Pelican Court (Cedar Cove #3)(76)

“All-you-can-eat pancakes for a buck,” Rosie said, reaching for the syrup dispenser once Allison had finished with it. “You certainly can’t beat the price.”

“Cecilia says they’re the best in town.”

If Rosie heard the other woman’s name one more time, she thought she’d scream. On the other hand, she was so grateful to have her daughter back, she knew she really didn’t have cause to complain.

Two bucks for dinner was about all Rosie could afford. They still had massive legal bills—well, Zach did—and the cost of maintaining two homes. Plus, Rosie now had the additional expenses associated with working full-time. The money situation was as bad as ever, but she’d grown accustomed to stretching her pennies. “So you like the job at your father’s office?” The answer was obvious, but it opened the door to conversation.

“I didn’t the first day,” Allison confessed, grabbing her water glass and gulping down several swallows. “Dad was awful to be around. He was totally unreasonable.”

That wasn’t the way Rosie had heard it, but she wasn’t going to contradict Allison.

“Then he made Cecilia my boss, and it worked out much better.”

Rosie smiled, wondering what it was about Cecilia, whom she’d never met, that had influenced Allison so profoundly.

“Dad told you about Cecilia and her husband, didn’t he?”

“Yes.” Zach had also mentioned the baby Cecilia had lost. “Cecilia’s baby was named Allison, too?”

Her daughter nodded. “Would it be all right if we put flowers on her grave one day?”

“I think that would be very nice.”

“Her birthday was June 25.”

“Perhaps we should do it then,” Rosie suggested.

Allison nodded again. “Okay! I’ll pay for them myself.” She poured a generous amount of syrup on what remained of her pancakes. “We talk, you know?” She looked up, as if she expected Rosie to object.

“I know.”

“Cecilia’s really smart, but she said she didn’t always realize that. Ian was the one who convinced her she could go to college and be anything she wanted.”

“Didn’t I hear you say that Ian’s away just now?”

“The term is ‘at sea,’ Mom.”

Rosie hid a smile. “Sorry.”

“Do we know anyone else who’s married to someone in the navy?”

Rosie had to think about that. “Mrs. Alman’s husband is in the navy. I teach with her.”

“Oh,” Allison murmured absently.

The question Rosie had wanted to ask her daughter, and dared not, clamored within her. Zach hadn’t referred to Janice Lamond in weeks, and for that matter, neither had Allison. It wasn’t right to grill her children about their father’s activities; Rosie had promised herself she’d never put them in a situation that would divide their loyalties. She’d never force them to defend their father—or worse, choose between their parents. The silence about the other woman confused her, but then she hadn’t mentioned Bruce Peyton, either. Not that there was much to say…

“So how’s everything at the office?” Rosie asked as nonchalantly as she could. She hoped Allison would bring up Janice’s name without any prompting.

“Dad’s really, really busy. Tax season is hard. He goes to work at six and he usually has to stay late. He has appointments all day. I hardly see him anymore.”

Zach had always been an early riser. During tax season, he often left the house before dawn, usually while Rosie was still asleep. From experience, she knew how tired and cranky he could be at the end of the day, too.

“I hope he’s hired the extra help he needs,” Rosie muttered.

Allison laid her fork next to her plate. “Mom, are you trying to find out about Mrs. Lamond?”

Instant color heated Rosie’s cheeks. She could deny it and almost did, but Allison was smart enough to recognize a lie. Rosie nodded. “I apologize, sweetheart, I shouldn’t be—”

“She quit,” Allison said as she leaned toward Rosie in a conspiratorial kind of way. A smile flashed in her daughter’s eyes.

“Quit?” Rosie repeated. “When?”

“Weeks ago. Before Christmas.”

Before Christmas? That was impossible. Rosie vaguely remembered Zach’s saying he’d given the other woman a promotion. “What’s the matter, didn’t she get a big enough pay raise?” Rosie asked. She didn’t try to disguise her dislike for the other woman.

“I don’t know anything about a pay raise, but the gossip is she left without notice and Dad was really upset about it.”

Rosie would just bet he was.

“The other staff members didn’t like her, either.”

“Really?” This was interesting, and contrary to what Zach had told her. He’d made Janice sound like a paragon of efficiency and helpfulness, implying that no one could resist liking such a friendly, supportive person.

“At first Mrs. Lamond was really nice. That’s what Mrs. Long said—you know, the office manager. But then later Mrs. Lamond got all uppity with the other staff. They said she manipulated Dad to do whatever she wanted.”

As if Rosie didn’t already know that. “I’m sure she did,” she said. “Do you know why she quit like that?”