Summer Day Dreams

By Verity Norton

Summer Day Dreams: Book #1 in the McCullough Romance Series.

The moment he sees her picture, Sean McCullough is smitten. She is dancing in a field of wildflowers with daisies in her hair. She has long golden curls and the smile of an angel. There is only one thing that stops her from being perfect. She is engaged to his Cousin Alex.

Sophie Weldon dislikes him the moment he opens his mouth. When her fiancé brings her to Canden Valley to meet his family, Sean is the only McCullough who does not greet her with open arms and a warm heart.

Rude and unpleasant, and never missing an opportunity to insult, her, it is clear that he does not want her to be part of the McCullough family. In truth, Sean's dwelling on the fact that she's a city girl and does not fit into the country life is all an effort to curb his attraction to her. But resisting Sophie proves to be far more difficult than he had realized. With her spirited humor and genuine kindness, she melts Sean's heart. When he sees her spinning around on an ice cream fountain barstool, he knows it's hopeless. His only hope for survival is to avoid her.

However, events conspire to throw them in each other's paths. While Alex is consumed with challenges of his own, including work, as well as guilt from the past and his re-emerging feelings for the girl-next-door, Sophie and Sean spend more time together. Sophie is charmed by Sean as he teaches her to ride a horse, learns how to make her favorite chocolate chip ice cream soda, teases her for loving banana sandwiches and bunny slippers, and as the local PI, helps her find the father she's never known.

As Sophie's wise therapist friend, Arielle, points out, she has a decision to make. She must choose between two McCullough cousins. One, the reliable and safe workaholic San Francisco attorney. The other the man who can give her his whole heart and help her live her dreams.

Join the McCulloughs in the first book of the series as we begin to meet the fourteen McCullough cousins.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Felicity Nisbet
• Release date: Oct 16, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463650943

Verity Norton

Verity Norton is a native Californian, but when she moved to an island in the Pacific Northwest she fell in love with rainy days and the island lifestyle of reading and writing by candlelight and depending on a woodstove during power outages. She also writes children’s books, young adult, contemporary fiction, and mysteries under the name Felicity Nisbet. [e-mail]

Book preview

SUMMER DAY DREAMS

Book #1 in the McCullough Romance Series

by Verity Norton

©2013-2018 by Felicity Nisbet

Cover by Mary Sue Roberts

First edition published 2013 by The Fiction Works

Second edition published 2018 by Felicity Nisbet

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced without written permission, except for brief quotations to books and critical reviews. This story is a work of fiction. Characters and events are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

THE MCCULLOUGHS

Grandparents: Evan and Eleanor McCullough

Their children:

Patrick

Nan

Nigel

Emily

The McCullough Families and Cousins:

Nan McCullough Jameson, married to Grant Jameson

Their children:

Alex McCullough Jameson

Anne McCullough Jameson

Allie McCullough Jameson

Aidan McCullough Jameson

Nigel McCullough, married to Ivy McCullough

Their children:

Sean McCullough

Skye McCullough

Sloan McCullough

Patrick McCullough, married to Lana McCullough

Their children:

Matt McCullough (Divorced, two children, Belle and Brandon)

Megan McCullough

Morgan McCullough

Mairi McCullough

Emily McCullough, married to Palmer Burnett

Their children:

Kelly McCullough Burnett

Kieran McCullough Burnett

Kayleigh McCullough Burnett

Chapter 1

He was spectacular. Alex McCullough Jameson. Dark brown hair, blue eyes, six feet tall, worked out at least once daily, a successful attorney at age thirty. And as kind and generous as could be. Sophie Weldon looked across the room at him, well aware of how lucky she was.

So what if he forgot to take out the trash on Thursdays and tended to toss his beer bottles in the garbage instead of the recycle bin. Nobody was perfect. But he was as close as they came, at least relative to the other men she had known throughout her life.

She rubbed her thumb over the ring on her third finger as if that would convince her that this was actually happening. It was all she had ever wanted—to get married and have a family of her own. A real family. Of course she had spent hours envisioning a white picket fence surrounding a cottage with a garden. Sometimes chickens, goats, and horses, and especially puppies had popped into the picture. But she would be content with a condo in the city.

What? Alex looked up from his papers that were strewn across the dining room table.

Sophie shook her head and grinned at him from the couch where she was busy grading papers. Nothing. Nothing at all.

Right. He looked down at his computer screen but quickly looked up again. Okay, we can go.

She held her breath as she cautiously asked, Go where?

To Canden Valley.

She leaped off the couch and twirled across the room to settle onto his lap. You mean it? I get to meet your family?

