“We’ve met. Nice to see you again.” Cole forced a smile during the introductions, but inwardly, he was making note of their every move.
Of course, now he realized everything that he’d thought was so enchanting about Sam at the motel was wrong. Her carefree laugh now sounded a littletoocarefree. Forced? A nervous cover-up, most likely. Her innocent cornflower-blue eyes were now steely-gray pools of deception.
“What are you having?” Chuck turned to Cole, who hadn’t even glanced at the menu yet as he’d been too busy sizing up the enemy.
“The lobster rolls are great here if you like lobster,” Deena offered.
“I’m getting the steak.” Chuck patted his stomach, and Cole noticed it was still trim. That was good. At least Deena wasn’t trying to kill him off with fattening foods.
“That’s a great choice,” Deena said.
“The lobster roll is a good choice too,” Chuck fawned at Deena, and Cole tried not to scrunch his face up in disgust. Was his dad overdoing it a bit? Sure seemed that way.
“I agree,” Deena fawned back at Chuck.
Yech.
“We usually agree. That’s why we get along so well, isn’t it, dear?”
“Yes.” Chuck beamed.
Cole glanced at Sam. Her eyes were narrowed at the happy couple. Was she trying to telegraph a message to her mother not to overdo things? Cole hoped so. It was a little sickening.
“I think I’ll have a burger,” Cole said.
Lunch came, and Cole managed to keep up his end of the small talk. There was more gushing from his father and Deena. It definitely seemed forced. The burger was good, but Cole hardly tasted it. He was too busy trying to keep his gaze from wandering over to Sam as she cut into her steak like a lumberjack that hadn’t eaten in months.
It was amusing because Cole was used to dates that barely nibbled at salads. Somehow, Sam managed to chow down the meal in the most feminine way. Her pouty lips puckered as she chewed, and the sunlight coming in from the window highlighted the smattering of freckles across her nose. But Sam wasn’t his date. She was the enemy. He bet his dad would pay for lunch, and Sam had ordered one of the most expensive items, second only to the lobster roll her mother had ordered. They were certainly taking advantage of his father’s generous nature.
After the meal was done and the dishes cleared, Deena said, “Anyone want to split dessert?” She glanced up from the small dessert menu at Cole.
He was taken aback. He always used to split dessert with his mother. Did Deena know that? He glanced at his father. Had Chuck told her?
“I’m too full.” Cole tried to keep his voice light.
“Me too,” Chuck said.
“And me.” Sam took out her wallet. “Plus, I’m paying, and it will keep the tab down.”
“Oh no.” Chuck held his hand up. “I’ve got this.”
“Nope. I insist.” Sam had already flagged down the waitress and given her card.
Cole had to admit it was a clever maneuver. Offer to pay and make it seem like they weren’t after Chuck for his money. They’d probably worked it out ahead of time. It might be harder than he’d first thought to expose their real motivations.
“Well, thank you, Sam.” Deena beamed at her daughter. “I was hoping that you two would like to come back to Saltwater Sweets and see some of the enhancements we’ve made. I want to show you what an asset your father is to the business.”
Cole couldn’t wait to see that. He just hoped his father hadn’t spent a lot of money outfitting the shop already.
CHAPTER4
Gina relaxed into her chair at The Boathouse restaurant as she perused the menu. The upholstered chairs were comfortable, the water glasses sparkled, and the silverware gleamed. Outside, a seagull swooped in the air as boats bobbed in the cove. She wasn’t used to eating in such pleasant surroundings anymore. In her previous life, she’d eaten at fancy restaurants all the time, but now, she could only afford fast food and pizza. She didn’t mind. Her life was much better now.
She was happy to splurge for this special occasion, and even though it was marked with the sadness of missing her grandmother, that sadness was overshadowed by the joy of reuniting with her cousins. If it hadn’t been for Gram, the three of them would never have come to Shell Cove.
“Isn't that Chuck and Deena over there?” Maddie pointed at a table in the corner.
Chuck, Deena, and their kids were just standing to leave.
