They got their order and sat at the table. Conversation lagged. She wanted to ask so many questions but didn’t want to make him uncomfortable.
Jesse broke the silence.“So, today is Blake’s birthday.”
“It is?”Shock swept through her. Of course he’d have a birthday, but today? She immediately wanted to buy him a gift. Something. How many birthdays had she missed?
“He’s sixteen today.”
Sixteen years ago her daughter had had a baby, all alone. Without any family around her for support. Guilt squeezed her heart for not being there for Heather.
“Heather gave me one of her signed drawings for my birthday,”Blake said.
“Oh, that’s a nice gift.”She glanced at Jesse and he didn’t seem thrilled. At all.
“And Jesse is taking me on The Destiny tonight.”
“That will be fun. A birthday dinner cruise.”She saw that Blake had finished his shake.“You want another one?”
“I…um, I’m kind of hungry.”
“How about a sandwich?”
“Yes, ma’am—I mean Evelyn.”
She got up and walked to the kitchen, pausing for a moment to lean against the counter. She was getting a sandwich for her grandson. A huge smile broke across her face. and she hurried to make him a big sandwich with a side of fruit and some chips. Then she grabbed a piece of peach pie. If it was up to her, she’d put some meat on that boy’s bones.
Blake didn’t disappoint. He ate every single bite.
Jesse laughed when Blake was finished.“I’m going to go stock up our fridge after this.”
“You’re welcome to come here and eat anytime. On the house, of course,”Evelyn offered, hoping that she’d get to see a lot of Blake now.
“Is that okay, Jesse?”Blake turned to him.
Jesse laughed again.“Yes, that’s fine. Evelyn is a much better cook than I am, even if I have learned a lot about cooking since buying The Destiny. Anyway, we should go. Still have the grocery shopping to do before heading over to The Destiny.”
Evelyn heard the door to the cafe opened and sucked in a quick breath when she saw her daughter enter.
Jesse caught her staring and swiveled to look at the doorway. His jaw clenched and he rose.“Time to go, Blake.”
The boy rose.“Thanks for the shake and for the sandwich.”He said politely to her before he turned to leave. Then he stopped with one hand still on the back of the chair he was carefully putting back in place.
Ah, he’d seen Heather.
Chapter 20
Heather paused as she came through the door of the cafe and her eyes adjusted from the bright light outside. Then she saw them. Her family at a table with Blake. Just like they were finishing a normal family meal.
Her family without her, of course.
Jesse knew she was here. She could tell because he stood with his shoulders squared and his jaw set in a firm line of anger. She took in a deep breath and crossed over to the table.
“We were just leaving.”Jesse’s words were as hard as concrete. Harder.
“We’re getting groceries. I eat a lot.”Blake gave her a tentative smile and a shrug.
“I just made him a sandwich,”her mother said as she rose, clearing up the plates on the table, a slightly guilty look on her face.
“I’m sorry I didn’t pop in earlier.”What else could she say? It was obvious that Jesse didn’t want her here. Didn’t want her anywhere near Blake.