He groaned. If you really want to.

I really want to.

Memorial weekend or beginning of summer?

Summer vacation definitely. It’s only a few weeks away. I have two and a half months off and we can stay for—

One week tops.

She gave him her most persuasive look, the one she used when she wanted to go to the local ice cream shop for a root beer float instead of his preference—tiramisu at an upscale French café.

Okay, two weeks, but I really can’t take off any longer than that, Sophie.

Deal. Second week of June?

He nodded, but his attention had already returned to the computer screen. She slipped off his lap and went back to grading papers. She felt like a little girl who had won the best prize at the birthday party. She was going to meet her fiancé’s family for the first time. Not having come from a family with one parent and one child, he had no idea how gratifying it was for her to know that she was marrying into a big family. She was the luckiest person on the planet. Not only was she marrying a wonderful man, but she was finally going to have a real family.

* * *

Nan McCullough Jameson put down the receiver and turned to her husband. He’s coming home!

Alex? Grant Jameson asked.

Wiping the tears from her eyes, Nan nodded.

Hey, what’s wrong, honey? My God, is he ill?

She shook her head, still wiping at her eyes. No! It’s just— He’s coming home!

I know, but he comes home a couple times a year. Well, maybe more like once a year recently. But we’ve been up to the city to see him. Anyway, it’s not as if he lives that far away.

This is different.

Because? Grant gently urged his wife to continue. He took her hand and led her to the kitchen table where he handed her the glass of wine he’d already poured for her. Even with her dark hair messy and her cheeks covered with tears, her blue eyes sparkled and she looked as beautiful as ever.

Because he’s bringing someone with him.

Someone? Would that be the Sophie he mentioned having just met when he was here at Christmas?

It would. Do you think—? Nan was afraid of saying the words and jinxing it.

I’d say there’s a good chance.

Nan kissed her husband’s cherubic face and sipped her wine. If they are getting married, he’ll be the first one in the family—of the cousins.

Second.

Of course. Matt. But he’s divorced. With two kids, Nan thought sadly. Her nephew had had such high hopes when he and Charlotte Callahan had gotten married eleven years ago. So young and naïve . . . and optimistic.

It’s for the best, Grant said, as if reading her mind. She wasn’t the right woman for him.

No, or the right mother for the children apparently. But all is well. Matt and the kids are doing fine. And he has the family’s support.

Exactly. So, no more worrying. About any of them.

It would be nice for Matt if he had his best friend back as well. Do you think Alex will move home? She was afraid to hope. He had made it clear that San Francisco suited his lifestyle far better than their tiny village in the sticks ever had. I suppose it depends on how Sophie takes to us . . . and Canden Valley. She answered her own question.

Well, we’ll just have to make sure she loves us. All of us.

Nan chuckled. Are you suggesting that we expose her to the entire clan? You don’t think the poor girl will be overwhelmed?

Only one way to find out.

Just what are you scheming, Mr. Jameson?

You know those grand summer kick-off picnics we used to have?

We haven’t had one of those since the twins left for college three years ago.

Well, don’t you think it’s about time we resurrected them? At least for this summer?

You don’t think having half of Canden Valley converge on her, will send the poor girl fleeing?

Didn’t Alex say she was anxious to meet the family? Grant asked.

Nan laughed. Yes, but I doubt he told her exactly how large the family is that she’s marrying into.

* * *

Nigel McCullough hung up the phone after talking to his sister.

What did Nan want, honey? Ivy McCullough asked him.

Good news. Nigel grabbed his wife and hugged her.

It sounded like it had to do with Alex. Sean McCullough joined the conversation as he walked into his parents’ kitchen. "Mind if I grab a bite to eat?

Ivy grinned at her six feet, two inch tall son. Three nights in a row? Why would I mind now?

Just miss your home cooking, Mom. That’s all. He leaned down to kiss his mother on the cheek, a sure way of getting some of the fresh-baked peach pie that his well-trained and perceptive nose had detected.

Ivy went to the refrigerator to pull out left-over pot roast and vegetables from dinner. She always made sure there was plenty in case one of her three children stopped by hungry. Although she was beginning to rethink the wisdom of that. It made it way too easy to indulge in late night snacks. She was already twenty pounds overweight as a result. Definitely time to rethink it.

So, tell us, Dad. Sean pulled up a stool at the counter. What did Aunt Nan say? What’s up with the prodigal cousin?

He’s coming home.

What will it be this time? Two days or will he honor us with three?

