1022 Evergreen Place - Debbie Macomber [61]
Ben set the Crock-Pot filled with soup on the kitchen counter and plugged it in.
“As promised, we brought lunch,” Charlotte announced. She opened the kitchen cupboard, taking down three soup bowls and three bread plates. “Is Jack going to be joining us?”
Olivia nodded. “Have you ever known my husband to miss one of your meals?” She got another bowl and plate, while Ben efficiently collected the silverware. “He’s been taking time off every day to drive home and check on me. Oh, he makes it sound like he’s just home for lunch, but I know that man and he’s watching over me.”
“As well he should,” Charlotte said. She approved of Jack’s less-than-subtle approach to caring for her daughter. She was grateful he kept a close eye on Olivia; the cancer was bad enough, but they’d very nearly lost her last fall, and the scare had put them all on edge. The memory of those weeks always sent a chill down Charlotte’s spine.
As if he’d been able to smell the fresh-baked bread, Jack pulled into the space behind Ben’s car. He bounded out of his vehicle and came through the kitchen door, clutching a copy of the latest Cedar Cove Chronicle. “You’ve got your very own delivery boy,” he said cheerfully, handing it to Olivia. “Hi, everyone.”
They all greeted him and Charlotte smiled at him fondly.
“Do I smell lunch?” he asked, glancing expectantly around. He kissed Olivia’s cheek and walked straight past her to the Crock-Pot on the counter. Lifting the lid, he closed his eyes. “Mmm. Homemade soup?”
“Italian wedding,” Ben said.
“As usual, you’re right on time,” Charlotte told him. “Everything’s ready.”
Within a few minutes, the four of them were sitting at the kitchen table; the bread was still warm enough to melt the butter, and the soup was delicious, if Charlotte did say so herself.
“Actually, Olivia, we’re not just here for lunch—” he inclined his head at Charlotte “—delectable though it is. We have a few questions for you, if you don’t mind,” Ben said.
“Of course.” Olivia looked somewhat surprised.
“This has to do with Noelle,” Charlotte supplied, eager to help.
“It has more to do with my son than Noelle,” Ben inserted.
Charlotte saw that he’d set his spoon aside and didn’t reach for it again. The subject of David had obviously ruined Ben’s appetite. “I urged Mary Jo to file for child support,” he said.
“She should do it,” Jack seconded vigorously, an opinion Charlotte strongly agreed with.
“Mary Jo knows David’s unemployed. She thinks there’s no point in filing when he isn’t making any money.” Ben turned to Olivia with a questioning look.
“Whether he’s currently employed or not doesn’t matter,” Olivia said.
“Good.” Ben’s expression was one of relief.
Charlotte felt they should review the facts. “Mary Jo’s been taking care of Noelle on her own and it isn’t right. Ben wanted to help her financially, but Mary Jo wouldn’t accept money.” She had to admire the young woman, although her situation must be difficult.
“I did include Noelle in my will,” Ben explained. “But I feel it’s David’s responsibility to support his daughter even if he wasn’t married to the child’s mother. As it is, he’s not supporting the child he had with his ex-wife, either.”
“Ben told his son how he felt and I’m afraid their talk didn’t go well. Unfortunately, David ran into Mary Jo shortly after meeting with his father.” Charlotte glanced at Ben, wanting his permission before she continued. He nodded.
She paused a moment to butter some bread. “It turns out that David saw Mary Jo and Mack McAfee with Noelle down by the waterfront on Saturday afternoon. You remember how lovely the day was, don’t you? Well, Mary Jo said David threatened her again.”
“Threatened?” Olivia asked, frowning. “How, exactly?”
Ben took over then. “From what Mary Jo could tell us, it seems David implied that if she went after child support, he’d fight her for custody of Noelle. By the way,” he added, “I’ve recently learned that he’s moved to Seattle.”
Charlotte noticed that he didn’t say anything about the woman