Rainier Drive (Cedar Cove #6)(54)

However, it wasn’t Warren waiting at her desk, it was her husband. She felt a stirring of excitement, of delight untainted by anger or sadness. “Seth!”

He stood as she approached. “Hi.” His smile told her all was well. “I’ve come to make a deposit.”

Justine blinked. “Okay,” she murmured, “I’ll take it to the teller’s cage.”

“Aren’t you interested in what I’m about to put in our bank account?” he asked, the gleam in his eyes signalling his pleasure.

“Of course.”

“It’s my first commission check.” Two weeks earlier, Seth had made his first sale; he’d downplayed the event but Justine had been very proud of him. Taking her lead from Seth, she’d acted equally casual.

“Congratulations, Seth,” she said now.

“Thank you.” He did seem pleased with himself. Standing, he withdrew his wallet from his hip pocket, ceremoniously removed the check and handed it to her.

Justine took one look at the amount and had to sit down. “This is your commission check?” she asked, hardly able to form the words.

“Yup.”

“For one boat?”

“Yup.”

She looked again. “What did you sell, the Queen Mary?”

Seth’s laughter echoed against the bank walls. “No, my darling wife, it was a fishing vessel, not unlike the one Dad and I used in Alaska.”

“This is a lot of money.” Although the restaurant had done well, this amount was more profit than they’d made in three months at The Lighthouse.

He smiled in acknowledgement. “Larry says I’m a natural and if so, it’s because I know the business. I lived it, worked it and, well, I’ve made two more sales from referrals.”

“Oh, Seth!” she gasped. “I couldn’t be happier for you.” As far as Justine was concerned, the money was secondary. They could certainly use it, but what really mattered was the contentment she saw in her husband’s eyes. She felt a renewed hope that the arsonist hadn’t devastated their marriage along with the restaurant.

“I already picked up Leif and he’s spending the night with my parents,” Seth told her. Their son had been at a birthday party for the afternoon.

Justine gave her husband a slow smile. “He is?”

“Oh, yes.”

“And where will we be?” she asked.

“We’re going out to celebrate.”

That happy smile was back on Seth’s face. “Sounds wonderful to me,” she said.

“Jay and Lana are joining us in Silverdale.”

Jay and Lana were former classmates and good friends. With the restaurant demanding so much of their time, Seth and Justine had rarely seen any of their friends in the last few years.

“After dinner,” Seth went on, interrupting her thoughts, “I have another small surprise for you.”

“Better than stealing me away for a celebration dinner with friends?” This was more than they’d done in months and months; when they were operating The Lighthouse, they’d simply never had the time.

“Much better,” Seth promised in a low voice.

“I’ll finish up here,” she said, glancing at the clock. The bank closed later on Fridays; however, she planned to leave at six. “Then I’ll go home and change.”

“Not necessary,” Seth told her.

“But…”

“As a matter of fact, why don’t you leave now?” Her boss stepped up to her desk. He winked at Seth, and Justine wondered how much Frank knew about this surprise of her husband’s.

“Should I drive out and meet you in Silverdale?” she asked, reaching into the bottom drawer for her purse.

“No need to do that, either,” Seth said, taking her arm in his.

“But my car…”

“Is at home.”

Justine’s jaw sagged. “When did that happen?” She’d driven to work that morning and parked it at the far end of the lot, where employees left their vehicles.

“Jay and I came by earlier,” Seth explained. “I picked up your car and then drove back here.”

“I would like to change clothes.” If they were going out for the evening, she’d prefer to wear something fancier than business attire.

“I figured as much, so I brought another outfit with me.” He opened the bank door as he spoke and they walked toward his car, parked near the entrance.

“Very cute, Seth, and where am I supposed to change? A gas station restroom? I don’t think so.” She leaned against his car. “I suppose I could use the employee bathroom, but…”

“Hmm, that’s a good point,” he muttered, his eyes bright with love and anticipation. “I guess I’ll just have to take you to the hotel earlier than I’d planned.”

“What?”

“We have a hotel room for the night, complete with champagne.”

“Oh, my goodness.” Justine covered her mouth. “Pinch me, because I must be dreaming.”

Seth brought his arms around her waist and laughed. “Why don’t I kiss you, instead?”

This was an offer she couldn’t refuse. “It’s a deal.”

The evening was everything Justine could have imagined, and more. After a lengthy dinner with excellent wine, the four of them drove to the hotel and had drinks in the elegant lounge while a three-piece ensemble played. Justine needed a couple of mixed drinks to fuel her courage before she agreed to step onto the dance floor. She was glad she did. Any excuse to have Seth’s arms around her was worth potential embarrassment.