Page 46 of The Cottage on Pelican Bay

“You of all people know better than that.”

“Yes, but it wasn’t my place to tell her.”

“No, it wasn’t, and I will handle it.”

He tugged her back into his arms and neither said anything for a long moment. Then she stepped back again. The anger he’d seen in her eyes earlier had dissipated some. “People like Samantha were the reason you wanted us to pretend we were having an affair, wasn’t it?”

“Yes,” Saint said.

Although he hadn’t said anything to Zara, Samantha’s words reminded him of what his mother had said to him on Monday. Not verbatim, but too close to suit him. Had Irene Toussaint shared those same thoughts with Samantha?

“The one thing that bothers me, Saint, is the fact when I do leave Catalina Cove it will be as if everything she accused me of will appear true. That while I’m here temporarily, I’m only with you because you’re available.”

“And we both know that isn’t true. We have a history they don’t know about.”

“Yes, but what happens when I leave? They’re going to think I’m just another woman who broke your heart.”

“And we will know better. You’re the woman who helped heal my broken heart.”

A smile touched her lips. “And you’re the man who helped to heal mine.”

It was the first smile she’d given him since he’d arrived. It was a small smile, but he would take it. And he would take this, too, he thought as he lowered his mouth to hers.

Margie entered the Green Fig and saw how busy it was. However, she noted most of the customers were standing at the take-out line. She had tried persuading her father to join her here for dinner, but he hadn’t wanted to miss reruns of Oprah, which he saw at four every day.

She offered to record it for him, but he said he preferred seeing it when it happened. She didn’t bother reminding him those were old shows from twenty or so years ago, but figured he knew that and hadn’t wanted to be bothered. He’d asked her to bring him back a bowl of whatever the special of the day was. He’d eaten here before and liked their soup.

“Hello, welcome to the Green Fig. Will someone else be joining you or will you be dining alone?” a waitress asked.

“I’ll be dining alone.”

“This way, please.”

Margie followed the woman and glanced around. It was a nice restaurant. She loved the decor and liked how the booths were set up as well. She slid into the seat and found it quite comfortable. A menu was placed in front of her.

“What would you like to drink?”

She glanced up at the young woman who looked to be around college age. “I’ll have a cup of herbal tea.”

“I’ll bring it right out.” The young woman did in a timely manner and Margie thought that was good customer service.

She studied the menu and thought the soups listed sounded delicious. She decided to try the cabbage and bacon soup. She recalled it had been her favorite of all Ms. Ella Marie’s soups. If her granddaughter could make soups as well as her grandmother, then Margie figured she was in for a treat. The picture of it on the menu looked scrumptious and it was served with hot garlic bread.

“Hello, Margie. Glad you’ve decided to pay us a visit.”

She looked up into the smiling face of Levi Canady. “Yes, and from the menu everything looks delicious.”

“It is. What have you decided?”

“I think I’ll try the cabbage and bacon soup.”

“Good choice. And how is Mr. Chelsey?”

“Dad is fine, and he loves that collar you bought for Butterball. I love it, too, and it’s working fantastically. Now when Butterball gets out and wants to prowl, he doesn’t get far because you can’t miss him all lit up like a Christmas tree.” She grinned.

Levi returned her smile. “I’m glad, and I’ll let your server know of your choice of soup. Bread, hot from the oven, will be delivered to you shortly.”

“Thank you, and Dad asked me to bring back your Thursday soup of the day.”

---