Nigel glared at his son. No sarcasm please. Your Aunt Nan is over the moon. They’re even planning to resurrect the summer kick-off picnic.

Really? Ivy pulled the heated plate of food from the microwave and set it in front of Sean whose deep blue eyes were looking through his father’s that were just as blue.

He’s bringing someone with him.

Someone as in a girl? Ivy asked.

Sophie Weldon is her name, I believe.

Sean’s mind flashed on Cassie Callahan, but he quickly shut out the image of those sad green eyes moist with tears. This was big. It meant something. It meant everything. Alex did not bring women home. At least he never had before. As far as Sean knew, he and Matt were the only ones who had met any of the women in Alex’s life but that was only because they had visited him in San Francisco. His cousin was thirty years old. Maybe he was considering settling down.

Shoveling in a bite of roasted potatoes and carrots, he wondered what this Sophie was like. One thing he knew for sure, judging from the women Alex had been with in recent years, she would not fit in here anymore than Alex did now. Sean did not want to think about Cassie but he would have to force himself to. He didn’t want her finding this out from someone else. If Alex didn’t tell her himself, which Sean was sure he wouldn’t, he would once again pick up the slack for his cousin.

A half hour later, his stomach amply satiated, Sean jumped into his pickup truck and left his parents’ home in the country. Glancing down at his cell phone, he pressed his Cousin Matt’s phone number on the auto dial at the same time as putting it on speaker and then set it down in the cup holder.

Matt answered on the first ring. Hey, cuz.

Have you heard?

Yep. Aunt Nan called my dad’s cell while we were still out at the job site.

Are you home or in the village?

Pub.

See you in ten. Sean knew the road well, having driven it since he was big enough to sit up in his father’s lap and hold onto the steering wheel. Five of the eight minutes were eaten up driving across his parents’ property. Another four got him into the village. He figured it would take him one to park and get inside the pub that another aunt and uncle owned.

Hey, Sean. Palmer Burnett greeted him at the door.

Hey, Uncle Palmer. You leaving? Sean asked.

Quiet night. I figure your little sister and Nick can handle things. I take it you’ve heard the news?

Who hasn’t?

Palmer patted Sean on the shoulder. Should be interesting.

Very. Sean made his way up to the bar.

He and Matt greeted each other with a smile and a shake of the head. Finally, Matt said.

Finally, Sean agreed. Hey, Skye, can I have a Belhaven? he called out to his sister.

I’m busy. Get it yourself, she shouted back, swaying her jean-clad hips as she made her way across the room with a beer-laden tray in hand.

He laughed and went behind the bar to draw himself a pint, slapped a five dollar bill down beside the cash register, and settled in beside Matt. Handy having a pub in the family. Matt raised his glass to Sean’s.

Definitely. How are you doing? he asked the oldest cousin in the McCullough clan.

Okay.

Sean studied him carefully. He decided to believe him. So, what do you think of the news?

I think our wandering cousin has finally decided to take the big leap.

It was about time the McCullough cousins confronted matrimony again. Sean happily would have thrown himself on the altar—if he could find the right woman. He was okay with Alex beating him to it, if that’s what he was doing and if he had found the right woman. Except for one problem. No matter who the woman in Alex’s life was, if she wasn’t Cassie Callahan, she wasn’t the right woman. What makes you think he’s taking the leap?

Otherwise why would he bring his gorgeous woman home? Especially with all his wolfish male cousins around?

Speak for yourself, Sean said. And how do you know she’s gorgeous?

Have you ever known Alex to spend more than a minute with a woman who wasn’t?

Good point.

And— Matt pulled his cell out of his jeans pocket. I happen to have some pictures.

Sean held back for a moment, not wanting to appear too anxious. Or maybe it was the wound he felt every time he was excluded. The three oldest male cousins had been close, but he’d never quite been able to penetrate the bond that Matt, the oldest, and Alex, the second oldest, had formed from toddlerhood.

Whew! A loud whistle escaped Sean’s lips. Matt was right. She was gorgeous. You’re not kidding. Sean stared at the picture of a beautiful young woman with grey-blue eyes and golden curls down to her shoulders. She was dressed in a flowing white summer dress, a wreath of daisies in her hair, bare feet. Not Alex’s type, he quickly decided.

That’s her? Skye sneaked up behind them and snatched the cell phone from Matt’s hand.

Yep. Sophie Weldon.

No way, Skye said. She’s not at all his type.

And how would you know that? Matt grabbed his phone back and scrolled to a second photograph. This one was of the couple together, Alex’s arm around her shoulder as she looked adoringly up at him.

Too sweet.

