Page 18 of Saltwater Sweets
“Is this about your mother?” Chuck asked as he lined up his shot. “Your mom isn’t here anymore—Lord knows I wish she was—and no one can replace her, but what I have with Deena is independent of that. It’s just as wonderful but different.”
Cole was getting a little frustrated. His dad wasn’t reading between the lines. He might have to be blunter. “Don’t you think it’s a little weird that her daughter showed up at the same time I did?”
Chuck gave him a questioning look. “What do you mean?”
“Well, you must’ve told Deena when I was coming, and then she invited Sam to come during the same week. Maybe that’s because she was worried I might see something in her that you don’t. She figured Sam could create a distraction. I mean, you are quite wealthy, and…” Cole let the sentence trail off.
Chuck shook his head, and Cole could see the disappointment in his father’s expression. Unfortunately, it wasn’t disappointment in Deena, as he’d hoped. It was disappointment in Cole for his negative thoughts. “There’s nothing different to see, son. Deena’s not after my money. She has no idea how much I have. And Sam’s presence in town didn’t happen exactly like that. We wanted you both to come, and this happened to be the time that you both had off.”
Cole nodded, but he could tell by the way his dad was rubbing his chin that he might have hit a nerve. Guilt washed over him at the look of sadness suddenly in his father’s expression. Could he be wrong about Deena?
“Sorry, Dad. I didn’t mean to doubt Deena’s intentions, but you’re a nice guy, and I don’t want you to be taken advantage of.”
“I appreciate that.” Chuck’s eyes were on the ball as he putted it right into the hole and gestured for Cole to take his turn.
Cole sank his ball then turned to his father. He felt bad for all the discouraging talk about Deena and wanted to lighten the mood.
“Deena does seem very nice, and it’s good for you to have something to do. The chocolates are delicious too.” He clapped his dad on the back. “Come on. Let’s finish this round, then lunch is on me.”
Chuck laughed. “It’s going to have to be. I think I left my wallet at Saltwater Sweets. Why do you think I let you pay for this round of golf?”
CHAPTER14
Chuck arrived at Deena’s small apartment that night with a bottle of wine, a bouquet of roses, and a few doubts that he hadn’t had before his round of golf with Cole.
When they’d agreed to meet up after their day alone with their children, Chuck had envisioned showing up full of relief that Cole was warming to her and approved of their relationship. He was hoping Deena would say the same about Sam. He hated to admit that Cole had planted some doubts about Deena’s intentions, and now they were swirling in his brain like buzzards.
Surely, his son’s reservations were ridiculous. Cole was used to thinking people had the worst intentions because of his job. That’s all it was. Deena and Sam weren’t up to anything. Deena had never asked him for a penny or forced him to help her. He’d volunteered. Or at least that was the way he remembered it.
“Roses? How sweet!” The look of joy and innocence on Deena’s face washed any doubts away.
He kissed her on the cheek. “How was your day with Sam?”
“Fabulous.” He followed her into the kitchen, where she laid the roses on the counter and pulled two trays out of the fridge. “We made these white-chocolate-covered strawberries, peppermint bark, assorted chocolates, and even lollipops for the kids.”
Chuck surveyed the trays, where everything was lined up in neat rows. The bark was cut into perfectly sized chunks, the chocolates glistening, the lollipops dipped in sprinkles. He imagined the chocolate melting all over the kids’ faces in the hot sun, the children laughing as parents ran after them with wet wipes.
“Sam used to love making chocolates when she was a little girl, but as she got older, she kind of drifted away.” A look of sadness crossed Deena’s face, but then she brightened. “But I felt like something happened today, like she started to appreciate the business more. I know it’s silly, but maybe she’ll even think about coming back to Shell Cove.”
Chuck was grateful that at least Sam hadn’t instilled the same doubts about him that Cole had about Deena.
Deena put the chocolates back in the fridge, took a cut-crystal vase out of the cabinet, and started arranging the roses.
“It’s great that both our kids could be here the same week. Though maybe it would have been better if they came on separate weeks. That way, we could have spent more time with each one individually. Maybe we should have coordinated better.” Guilty feelings swarmed. Hopefully, Deena wouldn’t think that Chuck was fishing for information. Despite what he’d told Cole, he couldn’t remember if they’d discussed when their kids would come or not.
“Yeah, maybe. But it’s kind of nice that they are getting to know each other. Just a coincidence they could come the same week. I do wish Audrey could be here to meet Sam too.” Deena’s tone was light as she stepped back to survey the rose arrangement.
Chuck was relieved. Deena hadn’t planned for Sam to come on the same week. It was just an innocent coincidence. Her mention of Audrey reminded Chuck that his daughter didn’t share Cole’s reservations.
“How was your day with Cole, dear?” Deena looked at him with hopeful, optimistic eyes. He wouldn’t dream of mentioning Cole’s suspicions to her.
“It was great. It’s been a while since we were able to get in a round of golf. Cole is so busy with his job and all.” Chuck had told Deena briefly about Cole’s job and that he had just come off a big case. “Speaking of which, have you seen my wallet? It’s a sentimental piece that Cole gave me and has a trout on the front. I discovered I didn’t have it when we golfed, and Cole had to pay for the golf and lunch.”
Deena laughed. “I’m sure he didn’t mind. He’s a grown man with his own money, and sometimes kids like to treat.”
Chuck stiffened. Was that a weird thing to say? Cole’s words about Chuck having a lot of money and insinuating that Deena might be after it raced through his mind. Was she glad Cole paid for golf and lunch so that Chuck would have more money for her? She’d never mentioned money before.
Deena put the roses on the small kitchen table beside the window. “I haven’t seen it, but you usually put it on the desk in the office at Saltwater Sweets when you are working on the computer, don’t you? You said it’s uncomfortable to sit on.”
