It wasn’t even six-thirty yet; Meagan could be another two hours or so getting home, from what he’d observed so far that week. Not that he’d been watching her house or anything. He’d simply been trying to get an idea of her schedule.
What he had seen had not been encouraging. Nor was the disappointment on Alice’s face now.
“Maybe you could call her and see if she’s going to be home soon?” she asked hopefully. “I bet she’s hungry. She’ll probably be too tired to cook for herself tonight. And she hasn’t even had a chance to taste Jacqui’s cooking yet. I know she’ll like it.”
“Thank you, Alice,” Jacqui murmured, wiping down the countertops without looking around.
Seth shook his head. “I’m not calling her before she gets home. For all we know, she could be operating on someone. Or in an important meeting. I’m not interrupting her.”
“But—”
“Alice.” He leveled a look at her, the one that told her the conversation was over.
Fortunately, that look still worked on her. She sighed, bit her lip, and shrugged. “All right. Fine. I’ll go wash up.”
“Good idea.”
Alone in the kitchen with Jacqui, he shook his head. “She’s a good kid, on the whole, but when she gets an idea in her head she’s like a dog with a bone. She’s not letting go.”
“I noticed.” Wringing out her cloth, Jacqui draped it over the back of the sink to dry. “She wanted me to call Dr. Baker earlier and extend an invitation for dinner. I told her that doctors—surgeons—are very important people and can’t be disturbed when they’re at work, but I’m not sure she understands.”
“I’ll talk to her again later. She shouldn’t be trying to wheedle you into doing things for her.”
“I can handle it.”
“I’m sure you can.”
Jacqui went into the laundry room to collect the oversized knitting bag she brought with her every day. Her car keys dangled from her hand. “You need anything else before I head out?”
“No, we’re good here. You’re always welcome to join us for dinner, you know.” He had made it clear from the beginning that she would be treated more as family than help. While she seemed to appreciate the distinction, she had yet to join them for a meal.
She shook her head. “Thanks, but I have plans.”
“Then don’t let me keep you.”
Funny little thing, he thought after she left. Efficient and self-possessed at one moment, oddly shy at the next. She’d fit into the routine easily enough, though the dynamics were different with her than they had been with Nina. Nina had been motherly, nurturing, sometimes a little meddle-some. Jacqui was more behind-the-scenes, running the household quietly and smoothly, polite but not too familiar. He wouldn’t be at all surprised to learn that she’d studied and imitated the behavior of TV butlers.
It was strange how he knew so much about her work history, yet not a lot about her personally. He guessed that wasn’t important as long as she did her job well. And he’d only known her a week. She’d probably open up more with time.
“I guess I’m ready to eat,” Alice said, rejoining him. “I just looked out the window and I don’t think Meagan’s home yet,” she added.
“I just told you she wasn’t.”
“But she might have come home since.”
“Let’s just enjoy our dinner together, okay? Since when do we need anyone else to keep us entertained?”
“I like having dinner with you, Dad,” she assured him earnestly, looking suddenly concerned that she might have hurt his feelings. “It’s not like we need anyone else. I just miss Meagan, is all.”
He tugged fondly at one of her curls, smiling down at her with a cheerfulness he didn’t quite feel. This, he told himself, was why he’d been concerned with getting involved with another woman whose career was all-consuming. He hated seeing Alice disappointed.
“Let’s eat,” he said. “After dinner we’ll go out and play with Waldo for a while, if you want, and then maybe watch some TV or play a game or something. Since we’ve both got a free evening.”
Her face brightened. “That sounds like a great evening. I’ll pour our drinks. You want iced tea?”
“Of course.” He was relieved he’d been able to put a smile back on her face.
He hadn’t wanted to admit to her that he missed Meagan, too.