Chapter Two

Charlotte was in her shop bright and early with the crew starting pots, blending special brews and helping with the pastries she’d frozen the day before. The morning crowd was busily breezing through when she gathered her keys and waved at Deidra.

“Back in a while,” she called out, her pack on one shoulder as she went to the mid-sized SUV. One thing nice about mornings on the resort property was most people were still blissfully asleep. She saw the twins waiting near a column and glided easily to a stop, popped the locks and greeted them with a smile. “Hi, guys. Not coffee drinkers?”

“Naw…I think we’re still in the soda phase,” Jamie said with a chuckle, holding up the large cup with a straw inserted and moisture gathered on the outside.

“I’m in the juice phase,” Jenna said with a yawn, sliding into the front seat and sighing. “Went running this morning with Dad…too early.”

“It’s good for energy, though,” Charlotte laughed at the groan. “Yeah, I feel that way sometimes, too.”

“You ever go on a cruise?” Jenna asked, working at sounding casual.

“Nope. Isabel and Gabe did…friends of mine…in January, I think. They loved it.”

“What cruise line?”

“There’s more than one?” Charlotte shrugged. “Heck if I know. I think I’ve seen commercials for a Disney one, but I’m sure that wasn’t it. Have you taken a cruise?”

“A couple,” Jenna responded vaguely. “Mostly along the west coast…Baja and Panama.”

“My folks were mostly into driving trips and getting to a point and spreading out until it’s over than coming home,” Charlotte said after a little thought. She entered the large campus and followed the directions. “Maps and all kinds of stuff in there. Have a great time.” She watched them leave, heads bent and chattering and pointing and had to smile as she drove back to the shop.

“She doesn’t know who he is,” Jenna said, more talking to herself than her brother as they went into the common room.

“Why should she? He’s been mostly based out of Vancouver,” Jamie shrugged and found the map Charlotte had told them about. “Books. Give it up, sis, dad doesn’t want anyone in his life. Let it go.”

 

Paige Andrews looked from one to the other of the three men going from office to office, exchanging papers and talking, pointing and making notes on various large white boards in each office.

A brilliant smile met the large whipped crème coffee he held out to her.

“Thanks,” she no longer protested much when Sebastian took up the corner of her desk as if he’d always belonged there. “What’s wrong with the new guy?”

“Not sure yet,” he answered in the same theatrical whisper. “Have you asked?”

“I’m biding my time,” she said aloofly.

Sebastian snorted. “Since when? I’ve my own private bull in a China shop,” he returned with a shaking head.

“Well, he was much calmer and less…edgy…the last week. This morning…not so much,” Paige drew in the frosted coffee with a long sigh. “Charlie brews the best ever fraps.”

Jesse Hunter looked at the pair, and at the name on the large cup Paige held, his hands in the pockets of his slacks. “That’s the shop Jenna mentioned. Her friend works there,” dark eyes frowned, going from one to the other. “You ever meet someone from online? Like from a game?”

Paige shrugged. “A few. No different than clubs or libraries.”

“Oh? You never told me that?” Sebastian arched a brow patiently.

“You never asked and it was game stuff. We’d meet in a cyber café or now the place is the resort and team up for matches,” she shrugged. “Are you meeting someone online, Hunter?”

“My kids did. A couple women…and they met at the resort,” he shook his head, one hand run through the straight brown hair.

“Know their names?” Paige asked casually, though she already had a clue.

“Faith was one of them. Blonde wearing coveralls and sneakers.”

“Then the other was probably Charlie. They’ve been teaming for some tourney’s in Halo,” Paige nodded, aware of both men now staring at her. “My friends do not stalk people online. Your kids are almost eighteen and I know for a fact they’ve been chatting with them for almost three months now. And they’re kicking ass in the tourney,” she concluded with a proud chuckle.

“They’re older than my kids,” Hunter sat back in one of the cushioned chairs, suit jacket open and legs stretched out.

“Wow…old people and young people mingling…who’d a thunk it,” Paige ducked the palm that came behind her and stuck her tongue out. “Seriously? I have work to do. Charlie brews the best ever coffees. I’m not sure what you’re concerned about, Hunter, I’d offer help or information if I knew what was wrong. They’re gaming friends.”