Sean and Matt laughed. She had a point.

Maybe he’s going more for quality in his old age, Matt said.

Skye raised an eyebrow as she went around to the other side of the bar to pour a glass of wine. Still don’t see it.

Matt held up the second picture for her to see. She finished pouring the wine and zeroed in on the cell phone. Nope.

Sean had to admit that he agreed with his little sister, although he wasn’t sure why. He chalked it up to just a hunch. Either that or—despite Alex’s belief to the contrary—it was the first time ever that he and his cousin were attracted to the same woman.

Matt and Sean sipped their beers in silence. When Skye finished serving the glass of wine, she returned. I know what it is.

What?

Well, look at her. She’s barefoot! She’s got flowers in her hair. Alex goes for sophistication. Skye smirked. At least he has since Cassie.

Right, thought Sean. It was as if their cousin had been searching for the antithesis of Cassie. And this latest love interest, although nothing like the sophisticated women of Alex’s recent years, was not like his rough and tumble cowgirl either.

And in the second shot, Skye continued, she’s wearing jeans and he’s dressed in a suit. No way. She’s not his type.

She could be good for him. Matt pushed his glass toward Skye so she would refill it. Remember these pictures were taken a few months back. They’d only known each other a couple months.

You’ve known about her all this time and kept it to yourself? Skye asked, and Sean said a silent thank you to his sister for speaking the words he had swallowed.

Sorry, I didn’t expect it to turn out serious. He always sends me pictures of the women he’s dating. He scrolled up on his cell gallery and proved his point. There were photographs of five other women—two of whom Sean had met on trips to San Francisco—all far more sophisticated than Sophie Weldon. None as beautiful.

Peering over her brother’s shoulder, Skye said, Proves my point. Not only that, but Aunt Nan told Uncle Palmer that she’s a second grade school teacher.

So what? Matt asked.

Skye gave him an impatient look, shaking her dark brown McCullough hair that hung halfway down the back of her madras blouse. Jeez, Matt. You should know him best of all of us. She rolled her eyes at the ceiling. Men! Okay, I will explain. All the other women are sophisticated lawyers or business types. Beautiful and successful. It’s real hard to get attached to a cool cucumber.

And you know this how? Matt asked.

Anne, Skye said smugly, as she whirled away to wait on more customers.

Sean groaned. Oh yeah, guess we forgot that the chain of female cousins in the McCullough family is at least as strong as the male.

And since Anne goes up to San Francisco to dance—

It’s highly likely that she’s met some of the women in her brother’s life.

Come on, let’s get a table. Matt grabbed the glass Skye had refilled.

Away from my sister’s prying eyes, Sean said.

And ears.

Once settled, Sean looked over at Matt, waiting for him to say what was on his mind as he knew he would. This time it only took about five minutes. I worry about him.

Yeah?

His trips home are shorter and further apart.

He likes city life. But Sean knew that wasn’t it. He just wasn’t sure he wanted to open old wounds.

Yeah, he’s taken to it like a McCullough to Belhaven.

Sean laughed. He had to admit that with Alex gone, he liked being Matt’s closest cousin.

Do you want to tell Cassie or should I? Sean asked, knowing it should come from one of them.

Matt’s glance in his direction said enough.

Right. I’ll tell her first thing tomorrow. Before she hears it from someone else.

You’re a good man, Sean McCullough. Matt patted him on the back.

So are you, Matt McCullough. Sean worried about this cousin as much as he did about the other. You might want to crash at my place tonight instead of driving back to Winslow.

It’s only twelve miles.

On a dark and winding road.

Dark maybe but not winding. The kids.

You can call and tell them good-night. They’re in good hands with your folks.

Matt nodded and shoved his car keys toward Sean who scooped them up before he could change his mind.

It’s kind of strange, don’t you think? Matt said as if expecting Sean to read his mind. Why not? He did it often enough.

What is?

Things that should have affected you and me more seem to have taken a bigger toll on Alex.

Sean looked over at him. Matt could try to convince himself of that all he wanted, but Sean knew he was still licking his wounds from the day Cassie Callahan’s older sister, Charlotte, had walked out on him and their two kids eight years ago. It was not long after Sean’s best friend, Jeff Callahan, had died that Charlotte had taken off. Apparently her little brother’s death had made her realize that life was too short to be stuck doing something you didn’t want to do—like being a wife and mother.

Sean still felt bad for Matt. He had to admit that he too was still in pain over the loss of his best friend. But Matt had not only lost his wife in the bargain, he had pretty much lost his best friend too. Actually the whole family had lost Alex.

