Sandpiper Way (Cedar Cove #8)(58)

It was on the tip of her tongue to explain that she had been seeing Troy, when Megan continued.

“But I don’t like this other woman at all.”

“Other woman?” Faith blurted out, unable to stop herself.

Megan nodded. “Her name’s Sally, and she’s a widow.”

The chills that ran down Faith’s back had nothing to do with the December weather. Troy Davis was just as inconsistent as she’d suspected. Worse than that, he was fickle, swearing undying love one day and taking up with someone new the next.

“I got the feeling he didn’t want me to know about her,” Megan said with a frown.

Faith rested her spoon beside her plate. “No, I’m sure he didn’t,” she said tartly. Apparently keeping his romances a secret was quite a pattern of his.

“Craig says,” Megan went on, “that some men need a woman in their lives. I would never have thought my father was one of them, but now I think he must be.”

“Why’s that?” Faith asked, a little fearful of the response.

“Well, because,” Megan said. “There was that other woman earlier on and now there’s Sally.”

“It might be the same person,” Faith suggested. How was she to know when Troy had started seeing this Sally? Her face burned with anger and mortification. It wouldn’t surprise her to discover he’d been dating both of them at the same time.

Megan was quiet for a moment. “Now that you mention it,” she said, “Sally might be the woman Dad alluded to after Mom died.”

Faith was finding this rather difficult to take. Anger surged to the surface. How dare he treat her in such an underhanded way? He’d led her to believe she was the only woman he cared about. He’d even said he loved her!

“So you met…Sally,” Faith said. Apparently the other woman was higher on the food chain than Faith, who’d never been introduced to Troy’s daughter.

Megan took a sip of her tea. “Craig and I were out Christmas shopping and we ran into Dad and Sally at Wal-Mart.”

“I…see.” That was an interesting note, considering how Troy felt about shopping.

“I could see right away that Dad was embarrassed. He tried to pretend he didn’t see me.”

Faith nodded. She’d just bet he did. “What’s Sally like?” she asked. If this other woman was young, tall and blond, Faith didn’t know if she could be held responsible for her actions.

“Sally? Oh, she’s okay, I guess. She’s around Dad’s age and kind of…I don’t know, dumpy-looking.”

“Pretty, though, right?”

“Not really.”

“What didn’t you like about her?” Faith asked, disgusted with herself for encouraging Megan.

“First off, she’s bossy,” Megan said without hesitation.

“Bossy,” Faith repeated.

“Yeah. She said she and Dad were going out for sushi later and I happen to know my father hates sushi.”

“Uh-huh.”

“He doesn’t like shopping, either.”

That, Faith knew. “So, your father must be quite impressed with…Sally.” Faith could barely get the other woman’s name out of her mouth. She felt her anger growing and knew she should leave.

She resolutely picked up her purse and set it on her lap. Only a few days ago Troy had been at her front door trying to talk her into giving him another chance. The man juggled women the way a clown juggled balls. Hmm. Clown. Not a bad word for Mr. Sheriff Troy Davis.

“What do you think I should do?” Megan asked, looking expectantly at Faith.

Caught up in her own emotions, Faith didn’t understand what she was asking.

Megan, apparently sensing her confusion, explained, “Should I say anything to Dad about Sally? I mean, I don’t like her and if he does, well…I think it could be a problem. If she’s that bossy with Dad, she will be with me, too.”

“Ah…”

Megan sighed. “I suppose it really isn’t any of my business. I should probably keep my nose out of it.”

“Yes, well, I’m not…well, quite sure what to tell you. It’s—it’s just that…” In the course of a few minutes, Faith had turned into a stuttering fool.

“I don’t understand why my dad doesn’t realize Sally’s all wrong for him.” Megan shook her head as if she couldn’t fathom what had gotten into her father.

“You have a point there.”

“Men can be dense, can’t they?”

“You’re telling me,” Faith muttered, faking a short laugh.

The restaurant was filling up and it was time for both of them to return to work. The waitress had dropped off the bill at their table, and Faith reached for it.

“I wish you’d let me pay for your lunch.”

“Of course not,” Faith insisted, opening her purse. Her hands shook as she withdrew the cash from a small zippered pouch. “That should cover my half plus tip,” she said, placing twelve dollars on the table.

“I appreciate your coming on such short notice.”

Faith did manage a genuine smile. “It was my pleasure. I don’t know that I was much help, though.” This lunch had been instructive and in that sense probably more of a help to her than Megan. Her eyes had been opened in regard to Troy Davis.