Page 46 of Second Chances

Phil, Henry’s longest employee, was a superb mechanic; unfortunately, he could also be extremely sexist. “I’m guessing he said something rude or crude, or both?”

Henry nodded. “First, he inferred I slept with Charlotte. I corrected him, because he doesn’t need to talk about Charlotte in that way, and he told me that a woman her age, especially one recently divorced, isn’t looking for a gentleman and I should’ve been more aggressive. He also advised me not to call her the next day and to wait a week.”

“Why the hell would you listen to Phil? That last serious relationship he had was with his hand.” To George’s relief, Henry laughed. “I’m assuming Juan knows what happened?” Henry nodded. “So, what did he say?”

“That Charlotte was still interested enough in me to ask me out, after waiting for two years for me to do it, and was probably as freaked out as I was. Told me to call her, but anything I practiced saying just felt inadequate.”

Frustrated, George knew no one deserved a bigger break than his younger brother. “I know you’re cautious, and deservedly so after Melanie, but Charlotte is worlds apart from her…or DD, for that matter. From what I know about Charlotte, she doesn’t have the issues your ex-wife had…still has. And she won’t fuck with your head like good old DD. Try reaching out to her.”

“I don’t know, George. Two months have gone by. I didn’t know what to say after our date, and I still don’t. I’m so inept at this.” Henry dragged his hand through his hair. “When I see her around town, and those big brown eyes of hers are filled with questions, questions I don’t know how to answer. But I feel the same magnetic pull to her as I have from day one. But how can I drag her into my mess? Especially now that I’m hearing from Melanie again. And then Burnside had his heart attack.”

“DD hasn’t tried any more tricks, like when she came by with a bottle of wine, right?”

“No, she got the hint that time.”

“Yet, she still asked for your help again. You don’t owe her anything, Henry. She can either figure it out or ask her kids for help.” Sounds of the band playing “Sweet Home Alabama” came through the open window in Henry’s office. “You already sacrificed your happiness for one woman who didn’t appreciate it. Stop doing it now for another one.”

“Knock, knock.” A disgruntled-looking Cait stood in the doorway. “Uncle Henry…Dad.”

George rose to kiss Cait’s forehead. “Hey, baby girl, what are you doing here?”

“I could ask the same of you…I suppose you’re in town to see Liam?” George flushed, amazed at how easily his daughter made him feel guilty. One of Cait’s biggest complaints was that George and Nora favored Liam over her, which wasn’t true. She just didn’t seem to need them as much as her brother did. Cait had been self-sufficient from the time she was about four.

“No, I came to see my brother.” George hoped she wouldn’t ask where her mom was.

“Cait,” Henry rose to greet her with a hug. “I assume you’re here to pick up your key? Carla told me the small bungalow you’re looking at, right off the park? The location couldn’t be more perfect for you, halfway between your office downtown and Kinsale Motors.”

“Yeah, thanks.” Cait blew up at her bangs, and they danced on her forehead. “Um, Henry, I was wondering if you were planning on going to the street dance tonight?” George shot his daughter a surprised look. Was Cait planning on going to the dance, after showing no interest in a social life in the two years she’d been back home?

“Nah, I’m heading home after this. I’m exhausted,” Henry handed Cait the key. “Carla says you can drop this off with me again, but if you don’t mind, I’d prefer it if you’d take it back to her yourself.”

Cait laughed, and it brightened the harsh expression she too often wore. “No problem. I don’t know why she insisted on leaving it with you in the first place.”

“Who’s Carla?”

“My realtor, and she’s great, if a little too interested in my uncle’s personal life.” Cait’s phone beeped, and after she replied, she threw it back into her purse. “Anyway, I was thinking about going to the dance tonight, but haven’t really met that many people in town. Would you perhaps want to meet me there? Help ease me into society?”

Henry chuckled, “Beverley isn’t exactly Bridgerton, Cait⁠—”

George raised his eyebrows at his brother. “And how do you know about Bridgerton?” Nora, obsessed with the show, had made George sit through at least ten viewings. Of every season.

Henry blushed. “I know things.” To Cait, he said, “I’m not sure what good I’ll be at the dance, though.”

“Please, Uncle Henry. You know practically everyone within a fifty-mile radius. Plus, Josh and Effie will be there. We can show them how to two-step, like we used to do when I was younger.” Cait and Henry had always had a special bond, and George watched it play out in front of him now.

“Well, if you’re sure?” After Cait nodded decisively, Henry shrugged. “What time were you thinking? I need to go home and clean up first.”

“Wonderful! I have some errands to run, so I’ll meet up with you in a couple of hours? Say…in front of Flower Power? Eight o’clock?”

Henry agreed, and the three of them walked to the front of the shop. “Thanks for the talk,” Henry told George as he gave him a quick hug.

“Always. Love you. And have fun tonight.” George wrapped an arm around his daughter as they walked away. “So what was that?”

Cait’s eyes widened as she gave George her best innocent expression. “What? Just taking my uncle out for a night on the town.”

“Uh huh. And meeting at the flower shop was a random choice?”

“Makes as much sense as anywhere else, right?” George supposed so, and the two of them strolled down Main Street, parting ways at the library. After waving to Effie, who was waiting for his daughter on the steps. George had the idea that whatever the young women were up to involving Henry, he didn’t know whether to be excited for him or scared.