“Swam to shore?” Cameron had sailing and fishing on his mind and wondered why anyone would think Marti would swim ashore. From where?
“I met George at the harbor. I’d just gotten back from a trip.”
“Where did you go?” Cameron asked.
“Everywhere,” she said and smiled mischievously. “I was fulfilling a promise. It’s a long story.”
“You always keep your promises?” Unsure why he asked, her answer seemed infinitely important.
“Yes,” she said emphatically. “I never make a promise I don’t keep. It’s one of my rules.”
“Like not sticking your nose in people’s business?”
“Yes. I only did it because you looked like you needed the help. Sometimes when you’re in the situation you can’t see it objectively. I hope I didn’t make things worse for you. I never meant to harm you.”
“Slow down, Marti. You didn’t do anything wrong, and thanks for sticking your nose in. I owe you for Emma. I don’t think I’ve heard her laugh as much as she has tonight in a long time.”
“She’s an amazing girl. Aren’t you, Sugar Bug?” Marti poked Emma in the ribs and made her laugh.
“Come on, sweetheart. Jimmy and Shelly are waiting for us.”
“I don’t want to go home yet.”
“You have school tomorrow and two late nights is more than enough for one week. It’s home, books, and bed for you.”
“What college do you go to, Sugar Bug?”
“I’m not in college. I’m in kindergarten.”
“Could have fooled me, Sugar Bug. You are so smart.”
“If I went to college, I could have dessert first all the time.”
Marti laughed and so did Cameron. “Touché, Sugar Bug. Like I said, you are very smart.”
“I hate to see you leave when you seem to want to stay,” Knight began and went on quickly before Cameron corrected him. He needed to leave and get Shelly home. Okay, maybe he wanted to stay.
“Come to dinner this Friday,” George went on. “I have something extremely important to discuss with you.”
“We’ll be there.” Cameron looked to George for some answer in his face for his serious tone. He didn’t get one.
“I’m only going if Marti will be there,” Emma said and crossed her arms over her chest, trying to look like she meant business.
“Are you busy Friday night, Marti?” George hoped she’d be staying at the house before Friday.
“I have a few things planned, but for you, Sugar Bug, I’ll make time. Are you sure you don’t mind, George? If you have business to discuss with Cameron . . .”
“Nonsense. I want you there. Emma and Cameron want you there. We’ll see you and Emma Friday night, Cameron.”
“We look forward to it,” he said and scooped up his daughter.
Emma turned back to Marti. “Will you teach me how to play soccer with a quarter on Friday?”
“Absolutely. We will use all of our best table manners during dinner. After, I’ll kick your butt at quarter soccer.”
“No way. I’m going to kick your butt.”
“You’re on, Sugar Bug. We’ll begin the tournament Friday night.”
Emma beamed when Marti handed her the quarter. Cameron hugged his daughter to his chest and looked over her at Marti. “Thank you for watching over my daughter.”
Marti saw the love he had for his little girl reflected in his eyes and the sincerity in his voice. He loved her very much, appreciated that Marti saw how special Emma was, as special as he believed her to be.
“It was my pleasure.” She spoke with as much sincerity as she felt, hoping to give the moment the depth of emotion it deserved.
Cameron nodded to her and George and turned to take his daughter home.
“YOU’RE AN AMAZING woman, Marti. I invited you to dinner tonight for two reasons. One is to thank you for today. You opened my eyes to what I need to do in my life to make things right. Two, I hope you’ll humor an old man and an old family friend and hear me out. I have a request, and I hope you’ll accept.”
“George, of course I’ll listen. There’s no need to thank me for today. You needed someone to talk to. I was happy to be that person and get reacquainted with you after all these years. That’s thanks enough for me. Besides, you saved me from dinner alone in my hotel room.”
“Hotel room? You aren’t staying at your grandparents’ estate?”
“No, the estate was left to my uncle. As you can imagine, he and I don’t get along well. I’ll have to move my things out over the next few weeks, since the estate has been settled.”