“You went to far too much trouble. You don’t need to impress David.”
“But…I want your son to like me.”
“I know, dear, and I appreciate that, but it isn’t necessary. I suspect the only reason David asked us to have dinner is to see if I’ll give him another loan.” Ben’s face hardened. “I refuse to do it. I told him that the last time and I’m not going to change my mind.” He shook his head. “Just watch. We’ll get stuck with the bill, too.”
“Oh, Ben, I’m sure that’s not true. Anyway, he invited us.”
“Yeah, but you can bet I’ll be paying the tab.”
“Oh, Ben, don’t be so negative.”
Ben didn’t argue with her. She could tell he was nervous and that he regretted agreeing to this. He revealed no pleasure at seeing David or the prospect of a rare evening out in downtown Seattle.
While it was still daylight, Ben and Charlotte drove over to Bremerton and walked onto the Seattle-bound ferry. During the hour-long commute, Ben was uncharacteristically silent. They held hands and sipped coffee, and Charlotte watched Bainbridge Island fade into the distance as the Seattle skyline came into view. It really was a lovely time of year in Puget Sound. By the end of the month, Christmas decorations would be up, and a festive spirit would suffuse Cedar Cove.
Once the ferry docked in Seattle, Ben ushered Charlotte down the ramp and out of the terminal. They took one of the taxis waiting on the street outside and rode up to Martini’s Steakhouse, the restaurant David had chosen.
Ben led Charlotte to an elevator that brought them to the lower floor. As she stepped off, her interest was immediately captured by the signed photographs of famous people who’d dined at Martini’s.
A man who could only be Ben’s son sat in the restaurant foyer. He was handsome, a younger version of his father with dark hair and a strong presence. He glanced up and smiled when he saw Ben and Charlotte.
“Hello, David.” Ben spoke without emotion.
“Dad,” David said eagerly, standing. He hugged his father and slapped him affectionately on the back. When he’d finished, he gave Charlotte a warm smile.
“This is Charlotte,” Ben said, placing his arm protectively around her shoulders.
David held out his arms and drew her into an enthusiastic hug. “I am so delighted to finally meet you,” he said. “You’ve made my father a very happy man.”
Charlotte was instantly charmed. Ben didn’t have a thing to worry about, she decided; this was certain to be a wonderful evening. When David released her, she looked at Ben and found him scowling. She couldn’t imagine why he was being so unpleasant.
David’s smile dimmed slightly as he regarded his father. “Come on, Dad,” he said. “Relax. Let’s enjoy the evening.”
“Yes,” Charlotte chimed in. “I’m meeting your son for the first time and we’re going to have a great meal. Let’s enjoy ourselves.”
David directed his attention to her as they waited for the hostess to return from seating the couple in front of them. “I can’t tell you how sorry I was to miss the wedding,” he said, avoiding his father’s eye.
“I’m looking forward to introducing you to my children,” Charlotte told him happily. “I’m sure you’ll get a chance to meet them soon.”
“I’m sure I will, too. Again I apologize about missing the big day but summer’s an especially busy time for me.”
“What do you do?” Charlotte asked, and refrained from reminding him that they were married the first week of May, which was actually spring.
“I work in insurance,” David said. “It’s difficult to explain but I deal with actuaries and statistics.”
“Oh, yes.” Charlotte nodded. “All of that’s beyond me. Clyde always took care of that sort of thing. I’m grateful he did. Clyde was my first husband,” she told him. Although he’d been gone almost twenty-five years, Clyde had seen to Charlotte’s financial needs before his death. She would be forever grateful.
The hostess seemed to be waiting for them to finish their conversation.
“Our table’s ready,” Ben said, steering them toward the young woman.
