The Good Father

She typed. And then she went to find Chloe.

CHAPTER NINE

“YOU’RE SURE ABOUT THIS?” Chloe, in pressed navy linen slacks and a white contoured three-quarter-sleeved blouse, smiled at her son in his car seat as Ella stopped at a red light and then continued, “You don’t have to come with me, Ella. I can meet Brett on my own.”

Even knowing Brett, she’d been surprised by the speed with which he’d arranged this in-person meeting with Chloe. She’d spoken with Chloe, texted him as agreed, and within an hour they’d had dinner plans with him.

They were on their way to Uncle Bob’s. Chloe’s choice. Because Cody liked sitting in his high chair and looking out the window at the beach. He also liked the chicken fingers and French fries, and the place was loaded with families with small children so that if there was an outburst, other diners’ experiences wouldn’t be immediately ruined.

“If you’d rather do this alone, I’m happy to drop you off. Or you can take me home and you take the car. I’ve told you repeatedly, you’re welcome to the car anytime you want it. It’s not like I need it when I’m at work.”

They’d left Chloe’s car in Palm Desert. Because they’d been in a hurry to get her packed up and out of there before Jeff came home. And Chloe had been too upset to drive. The plan was to go back and get it.

In the meantime, Chloe was taking cabs or a bus anytime she had to go anywhere.

As soon as things calmed down and Jeff agreed to get help. Which was where Brett came in.

Chloe’s silence drew Ella’s gaze. “It’s okay, Chlo. If you want to go alone, it’s not going to hurt my feelings. I want to help in any way I can. Not take over your life.”

The puppy-dog look in the brown eyes that turned on her softened Ella’s heart and it was already mush where Chloe was concerned. The Chloe she knew had always emanated confidence. Strength.

“This is where it gets tough, you know?” Chloe said as a horn honked behind Ella and she drove on through the now-green light. “Am I selfish for wanting you with me? Knowing how hard you had to fight to get Brett out of your system? Knowing how much he hurt you? Or is this my chance to help you take the final step in getting over him? And do I help you help me by relying on you? Or am I being weak and dependent if I lean on you?”

Flashing her sister-in-law a grin, Ella said, “I think the fact that you’re asking those questions means you’re right on track.”

“Then I want you with me.”

The next time Ella glanced over, Chloe smiled at her.

They were going to be just fine, the two of them.

* * *

PREPARED FOR ELLA’S propensity to be early—based on their previous meeting, not on the years they’d spent together—Brett pulled into Uncle Bob’s fifteen minutes before the scheduled time. Ella wouldn’t have known that the place had been his favorite restaurant as a kid.

Because he hadn’t told her.

He didn’t spend much time thinking about the first ten or so years of his life. Because they only made the next eight years seem that much worse.

There were already kids digging around in the outdoor sandbox just off the dining room—a play area of sorts before such things became popular in modern-day fast-food restaurants.

Ella and Chloe weren’t there yet. He was offered a table while he waited for them, but declined. He was standing outside when he saw her car pull into the lot.

He hadn’t seen Chloe in more than four years.

And he was about to meet his godson for the first time. Jeff’s son.

Ella’s nephew. Who was two years younger than her own child would have been.

Standing there in tan pants, a dark polo shirt and loafers, Brett wasn’t nervous. He was just ready to get on with it. He’d played nine holes of golf followed by a business cocktail and was ready to spend a few hours at his desk at home before he started a n

ew work week.

Plus, he wanted to touch base with Jeff. Living alone didn’t suit the other man as well as it did Brett.

The car parked. He walked toward it, intending to get the first awkward moment over with in the parking lot, rather than in front of curious restaurant staff and patrons.

The passenger door opened, and a woman got out. Dark-haired. Slender and long legged. She wrapped her arms around his neck and hung on.