Page 16 of Second Chance with Seth
That said, I’m taking a few minutes out to feed River, and making the most of being able to put my feet up while I’m about it.
I can’t wait for Barbra to get back from vacation… not because she usually helps on Saturday lunchtimes, but becausewe’ve agreed that, starting next month, she’ll take over working my weekend shifts altogether, alongside Owen. In return for covering the weekends, Barbra won’t work at all on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and Owen will have Thursdays and Fridays off. Ever since he started here, he’s always chosen to work the weekends, but his days off have been random, whereas now they’re going to be set, which will make things more stable for all of us, I think. It’s going to be a novel concept for me, working just five regular days a week, but I can’t keep going like this. I’m too damn tired.
So is River, by the looks of things, and as I lie her in her crib, her eyes flutter closed and I smile down at her. She’s angelic when she’s asleep, and I carry her bottle over to the kitchen sink and wash it out.
“Is she okay?” Sandra asks. She’s fixing a BLT on sourdough, and looks up at me, while still slicing a tomato, as only a professional chef can.
She and Lyla have shared the cooking duties here for as long as I can remember, and I know I’d be lost without them… especially now. They’ve always had help, although the form of that help has changed over the years. At the moment, it comes in the guise of either Harriet or Teresa, depending on the day of the week, so they can take the odd day off themselves. Again, those days are random, and they work them out between themselves. Today, it’s just Sandra and Lyla who are here. They’ve become honorary aunties to River, and although they’re nearly always rushed off of their feet, they make time to keep an eye on her for me, calling me when she wakes up. I don’t expect anyone to do anything with her. She’s my daughter, after all… but it’s good to know they’re watching over her.
“She’s fine.” I give her a smile.
“Can I get you anything?” Lyla asks. She’s just as busy as Sandra, and I shake my head.
“No, thanks. I’d better get back to work.”
“There’s a stack of plates there, if you want to take them back out?” Lyla says, nodding to the crockery on the end of the countertop.
“Are the cups ready to go out too?” I ask.
“Yes, but don’t carry too much at once.”
I huff out a laugh. “You forget, I’ve been doing this for more than ten years.”
“Are you trying to make us feel old now?” Sandra says, and we all laugh, although we keep it quiet so we don’t wake River, who seems to have settled in her crib.
I pick up the pile of plates, and as many cups as I can carry, and check on River as I pass her, sliding through the swing door and into the coffee shop. It’s still busy out here, although it’s not as bad as it was earlier, and I glance up, my breath catching in my throat, my skin tingling as I see a man walking past the front of the shop.
It can’t be. And yet, I know it is.
It’s Seth.
I’d know him anywhere, and in my panic, I drop a cup, wincing at the clattering sound as it hits the floor, unbroken.
“Are you okay?” Owen rushes over, picking up the cup and taking the plates from me. “What on earth possessed you to carry so much?”
He puts the plates down, and I grab his arm with my free hand. “It’s him,” I whisper.
“Him?” He frowns, staring down at me.
“Yes. Seth.”
His face clears. “Where?”
“Outside. He’s… oh God… he’s coming in.”
Owen turns toward the door. “That’s Seth?” he says, looking back at me. “I’ll say one thing… you’ve got great taste.”
“Be quiet.” He chuckles, which isn’t helping at all, and I turn, looking back at the swing door again. It’s still swaying slightly, and I nod my head. “I’m gonna go hide.”
“No, you’re not,” he says firmly.
He grabs the cups, putting them down beside the plates, and as Seth closes the door behind him, Owen nudges me forward, reminding me of what Aunt Clare did all those years ago.
For a second, I wonder if that’s a sign, but then I realize there’s no such thing and I stand, mesmerized by the sight of the only man I’ll ever love, walking straight toward me…
Chapter Four
Seth
