Wade looked annoyed by his mother’s question, but Robin thought she understood what prompted it. “Not at all. It’s the nature of his work.”
“It won’t always be like this,” he added. “I’m planning to take Robin with me on future trips.”
Robin felt a sinking sensation in her gut. This was payback for not being honest with Wade from the beginning. What she’d told Kait was just an excuse. The issue had never been about waiting for the right moment. There had been plenty of those. It had been (and continued to be) a wish to avoid admitting to something that would negatively impact Wade’s opinion of her.
With a start, she realized Maxine was speaking.
“…be a braver woman than me. A ship with no amenities, pint-sized quarters and a team of scientists talking technical jargon day and night isn’t my idea of a good time.”
The thought of being on any type of watercraft had Robin breaking out in a cold sweat. She was frantically trying to come up with a reply when Reece strolled back into the room. As far as she was concerned, his return couldn’t have been better timed.
“Here’s the coffee,” he said, setting a tray on the table in front of Maxine. “There’s some extra cups in case anyone else wants to indulge.”
Maxine reached for the stainless steel carafe. “What happened to Jeanette?”
“She got a call from her daughter,” Reece replied as he resumed his seat. “I told her I’d do the honors.”
“In doing so, you confirmed what I told Robin.”
Reece’s eyes crinkled at the corners. Robin grudgingly admitted it was very attractive.
“I’m not sure I want to know what it is,” he said.
“Why not?” Maxine asked as she handed a cup to Wade. “It’s nothing bad. I said you’re a sweetheart.”
His attractive rumble of laughter rang out. “For carrying in a tray? It’s not like I had to go out of my way.”
“Little things add up to big things. I meant to ask you earlier, but I got sidetracked by Wade and Robin’s arrival. One of my friends in Jacksonville has a nephew who’s interested in taking flying lessons. I believe he’s seventeen or thereabouts. I know you’ve got instructors at your flight school, but it would be a real treat if you’d give him lessons.”
Robin had to admire Maxine’s tactics. She’d made it almost impossible for Reece to refuse.
“Have your friend’s nephew give me a call,” he said. “We’ll see what we can work out.”
Maxine shot a triumphant glance at her husband. “I told you he’d do it.”
“I didn’t say he wouldn’t do it, darling. I said he might not have time. I hope your friend’s nephew can keep the news to himself. If word gets out that Reece is giving lessons, he’ll have women lined up a mile long outside the Diamond Jet hangar.”
“From what I’ve heard, that happens all the time,” Wade said tongue in cheek.
“Don’t believe everything you hear,” was Reece’s laser-quick reply.
Maxine shook her head. “Poor Reece. He’s a gossip magnet, and most of it isn’t fit to be repeated. Why can’t people talk about how hard he works? Carlson has said many times that he couldn’t have left Diamond Jet in better hands. Unlike many company owners, Reece doesn’t sit around in a high-rise office giving orders. He takes his share of charters.”
Robin had a hard time feeling sorry for Reece. In her opinion, he’d brought any negative attention he received on himself. If he hadn’t given people something to talk about, they would have moved on to someone else.
“Don’t make him sound too good, Mom,” Wade protested. “Robin will think she’s with the wrong guy.”
“Nonsense,” Maxine said, reaching over to pat Robin’s arm. “She knows the work you do is vitally important. Where would humanity be without scientists? The ocean is like space. It has to be explored.”
Wade sat his empty cup on the tray. “I wish more people felt that way. The oceanic institute doesn’t have the funding of NASA. We have to survive on small government grants and donations. The first involves massive amounts of red tape and paperwork. The second requires networking with the right people. Researchers don’t make the best fundraisers. As a general rule, we have lousy people skills. We don’t enjoy dressing up and making pretty speeches to a bunch of stuffed-shirt corporate VIPs and self-important trust fund kids.”
An uncomfortable silence followed his remarks. Robin knew Wade hadn’t meant to be offensive, but his way of referring to the individuals who funded his work was neither polite nor diplomatic. Had he forgotten that the other two men in the room were members of his target demographic?
Maxine emitted a nervous-sounding laugh. “Be nice, Wade. You’ve got a fundraiser coming up in a few weeks, and Reece has very graciously agreed to attend.”
Wade obviously didn’t see what the big deal was. “Reece knows I wasn’t referring to him.”
“He’s right, Maxine,” Reece said, looking more amused than insulted. “In any case, I’ve grown a thick skin over the years.”
“I guess you’ve had to,” she said. “Being married to Carlson has made me realize that it’s not easy being born with a silver spoon in your mouth. If you’re successful, it’s because you have money. If you fail, it’s because everything’s been handed to you. Everyone assumes your life is perfect. You’re not allowed to have problems.”
“All of that is true,” he conceded, “but there’s no denying the advantages of having money far outweigh the disadvantages. What people forget is that money can’t buy the three most important things in life: love, happiness and good health. The first has to be earned, the second is a choice, and the third is only partly within one’s control.”
Robin had expected to find Reece personable and well-spoken. What surprised her was hearing him echo sentiments that so closely aligned with her own.
“Money can’t buy time, either,” Maxine said. “That’s why it’s important to cherish every moment.” She turned back to Robin. “Forgive me, dear. Here I am rattling on and on with Wade and Reece when I should be talking to you. Are you from Jacksonville originally?”
“Yes, ma’am. I grew up in Green Cove Springs.”
“I know that area well. It’s not far from where Wade and I lived. My first husband and I moved to Fleming Island not long after we got married. It wasn’t as congested then. The traffic and never-ending construction were two reasons I was so keen on returning to Savannah. The pace of life is slower here. It’s something I didn’t care for when I was younger, but I appreciate it now.”
“I know what you mean about the traffic in Jacksonville,” Robin said. “My commute to work seems to get longer every week. Everywhere you look, they’re building something.”
“Wade mentioned you’re a cake decorator. It sounds like a fascinating job. You must be very creative. Have you always enjoyed baking?”
“Not really, no. It started in high school when I got a part-time job as a cashier at a grocery store. You’d never know it now, but at that time in my life, I was terribly shy. Talking to customers in the checkout line was agony. After a few days, I knew I’d have to do something different. When I went to turn in my resignation, my manager suggested I interview for an opening in the bakery.