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The server appeared to take their lunch orders.
While they waited for their food to be delivered, Shane told Charlotte more about the Family First program that he and a friend had organized and supported with both time and money.
“With so many single mothers raising teen boys, there’s a need for those boys to understand what role they can and should play in the family. In other words, how to be the man of the family in a respectful, loving way that benefits everyone. The idea is for a male volunteer to participate in some family functions subtly demonstrating things like quietly bringing order to younger children instead of screaming at them, holding the door for his mother, even working with the mother of the household to set up a daily schedule of activities, things a father might do if their situation was more traditional.”
“How many families do you help?” she asked.
“At the moment, only twenty-five,” he replied. “But, of course, we want to add more. Varying levels of help are handled. Sometimes a family needs a lot of help in getting organized. Some kids need tutoring or other activities to keep them off the street.”
“Do you have a family you work with?” Charlotte asked, taking the first bite of her crab cake salad. The crabmeat, avocados, and red onions on lettuce topped with a creamy garlic dressing were delicious.
Shane nodded as he tasted his Grouper sandwich. When he could speak, he said, “It’s a family with a single mom, a sixteen-year-old boy name Elijah, and three younger siblings in a not-so-great neighborhood. The boy is smart but needs some guidance. It’s a lot for his mother and him to handle. She has to work nights so she can be at home during the day after the younger ones get home from their after-school program. The rest of the time, he’s in charge.” He sighed. “He gets bullied all the time because he’s not part of a gang in the neighborhood. So far, he’s holding on and remaining strong as he switches back and forth from being a regular kid to a stand-in dad. He’s musical, so I’m paying for music lessons for him. Once a month, we have time together for something fun.”
“It sounds like an awesome program, and he seems like an awesome kid,” Charlotte said. “Where do you get your volunteers, and how many do you have in the program?”
“My law partner and I came up with the idea. We reached out to men in the Big Brother program to help us and have found volunteers and suggestions for kids through the guardian ad litem program. The Department of Children and Families is involved, as well.” He grinned. “We have about twenty trained volunteers so far and more in training. We hope to add many more. A lot of young men could use our help.”
Charlotte sat back in her chair. “I’m impressed, Shane. Growing up, I thought you were a neat kid, and now I know how right I was.”
“Thanks. Even though my parents went through a nasty divorce and my mom wasn’t the best, I was pretty lucky growing up. It can be really difficult for some kids. Especially with the way alcohol and drugs have affected families. It seems only right for me to do what I can to change things.”
Charlotte was touched by the color that crept into Shane’s cheeks and realized that though he was the image of a young, successful man, he was much more. And a little vulnerable at that.
Shane reached into the briefcase sitting on an empty chair at the table and handed her a folder. “Here’s more information and some early ideas we had for promotion. We know you can do better.”
“I can’t wait to begin,” said Charlotte. “I’ll be doing work for Gran and John, too, trying to upgrade the image of the Inn.”
“We can’t pay you, but we’d be happy to spread the word if you’re thinking of setting up business here in Florida.”
Charlotte’s eyes widened in surprise. His words had opened a door into a future she hadn’t considered. She wasn’t sure what she was going to do after the summer was over, but the thought of staying was something new.
“Right now, we’re using an empty space in my office to handle the administrative stuff for the program, but that’s about to change,” said Shane. “Maybe when you come back, we’ll have a new office for you to see.”
His cell phone rang. “Excuse me.” He clicked onto the call. “Hi, Morgan. Yes, I know I promised to meet with you sometime, but it can’t be this evening. I have plans. Okay. Talk to you later.”
Charlotte sat still, refusing to let her feelings show.
Shane ended the call and gave Charlotte a sheepish look. “Sorry about that. Granny Liz asked me to be extra nice to Morgan because she’s had so many disappointments.”
“Oh,” said Charlotte, her mind spinning. Was Granny Liz trying to set up something between Shane and Morgan? If so, didn’t she understand how awful Morgan could be? The thought of Shane ending up with someone like Morgan caused Charlotte’s stomach to fill with acid. But then, it wasn’t her business.
“It’s been great having this time with you,” said Shane, giving her a smile that sent her nerves aflutter. “Thanks for agreeing to help with the program. I apologize, but I have an appointment and can’t stay. I look forward to getting your thoughts on the program.”
“Fine,” she said agreeably.
Shane paid for the bill, walked her to the restaurant's front entrance, gave Charlotte a kiss on the cheek, and waited with her until the valet delivered Charlotte’s car to her before walking away.
###
On the drive back to Sanderling Cove, Charlotte thought about Shane. He was different from the men she’d dated in New York. There, appearance, position, money, and power played a big part in their lives. Shane, who had the looks and the background, cared little for money and power. He’d been a natural leader, someone others liked.
She recalled the rush of attraction that had gone through her when he’d smiled at her, praising her willingness to help him. Charisma. That’s what he had. He could make anyone want to help him. Lord, she hoped he’d never go into politics. That would ruin him. He was perfect just as he was.
Charlotte forced herself to review her meeting with the hotel supplier. She’d been right with her idea to take advantage of overruns on the supplier’s orders. Some of those items were simply not needed; some were experiments that didn’t work. But the salesman she talked to at Hotel Supplies, Sol Goldstein, had assured her that he’d be happy to help. He’d already agreed to put together a catalog of sorts for her to consider. All guest rooms had walls painted in one of three colors: sand beige, a pale turquoise, and a soft green, suitable backgrounds for different color combinations for bedspreads and artistic accents. The sheets and towels would remain white. She could hardly wait to get started.
She hadn’t yet reached the Inn when she received a phone call from Livy. “Hi, Charlie. I’m on my way out for the evening, but I wanted to tell you that I’ve set up a meeting for tomorrow morning at eight to talk about various roles for each of us to assume. I want you and Brooke to know what Gran and I discussed and then have her demonstrate a few things.”
“Okay. Where are you going?”
There was a pause, and then Livy said, “Austin invited me to dinner. As payback for the cookies. Nothing more.”
“I see,” said Charlotte. “Well, go and have fun. As soon as I can, I’m going to get out of these clothes and into something more comfortable and relax.”
“Okay, see you tomorrow,” said Livy with a lilt to her voice.
