“Tell Connie I’ll meet her there. I have to grab little Mick anyway, if Heather agrees.”
“Perfect,” Kevin said. “Thanks for doing this, bro.”
“Not a problem,” Connor told him. In fact, he was just discovering that Chesapeake Shores might have more fascinating things going on than he’d ever envisioned.
* * *
Thomas finished his speech, then took time to talk to anyone who lingered afterward with questions. He couldn’t seem to stop himself from glancing across the green to where Connie was doing a brisk business selling books about the Chesapeake Bay. While watching the piles of books dwindle was satisfying, he realized he was more interested in the woman selling them. She had a smile for everyone, and her laughter rang out whenever his nephew made some comment to her.
Thomas had been surprised when he’d seen Connor and his boy arriving with Connie. In fact, he’d even had a momentary pang at the thought that even though Connor was a bit younger than Connie, the two of them made much more suitable companions than he ever would with a woman her age. Of course, Connor’s heart belonged with the mother of his child, whether he wanted to admit it or not. Still, Connie no doubt had opportunities to meet many men closer to her own age than he was.
When the last of the stragglers had wandered off, Thomas crossed the green. Connie looked up from her sale and smiled at him, then went back to writing the receipt. He glanced toward Connor and saw that his nephew was watching him intently.
“How’d we do with donations and memberships today?” Thomas asked, forcing his attention away from Connie.
“I don’t have anything to compare it to, but it seemed okay to me,” Connor said. “About forty people signed up for the foundation, and donations topped a thousand dollars. I think there are additional pledges on some of the membership applications, too.”
“Fantastic!” Thomas said enthusiastically. “I knew this was going to work after the event Shanna held last summer. Can’t imagine why none of us ever thought of it before.”
“Connie seems very excited about being a part of it,” Connor said, glancing her way.
“She’s been a godsend,” Thomas said, then added quickly, “As has Shanna.”
Connor smirked. “Of course.”
Thomas heard the suggestive note in Connor’s voice, latched on to his nephew’s arm and dragged him away from the table where Connie was still making book sales.
“Is there something on your mind?” he demanded irritably. “If there is, out with it.”
“Not a thing,” Connor swore, but there was still a glint of amusement in his eyes. “Anything you want to tell me?”
Thomas studied him with a narrowed gaze, wondering just what Connor was not saying. He certainly wasn’t going to be the one to bring Connie’s name into the conversation.
“Nothing,” he said stiffly. Although he was surprisingly disappointed not to have the opportunity to share so much as a cup of coffee with Connie, he could see that today wasn’t the day. “I need to be getting back to Annapolis.”
“Since you’re this close to Chesapeake Shores, why not come on over for the rest of the weekend?” Connor suggested. “There’s plenty of room at the house. I don’t think Dad would throw you out. Or perhaps there’s someplace else in town you could stay,” he added suggestively.
“You know, if you were my son, I’d have plenty to say about all these looks and innuendoes of yours,” Thomas told him.
Connor actually had the audacity to laugh. “But then Dad doesn’t know what’s going on, does he? I’m sure if he did, he’d have a few things to say to you himself.”
“There is nothing going on,” Thomas said in a fierce undertone, glancing over to make sure that Connie couldn’t overhear. “And if you suggest otherwise, I’ll call you a liar. Don’t be stirring up trouble, young man.”
Connor’s expression sobered. “Hey, I’m just giving you a rough time. If you’ve got a thing for Connie and she’s reciprocating, I think it’s great.”
There it was, spelled out in plain English, Thomas thought with a sigh. “She’s a lovely woman,” he conceded cautiously. “I’ve noticed that. It’s gone no further. I doubt it will.”
“Why not?”
“Because I’m not about to make a fool of myself at this stage of my life,” Thomas said. “Now, can we let this go before she wonders what the two of us are whispering about?”
“I think it would be a crying shame for you not to at least spend a little time getting to know each other,” Connor argued. “Why don’t we all go for something to drink? Little Mick could use a snack before we head back anyway.”
It was an invitation Thomas couldn’t bring himself to turn down. “A half hour, just so we can tally the results of the day,” he said finally.
Connor grinned. “Whatever you need to tell yourself.”
Sadly, right at this moment, that excuse was the only thing that kept Thomas from feeling like an old fool.
* * *
Connie was quiet as she and Connor drove back to Chesapeake Shores. Little Mick had fallen asleep in his car seat the minute they’d hit the road. Connie had agreed to let Connor drive. She’d spent most of the ride staring out the window, her expression pensive.
“Something on your mind?” Connor asked eventually.
“No, just a little tired,” she said. “It was an exhausting day.”
“But an incredibly productive one,” Connor observed. “At least that’s what Uncle Thomas said. He’s very grateful for everything you and Shanna are doing.”
Her expression brightened. “Working with him…” She actually blushed, then amended, “I mean for the cause, well it’s incredibly rewarding. For the first time in ages, I feel as if I’m doing something that really matters. I wish my daughter would help out. I tried to get Jenny to come today, but she’d rather work more hours at Bree’s flower shop than volunteer for anything.”
“She’s saving for college, right?” Connor said. “That’s a responsible thing to do
