Page 30 of Second Chances

“Each night, as a matter of fact.” His finger began drawing circles on his glass again, and she steadied herself with a sip of her drink. “My son Josh was in some plays when he was in school over in Clover Lake, but they never did anything on the scale of what you are producing. It’s so impressive. You’re impressive.”

Their eyes locked again, and she blushed. “Thank you. I wish I’d known you were in the audience.”

His shoulders lifted in a shrug, and his fingers combed through his silvery-blond hair. “You seemed busy every time, always surrounded by people. I didn’t want to interrupt.” Imagining him there, silently supporting her, made her melancholic.

“I would have made time for you, Henry. My daughter and my best friend, Amy, came from Sioux City for both of those weekends.”

“I remember your daughter from that time in the shop.”

“She remembers you, too.” Asked about him far too often, as a matter of fact, and if Charlotte was ready to make a move.

A small smile curved his lips, and before he could respond, Colt was at their table with their lunch. In companionable silence, they ate their sandwiches, the coffee shop so quiet Charlotte counted every breath Henry took. Then he said, “You’ve made quite an impression in Beverley since you moved here. I’ve kept up with all the articles in the newspaper. Your students did well at the state oral interpretation competition.”

Charlotte flushed. “Paul Jacobsen would not let up until I agreed to coach that.”

“I know Paul pretty well. He can be determined, which I’m sure makes him an excellent vice-principal.”

“He’s great.” Charlotte swirled her coffee. “You mentioned Josh acted in plays in Clover Lake. But not Beverley?”

“No, but he was in oral interp here. Said there were too many people already in the plays, so he found his place in that instead.”

“It’s hard to believe that you haven’t lived in Beverley forever. Everyone seems to know you.”

“Well, you’d be surprised how often folks bring their vehicles into the shop. People forget to check their oil, run their tires to shreds, ignore the check engine light.”

“Keep jumping their battery instead of getting a new one?”

“That, too. Those are some of my best customers.” His hot gaze lingered on her. “At this point, though, I’ve lived here for over twenty years. We moved here when Josh was fourteen, a couple of years after his mom left. I know how difficult it is to reset your life. It’s brave, what you did. Starting over.”

To get her pulse under control, she glanced out the window, where the snow was coming down heavily. “It seems like winter wants to hang on, doesn’t it? I never considered how long nights can be, especially now that we’re waiting for spring. They just drag on, something I never noticed until I was divorced.”

“How long were you married?” Henry’s voice brought her eyes back to his, and staring into their depths, she wondered how she had ever looked away from him. When he leaned back into his chair, his shirt stretched across his torso while his finger traced his lower lip. She shifted in her seat, so sexually attuned to him that her nerves tingled.

“In actuality, or how long did it feel?” A bemused smile danced across his lips at her question. “We got married the summer after we graduated from high school.” At his shocked look, she added, “Isobel, our senior surprise. We were married thirty-one years.”

Henry whistled. “That’s when I got married, too, but your marriage lasted longer than mine.” His hand rubbed his chin, making her breath catch. “What man in his right mind lets you go after half a lifetime together?”

She was lost, and under his scrutiny, Charlotte’s mouth dried. “We were so young. It’s probably a miracle we lasted as long as we did. Brady, my ex, is honestly a fantastic man.” She shrugged. “We just had nothing in common by the time we turned twenty-five. Maybe even before that.”

“I know that feeling well. I often wonder if my ex and I ever had anything in common.” He shook his head, and a frown deepened the cleft in his chin. “Like your brownie. She never ate dessert, but my sweet tooth is legendary.”

“Our brownie, you mean.” Henry raised an eyebrow, and Charlotte clarified, “You bought my lunch, so I feel like it’s only fair to share it. Can’t disappoint your legendary sweet tooth, after all.”

Henry chuckled, and the sound made her skin tingle. “No, I suppose we can’t.” Using the second fork Sadie had provided on the tray, he moaned after eating a bit. “So good.”

Charlotte agreed. “They make an excellent brownie. Chewy, not cakey.”

“Yes, and sometimes they put walnuts in them.”

“Love walnuts in my brownie. Have you ever had their turtle brownie?”

“One of my favorites!” Henry tapped his fork on the plate. “What about their cream cheese brownie?”

“Mmm, yes.” She pushed the plate toward him, urging him to take the last bite. “I have to admit something, Henry.”

“Okay, this sounds ominous.” He raised a blond eyebrow at her, and the action was so sexy her heart thumped.

Focus on the brownies, she told herself. “They make good brownies here, but I make even better ones.”