“Wow, you really did get all grown up, huh?”
“In some ways. I hope you’ll be proud of me.”
“I will. I am. And have you figured out where you’re going to stay?”
“I was hoping you could put me in touch with a realtor.”
“You’re going to buy a place?” Ben’s heart sank. He’d been daydreaming about buying or building a place for them down on the water like she used to talk about.
“Not yet, no. Just rent somewhere to start out.”
“Okay. I’ll have a word with Austin, he’s a good guy. He’ll find you something.”
“Thanks.”
“So,” this was the question he needed an answer to, “when are you coming?”
“When do you want me?”
“Tomorrow,” he said with a laugh. “I’m being honest, not practical.”
She laughed with him. “I like it. I don’t know about tomorrow, but I’ll bet I can be there before the weekend. I’ve been waiting and planning for this. I’ve got everything sorted out and ready. I just needed to hear you say you still want me.”
“Oh, Charlie. I still want you. I always have and I always will.”
“I still want you too, Ben, and I’m going to hang up now before I cry. I’ll see you before the weekend, okay?”
“More than okay, so much more than okay.”
Chapter Six
Ben smiled to himself as he hung up. This was it. She was coming back. He breathed a big sigh. Finally. He drummed his fingers on the desk. He didn’t know what to do with himself. Call Austin. That was something he could do. Austin had a bunch of rental properties. He’d no doubt have something that would work for Charlotte. And if he didn’t, then Ben would find something himself. Hell, he’d give her one of the cabins if he needed to.
He left Austin a voicemail asking him to call back with details of whatever he had available at the moment. As he hung up, Ben realized that he didn’t really need to know what was available. It’d be up to Charlotte to choose what she wanted. He shook his head. So when Austin called back he’d simply put him in touch with her. He shouldn’t overstep. She’d said she was coming back on equal terms with him. She wouldn’t want him organizing her life for her. He’d have to watch himself with that. He’d have to accept that she was more haphazard in her ways than he was, and he’d have to let her get on with it.
He smiled as he remembered the look on Emma’s face when he’d answered his phone. Her eyes had almost popped out when she’d heard him say Charlie. He should go back out there and tell her.
She was bouncing in her seat as he made his way across the deck to the table she shared with Chris. “If I could manage to stand up fast enough I’d jump up and hug you!” she said with a grin. “But you’ll have to make do with a seated inquisition. So, tell me. What’s going on? What did she say?”
Ben smiled. “She’s coming back.”
Emma’s hand flew up to cover her mouth as she let out a little squeal. “Oh, Ben! I’m so happy for you!” Her hand dropped and her smile faded a little. “And what about Alastair?”
“Their divorce is final.” He smiled. “She said they had lunch together yesterday to celebrate.”
Emma brightened at that news. “Aww, that’s nice. I’m glad they’re still friends.”
Ben nodded. “Me too.” It was odd, but he was glad. He felt guilty that Alastair had married a woman who didn’t love him—guilty that he was the one she loved.
“When’s she coming? What are you going to do? Is she moving in with you?”
“No. She’s going to rent a place. I’ve put her in touch with Austin.”
“Oh.”
Ben laughed. “Don’t look like that, Em. We want to do this right. You have to remember that Charlie and I haven’t been around each other for years. We don’t really even know each other anymore. We don’t need to put ourselves under any pressure. We’re going to take our time.”
Emma frowned. “I hope you’re not being too cautious, Ben Walton. You’ve waited years for this. Throw yourself into it. Throw caution to the wind!”
