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"But surely you have h I need money to pay the balance"

"But, David, your father would want to help you if he knew the reason you’re so desperate for this loan"

He smiled as if she’d made a joke "You don’t know my father as well as you think I was never his favorite Dad always saw the bad in ave him plenty of reason but…we’ve never had much of a relationship"

Charlotte could see that Ben’s problems with his son were far , this wasn’t a recent falling-out, as she’d assu the disappointment Will had been to her in the past few years, she understood far better than she cared to adave ain "I can’t let you do it, Charlotte"

"You can’t?"

"I don’t want to risk dae to my father"

"Nonsense Once I tell him, Ben will understand Besides, it’s my money and I can do with it as I please"

David didn’t respond

Charlotte bent down for her purse and pulled out her checkbook She’d finished writing the check and ripped it free when Justine stepped up to the table

She glared at David "Grand?"

David raised his hand for the check "I don’t believe this is any of your concern"

Charlotte had just given him the check when Justine jerked it out of his hand When she saw the amount and the recipient, she scowled darkly

David stood "Giveacross the dining roo to both Charlotte and her granddaughter Everyone started talking at once, providing a spectacle for the entire restaurant Before she could protest, Ben was escorting Charlotte outside, David trailing after them

"How did you knoas here?" she asked, her cheeks red with mortification She drew her coat--which Justine had sent after her, via one of the waitresses--more closely around her

"Justine phoned me"

"Oh, dear"

"She orried She said David had been drinking quite a bit I knew immediately why he asked to see you and told her to ive him a check"

"But Ben, he’s ill! He needs medical treatment"

Ben’s eyes narrowed on his son "It’s a lie"

"But…"

"David, for once in your life own up to what you’ve done Tell her the truth"

Eyes wide, Charlotte stared at Ben’s son After an aard "

Her face burned Like they said, there was no fool like an old fool "Oh, Ben," she whispered "I’m so sorry, so very sorry"

"Sweetheart," he said, slowly shaking his head "It isn’t your fault My son is a masterto say or do whatever it takes to get money I’m ashamed to call him my son and even more ashamed that he’s involved you in this"

"I feel so…so foolish"

"Don’t" Ben ignored his son as David walked quickly away from thee of that Now, didn’t you say so?"

When Charlotte sniffled forlornly, he arranged her scarf around her neck, then took her hand in his

Twenty-One

Justine Gunderson’s composure still hadn’t recovered frorandet walked into the restaurant The afternoon was going froreet him with a smile was a credit to her skills as hostess

"Hello, Warren," she said, reaching for acontractor, for several years beforeSeth Warren, as almost twenty years older than she, had pressured her to marry him At the time, Justine was convinced she never wanted a husband or children It had taken Seth and the love they shared to change her mind Their three-year-old son was the joy of her life And working with Seth to build this restaurant had been--and continued to be--i

"You’re as beautiful as ever," Warren iven him one of the best tables in the house

"Thank you" She set the menu on the table

Warren’s hand covered hers "Stay a few ed

"I can’t"

"Sure you can," he said "You’re not busy now It’s alone We haven’t talked in months" He lowered his voice "You loved ht she did, but Seth had shown her the realof the word What she’d felt for Warren, she realized in retrospect, was a strange o required him to have a pretty woman on his arm at social functions, but it was all for show Unable to perforent with her She’d needed his kindness and for a time, the relationship had suited her perfectly Not only that, her willingness to keep his little secret had endeared her to him Only when Seth came into the picture and Warren felt threatened had he wanted tothe depth of her feelings for Seth had proved painful and difficult, Justine had actually consideredWarren

That way Seth would leave her alone, she’d believed--and he had, but she wasn’t free of hihts everySeth or the love she felt for hireed to ht decision

"Please joinwith her "For just a few minutes"