“Never.” He held her gently, letting her come to herself in her own time.
“Rachel hates that she had to move in with me. And I understand that because if I were her, I’d chafe at my independence being compromised that way. But I’ve been so glad that she’s been here because it gives me a reason to get up in the mornings. It’s terribly selfish of me.” She lifted her head, wiping her eyes. “Ihateretirement. All those people who can’t wait to retire so they can drive around in their Winnebagos are crazy.”
He chuckled, holding her arms. “I don’t know what a Winnebago is, but it sounds horrendous.”
“Right?” She gave a watery laugh. “So you came to see me.”
Feeling inspiration strike, he said, “I wondered if you wouldn’t like to come have a drink with me.”
She lit up. “At Clancy’s?”
“Of course.”
“I’d love to.” The smile she gave him was brilliant. “I just need to fix my face.”
“Your face is perfect.”
She laughed again, this time more like herself. “Did you take charm lessons from Didier?”
“What makes you think he didn’t take lessons from me?”
She laughed outright at that. “I think he came by it naturally. That man oozes charm. Let me get my purse and we’ll be off.”
They walked to Clancy’s slowly, arm in arm. The deliberate movement of their steps helped ground him as much as running usually did. “Thank you for this,” he told her. “I needed it. I feel more settled already.”
She gave him a knowing look. “Rachel keeping you on your toes?”
“I like that she does.” He hesitated.
“Just tell me.”
“She thinks I’m going to up and leave her. I’m not sure why she’d think that.”
Lottie squeezed his arm. “The peckerwood she divorced really did a number on her. I’m not sure why she gave in to him and quit her job to begin with, but it was a disaster.” Lottie frowned. “Truthfully, it’s really my son’s fault. And his wife, of course,” she added.
“How is that?”
“They were never really interested in having Rachel. They did it because it was expected, and then when they realized I’d take care of her, they gladly handed over the reins. Which was good in a lot of ways, mind you.” She shook her head. “But, of course, she grew up feeling like she had to prove herself to earn everything.”
It all clicked into place. “I don’t need her to prove anything.”
Lottie touched his arm. “I know that.”
“Do you think she’ll be able to let all that old baggage go?”
“For your sake, sweetheart, I hope so.” She smiled softly.
When they reached Clancy’s, Jamie opened the door for her. She swept in like she was the queen of Sheba—or Coco. He grinned. He couldn’t wait till Coco met Lottie and Rachel.
Lottie marched right up to the bar, close to where Otto was sitting. Jamie saw her give the man a considering look before pulling out a stool, two away from him.
Arching his brow, Jamie took his lead from her and claimed the seat between her and Otto. “Hello, Otto,” he said to the older man.
“Hey there, kid.” Otto smiled at him. Then he frowned at Lottie. “You robbing the cradle?”
She snorted. “Jamie can’t resist me.”
“It’s a challenge, keeping a woman like you satisfied,” Jamie said with a wink. Then he turned to Otto. “Can I buy you a round?”