“I’d be willing to take you out more, Chelsea. You know I’ve said that before. Unfortunately, when your father died, it left me with a great deal to do. I’m sorry I wasn’t around more.”
“You were great, Frank, and I appreciate how supportive you were. But that place doesn’t hold good memories for me anymore. I’m not sure it ever did.”
When his arm went around her shoulder, Chelsea couldn’t help but compare it to Theo’s touch.
“You’re welcome to come live at my place. I have a number of guest rooms and a smaller staff. I’m also closer to town, so you can get out more.”
The hand rubbing up and down her back should have felt good, but Frank had never been a romantic option. For some reason, his words and actions felt that way now. Had she mistaken all his comfort and support a month ago? No. He was almost forty years old. Even if she hadn’t been ruined by Theo, she never would have considered him. Theo was five years older than her, and it seemed like a huge gap. At least it had when she was twenty.
“Thanks for the offer,” she said, escaping from under his arm and opening the carrier to scoop the kittens out. She carried the squirming bundles of fur to the kitchen where she fed them. Frank followed and Bandit followed after him. The dog’s fur stood on end. Guess he didn’t feel comfortable around Frank either. “Honestly, I don’t want to even think about the estate anymore. I’m getting this house in better shape.”
“Are you going to sell it then? I can get people to do the work for you, so you don’t have to stay here. You can make some excellent money.”
Staring at him, she tilted her head. “What on earth would I need more money for? I don’t want to sell this place. I want to live here. I’d like to sell the estate and the business and forget it ever existed. I want to be here where my daughter is.”
“Sell the business?” Frank’s expression grew hard.
She shrugged. “Or I suppose I can keep it, but I don’t want to be part of running it. You can continue being in charge if you want. Or choose whatever position you desire, and I’ll approve it. I don’t want any part of it. Can you understand? I need to be with my daughter.”
“I still don’t understand this whole situation. Husband? Daughter? None of it makes sense. Your father never mentioned anything.”
“I’m sure he didn’t. Who would ever admit to something as heinous as telling his own daughter her child had died and then stealing it from her? I can’t believe what a horrid person he was.”
“I’m sure he was doing what he thought best for you and your condition.”
“Forget about mycondition.” She slapped her hands on the counter, and Bandit growled again. At Frank. “Most of my emotional state was brought on by thinking my child was dead. Now that I know she isn’t, I’m feeling better than I ever have.”
“What of this husband of yours? Does he want you back?”
Did he? His kisses today certainly hadn’t saidgo away.
“For now, we’re focusing on Jordan and what she needs. I’m also helping do some cleanup around Jordan Pond. I know I’ve mentioned how much I love that place. It’s why our daughter is named Jordan.”
“You’re doing cleanup? What can that possibly do for you?”
“Believe it or not, Frank, doing physical work feels good and doing it outside is therapeutic. Tomorrow, Theo is going to show me how to run a chainsaw. There are a few trees that have started to tip because of loose roots on some paths near the lake. If they aren’t cut down, they could be dangerous to anyone hiking nearby.”
“Working a chainsaw, Chelsea? Your father would be mortified.”
“Like I care what he would have thought. He certainly didn’t think about me when he kidnapped my daughter and told me she was dead.”
“Okay, calm down.” Frank ran his hand down her arm. “I’m only thinking of your safety. Regardless of what your father did, I would never want to see you hurt in any way. I hope you know that. I care for you deeply.”
“I know, Frank. Thank you. You’ve been so good to me, and I appreciate your taking on all the responsibility of the business and the estate and everything else my father owned. I don’t know what I would have done without you.” And she meant this. He’d been wonderful to her.
“I only want to do what’s best for you. It’s been a difficult few years.”
“Yes, it has been. Where are you planning to stay tonight?” Should she offer him a room? None of them were in any shape to be slept in, except hers, and even that was still musty.
“I had the staff get a few rooms at the West Street house in shape. I had wondered if you preferred that place to this one. It’s right in town.”
The West Street house had been where her father had summered for years, where he’d lived when he met her mother. But it was massive and sterile, and she’d never felt comfortable in it. The caretakers were old crotchety people who didn’t like anyone messing things up. Her grandmother’s place here in Seal Harbor was always more inviting. True, it was big, but it was comfortable and homey.
“Do whatever you want with that place. I’d even give it to you if you wanted. I have no interest in it.”
“Well, I’ll only be there for a day or two before heading back. I was hoping to bring you back with me. I flew into the small Trenton airport and rented a car. I can arrange for someone to drive your vehicle back.”
“That’s sweet of you, Frank, but like I said, I can’t leave my daughter.”
