Rainier Drive (Cedar Cove #6)(77)

He’d worked hard. So had Justine. And yet, after five long years, they had nothing. The fire had wiped them out.

“What do you think?” he asked.

“But…” Sell the property? Even now, he didn’t want to listen to her ideas. She wouldn’t force them on him. “Can I sleep on it?”

He bowed his head. “Of course.” He leaned forward, not looking at her. “It’s just…I’ve put so much into this.”

What about me? she thought resentfully. The restaurant had been their dream, the project they’d worked on together. Justine felt cast aside, unimportant. Once again, Seth had made her feel as though her contribution and her concerns were of little value.

Her reaction last Friday had been childish, and she regretted seeing Warren. Her willingness to have lunch with him that day had only encouraged him. Every day since, he’d made an excuse to visit the bank. She’d declined his invitations for meals and drinks, but nothing she said seemed to convince him. As he told her repeatedly, he’d achieved the success he had by persisting, and her polite rejections had only made him redouble his efforts. In fact, he’d sent flowers to the bank twice. His attention had become conspicuous—and embarrassing.

Maybe it would be best all the way around if they did sell the property. Justine tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as she considered. “You’re still enjoying sales?” she asked.

Seth grinned. “I appear to have a knack for it.”

That was true enough; after only a few weeks, Seth was the company’s top salesperson.

“Before you make your decision, there’s something you should know,” Seth said. “If we list the property, there’s a strong likelihood it’ll sell right away.”

“You can’t be sure of that.”

“Actually, I am. From what I understand, a fast-food franchise is looking for prime property here in Cedar Cove.”

“But…”

“We’d get full price and the deal can close within the month.”

“The real estate agent told you this?” Justine asked.

Seth nodded.

“Would you have any regrets?” she asked, studying him.

“No,” he said, and he seemed sincere. “Not anymore. I hate the thought of someone selling hamburgers and fries at the waterfront, where our restaurant once stood, but I’d get used to it.”

Seth might, but Justine wondered if she would as easily.

“Let’s sleep on it,” she said again. “Both of us.”

Seth put Leif to bed while Justine walked the dog. When she got back, he was still reading stories to their son. Eventually Leif fell asleep in the middle of Good Night, Moon, which both she and Seth could practically recite from memory. Justine took a long soak in the tub, perfuming the water with gardenia-scented bubble bath. Seth’s favorite. Her body was glistening when she finally climbed out of the water.

Seth paused in the bathroom doorway, watching her dress for bed. He gave her a slow, lazy smile. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” he said, his voice husky with suggestion.

Justine smiled. “I certainly hope so.”

It was still light out when they went to bed. Seth reached for her, and Justine turned willingly into his arms. Their lovemaking was full of deep sighs and hoarse whispers.

Afterward Seth held her close. Nestled in her husband’s embrace, Justine felt content for the first time in weeks.

“I could get pregnant, you know.” She hadn’t bothered to resume her birth control pills—with Seth’s agreement. Not that it’d mattered much recently.

“Good.”

She grinned sleepily. “You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”

“As a matter of fact, I would. It’s time.” He kissed the top of her head. “Do you think twins might run in the family?”

Her eyes flew open as she considered the idea. She was a twin. “It’s a possibility, I suppose. What makes you ask?”

Seth twined his fingers through her hair. “If you had two babies, you’d be too busy to give Warren Saget a second’s thought.”

“Seth,” she whispered, raising her head to meet his gaze, “don’t tell me you’re actually jealous.”

He slid his hand down her spine, and she arched her back. “In case you hadn’t noticed,” he said. “I’m green with it.”

“There’s absolutely no need to feel the slightest bit of jealousy. I promise you that.”

“I’m glad to hear it.”

She kissed his jaw. “If you don’t object, I’ll give the bank my notice.”

She felt his smile against her temple. “No objection here.”

She loved the feel of his skin against her own. Justine smoothed her hand along his bare shoulders and over his chest. “I didn’t think you’d mind.” Suddenly tired, she yawned. “I like falling asleep in your arms,” she murmured. With the long hours Seth had spent at The Lighthouse, there’d been few opportunities for them to go to bed at the same time. And lately—ever since last week—they’d been so angry with each other, they hadn’t wanted to.

“I love you,” she whispered, yawning again.

“Sleep,” Seth urged and she did, falling into the soundest, deepest rest since before the fire had laid claim to her security.