In some ways, Dave wished he could have stayed in Kennebunkport longer. He’d taken three days off work and stayed in a room at Janice and Brian’s small inn. It had been awkward at times, but the truly odd thing was that Dave liked Brian. He was good for Janice, and he was also a great dad to Dave’s daughter. Dave wanted Nora to be raised in a happy home. That was the most important thing, and thankfully everyone was willing to work together. Nora’s next visit would be to Jewell Cove, for New Year’s, and Dave couldn’t wait. He wiped his hands on a rag, trying to rub off the grease on his knuckles. He didn’t have much time coming to him, but he’d ask George for a few extra days, particularly as they’d talked about him staying on indefinitely. It was time to stop running and make a home.
And so while that part of his life was great, his romantic life had ground to a complete halt. He’d ruined things between him and Charlie, probably for good. She’d walked out and never called, not once. Not a text message, not a peep. He’d known from the beginning she was a strong woman. Stubborn. It was part of what he loved about her.
He was just punching out for the day when Josh pulled into the parking lot next to the boatyard. Which perhaps wasn’t that noteworthy except Josh hopped out of his truck and made straight for George’s small office. Dave’s stomach twisted. He hoped nothing had happened to Charlie …
He pulled on his gloves and greeted Josh cordially, if not cautiously. “Hey, Josh. What’re you doing here?”
“Probably pissing my partner off. She didn’t call you, did she?”
“No.” The nagging feeling of dread persisted. “Is she okay?”
“If you mean is she physically okay, I’d have to say yes, although I think she’s still beat from her go-round with the flu.”
She’d had the flu?
“It’s not that,” Josh continued. “It’s Daniel. His mother showed up at the clinic today. First of all, since you found him, I thought you might want to know before it gets all around town. And secondly, Charlie’s had a hell of an afternoon. I don’t know what happened between the two of you, but she’s been moping around for the last week and a half. She’s tired and it’s been a rough few hours. She could use a friend today.”
“I doubt she wants to see me.” If she’d wanted moral support, she would have called. Wouldn’t she?
“Well, do what you will with the information. I just wanted to let you know.”
Clearly Josh didn’t have a very high opinion of him, because he made an about-face and headed right back to his truck again.
Dave frowned. In addition to finding his way in his new, active role as parent, he’d spent a lot of time thinking about Charlie. Mostly about how he’d hurt her. Mostly about what she’d said to him after they’d made love.
She’d been right. Being with her had scared him and he’d resorted to his fallback position: getting out of the way.
Maybe it was too late for them, but Josh had come to him for a reason. Charlie needed him—or perhaps just needed someone. He knew she felt very alone in Jewell Cove. He realized she spent most of her life looking after other people, but who looked after Charlie? No one. Not a damned soul. From what he gathered, she’d been looking out for herself for a long time now. Maybe it was time that changed.
Maybe it was time for him to be honest with himself about his feelings. And honest with her.
Chapter Thirteen
Dave gripped the paper bag in one hand and wiped the other on his jeans.
Two police cars were still outside the clinic, along with an older-model sedan and another newer, flashier car. Maybe this was a bad idea. He kept thinking that but then he also kept thinking about what Josh said.
So he opened the clinic door and stepped inside.
Robin was still working at the desk and looked up. “Hi, Dave. Sorry, our walk-in’s closed for today.”
“Josh found me,” he said in a low voice. “I came to see Charlie.”
“Oh.” Her cheeks colored a bit. “Let me just check with her.”
He waited, his toe tapping nervously, until Robin came back. “Come on in,” she invited. When she started to lead him down the hall, he stopped her. “It’s okay. I know which one is her office.”
“Right. Okay.” Robin looked a little flustered and Dave figured she wasn’t used to this much excitement at the office. At the end of the hall he gave Charlie’s door a tap and poked his head inside.
“Hey,” he said softly.
She looked up and his heart slammed against his ribs. She looked terrible and wonderful all at the same time. A few strands of hair were coming out of her bun, her eyes looked tired, her shoulders were slumped. In short, she looked done in. But she was still his beautiful Charlie.
His. From the moment he’d first held her in his arms, he’d thought of her as his. He wasn’t sure why he’d fought it so hard. Now wasn’t the time for that conversation, though. They could get into that later.
“You heard,” she said wearily, leaning back in her chair and rubbing her temples.
“I heard. Are you okay?”
“Me?” Her brows lifted in surprise. “Of course I’m okay. But the girl in the next room is having a hell of a day.” She tried a weak smile. “You might as well come in.”
He stepped inside and lifted the bag of food. “I guessed you hadn’t eaten yet, so I brought you dinner.”
“Dave…”
“Don’t.” He lifted a hand. “Charlie, you’ve had a crazy day and you’re exhausted. It’s as simple as that.”