“I’ve never cared about the money,” Seth told her. “It’s nice knowing it’s there. It’s a good little nest egg. I’m living okay on what I earn now.”
“Well, it’s my chance to get out of debt and maybe make things right with Jason,” Laura said, a hitch in her voice. “It could be the only chance I have.”
Seth was startled by her admission that she wanted her husband back. It was yet another of her delusions. After talking to his former brother-in-law, he knew the likelihood of that was practically nil. It wasn’t up to him, though, to tell his sister that.
“Have you told Meredith that?” he asked instead. “Maybe she’d give you an advance, maybe help you pay off the bills, if you explained why that matters. Otherwise, you’re risking spending more on an attorney than you’ll ever see from the estate.”
“You don’t think I stand a prayer of contesting the will, do you?”
“I don’t,” he said gently. “Mom and Dad had valid reasons for their concerns. I think any judge will understand that.”
“And you’ll side with Meredith in court, won’t you?” she said accusingly.
“If it comes to that, I’d have to,” he agreed.
“You are so blasted saintly and self-righteous,” she accused, but she was starting to sound resigned.
“Will you at least think about what I said?” he asked.
“Yeah, sure. How can I not? The two of you always did gang up against me.”
Seth smiled at that. “Meredith and I never ganged up against you,” he said. “I was so much younger, neither of you wanted a thing to do with me. I was just a nuisance and, worse, an embarrassment.”
She finally chuckled. “Yeah, that’s true. What teenager wants to think about her parents having sex. Yet you were the living proof that ours did. Ugh!”
“I love you just the same,” he teased.
“I suppose I love you, too,” she conceded grudgingly.
“Call Meredith,” he prodded. “Work this out.”
“I’ll think about it,” she said again.
Seth figured that was the best he could hope for. He hung up before she took back her promise.
The two conversations, though, had been stark reminders that money could tear people—even families—apart. It made his hesitance to get involved with Abby seem more reasonable than ever. He glanced over at The Fish Tale, spotted Abby once again in that same booth by the window, and turned right around and walked away.
* * *
Abby had been watching Seth pace up and down the sidewalk outside The Fish Tale. She’d also been aware of the precise moment when he’d spotted her. The fact that he’d taken off, rather than coming inside, was just more evidence of how they were drifting apart, rather than getting closer. It seemed odd behavior from a man who’d declared only days ago that he envisioned them sleeping together.
“You still waiting for someone to join you?” Lesley Ann asked, stopping by the table with a refill of Abby’s iced tea.
“Nope,” Abby said, regretting that she’d even hinted that she was waiting for someone. “I’ll go ahead and order.”
Lesley Ann took her order to the kitchen, then came back.
“If you’d like some company, I can take a break,” Lesley Ann offered hesitantly. “I wouldn’t mind getting off my feet for a little while. A.J.’s napping, so I might even be able to get through my lunch in peace.”
Abby smiled. “I’d love the company. And, if you don’t mind me saying so, you look exhausted. Maybe you should take the afternoon off and grab a nap.”
Lesley Ann immediately looked wistful. “I could get out of here, but by the time I get A.J. home, he’ll be wide awake and looking for attention.”
“Leave him with me,” Abby suggested impulsively.
“But you have work to do,” Lesley Ann protested. “Aren’t you trying to get everything together for tomorrow night’s council meeting.”
“I’ve been over everything so many times, I’m practically cross-eyed,” Abby said. “I could use the break, too. You’ll have to bring him over to my place, since I don’t have a car seat, but he can stay as long as you like.”
“Are you sure? I have to admit that sounds heavenly.”
“Then take me up on it.”
“Right after we’ve eaten,” Lesley Ann agreed. “Let me grab those orders from the kitchen. I put mine in at the same time I gave Dad yours. And I’ll tell him the plan. He’ll probably be relieved to have a break from babysitting himself.”
When she returned to the table, she uttered a sigh as she slid into the booth. “This feels so good,” she said, moaning with pleasure. She took a bite of her sandwich. “And this is amazing.”
Abby chuckled. “For a woman who’s probably eaten more of those fish sandwiches than anyone else in town, you sound surprisingly impressed.”
“I don’t usually get to savor it like this. When it’s hopping in here, I just grab a bite on the run. I barely get to taste it.” She met Abby’s gaze. “Don’t get me wrong. I enjoy working in here. Always have. Unlike my brother, who couldn’t wait to get away, I love this place. And I like being able to keep an eye on Dad, especially with Mom gone.”
“What about a part-time schedule?” Abby asked.
“No such thing, not with me,” Lesley Ann said. “I’m probably more like you than you can imagine. If I’m going to take over this place someday, I need to know how to handle every single crisis. And I need to be willing to put in the hours.”
“But wearing yourself out can’t be good,” Abby argued.
“That’s what Bobby says. He’d love it if I just quit, or took a leave for a couple of years, but there’s no way I’m doing that. It would be too hard on Dad, for one thing. It would drive me crazy for another. I like being busy.”
“And those kids don’t keep you busy enough?” Abby asked, trying to imagine the chaos.
“It’s not the same,” Lesley Ann countered. “Both things are fulfilling, but not in the same
