“Pixie.”
The name caught her attention as Theo’s hand snaked across the table to rest on hers. The one still fiddling with her silverware.
“Don’t worry about what else is going on. You’re here with us, and we planned to enjoy the day together.”
After a quick scan of the room, she voiced what had been on her mind. “What do they all think of me?”
His grip on hers tightened. A few more eyes roamed their way. Darn small-town folks.
“I’ve never bad-mouthed you to anyone. I want you to know that. I’m also not one for gossip.”
“Thank you.” Again with the meek voice.Grow a set, girl.
“When they see how much you love Jordan and how wonderful you are with her, the past won’t matter.”
“How do you know I’ll be wonderful with Jordan?” Doubt crept in again.
His lips curled up on one side. “I’ve seen you with her the last few days.”
“Mama, you draw me a elephant,” Jordan piped up, unaware of what the grownups had been talking about. “They got a tiger, but I think we need a elephant.”
“Hmm. I’ll try, but I’m not sure how good it’ll be.” Concentrating on the picture was better than fixating on the way Theo looked at her, although she honestly had no idea what it meant. Sometimes, he seemed exasperated with her being there. Other times…it was like how he used to look at her that first summer together.
A teenager brought over their coffee and tea, with a juice for Jordan. Chelsea figured she should try some small talk with Theo but had no clue what to even say. The eavesdroppers weren’t being discreet. Concentrating on Jordan seemed the best solution, but every time the child called her Mama, some head snapped up and checked them out. She felt like she was under a microscope.
When their order showed up, Katie asked if they needed anything else.
“We’re good. Thanks,” Theo said.
Leaning down, Katie whispered, “Sorry about my stupid husband. He’s a work in progress. I’m glad Jordan’s got her mom here now.”
The pancakes, with their real Maine maple syrup, were excellent, but Chelsea wasn’t sure she could finish them all. Not with the bacon and home fries that came with them.
“With the way you keep feeding me, I’ll be fat in a month.”
The look Theo gave her said otherwise. “And you’ll still be the most beautiful woman around.”
“More beauuuutiful than Jordan Pond,” their daughter recited in a singsong voice from the bedtime story she’d been told. Both Chelsea and Theo laughed, and it felt good. Screw the others who lingered on their meals to see what would happen.
“So, what do we want to do today?” Theo directed the question to her, but Jordan was the one who answered.
“Pirate’s Cove. Can we, Daddy? Please?”
“Is the mini golf place even open this early in the season?” she asked.
“Just last week and only on weekends for now. Are you game? This little peanut has gotten quite good with a club. She gives me a run for my money.”
“Daddy’s silly. He hits the ball all over the place.”
When she’d played with Theo before, he’d been competitive. Obviously, fatherhood had mellowed that.
“Does he? Well, maybe we’ll have to give him some lessons.”
“I think I’d like some lessons.”
The twinkle in his eye and the teasing tone to his voice set her nerves fluttering. This was definitely the Theo she’d fallen in love with and married.
On the way, Chelsea kept Jordan busy with questions about school and her friends. She wanted to know everything there was to know about her child. Then, as Theo paid the fee and Jordan helped her choose the right size club, a few people stopped to greet them. Theo was well known around the island and obviously well liked. The curiosity surrounding her was thick.