Chapter 2

Congratulations! Barbara Weldon ushered the newly-engaged couple into her living room where she sat them down on the couch. Let me see it!

Sophie held out her hand as if on auto pilot for her mother’s approval.

Barbara grasped her daughter’s hand and pulled it into the sunlight so she could study the diamond ring. It’s lovely. You have excellent taste. She gave Alex a look of approval.

Sophie chose it, he told his future mother-in-law. It wasn’t the ring he had selected for her. She had returned that one, opting for a more old-fashioned antique setting and a diamond half the size, claiming that the two and a half caret emerald cut ring was way too big for her hand. And laughingly she had pointed out that she did not want to distract her students when she was helping them with school work.

No doubt, she was right about all of it. And although his ego had been wounded just a little bit, how could he object when she had saved him a few thousand dollars? But it had surprised him. Sophie always loved every gift he gave her. She teared up every time he brought her long-stem red roses. When he gave her the Gucci purse for her birthday and the Yves Saint Laurent boots for their three month anniversary, she had thanked him profusely. She genuinely seemed ecstatic when he had surprised her with a bottle of Chanel perfume and the pearl earrings. She had especially loved the sneakers he had brought home one evening, although he was relatively certain she hadn’t realized they were Lanvin. And when he’d brought her a new French cookbook, she had immediately gone out and bought the ingredients for the first three recipes so she could prepare them for him.

But he understood that an engagement ring was forever. And she did have very small and delicate fingers. And she was a second grade teacher.

Come to think of it, she had turned down the Mercedes he’d taken her to test drive.

"My Volvo is great," she protested.

"It’s fifteen years old."

"Just goes to show you. Volvos are great cars. And mine gets really good gas mileage."

Maybe after they were married, she’d let him give her a new car. But it might have to be a hybrid to satisfy her environmentalist nature.

It’s far more sensible than the one I had selected, Alex told Barbara.

Yes, well Sophie has always been very sensible. And she has very good judgment. It’s a beautiful ring, Barbara sat down in the chair across from them. So tell me everything. Where and when did you propose, Alex? Have you set a date? Where do you want the wedding? What would you like me to do? I’m at your disposal. Whatever you need.

Sophie’s heart did a flip flop. As much as she had fought the need for her mother’s approval and support, apparently she hadn’t yet won the battle.

I took Sophie to Chez Morin, Alex answered. Last weekend. No, I didn’t get down on one knee. I proposed across the candlelit table.

Still very romantic, Barbara said. And more dignified.

No date set yet. We haven’t discussed where or when for that matter, and anything you want to be involved in, I’m sure Sophie would appreciate.

Sophie clasped Alex’s hand in gratitude. He couldn’t have answered his mother’s questions more accurately.

You’re more than welcome to have it here. Barbara motioned toward her luxurious living room.

Sophie appreciated the gesture, but it wasn’t where she wanted to get married. She wanted something homier, outside under the trees or in a beautiful rose garden or overlooking the ocean. Thank you, Mom. We’ll discuss it. We’re actually on our way down to Canden Valley to visit Alex’s family and tell them the news.

Do you have a large family? Brothers and sisters?

Two parents? Sophie could hear the unspoken question. This time she answered for him. Alex’s parents still live on the ranch where he grew up. He has two sisters and a brother.

And lots of cousins, Alex added.

For the most part they live in the same area.

Ahh, so you’ll probably want to have the wedding there? Barbara asked, and Sophie dismissed her suspicion that her mother was relieved.

No, I don’t think so, Alex said.

But the ranch sounds perfect, Sophie blurted out. We could get married in the garden.

Alex shook his head. You want a potluck for a wedding? Knowing my family, they’d turn it in to one.

It sounded good to her. Everyone pitching in.

Her mother’s cringe nearly vibrated. She had always referred to potlucks as a poor man’s party.

I was thinking one of the hotels in San Francisco, Alex said.

Now that would be lovely. Just let me know how I can help, Barbara said, standing up. Now, are you two hungry? Dinner should be ready any minute.

Sophie and Alex followed her into a California dream kitchen. When had her mother started cooking? But when Sophie looked across the granite countertop, she spotted the take-out containers beside the sink.

Sorry. I’ve been too busy to cook, Barbara said as if reading her daughter’s mind.

Alex took the plate Barbara handed him. It smells delicious.

She grabbed her ringing cell phone and glanced down at it. "Oh dear, I was hoping this call wouldn’t come during dinner. Sophie, can you get the food out of the oven. I wanted to keep it warm until you arrived.