Chapter Sixteen
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Riley was floating on a happy cloud of Christmas spirit. The evening had been so fun and she was glad that Jack got to meet her family and experience the Chatham Christmas Stroll. He seemed to enjoy himself—especially that fisherman’s platter. They put it in the refrigerator when they got home and she said it would heat up easily in the oven for lunch the next day.
They collapsed on the living room sofa and Riley clicked on the television while they waited for her mother to join them. Riley had been happy to see that Sean seemed to be as interested as her mother was. It was the first time in years that she’d seen her mother excited about dating someone. It was about time as far as Riley was concerned. And Sean seemed like a nice guy, down to earth. He’d brought his mother to the Christmas Stroll, after all. That was a sign that he was a decent guy.
She flipped through the channels to find something they’d both enjoy. Jack didn’t seem to be paying attention, though. He was on his phone, furiously texting someone. She shot him a look, wondering what was so important. He paused texting for a moment to explain.
“It’s Brittany, from work. She gave me the heads-up that we have a problem with our big case that we thought was all set. A new issue has come up that needs to be addressed. She’s still in the office, working on it.”
Riley glanced at the time. It was almost ten. “She’s seriously in the office at ten on a Friday night?”
Jack shrugged as if it was no big deal. “They got the call just before five and two of them have stayed late trying to resolve it. But it’s bigger than they realized. She’s heading home shortly and just wanted to give me the details.”
“Is there anything you can do about it from here?” Riley wondered.
“I can try. I have my laptop with me.”
Of course he did. Riley could see that he was anxious to dig into it and see if he could get the work done.
“You could do it in the morning. We don’t have to be anywhere,” she said.
Jack glanced down at his phone, which had dinged again with a new message. “I could. But they’re heading back into the office tomorrow morning, too, and I’d like to see if I can help before that.”
“You want to work on it now?” Riley wasn’t surprised. This was who Jack was. Work was always his top priority.
“Yeah. You don’t mind, do you? I can go in the kitchen so I won’t bother you or your mother.”
“Sure, do what you need to do.” Riley’s tone was flat. She wasn’t mad but she was disappointed.
Jack ran upstairs, got his laptop, and disappeared into the kitchen. Riley turned her attention to the TV and landed on the Hallmark Channel where a new Christmas movie was about to start. Her mother had gone to change into her sweats and looked around when she walked into the room.
“Where’s Jack?” she asked.
Riley glanced toward the kitchen. “Work emergency. Fortunately he brought his laptop with him.”
Her mother glanced at the time and said nothing.
Riley sighed. “I know. Two people from his work are still in the office, so he felt bad and wanted to help, if he could.”
“Well, he’s certainly committed,” her mother said. She leaned her crutches against her chair and settled into it, pulling her favorite fleece over her lap. Lily took that as an invitation and jumped into it. Her mother laughed and petted her while Lily purred loudly before flopping down and snuggling into the fleece.
“So, that was a fun night,” Riley said. “Do you think you’ll see Sean again?”
Her mother smiled. “He suggested dinner sometime next week. Just the two of us.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful! He really seems like a nice guy.”
“I think so. We’ll see how it goes.” Her mother seemed excited but also cautiously optimistic, which Riley thought was probably a good thing. Her mother still needed to learn more about Sean and getting to know him slowly seemed smart. It was hard to judge when you first met someone what they were really like. Riley had been crazy about Jack at first, as he could be very charming and they’d had some romantic dinners at impressive restaurants in the city. He had been lots of fun and though she knew he was a successful attorney, she’d had no idea then how much of a workaholic he was. Or how driven. It was something she admired about him but lately it was also becoming something of a concern.
Riley went up to bed an hour later and Jack was still working away in the kitchen. She tossed and turned for a while and finally fell asleep. She never heard him come up to bed. When she woke around seven to get ready to serve breakfast, Jack was fast asleep. He didn’t stir as she moved around the room. After she showered and changed, he was still dead to the world. She left him a note to help himself to coffee and whatever he wanted to eat in the kitchen and said they’d be back around ten thirty or so.
Breakfast was busy at the inn, but it was quiet for the first hour as everyone seemed to be sleeping in. Except Franny. She joined them a little after eight and had a bowl of oatmeal and blueberries with her coffee. Riley had made an artichoke and spinach quiche, but both she and her mother ate lightly, just having fruit and toast. Franny was excited about her new friend and let them know that she and Angela had plans to meet up soon.
“She invited me to attend her book club next Wednesday night. Isn’t that nice? We both love books and I’d mentioned that I was missing my club from home. Hers is down a few people so she said they’d be happy to have me. Even if it’s just a temporary thing. And it turns out the book they are discussing is one I already read recently.”
“That sounds fun,” Riley said. “Do you have dinner or is it just a discussion?”
“It’s drinks and dinner. Sort of a potluck. The host makes the main meal and everyone else brings an appetizer or salad or dessert. I told her I’ll bring a cheese and cracker selection. I love that wine and cheese shop on Main Street. They have some unusual cheeses.”
“I love that shop, too,” Beth agreed. “The young woman that works there has recommended some wines that I’ve liked quite a bit. They’re reasonably priced, too. And the owner is super nice, as well. This is his passion. He opened the shop recently after retiring.”
“Oh, how fun, to do something like that. I’ll have to make a point to stop in again and let him know how much I love his shop,” Franny said.
Riley’s mother and Franny chatted about their favorite wines and cheeses while Riley sipped her coffee and wondered how the rest of her weekend with Jack was going to go. She didn’t have a good feeling about it after his late night working. She had been looking forward to relaxing with him the rest of the weekend. She’d thought they might head out somewhere tonight for a romantic dinner, maybe at the Impudent Oyster, one of the best restaurants in the area. And she was looking forward to him joining them for Sunday dinner at Amy’s house. She thought it would be a good chance for Amy and Rob to get to know him better. They hadn’t had a chance to really talk to him much last night.
“What do you have planned for Jack for the rest of the weekend?” Franny asked. Riley smiled. It was almost as if Franny had read her mind.
“I was thinking maybe dinner at the Impudent Oyster if we can get in. If not, we’ll find somewhere else.”
“Oh, that will be lovely.” Franny took a sip of coffee then changed the subject. “Did you hear they’re talking about a big storm now either late tonight or early tomorrow? Does the inn have a generator by any chance in case we lose power?”
Riley and her mother looked at each other. “I hadn’t heard that,” Riley said.
Her mother frowned. “I haven’t checked the news today. I saw something earlier in the week about a possible storm, but it didn’t seem like a big deal then. We do have a generator, thankfully. I have one at my house, too. We’ve lost power a few too many times because of the winds in storms and I hate that. And with the inn, I didn’t want guests to be without it either. Takes the fun out of a vacation.”
“I remember when you got the generator for the house first. It seemed like a big expense, but it really has been worth it,” Riley agreed.
“It’s not supposed to start until late tonight at the earliest, so you should still be able to have your romantic date night,” Franny said.
Riley laughed. “I hope so.”