Harbor Street (Cedar Cove #5)(20)

“Because it’s true. Dad, do you think it’s easy, coming to you like this? Do you think I’d do this if I had any other options?”

He seemed about to say more but Charlotte could see that his arguments increased Ben’s irritation. “How much do you need?” she asked. She didn’t mean to intrude, but if it was a reasonable amount then perhaps Ben wouldn’t mind so much.

“Five thousand,” he said after a moment. “That’s considerably less than I needed before,” he added with a hopeful expression.

“What do you need it for?” Charlotte asked, wanting to help and not knowing how. Her questions didn’t please Ben, she could see that, but she felt badly for the young man.

David shrugged. “It’s complicated.”

“The usual, no doubt,” Ben cut in. “His credit cards are maxed out, he hasn’t paid his taxes and he’s paying alimony for two ex-wives.”

“I’m getting a bonus this Christmas,” David said. “I only need the money for a couple of months, just to carry me through. You know I wouldn’t ask if I wasn’t desperate. I’m telling you, Dad, money pressures are the worst. I can’t sleep nights. I can hardly eat.”

“You certainly didn’t have a problem tonight,” Ben pointed out. David had obviously enjoyed his meal, and Charlotte was glad of that after seeing those prices. Fifty years ago, she could’ve fed her family for a week for the price of a single steak.

David looked hurt. “This is the first decent meal I’ve had in ages. You have to know how difficult this is for me. There’s no one else I can ask.”

“I’m sure it’s painful to ask for a loan,” Charlotte said sympathetically.

David thanked her for her understanding with a smile. “I swear to you, Dad, I’ll pay you back. I don’t know what’ll happen if you turn me down.”

“How old are you now?” Ben asked his son.

David straightened slightly. “Forty-three.”

“Really,” Charlotte said conversationally. “I would’ve guessed much younger.”

David ignored her, holding his father’s eyes.

“Forty-three is old enough to stand on your own two feet and stop expecting someone else to bail you out.”

David’s shoulders slumped.

Charlotte felt dreadful for him, but she couldn’t advise Ben when it came to dealing with his own child. She reached for Ben’s hand under the table and he gripped it hard.

“I told you the last time that I’m not lending you another dime, and I’m sticking to that. I have to, David. I’m sorry you’re experiencing financial troubles, but apparently you didn’t learn your lesson.”

“You’re telling me no.”

“I am. Save your breath, because no amount of talking will change my mind.”

David didn’t argue, didn’t get upset, but nodded as if he understood.

“So far, all I’ve taught you is to come to me when you have money problems and that isn’t healthy for either of us.”

“I agree,” David said reluctantly.

“You pay me back what you owe from the first two loans, and then we’ll discuss future possibilities.”

David pinched his lips together and nodded again. Pushing out his chair, he stood. “If you’ll excuse me, I’d better get back to my hotel. Thank you for the pleasant dinner. Charlotte, I think the smartest thing my father’s done in the last fifteen years was marrying you.”

Charlotte blushed with pleasure. “Thank you, David.”

He bowed slightly and walked out of the room.

With his exit, the waiter walked over to the table and promptly delivered the bill.

Ten

Home from work early because of her doctor’s appointment, Cecilia Randall sat in front of her computer in the spare bedroom and logged on. She treasured every e-mail Ian sent, and when there wasn’t one waiting for her at the end of the day, she immediately felt discouraged. To her delight, there were two messages. She clicked her mouse on the first, but before the computer brought it up on screen the phone rang.

Cecilia glanced over her shoulder, willing it to be silent. It was probably Cathy, wanting to hear how her appointment had gone. Everything was wonderful, and she had exciting news to share with Ian. She couldn’t tell Cathy before she told her husband. By rights, he should hear first. If she picked up the phone and Cathy was on the line, Cecilia knew she wouldn’t be able to keep the information to herself.

After the third ring, she couldn’t stand it any longer and ran into the kitchen to grab the phone before the answering machine kicked in. “Hello,” she said breathlessly.

“Cecilia?”

“Ian?”

“Oh, baby, I’m so glad you’re home. You wouldn’t believe what I went through to make this call.”

“Ian, oh, Ian, it’s so good to hear your voice.” Tears filled her eyes. She loved her husband and missed him terribly. Every time he went to sea it was the same.

“Tell me about the doctor’s visit,” Ian demanded, worry in his voice. “It was this afternoon, wasn’t it?”

“Yes, yes, and everything went really well.” She was nearly bursting with what she’d learned.

“They did the ultrasound?”