Suddenly there was a seed of hope for her future. Something that didn’t depend on James. Something that was just about her.
She longed to confide in Jane and Claire about her suspicions. Normally they told each other everything, but this was such a sensitive subject. James’s reputation was at stake, and she couldn’t say it out loud until she was one-hundred-percent sure. All she had right now was a card with a woman’s number and a sneaking suspicion.
Then there were the kids to think about. They were grown adults, but she still didn’t want to talk badly about their father to them. This was a delicate matter and needed to be handled properly. Though she trusted Jane and Claire implicitly, she wasn’t ready to say the words out loud. Not yet.
And besides, Jane was so happy now with things going well at Tides, and things were working out nicely for Claire with Rob. She didn’t want to bring them down. There would be plenty of time for that later.
“Everything looks so great. I really appreciate all the help you guys have given me,” Jane said.
“It was my pleasure,” Maxi said.
Claire shrugged. “I didn’t really do anything.”
Jane laughed. “You don’t have to actuallydoanything. Just being there for me to vent with is enough. I couldn’t have done it without either of you.”
Jane turned to Andie. “And you were the biggest help of all. Honestly, this couldn’t have come together without you, either.”
Andie’s face flushed. She was pleased by the compliment. Maxi noticed a warm look pass between the sisters. Their relationship was thawing.
Andie slipped her arm around Maxi’s shoulders. “Hey, I couldn’t have done half as good a job without this lady right here. Teamwork!”
“It was a lot of fun, and teamwork is always good, right, Jane?” Maxi added.
But Jane was no longer paying attention. Her gaze was focused halfway down the beach where Mike Henderson was walking toward the inn. Cooper’s tail wagged even faster. Cooper looked up at Jane. She nodded, and he trotted off to meet Mike.
“Will you guys excuse me for a minute? I have something I need to tend to.” Jane started after Cooper.
Cooper bounded up to Mike, casting one glance back at Jane as if for permission before demanding Mike’s attention. Well, that settled it. There was no way she could let Cooper go to a kennel or be adopted by someone else. Cooper needed her as much as she needed him.
“Did they show up?” Mike asked.
Jane looked back at Tides. “Yes. Everything is all set. Thanks for helping out with that.” Jane was happy, hopeful, for the first time in a while. There was just one little problem—Mike was leaving, and that meant she was going to have to do something about Cooper.
“I was happy to help,” Mike said. “I’m glad things are working out for you.”
“There is something I want to talk to you about,” Jane said.
Mike’s expression turned curious and perhaps a little hopeful. “Oh?”
Cooper returned to her side, and Jane patted his head. “Yes. I’d like to adopt Cooper.”
Mike looked a little disappointed. “Oh.”
“I know you’ll be leaving soon, and you said you don’t have room for him in Seattle. He’s settled in at Tides, and I could take him to visit your grandfather.” It all came out in a rush. Jane was worried that Mike would say no.
“I think that sounds like a great idea, except you’re wrong about one thing. I’m not leaving soon.”
“You’re not?”
“No. Gramps has really improved since I’ve been here, and I don’t want to take that away from him. I can work from anywhere, and besides, this town is growing on me.” Mike looked at her out of the corner of his eye. “And some of the people too.”
Jane’s heart skipped a beat. She suddenly felt very self-conscious.
“There’s just one thing, though,” Mike continued.
“What’s that?”
“Since you have Cooper with you and we both go to Tall Pines, maybe we could go together sometimes.” Mike dug at the sand with the toe of his shoe as if he was nervous about her answer.