They were quickly seated, and Charlotte took the opportunity to look around. A single glance convinced her that this was one of the finest restaurants she’d ever been inside. To date, the most elegant restaurant she’d eaten in belonged to her own granddaughter, Justine. Justine and Seth owned The Lighthouse in Cedar Cove and had made a brilliant success of it. She was near to bursting with pride about her granddaughter, who’d had the good sense to marry a solid man like Seth Gunderson. When David visited Cedar Cove, she’d make sure he had a chance to dine at The Lighthouse.
Their waiter approached the table, wheeling a cart, and with a good deal of ceremony revealed virtually a complete menu. Her head spun as he displayed and then described each item. When he was finished, they were given a price list. Charlotte studied it and gasped aloud. But, my goodness, it all looked so delicious. She made a mental note to tell Justine every detail she could remember. Her granddaughter would want to know about this. After the elaborate presentation, she ordered the grilled swordfish and both men ordered steaks.
The meal was superb and so was the service. The conversation, too, was enjoyable. David had an engaging manner and did most of the talking. He chatted about the weather and recent movies and how he planned to go to Vegas for Christmas. Ben remained stubbornly quiet, as he had before; it was up to Charlotte to respond to his son’s questions and remarks. The one irritation was David’s cell phone, which rang four times during the course of their meal.
After the fourth call, Ben snapped, “Turn that damn thing off.”
“Sorry.” David did look apologetic as he reached for his cell and pushed a button. The telephone sang a brief song and then went silent.
Charlotte breathed a sigh of relief and smiled at the waiter who brought coffee to their table with several varieties of sugar from which to choose. Charlotte was quite taken with the hard candy sticks that looked like something out of a confectionary store.
Over coffee, David grew quiet. “You might’ve guessed why I wanted to meet with you, Dad,” he said as he stirred in the cream.
“David, if this is about money—”
“Dad, I’m in a tight spot.”
“I can’t help you.”
“Can’t or won’t?” David asked with barely suppressed anger.
Ben’s shoulders heaved as if he’d inhaled sharply in an effort to control his own annoyance. “Since you put it like that, the answer is won’t. I refuse to give you another dime. You haven’t paid back the last two loans. I’d be a fool to give you more.”
“I’m good for it. I promise.”
“That’s what you said last time and the time before that. Why should I believe you now?”
“Because it’s true. Dad, do you think it’s easy, coming to you like this? Do you think I’d do this if I had any other options?”
He seemed about to say more but Charlotte could see that his arguments increased Ben’s irritation. “How much do you need?” she asked. She didn’t mean to intrude, but if it was a reasonable amount then perhaps Ben wouldn’t mind so much.
“Five thousand,” he said after a moment. “That’s considerably less than I needed before,” he added with a hopeful expression.
“What do you need it for?” Charlotte asked, wanting to help and not knowing how. Her questions didn’t please Ben, she could see that, but she felt badly for the young man.
David shrugged. “It’s complicated.”
“The usual, no doubt,” Ben cut in. “His credit cards are maxed out, he hasn’t paid his taxes and he’s paying alimony for two ex-wives.”
“I’m getting a bonus this Christmas,” David said. “I only need the money for a couple of months, just to carry me through. You know I wouldn’t ask if I wasn’t desperate. I’m telling you, Dad, money pressures are the worst. I can’t sleep nights. I can hardly eat.”
“You certainly did
n’t have a problem tonight,” Ben pointed out. David had obviously enjoyed his meal, and Charlotte was glad of that after seeing those prices. Fifty years ago, she could’ve fed her family for a week for the price of a single steak.
David looked hurt. “This is the first decent meal I’ve had in ages. You have to know how difficult this is for me. There’s no one else I can ask.”
“I’m sure it’s painful to ask for a loan,” Charlotte said sympathetically.
David thanked her for her understanding with a smile. “I swear to you, Dad, I’ll pay you back. I don’t know what’ll happen if you turn me down.”
“How old are you now?” Ben asked his son.
David straightened slightly. “Forty-three.”
“Really,” Charlotte said conversationally. “I would’ve guessed much younger.”
David ignored her, holding his father’s eyes.
