Rainier Drive (Cedar Cove #6)(58)

Cliff grinned a bit sheepishly. “A man could easily get accustomed to having a wife.”

“Couldn’t have said it better myself,” Ben murmured.

“Is Grace still at the shelter booth?” Charlotte asked, glancing around.

Cliff nodded toward the far corner of the market. “Yup. She’s trying to get a couple more of those kittens adopted out.”

“Have you heard from Cal?” Ben asked.

Charlotte was curious, too. Cliff and Grace had had a send-off party for him before he went to Wyoming. It had been a lovely evening complete with a barbecue and buffet. Charlotte was furious about the slaughter of those horses, and she felt grateful that Cliff and Cal cared enough to take action. She’d made a healthy contribution to one of the adoption facilities. Because of Grace, the local animal shelter had heard about the plight of the mustangs, too, and collected several hundred dollars’ worth of donations.

“Cal keeps in touch as often as he can. He’s linked up with a rancher in the area, and there’s lots of interest from folks here in Cedar Cove. Vicki Newman, the vet, has decided to volunteer, too. Some of these mustangs are in dire need of medical attention. She has a new partner, who agreed Vicki should go, so she’s meeting Cal there.”

“That’s great. When do you expect him back?” Charlotte knew Linnette McAfee missed Cal terribly. Corrie, her mom, had mentioned it when Charlotte had seen her and Peggy Belden at lunch recently.

“I can’t say for sure,” Cliff told her. “He checks in whenever he can, but apparently he’s in an area that doesn’t get good cell phone reception. Sometimes I don’t hear from him for three or four days.”

“Well, I for one think what you’re doing is a great thing,” Ben said heartily.

Charlotte nodded. “I know Cal’s the one who’s actually out there in the wild west, but you’re just as involved, Cliff, since you’re paying him and he’s using your horse trailer and you’re going to adopt some of those mustangs. I’m proud of you, Cliff.”

By the time they’d finished chatting, and purchased the fresh clams, rain had started to fall. “We’d better head home before we get soaked,” Ben told her when Cliff had hurried off.

The walk up the hill from the waterfront left Charlotte a bit breathless. “I think I’ll heat up some tomato soup for lunch,” she said as they neared the house.

“With toasted cheese sandwiches?” Ben asked.

“If you like.”

The gentle pressure from his arm around her waist said it was exactly what he’d like. This man loved a good meal and so, for that matter, did she.

Harry, her guard cat, was waiting impatiently when they returned to the house. He peered out from the safety of the doorway and promptly went back to his spot on top of the sofa, where he curled up and resumed his sleep.

After unpacking their purchases and drying off, Charlotte put the leftover soup on the stove and got out bread for sandwiches. When the doorbell rang, she let Ben answer it. Curious, she stuck her head around the kitchen door a moment later to see who’d decided to visit at lunchtime.

Ben’s son, David, stood on the porch.

“David!” she burst out before she could stop herself.

Her husband hesitated, then invited him in.

“This is unexpected,” Ben said, and if David didn’t notice Ben’s lack of welcome, Charlotte did.

“You’re just in time for lunch.” Charlotte felt obliged to include him. “I have homemade tomato basil soup and toasted cheddar cheese sandwiches.”

“I’m sure my son has other plans,” Ben said, his voice unemotional.

David, impeccably dressed as always, looked uncertain. “I can stay,” he said, “but I don’t want to intrude.”

“Of course you’re not intruding! Now what brings you to Cedar Cove?” Charlotte asked, joining her husband.

David seemed surprised by the question. “I came to visit you. I was in Seattle on business, and it’s been several months since we saw each other. I felt I should at least make an effort to visit my own father.”

“What a good idea,” Charlotte said, leading him to the sofa. “Lunch will be ready in a few minutes.”

“Thank you, Charlotte.” He sent her a smile. David Rhodes was an attractive man, but unfortunately she’d discovered that he wasn’t to be trusted. It was a sad reality they had to come to terms with. Still, he was Ben’s son and as such, was welcome in her home.

Remaining stoic and unemotional, Ben sat down opposite his son. “I appreciate the check, David,” he said after an awkward silence. He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. “However, it bounced.”

David’s eyes flew open as though in shock. “Oh, my goodness, Dad, I’m really sorry. I had no idea. Why didn’t you say anything?”

Charlotte wanted to stay and listen, but she dared not or their lunch would be ruined. As quickly as she could, she ladled out three bowls of soup and cut up the sandwiches, then arranged peanut butter cookies on a plate.

“Lunch is ready,” she announced, carrying two soup bowls into the dining room.

Ben came to help her, but not David, who eagerly took his seat at the table. Charlotte returned for the platter of sandwiches, and Ben followed with the third soup bowl and the cookies.