WindSwept Narrows: #21 Charlotte Bell & Natalie Templeton

by Diroll-Nichols, Karen

  “Oh, look…we met new friends on campus at the school…” She put a pair of cupped hands on the table and then moved them to another spot. “Oh, look, we met new friends online in the game we play. What’s the difference?”

  “It’s a whole new world out there, Dad,” Jamie said easily, sinking to his chair and sighing. “Good food here. You sure you don’t want something?”

  “I ate on my way back here,” he responded, his mind trying to wrap around the new world he wasn’t a part of.

  “Faith and Charlie aren’t trolling for kids online, Dad,” Jamie stepped into the mediator role between his sister and father.

  “We’re going to campus tomorrow morning,” Jenna said casually, meeting the glare from her father with a smile. “Charlie is giving us a lift. We’ll be eighteen in two weeks. I think you’re suffering from a potentially empty nest.”

  “You’re going for general practice physician,” Hunter said flatly. “Not shrink. My nest is fine, thank you,” he said, running one strong, tanned set of fingers through the deep brown hair that touched his collar and fell from a semi straight center part.

  “And you’re in denial,” Jenna teased, leaning over and hugging her dad. “We’re okay, you know. We’ve been picking our own friends for years now. You’ve done good teaching us stuff, relax. We’re even allowed outside to play without a nanny now.”

  “I can still ground you,” he tossed back, but sighed.

  He didn’t want to admit she was right. He’d had them as part of his life since they were two. They didn’t know their mother and he was sorry to admit, he didn’t remember much of her with the exception of the photo’s provided by their grandparents.

  He’d been just less than seventeen when he met their mother at a summer party. Three years later, he’s told he’s a father and here are your twins, their mother died in a highway accident. They were instantly part of his life, smart, very active and very vocal. He’d been lucky to have parents who formed his circle of family for them.

  “Yeah, but you know I’m right,” Jenna grinned at her father.

  “When’s the house going to be ready?” Jamie slouched back, watching girls go into the arcade.

  “Another couple days. The carpeting is been pulled out and the flooring is going in now,” Hunter answered absently, staring into the large expanse of the lobby.

  “Good. I’m not crazy about being without my stuff,” Jenna said with a sigh. “Classes at the campus will take about three years before we split off to other schools.”

  “I know,” her father said quietly.

  “But this is going to be home. So during breaks, we come back here and bother you,” she didn’t like the way he’d been throwing himself into work lately and considered Charlie again. She might not think she had a type. And her father, trying to get him to date someone with a sense of humor and brain was a full time job. “How come you don’t have a date?”

  Hunter closed one eye and looked at his daughter first and then his son.

  “She’s decided to make you her summer project,” Jamie volunteered with a male shrug. “I tried telling her you wouldn’t like being set up on dates, but…..”

  “Yeah…..” Hunter shook his head. “You focus on your school, I’ll manage my private life. Key word there, Jenna, private.”

  “You’re a dad. You’ve told us forever you have no private life,” she said cheerfully, standing up and taking his hand. “Come on inside. I’ll show you some fun, relaxing games to play when you miss us.”

  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 le
gs 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.

  Chapter Three

  Charlotte locked up and waved at the young pair she had walking off to the bus stop before she saw Jesse Hunter stepping out of a large black SUV. He’d taken off his jacket and the tie was gone, his shirt open a few buttons. Sun glinted between slivers of clouds off over the Sound as they stood looking at one another for a long minute.

  It was the time when if you were going to think of an excuse to run, this was it, she mused even as her feet carried her forward.

  “Reconsidering?” He guessed quietly. He wasn’t sure what the sun was sparkling off on her hair and reached up before he could stop himself. He leaned a little closer. She was about a head shorted than him but she didn’t move. “Sugar?”

  “Oh…” Charlotte stepped back, one hand up and swiping over her head. “I get energetic in the kitchen when I’m baking.”

  “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone sparkle quite like that before,” he held the door for her, a myriad of fragrances drifting to him as a soft breeze came off the ocean toward them.

  “I never noticed it,” she admitted, almost beginning to dust herself off then remembering she was in his car and stopped. She put her hands to work fastening the seat belt and watching him stride around the car. “Why do your kids think you’re old?”

  “We’re having a disagreement about tech things,” he started the engine.

  “Did they actually use those words or…” Charlotte let the sentence trail a little, watching his expression. Humor and honesty flared in his eyes.

  “They’re good kids. I think it’s…I know it’s me,” he admitted. “I’m not sure I’m adjusted to them heading to college. And it’s not a feeling I thought I’d have,” he said the words out loud and was surprised he’d let them loose from inside him to a woman he’d just met.

  “Hmm…so this is where I look really shocked and tell you that you don’t look old enough to have kids going off to college,” Charlotte turned slightly and tapped on the dash with her fingers. “So what kind of food are you hungry for? I know really good soup places and BBQ places and fish,” she blinked, absently taking in the tanned arms he’d bared when he rolled his sleeves up, the flat buckle of his belt against his stomach and long legs stretched out and balancing the clutch and gas pedal.

  “BBQ sounds great. Haven’t had really good ribs in a while,” Jesse waited while she opened her phone and tapped an address into the GPS on the dash before guiding the car into traffic. “So I don’t look so old, huh?”

  “I don’t have kids so I don’t know how you feel. I don’t know if my mom and dad were ready for me to go or not,” she leaned back in the corner of the large SUV and watched him drive. “I know I left in my time and wasn’t pushed, so I think that helped.
Is that what has you feeling old?”

  “I think it mostly centers around tech and how far and what’s good and what’s not good,” he said after a long pause. “I’m amazed at the things programs can do in business these days and wouldn’t go back without kicking and screaming. It’s the whole social thing being faceless that has us a little at odds.”

  “Only a little?” Charlotte said casually, wrestling with how much to say and not coming up with good answers. “You were pretty young when they were born,” she commented, working on being casual. She didn’t know the story from the kids. They hadn’t actually talked much about him.

  “I was eighteen when I was told about them,” he said after another pause, trying to recall the last time he’d actually talked about anything in his life outside of business. “Her name was Alison and she was a couple years older than me. I was sixteen when I met her one summer. Not bright where girls were concerned and certainly not sexually active at that point.”

  “Jesse, you don’t have to…they call it youthful indiscretions for a reason,” she said with a little smile.

  “I see the end product and I’m amazed, to be frank. It matures you fast when a social worker knocks on your parents’ house with twin two year olds and says their mother died in an auto accident and your name was on the birth certificate,” Jess pulled the large car into the parking lot and scowled, checked the address and then looked at Charlotte. “This is it?” He was glad the sun was still up. He hadn’t really paid much attention to where they were going, just following the instructions. Then the smells hit him and his stomach challenged him to move.

  Martha’s Kitchen always solicited a mixed batch of emotions such as doubtful, skeptical and even a little fearful when it was your first visit. Situated in what used to be an old one level grocery store, the business occupying it was now beyond successful and gradually, Martha was improving the outside. But not too much because she actually liked the large shanty look of her place.