“Forty-three is old enough to stand on your own two feet and stop expecting someone else to bail you out.”
David’s shoulders slumped.
Charlotte felt dreadful for him, but she couldn’t advise Ben when it came to dealing with his own child. She reached for Ben’s hand under the table and he gripped it hard.
“I told you the last time that I’m not lending you another dime, and I’m sticking to that. I have to, David. I’m sorry you’re experiencing financial troubles, but apparently you didn’t learn your lesson.”
“You’re telling me no.”
“I am. Save your breath, because no amount of talking will change my mind.”
David didn’t argue, didn’t get upset, but nodded as if he understood.
“So far, all I’ve taught you is to come to me when you have money problems and that isn’t healthy for either of us.”
“I agree,” David said reluctantly.
“You pay me back what you owe from the first two loans, and then we’ll discuss future possibilities.”
David pinched his lips together and nodded again. Pushing out his chair, he stood. “If you’ll excuse me, I’d better get back to my hotel. Thank you for the pleasant dinner. Charlotte, I think the smartest thing my father’s done in the last fifteen years was marrying you.”
Charlotte blushed with pleasure. “Thank you, David.”
He bowed slightly and walked out of the room.
With his exit, the waiter walked over to the table and promptly delivered the bill.
Ten
Home from work early because of her doctor’s appointment, Cecilia Randall sat in front of her computer in the spare bedroom and logged on. She treasured every e-mail Ian sent, and when there wasn’t one waiting for her at the end of the day, she immediately felt discouraged. To her delight, there were two messages. She clicked her mouse on the first, but before the computer brought it up on screen the phone rang.
Cecilia glanced over her shoulder, willing it to be silent. It was probably Cathy, wanting to hear how her appointment had gone. Everything was wonderful, and she had exciting news to share with Ian. She couldn’t tell Cathy before she told her husband. By rights, he should hear first. If she picked up the phone and Cathy was on the line, Cecilia knew she wouldn’t be able to keep the information to herself.
After the third ring, she couldn’t stand it any longer and ran into the kitchen to grab the phone before the answering machine kicked in. “Hello,” she said breathlessly.
“Cecilia?”
“Ian?”
“Oh, baby, I’m so glad you’re home. You wouldn’t believe what I went through to make this call.”
“Ian, oh, Ian, it’s so good to hear your voice.” Tears filled her eyes. She loved her husband and missed him terribly. Every time he went to sea it was the same.
“Tell me about the doctor’s visit,” Ian demanded, worry in his voice. “It was this afternoon, wasn’t it?”
“Yes, yes, and everything went really well.” She was nearly bursting with what she’d learned.
“They did the ultrasound?”
“Yes…”
“Everything’s all right with the baby?” He sounded afraid, and she didn’t blame him. If they’d had more than one ultrasound with Allison, the doctors would’ve discovered her heart condition before the birth. “Did the ultrasound show anything?”
She leaned against the kitchen wall, almost giddy with happiness. “It did.”
Ian gasped as if this was his biggest fear.
“Ian, Ian, it isn’t anything like that. Oh, Ian, we’re going to have a son!”
“What?”
“The technician had a good view this time, and she showed me his little penis. We’re having a son.”
Her husband was silent for half a second and then let out a yelp that must’ve echoed a hundred miles. Cecilia was sure everyone on the aircraft carrier had heard him. She understood; it was the proof he needed that this pregnancy was different from their first.
Cecilia laughed with joy. They’d been told this second baby was likely a girl and that had only added to her husband’s fears. As Ian had said over and over, everything was the same as it had been with Allison. Cecilia was going to deliver another baby girl while he was away. Ian was so afraid for her, for them both. If they lost another baby…Cecilia couldn’t allow her mind to go down those dark paths.
“They’re sure about the baby being a boy?”
“I know what I saw.”
“How are you feeling?” he asked.
“Wonderful. Ecstatic. And very much in love with my husband.”
“I love you, Cecilia.” His voice lowered with the weight of his emotion. “I think of you day and night.”
