“I guess. I’m off shift for three days. That works for me.”
Charlie sank down into the cushions and sipped her wine again. “What? You haven’t taken on extra shifts?” She raised her eyebrows. “There must be a man involved.”
There was a beat of silence.
“Liiiizzziiieeee!”
The warm laughter on the other end made Charlie feel so much better. “Okay. But I’m not spilling because I don’t want to jinx it. Soon.”
“Killjoy.”
“How’s the mystery man? Still watching him from the café?”
“Funny you should mention that.” Charlie stared into the crackling fire, swirled the wine in the glass. “We, uh, actually met.”
“Oooh, do tell!”
Charlie heard the blare of a horn through the phone. “You sure you don’t want to talk later?”
“I’m sure. I’m on my way to pick up my dad and go see my mom. I could use the distraction.”
Charlie got a lump in her throat. Mrs. Howard had always been good to her, and her early onset Alzheimer’s had hit the family hard. If Lizzie wanted distraction, Charlie would give it to her.
“We met when I was decorating the churchyard for the holidays.”
Lizzie let out a hoot that made Charlie grin. “Wait, you were decorating the church?”
“I know. Do you want to hear the story or not?”
Lizzie’s laughter mellowed and Charlie grinned to herself. “Anyway, the next night we hung out at the tree lighting ceremony and we were going to go get a drink when we found a baby.”
The line went quiet for several seconds. “You found a baby? Did I hear that right?”
“Yep. An abandoned baby. So our date turned into calling the cops and dealing with social workers.”
“Well, that’ll be a story to tell the grandkids.” Lizzie’s good humor was back.
“I’m not so sure, Liz.” Charlie put down the glass and sighed. “I was so stupid, having this crush on someone I’d never met. It’s totally different now that I know him in person.”
“Different good or different bad?”
“Both?” She picked at a thread on the pillow. “You know me, Liz. I see men as candidates with potential.”
“Yeah. You do. Which is no fun at all.”
Charlie giggled a little. “Right. And this guy? I don’t know if he’s a candidate. He’s got a kid and just moved to town, and I’m not sure he’s even staying or if he even wants to be a father again…”
The sharp bark of laughter on the other end cut Charlie off. “You already talked about that stuff? Honey, you’re more involved than you realize.”
That’s what she was afraid of.
“Crappy thing is, Liz, that I want to spend more time with him. He … he floats my boat, if you know what I mean.”
Lizzie laughed again. “Yeah, I know what you mean.” Charlie wondered what the heck her friend was being so close-lipped about. Maybe this developing romance of hers was serious. If Charlie had learned anything, it was that Liz would tell her when she was ready. She always did.
“Charlie?”
“Hmm?”
“I think you should have a torrid affair. I mean, you never have. A no-strings, great sex, live in the moment affair. That’s assuming this guy is torrid affair material?”
She thought back to Sunday morning on the living room floor and how badly she’d wanted to rip his clothes off even though they’d kept it strictly to kissing. “He is.” The words came out slightly strangled.
“Sister, you are leaving out some pertinent details.”
“You could always come for a visit. Maybe over the holidays.”
There was a beat of silence. “Tempting, but I think I’ll be kind of occupied over Christmas. It’s Dad’s first one without Mom at home and Ian will be around…”
“Ian. So that’s his name.”
“Long story.”
“Whenever you’re ready.”
Lizzie chuckled. “Damn, I’m glad you called. Really glad.”
“Me too.”
“Listen. You do what you’re comfortable with as far as things go with the mystery man. I’m just saying … not every guy needs to have a wedding registry above his head and tick all the right boxes, know what I mean? Sometimes you can just go with it. In fact, this might be better because you could go into it without any expectations from each other. For Pete’s sake, have a fling, Charlie. You’ve never done anything spontaneous in your life, other than moving to Jewell Cove. And look how that’s turned out for you. It’s a little slow for my speed, but I know you love it there.”
She did, and she was glad Lizzie recognized it. Her family certainly didn’t.
“The torrid affair might have to take a backseat. I’m looking after the baby temporarily. He’s a bit small, and it’s not for very long.”
“You’re looking after a baby?” Liz’s voice came across the line loud and clear. “Are you crazy?”
Charlie laughed. “I’m exhausted. But it’s good practice.”
“Better you than me, sister.”
“I’ll think about what you said,” Charlie promised. “Thanks for the pep talk. I needed it.”