Page 33 of Second Chance with Seth

“So, right before Christmas?”

“Yeah. Luckily, I’d employed Owen when I was about three months pregnant. I may not have suffered from morning sickness, but I found the fatigue pretty hard to handle. Anyway, when I called him the morning after River was born to let him know what had happened, he just took over. He opened the coffee shop, and ran it single-handed right through to the second week in January, when I felt able to get back to work.”

“That was kind of him,” he says, and then he stops walking, pulling me back with him, and turns me to face him, his eyes locking onto mine. “It’s no good,” he says. “I’ve gotta know. Is there anything going on between the two of you? Don’t get mad at me again. I know it’s none of my business what you do, or who you do it with, but…”

“There’s nothing going on, Seth,” I say, interrupting his flow.

“Would you like there to be?” he asks, fear lacing his voice. “He clearly thinks a lot of you, and he’s a good-looking guy. Is that why you employed him? Because you liked him? Only, Aunt Clare always employed women… women with a history, who needed some kind of sanctuary, and I don’t see how Owen fits in with that, unless…”

“Stop seeing things that aren’t there,” I say, shaking my head. “Owen fits exactly with everything Aunt Clare believed in…”

“Other than the fact that he’s a man,” he says, frowning at me.

“Believe it or not, I’d noticed. I just chose not to discriminate.”

“Okay. But you didn’t answer my question. Would you like there to be something between you?”

“No.”

“Would he?” I smile, unable to stop myself and he frowns. “What’s funny?” he asks. “You’re beautiful, Everly. Owen would be crazy not to want you.”

“Maybe… if he wasn’t already married.”

“He’s married?” I can see the surprise on his face. It’s coupled with relief, and that makes me lean in to him a little.

“Yes. To a guy called Tomas. They’ve been together for two years and married for the last six months. Tomas works as a doctor at the hospital in Concord, and they live in Willmont Vale.” I stop talking for a second and then add, “As for the rest of his story, that’s not mine to tell.”

“Okay. But would you mind telling me what you were busy with last night?”

“River. Just River.”

“So, when I asked you yesterday if there was something, or someone else, why didn’t you just say ‘no’?”

“Because there was someone else. River.”

“You knew that wasn’t what I meant.”

“Maybe. But I didn’t like the way you came into the coffee shop and started questioning me.”

He shakes his head. “I know. It was just that I’d seen Owen rush over to help you with the cups when you dropped one. He seemed… solicitous.”

“He is. Owen’s a nice guy.” Seth nods, and we start walking again, River letting out a slight whimper, although she still doesn’t wake. “I think that’s the first time I’ve ever known you to be jealous,” I say, and he nods his head.

“It’s not a comfortable feeling, I can tell you.”

“I’m aware of that.”

“How?” he says, sounding surprised. “When were you ever jealous?”

How can he not know this? “When Helen used to flirt with you. I hated that so much, Seth. I hated the way you made me doubt you.”

“I never did anything with her. You know that, don’t you?”

“You let her touch you. You let her flirt with you.”

“I know, but it never went beyond that.”

“And you think that’s okay?” I say, raising my voice just a little. “You didn’t like Owen helping me when I was struggling with the cups, but how do you think it felt watching Helen paw you all the time… and watching you let her do it?”

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