“Me, too.”
“Working isn’t too much for you?”
“Not at all.” Ian was such a worrier. But this job was vital to her. Without it, she’d sit at home all day with nothing to do. Using her accounting skills and providing a portion of their income weren’t the only reasons Cecilia chose to be employed. “Mr. Cox is so thoughtful and Allison’s coming in to the office every day after school.” Ian already knew this but she told him again. She made sure her e-mails were full of news about her everyday life. That seemed to reassure him.
“Ah, yes. Allison Cox,” Ian said, sighing deeply. “You’re concerned about her, aren’t you?”
“She has that new boyfriend.”
“And you don’t like him,” Ian said.
“Well, I don’t really know him, so I can’t dislike him, but he worries me. Did I tell you his name is Anson? What kind of name is that, anyway? He’s not the boy for Allison. He’s one of those Goth kids, dresses totally in black and—”
Ian interrupted her. “Your father said I wasn’t the right man for you, remember?”
At the mention of her father, Cecilia rolled her eyes. She’d come to Cedar Cove four years earlier in an effort to get to know her father. Her parents had divorced when she was ten, and her memories of him were vague and mingled with her mother’s bitterness. Cecilia wanted to form her own impressions of him. He’d seemed eager to know her, too.
Cecilia’s mother had warned her against having any expectations when it came to Bobby Merrick, but this was something she had to learn on her own. It hadn’t taken her long to discover that her father was unreliable and irresponsible. When Cecilia lost her baby, his idea of comforting her was a sympathy card sent through the mail. He was sorry for her loss, he’d written. But not once had he come to see his daughter in the hospital. Not once had he offered to help her with the financial burden. He couldn’t even be bothered to attend Allison’s burial. The only thing her father had done for Cecilia was get her a job at The Captain’s Galley, where she’d met Ian. For that one small twist of fate, she would always be grateful.
“You’re the right man for me,” she breathed, determined not to bring her father into the conversation. “Oh, Ian, I miss you so much.”
“I’ll be home soon.”
Not before the baby was born, but Cecilia couldn’t think about that. This time she wasn’
t alone. Cathy Lackey would be with her and had promised to be her birthing coach. Cecilia had signed up for classes and they’d be starting soon. Cathy would go with her.
When Cecilia delivered Allison she’d been alone, not knowing a soul other than her father. The baby had arrived several weeks early. Her mother had intended to fly out, but couldn’t reach her in time. Friendless and frightened, Cecilia had gone to the hospital on her own.
“We need boy names, Ian,” she said, breaking off those painful memories.
“Ah…I can’t think of anything at the moment. Let me e-mail you a few suggestions. Okay?”
“Okay. But I think our son should have his daddy’s name.”
“Too confusing,” Ian said. “Maybe for his middle name.”
“That sounds fine.”
“Listen, sweetheart, I have to go, but before I do I need to ask a favor for a friend of mine. He asked if you’d mind checking on a girl for him.”
“Sure.”
“Her name is Rachel Pendergast and she works at a beauty place in Cedar Cove called Get Nailed.”
“I know it. Almost everyone gets their nails done there.”
“Nate went out with Rachel a couple of times and seems pretty interested in her, but she doesn’t have a computer. Apparently she writes him a lot, but it isn’t the same as being able to communicate on-line.”
“Couldn’t she use the computer at the library?” Cecilia asked. That was the one Cecilia had used when she and Ian were separated and she needed to keep in touch with him. With all the expenses related to burying Allison and the attorney’s fees for their failed divorce, she’d had no money for anything extra.
“Apparently Rachel’s never been on-line and isn’t sure how it works. This is all new to her.”
“I’ll get her started,” Cecilia promised.
“Thanks, sweetheart.”
“You’re welcome, my handsome, wonderful husband.”
“How long has it been since I told you I love you?”
Cecilia smiled softly. “Too long.”
“I love you.”
She giggled with sheer happiness.