."
"You didn't just manage," Sandra said, her voice filled with genuine admiration. "Your kids are incredible."
Terry's expression softened, pride evident in his features. "They turned out pretty damn good, didn't they?"
The words were simple, but Sandra heard the deep satisfaction underneath. This was a man who measured success by his children's happiness, not his professional achievements.
"So after UNC?" Terry asked.
Sandra finished her last bite and leaned back. "One wonderful thing about my parents was their dinner parties. Even when I was young, I'd listen to conversations about books, history, and law. Law captured my attention most."
"Why law?"
"The stories, maybe? Cases felt like puzzles with real consequences.
" She took a sip of wine. "You know the rest…
after undergrad, I went to William and Mary in Williamsburg.
One of my friends was from Virginia Beach, and when we needed to escape, we'd head to the bay side.
Fell completely in love with this little corner of the world. "
Terry's grin was knowing. "Can see why."
"After graduation, I interned with a prosecutor in Richmond. Hated it. Then I accepted a position with a big firm in Alexandria. Good money, but the stress! I thought I’d have an ulcer before I turned thirty!
” She shook her head. "One of my law professors told me Legal Aid here was desperate for help.
I came down, spent time learning what they did, and felt like I'd found my place. "
The server appeared to clear their plates and refill their wineglasses. After ordering dessert and the server departing, Terry reached across the table and covered Sandra's hand with his.
"Glad you found your way here," he said simply.
The sincerity in his voice made her chest tighten. Terry didn't use flowery language or elaborate compliments. When he spoke, every word carried weight.
After he paid the bill, he stood and held out his hand. "Feel like a walk on the beach?"
Sandra glanced down, patting her full stomach with a grin. "Not only would I love it, I think I need it."
As they walked to the car for the short drive to Baytown Beach, she linked her arm through his. The comfortable silence between them felt natural and unforced.
At the beach, she slipped off her shoes and wiggled her toes in the cool sand. After a quiet moment, she tilted her head to look at him. "Will you tell me about Patricia? I don’t want to pry, but I feel like I need to understand the past, especially since I’m around the kids now."
Terry stopped walking and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. With his lips pressed against her forehead, he sighed. "Fair question. Patricia's not my favorite topic, but I don't keep secrets from people who matter."
He paused, and Sandra heard a shift in his voice. "Warning, though. The story isn’t exactly a thrilling story."
She tilted her head back and held his gaze. "For the record, Terry... anything about you interests me."
His lips curved into that slow smile she loved, and he tilted his head before sealing his mouth over hers. She melted into the kiss, deciding she'd much rather explore this than discuss his ex-wife anyway.