“That’s what Jenna says, too,” he shoved air through his lips and pushed up. “I’m off to the site. I want some words with the designer and he’s there today. See you Monday.”

“Hmmm…” Paige twirled the tall plastic cup between her hands, head tipped and eyes following the new boss out of the office.

 

 

Charlotte helped with the late afternoon crowd. People on their way off work, or to work or just out to play on a Thursday night. When Keisha called her over and tried not to point at the man pacing and staring between menus and people, she began cleaning tables.

“Hi, something I can help with?” She offered a casual smile.

“I’m looking for someone who works here,” he said reluctantly.

“Well, do you have a name?” She kept cleaning tables, taking note of the tailored suit and nice shoes. His hair was a deep brown and fell in absent shanks toward the back of his head, until he ran a hand threw it, like he was now. Looking slightly embarrassed. “Is there a problem? With the coffee or tea?”

“No. But I think I could use a cup of black coffee about now. Something plain and strong,” he said, pulling his wallet free and going to the counter.

“Alright, I can help with that,” Charlotte took a long look at him and pursed her lips. “But I think you need something different. Strong and flavorful and black,” she made her selection and poured the cup, capping it off with a safety lid. “Try that.”

She accepted his money and watched him, the doubtful sparkle in his eyes changing just a little as he sipped the blend of spices she’d added to the beans when she ground it that morning.

“If you don’t like it, I can find you a nice plain coffee,” she offered lightly. “If you tell me who you’re looking for, maybe I can help with that, too.”

“According to my kids, I’m getting old,” he said with a long sigh, holding the cup up. “And this is good. Really good, thanks. Have a great night.” He turned and went toward the door, changed his mind and turned back, taking in the tall redhead with a ponytail swinging behind her as she worked the tables. His eyes went to her hands, no rings visible. He was flirting with a coffee shop girl, he realized with a shake of his head, echoes of his kids telling him he needed to date in her mind. “Are you working all night?”

“Excuse me?” Charlotte looked up, surprised.

“Jesse Hunter,” he held out his palm. “And believe me, lame is a word that enters my head at the moment, but would you have dinner with me? Single, new to the area and not wanting to dine alone.”

“Charlotte Bell,” she responded politely, staring at the strong fingers holding her hand. “Single, lived here over ten years and I wouldn’t mind company for dinner at all. In about fifteen minutes. We close at six,” she looked down at her jeans and tee shirt.

“As I said, I’m new to the area but I’m sure you know someplace that’ll fit both our clothing,” Jesse suggested with a grin. “I’ll be in the parking lot.”

“Hunter,” Charlotte repeated the name and followed the man with widening eyes. “The twins. Oh, crap…” They called and said they were taking the bus back, totally enjoying exploring and already bought their books for classes on Monday. “He’s their father?” She made it to the kitchen and went through routines to close things down, turning the sign over, finishing with the last customer, sliding trays of prepped pastries into the freezer and leaning heavily against the counter.

Was that why he came to the store? She’d spoken to Faith and heard he wasn’t too happy with his kids meeting people from an online game. He didn’t seem angry with her. She opened her phone and tapped in the number she wanted.

“Hello?”

“Faith! He’s here! Their dad! Does he know me? Is he freaked about the online thing? I remember Jenna saying he would freak…”

“Will you breathe for pity sake,” Faith switched hands with the phone and tried not to look guilty when Dominic arched an eyebrow at her. “What did he want?”

“I…he said he was looking for someone but didn’t know their name,” she groaned. She had the answers. “Then he asked me to dinner.”

“Then go to dinner. Geeze, you work hard enough, take a night off, Charlotte. He’s kind of cute. Not sure what he does for a living, but I know he runs.”

“I knew that,” she answered hurriedly, grabbing her pack and keys. “Yeah, okay…dinner. Someplace casual will be nice.”

 

“Geeze, the girl’s a wreck,” Faith closed her phone and shook her head, peering at the man working on the computer.

“You were worse,” Dominic told her with a chuckle at the memory of Faith back-peddling from his attention.

“I was not,” Faith said indignantly. “I…”

“Ran like a chicken,” he teased, ducking at the fist she aimed in his direction, catching her wrist and pulling her onto his lap. “Let’s compare notes,” he suggested with a sexy wiggle of his eye brows.